SYSTEM FOR INSERTING ADDITIVES IN A FLOWING LIQUID FOODSTUFF

Abstract

A system for inserting additives in a flowing liquid foodstuff, in particular for inserting hop pellets in flowing beer or wort, includes a tank including: an additive receiving compartment adapted to receive additives; a first chamber adapted to be vented by a venting system; a pipe connection adapted to be connected to a pipe where the flowing liquid foodstuff is in, and to insert the additives in the flowing liquid foodstuff; a first valve arranged between the additive receiving compartment and the first chamber, where the first valve has an open position where additives can be transferred from the additive receiving compartment to the first chamber, and has a closed position where additives can be received in the additive receiving compartment while the first chamber can be vented and/or additives can be inserted in the flowing liquid foodstuff via the pipe connection.

Claims

1. A system for inserting additives in a flowing liquid foodstuff, comprising a tank comprising: i) an additive receiving compartment adapted to receive additives, ii) a first chamber adapted to be vented by a venting system, iii) a pipe connection, adapted to be connected to a pipe where the flowing liquid foodstuff is in, and insert the additives in the flowing liquid foodstuff, iv) a first valve arranged between the additive receiving compartment and the first chamber, wherein the first valve has an open position wherein additives can be transferred from the additive receiving compartment to the first chamber, and has a closed position wherein additives can be received in the additive receiving compartment while the first chamber can be vented and/or additives can be inserted in the flowing liquid foodstuff via the pipe connection.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pressure system adapted to pressurize the pipe connection at a pressure that is greater than the pressure of the liquid foodstuff in the pipe, and/or pressurize the pipe connection at a pressure between 0.1 and 4 barg, preferably between 1.0 and 2.0 barg, for example 1.5 barg, and/or supply a gas to the pipe connection at a gas flow between 0.1 and 2 bar, preferably 0.2 bar greater than the pressure in the pipe in which the flowing liquid foodstuff is, wherein optionally the pressure system and the venting system are the same.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber comprises the pipe connection.

4. The system according claim 1, wherein the open position of the first valve is such that the additives are transferred from the additive receiving compartment to the first chamber with the aid of gravity.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein the tank further comprises a second chamber and a second valve arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber, wherein the second valve has an open position wherein additives can be transferred from the first chamber to the second chamber, and has a closed position wherein the first chamber can be vented while additives can be inserted in the flowing liquid foodstuff via the pipe connection.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the second chamber comprises the pipe connection.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the venting system is connected to the first chamber and the pressure system is connected to the second chamber.

8. The system according to claim 5, wherein the open position of the second valve is such that the additives are transferred from the first chamber to the second chamber with the aid of gravity.

9. The system according to claim 1, adapted to insert the additives from the pipe connection in the pipe with the aid of gravity.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pipe connection is funnel-shaped and/or comprises a reducer.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein at an end diameter of the pipe connection is smaller than the diameter of the first chamber and/or the second chamber, and is preferably smaller than the diameter of the pipe.

12. The system according to claim 1, wherein the additive receiving compartment is funnel-shaped.

13. The system according to claim 1, wherein the additive receiving compartment comprises an open top, or comprises a lid to close the additive receiving compartment, which is further adapted to be opened while the first chamber is being vented and/or additives are being inserted via the pipe connection in the flowing liquid foodstuff.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first chamber has a maximum diameter between 100 and 500 mm and a height between 100 and 500 mm.

15. The system according to claim 5, wherein the second chamber has a maximum diameter between 100 and 500 mm and a height between 100 and 500 mm.

16. The system according to claim 1, wherein the venting system and/or the pressure system is adapted to be connected to a gas supply for an inert gas, wherein the gas supply is connected to the tank via a gas pipe, wherein the gas pipe preferably has a diameter has between 6 and 25 mm.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the pipe connection comprises a pipe connection valve.

18. The system according to claim 1, preceding claims, further comprising the pipe.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the pipe comprises a reducer and a expander, with a pipe section therein between of which the diameter is smaller than the diameter of the rest of the pipe, wherein the pipe section is adapted to be connected to the pipe connection of the tank.

20. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a circulation pump adapted to cause the liquid foodstuff to flow through the pipe.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the pipe connection of the tank is connected to the pipe on a suction side of the circulation pump.

22. The system according to claim 20, wherein the circulation pump is a centrifugal pump.

23. The system according to claim 20, further comprising a liquid foodstuff tank, wherein a pressure side of the circulation pump is connected to the liquid foodstuff tank.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the circulation pump is connected to a lower part of the liquid foodstuff tank.

25. The system according to claim 23, wherein a suction side of the circulation pump is connected to the liquid foodstuff tank, preferably to the lower part of the liquid foodstuff tank.

26. The system according to claim 1, wherein the first valve and/or the second valve is a butterfly valve.

27. The system according to claim 1, wherein the liquid foodstuff is a beverage, preferably beer.

28. The system according to claim 1, wherein the additives are in a solid form, wherein the additives are preferably pellets, preferably hop pellets.

29. A method for inserting additives in a flowing liquid foodstuff, comprising the following steps: arranging a first batch of additives in an additive receiving compartment, transferring the first batch of additives from the additive receiving compartment to a first chamber by arranging a first valve arranged between the additive receiving compartment and the first chamber in an open position, arranging the first valve in a closed position, venting the first chamber, inserting the first batch of additives in the flowing liquid foodstuff via a pipe connection, while the first batch is in the first chamber and/or the pipe connection, arranging a second batch of additives in the additive receiving compartment.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the second batch of additives is arranged in the additive receiving compartment during the venting of the first chamber and/or the inserting the first batch of additives in the flowing liquid foodstuff.

31. The method according to claim 29, further comprising one or more of the following steps: pressurizing the pipe connection to a pressure greater than the pressure of the liquid foodstuff in the pipe when the first batch of additives is in the pipe connection, and/or pressurizing the pipe connection at a pressure between 0.1 and 4 barg, preferably between 1.0 and 2.0 barg, for example 1.5 barg, when the first batch of additives is in the pipe connection, and/or supplying a gas to the pipe connection at a gas flow between 0.1 and 2 bar, preferably 0.2 bar greater than the pressure in the pipe in which the flowing liquid foodstuff is, when the first batch of additives is in the pipe connection.

32. The method according to claim 29, further comprising the following steps after the venting of the first chamber: transferring the first batch of additives from the first chamber to a second chamber by arranging a second valve arranged between the first chamber and the second chamber in an open position, arranging the second valve into a closed position, while the first batch of additives is in the second chamber and/or the pipe connection, transferring the second batch of additives from the additive receiving compartment to the first chamber.

33. The method according to claim 32, wherein the method further comprises: inserting the first batch of additives in the flowing liquid foodstuff while the second batch is in the first chamber, and/or venting the first chamber while the second batch of additives is in the first chamber and while the first batch of additives is in the second chamber and/or the pipe connection.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0113] In the figures:

[0114] FIG. 1 shows a process flow diagram of a system according to the invention in a first embodiment;

[0115] FIG. 2a shows a side view of the system in the first embodiment;

[0116] FIG. 2b shows a perspective view of the system in the first embodiment;

[0117] FIG. 3a shows a side view of a system according to the invention in a second embodiment;

[0118] FIG. 3b shows a perspective view of the system in the second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:

[0119] FIG. 1 shows a liquid foodstuff tank 80, which in this example is a fermentation tank in which beer is stored for a certain time, for example 5-7 days for a first fermentation and optionally 3-7 weeks for a second fermentation, to be subjected to a fermentation process. Various additives can be added during said process, such as hops or additives that affect the flavour. The invention provides a method and system that can be used for inserting additives in liquid foodstuff.

[0120] FIG. 1 shows a process flow diagram of a system according to the invention in a first embodiment. The system comprises a tank 1, which comprises an additive receiving compartment 2. Additives, in this example hop pellets, can be inserted in the additive receiving compartment 2. A lid 2.1 is provided to close the additive receiving compartment 2 if necessary, but said lid 2.1 can be opened while the system and the process are in use. A first valve 5 is provided below the additive receiving compartment 2, which first valve 5 has an open position and a closed position.

[0121] The first valve 5 connects the additive receiving compartment 2 to a first chamber 3, which in turn can be vented by a venting system 20. The venting system 20 is connected, as schematically shown in FIG. 1, to a gas supply 31 which comprises an inert gas, in this case CO.sub.2. The gas supply 31 comes from a central gas distribution system that is present at the location where the beer is brewed. The inert gas can be inserted via valve 21 in the first chamber 3, and the oxygen-containing air can be expelled from the first chamber 3 via valve 22. The first chamber 3 contains nozzles for connecting these valves 21, 22. In practice, valve 21 is preferably connected to a lower part of the first chamber 3 and valve 22 is connected to an upper part of the first chamber 3.

[0122] The tank 1 further comprises a pipe connection 4 which, in the shown example, is part of the first chamber 3. The pipe connection 4 can be connected to a pipe 50, and in this example comprises a pipe connection valve 6. Via the pipe connection 4, additives can be inserted in a flowing liquid foodstuff contained in pipe 50, wherein flowing liquid foodstuff in this example is beer.

[0123] According to the invention, additives, for example a first batch of additives, can be transferred from the additive receiving compartment 2 to the first chamber 3, when the first valve 5 is in the open position. In addition, when the first valve 5 is in the closed position, additives, for example a second batch of additives, can be received in the additive receiving compartment 2 while the first chamber 3 can be vented and/or additives, for example the first batch of additives, can be inserted in the flowing liquid foodstuff via the pipe connection 4. The system according to the invention thus makes it possible to add additives practically continuously. A second batch of additives can be arranged in the additive receiving compartment 2 while the process continues.

[0124] FIG. 1 furthermore shows the pipe 50, which includes an optional reducer 51 and expander 52, so that pipe piece 53 has a smaller diameter than the rest of the pipe 50. Pipe piece 53 furthermore is a T-junction on which the pipe connection 4 of the tank 1 is connected, which in this example still comprises the pipe connection valve 6. The optional reducer 51 and expander 52 can improve the insertion of the additives in the liquid foodstuff using the Venturi effect. Because the diameter in pipe section 53 is reduced relative to the rest of the pipe 50, the speed of the liquid foodstuff in pipe section 53 increases. It follows from Bernouilli's law that the pressure in pipe section 53 is thereby reduced. This creates a suction effect on the additives that are located in the pipe connection 4, which in this way end up in the pipe piece 53 more easily. The diameter of pipe 50 can optionally be 80 mm and the diameter of pipe piece 53 can optionally be 50 mm.

[0125] In the shown example, the venting system 20 is adapted to supply CO.sub.2. Valve 21 connects the first chamber with the venting system 20, which further comprises a coupling piece 24. Coupling piece 24 is adapted for coupling to a flexible pipe 34, which in turn can be connected at another end to a coupling piece 33.2 which via valve 33.1 and pressure regulator 32 is connected to a schematically shown gas supply 31. When CO.sub.2 is added to the first chamber 3 with the venting system 20, the oxygen-containing air can be expelled from the first chamber 3 via valve 22. A coupling piece 23 is further provided here for possibly diverting the expelled air to somewhere else. The diameters of the pipes in the venting system can optionally be 15 or 25 mm.

[0126] In the shown example, the venting system 20 also functions as a pressure system 20. The pressure system 20 is adapted to pressurize the pipe connection 4 to a pressure greater than the pressure of the liquid foodstuff in the pipe 50. This makes it easier for the additives to be transferred from the pipe connection 4 to the liquid foodstuff in the pipe 50.

[0127] For example, after venting, valve 22 can be closed such that the pressure in the first chamber 3, and the pipe connection 4, is increased when CO.sub.2 is supplied via valve 21.

[0128] The pipe 50 may further comprise a pressure sensor 71 which measures the pressure in the pipe 50. Based on said pressure measurement, the pressure in the pipe connection 4 can then be set, for example with the aid of pressure controller 25. This can optionally be done by an operator who reads said pressure on pressure sensor 71, or via an automated system, for example with a control unit such as will be explained later. It is also possible to arrange the pressure sensor 71 on pipe piece 53.

[0129] In the shown example, the system further comprises a circulation pump 60 which is arranged in the pipe 50, which pumps the liquid foodstuff back towards the liquid foodstuff tank 80. In this example, the circulation pump 60 is a centrifugal pump. In some applications, for example if the additives are pellets, the circulation pump 60 is preferably a type of pump that does not crush the additives. This makes it easier to optionally later, for example after 4-24 hours, filter the hop pellets out of the beer, with known techniques such as decantation, separation, or other filtering techniques.

[0130] The pipe connection 4 of the tank 1 is connected to the pipe 50 on the suction side of the pump 60. Since the pressure on the suction side is smaller, this promotes the incorporation of additives in the liquid foodstuff.

[0131] On the pressure side of the pump 60 a cleaning pipe 72 is provided. The cleaning pipe 72 is connected at another end to the additive receiving compartment 2 via a spray nozzle (not shown), and is furthermore provided with a valve 72.1. A cleaning agent can be inserted in the additive receiving compartment 2 via the cleaning pipe 72. In this way the tank 1 can be cleaned. The cleaning agent can be supplied by connecting flexible cleaning pipes to the coupling pieces 54.2, 55.2. The pipe 50 can also be cleaned in this way.

[0132] As schematically shown in FIG. 1, the liquid foodstuff tank 80 is larger than the tank 1. The liquid foodstuff tank 80 can optionally have a diameter of 3 m and a height of 10 m, while the first chamber 3 of the tank 1 has a diameter of 200 mm and a height of 300 mm, while the tank 1 has a height of 1000 mm from the lid 2.1 to a bottom of the pipe connection 4.

[0133] In the shown example, the liquid foodstuff tank 80 comprises a mixing device 90, which may be, for example, a rotary mixer, e.g. a rotary jet mixer. This ensures that the liquid foodstuff in the liquid foodstuff tank 80 moves, which may facilitate the transfer of aromas, fro example from hop pellets, for example in beer. In general, the additives are not crushed by the mixing device 90.

[0134] In a non-shown embodiment, it is possible that the liquid foodstuff tank 80 is connected to the tank 1 via fixed pipes. For example, the pipe 50 can be directly connected to the liquid foodstuff tank 80. It is also possible that the pipe 50 is connected to a manifold to which also a plurality of liquid foodstuff tanks are connected. The manifold can optionally comprise a plurality of valves such that each of the liquid foodstuff tanks can be connected to the tank 1, such that additives can be added to the liquid foodstuff of the respective liquid foodstuff tank.

[0135] In the shown example another solution is provided. Here, at a bottom 80.1 of the liquid foodstuff tank 80, two pipe branches are provided which go via valves 82, 84 to a coupling piece 81, 83, adapted to connect flexible pipes 86, 87 to. It is advantageous to connect said flexible pipes 86, 87 to the bottom 80.1 of the liquid foodstuff tank 80 so that the liquid foodstuff can be transported by gravity at least up to the circulation pump 60. It may also be advantageous to re-introduce the liquid foodstuff together with the additives at the bottom 80.1 in the liquid foodstuff tank 80, because this benefits mixing and thus, for example, the transfer of aromas. Through an optional sight glass 85, an operator can check whether the liquid foodstuff is flowing.

[0136] The pipe 50 also comprises two coupling pieces 54.2 and 55.2, with an associated valve 54.1 and 55.1, respectively, and through an optional sight glass 56 an operator can check whether the liquid foodstuff is flowing. The coupling pieces 54.2, 55.2 are each adapted to connect another end of flexible pipes 86, 87 to. In this way, the liquid foodstuff tank 80 is connected to the tank 1 in a flexible manner. The components located within rectangle 1001 in FIG. 1 can optionally be connected to another liquid foodstuff tank by connecting the flexible pipes 86, 87 to coupling pieces associated with said liquid foodstuff tank.

[0137] Since in the shown example also the venting system 20 is connected to the gas supply 31 via a flexible pipe 34, all components within rectangle 1001 can be moved independently. They can optionally be built as a movable unit, as shown in FIGS. 2a-2b.

[0138] FIG. 2a shows a side view of the system in the first embodiment, and FIG. 2b shows a perspective view of the system in the first embodiment. In these figures, the tank 1, the additive receiving compartment 2, the first valve 5, the first chamber 3, the pipe connection 4 and the pipe connection valve 6 are clearly visible. As can be seen, the lid 2.1 of the additive receiving compartment contains a handle 2.2 to open the lid 2.1, which can happen to add a next batch of additives without stopping the process if the first valve 5 is in the closed position. The lid 2.1 is arranged approximately at breast height, for example approximately 1500 mm from ground level, so that an operator can easily add additives. Venting system 20 is connected to the first chamber 3 and also functions as pressure system 20.

[0139] Further visible in these figures are the pipe 50 with the reducer 51, the expander 53 and the pipe section 53 therein between which visibly has a smaller diameter than the rest of the pipe 50, and to which the pipe connection 4 is connected. The pipe 50 comprises the coupling pieces 54.2, 55.2, and a sight glass 56 is provided so that an operator can observe whether the liquid foodstuff is flowing through the pipe 50. Pump 60 further comprises a pump housing 60.1 wherein the drive of the pump is located.

[0140] FIG. 2a also shows a transparent cylinder 11, which for example can contain glass such that an operator can see through it. The transparent cylinder 11 is arranged in this example as part of the first chamber 3, between the first valve 5 and the pipe connection 4. This makes it possible to visually observe whether the insertion of the additives proceeds smoothly and whether any parameters should be adjusted.

[0141] FIG. 2a furthermore also shows an actuator 6.1 of the pipe connection valve 6. The first valve 5 is also driven by an actuator, as is valve 22.

[0142] The components shown in FIGS. 2a-2b are constructed as a movable unit on a movable frame 101. In this example, the frame 101 comprises four wheels 105, so that it can easily be moved, for example to another liquid foodstuff tank via the coupling pieces 54.2, 55.2.

[0143] The frame 101 further comprises a plate 102. This can optionally be used to arrange a next batch of additives on before the lid 2.1 is opened.

[0144] FIG. 2a-2b furthermore show a control box 103 which is attached to the frame 101. The control box 103 comprises, for example, electrical wiring, so that the control box 103 can supply the components of the movable unit with current or power when the control box 103 is supplied with energy, for example via the electricity grid or via a generator.

[0145] The control box 103 in this example further comprises a control unit, which may for example comprise one or more processors, for example comprising one or more programmable logic controllers (PLC). A screen 104 is provided to for example provide an operator with information, for example concerning control parameters or sensor values. An input module 106 allows an operator to interact with the control unit, for example to adjust control parameters and/or display other information on the screen 104.

[0146] The control unit is adapted to control one or more components. The control of components can optionally relate to the opening or closing of valves, driving the circulation pump 60 and/or controlling the pressure in the pipe 50, the venting system 20 and/or the pressure system 20. For controlling the valves, each of the valves can be provided with an actuator, for example a pneumatic actuator, which is for example controlled with the inert gas which is also used for the venting system 20 and/or the pressure system 20.

[0147] The controlling can be done based on measurements with sensors. These measurements may optionally relate to process parameters, for example the pressure or flow rate, and/or to feedbacks that indicate whether a valve is in an open or closed position, and/or feedbacks that indicate whether a flexible pipe is connected to a coupling piece 54.2, 55.2.

[0148] In the shown example, the control unit is adapted to control the opening and closing of the first valve 5 and the pipe connection valve 6, such that the first valve 5 can only be arranged in the open position when the pipe connection valve is closed. The control unit is also adapted to open or close valve 22 depending on whether the first chamber 3 must be vented or the pipe connection 4 must be pressurized. Furthermore, the control unit is adapted to control the pressure of the inert gas supplied by the venting system 20 and the pressure system 20 based on measurements from sensor 71. The control unit is further adapted to, with the aid of a level sensor (not shown) in the additive receiving compartment 2, indicated when a next batch of additives is to be added in the additive receiving compartment 2 and only to arrange the first valve 5 in the open position if sufficient additives are present in the additive receiving compartment 2. The control unit is also adapted, with the aid of a level sensor (not shown) in the pipe connection 4, to arrange the first valve 5 in the open position if all or almost all additives present in the pipe connection 4 are inserted in the flowing liquid foodstuff.

[0149] FIGS. 3a and 3b show a second embodiment of the system according to the invention, in a side view and perspective view, respectively. The components shown in these figures are again constructed as a movable unit on a frame 101′. Via coupling pieces 54.2, 55.2, the pipe 50 can be connected to flexible pipes and in this way to a liquid foodstuff tank.

[0150] A difference with respect to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-2b, is that the tank 1 in FIGS. 3a-3b comprises a second chamber 8 and a second valve 7. In this example, the second chamber 8 is located below the first chamber 3, and the second valve 7 is arranged between the first chamber 3 and the second chamber 8. Furthermore, the second chamber 8 in this example comprises the pipe connection 4.

[0151] As can best be seen in FIG. 3a, the venting system 20 is connected via valve 21 to the first chamber 3. The first chamber 3 can be vented in this way. In the shown example, a pressure system 40 is branched from the venting system 20 and connected to the second chamber 8 via valve 41. In this way the pipe connection 4, which is located in the second chamber 8, can be pressurized.

[0152] This embodiment thus provides an additional, second chamber 8 in the tank 1. This allows venting the first chamber 3 while a batch of additives is present there, while at the same time another batch of additives is present in the second chamber 8. The continuity of inserting is therefore further increased.

[0153] In FIG. 3b it is further visible that the T-junction in pipe section 53 comprises a curved branch 53.1 to which the pipe connection 4 is connected. This facilitates the insertion of additives in the liquid foodstuff. The first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2a-2b can also be provided with a curved branch 53.1.

[0154] The frame 101′ on which the system in FIGS. 3a and 3b is mounted, is more open than the frame used in the first embodiment. This makes the components easier to access. Furthermore, FIG. 3b shows another embodiment of a lid 2.1′ with two handles 2.2′. The frame 101′ and the lid 2.1′ can also be used with the first embodiment of the system, and conversely, the frame and lid shown with said first embodiment can also be used with the second embodiment of the system.

[0155] As required, this document describes detailed embodiments of the present invention. However it must be understood that the disclosed embodiments serve exclusively as examples, and that the invention may also be implemented in other forms. Therefore specific constructional aspects which are disclosed herein should not be regarded as restrictive for the invention, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a basis for rendering the invention implementable by the average skilled person.

[0156] Furthermore, the various terms used in the description should not be interpreted as restrictive but rather as a comprehensive explanation of the invention.

[0157] The word “a” used herein means one or more than one, unless specified otherwise. The phrase “a plurality of” means two or more than two. The words “comprising” and “having” are constitute open language and do not exclude the presence of more elements.

[0158] Reference figures in the claims should not be interpreted as restrictive of the invention. Particular embodiments need not achieve all objects described.

[0159] The mere fact that certain technical measures are specified in different dependent claims still allows the possibility that a combination of these technical measures may advantageously be applied.