PLANT FOR PASTEURIZING FOODSTUFFS OR BEVERAGES FILLED INTO CLOSED CONTAINERS BY WAY OF A PROCESS LIQUID

Abstract

The invention relates to a plant (1, 42, 53, 56) for pasteurizing foodstuffs/beverages in containers by way of a process liquid (13), having: at least one heating zone (6, 7), pasteurizing zone (8-10) and cooling zone (11, 12), wherein each of said zones is assigned a sprinkling device (14-20) for discharging the process liquid and a collecting region (23-29) for receiving the discharged process liquid, a first heat exchanger (31) which feeds heat from a heat source (32) to the process liquid from a collecting region of the at least one pasteurizing zone and which, for this purpose, has a line connection to said collecting region and to inlets to sprinkling devices of the at least one heating zone via a pressure-closed heating line system (95), a second heat exchanger (30) which is coupled to a cooling system in order to cool the process liquid from the collecting region of the at least one cooling zone and which, for this purpose, has a line connection to said collecting region and to inlets to sprinkling devices of the at least one cooling zone via a pressure-closed cooling line system (96), wherein the process liquid can additionally be fed heat in the heating line system by means of a condenser (37) of a heat pump (35), and the process liquid can additionally be cooled in the cooling line system by means of an evaporator (39).

Claims

1. A plant for pasteurizing foodstuffs or beverages filled into closed containers by way of a process liquid, wherein the plant comprises: at least one heating zone; at least one pasteurizing zone; and at least one cooling zone, wherein the at least one heating zone, the at least one pasteurizing zone and the at least one cooling zone are arranged successively in a conveying direction of the closed containers, each of the at least one heating zone, the at least one pasteurizing zone and the at least one cooling zone being assigned: a sprinkling device for discharging the process liquid; and a collecting region for receiving the discharged process liquid; a conveyor for conveying the closed containers in the conveying direction through the at least one heating zone, the at least one pasteurizing zone and the at least one cooling zone; a first heat exchanger configured to provide heat from a heat source to the process liquid from the collecting region of the at least one pasteurizing zone, wherein the first heat exchanger includes a first line connection to the collecting region of the at least one pasteurizing zone and a second line connection to one or more feeds to the sprinkling device of the at least one heating zone via a pressure-closed heating line system; a second heat exchanger coupled to a cooling plant for cooling the process liquid from the collecting region of the at least one cooling zone, wherein the second heat exchanger includes a third line connection to the collecting region of the at least one cooling zone and a fourth line connection to one or more feeds to the sprinkling device of the at least one cooling zone via a pressure-closed cooling line system; and a heat pump comprising a condenser and an evaporator (39), wherein the heat pump is configured to supply additional heat to the process liquid in the pressure-closed heating line system via the condenser, and wherein the heat pump is additionally configured to cool the process liquid in the pressure-closed cooling line system via the evaporator.

2. The plant according to claim 1, wherein: the first heat exchanger is further connected by a first pipeline to the one or more feeds to the sprinkling device of the at least one pasteurizing zone via the pressure-closed heating line system; and the second heat exchanger is further connected by a second pipeline to the one or more feeds to the sprinkling device of the at least one cooling zone via the pressure-closed cooling line system.

3. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the plant is configured to provide an overpressure in a range of 0.5.Math.10.sup.5 Pa to 2.5.Math.10.sup.5 Pa in the pressure-closed heating line system relative to an ambient pressure.

4. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the plant is configured to supply the process liquid from the collecting region of the at least on cooling zone via a first pump via the pressure-closed cooling line system to a first inlet of the second heat exchanger.

5. The plant according to claim 1, wherein an amount of supplied heat of the heat source is controllable via a metering device.

6. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the plant is configured to supply the process liquid from the collecting region of the at least one pasteurizing zone to a second inlet of the first heat exchanger via a second pump via the pressure-closed heating line system.

7. The plant according to claim 1, further comprising: a first bypass to the condenser in the pressure-closed heating line system; and a second bypass to the evaporator in the pressure-closed cooling line system.

8. The plant according to claim 7, wherein the first bypass leads from the pressure-closed heating line system through a first metering device to a first inlet of the condenser, through the condenser and from a first outlet of the condenser to the pressure-closed heating line system, and wherein the second bypass leads from the pressure-closed cooling line system through a second metering device to a first inlet of the evaporator, through the evaporator and from a first outlet of the evaporator to the pressure-closed cooling line system.

9. The plant according to claim 7, wherein a heat tank is provided in the first bypass and a cooling tank is further in the second bypass.

10. The plant according to claim 9, further comprising: a first inlet to the heat tank downstream of a first metering device and a first outlet of the heat tank leads to the first inlet of the condenser through a third pump, wherein the first outlet of the condenser leads to a second inlet of the heat tank and a second outlet of the heat tank leads through a fourth pump and a third metering device back to the pressure-closed heating line system; and a first inlet to the cooling tank downstream of a second metering device, wherein a first outlet of the cooling tank leads through a pump to the first inlet of the evaporator, wherein the first outlet of the evaporator leads to a second inlet of the cooling tank and a second outlet of the cooling tank leads through a sixth pump and a fourth metering device back to the pressure-closed cooling line system.

11. The plant according to claim 10, further comprising: a first spring valve between the first metering device and the first inlet of the heat tank; and a second spring valve between the fourth pump and the third metering device.

12. The plant according to claim 10, further comprising: a third spring valve between the second metering device and the first inlet of the cooling tank; and a fourth spring valve between the sixth pump and the fourth metering device.

13. The plant according to claim 1, further comprising: a third heat exchanger through which the pressure-closed heating line system at least partially passes, wherein the third heat exchanger is configured to supply heat to the process liquid in the pressure-closed heating line system from a heat tank of the plant, and wherein the third heat exchanger is connected by a pipeline to the heat tank and the condenser; and a fourth heat exchanger through which the pressure-closed cooling line system at least partially passes, wherein the fourth heat exchanger is connected by a pipeline to a cooling tank of the plant and to the evaporator, and wherein the fourth heat exchanger is configured to cool the process liquid in the pressure-closed cooling line system.

14. The plant according to claim 13, wherein the third heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the first heat exchanger and the fourth heat exchanger is disposed upstream of the second heat exchanger.

15. The plant according to claim 13, wherein; a first pipe leads from a first outlet of the third heat exchanger to a first inlet of the heat tank, from a first outlet of the heat tank through a third pump to a first inlet of the condenser, from a first outlet of the condenser to a second inlet of the heat tank, and from a second outlet of the heat tank through a fourth pump to a first inlet of the third heat exchanger; and a second pipe leads downstream of a first outlet of the fourth heat exchanger to a first inlet of the cooling tank, from a first outlet of the cooling tank through a fifth pump to a first inlet of the evaporator, from a first outlet of the evaporator to a second inlet of the cooling tank, and from a second outlet of the cooling tank through a sixth pump to a first inlet of the fourth heat exchanger.

16. The plant according to claim 13, wherein; a first pipe leads from a first outlet of the third heat exchanger to a first inlet of the heat tank, from a first outlet of the heat tank through a third pump to a first inlet of the condenser, and from a first outlet of the condenser to a first inlet of the third heat exchanger, wherein in addition a bypass is provided around the third heat exchanger, which leads from upstream of the first inlet of the third heat exchanger downstream of the first outlet of the third heat exchanger; and a second pipe leads from a first outlet of the fourth heat exchanger to a first inlet of the cooling tank, from a first outlet of the cooling tank through a fifth pump to a first inlet of the evaporator, and from a first outlet of the evaporator to a first inlet of the fourth heat exchanger.

17. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the first heat exchanger is further connected by a pipeline to the one or more feeds to the sprinkling device of the at least one heating zone via the pressure-closed heating line system.

18. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the second heat exchanger is further connected by a pipeline to the one or more feeds to the sprinkling device of the at least one pasteurizing zone via the pressure-closed cooling line system.

19. The plant according to claim 1, wherein the plant is configured to provide an overpressure in a range of 0.5.Math.10.sup.5 Pa to 2.5.Math.10.sup.5 Pa in the pressure-closed cooling line system relative to an ambient pressure.

20. The plant according to claim 7, wherein the first bypass is disposed upstream of the first heat exchanger, and wherein the second bypass is disposed upstream of the second heat exchanger.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are shown by way of the drawings.

[0040] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a plant for pasteurization,

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a plant for pasteurization,

[0042] FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of a plant for pasteurization and

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a plant for pasteurization.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The embodiments of the plant for pasteurization described below include a given number of heating, pasteurizing and cooling zones, but embodiments with at least one heating zone, at least one pasteurizing zone and at least one cooling zone are also provided. Also, other collecting regions and sprinkling devices than described and/or shown in the Figures may be interconnected by a pipeline, generally with attention to the required temperature of the process liquid.

[0045] The line systems (heating or cooling line system), pipes and bypasses mentioned with reference to the Figures or further above refer to one or more pipelines adapted in such a way that liquid media, such as process liquid, can flow through them.

[0046] The positional designations “upstream” or “downstream” of an element of the plant refer to a direction of flow of a liquid medium, such as the process liquid, in the line systems, pipes or bypasses.

[0047] In the different embodiments described, the same parts are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0048] FIG. 1 schematically shows a first embodiment of a plant 1 for pasteurizing foodstuffs or beverages filled in closed containers 2. The plant 1 comprises, among other things, a tunnel pasteurizer 3 through which the containers 2 are transported via a conveying apparatus 4, for example a conveyor belt, in a conveying direction 5 through a plurality of successive zones 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. In the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, firstly two heating zones 6, 7, then three pasteurizing zones 8, 9, 10 and finally two cooling zones 11, 12 are provided in the conveying direction 5. Instead of the tunnel pasteurizer, another type of pasteurizer can also be provided, comprising successive heating, pasteurizing and cooling zones, as well as associated sprinkling devices and collecting regions.

[0049] To pasteurize the foodstuffs or beverages, the containers 2 can be supplied with a process liquid 13. The process liquid can be fresh water or fresh water with additives. For this purpose, a sprinkling device 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 is arranged in each zone 6-12, with which the process liquid 13 is applied to the closed containers 2, e.g. sprayed or sprinkled. The sprinkling devices 14-20 may, for example, be formed by a plurality of spray nozzles 21 which are arranged in each zone 6-12, as shown, in an upper region, and/or may be arranged in lateral regions. The process liquid 13 can be introduced into the respective zone 6-12 via the respective sprinkling device 14-20, each with a different and/or set temperature for each zone 6-12. The process liquid 13 can be supplied to the sprinkling devices 14-20 of the zones 6-12 in each case via a pump 22, for example a circulation pump.

[0050] After trickling through a respective zone 6-12, the process liquid 13 can be collected in a collecting region 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, which is assigned to the respective zone 6-12, and discharged from the collecting region 23-29 for further use. The collecting regions 23-29 are arranged below the respective zones 6-12. For further use of the process liquid, the respective suction sides of the respective pump 22 are connected via pipes to the corresponding collecting regions 23-29 in order to feed at least partial quantities of the process liquid 13 from the corresponding collecting regions 23-29 back to one of the assigned zones 6-12, i.e. zones 6-12 connected by a pipeline. As shown in FIG. 1, it may be expedient here if the collecting region 23 of the first heating zone 6 has a line connection with the pump 22 on the inlet side, and the pump 22 has a line connection to the sprinkling device 20 of the second cooling zone 12 on the outlet side. This can be expedient, since the process liquid 13 in the first heating zone 6 cools down by heat absorption of the containers 2 or foodstuffs/beverages in the containers 2, and after trickling through the first heating zone 6, the process water 13 that accumulates in the collecting area 23 can have a temperature suitable for cooling the containers 2 in the second cooling zone 12.

[0051] Since in the second cooling zone 12 the process liquid 13 discharged by the sprinkling device 20 is heated by heat dissipation of the containers 2 or foodstuffs/beverages and, after trickling through the second cooling zone 12, the process water 13 which accumulates in the collecting region 29 can have a temperature suitable for heating the containers 2 in the first heating zone 6, it is expedient to feed the process liquid 13 from the collecting region 29 of the second cooling zone 12 to the sprinkling device 14 of the first heating zone 6, as is also shown schematically in FIG. 1.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 1, the pumps 22 associated with the pasteurizing zones 8-10 can be further provided for at least partial recirculation of the process liquid 13 from the collection region 25 to the sprinkling device 16, from the collection region 26 to the sprinkling device 17, and from the collection region 27 to the sprinkling device 18. Thus, at least part of the process liquid 13 can be circulated around the pasteurizing zones 8-10.

[0053] In the plant 1, a first heat exchanger (HE) 31 is also provided for heating the process liquid 13, into which steam 32 is introduced into a first inlet 64 and condensate 33 is discharged via a first outlet 63 after the steam 32 has flown in counterflow to the process liquid 13 originating from the collecting region 27 of the last pasteurizing zone 10. The amount of steam 32 introduced is controllable via a metering device 58. The process liquid 13 from the collecting region 27 is fed to a second inlet 60 of the first HE 31 via a pump 59 and by a metering device 36_1 via a pressure-closed heating line system 95 and, after being heated by the steam 32 transported in counterflow, leaves the first HE 31 via its second outlet 61 and re-enters the heating line system 95. If required, the process liquid 13 heated in the first HE 31 can be supplied to the zones 6-10 via metering devices 34 via the sprinkling devices 14-18 associated with the zones 6-10. Additionally or alternatively, the heated process liquid 13 or a portion thereof can also be circulated through the first HE 31, the flow rate being controllable via a metering device 62 in the heating line system 95. The heating line system 95 is adapted as a pressure-closed system and is operated with an overpressure relative to the ambient pressure, for example with an overpressure of 2.Math.10.sup.5 Pa.

[0054] Furthermore, in the plant 1 it is provided that at least partial amounts of the process liquid 13 contained in the collecting region 28 of the first cooling zone 11, instead of being pumped back to the sprinkling device 15 of the second heating zone 7, are fed to a second HE 30. The second HE 30 may be coupled to a cooling plant, such as a cooling tower, to cool the process liquid 13 from the collecting region 28 and for this purpose has a line connection to the one collecting region 28 of the first cooling zone 11 and feeds to the sprinkling devices 19, 20 of the first 11 and second cooling zones 12 via a pressure-closed cooling line system 96. From the collecting region 28, the process liquid 13 is supplied via a first pump 71 and a metering device 41_1 via the cooling line system 96 to a first inlet 69 of the second HE 30 and leaves the second HE 30 after cooling via a first outlet 70. For cooling the process liquid 13 in the second HE 30, a coolant of the cooling plant is introduced into a second inlet 67 of the second HE 30, flows in counterflow to the process liquid 13 and absorbs heat therefrom. The heated coolant leaves the second HE 30 via a second outlet 68. The process liquid 13 cooled in the second HE 30 can then be returned to the sprinkling devices 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 via metering devices 72. The cooling line system 96 is adapted as a pressure-closed system and is operated with an overpressure relative to the ambient pressure, for example with a positive pressure of 2.Math.10.sup.5 Pa.

[0055] Further, a first bypass to a condenser 37 of a heat pump 35 is provided in the heating line system 95. The first bypass leads through a first metering device 36_2 to a first inlet 65 of the condenser 37, through the condenser 37 and from a first outlet 66 of the condenser 37 back to the heating line system 95. The first bypass is arranged downstream of the second pump 59 and upstream of the second inlet 60 of the first HE 31. The flow rate of process liquid 13 through the first bypass is controllable via the metering device 36_2, this is useful because the heat pump 35 has limited heating capacity even if more process liquid 13 were to be passed through it.

[0056] The process liquid 13 is introduced into the condenser 37 through a first inlet 65, where it can absorb heat that is discharged by a transfer liquid that flows through the condenser 37 in counterflow. In this case, the transfer liquid flows through the condenser 37, a throttle 38, an evaporator 39, and a compressor 40 of the heat pump 35. The transfer liquid is introduced into the condenser 37 through a second inlet 78 and, after releasing heat to the process liquid 13 flowing in counterflow, leaves the condenser 37 through a second outlet 77. The heated process liquid 13 leaves the condenser 37 through the first outlet 66 and is returned through the first bypass, so that the process liquid 13 heated in the condenser 37 can still be passed through the first HE 31 and further heated there.

[0057] A second bypass to the evaporator 39 is provided in the cooling line system 96, the second bypass being provided downstream of the first pump 71 and upstream of the first inlet 69 of the second HE 30. The process liquid 13 is directed via a second metering device 41_2 to a first inlet 73 of the evaporator 39, cooled therein, exits the evaporator 39 via a first outlet 74, and is then returned via the bypass so that the process liquid 13 cooled in the evaporator 39 can still be directed through the second HE 30 and further cooled there. Cooling of the process liquid 13 in the evaporator 39 is accomplished by the transfer liquid flowing around in the heat pump 35 and being introduced into the evaporator 39 via a second inlet 75, flowing there in counterflow to the process liquid 13 and leaving the evaporator 39 again via a second outlet 76 after having absorbed heat from the process liquid 13.

[0058] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a plant 42 for pasteurizing foodstuffs or beverages filled in closed containers 2. The elements already described with respect to FIG. 1 are not explained again here.

[0059] A heat tank 43 is provided in the first bypass upstream of the condenser 37. Via the first metering device 36_2, process liquid 13 can be introduced into a first inlet 79 of the heat tank 43. From the heat tank 43, process liquid 13 can be fed from a first outlet 80 via a third pump 44 through the condenser 37 and heated there, as already described with respect to FIG. 1. This heated process liquid 13 is returned to the heat tank 43 through a second inlet 81. Via a fourth pump 45, the process liquid 13 can be pumped back out of the heat tank 43 through a second outlet 82 to the heating line system 95 and thus to the first HE 31; a third metering device 49 is provided downstream of the fourth pump 45 in the first bypass. Hot water can also be used in the first HE 31 instead of steam 32.

[0060] Optionally, upstream of the first inlet 79 of the heat tank 43 and downstream of the fourth pump 45 in the first bypass, corresponding first and second spring valves 50 may be provided which may be closed to allow the heat pump 35 to be disconnected.

[0061] A cooling tank 46 is provided in the second bypass upstream of the evaporator 39. Via the second metering device 41_2, process liquid 13 can be introduced into a first inlet 83 of the cooling tank 46. From the cooling tank 46, process liquid 13 can be fed from a first outlet 84 via a fifth pump 47 through the evaporator 39 and cooled there, as already described with respect to FIG. 1. This cooled process liquid 13 is returned to the cooling tank 46 through a second inlet 85. Via a sixth pump 48, the process liquid 13 can be pumped back from the cooling tank 46 through a second outlet 86 into the cooling line system 96 upstream of the second HE 30; a fourth metering device 52 is provided downstream of the sixth pump 48 in the second bypass.

[0062] Optionally, upstream of the first inlet 83 of the cooling tank 46 and downstream of the sixth pump 48 in the second bypass, third and fourth spring valves 51 may be provided, correspondingly, which may be closed to allow the heat pump 35 to be excluded.

[0063] FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a third embodiment of a plant 53 for pasteurizing foodstuffs or beverages filled in closed containers 2. The elements already described with respect to FIGS. 1 and 2 are not explained again here.

[0064] In the third embodiment, a third HE 54 is provided in the heating line system 95 upstream of the first HE 31 so that the process liquid 13 circulates through the third HE 54 and the first HE 31. In counterflow to the process liquid 13, liquid from the heat tank 43 circulates in the third HE 54, which is pumped from the second outlet 82 of the heat tank 43 via the fourth pump 45 and, after passing through the third HE 54—i.e., the liquid is introduced into the third HE 54 via a first inlet 89 and discharged via a first outlet 90—is returned to the heat tank 43 via the first inlet 79. The process liquid 13 is introduced into the third HE 54 via a second inlet 87 and discharged via a second outlet 88, and then passes to the second inlet 60 of the first HE 31.

[0065] Thus, there are separate circuits: one for the process liquid 13 flowing through the first HE 31 and the third HE 54, and one for the liquid flowing through the heat tank 43, the third HE 54 and the condenser 37. The liquid from the heat tank 43 is pumped through the condenser 37 of the heat pump 35 by the third pump 44, as previously in the second embodiment, and returns to the heat tank 43.

[0066] A fourth HE 55 is provided in the cooling line system 96 upstream of the second HE 30, so that the process liquid 13 circulates through the fourth HE 55 and the first HE 30. In counterflow to the process liquid 13, liquid from the cooling tank 46 circulates in the fourth HE 55, is pumped from the second outlet 86 of the cooling tank 46 via the sixth pump 48, and is returned to the cooling tank 46 via the first inlet 83 after passing through the fourth HE 55—i.e., the liquid is introduced into the fourth HE 55 via a first inlet 91 and discharged via a first outlet 92. The process liquid 13 is introduced into the fourth HE 55 via a second inlet 93 and discharged via a second outlet 94, and then passes to the second inlet 69 of the second HE 30 where it can be further cooled.

[0067] Thus, there are separate circuits: one for the process liquid 13 flowing through the second HE 30 and the fourth HE 55, and one for the liquid flowing through the cooling tank 46, the evaporator 39 and the fourth HE 55. The liquid from the cooling tank 46 is pumped through the evaporator 39 of the heat pump 35 by the fifth pump 47, as previously in the second embodiment, and then returns to the cooling tank 46.

[0068] FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of a plant 56 for pasteurizing foodstuffs or beverages filled in closed containers 2. The elements already described with respect to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 are not explained again here.

[0069] Compared to the third embodiment, in the fourth embodiment the first outlet 66 of the condenser 37 leads to the first inlet 89 of the third HE 54 and not—as in the third embodiment—to the second inlet 81 of the heat tank 43; therefore, the fourth pump 45 can be saved between the second outlet 82 of the heat tank 43 and the first inlet 89 of the third HE 54. Between the supply line to the first inlet 89 of the third HE 54 and the supply line to the first inlet 79 of the heat tank 43, a further bypass controllable via a valve 57 is provided.

[0070] Moreover, the first outlet 74 of the evaporator 39 leads to the first inlet 91 of the fourth HE 55 and not—as in the third embodiment—to the second inlet 85 of the cooling tank 46; therefore, the sixth pump 48 can be saved between the second outlet 86 of the cooling tank 46 and the first inlet 91 of the fourth HE.

[0071] It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Other embodiments will be apparent upon reading and understanding the above description. Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to specific example embodiments, it will be recognized that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but can be practiced with modification and alteration within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative sense rather than a restrictive sense. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.