An ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients

Abstract

The application discloses an ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients, and relates to the technical field of plant active ingredient extraction, which comprises an ultrasonic extraction device, which can extract plant active ingredients and initially separate the extraction liquid and plant raw materials after injecting the plant raw materials to be extracted and a solvent into the ultrasonic extraction device; a screw extrusion device, which is communicated with a discharge port at the bottom of the ultrasonic extraction device and is used for extruding the active ingredients remaining in the plant raw materials after the initial separation and secondarily separating the active ingredients from the plant raw material residues; and a filtering device, which is communicated with an outlet at the bottom of the end of the screw extrusion device and can filter and collect the extraction liquid after the secondary separation. The ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients can continuously separate products, thereby improving the production efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of plant active ingredient extraction technology, and in particular to an ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients. Background Technology

[0002] Many natural components in plants have significant beneficial effects on human health, making the efficient extraction of active ingredients a hot topic in the food and pharmaceutical industries. Ultrasound, a longitudinal wave with a frequency greater than 20kHz generated by mechanical vibration, causes local pressure fluctuations when propagating through a medium, producing varying degrees of cavitation. Through physical actions such as jetting and cavitation caused by the collapse of cavitation bubbles, the plant structure can be effectively disrupted, thereby accelerating the diffusion of active ingredients. Simultaneously, the acoustic flow phenomenon induced by ultrasound can significantly accelerate convective mass transfer in the solvent. Therefore, ultrasound is widely used in extraction and processing, and various extraction devices based on ultrasonic effects have been developed.

[0003] Patent application CN 216418384 U discloses an ultrasonic device for plant extraction. By installing multiple ultrasonic probes and a stirring device, the ultrasonic waves are more evenly distributed within the extraction tank. However, existing technologies and equipment fail to address issues such as cavitation damage to the probes caused by ultrasonic cavitation and insufficient power intensity. Furthermore, no continuous and effective separation method is proposed for mixed extraction products, significantly impacting the lifespan of the ultrasonic extraction device, the food safety of the extracted products, and the production efficiency of industrial-scale production. Therefore, ultrasonic extraction devices urgently need improvements in production efficiency and continuous product separation to maximize the significant efficacy of ultrasound in extraction and better promote the development and production of active ingredient products. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients, which solves the problems existing in the prior art, enables continuous product separation, and thus improves production efficiency.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides the following solution:

[0006] This invention provides an ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients, comprising an ultrasonic extraction device that, after being injected with the plant material to be extracted and a solvent, can extract the plant active ingredients and initially separate the extract and the plant material; a screw extrusion device connected to the discharge port at the bottom of the ultrasonic extraction device, used to extrude the residual active ingredients in the plant material after the initial separation and separate them from the plant material residue for a secondary separation; and a filtration device connected to the outlet at the bottom end of the screw extrusion device, used to filter and collect the extract after the secondary separation. This invention utilizes an ultrasonic transducer installed outside the extraction tank to form a ring-shaped focused ultrasonic extraction system, which can effectively avoid problems such as device cavitation damage caused by direct contact with the solvent. Simultaneously, the intensity and distribution of the flow field inside the extraction tank are controlled by the dispersed arrangement of the focused ultrasonic transducers to achieve initial separation of the extracted products. Heating is achieved by an electric heating tape installed outside the ultrasonic extraction device, ensuring that the temperature is stably maintained within the optimal extraction temperature range. Combined with the screw extrusion device, the mixture after coarse extraction is extruded, achieving rapid and effective secondary separation, improving product yield and the degree of continuous processing.

[0007] Optionally, the ultrasonic extraction device includes a tank; multiple ultrasonic transducers are installed in a ring array on the outer wall of the tank; an electric heating cable is arranged around the upper part of the outer wall of the tank, with the electric heating cable and the ultrasonic transducers spaced apart; the electric heating cable is a low-temperature wide-type electric heating cable, with three cables installed at the top, middle, and bottom of the extraction tank; it is ohmic heated by conductive cores on both sides inside; the filled semiconductor polymer material gradually expands when heated, causing the circuit to be interrupted; after cooling, it gradually contracts and restores the flow, so that the maximum temperature is stably maintained at about 60°C; the discharge port is installed at the bottom of the tank; a first feed port is opened at the top of the tank, and a sealing cap is hinged to the first feed port.

[0008] Optionally, the upper half of the tank is a cylindrical structure, and the lower half is a spherical structure. The contact surfaces of the ultrasonic transducer with the sides and bottom of the tank are arc surfaces so that it can be fixed to the surface of the tank. At the same time, the surrounding layout helps to focus the input ultrasonic energy, making the sound field distribution inside the tank more controllable, so as to achieve the separation and extraction of active ingredients of different molecular weights from plants through the flow field. The discharge port is installed at the intersection of the axis of the tank and the bottom spherical structure.

[0009] Optionally, the screw extrusion device includes an extrusion chamber, with a second feed inlet at the top of one end of the extrusion chamber, which is connected to the discharge port via a first solenoid valve; an extrusion screw is installed inside the extrusion chamber, with a drive motor connected to one end of the extrusion screw; a solid discharge port is installed at the end of the extrusion chamber, and the bottom of the extrusion chamber near the fixed discharge port is connected to the filter device via a second solenoid valve; the mixture after coarse extraction by the ultrasonic extraction device enters the extrusion chamber and is extruded by the extrusion screw driven by the drive motor, and the extrusion screw drives the material to be extruded. The pressed material residue is discharged through a fixed outlet, and the solvent enters the filtration device through the second solenoid valve. The first and second solenoid valves are both direct-acting solenoid valves, which control the discharge of the ultrasonic extraction device and the liquid discharge of the screw extrusion device, respectively. They are kept closed when the ultrasonic extraction device is working. After extraction, they are opened simultaneously with the screw extrusion device and the air pump, so that the material enters the extrusion chamber from the discharge of the ultrasonic extraction device through the second inlet of the screw extrusion device. After being extruded by the screw, solid-liquid separation is achieved, and the extraction solvent is drawn into the filter bag through the solenoid valve by the air pump.

[0010] Optionally, the filtration device includes a metal support mesh; a filter bag is installed inside the metal support mesh, and the top opening of the filter bag is connected to the bottom of the second solenoid valve; a liquid outlet is provided at the bottom of the metal support mesh for the filtered solvent to flow out, and an air pump is connected to one side of the liquid outlet via a pipeline to provide negative pressure in the filtration device, which helps the solvent separated after squeezing to quickly pass through the filter bag and the metal support mesh.

[0011] Optionally, a metal filter screen is fixedly installed at the bottom of the extrusion chamber where it is connected to the second solenoid valve. The metal filter screen is a 50-mesh 316 stainless steel filter screen, used to filter the extract. The solvent and extract are drawn into the filter bag by an air pump. The filter bag and the metal support mesh form a bag filter system. The filter bag is fixed and supported by the metal support mesh. The solvent flows out from the metal support mesh after being filtered by the filter bag. Fine impurities are intercepted in the filter bag. The filter bag can be replaced and the system can continue to be used.

[0012] Optionally, the volume of the tank is 300 dm³. 3 The diameter-to-height ratio of the upper cylindrical structure of the tank is 1:1.2, which is beneficial for providing a larger installation area for the ultrasonic transducer and more practical equipment within the same volume. The bottom of the lower spherical structure of the tank is 12cm away from the bottom surface of the cylindrical structure, and the entire tank is made of 316 stainless steel.

[0013] Optionally, the ultrasonic transducer has an output frequency of 20kHz, a single power of 100W, a maximum bottom diameter of 68mm, an overall height of 92.7mm, and an installation spacing of 24mm. It is arranged alternately with the electric heating tape on the side and bottom spherical surface of the tank, with 126 transducers installed on the side and 24 on the bottom spherical surface, totaling 150. The theoretical output ultrasonic intensity is 2.75W / cm². 2 The power density is 50W / dm 3 .

[0014] The present invention achieves the following technical effects compared to the prior art:

[0015] This invention provides an ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients. Multiple ultrasonic transducers are spaced around the surface of the extraction tank, effectively leveraging the positive effects of ultrasound in extraction. The ring-shaped focusing arrangement transmits sound energy into the solution. Simultaneously, the flow field intensity and distribution can be controlled by adjusting the ultrasonic power on the sides and bottom, effectively separating and extracting large-molecule pectin and small-molecule phenolic substances from plants. The electric heating cable provides stable and controllable heating, ensuring high yield and efficiency in the extraction process. Integrating a screw extrusion device into the extraction system effectively achieves rapid separation of the extraction solution and raw materials. Extrusion significantly reduces solvent residue in the extraction residue, further increasing the total amount of active ingredients extracted. This invention improves upon the traditional ultrasonic extraction device, overcoming problems such as product mixing and complex, time-consuming separation processes. The screw extrusion device enables secondary extrusion and solid-liquid separation of the extracted products. The device is convenient, highly efficient, and possesses advanced technology and equipment in the field of ultrasonic extraction. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients according to the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom of the ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients of the present invention;

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 1-Ultrasonic extraction device, 11-First feed inlet, 12-Tank body, 13-Ultrasonic transducer, 14-First electric heating tape, 15-Second electric heating tape, 16-Discharge port, 2-First solenoid valve, 3-Second solenoid valve, 4-Screw extrusion device, 41-Drive motor, 42-Second feed inlet, 43-Extrusion chamber, 44-Extrusion screw, 45-Solid discharge port, 5-Filter device, 51-Air pump, 52-Filter bag, 53-Metal support mesh, 54-Liquid discharge port. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0021] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients, which solves the problems existing in the prior art, enables continuous product separation, and thus improves production efficiency.

[0022] To make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0023] like Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the present invention provides an ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients, including an ultrasonic extraction device 1, a first solenoid valve 2, a second solenoid valve 3, a screw extrusion device 4, and a filtration device 5. The ultrasonic extraction device 1 includes a first inlet 11, a tank 12, ultrasonic transducers 13, an outlet 16, and electric heating cables. This embodiment uses two electric heating cables as an example, namely the first electric heating cable 14 and the second electric heating cable 15. The first inlet 11 is installed on the top of the tank 12. The tank 12 consists of an upper cylindrical structure and a lower spherical structure. An array of 18×7 ultrasonic transducers 13, each with a power of 100W, is installed on the side wall of the upper cylindrical structure of the tank 12. Except for the lateral spacing caused by the first and second electric heating cables 14 and 15, each ultrasonic transducer 13 is evenly spaced. Two rings of ultrasonic transducers 13 are arranged laterally on the spherical structure at the bottom of the tank 12, with 16 and 8 transducers respectively, bringing the total number of ultrasonic transducers 13 outside the tank 12 to 150. The ultrasonic output intensity is 2.75W / cm². 2 Power density 50W / dm 3The first electric heating cable 14 and the second electric heating cable 15 are fixed around the side of the tank body 12, and the discharge port 16 is located at the bottom of the tank body 12 so that the extracted solution and raw materials can be completely discharged. The screw extrusion device 4 includes a drive motor 41, a second feed port 42, an extrusion chamber 43, an extrusion screw 44, and a solid discharge port 45; the second feed port 42 is connected to the discharge port 16 through a first solenoid valve 2, and the bottom end of the extrusion chamber 43 is connected to a second solenoid valve 3 to allow the extraction solvent to flow out. The filtration device 5 includes an air pump 51, a filter bag 52, a metal support mesh 53, and a liquid discharge port 54; the filter bag 52 at the lower end of the second solenoid valve 3 is fixedly installed in the metal support mesh 53, and the lower end is connected to the air pump 51 and the liquid discharge port 54. This invention utilizes an ultrasonic transducer 13 installed outside the extraction tank to form a ring-shaped focused ultrasonic extraction system, which can effectively avoid problems such as device cavitation damage caused by direct contact with solvent. At the same time, the intensity and distribution of the flow field inside the tank 12 are controlled by the dispersed arrangement of the focused ultrasonic transducers to achieve preliminary separation of the extracted products. Heating is achieved by an electric heating tape set outside the ultrasonic extraction device 1, so that the temperature can be stably maintained within the optimal extraction temperature range. Combined with the screw extrusion device 4, the mixture after coarse extraction is extruded, which quickly and effectively achieves secondary separation, improving product yield and the degree of continuous processing.

[0024] When this invention is in operation, the ultrasound propagates radially in the solvent within the tank 12. Due to the ring-shaped focusing arrangement, the sound pressure gradually converges from the outer periphery to the interior, forming a layered vortex within the tank 12. This causes the large molecular active ingredients in the plant raw materials to form a viscous extract in the lower half of the tank, while the small molecular active ingredients diffuse into the overall solvent, thus achieving the separation of different active ingredients in the plant raw materials.

[0025] In use, the plant material to be extracted and the solvent are added to the tank 12 through the first inlet 11. The ultrasonic transducer 13, the first electric heating cable 14, and the second electric heating cable 15 are turned on, while the first solenoid valve 2 is kept closed. The extraction is performed using constant ultrasonic parameters of 20kHz and 100W. After the extraction time is over, the ultrasonic transducer 13, the first electric heating cable 14, and the second electric heating cable 15 are turned off. The first solenoid valve 2, the second solenoid valve 3, the drive motor 41, and the air pump 51 are turned on, allowing the extracted solution and raw material to enter through the second inlet 42. The raw material enters the extrusion chamber 43 and is squeezed by the rotating screw 44, causing the residual active ingredients in the plant material to be squeezed out with the solvent. The extruded raw material residue is discharged from the solid outlet 45. The extraction solvent is drawn into the filter bag 52 by the air pump 51 along the second solenoid valve 3, and then flows out from the liquid outlet 54 through the metal support mesh 53. After the bottom plant material flows out with the extract containing most of the large molecule pectin, the container can be replaced to collect the extract containing more small molecule active ingredients that are separated by the flow field, thus realizing the extraction and separation of plant active ingredients.

[0026] In the description of this invention, it should be noted that the terms "center," "top," "bottom," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0027] Specific examples have been used to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of this invention. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only for the purpose of helping to understand the method and core ideas of this invention. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the ideas of this invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. Therefore, the content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients, characterized in that: Including an ultrasonic extraction device, which can extract plant active ingredients and initially separate the extract and plant raw material after the plant raw material to be extracted and solvent are injected into it; The screw extrusion device is connected to the discharge port at the bottom of the ultrasonic extraction device and is used to extrude the active ingredients remaining in the plant raw materials after the initial separation and to separate them from the plant raw material residue for a second time. The filtration device is connected to the outlet at the bottom of the end of the screw extrusion device and is able to filter and collect the extract after secondary separation. The ultrasonic extraction device includes a tank; multiple ultrasonic transducers are installed in a ring array on the outer wall of the tank; an electric heating tape is arranged around the upper part of the outer wall of the tank, with the electric heating tape and the ultrasonic transducers spaced apart; the discharge port is installed at the bottom of the tank; a first feed inlet is opened at the top of the tank, and a sealing cap is hinged to the first feed inlet; the ultrasonic transducers installed outside the extraction tank form a ring-shaped focused ultrasonic extraction system; the intensity and distribution of the flow field inside the tank are controlled by the dispersed arrangement of the focused ultrasonic transducers to achieve preliminary separation of the extracted products; the ultrasound propagates radially in the solvent inside the tank; due to the ring-shaped focused arrangement, the sound pressure gradually converges from the outer periphery to the inside, forming stratified vortices inside the tank; The electric heating cable is installed in three positions at the top, middle and bottom of the extraction tank. It is heated by ohmic heating through the conductive cores on both sides inside. The semiconductor polymer material filled in gradually expands when heated, causing the circuit to be interrupted. After cooling, it gradually contracts and restores the flow, so that the maximum temperature is stably maintained at 60°C.

2. The ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper half of the tank is a cylindrical structure, and the lower half is a spherical structure; the discharge port is installed at the intersection of the tank axis and the bottom spherical structure.

3. The ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients according to claim 1, characterized in that: The screw extrusion device includes an extrusion chamber, a second feed port is provided at the top of one end of the extrusion chamber, and the second feed port is connected to the discharge port through a first solenoid valve; an extrusion screw is installed inside the extrusion chamber, and a drive motor is connected to one end of the extrusion screw; a solid discharge port is installed at the end of the extrusion chamber, and the bottom of the extrusion chamber near the fixed discharge port is connected to the filter device through a second solenoid valve.

4. The ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients according to claim 3, characterized in that: The filtration device includes a metal support mesh; a filter bag is installed inside the metal support mesh, and the top opening of the filter bag is connected to the bottom of the second solenoid valve; a liquid outlet is provided at the bottom of the metal support mesh, and an air pump is connected to one side of the liquid outlet via a pipeline.

5. The ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients according to claim 3, characterized in that: A metal filter screen is fixedly installed at the bottom of the extrusion chamber where it connects to the second solenoid valve.

6. The ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients according to claim 2, characterized in that: The volume of the tank is 300 dm³. 3 The diameter-to-height ratio of the upper cylindrical structure of the tank is 1:1.2, and the bottom of the lower spherical structure of the tank is 12 cm from the bottom surface of the cylindrical structure.

7. The ultrasonic extraction and separation device for plant active ingredients according to claim 2, characterized in that: The ultrasonic transducer and the electric heating cable are spaced apart on the outer wall of the cylindrical structure in the upper half of the tank and on the outer wall of the spherical structure in the lower half; the output frequency of the ultrasonic transducer is 20 kHz, the power is 100 W, and the installation distance between two adjacent ultrasonic transducers is 24 mm.

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