Beer Mashing Heating Control via Logarithmic Temperature Difference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing brewing devices face challenges in efficiently regulating heating rates, especially at low heating medium flow and return temperatures, leading to sluggish heating control and prolonged time to reach desired temperatures during mashing, which can result in enzyme degradation and suboptimal beer production.
Innovation Solution
The method involves measuring the flow and return temperatures of the heating medium and the current temperature of the liquid medium, maintaining a constant logarithmic temperature difference to precisely control the heating rate, allowing for quick adjustments and reducing energy consumption by using a system-specific factor to set the desired heating rate. Additionally, the heating medium is circulated through an energy storage tank, and the device includes an actuator to set the flow temperature, ensuring efficient heat transfer and gentle heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If hot water is used as heating medium with return admixture regulation, then heating is gentle and energy-efficient, but the heating rate control becomes far too sluggish and cannot respond quickly to temperature changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a control system that continuously measures the actual heating rate via temperature sensors and compares it with the desired heating rate. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the steam valve position in real-time to maintain the target heating rate, enabling both energy efficiency and rapid response.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from direct temperature control to heating rate control. By calculating the heating rate as the derivative of temperature over time and using this as the controlled variable, the system can respond more dynamically to temperature changes while maintaining energy efficiency through optimized heat input.
2Speed
If steam valve is opened to greater extent to increase heating rate, then heating speed increases, but energy consumption increases and temperature control precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The control system continuously monitors the actual heating rate and compares it with the desired heating rate. The control unit adjusts the steam valve position based on the difference between actual and desired heating rates, maintaining precise temperature control even at varying heating rates. This closed-loop feedback ensures that high heating rates are achieved only when necessary and for the minimum time required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic control where the steam valve position is continuously adjusted based on real-time heating rate measurements. The system transitions from static valve positioning to dynamic modulation, allowing the heating rate to be precisely controlled at any moment while maintaining overall temperature control precision throughout the mashing process.
3Speed
If high heating medium flow temperature is used to achieve desired heating rate, then heating speed increases, but return temperature increases requiring larger energy storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the control approach from maintaining constant high heating medium temperature to controlling the heating rate directly. By regulating the steam input to match the desired heating rate, the system achieves the required heating speed while allowing the heating medium temperature to vary optimally, preventing excessive return temperatures and reducing energy storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical approach of using large energy storage tanks with a control-based solution. Instead of physically storing large amounts of thermal energy, the system uses electronic control of the steam valve and heating rate calculation to achieve the desired heating performance, significantly reducing the required energy storage capacity.
4Device complexity
If conventional temperature control is used during mashing, then simple control mechanism is maintained, but heating rate cannot be regulated properly and enzyme rest points are missed
Solution Approach 1:
The control system measures the actual heating rate using temperature sensors and compares it with the desired heating rate. Based on this feedback, the control unit adjusts the steam valve to maintain the target heating rate, ensuring that enzyme rest points are reached precisely and the mashing process proceeds efficiently through multiple temperature stages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent calculates the desired heating rate in advance based on the target temperature progression through different enzyme rest points. By pre-determining the heating rate profile and using this as the control target, the system ensures that all necessary temperature stages are reached at the appropriate times, improving mashing efficiency without overly complicating the control mechanism.
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
This approach enables precise and rapid heating rate control, reducing energy consumption, minimizing enzyme degradation, and improving beer quality by maintaining low return temperatures, which in turn reduces the size of the energy storage needed and allows for flexible heating of varying mash quantities without the need for specific heating frames.
Implementation Method 1
Corresponding devices have heaters, in particular frame heaters, which function according to the heat exchanger principle
Implementation Method 2
the flow temperature (VL temperature) and the return temperature (RL temperature) of the heating medium is measured via a corresponding temperature sensor and the current temperature of the liquid medium (product) in the container via a further temperature sensor
Implementation Method 3
The heating rate is controlled in such a way that the logarithmic temperature difference between the heating medium and the respective current temperature of the liquid medium is kept constant
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device and a method for heating a liquid medium, in particular a mashing device, having a vessel which can be filled and emptied, a heater for heating the liquid medium, in particular the mash, with a heating medium, a temperature sensor for measuring the flow temperature of the heating medium, a temperature sensor for measuring the return temperature of the heating medium, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid medium, a control unit for controlling a heating rate, wherein the control unit is constructed in such a manner and the heating rate is controlled in such a manner that the logarithmic temperature difference between the heating medium and the respective current temperature of the liquid medium is kept substantially constant.