Heat Sterilization System Cleaning via U Value Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing CIP cleaning method for heat sterilization systems lacks a standardized duration, often resulting in unnecessary prolonged cleaning times, which affects the efficiency and effectiveness of the cleaning process.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning method and apparatus that utilize a control unit to monitor the overall heat transfer coefficient (U value) of the heating pipes, allowing for precise determination of the cleaning completion and optimizing the cleaning conditions, including the duration of alkaline and acidic cleaning liquids and rinse liquids, to ensure thorough cleaning without excessive time consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If CIP cleaning is performed for a long time to ensure thorough cleaning, then cleaning reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to unnecessary prolonged cleaning time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by monitoring the U value (overall heat transfer coefficient) during CIP cleaning. The cleaning process is dynamically adjusted based on real-time U value measurements, allowing the system to automatically determine when cleaning is sufficient. This feedback loop prevents both under-cleaning and unnecessary prolonged cleaning, thereby improving productivity while maintaining cleaning reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-duration CIP cleaning process into a dynamic process that adapts to actual cleaning conditions. By continuously monitoring the U value and adjusting cleaning duration accordingly, the system optimizes cleaning time based on real-time performance data, resolving the contradiction between ensuring thorough cleaning and avoiding unnecessary time consumption.
2Reliability
If CIP cleaning duration is extended to ensure complete cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses real-time U value monitoring to provide feedback on cleaning effectiveness. When the U value reaches a predetermined threshold indicating sufficient cleaning, the process automatically stops or adjusts, preventing unnecessary time loss while ensuring cleaning effectiveness is achieved.
Solution Approach 2:
The CIP cleaning system performs self-assessment through U value monitoring and automatically determines when cleaning objectives are met. This self-service capability eliminates the need for extended cleaning durations based on fixed schedules, optimizing the balance between cleaning effectiveness and time consumption.
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
The method enables reliable and efficient cleaning of the heat sterilization system by determining the appropriate cleaning time based on the U value, preventing unnecessary prolonged cleaning and ensuring the system is cleaned effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a first temperature of the cleaning liquid at an inlet of the heating pipes and a second temperature of the cleaning liquid at an outlet of the heating pipes
Implementation Method 2
A cleaning method and apparatus that utilize a control unit to monitor the overall heat transfer coefficient (U value) of the heating pipes
Data Source
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AI summary
To clean an inside of a heat sterilization system without performing unnecessary CIP cleaning. A cleaning method of a heat sterilization system includes: a step of causing a fluid formed of a cleaning liquid or a rinse liquid to flow through the heat sterilization system; a step of supplying hot water to a second-stage heating unit 13 to heat the second-stage heating unit 13; and a step of measuring fluid temperatures of the fluid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the second-stage heating unit 13, and medium temperatures of the hot water at a medium inlet of the second-stage heating unit 13 and a medium outlet of the second-stage heating unit 13. An overall heat transfer coefficient (U value) of a heating pipe 13a of the second-stage heating unit 13 is calculated based on the fluid temperatures at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the second-stage heating unit 13 and the medium temperatures at the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the second-stage heating unit 13.