EP2452115A2 - Method for automatically controlling a tube network - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for automatically controlling a tube network, in particular of a brewing system, for transporting flow media, wherein the tube network provides a plurality of transport paths between a source and a destination, and wherein the tube network comprises a plurality of tube sections and/or control modules, comprising an automatic calculation of a transport path for a flow medium between a source, in particular a predetermined source, and a destination, in particular a predetermined destination, wherein the calculation a transport path comprises a calculation of a sequence of tube sections and/or control modules between the source and the destination.

Description

 Method for the automated control of a pipeline network

The invention relates to a method for the automated control of a pipeline network, in particular a brewing system, for the transport of flow media and a control device for the automated control of a pipeline network.

Brewing equipment typically includes a pipeline network having a plurality of conduits and branches, the conduits being for transporting fluids (ie, liquids and / or gases). During a brewing process, the liquids or gases are transported back and forth between a plurality of containers. For example, products, semi-finished products, RHB (raw materials and supplies) are transferred from one process cell or part of the plant into another process cell. For a liquid or gas transport from a source to a destination, a suitable transport route must be determined in the pipeline network. This transport path corresponds to a series of pipe sections through which the fluid is conducted from the source to the destination.

In many cases, the transport routes for certain previously known fluid transportations are determined in advance. During operation, for example, by means of arched connections (pivoting arches) in a pipeline network, the previously defined line connections are made, whereby e.g. Butterfly valves are used to open and close connections. Sometimes, pipe connections are also made with valves (for example, leak-proof three or four-way valves in the form of double-seat valves). However, here too, the possible transport routes between a specific source and a specific destination are determined in advance.

The known from the prior art methods and devices thus have the disadvantage that the transport of flow media due to the fixed transport routes is cumbersome and not very flexible. There is thus a need for a method for automated control of a pipeline network, which allows increased flexibility. For this purpose, the following invention provides a method according to claim 1.

Thus, according to the invention, a method for the automated control of a pipeline network, in particular a brewing system, for transporting flow media is provided. wherein the pipeline network provides a plurality of transport routes between a source and a destination, and wherein the pipeline network comprises a plurality of conduit sections and control modules, comprising automatically calculating a transport path for a flow medium between a, in particular pre-given, source and one, in particular predetermined, A goal wherein calculating a transport path comprises calculating a sequence or sequence of line sections and / or control modules between the source and the destination.

Since in the automated control method according to the invention, a transport path or transfer path for a flow medium is automatically calculated (and thereby determined) and no predetermined transport path is used, the control of the pipeline network becomes considerably more flexible. The automatic calculation and determination can take place in particular during operation and / or in real time; So it does not have to be done in advance. The control method allows a consideration of the state of the pipeline network (for example, for the process duration of the desired transport or transfer), so for example, the consideration of use, occupancy and / or the condition of pipe sections of the pipeline network. Thus, it is possible to carry out sequences of transports or transfers and parallel transports in an improved manner. The transport routes are particularly variable.

The raw coalition law ^ _; Hπfass ^ eme ^{^} 1 \ / leTτrzahl of line sections and / or control modules such as pumps, valves, and measuring equipment, etc. Depending on the needs and the circumstances (for example, the current state of the pipeline network), the result of the calculation thus becomes a different sequence of line sections and / or control modules. Calculating a transport path may thus in particular include calculating line connections between line sections. The line connections can be provided for example by means of valves.

A line section (ie, a pipe section or pipe section) may be bounded at one end (mouth) or at both ends by a control module (eg, a valve, a shut-off device, or a pump) or other line section. In particular, it may have a control module at most or exclusively at its ends. With the exception of the ends, no control module is then provided along the line section. For example, the control module may allow fluidic separation of the conduit section; then a line section forms the smallest fluidic separable unit of the pipeline network. The invention A proper method thus allows a transfer path to be composed of small line units and / or control modules, which leads to a high degree of flexibility.

The flow medium (fluid) may be a liquid and / or a gas. It can be a product, a semi-finished product or an RHB, in particular a brewing process. The source of the flow medium may be, for example, a process cell (e.g., filter, centrifuge, etc.), an inlet or inflow, a tank, or a portion of the piping network, such as one or more conduit sections. The target for the flow medium can be a process cell, a drain, a tank, a gully or a section of the pipeline network (for example, to enter another process cell), in particular in the form of one or more line sections and / or control modules. The transport or transfer can be effected, for example, by means of a control module in the form of a conveying element (for example a pump) and / or by pushing the flow medium (by means of a sliding medium). With such a sliding medium, therefore, a flow medium can be pushed (pushed) through pipe sections.

The method may include automatically calculating a transport path between a single source and a plurality of destinations, between a plurality of sources and a single destination, and / or between a plurality of sources and a plurality of destinations. In a plurality of sources thus flow media from different sources can be used and possibly mixed. The possibility of multiple targets makes it possible to distribute a flow medium to different destinations. Therefore, a sequential or parallel driving is possible. The method may also include calculating a source and / or a destination. The calculation of a source and / or a target can be effected as a function of the (predetermined) flow medium to be transported and / or as a function of a flow medium currently located in the pipeline network. For example, a suitable cleaning fluid source can be calculated for a given cleaning fluid.

The calculation of a transport path can be effected as a function of the flow medium to be transported and / or as a function of a previously (in particular directly in front of) transported flow medium and / or as a function of a flow medium currently located in the pipeline network. In this case, the calculation can in particular depend on a flow medium located in at least one line section of the transport path to be calculated or transported beforehand. The dependency The flow rate of one, in particular directly, previously transported flow medium is especially relevant if the transport path of the previously transported flow medium at least partially overlaps with a possible (and to be calculated) transport path for the flow medium to be transported. This makes it possible to avoid unwanted contamination or mixing of the flow medium to be transported. This could occur if a possible transport path comprises a line section over which the previously transported flow medium had been transported. The consideration of other transported or transported flow media makes it possible to transport a plurality of flow media on the one hand parallel (simultaneously) on the other hand sequentially on line sections, without in the latter case, for example, between cleaning is required.

In the method described above, at least one status can be assigned to a line section and / or a control module of the pipeline network and the calculation of a transport route can be carried out as a function of at least one status. In particular, at least one status can be assigned to each line section and / or control module of the pipeline network.

The at least one status may be a lock status, a base status, a media status, a hygiene status, and / or an allocation status.

The lock status may indicate whether the corresponding line section or control module is disabled or not locked (i.e., usable); In this case, the lock can be triggered, for example, by an operator (in particular exclusively by an operator). In order for a line section or control module can be locked or released by hand, this state of the corresponding line section or control module is then considered in the automatic calculation of the transport path.

The base status may indicate whether the corresponding item is free (i.e., generally usable) or busy (i.e., in use).

The medium status, which corresponds to a product identifier, can indicate which flow medium was last transported over the line section. Thus, for example, the calculation of the transport path can be made under the condition that each line section of the transport path to be calculated has a medium status which is compatible with the flow medium to be transported according to a predetermined criterion and / or originates from a predetermined amount of medium status for the flow medium to be transported.

In particular, two medium statuses can be assigned to a line section or control module, wherein a first medium status designates the current or currently located in the element flow medium and the second medium status a previously transported flow medium. These two medium states make it advantageously possible to calculate a transport path as a function of a previously transported flow medium.

The hygiene status can indicate in which hygiene state according to a predetermined criterion a line section is located. A hygiene status of a line section may in particular be based on one or more flow media previously transported over the line section or currently located therein. The sanitary status may also have a sanitary drainage time valid for each flow medium, indicating when the sanitary status becomes invalid. For example, each flow medium to be transported, in particular as a function of an in-line flow medium (medium status), a list of permissible hygiene status be assigned, so that the flow medium may be transported only along line sections with a hygiene status from the corresponding list; The calculation of the transport path would then take place under this condition ("product sequence"). <br/> <br/> Also, a hygiene status may be given by a value from an ordered quantity, wherein the calculation of the transport route is made on the condition that each line item of the transport path to be calculated at least one of the In this way undesired contamination, mixing and / or contamination of the flow medium to be transported can be avoided, for example, different media which are similar in their product sequence can be grouped together and configured accordingly be minimized.

The allocation status (ie assignment status) can indicate whether a line item is assigned to a transport or transfer and / or which transport is involved. It does not matter if the assigned transfer is already running or waiting. In the method described above, calculating a transport path may include calculating at least two partial paths, wherein the at least two partial paths are fluidically separable from one another. A partial path may comprise one or more line sections. The fluidic separation can be effected by means of a control module, in particular a shut-off device, for example a shut-off valve or a valve. Such partial routes allow a pre- and / or post-processing of an unused partial route. For example, an unused partial path can be rinsed or cleaned; Alternatively, a partial path that has already been used, without further media consumption by necessary Ausschübe be used for the transport of another flow medium. This is accompanied by a time savings. The calculation of at least two partial paths can in particular include determining and / or calculating a separation point at which the two partial paths can be separated from one another in terms of flow technology.

In the previously described method, the flow medium to be transported can be transported, ie pushed, by means of a pushing medium. The push medium (or ejection medium) may be, for example, water, another product or a cleaning fluid. The push medium is provided in particular at a push medium source, for example a water feed point.

The fluidically separable partial paths allow on the one hand in a simple manner the other use, preparation and / or post-processing of the remaining partial routes and on the other hand the possibility to use different sliding media for different partial routes for transporting and / or pushing media from different sources.

The calculating the transport path may include determining a sliding medium source in the vicinity of the source according to a predetermined criterion. The calculating the transport path may further comprise determining a drainage point in the vicinity of the target according to a predetermined criterion. The predetermined proximity criterion may include, for example, a maximum distance from the source or destination; In this case, in particular, the maximum distance may be given as the maximum number of line sections. Thus, in the method can also be calculated in an automated or automatic manner, as the flow medium to be transported is transported in a suitable manner from the source to the destination. The drainage point can be, for example, a gully. Said determination of a sliding medium source and / or an outflow point may be performed for one, several or each of the partial paths. In this case, the source to be considered or the target to be considered, in the vicinity of which the shift medium source or the outflow point should lie, is the local source or the local destination of the partial route, ie the beginning or the end of the partial route. The calculation of partial paths may include calculating a separation point at which (or in the vicinity thereof according to a predetermined criterion) a push medium source and / or a drainage point is present. In particular, if the transport path to be calculated comprises at least two partial routes, the determination of a sliding medium source at the beginning (or in its vicinity) and / or the determination of a discharge point at the end (or in its vicinity) can be carried out for one, several or all partial paths ,

For example, a push media source at its beginning and a drain point at its end can be determined for each partial path. Thus, the flow medium to be transported can be transported (ejected) successively over the partial paths from the source to the destination, it being possible for other partial flow paths to use other sliding medium sources and / or drainage points; Partial paths over which the flow medium has already been transported can then be used elsewhere.

In the methods described above, calculating a transport path may include calculating a plurality of concurrently usable transport paths for a plurality of flow media. This allows the parallel transport of flow media in a simple manner. In particular, the developments described above can be used for the calculation of each transport path.

The calculation of a transport path can take place under specification or avoiding a specific line section, a specific control module or type of control module and / or a particular measuring device or type of measuring device such that the calculated transport path such a line section, such a control module or such a measuring device includes or does not include. Thus, for example, a certain type of conveying element or specific measuring device (such as a flow meter or a conductivity meter) can be specified as desired or necessary, which will then be included in the calculated transport path. In this case, a plurality of line sections, control modules and / or measuring devices (or types thereof) can be predetermined. If, for example, the flow medium is a cleaning fluid, then in this way too, the nigungsleitung sections and / or control modules are specified; the method then calculates a suitable way for the purification, for example in a CIP treatment. In this case, depending on an amount of pipe sections to be used, a proper flow for a cleaning medium can be searched. After a certain product transport, in particular an automatic cleaning of the transport path can be carried out. Accordingly, for example, it may also be required that a certain type of conveying element or measuring device is not present along the calculated transport path. The calculation can also be carried out with the indication that it does not matter whether a specific line section, a specific control module and / or a specific measuring device are present in the calculated transport path.

The calculation of a transport path may include determining a measuring device for controlling and / or regulating during transportation. This automatically means suitable measuring devices are obtained, which allow for later transport a SolMst comparison for controlling and / or rules.

The calculation of a transport path may include calculating, in particular a transport route, a preparatory and / or post-processing treatment of the pipeline network. The preparatory or post-treatment treatment may be a treatment of one, several or all partial routes of the transport path and / or of one, several or all line sections of the transport route. The treatment may in particular be a treatment required for transporting the flow medium. The treatment may be e.g. to include filling, emptying, pushing out, flushing and / or cleaning the transport path, one or more line sections, one or more partial routes and / or one or more tanks, for example at the source and / or the destination. The filling can be done for example by means of a sliding medium; the rinsing or cleaning may be performed with a cleaning medium and / or disinfecting medium such as a liquid or a gas.

A preparatory and / or a post-treatment treatment may comprise a transport of a further flow medium, in particular partially or completely, over the calculated transport path for the first flow medium. In the case of another flow medium, the above-mentioned flow medium is referred to here and below as the first flow medium. The further flow medium can thus have a preparation medium (for example a pre-wash medium) and / or a post-treatment medium (for example a post-rinse medium) for the first flow medium. In other words, the preparatory and / or post-treatment treatment may include pre-rinsing at least part of the transport path or the entire transport path with a pre-rinsing medium, removing the rinsing medium with the aid of the flow medium to be transported, removing the transport medium to be transported from at least one part or the entire transport path with the aid of a pushing medium and / or a rinsing with a rinsing medium.

For the transport of each further flow medium, the method can automatically determine a transport path between a source and a target, for which purpose in particular the method variants described above can be used. For example, the method may include automatically calculating a feed path for a pre-rinse medium, a feed path for the pre-rinse medium, a transport path of a replenishment medium, and / or a retrieval medium transport path, each between a corresponding source and a corresponding destination. The expulsion medium and / or the replenishment medium can be the first flow medium (for example a product, a semi-finished product or an RHB, for example water). The transport paths for the further flow media may in particular comprise the entire transport path of the first flow medium.

The methods described above may include automatically calculating a plurality of transport paths for a sequence of transport of flow media, wherein for each transport path a sequence of line sections and / or control modules (as described above) is automatically calculated. This sequence can be flexibly modeled in a transfer process. For the following flow media, in particular in the given sequence, a sequence of transports of flow media, for example to corresponding sources and targets, can be calculated automatically: pre-rinse medium, Ausschiebemedium, first flow medium, Nachschiebemedium, Nachspülmedium. In particular, the transport of all media (partially or completely) along the transport path of the first flow medium can take place. Alternatively, a plurality of transport paths for a sequence of transportation of flow media for a cleaning treatment, for example a CIP treatment (Cleaning In Place), can be calculated automatically. This can be a cleaning treatment a section of the pipeline network, so one or more line sections and / or control modules, or a container or vessel act.

In particular, in a cleaning treatment of a container or vessel, the automatic calculation of a transport path for a flow medium can be triggered by a processor module associated with the container or vessel; while the processor module can specify the required flow media and / or the order of the required flow media. This is advantageous if a container "knows" how to clean it because of the assigned processor module itself.

The calculation of a transport path may include a recalculation of the transport path, in particular during the transport of the flow medium. Thus, for example, changes in the condition of the pipeline network, which may necessitate a change in the transport route, are taken into account and incorporated into the new calculation.

In the methods, calculating a transport path may comprise calculating a flow medium transport path between a first source and a destination and a second source and the destination such that the transport from the second source to the destination immediately follows the transport from the first source to the destination follows. Such synchronization allows for uninterrupted or bumpless transport from the sources to the destination. In this case, for example, the follow-on transport starts when it receives a synchronization signal from the first one. He can then perform the preparatory steps for the second source and prefer the product to the unification product of the two transfers. If the transfer of the product in the first partial transfer is over, the transfer of the second partial transport takes place bumplessly. The first transfer can then carry out its follow-up steps at the same time. The sources and / or targets may in particular be containers or vessels.

In the methods, computing a transport path may comprise calculating a transport path for a flow medium between a source and a first destination and the source and a second destination such that the transport from the source to the second destination is immediately upon transport from the source to the first destination Goal follows. This allows for uninterrupted or bumpless transport from the source to the destinations. The sources and / or targets may in particular be containers or vessels. The two cases mentioned can also be carried out with more than two sources or goals.

Calculating a transport path may include calculating control modules to fluidly separate the calculated transport path from another region of the piping network. By calculating control modules with which the transport path can be fluidly separated from another area of the pipeline network (for example, shut-off valves or non-activated and only double-seated valves), the transport path can be locked. This avoids mixing of the flow medium along the transport path with other flow media in the pipeline network. These calculated control modules may also be monitored for an alarm (e.g., caused by a line blow), in which case the transfer in progress may be halted.

In the methods described above, each line section and / or control module of the pipeline network can be guided in the form of an object in an electronic memory. Then, computing a transport path based on the objects in the electronic memory may be performed. Each object may include one or more attributes for further specification of the object. Possible attributes include, for example, nominal diameters and cable lengths for line sections, more precise qualification of line sections or control modules for certain functions (eg yeast transfer) and permissible products, information on valve seat control signals and leakage room flushing, etc. These attributes can be used for the route search; in other words, computing a transport path may be performed based on one or more attributes. This can advantageously be a route search with certain criteria (eg to avoid nominal size jumps, route with specific nominal widths, pumps with specific performance and / or function and / or design, measuring devices with specific function and / or design, considering one or more for the line sections of the route resulting Reynolds numbers, etc.) performed and thus the routes found are limited according to the desired requirements. Furthermore, calculating a transport path may include calculating a required amount of a push medium (for example, for a push-out), which may be the amount required for the entire transport path or only a partial path. Also the- The calculation can take place taking into account attributes assigned to one or more objects.

Several objects can in turn be combined in one (higher-level) object. The objects can in particular be kept in a database. Due to the assignment of the pipeline network elements to such objects, the calculation of the transport path can be implemented in a simple manner and carried out on an electronic computer or computer. The summary can also speed up the calculation.

In addition, other elements for guiding, conveying, measuring, dispensing and / or receiving a flow medium, in particular measuring devices (eg flow meter, conductivity meter), process cells (eg filters, centrifuges, CIP systems), partial routes, containers, tanks, inflows and / or outflows, each in the form of an object in an electronic memory is performed. The calculation of a transport path can then also be carried out based on these objects.

Each of these objects may also include one or more attributes for further specification of the object. Possible attributes of process cells, containers or tanks are, for example, the level, the medium or product contained and / or to be contained, the parallel usability (whether the corresponding element can be used simultaneously for several different transports), requirements or compatibility requirements to be used with the element Line sections, control modules, sources, destinations and / or other elements of the pipeline network, readiness for filling, emptying or cleaning, as well as the information as to whether a process cell is connected via a shut-off element with a predetermined line section, control module and / or other elements of the pipeline network , These attributes can be used in the route search for evaluation; in other words, computing a transport path may be performed based on one or more attributes.

Each object, in particular each line section and / or each control module, at least one status parameter can be assigned. This status parameter can be a lock status parameter, a base status parameter, a media status parameter, a health status parameter, and / or an allocation status parameter. These parameters identify the status of a line section described above. Piece or a control module. For example, an object can be assigned a first and a second medium status parameter. The status parameters can be given in the form of alphanumeric specifications. For example, you can take values from an ordered set.

All steps of the previously described methods can be performed automatically, i. be carried out automatically.

The methods described above may further comprise an automatic activation of the pipeline network according to the calculated transport path or according to the calculated transport paths. In this way, not only the calculation of the transport route but also the implementation of the transport takes place in an automated manner. The driving can in particular be such that the line sections are connected in accordance with the calculated transport path. This connection can be done for example by means of valves and / or shut-off devices, which are controlled accordingly.

The control of the pipeline network can not only be carried out so that a transport of the flow medium along the calculated transport path is performed, but also so that an optionally calculated preparatory and / or post-treatment of the pipeline network, in particular along the transport path is performed. In addition, the automatic driving may include driving the required control modules (such as valves or conveying elements); In particular, the drive can be carried out such that a required shift medium is provided.

In particular, the pipeline network may be controlled to transport a flow medium between a first source and a destination and a second source and the destination such that the transport from the second source to the destination immediately follows the transport from the first source to the destination follows. Also, the pipeline network may be controlled so that transport of a flow medium between a source and a first destination and the source and a second destination occurs such that the transport from the source to the second destination immediately follows the transport from the source to the first destination , Also, more than two sources or goals are possible in this context.

For example, a pipeline network can also be controlled such that a transport of a flow medium takes place between two (or more) sources and one destination, that the transport of the sources to the destination takes place simultaneously. As a result, a mixing of the source media can be achieved. In this case, the activation can be carried out according to a predetermined mixing ratio of the media from the sources. It is also possible that the transport from another source to the destination immediately follows the transport of the first source to the destination. It is also possible that a source is provided as a mandatory participant in a transport. So, if such a compelling source no longer promotes medium to the destination, the transport from all other sources is also stopped.

The control modules of the calculated transport path can be assigned according to predetermined criteria to function groups (for example, path elements, source outlet valves, target inlet valves, conveying elements, timing elements, etc.). The control of a control module can then be done by means of a predefined control or activation of the corresponding function group. The predefined activation or activation can be in the form of a predetermined sequence of function groups to be activated or activated. The predetermined sequence may also include predetermined time intervals for the activation or activation of the function groups. Such a predefined control allows an abstract programming of the basic activation of control modules (namely, via the functional groups) for a specific type of transport, whereby this programming can take place independently of the control modules actually used in the individual case due to the calculated transport path. For example, the transport of a particular flow medium and each pre- and / or post-processing step may be predefined or programmed a sequence of functional groups to be controlled.

Furthermore, for example, a transport group and a secondary transport group can be distinguished. The transport group indicates the active conveying elements for the respective transport; they are actively involved in the transport. The secondary transport group specifies the permitted passive (that is, not actively involved) or with conveyor elements that are modified in comparison to the transport group.

In the methods described above, the automatic control of the pipeline network can be carried out using an automatically determined measuring device, wherein a SolMst comparison is performed with the measuring device. The result of the target / actual comparison can be used for controlling and / or regulating control modules. The methods described above may further comprise an automatic activation of the pipeline network, so that a calculated transport path is fluidically separated from another region of the pipeline network. Thus, a flow medium to be transported is prevented from entering ("unauthorized") pipe sections or control modules of the piping network outside the transport path or another flow medium entering the transport path causing a line blow), so that in this case the transfer in progress can be stopped.

In the methods described above, calculating the transport path and / or driving the piping network may be based on a state parameter of the source and / or the destination. As state parameters are, for example, the level, a fault parameter (whether a fault is present or not), an urgency or priority parameter, the life, the contained and / or medium or product to be contained, an abort parameter and / or one or more of the above statuses into consideration.

The source and / or the destination may output a value of a state parameter, in particular to a control device for automated control of the pipeline network. In this way, a source or destination can act on a transfer. A transport path still to be calculated can take account of the output state parameters; an already calculated transport path can be modified and / or recalculated on the basis of the output state parameters. Alternatively or additionally, the control of the pipeline network can be influenced and / or modified based on the output value of one or more state parameters.

The described methods may further comprise logging a calculated transport path and / or a control of the pipeline network.

The invention further provides a computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having instructions adapted to cause a computer or processor to perform one of the methods described above. The methods can thus be embodied computer-implemented.

In addition, the invention provides a control device for the automated control of a pipeline network, in particular a brewing system, for transporting flow wherein the pipeline network provides a plurality of transport routes between a source and a destination, and wherein the pipeline network comprises a plurality of conduit sections and control modules, wherein the control device for automatically calculating a transport path for a flow medium between a, in particular pre-given, source and a , in particular predetermined, target, wherein calculating a transport path comprises calculating a sequence of line sections and / or control modules between the source and the destination.

The control device may in particular be designed according to the methods described above. The control device may in particular comprise a computer or a computer system.

Further advantages and features of the invention will be described below with reference to the figures. Show

Figures 1 to 5 examples of different states of a pipeline network to

 Transport of flow media;

FIG. 6 shows another example of a pipeline network.

Figure 1 shows the simplified example of a pipeline network of a brewing system, as it can be found for example in a fermentation and / or storage cellar. The pipeline network 101 comprises a multiplicity of pipeline sections 102. Valves 103, for example leak-proof three- or four-way valves in the form of double-seat valves, are provided at the intersections of two pipeline systems. Between two adjacent crossing points or valves thus line sections are given, wherein adjacent line sections can be fluidly connected or disconnected by a corresponding adjustment of the valves at the crossing points.

It is understood that the invention is not limited to a brewing system, but is also suitable for the transport of other liquid or gaseous flow media.

The piping network is connected to four tanks 104 to 107. These tanks are designed to contain liquids (products) that are transported through the pipeline network 101. be ported. The liquid may be, for example, seasoning or green beer.

The pipeline network is connected to a brewhouse 108, which provides the wort for the tanks. Furthermore, a water inlet 109 is provided for feeding the pipeline network with water.

Vessels 110-113 are part of a CIP (Cleaning In Place) system and contain the appropriate liquids, e.g. Lye, acid, disinfectant solution. An outlet of the pipeline network leads to a filtration device 114. Furthermore, a drain in the form of a gully 115 is provided.

Starting from the state shown in FIG. 1, a transport path or transfer path of a product from tank 104 (source) to tank 107 (destination) is to be calculated by way of example in an automated manner. The product corresponds to the above-mentioned first flow medium, for the transport of which pre-and post-processing steps are carried out with further flow media.

In the illustrated example, this calculation takes place in a piping network control device 101 that includes a computer. In the computer are the various elements of the piping network (pipe sections, shut-off devices, valves, pumps, measuring equipment such as flow meters and conductivity meters, tanks, tanks, tributaries, drains, whole process cells (such as filters, centrifuges, etc.) and / or partial routes) saved as individual objects. In addition, the connection of the individual objects is stored with each other. The saving can be done for example in a database.

An object has different status parameters with which different properties of the element are specified. Thus, for example, one or more medium status parameters can be assigned to a line section object or a valve object. This parameter corresponds to a product identifier and indicates which flow medium, that is to say in the present example, which product is currently in the corresponding element of the pipeline network, that is to say for example in the line segment. The object may also be associated with a second media status parameter indicating which product was previously present in the corresponding line section. As a further status parameter, an object can be assigned a hygiene status parameter. This may, for example, be "contaminated,""clean," or "sterile." Other or additional values are possible, for example, for each flow medium or product, a set of allowable hygienic status parameter values may be in a table, depending on whether in-line Thus, a flow medium M1 as a permissible hygiene status parameter with respect to the medium M3 present in a line section can only be given the value "sterile"; for another flow medium M2, the permissible values "clean" and "sterile" can be specified. Thus, the flow medium A may only be transported through line sections with medium M3, which have the sanitary status "sterile", while flow medium M2 may be transported through "sterile" and "clean" line sections, for example different media but similar in product sequence Basically, the hygiene status can have a hygiene run time valid for each flow medium, which indicates when the hygiene status becomes invalid ") set.

According to an alternative, the hygiene status parameter may e.g. the following values are assumed: "Line section contains product" (ie when evaluating the medium status, the currently contained medium is evaluated), "Line section contains the ejection medium" (when evaluating the medium status, the currently contained medium and the predecessor medium are evaluated), "Cleaned ", (Line section has been cleaned, the line section contains the ejection medium, the predecessor medium is not relevant)," CIP uncleaned "(CIP straight in execution, the line section contains CIP medium, the predecessor product is not relevant)," Rinse "(line section was flushed , ie in the evaluation of the medium status both the currently contained medium and the predecessor medium is evaluated), "sterilized" (line section contains the Ausschiebemedium and is sterilized, ie it can be used for everything) and "disinfected" (line section contains the Ausschiebemedium and is desin it can be used for anything).

In addition, a lock status parameter may be provided which indicates whether the corresponding line section or control module is disabled or not disabled (ie, usable); In this case, the lock may have been triggered by an operator. If one just used line section is blocked, only a blocking flag is entered. In this case, such a designated section of line would no longer be used in the automatic calculation of a transport path, but a transfer currently in progress would be unaffected.

Furthermore, a base state parameter may indicate whether the corresponding element is "free" or "in use." Thus, a base state parameter "free" means that the product and hygiene status are known and the line is not contaminated A "in use" base state parameter means that there is a flow transport on the line section and product and hygiene status are currently in a transient state. This means that a utilization of the hygiene status or the medium status in this case is not possible. Further possible values for base states are, for example, "undefined" (control device or computer system does not know the actual state), "contaminated" (a shut-off valve was pressed, for example, by a pressure blow) and "aborted" (a transfer was aborted without performing post-processing steps) In this case, the utilization of the hygiene status or the medium status is not possible (but also not necessary).

Another status parameter can be an allocation status parameter that represents, for example, a transport identifier or identifies a transport that has been carried out or to be carried out.

In a table can also be specified which flow media or products may be transported by which other flow media or products in a particular element of the pipeline network. For example, it may be stated that beer of a certain type may only be transported for beer of the same kind or for water. For example, beer of a certain kind could also be transported for beer of a different kind. This results in a predetermined media sequence or product sequence. In this context, the hygiene status can also be taken into account. For example, it may be stated that a beer B1 after beer B2 may only follow a hygiene status "cleaned." It may also be stated that beer B2 may follow beer B1 with a hygiene status of "cleaned" and "expelled".

In principle, the control device automatically calculates the sequence of transport paths that is required, including the preparatory and subsequent steps, a first flow medium (product) from a specific source to a specific destination to transport. The preparatory transfers may be, for example, "pre-wash with water" and "expel the water with product". Then follows the actual product transport (main transfer). The post-processing steps may be "adding water to the product" and "rinsing with water". Each of these individual transports establishes a connection between a source and a destination. In the case of the main transfer, the (product) source is directly connected to the (product) destination, in the case of "prewash with water", for example, a source-near water connection with a close-to-drain outlet, in the case of "expulsion of the water with product" the source with, for example, a close-to-drain outlet, in the case of "feeding the product with water", for example, a source-near water connection with the target and, in the case of "rinsing with water", for example, a source-near water connection with, for example, a close-to-drain drain connection. All pre- and post-processing steps preferably include the path of the main transfer. The aforementioned source / target relationships can be separated again at separation points, in particular in the pre- and post-processing steps. As an alternative to the newly-to-be-determined near-shore water connections and near-by gully connections, these can also be fixed.

To calculate the transport path from tank 104 to tank 107, the control device takes various factors into account. In the example described here, the calculation is based initially on the flow media transported in the corresponding pipe sections or valves. If, after a liquid transport no cleaning of the transport path is made, the corresponding sections are contaminated by the transported flow medium. Depending on which flow medium is to be transported, certain product sequences are permissible in view of a previously transported flow medium or not. This results in restrictions in terms of usable for this transfer line sections and valves. The permissible for a particular flow medium impurities due to previously transported flow media can be stored electronically, for example, in one or more tables. The control device will then determine in the calculation of the transport path based on these tables and the flow medium to be transported, which line sections or valves are permissible.

Another factor to be considered by the control device is the sanitary status of the possible elements of the piping network. Again, for example, be stored in a table, which flow medium which hygiene status in the needed to be used line sections and / or valves. Accordingly, the control device for the flow medium to be transported will use the table to check which elements of the pipeline network are permissible. Depending on the hygiene status, the evaluation of the media identification parameters can be omitted (eg for hygiene status CIP).

For example, if certain elements of the piping network have been blocked by an operator, there is a blockage flag ("usage status") according to which the base status parameter is already in use, "undefined", "contaminated" or "canceled" or these elements are already allocated by another transfer are, these elements are not taken into account by the control device in the further calculation of a transport path.

Based on the various given boundary conditions, the control device in the present case calculates a transport path which leads from the tank 104 via the intersections A, B, C and D to the tank 107. Depending on the condition of the pipeline network, the calculation of this transport path may also include the calculation of a preparatory treatment, for example, the selected line sections and control modules. This preparatory treatment may be, for example, a CIP cleaning or expulsion of an existing liquid.

After a route search, the line sections and control modules necessary for the route are known. These are assigned to so-called function groups or control groups (for example, in the function group "path elements" all control modules which are responsible for setting the path, in the function group "conveyor elements" all control modules that are responsible for transporting the medium; Quellauslassventile, target intake valves, elements to be clocked for example valve seat ventilation or valve seat flushing, to be locked or monitored elements, conveyor elements, equipment modules such as coolers, pressure hold combinations, centrifuges, etc.). The assignment of the control modules lying on the route to the various function groups is based on the type of objects (including the attributes already mentioned above which may be present in the object) and on the position within the route (eg valve on the route is treated as a source outlet valve after the source tank). In addition, certain parameters can be defined for a transport. These parameters serve to influence the respective transport (eg flow, temperature, pressure, quantity, etc.). During the transfer, the respective setpoint and actual value (SolMst comparator module) are displayed and can be changed in real time. In the route search, measuring devices of these values can be automatically assigned to setpoint / actual comparators. The result of a SolMst comparator can be used as a transition condition or other control criterion in the context of a transfer step (ie a specific source / destination combination within a transfer method).

The control device can thus preferably be programmed only via the function groups. This means that the program no longer controls actuators directly but indirectly via the function groups. Each functional group may e.g. also be given an on or off delay. In this way, the activation or deactivation of the elements contained in the group takes place only after expiration of the parameterized time (for example to avoid line blows). Other criteria (such as underflowing) may also affect the control of the elements contained in a group. One possible sequence of commands would be:

 Open source outlet valves

 Open target intake valves

 Open directional valves

 Conveying elements on (with time delay)

This means that it is not known during program creation of the control device which control modules are precisely controlled. This information is communicated to her at runtime via the function groups.

There are also control groups for leak rinsing, seat ventilation and gullies. During a line cleaning these controls must be clocked. By means of the corresponding configuration of the network at the database level, these elements can also be transferred to the corresponding group (gully, leakage chamber purging, seat ventilation) after a completed route search. Thus, a timing of valves in this case need not be explicitly programmed. The corresponding groups only need to be addressed intermittently (pulse / pause times can be stored on the group or on the control modules found). In the route search, certain parameters are passed, according to which, for example, conveyor elements of a certain type must lie on a calculated transport path or may not lie.

In general, for example, a transport group and a secondary transport group can be distinguished. The transport group indicates the active conveying elements for the respective transport; they are actively involved in the transport. The transport group can have different operators (for example, "no element" (for example, this could be "= 0"), "exactly one element" ("= 1"), and "no or one element" (,, <= 1). This means that in the transport group none, exactly one or at most one conveying element may lie, likewise the position of the corresponding element (eg "first element" or "last element") and possibly the type of the element can be configured The secondary transport group specifies the permitted passive (that is, not actively involved) or with conveying elements that work in the same way as the transport group (eg transport group regulates flow, secondary group regulates pressure), there are also different operators (for example "no element" ( eg: by specifying "= 0"), "exactly one element" ("= 1"), "no or one or more elements" ("> = 0) or" at least one element ("> = 1") If the transport gru Thus, if the operator "exactly one element" and the secondary transport group have the operator "at least one element", the transport path must have exactly one active conveying element and at least one passive conveying element. By combining the operators in both groups, the occurrence of conveying elements can thus be decidedly defined, assigned and controlled. In addition to the group of conveying elements, groups for other active elements, e.g. Coolers, pressure holding combinations, centrifuges, etc. conceivable.

The calculation of the transport path and / or the activation of the pipeline network may be based on a state parameter of the source and / or the destination, which is in particular sent to the control device. State parameters may be, for example, the level, a fault parameter (whether or not there is a fault), an urgency or priority parameter, the service life, the contained and / or medium or product to be contained, and / or one or more statuses. In this way, the sources / destinations can affect a transport depending on their own condition.

Thus, the control device can be signaled that at the moment no product is ready, or that, for example, the source just has a fault. The control device can then switch off, for example, the corresponding conveyor elements for a current transfer.

By means of a priority parameter or a service life, a process cell can signal how "urgent" a transfer is necessary, thus ensuring that sources with the longest service life or a higher priority value are emptied sooner than sources with a shorter service life or a lower priority value. For example, for a destination, the priority may increase with time since the last cleaning.

With an abort parameter, an element (e.g., a target) involved in the transfer may require that the transfer process be terminated. In this case, for example, the main transfers need to be terminated, possibly completing preparatory or follow-up steps (for example because a tank switch is in preparation). The latter ensures that, in this case, after completion of the transfer, the pipeline system is in a well-defined state.

The sources and targets can also signal which product they are currently in, or whether they are ready to be filled, emptied or cleaned. In addition, they can signal a requirement or desired compatibility of other elements of the pipeline network. This requirement or compatibility can also be stored or stored for a specific transfer method (for example, in the respective source / destination lists). This indicates that this method can only be carried out with sources or targets that satisfy this requirement or compatibility. For example, if a fermenter dispenses "flushed" or "cleaned", then only appropriately marked "flushed" or "cleaned" procedures can be performed therewith.

Thus, an operator can only perform transfers or select sources and destinations that also fit together technologically. In fully automatic mode, moreover, e.g. a source requesting a certain transfer. From the appropriate data (requirements, compatibility with possible targets and transfer methods, product information, information on readiness for filling / emptying / cleaning), suitable transfer methods and objectives can be determined.

As an attribute to the objects of the available process cells can be deposited, whether they can be used by several independent transfers in parallel, such as For example, a transfer of a tank contents to a filling line and a simultaneous transfer of the same tank to another filling line.

Another attribute may indicate whether or not a process cell is connected via a shut-off element to a predetermined element of the piping network (for example, a line section). If this is not the case, this element can not be taken into account in the route calculation.

In processes that mix media, it may be necessary to maintain certain mixing ratios. Depending on the number of sources involved, a specific mixing ratio for such methods can be stored or stored for this purpose. In addition, it can be specified for sources whether they are mandatory or optional participants.

A compulsory participant must always contribute its respective share. If a compelling participant no longer promotes a product to the destination, all other sources involved (whether compulsory or optional) must stop. If an optional participant does not promote anything to the finish, only the corresponding mixing ratios will be adjusted, but the transfer will continue. In the illustrated example, the calculated transport path leads to a sequence of steps to be performed and corresponding controls of the pipeline network, which have also been determined by the control device in the context of the automatic calculation. These steps are explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

As shown in FIG. 2, in a first step, the line with the flow medium to be transported is pushed out along the transport path 201 to the gully 115. For this purpose, the appropriate control of the required valves and pumps has been determined by the control device, which are now controlled accordingly automated. During ejection, the status parameters of the participating line sections and control modules are set to the current value. The current media identification parameter thus assumes a value corresponding to the transported flow medium, the hygiene status is set to "line contains product", the base state parameter is set to "in use", for example. For this purpose, the control modules (valves) at the points A, B, C and the pump 202, the source outlet valve 203 and the drain valve 204 are controlled. After being pushed out, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow medium is pumped out of the source tank along the transport path 301 to the destination. Also in this step, a corresponding adaptation of the status parameters of the participating elements of the pipeline network takes place again. For this step, the control device had detected a corresponding actuation of the valves at the points A, B, C and D as well as the pump 202, the source outlet valve 203 and the target inlet valve 302, which leads to a corresponding automated control of these elements.

Next, as shown in Figure 4, the line along the transport path 401 with water to the tank nachgeschoben. Again, the corresponding status parameters are set. The amount of water to be used e.g. can be calculated by evaluating the corresponding line attributes.

In a last step, the line, as can be seen in Figure 5, along the transport path 501 at least partially rinsed with water to a drain namely to the gully.

In this simplified example, the pre- and post-processing steps are not performed for all lines of the main transfer path. In many cases, however, it will be required to perform these steps along the entire main transport path.

As can be seen from this example, the transport path is calculated automatically by the control device, wherein the control of the elements involved is determined automatically in the correct chronological sequence. Both the transport routes for post-processing steps such as recharging and / or rinsing with water and the time intervals for the entire control of the elements are determined automatically. The allocation of the line sections and control modules for the post-processing steps is advantageously carried out at a time during the main transfer in order not to unnecessarily block piping subsystems for the time of a normally longer main transfer. Logging can be performed during the calculation and / or control of the piping network.

During flow transport, the line sections involved must be fluidly separated from the outside, ie to the rest of the pipeline network, in other words locked, in order to prevent the transported flow medium from leaving the transfer path or from the outside to flow media into the transfer path. According to a first example, a lock table may be stored for each control module, which for each adjacent line section contains a lock information. The locking information may, for example, assume integer values, which in particular correspond to a flow transport identification. With a value of 0, access to the corresponding line section would not be locked. As soon as the value is not equal to 0, ie contains a flow transport ID, the associated line section is locked.

According to an alternative example, after the control modules dependent on the calculated route have been analyzed, it may be determined which control modules fluidly separate that route outwardly. These control modules are included in the interlock function group. These can then no longer be activated (that is to say opened) from the outside. The calculated control modules can continue to be monitored for any alarms. In this case, the transfer running through it can be stopped immediately.

In principle, control modules, which in particular have not already been allocated (and therefore occupied) or locked, can be set to manual operation and controlled manually. The status model in the database with the corresponding status parameter values is then updated accordingly. Manually controlled control modules would then not be used in the automatic calculation of a transfer path by the control device.

In a transfer of a product from a source to a destination or in a pipeline cleaning, the main transfer of this first flow medium as well as the necessary pre- and post-processing transfers are calculated by the control device and the corresponding line sections are allocated. In the case of a vessel cleaning, however, the vessel may be assigned a processor module which knows the flow media required for the vessel cleaning and their application sequence. For example, the vessel requires a specific flow medium from the CIP system for each purification step. Thus, the processor module makes a request to the controller to provide the required flow media dictated by the processor module. Initiated by this request, then the control device calculates the corresponding transport routes for the required flow media.

Another example of a piping network is illustrated in FIG. Here, two tank spaces 601 and 602 are shown, each having a plurality of tanks 603 (corresponding to the Tank roads 604). Each tank space comprises a product inlet 605, a water inlet 606 and a CIP inlet 607.

These three inlets lead to a filling matrix with twelve line sections and four directional valves. The product feed 605 is connected to the brewhouse, which supplies the wort for the tank room.

The three tank routes lead past three tanks each and to an emptying matrix 609. From the tank room, one or more product outlets / outlets, one discharge to the yeast cellar, as well as one CIP process lead. In addition, the emptying matrix of the upper tank space has a water inlet 610 and three drains 611 to corresponding drains.

The product lines of the two tranquillizers are led to a mutation matrix 612 in which the products can be mixed. The mutation matrix has a water inlet 613, a CIP inlet 614 and a plurality of gully drains 615. From the mutation matrix, conduits lead to filtration devices 616.

The various matrices make it possible to determine transport routes with separable partial routes, which advantageously enables a sequential transport and processing, in particular during the preparatory and subsequent steps. Thus, for example, when transporting the liquid located in the last tank of the uppermost row to one of the filtration device 616, a plurality of partial paths can be carried out. In this case, in addition to preparatory transfers, in particular the contents of the tank are emptied towards the emptying matrix 609 and ejected with water; for the latter, the water inlet 606 is used. The valve located at the top right in the emptying matrix 609 serves as a separation point between the first partial path and the second partial path.

After being pushed out into the emptying matrix, this valve is closed towards the tank line 604 so that the product is separated from the tank line in terms of flow in the emptying matrix and the line sections adjoining it. Thus, the emptying matrix forms a separation point for a separable partial path. For the transmission of the product to the mutation matrix, a pumping and a Nachschieben with water, where now the water inlet 610 is used. Since the tank line 604 is separated in terms of flow, here, for example, this line piece can be used immediately for cleaning again. In a corresponding manner, the line between the emptying matrix 609 and the mutation matrix 612 can also be fluidly separated from the line continuing from the mutation matrix. Thus, here too, the product can be completely transferred to the mutation matrix and pushed by the latter with the aid of the water connection 613 into the filtration device 616.

Flow media may be mixed in the mutation matrix 612. For this purpose, the corresponding information can be stored in a suitable data structure, which names the products to be mixed and the resulting end product.

For the transport along these three partial paths, the control device can each determine separate partial sources and partial destinations (eg water inflows and gullies), which then lead to a corresponding control of the elements of the pipeline network. During a transport along a partial path, this partial path can be separated, in particular, to the outside, that is, from the incoming and outgoing lines.

The control device may also automatically calculate an automatic tank switchover. This can be done in the event that one target tank is full and then switched to another target tank. Also on the source side, for example, after emptying a first source tank can be switched to a second source tank. For this purpose, two partial transports to be carried out at least partly in parallel (including preliminary and subsequent steps) can be calculated. Synchronization mechanisms can be used to synchronize the different partial transports. In this case, the second partial transport begins when it receives a synchronization signal from the first. He can then perform the preparatory steps for the second source and prefer the product to the two points of transfer until the merger point (which is usually a disconnect). If the transfer of the product in the first partial transport is over, the transfer of the second partial transport (follow-up tank) takes place bumpless.

Claims

claims

Method for automatically controlling a pipeline network, in particular a brewing system, for transporting flow media, wherein the pipeline network provides a plurality of transport paths between a source and a destination, and wherein the pipeline network comprises a plurality of line sections and / or control modules, comprising:

 automatically calculating a transport path for a flow medium between a particular predefined source and a particular predetermined destination, wherein calculating a transport path comprises calculating a sequence of line sections and / or control modules between the source and the destination.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the calculation of a transport path in dependence of the transport medium to be transported, a previously transported flow medium and / or a flow medium located in the pipeline network takes place.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein a line section and / or a control module at least one status, in particular a lock status, a basic status, a medium status, a hygiene status and / or a Allokationsstatus assigned, and calculating a transport path in dependence of at least one Status is done.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating a transport path comprises calculating at least two partial paths, wherein the at least two partial paths are fluidically separable from one another.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the flow medium to be transported is pushed by means of a sliding medium and the Calculating the transport path comprises determining a sliding medium source in the vicinity of the source according to a predetermined criterion.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating a transport path comprises determining an outflow point in the vicinity of the target according to a predetermined criterion.

The method of claim 5 or 6, wherein the steps of determining are performed for each partial path.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein computing a transport path comprises calculating a plurality of concurrently usable transport paths for a plurality of flow media.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating a transport path comprises calculating a preparatory and / or post-processing treatment of the pipeline network.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the preparatory and / or post-treatment treatment pre-washing at least a portion of the transport path with a flushing medium, removing the flushing medium by means of the transport medium to be transported, removing the transport medium to be transported at least from a part of the transport path Help a sliding medium and / or rinsing with a flushing medium comprises.

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the automatic calculation of a transport path for a flow medium is triggered by a container module or a container associated processor module.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the calculation of a transport path under specification or avoiding a specific line section, a specific control module and / or a particular measuring device is such that the calculated transport path such a line section, such a control module or such Measuring device includes or does not include.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein computing a transport path comprises calculating a flow medium transport path between a first source and a destination and a second source and the destination such that the transport from the second source to the destination occurs immediately the transport from the first source to the destination follows.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating a transport path comprises calculating control modules for fluidically separating the calculated transport path from another region of the pipeline network.

15. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each line section and / or control module of the pipeline network is guided in the form of an object in an electronic memory, in particular wherein the calculation of a transport path is carried out based on the objects.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein each object is associated with at least one status parameter, wherein the at least one status parameter is a lock status parameter, a base status parameter, a media status parameter, a hygiene status parameter and / or an allocation status parameter

17. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising an automatic actuation of the pipeline network according to the calculated transport path.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the control modules of the calculated transport path are assigned according to predetermined criteria to function groups and wherein the control of a control module by means of a predefined control of the corresponding function group takes place.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein calculating the transport path and / or activating the pipeline network is based on a status parameter of the source and / or the destination.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the source and / or the target output a value of a state parameter, in particular to a control device for automatically controlling the pipeline network.

A computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media having instructions that cause a computer to perform the method of any one of the preceding claims.

22. A control device for automated control of a pipeline network, in particular a brewing system, for transporting flow media, wherein the pipeline network provides a plurality of transport paths between a source and a destination and wherein the pipeline network comprises a plurality of line sections and control modules, comprising

 wherein the control device is adapted to automatically calculate a transport path for a flow medium between a particular predefined source and a particular predetermined destination, wherein calculating a transport path comprises calculating a sequence of line sections and / or control modules between the source and the destination ,