A method and equipment for temperature control and conditioning throughout the rice milling process

Abstract

This invention discloses a method and equipment for temperature control and conditioning throughout the rice milling process, solving a series of quality problems caused by excessively high rice temperature, excessively long conditioning time, and uneven conditioning in the existing rice processing technology. The technical feature of this invention is that the rice material undergoes a cooling and / or conditioning process after each milling cycle. Specifically, S1, the rice material from the rice mill is evenly distributed by a distributor into the area of ​​the heat exchange tubes in the cooling and heat exchange unit; S2, a flowing low-temperature cooling medium is introduced into the heat exchange tubes, which then contact the rice material and remove heat; S3, when the rice material moves to the feeding gap between the adjustable and fixed collecting plates in the humidification and conditioning unit, atomizing pipes selectively spray humidification onto the rice material. Placing the humidification and conditioning process after the milling process, especially the first milling process, is beneficial for quickly improving the mechanical properties of the rice bran and endosperm, as well as the interfacial bonding performance between the rice bran layer and the endosperm.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of rice processing technology, and in particular to a device and method for temperature control and conditioning throughout the rice milling process. Background Technology

[0002] During rice processing, frequent collisions and friction between rice milling machine components and between these components and rice grains inevitably generate a significant amount of heat inside the machine. While this heat dissipates into the workshop environment through the machine's surface, most of it remains inside, causing a substantial temperature rise in the milling chamber components and the rice being milled. This increased rice temperature reduces the bonding strength between endosperm starch granules, leading to an increase in broken rice and a decrease in whole rice. Furthermore, the increased number of broken rice grains and their high-temperature environment accelerate the volatilization of rice aroma and the loss of some nutrients, significantly reducing the edible quality of the finished rice. Although the use of multi-stage light milling processes or low-temperature rice milling machines has improved rice quality to some extent, the fundamental problem of temperature rise during the rice milling process remains unresolved. Actual test results show that after the production line has been running for more than half an hour, the results will vary depending on factors such as the model of the rice milling machine used, the setting of process parameters, the processing season and climate, the location of the rice mill and the type of raw materials. The difference between the discharge temperature and the feed temperature of the same rice milling machine can usually reach 3 to 10℃.

[0003] As rice processing efficiency improves, people have realized that placing hot, finished rice directly into rice warehouses creates a moisture and temperature environment that is ideal for the growth of mold and microorganisms. This can easily lead to spoilage and deterioration of the rice, affecting its shelf life and reducing its taste. Many rice producers and rice processing equipment providers have attempted to address the problem of excessively high rice temperatures by introducing various rice cooling silos or heat dissipation and cooling devices. However, most of these technologies are already publicly available (reference application numbers are 201711444292.8, 201711444304.7, 201921736929.5, 201921754143.6, 202010976146.5, 202020205466.6, 202021943715.8, 202021438579.7, 202022460508.3, 202120430347.5, 202120843764.2, 202222275855.8, 2022225992). Chinese patent documents such as 04.4, 202320464260.9, 202320660383.X, 202321241601.2, 202321352972.8, 202321476912.7, 202322028648.7, 202322056372.3, 202322978049.1, 202322320706.3, 202323135750.3, 202410387665.6, 202420505992.2, and 202510147736.X mainly focus on solving the storage and transportation of finished rice, and usually place the rice cooling silo or heat dissipation and cooling device before or after the polishing process. In fact, the degradation of rice grain performance due to temperature increases occurs throughout the entire whitening process. The temperature rise caused by the preceding process has a significant impact on the breakage of rice grains and further temperature increases in subsequent processes. Therefore, the current process of placing the cooling process after the whitening process does not solve the inherent problem of broken rice during the whitening process. At the same time, the cumulative effect of the temperature rise in each whitening process can easily exceed the denaturation temperature (such as glass transition) of rice starch, resulting in a decline in the edible quality of the finished rice. Excessive temperature differences not only increase the load on the rice cooling silos or cooling equipment, but also require more equipment space and longer cooling times, leading to a decrease in cooling efficiency and an increase in production costs.

[0004] Furthermore, the safe storage moisture content of paddy rice generally needs to be controlled at around 12.5%, while the optimal moisture content for separating the bran from the endosperm during milling is approximately 15-16% (depending on the rice variety). To improve the processing performance of rice, brown rice needs to undergo a humidification and conditioning treatment before milling to reduce the brittleness of the bran and endosperm and improve the interfacial bonding between the bran layer and the endosperm. Because a thin waxy layer exists on the surface of the bran, the surface of brown rice has a very strong hydrophobic effect. Therefore, during the conditioning of brown rice, moisture penetration often takes a long time, and its uniformity is not easily guaranteed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] To address the shortcomings in the aforementioned background technology, this invention proposes a method and equipment for temperature control and conditioning throughout the rice milling process, which solves a series of quality problems caused by excessively high rice temperature, excessively long conditioning time for brown rice, and uneven conditioning in the rice processing process of the prior art.

[0006] The technical solution of this invention is implemented as follows: a method for temperature control and conditioning throughout the rice milling process, wherein the rice material undergoes cooling and / or conditioning after each milling operation; the specific process is as follows: S1, the rice material exiting the rice mill is evenly distributed by the feed unit's distributor onto the area where the heat exchange tubes of the cooling and heat exchange unit are located, and the rice material gradually moves downwards under its own gravity; S2, a flowing low-temperature cooling medium is introduced into the heat exchange tubes, and the heat exchange tubes contact the rice material and remove heat to reduce the temperature of the rice material. S3. When the rice material moves to the feeding gap between the adjustable and fixed collecting plates in the humidification and conditioning unit, the atomizing pipe installed below the fixed collecting plate selectively sprays humidification onto the rice material according to the infeed and outlet temperatures and humidity; S4. During the spray humidification process, the steam formed by the vaporization of water is extracted through the exhaust port of the feeding unit, and at the same time, the exhaust process carries away some of the heat from the rice material; S5. The rice material is discharged through the outlet unit, realizing that the rice material is cooled and / or conditioned once after each whitening process. Placing the humidification and conditioning process after the whitening process, especially the first whitening process, is beneficial to quickly achieve the purpose of improving the mechanical properties of rice bran and endosperm, as well as the interfacial bonding performance between the rice bran layer and the endosperm.

[0007] Further optimization involves adjusting the material feeding rate by controlling the width of the feeding gap formed by the adjustable and fixed collecting plates; and controlling the spray volume and spray temperature by adjusting the water inlet flow rate, water temperature, and air pressure of the atomizing tube. By adjusting the material feeding rate of the humidifying and conditioning unit, as well as the water inlet flow rate, water temperature, and atomization method of the atomizing tube of the humidifying and conditioning unit, the material moisture content and penetration depth are controlled at the levels required for each whitening process.

[0008] A temperature-controlled conditioning device for the entire rice milling process, based on the aforementioned temperature-controlled conditioning method for the entire rice milling process; the device includes a feeding unit, a cooling and heat exchange unit, a humidifying and conditioning unit, and a discharging unit arranged sequentially from top to bottom; the feeding unit includes a feeding hopper, a feeder is installed inside the feeding hopper, and a feeding temperature and humidity sensor is installed at the feeding inlet of the feeding hopper; the cooling and heat exchange unit includes a heat exchange chamber, multiple heat exchange tubes are installed inside the heat exchange chamber, a water collection tank is installed on the outer wall of the heat exchange chamber, and the heat exchange tubes are connected to the water collection tank; the humidifying and conditioning unit includes a conditioning chamber, an adjustable collecting plate and a fixed collecting plate are installed inside the conditioning chamber, an atomizing tube is installed at the lower part of the fixed collecting plate, the adjustable collecting plate is connected to a driving mechanism installed on the conditioning chamber, and an adjustable discharge gap is formed between the adjustable collecting plate and the fixed collecting plate under the action of the driving mechanism; the discharging unit includes a discharging hopper, and a discharging temperature and humidity sensor is installed at the discharging outlet of the discharging hopper.

[0009] Further optimized, the feed hopper and heat exchange hopper are sealed together; the feed hopper is a conical hopper, and the distributor is a conical distributor, with the upper part of the conical distributor corresponding to the feed inlet and the lower part connected to the distributor support set on the upper part of the heat exchange hopper; the conical hopper is a square pyramid, and the conical distributor is a square pyramid structure composed of four distribution plates; the feed hopper is equipped with an exhaust port, and an exhaust filter is installed inside the exhaust port. Each side of the conical distributor is provided with at least one set of trapezoidal or rectangular through holes.

[0010] Further optimization involves arranging the heat exchange tubes in an n x m matrix within the heat exchange chamber, where n ≥ 2 and m ≥ 2, with adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes intersecting. The inner wall of the heat exchange chamber is equipped with guide plates corresponding to the heat exchange tubes. The heat exchange tubes are either plain tubes with a circular, elliptical, or elongated cross-section, or finned tubes with a circular, elliptical, or elongated cross-section.

[0011] Further optimization shows that the water collection tank includes a first water collection tank and a second water collection tank. The first water collection tank and the second water collection tank are respectively connected to the inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tubes. The first water collection tank is provided with an inlet chamber and several flow chambers from bottom to top. The second water collection tank is provided with an outlet chamber and several flow chambers from top to top. A low temperature inlet pipe is provided at the inlet chamber and a high temperature outlet pipe is provided at the outlet chamber. One flow chamber corresponds to two rows of heat exchange tubes.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment, the fixed aggregate plate is fixed to the upper part of the conditioning silo, and the adjustable aggregate plate is hinged to the upper part of the conditioning silo, forming a discharge gap between the adjustable aggregate plate and the fixed aggregate plate. A camshaft is provided on the back of the adjustable aggregate plate, and a cam is provided on the camshaft that is connected to the adjustable aggregate plate in a transmission manner. The camshaft is connected to the drive mechanism in a transmission manner. The drive mechanism drives the adjustable aggregate plate to rotate around the hinge point through the camshaft and the cam, thereby adjusting the width of the discharge gap.

[0013] Further optimized, the fixed collection plate is an angled plate, with the corner of the angled plate fixed to the upper part of the conditioning silo. Atomizing tubes are provided on the two inner surfaces of the angled plate, and one end of the atomizing tube is connected to the atomizing water inlet pipe provided on the conditioning silo. An angled seat is also provided on the upper part of the conditioning silo, and adjustable collection plates are symmetrically hinged on the angled seat. The adjustable collection plate located on the left side of the angled seat and the adjustable collection plate located on the right side of the angled seat rotate around the hinge point at the same time.

[0014] Further preferably, the camshaft is connected to the drive mechanism via a cam linkage mechanism; the drive mechanism includes a stepper motor mounted on the outer wall of the conditioning chamber, and the cam linkage mechanism includes an upper linkage mechanism and a lower linkage mechanism. The upper linkage mechanism is connected to the camshaft corresponding to the adjustable collection plate located on the left side of the angled seat; the lower linkage mechanism is connected to the camshaft corresponding to the adjustable collection plate located on the right side of the angled seat; both the upper and lower linkage mechanisms are fixedly connected to a rocker arm on the camshaft, and the other end of the rocker arm is hinged to a connecting rod. The stepper motor is connected to the connecting rod of the upper linkage mechanism via the active rocker arm; one camshaft corresponding to the upper linkage mechanism is connected to one camshaft of the lower linkage mechanism via a gear pair.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: By controlling the temperature rise in each whitening process and adjusting the conditioning process from before to after hulling, this invention achieves the goals of controlling the overall rice temperature rise, reducing broken rice rate, and improving rice milling efficiency. This invention primarily uses temperature-controlled conditioning equipment after each whitening process. Based on different rice varieties and the model of the rice milling machine used, the invention rationally sets and adjusts the water flow rate and temperature of the low-temperature water inlet pipe of the cooling and heat exchange unit in real time to control the rice temperature rise after each whitening process to a certain level. Furthermore, placing the humidification and conditioning process after the whitening process, especially the first whitening process, is beneficial for quickly improving the mechanical properties of rice bran and endosperm, as well as the interfacial bonding performance between the rice bran layer and the endosperm. This invention controls the material moisture content and penetration depth to the levels required for each whitening process by adjusting the feed rate of the humidification and conditioning unit and the water flow rate, water temperature, and atomization method of the atomizing pipe of the humidification and conditioning unit.

[0016] The temperature-controlled conditioning equipment and method for the rice milling process provided by this invention integrates feeding, cooling and heat exchange, humidification and conditioning and discharging functions into one unit through a vertical through-type structure. The rice material completes spreading, cooling, conditioning and discharging in sequence under the action of gravity, without the need for additional intermediate conveying devices. This significantly reduces the equipment footprint and process flow path, avoids temperature loss and moisture fluctuation during the transfer process, and achieves precise process matching between single milling and single cooling and conditioning, thereby improving production continuity and process coordination efficiency.

[0017] In terms of cooling and heat exchange, the equipment adopts an n x m matrix arrangement of heat exchange tubes with adjacent rows intersecting, significantly increasing the heat exchange area and eliminating short-circuit channels for the straight-falling material, thus extending the effective residence time of rice in the heat exchange chamber. Combined with guide plates installed on the inner wall of the heat exchange chamber, material falling through edge gaps is redirected to the lower row of heat exchange tubes, effectively solving the problem of heat exchange dead zones caused by edge effects and ensuring uniform cooling of the entire cross-section of material. Simultaneously, the first and second water collection tanks adopt a partitioned, layered chamber structure, with one flow chamber corresponding to two rows of heat exchange tubes. This achieves a layer-by-layer gradient distribution and independent flow collection of the cooling medium, avoiding thermal short-circuiting between low-temperature inlet water and high-temperature return water, improving the temperature difference utilization efficiency of the cooling medium, and forming a three-dimensional, uniform, and efficient cooling system, significantly reducing the rate of cracking and the generation of cracked particles.

[0018] In terms of humidification and conditioning, the fixed collection plate adopts an angular plate structure with atomizing tubes on both inner surfaces to achieve symmetrical spray humidification of the rice material diverted to both sides, ensuring that the material particles across the entire cross-section are uniformly moistened. The adjustable collection plates are symmetrically hinged to the angular seats and achieve synchronous left and right rotation through a cam linkage mechanism. This cam linkage mechanism is driven by a stepper motor on the outer wall of the conditioning chamber. Through rocker arms, connecting rods, and gear pairs, the rotational motion of a single power source is precisely converted into synchronous oscillation of the adjustable collection plates on both sides. The rigid meshing of the gear pairs ensures a strict synchronous relationship between the left and right cam shafts, unaffected by load fluctuations. This fundamentally eliminates the problem of skewness in the material discharge gaps on both sides, enabling micro- and quantitative precise adjustment of the discharge gap width, thereby accurately controlling the material residence time and discharge amount. Attached Figure Description

[0019] To more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the temperature control and conditioning equipment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the temperature-controlled conditioning equipment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 2 View from AA direction;

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the material feeder in a temperature-controlled and conditioning equipment.

[0024] Figure 5This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structural principle of the cam linkage mechanism in a temperature-controlled conditioning equipment.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the first structure of the heat exchange tube;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the second type of heat exchanger tube structure;

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the third type of heat exchanger tube structure.

[0028] The attached figures are labeled as follows: 1-Feeding unit; 11-Feed inlet; 12-Feeding temperature and humidity sensor; 13-Feeding bin; 14-Conical distributor; 15-Exhaust vent; 16-Exhaust filter; 2-Cooling heat exchange unit; 21-Distributor bracket; 22-First water collection tank; 23-Heat exchange tube; 24-Low temperature water inlet pipe; 25-High temperature water outlet pipe; 26-Second water collection tank; 27-Heat exchange chamber; 28-Guide plate; 3-Humidification and conditioning unit; 31-Conditioning chamber; 3 2-Adjustable collection plate; 321-Angle seat; 33-Atomizing tube; 34-Fixed collection plate; 35-Camshaft; 35-Cam; 37-Atomizing water inlet pipe; 38-Cam linkage mechanism; 381-Rock arm; 382-Connecting rod; 383-Gear pair; 384-Motor support; 385-Active rocker arm; 39-Drive mechanism; 391-Stepper motor; 4-Discharge unit; 41-Discharge bin; 42-Discharge port; 43-Discharge temperature and humidity sensor; 44-Frame. Detailed Implementation

[0029] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0030] Example 1, as Figure 1As shown, a method for temperature control and conditioning throughout the rice milling process is presented. Based on the temperature control and conditioning equipment described in Example 2 or 3, the key point of this invention is that the rice material undergoes cooling and / or conditioning after each milling process. This process mainly utilizes a cooling heat exchange device after each milling step to conduct heat away from the rice material, achieving step-by-step control of the temperature rise in each milling step. Furthermore, this process mainly utilizes a conditioning device after each milling step, especially the first milling step, to uniformly humidify and condition the opened rice material, thereby improving the mechanical properties of the rice bran and endosperm, as well as the interfacial bonding performance between the rice bran layer and the endosperm. The specific process is as follows: S1, the rice material (i.e., the milled material) exiting the rice mill is evenly distributed by the distributor of the feeding unit 1 into the area where the heat exchange tubes of the cooling heat exchange unit 2 are located. The rice material gradually moves downwards under its own gravity. S2. A flowing low-temperature cooling medium is introduced into the heat exchange tube. The heat exchange tube contacts the rice material and removes heat to lower the temperature of the rice material. S3. When the rice material moves to the feeding gap between the adjustable and fixed collecting plates in the humidification and conditioning unit 3, the atomizing pipe installed below the fixed collecting plate selectively sprays humidification onto the rice material according to the inlet and outlet temperatures and humidity. The feeding amount is adjusted by controlling the width of the feeding gap formed by the adjustable and fixed collecting plates. The spray volume and spray temperature are controlled by adjusting the water inlet flow rate, water inlet temperature, and air pressure of the atomizing pipe. S4. During the spray humidification process, the steam formed by the vaporization of water is extracted through the exhaust port of the feeding unit, and the exhaust process removes some of the heat from the rice material. S5. The rice material is discharged through the discharge unit 4, achieving a cooling and / or conditioning process corresponding to each whitening operation.

[0031] The present invention describes a temperature control and conditioning process for the entire rice milling process. This process primarily controls the temperature rise at each whitening stage and shifts the conditioning step from before hulling to after hulling, thereby controlling the overall rice temperature rise, reducing broken rice rate, and improving milling efficiency. The method mainly involves using temperature control and conditioning equipment after each whitening stage. Depending on the rice variety and the type of rice milling machine used, the inlet water volume and temperature of the low-temperature water inlet pipe of the cooling and heat exchange unit are rationally set and adjusted in real time to control the rice temperature rise after each whitening stage within a certain level. Simultaneously, because the bran layer can no longer completely cover the endosperm after hulling, the rate of water penetration from the broken points in the bran is much greater than the rate of water penetration directly through the bran layer. Placing the humidification and conditioning process after the whitening stage, especially the first whitening stage, is beneficial for quickly improving the mechanical properties of the bran and endosperm, as well as the interfacial bonding performance between the bran layer and the endosperm. By adjusting the feed rate of the humidification and conditioning unit, as well as the water inlet flow rate, water temperature, and atomization method of the atomizing tube of the humidification and conditioning unit, the moisture content and penetration depth of the material are controlled at the levels required for each whitening process.

[0032] Example 2, as Figure 1 As shown, a temperature-controlled and conditioning device for the entire rice milling process is based on the temperature-controlled and conditioning method for the entire rice milling process described in Example 1. The device includes, from top to bottom, a feeding unit 1, a cooling and heat exchange unit 2, a humidifying and conditioning unit 3, and a discharging unit 4; it also includes a control system (not shown in the figure). This forms a vertically integrated structure. Under its own gravity, the rice material sequentially completes the spreading, cooling, conditioning, and discharging processes without the need for additional intermediate conveying devices, achieving integrated cooling and conditioning after milling. This structure significantly reduces the equipment's footprint, shortens the process flow path, avoids uneven temperature loss and moisture fluctuations during material transfer, and ensures timely and continuous single-stage cooling and / or conditioning after each milling cycle, meeting the requirements for precise process matching.

[0033] like Figure 2 As shown, the feeding unit 1 in this embodiment includes a feeding bin 13, a feeder 14 is provided inside the feeding bin 13, and a feeding temperature and humidity sensor 12 is provided at the feeding inlet 11 of the feeding bin 13; the feeding temperature and humidity sensor 12 is used to detect the temperature and humidity of the rice material during feeding. The cooling and heat exchange unit 2 includes a heat exchange chamber 27, and multiple heat exchange tubes 23 are provided inside the heat exchange chamber 27. In order to improve the heat transfer effect, the heat exchange tubes 23 are arranged in parallel in the same row and in series between rows in the heat exchanger shell 27. The heat exchange tubes 23 are plain tubes with a circular, elliptical, or elongated cross-section; or the heat exchange tubes 23 are finned tubes with a finned circular, elliptical, or elongated cross-section. That is to say, as Figures 6-8As shown, the cross-section of the heat exchange tube 23 can be circular, elliptical, or elongated, and can be finned or unfinned. Elliptical and elongated tube cross-sections not only increase the heat exchange area and improve heat exchange efficiency, but the narrower outer tube width also reduces the chance of rice material remaining on the heat exchange tube, promoting the flow of rice material. A water collection tank is provided on the outer wall of the heat exchange chamber 27, and the heat exchange tube 23 is connected to the water collection tank to form a circulation path for the cooling medium. When the low-temperature cooling medium (such as cooling water) flows inside the heat exchange tube, it forms sufficient heat exchange contact with the surrounding downward-moving rice material. The humidification and conditioning unit 3 includes a conditioning chamber 31, which contains an adjustable collection plate 32 and a fixed collection plate 34. An atomizing tube 33 is located at the lower part of the fixed collection plate 34. The adjustable collection plate 32 is connected to a drive mechanism 39 mounted on the conditioning chamber 31. Under the action of the drive mechanism 39, an adjustable material discharge gap is formed between the adjustable collection plate 32 and the fixed collection plate 34, thus achieving optimal matching between the material discharge volume and the spray volume of the atomizing tube 33. The discharge unit 4 includes a discharge chamber 41, with a discharge temperature and humidity sensor 43 at the discharge port. The discharge temperature and humidity sensor 43 detects the temperature and humidity of the rice material during discharge. The discharge chamber 41 has an inverted conical structure, with the upper part sealed to the conditioning chamber 31, and a frame 44 connected to the lower part of the conditioning chamber 31 to improve its stability. The control unit collects real-time temperature and humidity data of the feed and discharge processes, and automatically adjusts the drive mechanism (controlling the feed gap width), atomizing tube parameters (water volume, water temperature, air pressure), and ventilation intensity according to process objectives, achieving automated and intelligent control of the cooling and conditioning process. This closed-loop control mechanism significantly reduces reliance on manual intervention, improves process stability and product consistency, and avoids energy waste and quality deterioration caused by over-cooling or over-humidification.

[0034] Example 3, as Figure 3 , 4As shown, a temperature-controlled and conditioning device for the entire rice milling process is further optimized based on Embodiment 2. In this embodiment, the feeding hopper 13 and the heat exchange hopper 27 are sealed together. The feeding hopper 13 is a conical hopper, and the distributor 14 is a conical distributor. The upper part of the conical distributor corresponds to the feeding port 11, and the lower part is connected to the distributor support 21 set on the upper part of the heat exchange hopper 27. At least four distributor supports 21 are provided and are respectively located at the inlet of the cooling heat exchange unit 2. They are mainly used to install and support the distributor 14. A material level detection device (not shown in the figure) is provided below it for material level detection. In this embodiment, the conical hopper is a four-sided pyramid, and the conical distributor is a four-sided pyramid structure composed of four distribution plates. The distributor adopts a pyramid structure, and each side is provided with a set of trapezoidal or rectangular through holes that allow some rice grains with slower falling speeds to fall in. When rice material falls from the feed inlet 11 onto the distributor, very little material falls directly from the central hole of the distributor, while most material disperses and falls along the sloping sides of the pyramid. Due to differences in the falling posture of the rice grains, the friction between rice grains, and between rice grains and the sloping sides of the distributor, slower-moving rice grains gradually fall into the through holes at different positions on each side during the dispersed falling process, thereby achieving the purpose of uniform distribution. The feed hopper 13 is equipped with an exhaust vent 15, and an exhaust filter 16 is installed inside the exhaust vent 15. The exhaust fan extracts internal steam and some heat through the exhaust vent, thereby improving the cooling effect of the temperature control and conditioning equipment.

[0035] In this preferred embodiment, the heat exchange tubes 23 inside the heat exchange chamber 27 are arranged in an n x m matrix, where n ≥ 2 and m ≥ 2. Adjacent rows of heat exchange tubes 23 are interleaved to improve heat transfer efficiency. A guide plate 28 corresponding to the heat exchange tubes 23 is provided on the inner wall of the heat exchange chamber 27. The guide plate is located on the side wall of the heat exchanger shell, parallel to the heat exchange tubes, and is mainly used to redirect material falling through the relatively wide gap between the heat exchange tubes and the side wall of the heat exchanger shell back to the lower row of heat exchange tubes, thereby enhancing the heat transfer effect between the heat exchange tubes and the material. In this embodiment, taking n=9 and m=9 as an example, the material is forced to form a serpentine or zigzag falling trajectory in the interleaved array of heat exchange tubes, extending its effective residence time within the cooling heat exchange unit, increasing the probability of contact with the surface of the heat exchange tubes, significantly improving the overall heat transfer coefficient and cooling uniformity, and ensuring that rice grains of different sizes and positions can obtain a consistent cooling effect.

[0036] In this embodiment, the matrix arrangement, cross-arrangement, and guide plate work together to construct a three-dimensional heat exchange network within the heat exchange chamber. The matrix arrangement provides ample heat exchange area; the cross-arrangement enhances disturbance and mixing by altering the material flow path; and the guide plate blocks edge short-circuit channels, achieving uniform heat exchange across the entire cross-section. In this three-dimensional heat exchange network, the rice material not only conducts heat exchange with the surface of the heat exchange tubes but also enhances the relative motion between material particles during multiple changes in flow direction, promoting the outward transfer of heat from within the particles. Simultaneously, the exhaust airflow formed by the exhaust vent at the top of the feed chamber further enhances the convective heat exchange effect. This synergistic structure significantly improves the heat exchange efficiency per unit volume of the heat exchange chamber.

[0037] In this embodiment, the water collection tank includes a first water collection tank 22 and a second water collection tank 26. The first water collection tank 22 and the second water collection tank 26 are connected to the inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tube 23 at both ends, respectively. Compared with the mixed inlet and outlet water structure of a single water collection tank, the bidirectional independent flow collection design avoids thermal short circuits and temperature crosstalk between low-temperature inlet water and high-temperature return water, ensuring that the cooling medium entering each heat exchange tube maintains a stable low-temperature state. At the same time, the high-temperature outlet water is collected and discharged in time without mixing with the inlet water. This structure significantly improves the temperature difference utilization efficiency of the cooling medium. The first water collection tank 22 and the second water collection tank 26 can be divided into separate water tanks. Specifically, the first water collection tank 22 is provided with an inlet chamber and several flow chambers from bottom to top; the second water collection tank 26 is provided with an outlet chamber and several flow chambers from top to top. This layered chamber structure enables the cooling medium to form a multi-level distribution along the height direction of the heat exchange chamber. Each layer of flow chambers independently supplies water to a specific row of heat exchange tubes, avoiding the flow deviation phenomenon caused by uneven pressure in a traditional single chamber. A low-temperature inlet pipe 24 is installed at the inlet chamber, and a high-temperature outlet pipe 25 is installed at the outlet chamber. One flow chamber corresponds to two rows of heat exchange tubes 23, forming a circulation system. Each group is supplied with water by an independent flow chamber, ensuring that the flow rate, velocity, and pressure of the cooling medium in each group of heat exchange tubes remain consistent, guaranteeing that the two rows of heat exchange tubes on the same horizontal plane have the same heat exchange capacity. This modular corresponding structure not only improves the uniformity of flow distribution among the heat exchange tubes in the entire chamber, but also allows for local isolation by closing the passage of the corresponding flow chamber when some heat exchange tubes need maintenance or cleaning, without affecting the normal operation of other heat exchange module groups, thus improving the convenience of equipment maintenance and operational reliability. It should be noted that the inner cavity of the above-mentioned water collection tank adopts a partitioned structure; however, it can also be designed as a connected structure as needed.

[0038] The cooling medium (cooling water) enters from the low-temperature inlet pipe 24 at the bottom of the water collection tank I22, passes through a series of heat exchange tubes 23, and exits from the high-temperature outlet pipe 25 at the top of the water collection tank II26. Because the temperature of the cooling medium (cooling water) gradually increases from the low-temperature inlet pipe 24 to the high-temperature outlet pipe 25, the temperature difference between the rice material and the heat exchange tubes 23 can be stably maintained within a narrow range throughout the entire operation of the cooling heat exchange unit. Uniform heat transfer allows the heat exchange tubes to fully utilize their conductivity, and the smaller temperature difference also mitigates the cold shock effect on the rice material, thereby preventing the initiation and further expansion of rice grain cracks. To comprehensively monitor the operation of the temperature control and conditioning equipment, temperature detection and flow detection and control devices (not shown in the figure) are respectively installed at the low-temperature inlet pipe 24 and the high-temperature outlet pipe 25.

[0039] In this embodiment, the fixed collection plate 34 is fixed to the upper part of the conditioning chamber 31, and the adjustable collection plate 32 is hinged to the upper part of the conditioning chamber 31, forming a discharge gap between the adjustable collection plate 32 and the fixed collection plate 34. A camshaft 35 is provided on the back of the adjustable collection plate 32, and a cam 36 is provided on the camshaft 35 that is driveably connected to the adjustable collection plate 32. The camshaft 35 is driveably connected to the drive mechanism 39. The drive mechanism 39 drives the adjustable collection plate 32 to rotate around the hinge point through the camshaft 35 and the cam 36, thereby adjusting the width of the discharge gap; thus achieving the best matching effect between the discharge amount and the spray amount of the atomizing tube 33. The drive mechanism 39 can be a motor-driven sprocket and chain mechanism or a motor-driven quadrilateral linkage mechanism.

[0040] Example 4 discloses a temperature-controlled conditioning device for the entire rice milling process, further optimized from Example 3. In this example, the fixed collecting plate 34 is an angular plate, i.e., its cross-section is angular. The corner of the angular plate is fixed to the upper part of the conditioning chamber 31. Atomizing tubes 33 are provided on the two inner surfaces of the angular plate. One end of the atomizing tube 33 is connected to the atomizing water inlet pipe 37 provided on the conditioning chamber 31, forming a dual-sided synchronous humidification mode. This structure avoids the problem of uneven humidity in the material layer caused by single-sided spraying, ensuring that the material particles on the entire cross-section can obtain uniform moisture adhesion. An angular seat 321 is also provided on the upper part of the conditioning chamber 31. Adjustable collecting plates 32 are symmetrically hinged to the angular seat 321. The adjustable collecting plates 32 located on the left and right sides of the angular seat 321 rotate simultaneously around the hinge point. When the drive mechanism is activated, the left and right adjustable aggregate plates open and close synchronously at the same angle, avoiding gap deviation or material flow deviation caused by unilateral adjustment.

[0041] This embodiment is a preferred solution, such as Figure 6As shown, the camshaft 35 is connected to the drive mechanism 39 via the cam linkage mechanism 38. The drive mechanism 39 includes a stepper motor 391 mounted on the outer wall of the conditioning chamber 31. The cam linkage mechanism 38 includes an upper linkage mechanism and a lower linkage mechanism. The upper linkage mechanism is connected to the camshaft 35 corresponding to the adjustable collection plate 32 located on the left side of the angled seat 321. The lower linkage mechanism is connected to the camshaft 35 corresponding to the adjustable collection plate 32 located on the right side of the angled seat 321. This enables a single power source to drive the adjustable collection plates on both sides to move synchronously. Specifically, both the upper and lower linkage mechanisms are fixedly connected to a rocker arm 381 on the camshaft 35. The other end of the rocker arm 381 is hinged to a connecting rod 382. The stepper motor 391 is connected to the connecting rod 382 of the upper linkage mechanism via an active rocker arm 385. The cam linkage mechanism adopts a transmission form where the rocker arm and connecting rod are hinged, accurately converting the rotational motion of the stepper motor into the oscillation of the adjustable collection plate around the hinge point. The rocker arm is fixedly connected to the camshaft, forming a defined rigid transmission relationship. The two ends of the connecting rod are hinged to the rocker arm and the main rocker arm, respectively, forming a planar linkage mechanism. This mechanism features high motion certainty, small transmission backlash, and controllable hysteresis. It can precisely transmit the stepping angle of the stepper motor to the adjustable material collection plate proportionally, achieving micro- and quantitative adjustment of the material feeding gap width. One camshaft 35 of the upper linkage mechanism is connected to one camshaft 35 of the lower linkage mechanism via a gear pair 383. The reverse transmission characteristic of the gear pair naturally enables the left and right adjustable material collection plates to swing synchronously in opposite directions (i.e., synchronous opening and closing), perfectly matching the symmetrical hinged structure of the angled seat, ensuring that the gap width on both sides is always equal, and that material feeding is uniform and stable.

[0042] This embodiment takes four fixed collecting plates and eight adjustable collecting plates as an example, forming eight feeding gaps and correspondingly setting eight camshafts 35. The rockers on two adjacent camshafts are connected by connecting rods. When the stepper motor 391 (whose main shaft axis coincides with the axis of the rightmost camshaft) connected to the rightmost main rocker receives a signal and rotates a certain angle, it drives the other three rockers connected to it to rotate by the same angle through the three connecting rods on the upper side. The camshaft connected to the second rocker on the left side of the upper linkage mechanism and the camshaft connected to the second rocker on the right side of the lower linkage mechanism are respectively connected by gear pairs 383. When the second rocker on the left side connected to the upper connecting rod rotates by an angle with the upper connecting rod, the second rocker on the right side connected to the lower connecting rod rotates by the same angle in the opposite direction through the conversion of gear pairs 383. Similarly, the second rocker on the right side connected to the lower connecting rod drives the other three rockers connected to it to rotate by the same angle in the same direction through the three connecting rods on the lower side. This enables the synchronized opening and closing adjustment of the four adjustable aggregate plates on the right and the four adjustable aggregate plates on the left.

[0043] In practical use, based on the process design and rice temperature rise, this temperature control and conditioning equipment is connected to each milling process of the rice processing production line. When the production line starts working, the high-temperature rice material flowing out of the rice mill enters through the feed inlet 11 of the feeding unit 1. Due to the special structural design of the distributor 14, the rice material passing through the distributor 14 can be evenly distributed in the area where the heat exchange tubes 23 of the cooling heat exchange unit 2 are located, and gradually moves downwards under its own gravity. The cooling medium (cooling water) entering from the low-temperature water inlet pipe 24 passes through the series-connected heat exchange tubes 23 and is discharged from the high-temperature water outlet pipe 25. Through continuous contact with the tube wall or fins of the heat exchange tubes 23, the rice material transfers heat to the circulating cooling medium (cooling water). Because the rice material moves from top to bottom, while the cooling medium (cooling water) inside the heat exchange tube 23 flows from bottom to top, the warmer rice material comes into contact with the relatively warmer heat exchange tube wall and fins, while the cooler rice material comes into contact with the relatively cooler heat exchange tube wall and fins. This ensures that the temperature difference between the rice material and the heat exchange tube 23 remains consistently within a narrow range. When the rice material moves into the gap formed by the adjustable collection plate 32 and the fixed collection plate 34 in the humidification and conditioning unit 3, it is humidified by spraying water through the atomizing pipe 33 installed below the fixed collection plate 34. Based on the real-time detection results of the feed temperature and humidity sensor 12, the discharge temperature and humidity sensor 43, the temperature and flow detection devices installed on the low-temperature water inlet pipe 24 and the high-temperature water outlet pipe 25, and the material level detection device installed below the material distributor bracket 21, the control unit adjusts the water inlet volume and water temperature of the low-temperature water inlet pipe 24 and the atomizing pipe 33, as well as the rotation angle of the stepper motor 385 in real time. At the same time, the control unit displays the above data on the display screen and transmits it to the central control terminal of the production line to generate shift reports and daily reports.

[0044] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for temperature control and conditioning throughout the rice milling process, characterized in that: Each time the rice material is milled, it is cooled and / or conditioned. The specific process is as follows: S1, the rice material coming out of the rice mill is evenly spread by the feeder of the feeding unit (1) in the area where the heat exchange tube of the cooling heat exchange unit (2) is located, and the rice material gradually moves downward under its own gravity. S2. A flowing low-temperature cooling medium is introduced into the heat exchange tube, and the heat exchange tube comes into contact with the rice material and removes heat to reduce the temperature of the rice material. S3. When the rice material moves to the discharge gap between the adjustable collection plate and the fixed collection plate in the humidification and conditioning unit (3), the atomizing pipe installed below the fixed collection plate selectively sprays humidification onto the rice material according to the feed temperature and humidity and the discharge temperature and humidity. S4. During the spray humidification process, the steam formed by the vaporization of water is extracted through the exhaust port of the feeding unit, and at the same time, the exhaust process carries away some of the heat from the rice material. S5. The rice material is discharged through the discharge unit (4), so that the rice material is cooled and / or conditioned once after each whitening.

2. The method for temperature control and conditioning throughout the rice milling process according to claim 1, characterized in that: The material discharge rate is adjusted by controlling the width of the discharge gap formed by the adjustable and fixed material discharge plates; the spray volume and spray temperature are controlled by adjusting the water inlet flow rate, water inlet temperature and air pressure of the atomizing tube.

3. A temperature control and conditioning device for the entire rice milling process, characterized in that: Based on the rice milling temperature control and conditioning method according to claim 1 or 2; the equipment includes a feeding unit (1), a cooling heat exchange unit (2), a humidification and conditioning unit (3), and a discharging unit (4) arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The feeding unit (1) includes a feeding bin (13), a feeder (14) is provided inside the feeding bin (13), and a feeding temperature and humidity sensor (12) is provided at the feeding port (11) of the feeding bin (13). The cooling heat exchange unit (2) includes a heat exchange chamber (27), which is equipped with multiple heat exchange tubes (23). A water collection tank is provided on the outer wall of the heat exchange chamber (27), and the heat exchange tubes (23) are connected to the water collection tank. The humidification and conditioning unit (3) includes a conditioning chamber (31), which is equipped with an adjustable collection plate (32) and a fixed collection plate (34). The fixed collection plate (34) is equipped with an atomizing tube (33) at the bottom. The adjustable collection plate (32) is connected to a drive mechanism (39) installed on the conditioning chamber (31). Under the action of the drive mechanism (39), the adjustable collection plate (32) and the fixed collection plate (34) form a material discharge gap with adjustable gap width. The discharge unit (4) includes a discharge bin (41), and a discharge temperature and humidity sensor (43) is provided at the discharge port of the discharge bin (41).

4. The temperature control and conditioning equipment for the entire rice milling process according to claim 3, characterized in that: The feed hopper (13) is sealed to the heat exchange hopper (27); the feed hopper (13) is a conical hopper, and the distributor (14) is a conical distributor. The upper part of the conical distributor corresponds to the feed inlet (11), and the lower part is connected to the distributor bracket (21) set on the upper part of the heat exchange hopper (27); the conical hopper is a quadrangular pyramid, and the conical distributor is a quadrangular pyramid structure composed of four distribution plates; the feed hopper (13) is provided with an exhaust port (15), and the exhaust port (15) is provided with an exhaust filter (16).

5. The temperature control and conditioning equipment for the entire rice milling process according to claim 3, characterized in that: Each side of the tapered fabric feeder is provided with at least one set of trapezoidal or rectangular through holes.

6. The temperature control and conditioning equipment for the entire rice milling process according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: The heat exchange tubes (23) inside the heat exchange chamber (27) are arranged in an n-row m-column matrix, n≥2, m≥2, and the heat exchange tubes (23) in adjacent rows are intersected; the inner wall of the heat exchange chamber (27) is provided with a guide plate (28) corresponding to the heat exchange tubes (23); the heat exchange tubes (23) are plain tubes with a circular, elliptical or flat elongated cross section; or the heat exchange tubes (23) are finned tubes with a finned circular, elliptical or flat elongated cross section.

7. The temperature control and conditioning equipment for the entire rice milling process according to claim 6, characterized in that: The water collection tank includes a first water collection tank (22) and a second water collection tank (26). The first water collection tank (22) and the second water collection tank (26) are connected to the inlet and outlet of the heat exchange tube (23) at both ends, respectively. The first water collection tank (22) is provided with an inlet chamber and several flow chambers from bottom to top. The second water collection tank (26) is provided with an outlet chamber and several flow chambers from top to top. The inlet chamber is provided with a low temperature inlet pipe (24), and the outlet chamber is provided with a high temperature outlet pipe (25). One flow chamber corresponds to two rows of heat exchange tubes (23).

8. The temperature control and conditioning equipment for the entire rice milling process according to claim 3, 4, or 7, characterized in that: The fixed collection plate (34) is fixed on the upper part of the conditioning silo (31), and the adjustable collection plate (32) is hinged on the upper part of the conditioning silo (31), forming a discharge gap between the adjustable collection plate (32) and the fixed collection plate (34). The back of the adjustable collection plate (32) is provided with a camshaft (35), and the camshaft (35) is provided with a cam (36) that is connected to the adjustable collection plate (32) in a transmission manner. The camshaft (35) is connected to the drive mechanism (39) in a transmission manner. The drive mechanism (39) drives the adjustable collection plate (32) to rotate around the hinge point through the camshaft (35) and the cam (36), thereby adjusting the width of the discharge gap.

9. The temperature control and conditioning equipment for the entire rice milling process according to claim 8, characterized in that: The fixed collection plate (34) is an angle plate, and the corner of the angle plate is fixed to the upper part of the conditioning chamber (31). The two inner surfaces of the angle plate are provided with atomizing tubes (33). One end of the atomizing tube (33) is connected to the atomizing water inlet pipe (37) provided on the conditioning chamber (31). An angle seat (321) is also provided on the upper part of the conditioning chamber (31). An adjustable collection plate (32) is symmetrically hinged on the angle seat (321). The adjustable collection plate (32) located on the left side of the angle seat (321) and the adjustable collection plate (32) located on the right side of the angle seat (321) rotate around the hinge point at the same time.

10. The temperature control and conditioning equipment for the entire rice milling process according to claim 9, characterized in that: The camshaft (35) is connected to the drive mechanism (39) via a cam linkage mechanism (38); the drive mechanism (39) includes a stepper motor (391) mounted on the outer wall of the conditioning chamber (31), and the cam linkage mechanism (38) includes an upper linkage mechanism and a lower linkage mechanism. The upper linkage mechanism is connected to the camshaft (35) corresponding to the adjustable collection plate (32) located on the left side of the angled seat (321); the lower linkage mechanism is connected to the adjustable collection plate (35) located on the right side of the angled seat (321). 2) The corresponding camshaft (35) is connected by transmission; the upper linkage mechanism and the lower linkage mechanism are both fixedly connected to the rocker arm (381) on the camshaft (35), and the other end of the rocker arm (381) is hinged to the connecting rod (382). The stepper motor (391) is connected to the connecting rod (382) of the upper linkage mechanism through the active rocker arm (385); the camshaft (35) corresponding to the upper linkage mechanism is connected to the camshaft (35) of the lower linkage mechanism through the gear pair (383).

Images