Abstract:
A cooling system for cooling a flow of milk includes a first and a second refrigeration system; a first and a second intermediate coolant circulating system; and a line manifold interconnectable between the first and second intermediate coolant circulating systems, wherein coolant in the first intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the first refrigeration system in a first heat exchange section and coolant in the second intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the second refrigeration system in a second heat exchange section. The cooling system is reconfigurable between first operation configuration providing two-stage cooling of the flow of milk and a second operation configuration providing one-stage cooling of the flow of milk.
Abstract:
A cooling system for cooling a flow of milk includes a first and a second refrigeration system; a first and a second intermediate coolant circulating system; and a line manifold interconnectable between the first and second intermediate coolant circulating systems, wherein coolant in the first intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the first refrigeration system in a first heat exchange section and coolant in the second intermediate coolant circulating system is in heat exchange connection with the second refrigeration system in a second heat exchange section. The cooling system is reconfigurable between first operation configuration providing two-stage cooling of the flow of milk and a second operation configuration providing one-stage cooling of the flow of milk.
Abstract:
This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank contains a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.
Abstract:
An apparatus for cooling a product comprises a first evaporator and a second evaporator separate from the first evaporator, a first heat exchanger incorporating the first evaporator and a second heat exchanger incorporating the second evaporator. In operation, the product or an intermediate heat transfer medium is cooled in at least two first stages. During the first stage, heat is withdrawn from the product or the medium by the first evaporator cooling the product or the medium to an intermediate temperature. During the second stage, heat is withdrawn from the product or the medium by the second evaporator further cooling the product or the medium to the desired temperature. Since the product or the medium is partially cooled by an evaporator operating at a higher evaporating temperature than required for achieving the desired temperature, an improved energy efficiency is achieved.
Abstract:
A container for fast cooling of milk and its preservation and transportation at an optimal temperature (0.degree.-4.degree. C.) comprises a body (11) consisting of an internal recipient (12) defining a tank (13) for containing the milk and an intermediate shell (14) surrounding the internal recipient (12) and connected in a sealed manner therewith to define between the recipient (12) and the intermediate shell (14) a jacket (18) designed to contain liquid at a freezing temperature lower than a predetermined preservation temperature. The container is covered with an insulating external shell (20). Ducts (30) for circulation of the refrigerating fluid are arranged in the jacket (18). There can also be provided means (48,49,54) for the controlled input of milk up to thermal contact with the refrigerating walls of the recipient (12) and means (35) for mixing the milk in the tank (13) during cooling and preservation.
Abstract:
A milking plant for cows is provided with a milking machine comprising teat cups, which are connected separately to the teats of an animal. The milk obtained from each udder quarter is conveyed through a separate line to a milk measuring device. The milk measuring device includes four milk meters, one for each teat cup, having separate discharge lines coupled to common discharge lines which connect with a circulation line or loop that includes a bulk milk cooling tank, a two-speed or variable speed pump, and a plurality of heat exchangers for precooling the milk received from the common discharge lines before it is received in the bulk milk cooling tank and to recirculate and cool the milk received in the bulk milk cooling tank. After the milk has been discharged from the bulk milk cooling tank and the system is to be disinfected, washed and rinsed, the heat exchangers being used in a heat pump arrangement, can heat the fluid therein as selected and desired for sanitizing the system.
Abstract:
A milking system for dairy animals comprising individual teat cups attachable to the respective teats of the animal's udder, a measuring device to determine the volume of milk discharged from individual teats, a central vacuum system to aid the discharge of the milk from the teats as well as to propel both the milk and the cleaning fluid through the system's fluid lines, a cooling tank, and an array of sensors to determine various parameters of the milk and milking system, including temperature sensors, milk conductivity sensors, air-to-milk ratio sensors, pressure sensors and fluid level sensors. The sensors are arranged at various points in the milking system, including in the individual teat cups, the milk measuring device and the discharge lines, and are optionally coupled to a central computer which controls both the individual components of the milking system and working parameters of the system as a whole, including an automatic cleaning system for cleaning the teat cups, fluid lines and cooling tank. The system diverts milk from the milk otherwise collected that has too high of a temperature or more than a predetermined conductivity indicating it may not have been produced in a healthy teat or udder.
Abstract:
A bulk tank cooling and storage apparatus has heat exchange surfaces substantially covering the side and end walls of the tank. The tank is supplied with a horizontal rotating disc liquid distributor which uniformly distributes the liquid in a sheet over the heat exchange surfaces so that it flows downwardly over the surfaces in a thin film and is cooled by heat exchange operating in cooperation with the heat exchange surfaces. Even distribution of the liquid is provided by the rotating disc distributor which expels liquid from the periphery of the rotating disc and propels the liquid against the walls of the tank. Liquid fed into the tank is directed to the center of the rotating disc where a cylindrical dam or well holds a reservoir of the liquid and distributes it on the surface of the disc. The periphery of the disc may have a knife edge which helps the film of liquid to flow off smoothly without atomization.
Abstract:
Milk fresh from the cow is brought into contact with the cold walls of a vessel so that it flows therealong in the form of a thin membrane whereby it is cooled, and the cooled milk is collected in a sump at the bottom of the vessel, the feeding velocity of the milk into and out of the sump being adjustable.