Method Of Preheating Beer In An Ethanol Plant

Abstract

A method for preheating beer including providing a first heat exchanger, comprising a first outlet stream at a first temperature; providing a second heat exchanger, comprising a hot heat transfer stream, a first flow control valve situated within said hot heat transfer stream, a second outlet stream at a second temperature, a temperature sensor situated within said second outlet stream; wherein said first outlet fluid comprises a first inlet stream, and a second flow control valve situated within said first inlet stream; determining said second temperature with said temperature sensor; comparing said second temperature to a predetermined temperature range; performing an operation selected from the group consisting of: maintaining said first flow control valve in a closed position, and maintaining said second flow control valve in an open position, if said second temperature is within said predetermined temperature range, modulating said first flow control valve in order to effect heat transfer between said hot heat transfer fluid and said first inlet fluid, such that said second temperature within said predetermined temperature range, and maintaining said second flow control valve in an open position, determining if said second temperature is not within said predetermined temperature range if said first control valve is in the fully open position, and then closing said second flow control valve, closing said first flow control valve, and redirecting said first outlet stream away from said second heat exchanger is provided.

1 . A method for preheating beer comprising:
 providing a first heat exchanger, comprising a first outlet stream at a first temperature,   providing a second heat exchanger, comprising a hot heat transfer stream, a first flow control valve situated within said hot heat transfer stream, a second outlet stream at a second temperature, a temperature sensor situated within said second outlet stream,
 wherein said first outlet fluid comprises a first inlet stream, and a second flow control valve situated within said first inlet stream determining said second temperature with said temperature sensor, 
   comparing said second temperature to a predetermined temperature range,   performing an operation selected from the group consisting of:
 maintaining said first flow control valve in a closed position, and maintaining said second flow control valve in an open position, if said second temperature is within said predetermined temperature range, 
 modulating said first flow control valve in order to effect heat transfer between said hot heat transfer fluid and said first inlet fluid, such that said second temperature within said predetermined temperature range, and maintaining said second flow control valve in an open position, 
 determining if said second temperature is not within said predetermined temperature range if said first control valve is in the fully open position, and then closing said second flow control valve, closing said first flow control valve, and redirecting said first outlet stream away from said second heat exchanger. 
   
   
   
       2 . The method for preheating beer of  claim 1 , wherein said second temperature is not within said predetermined temperature range if said first control valve is in the fully open position because said second heat exchanger is fouled. 
   
   
       3 . The method of preheating beer of  claim 2 , wherein said fouling is due to proteins and calcium oxalate buildup. 
   
   
       4 . The method of preheating beer of  claim 1 , wherein said second heat exchanger is of the type selected from the group consisting of plate-in-frame, shell-and-tube, spiral, block, and direct contact. 
   
   
       5 . The method of preheating beer in  claim 1 , wherein said hot heat transfer stream comprises stream. 
   
   
       6 . The method of preheating beer in  claim 1 , wherein said hot heat transfer stream comprises therminol. 
   
   
       7 . The method of preheating beer in  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined temperature range is between 175° F. and 185° F. 
   
   
       8 . The method of preheating beer in  claim 1 , wherein said second heat exchanger further comprises two or more heat exchangers in parallel. 
   
   
       9 . The method of preheating beer in  claim 1 , wherein said redirection comprises:
 providing a third heat exchanger, comprising said hot heat transfer stream, a third flow control valve situated within said hot heat transfer stream, a third outlet stream at a third temperature, a second temperature sensor situated within said third outlet stream,
 wherein said first outlet fluid comprises a second inlet stream, and a fourth flow control valve situated within said second inlet stream 
   determining said third temperature with said second temperature sensor,   comparing said third temperature to the predetermined temperature range,   performing an operation selected from the group consisting of:
 maintaining said third flow control valve in a closed position, and maintaining said third flow control valve in an open position, if said third temperature is within said predetermined temperature range, 
 modulating said third flow control valve in order to effect heat transfer between said hot heat transfer fluid and said first inlet fluid, such that said third temperature within said predetermined temperature range, and maintaining said fourth flow control valve in an open position, 
 determining if said third temperature is not within said predetermined temperature range if said third control valve is in the fully open position, and then closing said third flow control valve, closing said third flow control valve, and redirecting said first outlet stream away from said third heat exchanger.