DE4403141C2 - Method and device for cleaning containers - Google Patents

Abstract

The cleaning process involves cleaning out the cask with lye and then with a flushing fluid such as water. The flushing out is done in several phases. In the first or subsequent phases, the flushing fluid used is from the second or later flushing of a cask already cleaned out. The cask may be flushed in two phases, using fresh water for the last phase. This water is passed through a pH probe or something similar, or its electrical conductivity is measured. When a certain pH or conductivity value is reached, the supply of fluid is stopped.

Description

The invention relates to a method for cleaning Container according to the preamble of claim 1 and one Device for performing such a method according to the Preamble of claim 6.

In the beverage industry, like in many others Industry bundles commonly used as Barrels, in the beverage industry, especially when the Valves are screwed in, also referred to as kegs. These containers are usually reusable containers, according to Emptying at the customer for refilling in the filling be brought back to the factory. Before filling, the Container to remove residues from the previous filling or other impurities are cleaned. In the Beverage industry as part of the food industry make particularly high demands on the degree of purity the container.

The cleaning is usually done first with a Pre-rinse to remove the coarsest residues and after with a rinse with detergent solution or the like, whereby by high chemical content, even stubborn contamination be eliminated. Because before refilling the Containers must be completely chemical-free again, then with a rinse liquid, usually rinsed with water. This rinsing process takes place  conventionally over a fixed period of time after which one is certain that the container is completely chemical-free again is. In order to also provide for such cases that, for example of malfunctions in the plant the chemical concentration in the detergent is increased, the rinsing is however performed for a significantly longer period of time than they would normally be required to clean the container. The resulting additional water consumption is eliminated Accepted security reasons.

US 4 094 329 describes a device for cleaning and Sanitizing Containers. For this purpose, the containers in washed out several stages with a cleaning solution and then rinsed with rinsing liquid to complete the cleaning completely remove the solution from the containers. For Saving rinse liquid is provided that the Rinse water is used several times, whereby it is in the primary and final rinse zones and collected in four previous Zones, namely in the primary rinse zone, as preparation liquid in the washing zone, in a prewash zone and in a pre-wash zone is reused. To ensure, that in the final rinsing phase, actually all Cleaning liquid is removed from the rinsed container and this is again completely chemical-free, must be used during the final rinsing phase, however, the rinsing over a be performed for a significantly longer period of time than this usually for adequate cleaning of the container would actually be required. This is the only way to rule out be that in a compared to the normally present Conditions increased chemical concentration, a temporary current reduction of the rinsing liquid flow or one comparable disturbance no chemicals in the container stay.  

A check of the rinse flowing out of the container liquid for chemical control to control the Rinsing process, for example by means of a pH measuring device or the like. is only possible to a limited extent at the moment. The usually as The alkalis used for cleaning liquid have concentrations trations of 1.5 to 2.5% and thus a pH of 14 on. However, this pH value is also reached when the Cleaning solutions are rinsed out of the container so far that the rinsing liquid draining off only a residual concentration tration of about 0.4%. Only when falling below At this concentration, the pH value drops rapidly. Is the After rinsing, a pH of 7 (neutral worth) reached. With the existing measuring technology it is but not possible, the pH at the same time as it drops in the rinse liquid. A conventional pH Measuring cell takes a considerably longer time to get from one pH 14 to drop to pH 7 than for the Rinsing process is actually needed. The reaction The speed of conventional pH measuring cells is therefore not sufficient to rinse the container Taxes.

DE 93 10 151 U1 describes a pH measurement that goes with this should serve a specific pH of a neutralization to keep bathing in a certain area and at one certain tolerance exceeding a tolerance ent Add speaking amount of acid or lye so that the desired pH value is reached again.

From DE 34 24 711 A1, however, it is known that pairs of Measured values of the electrical conductivity of the cleaning agent before and after it hits the one to be cleaned Subject to be determined. The one in the course of a cleaning phase obtained individual values of the measured value pairs compared with each other and the cleaning phase when approaching  the difference of the compared individual values to one before given minimum value ended. Falls below the measured difference a certain value, so that is assume that the detergent has no significant Contamination more of the item to be cleaned rinsed off and cleaning can be ended. Except of the fact that the differential value measurement is a very complex Construction with at least three elements, namely two measuring probes and a differential measuring device, is also required here even with a large approximation of the measured Conductivity values only after the end of the rinse phase a certain delay or follow-up time is provided. This is necessary because the conductivity measurements and run throughout the cleaning cycle become. However, the response time of the measuring probe is not sufficient from following the drop in chemical concentration what the above run-on time and the associated superfluous Liquid consumption is necessary.

The object of the invention is therefore the cleaning of containers to improve in that the fluid consumption at Rinsing is further reduced.

This object is essentially achieved by the invention Method and an apparatus with the characteristic Features of claims 1 and 6 solved.

By cascading the cleaning process only the one that occurs in the first rinsing phase with one high proportion of chemicals contaminated rinsing liquid fed into the wastewater or treatment system, during the one with a low chemical concentration Proportion of rinse liquid from the subsequent rinsing phases can be reused. A check of the Reini supply process is made possible in that the particular  flowing out of the container during the last rinsing phase Rinse liquid is passed through a pH probe. There in the last rinsing phase the cleaning solution is already far away is removed from the container, the pH probe needs no longer rise to a high pH of 14, for example, to then drop back to pH 7, but only needs to be in a range of pH values move between e.g. 9 and 7. In this area is the Reaction speed of a pH measuring cell sufficiently high, to largely coincide with the cleaning process on one pH to drop from 7. As an alternative to pH measurement can, as in a further embodiment of the invention provided the electrical conductivity of the particular flowing out of the container during the last rinsing phase Rinse liquid can be determined. Since the supply of Rinse liquid is stopped as soon as a previously fixed established pH value, electrical conductivity or the like ensures that there is no unnecessary rinsing liquid is consumed.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, this is done Rinsing the container in two rinsing phases. In the first Rinsing phase, the maximum of residual liquor is rinsed out of the barrel, while in the second rinse phase, the duration of which, for example, the previous can correspond to the time period set as the safety time, only the remaining chemical concentration, if any is rinsed out. Because the previously estimated security time corresponds approximately to the normally necessary rinse time, can be done by providing the second rinse phase liquid consumption can be halved.

To ensure complete cleaning of the container, it is provided according to the invention that in the last rinsing phase the container is rinsed with fresh water.  

The rinsing liquid flowing off is expediently a second or subsequent rinsing phase in a container collected and from there to carry out a previous one Rinsing phase fed to another container. So that becomes a Buffer created over the temporary failures or Downtimes of individual stations in a bottling plant are compensated can be.

In a development of the invention it is provided that the outflowing rinse liquid of a rinse phase over a first valve in a drainage channel or the like and only after a predetermined time, amount or the like a second valve to the pH probe or the like becomes. This creates a smooth transition between the allows individual rinsing phases.

A device for performing the invention The method has the features of claim 6.

According to the invention, the pH probe or the like is connected to the Control for the supply of rinse liquid connected. This means that when a pre-determined pH value is reached or the like. The supply of the rinsing liquid automatically to be interrupted.

Further goals, advantages and possible applications of the Invention result from the following description of Embodiments and the drawing.  

The invention is based on in the drawings illustrated embodiments explained in more detail.

Show it:

Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a device according to a first embodiment of the invention, and

Fig. 2 shows a device according to another embodiment of the invention.

In the illustrated in Fig. 1 apparatus arrangement for carrying out the method according to the invention, in a in the drawing shown on the left first container, in particular a keg 1, a first rinsing phase carried out while at a right in the drawing illustrated second container, in particular a keg 2 , a second or subsequent rinsing phase is carried out.

The rinsing liquid, in particular water, is fed to the second keg 2 for the second or subsequent rinsing phase via a feed line 3 and a riser pipe 4 , which extends from a valve 5 in one end face of the keg 2 to close to the bottom 6 of the keg 2 . The course of the Nachspülflüs liquid when injected into the second keg 2 is shown in the drawing by arrows.

The rinsing liquid flows out via outlet openings 7 into a return channel 8 , which leads to a collecting container 9 . From the container 9 , the rinse liquid is fed to the first keg 1 via a pump 10 and a further feed line 11 for carrying out the first rinsing phase.

The first keg 1 is constructed in exactly the same way as the second keg 2 described above. The course of the rinsing liquid is also indicated here by arrows.

The rinsing liquid flowing out of the first keg 1 is fed via a drain channel 13 to a wastewater or treatment system, not shown.

In the return conduit 8 of the second keg 2 is a pH probe 12 is arranged to determine the pH of the effluent from the second keg 2 final washing liquid. Instead of the pH probe 12 , other measuring devices for determining the neutrality of the outflowing rinsing liquid can also be provided, for example a device for determining the electrical conductivity.

The cleaning of the kegs 1 , 2 using the method according to the invention is described below.

Those returning to the filling plant for refilling Reusable containers must first be cleaned before the filling process become. For this purpose, the coarser are first in a pre-rinse most residues of the pre-filling or other impurities eliminated. Because in the beverage and food industry particularly high demands on the cleanliness of the beverage or food containers are provided, the Reusable containers then with a cleaning solution rinsed, through which even stubborn dirt is loosened become. However, the cleaning solution has a relatively high level Chemical content so that before refilling the Container must be ensured that the container completely are chemical-free. This is done according to the invention by  Rinsing in several rinsing phases.

In a first rinse phase, most of the Cleaning solution from the containers, especially kegs rinses and thus already the chemical concentration reduced dramatically. The during the first rinse phase rinsing liquid flowing out of the kegs becomes one Wastewater and / or fed to a reprocessing system.

In a second rinse phase, the keg, in FIG. 1 keg 2 , is rinsed with fresh water. Since the chemical concentration is already relatively low during the second rinsing phase, the rinsing liquid flowing off during this rinsing phase can be used to carry out a first rinsing phase in another container, in particular the first keg 1 . This reuse of the rinsing liquid from the second rinsing phase can significantly reduce water consumption.

The rinsing liquid flowing out of the second keg 2 is fed to the container 9 via the return channel 8 . The pH value of the outflowing rinse liquid is determined via the pH value probe 12 arranged in the return channel. As soon as the pH value probe 12 shows a neutral value (pH 7), the rinsing process can be ended since all chemicals have been removed from the keg 2 . The safety time previously required to ensure complete freedom from chemicals can thus be reduced to what is really necessary, which further reduces water consumption.

The pH probe 12 can now be used to control the rinsing process, since the initial concentration of chemicals is already relatively low at the beginning of the second rinsing phase, so that the pH probe 12 does not have to rise to a relatively high pH before it drops to the neutral value. The reaction rate of the pH probe 12 when falling from a pH of, for example, 9 to a pH of 7 corresponds approximately to the rate of reduction of the chemical concentration in the rinsing liquid.

The rinsing liquid from the second keg 2 collected in the container 9 is fed to the first keg 1 via the pump 10 and the feed line 11 in order to carry out the first rinsing phase. Since the original chemical concentration of a keg that has not yet been rinsed out is considerably higher than that of the rinsing liquid flowing out of the keg 2 during a second rinsing phase, the majority of the residual liquor can also be rinsed out of the first keg 1 with the reused rinsing liquid and the chemical concentration largely be reduced.

If you select the time duration to carry out the first rinsing phase he who used to remove common chemical concentrations is considered necessary, and for the second rinsing phase Time period usually considered as safety time, the is about the same length of time as necessary the water through the cascade connection according to the invention Reduce consumption by up to 50%.

The rinsing of the kegs 1 , 2 is preferably carried out in two rinsing phases. But of course Spülpha sen can more be provided, in each case the effluent during a subsequent purge phase of the second keg 2 Nachspülflüssig is reused speed in a rinsing phase preceding the first kegs. 1 Fresh water should only be used during the last rinsing phase.

In the second embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, a keg 14 constructed otherwise like the first and second kegs 1 , 2 is provided that a first valve 16 and a second valve 17 are arranged in a return channel 15 . Via the first valve 16 , the return channel 15 can be connected to a drain channel 18 , which leads to the waste water or treatment system. Via the second valve 16 , the return channel 15 can be connected to a pH value probe 19 or the like, via which the outflowing rinsing liquid is reused in a previous rinsing phase for another keg or the wastewater or treatment system.

When the keg 14 is rinsed out, the first valve 16 is open and the second valve 17 is closed during the first rinsing phase, the duration of which corresponds, for example, to the time required to remove conventional chemicals. During this first rinsing phase, the outflowing rinsing liquid is therefore fed to the waste water or treatment system. After a predetermined period of time, outflow or the like. The first valve 16 is closed and the second valve 17 is opened. The now rinsing liquid, however, therefore flows through the pH probe 19 , so that, as described above, it can be determined when the rinsing liquid which is flowing is neutral, ie free of chemicals. The pH probe 19 is connected to the control of the rinse cycle so that the rinse cycle can be ended when the neutral value is reached. The rinsing liquid flowing off during the second rinsing phase can either also be fed to the waste water or treatment system or, if reuse in the sense described above is intended, be fed to another keg for carrying out a previous rinsing phase.

Reference list

1

first keg

2nd

second keg

3rd

Supply line

4th

Riser pipe

5

Valve

6

ground

7

Exhaust ports

8th

Return channel

9

container

10th

pump

11

Supply line

12th

pH probe

13

Spillway

14

Keg

15

Return channel

16

first valve

17th

second valve

18th

Spillway

19th

pH probe

Claims (7)

1. A method for cleaning containers, in particular barrels or kegs ( 1 , 2 , 14 ), in which cleaning solution or the like is introduced into the container and then the container is rinsed with a rinsing liquid, such as water or the like, the The container is rinsed out in several rinsing phases and in a first or subsequent rinsing phase the container is rinsed with rinsing liquid which was used in a previously cleaned container in a second or subsequent rinsing phase, characterized in that the rinsing liquid flowing out of the container during the last rinsing phase a pH value probe ( 12 , 19 ), a device for measuring the electrical conductivity or the like. and that the supply of rinsing liquid into the container is stopped when a predetermined pH value, electrical conductivity or the like is reached . 2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the container is rinsed out in two rinsing phases. 3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the last rinsing phase the container with fresh water is rinsed out. 4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the outflowing rinsing liquid of a second or subsequent rinsing phase is collected in a container ( 9 ) and is fed from there to another container for carrying out a preceding rinsing phase. 5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outflowing rinsing liquid of a rinsing phase via a first valve ( 16 ) in a drain channel ( 18 ) or the like .. and only after a predetermined time, amount or the like. Parameters via a second valve ( 17 ) to the pH probe (19), the device for measuring the electrical conductivity or the like .. 6. Device for performing a method according to any one of the preceding claims with a feed line ( 3 ) for the supply of rinse liquid in a container to be cleaned, in particular a keg ( 1 , 2 , 14 ), and with a return channel ( 8 , 15 ) for the rinsing liquid flowing out of the rinsed container ( 1 , 2 , 13 ), characterized in that at least one valve ( 16 , 17 ) is provided in the return channel ( 15 ), via which the return channel ( 15 ) with an outflow channel ( 18 ) and / or can be connected to a pH value probe ( 19 ), a device for measuring the electrical conductivity or the like. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the pH probe ( 12 , 19 ) or the like. Is connected to the controller for the supply of the rinse liquid.