Phase-Change Beverage Cooling Without Ice Dilution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Chilled brewed beverages, such as tea and coffee, are often diluted when cooled with ice, affecting their flavor.
Innovation Solution
A chilled beverage dispensing system utilizing a thermal conditioning unit with phase change material, cooled by a thermoelectric element, which chills hot beverages without dilution by circulating them through a tube loop and a heat exchanger, maintaining flavor integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If ice is used to cool the hot beverage, then the beverage temperature is reduced, but the beverage is diluted and flavor is affected
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling system is segmented into separate functional components: a thermal conditioning unit with phase change material for cooling, a thermoelectric element for charging the phase change material, and a beverage circulation system. This segmentation allows cooling functionality to be separated from the beverage itself, preventing dilution while achieving temperature reduction.
Solution Approach 2:
A phase change material serves as an intermediary between the beverage and the cooling system. The beverage flows through tubes immersed in the phase change material, which absorbs heat during phase transition without direct contact between the cooling agent and beverage, thus preventing dilution while achieving effective cooling.
2Productivity
If a thermal conditioning unit with phase change material is used, then beverage cooling efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system utilizes phase transitions of a phase change material (such as phase change from solid to liquid) to absorb and store thermal energy. This natural phase transition process provides efficient cooling without requiring complex mechanical refrigeration systems, thereby improving cooling efficiency while maintaining relatively simple device structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces traditional mechanical refrigeration systems with a thermoelectric element that uses electrical energy to directly pump heat from the phase change material. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical components like compressors and condensers, reducing device complexity while maintaining cooling effectiveness.
3Measurement precision
If a thermoelectric element is used to cool the phase change material, then cooling control precision is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates temperature sensors that continuously monitor the temperature of the phase change material and provide feedback to the control system. Based on this feedback, the thermoelectric element's operation is automatically adjusted to maintain the desired temperature, achieving precise temperature control while avoiding unnecessary energy consumption through intelligent on/off control.
Solution Approach 2:
The thermoelectric element operates in periodic cycles rather than continuously. The controller activates the thermoelectric element only when the phase change material temperature rises above the target temperature, allowing periodic charging of the phase change material. This periodic operation reduces overall energy consumption while maintaining precise temperature control through timely intervention.
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
Effectively cools hot beverages to a temperature below ambient without dilution, preserving flavor and quality.
Implementation Method 1
A thermal conditioning unit with phase change material that can be charged by a thermal engine having one or more thermoelectric elements
Implementation Method 2
A tube loop for flowing the warm beverage through the phase change material to cool the warm beverage
Implementation Method 3
The coolant is cooled by a thermoelectric element via a heat exchanger, the thermoelectric element in thermal communication with the heat exchanger and with a heat sink
Implementation Method 4
The coolant is cooled by a thermoelectric element via a heat exchanger
Implementation Method 5
a beverage to air heat exchanger operable to receive the hot beverage from the reservoir and to cool the beverage to a warm beverage temperature above ambient by flowing air from one or more fans past a tube loop
Data Source
AI summary
A chilled liquid dispensing system includes a vessel with phase change material that can be charged by a thermoelectric module via a first heat sink. A liquid (e.g., beverage) can be pumped through a conduit submerged in the phase change material to cool or chill the liquid to a temperature below ambient temperature. The chilled liquid dispensing system can be incorporated into a liquid dispensing machine (e.g., beverage dispensing machine).