Storage tank system for use in food and drink, pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, comprises pipes connected to distributor trees attached to tank bases and fitted with valves for control of liquid flow

摘要

The invention relates to a method for operating tank farm systems, which are interconnected with pipes in a fixed manner and which have pipe systems for liquids, particularly for use in systems which are subject to high microbiological quality requirements and which are used for processing and transferring products in the foodstuffs and beverage industry, pharmaceutical industry, and biotech industry. The inventive method fulfills the quality requirements and, in addition, makes it possible to provide the device for implementing the method with a design that it less complex than that of comparable prior art devices. To this end, the invention provides that the supply and discharge of liquids into and out of the respective tank (1.i) ensues from underneath, and that the liquids that are being supplied or discharged flow through a space (Bia), which is directly connected to the respective tank contents and which is situated underneath the respective tank (1.i). In the immediate vicinity of the inner delimitation of the space, the respective liquid in this space (Bia) can be separated away as desired, in a switchable manner, and in a manner that ensures mixing, from the pipes of the pipe system that lead to this space. The device for implementing the method is provided with a valve distribution tree (B1, B2, ..., Bi, ..., Bn), which discharges into a tank bottom (1.1a, 1.2a, ..., 1.ia, ,1.na) of the respective tank (1.1, 1.2, ..., 1.i, ..., 1.n) and which is provided in the form of a longitudinally extended hollow body (B1a, B2a, ..., Bia, ... Bna). This hollow body is oriented in an essentially vertical manner and comprises connection openings (17) for connecting the interior space thereof to each of the pipes (2.1, 2.2, ..., 2.i, ..., 2.n; 3.1, 3.2, ..., 3.1, ..., 3.n; 4). The inventive device is also provided with a valve (VC; VR; VR*; VS), which is provided in the seat area, designed to ensure mixing and which, in each connection, is arranged between the pipe (2.1, 2.2, ..., 2.i, ..., 2.n; 3.1, 3.2, ..., 3.1, ..., 3.n; 4) and the assigned connection opening (17), and this connection is connected in the immediate vicinity of the hollow body (B1a, B2a, ..., Bia, ..., Bna).