Method for the In-Line Processing of Liquid or Pasty or Semi-Liquid Media such as Grape Harvests

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for the in-line processing of liquid or pasty or semi-liquid media or further, media which contain solid elements in a liquid base, in pipe for conveying the medium between two steps in a plant by direct injection of a cryogenic fluid into the pipe, characterized in that the method uses, for the injection into the pipe, an injection device including a hollow cylindrical body in which a valve urged by a spring is inserted, said injection device including a through-channel substantially parallel to said valve and supplied with a pressurized cryogenic fluid, wherein one end of the through-channel is connected to the cryogenic fluid supply system while the opposite end opens at the seat of the valve.

1 - 4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method for the in-line processing of a liquid, pasty, or semi-liquid media or a media comprising solid elements in a liquid base, comprising the step of directly injecting a cryogenic fluid from a cryogenic fluid supply system and into a pipe transporting the medium between two stages of a plant using an injection device comprising:
 a hollow cylindrical body into which is inserted a valve loaded by a spring;   at least one through channel substantially parallel to said valve and adapted to be supplied with pressurized cryogenic fluid, one end of said through channel being connected to the cryogenic fluid supply system for and an opposite end of said through channel opening out in a seat of the valve.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said at least one through channel comprises 2 to 8 through channels, said channels being arranged symmetrically relative to a longitudinal axis of the valve. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 a portion of said injection device is connected to said pipe; and   the injection device comprises a thermal bridge made of insulating material disposed between said at least one channel and the portion of the injection device connected to the pipe.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said injection device further comprises:
 a lower element which, in an operating position, is furthest from the pipe and which is connected to the cryogenic fluid supply system, said lower element comprising at least one supply pipe a first end of which is linked to the cryogenic fluid supply system, a central blind recess;   a central element, a lower end of the central element bearing against the lower element, the central element having a through hole formed axially therein, said at least one through channel extending through said lower and central elements, a second end of said lower element supply pipe being linked to the portion of the at least one channel present in the central element;   a valve placed so as to slide in the central element through hole, a seat of the valve bearing against the beveled upper part of said through hole in leaktight fashion, a free shaft of the valve being received in the central blind recess of the lower element, the free shaft being surrounded by the spring, the central element through hole having a smaller diameter at an upper end thereof and a greater diameter at a lower end thereof, a shoulder being formed by an upper horizontal surface of the greater diameter portion such that the spring is supported against the shoulder;   a thermal bridge surrounding the central element and a lower end of which bears against the lower element; and   a wall element, a lower end of which bears against the lower edge of the thermal bridge and an upper end of which is fixed to the pipe.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the media comprises solid elements in a liquid base, the solid elements being grapes. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the media is chilled by 5 to 10° C. relative to a temperature of the media prior to said injection of cryogenic fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cryogenic fluid is injected into the pipe in a direction of flow of the media through the pipe. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a diameter of the at least one through channel is between 2 and 6 mm. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cryogenic fluid is liquid carbon dioxide, the liquid carbon dioxide being injected into the pipe at a flow rate of 500 to 8000 kg/hr. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein a pressure in the pipe is in a range of from 1 bar (relative) to 5 bar (relative). 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein the cryogenic fluid is liquid nitrogen, the liquid nitrogen being injected into the pipe at a flow rate of between 700 l/hr and 6000 l/hr.