Two-Stage Milk Heating to Prevent Flow-Heater Baking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing milk discharge devices face issues with milk residue baking in flow-heaters, requiring frequent cleaning and limiting temperature and flow rate capabilities, especially when heating milk above 80°C.
Innovation Solution
A two-step heating process using a flow-heater followed by steam heating, with the flow-heater arranged at the pressure side of the pump, allowing for precise temperature control and higher flow rates without baking, and incorporating a steam generator for additional heating and efficient cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If flow-heater is used to heat milk to high temperatures and high flow rates, then heating performance is improved, but milk residue baking occurs in the flow-heater
Solution Approach 1:
The heating process is divided into two separate stages: first, the flow-heater performs preliminary heating of the milk, then the steam generator completes the heating process. This segmentation allows each component to operate within optimal temperature ranges, preventing milk residue baking in the flow-heater while achieving high final temperatures and high flow rates.
Solution Approach 2:
Steam is introduced as an intermediary heating medium between the flow-heater and the final milk product. The steam generator provides additional heating capacity without requiring the flow-heater to operate at high temperatures that cause baking, thus protecting the flow-heater while achieving the desired heating performance.
2Power
If electric power is increased in flow-heater to achieve higher flow rates and higher milk temperatures, then heating capability is improved, but milk baking occurs more frequently
Solution Approach 1:
The heating power is segmented between two sources: the flow-heater provides base heating at moderate power levels, while the steam generator supplies additional heating power as needed. This allows the system to achieve high overall heating capability without requiring the flow-heater to operate at high power levels that cause milk baking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the heating parameters by introducing steam heating as a second stage. This allows the flow-heater to operate at lower temperatures and power levels (avoiding baking) while the steam generator provides the additional temperature increase needed for high-temperature milk applications.
3Device complexity
If flow-heater is used for heating milk, then simple design is achieved, but frequent cleaning with cleaning agents is required
Solution Approach 1:
The heating system is segmented into two components with different cleaning requirements. The flow-heater operates at lower temperatures and can be cleaned more easily and less frequently, while the steam generator, operating at higher temperatures, naturally sterilizes and reduces cleaning needs. This segmentation balances design simplicity with reduced maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
Steam acts as an intermediary that provides both heating and cleaning functions. The steam generator's high-temperature steam not only completes the heating process but also sterilizes the milk path, reducing the frequency and complexity of manual cleaning operations while maintaining the simple overall design.
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 prevents milk residue baking, enables higher temperature and flow rate capabilities, and simplifies cleaning, allowing for efficient production of warm and hot milk with reduced maintenance needs.
Implementation Method 1
Particularly when electric heating is provided, a precise control of the temperature by regulating the electric power
Implementation Method 2
downstream in reference to the flow-heater and upstream in reference to the output, steam can additionally be fed to the milk for heating purposes
Data Source
AI summary
A device for discharging milk and/or milk froth, including a pump to convey milk from a container, a flow-heater, and an output for discharging milk, embodied cooperating with each other such that milk conveyed via the pump and heated via the flow-heater can be discharged from the output. At least one steam generator is provided cooperating with the flow-heater such that downstream in reference to the flow-heater and upstream in reference to the output, steam can be fed to the milk for an additional heating step. An air valve to create milk froth is provided, and the air valve is openable to introduce air upstream in reference to the flow-heater.