GB2471307A

GB2471307A - Cleaning circuit for beer line

Info

Publication number: GB2471307A
Application number: GB0910942A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thornley Barnett
Original assignee: SBMC
Current assignee: SBMC
Priority date: 2009-06-24
Filing date: 2009-06-24
Publication date: 2010-12-29
Also published as: GB0910942D0

Abstract

A cleaning circuit for cleaning beer lines comprises an inlet 11 for clean water, a supply duct 12, and an outlet to a beer line 22. A return duct 24 is provided from upstream of said outlet 22 to downstream of said inlet 11, and includes a return valve V1 to control flow therethrough. A source duct 26 for cleaning fluid is connected to the return duct downstream of the return valve. A flow pump 4, flow detector 19, chemical pump 31, and an accumulator may also be present in the circuit. A method of cleaning a beer line is also disclosed and includes, purging a beer line of beer by admission of clean water, passing a predetermined volume of liquid cleaning solution through the beer line and purging cleaning solution from the beer line by admission of a further predetermined volume of clean water.

Description

Beer Line Cleaning System and Method

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a system and method of cleaning beer lines, and particularly to an automated system which avoids wastage of beer.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Beer lines are fluid ducts which convey beer from a bulk container to a dispensing outlet. In a traditional pub they typically comprise individual pipes running from a keg or cask in the cellar to a beer engine on the bar top.

Such lines need to be periodically cleaned to flush contaminants and micro-organisms which may taint the beer, or to flush the line prior to dispensing a different beer through the same beer engine. To flush a line, the bar operator will typically disconnect the source of beer and connect a source of clean water before manually pulling a volume of water through the line. The beer which is already in the line is thrown away. When flushing is complete, the beer is re-connected and pulled through the line until appearing at the beer engine. This task is time consuming and requires considerable effort. Flushing may be done at the time of changing a barrel, but this is inconvenient if at a busy service time. Furthermore end of barrel flushing may not be sufficiently frequent.

Systems have been proposed for automating to some extent the operation of flushing the beer lines, but all have disadvantages.

What is required is a system and method of cleaning of beer lines which relieves the bar staff of manual intervention so far as possible, minimizes wastage of beer provides for rapid flushing, and permits deep cleaning if required. The invention should desirably allow operation by non-specialist bar staff, be compliant with Health and Safety legislation, and give an audit trail.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect the invention provides a cleaning circuit for a beer line and comprising in succession an inlet for clean water, a supply duct, and an outlet to a beer line, the circuit further comprising a return duct from upstream of said outlet to downstream of said inlet, a return valve to control flow in said return duct and a source duct for cleaning solution connected to said return duct downstream of said return valve, In such an arrangement the return duct comprises part of a fluid loop which permits effective dosing of cleaning solution, and subsequent flushing by clean water.

Preferably the system of the invention is controlled by a suitable microprocessor via a humanlmachine interface (HMI) of any appropriate kind. In a preferred embodiment a user may select one of several pre-determined flushing and or cleaning cycles which have been programmed in the microprocessor, for example via a lap top computer.

In the preferred embodiment, said return valve is controlled by a control mechanism such as a computer, and typically comprises an electrical solenoid operated valve having closed and open conditions. The valve is preferably urged by a spring to the normally closed condition.

Preferably the supply duct includes a flow pump downstream of the outlet of the return duct. Such a flow pump enables a pre-determined pressure to be provided during a flushing or cleaning cycle. In a preferred embodiment a flow detector is provided at the outlet to the beer line, and the control mechanism is adapted to open the return valve in the event that said flow pump is enabled but no flow is detected.

Such an arrangement protects the flow pump when the beer tap is closed, and thus the beer line is obstructed. This feature is useful where flushing is controlled from the beer tap, as will be described.

In a preferred embodiment, the flow detector is a flow meter having an output to the control mechanism whereby the volume of flushing and/or cleaning solution can be recorded and/or controlled.

Suitable non-return valves are included to prevent reverse flow of fluids. In a preferred embodiment non-return valves are provided immediately downstream of the clean water inlet, and in the return duct upstream of the connection to the supply duct.

The invention further provides for admission of cleaning solution to the return duct from a reservoir thereof. Such a reservoir may for example comprise a bulk container of liquid chemical cleaner at a desired concentration. In a preferred embodiment a chemical pump passes cleaning solution on demand via a non-return valve to the return duct downstream of said return valve. The chemical pump is preferably under control of the control mechanism and pumps cleaning solution via the return duct to the supply duct, the return valve being closed in this condition.

Preferably operation of the chemical pump is in response to flow volume detection by said flow meter so that a predetermined volume of cleaning solution is used. A particular advantage to the invention is that the return duct can be purged with clean water admitted via the return valve, so as to flush cleaning solution through the beer tap.

In a further variant, the chemical pump includes a priming duct connected downstream of the return valve, a priming closure valve being provided further downstream in the return duct to obstruct flow thereof, and a priming valve being located in the priming duct to control flow therethrough. In this arrangement closure of the priming closure valve and opening of the priming valve causes water admitted through the return valve to pass via the priming duct to the chemical pump. The priming closure valve is preferably spring-biased to the open condition, whereas the priming valve is spring-biased to the closed condition. A non-return valve is preferably provided downstream of the chemical pump.

In the preferred embodiment an accumulator is provided immediately downstream of said inlet for clean water so as to provide a system reserve. A low pressure indicator may be provided in the supply duct upstream of the flow pump and the connection of the return duct. Preferably non-return valves is provided immediately upstream of both the accumulator and the low pressure indicator.

The invention also provides a method of cleaning a beer line and comprising in sequence the steps of: purging a beer line of beer by admission of a predetermined volume of clean water, passing a predetermined volume of liquid cleaning solution through the beer line.

purging cleaning solution from the beer line by admission of a further pre-determined volume of clean water.

Preferably the method includes the step of recording the volume of clean water and cleaning solution which passes through the beer line, and automatically invoking said sequence as the respective pre-determined volume is reached.

In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step of controlling the flow of fluid in the beer line by opening and closing the beer tap. This method permits cleaning solution to reside in a beer line should steeping be necessary.

Preferably the pre-determined volume comprises, in each case, the volume of the beer line length. Typically this volume is exceeded by, for example, one pint or half a litre.

The method may include the step of providing a ioop for circulation of fluid under pressure, said loop allowing movement of fluid whilst the beer tap is closed and the pump is running.

The invention further provides for repeating the sequence of passing and purging cleaning solution so as to provide a more thorough cleaning cycle.

The method may include a final step of purging by passing a final unrestricted volume of clean water through the beer line, said purging continuing until stopped by an operator at the bar top, for example by closing the beer tap.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawing, in which is illustrated a fluid flushing and cleaning circuit for a beer line.

With reference to the drawing, a schematic fluid circuit for flushing beer lines is illustrated. A water inlet 11 is connected to a mains supply of clean water and has a feed line 12 passing through two non-return valves 13,14 in series. The double non-return valves provide reassurance that no fluid in the cleaning circuit (to be described) can pass back into the water main.

An accumulator 15 is connected to the feed line 12 between the valves 13,14, and provides a hydraulic reserve for the system and to eliminate fluctuations in mains inlet pressure. A pressure switch 16 is connected upstream of the second non-return valve 14, to indicate low pressure in the fluid circuit.

The water pump has a pressure switch for detecting low inlet pressure and adapted to disable the pump. A fault message may be displayed at the HMI, and a re-set mechanism provided.

The volume of reserve is dependent on system volume, and can be selected according to the volume of the circuit illustrated in the drawing together with the volume of the beer line and likely frequency of use.

A water pump 17, typically powered by mains electricity, pumps water from the feed line 12 to a flushing line 18 and via a flow meter 19 to an outlet valve V4. A beer cask 21 is connected via an outlet valve VS to a beer line 22, which is also connected to the outlet of valve V4; the supply line feeds a beer engine 23. A non-return valve ensures that flushing fluid cannot contaminate a beer source.

A preferred alternative to the arrangement is simply to disconnect the beer line from the keg, and connect the beer line directly to the supply line. This avoids the necessity for valve V5 and non-return valve 20, and ensures that the connector is itself cleaned and flushed.

The fluid circuit also comprises a circuit for cleaning solution. Upstream of the flow meter 19, a return loop 24 extends back to a point upstream of the water pump 17.

Successive closure valves VI,V2 isolate a chemical supply ioop, as will be explained.

A non-return valve 25 lies downstream of the second valve V2 to ensure unidirectional flow in the loop.

A chemical supply loop 26 has an inlet line connected from a junction 27 between valves VI and V2, via a closure valve V3 to a reservoir 28 for cleaning chemical. An outlet line 29 passes from the reservoir 28 via a non-return valve 30, chemical pump 31 and non-return valve 32 to the junction 27.

It is envisaged that all apparatus of the fluid circuit will be housed in a self-contained fire and waterproof cabinet, and be under microprocessor control to permit programmable push button' operation at a suitable HMI, with suitable data and time logging.

The system provides the following functionality for a bar operator, after disconnecting the beer supply, e.g. by closing valve VS.

A. Hjgh pressure flush with clean water In this case the water pump 17 is operational, and valve V4 open. Valve VI is closed, and accordingly no fluid circulates in the return loop 24. The flow meter 19 measures volume and accordingly the pump 17 can be programmed to pass a predetermined amount of clean water to the beer engine 23.

After initiating a cleaning cycle, the bar operator can continue to dispense beer until clean water appears at the dispensing outlet. At this point the operator simply leaves the beer tap open, thus allowing the clean water to flush the beer line 22. The pump 17 will cease, or the valve V4 will close after a predetermined flush volume has passed, and at this stage the bar operator can re-connect a beer source and purge the remaining water from the beer line using the beer engine. Serving of beer can recommence as soon as it appears at the beer top.

It will be understood that where beer is supplied from a pressurized keg, purging of water will occur by leaving the beer tap open until beer appears.

This cleaning cycle requires the bar operator to disconnect the beer line and enable the flushing circuit. Thereafter flushing is controlled from the bar top and permits.beer in the beer line to be sold normally. After flushing the beer source is reconnected. Two visits to the cellar are required, but the valves V4,V5 may of course be solenoid operated from the bar top if required. It will be understood that valve VS is not required where the beer source is simply disconnected from the beer line.

The flow meter 19 detects absence of flow in the beer line when the cleaning routine is enabled, and in this circumstance valves VI and V2 are automatically opened to avoid damage to the pump 17 by circulating water in the return loop 24.

Typically the valves V1-V5 are electrically operated two-state solenoid valves, which may be spring-biased to a preferred condition, and under the control of a microprocessor based controller.

Valves V4 and V5 may be combined, for example as a single spool valve to ensure that both valves cannot be open at the same time.

B. Chemical cleaning In cases where the beer line requires chemical cleaning, a predetermined volume of liquid chemical solution is pumped from the reservoir 28 via pump 31 and valve V2 into the return loop 24, from where it is pumped by the water pump 17 via the valve V4 to the beer engine. The pre-determined volume may for example be the line length of the beer line 22 plus a small additional volume of about 1 pint or 05 litre.

Following detection that the correct volume of cleaning solution has passed the flow meter 19, the chemical pump 31 is switched off so that clean water is pumped via valve V4 to the beer engine. The bar operator can allow the beer line to soak in cleaning solution by turning off the beer tap. Valves Vi and V2 are open to permit cleaning solution to be purged from the return loop 24.

The valve V3 may be opened if it is necessary to prime the chemical pump 31.

Typically a standard cleaning cycle will comprise the following successive steps: Cleaning cycle Standard Clean action Step 17 31 VI V2 V3 V4 high pressure water for line length pints as entered on HMI x x 2 cleaning fluid at dosage set on UMI for line length + 1 pint x x x x 3 soak by turning off beer tap if required x x 4 high pressure water for line length pints + I x x x x high pressure water for line length pints -4-1 final purge x -x 6 high pressure water maintained until operator stops system x x prime chemical pump x x Purge system x x x x If at any time during operation flow meter detects no flow x x x x in output line (taps off) system switches to by pass to protect pump A more thorough cleaning cycle will typically comprise the following steps: Cleaning cycle (super Clean) action Step 17 31 VI V2 V3 V4 high pressure water for line length pints as entered on HMI x x 2 cleaning fluid at dosage set on 1-IMI for line length + 1 pint x x x x 3 soak by turning off beer tap if required x 4 high pressure water for line length pints + I x x x cleaning fluid at dosage set on HMI for line length + 1 pint x x x x 6 soak by turning off beer tap if required x 7 high pressure water for line length pints + I x x 8 high pressure water for line length pints + I final purge x -x 9 high pressure water maintained until operator stops system x x -x prime chemical pump -x x Purge system x x x x If at any time during operation flow meter detects no flow x x x x in output line (taps off) system switches to by pass to _______ protect pump As envisaged above it is preferable that the operator be provided with limited choice of operational mode, to ensure reliable operation by unskilled persons. To this end a control panel may simply provide START' and STOP' options, and a choice of mains water flush, standard clean and super clean.

Suitable indicator lights may indicate sequential stages of the selected cycle, and may be provided at the HMI, and at the bar top. Suitable warning devices for low water pressure at the inlet, and low chemical solution are provided at the HMI, to permit corrective action to be taken, Where possible, for example after replacement of chemical solution, warning devices and/or fault messages automatically re-set.

Although the line lengths of the figure are illustrated as relatively long, it will be appreciated that this is to give clarity. In practice such line lengths will be as short as possible, commensurate with packing of components in the smallest reasonable enclosure. In determining cleaning and flushing volumes, the volumes of these internal connections will be taken into account. It will also be understood that some components may be directly connected, so as to avoid a separate fluid duct.

Microprocessor control of the HMI allows programming in imperial measure (pints) or metric (litres) as required. The HMI may include a touch pad for selecting programmed or programmable options.

Claims

Claims 1. A cleaning circuit for a beer line and comprising in succession an inlet for clean water, a supply duct, and an outlet to a beer line, the circuit further comprising a return duct from upstream of said outlet to downstream of said inlet, a return valve to control flow in said return duct and a source duct for cleaning solution connected to said return duct downstream of said return valve.
2. A circuit according to claim 1, wherein the supply duct includes a flow pump downstream of the outlet of the return duct.
3. A circuit according to claim 2, and further including a controller for controlling said return valve.
4. A circuit according to claim 3, and further including a flow detector at the outlet to a beer line, wherein the controller is adapted to open the return valve in the event that said flow pump is enabled but no flow is detected.
5. A circuit according to claim 4, wherein said flow detector is a flow meter.
6. A circuit according to any preceding claim, wherein non-return valves are provided immediately downstream of the clean water inlet, and in the return duct upstream of the connection to the supply duct.
7. A circuit according to any preceding claim, and further including a reservoir for liquid chemical cleaner at a desired concentration, and a chemical pump for passing cleaning solution on demand via a non-return valve to the return duct downstream of said return valve.
8. A circuit according to claim 7, wherein operation of the chemical pump is in response to flow volume detection.
9. A circuit according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein said chemical pump includes a priming duct connected downstream of the return valve, a priming closure valve being provided further downstream in the return duct to obstruct flow thereof on demand.
10. A circuit according to any preceding claim, wherein an accumulator is provided immediately downstream of said inlet for clean water so as to provide a system reserve.
11. A circuit according to any preceding claim, and further including a low pressure indicator in the supply duct upstream of the flow pump and the connection of the return duct.
12. A circuit according to any preceding claim, and further including a microprocessor and humanlmachine interface (HMI) adapted to permit a user to select one of several pre-determined flushing and or cleaning cycles.
13. A method of cleaning a beer line and comprising in sequence the steps of: purging a beer line of beer by admission of a predetermined volume of clean water, passing a predetermined volume of liquid cleaning solution through the beer line, purging cleaning solution from the beer line by admission of a further pre-determined volume of clean water.
14. The method of claim 13, including the step of recording the volume of clean water and cleaning solution which passes through the beer line, and automatically invoking said sequence as the respective pre-determined volume is reached.
15. The method of claim 13 or claim 14, and including the step of controlling the flow of fluid in the beer line by opening and closing the beer tap.
16. A method according to any of claims 13-15, and including the step of providing a ioop for circulation of fluid under pressure, said loop allowing movement of fluid whilst the beer tap is closed.