DE2720320A1 - Inner cleansing system for beer barrels - uses cleansing fluid at specified high temperatures and high pressures - Google Patents

Abstract

The internal cleansing process for beer barrels includes a cleaning head which fits into the barrel socket so that cleaning fluid can be fed in at 110 deg.C at a corresponding saturation pressure or above. The saturation pressure at 110 deg.C can be 1.46 kg/cm2 and at 135 deg.C, which is the preferred operating temperature, the pressure is 3.19 kg/cm2. The flushing time is from 10 seconds to 120 seconds, but preferably 60 secs. The cleansing process using cleaning fluid is preferably followed by a rinsing process with hot water supplied under the same conditions.

Description

Weigel Handelsgesellschaft mbH

Zweigertstrasse 33-35

4300 Essen 1

Process for cleaning the inside of KEG barrels with barrel sockets, especially for use as beer kegs

The invention relates to a method for cleaning the inside of KEG barrels with barrel sockets, in particular for use as Beer kegs, including the respective keg via a cleaning head inserted into the downward-facing barrel socket in one closed circuit heated, pressurized cleaning liquid is fed and discharged. - Under KEG barrels, pressure-resistant, regularly cylindrical beer barrels are made

809846/0173

Andrejewski, Honke, Gesthuysen & Masch, patent attorneys in Essen

To understand steel or aluminum according to DIN 6647, which only have a barrel socket for internal cleaning, filling and tapping. Such KEG barrels are generally cleaned and filled in automatically operating systems. Biologically sterile bottling and a long shelf life of the beer require perfect internal cleaning of the KEG kegs, both from a biological and microbiological point of view. For this reason, the KEG barrels are washed out with a cleaning liquid before being filled and then cleaned with hot water and sterile compressed air. In the course of the washing process, the cleaning liquid is introduced from below via the cleaning head into the KEG barrel to be cleaned and also discharged. So far, the inside of EC drums has been cleaned in several washing stations. For this purpose, the cleaning liquid is fed to the KEG barrels with the usual overpressure for conveying in order to adequately wet the inside wall of the keg, but there is practically no overpressure in the KEG barrels themselves. Here, regularly, the cleaning liquid to a temperature of 70 ⁰ C to 80 C. Similar pressure and temperature conditions exist during the subsequent rinsing of the KEG barrels with hot water in order to remove cleaning agent residues. - It is extremely questionable whether an internal cleaning of this kind, even if it is carried out several times, actually results in perfect sterilization. This applies in particular to the microorganisms that are still in the spore stage and therefore particularly stubborn. In addition, there are certain vegetative forms of the microorganisms that are also extremely resistant. It is to be feared that under the cleaning conditions explained above, sterilization is not always achieved, but sometimes only an extended latency period.

809846/0173

Andrejewslci, Honlce, Gesthuysen & Masch, patent attorneys in Essen

which is to be understood as an extension of the time that the microorganisms in question need to finally develop into a colony. In addition, so-called corrosion nests can arise in aluminum barrels in particular, in which a protected settlement of microorganisms can take place. - Apart from that, a multi-station washing process is extremely time-consuming and therefore uneconomical. In addition, when using a cleaning fluid of 70 ⁰ C to 80 ° C, the single washing process also requires a relatively long exposure time when an approximate acceptable in biological and microbiological point of internal cleaning should werdn achieved. The invention aims to avoid these disadvantages.

The invention is based on the object of a method for cleaning the inside of KEG barrels, in particular for use as KEG barrels intended for beer barrels, according to which the KEG barrels can be sterilized perfectly in the shortest possible cleaning time is achieved monostationary.

This object is achieved by the invention in a generic method in that the relevant KEG barrel is exposed to cleaning liquid of at least 110 ^° C. and a corresponding saturation pressure or higher pressure. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which is of independent importance, it is provided that the respective KEG barrel is exposed to cleaning fluid of 120 ^° C. to 200 ^° C., preferably 135 ^° C., and a corresponding saturation pressure or higher pressure. The saturation pressure at 110 ^° C. is, for example, 1.46 kg / cm, at 135 ° C. 3.19 kg / cm. It will

809846/0173

Andrejewski, Honke, Gesthuysen & Masch, patent attorneys in Essen

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it is assumed that the acidic or basic cleaning agent behaves like water apart from the appropriate additives, so that the state variables of water or the vapor pressure curve for the relevant saturation pressures or higher pressures are to be used taking into account the specified temperatures. If you work at these temperatures and pressures, i.e. with saturated steam and partially liquid cleaning liquid or with under the Temperatures or pressures above the saturation state and thus when the cleaning liquid remains completely liquid, then, surprisingly, complete sterilization of the microorganisms is achieved in a very short time. While with increasing temperature of the cleaning liquid the washing becomes more intensive in the course of cleaning the inside of the barrel, the increasing pressure ensures that it is faster and more intensive Killing of microorganisms that are particularly harmful to beer. The saturation temperatures and pressures can always be set or the temperatures below and pressures above according to the intensity of the biological and Select microbiological contamination of the inside of the barrel within the required limits. The admission period is only 10 up to 120 seconds, preferably 60 seconds and is therefore relatively short. Following the barrel cleaning with the According to the invention, the cleaning fluid is treated relevant KEG keg with hot water at the same temperature and pressure conditions as in the treatment with the cleaning liquid.

The advantages achieved by the invention are substantial to see that a method for cleaning the inside of KEG barrels

809846/0173

Andrejewslci, Honke, Gesthuysen & Masch, patent attorneys in Essen

- sr -

sern, which are intended in particular for use as beer kegs, is specified, after which a proper sterilization can be achieved in just a single washing station in an extremely short cleaning time. As with conventional washing systems If a pressure and heating system is already available for KEG kegs, the inside of the KEG kegs can be cleaned Carry out the method according to the invention particularly efficiently and economically, regardless of whether in the saturated state working with steam and cleaning liquid or, moreover, in a completely liquid phase.

In the following the invention is based on only one embodiment Illustrative drawing explained in more detail. The single figure shows a washing installation in a schematic representation for KEG barrels.

For cleaning the inside of the pressure-resistant KEG kegs 1 with keg sockets 2, which are intended in particular for use as beer kegs, is the respective KEG barrel 1 via a cleaning head 3 inserted into the downward facing barrel socket 2 in a closed Circuit 4 heated, pressurized cleaning liquid fed and discharged. The cleaning head 3 can be a basket or flat fitting. Located in circuit 4 z. B. a detergent tank 5 and a hot water tank 6, both with piping 7, feed pump 8 and heating device 9. Further units such as cold water tank, compressor, beer pump and beer buffer tank are not shown for the sake of simplicity. The KEG barrel 1 to be cleaned is filled with cleaning liquid of at least 110 C and with a corresponding saturation pressure of 1.46 kg / cm or higher pressure applied. To

809846/0173

Andrejewski, Honke, Gesthuysen & Masch, patent attorneys in Essen

preferred embodiment, the keg barrel 1 with the cleaning liquid of 120 ° C to 200 ° C, preferably from 135 ⁰ C, and with the corresponding saturation pressure - applied to or higher pressure - at 135 C in the amount of 3.19 kg / cm. The duration of application is 10 seconds to 120 seconds, preferably 60 seconds. Following the barrel cleaning with the cleaning fluid from the detergent tank 5, the KEG barrel 1 is treated with hot water from the hot water tank 6 under the same temperature and pressure conditions as for the cleaning fluid. The KEG barrel 1 is then completely sterilized.

809846/0173

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Claims (4)

Andrejewski, Honke, Gesthuysen & Masch, patent attorneys in Essen -JT- Patent claims: flJ Process for cleaning the inside of KEG kegs with keg sockets, in particular KEG kegs intended for use as beer kegs, for which the respective KEG keg is heated in a closed circuit via a cleaning head inserted into the keg socket, and cleaning liquid under excess pressure is fed and discharged, characterized in that the KEG barrel with cleaning liquid of at least 110 ⁰ C and with ent;
is applied. 110 C and with the corresponding saturation pressure or higher pressure 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the KEG barrel with cleaning liquid from 120 ⁰ C to 200 ° C, preferably 135 ⁰ C, and with a corresponding saturation pressure or higher pressure is applied. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the exposure time 10 seconds to 120 seconds, preferably 60 seconds. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that that following the barrel cleaning with the cleaning fluid, the KEG barrel is treated with hot water takes place under the same temperature and pressure conditions as during treatment with cleaning fluid, 809846/01 73 original inspected