GB2253473A

GB2253473A - Pipeline cooling systems

Info

Publication number: GB2253473A
Application number: GB9201988A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Callum Grant
Original assignee: KOOLTECH Ltd
Current assignee: KOOLTECH Ltd
Priority date: 1991-03-05
Filing date: 1992-01-30
Publication date: 1992-09-09
Also published as: GB9201988D0

Abstract

Apparatus for cooling liquids which are transported along a pipeline (17) comprises a heat exchanger (12) having a product coil (14) which is connected into the pipeline (17) and a refrigerant coil (13) which is connected to a refrigeration system. The refrigeration system has a condenser (8) which is cooled by water led via hoses (5a) from a cooling system which has an air-cooled radiator (3) located remotely from the condenser (8). The hoses (5a) include quick-release flexible hose connections (5). The water cooling system may include anti-freeze. <IMAGE>

Description

OUTDOOR COOLER This invention relates to apparatus for cooling liquids which are transported along a pipeline.

According to the present invention there is provided apparatus for cooling liquids which are transported along a pipeline, said apparatus comprising a heat exchanger unit having a product coil connectable into the pipeline along which liquids to be cooled are transported and a refrigerant coil connected to a refrigeration system, wherein the refrigeration system comprises a condenser which is water cooled by water circulated through a sealed cooling system, the cooling system having an air-cooled radiator located remotely from the condenser.

Preferably the radiator is located out-of-doors and the cooling system water is anti freeze protected. Air cooling of the radiator may be fan assisted.

Preferably also the cooling system comprises an air purge vessel with purge valve arranged to accommodate expansion and contraction of the cooling system water.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to Figs. 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawing.

As is shown in Fig. 1 liquid to be cooled, in the form of beer or lager, is delivered from a storage keg 15 along a pipeline 17 to a dispense tap 16. Connected into pipeline 17 is the product coil 14 of a heat exchanger 12 which has a refrigerant coil 13 connected to a refrigeration system comprising components 8,9,10 and 11. Component 8 is the outer coil of a co-axial water cooled condenser, the inner coil of which is provided with circulating water as part of a sealed cooling system comprising components 1,2,3,4,5,6 and 7.

The heat exchanger 12 may take the form illustrated in Fig. 1 in which case the two coils 14, 13 are immersed in a common body of non-volatile liquid or it may take the form shown in Fig. 2 in which case product coil 14 is immersed in the liquid phase of a volatile fluid (such as the refrigerant R12) and the refrigerant coil 13 is immersed in the vapour phase of the fluid.

The refrigeration systems of Figs. 1 and 2 are essentially the same and include capillary 11, drier 10, outer coil 8 and compressor 9 within which a conventional refrigerant fluid (e.g.R12) is circulated.

The cooling systems of Figs. 1 and 2 are also essentially the same and include inner coil 8, pump 7, quick release flexible hose connection 5, fluid top-up valve 6, radiator 3 with fan 4, and air purge vessel 2 with purge valve 1. Due to the connections 5 and associated flexible hoses 5A the components 1,2,3 and 4 may be located remotely from the condenser 8 and in an-out-of doors unit 20 when the water in the cooling system is antifreeze protected. Thus the heat removed from the product pipeline 17 can be discharged out-of-doors and the environment of the heat exchanger 12 and compressor 9 which is defined by an indoor unit 21 can be maintained without noticeable temperature rise.

Furthermore, because the cooling system is sealed there is no loss of its fluid (water) due to evaporation and no change in the strength of the antifreeze protection.

Vessel 2 with its purge valve 1 provides a comparatively small air cushion to accommodate for expansion and contraction of the coolant fluid. The sealed system is filled by injection of fluid via connector 5 at the outlet of pump 7 and is topped up via valve 6.

Claims

1. Apparatus for cooling liquids which are transported along a pipeline, said apparatus comprising a heat exchanger unit having a product coil connectable into the pipeline along which liquids to be cooled are transported and a refrigerant coil connected to a refrigaration system, wherein the refrigeration system comprises a condenser which is water cooled by water circulated through a sealed cooling system, the cooling system having an air-cooled radiator located remotely from the condenser.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the radiator is located out-of-doors and the cooling system water is anti-freeze protected.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein air cooling of the radiator is fan assisted.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cooling system comprises an air purge vessel with purge valve arranged to accommodate expansion and contraction of the cooling system water.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cooling system water pipes incorporate quick release flexible hose connections.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein the quick release connections are located at an interface between an indoor unit housing at least the product coil part of the apparatus and an outdoor unit housing at least the air-cooled radiator part of the apparatus.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to either one of the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawing.