WO2008152492A1

WO2008152492A1 - Refrigeration plant and tapping plant comprising said refrigeration plant

Info

Publication number: WO2008152492A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/001526
Authority: WO
Inventors: Goffredo Celli
Original assignee: Celli S.P.A.
Priority date: 2007-06-15
Filing date: 2008-06-06
Publication date: 2008-12-18
Also published as: ITRN20070031A1

Abstract

A refrigeration plant for at least one beverage and a first operating fluid, comprises: a chamber (2) at least partially occupied by a substance (21) in a liquid state or at least partly frozen which acts as a thermal flywheel; at least one beverage passage pipe (3) comprising a section (30) made inside the substance (21) and the chamber (2); a path (5) permitting the passage of the first operating fluid and comprising an outfeed pipe (53) from the chamber (2) a return pipe (55) into the chamber (2), a first tubular portion (50) positioned between the return pipe (55) and the outfeed pipe (53), is fluidodynamically separate from the beverage and the substance (21) and is suitable for cooling at least one element outside the chamber (2); a circuit (4) enables the passage of a second operating fluid which draws off heat from inside the chamber (2). The first and second tubular portions (50, 40) are made inside the chamber (2) and the substance (21).

Description

Refrigeration plant and tapping plant comprising said refrigeration plant

Technical field

The present invention refers to a refrigeration plant for at least one beverage and a first operating fluid. The present invention also refers to a tapping plant comprising the said refrigeration plant.

Refrigeration plant of this type is widely used in premises such as pubs and bars authorised to distribute beverages to the public.

Background art

Beverage tapping plant comprising a first refrigeration plant for a first operating fluid are known. The first operating fluid comprises, for example, glycol. The first refrigeration plant comprises a first evaporator made inside a first chamber in which there is a bath of the first operating fluid. This first chamber is inserted in a first circuit which extracts the first operating fluid and sends it to an internal compartment of a beverage dispensing column and then successively carries it back to the first chamber. The first operating fluid remains liquid even at temperatures below 0°C. The first refrigeration plant enables cooling of the first operating fluid at temperatures which can be several degrees below 0⁰C and also therefore permits cooling of the column down to temperatures which cause the formation of a layer of ice on the outer casing of the column. In this way the beverage is cooled right up until it is close to the tapping valve. The beverage tapping plant also comprises a second refrigeration plant in turn comprising a second chamber holding a second evaporator.

The second evaporator is shaped like a spiral-shaped tubular pipe. Inside the second chamber there is a coil in which the beverage to be cooled flows.

Inside the second chamber, the second evaporator and the coil in which the beverage to be cooled flows are immersed in a liquid. This liquid in the second evaporator can be in a frozen state. The second evaporator forms part of a circuit in which a second operating fluid flows and where the second operating fluid subtracts heat from the inside of the second chamber and gives it off to the outside of the second chamber. Tapping of the beverage which flows in this coil is performed by the dispensing column which is cooled by the first operating fluid.

Tapping plant of the type described above is particularly bulky. This is great disadvantage especially if one considers that the plant usually has to be housed under a bar counter thus taking up valuable space which could be used advantageously for other purposes by the operator.

Disclosure of the invention The aim of the present invention is to overcome the shortcomings described above by providing a refrigeration plant which is extremely compact.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide refrigeration plant which optimises heat exchange and thereby reduces energy consumption.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a beverage tapping means comprising the refrigeration plant.

These and other aims, which will become more apparent in the description which follows, are achieved in accordance with the invention by a refrigeration plant having the structural and functional characteristics according to the appended main claims while further embodiments of the invention are described in the appended dependent claims.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention is described in more detail below with the aid of drawings which show an embodiment provided merely by way of example without restricting the scope of the inventive concept and in which:

- Figure 1 shows a diagram of the refrigeration plant according to the present invention.

- Figure Ia shows an enlarged detail view of Figure 1.

- Figure 2 shows a diagram of a variant of the plant shown in Figure 1. -Figure 2a shows an enlarged detail view of Figure 2.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

In the figures the reference numeral 1 indicates a refrigeration plant for at least one beverage and for a first operating fluid. This refrigeration plant 1 comprises a chamber 2 which is partially occupied by a substance 21 in a liquid state or at least partly frozen which acts as a thermal flywheel. Advantageously, at least one wall of the chamber 2 comprises thermal insulating means and preferably the entire chamber 2 is thermally insulated. The refrigeration plant 1 comprises at least one beverage passage pipe 3 comprising a section 30 made inside the substance 21 and the chamber 2.

Advantageously, the beverage passage pipe 3 is suitable for a fluidodynamic connection to a beverage storage container 10 and a corresponding dispensing tap 11 accessible to the user.

The refrigeration plant 1 also comprises a path 5 permitting the passage of the first operating fluid. The path 5 comprises:

-an outfeed pipe 53 from the chamber 2 for the first operating fluid;

-a return pipe 55 for the first operating fluid in the chamber 2;

-a first tubular portion 50 positioned along the path 5 between the return pipe 55 and the outfeed pipe 53. Advantageously the path 5 is a closed circuit.

The first operating fluid solidifies at temperatures below 0°C, is fluidodynamically separate from the beverage and the substance 21 and is suitable for cooling at least one element outside the chamber 2. As explained more fully below, the element outside the chamber 2 comprises, for example, a beverage tapping column; alternatively the element outside the chamber 2 comprises a heat exchange surface of a heat exchanger for cooling a liquid to be drunk before tapping. The first operating fluid is advantageously in the liquid state. Advantageously, the first operating fluid comprises diluted glycol. The first operating fluid solidifies at temperatures below -6°C. Figure 1 shows an example of a circuit 4 comprising a second tubular portion 40 where the circuit 4 enables the passage, inside the circuit itself, of a second operating fluid which draws off heat from inside the chamber 2 and disperses it outside the chamber 2, the second operating fluid being fluidodynamically separate from the first operating fluid and from the beverage and the substance 21.

The first and second tubular portions 50, 40 are made inside the chamber 2 and the substance 21. In particular, the second tubular portion 40 forms part of an evaporator 400 in which the second operating fluid circulates. Advantageously, the second tubular portion 40 coincides with the evaporator 400. The second operating fluid subtracts heat from inside the chamber 2; in this way inside the evaporator 400 the second operating fluid reduces its liquid phase and increases its gaseous phase. Advantageously, the second operating fluid comprises a fluid known as R 134a. The second operating fluid subtracts heat from inside the chamber 2 thereby cooling the first operating fluid, the beverage and the substance 21.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the second operating fluid cools the substance 21 which in turn cools the beverage in the section 30 of the pipe 3. Outside the chamber 2 the circuit 4 comprises return means 12 for returning the second operating fluid to the thermodynamic conditions it possessed prior to entry into the chamber 2. These return means 12 comprise dissipating means 120 for dispersing into the outside environment the heat acquired inside the chamber 2. The thermal flywheel provided by the substance 21 is very important in that it permits tapping of the beverage at the required temperature even at those times when there is a peak of beverage dispensing requests. At peak times, the reserve of cold stored by the substance 21 is reduced to help the second operating fluid guarantee cooling of the beverage and of the first operating fluid. This thermal flywheel means that during the design stage there is no need to overdimension the return means 12 for the second operating fluid.

Downstream from the evaporator 400 the circuit 4 comprises a compressor 401, a condensator 402 and a lamination unit 403. Downstream from the lamination unit 403 the circuit 4 is closed again by the evaporator 400. Positioned along the circuit 4 there is a filter 404 for cleaning the second operating fluid. Advantageously, the compressor 401, the condensator 402 and the lamination unit 403 form part of the return means 12. In particular, the compressor 401 and the condensator 402 form part of the dispersing means 120.

The path 5 comprises pumping means 51 downstream from the first tubular portion 50 where the pumping means 51 send the first operating fluid to the element to be cooled and located outside the chamber 2. The first operating fluid is then recirculated in the first tubular section 50. Advantageously, downstream from the first tubular portion 50 and before the pumping means 51 it is possible to locate a tank 52 which maintains the difference in level between the surface of the first fluid inside the tank 52 and the aspiration of the pumping means 51 when the fluid surface is at atmospheric pressure. This arrangement makes it possible to reduce the risk of cavitation of the pumping means 51.

Advantageously, the first tubular portion 50 extends in correspondence with the second tubular portion 40, the first and second tubular portions 50, 40 being in thermal contact with each other.

In particular, the first tubular portion 50 extends substantially following the path of the second tubular element 40. The first and second tubular portions 50, 40 follow a coil-like path. Coil-like is understood as a twisting path with repeated changes of direction. Advantageously, the first and second tubular portions 50, 40 have a spiral shape. A spiral shape here is to be interpreted as indicating an example of a coil- like path. The coil-like path and the spiral-shaped path make it possible to increase the length of the path travelled by the first and second operating fluids in close contact with each other and inside the substance 21. Advantageously, also the section 30 of the beverage passage pipe 3 follows a coil-like path in order to permit improved cooling of the beverage and better heat exchange. The first and second tubular portions 50, 40 are made one inside the other thus defining an internal tubular portion 45 and an external tubular portion 54.

In the enlarged detail in Figure Ia, the second operating fluid travels in the external tubular portion 54 while the first operating fluid travels in the internal tubular portion 45. In this way the second operating fluid is separated from the first operating fluid and from the substance 21 only by the thickness of the corresponding tubular pipes 45, 54. Alternatively, the second operating fluid travels in the internal tubular portion 45 while the first operating fluid travels in the external tubular portion 54. In this case, the first operating fluid is between the second operating fluid and the substance 21. This latter solution is interesting from the point of view that the temperature to which the first operating fluid is to be cooled in order to freeze the column is less than the temperature needed so that the substance 21 can fulfil its action as a thermal flywheel.

With reference to the non-limiting example embodiment shown in Figure 1, the substance 21 touches both the external tubular portion 54 and the section 30 of the beverage passage pipe 3.

Preferably, the first and second tubular portions 50, 40 are coaxial. The second fluid flows along the second tubular portion 40 in a direction counter to the direction of flow of the first fluid along the first tubular portion 50. This makes it possible to optimise the efficiency of the heat exchange between the first and second operating fluids.

Advantageously, there is at least one imaginary straight segment, between the external tubular portion 54 and the section 30 of at least one beverage pipe 3, along which there is only the substance 21.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the substance 21 comprises diluted glycol which solidifies at temperatures between -2°C and -4°C. Advantageously, the substance 21 is partly in the liquid state and partly in the solid state. Suitably, the substance 21 thus defined is in the solid state at the second tubular portion 40. In the case where the first and the second tubular portions 50, 40 are made one inside the other, the glycol is frozen at the surface of the external tubular portion 54. Alternatively, the substance 21 can advantageously comprise water which can in part at least be frozen. At a certain distance from the second tubular portion 40 the substance 21 is at a higher temperature and is usually in the liquid state. The chamber 2 comprises a first and a second base 22, 23 which are at least partially facing and connected by a side surface 24. The inside of the chamber 2 comprises a side zone 25 positioned close to the side surface 24 and an inner core 26 distal with respect to the side surface 24. In the side zone 25 there is the second tubular portion 40 which extends following a spiral path; in the core 26 there is the beverage section 30 which extends following a spiral path. The fact that the beverage flows at a preset distance from the second operating fluid prevents freezing of the beverage flowing in section 30 of the beverage pipe 3 positioned inside the substance 21 (beer at temperatures below -2, -3°C can freeze and become impossible to tap).

The refrigeration means 1 comprises means 13 for measuring the temperature at a preset point inside the chamber 2 where the temperature measuring means 13 are linked to a thermostat which activates and deactivates the return means 12 of the second operating fluid outside the chamber 2 (in particular the compressor 401 of the circuit 4).

Advantageously, inside the chamber 2 there are mechanical agitating means 6 for agitating the substance 21. These thermal agitation means 6 comprise, for example, a rotary fan. The thermal agitating means 6 for agitating the substance 21 perform an important function by mixing the liquid part of the substance 21 thus favouring the homogenisation of the temperature of the liquid part of the substance 21.

The inertia of the substance 21 kept in motion by the mechanical agitating means helps the substance 21 to remain in a liquid state.

In cases where there are multiple, separate and independent beverage pipes 3, each pipe 3 is connected to a separate storage container 10 with a corresponding dispensing tap 11. Advantageously, each pipe 3 comprises a corresponding tubular section 30 inside the chamber 2.

An alternative embodiment is shown in Figure 2. This embodiment comprises an additional circuit 9 which in turn comprises at least a third tubular portion 90 positioned inside the chamber 2. The additional circuit 9 carries a third operating fluid which has a solidification temperature which is greater than that of the second operating fluid and is less than 0°C. The first operating fluid, the second operating fluid and the third operating fluid are fluidodynamically separate. At least one of the first, second and third tubular portions 50, 40, 90 contains both the remaining two tubular portions and the section 30 of at least one beverage pipe 3 where the section 30 of at least one beverage pipe 3 is immersed in the third operating fluid. In particular, the third tubular portion 90 is made outside the first and second tubular pipes 50, 40. The section 30 of the beverage pipe 3 is made inside the third tubular portion 90 and is washed directly by the third operating fluid. The substance 21 which acts as a thermal flywheel is outside the first, second and third tubular portions 50, 40, 90. Preferably, the substance 21 is in the solid state. In this case advantageously, the substance 21 consists of frozen water which has a latent liquefaction heat which is greater than that of glycol.

Preferably, the first, second and third tubular portions 50, 40, 90 are contained two at a time one inside the other and, advantageously, the three tubular portions 50, 40, 90 are coaxial.

The present invention also refers to a tapping plant 100 for at least one beverage. The tapping plant 100 comprises:

- a refrigeration plant 1 according to the present invention;

- at least one beverage dispensing column 7 which permits the tapping of the beverage flowing in the beverage passage pipe 3. The column 7 comprises, at least partially, a compartment 70 with a fluidodynamic connection to the outfeed pipe 53 of the chamber 2 of the first operating fluid and also to the return pipe 55 of the first operating fluid in the chamber 2. The compartment 70 in combination with the path 5 defines a closed circuit where the compartment 70 is occupied by the first operating fluid.

The first fluid present in the compartment 70 cools the column 7 to permit the condensation of atmospheric humidity and thereby the formation of a layer of ice coating the outer walls of the column 7.

The first fluid present in the compartment 70 cools the beverage as far as the tapping valve 11 thereby enabling dispensing of the beverage at a low temperature and preventing heating of the beverage trapped in the column between one tapping operation and another.

The tapping plant 100 comprises along the return pipe 55 of the refrigeration plant 1, downstream from the column 7, a heat exchanger which permits refrigeration of a drinkable liquid by means of the first operating fluid. This drinkable liquid can be the beverage which flows in the section 30 of the beverage pipe 3 and which undergoes further cooling downstream of the chamber 2 before it reaches the column 7. Alternatively, the heat exchanger can be used to cool another liquid for tapping. The tapping plant comprises a storage container 8 for the beverage to be tapped, where the container 8 is outside the chamber 2. This container 8 is, for example, a storage drum 10. In fact, the container 8 does not necessarily have to be positioned in the refrigerated compartment because beverage refrigeration takes place during passage in the chamber 2 before or during tapping. Tapping plant 100 of this type can be used, for example, to tap beer at a temperature of -2°C, -3°C. The present invention also refers to a tapping plant 100 for at least one beverage comprising:

- a refrigeration plant 1 according to the present invention;

- a heat exchanger positioned outside the chamber 2, operationally connected to the path 5 of the refrigeration plant 1 and positioned between the outfeed pipe 53 of the chamber 2 and the return pipe 55 of the chamber 2 for cooling by means of the first operating fluid a liquid to be drunk which flows inside the heat exchanger.

The invention permits major advantages.

Above all, it minimises overall dimensions. Secondly, it permits efficient, optimised heat exchange between the operating fluids and the beverage.

The present invention may be modified and adapted in several ways without thereby departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the invention may be substituted by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A refrigeration plant for at least one beverage and a first operating fluid, comprising: • a chamber (2) at least partially occupied by a substance (21) in a liquid state or at least partly frozen which acts as a thermal flywheel;

• at least one beverage passage pipe (3) comprising a section (30) made inside the substance (21) and the chamber (2);

• a path (5) permitting the passage of the first operating fluid and where the path (5) comprises:

-an outfeed pipe (53) from the chamber (2) for the first operating fluid; -a return pipe (55) in the chamber (2) for the first operating fluid; -a first tubular portion (50) positioned along the path (5) between the return pipe (55) and the outfeed pipe (53); the first operating fluid solidifying at temperatures below 0°C, being fluidodynamically separate from the beverage and the substance (21) and being suitable for cooling at least one element outside the chamber (2);

• a circuit (4) comprising a second tubular portion (40) where the circuit (4) enables the passage of a second operating fluid which draws off heat from inside the chamber (2) and disperses it outside the chamber (2), the second operating fluid being fluidodynamically separate from the first operating fluid and from the beverage and the substance (21); characterised in that the first and second tubular portions (50, 40) are made inside the chamber (2) and the substance (21).

2. The refrigeration plant according to claim 1, characterised in that the first tubular portion (50) extends at the second tubular portion (40), the first and second tubular portion (50, 40) being in thermal contact one with the other.

3. The refrigeration plant according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the first tubular portion (50) extends substantially following the path of the second tubular element (40).

4. The refrigeration plant according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterised in that the first and second tubular portions (50, 40) are made one inside the other thereby defining an internal tubular portion (45) and an external tubular portion (54).

5. The refrigeration plant according to claim 4, characterised in that there is at least one imaginary straight segment, between the external tubular portion (54) and the section (30) of at least one beverage pipe (3), along which there is only the substance (21).

6. The refrigeration plant according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the first and second tubular portions (50, 40) are coaxial.

7. The refrigeration plant according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the first and second tubular portions (50,40) follow a coil-like s path.

8. The refrigeration plant according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the first and second portions (50, 40) follow a spiral-shaped path.

9. The refrigeration plant according to any one of the foregoing claims,o characterised in that the second fluid flows along the second tubular portion (40) in a direction counter to the direction of flow of the first fluid along the first tubular portion (50).

10. The refrigeration plant according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that at least one wall of the chamber (2) comprises thermals insulating means.

11. The refrigerationplant according to any one of the foregoing claims, characterised in that inside the chamber (2) there are mechanical agitating means (6) for agitating the substance (21).

12. The refrigeration plant according to claim 4 or 5 or to any one of the claims from 6 to 11 where it depends on claim 4, characterised in that the substance (21) touches both the external tubular portion (54) and the section (30) of the beverage passage pipe (3).

13. The refrigeration plant according to any one of the claims from 1 to 11, characterised in that it comprises an additional circuit (9) comprising at least a third tubular portion (90) positioned inside the chamber (2); the additional circuit (9) carries a third operating fluid which has a solidification temperature which is greater than that of the second operating fluid and less than 0°C, and where at least one of the first, second and third tubular portions (50, 40, 90) contains both the remaining two tubular portions and the section (30) of at least one beverage pipe (3) where the section (30) of at least one beverage pipe (3) is immersed in the third operating fluid and where the substance (21) acts as a thermal flywheel being outside the first, second and third tubular portions (50, 40, 90).

14. The refrigeration plant according to claim 13, characterised in that the first, second and third tubular portions (50, 40, 90) are contained two at a time one inside the other.

15. A tapping plant for at least one beverage characterised in that it comprises: - a refrigeration plant (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 14; - at least one beverage dispensing column (7) which permits the tapping of the beverage flowing in the beverage passage pipe (3) and where the column (7) comprises, at least partially, a compartment (70) with a fluidodynamic connection to the outfeed pipe (53) of the chamber (2) of the first operating fluid and also to s the return pipe (55) of the first operating fluid in the chamber (2) and where the compartment (70) in combination with the path (5) defines a closed circuit where the compartment (70) is occupied by the first operating fluid.

16. The tapping plant for at least one beverage according to claim 15, characterised in that it comprises along the return pipe (55) the refrigeration planto (1) downstream from the column (7), a heat exchanger which permits refrigeration of a drinkable liquid.

17. The tapping plant for at least one beverage according to claim 15 or 16, characterised in that it comprises a storage container (8) for the beverage to be tapped, where the container (8) is outside the chamber (2). s 18. A tapping plant for at least one beverage, characterised in that it comprises: a refrigeration plant (1) according to any one of the claims from 1 to 14; a heat exchanger positioned outside the chamber (2), operationally connected to the path (5) of the refrigeration plant (1) and positioned between the outfeed pipe (53) of the chamber (2) and the return pipe (55) of the chamber (2) for cooling by means of the first operating fluid a liquid to be drunk which flows inside the heat exchanger.