Pasteurization Assembly Thermal Barrier Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pasteurization systems face challenges in maintaining sterile conditions and efficient startup after production interruptions, leading to potential contamination by microorganisms during downtime due to cooling of circuits and energy inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The method involves maintaining the flow and temperature of the heating medium in the secondary circuit after stopping the primary circuit, allowing for immediate heating upon restart and creating a thermal barrier to prevent contamination, while also optimizing energy and water usage through controlled temperature adjustments and heat exchanger management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the primary circuit is completely stopped during production interruption, then energy consumption is reduced, but the heating medium cools down and cannot provide sufficient heating upon restart
Solution Approach 1:
The heating medium flow is maintained in the secondary circuit before the primary circuit is restarted, ensuring the heating medium remains at sufficient temperature to immediately heat the liquid upon restart, eliminating the need for lengthy preheating periods
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the operation of the primary and secondary circuits based on production needs, allowing the secondary circuit to continue operating while the primary circuit is interrupted, optimizing energy usage while maintaining heating capability
2Loss of energy
If the secondary circuit is completely switched off during production interruption, then energy consumption is reduced, but the startup time increases due to need for reheating
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary circuit is kept operating in advance before the primary circuit restarts, maintaining the heating medium at the required temperature so that heating can begin immediately when production resumes, significantly reducing startup time
Solution Approach 2:
The heating function in the secondary circuit continues uninterrupted during the primary circuit interruption, ensuring the heating medium remains ready to provide immediate heating when needed, maintaining continuous useful action despite production interruption
3Productivity
If the primary circuit is restarted immediately after interruption, then productivity is maintained, but contamination risk increases due to insufficient heating
Solution Approach 1:
The heating medium is pre-heated and maintained at sufficient temperature before the primary circuit restarts, ensuring that liquid can be immediately heated to pasteurization temperature upon restart, eliminating contamination risk while maintaining productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary circuit acts as an intermediary system that maintains the heating medium temperature independently of the primary circuit status, serving as a thermal buffer that ensures sterile conditions are maintained during interruptions and immediate pasteurization capability upon restart
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 ensures quick and sterile startup of the pasteurization system, preventing contamination and reducing energy and water consumption by maintaining the heating medium's temperature, thus ensuring the production conditions are met promptly and efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
a heating medium flowing in the secondary circuit... the medium to be pasteurized flowing in the primary circuit and a heating medium flowing in the secondary circuit
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
Operating a pasteurization plant containing a primary circuit for a medium to be pasteurized and a secondary circuit, comprises: flowing the medium to be pasteurized into the primary circuit and flowing a heating medium into the secondary circuit; discharging the medium to be pasteurized from the primary circuit by using a fluid, which is introduced into the primary circuit; stopping the flow of the fluid in the primary circuit after the primary circuit is filled with the fluid; and maintaining the flow of the heating medium in the secondary circuit. Operating a pasteurization plant containing a primary circuit for a medium to be pasteurized and a secondary circuit, where the secondary circuit is used as a heating circuit to heat the medium to be pasteurized in the primary circuit, comprises: flowing the medium to be pasteurized into the primary circuit and flowing a heating medium into the secondary circuit; discharging the medium to be pasteurized from the primary circuit by using a fluid, which is introduced into the primary circuit; stopping the flow of the fluid in the primary circuit after the primary circuit is filled with the fluid; and maintaining the flow of the heating medium in the secondary circuit after stopping the flow of the fluid (water or the medium to be pasteurized) in the primary circuit, up to and after a resumption of the flow of fluid in the primary circuit. An independent claim is also included for the pasteurizing plant comprising the primary circuit and the secondary circuit, in which a controller is provided to carrying out the above operation.