JP6994178B2 - Cleaning method and cleaning equipment for heat sterilization system - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to a cleaning method and a cleaning device of a heat sterilization system for filling a container such as a PET bottle with a beverage (contents).

Conventionally, an aseptic filling system for filling a container such as a bottle with a beverage has been known. Such an aseptic filling system comprises a heat sterilizer for heating the beverage and a filling machine, which includes a sterile chamber for filling the beverage into a bottle in the aseptic chamber.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-255938 JP-A-2015-44593 Japanese Patent No. 3437942

By the way, conventionally, after using the heat sterilizer for a predetermined time, a cleaning liquid and a rinsing liquid are sequentially supplied into the heat sterilizer to clean the inside.

Such a cleaning method of the heat sterilizer is called CIP cleaning (Cleaning In Place) and is widely used. However, at present, the technique of how long the CIP cleaning should be performed has not been established, and the actual situation is that the CIP cleaning is performed for an unnecessarily long time.
The present disclosure has been made in consideration of such problems, and provides a cleaning method and a cleaning device for a heat sterilization system capable of reliably cleaning the inside of a heat sterilizer by performing CIP cleaning for an appropriate time. The purpose is to provide.

The present disclosure is a method of cleaning a heat sterilization system having a heating pipe having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a heating section for heating the contents, wherein the fluid containing at least a cleaning liquid is contained in the heat sterilization system. A flow step, a step of heating the heating pipe of the heating section from the outside using a medium, a step of measuring the fluid temperature of the fluid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe, a step of measuring the fluid temperature of the fluid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, and the medium inlet and the step of the heating section. Comprehensive transmission of the heating pipe based on the step of measuring the medium temperature of the medium at the medium outlet, the fluid temperature of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe, and the medium temperature of the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the heating section. It is a cleaning method of a heat sterilization system including a step of obtaining and monitoring a heat coefficient.

The present disclosure is a cleaning method for a heat sterilization system that terminates cleaning in the heat sterilization system when the overall heat transfer coefficient exceeds a desired value.

The present disclosure is a cleaning method for a heat sterilization system that defines cleaning conditions for the heat sterilization system based on the overall heat transfer coefficient.

The present disclosure is a cleaning method of a heat sterilization system in which a plurality of the heating sections are arranged and the overall heat transfer coefficient in the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section is monitored.

The present disclosure is a cleaning device of a heat sterilization system having a heating pipe having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet and a heating section for heating the contents, wherein a fluid containing at least a cleaning liquid is flowed into the heat sterilization system. A fluid supply unit for cleaning the inside of the heating sterilization system, a heating unit for heating the heating pipe of the heating section from the outside using a medium, and the fluid temperature of the fluid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating section. A thermometer for measuring the medium temperature of the medium at the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the heating pipe and a control unit are provided, and the control unit includes the fluid temperature of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe and the fluid temperature of the heating section. It is a cleaning device of a heat sterilization system having a monitoring unit that obtains and monitors the total heat transfer coefficient of the heating pipe based on the medium temperature of the medium inlet and the medium outlet.

The present disclosure is a cleaning device for a heat sterilization system in which the control unit ends cleaning of the heat sterilization system when the total heat transfer coefficient exceeds a desired value.

The present disclosure is a cleaning device for a heat sterilization system, wherein the control unit has a cleaning condition determination unit that determines cleaning conditions for the heat sterilization system based on the overall heat transfer coefficient.

The present disclosure is a cleaning device for a heat sterilization system in which a plurality of the heating sections are arranged, and the control unit monitors the overall heat transfer coefficient in the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section.

According to the present disclosure, the inside of the heat sterilization system can be reliably cleaned only by performing CIP cleaning for an appropriate time.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a heat sterilizer of an aseptic filling system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the aseptic filling system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hot water line and a cooling water line connected to the second stage heating unit and the first stage cooling unit. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a U value during production in an example using milk coffee as a content. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a U value during CIP washing in an example using milk coffee as a content. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a U value during production in an example using black coffee as a content. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a cleaning method of the heat sterilization system. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a control unit of a heat sterilization system.

First, the entire aseptic filling system 1A incorporating the heat sterilization system of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, the aseptic filling system 1A fills a plastic bottle (also referred to as a container) b with a beverage (also referred to as a content) in an aseptic state.

Such an aseptic filling system 1A includes a blending device 1 arranged in order, a balance tank 5, a heat sterilizer (also referred to as a heat sterilizer) (UHT) 18, a surge tank 19, a head tank 11, and a beverage. The bottle b is provided with a filler (also referred to as a filling machine) 2 including a filling nozzle 2a for aseptically filling the bottle b.

Of these, the blending device 1 is for blending the ingredients in a desired blending ratio in order to prepare beverages such as milk coffee, black coffee, tea beverage, and fruit beverage, respectively.

Further, the blending device 1, the balance tank 5, the UHT 18, the surge tank 19, and the filling nozzle 2a in the filler 2 are all connected by a beverage supply system pipe 7.

Further, the aseptic filling system 1A is provided with a bottle transport path for transporting the bottle b to the filler 2 and discharging the bottle b filled with the beverage by the filler 2. The transport path is generally composed of a large number of wheels 20, grippers 20A and the like arranged around each wheel.

The filler 2 is a filling machine for filling a large number of bottles b at high speed, and is provided with an aseptic chamber 3, a plurality of filling nozzles 2a provided in the sterile chamber 3 for filling the beverage in the bottle b, and aseptic. A wheel 20 provided in the chamber 3 and forming a part of the transport path of the bottle b is provided. The wheel 20 is attached to a swivel shaft 21a extending from a support shaft 21 that stands vertically from the floor of the aseptic filling device. Around the wheel 20, grippers 21A for gripping the neck of the bottle b are arranged at a constant pitch. The gripper 21A can rotate in one direction integrally with the wheel 20. Further, the filling nozzle 2a is attached around the wheel 20 at the same pitch as the gripper 20A.

A rotary joint 21b is provided at the upper end of the swivel shaft 21a extending upward from the support shaft 21, and an upper manifold 22 is provided below the rotary joint 21b in the swivel shaft 21a. Further, the portion of the swivel shaft 21a from the upper portion of the support shaft 21 to the upper manifold 22 is hollow, and the downstream side piping portion 7b of the beverage supply system pipe 7 is connected to the rotary joint 21b. Further, a connecting pipe portion 7c extends between the upper manifold 22 and each filling nozzle 2a.

The wheel 20 swivels at high speed due to the operation of the filler 2, and the bottle b gripped by the gripper 20A is conveyed at high speed on the transport path in synchronization with this motion. When the bottle b comes directly below the nozzle opening at the lower end of the filling nozzle 2a, a certain amount of beverage is filled into each bottle b one after another.

Further, in order to fill the aseptically treated beverage into the aseptically treated bottle b so that foreign substances such as microorganisms do not enter, the filler 2 is entirely stored in the aseptic chamber 3 as described above. The aseptic chamber 3 is provided with an inlet and an outlet for the bottle b on the upstream side and the downstream side of the transport path of the bottle b.

Next, the aseptic filling system 1A will be further described. The beverage supply system piping 7 includes an upstream piping section 7a and a downstream piping section 7b, and the balance tank 5 is in the upstream piping section 7a from the blending device 1 to the surge tank 19 in order from the upstream side to the downstream side. A heat sterilizer (UHT (Ultra High-temperature)) 18 and a manifold valve 8 are arranged, and a head tank (buffer tank) 11 is arranged in a downstream piping portion 7b from the surge tank 19 to the filler 2. .. The head tank 11 does not necessarily have to be arranged.

The UHT 18 includes a first-stage heating section (first-stage heating section) 12, a second-stage heating section (second-stage heating section) 13, a holding tube 14, and a first-stage cooling section (first-stage cooling section) provided inside the UHT 18. It includes a first-stage cooling section) 15, a second-stage cooling section (second-stage cooling section) 16, and a third-stage cooling section (third-stage cooling section) 17. Then, the beverage supplied from the balance tank 5 is sent to the first stage heating unit 12 and the second stage heating unit 13, gradually heated by the first stage heating unit 12 and the second stage heating unit 13, and inside the holding tube 14. After that, the temperature is maintained at the target temperature, and then the temperature is gradually cooled by being sent to the first stage cooling unit 15, the second stage cooling unit 16 and the third stage cooling unit 17. The number of stages of the first-stage and second-stage heating units 12 and 13 and the first-stage to third-stage cooling units 15, 16 and 17 is increased or decreased as necessary.

Further, in the beverage supply system piping 7, a return line 6 is provided in the upstream piping portion 7a leading to the manifold valve 8 via the balance tank 5 and the UHT 18. The return line 6 is provided to add a cleaning liquid and circulate the balance tank 5, the heating units 12, 13 and the cooling units 15, 16 and 17 when the UHT 18 is CIP-cleaned (CleaningInPlace). Further, when the liquid amount of the surge tank 19 reaches the upper limit, the balance tank 5 is used with the return line 6 while the beverage as the product liquid is not sent to the surge tank 19 and the UHT 18 is not stopped. It is also possible to return the beverage to. Further, the return line 6 is used for performing Sterilizing in Place (SIP). Further, after the start of product production, the return line 6 is used when the liquid cannot be sent to the surge tank 19 in order to maintain the required pressure so that the temperature of the holding tube 14 can be maintained at a high temperature of 100 ° C. or higher. The fluid can be circulated.

Further, in the upstream piping portion 7a of the beverage supply system piping 7, a plurality of thermometers 10, 10a and 10b are arranged at each important points in the operation of the UHT. The locations where the thermometers 10, 10a and 10b are arranged are, for example, the outlet of the first stage heating unit 12, the outlet of the second stage heating unit 13, the outlet of the holding tube 14, and the first stage cooling unit 15 in the UHT 18. The outlet of the second stage cooling unit 16, the outlet of the third stage cooling unit 17, and the location in front of the manifold valve 8 can be mentioned, and thermometers 10, 10a, and 10b are arranged at these locations, respectively. To. Then, the temperature information measured by each of these thermometers 10, 10a and 10b is transmitted to the control unit 40.

Further, among the beverage supply system pipes 7, the temperature does not easily rise when heated steam or the like is supplied to the downstream side pipe portion 7b from the surge tank 19 to the inside of the filler 2 via the head tank 11. Thermometers 10 are arranged at each location including the location. As a place where the thermometer 10 is arranged, for example, in the downstream piping portion 7b from the surge tank 19 to the filling nozzle 2a, the position near the outlet of the surge tank 19, the bent portion in the middle, etc. is low and the steam is restored. Then, the place where the drain is accumulated and the temperature becomes low, the vicinity of the inlet and the vicinity of the outlet of the head tank 11 can be mentioned. Information on the temperature measured by each of these thermometers 10 is transmitted to the control unit 40.

Next, UHT18 will be further described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the UHT 18 includes a first stage heating unit 12, a second stage heating unit 13, a holding tube 14, a first stage cooling unit 15, a second stage cooling unit 16, and a second stage cooling unit. It has a three-stage cooling unit 17. Of these, the first-stage heating unit 12 includes heating pipes 12a arranged in five stages, the second-stage heating unit 13 includes heating pipes 13a arranged in five stages, and the first-stage cooling unit 15 has five stages. The second-stage cooling unit 16 includes the cooling pipes 16a arranged in the fifth stage, and the third-stage cooling unit 17 includes the cooling unit 17a arranged in the third stage.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a second-stage heating unit 13 located at the most downstream of the heating units 12 and 13 and a first-stage cooling unit 15 located at the most upstream of the cooling units 15, 16 and 17. A hot water line 31 that supplies hot water from the first-stage cooling unit 15 to the second-stage heating unit 13 is connected between them. Further, a cooling water line 32 that supplies the cooling water from the second stage heating unit 13 to the first stage cooling unit 15 is connected.

In FIGS. 2 and 3, the first-stage heating unit 12, the second-stage heating unit 13, the first-stage cooling unit 15, the second-stage cooling unit 16, and the third-stage cooling unit 17 have a single-stage structure for convenience. It is shown.

Further, the hot water line 31 and the cooling water line 32 connected between the second stage heating unit 13 and the first stage cooling unit 15 form a closed circulation line 30. That is, the hot water line 31 is connected to the second stage heating unit 13 and then merges with the cooling water line 32, and this cooling water line 32 is connected to the first stage cooling unit 15 and then connected to the hot water line 31. The hot water line 31 and the cooling water line 32 form a closed line that is closed from the outside.

Further, the hot water line 31 is provided with a heated steam supply unit 33 for supplying heated steam into the hot water line 31, and heat flowing in the hot water line 31 by the heated steam supplied from the heated steam supply unit 33. Heat the water to a high temperature. Further, the hot water line 31 is provided with a pressurizing pump 35.

Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a pressurizing pump 48 for pressurizing the contents and a flow meter 9 are installed between the balance tank 5 and the UHT 18, and the first stage heating unit 12 of the UHT 18 has a first stage. A hot water line 37 for heating the stage heating unit 12 is connected. Further, a cooling water line 38 for cooling the second stage cooling unit 16 is connected to the second stage cooling unit 16, and a cooling water line 39 for cooling the third stage cooling unit 17 is further connected to the third stage cooling unit 17. It is connected.

By the way, as described above, the thermometers 10, 10a and 10b are installed at a plurality of places in the sterile filling system 1A, but as shown in FIG. 3, the first stage heating unit 12 and the second stage heating unit 13 The most downstream second-stage heating unit 13 has a heating pipe 13a, and a thermometer 10a (also referred to as a first thermometer 10a) is installed at the inlet (fluid inlet) 13a1 of the heating pipe 13a. A thermometer 10b (also referred to as a second thermometer 10b) is installed at the outlet (fluid outlet) 13a2 of 13a.

Further, a third thermometer 10c is installed at the inlet (medium inlet) 31a of the second stage heating unit 13 of the hot water line 31, and the outlet (medium outlet) of the second stage heating unit 13 of the cooling water line 32. A fourth thermometer 10d is installed in 32a.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

First, the beverage is prepared in the blending device 1, sent from the balance tank 5 to the heat sterilizer (UHT) 18, and the beverage is heat sterilized in the heat sterilizer 18.

The beverage that has been heat sterilized in the heat sterilizer 18 is then stored in the surge tank 19 and then sent to the head tank 11. Next, the beverage in the head tank 11 is supplied to the filler 2, passes through the filling nozzle 2a in the filler 2, and is aseptically filled into the bottle b. Next, the bottle b filled with the beverage is discharged outward from the filler 2.

Next, the action on UHT18 will be described in detail below.

First, as shown in FIG. 2, the beverage supplied from the balance tank 5 is sent to the first stage heating unit 12 and the second stage heating unit 13 of the UHT 18, and the first stage heating unit 12 and the second stage heating unit 13 are sent. In, for example, a beverage at room temperature (20 ° C.) is heated to, for example, 130 ° C. While the beverage is heated from 20 ° C. to 130 ° C. in this way, heat sterilization treatment is performed on the beverage.

Next, the beverage heated in the first stage heating unit 12 and the second stage heating unit 13 is kept warm or heated to a target temperature, for example, 130 ° C. by a heating mechanism (not shown) in the holding tube 14.

The beverage from the holding tube 14 is then cooled in the first stage cooling section 15 and its temperature drops from, for example, 130 ° C to, for example, 100 ° C.

Further, the beverage cooled by the first stage cooling unit 15 is further cooled by the second stage cooling unit 16 and the third stage cooling unit 17, and the temperature thereof drops from, for example, 100 ° C to, for example, 30 ° C.

Next, the beverage cooled by the third stage cooling unit 17 is sent to the surge tank 19 via the manifold valve 8.

During this period, as shown in FIG. 3, high-temperature water (hot water) flowing through the hot water line 31 is supplied into the second-stage heating unit 13, and the beverage is heated in the second-stage heating unit 13. The hot water that heats the beverage in the second stage heating unit 13 then becomes cooling water and flows through the cooling water line 32. Next, the cooling water of the cooling water line 32 is supplied to the first stage cooling unit 15, and the high temperature beverage is cooled in the first stage cooling unit 15. The temperature of the cooling water in the first stage cooling unit 15 rises to become high temperature water (hot water) and enters the hot water line 31.

Next, the heated steam is supplied from the heated steam supply unit 33 to the hot water flowing in the hot water line 31, and the temperature of the hot water rises.

Since the circulation line 30 including the hot water line 31 and the cooling water line 32 shown in FIG. 3 is a closed line sealed from the outside, the hot water and the cooling water flowing in the circulation line 30 are kept in an aseptic state. It's dripping.

After the aseptic filling work for the bottle b as described above is completed, the CIP cleaning work of the UHT 18 is performed.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, after the contents in the UHT 18 are discharged to the outside, the cleaning liquid and the rinsing liquid are sequentially supplied into the balance tank 5, and the balance tank 5, the UHT 18, and these balance tanks 5 and the UHT 18 are connected. The inside of the UHT 18 is cleaned by using the fluid circulation line 18A including the upstream piping portion 7a to be connected and the return line 6 connecting the balance tank 5 and the UHT 18.

Generally, for CIP washing, an alkaline agent containing caustic soda (sodium hydroxide), potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium phosphate, sodium hypochlorite, a surfactant, a chelating agent, etc. is added to water. This is performed by flowing an alkaline cleaning solution into the UHT 18 and then flowing an acidic cleaning solution in which a nitrate-based or phosphoric acid-based acidic agent is added to water supplied from a cleaning solution source (not shown). In CIP cleaning, the alkaline cleaning liquid or the acidic cleaning liquid is not limited to flowing in the above-mentioned order. For example, the alkaline cleaning liquid may be flowed after the acidic cleaning liquid is flown, or only either the acidic cleaning liquid or the alkaline cleaning liquid, or Cleaning may be performed by running only hot water. In this case, the alkaline cleaning solution, the acidic cleaning solution, and the hot water constitute the cleaning solution.

Specifically, first, an alkaline cleaning liquid such as caustic soda is supplied into the balance tank 5, and the pressure pump 48 is operated to use the alkaline cleaning liquid in the balance tank 5, the UHT 18, the upstream piping portion 7a, and the return line 6. It flows through a fluid circulation line 18A composed of. After that, after discharging the alkaline cleaning liquid from the fluid circulation line 18A, the rinsing liquid (water) is supplied into the balance tank 5, and the rinsing liquid is supplied to the balance tank 5, the UHT 18, the upstream piping portion 7a, and the return line 6. It flows through the fluid circulation line 18A composed of. Then, the rinse liquid is discharged from the liquid circulation line 18A.

Then, in the same manner as described above, an acidic cleaning solution such as nitric acid or phosphoric acid is flowed through the fluid circulation line 18A. After that, the acidic cleaning liquid is discharged from the fluid circulation line 18A, the rinse liquid is flowed into the fluid circulation line 18A, and then the rinse liquid is discharged from the liquid circulation line 18A.

In this way, the UHT 18 can be subjected to CIP cleaning.

In this way, the balance tank 5, the UHT 18, and the upstream piping portion 7a are formed by sequentially supplying the alkaline cleaning fluid, the acidic cleaning fluid, and the rinsing fluid into the balance tank 5 of the UHT 18 and operating the pressurizing pump 48. , These fluids can be supplied into the fluid circulation line 18A including the return line 6 to perform CIP cleaning, and in this case, the pressurizing pump 48 functions as a fluid supply unit.

During this time, the CIP cleaning is controlled by the control unit 40.

That is, the control unit 40 operates the pressurizing pump 48 to sequentially flow the above-mentioned alkaline cleaning liquid, acidic cleaning liquid, and rinsing liquid to the fluid circulation line 18A, and heats the inside of the UHT 18, especially the inside of the UHT 18, in the second stage heating which is easy to get dirty. The inside of the heating pipe 13a of the portion 13 is cleaned. Here, the heating pipe 13a of the second-stage heating unit 13 is a portion where the contents are sterilized by heating at a high temperature, and stains such as burning are likely to occur on the inner surface of the heating pipe 13a.

In the present embodiment, as will be described later, the overall heat transfer coefficient of the heating pipe 13a of the second-stage heating unit 13 that is easily soiled is monitored, and CIP cleaning is efficiently performed to clean the inside of the UHT 18.

Next, the CIP cleaning method by the control unit 40 will be described below.

In the control unit 40, the storage unit 41 for storing various data, the monitoring unit 42 for obtaining the total heat transfer coefficient of the heating pipe 13a of the second stage heating unit 13, and the total heat transfer coefficient obtained by the monitoring unit 42 have desired values. It is determined whether or not the value has been exceeded, and when the total heat transfer coefficient exceeds the desired value, it is determined that the cleaning in the UHT 18 is completed, and the cleaning in the UHT 18 is terminated. Next, the process shifts from the cleaning liquid supply process to the rinse liquid supply process or the beverage manufacturing process, or the pressurizing pump 48 is stopped (see FIG. 8). Further, the total heat transfer coefficient obtained by the monitoring unit 42 is stored in the storage unit 41. Further, the control unit 40 includes a cleaning condition determination unit 44 that obtains the optimum cleaning conditions in the UHT 18 at the time of CIP cleaning by using the total heat transfer coefficient stored in the storage unit 41. The optimum cleaning conditions (CIP conditions) for UHT18 are the cleaning time of each of the alkaline cleaning liquid, rinsing liquid, acidic cleaning liquid, and rinsing liquid, and the cleaning liquid against stains such as beverages as various product liquids and scorching due to manufacturing time. Optimal cleaning conditions including the concentration, type of cleaning liquid, flow rate of cleaning liquid, supply pattern, number of repetitions of supply cycle, etc. can be considered.

Next, the operation of the control unit 40 having such a configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 40 first operates the pressurizing pump 48 as described above to sequentially charge the alkaline cleaning liquid, the acidic cleaning liquid, and the rinsing liquid into the balance tank 5, the UHT 18, and the upstream piping unit 7a. And, it is supplied into the fluid circulation line 18A including the return line 6 and circulated. During this time, the control unit 40 operates the hot water line (heating unit) 31 to heat the heating pipe 13a of the second stage heating unit 13. At the same time, the control unit 40 operates the cooling water line 32.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the second-stage heating unit 13 is heated by the hot water line 31, and the hot water in the hot water line 31 is further heated by the heated steam supplied from the heated steam supply unit 33. Will be done.

As a result, the temperature of the inlet (fluid inlet) 13a1 of the heating pipe 13a of the second stage heating unit 13 is measured by the thermometer 10a to be 89 ° C., and the temperature of the outlet (fluid outlet) 13a2 of the heating pipe 13a is a thermometer. Measured at 10b (120 ° C.). At the same time, the temperature of the inlet 15a1 of the cooling pipe 15a of the first cooling unit 15 is measured by the thermometer 10 (118 ° C.), and the temperature of the outlet 15a2 of the cooling pipe 15a is measured by the thermometer 10 (97 ° C.).

On the other hand, the temperature of the second stage heating unit 13 inlet (medium inlet) 31a of the hot water line 31 is measured by a thermometer 10c (130 ° C.), and the outlet (medium outlet) of the second stage heating unit 12 of the cooling water line 32. The temperature of 32a is measured with a thermometer 10d (90 ° C.).

At the same time, the temperature of the inlet 32b of the first stage cooling unit 15 of the cooling water line 32 is 90 ° C., and the temperature of the outlet 31b of the first stage cooling unit 15 of the hot water line 31 is 118 ° C.

The control unit 40 has a total heat transfer coefficient (U value) of the heating pipe 13a of the second stage heating unit 13 from the temperatures of the thermometers 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d measured by the thermometers 10a, 10b, 10c, and 10d. ).

Specifically, the temperature T1 and the temperature T2 of the fluid composed of the alkaline cleaning liquid, the acidic cleaning liquid, or the rinsing liquid at the inlet (fluid inlet) 13a1 and the outlet (fluid outlet) 13a2 of the heating pipe 13a of the second stage heating unit 13 are the temperatures. It is obtained by a total of 10a and 10b.

Further, the temperatures T3 and T4 of the hot water (medium) at the inlet (medium inlet) 31a and the outlet (medium outlet) 32a of the second stage heating unit 13 are obtained by the thermometers 10c and 10d.

At the same time, the flow rate R of the fluid circulating in the fluid circulation line 18A including the balance tank 5, the UHT 18, the upstream piping portion 7a, and the return line 6 is obtained by the flow meter 9.

The monitoring unit 42 of the control unit 40 first obtains the logarithmic mean temperature difference ΔT in the second stage heating unit 13 based on the temperatures T1, T2, T3, and T4.

Specifically, the logarithmic mean temperature difference ΔT is obtained as follows.

Next, the amount of heat Q in the second-stage heating unit 13 is obtained from the temperature T1, the temperature T2, and the flow rate R (L / h). However, when the specific heat is 1 (kcal / kg · ° C) and the specific weight is 1 (kg / L) Q = 1 x 1 x R x (T2-T1) (2 formulas)

Further, the heat transfer area A (m ² ) of the heating pipe 13a of the second stage heating unit 13 is predetermined.

From the above, the monitoring unit 42 obtains the total heat transfer coefficient (U value) of the second stage heating unit 13 by U = Q / (A × ΔT) (Equation 3).

The U value of the second-stage heating unit 13 decreases as the contents are heated using the UHT 18, but the U value gradually increases by performing CIP cleaning on the UHT 18. Then, when the U value reaches a desired value, the CIP cleaning can be terminated.

In the present embodiment, the monitoring unit 42 of the control unit 40 obtains the U value of the second stage heating unit 13 and monitors the U value. Then, when the U value monitored by the monitoring unit 42 reaches a desired value, the process proceeds to the next step, or the stop unit 43 of the control unit 40 stops the pressurizing pump 48, and the control unit 40 sets the control unit 40. At the same time, the operation of the hot water line 31 and the cooling water line 32 is stopped.

The U value monitored by the monitoring unit 42 is stored in the storage unit 41. The fluid supply pattern determination unit 44 of the control unit 40 determines the optimum fluid supply pattern in CIP cleaning based on the U value stored in the storage unit 41.

In the present embodiment, in the CIP cleaning, the alkaline cleaning liquid, the rinsing liquid, the acidic cleaning liquid and the rinsing liquid having a predetermined concentration are supplied to the fluid circulation line 18A for a predetermined time, respectively, and the alkaline cleaning liquid, the rinsing liquid and the acidic cleaning liquid are supplied. , The rinse solution supply cycle is repeated.

According to the present embodiment, by monitoring the U value in the second stage heating unit 13, each of the alkaline cleaning liquid, the rinsing liquid, the acidic cleaning liquid, and the rinsing liquid can be used against stains such as scorching due to various products and manufacturing time. The optimum cleaning conditions (CIP conditions) including the cleaning time, the concentration of the cleaning liquid, the type of the cleaning liquid, the flow rate of the cleaning liquid, the supply pattern, the number of repetitions of the supply cycle, and the like can be determined.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the U value of the second stage heating unit 13 is obtained during the CIP cleaning, the U value is monitored, and the CIP cleaning is stopped when the U value reaches the desired value. , You can move on to the next process. Therefore, it is not necessary to continue the CIP cleaning more than necessary, and the CIP cleaning can be efficiently performed.

Furthermore, since the U value of the second stage heating unit 13 is obtained while heating the second stage heating unit 13, it is possible to create an appropriate temperature difference between the fluid temperatures T1 and T2 of the fluid inlet 13a1 and the fluid outlet 13a2. The U value of the second stage heating unit 13 can be reliably obtained by using the above equation (1). Generally, when performing CIP cleaning, the second-stage heating unit 13 is not particularly heated, and the first-stage to third-stage cooling units 15 to 17 are not particularly cooled. In this case, the cleaning liquid or the rinsing liquid has a constant temperature and flows in the first-stage and second-stage heating units 12.13 and the first-stage to third-stage cooling units 15 to 17 of the fluid circulation line 18. In particular, since there is no temperature difference between the inlet 13a1 and the outlet 13a2 of the heating pipe 13 of the second stage heating unit 13, the U value of the second heating unit 13 cannot be obtained by the above method. On the other hand, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to easily and surely obtain the U value of the second heating unit 12 as described above.

Hereinafter, specific examples of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

First, FIG. 4 shows the U value in the second stage heating unit 13 when the bottle b filled with the contents is produced by using the aseptic filling system.

In FIG. 4, when milk coffee is used as the content, the U value in the second stage heating unit 13 gradually decreases.

In this embodiment, the UHT 18 is subjected to CIP cleaning after the use of the aseptic filling system using milk coffee (see FIG. 5). In this case, the supply of the alkaline cleaning liquid, the supply of the rinsing liquid, the supply of the acidic cleaning liquid, and the supply of the rinsing liquid are repeated at the time of CIP cleaning. As a result, even when a product such as milk coffee, which is easily contaminated by burning inside the pipe during heating, is used as the content, the U value of the second stage heating unit 13 gradually increases by performing CIP cleaning. I know I'm going.

In the present embodiment, the CIP washing for the UHT 18 is stopped when the U value reaches the desired value.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, according to this embodiment, it is possible to perform CIP cleaning for an appropriate time without performing CIP cleaning for an unnecessarily long time to surely clean the inside of UHT18. can.

Next, FIG. 6 shows the U value when producing the bottle b filled with the contents using the aseptic filling system.

In FIG. 6, when black coffee is used as the content, the U value in the second stage heating unit 13 gradually decreases.

In this embodiment, the UHT 18 is subjected to CIP cleaning after the use of the aseptic filling system using black coffee. In this case, at the time of CIP cleaning, the supply of the alkaline cleaning liquid, the supply of the rinsing liquid, the supply of the acidic cleaning liquid, and the supply of the rinsing liquid are repeated. As a result, even if the inside of the pipe is easily burnt and soiled during heating, such as black coffee, the U value of the second stage heating unit 13 can be reduced to the value before descent by performing CIP cleaning. Can be returned.

In the present embodiment, the CIP washing for the UHT 18 is stopped when the U value reaches the desired value. Next, after the CIP washing, after a predetermined time, black coffee is used as the content, and the black coffee is aseptically filled in the bottle b using an aseptic filling system.

Also in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the inside of the UHT 18 can be reliably cleaned by performing the CIP cleaning for an appropriate time without performing the CIP cleaning for an unnecessarily long time.

In the above embodiment, the flow of the heating medium and the cooling medium between the second heating unit 13 and the first cooling unit 15 has been described (see FIG. 3), but the first and second heating units 12, 13 and the first, have been described. A heating medium and a cooling medium may be similarly flowed between the two or three cooling units 15, 16 and 17, and the heat sterilizer 18 may have a shell & tube heat exchanger and is a plate type. It may have a heat exchanger. Further, the filler 2 is not limited to the aseptic filling machine, and may have any structure as long as it can heat sterilize the beverage including hot packs and chilled beverages.

1A Aseptic filling system 1 Mixing device 2 Filler 2a Filling nozzle 3 Aseptic chamber 3a Atomizer
5 Balance tank 6 Return line 7 Beverage supply system piping 7a Upstream piping 7b Downstream piping 7c Connecting thermometer 10 Thermometer 10a 1st thermometer 10b 2nd thermometer 10c 3rd thermometer 10d 4th thermometer 11 head Tank 12 1st stage heating part 13 2nd stage heating part 14 Holding tube
15 1st stage cooling unit
16 2nd stage cooling unit 17 3rd stage cooling unit 18 Heat sterilizer (UHT)
18A Fluid circulation line 30 Circulation line 31 Hot water line 32 Cooling water line 33 Heating steam supply unit 35 Pressurizing pump 37 Hot water line 38 Cooling water line 39 Cooling water line 40 Control unit 41 Storage unit
42 Monitoring unit 43 Stop unit 44 Fluid supply pattern determination unit 48 Pressurizing pump

Claims (6)

A method of cleaning a heat sterilization system that has a heating pipe with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, heats the contents, and has multiple heating sections connected in sequence .
A step of sequentially cleaning the inside of the heating pipe of each heating section by flowing a fluid containing at least a cleaning liquid into the heating pipe of each heating section.
The step of heating the heating pipe of each heating section from the outside using a medium, and
A step of measuring the fluid temperature of the fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe in the most downstream heating section .
A step of measuring the medium temperature of the medium at the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the most downstream heating section, and
Based on the fluid temperature of the fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid of the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section and the medium temperature of the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the most downstream heating section. The most downstream heating section in the case where a fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid is flowed into the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section and the medium is flowed to the outside of the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section. A method for cleaning a heat sterilization system, comprising a step of monitoring a cleaning state of a heating pipe and forming a temperature difference between the medium temperature at the inlet of the medium and the medium temperature at the outlet of the medium in the most downstream heating section . When monitoring the cleaning state of the heating pipe in the most downstream heating section, the fluid temperature of the fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe in the most downstream heating section and the most downstream . A fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid is flowed into the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section based on the medium temperature of the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the most downstream heating section. The cleaning method of the heat sterilization system according to claim 1, wherein the logarithmic mean temperature difference is obtained when the medium is flowed to the outside of the above. The first or second aspect of the present invention further comprises a step of cooling a fluid containing at least a cleaning liquid heated by a heating pipe of the most downstream heating section by a cooling section provided after the most downstream heating section. How to clean the heat sterilization system. In a cleaning device of a heat sterilization system having a heating pipe with a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, heating the contents and having multiple heating sections connected in sequence .
A fluid supply unit that sequentially cleans the inside of the heating pipe of each heating section by flowing a fluid containing at least a cleaning liquid into the heating pipe of each heating section.
A heating unit that heats the heating pipe of each heating section from the outside using a medium, and
A temperature for measuring the fluid temperature of the fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe in the most downstream heating section and the medium temperature of the medium at the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the most downstream heating section. In total,
Equipped with a control unit
The control unit controls the fluid temperature of the fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe in the most downstream heating section, and the medium of the medium at the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the most downstream heating section. The most downstream when the fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid is flowed into the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section and the medium is flowed to the outside of the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section based on the temperature. The cleaning state of the heating pipe in the heating section was monitored, and a temperature difference was formed between the medium temperature at the inlet of the medium and the medium temperature at the outlet of the medium in the most downstream heating section .
Cleaning equipment for heat sterilization system. When the control unit monitors the cleaning state of the heating pipe in the most downstream heating section, the fluid temperature of the fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid at the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the heating pipe in the most downstream heating section. And, based on the medium temperature of the medium inlet and the medium outlet of the most downstream heating section, a fluid containing at least the cleaning liquid is flowed in the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section, and the most downstream heating is performed. The cleaning device for a heat sterilization system according to claim 4, wherein the logarithmic mean temperature difference is obtained when the medium is flowed to the outside of the heating pipe in the section . The heat sterilization according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a cooling section for cooling a fluid containing at least a cleaning liquid heated by the heating pipe of the most downstream heating section is provided after the most downstream heating section. System cleaning equipment.

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