PIPE TEMPERATURE ADJUSTING SYSTEM AND PIPE TEMPERATURE ADJUSTING METHOD

Abstract

A pipe temperature adjusting system includes: a liquid conducting pipe; a heat-insulating cover covering the liquid conducting pipe in such a manner as to define a cylindrical space between the heat-insulating cover and the liquid conducting pipe; a heat exchange flow path disposed in the cylindrical space and along the liquid conducting pipe and allowing a heat exchange medium to flow through the heat exchange flow path; and a pump configured to supply the heat exchange medium into the heat exchange flow path. Covering the liquid conducting pipe with the cylindrical space and causing the heat exchange medium to flow through the heat exchange flow path in the cylindrical space adjusts the internal temperature of the cylindrical space to thereby adjust the temperature of the liquid conducting pipe.

Claims

1. A pipe temperature adjusting system for adjusting a temperature of a liquid conducting pipe, the pipe temperature adjusting system comprising: a heat-insulating cover covering the liquid conducting pipe in such a manner as to define a cylindrical space between the heat-insulating cover and the liquid conducting pipe; a heat exchange flow path disposed in the cylindrical space and along the liquid conducting pipe and allowing a heat exchange medium to flow through the heat exchange flow path; and a pump configured to supply the heat exchange medium into the heat exchange flow path.

2. The pipe temperature adjusting system according to claim 1, further comprising: a temperature sensor configured to detect an internal temperature of the cylindrical space; a temperature adjusting device configured to adjust a temperature of the heat exchange medium to be supplied into the heat exchange flow path; and a controller configured to control the temperature adjusting device and the pump so that the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor becomes equal to a predetermined target temperature.

3. The pipe temperature adjusting system according to claim 2, wherein the controller controls the temperature adjusting device to adjust the temperature of the heat exchange medium to be supplied into the heat exchange flow path to a temperature at which heat is transferred between an outer space of the heat-insulating cover and the cylindrical space in an amount smaller than an amount of heat transferred between the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange flow path and the cylindrical space.

4. The pipe temperature adjusting system according to claim 2, further comprising: a medium storage tank connected with the heat exchange flow path, wherein the pump is configured to cause the heat exchange medium to circulate between the heat exchange flow path and the medium storage tank, and the temperature adjusting device adjusts a temperature of the heat exchange medium as stored in the medium storage tank.

5. The pipe temperature adjusting system according to claim 2, wherein the controller controls the pump to (i) in response to the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor falling to a predetermined lower limit temperature lower than the target temperature, stop the heat exchange medium from being supplied into the heat exchange flow path and (ii) in response to the internal temperature detected by the temperature sensor rising to a predetermined upper limit temperature higher than the lower limit temperature and not higher than the target temperature after stopping the heat exchange medium from being supplied into the heat exchange flow path, resume supplying the heat exchange medium into the heat exchange flow path.

6. The pipe temperature adjusting system according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchange flow path includes: a first segment allowing the heat exchange medium to flow from a first side in a longitudinal direction of the heat-insulating cover toward a second side in the longitudinal direction; and a second segment allowing the heat exchange medium to flow from the second side toward the first side.

7. The pipe temperature adjusting system according to claim 6, wherein the first and second segments are opposite to each other across the liquid conducting pipe.

8. A pipe temperature adjusting method, comprising: covering a liquid conducting pipe with a cylindrical space; and causing a heat exchange medium to flow through a heat exchange flow path in the cylindrical space.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the structure of a beverage filling device equipped with a pipe temperature adjusting system according to the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1.

[0046] FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating an example change in an outside air temperature and in an internal temperature.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0047] The pipe temperature adjusting system according to the present disclosure serves to adjust the temperature of a liquid conducting pipe. The description below deals with how the pipe temperature adjusting system according to the present disclosure is configured, with a liquid conducting pipe for a beverage filling device as the target of temperature adjustment. The pipe temperature adjusting system according to the present disclosure is applicable to not only beverage filling devices but also any other device including a liquid conducting pipe.

[0048] Configuration of Beverage Filling Device

[0049] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the structure of a beverage filling device equipped with a pipe temperature adjusting system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the beverage filling device includes a beverage storage tank 11, a filler 12, and a liquid conducting pipe 13. The beverage storage tank 11 is configured to store beverage liquid produced through a preceding process. The filler 12 is configured to fill a container with beverage liquid. The liquid conducting pipe 13 connects the beverage storage tank 11 with the filler 12 to conduct beverage liquid from inside the beverage storage tank 11 into the filler 12. The liquid conducting pipe 13 is provided with devices (not illustrated in the drawings) such as a pump configured to suck beverage liquid from the beverage storage tank 11, a valve configured to adjust the flow rate of beverage liquid, and a flow rate sensor configured to detect the flow rate of beverage liquid. The liquid conducting pipe 13 serves also to temporarily store beverage liquid from the beverage storage tank 11.

[0050] Configuration of Pipe Temperature Adjusting System

[0051] As illustrated in FIG. 1, the pipe temperature adjusting system includes a heat-insulating cover 2, a medium storage tank 3, a temperature adjusting device 4, a medium flow path 5, and a controller 6.

[0052] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heat-insulating cover 2 is in the shape of a cylinder with a hollow portion. The heat-insulating cover 2 covers the liquid conducting pipe 13 of the beverage filling device such that the liquid conducting pipe 13 extends substantially on the central axis of the hollow portion. This defines a substantially cylindrical space S between the heat-insulating cover 2 and the liquid conducting pipe 13. The heat-insulating cover 2 includes a heat-insulating material that reduces heat exchange between the cylindrical space S and the outer space of the heat-insulating cover 2. Non-limiting examples of the heat-insulating material include foamed materials such as urethane foam, polystyrene foam, and polyethylene foam. The heat-insulating cover 2 for the present embodiment is a combination of two semi-cylindrical members as an example, but may alternatively be a combination of more than two members.

[0053] The heat-insulating cover 2 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as having open ends at opposite sides in the longitudinal direction for convenience of illustration. The heat-insulating cover 2, in actuality, has closed ends at the opposite sides with members integral with the heat-insulating cover 2 or separate members attached to the respective ends of the heat-insulating cover 2. This prevents air from entering and exiting the cylindrical space S. The pipe temperature adjusting system includes in the cylindrical space S a temperature sensor 7 configured to detect the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S. The pipe temperature adjusting system as the present embodiment includes a single temperature sensor 7 on that end portion of the heat-insulating cover 2 which faces the filler 12. The pipe temperature adjusting system is, however, not necessarily configured as such. The pipe temperature adjusting system may include a temperature sensor 7 at any position inside the heat-insulating cover 2 such as on that end portion of the heat-insulating cover 2 which faces the beverage storage tank 11. The pipe temperature adjusting system may also include two or more temperature sensors 7.

[0054] The medium storage tank 3 stores a heat exchange medium for heat exchange with the cylindrical space S. The heat exchange medium is not limited to any particular kind, and may be selected in accordance with conditions for target temperature adjustment. Examples of the heat exchange medium include liquid mediums such as water, oil, and chlorofluorocarbon coolants and gas mediums such as air and carbon dioxide. The medium storage tank 3 is connected with the temperature adjusting device 4. The temperature adjusting device 4 receives, from a temperature sensor (not illustrated in the drawings) on the medium storage tank 3, a signal indicative of the current temperature of the heat exchange medium in the medium storage tank 3 and, from the controller 6, a signal indicative of the target temperature for the heat exchange medium (that is, the later-described “required temperature”). The temperature adjusting device 4 adjusts the temperature of the heat exchange medium in the medium storage tank 3 on the basis of the above signals. Non-limiting examples of the temperature adjusting device 4 include a refrigerator and a heater.

[0055] The medium flow path 5 allows the heat exchange medium to flow therethrough, and includes a heat exchange flow path 51 and a circulation flow path 52. The heat exchange flow path 51 is disposed in the cylindrical space S and along the liquid conducting pipe 13. The heat exchange flow path 51 includes a first segment 511, a second segment 513, and a third segment 512. The first segment 511 allows the heat exchange medium to flow from a first side in the longitudinal direction of the heat-insulating cover 2 toward a second side in the longitudinal direction. The second segment 513 allows the heat exchange medium to flow oppositely from the second side toward the first side. The third segment 512 is a turnaround segment connecting the first segment 511 with the second segment 513. These three segments allow a single round flow of the heat exchange medium between the first and second sides. The first segment 511 and the second segment 513 are opposite to each other across the liquid conducting pipe 13. The heat exchange flow path 51 is in the form of a pipe made of a material with high thermal conductivity such as stainless steel, copper, or aluminum for efficient heat exchange between the heat exchange medium in the heat exchange flow path 51 and the cylindrical space S.

[0056] The heat exchange flow path 51 for the present embodiment is in no contact with the heat-insulating cover 2 or the liquid conducting pipe 13. The heat exchange flow path 51 may alternatively be at least partially in contact with either or both of the heat-insulating cover 2 and the liquid conducting pipe 13. The heat exchange flow path 51 for the present embodiment is directed to allow the heat exchange medium to flow with a start point and an end point at that end portion of the heat-insulating cover 2 which faces the beverage storage tank 11. The heat exchange flow path 51 may alternatively be directed to allow the heat exchange medium to flow with a start point and an end point at that end portion of the heat-insulating cover 2 which faces the filler 12.

[0057] The circulation flow path 52 connects the medium storage tank 3 with the heat exchange flow path 51 in such a manner as to form a closed circuit for circulation of the heat exchange medium. The circulation flow path 52 is provided with, for example, a pump 81 as a power source for circulation of the heat exchange medium, a flow rate valve 82, and a flow rate sensor (not illustrated in the drawings).

[0058] The controller 6 is connected with the temperature sensor 7 to receive a signal indicative of the result of the detection by the temperature sensor 7. The controller 6 is also connected with the temperature adjusting device 4 and the pump 81 to transmit control signals thereto. If some beverage liquid is stored temporarily in the liquid conducting pipe 13, the controller 6 controls the adjustment of the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S, which covers the liquid conducting pipe 13, to keep the beverage liquid in the liquid conducting pipe 13 at an appropriate temperature.

[0059] The description below deals with how the controller 6 controls the temperature adjustment in an example case where the outside air temperature is higher than the appropriate temperature for beverage liquid.

[0060] Controlling Temperature of Heat Exchange Medium

[0061] In the above case, the heat exchange medium is a cooling medium for cooling the cylindrical space S, for example cold water, and the temperature adjusting device 4 is, for example, a refrigerator. The temperature adjusting device 4 adjusts the temperature of cold water in the medium storage tank 3 to a predetermined required temperature under control of the controller 6. The required temperature refers to the temperature of cold water that, when flowing through the heat exchange flow path 51, adjusts the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S to a predetermined temperature (hereinafter referred to as “target temperature”) not higher than the appropriate temperature for beverage liquid to keep beverage liquid in the liquid conducting pipe 13 at the appropriate temperature. The required temperature for the cooling medium is calculated based on the mathematical expressions below.

[00001]$\begin{array}{cc}{Q}_1=\frac{\pi \left({\theta }_r-T_1\right)}{\frac{1}{\alpha {\mathrm{OD}}_1}+\frac{1}{2{\lambda }_1}\times \ln \frac{O{D}_1}{{\mathrm{ID}}_1}}\times m_1& \left[\mathrm{Math}.1\right]\end{array}$

[0062] Mathematical Expression 1 serves to determine the amount of heat transferred from the outer space to the cylindrical space S, where

[0063] θ.sub.r is the outside air temperature (° C.),

[0064] T.sub.1 is the target temperature (° C.),

[0065] α is the heat transfer rate (W/m.sup.2K) at the surface,

[0066] OD.sub.1 is the outer diameter (m) of the heat-insulating cover 2,

[0067] ID.sub.1 is the inner diameter (m) of the heat-insulating cover 2,

[0068] λ.sub.1 is the thermal conductivity (W/m K) of the heat-insulating cover 2,

[0069] ln indicates the natural logarithm of the value that follows it, and

[0070] m.sub.1 is the longitudinal dimension (m) of the heat-insulating cover 2.

[00002]$\begin{array}{cc}{Q}_2=\frac{\pi \left(T_1-T_2\right)}{\frac{1}{\alpha {\mathrm{OD}}_2}+\frac{1}{2{\lambda }_2}\times \ln \frac{O{D}_2}{I{D}_2}}\times m_2& \left[\mathrm{Math}.2\right]\end{array}$

[0071] Mathematical Expression 2 serves to determine the amount of heat transferred from the cylindrical space S into the heat exchange flow path 51, where

[0072] T.sub.1 is the target temperature (° C.),

[0073] T.sub.2 is the required temperature (° C.),

[0074] α is the heat transfer rate (W/m.sup.2K) at the surface,

[0075] OD.sub.2 is the outer diameter (m) of the heat exchange flow path 51,

[0076] ID.sub.2 is the inner diameter (m) of the heat exchange flow path 51,

[0077] λ.sub.2 is the thermal conductivity (W/m K) of the heat exchange flow path 51,

[0078] ln indicates the natural logarithm of the value that follows it, and

[0079] m.sub.2 is the length (m) of the heat exchange flow path 51.

[0080] The required temperature T.sub.2 is such that Q.sub.1<Q.sub.2.

[0081] Continuing to supply the heat exchange flow path 51 with cold water having a temperature not higher than the required temperature causes heat exchange between the outer space of the heat-insulating cover 2 and the cylindrical space S and between the heat exchange flow path 51 and the cylindrical space S. Since the amount Q.sub.1 of heat transferred between the outer space and the cylindrical space S is smaller than the amount Q.sub.2 of heat transferred between the heat exchange flow path 51 and the cylindrical space S, the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S decreases over time to eventually reach the target temperature.

[0082] Cold water through the heat exchange flow path 51 does not have a constant temperature; it increases with heat exchange between the cylindrical space S and the heat exchange flow path 51. Thus, cold water to be supplied into the heat exchange flow path 51, in actuality, needs to have a temperature lower by an extent equivalent to or greater than the temperature increase during the flow through the heat exchange flow path 51.

[0083] Controlling Flow Rate of Heat Exchange Medium

[0084] Cold water may be supplied into the heat exchange flow path 51 continuously. In this case, the pump 81 adjusts the flow rate of cold water under control of the controller 6 so that the temperature of the cold water does not exceed the required temperature while the cold water flows through the heat exchange flow path 51. The present embodiment may be configured such that the temperature of cold water is detected by a temperature sensor (not illustrated in the drawings) on the heat exchange flow path 51 and that the temperature sensor transmits to the controller 6 a signal indicative of the temperature.

[0085] Cold water may also be supplied into the heat exchange flow path 51 in a pulsated manner. FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating an example change in the outside air temperature, indicated with line L1, and in the internal temperature, indicated with line L2. The outside air temperature may be not constant and change over time as shown with line L1 in FIG. 3 as an example, depending on where the liquid conducting pipe 13 is disposed. Adjusting the temperature of the cold water in accordance with a change in the outside air temperature will increase the load on the system. Thus, in the above case, it is preferable to assign to the outside air temperature Or in Mathematical Expression 1 a temperature not lower than the highest expectable temperature for calculation of a required temperature and to adjust the temperature of the cold water to that required temperature.

[0086] Continuously supplying the heat exchange flow path 51 with cold water having the required temperature calculated as above will decrease the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S below the target temperature, leading to an unnecessarily high operation cost. In view of that, cold water may be supplied into the heat exchange flow path 51 in a pulsated manner to prevent the internal temperature from decreasing more than necessary.

[0087] FIG. 3 shows line L2 as a specific example. The internal temperature of the cylindrical space S as detected by the temperature sensor 7 decreases with the supply of cold water. The controller 6 thus controls the pump 81 as follows: The pump 81 stops supplying cold water into the heat exchange flow path 51 in response to the internal temperature falling to a predetermined lower limit temperature lower than the target temperature. The pump 81 then resumes supplying cold water into the heat exchange flow path 51 in response to the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S as detected by the temperature sensor 7 rising to a predetermined upper limit temperature higher than the lower limit temperature and not higher than the target temperature after stopping supplying cold water. Controlling the internal temperature as described above so that it is mostly between the upper and lower limit temperatures not only keeps the internal temperature at not higher than the target temperature, but also prevents the internal temperature from decreasing more than necessary. The controller 6 may alternatively control the flow rate valve 82 instead of or in addition to the pump 81.

EXAMPLES

[0088] The description below deals with an example of how the temperature of a liquid conducting pipe 13 was adjusted in accordance with the present disclosure which liquid conducting pipe 13 was disposed outdoors where the air temperature changed as shown with line L1 in FIG. 3. The pipe temperature adjusting method according to the present disclosure is, however, not limited the Example below.

[0089] This Example set the target temperature for the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S at 23° C., which was lower than the appropriate temperature for beverage liquid remaining in the liquid conducting pipe 13. The Example also set the outside air temperature at 40° C., which was higher than the highest expectable air temperature. The Example used the liquid conducting pipe 13, the heat-insulating cover 2, and the heat exchange flow path 51 detailed below.

[0090] Liquid Conducting Pipe [0091] Inner diameter: 54.9 mm [0092] Outer diameter: 60.5 mm [0093] Material: stainless steel 304

[0094] Heat-Insulating Cover [0095] Inner diameter: 114.3 mm [0096] Outer diameter: 164.3 mm [0097] Longitudinal dimension: 300 m [0098] Material: urethane foam [0099] Thermal conductivity: 0.022 W/m.Math.K [0100] Heat transfer rate at the surface: 7 W/m.sup.2.Math.K

[0101] Heat Exchange Flow Path [0102] Inner diameter: 16.1 mm [0103] Outer diameter: 21.7 mm [0104] Length: 600 m [0105] Material: stainless steel 304 [0106] Thermal conductivity: 16.7 W/m.Math.K [0107] Heat transfer rate at the surface: 7 W/m.sup.2.Math.K [0108] Heat exchange medium: cold water

[0109] Mathematical Expression 1 above gave 1757.49 W (1513.63 Kcal/h) as the amount Q.sub.1 of heat transferred from the outer space to the cylindrical space S in the heat-insulating cover 2. Mathematical Expression 2 above gave 285.937×(23−T.sub.2) as the amount Q.sub.2 of heat transferred from the cylindrical space S into the heat exchange flow path 51. The required temperature T.sub.2, for which Q.sub.1<Q.sub.2, was lower than approximately 16.85° C.

[0110] Cold water in the medium storage tank 3 was adjusted to the required temperature T.sub.2 with use of the temperature adjusting device 4 in the form of a refrigerator. The cold water, adjusted to the required temperature T.sub.2, was supplied by the pump 81 into the heat exchange flow path 51 at a flow rate of 100 L/h to 300 L/h. In response to the internal temperature falling to 21° C. due to the supply of the cold water, the supply of the cold water with use of the pump 81 was stopped. Then, in response to the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S rising back to 22° C. after the supply of the cold water was stopped, the supply of the cold water with use of the pump 81 was resumed. This operation kept the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S between 21° C. (lower limit temperature) and 22° C. (upper limit temperature).

ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS

[0111] (1) The embodiment described above is configured to control the temperature and flow rate of a heat exchange medium to decrease the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S. The embodiment may, however, be altered to control the temperature and flow rate of a heat exchange medium to increase the internal temperature of the cylindrical space S. The pipe temperature adjusting method according to the present disclosure is thus applicable also to the case of adjusting the temperature of a liquid conducting pipe to a temperature higher than the outside air temperature.

[0112] (2) The embodiment described above is configured such that the heat exchange flow path allows a single round flow of a heat exchange medium between a first side and second side in the longitudinal direction of the heat-insulating cover. The heat exchange flow path may, however, alternatively extend merely from the first side to the second side without a turnaround point, in other words, include only a segment that allows a heat exchange medium to flow from the first side to the second side. The heat exchange flow path may further alternatively allow two or more round flows of a heat exchange medium between the first and second sides.

[0113] (3) The embodiment described above includes a single heat exchange flow path in the heat-insulating cover. The embodiment may, however, be altered to include two or more heat exchange flow paths unconnected with each other in the heat-insulating cover. The heat exchange flow paths in this case may allow a heat exchange medium to flow in respective directions identical to or different from each other.

[0114] (4) The embodiment described above includes a system for circulation of the heat exchange medium between the heat exchange flow path and the medium storage tank. The embodiment may, however, be altered so that the heat exchange medium having passed through the heat-insulating cover is not circulated and instead discharged.

[0115] (5) The embodiment described above is configured to adjust the temperature of a liquid conducting pipe in which beverage liquid remains. The embodiment may, however, be altered to adjust the temperature of a liquid conducting pipe through which beverage liquid is flowing. The pipe temperature adjusting method according to the present disclosure is applicable to adjustment of the temperature of not only a pipe for liquid but also a pipe for gas or solid.