NL7905203A - DEVICE FOR TRANSPORTING MILK THROUGH A PIPELINE SYSTEM OVER LARGE DISTANCES. - Google Patents

Description

fc * t, ï · -1- OCAH 269-1 ALFA-LAVAL N.V. in AMSTELVEEN · APPARATUS FOR TRANSPORTING MILK OVER A LARGE DISTANCE BY A PI3PLEIDING5TELSEL._

The invention relates to a device for transporting liquids over great distances, in particular those intended for consumption, such as milk, through a pipeline system. Such devices are known, but it has not yet been possible to use these devices for the transport over long distances, say 10 to 15 km ·, in which difficulties in particular play a role 10, such as loss of quality of the milk and keeping the pipeline clean and infection-free.

The object of the invention is to provide a device which can be used over the aforementioned, and even longer, routes, while still offering other advantages. To that end, a device according to the invention consists of a dispatch station, a receiving station and a pipeline connected between them, which dispatch station has means for pumping milk through the pipeline to the receiving station in series with auxiliary liquids serving to keep the pipeline clean, and having means for separating the milk from the auxiliary liquids and the auxiliary liquids during transport by separating them with each change of liquid flowing separating means from the pipes of the pipeline system, the receiving station having means for receiving the incoming milk, the auxiliary liquids and the separating means present therebetween and means for dispensing the milk separately from the auxiliary liquids to means for further transfer rt such as a road tanker, furthermore means for pumping the auxiliary liquids, kept separate from each other -2- »790 5 2 03 * -2- through the separating elements» back to the dispatching station »as well as means for keeping the own installation of the receiving station clean» wherein the receiving station contains a reservoir into which the pipeline enters, near which entry point two shut-off valves are placed and wherein the end protruding into the reservoir connects to a tube protruding vertically through the center of the bottom of the reservoir on the part located within the reservoir of which openings are provided in the wall »in which the part of the tube switch projecting outside the reservoir is in flow connection with a branch point for connection to the tanker or with a connection line in which a storage circuit serving for storage of the auxiliary liquids is connected »Which connecting pipe leads to a 15 point in front of the entrance pu of the pipeline in the said reservoir »while in a by-pass of the part of the vertical tube protruding outside the reservoir a liquid pump and a shut-off valve are provided» to which reservoir a lockable connection for compressed air is provided at its top. »As well as a closable discharge pipe for discharging air while spraying means for spraying the interior of the reservoir are further provided» which spraying means have a closable connection on the pipeline at a point located between said two valves at the entrance of the pipe pipe in the reservoir »which connection is provided with a shut-off valve and a supply pipe for tap water between this shut-off valve and the point where the connection opens onto the pipeline» which pipe protruding into the reservoir is suitable for containing the separating members coming out of the pipeline » such that they do not seal this tube but liquid e r can continue to flow past which separating members rest on lock means arranged in the tube »which lock means are capable of releasing a separating member separately in order to drop it further into the tube and the connecting pipe» while furthermore the tube in the section elte which is bridged by -390 7 2 03 '-3- ds by-pass pipe has a valve, seen in direction of flow, past the by-pass pipe the pipe has a constriction, on which a separating member can rest sealingly and which constriction at elevated pump pressure 5 allows the separating member to pass through, while the separating members are designed in such a way that, in conjunction with detectors arranged near the pipes, they give an impulse when approaching these, which detectors thereon give impulses to an automatic automaton, furthermore remote actuations of the valves and the has lock means, which actuations are commanded from the impulses of the detector tower-activated autopilot size, while the reservoir is provided with signal-level indicator 8, which signals are also activating for the operation of the autopilot.

For a reliable cleaning of the reservoir, after the milk has passed it, it is proposed according to the invention to provide the shut-off valve, which is located closest to the reservoir at the entry of the pipeline into the reservoir, with an internal nozzle element. in such a way that in the closed position this closing element gives passage to a spraying jet of the auxiliary liquids, partly so that protection of the reservoir against infection is obtained in a simple manner, using the auxiliary liquids already present.

It is according to the invention that the means of the dispatch station to cause the separating members to flow in each time when liquid is changed in the pipeline consists of a pipe piece of greater internal diameter than that of the separating members, in which pipe piece in longitudinal direction, together a elongated cage-forming rods are provided, in which cage a number of in-line separating members can be accommodated, which pipe section contains lock means -4-790 52 03 r * -4- each of which can release one separating member for causing the separating member to flow, which pipe piece, in the vicinity of the sludge parts, contains disturbance parts upstream in the liquid for increasing the flow resistance of the separating member present in the liquid, so that only a slight inclination of the pipe piece is sufficient to, after releasing the separating member by the parts of the sludge, allowing this organ to get carried away by the liquid flow in a timely manner a separating member preferably consists of an at least substantially spherical wall of resilient stretchable material, the interior of which is completely filled with an incompressible liquid such as water and with a diametric substance, which can cooperate with detector placed on the outside of the pipes. it has been found that the sealing capacity of this type of sealing members, which after all relies on the resilient stretching of the envelope wall, is extremely reliable, without a high resistance being created in the pipeline.

The device according to the invention can in this way transport milk over long distances, say more than 15-30 km, or in other words, transport milk over distances which are several times the length of the pumped milk column. The device operates almost completely automatically, and does not require a return line for the return of the auxiliary liquids to the dispatch station, since this can take place through the same single transport line. Furthermore, foaming is largely prevented.

To clarify the invention, an exemplary embodiment of the invention 2Q will be described with reference to the drawing, some further details of which will become apparent.

-5- 790 5 2 03 -5-,, ·

In the drawing ie:

Fiq. 1 is a schematic representation of the main part of the receiving station, in the situation where the milk pumped from the dispatch station just enters the receiving station; FIG. 2-28 are all fig. 1, but show the successive situations following the situation of fig. 1;

Fig. 29 shows from the dispatch station the pipe section in which the separating members are stored and from which they can each be unloaded separately by means of lock means;

Fig. 30 schematically shows the storage circuit

Fig. 31 shows in section a substantially spherical design of a separating member according to the invention.

It is generally noted that the conduit system of the receiving device to which the balls are pumped, discussed below, has a diameter such that the balls fit therewith with some clearance so that the liquids can flow in some situations described below. However, a narrower pipe will be laid from the dispatch station, in which 20 the balls with resilient pressure will fit practically in a very sealing manner.

Likewise, the storage circuit contains only the narrower conduits.

Figures 2 to 28 show the narrowings, or if so owl, the widenings. The receiving station, schematically shown in Figure 1, comprises a reservoir 1, a pipe 2, which is connected at 5 to the (not shown) shipping station coming long-distance transport line and splits into a line 3 and a line 4 · The line X flows centrally into the reserve * -: n v.

-6- 790 5 2 03 -6- voir 1.out. The mouth 6 is located above a central tube 7 projecting vertically through the bottom of the reservoir 1, which is provided with open slots 8 over the part projecting into the reservoir 1. The conduit 3 has a branch 5 which leads to the upper part of the reservoir 1, in the interior of which this branch 9 terminates in a spray bulb 11 · The branch 9 has a supply stub 10 for supply of tap water · The reservoir 1 has a supply 12 for the supply of compressed air, and is furthermore connected 1Q to a discharge pipe 13. The reservoir 1 ie at four different heights provided with a level indicator which is able to tell the level height occupied by the milk or auxiliary liquid by means of a signal to the autopilot (not shown). These four level indicators are indicated by reference numbers 14, 16, 17 and 18.

The tube 7 continues to descend on the outside of the reservoir with a pipe piece 19 ending in the coupling 15, to which is attached the connecting hose 21 for connection to the milk tanker (not shown), for example the 2Q pipe bend 20 to the connection 22 which leads to a storage circuit (see fig. 30) for the auxiliary liquids, which storage circuit on its other side opens onto the pipe 4.

* 'f' A Circular circuit £ 3 is connected to pipe section 19, in which a pump is incorporated. In addition, pipe means 23 and 24 controlled by the autopilot (not shown) are arranged in pipe 8. permeability control of the separating members, hereinafter referred to as balls, to which control is referred to in the further description 3Q. The balls 100, are located in the tube.

101 and 102, while a ball 103 falls into the tube 7 just at the front of the incoming milk column 200 · In the pipe section 19 there are a throat-shaped constriction 25, 790 5 2 03 -7- t · -7- and a stop finger 26 «More information about this follows below ·

Plates 27 and 28 are annular detectors which, when passing in the line of a ball, give an impulse to the autopilot (not shown 5). Plet 29 is indicated by a venting branch. serves to guide the balls

The pipe system of the receiving station is provided with the valves 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 and 39, which can be actuated by the autopilot (not shown).

The receiving station as shown in figure 1 is in the situation that the milking column 200 has just entered the receiving station, preceded by a column of air from which the milking column 200 has been kept separate by the ball 103

The mode of operation of the receiving station according to the invention will be explained with reference to the further figures 2 to 28, which show the sequence of the situations in the receiving device.

The tanker (not shown) is coupled to the hose 21; the pipe bend 20 is not coupled · A detector (not shown) at some distance in front of the receiving station has reported to the autopilot that the milk has arrived · Then the '' received 'button (not shown) is pressed in the receiving station the autopilot then ensures that the valves and lock means assume the correct position for receiving, as shown in figure 1 · The milk in the pipeline expresses, via a ball of course, the air in the pipeline in front of it. the pipe 13, which (possibly via a silencer) 79052 03 -8- -8- »leads to the free atmosphere ·

The balls 100, 101 and 102 are already in the tube 7, resting on the closing means 24, as an end position after the previous milk reception · The reason for the previous presence of these three balls 100, 101 and 102 will be returned later. Passing the ball 104 past the detector 27 is processed by the autopilot (not shown)

The end situation in figure 1 is that the milk 200 enters the reservoir 1 through the conduit 10 3, and the leading ball 103 is about to fall into the tube 7

In figure 2 the reservoir 1 is filled with milk up to the level indicator 17 · This opens the valve 34 and the pump 24 is switched on · The milk flows into the tanker · 15 In figure 3 the milk level in the reservoir 1 has dropped to the level indicator 16 · This stops the pump 24 and closes the valve 34 «The milk starts to rise again in the reservoir 1 ·

Figure 4 shows the situation that the milk level rises to the level indicator 18, which occurs when the milk supply capacity exceeds the discharge capacity.

This closes the valve 36, so that the counterpressure in the reservoir 1 keeps the supply and discharge in balance.

In Figure 5, the ms column 200 is completely out of the transport line and the line 3. The separating member between the meikas column and the subsequent column of emphasis water 300, the ball 104 just falls into the tube 7. By passing the ball 104 along the detector 27 closes valves 31 and 33

In figure 6 the milk level lowers * As soon as it falls below the level indicator 17, the valve 36 opens again, so that 790 5 2 03 -9 -9-. The milk level can continue to decrease

In figure 7 the milk level has dropped to the level indicator 14, as a result of which the pump 24 stops and the valve 34 closes.

In Figure 8, the valves 31 and 39 are opened through which water spraying through the pressurized water 300 of the interior of the reservoir takes place. As soon as level indicator 16 is reached, 31 closes and spraying stops. This front part of the pressurized water column still contains some milk, which milk still comes into the tanker · The amount of the pressurized water that enters the tanker 10 does not cause any problematic dilution of the milk ·

In figure 9 the mixture of milk and pressure water present in the reservoir is pumped into the tanker. The pump 24 stops when the level indicator 14 is passed · The tanker can be disconnected from the connection 21 · In the situation of figure 10, the hose 21 must be thought to be disconnected, and instead of this the pipe bend 20 must be coupled · The reservoir 1 can now be brought into flow communication with the storage circuit 1000 (see FIG. 30). This is also done by pressing a button (not shown), which gives the autopilot the command "clean". As a result, the valve 35 opens and, with the aid of the fingers of the lock means 23 and 24, the ball 100 is funneled · The 2nd ball 100 now comes to sit on the constriction 25 · The stop finger 26 prevents the ball from slipping if necessary.

In Figure 11, the valve 35 is closed and the valves 31 and 39 are open. The interior of the receiving station is now flushed using the pressure in the transport pipe. Ball 105, which is counted by autopilot 30 only, comes behind the focus water 300. After ball 105 comes the pre-rinse water 79052 03 -10- -10- water 301.

In figure 12 ie the water level has risen to the level indicator 17 «As a result, the valve 34 opens and the pump starts 24 · Pressure is created in the by-pass pipe through which the ball 100 is forced through the constriction 25, and via the pipe 22 to the storage circuit 1000 (figure 30) · The water 300 and 301 follows behind the ball. When level indicator 16 passes, the pump 24 stops and closes valve 34, the water rises again and continues to oscillate between 10 level indicators 16 as was the case with the milk. and 17.

In Figure 13, the valve 31 is closed because the ball 106, which separates the pressure water from the cleaning liquid 400 now pouring in, has passed through the detector 27.

In figure 14 the level of the rinsing water 301 has fallen to the level indicator 14. As a result, the pump 24 stops and the valve 34 closes and the ball 101 is passed through the valve means 23, 24 through the now opened valve 35 to the constriction 25.

In figure 15 the valve 31 is opened and the cleaning liquid 400 flows again via the line 9 and the spray ball 11 on the one hand, and via the spray channel 133 (see also figure 7) in the reservoir 1. When passing, the valve 34 is opened and pump 24 started. The ball 101 has now started to intermix the separation between the two liquids 301 and 400. The level of the cleaning liquid 400 remains in the reservoir, in the same way as before with the milk and water, oscillating between the level indicators 16 and 17 .

Figure 16 shows how the first time the cleaning fluid 400 reaches level 16, the pump 24 is stopped, the valve 31 closed, and the ball 102 is funneled.

790 5 2 03 -11- -11-

Figure 17 indicates that the guitar 31 has reopened and the cleaning fluid 400 has reached level 17 again. As a result, pump 24 starts. The writing for Figures 16 and 17 is repeated, with the ball 103 being funneled.

Launching additional balls in the cleaning fluid ia 5 intended to obtain a better cleaning, due to the wiping effect of the balls, of the transport pipe.

In Figure 18, the cleaning fluid 400 has completely entered the receiving installation and the ball 107, which separates the cleaning fluid 400 from the rinse water 500, has passed through the detector 10 · This closes valve 31 · The level of the cleaning fluid 400 in the reservoir 1 drops further

In Figure 19, the cleaning fluid 400 has passed level 14. The pump 24 hereby stops and the ball 104 is further passed through the lock means 26.

^ 5 Figure 20 shows a repeat of the previous separation of liquids · Now rinse water 500 enters the reservoir 1 via the spraying devices ·

In figure 21, the last ball 108, which separates the rinse water from the compressed air 600, has passed through the detector 27 · Here-20 through closing valve 31.

In figure 22 valve 33 is opened and then ^ for 5 seconds, also valve 34, through which the balls 105, 106, 107 and 108 enter the tube 7, this being driven by the water 700 from the water pipe · 22 In figure 23 the rinse water 500 reaches level 14. whereby the ball 105 is passed

In Figure 24, the ball 105 is pumped into the storage circuit 1000 (Figure 30) 790 52 03 -12- -12- a. By passing the detector 28, the pump 24 is stopped and the valve 34 closed

In figure 25 the valve 36 is opened and the compressed air 600 is blown into the free atmosphere through the pipe 13, possibly via a sound attenuator (not shown) · Depression of the transport pipe is reported to the autopilot by pressure switch 40 By command

In Figure 26, from the pressure switch 40, compressed air 800 is blown in via the now opened valve 38, while also opening the valve 35 sn 37. At the same time as opening of valve 37, the switch 30 is pivoted · The auxiliary liquids and separator bodies are now pressed from the storage circuit 1000 (Fig. 30) and via the valve 37 back to the dispatch station (not shown). Figure 26 shows the moment when the separation of cleaning liquid 400 and rinse water passes through valve 37.

15 Figure 27 shows the situation after the return shipment arrives at the dispatch station (not shown) · After the maximum time required for the return has expired, valve 38 is closed and valves 31 and 36 are opened · Compressed air for return is now also blown off via line 13

In figure 28 we find the valve, balls, etc. again in the situation as shown in figure 1, whereby the installation is therefore ready for the next milk reception.

If two milk consignments take place shortly after each other, it is not necessary to clean the transport pipe at the first consignment, then rinse water will suffice. This post-pressure water is stored in the three-ball parking circuit and simultaneously returned with the subsequent full shipment of aids as described in the preceding · -13- 790 5 2 03 -13- 9

For this reason, the shipping device should be able to contain at least 9 balls.

Figure 29 shows the exit part of the »not otherwise shown shipping station», which exit part consists of a pipe piece 50 »which is sufficiently wide to contain the balls 103 to 11 within a serving cage 51 such that the milk and the auxiliary liquids which will soon come out of the dispatch station at location 52 »can easily flow past them. The cage cage is closed at the rear with the stop 70 »10 in order to catch the balls during the return, just 53 and 54 lock means are indicated» with 55 a sight glass for checking whether »after a return all balls are present» and to to observe the entry of the milk and the auxiliary liquids. When the milk flows in, the sluice means 53 and 54 are operated and the first ball 103 becomes a separating member of the air column in the transport pipe 56 and the milk. Every time a fluid is changed, a ball is funneled again.

It has been found that "when the angle of inclination of the pipe 20 is reduced", which is structurally preferred, the negative flow resistance of the ball to be locks causes it to remain in place despite the finger 57 being pulled away from the lock means 53 According to the invention, a flow disturber 58 ", for example in the form of a ring, is arranged slightly upstream of the location of the ball in front of it · This disturbs the pure flow of the ball", so that a sufficiently large positive resistance of the ball is disturbed is created to ensure that they are carried along reliably by the liquid flow 30 even at the small angle of inclination of the pipe section 50

Figure 30 shows schematically the storage circuit, which consists entirely of tube in which the balls fit in a sealing manner.

-14- 790 5 2 03 -14-

In figure 31 ie θθπ ball GO is shown in section. This consists of a section 61 of resiliently stretchable material such as rubber, in which section 61 a valve 62 is present. Inside is a steel ball 63. The remaining space 5 is (practically) completely filled with water 64.

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Claims (4)

1. Device for transporting milk over long distances through a pipeline system consisting of a sending station, a receiving station and a pipeline connected therebetween, which sending station has means for pumping milk through the pipeline to the receiving station in series with auxiliary liquids serving for keeping the pipeline "clean" and having means for separating dB of milk from the auxiliary fluids and the auxiliary fluids from one another during transport by flowing "separating means" from the pipes of the pipeline system at each change of fluid, which receiving station has means for receiving the incoming milk »the auxiliary liquids and the separating means present between them and means for keeping the milk separate from the auxiliary liquids, to be delivered to means for further transport such as a tanker» further means to keep the auxiliary liquids »mutually separated n by pumping the separators »back to the dispatch station as well as means for keeping the receiving station's own installation clean» wherein the receiving station contains a reservoir into which the pipeline enters »near which entry points two valves are placed and in which the end protruding into the reservoir connects to a tube extending vertically through the center of the bottom, on the part located within the reservoir of which the openings 25 are present in the wall, the part of the tube protruding outside the reservoir being switchable in flow connection represents a tapping point for connection to the tanker bf with a connecting line in which a storage circuit serving for storage of the auxiliary liquids is connected, which connection line leads to a point located before the point of entry of the pipeline in the said reservoir, while in a by-pass of the part projecting outside the reservoir l of the vertical tube a liquid pump and a 790 5 2 03 -2- - 16 - valve are fitted, on the top of the walk reservoir on the closable connection for compressed air ia, and on the closable discharge pipe for discharging 1 compressed air, while furthermore Projector parts for spraying the interior of the reservoir are provided, the spray means having a closable connection to the pipeline at a point located between said two valves at the entrance of the pipeline into the reservoir, which connection is provided with a shut-off valve and a supply pipe for tap water between this shut-off valve and the point where the connection terminates on the pipeline, which pipe inserting into the reservoir is suitable for containing the separating members coming out of the pipeline, so that they do not seal this pipe, but liquid can continue to flow past them, which separators on the sluices arranged in the tube parts rest, which means are able to: release a separator separately to allow it to fall further into the pipe and the connecting pipe, while the pipe also has a valve in the section bridged by the bypass pipe, and, in flow direction 20 seen, beyond the bypass pipe, the tube has a constriction, on which a separating member can rest sealingly, and which constriction, at an increased pump pressure, allows the separating member to pass, while the separating members are designed such that they cooperate with detectors arranged close to the pipes when approaching they give an impulse, which detectors thereon give impulses to an autopilot, furthermore has remote actuations of the valves and the lock means, which actuations are commanded from the above-mentioned impulses of the detectors activated autopilot, while the reservoir is provided with signal - level level indication erë which signals are co-activating for the operation of the autopilot. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the means of the dispatch station for causing the separating members to flow in each pipeline with a change of liquid in the pipeline consist of a pipe piece of greater internal diameter than that of the 8 separating members in which pipe piece 5 are arranged in longitudinal arrangement, elongated cage-forming rods, in which cage a number of in-line separating members can be accommodated, which pipe piece contains upstream means in the liquid disturbing means upstream of the eluding means for increasing the flow resistance 10 of the separator in the liquid. 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shut-off valve which is closest to the reservoir when the pipeline enters the reservoir, the internal sealing element is provided with a spray channel, such that in the closed position of this sealing element spray jet of the auxiliary liquid can pass through. Device as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that a separating member consists of an at least substantially spherical wall of resilient stretchable material, the interior of which is completely filled with an incompressible liquid such as water and a mass of diametric material which can be introduced. cooperate with a detector placed on the outside of the pipes. -o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o- 790 5 2 03 Γ -'- r T. E. Γ ί ./· —I ERRATABLAD ENG. O.A. 7905203 1 to 7 DEC. 1879 I ALJArLAV_AL__Ν _._ ν _.._ 2_blades £ _blad_l ____ PAGE RULES) STAKES —-- ^ WOET ZION__ -1- 21 to keep kept -1-2 26 the milk separated the milk, separated -2-10 the tube switch the tube switchable - 2- 33 lock means rest lock means can rest -5- 16 diameter has diameter -5- 29 The pipe 4 mouths The pipe 3 mouths -6- 7 supply extent supply stub -6- 25 In the pipe 8 In the pipe 7 -6- 27 means 23 and 24 means 23 'and 24' -8- 3 lock means 24 lock means 24 '-8- 6 the ball 104 the ball 103 -9- 22 lock means 23 and 24 lock means 23' and 24 '-10 -12 separates the pre-rinse water 301 -10-14 the rinse water 301 separates the pre-rinse water 301 -10— 16 lock means 23,24 lock means 231 and 24 '-10- 22 When passing the level indicator 17, -11- 14 lock means 26 further sluice means 23 ', 24' further -12- 14 and rinse rinse and rinse water 500 -12- 21 the valve, the valves, -1 3- 6 balls 103 to 11 balls 103 to 111 -15- 14 milk to be kept separate, kept separate -16- 16 sluice products rest sluice products can rest -16- 4 compressed air, air, -16- 6 lockable connection connection with valve -16- 9 of a valve and one of —--------------- a -16- 10 feed pipe for tap water feed pipe with valve for slate between this valve ding water, between. first name the valve 7905203 ALFA_LAUflL_NU .._ 2_Dladen_ £ _blad_2 === PAGE RULE (S) IT IS CONTAINED_PIPET_ -16- 15 on the pump in the pipe -16- 22 increased pump pressure increased pump pressure -17- 8 at the lock means with lock means -17- 8 the liquid disturbance the liquid disturbance -17- · 22 such as water as well as water, as well as Conclusions - reference numbers applied -ooooooet% \ · ", * I« 7905203