Refrigeration – Processes – Treating an article
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-14
2001-01-30
McDermott, Corrine (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Processes
Treating an article
Reexamination Certificate
active
06178756
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for chilling perishable liquid products such as orange juice, and more particularly to technology which renders such liquids suitable for transport in non-refrigerated tanker trucks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain perishable liquid products such as orange juice and other fresh juices must be maintained during transportation and storage at temperatures substantially below ambient temperature in order to prevent spoilage and to satisfy applicable governmental regulations. With respect to fresh orange juice, for example, it is typically required that the product be maintained at all times at or below a maximum temperature of 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Above that temperature, orange juice risks fermentation.
While it is possible to utilize vehicles with on-board cooling systems to satisfy temperature requirements for perishable liquid products, the cost and maintenance of such systems on liquid tankers ordinarily makes this an economically unattractive alternative. As a result, use of refrigerated vehicles for such shipments is not common. Conventionally, juices to be stored and transported via uncooled tanker trucks are subjected to chilling by mechanical refrigeration such as ammonia and glycol chillers prior to loading at the point of origin. While this may prove effective if the length of travel is short, or the climate through which the shipment is to travel is rather cool, such techniques have not proven to be universally satisfactory. These conventional cooling procedures at the point of origin are at times supplemented by adding quantities of ice or mechanically frozen juice to the uncooled tanker along with the liquid juice. This can improve the success rate for shipment, but at a cost of considerable time and labor at the point of origin, and with uncertainty as to the actual level of heat load protection achieved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention contemplates a method, and apparatus therefor, which quickly and economically renders perishable liquid products such as orange juice suitable for shipment in long-haul uncooled tanker trucks. Use of the invention has proved successful in protecting orange juice from temperature degradation during shipment. It may also prove applicable to other fruit juices, milk and other perishable liquids shipped in uncooled tankers where maintenance of temperatures substantially below ambient is necessary.
In accordance with the invention, a perishable liquid product such as orange juice is chilled by mixing it with a cryogen, preferably liquid nitrogen. In the preferred embodiment, this mixing occurs simultaneously with the loading of the liquid product aboard a transport tanker by positioning a mixing/injection lance through the fill port of the tanker. Alternatively, the cryogen may be mixed with the liquid product by introducing cryogen at a submerged location in the already loaded tanker, or another vessel filled with the liquid product.
A mixing/injection lance constructed in accordance with the invention preferably comprises an elongate tube having an open end and a closed end. The closed end of the lance is provided with a cryogen entry port for introduction of cryogen to flow along the axis of the lance to and through the open end. A liquid entry port is located on the sidewall of the lance downstream from the cryogen entry port, and is oriented so that entry of the liquid product is at a substantially right angle to the tube. In the preferred embodiment of the mixing/injection lance, the axis of the liquid entry port does not lie along a radius of the lance cross-section, so that liquid product entering the port undergoes a centrifugal action, swirling downwardly along the wall of the tube to the open end.
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Elenbaas Cornelius J. F.
Frable Norman B.
Jones Steve William
Drake Malik N.
McDermott Corrine
Tri-Gas, Inc.
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