System for drying foods such as fruits and vegetables

Abstract

The present invention relates to a drying system for drying foods such as fruits and vegetables under sterile conditions, in a shorter period of time, using less energy and without the formation of toxic substances.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SYSTEM FOR DRYING FOODS SUCH AS FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates to a system that enables the drying of foods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as products such as seeds, legumes, fabric and minerals, under sterile conditions and using less energy.

[0005] In particular, the present invention relates to a system for drying products in sealed cans, jars and bags in a shorter time with less energy and in a cold environment at the lowest humidity level by preventing the formation of toxic substances, thereby extending the shelf life of the products in sealed cans, jars and bags without the need for any other chemical preservatives.

[0006] State of the Art

[0007] Today, various methods are used to dry products such as fruits and vegetables. The three most frequently used methods are explained below, and the disadvantages of these methods are detailed.

[0008] 1. Drying by laying out in the sun: In this method, the products to be dried are laid out on a surface and dried by sunlight. The most important disadvantages of this method are that the drying time is very long and a large amount of toxic substances are formed during the drying process.

[0009] 2. Hot air drying: In this method, the drying process is carried out by sending hot air onto the product to be dried. However, after applying this method, odor, taste and mineral losses occur on the products. In addition, the energy consumption required for hot air production and drying is very high.

[0010] 3. Freeze drying by sublimation: In this method, energy consumption is very high and drying time is very long. Additionally, machinery investment costs are quite high. As a result of the aforementioned issues and the limited supply of available solutions, it became necessary to carry out an improvement in the relevant technical field.

[0011] Object of the Invention

[0012] The present invention relates to a drying system which eliminates the abovementioned disadvantages and brings new advantages to the relevant technical field.

[0013] The present invention aims to develop a system for drying products in sealed cans, jars and bags in a shorter time with less energy at the lowest humidity level by preventing the formation of toxic substances, thereby extending the shelf life of the products in sealed cans, jars and bags without the need for any other chemical preservatives.

[0014] Another object of the present invention is to perform drying by utilising the boiling property of water at low temperatures in a vacuum atmosphere in order to reduce the drying time and the energy required for the drying process.

[0015] Another object of the present invention is to perform drying in an oxygen -free atmosphere to prevent the formation of toxic substances.

[0016] Another object of the present invention is to perform drying at low temperatures to reduce odor, taste and mineral losses.

[0017] The structural and characteristic features of the present invention will be understood clearly by the following drawings and the detailed description made with reference to these drawings. Therefore the evaluation shall be made by taking these figures and the detailed description into consideration.

[0018] Figures Clarifying the Invention

[0019] Figure 1 : Schematic view of the drying system of the present invention.

[0020] Description of the Part References 1. Vacuum resistant, insulated steel tank with opening lid

[0021] 2. Trolleys of products to be dried with trays

[0022] 3. Inner atmosphere circulation motor and fan

[0023] 4. Vacuum pump and motor

[0024] 5. Vacuum balance and control tank

[0025] 6. Dehumidification cooling group and equipment

[0026] 7. Ambient cooler and equipment

[0027] 8. Balance heating group and equipment

[0028] 9. Condensate storage tank and equipment

[0029] 10. Temperature, humidity and pressure sensors and indicators

[0030] 11. Oxygen-free drying atmosphere supply system

[0031] 12. Vacuum control and safety system

[0032] 13. PLC controlled electrical control panel

[0033] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0034] The present invention relates to a drying system for drying foods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as seeds, pulses, fabrics, minerals, etc. under sterile conditions, in a shorter period of time, using less energy and without the formation of toxic substances.

[0035] In particular, our invention will be used instead of the prior art ‘freeze sublimation drying technique’ and will have the following technical advantages over the prior art system.

[0036] > The advantages are as follows; drying energy being 50% - 70% less than the old method,

[0037] > Elimination of the damage that freezing may cause to product quality and beneficial bacteria, as applied in the prior art (freezing sublimation technique),

[0038] > Ensuring product quality and standardization.

[0039] Figure 1 shows the general schematic view of the drying system of the present invention. The system according to the present invention comprises a vacuumresistant, insulated steel tank (1 ) with an opening lid and a vacuum pump and motor (4) associated with the steel tank (1 ), in which the trolleys of products to be dried with trays (2) such as fruit and vegetables, are placed.

[0040] Unlike the prior art, the inventive system comprises an internal atmosphere circulation motor and fan (3) associated with a vacuum-resistant, insulated steel tank (1 ) with an opening lid.

[0041] With the internal atmosphere circulation motor and fan (3), the following advantages are obtained.

[0042] > It provides homogeneous drying by ensuring that the drying atmosphere moves homogeneously throughout the entire volume.

[0043] > It shortens the duration of dehumidification, cooling or heating processes by ensuring that the drying atmosphere moves at the appropriate speed through the cooling and heating batteries.

[0044] > The drying atmosphere, which is provided to pass around the products to be dried at a certain speed thanks to this fan, accelerates the drying.

[0045] A vacuum balance and control tank (5) is placed between the vacuum resistant, insulated steel tank with opening lid (1 ) and the vacuum pump and motor (4). It supports rapid and sudden vacuum reduction by creating a pre-vacuum with the vacuum balance and control tank (5). Stable and regular operation of the vacuum pump and motor (4) is supported. It also provides immediate initial storage of the water evaporated during the first vacuum and its removal from the drying atmosphere.

[0046] Unlike the prior art, the drying system of the present invention comprises an ambient cooling group and equipment (7) associated with a vacuum -resistant, insulated steel tank with opening lid (1 ). The aforementioned ambient cooler and equipment (7) is used to support the vacuum-resistant, insulated steel tank with opening lid (1 ) and associated dehumidification cooler and equipment (6), in particular due to the need to increase the evaporator surfaces as the drying is operated around 0°C without freezing, unlike other refrigerated (-40°C) drying systems (used in the prior art). At the same time, it supports that the drying atmosphere always reaches the product at the desired temperature. Unlike the prior art, the drying system according to the invention comprises a vacuum-resistant, insulated steel tank with an opening lid (1 ) and associated balance heating group and equipment (8), which provides balance heating of the drying atmosphere formed during the dehumidification phase, thereby guaranteeing that the drying atmosphere always reaches the product at the same temperature and humidity.

[0047] Unlike the prior art, the inventive drying system comprises a condensate storage tank and equipment (9) associated with a vacuum-resistant, insulated steel tank with an opening lid (1 ). The condensate storage tank and equipment (9) prevents the condensed fruit juice vapor from being removed from the drying tank and turning back into steam. It increases the drying speed. It supports the dryer atmosphere to reach the desired humidity on the product.

[0048] The drying system of the present invention comprises temperature, humidity and pressure sensors and indicators (10), which were also used for similar purposes in the prior art.

[0049] Unlike the prior art, the drying system of the present invention comprises an oxygen- free drying atmosphere supply system (11) associated with a vacuum -resistant, insulated steel tank with an opening lid (1 ). The oxygen-free drying atmosphere supply system (11 ) ensures that the product is dried without deterioration of the standard values of the product by preventing the formation of harmful microorganisms and the negative effects due to product oxidation by drying in an oxygen-free atmosphere. (For example, Nitrogen can be used as the drying atmosphere gas). Sometimes it may be previously filled into a tube, and sometimes it may be fed directly from a generator.

[0050] Unlike the prior art, the drying system of the present invention comprises a vacuum control and safety system (12) associated with a vacuum -resistant, insulated steel tank with an opening lid (1 ). Vacuum control and safety system (12) not only ensures the mechanical safety of the drying cell, but also ensures that the drying process is at the desired internal pressure within the time period.

[0051] Unlike the prior art, the drying system of the present invention is controlled by a PLC- controlled electrical control panel (13). With the help of its powerful PLC support, it allows writing preliminary prescriptions for drying a large number of products. Communication and control are possible at any point in the world with the PLC- controlled electrical control panel (13), which has remote access via the internet network.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Drying system which enables the drying of foods such as fruits and vegetables, as well as products such as seeds, pulses, fabrics, minerals, etc. under sterile conditions, in a shorter time, using less energy and without toxic substances, comprises a vacuum-resistant insulated steel tank with an opening lid (1 ), a vacuum pump and motor (4) associated with the vacuumresistant insulated steel tank (1), a dehumidification cooler and equipment (6) associated with the vacuum-resistant insulated steel tank (1 ), temperature, humidity and pressure sensors and indicators (10), in which trolleys of products to be dried such as fruit and vegetables with trays (2) are placed, characterized by comprising the following;Internal atmosphere circulation motor and fan (3), which provides homogeneous drying and shortens the drying time by accelerating the drying atmosphere in relation to the vacuum -resistant, insulated steel tank with opening lid (1),- Vacuum balance and control tank (5), which supports rapid and sudden vacuum reduction by creating a pre-vacuum by being placed between the vacuum-resistant, insulated steel tank with opening lid (1) and the vacuum pump and motor (4),- Ambient cooler and equipment (7), which supports the dehumidification cooler group and equipment (6) in relation to the vacuum-resistant, insulated steel tank with opening lid (1 ), and also supports the drying atmosphere to always reach the product at the desired temperature.Balance heating group and equipment (8), which ensures balance heating of the drying atmosphere formed during the dehumidification phase in relation to the vacuum-resistant, insulated steel tank with opening lid (1 ), ensuring that the drying atmosphere always reaches the product at the same temperature and humidity rate,- Oxygen-free drying atmosphere supply system (11) associated with a vacuum-resistant, insulated steel tank with an opening lid (1 ), which ensures that the standard values of the product are dried without deterioration by preventing the formation of harmful microorganismsand the negative effects of product oxidation by drying in an oxygen- free atmosphere.

2. Drying system according to claim 1 , characterised in that, it comprises a condensation water storage tank and equipment (9) associated with a vacuum-resistant insulated steel tank with an opening lid (1 ), which prevents the condensed fruit juice vapour from returning to vapour by removing it from the drying tank, which increases the drying speed, which supports the dryer atmosphere on the product at the desired humidity, and which is resistant to vacuum.

3. Drying system according to claim 1 , characterised in that; it comprises a vacuum control and safety system (12) associated with a vacuum -resistant, insulated steel tank with an opening lid (1), which, in addition to ensuring the mechanical safety of the drying cell, guarantees that the drying process is at the desired internal pressure at the desired time interval.

4. Drying system according to claim 1 , characterised in that; it comprises a PLC-controlled electrical control panel (13) with remote access via an internet network, which allows pre-prescription for drying a large number of products thanks to its powerful PLC support.

Images