JP2024013726A - Production line, production method and manufacturing method for production line - Google Patents

Abstract

To reduce a volume of a product liquid which would be discarded when a filling machine comes to a halt.SOLUTION: A production line comprises: a carbonation device including a cooler that refrigerates a raw material liquid and supplying a product liquid obtained by dissolving carbon dioxide into the raw material liquid refrigerated by the cooler; a filling machine that discharges the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device; a supplied liquid channel in which the product liquid flows, the product liquid being supplied from the carbonation device to the filling machine; a heat exchanger disposed in the supplied liquid channel and subjecting the product liquid and a heat medium to heat-exchange; and an internal cleaning device including a heater that heats a cleaning liquid to be used for internal cleaning of the production line and performing the internal cleaning by replacing the product liquid with the cleaning liquid. The heat exchanger is configured to be usable for refrigerating the product liquid and heating the cleaning liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to lines and methods for manufacturing products, such as beverage products, and methods for manufacturing manufacturing lines.

A carbonated beverage production line is equipped with a carbonation device that cools a raw material liquid and dissolves carbon dioxide gas into the liquid, and a filling machine that fills containers with a product liquid containing carbon dioxide gas. The liquid temperature is controlled to keep the product liquid at a low temperature to prevent foaming during filling and to stabilize the gas volume.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-066460

While the filling machine is in operation, the carbonation device cools the liquid to dissolve carbon dioxide and store it in the product liquid tank, and the product liquid is sent from the product liquid tank to the filling machine through piping. When the filling machine stops, liquid delivery from the product liquid tank to the filling machine is stopped. At this time, the temperature of the product liquid remaining in the pipe between the product liquid tank and the filling machine increases over time. If the temperature of the product liquid increases, there are concerns about foaming during filling and a decrease in gas volume.
Therefore, if the filling machine is stopped for a long time, the product liquid supplied to the filling machine must be Discard.

Conventionally, there is no way to prevent the temperature of the product liquid remaining between the carbonation device and the filling machine from rising while the filling machine is stopped, so it is inevitable that the product liquid will be discarded when the filling machine is stopped for a long time.
Therefore, the present disclosure aims to reduce the amount of product liquid that ends up being discarded due to stopping of the filling machine.

The production line according to the present disclosure includes a cooler that cools a raw material liquid, and a carbonation device that supplies a product liquid in which carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the raw material liquid that has been cooled by the cooler; a filling machine that fills the product liquid; a liquid feeding path through which the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device to the filling machine flows; and a heat exchanger that is installed in the liquid feeding path and exchanges heat between the product liquid and a heat medium; The apparatus includes an internal cleaning device that includes a heater that heats a cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of a production line, and that performs internal cleaning by replacing product liquid with the cleaning liquid. The heat exchanger is configured to be usable for cooling the product liquid and heating the cleaning liquid.

The present disclosure also provides a manufacturing method including a production process using a production line and an internal cleaning process, wherein the production process includes a step of cooling the raw material liquid with a cooler, and adding carbon dioxide gas to the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler. A step of dissolving the product liquid to obtain a product liquid, a step of recooling the product liquid in which carbon dioxide gas is dissolved and sent to the filling machine using a heat exchanger downstream of the cooler, and a step of filling the product liquid with the filling machine. The internal cleaning process includes a step of heating the cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of the production line with a heater, and a step of reheating the cleaning liquid that has replaced the product liquid with a heat exchanger downstream of the heater. ,including.

Furthermore, the present disclosure is a method of manufacturing the above-mentioned production line, in which a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the product liquid and a heat medium is provided in the liquid feeding path of the existing production line, and the heat exchanger is provided with a heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the product liquid and the heat medium. This makes it possible to connect both the heat medium circuit used for cooling the product liquid and the heat medium circuit used for heating the cleaning liquid replaced with the product liquid.

According to the present disclosure, during steady production operation, the product liquid is also cooled by the heat exchanger downstream of the cooler that cools the product liquid, thereby stabilizing the temperature of the product liquid at a specified temperature. be able to. By stabilizing the liquid temperature during filling, it becomes possible to stably fill the product liquid.

Even if the temperature of the product liquid stagnant in the liquid feeding path deviates from the specified temperature due to a long-term stoppage of the filling machine, the stagnant liquid will be removed when the filling machine restarts and the liquid feeding to the filling machine starts. The product liquid is cooled by the heat exchanger, and the temperature of the product liquid is further reduced by the recooling effect by the heat exchanger downstream of the cooler. Therefore, it is possible to quickly bring the product liquid to a specified temperature and reduce the amount of product liquid to be discarded.

In addition, the amount of heat exchange required to cool the product liquid can be distributed proportionally between the cooler and the heat exchanger, making it possible to downsize the cooler compared to when no heat exchanger is provided. becomes.

Furthermore, during the internal cleaning operation, a heat exchanger downstream of the heater can reheat the cleaning liquid whose temperature has decreased due to heat radiation after passing through the heater. In this case, the cleaning liquid reaches the specified temperature quickly, so it is possible to shorten the time required for the internal cleaning process and improve productivity.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a manufacturing line according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of production operation of the manufacturing line shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining processes and events from stopping the filling machine of the manufacturing line shown in FIG. 1 to restarting the filling process. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of internal cleaning operation of the production line shown in FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of production operation of a production line according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 6 is a diagram showing a state of internal cleaning operation of the production line shown in FIG. 5. FIG.

Hereinafter, one embodiment will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[First embodiment]
〔overall structure〕
A manufacturing line 1, an example of the configuration of which is shown in FIG. 1, is configured to be able to manufacture bottled products in which a container such as a bottle (not shown) is filled with a product liquid that has been cooled to room temperature. Product liquids of products that can be manufactured include carbonated drinks containing carbon dioxide gas. Carbonated drinks correspond to, for example, carbonated water, cider, cola, chuhai drinks, and the like. Note that FIG. 1 shows only a part of the configuration of the manufacturing line 1.

The production line 1 includes a carbonation device 10 , a filling device 2 including a filling machine 20 that fills bottles with the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device 10 , and a heat pump provided between the carbonation device 10 and the filling machine 20 . It includes an exchanger 4, an internal cleaning device 30 configured to be able to clean the inside of the manufacturing line 1, and a control device 5 configured to be able to control each device provided in the manufacturing line 1.
The manufacturing line 1 also includes a first liquid feeding path R1, a second liquid feeding path R2, and a third liquid feeding path R3 as paths through which the liquid flows.

The filling device 2 is, for example, a rotary filling machine, and includes a filling machine 20 that fills the container with product liquid while conveying the container in the circumferential direction of a rotating body, and a sealing machine that seals the filled container by attaching a lid. (not shown). Lines downstream of the filling device 2 are not shown. Containers discharged downstream from the filling device 2 are supplied to a boxing device via an accumulation conveyor, a single-row conveyor, etc. (not shown).

During the non-production time when the production process by the manufacturing line 1 is not being performed, cleaning and sterilization of flow paths for raw material liquids and product liquids (including tanks and valves), and cleaning and sterilization of the environment are performed. Cleaning and sterilization of the flow path etc. can be performed by controlling the concentration and temperature of the cleaning liquid using the control device 5 and supplying a cleaning liquid, which is a cleaning liquid, to the flow path etc. using the internal cleaning device 30.

[Carbonation device]
The carbonation device 10 dissolves carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) in a raw material liquid to obtain a product liquid. The lower the liquid temperature, the easier it is for carbon dioxide to dissolve. Therefore, the carbonation device 10 cools the raw material liquid before dissolving carbon dioxide into the raw material liquid. The raw material liquid is also cooled to suppress foaming of the product liquid during filling.
As an example of the configuration is shown in FIG. 1, the carbonation apparatus 10 includes a raw material liquid tank 11, a first pump P1, a cooler 12, a carbonator 13, a product liquid tank 14, and a carbon dioxide supply source 15. and a second pump P2.

The carbonation device 10 is preferably provided with a gas volume meter (not shown) that measures the concentration of carbon dioxide gas contained in the product liquid. For example, the gas volume is determined as the volume of carbon dioxide gas dissolved in the product liquid divided by the volume of the liquid under conditions of 1 atm and 15.6°C.

When manufacturing a product that does not contain carbon dioxide gas using the production line 1, a valve (not shown) is operated by the control device 5, so that the raw material liquid that has passed through the cooler 12 is passed through the carbonator 13 without dissolving carbon dioxide gas. It is also possible to store it in the product liquid tank 14 as a product liquid.

A cooler 12 and a carbonator 13 are provided in the first liquid feeding route R1 from the outlet of the raw material liquid tank 11 to the inlet of the product liquid tank 14. The first pump P1 pumps liquid (raw material liquid, product liquid) from the raw material liquid tank 11 to the product liquid tank 14 at a predetermined flow rate _F1 . The first pump P1 can be provided at an appropriate position in the first liquid feeding route R1.

The illustration of the supply source that supplies the raw material liquid to the raw material liquid tank 11 through the valve V11 is omitted. Such a supply source includes, for example, a deaerator that separates and removes gas from the raw material liquid, and a blender that mixes a plurality of raw material liquids at a constant ratio. The carbonation device 10 may be integrated as one device with a deaerator, a mixing device, etc. Further, the supply source of the raw material liquid may include a sterilizer that sterilizes the raw material liquid. The sterilizer includes, for example, a heat exchanger that heats and sterilizes the raw material liquid, and a heat exchanger that cools the raw material liquid after sterilization.

The cooler 12 is a plate heat exchanger or a tube heat exchanger, and cools the raw material liquid by bringing the product liquid into indirect contact with the first heat medium H1 to exchange heat.
The first heat medium H1 corresponds to, for example, cold water or a refrigerant containing propylene glycol or the like. A first heat medium H1 having a lower temperature than the raw material liquid is supplied from the first heat medium circuit C1, only a part of which is shown, to the cooler 12, and is recovered from the cooler 12 to the first heat medium circuit C1. It is preferable that a heat insulating material is provided in each of the piping of the first liquid feeding route R1 and the second liquid feeding route R2 downstream of the cooler 12.

The temperature of the raw material liquid on the outlet side of the cooler 12 is preferably controlled to a predetermined temperature by adjusting the flow rate of the first heat medium H1 based on the measured value by the temperature sensor 102, for example.
Note that although temperature sensors 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, and 303 are illustrated in FIG. 1, these may be provided in the manufacturing line 1 as necessary.

The carbonator 13 blows carbon dioxide gas supplied from a carbon dioxide gas supply source 15 into the inside of a nozzle, so that it is pressurized into the raw material liquid and dissolved therein.
The product liquid that has been gassed from the carbonator 13 is stored in a product liquid tank 14 . The interior of the product liquid tank 14 is pressurized to a predetermined pressure by introducing carbon dioxide gas from a carbon dioxide gas supply source 15 . Due to the internal pressure of the product liquid tank 14 and the discharge pressure of the second pump P2 provided as necessary, the product liquid is transferred from the product liquid tank 14 to a tank (not shown) of the filling machine 20 through the second liquid sending route R2 at a predetermined level. It is supplied at a supply flow rate F2 _of . Furthermore, the pressurized atmosphere inside the product liquid tank 14 suppresses the release of carbon dioxide from the product liquid.

The supply flow rate _F2 of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 is adjusted by the second pump P2 and a flow rate adjustment valve (not shown) provided in the second liquid feeding route R2. In order to operate the filling machine 20 stably without stopping, the flow rate _F1 of the first liquid feeding route R1 is set to be slightly larger than the supply flow rate _F2 .

[Second liquid feeding route and heat exchanger]
A second path R2 through which the product liquid flows from the product liquid tank 14 to the filling machine 20 is provided with a heat exchanger 4 and a liquid sending valve V2.
The second liquid feeding path R2 of this embodiment supplies the entire amount of the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 to the filling machine 20.

The heat exchanger 4 is a plate heat exchanger or a tube heat exchanger, and is configured to be usable for cooling and heating. In the production process, the heat exchanger 4, like the cooler 12, exchanges heat by bringing the first heat medium H1, which is cold water, refrigerant, etc. supplied from the first heat medium circuit C1, into indirect contact with the product liquid. This cools the product liquid. The temperature of the product liquid on the outlet side of the heat exchanger 4 may be controlled to a predetermined temperature by the control device 5, for example, by adjusting the flow rate of the first heat medium H1 based on the measured value by the temperature sensor 202. good.

In the internal cleaning process performed by the internal cleaning device 30, the heat exchanger 4 exchanges heat between the cleaning liquid and the second heating medium H2, which corresponds to steam, hot water, etc., supplied from the second heating medium circuit C2. Heat the cleaning solution.
The first heat medium circuit C1 and the second heat medium circuit C2 are provided with valves 411, 412, 421, 422 for switching the heat medium supplied to the heat exchanger 4.
For example, when the heat medium used in the heat exchanger 4 is switched from refrigerant as a heat medium for cooling to steam as a heat medium for heating, compressed air is introduced into the heat exchanger 4 for heat exchange. After the refrigerant is discharged from the heat medium flow path of the heat exchanger 4, steam as a heating heat medium may be introduced into the heat medium flow path of the heat exchanger 4.

The operation of the second pump P2 and the opening/closing operation of the liquid feeding valve V2 switch between starting and stopping liquid feeding to the filling machine 20. During steady production operation when the filling machine 20 is filling product liquid, the second pump P2 is in operation, the liquid feeding valve V2 is open, and the tank of the filling machine 20 is filled with a predetermined gas at a predetermined temperature. A volume of product liquid is delivered at a predetermined flow rate.

When the filling machine 20 stops, the operation of the second pump P2 is stopped and the liquid feeding valve V2 is closed, so that liquid feeding to the filling machine 20 is stopped.
After the filling machine 20 is stopped, the carbonation device 10 continues to operate until the amount held in the product liquid tank 14 reaches a certain level or more.

After the filling machine 20 is restarted, the heat exchanger 4 cools the product liquid that has accumulated upstream of the heat exchanger 4 in the second liquid feeding route R2. The heat exchanger 4 is installed on the downstream side of the second liquid feeding path R2, that is, on the downstream side of the second liquid feeding path R2, so that more of the product liquid accumulated in the second liquid feeding path R2 is cooled by the heat exchanger 4. It is preferable to provide the filling machine 20 closer to the filling machine 20 than the half of the path length. More preferably, the heat exchanger 4 is provided at a position closest to the filling machine 20.

[Internal cleaning device]
The internal cleaning device 30 replaces the product liquid with the cleaning liquid by supplying the cleaning liquid supplied from a cleaning liquid supply source (not shown) to the product liquid flow paths, for example, the liquid feeding paths R1 and R2 and the flow path of the filling machine 20. to clean the inside.
The internal cleaning device 30 is configured to be able to perform at least cleaning in place among cleaning in place (CIP) and sterilization in place (SIP).
The "internal cleaning" performed by the internal cleaning device 30 of the present disclosure includes cleaning in place and sterilization in place. The liquid used for such internal cleaning is called a "cleaning liquid."

The third liquid feeding route R3, through which the cleaning liquid flows from the cleaning liquid tank 31 that stores the cleaning liquid to the raw material liquid tank 11 of the carbonation device 10, includes the cleaning liquid tank 31 that stores the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid that flows from the cleaning liquid tank 31 to the raw material liquid tank 11. A third pump P3 for pressure feeding and a heater 32 are provided. The cleaning liquid that flows from the third liquid feeding path R3 into the liquid feeding paths R1 and R2 through the valve V10 and is supplied to the filling nozzle of the filling machine 20 flows through the cleaning liquid return path R4 and is returned to the internal cleaning device 30.

The cleaning liquid corresponds to, for example, an acid detergent, a chemical solution containing a caustic detergent, or water. In order to enhance the cleaning effect, the cleaning liquid is heated by a heater 32.
The internal cleaning is performed for a predetermined period of time while controlling the concentration, temperature, and flow rate of the cleaning liquid by the control device 5.

The heater 32 heats the cleaning liquid by heat exchange between the cleaning liquid and a second heat medium H2 corresponding to steam, hot water, or the like.
A second heat medium H2 having a higher temperature than the cleaning liquid is supplied from the second heat medium circuit C2, only a part of which is shown, to the heater 32, and is discharged from the heater 32 as, for example, condensed water. It is preferable that the piping of the third liquid feeding route R3 downstream of the heater 32 is provided with a heat insulating material for heat retention.

[Production operation]
An example of production operation of the production line 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The internal cleaning device 30 is not in operation while the production process is being performed during production operation.
The usage conditions of the three heat exchangers during production operation are as follows.
Cooler 12: Used for cooling Heat exchanger 4: Used for cooling Heater 32: Not used

FIG. 2 shows the flow of product liquid during steady state production operation. In FIG. 2, the path through which the product liquid flows is shown by a thick line. During normal operation, the filling machine 20 continuously fills containers with product liquid.
The production process during normal operation includes step S01 in which the raw material liquid is cooled by the cooler 12, step S02 in which carbon dioxide is dissolved in the cooled raw material liquid by the carbonator 13, and product liquid in which carbon dioxide gas has been dissolved is transferred to the product liquid tank 14. step S03 in which the product liquid is stored in the product liquid tank 14, step S04 in which the product liquid sent from the product liquid tank 14 to the filling machine 20 is recooled by the heat exchanger 4, and step S05 in which the filling machine 20 fills the product liquid. .
The cooling step S01, the carbon dioxide dissolving step S02, and the storage step S03 are continuously performed for a predetermined period of time even when the filling machine 20 is stopped.

During the steady state of production operation, the product liquid is cooled not only by the cooler 12 but also by the heat exchanger 4 downstream of the cooler 12 . Then, the temperature of the product liquid is stably lowered to the specified temperature _T2 by the heat exchanger 4. If the temperature of the product liquid is stable, foaming during filling can be suppressed and the gas volume can be stabilized.

The filling machine 20 may stop due to the stoppage of equipment downstream of the filling machine 20, or may stop abnormally due to a failure of a member of the filling machine 20.
FIG. 3 shows, in chronological order, S11 to S13, which correspond to unsteady processes and events from the stop of the filling machine 20 in the production process, through the restart of the filling machine 20, until the filling of the container is resumed. It shows. When the filling machine 20 is stopped (S11), the control device 5 stops the second pump P2 and closes the liquid feeding valve V2, thereby stopping the liquid feeding to the filling machine 20. At this time, the supply of containers to the filling machine 20 is also stopped, and the filling machine 20 fills and dispenses the already supplied containers.

Even when the filling machine 20 is stopped (t1-2), the carbonation device 10 continues to operate for a predetermined period of time, and while the cooling and carbon dioxide gas injection processes are performed, the carbonation device 10 and the filling machine 20 are The product liquid is retained in the second liquid feeding path R2 between the two. Therefore, as time passes after the filling machine 20 is stopped, the product liquid in the second liquid feeding route R2 absorbs heat from the surrounding atmosphere and its temperature rises.

After the filling machine 20 is stopped, restoration work is performed as necessary, and when the cause of the stoppage is eliminated, the filling machine 20 is restarted (S12). Accordingly, when the liquid sending valve V2 opens and the second pump P2 operates to start sending liquid to the filling machine 20, the product liquid that has accumulated in the second liquid sending path R2 is transferred to the filling machine 20. At the same time, the product liquid flows from the product liquid tank 14 into the second liquid feeding path R2. Since cooling by the cooler 12 is performed even when the filling machine 20 is stopped, the product liquid having a temperature lower than that of the product liquid that has been staying flows into the second liquid feeding path R2. The product liquid flowing into the second liquid feeding route R2 is cooled by the heat exchanger 4 and supplied to the filling machine 20.

After the filling machine 20 is restarted, no containers are supplied to the filling machine 20 until the product liquid reaches the specified temperature _T2 (t2-3), and the product liquid is not supplied from the filling nozzle (not shown) of the filling machine 20. be discharged. The product liquid discharged from the filling nozzle is collected and discarded. Since the stop time of the filling machine 20 is short, the product liquid is discarded unless the product liquid is maintained at the specified temperature _T2 when the filling machine 20 is restarted.

When the heat exchanger 4 is provided in the second liquid feeding route R2 as in this embodiment, compared to the case where the heat exchanger 4 is not provided in the second liquid feeding route R2 (hereinafter referred to as a comparative example). After the filling machine 20 is restarted (S12), the temperature of the product liquid can be quickly lowered to the specified temperature _T2 . Therefore, compared to the comparative example, after restarting the filling machine 20, it is possible to stop discarding the product liquid earlier and restart the filling process into the container. The time t2-3 required from restart to resumption of filling in this embodiment is shorter than the time tA required from restart to resumption of filling in the comparative example, so the amount of product liquid wasted is smaller than in the comparative example.

Here, if the first heat medium H1 is supplied to the heat exchanger 4 while the filling machine 20 is stopped, the filling machine 20 Product liquid cooling can be started immediately after restarting. Therefore, compared to the case where the supply of the first heat medium H1 to the heat exchanger 4 is stopped while the filling machine 20 is stopped, the time t2-3 required from restarting to resuming filling is shorter, and as a result, the product Less liquid waste.

The control device 5 controls the product liquid to reach a specified temperature T based on the temperature of the product liquid detected by the temperature sensor 102 or based on the stop time of the filling machine 20 and the elapsed time since the restart of the filling machine 20. It is possible to determine whether or not the number has reached ₂ or less. The stop time and the elapsed time since restart can be detected by timers (not shown).
If the control device 5 determines that the product liquid has reached the specified temperature _T2 or lower (S13), it opens the liquid feeding valve V2, operates the second pump P2, and starts feeding the liquid to the filling machine 20. At the same time, by sending a command to the container supply mechanism (not shown) and filling valve of the filling machine 20, filling of the product liquid from the filling nozzle into the container is restarted.
As described above, the production line 1 returns to normal production operation after the filling machine 20 is stopped and restarted.

Hereinafter, with reference to Table 1, the effect of this embodiment during production operation will be explained in comparison with a comparative example. Note that the comparative example is the same as the present embodiment except that the heat exchanger 4 is not provided in the second liquid feeding route R2. This also applies to Tables 2 and 3, which will be described later.

The temperature values listed in Table 1 are just examples of the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 101, 102, 201, and 202, respectively.
Temperature sensor 101 detects the liquid temperature on the inlet side of cooler 12, and temperature sensor 102 detects the liquid temperature on the outlet side of cooler 12. Further, the temperature sensor 201 detects the liquid temperature on the inlet side of the heat exchanger 4, and the temperature sensor 202 detects the liquid temperature on the outlet side of the heat exchanger 4.

Compare (1) and (3) showing the steady state in Table 1. In Comparative Example (1), it is necessary to cool the product liquid to the specified temperature T ₂ (the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 202) using only the cooler 12. In contrast, in the present embodiment (3), it is sufficient that the product liquid reaches the specified temperature _T2 by cooling by the cooler 12 and then by cooling by the heat exchanger 4. Therefore, the amount of heat exchange required to lower the liquid temperature from the temperature of the raw material liquid before cooling to the specified temperature _T2 , that is, from the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 101 to the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 202, is exchanged with the cooler 12. The exchanger 4 can be divided proportionally.

Before injecting carbon dioxide gas by the carbonator 13, it is necessary to lower the liquid temperature sufficiently, even if it is not as low as the specified temperature _T2 . It is preferable to give. Even in that case, the amount of heat exchange required of the cooler 12 is smaller than that of the comparative example, so it is possible to downsize the cooler 12 compared to the comparative example.
It is preferable that the heat exchanger 4 is provided with a heat exchange amount sufficient to cool the product liquid by the temperature increase while the filling machine 20 is stopped. As an example, the heat exchanger 4 can be given a heat exchange amount that is ⅓ of the heat exchange amount of the cooler 12 .

In this embodiment, as shown in (3), for example, the temperature of the raw material liquid is lowered from 30°C to 10°C by the cooler 12, and after the carbon dioxide gas is pressurized, the temperature is lowered to 5°C by the heat exchanger 4. It's good to let them do it. In this manner, by cooling the product liquid again using the heat exchanger 4 after cooling with the cooler 12, the temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 can be stabilized at the specified temperature T ₂ (for example, 5° C.). In this regard, in Comparative Example (1), even if the liquid temperature is lowered to the specified temperature _T2 by the cooler 12, the liquid temperature remains as it is (as shown by the left-pointing arrow in Table 1). , the temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 may shift from the specified temperature _T2 .

Next, we will compare (2) and (4), which indicate unsteady conditions in Table 1 above. The unsteady state here refers to the period from stopping the filling machine 20 to restarting the filling machine 20 until filling the container is restarted.
Assume that while the filling machine 20 is stopped for a long time, the temperature of the product liquid remaining in the second liquid feeding route R2 rises to, for example, 15°C. In that case, since Comparative Example (2) does not have a means for cooling the product liquid that has accumulated in the second liquid feeding route R2, the product liquid that has accumulated in the second liquid feeding route R2 while the filling machine 20 is stopped. The temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 depends on the residence temperature (15° C.) until the entire amount is supplied to the filling machine 20 and discharged from the filling nozzle. In this case, at least the entire amount of the product liquid remaining in the second liquid feeding route R2 will be discarded.

On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in (4) of Table 1, for example, the temperature of the product liquid staying upstream of the heat exchanger 4 in the second liquid feeding path R2 is adjusted by the heat exchanger 4. (see temperature indicated by temperature sensor 202). As a result of this and the cooling action of the cooler 12 and the heat exchanger 4, the temperature of the product liquid continues to decrease, so that the temperature of the product liquid supplied to the filling machine 20 quickly reaches the specified temperature _T2, and the product It becomes possible to reduce the amount of liquid waste.

[Internal cleaning operation]
Referring to FIG. 4, an example of operation for cleaning the inside of the production line 1 will be described. The usage conditions of the three heat exchangers during the internal cleaning operation are as follows.
Cooler 12: Not used Heat exchanger 4: Used for heating Heater 32: Used for heating

FIG. 4 shows the flow of cleaning liquid during internal cleaning operation. In FIG. 4, the cleaning liquid is shown in a hatched pattern.
The internal cleaning process performed by the production line 1 includes a heating step S07 in which the cleaning liquid is heated by the heater 32, and a reheating step S08 in which the cleaning liquid that has been replaced with the product liquid in the liquid feeding routes R1 and R2 is reheated by the heat exchanger 4. It is equipped with
In the internal cleaning process, the carbonation device 10 is not in operation. The on-off valve 121 for introducing the first heat medium H1 into the cooler 12 is closed.

The cleaning liquid heated by the heater 32 flows through the liquid feeding routes R1 and R2 while filling the raw material liquid tank 11 and the product liquid tank 14, and is also supplied to the filling machine 20. When the cleaning liquid is supplied to the filling nozzle while also filling the tank of the filling machine 20, it is returned to the internal cleaning device 30 through the cleaning liquid return path R4. The returned cleaning liquid is either discharged through valve V31 or returned to cleaning liquid tank 31 through valve V32.

In order to shift from the production process to the internal cleaning process, the control device 5 operates the third pump P3 of the internal cleaning device 30, opens the valve V10, and supplies, for example, steam to the heater 32 as the second heat medium H2. However, by switching the valves 411, 412, 421, and 422 to the heat exchanger 4, for example, steam is supplied as the second heat medium H2. After the internal cleaning process starts, the temperature of the cleaning liquid is gradually increased by heating by the heater 32 and heating by the heat exchanger 4. In parallel with this, replacement of the product liquid with the cleaning liquid in the product liquid flow path and the like progresses. When the cleaning liquid reaches a predetermined cleaning temperature T _C after the replacement of the product liquid with the cleaning liquid is completed, the temperature rise state shifts to a steady state.
The control device 5 ensures the cleaning effect of the cleaning liquid by controlling the temperature of the cleaning liquid to be equal to or higher than the cleaning temperature T _C for a predetermined period of time while monitoring the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 303 and the concentration of the cleaning liquid.

Since the pipes and tanks 11 and 14 of the liquid sending routes R1 and R2 are in contact with low-temperature raw material liquid and product liquid during the production process, they are cooled to a temperature equivalent to the liquid temperature at the start of the internal cleaning process. . Therefore, if the cleaning liquid is heated only by the heater 32 and there is no means to heat the cleaning liquid flowing through the liquid feeding paths R1 and R2 (comparative example), the heater 32 will not be used for a while after moving to the internal cleaning process. Since a large amount of heat is radiated from the cleaning liquid heated by No. 32 to the piping and the tank, the rate of temperature rise is slow.
In contrast, according to the present embodiment, even if the amount of heat released from the cleaning liquid heated by the heater 32 to the pipes of the liquid sending routes R1 and R2 and the tanks 11 and 14 is large, the cleaning liquid is regenerated by the heat exchanger 4. Since it is heated, the temperature of the cleaning liquid can reach a predetermined temperature earlier than in the comparative example after the start of the internal cleaning process. Since the time spent on the internal cleaning process as non-productive time can be reduced accordingly, productivity is improved.

Depending on the length of the path through which the cleaning liquid flows, etc., it is also possible to use the cooler 12 as a heater by supplying the second heat medium H2 such as steam to the cooler 12. In this case, the temperature distribution of the cleaning liquid is leveled by heating the cleaning liquid by the three heat exchangers 32, 12, and 4 distributed in the cleaning liquid path, which can contribute to shortening the time required for internal cleaning.

Next, with reference to Table 2, the effect of this embodiment during internal cleaning operation will be explained in comparison with a comparative example.
The temperature values in Table 2 are just examples of the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, and 303, respectively.
Temperature sensor 301 detects the liquid temperature on the inlet side of heater 32, and temperature sensor 302 detects the liquid temperature on the outlet side of heater 32. Furthermore, the temperature sensor 303 detects the liquid temperature at the end of the cleaning liquid return path R4.

Comparative example (1) showing the time of temperature increase in Table 2 above shows the progress until the temperature of the cleaning liquid detected by the temperature sensor 303 rises to a predetermined cleaning temperature T _C (for example, 80° C.). At this time, due to the action of the heater 32, the temperature of the cleaning liquid increases, for example, from the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 301 to the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 302. However, the liquid feeding paths R1, R2, and R4 through which the product liquid flows thereafter are not provided with means for heating the cleaning liquid. Therefore, as can be seen from the detected temperatures of the temperature sensors 101, 201, and 303 shown in Table 2, the temperature of the cleaning liquid gradually decreases due to heat radiation from the cleaning liquid to the tank and piping.

In contrast, the present embodiment (3) includes the heat exchanger 4 as a means for heating the cleaning liquid downstream of the heater 32, so that the temperature of the cleaning liquid heated by the heater 32 decreases once. Even if it does, the temperature will rise again by the heat exchanger 4 (see the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 202). Therefore, compared to the comparative example, the temperature of the cleaning liquid can reach the cleaning temperature T _C earlier after the start of the internal cleaning operation, reducing the time required for the internal cleaning process and restarting the production process earlier. It is possible to do so.

In the operation example shown in Table 2, the heat exchanger 4 is used only when the temperature of the cleaning liquid is increased. When the temperature of the cleaning liquid reaches the cleaning temperature _TC , the control device 5 closes the valve 412 and stops supplying the second heat medium H2 to the heat exchanger 4. Thereafter, as shown by the temperatures detected by the temperature sensors 301 and 302 in (2) and (4) during the steady state of Table 2, the cleaning liquid is heated by the heater 32 to raise its temperature, and the temperature gradually increases due to heat radiation. Although the temperature decreases, the cleaning temperature T _C is maintained at the end of the cleaning liquid return path R4.
Not limited to the example shown in Table 2, heating of the cleaning liquid can be promoted by using the heater 32 and the heat exchanger 4 together even in a steady state after the temperature has been raised.

[Effects of this embodiment]
As explained above, the heat exchanger 4 used for both cooling the product liquid and heating the cleaning liquid is provided in the second liquid feeding route R2 between the carbonation device 10 and the filling machine 20. In other words, the following effects are mainly achieved.

During steady production operation, the product liquid is also cooled by the heat exchanger 4 downstream of the cooler 12 that cools the product liquid before injecting carbon dioxide gas into the product liquid, so that the temperature of the product liquid decreases. can be stabilized at a specified temperature _T2 . Therefore, it is possible to stably fill the product liquid with a stable gas volume while suppressing foaming during filling.

Even if the temperature of the product liquid accumulated in the second liquid feeding route R2 deviates from the specified temperature T2 due to a long-term stoppage of the filling machine ₂₀ , liquid feeding to the filling machine 20 starts when the filling machine 20 is restarted. Then, the product liquid that has been stagnant is cooled by the heat exchanger 4, and the temperature of the product liquid is further reduced by the recooling effect by the heat exchanger 4 downstream of the cooler 12. Therefore, it is possible to quickly bring the product liquid to the specified temperature _T2 and reduce the amount of product liquid to be discarded.

In addition, the amount of heat exchange required for cooling the product liquid can be divided proportionally between the cooler 12 and the heat exchanger 4, so the size of the cooler 12 can be reduced compared to the case where the heat exchanger 4 is not provided. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the carbonation device 10.

Furthermore, during the internal cleaning operation, the heat exchanger 4 located downstream from the heater 32 can reheat the cleaning liquid whose temperature has decreased due to heat radiation after passing through the heater 32. In this case, the cleaning liquid reaches the predetermined cleaning temperature T _C earlier, so that the time required for the internal cleaning step, which is performed for a predetermined period of time with the cleaning liquid reaching the cleaning temperature T _C , can be shortened.

[Second embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. Hereinafter, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly explained. Elements similar to those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals.
In addition to all the components included in the production line 1 of the first embodiment, the production line 1A of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is capable of returning the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger 4 to the product liquid tank 14. A product liquid return path R5 is provided.

The product liquid return path R5 connects the position between the heat exchanger 4 and the filling machine 20 and the product liquid tank 14. An on-off valve V5 is provided near the starting end of the product liquid return path R5. When the on-off valve V5 is opened and the liquid sending valve V2 is closed, a path CP through which the product liquid circulates including the return path R5 is formed. That is, the product liquid circulates through the product liquid tank 14, the heat exchanger 4, and the return route R5. The product liquid is cooled by the heat exchanger 4 while flowing through the circulation path CP.

The product liquid return path R5 is not used during normal production operation of the manufacturing line 1A. During normal production operation, the on-off valve V5 is closed and the liquid feeding valve V2 is opened. After the filling machine 20 has stopped, the control device 5 opens the on-off valve V5 and closes the liquid feeding valve V2 prior to restarting the filling machine 20, thereby opening the circulation path CP upstream of the liquid feeding valve V2. feed and circulate the product solution.
For example, when the stop time of the filling machine 20 exceeds a threshold value, or when the temperature of the product liquid retained in the second liquid feeding path R2 exceeds a threshold value, the control device 5 opens the on-off valve V5 and closes the liquid feeding valve V2. close.
Further, the control device 5 may start the circulation of the product liquid by opening the on-off valve V5 and closing the liquid feeding valve V2 immediately after the filling machine 20 stops.

For the purpose of cooling the product liquid by the heat exchanger 4 prior to restarting the filling machine 20, the control device 5 may be provided with a product liquid circulation mode. In that case, when the product liquid circulation mode is selected when the filling machine 20 is stopped, the control device 5 opens the on-off valve V5 and closes the liquid feeding valve V2.

With reference to Table 3 shown below, the operation of the second embodiment during unsteady production operation will be explained in comparison with a comparative example.

The comparative example does not include the product liquid return path R5. Then, when the filling machine 20 is stopped, the second pump P2 is stopped and the liquid feeding valve V2 is closed to stop liquid feeding to the filling machine 20, and as in the first embodiment, the second liquid feeding path R2 is Product liquid accumulates. Therefore, as time passes since the filling machine 20 stopped, the temperature of the product liquid increases in the second liquid feeding path R2 (see the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor 201). The product liquid remains in the second liquid feeding path R2 until liquid feeding to the filling machine 20 is started by restarting the filling machine 20.

On the other hand, in the second embodiment, even when the filling machine 20 is stopped, the product liquid circulated using the product liquid return path R5 is cooled by the heat exchanger 4, so as shown in (2) of Table 3, It is possible to suppress the temperature rise of the product liquid in the second liquid feeding route R2. In the example shown in Table 3, the product liquid whose temperature has risen to, for example, 15°C due to the passage of time since the filling machine 20 was stopped is cooled down to the specified temperature T ₂ (here, 5°C) by the heat exchanger 4. .

In this case, since the temperature of the product liquid in the second liquid feeding route R2 is the same as before the filling machine 20 is stopped, when the liquid feeding to the filling machine 20 is started with the restart of the filling machine 20, After the liquid remaining downstream of the opening/closing valve V5 is discharged from the filling nozzle, a container can be supplied to the position of the filling nozzle and production can be started. In this case, the amount of waste product liquid can be minimized.

According to the second embodiment, by cooling the product liquid by the heat exchanger 4 while circulating the product liquid while the filling machine 20 is stopped, the temperature of the product liquid that has risen while the filling machine 20 is stopped is reduced to a specified temperature. It is possible to approach _T2 . Therefore, it is possible to lower the product liquid to the specified temperature _T2 within a short time after restarting the filling machine 20 and restart the filling process. According to the second embodiment, compared to the first embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the amount of product liquid discarded due to the stoppage of the filling machine 20 and improve productivity.

[Renovation of existing production line]
Both the manufacturing line 1 of the first embodiment and the manufacturing line 1A of the second embodiment can be manufactured by modifying an existing manufacturing line.
In order to manufacture the production line 1 (FIG. 1) by modification, it is necessary to provide the heat exchanger 4 in the second liquid feeding route R2 of the existing production line. The heat exchanger 4 is connected to both a circuit C1 of the first heat medium H1 used for cooling the product liquid and a circuit C2 of the second heat medium H2 used for heating the cleaning liquid.

When manufacturing the production line 1A (Fig. 5) by renovation, the heat exchanger 4 is installed in the second liquid feeding route R2 of the existing production line, and the first heat medium circuit C1 and the In addition to connecting the two heat medium circuits C2, it is preferable to install a product liquid return path R5 and an on-off valve V5 in the existing line.

In addition to the above, it is possible to select the configurations mentioned in the above embodiments or to change them to other configurations as appropriate.

[Additional notes]
According to the above disclosure, the configuration shown below is understood.
[1] Production line (1, 1A),
a carbonation device (10) that includes a cooler (12) for cooling the raw material liquid and supplies a product liquid in which carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler (12);
a filling machine (20) that fills the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device (10);
a liquid feeding path (R2) through which the product liquid is supplied from the carbonation device (10) to the filling machine (20);
a heat exchanger (4) provided in the liquid feeding path (R2) for exchanging heat between the product liquid and the heat medium;
An internal cleaning device (30) that includes a heater (32) that heats a cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of the production line and performs internal cleaning by replacing the product liquid with the cleaning liquid,
The heat exchanger (4) is configured to be usable for cooling the product liquid and heating the cleaning liquid.
production line.

[2] The liquid feeding route (R2) is configured to be able to supply the entire amount of liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger (4) to the filling machine (20), and when the filling machine (20) is restarted after stopping, When liquid feeding from the carbonation device (10) to the filling machine (20) is started, the product liquid that had been stagnant while the filling machine (20) was stopped is cooled by the heat exchanger (4). Ru,
[1] The production line described in item [1].

[3] The heat exchanger (4) is provided on the downstream side of the liquid feeding route (R2),
[2] The production line described in item [2].

[4] A return path (R5) configured to be able to return the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger (4) to the product liquid tank (14) included in the carbonation device (10),
Prior to restarting the filling machine (20) after stopping, the product liquid is circulated through the product liquid tank (14), the heat exchanger (4), and the return path (R5).
[1] The production line described in item [1].

[5] A manufacturing method comprising a production process using a production line (1, 1A) and an internal cleaning process,
The production process is
a step (S01) of cooling the raw material liquid with a cooler (12);
A step (S02) of dissolving carbon dioxide gas in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler (12) to obtain a product liquid; A step (S04) of recooling by a heat exchanger (4) downstream of the
A step (S05) of filling the product liquid with a filling machine (20),
The internal cleaning process is
a step (S07) of heating a cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of the production line with a heater (32);
A manufacturing method including a step (S08) of reheating the cleaning liquid that has been replaced with the product liquid using a heat exchanger (4) downstream of the heater (32).

[6] After stopping liquid feeding to the filling machine (20) due to the stoppage of the filling machine (20) in the production process, starting liquid feeding to the filling machine (20) when the filling machine (20) is restarted. Then, the product liquid that had accumulated while the filling machine (20) was stopped is cooled by the heat exchanger (4).
[5] The manufacturing method described in item [5].

[7] The production line includes a return path (R5) configured to allow the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger (4) to be returned to the product liquid tank (14),
Prior to restarting the filling machine (20) after stopping, the product liquid is circulated through the product liquid tank (14), the heat exchanger (4), and the return path (R5).
[5] The manufacturing method described in item [5].

[8] A method for manufacturing the production line according to any one of [1] to [4] above,
A heat exchanger (4) for exchanging heat between the product liquid and the heat medium is installed in the liquid feeding route (R2) of the existing production line, and
The heat exchanger (4) is connected to both a heat medium circuit (C1) used for cooling the product liquid and a heat medium circuit (C2) used for heating the cleaning liquid replaced with the product liquid. make it possible
Manufacturing method of production line.

1,1A Production line 2 Filling device 4 Heat exchanger 5 Control device 10 Carbonation device 11 Raw material liquid tank 12 Cooler 13 Carbonator 14 Product liquid tank 15 Carbon dioxide supply source 20 Filling machine 30 Internal cleaning device 31 Cleaning liquid tank 32 Heater 101, 102, 201, 202, 301, 302, 303 Temperature sensor 121 Opening/closing valve 411, 412, 421, 422 Valve C1 First heat medium circuit C2 Second heat medium circuit CP Circulation path F ₁ Flow rate F ₂ Supply flow rate H1 1st 1 heat medium H2 2nd heat medium P1 1st pump P2 2nd pump P3 3rd pump R1 1st liquid feeding path R2 2nd liquid feeding path R3 3rd liquid feeding path R4 Cleaning liquid return path R5 Product liquid return path (return path )
S01 Cooling step S02 Carbon dioxide dissolving step S03 Storage step S04 Recooling step S05 Filling step S07 Heating step S08 Reheating step T ₂ Specified temperature tA Required time tB Required time T _C Cleaning temperature V10 Valve V11 Valve V2 Liquid feeding valves V31, V32 Valve V5 Open/close valve

Claims (8)

A production line,
a carbonation device that includes a cooler that cools the raw material liquid and supplies a product liquid in which carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in the raw material liquid that has been cooled by the cooler;
a filling machine that fills the product liquid supplied from the carbonation device;
a liquid feeding path through which the product liquid is supplied from the carbonation device to the filling machine;
a heat exchanger that is installed in the liquid feeding path and exchanges heat between the product liquid and the heat medium;
an internal cleaning device that includes a heater that heats a cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of the manufacturing line, and performs internal cleaning by replacing the product liquid with the cleaning liquid,
The heat exchanger is configured to be usable for cooling the product liquid and heating the cleaning liquid.
production line. The liquid feeding path is configured to be able to supply the entire amount of liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger to the filling machine,
When the filling machine is restarted after being stopped, liquid delivery from the carbonation device to the filling machine is started, and the product liquid that has stagnated while the filling machine is stopped is absorbed by the heat. cooled by an exchanger,
The production line according to claim 1. The heat exchanger is provided on the downstream side of the liquid feeding route,
The production line according to claim 2. comprising a return path configured to be able to return the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger to a product liquid tank included in the carbonation device;
Prior to restarting the filling machine after stopping, the product liquid is circulated through the product liquid tank, the heat exchanger, and the return path.
The production line according to claim 1. A manufacturing method comprising a production process using a production line and an internal cleaning process,
The production process includes:
cooling the raw material liquid with a cooler;
obtaining a product liquid by dissolving carbon dioxide in the raw material liquid cooled by the cooler;
re-cooling the product liquid in which the carbon dioxide gas is dissolved and sent to the filling machine using a heat exchanger downstream of the cooler;
filling the product liquid with the filling machine,
The internal cleaning step includes:
heating a cleaning liquid used for internal cleaning of the manufacturing line with a heater;
A manufacturing method comprising the step of reheating the cleaning liquid that has been replaced with the product liquid using the heat exchanger downstream of the heater. After the liquid feeding to the filling machine is stopped due to the stopping of the filling machine in the production process, when the liquid feeding to the filling machine is started due to the restart of the filling machine, the filling machine is stopped. Cooling the product liquid that had been stagnant between the steps using the heat exchanger;
The manufacturing method according to claim 5. The production line includes a return path configured to allow the product liquid that has passed through the heat exchanger to return to the product liquid tank,
Prior to restarting the filling machine after stopping, circulating the product liquid through the product liquid tank, the heat exchanger, and the return path;
The manufacturing method according to claim 5. A method of manufacturing the production line according to any one of claims 1 to 4, comprising:
A heat exchanger for exchanging heat between the product liquid and a heat medium is provided in the liquid feeding route of the existing production line, and
The heat exchanger can be connected to both a circuit for the heat medium used to cool the product liquid and a circuit for the heat medium used to heat the cleaning liquid replaced with the product liquid. ,
Manufacturing method of production line.

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