Methods and systems for energy balance control for feed flow and feed temperature disturbances
AssigneeNestec S.A.
InventorDaniel Louis Cummings
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Abstract
The present disclosure provides methods and systems for mitigating finished product temperature transients caused by changes in product flow, raw product temperature, or other disturbances in an aseptic sterilization process. The methods and systems include applying an energy balance feedforward control scheme to the aseptic sterilization process to compensate for raw product temperature changes and changes in product flow. The methods and systems prevent damage to a finished product from occurring based on adverse transient temperature responses of heaters and coolers in an aseptic sterilization process.
Claims17
A method of minimizing changes in finished product temperature during aseptic sterilization processes, the method comprising:
- applying an energy balance feedforward control scheme to an aseptic sterilization process,
- wherein the energy balance feedforward control scheme comprises:
- an additive feedforward controller including the input variables density of the product, heat capacity of the product, and flow indication information;
- and
- a heat source adjustment calculated from a first principles energy balance on a heater combined with an adjustment calculated by feedback temperature control.
A method of aseptic product production, the method comprising:
- preparation of raw ingredients in batch tanks;
- deposition of batches of the ingredients into an aseptic sterilization process;
- passing the ingredients through a sterilizing heater;
- and
- minimizing changes in finished product temperature during aseptic sterilization processes by regulating temperature differences between batches using an energy balance feedforward control scheme, including:
- an additive feedforward controller including the input variables density of the product, heat capacity of the product, and flow indication information;
- and
- a heat source adjustment calculated from a first principles energy balance on a heater combined with an adjustment calculated by feedback temperature control.
A food manufacturing system comprising:
- a product supply;
- a process for minimizing changes in finished product temperature during aseptic sterilization process comprising a heat source and a sterilizing heater;
- and
- an energy balance feedforward control scheme that is applied to the aseptic sterilization process, wherein the energy balance feedforward control scheme includes:
- an additive feedforward controller including the input variables density of the product, heat capacity of the product, and flow indication information;
- and
- a heat source adjustment calculated from a first principles energy balance on a heater combined with an adjustment calculated by feedback temperature control.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.