Grading treatment device and method for rhizoma cimicifugae extract

Abstract

The invention belongs to the technical field of traditional Chinese medicine pharmacy, and particularly relates to a rhizoma cimicifugae extract grading treatment device. The invention discloses a rhizoma cimicifugae extract grading treatment device, and aims to solve the problems that in the prior art, a rhizoma cimicifugae extract is easy to agglomerate, thermosensitive components are easy to degrade, the grading precision is greatly influenced by flow field fluctuation, and the continuous production stability is poor. The device comprises a multi-dimensional pre-dispersion unit, a low-temperature controlled grading cavity, a dynamic balance centripetal moment adjusting mechanism, a self-adaptive anti-adhesion lining system and a closed-loop circulation flow control system. Through the synergistic effects of high-frequency sound field pre-dispersion, low-temperature jacket temperature control, centrifugation-air resistance dynamic balance separation, micro-vibration adhesion prevention and the like, efficient protection and accurate classification of triterpenoid saponin and phenolic acid components are achieved. The grading precision, the drug effect retention rate and the continuous operation stability can be remarkably improved, and the method is suitable for precise grading of the heat-sensitive traditional Chinese medicine extract.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of traditional Chinese medicine pharmaceutical technology, and specifically relates to a graded processing device and method for Cimicifuga extract. Background Technology

[0002] Cimicifuga rhizome, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has long been recognized for its clinical value in clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting rash eruption, and invigorating Yang Qi. With the continuous evolution of modern pharmaceutical engineering technology for traditional Chinese medicine, the in-depth development of active ingredients in Cimicifuga rhizome—such as triterpenoid saponins and phenolic acids (e.g., isoflavonic acid)—has become a hot topic in the industry. In the industrial production process of Cimicifuga rhizome extract, graded processing is a core step in ensuring uniform efficacy, improving bioavailability, and optimizing subsequent formulation processes; its efficiency directly affects the quality standards of the final drug.

[0003] Within the existing technological framework, the fractionation of Cimicifuga extract mainly relies on physical separation methods such as airflow classification, mechanical screening, or multi-stage centrifugation. At certain stages of development, these technologies have initially achieved macroscopic separation of different physical components in the extract by utilizing differences in particle size, density gradients, or differences in particle trajectories within the flow field, thus addressing to some extent the problems of complex components and excessively wide particle size distribution in traditional Chinese medicine extracts. Specifically, traditional airflow classification devices generate a centrifugal force field through a high-speed rotating impeller, combined with the centripetal force generated by airflow, enabling particle separation at the force field equilibrium point. This demonstrates good applicability when processing materials with relatively stable physical properties.

[0004] However, as related industries place increasingly stringent demands on the refinement of Cimicifuga extract, especially in the preparation of high-purity, high-stability fractionated products, the inherent characteristics of the aforementioned traditional methods at the principle level have gradually revealed significant limitations when dealing with the unique physicochemical properties of Cimicifuga extract. The root cause lies in the fact that the triterpenoid saponins abundant in Cimicifuga extract possess extremely strong surface activity and hygroscopicity. During the mechanical shearing or collision processes in fractionation, the surface energy of the particles increases significantly due to the conversion of mechanical energy, leading to electrostatic adsorption or thermal softening-induced agglomeration of the material within the fractionation chamber. This non-linear change in material properties directly disrupts the equilibrium of the preset force field, causing a dynamic shift in the fractionation cut-off point.

[0005] Furthermore, in pursuing higher classification accuracy, existing technologies often enhance separation by increasing rotation speed or extending circulation time. However, this leads to more subtle technical contradictions. On one hand, heat-sensitive components such as phenolic acids in Cimicifuga extract are extremely sensitive to temperature fluctuations. If the mechanical heat generated by high-speed operation cannot be dissipated in time, it will inevitably lead to degradation or color deterioration of the active ingredients, thereby reducing the overall quality of the medicinal material. On the other hand, a vicious cycle is formed between the material's tendency to agglomerate and the forced flow field shearing, making the flow field distribution inside the classification chamber extremely complex and uncontrollable. This easily leads to localized material accumulation at the edges of the classification rotor or screen, resulting not only in a significant decrease in yield but also requiring frequent shutdowns for cleaning, severely limiting production continuity and batch-to-batch consistency. In addition, existing equipment often lacks effective control over the reflux of fine powders, causing secondary deposition of fine powders in the classification dead zone. This phenomenon not only causes hidden losses of raw materials but also results in a distinct bimodal or multimodal particle size distribution after classification, failing to meet the stringent standardization requirements for particle size in high-end traditional Chinese medicine preparations.

[0006] In summary, existing Cimicifuga extract grading equipment faces a persistent structural bottleneck in balancing grading accuracy, protection of heat-sensitive components, and control of material adhesion. Developing a grading device that can achieve high-precision and high-stability particle size classification, effectively suppress material agglomeration and heat loss, and ensure long-term continuous operational stability, while also addressing the unique physical characteristics of Cimicifuga extract, has become a key challenge and a pressing technical problem for those skilled in the art. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This invention provides a fractionation device for Cimicifuga extract, aiming to solve the technical problems existing in the fractionation process of Cimicifuga extract, such as easy agglomeration of materials, easy degradation of heat-sensitive components, large influence of flow field fluctuations on fractionation accuracy, and poor stability in continuous production. This invention achieves efficient protection and precise separation of triterpenoid saponins and phenolic acid components in Cimicifuga by constructing a multi-field coupled precision fractionation system.

[0008] The technical solution adopted in this invention is as follows: a graded processing device for Cimicifuga extract, characterized in that the device is composed of a multi-dimensional pre-dispersion unit, a low-temperature controlled grading chamber, a dynamic balance centripetal torque adjustment mechanism, an adaptive anti-adhesion liner system, and a closed-loop circulation flow control system.

[0009] The multi-dimensional pre-dispersion unit, located at the feed end of the device, includes a pretreatment cylinder, a high-frequency sound field generating mechanism, and an axial material conveying component. A pre-dispersion space is formed inside the pretreatment cylinder, into which Cimicifuga extract powder enters at a predetermined rate via a feeding mechanism. The high-frequency sound field generating mechanism, installed on the outer or inner wall of the pretreatment cylinder, emits sound wave energy of a specific frequency into the pre-dispersion space. This sound wave energy generates cavitation and high-frequency oscillations in the powder flow, which physically breaks down the hydrogen bonds and electrostatic attraction between particles of Cimicifuga extract caused by its hygroscopicity and surface activity. The axial material conveying component employs a variable-pitch spiral structure, with its rotational speed proportional to the feeding rate, ensuring that the material is sufficiently highly dispersed before entering the next stage chamber.

[0010] Furthermore, the low-temperature controlled grading chamber is connected to the output end of the multidimensional pre-dispersion unit, and its main structure is a cylindrical or conical shell with a double-layer jacket structure. The jacket is filled with a circulating cooling medium, and the flow rate of the cooling medium and the inlet and outlet pressure difference are dynamically compensated by a temperature control valve based on the first temperature value monitored in real time inside the chamber. The chamber is designed with Archimedean spiral-shaped guide vanes to guide the carrier gas flow to form a stable swirling field. The advantage of this structure is that by precisely controlling the temperature of the chamber wall, it effectively offsets the shear heat generated by high-speed mechanical friction during subsequent grading, thereby preventing the phenolic acid components in the Cimicifuga extract from undergoing thermal denaturation or oxidative degradation.

[0011] The dynamic balance centripetal torque adjustment mechanism is the core separation component of this device, installed at the central axis of the cryogenic controlled grading chamber. This mechanism includes a high-speed grading rotor, a drive motor, and a frequency converter control unit. The grading rotor consists of a set of blades with specific geometries, each with an aerodynamically optimized windward surface to reduce local turbulence. During grading, particles are subjected to both outward centrifugal force and inward airflow resistance. Their mechanical equilibrium follows the following equations of motion:

[0012] in, This represents the centrifugal force experienced by the particle. Represents the equivalent mass of the particle. Represents the angular velocity of the staged rotor. This represents the radius of rotation of the particle. Simultaneously, it represents the airflow resistance experienced by the particle in the radial direction. This can be expressed as:

[0013] in, The dynamic viscosity of the carrier gas flow. The characteristic particle size represents the particle size. Represents the radial velocity component of the airflow. This represents the radial velocity of the particles. The present invention applies a specific frequency pulse signal to the drive motor via a frequency converter control unit, precisely locking the rotational speed of the grading rotor within a preset range, thereby achieving separation of particles with the target particle size at the equilibrium point. For coarse particles larger than the target particle size, centrifugal force dominates, causing them to be thrown against the cavity wall and slide down to the coarse material collection port; for fine particles meeting the preset requirements, they are carried by the airflow through the blade gaps into the central collection area.

[0014] Furthermore, an adaptive anti-adhesion lining system is deployed on the inner surface of the cryogenic controlled grading chamber and the blade surface of the grading rotor. This system consists of a low surface energy composite material layer and a micro-vibration feedback compensator. The low surface energy composite material layer can significantly reduce the van der Waals forces and electrostatic adsorption forces between the Cimicifuga saponin components and the metal substrate. The micro-vibration feedback compensator monitors minute fluctuations in wall pressure to determine whether there is a tendency for localized material accumulation, and emits mechanical disturbance waves of specific amplitude in a timely manner to break up the initially formed adhesion layer. This adaptive cleaning mechanism ensures that the device can maintain long-term continuous operation without human intervention, avoiding flow field distortion caused by blockage.

[0015] The closed-loop flow control system is responsible for providing the necessary carrier gas for grading and for recirculating the exhaust gas after gas-solid separation. This system includes a high-efficiency cyclone separator, a precision bag filter, a system induced draft fan, and flow regulating dampers. The induced draft fan creates a negative pressure environment within the system, and the flow rate of the first carrier gas entering the grading chamber can be precisely controlled by adjusting the damper opening. The graded dust-laden gas then passes sequentially through the high-efficiency cyclone separator and the precision bag filter, achieving the graded retention of different levels of Cimicifuga extract products.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the device also integrates an online particle size monitoring and feedback loop. A second sensor is installed in the fine powder collection pipeline to acquire the particle size distribution characteristics of the product in real time. The feedback loop compares the monitored real-time data with a preset target value. If the deviation exceeds a predetermined range, the system will automatically trigger correction logic to adjust the speed of the staged rotor or the system air intake. Its adjustment logic is based on the following transfer function:

[0017] in, For the system's response characteristics, This is the gain coefficient. For system lag time, The inertial time constant is used. Through real-time calculations of this control model, a high degree of consistency in particle size distribution is ensured among different batches of Cimicifuga extract at the time of production.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are reflected in the following aspects: First, this invention solves the serious agglomeration problem of Cimicifuga extract caused by its high polarity and hygroscopicity by introducing a multi-dimensional pre-dispersion unit and a high-frequency sound field, addressing the issue at its physical source. Compared to traditional mechanical stirring or simple airflow dispersion, the acoustic cavitation effect provided by this invention can achieve pre-dispersion of a predetermined fineness with a more uniform energy distribution, laying the material foundation for subsequent high-precision classification.

[0019] Secondly, the synergistic operation of the low-temperature controlled grading chamber and the double-layer cooling jacket successfully resolves the contradiction between mechanical heat accumulation and the protection of heat-sensitive components during the grading process of Cimicifuga rhizome. By monitoring the initial temperature value in real time and adjusting the flow rate of the cooling medium, this device can keep the temperature in the grading zone within a safe range where the active components do not undergo thermal degradation, significantly improving the efficacy retention rate of Cimicifuga rhizome extract, especially its protective effect on easily oxidized phenolic acid components.

[0020] Third, the dynamic balance centripetal torque adjustment mechanism, combined with the aerodynamically optimized blade design, greatly enhances the sharpness of the grading tangent point. Through precise balance control of the centrifugal force and resistance as described in the formula, this device can produce graded products with a particle size distribution within a preset narrow range, effectively removing ineffective matrix and large particles from the extract, and improving the molding quality of subsequent formulation processes.

[0021] Fourth, the integration of the adaptive anti-adhesion liner system and the micro-vibration feedback mechanism fundamentally suppresses the "wall-walling" problem commonly found in the grading of traditional Chinese medicine extracts. Through the combination of low surface energy materials and dynamic disturbance technology, this device significantly extends the continuous production cycle, reduces downtime maintenance frequency, and greatly improves production efficiency and raw material utilization.

[0022] Fifth, the integration of a closed-loop flow control system and an online feedback loop enables intelligent and standardized grading processes. Through comprehensive sensing and real-time closed-loop adjustment of flow rate, pressure, and particle size data, this device can effectively counteract interference caused by feed fluctuations or changes in ambient temperature and humidity, ensuring consistent quality across batches of Cimicifuga extract in large-scale industrial production.

[0023] Furthermore, the graded rotor described in this invention uses wear-resistant ceramic material, which not only enhances the service life of the components, but more importantly, avoids the catalytic oxidation effect that metal ions may have on the components of Cimicifuga extract, thus ensuring the purity of the drug.

[0024] Furthermore, this invention also includes a secondary flow field backwashing mechanism at the coarse material collection port. This mechanism introduces a second carrier airflow to wash the coarse material before it is discharged, carrying back any incompletely separated fine particles to the classification zone. The logic behind its improved gas-solid separation efficiency can be described by the following modified formula:

[0025] in, This represents the recovery rate correction factor. This represents the concentration of the target component in the initial feed. This represents the concentration of the target component remaining in the crude material after rewashing. This design further reduces the loss of active ingredients and improves production yield.

[0026] Furthermore, the overall layout of this device adopts a modular design concept. The multi-dimensional pre-dispersion unit, the low-temperature controlled grading chamber, and the subsequent separation and collection unit are connected by sanitary pipes with quick-installation structures. The inside of the pipes undergoes electrolytic polishing treatment, and their surface roughness meets the preset low value requirements, effectively preventing material residue and cross-contamination during the transportation process.

[0027] Furthermore, the closed-loop circulation system of this invention is filled with an inert protective gas of specific properties to replace conventional air. The inert environment effectively inhibits the oxidation reaction that may occur in the Cimicifuga extract during the fractionation process. Combined with the aforementioned low-temperature control technology, this achieves a dual guarantee of the chemical stability of complex natural products.

[0028] In summary, this invention constructs a graded processing system for Cimicifuga extract that integrates physical pre-dispersion, low-temperature field control, dynamic equilibrium separation, interfacial energy regulation, and intelligent closed-loop management. This system not only significantly improves the physical performance indicators of the graded extract but also achieves deeper and more precise protection of the molecular structure of the active ingredients in the natural medicine, providing technical support for the standardized processing of complex traditional Chinese medicine extracts such as Cimicifuga.

[0029] As a supplementary embodiment of the present invention, the high-frequency sound field generating mechanism has a multi-frequency switching function. For Cimicifuga extracts from different sources and with different viscosity characteristics, the system can select a specific combination of oscillation frequency and amplitude by calling a pre-stored process parameter model. This adjustment logic is based on real-time fitting of the material's rheological properties, and dynamically optimizes the sound field distribution by analyzing the relationship between shear stress and shear rate of the material in the conveying pipeline.

[0030] Furthermore, the pitch of the variable pitch helical component gradually increases along the direction of material flow. This variable pitch design generates a predetermined pressure gradient during material transport, causing the powder layer to gradually loosen, providing a physical space prerequisite for deagglomeration before entering the acoustic dispersion zone. Simultaneously, the helical shaft has a through-hole channel that allows for the introduction of a second cooling medium, achieving pre-cooling of the material before it enters the grading chamber.

[0031] Furthermore, the lining system of the cryogenic controlled grading cavity employs a biomimetic surface structure design. The lining surface exhibits a regular array of protrusions at the microscopic level. Driven by a micro-vibration feedback compensator, these protrusions generate a localized perturbation flow field at a specific scale. This perturbation flow field disrupts the airflow lag layer near the wall, reducing the probability of particle contact with the wall. Its drag reduction and anti-adhesion effects are quantitatively evaluated using the following model:

[0032] in, Represents the wall shear stress. The velocity component representing the velocity parallel to the wall. This represents the coordinate distance perpendicular to the wall surface. By adjusting the micro-vibration parameters, the wall shear stress is kept at a low, specific value, thereby achieving a highly efficient anti-sticking effect.

[0033] Furthermore, the precision bag filter uses filter media with electrostatic conductivity. The electrostatically conductive filter media, through its internal interwoven conductive fibers, promptly conducts electrical charge and connects it to the system's main grounding point. This not only prevents bag clogging caused by static electricity but also eliminates potential safety hazards in high dust concentration environments.

[0034] Furthermore, the impeller of the system's induced draft fan is treated with an anti-corrosion and anti-adhesion coating and is equipped with an online bearing vibration monitoring device. Once the vibration value is detected to exceed a preset threshold, the control system will determine that uneven material accumulation has occurred on the impeller surface and initiate an emergency cleaning procedure or issue a maintenance warning to ensure the stability of the system's power source.

[0035] Furthermore, the online particle size monitoring system of this invention employs the principle of laser diffraction or spatial filtering technology. The sensor is installed in the bypass measurement chamber at the fine powder outlet, and air curtain protection technology prevents the lens from being contaminated by material. The measured particle size distribution curve is corrected by an algorithm to output accurate characteristic particle size parameters, which are then transmitted to the central control unit in real time.

[0036] The central control unit executes a preset multivariable decoupling control strategy based on the received comprehensive data, including the initial temperature value, system differential pressure value, real-time particle size distribution, and motor current feedback. This strategy aims to resolve the coupling relationship between airflow and rotational speed. Its decoupling matrix is ​​represented as follows:

[0037] in, This represents the amount of change in the output parameters. This represents the change in the input control quantity. This represents the corresponding transfer function. Through this decoupling control, precise control over the hierarchical process is achieved.

[0038] The present invention also relates to a method for classifying Cimicifuga extract based on the above-mentioned device, the method comprising: a material pre-cooling and acoustic field pre-dispersion step, a low-temperature classification step under multi-stage flow field nesting, a wall-adaptive anti-adhesion monitoring step, and a product collection step under closed-loop inert gas circulation.

[0039] In the material precooling and acoustic predispersion steps, the Cimicifuga extract is cooled to a predetermined temperature range before entering the pretreatment cylinder. After entering the cylinder, the shear force generated by the screw conveyor and the cavitation stress of the high-frequency acoustic field work together to break down the existing agglomerates into independent particles.

[0040] In the cryogenic classification step, the dispersed material enters the cryogenic controlled classification chamber along with the carrier gas. Under the combined action of the centrifugal force field generated by the classification rotor and the airflow resistance field, the particles deviate from their trajectories according to their physical differences. During this process, the double-layer jacket continuously removes the generated heat, maintaining the thermodynamic balance within the chamber.

[0041] In the wall adaptive anti-adhesion monitoring step, the system acquires the wall flow field parameters in real time through pressure sensors. When it is determined that there is a tendency for material deposition, the micro-vibration feedback compensator intervenes and removes the deposits in time through mechanical disturbance waves.

[0042] In the product collection step, products of different grades are sent into their respective collection containers. The entire process is completed under the protection of inert gas, and the carrier gas is filtered and purified before being returned to the front end of the system, realizing the recycling of energy and medium.

[0043] This invention successfully overcomes the physical and chemical challenges in the grading of Cimicifuga extract through the aforementioned engineering structure and logic control. This device is not only applicable to Cimicifuga extract but can also be extended to the precise grading of other traditional Chinese medicine extracts with specific properties.

[0044] Furthermore, a dehumidification and drying module was added to the return air duct of the closed-loop circulation flow control system. This module dynamically adjusts the working state of the dehumidification medium by monitoring the relative humidity of the circulating gas in real time, ensuring that the carrier gas is always at the preset dryness level.

[0045] Furthermore, the feeding mechanism employs a twin-screw differential feeding design. This design can counteract the bridging phenomenon that may occur in the material within the hopper. The outlet end of the feeding mechanism is connected to the inlet end of the pretreatment cylinder via a flexible connection and is equipped with a weighing sensor, realizing weight-based weight-reduction weighing feeding control, with control accuracy reaching a preset level.

[0046] Furthermore, to address the possibility of extremely fine powder in the Cimicifuga extract, this device incorporates a primary ultrafine membrane filtration unit connected in series after the precision bag filter. This unit utilizes a membrane structure with a predetermined pore size to deeply trap particles of a specific size remaining in the carrier gas, achieving a retention rate that meets preset requirements and ensuring the yield of the entire classification process.

[0047] In the dynamic balancing adjustment of a staged rotor, this invention introduces an online dynamic balancing monitoring system. During the high-speed rotation of the rotor, vibration displacement sensors installed at the support bearings acquire the excitation force signal generated by the rotor imbalance. Its vibration compensation logic follows the following vibration differential equation:

[0048] in, The equivalent mass matrix of the rotor system is... Here is the damping matrix. Here is the stiffness matrix. Let be the vibration displacement vector. This is the excitation force. Through real-time balance adjustment, it is ensured that the vibration intensity of the staged rotor remains within the preset allowable range under the preset rotational state.

[0049] Furthermore, all sealing components used in this invention are made of corrosion-resistant materials. The gas sealing system is circulated with a dry, inert protective gas to create a slightly positive pressure barrier, effectively preventing external impurities from entering the grading chamber.

[0050] Furthermore, the base of the cryogenic controlled grading chamber is equipped with a three-dimensional adjustable support structure for adjusting the verticality of the chamber. Through the cooperation of a horizontal sensor and an adjusting screw, the deviation of the chamber's central axis from the direction of gravity is ensured to be within a preset tolerance range.

[0051] The control strategy involved in this invention also includes energy recovery and impact suppression logic during start-up and shutdown. During the device start-up phase, the drive motor gradually increases speed using a preset acceleration curve. During the shutdown phase, the system utilizes the inverter's braking unit to ensure that the staged rotor smoothly decelerates to zero within a preset time. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Figure 1 : A schematic diagram of the overall structure of a graded processing device for Cimicifuga extract according to the present invention; Figure 2 : A flowchart of a method for grading Cimicifuga extract according to the present invention.

[0053] The attached diagram is labeled as follows: 1. Pretreatment cylinder; 2. High-frequency sound field generating mechanism; 3. Axial material conveying component; 4. Feeding mechanism; 5. Weighing sensor; 6. Low-temperature controlled grading chamber; 7. Double-layer jacket structure; 8. Temperature control valve; 9. First sensor; 10. Guide vane; 11. High-speed grading rotor; 12. Drive motor; 13. Frequency conversion control unit; 14. Support bearing; 15. Vibration displacement sensor; 16. Low surface energy composite material layer; 17. Micro-vibration feedback compensator; 18. High-efficiency cyclone separator; 19. Precision bag filter; 20. System induced draft fan; 21. Flow regulating damper; 22. Fine powder collection pipeline; 23. Second sensor; 24. Coarse material collection port; 25. Secondary flow field backwashing mechanism; 26. Dehumidification and drying module; 27. Ultrafine membrane filtration unit; 28. Central control unit; 29. Three-dimensional adjustable support structure. Detailed Implementation

[0054] To enable those skilled in the art to gain a deeper understanding of the technical solutions and engineering implementation details of the present invention, a detailed description of a Cimicifuga extract grading processing device and its operating mechanism will be provided below, in conjunction with the technical logic and core architecture of the present invention.

[0055] In the industrial refining process of Cimicifuga extract, due to its high content of triterpenoid saponins, phenolic acids (such as ferulic acid, isoferrulic acid, and cimicifulic acid), and complex sugar components, the material exhibits extremely strong hygroscopicity, surface activity, and thermosensitivity. The present invention provides a Cimicifuga extract grading processing device that constructs a highly controlled processing environment from the perspective of multidimensional physical field coupling. The overall layout of the device is based on modularity and sanitary engineering standards. Through the organic combination of the pretreatment cylinder 1, the low-temperature controlled grading chamber 6, and the closed-loop circulation system, precise control of particle size and structural protection of active ingredients are achieved.

[0056] like Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, specifically, the multi-dimensional pre-dispersion unit, as the first step in the material entering the system, focuses on resolving the hydrogen bond agglomeration and electrostatic adsorption of Cimicifuga extract powder during storage and transportation. The pretreatment cylinder 1 is equipped with an axial material conveying component 3, which employs a variable pitch screw design. Its physical structure is characterized by a smaller pitch near the feed end, gradually increasing towards the output end. The engineering significance of this design is that as the material moves from a small pitch to a large pitch, its filling rate gradually decreases, the axial compression of the powder layer weakens while the radial shearing strengthens, thus providing a prerequisite for the initial deagglomeration of particles in physical space. During this process, a high-frequency sound field generating mechanism 2 is strategically arranged in the resonant region of the cylinder. This mechanism consists of multiple sets of piezoelectric ceramic transducers, capable of generating sound wave energy covering a predetermined frequency range. When the sound waves propagate in the semi-suspended material flow, microscopic stress pulses are generated. These pulses act on the contact points between particles, overcoming the intermolecular attraction caused by the polar groups of Cimicifuga saponins through high-frequency oscillation. Under the real-time monitoring of the weighing sensor 5, the feeding mechanism 4 performs high-precision reduction control to ensure that the mass flow rate of the material entering the pre-dispersion space and the sound field energy density reach the optimal matching state.

[0057] After initial pre-dispersion, the material enters the low-temperature controlled grading chamber 6 with the carrier gas flow. This chamber is the core space for precision-sized screening in this device. Its main shell features a double-layered jacket structure 7 filled with high-speed circulating refrigerant. In actual operation, the first sensor 9 captures temperature fluctuation signals within the chamber in real time and transmits these signals to the temperature control valve 8. This adjustment process is not a simple start-stop control, but rather a dynamic compensation based on the thermal balance equation. Considering the significant aerodynamic frictional heat generated by the grading rotor during high-speed rotation and the mechanical heat generated by material collisions, the system adjusts the refrigerant flow rate to ensure that the first temperature value in the grading zone is always maintained below a specific threshold sufficient to inhibit the oxidative pyrolysis of phenolic acid components. The Archimedean spiral guide vanes 10 arranged on the inner wall of the chamber not only guide the carrier gas flow to form a preset swirling flow field, but also, through their special geometric cross-section design, induce a centripetal radial velocity in the airflow, providing hydrodynamic support for subsequent mechanical equilibrium.

[0058] The dynamic balance centripetal torque adjustment mechanism is installed at the axial position of the cavity. Its high-speed grading rotor 11 features blades with an aerospace-grade optimized aerodynamic shape, effectively reducing the interference of tip vortices on grading accuracy. Within the grading zone, each cimicifuga extract particle is in a complex force field equilibrium state. The particles are subjected to outward centrifugal force generated by high-speed rotation and inward airflow resistance towards the axis generated by the system's induced draft fan 20. Their motion strictly follows the following mechanical equilibrium equations:

[0059] in, The centripetal force borne by the particle (which manifests as centrifugal force in a rotating reference frame). For the mass of the particles, The angular velocity is determined by the drive motor 12 and the frequency converter control unit 13. Let be the radius of rotation of the particle in the flow field. Meanwhile, the airflow resistance... Defined by the following formula:

[0060] In this formula, Represents the dynamic viscosity of the carrier gas (such as dry air or nitrogen) in the flow field. The characteristic particle size of the particles to be screened. Let be the radial component of the airflow velocity. This refers to the radial velocity of the particles relative to the cavity. By precisely adjusting the frequency of the frequency converter 13, the system can accurately set a critical particle size, i.e., at this particle size, Achieving instantaneous equilibrium. Coarse particles larger than this size are thrown towards the wall due to inertia and discharged through the coarse material collection port 24; while fine target particles smaller than this size overcome centrifugal force and enter the central collection area with the airflow.

[0061] To address the issue of cimicifuga extract readily forming deposits and scale on metal surfaces, the adaptive anti-adhesion lining system integrated in this invention plays a crucial role. The low surface energy composite material layer 16, composed of modified polytetrafluoroethylene and ceramic components, exhibits extremely low surface energy, significantly weakening the van der Waals forces between the polar molecules in the cimicifuga component and the wall surface. More importantly, the micro-vibration feedback compensator 17 monitors micro-pulsations in wall pressure and generates mechanical disturbances at specific frequencies using piezoelectric drive elements. This disturbance disrupts the stagnant layer of particles near the wall, preventing the formation of an initial adhesion layer. The intervention frequency and amplitude of this system are dynamically calculated by the central control unit 28 based on changes in the flow field pressure gradient, thereby ensuring the geometric stability of the staged flow field during long-term operation and avoiding effective flow channel reduction due to material accumulation.

[0062] The closed-loop flow control system provides continuous and stable power for the entire process. The system's induced draft fan 20, in conjunction with the flow regulating damper 21, maintains a negative pressure environment within the system, which not only prevents dust leakage but also facilitates airflow acceleration. The classified dust-laden gas sequentially enters the high-efficiency cyclone separator 18 and the precision bag filter 19. The filter bags are made of composite filter media with conductive fibers, designed to eliminate static charges generated by high-speed airflow friction, thereby preventing powder bridging and potential flashover risks caused by charge accumulation. After being treated by the dehumidification and drying module 26, the exhaust gas returns to the front end of the system. This closed-loop circulation mode significantly reduces the consumption of inert protective gas.

[0063] As an important means of improving product quality consistency in this invention, the online particle size monitoring and feedback loop realizes closed-loop control of the grading process. The second sensor 23, installed on the fine powder collection pipeline 22, uses the principle of laser diffraction to generate real-time particle size distribution (PSD) data. If the measured characteristic parameters deviate from the preset target, the central control unit 28 will perform corrective adjustments based on the following transfer function:

[0064] in, The dynamic characteristics from rotor speed regulation to particle size response are defined. This is achieved by adjusting the gain coefficient. and lag time With accurate identification, the control strategy can quickly eliminate deviations caused by feed fluctuations. Furthermore, to address the strong coupling between airflow and rotational speed, the system introduces a decoupling matrix:

[0065] In this matrix, Represents the change in characteristic particle size, The change in system pressure difference is represented by a decoupling algorithm, which enables independent adjustment of air volume and speed, ensuring the stability of the stage cut-off point.

[0066] Regarding the mechanical stability of the device, the staged rotor is suspended and supported by support bearings 14 and equipped with vibration displacement sensors 15. The system monitors the dynamic balance state of the rotor in real time, and its vibration behavior follows the dynamic differential equation:

[0067] When the vibration excitation force caused by uneven material accumulation is monitored In case of an anomaly, the system will automatically trigger self-balancing compensation or issue a maintenance alarm. The three-dimensional adjustable support structure 29 used in the cavity base ensures strict alignment between the high-speed rotating components and the gravity vector, minimizing bearing wear caused by asymmetrical loads.

[0068] To verify the technical superiority of this invention, our engineering team conducted numerous comparative experiments. The following is a comparative analysis of data from a typical embodiment and a comparative example.

[0069]

Example 1

[0070] Comparative Example 1 A conventional industrial air classifier is used. This equipment does not have a sound field pre-dispersion function, uses conventional air as the classifying medium, has no cooling jacket or wall anti-adhesion system, and the control strategy is conventional open-loop regulation.

[0071] The table below details the comparison of operating data for the two schemes under the same feed rate (predetermined mass flow rate) and target particle size setting: Table 1: Comparison of Graded Performance of Cimicifuga Extract

[0072] As can be clearly observed from the data in Table 1, this invention exhibits significant advantages in several core dimensions. First, regarding grading accuracy, the cleavage accuracy ratio of Example 1 is closer to 1, indicating that the particle distribution produced by this invention is extremely narrow, enabling precise removal of coarse particles and ineffective matrix. Second, in terms of active ingredient protection, this invention, with its low-temperature controlled grading chamber 6 and inert gas circulation, achieves an extremely high retention rate of total saponins and significantly reduces the loss of easily oxidized isoflavonic acid. Regarding production stability, the synergistic effect of the adaptive anti-adhesion liner system 16 and the micro-vibration feedback compensator 17 allows the device to operate continuously for over 120 hours without manual cleaning, while the comparative example required shutdown for maintenance due to flow field distortion caused by cimicifuga extract adhering to the walls within a short period.

[0073] From an engineering dynamics perspective, the introduction of the secondary flow field backwashing mechanism 25 is key to improving the yield. A controlled second carrier airflow is introduced at the coarse material collection port 24. This airflow washes over the falling coarse powder at a specific angle, utilizing the following recovery rate correction logic:

[0074] In this formula, The concentration of the target component in the initial flow field. This represents the residual concentration after backwashing. Through this multi-stage "washing" process, the fine powder originally mixed in with the coarse particles is brought back to the classification center, resulting in a significant improvement in the final yield.

[0075] The start-up and shutdown logic of the device has also been optimized in the overall process flow. During initial startup, the central control unit 28 first activates the cooling system and the closed-loop circulation flow control system. Only after the first temperature reaches the preset steady-state value and the system pressure difference stabilizes does the classifying rotor start and the feeding rate gradually increase. During shutdown, the system automatically switches to cleaning mode. At this time, the classifying rotor maintains low-speed rotation, the micro-vibration feedback compensator 17 operates at full frequency, and, in conjunction with increased airflow, thoroughly blows away any residual powder inside the system to the collection chamber, ensuring the cleanliness of the equipment and fully complying with GMP hygiene requirements for pharmaceutical production equipment.

[0076] Furthermore, the modular connection method described in this invention organically connects each unit through sanitary quick-connect couplings and electropolishing pipes. This structure not only facilitates disassembly and cleaning of the equipment but also ensures that there is no risk of cross-contamination when processing different batches of Cimicifuga extract. The presence of the three-dimensional adjustable support structure 29 allows the device to adapt to factory foundations with varying flatness. Through precise adjustments, it eliminates the slight interference of gravity components on the centrifugal grading trajectory, further improving the upper limit of grading quality in industrial production.

[0077] In summary, this invention achieves high-precision control of the entire process of Cimicifuga extract, from pre-dispersion to final fractionation and collection, by constructing a multi-field coupled precision processing environment. Through complex mechanical balance control, dynamic thermodynamic compensation, and an innovative anti-adhesion mechanism, it solves the long-standing technical bottleneck in the refining of traditional Chinese medicine extracts. This device not only achieves extremely high engineering standards in physical indicators such as fractionation sharpness and yield, but also effectively protects the active ingredients of natural drugs at the molecular level, providing a scientific, efficient, and stable industrial solution for the deep processing of Cimicifuga and similar high-value-added traditional Chinese medicinal materials.

[0078] As a further supplement to this invention, in actual operation, this device can automatically match the optimal grading frequency and airflow parameters based on the different varieties of Cimicifuga (such as Northern Cimicifuga, Xing'an Cimicifuga, and Large Cimicifuga) through the expert database built into the central control unit 28. This adaptive adjustment based on material characteristics gives the device strong process versatility, enabling it to handle extract powders under various complex working conditions. For example, for batches of Cimicifuga with high sugar content, the system will automatically lower the setpoint of the first temperature value and increase the amplitude of the micro-vibration feedback compensator 17 to cope with stronger viscosity challenges. This refined engineering design not only reflects the originality of the invention in terms of structure, but also demonstrates its deep thinking in terms of process adaptability and intelligent control, fully meeting the stringent requirements of modern Chinese medicine pharmaceutical engineering for high quality and high stability.

[0079] At the microscopic level of the adaptive anti-adhesion system, the evaluation model for its anti-adhesion effect is as follows:

[0080] This model describes the wall shear stress. By adjusting the frequency of the micro-vibration feedback compensator 17, the airflow velocity gradient at the wall surface is kept in a state of dynamic disturbance, thereby effectively reducing the increase in wall shear stress caused by particle accumulation. This engineering optimization based on the fluid dynamics boundary layer theory is the theoretical foundation for the long-term stable operation of this device. Meanwhile, the ultrafine membrane filtration unit 27, as the last line of defense in the system, utilizes sub-micron-level filtration precision to ensure that no residual particles remain in the circulating gas. This is of significant safety engineering importance for maintaining the cleanliness of the entire closed-loop system and preventing dust explosions.

[0081] In terms of electrical control, all sensor and actuator connections utilize shielded cables with strong anti-interference capabilities, and the central control unit 28 employs a redundant fault-tolerant architecture. By analyzing the current harmonics of the drive motor 12 in real time, the system can indirectly assess changes in load concentration within the grading chamber, thereby enabling early prediction and prevention of blockages. This predictive maintenance strategy based on multi-source data fusion reduces unplanned downtime to an extremely low level, significantly improving the overall equipment efficiency (OEE) of large-scale industrial production.

[0082] Finally, the material selection for this device takes into full account the unique characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine extracts. Except for the grading rotor 11, which uses high-performance ceramic materials, all metal surfaces in direct contact with the materials have undergone special passivation treatment to ensure no chemical reaction occurs with the acidic components in Cimicifuga rhizome. The entire device is not only compact and ergonomically designed, but also equipped with observation mirrors at each maintenance point, allowing operators to directly monitor the fluidization state within the grading chamber, achieving visualization and controllability of the process. The implementation of this invention greatly enhances the commercial value and clinical application stability of Cimicifuga rhizome extract, resulting in significant economic and social benefits.

Claims

1. A grading and processing device for Cimicifuga extract, characterized in that, The device consists of a multidimensional pre-dispersion unit, a low-temperature controlled grading cavity (6), a dynamic balance centripetal torque adjustment mechanism, an adaptive anti-adhesion lining system, and a closed-loop circulation flow control system. The multidimensional pre-dispersion unit is located at the feed end of the device and includes a pre-treatment cylinder (1), a high-frequency sound field generating mechanism (2), and a pre-dispersion space with an axial material conveying component (3) inside. The low-temperature controlled grading cavity (6) is connected to the output end of the multidimensional pre-dispersion unit. Its main body is a shell with a double-layer jacket structure (7). Inside, there are Archimedes spiral-shaped guide vanes (10) used to dynamically compensate for the shear heat generated by high-speed friction inside the cavity through the temperature control regulating valve (8). The dynamic balance centripetal torque adjustment mechanism is installed at the central axis of the low-temperature controlled grading chamber (6), and includes a high-speed grading rotor (11), a drive motor (12), and a frequency conversion control unit (13). The adaptive anti-adhesion lining system is provided on the inner surface of the low-temperature controlled grading cavity (6) and the surface of the high-speed grading rotor (11) with a low surface energy composite material layer (16), and the micro-vibration feedback compensator (17) is installed in the low-temperature controlled grading cavity (6). The closed-loop circulation flow control system includes a system induced draft fan (20), a high-efficiency cyclone separator (18), a precision bag filter (19), and a flow regulating damper (21), which are used to achieve graded interception of Cimicifuga extract products and carrier gas recycling under negative pressure environment.

2. The grading and processing device for Cimicifuga extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, The axial material conveying component (3) of the multidimensional pre-dispersion unit adopts a variable pitch spiral structure, characterized in that the pitch on the side near the feeding mechanism (4) is smaller than the pitch on the side near the output end, and the variable pitch spiral structure gradually increases the pitch with the direction of material flow; the rotation speed of the axial material conveying component (3) is in a preset proportional relationship with the feeding rate of the feeding mechanism (4), and the feeding mechanism (4) has a built-in weighing sensor (5).

3. The grading and processing device for Cimicifuga extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, The high-frequency sound field generating mechanism (2) is installed on the wall of the pretreatment cylinder (1).

4. The grading and processing device for Cimicifuga extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, The low-temperature controlled grading chamber (6) monitors the temperature value of the grading zone inside the chamber in real time through the first sensor (9) and transmits it to the central control unit (28). The central control unit (28) adjusts the opening of the temperature control valve (8) in real time according to the deviation between the inlet and outlet pressure difference and the preset temperature threshold, thereby controlling the flow rate of the cooling medium in the double-layer jacket structure (7).

5. The apparatus for grading and processing Cimicifuga extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, During the grading process, the dynamic balance centripetal torque adjustment mechanism ensures that the force balance of the particles in the flow field follows the following equation of motion: in, This represents the centripetal force acting on the particle. Represents the equivalent mass of the particle. Represents the angular velocity of the high-speed staged rotor (11). This represents the radius of rotation of the particle; simultaneously, it represents the airflow resistance experienced by the particle in the radial direction. Follow the following equation: in, The dynamic viscosity of the carrier gas flow. The characteristic particle size represents the particle size. Represents the radial velocity component of the airflow. The variable frequency control unit (13) adjusts the input frequency of the drive motor (12) to make the particles with the target particle size move in a radial direction. and The blades of the high-speed graded rotor (11) enter the blade gap at the equal equilibrium point and converge to the central collection area.

6. The grading and processing device for Cimicifuga extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, The low surface energy composite material layer (16) of the adaptive anti-adhesion liner system is composed of polytetrafluoroethylene modified material and ceramic matrix; the micro-vibration feedback compensator (17) determines the local material accumulation trend by monitoring the small fluctuations of wall pressure and emits mechanical disturbance waves of a specific amplitude. Its drag reduction and anti-adhesion effects are quantitatively evaluated by the following wall shear stress model: in, Represents the wall shear stress. The dynamic viscosity of the carrier gas flow. The velocity component representing the velocity parallel to the wall. Represents the coordinate distance perpendicular to the wall; by adjusting the micro-vibration parameters... Maintaining the values ​​within a preset low range disrupts the airflow stagnation layer near the wall and reduces the probability of particle contact.

7. The apparatus for grading and processing Cimicifuga extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, The closed-loop circulation flow control system is filled with dry inert protective gas, and a set of dehumidification and drying modules (26) is added in the return air duct; the precision bag dust collector (19) uses filter material with electrostatic conductivity, the filter material is interwoven with conductive fibers and connected to the system's total grounding point to discharge static charge generated by friction; after the precision bag dust collector (19), a first-stage ultrafine membrane filtration unit (27) is connected in series to deeply intercept the specific-scale micro powders remaining in the carrier gas.

8. The apparatus for grading and processing Cimicifuga extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, The device also integrates an online particle size monitoring and feedback loop. A second sensor (23) based on the laser diffraction principle is installed in the fine powder collection pipeline (22) to acquire the characteristic particle size parameters of the product in real time. The central control unit (28) is based on the following transfer function. Execute the corrective logic: in, For the system's response characteristics, This is the gain coefficient. For system lag time, The inertial time constant; Meanwhile, the central control unit (28) coordinates the coupling relationship between the air volume generated by the flow regulating damper (21) and the rotational speed of the high-speed staged rotor (11) through the following decoupling matrix: in, These represent the change in the characteristic particle size of the product and the change in the system pressure difference, respectively. These represent the changes in rotor speed control and system airflow control, respectively. This represents the corresponding transfer function.

9. The apparatus for grading and processing Cimicifuga extract according to claim 1, characterized in that, A secondary flow field backwashing mechanism (25) is provided at the coarse material collection port (24) of the low-temperature controlled grading chamber (6). The mechanism introduces a second carrier airflow to wash the coarse material again, and its recovery rate correction coefficient is [not specified]. Described by the following formula: in, This represents the concentration of the target component in the initial feed. This represents the concentration of the target component remaining in the coarse material after rewashing. The high-speed graded rotor (11) is made of wear-resistant ceramic material, and a vibration displacement sensor (15) is installed at its support bearing (14). The central control unit (28) performs online dynamic balance monitoring of the rotor system based on the vibration differential equation composed of the equivalent mass matrix, damping matrix and stiffness matrix of the rotor system, according to the signal obtained by the vibration displacement sensor (15). The base of the low-temperature controlled grading chamber (6) is provided with a three-dimensional adjustable support structure (29) so that the deviation between the central axis of the chamber and the direction of gravity is within the preset tolerance range.

10. A method for graded processing of Cimicifuga extract based on the apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method includes the following steps: 1) Material pre-cooling and acoustic field pre-dispersion steps: Before entering the pretreatment cylinder (1), the Cimicifuga extract is cooled to a predetermined temperature. In the pre-dispersion space, the shear force generated by the variable pitch screw conveyor and the cavitation stress generated by the high frequency acoustic field generating mechanism (2) work together to decompose the agglomerates into independent particles. 2) Low-temperature classification steps under multi-stage flow field nesting: The dispersed material enters the low-temperature controlled classification cavity (6) with the carrier gas. Under the balance of the centrifugal force field generated by the high-speed classification rotor (11) and the airflow resistance field, the particles are separated by trajectory shift according to the particle size difference. At the same time, the refrigerant circulation in the double-layer jacket structure (7) is used to remove the shear heat and maintain the thermodynamic balance in the cavity. 3) Wall Adaptive Anti-Adhesion Monitoring Step: The central control unit (28) acquires the wall flow field parameters in real time through the sensor. When it is determined that there is a material deposition trend, the micro-vibration feedback compensator (17) is triggered to intervene and peel off the deposits through mechanical disturbance wave. 4) Product collection steps under closed-loop inert gas protection: After classification, the fine particles are collected in multiple stages by passing through a high-efficiency cyclone separator (18), a precision bag filter (19) and an ultra-fine membrane filter unit (27) with the carrier gas. The carrier gas is returned to the front end of the system for recycling after passing through the dehumidification and drying module (26). The whole process is completed in a negative pressure environment filled with inert gas.

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