Steam processing system and method

Abstract

The invention provides a steam processing system and method, and relates to the technical field of traditional Chinese medicine processing. The system provided by the invention comprises a material tank and a spraying and moistening circulating unit, and further comprises a steam circulating unit and a drying circulating unit, wherein the steam circulating unit comprises a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit which are respectively intersected with the spraying and moistening circulating unit and the drying circulating unit, and the heat supply sides of the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit are both positioned on the steam circulating unit. The steam heat utilization efficiency in the processing process can be improved, the input and consumption of primary energy are effectively reduced, a very good energy-saving effect is achieved, good economic and ecological environment benefits are achieved, and the method has great significance in accelerating the process that carbon reaches the peak and is neutralized.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of Chinese medicine processing, and in particular to a steam processing system and method. Background Art

[0002] Chinese medicine processing refers to the traditional methods and techniques of processing Chinese medicinal materials into Chinese medicine slices under the guidance of Chinese medicine theory and in accordance with the requirements of Chinese medicine. In ancient times, it was also called "processing", "repairing" and "repairing". After processing, the drug can not only improve its efficacy and reduce its toxic side effects, but also facilitate storage. It is an essential process for clinical use of Chinese medicine.

[0003] Under the background of rapid advancement of dual carbon work in various industries, many Chinese medicine enterprises still use traditional methods for processing. However, traditional Chinese medicine processing methods have high energy consumption and pollute the environment. They cannot accurately control the processing process, and the processing equipment is relatively backward and the degree of mechanization is very low. At the same time, with the continuous expansion of the scale and market of China's traditional Chinese medicine industry, higher requirements are put forward for Chinese medicine processing technology. It is urgent to develop high-efficiency and energy-saving special equipment for Chinese medicine processing to reduce energy consumption, which will help accelerate the process of carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

[0004] CN113288808A provides a multifunctional processing system and method, the processing system includes an integrated machine, a nozzle, a tray and a pressure detection unit are arranged inside, the integrated machine is connected to the second tank body after being heated by the first tank body to form a drying subsystem. CN210170490U provides a processing system equipment for Chinese medicine Gardenia slices, the drying and steaming equipment is a box structure, a feed door is arranged at the front of the box structure, an exhaust port is arranged at the top of the drying and steaming equipment, and a steam pipe for introducing steam and a heating pipe for heating and drying are arranged at the bottom of the inner side of the drying and steaming equipment. CN 213788872 U discloses a processing system for processing Chinese medicine slices, including a picking device, a cleaning device, a medicine moistening device, a slicing device, a drying device and a packaging device. However, the energy utilization efficiency of the processing system provided above is low, and the energy saving effect is poor, so it is urgent to provide a solution to improve the above problems. Summary of the invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a steam preparation system and method, which can achieve high efficiency and energy saving of the system by making full use of the efficient compression cycle of steam during the preparation process, improve the steam heat utilization efficiency during the preparation process, effectively reduce the input and consumption of primary energy, achieve good energy-saving effect, have good economic and ecological environmental benefits, and are of great significance to accelerating the process of carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

[0006] In the first aspect, the present invention provides a steam processing system, including a material tank for accommodating materials to be processed and a spray circulation unit for spraying the materials to be processed, and also including a steam circulation unit and a drying circulation unit. The steam circulation unit is used to steam the materials to be processed in the material tank after heating the materials to be processed during spraying, and the drying circulation unit is used to cooperate with the steam circulation unit and dry the steamed materials to be processed; wherein the steam circulation unit includes a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit respectively intersecting with the spray circulation unit and the drying circulation unit, and the heating sides of the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit are both located in the steam circulation unit.

[0007] The steam processing system provided by the present invention utilizes the heat generated by the steam in the steam circulation unit to heat the material to be processed at the first heat exchange unit during the spraying cycle, thereby eliminating the need to introduce other heat sources, and can effectively improve the steam circulation efficiency. In addition, during the steaming process, directly passing steam into the material tank can directly utilize the steam heat to steam the material to be processed, and during the drying process, the steam circulation unit cooperates with the drying circulation unit, and the second heat exchange unit is used to heat the pipeline during the drying cycle, thereby improving the drying efficiency. The system provided by the present invention can improve the recycling efficiency of steam heat, reduce the input and consumption of primary energy, and achieve a good energy-saving effect.

[0008] Optionally, the steam circulation unit also includes a steam generating source and a steam booster, and the steam generating source, the steam booster, the first heat exchange unit, the second heat exchange unit and the material tank are sequentially and cyclically connected; wherein a steam outlet valve is provided between the second heat exchange unit and the material tank, and a steam circulation valve is provided between the second heat exchange unit and the steam generating source.

[0009] By adopting the above technical solution, when the steam circulation unit heats the spray circulation unit, the steam outlet valve is closed to close the passage between the steam circulation unit and the material tank, and the steam circulation valve is opened, so that the steam can circulate between the steam generating source, the steam booster, the first heat exchange unit, and the second heat exchange unit. At the same time, heat exchange occurs in the first heat exchange unit during this process, while heat exchange does not occur in the second heat exchange unit. When the steam circulation unit steams the processed material, the steam outlet valve is opened to open the passage between the steam circulation unit and the material tank, the steam circulation valve is closed, and a certain amount of steam is pre-introduced into the pipeline by the steam generating source. The steam booster can convert electrical energy into thermal energy through compression to heat the steam, and then the steam enters the material tank and circulates through the steam booster. At this time, neither the first heat exchange unit nor the second heat exchange unit performs heat exchange.

[0010] Optionally, the steam circulation unit further comprises a steam filter arranged between the steam generating source and the steam booster, which helps to improve the purity of the steam entering the pipeline from the steam generating source.

[0011] Optionally, the spray circulation unit includes a diaphragm inlet valve, a diaphragm booster pump and a spray outlet valve which are sequentially and cyclically connected to the material tank, and the diaphragm inlet valve is connected to the bottom of the material tank, and the spray outlet valve is connected to the top of the material tank; wherein the diaphragm booster pump and the spray outlet valve pass through the heat absorption side of the first heat exchange unit.

[0012] By adopting the above technical scheme, when the material to be processed is sprayed, the diaphragm inlet valve is opened, so that the material is sucked out of the material tank by gravity and the diaphragm booster pump, and the material is sprayed out from the top of the material tank through the spray outlet valve. This is beneficial to improving the lubrication effect of the material to be processed in the material tank. At the same time, during the spraying process, the material to be processed is heated by steam heat at the first heat exchange unit.

[0013] Optionally, the dry circulation unit includes a fresh air inlet valve, a fresh air fan, a dry air inlet valve, a dry air outlet valve, a dry dehumidification valve and a dry return air valve, and the fresh air inlet valve, the fresh air fan, the dry air inlet valve, the material tank and the dry air outlet valve are connected in sequence, the dry dehumidification valve is connected to the dry air outlet valve and exhausts air, and the dry return air valve is connected between the dry air outlet valve and the fresh air fan for gas circulation; wherein, the fresh air inlet valve, the dry return air valve and the fresh air fan all pass through the heat absorption side of the second heat exchange unit.

[0014] By adopting the above technical scheme, during the drying cycle, the fresh air inlet valve is first opened, and the external clean air is sucked in through the fresh air fan, and then input into the material tank through the dry air inlet valve to discharge the humid gas in the material tank through the dry air outlet valve and the dry dehumidification valve. After the dehumidification process is circulated to make the humidity in the material tank meet the preset requirements, the dry dehumidification valve is closed, and the dry return air valve is opened, so that the gas circulates in the material tank, and after the gas is heated by the second heat exchange unit, the high-temperature gas can be used to dry the material in the material tank, and the humidity of the gas gradually increases at this time. When it increases to the preset humidity, the dry dehumidification valve is opened to discharge it, and the cycle is continued to complete the material drying.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention also provides a steam processing method, comprising adding the material to be processed into a material tank and performing vacuum treatment on the material tank; starting the spray circulation unit to spray the top of the material to be processed, and starting the steam circulation unit to heat the material to be processed during spraying; after reaching a preset spraying time, closing the spray circulation unit, closing the spray circulation unit and adjusting the steam circulation unit to steam the material to be processed; after reaching a preset steaming time, starting the drying circulation unit and adjusting the steam circulation unit to dry the material to be processed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A process diagram of a steam brewing system provided by the present invention.

[0017] Explanation of the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings: 1. Material tank; 21. Vacuum valve; 22. Vacuum pump; 31. Diaphragm inlet valve; 32. Diaphragm booster pump; 33. Spray outlet valve; 41. Steam generating source; 42. Steam filter; 43. Steam booster; 44. First heat exchange unit; 45. Second heat exchange unit; 46. Steam outlet valve; 47. Steam circulation valve; 48. Steam inlet valve; 49. Steam heat recovery valve; 51. Fresh air inlet valve; 52. Fresh air fan; 53. Dry air inlet valve; 54. Dry air outlet valve; 55. Dry dehumidification valve; 56. Dry return air valve. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention. Unless otherwise defined, the technical terms or scientific terms used herein should be understood by people with general skills in the field to which the present invention belongs. "Including" and similar words used in this article mean that the elements or objects appearing before the word include the elements or objects listed after the word and their equivalents, without excluding other elements or objects.

[0019] See also Figure 1 The embodiment of the present invention provides a steam processing system, including a material tank 1, which is used to contain the material to be processed. In fact, the material tank 1 can use a metal tank commonly used in industry, which is necessary to be able to perform vacuum and high-temperature heating.

[0020] In fact, a vacuum unit is connected to the material tank 1, so that the vacuum unit is used to exhaust and vacuum the material tank 1. Specifically, the vacuum unit includes a vacuum valve 21 and a vacuum pump 22 which are sequentially connected to the material tank 1. By opening the vacuum valve 21 and using the vacuum pump 22, the gas in the material tank 1 can be extracted and vacuum treated. When the minimum vacuum degree in the material tank 1 is reached and stabilized, the vacuum treatment is completed.

[0021] In fact, a spraying and lubricating circulation unit is connected to the material tank 1, and the spraying and lubricating circulation unit is used to spray and lubricate the material to be processed in the material tank 1, so as to improve the lubrication uniformity and lubrication efficiency of the material to be processed in the material tank 1. Specifically, when lubricating the material to be processed, the material tank 1 is vacuumed in advance using a vacuum unit.

[0022] Specifically, the spray circulation unit includes a diaphragm inlet valve 31, a diaphragm booster pump 32 and a spray outlet valve 33 which are sequentially and cyclically connected to the material tank 1, and the diaphragm inlet valve 31 is connected to the bottom of the material tank 1, which is conducive to the liquid in the material tank 1 flowing out under the action of gravity, and the spray outlet valve 33 is connected to the top of the material tank 1, which is conducive to the uniform dispersion of the spray liquid in the material tank 1. In fact, the diaphragm inlet valve 31, the diaphragm booster pump 32, the spray outlet valve 33 and the material tank 1 are interconnected by metal pipes.

[0023] In fact, a steam circulation unit is connected to the material tank 1, and the steam circulation unit is used to heat the material to be processed (spraying liquid) during spraying and then steam the material to be processed in the material tank 1. Specifically, the steam circulation unit can successfully and efficiently utilize the steam heat, which can effectively reduce production energy consumption and improve the spraying efficiency. In addition, the steam is directly used to steam the material to be processed, which can improve the steaming effect.

[0024] Specifically, the steam circulation unit includes a steam generating source 41, a steam booster 43, a first heat exchange unit 44 and a second heat exchange unit 45 which are sequentially and cyclically connected with the material tank 1, wherein a steam outlet valve 46 is provided between the second heat exchange unit 45 and the material tank 1, and a steam circulation valve 47 is provided between the second heat exchange unit 45 and the steam generating source 41. At the same time, the steam circulation unit and the spray circulation unit intersect at the first heat exchange unit 44, and the heat supply side of the first heat exchange unit 44 is located in the steam circulation unit, while the diaphragm booster pump 32 and the spray outlet valve 33 pass through the heat absorption side of the first heat exchange unit 44.

[0025] In fact, when heating the spray liquid, the steam circulation valve 47 is opened and the steam outlet valve 46 is closed, so that the hot steam circulates continuously between the steam generating source 41, the steam booster pump, the first heat exchange unit 44 and the second heat exchange unit 45, and heat is exchanged at the first heat exchange unit 44, so that the spray liquid is continuously heated by the heat of the steam.

[0026] In fact, when steaming the materials to be processed, first open the steam circulation valve 47 and the steam outlet valve 46, start the steam generating source 41, so that the steam fills the entire system space, including the material tank 1 and all connected pipes, and after the steam in the system space reaches a preset pressure and a preset temperature, close the steam circulation valve 47 and the steam generating source 41, and start the steam booster 43 to allow the steam to circulate between the material tank 1, the booster, the first heat exchange unit 44, and the second heat exchange unit 45, and by adjusting the compression frequency of the steam booster 43, the steam can be continuously energized, which is beneficial to maintaining the temperature and pressure in the system space constant.

[0027] In some embodiments, the steam generating source 41 generates low-temperature steam by electric heating, and passes the steam into the steam booster 43 after separation to enter the system space. Specifically, a steam inlet valve 48 is also provided at the steam outlet end of the steam generating source 41, and the steam inlet valve 48 is used to control the connection and sealing between the steam generating source 41 and the steam booster 43. In fact, the steam generating source 41 can also use clean steam generated in the industrial production cooling process.

[0028] In some embodiments, a steam filter 42 is further provided between the steam generating source 41 and the steam booster 43. The steam entering the steam booster 43 is filtered by the steam filter 42, which can effectively improve the purity of the steam, thereby avoiding damage to the steam booster 43 and other equipment, and at the same time avoiding contamination of the material in the material tank 1. A steam reheat valve 49 is also provided between the material tank 1 and the steam filter 42.

[0029] In fact, a drying circulation unit is connected to the material tank 1, and the drying circulation unit is used to cooperate with the steam circulation unit and dry the steamed material to be processed, so as to reduce the water content in the steamed material. Specifically, the steam circulation unit and the drying circulation unit are added at the second heat exchange unit 45, and the heating side of the second heat exchange unit 45 is located at the steam circulation unit, and the heating side of the second heat exchange unit 45 is located at the drying circulation unit, so that heat is obtained from the steam circulation unit, which can improve the thermal utilization efficiency of steam and improve the drying effect.

[0030] Specifically, the dry circulation unit includes a fresh air inlet valve 51, a fresh air fan 52, a dry air inlet valve 53, a dry air outlet valve 54, a dry dehumidification valve 55 and a dry air return valve 56, and the fresh air inlet valve 51, the fresh air fan 52, the dry air inlet valve 53, the material tank 1 and the dry air outlet valve 54 are connected in sequence, the dry dehumidification valve 55 is connected to the dry air outlet valve 54 and exhausts, and the dry air return valve 56 is connected between the dry air outlet valve 54 and the fresh air fan 52 and performs gas circulation. In addition, the fresh air inlet valve 51, the dry air return valve 56 and the fresh air fan 52 all pass through the heat absorption side of the second heat exchange unit 45.

[0031] In fact, when the drying cycle unit dries the processed materials, it includes a dehumidification stage and a drying stage: in the dehumidification stage, the drying return air valve 56 is closed, and the fresh air inlet valve is opened, and the clean air is sucked from the outside through the fresh air fan 52, and passes through the second heat exchange unit 45, the fresh air fan 52, and the drying air inlet valve 53 in sequence, and enters the material tank 1, and acts as a carrier gas to discharge the humid gas in the material tank 1 through the drying air outlet valve 54 and the drying dehumidification valve 55. In addition, in the dehumidification stage, the second heat exchange unit 45 does not perform steam heat exchange; in the drying stage During the drying period, the dry return air valve 56 is opened, the dry dehumidification valve 55 is closed, and the fresh air inlet valve is opened. After a certain amount of clean air is inhaled from the outside through the fresh air fan 52, the fresh air inlet valve is closed, and the fan continuously outputs power to promote the continuous circulation of the gas, and the gas is continuously heated at the second heat exchange unit 45. In this way, the material to be processed can be continuously dried, and the humidity of the circulating gas is continuously increased. When the humidity of the circulating gas reaches a preset threshold, the dry dehumidification valve 55 is opened and the dry return air valve 56 is closed to discharge it. This cycle is repeated to complete the drying process.

[0032] The present invention also provides a steam processing method, comprising: adding the material to be processed into a material tank 1, and performing vacuum treatment on the material tank 1; starting the spray circulation unit to spray the top of the material to be processed, and starting the steam circulation unit to heat the material to be processed during spraying; after reaching a preset spraying time, closing the spray circulation unit, closing the spray circulation unit and adjusting the steam circulation unit to steam the material to be processed; after reaching a preset steaming time, starting the drying circulation unit and adjusting the steam circulation unit to dry the material to be processed.

[0033] Although the embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to these embodiments. However, it should be understood that such modifications and variations are within the scope and spirit of the present invention as described in the claims. Moreover, the present invention described herein may have other embodiments and may be implemented or realized in a variety of ways.

Claims

1. A steam brewing system, characterized in that: It includes a material tank for accommodating materials to be processed and a spray circulation unit for spraying the materials to be processed, and also includes a steam circulation unit and a drying circulation unit. The steam circulation unit is used to heat the materials to be processed during spraying and then steam the materials to be processed in the material tank, and the drying circulation unit is used to cooperate with the steam circulation unit and dry the steamed materials to be processed; wherein the steam circulation unit includes a first heat exchange unit and a second heat exchange unit respectively intersecting with the spray circulation unit and the drying circulation unit, and the heating sides of the first heat exchange unit and the second heat exchange unit are both located in the steam circulation unit.

2. The steam brewing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam circulation unit also includes a steam generating source and a steam booster, and the steam generating source, the steam booster, the first heat exchange unit, the second heat exchange unit and the material tank are sequentially and cyclically connected; wherein a steam outlet valve is provided between the second heat exchange unit and the material tank, and a steam circulation valve is provided between the second heat exchange unit and the steam generating source.

3. The steam brewing system according to claim 2, characterized in that: The steam circulation unit further includes a steam filter disposed between the steam generation source and the steam booster.

4. The steam brewing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spray circulation unit includes a diaphragm inlet valve, a diaphragm booster pump and a spray outlet valve which are sequentially and cyclically connected to the material tank, and the diaphragm inlet valve is connected to the bottom of the material tank, and the spray outlet valve is connected to the top of the material tank; wherein the diaphragm booster pump and the spray outlet valve pass through the heat absorption side of the first heat exchange unit.

5. The steam brewing system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dry circulation unit includes a fresh air inlet valve, a fresh air fan, a dry air inlet valve, a dry air outlet valve, a dry dehumidification valve and a dry return air valve, and the fresh air inlet valve, the fresh air fan, the dry air inlet valve, the material tank and the dry air outlet valve are connected in sequence, the dry dehumidification valve is connected to the dry air outlet valve and exhausts air, and the dry return air valve is connected between the dry air outlet valve and the fresh air fan for gas circulation; wherein, the fresh air inlet valve, the dry return air valve and the fresh air fan all pass through the heat absorption side of the second heat exchange unit.

6. A steam processing method, characterized in that: include: Add the materials to be processed into the material tank and perform vacuum treatment on the material tank; Start the spray circulation unit to spray the top of the material to be processed, and start the steam circulation unit to heat the material to be processed during spraying; after the preset spraying time is reached, close the spray circulation unit, close the spray circulation unit and adjust the steam circulation unit to steam the material to be processed; after the preset steaming time is reached, start the drying circulation unit and adjust the steam circulation unit to dry the material to be processed.

Images