EP2208049A1 - Ice fraction sensor - Google Patents

Ice fraction sensor

Info

Publication number
EP2208049A1
EP2208049A1 EP08806528A EP08806528A EP2208049A1 EP 2208049 A1 EP2208049 A1 EP 2208049A1 EP 08806528 A EP08806528 A EP 08806528A EP 08806528 A EP08806528 A EP 08806528A EP 2208049 A1 EP2208049 A1 EP 2208049A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ice
receiver
flow path
emitter
optical
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP08806528A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Andrew Chapman
Roderick Andrew Haines
Finbarr Charles Ronald Williamson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Heineken UK Ltd
Original Assignee
Scottish and Newcastle Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Scottish and Newcastle Ltd filed Critical Scottish and Newcastle Ltd
Publication of EP2208049A1 publication Critical patent/EP2208049A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C1/00—Producing ice
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/25—Colour; Spectral properties, i.e. comparison of effect of material on the light at two or more different wavelengths or wavelength bands
    • G01N21/31—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
    • G01N21/35—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light
    • G01N21/3563—Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry using infrared light for analysing solids; Preparation of samples therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/47—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection
    • G01N21/49—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid
    • G01N21/53—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke
    • G01N21/534—Scattering, i.e. diffuse reflection within a body or fluid within a flowing fluid, e.g. smoke by measuring transmission alone, i.e. determining opacity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/17—Systems in which incident light is modified in accordance with the properties of the material investigated
    • G01N21/59—Transmissivity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N21/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of optical means, i.e. using sub-millimetre waves, infrared, visible or ultraviolet light
    • G01N21/84—Systems specially adapted for particular applications
    • G01N21/85—Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N33/00—Investigating or analysing materials by specific methods not covered by groups G01N1/00 - G01N31/00
    • G01N33/18—Water
    • G01N33/1873—Ice or snow
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2301/00—Special arrangements or features for producing ice
    • F25C2301/002—Producing ice slurries
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25C—PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE
    • F25C2700/00—Sensing or detecting of parameters; Sensors therefor
    • F25C2700/02—Level of ice

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a sensor for measuring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium.
  • the present invention relates to a sensor which uses optical measurements to determine or monitor the ice fraction of an ice- containing medium.
  • ice-containing media there are numerous applications for ice-containing media.
  • various cooling applications are known such as air conditioning or beverage cooling.
  • Use of ice-containing medium in beverage cooling is described, for example, in GB 2436445.
  • the ice containing medium may be a comestible; ice- containing soft drinks are well known and, more recently, ice-containing alcoholic beverages have been described.
  • ice-containing media include ice blasting, cutting or polishing in which an ice-containing medium is blasted under pressure against a surface.
  • the ice-containing medium may be an ice slush or ice slurry (also known as binary ice) e.g. with an ice fraction of around 40vol% or it may be a free-flowing liquid with suspended particles of ice (with a lower ice fraction than an ice slurry). It should be noted that the term "ice” does not exclusively refer to water ice but encompasses any frozen material.
  • the ice fraction i.e. the volume percentage of ice in the ice-containing medium.
  • Monitoring the ice fraction provides information which allows for control of the ice fraction. Control of the ice fraction within a defined range is often desirable. For example, if the ice- containing medium is a beverage, it is desirable to maintain the ice fraction within defined limits to achieve a consistent beverage upon dispense.
  • the cooling effect of the ice-containing medium may vary with the ice fraction and thus it is often desirable to control the ice fraction to ensure controlled cooling.
  • US2005/0200851 describes the use of an ice fraction sensor utilizing optical measurements to measure the ice fraction in ice slurry used for ice blasting.
  • This ice fraction sensor measures light transmittance across the flow path of the ice slurry using diametrically opposed optical fibres. The light transmittance decreases as the ice fraction increases, the increased ice fraction resulting in increased scattering of the light across the flow path.
  • a preferred aim of the present invention is to provide an improved ice fraction sensor for measuring the ice fraction in an ice-containing medium using optical measurements.
  • the present invention provides an optical ice fraction sensor comprising: a flow path in which an ice-containing medium can flow; an optical emitter; and an optical receiver, wherein, in use, a light path extends between the emitter and receiver, at least a portion of the light path being parallel to the flow path.
  • the change in optical transmittance relative to ice fraction is considerably greater providing for much accurate measurement of the ice fraction.
  • a change of 5% in the ice fraction of an ice-containing cider beverage is evidenced by a change in voltage output (corresponding to optical transmittance) from the receiver of around 2V.
  • the increased sensitivity of ice fraction measurement using optical measurements compared to temperature measurements can be seen in Figure 1.
  • the emitter is at a first end of the flow path and the receiver is at a second end of the flow path with the emitter and receiver aligned with each other parallel to the flow path i.e.
  • the entire length of the light path is parallel to the flow path.
  • the emitter and receiver may both be at the same end of the flow path with a reflector at the second end of the flow path, the emitter/receiver and reflector aligned with each other parallel to the flow path i.e. in use, the entire length of the light path is parallel to the flow path.
  • the emitter and receiver may be combined in a single unit.
  • the emitter and receiver or emitter/receiver and reflector are preferably aligned with the axis of the flow path i.e. the light path extends coaxially with the flow path.
  • the effect of flow characteristics of the slurry (laminar or turbulent) on the ice fraction measurement can be minimised as these effects will be greater towards the walls of the pipework defining the flow path.
  • Axial alignment of the sensors means that the light path is through a constant cross section and not through a varying one as with the diametric sensor arrangement. This gives a more representative ice fraction value for the different ice slurry flow characteristics.
  • the emitter and/or receiver is isolated from the flow path i.e. there can be no physical contact between any ice containing medium in the flow path and the emitter/receiver. Most preferably both the emitter and receiver are isolated from the flow path. This isolation may be achieved, for example, using a translucent, preferably transparent, cover for the emitter/receiver. If the ice containing medium is a comestible, it is preferable to form the cover using a food safe material.
  • the cover may be formed of polycarbonate, glass, acrylic, pyrex etc..
  • the isolation of the emitter/receiver from the flow path has several advantages. Firstly, any concerns about the compatibility between the material forming the emitter/receiver and the ice-containing medium are eliminated.
  • the emitter/receiver are protected from the potential high pressure within the flow path caused by the flow of the ice-containing medium.
  • the emitter can include or can be connected to any light source e.g. a visible light source such as a bulb or an LED, or a near infra red (IR) radiation source.
  • a near IR radiation source may be particularly useful if the ice-containing medium is coloured or cloudy and would therefore absorb some wavelengths of visible light.
  • the light source may be remote from the emitter with the light conveyed to the emitter by a fibre optic cable.
  • the receiver can include or can be connected to any capable of detecting light emitted from the emitter (a light sensitive detector).
  • the receiver preferably includes an optical amplifier for amplifying the light received by the emitter before it reaches the detector.
  • the detector may be adapted to provide an output voltage or output current, the magnitude of which is representative of the magnitude of the ice fraction of the ice-containing medium.
  • a lens may be provided in front of the receiver to focus or diffuse light in the flow path. It may be desirable to focus diffuse light (diffused by scattering by the ice particles in the ice-containing medium) onto the receiver.
  • the optical sensor may be connected to a control system for controlling a freezer apparatus. If the optical sensor detects an increase in optical transmittance corresponding to a decrease in ice fraction below a predetermined limit, it can signal the freezer apparatus (via the control system) to restart or increase its cooling of the ice-containing medium to increase the ice fraction to back within the desired ice fraction range. Conversely, if the optical sensor detects an decrease in optical transmittance corresponding to an increase in ice fraction above a predetermined limit, it can signal the freezer apparatus (via the control system) to stop or decrease its cooling of the ice-containing medium to decrease the ice fraction to back within the desired ice fraction range.
  • the present invention provides use of an ice fraction sensor according to the first aspect, for measuring or monitoring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium present within in the flow path.
  • the ice-containing medium can be an ice slush or slurry e.g. having an ice fraction of around 40% or it can be a free-flowing liquid containing a lower fraction of ice particles.
  • the ice-containing medium may be, for example, water or an ice- containing beverage medium e.g. a soft drink ice-containing beverage such as a carbonated soft drink, fruit juice, cordials, tea or coffee, or an alcoholic ice-containing beverage medium such as wine, beer, lager or cider.
  • the present invention provides a method of measuring or monitoring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium within a flow path, the method comprising: providing an optical emitter and an optical receiver; emitting light along a light path from the emitter to the receiver, wherein at least a portion of the light path is parallel to the flow path; and measuring the light received by the receiver.
  • the change in optical transmittance relative to ice fraction is considerably greater providing for much accurate measurement of the ice fraction.
  • a change of 5% in the ice fraction of an ice-containing cider beverage is evidenced by a change in voltage output (corresponding to optical transmittance) from the receiver of around 2V.
  • the method comprises providing the emitter at a first end of the flow path and providing the receiver at a second end of the flow path and aligning the emitter and receiver with each other parallel to the flow path so that the entire length of the light path is parallel to the flow path.
  • the method may comprise providing the emitter and receiver at the same end of the flow path and providing a reflector at a second end of the flow path and aligning the emitter/receiver and reflector with each other parallel to the flow path so that the entire length of the light path is parallel to the flow path.
  • the emitter and receiver may be combined in a single unit.
  • the method preferably comprises aligning the emitter and receiver or receiver/emitter and reflector with the axis of the flow path so that the light path extends coaxially with the flow path.
  • the effect of flow characteristics of the slurry (laminar or turbulent) on the ice fraction measurement can be minimised as these effects will be greater towards the walls of the pipework defining the flow path.
  • Axial alignment of the sensors means that the light path is through a constant cross section and not through a varying one as with the diametric sensor arrangement. This gives a more representative ice fraction value for the different ice slurry flow characteristics
  • the method comprises isolating the emitter and/or receiver from the flow path is that there is no physical contact between any ice containing medium in the flow path and the emitter/receiver. Most preferably the method comprises isolating both the emitter and receiver from the flow path. This isolation may be achieved, for example, using a translucent, preferably transparent, cover for the emitter/receiver. If the ice containing medium is a comestible, it is preferable to provide a cover formed using a food safe material, e.g. polycarbonate, glass, acrylic, pyrex etc.
  • a food safe material e.g. polycarbonate, glass, acrylic, pyrex etc.
  • the isolation of the emitter/receiver from the flow path has several advantages as discussed above for the first aspect. Firstly, any concerns about the compatibility between the material forming the emitter/receiver and the ice-containing medium are eliminated. Secondly, the emitter/receiver are protected from the potential high pressure within the flow path caused by the flow of the ice-containing medium.
  • the method preferably comprises providing an emitter including or connected to a light source e.g. a visible light source such as a bulb or an LED, or a near IR radiation source. Providing a near IR radiation source may be particularly useful if the ice-containing medium is coloured or cloudy and would therefore absorb some wavelengths of visible light.
  • the method may comprise providing the light source remote from the emitter and conveying the light to the emitter using a fibre optic cable.
  • the method preferably comprises providing a receiver including or connected to a light sensitive detector and optionally an optical amplifier.
  • the method preferably comprises measuring the light detected by the detector, the detector providing an output voltage or output current, the magnitude of which is representative of the magnitude of the ice fraction of the ice-containing medium.
  • the method preferably comprises providing a lens in front of the receiver to focus or diffuse the light in the flow path.
  • the method preferably comprises connecting the optical sensor to a control system for controlling a freezer apparatus. If the optical sensor detects an increase in optical transmittance corresponding to a decrease in ice fraction below a predetermined limit, it can signal the freezer apparatus (via the control system) to restart or increase its cooling of the ice-containing medium to increase the ice fraction to back within the desired ice fraction range. Conversely, if the optical sensor detects an decrease in optical transmittance corresponding to an increase in ice fraction above a predetermined limit, it can signal the freezer apparatus (via the control system) to stop or decrease its cooling of the ice-containing medium to decrease the ice fraction to back within the desired ice fraction range.
  • the ice-containing medium can be an ice slush or slurry e.g. having an ice fraction of around 40% or it can be a free-flowing liquid containing a lower fraction of ice particles.
  • the ice containing medium may be, for example, water or an ice- containing beverage medium e.g. a soft drink ice-containing beverage such as a carbonated soft drink, fruit juice, cordials, tea or coffee, or an alcoholic ice-containing beverage medium such as wine, beer, lager or cider.
  • the method can be used to measure or monitor the ice fraction of an ice- containing medium used in cooling applications such as air-conditioning applications, fire fighting applications, organ transport applications, machine tool drilling applications, and cooling of engines, concrete, injection moulds and burns/wounds.
  • the method can also be used for ice cleaning applications e.g. pipe cleaning or for ice blasting/cutting polishing applications.
  • Use of the method for monitoring and controlling ice fractions in applications involving cooling of medical apparatus, laboratory sample preparation, thermometer calibration, precision instrument manufacture, biotech growth vessels, and chemical reaction chambers is also envisaged.
  • Figure 1 is a graph showing a comparison between temperature and optical measurements for measuring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium
  • Figure 2 shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a fourth preferred embodiment
  • Figures 6 and 6a shows a schematic representation of a fifth preferred embodiment.
  • Figure 1 shows a graph plotting the output of an optical sensor and temperature over time for a frozen cider-containing beverage medium.
  • the ice fraction increased from 0% ice and this is detected as a decrease in both temperature and the output voltage from the optical sensor.
  • the optical sensor triggers a cessation or decrease in the cooling of the cider so that the ice fraction decreases as heat is gained from the ambient environment. This is seen as a steady increase in the voltage output from the sensor.
  • the optical sensor triggers the start of or an increase in the cooling of the cider so that the ice fraction increases. This is seen as a steady decrease in the voltage output from the sensor.
  • the change in voltage output from the sensor as the ice fraction decreases and increases is of the order of 200OmV and thus is easily observed and monitored.
  • the corresponding temperature change occurring with each fluctuation in ice fraction is much less marked and therefore much less easy to observe and monitor with any accuracy.
  • FIG. 2 shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the sensor comprises a flow path 1 in which an ice-containing medium can flow.
  • the flow path is defined by pipe walls 4; the pipe preferably has an internal diameter of
  • An optical emitter 2 is provided at a first end of the flow path 1 and an optical receiver 3 is provided at a second end of the flow path 1.
  • the emitter 2 and receiver 3 are aligned with each other parallel to the flow path and, in this embodiment, they are aligned with the axis of the flow path.
  • the distance between the emitter and the receiver is 52mm.
  • the emitter 2 is connected to a light source (not shown) for emitting visible red light having a wavelength of 660 nm.
  • the light source is remote from the emitter and light is conveyed from the light source to the emitter through a fibre optic cable.
  • the receiver is connected to a detector (not shown) by a fibre optic cable.
  • the light source and detector are housed in a single package e.g. an Omron E32-TC200 remote from the emitter/receiver.
  • a single package e.g. an Omron E32-TC200 remote from the emitter/receiver.
  • Each of the emitter 2 and receiver 3 is encased in a respective transparent polycarbonate cover 5 which has a narrow portion 6 for insertion e.g. by a push fit or screw thread, into the respective end of the pipework 4 defining the flow path 1.
  • An inlet pipe 7 and an outlet pipe 8 is inserted, e.g. by a push fit, into a respective receiving hole toward each of the ends of the flow path.
  • ice-containing medium flows into the first end of the flow path 1 from the inlet pipe 7, along the flow path 1 and then leaves the flow path at the second end via the outlet pipe 8.
  • Light is emitted from the emitter 2 passes along the light/flow path and light incident on the receiver 3 passes to the detector through an optical amplifier (not shown) via a fibre optic cable.
  • the optical amplifier may be an Omron E3X-DA51 N.
  • the intensity of the light incident on the receiver will vary with the ice fraction i.e. the light measured by the detector will increase as the ice fraction decreases and vice versa.
  • the sensor is connected to a freezer apparatus (not shown) such as a scraped cylinder slush ice generator via a control system (not shown). If the light intensity detected decreases beyond a predetermined valve indicative of an increase in the fraction above a predetermined valve, the sensor sends a signal to the freezer apparatus via the control system to cause the freezer apparatus to cease cooling or reduce its cooling power so that the ice fraction decreases back to within the desired limits.
  • the receiver sends a signal to the freezer apparatus via the control system to cause the freezer apparatus to start cooling or increase its cooling power so that the ice fraction increases to within the desired limits.
  • FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of an alternative arrangement of the sensor of the present invention.
  • the inlet pipe 7 and outlet pipe 8 are on diametrically opposite sides of the flow path.
  • the embodiment shown in Figure 4 is similar to that shown in Figure 3 except that the inlet and outlet pipes are at an increased angle relative to the to the flow path and they are reversed in location (i.e. the inlet pipe 7 is adjacent the receiver rather than adjacent the emitter).
  • the flow of the ice-containing medium in the flow path is in the opposite direction to that in the embodiment shown in Figure 3.
  • the direction of flow of the ice-containing medium is not important i.e. the light emitted by the emitter can pass to the receiver either in the direction of the flow of the ice-containing medium or against the flow of the ice-containing medium.
  • Figure 5 shows an alterative embodiment of the present invention in which the emitter 2 and receiver 3 are provided at the same end of the flow path and a reflector 11 is provided at the second end of the flow path.
  • the emitter and receiver are provided in a single unit.
  • the light path extends axially along the flow path from the emitter to the reflector where the light is reflected back along substantially the same path to the receiver.
  • the inlet and outlet pipes are coaxial with the flow path and the emitter 2 and receiver 3 are not aligned with the flow path. Instead, the emitter 2 and receiver 3 are positioned adjacent one another (separated by the flow path length).
  • a light path initially crosses the flow path and is then reflected along the flow path by a first mirror 9 to a second mirror 10 where it is directed into the receiver 3.
  • the emitter and sensor may be diametrically off set and the second mirror 10 may be rotated through a right angle so that the light path is reflected to the receiver 3.
  • the dimensions of the mirrors 9, 10 are kept to a minimum to avoid disrupting the flow of the ice-containing medium along the flow path.
  • One or both of the mirrors could be replaced by a solid block of transparent material 9', 10' having an angled end as shown in Figure 6a.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
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  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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  • Investigating Or Analysing Materials By Optical Means (AREA)
  • Measuring Volume Flow (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention provides an optical ice fraction sensor which comprises a flow path in which an ice-containing medium can flow, an optical emitter and an optical receiver. In use, a light path extends between the emitter and receiver and at least a portion of the light path is parallel to the flow path. The ice fraction sensor can be used for measuring or monitoring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium present in the flow path. A method of measuring or monitoring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium within a flow path is also provided.

Description

Ice Fraction Sensor
The present invention relates to a sensor for measuring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium. In particular, the present invention relates to a sensor which uses optical measurements to determine or monitor the ice fraction of an ice- containing medium.
There are numerous applications for ice-containing media. For example, various cooling applications are known such as air conditioning or beverage cooling. Use of ice-containing medium in beverage cooling is described, for example, in GB 2436445.
In some applications, the ice containing medium may be a comestible; ice- containing soft drinks are well known and, more recently, ice-containing alcoholic beverages have been described.
Co-pending application, GB 0718177.9 combines both of the above mentioned applications of an ice-containing medium, using an ice-containing beverage medium to cool one or more other beverages, the ice-containing beverage medium being subsequently dispensed for consumption.
Other applications of ice-containing media include ice blasting, cutting or polishing in which an ice-containing medium is blasted under pressure against a surface.
The ice-containing medium may be an ice slush or ice slurry (also known as binary ice) e.g. with an ice fraction of around 40vol% or it may be a free-flowing liquid with suspended particles of ice (with a lower ice fraction than an ice slurry). It should be noted that the term "ice" does not exclusively refer to water ice but encompasses any frozen material.
In some applications, it is advantageous to be able to monitor the ice fraction i.e. the volume percentage of ice in the ice-containing medium. Monitoring the ice fraction provides information which allows for control of the ice fraction. Control of the ice fraction within a defined range is often desirable. For example, if the ice- containing medium is a beverage, it is desirable to maintain the ice fraction within defined limits to achieve a consistent beverage upon dispense. Furthermore, in cooling applications, the cooling effect of the ice-containing medium may vary with the ice fraction and thus it is often desirable to control the ice fraction to ensure controlled cooling.
It is possible to use a temperature sensor to monitor the ice fraction in an ice- containing medium but the variation in temperature relative to ice fraction is often very small thus making accurate measurement difficult. For example, a change of 2% in the ice fraction of an ice-containing cider beverage is evidenced by a temperature change of only 0.050C.
US2005/0200851 describes the use of an ice fraction sensor utilizing optical measurements to measure the ice fraction in ice slurry used for ice blasting. This ice fraction sensor measures light transmittance across the flow path of the ice slurry using diametrically opposed optical fibres. The light transmittance decreases as the ice fraction increases, the increased ice fraction resulting in increased scattering of the light across the flow path.
A preferred aim of the present invention is to provide an improved ice fraction sensor for measuring the ice fraction in an ice-containing medium using optical measurements.
In a first aspect, the present invention provides an optical ice fraction sensor comprising: a flow path in which an ice-containing medium can flow; an optical emitter; and an optical receiver, wherein, in use, a light path extends between the emitter and receiver, at least a portion of the light path being parallel to the flow path.
By using a light path at least a portion of which is parallel to the flow path, measurement of the ice fraction can be achieved with improved accuracy. Firstly, compared to an ice fraction sensor using temperature measurements, the change in optical transmittance relative to ice fraction is considerably greater providing for much accurate measurement of the ice fraction. For example, a change of 5% in the ice fraction of an ice-containing cider beverage is evidenced by a change in voltage output (corresponding to optical transmittance) from the receiver of around 2V. The increased sensitivity of ice fraction measurement using optical measurements compared to temperature measurements can be seen in Figure 1.
Secondly, by selecting a flow path length (and therefore a light path length) which is greater than the diameter of the pipework defining the flow path, a more representative ice fraction value can be obtained (compared to a value obtained from a measurement across the diameter) since the value will be averaged across a greater volume of ice-containing medium. This also gives a reduction in the instantaneous scatter of the readings as fluctuations in the ice fraction are detected with the diametric sensor that are not representative of the overall ice fraction in a section of the slurry. Preferably, the emitter is at a first end of the flow path and the receiver is at a second end of the flow path with the emitter and receiver aligned with each other parallel to the flow path i.e. in use, the entire length of the light path is parallel to the flow path. Alternatively, the emitter and receiver may both be at the same end of the flow path with a reflector at the second end of the flow path, the emitter/receiver and reflector aligned with each other parallel to the flow path i.e. in use, the entire length of the light path is parallel to the flow path. In this case, the emitter and receiver may be combined in a single unit. The emitter and receiver or emitter/receiver and reflector are preferably aligned with the axis of the flow path i.e. the light path extends coaxially with the flow path.
By axially aligning the emitter/receiver/reflector with the flow path, the effect of flow characteristics of the slurry (laminar or turbulent) on the ice fraction measurement can be minimised as these effects will be greater towards the walls of the pipework defining the flow path.
Axial alignment of the sensors means that the light path is through a constant cross section and not through a varying one as with the diametric sensor arrangement. This gives a more representative ice fraction value for the different ice slurry flow characteristics.
Preferably the emitter and/or receiver is isolated from the flow path i.e. there can be no physical contact between any ice containing medium in the flow path and the emitter/receiver. Most preferably both the emitter and receiver are isolated from the flow path. This isolation may be achieved, for example, using a translucent, preferably transparent, cover for the emitter/receiver. If the ice containing medium is a comestible, it is preferable to form the cover using a food safe material. The cover may be formed of polycarbonate, glass, acrylic, pyrex etc..
The isolation of the emitter/receiver from the flow path has several advantages. Firstly, any concerns about the compatibility between the material forming the emitter/receiver and the ice-containing medium are eliminated.
Secondly, the emitter/receiver are protected from the potential high pressure within the flow path caused by the flow of the ice-containing medium.
The emitter can include or can be connected to any light source e.g. a visible light source such as a bulb or an LED, or a near infra red (IR) radiation source. A near IR radiation source may be particularly useful if the ice-containing medium is coloured or cloudy and would therefore absorb some wavelengths of visible light. The light source may be remote from the emitter with the light conveyed to the emitter by a fibre optic cable.
The receiver can include or can be connected to any capable of detecting light emitted from the emitter (a light sensitive detector). The receiver preferably includes an optical amplifier for amplifying the light received by the emitter before it reaches the detector. The detector may be adapted to provide an output voltage or output current, the magnitude of which is representative of the magnitude of the ice fraction of the ice-containing medium.
A lens may be provided in front of the receiver to focus or diffuse light in the flow path. It may be desirable to focus diffuse light (diffused by scattering by the ice particles in the ice-containing medium) onto the receiver.
The optical sensor may be connected to a control system for controlling a freezer apparatus. If the optical sensor detects an increase in optical transmittance corresponding to a decrease in ice fraction below a predetermined limit, it can signal the freezer apparatus (via the control system) to restart or increase its cooling of the ice-containing medium to increase the ice fraction to back within the desired ice fraction range. Conversely, if the optical sensor detects an decrease in optical transmittance corresponding to an increase in ice fraction above a predetermined limit, it can signal the freezer apparatus (via the control system) to stop or decrease its cooling of the ice-containing medium to decrease the ice fraction to back within the desired ice fraction range.
It has been found that once a sensor comprising a specified flow path length, a specified emitter and a specified receiver has been calibrated for a specified ice- containing medium, no calibration of further sensors having the same set-up is required - each optical sensor set up of the same design gives the same reading for the same ice fraction. In a second aspect, the present invention provides use of an ice fraction sensor according to the first aspect, for measuring or monitoring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium present within in the flow path.
The ice-containing medium can be an ice slush or slurry e.g. having an ice fraction of around 40% or it can be a free-flowing liquid containing a lower fraction of ice particles. The ice-containing medium may be, for example, water or an ice- containing beverage medium e.g. a soft drink ice-containing beverage such as a carbonated soft drink, fruit juice, cordials, tea or coffee, or an alcoholic ice-containing beverage medium such as wine, beer, lager or cider. In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of measuring or monitoring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium within a flow path, the method comprising: providing an optical emitter and an optical receiver; emitting light along a light path from the emitter to the receiver, wherein at least a portion of the light path is parallel to the flow path; and measuring the light received by the receiver.
By using a light path at least a portion of which is parallel to the flow path, measurement of the ice fraction can be achieved with improved accuracy as described above in relation to the first aspect. Firstly, compared to an ice fraction sensor using temperature measurements, the change in optical transmittance relative to ice fraction is considerably greater providing for much accurate measurement of the ice fraction. For example, a change of 5% in the ice fraction of an ice-containing cider beverage is evidenced by a change in voltage output (corresponding to optical transmittance) from the receiver of around 2V.
The increased sensitivity of ice fraction measurement using optical measurements compared to temperature measurements can be seen in Figure 1. Secondly, by selecting a flow path length (and therefore a light path length) which is greater than the diameter of the pipework defining the flow path, a more representative ice fraction value can be obtained (compared to a value obtained from a measurement across the diameter of the pipework) since the value will be averaged across a greater volume of ice-containing medium.
Preferably, the method comprises providing the emitter at a first end of the flow path and providing the receiver at a second end of the flow path and aligning the emitter and receiver with each other parallel to the flow path so that the entire length of the light path is parallel to the flow path. Alternatively, the method may comprise providing the emitter and receiver at the same end of the flow path and providing a reflector at a second end of the flow path and aligning the emitter/receiver and reflector with each other parallel to the flow path so that the entire length of the light path is parallel to the flow path. In this case, the emitter and receiver may be combined in a single unit.
The method preferably comprises aligning the emitter and receiver or receiver/emitter and reflector with the axis of the flow path so that the light path extends coaxially with the flow path.
By axially aligning the emitter/receiver/reflector with the flow path, the effect of flow characteristics of the slurry (laminar or turbulent) on the ice fraction measurement can be minimised as these effects will be greater towards the walls of the pipework defining the flow path.
Axial alignment of the sensors means that the light path is through a constant cross section and not through a varying one as with the diametric sensor arrangement. This gives a more representative ice fraction value for the different ice slurry flow characteristics
Preferably the method comprises isolating the emitter and/or receiver from the flow path is that there is no physical contact between any ice containing medium in the flow path and the emitter/receiver. Most preferably the method comprises isolating both the emitter and receiver from the flow path. This isolation may be achieved, for example, using a translucent, preferably transparent, cover for the emitter/receiver. If the ice containing medium is a comestible, it is preferable to provide a cover formed using a food safe material, e.g. polycarbonate, glass, acrylic, pyrex etc.
The isolation of the emitter/receiver from the flow path has several advantages as discussed above for the first aspect. Firstly, any concerns about the compatibility between the material forming the emitter/receiver and the ice-containing medium are eliminated. Secondly, the emitter/receiver are protected from the potential high pressure within the flow path caused by the flow of the ice-containing medium.
The method preferably comprises providing an emitter including or connected to a light source e.g. a visible light source such as a bulb or an LED, or a near IR radiation source. Providing a near IR radiation source may be particularly useful if the ice-containing medium is coloured or cloudy and would therefore absorb some wavelengths of visible light. The method may comprise providing the light source remote from the emitter and conveying the light to the emitter using a fibre optic cable. The method preferably comprises providing a receiver including or connected to a light sensitive detector and optionally an optical amplifier. The method preferably comprises measuring the light detected by the detector, the detector providing an output voltage or output current, the magnitude of which is representative of the magnitude of the ice fraction of the ice-containing medium.
The method preferably comprises providing a lens in front of the receiver to focus or diffuse the light in the flow path. The method preferably comprises connecting the optical sensor to a control system for controlling a freezer apparatus. If the optical sensor detects an increase in optical transmittance corresponding to a decrease in ice fraction below a predetermined limit, it can signal the freezer apparatus (via the control system) to restart or increase its cooling of the ice-containing medium to increase the ice fraction to back within the desired ice fraction range. Conversely, if the optical sensor detects an decrease in optical transmittance corresponding to an increase in ice fraction above a predetermined limit, it can signal the freezer apparatus (via the control system) to stop or decrease its cooling of the ice-containing medium to decrease the ice fraction to back within the desired ice fraction range.
The ice-containing medium can be an ice slush or slurry e.g. having an ice fraction of around 40% or it can be a free-flowing liquid containing a lower fraction of ice particles. The ice containing medium may be, for example, water or an ice- containing beverage medium e.g. a soft drink ice-containing beverage such as a carbonated soft drink, fruit juice, cordials, tea or coffee, or an alcoholic ice-containing beverage medium such as wine, beer, lager or cider.
The method can be used to measure or monitor the ice fraction of an ice- containing medium used in cooling applications such as air-conditioning applications, fire fighting applications, organ transport applications, machine tool drilling applications, and cooling of engines, concrete, injection moulds and burns/wounds. The method can also be used for ice cleaning applications e.g. pipe cleaning or for ice blasting/cutting polishing applications. Use of the method for monitoring and controlling ice fractions in applications involving cooling of medical apparatus, laboratory sample preparation, thermometer calibration, precision instrument manufacture, biotech growth vessels, and chemical reaction chambers is also envisaged. Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a graph showing a comparison between temperature and optical measurements for measuring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium;
Figure 2 shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 4 shows a schematic representation of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a schematic representation of a fourth preferred embodiment; and
Figures 6 and 6a shows a schematic representation of a fifth preferred embodiment.
Figure 1 shows a graph plotting the output of an optical sensor and temperature over time for a frozen cider-containing beverage medium. As freezing of the cider was commenced, the ice fraction increased from 0% ice and this is detected as a decrease in both temperature and the output voltage from the optical sensor. Once the ice fraction increases beyond a predetermined limit which is detected as a predetermined lower voltage limit (around 100OmV), the optical sensor triggers a cessation or decrease in the cooling of the cider so that the ice fraction decreases as heat is gained from the ambient environment. This is seen as a steady increase in the voltage output from the sensor. Once the ice fraction decreases beyond a predetermined limit which is detected as a predetermined upper voltage limit (around 300OmV), the optical sensor triggers the start of or an increase in the cooling of the cider so that the ice fraction increases. This is seen as a steady decrease in the voltage output from the sensor. The change in voltage output from the sensor as the ice fraction decreases and increases is of the order of 200OmV and thus is easily observed and monitored. In contrast, the corresponding temperature change occurring with each fluctuation in ice fraction is much less marked and therefore much less easy to observe and monitor with any accuracy.
Figure 2 shows a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. The sensor comprises a flow path 1 in which an ice-containing medium can flow. The flow path is defined by pipe walls 4; the pipe preferably has an internal diameter of
15mm. An optical emitter 2 is provided at a first end of the flow path 1 and an optical receiver 3 is provided at a second end of the flow path 1.
The emitter 2 and receiver 3 are aligned with each other parallel to the flow path and, in this embodiment, they are aligned with the axis of the flow path. The distance between the emitter and the receiver is 52mm.
The emitter 2 is connected to a light source (not shown) for emitting visible red light having a wavelength of 660 nm. The light source is remote from the emitter and light is conveyed from the light source to the emitter through a fibre optic cable.
The receiver is connected to a detector (not shown) by a fibre optic cable.
In this preferred embodiment, the light source and detector are housed in a single package e.g. an Omron E32-TC200 remote from the emitter/receiver. Each of the emitter 2 and receiver 3 is encased in a respective transparent polycarbonate cover 5 which has a narrow portion 6 for insertion e.g. by a push fit or screw thread, into the respective end of the pipework 4 defining the flow path 1.
An inlet pipe 7 and an outlet pipe 8 is inserted, e.g. by a push fit, into a respective receiving hole toward each of the ends of the flow path.
In use, ice-containing medium flows into the first end of the flow path 1 from the inlet pipe 7, along the flow path 1 and then leaves the flow path at the second end via the outlet pipe 8. Light is emitted from the emitter 2 passes along the light/flow path and light incident on the receiver 3 passes to the detector through an optical amplifier (not shown) via a fibre optic cable. The optical amplifier may be an Omron E3X-DA51 N.
The intensity of the light incident on the receiver will vary with the ice fraction i.e. the light measured by the detector will increase as the ice fraction decreases and vice versa.
The sensor is connected to a freezer apparatus (not shown) such as a scraped cylinder slush ice generator via a control system (not shown). If the light intensity detected decreases beyond a predetermined valve indicative of an increase in the fraction above a predetermined valve, the sensor sends a signal to the freezer apparatus via the control system to cause the freezer apparatus to cease cooling or reduce its cooling power so that the ice fraction decreases back to within the desired limits.
Conversely, if the light intensity detected increases beyond a predetermined value indicative of a decrease in the ice fraction below a predetermined value, the receiver sends a signal to the freezer apparatus via the control system to cause the freezer apparatus to start cooling or increase its cooling power so that the ice fraction increases to within the desired limits.
Figure 3 shows a schematic representation of an alternative arrangement of the sensor of the present invention. In this case, the inlet pipe 7 and outlet pipe 8 are on diametrically opposite sides of the flow path.
The embodiment shown in Figure 4 is similar to that shown in Figure 3 except that the inlet and outlet pipes are at an increased angle relative to the to the flow path and they are reversed in location (i.e. the inlet pipe 7 is adjacent the receiver rather than adjacent the emitter). This means that the flow of the ice-containing medium in the flow path is in the opposite direction to that in the embodiment shown in Figure 3. In all cases, the direction of flow of the ice-containing medium is not important i.e. the light emitted by the emitter can pass to the receiver either in the direction of the flow of the ice-containing medium or against the flow of the ice-containing medium.
Figure 5 shows an alterative embodiment of the present invention in which the emitter 2 and receiver 3 are provided at the same end of the flow path and a reflector 11 is provided at the second end of the flow path. The emitter and receiver are provided in a single unit. The light path extends axially along the flow path from the emitter to the reflector where the light is reflected back along substantially the same path to the receiver.
Yet a further embodiment is shown in Figure 6. In this embodiment, the inlet and outlet pipes are coaxial with the flow path and the emitter 2 and receiver 3 are not aligned with the flow path. Instead, the emitter 2 and receiver 3 are positioned adjacent one another (separated by the flow path length). In use, a light path initially crosses the flow path and is then reflected along the flow path by a first mirror 9 to a second mirror 10 where it is directed into the receiver 3. Of course, the emitter and sensor may be diametrically off set and the second mirror 10 may be rotated through a right angle so that the light path is reflected to the receiver 3.
The dimensions of the mirrors 9, 10 are kept to a minimum to avoid disrupting the flow of the ice-containing medium along the flow path.
One or both of the mirrors could be replaced by a solid block of transparent material 9', 10' having an angled end as shown in Figure 6a.
The embodiments described above are given by way of illustration only and various modifications will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

Claims

1. An optical ice fraction sensor comprising: a flow path in which an ice-containing medium can flow; an optical emitter; and an optical receiver, wherein, in use, a light path extends between the emitter and receiver, at least a portion of the light path being parallel to the flow path.
2. An optical ice fraction sensor according to claim 1 wherein the emitter is provided at a first end of the flow path and the receiver is provided at a second end of the flow path, the emitter and receiver being aligned with each other parallel to the flow path.
3. An optical ice fraction sensor according to claim 1 wherein the emitter and receiver are provided at a first end of the flow path and a reflector is provided at a second end of the flow path, the emitter/receiver and reflector being aligned with each other parallel to the flow path.
4. An optical ice fraction sensor according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the emitter and receiver or emitter/receiver and reflector are aligned with the axis of the flow path.
5. An optical ice fraction sensor according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the emitter and/or receiver is isolated from the flow path.
6. An optical ice fraction sensor according claim 5 wherein the emitter and/or receiver is/are isolated from the flow path by a respective translucent cover.
7. An optical ice fraction sensor according to claim 6 wherein the cover is formed of a food safe material.
8. An optical ice fraction sensor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the emitter includes or is connected to a visible light source or a near IR source.
9. An optical ice fraction sensor according to any on of the preceding claims wherein the receiver includes or is connected to a light sensitive detector.
10. An optical ice fraction sensor according to any one of the preceding claims comprising a lens positioned in front of the receiver to focus or diffuse light onto the receiver.
11. An optical ice fraction sensor according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the optical sensor is connected to a control system for controlling a freezer apparatus.
12. Use of an ice fraction sensor as defined in any one of the preceding claims for measuring or monitoring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium present in the flow path.
13. Use according to claim 12 wherein the ice-containing medium is an ice slush or a free-flowing liquid containing ice particles.
14. Use according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the ice-containing medium is selected from water or an ice-containing beverage medium.
15. A method of measuring or monitoring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium within a flow path, the method comprising: providing an optical emitter and an optical receiver; emitting light along a light path from the emitter to the receiver, wherein at least a portion of the light path is parallel to the flow path; and measuring the light received by the receiver.
16. A method according to claim 15 comprising providing the emitter at a first end of the flow path, providing the receiver at a second end of the flow path and aligning the emitter and receiver with one another parallel to the flow path.
17. A method according to claim 15 comprising providing the emitter and receiver at a first end of the flow path, providing a reflector at a second end of the flow path and aligning the emitter/receiver with the reflector parallel to the flow path.
18. A method according to claim 16 or 17 comprising aligning the emitter and receiver or emitter/receiver and reflector along the axis of the flow path.
19. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 18 comprising isolating the emitter and/or receiver from the flow path.
20. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 19 comprising providing an emitter including or connected to a visible light source or a near IR source.
21. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 20 comprising measuring the light received by the receiver using a light sensitive detector.
22. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 21 comprising providing a focussing or diffusing lens in front of the receiver.
23. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 22 comprising connecting the optical sensor to a control system for controlling a freezer apparatus.
24. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 23 wherein the ice-containing medium is an ice slush or a free-flowing liquid containing ice particles.
25. A method according to any one of claims 15 to 24 wherein the ice-containing medium is selected from water or an ice-containing beverage medium.
26. An optical ice fraction sensor substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
27. Use of an optical ice fraction sensor substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying figures for measuring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium present in the flow path.
28. A method of measuring the ice fraction of an ice-containing medium substantially as any one embodiment herein described with reference to the accompanying figures.
EP08806528A 2007-11-09 2008-10-07 Ice fraction sensor Withdrawn EP2208049A1 (en)

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GB0722085A GB2454517B (en) 2007-11-09 2007-11-09 Ice fraction sensor
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WO2009060169A1 (en) 2009-05-14

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