Beverage Filling Valve Thermal Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing filling devices require extended downtime for sterilization and cooling, leading to increased unproductive time due to the need to cool down system parts before resuming operation, which affects overall production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Integration of a double-walled reservoir with an integrated heat exchanger and a channel within the filling valve for efficient temperature control, allowing for quick cooling or heating to maintain the operating temperature, reducing downtime by eliminating the need for external heat exchangers and simplifying product distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the filling device is sterilized using steam or hot water, then the sterilization effectiveness is improved, but the system parts heat up and require extended cooling time before resuming operation
Solution Approach 1:
The filling device is divided into separate thermal zones: the sterilizable filling mechanism and the temperature-stable reservoir. This segmentation allows the filling parts to be sterilized while the product reservoir maintains operating temperature, eliminating the need to cool down the entire system after sterilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The reservoir is pre-heated to the required operating temperature before sterilization begins. This preliminary action ensures that when sterilization is complete, the product is already at the correct temperature for immediate filling operation, eliminating post-sterilization cooling time.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the entire filling device is cooled down after sterilization, then the product can be protected from overheating, but the time required for sterilization is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into the sterilized filling mechanism and the temperature-controlled reservoir. Only the necessary components are exposed to sterilization temperatures, while the product reservoir remains thermally isolated and maintained at operating temperature throughout the sterilization process.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the filling device includes upstream machines for container production and treatment, then the production line is complete, but the downtime of the filling device affects the entire system
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is pre-heated to operating temperature before sterilization, and the filling mechanism is pre-cooled if necessary. This preliminary temperature adjustment ensures that when sterilization completes, the filling device can immediately resume operation without delaying the connected production line.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables immediate resumption of the filling process after sterilization and minimizes downtime by maintaining product temperature during interruptions, enhancing overall production efficiency and reducing unproductive time.
Implementation Method 1
The heat exchanger is preferably integrated into the wall of the reservoir, since that is where the greatest effectiveness can be expected when cooling or heating these system components
Implementation Method 2
A double-walled design is preferred for the reservoir, with a heat exchange medium flowing between an inner and an outer wall
Implementation Method 3
In order to provide the heat exchange medium at the required temperature, the reservoir is connected to a cooling unit and/or a heating unit
Implementation Method 4
In order to provide the heat exchange medium at the required temperature, the reservoir is connected to a cooling unit and/or a heating unit
Implementation Method 5
A channel integrated into the wall of the filling valve, through which a heat exchange medium flows, is a particularly effective heat exchanger with which the filling valve can be brought to operating temperature or kept at operating temperature
Implementation Method 6
A channel integrated into the wall of the filling valve, through which a heat exchange medium flows
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A beverage filling device (1) is described, comprising a storage container (8) for receiving a supply of beverage and a filling valve (4) for filling packages (6) with the beverage from the storage container (8). To reduce downtime in this filling device, it is proposed to integrate a heat exchanger (9, 17) into the storage container (8) and/or the filling valve (4).