Integrated heat exchanger and liquid dispensing unit

摘要

An integrated heat exchanger and liquid dispensing unit 10 for flash cooling beer includes a main body 12 provided with an internal flow path 14 having an inlet 16, an outlet 18, and a void 20 in fluid communication therebetween. The void 20 is formed from four cylindrical chambers 22a-22d that are interlinked so as to be in mutual fluid communication with each other. Chambers 22 are formed in a thermal insulating block 26 held within the main body 12. Conduits 30c-30d are disposed within chambers 22a-22d respectively. Each conduit has an inlet 32 and an outlet 34. The outlet 34 is connected directly to a dispensing tap 36. The heat transfer fluid 45 passes through the fluid flow path 14 and thus flows through and about the conduits 30. Beer enters through inlet 32, passes through the conduit 30 and is dispensed through tap 36. The beer is cooled by virtue of a heat exchange with the fluid 45 flowing through the chambers 22.