EP0364009B1 - Dispenser for dispensing cryogenic liquid - Google Patents
Dispenser for dispensing cryogenic liquid Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0364009B1 EP0364009B1 EP89122730A EP89122730A EP0364009B1 EP 0364009 B1 EP0364009 B1 EP 0364009B1 EP 89122730 A EP89122730 A EP 89122730A EP 89122730 A EP89122730 A EP 89122730A EP 0364009 B1 EP0364009 B1 EP 0364009B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- dispenser
- valve
- tube
- vessel
- cryogenic liquid
- 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.)
- Expired - Lifetime
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Classifications
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C9/00—Methods or apparatus for discharging liquefied or solidified gases from vessels not under pressure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
- B65B31/00—Packaging articles or materials under special atmospheric or gaseous conditions; Adding propellants to aerosol containers
- B65B31/006—Adding fluids for preventing deformation of filled and closed containers or wrappers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
- F17C2201/01—Shape
- F17C2201/0104—Shape cylindrical
- F17C2201/0109—Shape cylindrical with exteriorly curved end-piece
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2201/00—Vessel construction, in particular geometry, arrangement or size
- F17C2201/03—Orientation
- F17C2201/032—Orientation with substantially vertical main axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
- F17C2203/03—Thermal insulations
- F17C2203/0391—Thermal insulations by vacuum
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2203/00—Vessel construction, in particular walls or details thereof
- F17C2203/06—Materials for walls or layers thereof; Properties or structures of walls or their materials
- F17C2203/0602—Wall structures; Special features thereof
- F17C2203/0612—Wall structures
- F17C2203/0626—Multiple walls
- F17C2203/0629—Two walls
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
- F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
- F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
- F17C2205/0323—Valves
- F17C2205/0326—Valves electrically actuated
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2205/00—Vessel construction, in particular mounting arrangements, attachments or identifications means
- F17C2205/03—Fluid connections, filters, valves, closure means or other attachments
- F17C2205/0302—Fittings, valves, filters, or components in connection with the gas storage device
- F17C2205/0323—Valves
- F17C2205/0332—Safety valves or pressure relief valves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2221/00—Handled fluid, in particular type of fluid
- F17C2221/01—Pure fluids
- F17C2221/014—Nitrogen
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2223/00—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel
- F17C2223/01—Handled fluid before transfer, i.e. state of fluid when stored in the vessel or before transfer from the vessel characterised by the phase
- F17C2223/0146—Two-phase
- F17C2223/0153—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL
- F17C2223/0161—Liquefied gas, e.g. LPG, GPL cryogenic, e.g. LNG, GNL, PLNG
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2227/00—Transfer of fluids, i.e. method or means for transferring the fluid; Heat exchange with the fluid
- F17C2227/03—Heat exchange with the fluid
- F17C2227/0302—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating
- F17C2227/0304—Heat exchange with the fluid by heating using an electric heater
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
- F17C2260/03—Dealing with losses
- F17C2260/035—Dealing with losses of fluid
- F17C2260/038—Detecting leaked fluid
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2260/00—Purposes of gas storage and gas handling
- F17C2260/04—Reducing risks and environmental impact
- F17C2260/042—Reducing risk of explosion
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F17—STORING OR DISTRIBUTING GASES OR LIQUIDS
- F17C—VESSELS FOR CONTAINING OR STORING COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED OR SOLIDIFIED GASES; FIXED-CAPACITY GAS-HOLDERS; FILLING VESSELS WITH, OR DISCHARGING FROM VESSELS, COMPRESSED, LIQUEFIED, OR SOLIDIFIED GASES
- F17C2270/00—Applications
- F17C2270/05—Applications for industrial use
- F17C2270/059—Mass bottling, e.g. merry belts
Definitions
- This invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid to bottles or cans on a bottling or canning line and to a method for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid from such a dispenser.
- US-A-4 407 340 discloses a dispenser for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid to bottles or cans on a bottling or canning line, which dispenser comprises a vessel for holding cryogenic liquid, a dispenser tube mounted on said vessel, a valve associated with said dispenser tube and operable in use, to allow or inhibit the flow of cryogenic liquid from said vessel.
- the valve is opened and closed by a solenoid mounted on top the vessel.
- the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid to bottles or cans on a bottling or canning line, which dispenser comprises a vessel for holding cryogenic liquid, a dispenser tube mounted on said vessel, a valve associated with said dispenser tube and operable, in use, to allow or inhibit the flow of cryogenic liquid from said vessel, and means for opening and closing said valve, characterized in that said means for opening and closing said valve are wholly contained within said vessel and are capable of opening and closing said valve at least 600 times per minute.
- said means for opening and closing said valve comprises a permanent magnet connected to said valve, and a coil circumjacent said permanent magnet and arranged to receive, in use, direct current.
- a globule of liquid nitrogen remains in the dispenser tube after each injection due to surface tension. If the canning or bottling line is stopped for any reason part of the globule evaporates. The vapour thus formed collects between the valve and the globule and ejects the globule downwardly. If a can or bottle is below the dispenser tube at the time it thus receives more liquid nitrogen than intended. If the canning or bottling line is restarted soon after this happens the can or bottle can be sealed whilst it contains excess nitrogen. Because of the 700:1 volumetric expansion when liquid nitrogen evaporates this can be followed by the can or bottle closure being blown off or, in some cases, the can or bottle breaking or exploding.
- dispensers in accordance with the present invention are preferably provided with a gas relief tube which communicates with said dispenser tube between the valve and the outlet of the dispenser tube.
- said gas relief tube is arranged to relieve gas from said dispenser tube into said dispenser, preferably at a level which, when said dispenser is in use, is above the level of the cryogenic liquid in said vessel.
- the present invention also provides a method for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid from a dispenser according to the invention, which method comprises the step of opening and closing said valve at least 600 times per minute.
- said method includes the step of opening and closing said valve at a rate greater than 1000 cycles per minute.
- a dispenser which is generally identified by reference numeral 1.
- the dispenser 1 comprises a vacuum insulated vessel 2.
- An inlet conduit or pipe 3 extends downwardly through the vacuum insulated vessel 2 to a float valve 4.
- a vent pipe 5 extends upwardly from the vacuum insulated vessel 2 and is provided with a sensor 6 which is arranged to close safety valve 7 in pipe 3 if liquid is detected in the vent pipe 5.
- a dispenser head 8 is mounted on the bottom of the vacuum insulated vessel 2.
- the dispenser head 8 is provided with a central bore 9 which is disposed circumjacent and in intimate thermal contact with a dispenser tube 10 which extends downwardly from the inside of the vacuum insulated vessel 2.
- the dispenser head 8 is provided with a heater 11 which can be connected to a source of electric power via wires 12 and 13.
- the upper end of the dispenser tube 10 can be opened or closed by means of a tapered valve 14 which is biased downwardly by a spring 15.
- the tapered valve member 14 is connected to a permanent magnet 16 disposed in a coil 17 which, when actuated by a DC current in one sense, raises the tapered valve member 14 to open the upper end of the dispenser tube 10.
- the DC field is reversed the tapered valve member 14 is driven down.
- a gas relief tube 18 extends from a position in the dispenser tube 10 between the tapered valve member 14 and the outlet of the dispenser tube 10 and opens in the vacuum insulated vessel 2 above the float valve 4.
- safety valve 7 is opened and liquid nitrogen flows into the interior of the vacuum insulated vessel 2 through pipe 3 until it reaches level 19 when the float valve 4 closes. Vapour leaves the vacuum insulated vessel 2 via the vent pipe 5.
- Power is applied to heater 11 to warm the dispenser head 8.
- the heater 11 transmits sufficient heat such that a film of gas is formed on the inner surface of the dispenser tube 10.
- This acts as an insulating and lubricating barrier which permits individual slugs of liquid nitrogen to pass downwardly through the dispenser tube 10.
- the liquid nitrogen emerges from the bottom of the dispenser tube 10 in the form of slugs of liquid with negligible or little dispersion compared with the prior art.
- Vapour in the dispenser tube 10 rises through the gas relief tube 18 into the vacuum insulated vessel 2 and thence to vent pipe 5.
- the power input to the heater 11 depends on the frequency with which the coil 17 is actuated and the volume of liquid nitrogen being released with each operation.
- the coil 17 is first operated at the desired frequency with the level of liquid nitrogen in the vacuum insulated vessel 2 being maintained substantially constant by float valve 4.
- the nitrogen leaves the bottom of the dispenser tube 10 in the form of a diffuse atomized cone, i.e., in the form common to the prior art. Power is then applied to heater 11 slowly to allow for the heat capacity of the dispenser head 8.
- a single dispenser may be capable of delivering discrete slugs of liquid nitrogen to as many as 2000 bottles per minute on a high speed bottling line.
- Liquid nitrogen slugs having an average volume of 0.037 cc were dispensed at a rate of 600 slugs/minute through a dispenser tube made of brass and having a nominal external diameter of 5 mm and a nominal internal diameter of 3 mm.
- the dispenser head 8 was made from high purity copper.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Vacuum Packaging (AREA)
- Filling Or Discharging Of Gas Storage Vessels (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This invention relates to a dispenser for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid to bottles or cans on a bottling or canning line and to a method for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid from such a dispenser.
- In the canning and bottling industries it is common practice to insert a small quantity of liquid nitrogen into the cans or bottles immediately prior to closure. The liquid nitrogen vaporizes in the can or bottle and displaces air from the can or bottle before the closure is applied.
- When filling cylindrical cans of uniform diameter it is quite convenient to dispense liquid nitrogen in a continuous spray since the percentage of liquid nitrogen wasted is relatively small. Such a method is disclosed in US-A-4 612 773. However, this technique is extremely wasteful for bottles having relatively small necks, for example beer bottles.
- In order to introduce liquid nitrogen into beer bottles it has been proposed to drop a discrete quantity of liquid nitrogen into each beer bottle immediately prior to closure.
- US-A-4 407 340 discloses a dispenser for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid to bottles or cans on a bottling or canning line, which dispenser comprises a vessel for holding cryogenic liquid, a dispenser tube mounted on said vessel, a valve associated with said dispenser tube and operable in use, to allow or inhibit the flow of cryogenic liquid from said vessel. In this dispenser the valve is opened and closed by a solenoid mounted on top the vessel. This dispenser has two disadvantages, viz:-
- 1. Instead of discrete slugs or droplets of liquid nitrogen descending into the bottles from a dispenser the bottles have been assailed by a diverging cone of minute droplets only a tiny portion of which enter the bottle; and
- 2. Insofar as the output of the dispenser might be regarded as slugs, the maximum continuous output which can be achieved in practice is around 500 slugs/minute.
- A solution to reduce the former problem is disclosed in our co-pending European Patent Application No. 89 300 891.2 (EP-A-0 331 287).
- In order to help overcome the later problem the present invention provides a dispenser for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid to bottles or cans on a bottling or canning line, which dispenser comprises a vessel for holding cryogenic liquid, a dispenser tube mounted on said vessel, a valve associated with said dispenser tube and operable, in use, to allow or inhibit the flow of cryogenic liquid from said vessel, and means for opening and closing said valve, characterized in that said means for opening and closing said valve are wholly contained within said vessel and are capable of opening and closing said valve at least 600 times per minute.
- Preferably, said means for opening and closing said valve comprises a permanent magnet connected to said valve, and a coil circumjacent said permanent magnet and arranged to receive, in use, direct current.
- In conventional dispensers a globule of liquid nitrogen remains in the dispenser tube after each injection due to surface tension. If the canning or bottling line is stopped for any reason part of the globule evaporates. The vapour thus formed collects between the valve and the globule and ejects the globule downwardly. If a can or bottle is below the dispenser tube at the time it thus receives more liquid nitrogen than intended. If the canning or bottling line is restarted soon after this happens the can or bottle can be sealed whilst it contains excess nitrogen. Because of the 700:1 volumetric expansion when liquid nitrogen evaporates this can be followed by the can or bottle closure being blown off or, in some cases, the can or bottle breaking or exploding.
- In order to reduce this problem dispensers in accordance with the present invention are preferably provided with a gas relief tube which communicates with said dispenser tube between the valve and the outlet of the dispenser tube.
- Preferably, said gas relief tube is arranged to relieve gas from said dispenser tube into said dispenser, preferably at a level which, when said dispenser is in use, is above the level of the cryogenic liquid in said vessel.
- The present invention also provides a method for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid from a dispenser according to the invention, which method comprises the step of opening and closing said valve at least 600 times per minute.
- Advantageously, said method includes the step of opening and closing said valve at a rate greater than 1000 cycles per minute.
- For a better understanding of the present invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawing which is a diagrammatic vertical section through a dispenser for dispensing cryogenic liquid in accordance with the invention.
- Referring to the drawing, there is shown a dispenser which is generally identified by reference numeral 1.
- The dispenser 1 comprises a vacuum insulated
vessel 2. An inlet conduit orpipe 3 extends downwardly through the vacuum insulatedvessel 2 to afloat valve 4. Avent pipe 5 extends upwardly from the vacuum insulatedvessel 2 and is provided with a sensor 6 which is arranged to close safety valve 7 inpipe 3 if liquid is detected in thevent pipe 5. - A dispenser head 8 is mounted on the bottom of the vacuum insulated
vessel 2. The dispenser head 8 is provided with acentral bore 9 which is disposed circumjacent and in intimate thermal contact with adispenser tube 10 which extends downwardly from the inside of the vacuum insulatedvessel 2. - The dispenser head 8 is provided with a heater 11 which can be connected to a source of electric power via
wires - The upper end of the
dispenser tube 10 can be opened or closed by means of atapered valve 14 which is biased downwardly by aspring 15. Thetapered valve member 14 is connected to apermanent magnet 16 disposed in acoil 17 which, when actuated by a DC current in one sense, raises thetapered valve member 14 to open the upper end of thedispenser tube 10. When the DC field is reversed thetapered valve member 14 is driven down. This arrangement gives positive control compared with the solenoid and spring arrangement of the prior art which relies on the spring to close the valve. - A
gas relief tube 18 extends from a position in thedispenser tube 10 between thetapered valve member 14 and the outlet of thedispenser tube 10 and opens in the vacuum insulatedvessel 2 above thefloat valve 4. - In use, safety valve 7 is opened and liquid nitrogen flows into the interior of the vacuum insulated
vessel 2 throughpipe 3 until it reacheslevel 19 when thefloat valve 4 closes. Vapour leaves the vacuum insulatedvessel 2 via thevent pipe 5. - Power is applied to heater 11 to warm the dispenser head 8.
- When a slug of nitrogen is required a DC current is applied in the appropriate sense to coil 17 thereby raising
permanent magnet 16 against the bias ofspring 15. Liquid nitrogen then enters the top ofdispenser tube 10. - The heater 11 transmits sufficient heat such that a film of gas is formed on the inner surface of the
dispenser tube 10. This acts as an insulating and lubricating barrier which permits individual slugs of liquid nitrogen to pass downwardly through thedispenser tube 10. The liquid nitrogen emerges from the bottom of thedispenser tube 10 in the form of slugs of liquid with negligible or little dispersion compared with the prior art. Vapour in thedispenser tube 10 rises through thegas relief tube 18 into the vacuum insulatedvessel 2 and thence to ventpipe 5. - Clearly the power input to the heater 11 depends on the frequency with which the
coil 17 is actuated and the volume of liquid nitrogen being released with each operation. - In order to set up the equipment correctly the
coil 17 is first operated at the desired frequency with the level of liquid nitrogen in the vacuum insulatedvessel 2 being maintained substantially constant byfloat valve 4. - At first the nitrogen leaves the bottom of the
dispenser tube 10 in the form of a diffuse atomized cone, i.e., in the form common to the prior art. Power is then applied to heater 11 slowly to allow for the heat capacity of the dispenser head 8. - As the power increases the volume of the spray appears to decrease. However, beyond a certain point the discharge turns into a stream of discrete slugs of liquid nitrogen which fall vertically downwardly like droplets of water. These slugs can be directed into the necks of beer bottles and the like with little or no difficulty. Furthermore, work with a prototype according to the invention suggests that a single dispenser may be capable of delivering discrete slugs of liquid nitrogen to as many as 2000 bottles per minute on a high speed bottling line.
- As a by-product of the heater 11 ice does not accumulate on the base of the dispenser head 8. In this connection it should be noted that heaters have previously been used to prevent ice accumulating on the base of dispenser heads (see UK 2 091 228A). However, in such arrangements special arrangements have been made to ensure that the dispensing tube is kept cold, in particular by passing cold nitrogen vapour circumjacent the dispensing tube in the aforesaid patent specification and positioning the dispensing tube well away from the base. It should also be noted that the aforesaid specification discloses the use of a separate heater for removing ice from the dispenser during shutdown. However, it is explained that this heater is deactivated during start-up, i.e., it is not used whilst the dispenser is dispensing liquid.
- Liquid nitrogen slugs having an average volume of 0.037 cc were dispensed at a rate of 600 slugs/minute through a dispenser tube made of brass and having a nominal external diameter of 5 mm and a nominal internal diameter of 3 mm. The dispenser head 8 was made from high purity copper.
- At equilibrium the heater 11 consumed 32 watts of power.
Claims (7)
- A dispenser (1) for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid to bottles or cans on a bottling or canning line, which dispenser comprises a vessel (2) for holding cryogenic liquid, a dispenser tube (10) mounted on said vessel (2), a valve (14) associated with said dispenser tube (10) and operable, in use, to allow or inhibit the flow of cryogenic liquid from said vessel (2), and means (16,17) for opening and closing said valve, characterized in that said means (16,17) for opening and closing said valve (14) are wholly contained within said vessel (2) and are capable of opening and closing said valve (14) at least 600 cycles per minute.
- A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1, characterized in that said means (16,17) for opening and closing said valve (14) comprises a magnet (16) connected to said valve (14), and a coil (17) circumjacent said permanent magnet (16) and arranged to receive, in use, direct current.
- A dispenser as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a gas relief tube (18) is provided which communicates with said dispenser tube (10) between said valve (14) and the outlet of said dispenser tube (10).
- A dispenser as claimed in Claim 3, characterized in that said gas relief tube (18) is arranged to relieve gas from said dispenser tube (10) into said vessel (1).
- A dispenser as claimed in Claim 4, characterized in that said gas relief tube (18) is arranged to relieve gas from said dispenser tube (10) into said dispenser (1) at a level which, when said dispenser (1) is in use, is above the level of the cryogenic liquid in said vessel (2).
- A method for dispensing slugs of cryogenic liquid from a dispenser according to any preceding Claim, characterized in that said method comprises the step of opening and closing said valve (14) at least 600 times per minute.
- A method according to Claim 6, characterized in that it includes the step of opening and closing said valve (14) at a rate greater than 1000 cycles per minute.
Priority Applications (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP89122730A EP0364009B1 (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1989-01-30 | Dispenser for dispensing cryogenic liquid |
AT89122730T ATE103379T1 (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1989-01-30 | DISPENSING DEVICE FOR DISPENSING CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS. |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8804760A GB2215446B (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1988-02-29 | Dispenser for dispensing cryogenic fluid |
GB8804760 | 1988-02-29 | ||
EP89122730A EP0364009B1 (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1989-01-30 | Dispenser for dispensing cryogenic liquid |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP89300891A Division EP0331287B1 (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1989-01-30 | Dispenser for dispensing cryogenic liquid |
EP89300891.2 Division | 1989-01-30 |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0364009A2 EP0364009A2 (en) | 1990-04-18 |
EP0364009A3 EP0364009A3 (en) | 1991-03-27 |
EP0364009B1 true EP0364009B1 (en) | 1994-03-23 |
Family
ID=26120833
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP89122730A Expired - Lifetime EP0364009B1 (en) | 1988-02-29 | 1989-01-30 | Dispenser for dispensing cryogenic liquid |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0364009B1 (en) |
AT (1) | ATE103379T1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2688469A1 (en) * | 1992-03-16 | 1993-09-17 | Air Liquide | Device for sequenced injection of a metered amount of cryogenic liquid |
FR2765661B1 (en) * | 1997-07-07 | 1999-08-06 | Air Liquide | CRYOGENIC APPARATUS AND VALVE FOR PROVIDING CRYOGENIC LIQUID, AND CORRESPONDING PRODUCT PACKAGING INSTALLATION |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4469304A (en) * | 1980-04-15 | 1984-09-04 | Kah Jr Carl L C | Pulse actuated solenoid valve |
US4407340A (en) * | 1980-12-18 | 1983-10-04 | Reynolds Metals Company | Container pressurization system |
-
1989
- 1989-01-30 AT AT89122730T patent/ATE103379T1/en active
- 1989-01-30 EP EP89122730A patent/EP0364009B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0364009A2 (en) | 1990-04-18 |
ATE103379T1 (en) | 1994-04-15 |
EP0364009A3 (en) | 1991-03-27 |
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