Method and apparatus for cooling of milk
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current milk cooling systems in milking arrangements consume excessive energy due to continuous operation of coolant circulation, even when there is no milk flow, leading to inefficient energy usage and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that control the coolant circulation in a milk cooling system by starting or increasing circulation only when milk flow is detected, using a coolant circuit and refrigerant circuit with a controller to maintain a predefined temperature range, thereby optimizing energy use by stopping coolant circulation during periods of no milk flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coolant circulation is operated continuously to ensure milk cooling readiness, then milk cooling reliability is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic sensing of milk presence in the conduit and activates coolant circulation only during periods when milk is detected, rather than maintaining continuous operation. The controller periodically monitors milk flow and starts/stops the coolant pump accordingly, achieving energy savings while maintaining cooling readiness when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the milk flow itself to trigger the cooling action. The presence of milk in the conduit automatically signals the need for cooling activation through sensors, and the system serves itself by self-regulating coolant circulation based on actual demand without requiring external continuous control input.
2Use of energy by moving object
If coolant circulation is stopped during cleaning to save energy, then energy consumption is reduced, but milk cooling capability is temporarily lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts the cooling function from continuous operation and separates it into demand-based activation. During cleaning operations when no milk is present in the conduit, the coolant circulation is stopped since cooling capability is not needed, eliminating wasted energy while preserving the ability to restore cooling immediately when milk flow resumes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts coolant circulation status based on operational conditions - active during milking when milk flows through the conduit, and inactive during cleaning or idle periods. This dynamic on/off control adapts the cooling system to actual operational needs, balancing energy consumption with cooling capability requirements.
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 reduces energy consumption by ensuring coolant is only cooled when needed, maintaining it at optimal temperatures for instant cooling requirements, thus enhancing energy efficiency and reducing operational costs in milking arrangements.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigerant circuit is configured for heat exchange between a refrigerant and the coolant
Implementation Method 2
The coolant circuit is configured for heat exchange between milk and a coolant
Data Source
AI summary
A method for cooling milk in a milking arrangement, and a milk cooling apparatus of the milking arrangement that has a coolant circuit for heat exchange between milk and a coolant and a refrigerant circuit for heat exchange between a refrigerant and the coolant, where the method includes controlling the refrigerant circuit to maintain a predefined temperature range, receiving a first signal relating to commencement or increase of a milk flow from a milking system of the milking arrangement, starting or increasing circulation of coolant in the coolant circuit, and leading the milk flow through the milk cooling apparatus.