DE19710296C1 - Received milk quantity measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to method and device for detecting quantities during milk collection using mobile or stationary collection systems. The milk quantity volume to be delivered over a given distance is detected and determined as it is transferred from a first container to a second container. The inventive method makes it possible to determine the milk quantity without the limiting effect of an air separating jar. This is achieved inter alia by separating the milk flow formed during conveyance into a main flow and a secondary flow, by eliminating the air in the admixtures, by continuously applying and investigating ultrasonic impulses in the main flow and in the deaerated secondary flow and by measuring the respective sound propagation time and at least the temperature in the main flow, by determining the actual mean sound velocity of the flowing milk/air mixture therein and the actual mean sound velocity of the flowing deareated milk from the sound propagation time allocated thereto in the main flow, by calculating the real proportion of milk phi (t) in the main flow on the basis of both sound velocities and the sound velocity in the air at the allocated main flow temperature. The milk quantity conveyed during a collection time tA required to convey the overall milk quantity is determined on the basis of the respective milk proportions phi (t) and the mean flow velocity allocated thereto at a defined point of the conveyance path or on the basis of a defined proportional variable thereof so that a defined point of the conveyance path can be determined along with the effective milk volume VMO for the mass of milk thus transported.

Description

The invention relates to a method for recording quantities during milk acceptance with a mobile or stationary acceptance system, where one on one Transfer path to be transferred from a first to a second container Milk quantity is recorded and quantified by its volume and a pre direction for performing the method according to the preamble of the claim 9.

Quantity recording when receiving milk with mobile acceptance systems, so-called milk collection car, or stationary acceptance systems Task based on milk quantities from a first container, for example egg one delivery container from a supplier, and into a second one Containers, for example a collecting tank, to transfer. Ver drive the generic type, the amount of transferred milk over their volu men determined and the density of the degassed milk is the mass of the led milk charged. So from the volume of the transferred amount of milk the mass of which can be determined, - the dairy goods regulation provides that the The supplier is paid for the milk mass and not the volume - that is Liquid volume flow that enters the measuring system and the gaseous Be Components, especially air, may be added to completely degas or to vent and only then determine volumetrically. The severed Air results almost exclusively from that air, especially when milk is accepted especially the milk at the beginning of the milk takeover and when snorkeling out End of milk takeover, enters the measuring system and only to an extra A small portion of air that appears as small and tiny air bubbles in the milk of the delivery container is deposited. Desorption from air Milk is not sought; however, it can be operated under certain conditions technical conditions (vacuum operation) do not prevent.  

Known measuring systems are equipped with a control system, the The task, among other things, consists of a "normal" milk takeover  also special cases or improper handling of the system dominate. This includes, for example, arbitrary air snorkeling during milk takeover, intentional or unintentional temporary closure the intake pipe on the intake manifold and intake from several units a supplier with breaks of different lengths when changing from one container to another. In addition, the measuring system should control in terms of control and regulation technology easily to different suction conditions (Suction height and / or hose length) be adaptable and in any case without Instabilities quickly find a stable operating point.

The measuring systems that have become known so far, either as so-called pum pen systems (see, for example, DE 24 37 306 A1; DE 34 40 310 A1) or vacuum surrounding systems (see, for example, DE 25 10 966 A1; DE 40 07 914 A1) are working with an essentially over the period of milk intake constant acceptance performance, which is determined by the design of the pump or vacuum environmental system is determined. It should be noted that the acceptance performance in in recent years up to 30,000 l / h, in some cases even more, were increased, the so-called air separator tank of the measuring system a de component that limits its maximum acceptance power. The be today Known air separator containers separate the air bubbles contained in the milk of the milk mainly through buoyancy and subsequent separation via the free liquid surface and only to a small extent by separation air bubbles in the centrifugal field of a rotating milk flow in the air separator tank. Therefore, it becomes better known when interpreting Air separator container ensured that the lowering speed of the Milk in the container compared to the ascent rate of the air bubbles is small. This is achieved through the longest possible dwell time of the milk and thus the air bubbles it contains in the air separator tank, the dwell time for a given acceptance performance by the liquid-filled volume of the Air separator tank is determined. So there is a large dwell time inevitably results in a large container cross section, since a container confi guration with a large overall height compared to the container diameter  Separation path enlarged and thus adversely affects the separation performance. Because the space available, especially on a milk collection truck, in all Directions are limited are an increase in the dimensions of the air separator container set natural limits. This is also the increase the acceptance performance by enlarging the air separator tank limit, if you do not want to run the risk that the measurement result with regard to the the volume of milk transferred by entraining air bubbles in and is falsified by the volume counter in an impermissible manner. Known measuring systems limit the acceptance performance to a maximum value with which also difficult suction conditions (air suction when the milk is interrupted change) can be mastered. With this permissible acceptance performance with favorable or normal suction conditions the measuring system and especially the air separator container is under-challenged, so that under these suction conditions there is an unused power reserve.

An air separator, as for example from DE 24 37 306 A1 or DE 25 10 966 A1 is known, can at best the lower power range today cover the required acceptance performance, and only if cheap Operating conditions exist. In order to master higher acceptance performance, there has been no shortage of attempts, the air separation in the air separator container, which is a limiting factor in view of an increase in acceptance performance Element represents to improve without becoming a constructive means of a wide to enlarge the air separator tank. An Indian Air separator container described in DE 41 11 280 A1 tries the problem thereby solving the flow velocity of the air in the air milk flowing into the separator container immediately before entering it belittles. For this purpose, it is proposed that the inlet socket be a plug with a plurality of parallel channels formed bluff body together with is connected upstream of a funnel widening on its cross section. In the Er Result should be achieved with the known air separator tank that the Milk measuring system can be operated with a higher throughput without at this higher output the milk accounts for a higher proportion of the air inclusions  sen than in conventional systems, or that they have the same throughput has a lower proportion of air pockets. The above The proposed measures are problematic because they also cause problems Flow resistance and on the other hand cleaning problems due to the ex tremendously enlarged surfaces in contact with liquid.

Other measures known from DE 40 07 914 A1 aim at the To further reduce air mixing when filling into the air separator, in order to be able to increase the acceptance performance to a limited extent nen. This should be achieved in that at least in the air separator another inlet that is offset in height from the one inlet is provided is, and that all inlets are equipped with shut-off valves by ei ner responsive to the milk level in the container control device such ge be controlled that with increasing level from the lower inlet to the next higher inlet etc. and reversed when the level falls becomes. It is obvious that the proposed measures are only intended to do so are suitable due to the maximum volume of the air separator tank make optimal use of certain maximum dwell times as often as possible. It is not recognizable like the known system an increase in acceptance performance beyond its maximum acceptance performance determined by the dwell time can accomplish if there is also the risk of large air ingress is.

The well-known air separator tanks are, with a view to the separation and Separation of gas or air admixtures, basic flow physics set boundaries that are all the lower and closer to which The colder and more viscous the carrier liquid milk is, the more difficult it is is the gas bubbles and the more finely divided the gas admixtures are present. It was therefore also proposed (see, for example, DE 35 45 160 A1), the crowd version, especially of milk, directly via the milk mass and not via to carry out the volume of transferred milk.  

This is achieved in that the total amount of milk to be transferred or parts thereof in succession a measuring container is or will be transferred and that the mass of this Measuring container submitted milk quantity is determined gravimetrically. With this The process does not require degassing or venting the milk volume, because any gas or air bubbles dissolved in the milk due to the difference in density de practically three orders of magnitude between gas and its carrier liquid does not matter. The aforementioned so-called weighing systems work if the amount of milk to be transferred is relatively large, usually in batches and therefore discontinuous. High acceptance performances are therefore sufficient the accuracy cannot be realized because the measuring container is enlarged (Taramasse) inevitably leads to an increase in the measurement error. About that In addition, such measuring systems are compared to the methods and devices the generic type so far not cost competitive.

The disadvantages with which, for example, the above-mentioned weighing system is avoided if another known method for loading the mass of a quantity of milk flowing through a flow line used in the course of milk acceptance (DE 195 07 542 C1). At the This process is based on a total flow of the amount of milk to be transferred a partial flow proportional to the quantity to obtain one for the to be transferred Milk amount representative sample amount branched off and collected. According to Be At the end of the transfer of the amount of milk, the mass of the partial flow resulting subset determined gravimetrically and over a known, the Relationship between partial and total current determining arrangement-specific The proportionality factor is the mass of the total transferred milk quantity determined. This procedure depends on the representativity of the ge won sample amount in relation to the total amount of milk to be transferred both in terms of quantity proportionality and in terms of Relationship between milk and air admixtures. Experience has shown that a constant determining the relationship between partial and total flow  Proportionality factor over the entire acceptance period if the loading changes drive and acceptance conditions is very difficult to implement.

It is also known the density of a liquid fermentation substrate in the fermentation container continuously outside of it in a bypass line (DE 44 29 809 A1), the density using an ultrasound density measurement is averaged.

Furthermore, "measure, test, automate" in the German magazine, December 1985. pp. 676-681, described as by means of ultrasound flow measurement technology (runtime method or Doopler method) an operational Flow measurement of liquids in closed pipes can be led. The flow measurement takes place "contactless", i. H. oh ne additional disturbing installations in the flow. The ultrasound flow measurement also enables the measurement of non-conductive liquids. Malfunction against the flow profile, which could affect the measurement largely reduced by compensation method - multi-channel measurement.

It is an object of the present invention in a method of the genus quantity acquisition without the limiting influence of a To design air separator.

The task is procedurally solved by the features of claim 1 ge. Advantageous embodiments of the method are the subject of further Un claims. A device for carrying out the proposed procedural method is realized by the features of the independent claim 9 , while partial embodiments of the proposed device are the subject of further subclaims.

The proposed method does not remove any gas or air admixtures that may be present from the amount of milk to be transferred. Instead, the knowledge is used that the speed of sound of ultrasound impulses, which have proven to be particularly meaningful, is different in an air / milk mixture than in deaerated milk. By dividing the flow into a main and a sidestream, the possibility will be created to free the sidestream from air admixtures, so that when sonication is present, the sidestream, which can be kept so small that a reference measurement in deaerated milk is still possible Main and the secondary flow a signifi ed signal on the one hand for a possibly present milk / air mixture and on the other hand a reference signal for deaerated milk is present. Since the speed of sound is fundamentally temperature-dependent, at least the temperature in the main stream must be measured. From the respective sound propagation time in the main flow and that in the secondary flow, the reference flow, and using the speed of sound in air as a function of the temperature in the main flow, a current milk fraction ϕ (t) in the main flow can now be calculated continuously with a corresponding assignment of the measured values obtained. In an acceptance time t _A required for the transfer of the total amount of milk, the continuously determined milk fractions ϕ (t) and the assigned values of the flow-physical quantity characterizing the flow at the defined point of its transfer path then become the overall point of the transfer path that asserts the defined position Milk volume V _{M0 of} the amount of milk (pure liquid phase) determined.

The characteristic of the flow at the defined point in the flow physics can be, for example, the mean flow velocity in this passage cross section, which is continuously determined, for example, using a flow meter, as has also hitherto been done in known processes. Since the passage cross section A₀ is known at the defined point of the transfer path, the milk volume V _{M0 which is} passed through this passage cross section in the acceptance time t _{A is} determined according to equation (1)

The current milk fraction ϕ (t) (derivation see below) is calculated according to Glei chung (2)

using the abbreviations

a = α _L1 (T₁) / a _M1 (T₁) = a _L1 (T₁) √ (T₂ / T₁) / (d₂ / t₂) (2a)

β = a _L1 (T₁) / (d₁ / t₁) (2b)

As equation (2) shows, the measurement of the temperatures T 1 and T 2 of the milk in the sonicated main and secondary flow is required for an exact determination of the milk fraction ϕ (t). In addition, the temperature dependent T₁ in the main current speed of sound a _L1 (T₁) must be provided. The far ren are for the known sound path d 1 in the main stream (milk / air mixture) a sound time t 1 required for this and for a likewise known sound path d 2 in the secondary flow (deaerated milk) a sound run time t 2 required for this is continuously measured. If the temperatures T₁ and T₂ are the same, which is usually the case, the measurement task remains to determine the temperature T₁ of the milk / air mixture in the main stream continuously.

To have the same flow conditions with regard to turbulence and thus comparable conditions for bladder distribution, bladder quality and size achieve, it is further proposed that the Reynolds number of the main stream and that of the flow from which the main flow emerged after division is essentially the same.

Because the sonication covers a diametrical section of the main flow limited, it cannot be excluded that the measurement result for the sound propagation time in the main stream due to separation movements that are at least theoretically possible the air bubbles in their carrier liquid is affected (for example, conc tration of the bladder swarm in certain areas). Therefore, the before made impact that in a cross section of the main flow in the latter contained air bubbles over this passage cross section in essence Chen be evenly distributed, the distribution, ge in the direction of flow see before the sonication is done.  

The venting of the bypass is particularly efficient if, how this is also provided by the separating effect of a centri fugal force field. This can be done according to a first proposal take place that the energy for generating the centrifugal force field from the Flow energy of the side stream is applied and according to a second Proposal by external energy that is turned into the bypass from the environment is leading.

With a view to realizing a relatively simple process is still ahead seen that at the point of dividing the flow into the main and Ne benstrom the latter in the back pressure of the flow at the point of division pending quantity is branched off. The back pressure is accordingly on the one hand ge uses to achieve the division of quantity, and on the other hand it serves to the secondary flow with the flow necessary for its further treatment to supply energy.

The use of the proposed device for performing the method according to the invention is independent of whether there is a so-called pump or vacuum system. It is only essential that the transfer line branches into a second section, a bypass line, behind the first section, in which there is a measuring device for determining the mean flow velocity present in the transfer line or a quantity proportional to this. In this a separation device for separating gas from its carrier liquid, in the present case air from a milk / air mixture, is provided. Both in the first section and in the bypass line, seen in the flow direction, an ultrasound device is arranged behind the separating device, which consists of a transmitter and a receiver and which is used for the transmission of a characteristic and known sound path. With temperature measurements in the main and secondary flow, preferably in a plane in which the sound path is located, on the one hand, the computational correction of the temperature-dependent sound velocities in the main flow (separate for liquid and air) is possible, which are not separate from each other there can be measured directly, and on the other hand the reference measurement in the secondary flow can be corrected depending on the temperature. The temperature-dependent sound speed a _L1 (T₁) is stored in a data memory which is connected to a computer and control unit in which all the measured values obtained with the proposed device are processed.

The separating device is then particularly simple and separating technology particularly efficient when used as a centrifugal separator with tangential inlet and outlet Spout is formed. To the separating effect of the centrifugal force field to reinforce it because either the energy of the secondary flow is insufficient or because it is desired to drive the separation process, it is also proposed to use an additional centrifugal separator Equip drive to support the rotational flow.

It is also envisaged in the second section of the transfer line and, in Seen flow direction, a mixing in front of the first ultrasonic device to arrange facility. This measure ensures that accidental Separations between milk and air bubbles, for example by coagulation of bubbles that lead to inhomogeneities in the plane of the pass-through can lead cross-section for the main stream, in a non-representative manner recorded as a random result in the sound path or not recorded. As a special So-called static have been effective and simple in this context Mixer proved.

The division of the flow into the main and secondary flow is particularly good easy if the flow enters the bypass line as a flow divider is in the form of a pitot tube. The representativeness of the subsidiary It is also planned to increase the flow compared to the main flow, that the flow divider on the entire passage cross section of the first Ab section of the flyover line.  

A reliable flow at the defined point of the transfer path and exactly characteristic quantity of flow physics becomes like this if provided, obtained in that the measuring device for their loading mood is designed as a volume counter and / or flow meter.

An embodiment of the device for performing the proposed method is shown in a highly simplified and schematic form in Fig. 1 Darge. Figs. 2 and 3, in which the Schallaufweg in the milk / air mixture (main current) or in deaerated milk (low current) is shown, serve to explain the calculation of the milk proportion φ (t).

Fig. 1 shows a section of a transfer line 3 , in the left side a first section 3 a, then a second section 3 b and finally Lich a third section 3 c are shown. In the first section 3 a, a measuring device 6 is arranged for determining a flow-physical quantity characterizing the flow in the first section 3 a, for example the mean flow velocity. The passage cross-section detected by the measuring device 6 has the reference symbol 0 . The illustrated part of the transfer line 3 is flowing through an inlet E in the direction of an outlet A. Behind the first section 3 a, seen in the direction of flow, the transfer line 3 branches into the above-mentioned second section 3 b and a bypass line 4 . An upstream bypass line 4 b opens tan gential into a separating device 5 , while a downstream bypass line 4 c opens tangentially from this and is returned to the second section 3 b of the transfer line 3 . The flow entry into the bypass line 4 is designed as a flow divider 4 a in the form of a pitot tube. The second section 3 b receives a first ultrasound device 7 , which consists of a transmitter 7 a and a receiver 7 b arranged diametrically on the other side of the second section 3 b. In the same arrangement is located in the bypass line 4, seen in the flow direction behind the separating device 5, a second ultrasonic device 8, also consisting of a transmitter 8 a and b a receiver. 8 In the second section 3 b, seen in the direction of flow, in front of the first ultrasound device 7, a mixing device 9 is arranged, which is preferably designed as a static mixer.

The plane of the passage cross section of the second section 3 b, in which the transmission takes place with the first ultrasound device 7 , bears the reference sign 1 . The plane of the passage cross section of the downstream bypass line 4 c, in which the transmission is carried out with the second ultrasound device 8 , bears the reference number 2 . The measured values obtained in the passage cross sections 0 , 1 and 2 and further sizes assigned to the passage cross sections are each indicated below with the corresponding level designation.

A device for measuring temperature 12 and 13 is provided in cross-sectional plane 1 and 2 , respectively. The measuring device 6 , the ultrasound devices 7 and 8 and the devices for measuring the temperatures 12 and 13 are connected to a computer and control unit 10 , to which a data memory 11 is connected for reading and reading data, necessarily the dependent on the temperature T ₁ in the main flow, speed of sound in air a _L1 (T ₁).

, Occurs at the entry E if air is sucked in milk collection, a milk / air mixture a which forms a flow in the first portion 3 is continuously detected by the one of these characterizing fluid physical quantity by the measuring means. 6 The latter is preferably designed as a volume counter and / or flow meter; From the respective measured variable, the current mean flow velocity V _medium0 in the passage cross section A₀ can then be determined continuously, for example. A volume flow of the milk / air mixture Q _{M / L0} is divided behind the measuring device 6 into a main flow Q _{M / L1} and a secondary flow Q _{M / L2} . The latter is, before the separator 5 still in the form of a milk / air mixture, then freed from Luftbeimengun conditions in the separating device 5 and passes as a milk flow Q _M2 into the downstream bypass line 4 c. The main flow Q _{M / L1} (milk / air mixture) is continuously subjected to ultrasound pulses in the first ultrasound device 7 and transmitted and the sound propagation time t 1 required for the present sound path d 1 is measured. The milk flow Q _M2 experiences a comparable _transmission through the second ultrasound device 8 . Here is a sound path d₂ vorgese hen, and the required sound time t₂ is also measured. All measured values (the mean flow velocity v _{medium 0} , the sound propagation _{times t 1} and _{t 2} and the temperatures T 1 and T 2) are brought together in the control and computing unit 10 and together with the speed of sound a _L1 (T) in the main flow to in the acceptance time t _A the milk volume V _M0 passing through the cross section A₀ of the transferred amount of milk (pure liquid phase) according to equation (1)

processed.

It is assumed or desired that the respective bubble distribution in the passage cross sections A₀ and A₁ is homogeneous and speak to each other ent and thus the milk fractions ϕ (t) are the same in these passage cross sections. The volume V _M0 determined according to equation (1) represents the volume of the air-free milk which flows through the passage cross section A₀ in the acceptance time t _A in the form of a milk / air mixture. In equation (1), the milk fraction ϕ (t) determined according to equation (2) is a time-dependent variable in the general case, since it is determined by the generally time-variable air content of the milk and the time-variable temperature T 1 in the main stream. His derivation is briefly outlined below. The formula symbols used in equations (1) and (2) and the quantities to be used for the derivation have the meaning shown in the following list:

Formula sign physical quantity
d Sound path / pipe diameter / characteristic cross-sectional dimension
s overall sound path
s _M in milk
s _L in air
A total passage cross section
A _M milk cross-section (total)
A _L bubble cross-section (total)
T temperature
ϕ Milk percentage (volume of air-free milk based on the volume of the milk / air mixture in the flow area under consideration:
ϕ₀ = ϕ₁ = ϕ = V _M0 / V _{M / L0} = V _M1 / V _{M / L1}
ψ milk dimension measured one-dimensionally ψ = s _M1 / d₁
V _medium mean flow velocity
Q volume flow
Q _{M / L} milk / air mixture
V volume
V _{M / L} milk / air mixture
V _M deaerated milk
t signal delay
t _A acceptance time
a speed of sound a = f (T)
a _M in milk
a _L in air
a _{M / L} in the milk / air mixture
0, 1, 2 indices for the positions 0, 1, 2.

The mean speed v _medium0 (t) is generated by the measuring device 6 in the cross section A₀. At d₁ it is the entire sound path in the passage cross section A₁, and t₁ is the sound propagation time for this sound path. The value d 1 / t 1 thus represents the average speed of sound in the milk / air mixture in the passage cross section A 1.

Since the speed of sound for milk a _M1 in the passage cross section A 1 cannot be determined there via a transit time measurement, since air is added to the milk, a reference measurement for this sound speed a _M1 in the passage cross section A 2 of the bypass line 4 is carried out promptly. The following applies (see Fig. 3)

a _ref = a _M2 = s _M2 / t₂ = d₂ / t₂ (3).

For the same temperatures T₂ = T₁ in the passage cross sections A₁ and A₂ can

a _M1 = a _M2 (4)

be set.

If the temperature is not the same (T₂ ≠ T₁), a _M1 is calculated from a _M2 and the temperature ratio √ (T₁ / T₂) and the evaluation

a _M1 = a _M2 √ (T₁ / T₂) (5)

based on:
The speed of sound a _L1 in air is also temperature-dependent (a _L1 = f (T)). Depending on the measured temperature T 1 or T 2, it is to be stored in the data memory 11 , from which it can be read in each case.

There are thus the two sound propagation times t 1 and t 2 (ultrasonic devices 7 and 8 ), at least one of the temperatures T 1 or T 2 (measuring devices 12 and 13 ) and the mean speed v _{medium 0} (measuring device 6 ).

With a view of FIG. 2, the sound propagation time t 1 is calculated in the passage cross section A 1

t₁ = s _M1 / a _M1 + s _L1 / a _L1 (2.1).

The calculation is based on the assumption that the one-dimensionally exposed area of the main stream is representative of the entire passage cross section A 1. In case of doubt, the proposed mixing device 9 . arranged before the passage of the passage cross section A 1, the above assumption me ensure sufficiently. The entire sound path d 1 is thus ge according to equation (2.2) together from the path lengths s _M1 in milk and s _L1 in air

d₁ = s _M1 + s _L1 (2.2)

and with the flow velocity

v _mediumM1 = v _mediumL1 = v _medium1 (2.3)

there are also the volume flows and thus the volumes of milk and air in the passage cross section A 1. Since the flow and bubble distribution ratio se in the passage cross sections A₁ and A₀ are almost identical, from the situation in the passage cross section A₁ to the volume flows and thus the volumes of milk and air in the passage cross section A₀ of the transfer line 3 can be inferred.

With

A _M1 + A _L1 = A₁ (2.4)

and

k d₁² = A₁ = k (s _M1 + S _L1 ) ² (with k as the proportionality factor) (2.5)

where equation (2.5a) results from equation (2.5) after transformation

1 - (s _L1 / d₁) ² = (s _M1 / d₁) ² + 2 s _M1 s _L1 / d₁² (25a)

and with the one-dimensional milk fraction anteil (t), measured via the first ultrasound device 7 in the passage cross section A 1,

ψ = s _M1 / d₁ (2.6)

equation (2.1) results in

t₁ = d₁ [ψ / a _M1 + (1 - ψ / a _L1 ] (2.1a)

With the definition of the milk fraction ϕ (t) according to equation (2.7)

ϕ (t) = A _M1 / A₁

is obtained taking into account equations (2.4) and (2.5a) for the Milk percentage ψ (t) according to equation (2.7a)

ϕ (t) = A _M1 / A₁ = 1 - A _L1 / A₁ = 1 - (S _L1 / d₁) ² = (s _M1 / d₁) ² + 2 s _M1 s _L1 / d₁² = (s _M1 / d₁) ² + 2 s _M1 / d₁ (1 - s _M1 / d₁) (27a)

and thus between the milk fraction ϕ (t) and the one-dimensional milk fraction ψ (t) according to equation (2.6) the relationship according to equation (2.8)

ϕ (t) = 2ψ (t) - [ψ (t)] ² (2.8)

The milk fraction ϕ (t) is finally obtained taking into account the equation conditions (2.1) to (2.8) as well as equations (3) and (5) according to equation (2)

using the abbreviations

α = a _L1 (T₁) / a _M1 (T₁) = a _L1 (T₁) √ (T₂ / T₁) / (d₂ / t₂) (2a)

β = a _L1 (T₁) / (d₁ / t₁) (2b)

Claims (16)

1. A method for recording quantities during milk acceptance using a mobile or stationary acceptance system, in which a quantity of milk to be transferred via a transfer path from a first container to a second container is recorded and quantified via its volume, characterized in that

• - That the amount of milk forms a flow at a defined point in its transfer path, from which the mean flow velocity or a quantity proportional to this (volume flow Q or volume V transferred in the time interval) is measured continuously,
• - that the flow is then divided into a main and a secondary flow,
• - that the side stream is freed of air admixtures,
• - That the main and the vented sidestream are continuously subjected to ultrasound impulses and transmitted through and the respective Schallauf time and at least the temperature in the main stream are measured,
• - That the current average sound speed of the milk / air mixture flowing there from the sound propagation time in the main stream and the respective current average sound speed of the deaerated milk flowing there are determined from the associated sound propagation time in the secondary flow,
• - that from these two sound velocities and the speed of sound in air at the assigned temperature of the main stream, a current milk coat ϕ (t) is calculated in the main stream,
• - And that in a transfer time required for the transfer of the total amount of milk t _A from the respective milk fractions ϕ (t) and each of these assigned to the defined point of the transfer path before the mean flow rate or one of these proportional size that the defined point of the Transfer route total penetrating milk volume V _{M0 of} the transferred amount of milk is determined.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the defined point of the transfer path in the acceptance time t _A enforce the milk volume V _M0 according to equation (1) is determined, the current milk fraction ϕ (t) according to equation (2) using the abbreviations α = a _L1 (T₁) / a _M1 (T₁) = a _L1 (T₁) √ (T₂ / T₁) / (d₂ / t₂) (2a) β = a _L1 (T₁) / (d₁ / t₁t) (2b) calculated with

• - a passage cross section A₀ at the defined point of the transfer path,
• a continuously measured mean flow velocity v _medium0 at the defined point on the transfer _path ,
• - A sound path d₁ in the main stream and a continuously measured senen required sound time t₁,
• - a sound path d₂ in the secondary flow and a continuously measured required sound time t₂,
• - continuously measured temperatures T₁ and T₂ in the main and secondary stream,
• - With the speed T₁ in the main stream dependent sound speed in air a _L1 (T₁) and
• - With the speed T₁ in the main stream dependent sound speed in milk a _M1 (T₁).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the Reynolds number of the main stream and that of the flow from which the main current after division has arisen, are essentially the same. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that which contained in a passage cross section of the main stream in the latter NEN air bubbles essentially the same across this passage cross-section be distributed moderately, the distribution, viewed in the direction of flow, before the transmission. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the ventilation of the side stream by the separating effect of a centrifugal force field takes place. 6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the energy for Generation of the centrifugal force field from the flow energy of the Ne benstromes is applied. 7. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that the energy for Generation of the centrifugal force field by external energy, which from the Environment is introduced into the bypass, is applied. 8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that at the point of dividing the flow into the major and minor flow of the latter in the back pressure of the flow at the point of division pending quantity is branched off. 9. An apparatus for performing the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, with a transfer line leading from a first to a second container, in which a measuring device for determining the average flow velocity present in the transfer line or a size proportional to this is arranged, thereby features

• - That the measuring device ( 6 ) in a first section ( 3 a) of the transfer line ( 3 ) is arranged
• - That, seen in the flow direction, the transfer line ( 3 ) rear ter the first section ( 3 a) in a second section ( 3 b) and a bypass line ( 4 ) branches
• - That in the bypass line ( 4 ) a separation device ( 5 ) is provided for separating air from a milk / air mixture,
• - that (3 b) a first ultrasonic device (7) and in the bypass line (4), seen in the flow direction are disposed behind the separating device (5) comprises a second ultrasonic device (8) in the second section, each consisting from a transmitter and a receiver ( 7 a, 7 b and 8 a, 8 b) and each for the transmission of a characteristic and known sound path (d₁, d₂),
• - That at least in the second section ( 3 b) a device for measuring the temperature ( 12 ) is provided,
• - And that the measuring device ( 6 ), the ultrasonic devices ( 7 and 8 ) and the devices for measuring the temperatures ( 12 and 13 ) are connected to a computer and control unit ( 8 ) on which a data memory ( 11 ) is connected for reading in and reading out data.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the separating device ( 5 ) is designed as a centrifugal separator with tangential inlet and outlet. 11. The device according to claim 10, characterized in that the centrifuge Galabscheider ( 5 ) is additionally equipped with a drive to support the Rotati onsströmung. 12. Device according to one of claims 9 to 11, characterized in that in the second section ( 3 b) of the transfer line ( 3 ) and, seen in the flow direction, before the first ultrasonic device ( 7 ), a mixing device ( 9 ) is provided . 13. The apparatus according to claim 12, characterized in that the mixing device ( 9 ) is designed as a static mixer. 14. Device according to one of claims 9 to 13, characterized in that the flow entry into the bypass line ( 4 ) is designed as a flow divider ( 4 a) in the form of a pitot tube. 15. The apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the quantity divider ( 4 a) accesses the entire passage cross section of the first section ( 3 a). 16. Device according to one of claims 9 to 15, characterized in that the measuring device ( 6 ) is designed as a volume counter and / or flow meter.