A uniform moistening system for tobacco shreds

Abstract

The application belongs to the technical field of tobacco processing, and particularly relates to a uniform humidifying system for tobacco shreds, which comprises a humidifying chamber, a steam chamber, an air pipeline, a steam nozzle, an air nozzle and an adjusting valve, the steam nozzle is arranged in the humidifying chamber, the steam nozzle is communicated with the steam chamber, the adjusting valve is arranged between the steam nozzle and the steam chamber, the air nozzle is arranged in the humidifying chamber, the air nozzle is communicated with the air pipeline, the air nozzle is used for spraying hot air, and the air pipeline is provided with the adjusting valve. The air pipeline and the air nozzle are arranged, the air nozzle is used for spraying hot air, in the case that the steam spraying amount is low, the tobacco shreds can be heated through the hot air, the temperature of the tobacco shreds can meet the humidifying requirement, and the humidifying effect of the tobacco shreds is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of tobacco processing technology, and specifically relates to a uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds. Background Technology

[0002] In cigarette manufacturing, tobacco moisture content is a core technological indicator throughout the entire tobacco processing process. Its uniformity and stability directly affect the physical properties of the tobacco (such as filling value and elasticity), processing performance (such as cutting and drying efficiency), and the final combustion state and sensory smoking quality of the cigarettes. Excessive moisture content can lead to tobacco sticking and clumping, increasing the risk of mold growth and consuming excessive energy during subsequent drying; conversely, insufficient moisture content increases the brittleness and causes severe breakage, affecting the tobacco structure and the effective utilization rate of the cigarettes. Therefore, accurate prediction and control of tobacco moisture content at key process nodes, such as the "loosening and rehydration" stage before cutting and the "leaf feeding" stage before drying, is crucial for ensuring stable cigarette quality, reducing raw material loss, and achieving refined processing.

[0003] Currently, moisture control in most cigarette manufacturing companies still largely relies on the experience of operators, who observe indicators such as outlet moisture content and manually adjust parameters such as steam pressure and valve opening. For example, tobacco shred heating and humidifying machines (HT) are equipped with steam nozzles and a vibrating disc mechanism. The vibrating disc mechanism conveys and agitates the tobacco shreds through vibration. The steam nozzles face the vibrating disc mechanism, allowing the emitted steam to mix with the tobacco shreds, thus humidifying them. Adjusting the steam pressure and valves controls the amount of steam in contact with the tobacco shreds, thereby altering the humidification effect.

[0004] However, steam's role extends beyond simply humidifying tobacco; it also heats the tobacco. At room temperature, tobacco fibers are tightly packed with contracted pores, allowing only passive absorption of small amounts of moisture. When heated to 85–95°C, the fiber cell walls expand, the pores open, and molecular motion intensifies, enabling rapid and even absorption of moisture from the steam, thus achieving uniform humidification. Adjusting the steam pressure and valve opening directly affects the steam output. Changes in steam output directly impact the heating effect on the tobacco, resulting in insufficient heating of some tobacco strands and an inability to achieve uniform humidification. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to provide a uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds, which solves the problem that existing systems cannot achieve uniform humidification because changing the amount of steam affects the heating temperature.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this application employs the following technical solution:

[0007] A uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds includes a humidification chamber, a steam chamber, an air duct, a steam nozzle, an air nozzle, and a regulating valve. The steam nozzle is disposed in the humidification chamber and communicates with the steam chamber. A regulating valve is disposed between the steam nozzle and the steam chamber. The air nozzle is disposed in the humidification chamber and communicates with the air duct. The air nozzle is used to spray hot air. The air duct is equipped with a regulating valve. In this solution, when the moisture content of the tobacco shreds delivered to the humidification chamber is high, the amount of steam sprayed by the steam nozzle can be reduced by the regulating valve, and the amount of hot air sprayed by the air nozzle can be increased by the regulating valve. Reducing the amount of steam can reduce the increase in humidity of the tobacco shreds, preventing the moisture content of the tobacco shreds from becoming too high. Increasing the amount of hot air can ensure that the tobacco shreds can be heated to 85–95°C, solving the problem of poor humidification effect caused by the reduced amount of steam preventing the tobacco shreds from reaching the 85–95°C temperature, and ensuring a more uniform humidification effect for the tobacco shreds.

[0008] The input hot air is used to heat the tobacco. To address the structural complexity caused by a separate air heating device, a section of the air duct is located within the steam chamber, and this portion of the air duct within the steam chamber is a heat-conducting pipe. In this design, the air in the air duct exchanges heat with the steam in the steam chamber as it passes through the heat-conducting pipe, thus heating the air via the steam. This eliminates the need for a separate air heating device, simplifying the overall humidification system structure and reducing costs.

[0009] Preferably, the humidification system includes at least two steam nozzles, each evenly distributed within the humidification chamber. By providing at least two steam nozzles, each nozzle can evenly spray steam within the humidification chamber, resulting in uniform steam distribution and more even steam contact with tobacco at different locations within the chamber, thereby improving the uniformity of tobacco humidification.

[0010] Preferably, the air duct is provided with at least two branch pipes, each branch pipe being connected to an air nozzle. In this design, each branch pipe is connected to an air nozzle, which allows the hot air to be distributed more evenly within the humidification chamber, resulting in a more uniform heating effect on the tobacco. By ensuring that the temperature of the tobacco in each area meets the humidification requirements, namely reaching 85–95°C, the humidification effect of the tobacco is ensured to be more uniform.

[0011] Preferably, the humidification chamber is equipped with an exhaust pipe, and a vacuum pump is connected downstream of the exhaust pipe. The vacuum pump is used to reduce the air pressure inside the humidification chamber. This removes the gas from the humidification chamber, allowing fresh steam and hot air to enter, thus achieving the effect of continuously heating and humidifying the tobacco.

[0012] In continuous production, the moisture content of the mixed tobacco shreds is uneven. To address the problem of insensitive steam output adjustment due to uneven tobacco moisture content, the humidification system also includes a moisture detection instrument. The humidification chamber has a feed end, and the moisture detection instrument is located on the side of the feed end. The moisture detection instrument is used to detect the moisture content of the tobacco shreds. In this solution, during production, the regulating valve can be operated based on the detection results of the moisture detection instrument, thereby accurately adjusting the steam output and hot air output, improving regulation efficiency while ensuring accuracy.

[0013] Preferably, the humidification system also includes a controller, and all regulating valves are solenoid valves. The regulating valves and the moisture detection instrument are electrically connected to the controller. In this solution, with the controller configured, the controller can control the regulating valves in real time based on the detection data from the moisture detection instrument, further improving the sensitivity of steam and hot air regulation and making the humidification effect of the tobacco more uniform.

[0014] Preferably, it includes at least two air nozzles, which are evenly arranged in an array within the humidification chamber.

[0015] During continuous production, tobacco shreds are continuously fed into the humidification chamber. Along the feed and discharge directions of the humidification chamber, tobacco shreds with different humidification requirements exist. Using the same humidification specifications still results in low uniformity of the humidified tobacco shreds. Therefore, the humidification chamber is equipped with a discharge end. Along the direction from the feed end to the discharge end, each air nozzle is connected to a different air duct. In this solution, by controlling the regulating valves corresponding to each steam nozzle, the regulating valves of each air duct can be controlled separately, allowing for different humidification effects in different areas of the humidification chamber. This ensures that tobacco shreds with different humidification needs receive the corresponding humidification effect, resulting in a more uniform moisture content in the humidified tobacco shreds.

[0016] Preferably, the steam nozzle and the air nozzle are spaced apart.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are:

[0018] This invention incorporates an air duct and an air nozzle. The air nozzle is used to spray hot air. When the steam output is reduced, the hot air can heat the tobacco, ensuring that the temperature of the tobacco meets the humidification requirements, thereby ensuring the humidification effect of the tobacco. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 A schematic diagram showing the positions of the steam nozzle and the air nozzle;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram showing the positions of the air duct and air nozzle in Example 2.

[0022] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0023] 1. Humidification chamber; 2. Steam nozzle; 3. Air nozzle; 4. Exhaust pipe; 5. Air duct; 6. Branch pipe; 7. Steam chamber; 8. Online near-infrared tobacco moisture meter; 9. Vibration groove mechanism; 10. Flexible sealing structure; 11. Regulating valve. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The technical solution of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments are merely exemplary and can only be used to explain and illustrate the technical solution of the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the technical solution of the present invention.

[0025] Example 1

[0026] like Figure 1As shown, this embodiment provides a uniform humidification system for tobacco, including a humidification chamber 1, a steam chamber 7, a steam nozzle 2, a vibrating groove mechanism 9, an air duct 5, an air nozzle 3, and a regulating valve 11. The vibrating groove mechanism 9 is disposed in the humidification chamber 1. The steam nozzle 2 is connected to the steam chamber 7 and is located inside the humidification chamber 1, facing the vibrating groove mechanism 9. Steam can be sprayed onto the vibrating groove mechanism 9 to achieve the effect of heating and humidifying the tobacco. The air duct 5 is connected to the air nozzle 3. One section of the air duct 5 is located inside the steam chamber 7, and the rest is located outside the steam chamber 7. The portion of the air duct 5 inside the steam chamber 7 is made of a heat-conducting material, allowing the steam in the steam chamber 7 to heat the gas inside the air duct 5. The air nozzle 3 also faces the vibrating groove mechanism 9 and can be used to spray hot air onto the tobacco on the vibrating groove mechanism 9 to heat the tobacco. A regulating valve 11 is provided on the air duct 5, and a regulating valve 11 is also provided between the steam chamber 7 and the steam nozzle 2. The regulating valve 11 regulates the gas flow rate, thereby controlling the amount of steam ejected from the steam nozzle 2 and the amount of hot air ejected from the air nozzle 3. When the moisture content of the input tobacco is low, the regulating valve 11 reduces the amount of hot air ejected from the air nozzle 3 and increases the amount of steam ejected from the steam nozzle 2, resulting in more steam in the humidification chamber 1 and thus enhancing the humidification effect, ensuring that the moisture content of the tobacco reaches the required level. Conversely, when the moisture content of the input tobacco is high, the regulating valve 11 increases the amount of hot air ejected from the air nozzle 3 and decreases the amount of steam ejected from the steam nozzle 2, reducing the steam content in the humidification chamber 1 while ensuring the temperature inside the humidification chamber 1, thus preventing the moisture content of the tobacco from becoming too high. While reducing the amount of steam emitted, the heat in the humidification chamber 1 can be controlled by increasing the amount of hot air, so that the temperature of the tobacco reaches 85-95℃, ensuring the humidification effect of the tobacco. This solves the problem that insufficient tobacco temperature due to steam volume control leads to poor tobacco humidification and uneven tobacco humidification.

[0027] When reducing the steam output and increasing the hot air output, the adjustment ratio can be determined through experimentation first. For example, if the steam flow rate decreases by x, the hot air output should increase by 3x. By determining the adjustment ratio of each regulating valve 11 through experimentation, rapid and accurate adjustment can be achieved.

[0028] like Figure 2 As shown, the steam chamber 7 is equipped with multiple steam nozzles 2 arranged in a rectangular array, and each steam nozzle 2 is connected to the steam chamber 7 by a regulating valve 11. The air duct 5 includes multiple branch pipes 6, each branch pipe 6 being connected to an air nozzle 3, which is also arranged in a rectangular array. The steam nozzles 2 and air nozzles 3 are spaced apart, which reduces the amount of steam ejected while increasing the amount of hot air ejected, ensuring that the tobacco in the humidification chamber 1 is heated evenly.

[0029] exist Figure 1 and Figure 2 In the image, the arrow points in the direction the tobacco is moving.

[0030] The portion of the air duct located inside the steam chamber 7 is a heat-conducting pipe, which can be made of metals with high thermal conductivity such as copper and aluminum.

[0031] The vibrating trough mechanism 9 is used to convey and agitate the tobacco shreds. Under the action of the vibrating trough mechanism 9, the tobacco shreds move downstream, and the vibration causes the tobacco shreds to continuously turn up and down, so that the tobacco shreds can come into uniform contact with the steam, ensuring the uniformity of the humidification effect on the tobacco shreds. The vibrating trough mechanism 9 adopts the structure of the existing leaf shred heating and humidifying machine (HT). This application does not improve the vibrating trough mechanism 9, and its specific structure will not be described in detail here.

[0032] Flexible sealing structures 10 are provided at both ends of the humidification chamber 1. These flexible sealing structures 10 are made of food-grade silicone / fluoropolymer and are heat-resistant to ≥180℃. The flexible sealing structures 10 form a gap seal at both ends of the humidification chamber 1. There is a 0.5-1mm gap between the flexible sealing structures 10 and the vibrating groove mechanism 9, allowing tobacco to enter the humidification chamber 1 through the gap. The tobacco enters from one end of the humidification chamber 1, which is the feed end, and exits from the other end of the humidification chamber 1, which is the discharge end.

[0033] An exhaust pipe 4 is installed inside the humidification chamber 1. A condenser is located downstream of the exhaust pipe 4 to liquefy the steam. A vacuum pump is also installed downstream of the exhaust pipe 4 to remove the gas from the humidification chamber 1, making the gas pressure inside the humidification chamber 1 lower than atmospheric pressure, for example, 80-120 Pa lower than atmospheric pressure. This lower-than-atmospheric pressure inside the humidification chamber 1, combined with the gap seal formed by the flexible sealing structure 10 and the vibrating plate mechanism, can control the steam leakage to below 0.1%, preventing steam leakage.

[0034] In this application, a pressure sensor can be installed inside the humidification chamber 1, and the pressure sensor and vacuum pump are electrically connected to the controller. The controller controls the vacuum pump based on the pressure signal from the pressure sensor to maintain a stable pressure inside the humidification chamber 1.

[0035] An online near-infrared tobacco moisture meter 8 is installed at one end of the humidification chamber 1. The online near-infrared tobacco moisture meter 8 detects the moisture content of the tobacco in real time using infrared spectroscopy. The online near-infrared tobacco moisture meter 8 is equipped with a controller, and the regulating valves 11 used to control the steam and hot air output are solenoid valves. The online near-infrared tobacco moisture meter 8 and each regulating valve 11 are electrically connected to the controller. The controller controls each regulating valve 11 based on the tobacco moisture content data detected by the online near-infrared tobacco moisture meter 8, achieving the effect of adjusting the steam and hot air output according to the tobacco moisture content. This real-time automatic adjustment results in a more uniform humidification effect for the tobacco.

[0036] The controller can be a PLC or a microcontroller.

[0037] Example 2

[0038] This embodiment provides a uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds, which differs from Embodiment 1 in that the air duct 5 is configured differently.

[0039] like Figure 3 As shown, the vibrating disc mechanism moves the tobacco in a fixed direction, that is, from one end of the humidifying chamber 1 to the other end. Figure 3 The direction of the arrow. This embodiment includes multiple air ducts 5, arranged along the direction of tobacco movement, with the axis of each air duct 5 perpendicular to the direction of tobacco movement. Along the direction of tobacco movement, air nozzles 3 are divided into at least two rows. Each air duct 5 has several branch pipes 6, and the branch pipes 6 of one air duct 5 are connected to one row of air nozzles 3. A regulating valve 11 is installed on each air duct 5. When adjusting the gas flow rate of one air duct 5, the gas flow rate in the other air ducts 5 remains unchanged. Therefore, when tobacco is continuously input, the regulating valves 11 at different positions within the humidification chamber 1 can be controlled separately, resulting in different humidity levels within the humidification chamber 1, thereby humidifying the continuously input tobacco separately and improving the uniformity of the tobacco humidification effect.

[0040] The above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and does not limit the patent scope of the present invention. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the content of the present invention specification and drawings, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds, characterized in that, It includes a humidification chamber, a steam chamber, an air duct, a steam nozzle, an air nozzle, and a regulating valve. The steam nozzle is located in the humidification chamber and is connected to the steam chamber. A regulating valve is provided between the steam nozzle and the steam chamber. The air nozzle is located in the humidification chamber and is connected to the air duct. The air nozzle is used to spray hot air. A regulating valve is provided in the air duct.

2. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 1, characterized in that, One section of the air duct is located in the steam chamber, and the portion of the air duct located in the steam chamber is a heat-conducting pipe.

3. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes at least two steam nozzles, each of which is evenly distributed within the humidification chamber.

4. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air duct is provided with at least two branch pipes, each of which is connected to an air nozzle.

5. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 1, characterized in that, The humidification chamber is equipped with an exhaust pipe, and a vacuum pump is connected downstream of the exhaust pipe. The vacuum pump is used to reduce the air pressure inside the humidification chamber.

6. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a moisture detection instrument. The humidification chamber is provided with a feeding end, and the moisture detection instrument is located on the side where the feeding end of the humidification chamber is located. The moisture detection instrument is used to detect the moisture content of the tobacco.

7. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes a controller, and all the regulating valves are solenoid valves. The regulating valves and the moisture detection instrument are electrically connected to the controller.

8. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 7, characterized in that, It includes at least two air nozzles, which are evenly arranged in an array within the humidification chamber.

9. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 8, characterized in that, The humidification chamber is provided with a discharge end, and each air nozzle is connected to a different air pipe along the direction from the inlet end to the discharge end.

10. The uniform humidification system for tobacco shreds according to claim 8, characterized in that, The steam nozzle and the air nozzle are spaced apart.

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