ES2232312B1 - OXYGEN DOSER. - Google Patents

Abstract

Oxygen dispenser, used in wineries to provide the necessary doses of oxygen to wines and wines, is formed by an oxygen inlet (2) at low pressure, with an inlet solenoid valve (1) and an outlet solenoid valve (6) very fast response, an expansion tank (3) used to house an electronic pressure probe (4), an oxygen diffuser (7) and a temperature probe (11), all attached to a control system formed by a main processor (9) and a controller (10). The inlet solenoid valve (1) is connected to the oxygen inlet (2) so that it carries oxygen to the expansion tank (3), the oxygen outlet (5) communicates through the outlet solenoid valve (6) with the diffuser (7) that is inside the tank where oxygen is applied.

Description

Oxygen doser

Object of the invention

The present invention relates to a system of Dosing of oxygen, for use in warehouses, in order to contribute to musts and wines the necessary doses of oxygen. It is a new system centered around an embedded microprocessor (microcontroller); said electronic processor will be in charge of controlling the control loop that serves as the basis for the system proposed.

The dispenser has been developed to be able to provide the necessary doses of oxygen to musts and wines and thus be able to take full advantage of the polyphenolic potential of these. Fundamentally it has application in the process of vinification of red grapes, without ruling out their use in winemaking white wines

Background of the invention

During the winemaking process or winemaking, one of the important and essential phases is the adding oxygen to obtain a product with higher quality; aspect is very important due to the great competition that exists today in day in the wine market.

Within oxygen applications throughout the winemaking process could indicate, among others, the Addition of oxygen in Alcoholic Fermentation (FAL), where you are looking for that the yeasts causing this fermentation have greater possibility of synthesizing and assimilating fatty acids and sterols so that fermentation finishes are more effective. There is also to point out that yeasts need oxygen to grow, multiply and carry out its work of transforming sugar, present in the initial musts, in alcohol.

Another time when oxygen is added in the winemaking process, it is in the period from the end of Alcoholic Fermentation and the beginning of Fermentation Malolactic (FML); at this stage the processes of polymerization and stabilization of the coloring matter before Start the FML. Everyone knows that after the FML the little girl pH increase suffered by the wine lowers the intensity dye, mainly because free anthocyanins pass to colorless forms, therefore it is about joining these anthocyanins with tannins and cause a polymerization that prevents the descent of the coloring intensity

After malolactic fermentation, the Addition of oxygen has many applications, depending on the wine and its characteristics, for example:

- Mannoprotein extraction.

- Precriance structuring.

- Coloring stability.

- Softness of aggressive tannins.

- Increased aromatic complexity.

- Restoration of the oxidation state.

- Aging on lees.

- Cleaning of herbaceous odors.

There are currently several capable teams of supplying oxygen to musts or wines in the process of winemaking, but with a number of disadvantages. In one of them you works completely pneumatically, with graduated pistons in volume and connected in series, and with a single timer for the government of all the pistons; in this system, therefore, there are that define a cycle interval and a volume in the piston. This system, apart from being totally analog and having to perform user part a lot of mathematical operations to define the values of intervals and position of the piston, it is limited in terms of the volume of wine to be treated, not being possible for very small volumes (less than 225 liters) or for very high volumes (around 500,000 liters); neither it is possible macro-oxygenating, that is, you cannot enter quantities elevated oxygen over a small time interval.

Other equipment for adding oxygen to musts or wines, do not have the possibility of macro and / or microoxygenation with the same equipment, the acquisition of another being necessary machine. No equipment on the market is capable of detecting clogging of the diffuser or possible strangulation in the pipes of both Oxygen feed as output. So far all teams possess a considerable error.

Description of the invention

The oxygen doser that the invention proposes, solves in a fully satisfactory manner the problem set forth above. It is a system centered around an embedded microprocessor, electronic, which will be responsible for controlling the control loop that serves as the basis for the system.
ma.

The system consists of an oxygen input to low pressure, less than 6 bar; with an inlet solenoid valve and another output, very fast response solenoid valves, greater than 40 c / s, and serve to control the filling of the tank expansion and emptying into the oxygen diffuser.

The expansion tank does not have a special construction, simply serves to house a pressure probe that indicates the pressure at all times, in addition to that with it you avoid the fact that there is a big difference between the pressures of the oxygen bottle and the oxygen meter. The Electronic pressure probe measures pressure with a resolution of 1/1000, that is, it is capable of performing a thousand measurements per second.

Also included in the system is a probe temperature used to confirm that the expansion suffered because of the oxygen in the expansion tank is adiabatic.

Another important element of the system is the main processor, the "Fineware" is installed and is who is responsible for receiving outside orders (by the user) and perform all calculations so that the flow is constant and continuous. Attached to it is the controller, which is used to avoid problems caused by the main processor it is possible to introduce a very large amount of oxygen high.

Finally the team has the output of oxygen to the oxygen diffuser, built in steel sintered (porous steel).

In this way, from the elements described above, the principle of System operation: the solenoid response valve fast is connected to the low pressure oxygen inlet of way that leads oxygen to the expansion tank in which it has an electronic pressure probe installed. The oxygen outlet is communicates, through another quick response solenoid valve, with the diffuser that is inside the tank where the oxygen.

The control system, attached to the processor Main, is responsible for performing the following functions:

- Obtain the dose to be applied from the interface of user. This interface is made up of a small keyboard along with a display In addition to entering the dose, it is necessary that the user indicate the volume of the deposit to be treated and the duration of the treatment.

- Calculate based on a set of formulas and internal tables the reference flow Q_ {r} and the period of repetition of the control cycle P.

The total duration control cycle P seconds, It is subdivided into four phases of identical duration N = P / 4. These phases are as follows:

Filling phase: the oxygen inlet solenoid valve for T_ {a} seconds. This time is a fraction of N.

Measurement phase 1: for N seconds, the unit averages the pressure in the expansion tank, it name P_ {i}.

Emptying phase: the output solenoid valve for T_ {seconds}. This time is a fraction of N.

Measurement phase 2: for N seconds, the unit averages the pressure in the expansion tank P_ {f}.

From the measures taken by the controller, considering oxygen as an ideal gas in a process from adiabatic expansion to constant volume, it is true that the number of moles of oxygen that has gone out to the diffuser is:

n_ {e} = \ frac {(P_ {f} -P_ {i}) \ cdot V} {R T}

Where V is considered to be the volume of expansion tank along with the pipe sections to and from solenoid valves

How is the density of oxygen at temperature T, the volume (in ml of O2) transferred is obtained in the elapsed time P seconds and from here the flow is obtained average in that period Q_ {i}.

The flow error of the form is calculated:

E_ {q} = Q_ {r} - Q_ {i}

that is introduced in the algorithm of control to recalculate new excitation times T_ {a} and T_ {b} of each of the coils in order to obtain an error zero: E_ {q} = 0

To make robustness compatible, ease of handling and transport, it is proposed that the whole system: electronics, pneumatic, connections and expansion tank, integrated into a Standard aluminum case with handles. The team will have a RS485 serial connection of communications with a PC personal computer, this connection will enable the user, through a program adequate, act on the equipment to facilitate entry - exit of data.

In addition to the communications port with the computer, the unit will have an auxiliary bus for interconnection of four other auxiliary equipment, which allow Control several tanks simultaneously.

For control from the same PC of several main and / or auxiliary units, a converter of RS282 / 485 signal, which ultimately allows the government of all outputs.

It should be noted that the distance of the equipment to the wine tank to be treated or the height of it, since the system corrects pressures automatically. Similarly in case of diffuser clogging, throttling of the pipe outflow, lack of pressure (either because the handgrip is low or either because the cylinder is empty) or strangulation of the pipe input, the system also detects this malfunction and warns with an audible signal and an indication on the LCD screen.

Description of the drawings

To complement the description that is being performing and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical realization of it, is accompanied as an integral part of said description, a single drawing where illustrative and not limiting, the general scheme of the electronic oxygen doser object of the invention.

Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

In view of the review figure, you can observe how the oxygen dosing system consists of a solenoid valve (1), very fast response (greater than 40 c / s), connected to the oxygen inlet (2) at low pressure (less than 6 Pub). This solenoid valve (1) conducts oxygen to the tank of expansion (3) in which a pressure probe has been installed electronics (4). The oxygen outlet (5) communicates through another quick response solenoid valve (6) with the diffuser (7) that It is inside the tank where oxygen is applied.

The operating principle of the dispenser of oxygen is as follows: first the opening and closing of the inlet solenoid valve (1) very fast response, having a moderate pressure in the oxygen cylinder (8) will produce a flow into the equipment. Then you send a pressure measurement order to the electronic pressure probe (4) obtaining an initial pressure. Then one is ordered opening and closing of the outlet solenoid valve (6); yes the pressure inside the expansion tank (3) is larger than what exists in the diffuser (7) there will be a flow in the exit direction, bringing oxygen will move towards the diffuser (7). Finally, a measure is ordered of the final pressure in the expansion tank (3).

The system is also complemented by a main electronic processor (9) capable of controlling the loop of control that serves as the basis for the entire dosing system of oxygen. Said main processor (9) is responsible for receiving external orders, such as the volume of the deposit to be treated and the duration of treatment, and to perform all calculations so that the flow is constant and continuous.

The main processor (9) is attached to a controller (10) that prevents due to processor problems The main quantities of oxygen introduced are very high. That is, if the main processor (9) enters a loop without output and stays "off", this controller (10) will be able to detect it and it will be your order that prevails to stop the equipment and Give a signal to the user.

In the process described above they have been
developed four phases that will provide the data
necessary for the main processor (9) to calculate, based on a set of internal tables and formulas, the reference flow Q_ {r} and the repetition period of the control cycle P. In the first phase, filling phase , the oxygen inlet solenoid valve (1) opens for T a seconds; the second phase is the measurement phase 1, in which the unit averages the pressure in the expansion tank (3) by means of the electronic pressure probe (4), and a pressure P i is obtained; Next comes the emptying phase, the main processor (9) gives the order to open the outlet solenoid valve (6) for a time T_b seconds; Finally, in measurement phase 2 the unit averages the pressure in the expansion tank (3) obtaining a pressure measurement P_ {f}.

Being oxygen an ideal gas, and being a adiabatic expansion at constant volume, data to be checked by means of the temperature probe (11), the equation will be applied of the ideal gases to know the quantity in number of moles that has left the expansion tank (3):

n_ {e} = \ frac {(P_ {f} - P_ {i}) \ cdot V} {R T}

Where V is considered as the volume of the tank expansion (3) together with the pipe sections to and from the solenoid valves (1) and (6).

From this data, as the density of oxygen at the temperature T at which the system, the volume transferred n the elapsed time is obtained P seconds and hence the average flow in that period Q_ {i}. From So the flow error is going to be:

E_ {q} = Q_ {r} - Q_ {i}

This data that is introduced in the algorithm of control to recalculate new excitation times with the objective to obtain an E_ {q} = 0

The control cycle is repeated continuously and is counting the total oxygen supplied that is subtracted from Total to dose. Every 100 control cycles a new one is performed calculation of Q_ {r} based on the remaining time of treatment and the oxygen volume pending application.

In this way, by repeating the cycle many times per second, it is possible to reach an oxygen flow rate in the diffuser in principle totally continuous.

The whole system, with all its parts: electronic, pneumatic, connections and expansion tank, they will be integrated in a standard aluminum box with handles and some approximate dimensions of 250 x 270 x 100 mm. On the front of the an LCD display and a membrane keyboard will be placed for for the user to enter the desired dose values, volume of deposit, duration of treatment, etc.

The device will also have a serial connection RS485 communications with a personal computer, this connection will allow the user, through an appropriate program, to act on the equipment to facilitate the entry - exit of data.

The power supply for the entire system does not It will be included in the same box. This includes the source of power, signals, maneuver and protections.

In addition to the communications port with the computer, the unit will have an auxiliary bus for interconnection of four other auxiliary equipment, so that Control several tanks simultaneously.

These auxiliary equipment are similar to main, but they lack power supply and port of communications for PC connection. This will reduce the cost of the auxiliary units, which will be governed by the unit principal.

Up to four units can be connected auxiliary to each main unit. The dosage in each unit It is totally independent of the others. It is possible to modulate all in a clamping rack made of aluminum.

Claims (7)

1. Oxygen dispenser, used in warehouses to be able to provide musts and wines with the necessary oxygen doses, characterized in that it is formed by an inlet solenoid valve (1) and an outlet solenoid valve (6), an expansion tank (3) , an electronic pressure probe (4), a temperature probe (11), a main processor (9), a controller (10) and an oxygen diffuser (7). 2. Oxygen dispenser, according to claim one, characterized in that the inlet (1) and outlet (6) solenoid valves are very fast response solenoid valves, greater than 40 c / s. 3. Oxygen dispenser, according to claim one, characterized in that the control system obtains the dose to be applied from the user interface from the volume of the tank to be treated and the duration of the treatment. 4. Oxygen dispenser, according to claim one, characterized in that the control system calculates the reference flow Q_ {r} and the repetition period of the control cycle based on a set of internal formulas and tables. 5. Oxygen dispenser, according to previous claims, characterized in that the whole system set: electronic, pneumatic, connections and expansion tank is integrated in a standard aluminum box with handles, on whose front an LCD display and a keyboard will be placed of membrane so that the user enters the desired values of dose, volume of deposit and duration of treatment among others. 6. Oxygen doser, according to previous claims, characterized in that the equipment has an RS485 serial connection of communications with a personal computer which, by means of an appropriate program, acts on the equipment to facilitate the input - output of data. 7. Oxygen dispenser, according to previous claims, characterized in that in addition to the communication port with the computer, the unit will have an auxiliary bus for the interconnection of four other auxiliary equipment.