CA2516150A1 - Method and apparatus for increasing chilling capacity of draught beverage dispense systems - Google Patents
Method and apparatus for increasing chilling capacity of draught beverage dispense systems Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2516150A1 CA2516150A1 CA 2516150 CA2516150A CA2516150A1 CA 2516150 A1 CA2516150 A1 CA 2516150A1 CA 2516150 CA2516150 CA 2516150 CA 2516150 A CA2516150 A CA 2516150A CA 2516150 A1 CA2516150 A1 CA 2516150A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- coolant
- beverage
- heat exchanger
- source
- line
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B67D1/00—Apparatus or devices for dispensing beverages on draught
- B67D1/08—Details
- B67D1/0857—Cooling arrangements
- B67D1/0858—Cooling arrangements using compression systems
- B67D1/0861—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means
- B67D1/0865—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means by circulating a cooling fluid along beverage supply lines, e.g. pythons
- B67D1/0867—Cooling arrangements using compression systems the evaporator acting through an intermediate heat transfer means by circulating a cooling fluid along beverage supply lines, e.g. pythons the cooling fluid being a liquid
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D31/00—Other cooling or freezing apparatus
- F25D31/002—Liquid coolers, e.g. beverage cooler
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices For Dispensing Beverages (AREA)
Abstract
The invention provides for a means to improve chilling capacities of draught beer dispense systems. This invention is comprised of a refrigeration condensing unit and a heat exchanger that is added to existing draft beverage delivery systems so that coolant in the system may be cooled prior to its return to the main refrigeration unit. Generally beverages are stored in containers that are kept in remote walk-in refrigerators. Drinks may be dispensed at a location several hundred feet away from the storage container. The beverage trunk line used to transport the beverage to the dispensing tap is generally made up of a multi-line insulated construction that contains two central cooling liquid lines that will bring a cold glycol/water mixture, or ice water to the tap and back in a closed loop to maintain the beverage's temperature. The refrigeration system that cools the cold glycol/water mixture, or ice water may at times be overburdened due to high ambient temperatures, high inlet beverage temperatures, high demand of beverages or additional beverage cooling heat exchange units added to the system.
Description
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INCREASING CHILLING CAPACITY
OF DRAUGHT BEVERAGE DISPENSE SYSTEMS
Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to dispensing cold beverages from a tap, and in particular to a device that enhances the cooling capacity of establishment wide beer dispensing systems such as typically found in bars and the like.
Description of Prior Art Draught beverages in restaurants, bars, stadiums and other facilities are dispensed using systems that consist of a storage container that is kept cool in a remote refrigerator, a supply line that takes the beverage to the dispensing faucet and a dispensing faucet. Generally the beverages are stored in containers that are kept in remote walk-in refrigerators. Drinks may be dispensed at a location several hundred feet away from the storage container. The beverage trunk line used to transport the beverage to the dispensing tap is generally made up of a mufti-line insulated construction that contains two central cooling liquid lines that will bring a cold glycol/water mixture, refrigerant or ice water to the tap and back to maintain the beverage's temperature.
While this system is generally successful, it is inconsistent. The temperatures inside walk-in coolers fluctuate widely or are not regulated to the ideal serving temperature.
The beverage trunk line will travel through areas of varying ambient temperatures and will often expose the beverage to hot spots that will raise the beverage temperature.
To solve this problem heat exchangers have been added to the trunk line or at the tap to give the beer a final chill. The final chilling of the beer with these heat exchangers and the existence of hot spots warms the glycol, refrigerant or cold water and overburdens the refrigerating device that is used to chill the glycol, refrigerant or cold water and the coolant becomes warm.
The two most abundant sources of coolant are glycol decks and ice banks. A
glycol deck is an open tank which contains an evaporation coil for refrigerant submerged in the coolant which is a glycol /water mixture. An ice bank is an open tank which contains a an evaporation coil for refrigerant which is submerged in water.
The water is agitated with a pump or propeller so that ice forms only around the evaporation coils and not in the center of the tank. Water from the center of the tank is used as coolant that is pumped through the distribution line. Because the heat exchange effectiveness between the refrigerant to the coolant is low, both systems rely on stored cooling capacity to provide adequate cooling for the system. Glycol decks rely on a large tank and volume of cold glycol/water mixture while ice banks rely on the stored energy of fusion in the ice formed around the coils.
1o When coolant sources have been overburdened by excessive thermal loading which resulted from conditions such as high beverage inlet temperatures, the addition of beverage heat exchangers, high beverage demand or high ambient temperatures, secondary glycol decks or ice banks have been added to the beverage distribution system.
15 The addition of secondary coolant chilling ice banks or glycol decks has been expensive and problematic. Since the coolant source and the secondary coolant chiller are both open tank systems, the flow rates of coolant to and from the tanks must be balanced so that one tank does not empty while the other overflows. The coolant may be forced through coils in the tanks while tank coolant is agitated which will add to 2o expense. Also, the heat exchange effectiveness between the coolant and refrigerant in both types of coolant sources is low which means that a small secondary ice bank will be quickly depleted of ice by warm ice water returning form the distribution line and a small glycol deck will have minimal effect. Both types of secondary coolant chilling devices rely on the storage of cooling capacity, which will make them large and 25 expensive and recovery time fro the system will be slow.
Therefore there is a need for an effective mechanism to quickly bring beverage cooling systems back to desired temperatures.
OF DRAUGHT BEVERAGE DISPENSE SYSTEMS
Field of the Invention This invention relates in general to dispensing cold beverages from a tap, and in particular to a device that enhances the cooling capacity of establishment wide beer dispensing systems such as typically found in bars and the like.
Description of Prior Art Draught beverages in restaurants, bars, stadiums and other facilities are dispensed using systems that consist of a storage container that is kept cool in a remote refrigerator, a supply line that takes the beverage to the dispensing faucet and a dispensing faucet. Generally the beverages are stored in containers that are kept in remote walk-in refrigerators. Drinks may be dispensed at a location several hundred feet away from the storage container. The beverage trunk line used to transport the beverage to the dispensing tap is generally made up of a mufti-line insulated construction that contains two central cooling liquid lines that will bring a cold glycol/water mixture, refrigerant or ice water to the tap and back to maintain the beverage's temperature.
While this system is generally successful, it is inconsistent. The temperatures inside walk-in coolers fluctuate widely or are not regulated to the ideal serving temperature.
The beverage trunk line will travel through areas of varying ambient temperatures and will often expose the beverage to hot spots that will raise the beverage temperature.
To solve this problem heat exchangers have been added to the trunk line or at the tap to give the beer a final chill. The final chilling of the beer with these heat exchangers and the existence of hot spots warms the glycol, refrigerant or cold water and overburdens the refrigerating device that is used to chill the glycol, refrigerant or cold water and the coolant becomes warm.
The two most abundant sources of coolant are glycol decks and ice banks. A
glycol deck is an open tank which contains an evaporation coil for refrigerant submerged in the coolant which is a glycol /water mixture. An ice bank is an open tank which contains a an evaporation coil for refrigerant which is submerged in water.
The water is agitated with a pump or propeller so that ice forms only around the evaporation coils and not in the center of the tank. Water from the center of the tank is used as coolant that is pumped through the distribution line. Because the heat exchange effectiveness between the refrigerant to the coolant is low, both systems rely on stored cooling capacity to provide adequate cooling for the system. Glycol decks rely on a large tank and volume of cold glycol/water mixture while ice banks rely on the stored energy of fusion in the ice formed around the coils.
1o When coolant sources have been overburdened by excessive thermal loading which resulted from conditions such as high beverage inlet temperatures, the addition of beverage heat exchangers, high beverage demand or high ambient temperatures, secondary glycol decks or ice banks have been added to the beverage distribution system.
15 The addition of secondary coolant chilling ice banks or glycol decks has been expensive and problematic. Since the coolant source and the secondary coolant chiller are both open tank systems, the flow rates of coolant to and from the tanks must be balanced so that one tank does not empty while the other overflows. The coolant may be forced through coils in the tanks while tank coolant is agitated which will add to 2o expense. Also, the heat exchange effectiveness between the coolant and refrigerant in both types of coolant sources is low which means that a small secondary ice bank will be quickly depleted of ice by warm ice water returning form the distribution line and a small glycol deck will have minimal effect. Both types of secondary coolant chilling devices rely on the storage of cooling capacity, which will make them large and 25 expensive and recovery time fro the system will be slow.
Therefore there is a need for an effective mechanism to quickly bring beverage cooling systems back to desired temperatures.
Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the invention a beverage distribution system is provided.
The system includes a beverage source; at least one beverage dispensing unit;
a supply of coolant, at least one distribution line for delivering beverage and coolant from the beverage source to the dispensing unit and coolant back to the cooling source;
and a Coolant Booster located distally from the beverage source and the beverage dispensing unit for cooling the coolant prior to its return to the coolant source. The coolant booster counteracts the warming of the coolant that arises as a result of the beverage distribution lines over long distances or through warm environments or high to beverage temperatures at source or high pouring demand periods. The coolant booster consists of a refrigeration condensing unit and a flat plate heat exchanger.
Refrigerant from the condensing unit enters the one side of the flat plate heat exchanger and cools coolant that counter-flows through the opposite side of the flat plate heat exchanger.
In a second aspect of the invention, a beverage distribution system is provided. The system includes a beverage source; at least one beverage dispensing unit; a supply of coolant, at least one distribution line for delivering beverage and coolant from the beverage source to the dispensing unit and coolant back to the cooling source;
a heat exchanger located distally from the beverage source which uses the coolant from the distribution line to further cool the beverage and a Coolant Booster located distally from the beverage source and the beverage dispensing unit for cooling the coolant prior to its return to the coolant source. The coolant booster counteracts the warming of the coolant that arises as a result of the beverage distribution lines over long distances or through warm environments or high beverage temperatures at source or high pouring demand periods or from the beverage heat exchanger. The coolant booster consists of a refrigeration condensing unit and a flat plate heat exchanger.
Refrigerant from the condensing unit enters one side of the flat plate heat exchanger and cools coolant that counterflows through the opposite side of the flat plate heat exchanger.
The system includes a beverage source; at least one beverage dispensing unit;
a supply of coolant, at least one distribution line for delivering beverage and coolant from the beverage source to the dispensing unit and coolant back to the cooling source;
and a Coolant Booster located distally from the beverage source and the beverage dispensing unit for cooling the coolant prior to its return to the coolant source. The coolant booster counteracts the warming of the coolant that arises as a result of the beverage distribution lines over long distances or through warm environments or high to beverage temperatures at source or high pouring demand periods. The coolant booster consists of a refrigeration condensing unit and a flat plate heat exchanger.
Refrigerant from the condensing unit enters the one side of the flat plate heat exchanger and cools coolant that counter-flows through the opposite side of the flat plate heat exchanger.
In a second aspect of the invention, a beverage distribution system is provided. The system includes a beverage source; at least one beverage dispensing unit; a supply of coolant, at least one distribution line for delivering beverage and coolant from the beverage source to the dispensing unit and coolant back to the cooling source;
a heat exchanger located distally from the beverage source which uses the coolant from the distribution line to further cool the beverage and a Coolant Booster located distally from the beverage source and the beverage dispensing unit for cooling the coolant prior to its return to the coolant source. The coolant booster counteracts the warming of the coolant that arises as a result of the beverage distribution lines over long distances or through warm environments or high beverage temperatures at source or high pouring demand periods or from the beverage heat exchanger. The coolant booster consists of a refrigeration condensing unit and a flat plate heat exchanger.
Refrigerant from the condensing unit enters one side of the flat plate heat exchanger and cools coolant that counterflows through the opposite side of the flat plate heat exchanger.
Brief Description of the Drawings In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention, Fig 1 is a schematic illustrating a beverage dispensing cooling system constructed in accordance with this invention Fig 2 is a schematic illustrating a beverage dispensing cooling system constructed in accordance with a second aspect of this invention Fig. 3 a drawing of the preferred embodiment of the invention Detailed Description of the Invention to Fig 1 shows a beverage dispenser cooling system particularly for use in dispensing beer on tap. The system includes a storage container such as a beer keg 31 containing beer. The keg 31 will typically be located within a refrigerated unit 33 such as a large walk-in refrigerator. A pressurized tank, usually containing carbon dioxide, beer gas or compressed air 39 is connected by line 35 to the interior of keg 31 for applying 15 pressure to the beer therein. The contents of the beer keg 31 are connected to the dispensing tap 36 by lines 7 and 11 that travel through an insulated trunk line 34. The distance between the beer keg 31 and the dispensing tap 36 can be quite far, with the trunk line extending up to five hundred feet. To prevent the beer in the trunk line from warming excessively, a glycol unit 32 is used. Glycol unit 32 is a conventional 20 assembly, which chills glycol and pumps it through the trunk line 34 to the dispensing tower 37 and back. The glycol travels in parallel with the beer keeping it cool. The glycol will increase in temperature as it travels to the tower 37 and back.
The temperature will rise higher if a beverage chilling heat exchanger or booster 55 is placed in-line with the trunk line.
25 Figure 2 shows the beverage system of Figure 1 wherein coolant booster 60 has been placed between the dispensing tap 36 and the glycol deck 32 to extend the cooling capacity of the glycol deck 32. Coolant returns from the trunk line through conduit 9 and enters the coolant booster where it is chilled to desired temperature.
Coolant exits from the coolant booster 60 through conduit 10 and returns to the glycol deck 32.
Figure 3 shows the preferred embodiment of the coolant booster 60. Coolant enters the heat exchanger 79 through port 76, travels through heat exchanger 79 and exits through port 78. Liquid Refrigerant enters heat exchanger 79 through port 75, evaporates in heat exchanger 79 and exits in gaseous form through line 72. The refrigerant travels through line 72 and into Pressure Regulating valve 71.
Pressure Regulating Valve 71 is adjusted so that suction pressure of the refrigerant circuit maintains temperature of the refrigerant to a desired level. Refrigerant flows from the pressure regulating valve 71 to the compressor 81 which raises the pressure on the refrigerant and raises it temperature. Hot gaseous refrigerant exits the compressor 81 through conduit 82 and enters the condensing heat exchanger where it is cooled and condenses into liquid form. The liquid refrigerant leaves the condensing heat exchanger through line 73 where it enters capillary tube 74, which creates a predetermined pressure loss that allows the refrigerant to evaporate at a desired temperature.
The temperature will rise higher if a beverage chilling heat exchanger or booster 55 is placed in-line with the trunk line.
25 Figure 2 shows the beverage system of Figure 1 wherein coolant booster 60 has been placed between the dispensing tap 36 and the glycol deck 32 to extend the cooling capacity of the glycol deck 32. Coolant returns from the trunk line through conduit 9 and enters the coolant booster where it is chilled to desired temperature.
Coolant exits from the coolant booster 60 through conduit 10 and returns to the glycol deck 32.
Figure 3 shows the preferred embodiment of the coolant booster 60. Coolant enters the heat exchanger 79 through port 76, travels through heat exchanger 79 and exits through port 78. Liquid Refrigerant enters heat exchanger 79 through port 75, evaporates in heat exchanger 79 and exits in gaseous form through line 72. The refrigerant travels through line 72 and into Pressure Regulating valve 71.
Pressure Regulating Valve 71 is adjusted so that suction pressure of the refrigerant circuit maintains temperature of the refrigerant to a desired level. Refrigerant flows from the pressure regulating valve 71 to the compressor 81 which raises the pressure on the refrigerant and raises it temperature. Hot gaseous refrigerant exits the compressor 81 through conduit 82 and enters the condensing heat exchanger where it is cooled and condenses into liquid form. The liquid refrigerant leaves the condensing heat exchanger through line 73 where it enters capillary tube 74, which creates a predetermined pressure loss that allows the refrigerant to evaporate at a desired temperature.
Claims (13)
1. A beverage distribution system, comprising:
a) a container for storing a beverage;
b) at least one beverage dispensing unit;
c) at least one distribution line for delivering the beverage from the container to the dispensing unit;
d) a trunk line extending substantially from or near the beverage container to or near the dispensing tower, the trunk line including the distribution line and at least one coolant line in an abutting relationship;
e) a heat transfer unit located distally from the cooler and connected to the coolant line to allow the entrance of coolant to the heat exchanger and exit of coolant from the heat exchanger back to the coolant line;
a secondary source of coolant connected to the heat transfer unit to allow entrance of the secondary coolant to the heat exchanger and exit of the secondary coolant from the heat exchanger to the secondary source of coolant.
a) a container for storing a beverage;
b) at least one beverage dispensing unit;
c) at least one distribution line for delivering the beverage from the container to the dispensing unit;
d) a trunk line extending substantially from or near the beverage container to or near the dispensing tower, the trunk line including the distribution line and at least one coolant line in an abutting relationship;
e) a heat transfer unit located distally from the cooler and connected to the coolant line to allow the entrance of coolant to the heat exchanger and exit of coolant from the heat exchanger back to the coolant line;
a secondary source of coolant connected to the heat transfer unit to allow entrance of the secondary coolant to the heat exchanger and exit of the secondary coolant from the heat exchanger to the secondary source of coolant.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is a flat plate heat exchanger.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is a tube in tube heat exchanger.
4. The method of claim 1 wherein the heat exchanger is a tube in shell heat exchanger.
5. The method of claim 1 to 4 wherein the secondary coolant is a refrigerant.
6. The method of claim 1 to 4 wherein the secondary coolant is ice water.
7. The method of claim 1 to 4 wherein the secondary coolant is a glycol/water connection.
8. The method of claim 1 to 5 wherein the source of secondary coolant is an air-cooled condensing unit.
9. The method of claim 1 to 5 wherein the source of secondary coolant is a water cooled condensing unit.
10. The method of claim 1 to 5, claim 8 and 9 wherein the condensing unit's suction return pressure is preset to provide the appropriate temperature and runs continuously.
11. The method of claim 1 to 4 and claim 6 where the source of secondary coolant is an ice bank.
12. The method of claim 1 to 4 and claim 7 wherein the source of secondary coolant is a glycol deck.
13. The method of claim 10 wherein the condensing unit is controlled by an ON/OFF thermostat that reads the temperature of the coolant.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2516150 CA2516150A1 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2005-08-17 | Method and apparatus for increasing chilling capacity of draught beverage dispense systems |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2516150 CA2516150A1 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2005-08-17 | Method and apparatus for increasing chilling capacity of draught beverage dispense systems |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2516150A1 true CA2516150A1 (en) | 2007-02-17 |
Family
ID=37744697
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2516150 Abandoned CA2516150A1 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2005-08-17 | Method and apparatus for increasing chilling capacity of draught beverage dispense systems |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2516150A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2469878A (en) * | 2009-05-01 | 2010-11-03 | Innserve Ltd | Providing an auxiliary refrigeration unit when the primary unit needs repair |
-
2005
- 2005-08-17 CA CA 2516150 patent/CA2516150A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB2469878A (en) * | 2009-05-01 | 2010-11-03 | Innserve Ltd | Providing an auxiliary refrigeration unit when the primary unit needs repair |
| GB2469878B (en) * | 2009-05-01 | 2014-10-15 | Innserve Ltd | Beverage cooling |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |