Solar Fluid Heating Flow Control for Thermal Pasteurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fluid heating systems for thermal pasteurization are often expensive to operate, particularly in batch processes, and require significant energy to maintain temperature, while also lacking efficient mechanisms for pathogen inactivation at lower temperatures.
Innovation Solution
A digital fluid heating system incorporating a solar collection system with a parabolic mirror to focus sunlight, an elongated flow element for fluid heating, and a digitally controlled valve to optimize fluid flow rates based on time and temperature relationships for maximum pathogen inactivation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If batch process thermal pasteurization is used, then pathogen inactivation is achieved, but operational cost increases due to repeated heating cycles
Solution Approach 1:
The system preheats water using solar energy during daylight hours before pasteurization is needed, storing thermal energy in an insulated tank. This preliminary heating action eliminates the need for repeated fuel-based heating cycles, reducing operational costs while maintaining reliable pathogen inactivation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses free solar energy from the environment to preheat the water, making the system self-sufficient for the heating portion of the process. This self-service approach to energy provision significantly reduces operational costs while ensuring consistent pasteurization performance.
2Productivity
If higher temperature is used for pasteurization, then pathogen inactivation rate increases, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The solar preheating system performs preliminary thermal processing during daylight hours, bringing water to a temperature closer to pasteurization requirements. This reduces the additional energy needed during the actual pasteurization cycle, lowering overall energy consumption while maintaining effective pathogen inactivation rates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the temperature parameter over time by preheating during the day and completing pasteurization when needed. This temporal separation allows the system to achieve the same pathogen inactivation effect at lower instantaneous temperatures, reducing peak energy demands.
3Productivity
If flow rate is increased to maximize productivity, then treatment capacity increases, but pathogen inactivation effectiveness decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By preheating water beforehand, the system can maintain higher flow rates during pasteurization while still achieving the required temperature exposure time for pathogen inactivation. The preliminary thermal energy input ensures that even at higher flow rates, the water reaches and maintains pasteurization temperatures long enough to effectively inactivate pathogens.
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
The system achieves efficient thermal pasteurization with reduced operational costs and energy consumption, enabling effective pathogen inactivation at temperatures below boiling, while maintaining a maximized flow rate under given energy conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a solar collection system configured for focusing sunlight on a focal axis
Implementation Method 2
configured for focusing sunlight on a focal axis
Implementation Method 3
such that pathogens present in the fluid are substantially inactivated before the fluid exits the fluid heating system
Data Source
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AI summary
A digital fluid heating system may include a solar collection system configured for focusing sunlight on a focal axis, an elongated flow element arranged and configured for transporting fluid along the solar collection system at the focal axis, and a flow-control assembly comprising a digitally controlled valve configured to control the flow of the fluid in the elongated flow element such that pathogens present in the fluid are substantially inactivated before the fluid exits the fluid heating system and at a maximized flow rate under the given energy providing conditions. The system may also include one or more digital controls and communication systems for remote and/or automatic control.