In-Line Cryogenic Injection for Grape Cooling Without Water Hammer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cooling grapes in the wine industry, such as those described in WO2004/03 7966 and WO 2005/05 3440, face challenges like 'water hammer' issues, imperfect cryogenic fluid distribution, and limited temperature reduction, making them inefficient for high flow rates and prone to product alteration.
Innovation Solution
An in-line injection system using a hollow cylindrical injector with a spring-actuated valve for direct cryogenic fluid injection into the pipe, ensuring better heat exchange, temperature homogeneity, and avoidance of 'water hammer', allowing for easy integration and control of the cooling process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple injection nozzle is used to inject cryogenic fluid into the pipe, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cryogenic fluid distribution becomes imperfect and water hammer occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device is segmented into multiple components: a body with multiple injection holes arranged in different directions, a valve assembly with spring, and a positioning mechanism. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently, achieving uniform fluid distribution while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection holes are strategically positioned at different locations and orientations within the body to create localized injection zones. This local quality approach ensures that cryogenic fluid is distributed uniformly across the entire pipe cross-section, preventing water hammer while keeping the overall device simple.
2Device complexity
If a simple injection nozzle is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the temperature reduction capability is limited to below 5°C
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple injection holes are distributed throughout the body to create numerous injection points. This segmentation of the injection function allows for broader and more effective distribution of cryogenic fluid, enabling temperature reductions of 5-10°C while maintaining a simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection holes are oriented in multiple directions (upward, downward, sideways) to inject cryogenic fluid in three-dimensional space. This multi-directional injection approach enhances heat exchange efficiency and achieves greater temperature reduction without increasing device complexity.
3Productivity
If batch type processing system is used, then the cooling efficiency is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The inline injection device utilizes the existing flow of grape must and pipe infrastructure to achieve cooling. The device self-regulates through spring-actuated valve operation and does not require external batch processing equipment, achieving high cooling efficiency while maintaining simplicity and ease of installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection device can be integrated into existing continuous processing lines and serves multiple functions: cooling, oxidation prevention, and temperature control. This multi-functionality achieves batch-like cooling efficiency within a continuous flow simple device structure.
4Temperature
If cryogenic fluid is injected to cool grapes, then the temperature control is improved, but the risk of water hammer and product alteration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple injection holes positioned at different locations and orientations create localized injection zones throughout the pipe. This distributed local quality approach prevents concentrated fluid injection that causes water hammer, while maintaining precise temperature control through uniform cryogenic fluid distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-actuated valve mechanism provides gradual opening and closing action, cushioning the pressure transitions and preventing sudden pressure surges (water hammer). This beforehand cushioning protects the product while achieving precise temperature control.
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 system effectively cools grapes by 5 to 10°C, maintains product integrity, and handles high flow rates of 80 tonnes/hour with improved temperature uniformity and oxidation control, producing clear juices.
Implementation Method 1
a valve forced by a spring
Implementation Method 2
a high heat exchange between the product and the cryogenic fluid
Implementation Method 3
direct injection into the pipe of a cryogenic fluid
Implementation Method 4
a diffusion of the cryogenic fluid better distributed compared to what can be observed with a single nozzle
Implementation Method 5
the use of inert cryogenic fluids to achieve this lowering of temperature makes it possible to protect the medium against possible oxidation
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for the in-line processing of liquid or pasty or semi-liquid media or further, media which contain solid elements in a liquid base, in pipe for conveying the medium between two steps in a plant by direct injection of a cryogenic fluid into the pipe, characterised in that the method uses, for the injection into the pipe, an injection device (3) including a hollow cylindrical body in which a valve (17) urged by a spring (19) is inserted, said injection device including a through-channel (18) substantially parallel to said valve and supplied with a pressurised cryogenic fluid, wherein one end of the through-channel is connected to the cryogenic fluid supply system while the opposite end opens at the seat (13) of the valve.