Clean steam defoaming system

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of food production equipment, and particularly relates to a clean steam defoaming system which is applied to a temporary storage tank, high-pressure steam is conveyed to a steam-water separation device through a first steam pipe, and dry steam is obtained after moisture in the steam is separated in the steam-water separation device; the steam is conveyed to the steam purification device through the second steam pipe to be purified into clean steam, the clean steam is conveyed into the temporary storage tank through the third steam pipe and then sprayed to the surface of the material through the steam spraying device, and foam on the surface of the material is broken and eliminated under the action of steam pressure. Material waste caused by the fact that foam cannot be conveyed into the system by a material pump to participate in next production can be avoided; the influence on the service life of the material pump caused by cavitation of an impeller of the material pump due to the fact that part of foam is carried into the material pump by materials can be avoided; a defoaming agent does not need to be used, so that the pollution to materials is avoided, and the food safety problem is also avoided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model belongs to the technical field of food production equipment, and in particular relates to a clean steam defoaming system. Background Art

[0002] In some food production processes, especially in the production of dairy products, beverages and other drinks, temporary storage tanks such as balancing tanks, material tanks, batching tanks, and cans for loading are often used to mix the materials after mixing or temporarily store the materials. They are indispensable equipment for dairy and beverage factories. However, many materials have the property of foaming, and foam will be generated during the batching and transportation process. This foam liquid cannot be transported by the material pump into the system to participate in the next production step, resulting in waste. Moreover, if the material entering the material pump contains bubbles, it will cause cavitation on the material pump impeller, causing damage to the equipment and shortening the service life of the pump equipment. In addition, if the material entering the heat exchange device contains foam, it will also cause scaling, reduce heat exchange efficiency, shorten operating time, and thus affect the normal operation of the equipment.

[0003] At present, traditional defoaming methods include physical methods and chemical methods. The most commonly used method is the chemical method, which is to add defoaming agents for defoaming. However, for food, from the perspective of product stability and health, the defoaming agents used are often additives and have a narrow scope of application. They are not an ideal choice for solving defoaming problems in the production process, especially in the food industry, and are prone to food safety hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Based on this, the present application provides a clean steam defoaming system to solve the technical problems in the prior art where the foam liquid cannot be transported into the system by the material pump to participate in the next production, resulting in waste, some foam entering the material affects the service life of the pump equipment and the normal operation of the heat exchange equipment, and the defoaming agent easily creates food safety hazards.

[0005] The technical solutions of this application to solve the above technical problems are as follows:

[0006] A clean steam defoaming system for eliminating foam in temporary storage tanks, comprising:

[0007] a first steam pipe, wherein an outlet of the first steam pipe is connected to a steam-water separation device;

[0008] a second steam pipe, wherein the gas phase outlet of the steam-water separation device is connected to the inlet of the second steam pipe, and the outlet of the second steam pipe is connected to a steam purification device;

[0009] a third steam pipe, wherein the outlet of the steam purification device is connected to the inlet of the third steam pipe;

[0010] A steam eruption device is provided at the inner top end of the temporary storage tank, the outlet of the third steam pipe is connected to the steam eruption device, and the steam eruption device has a plurality of nozzles for spraying clean steam toward the foam in the temporary storage tank.

[0011] Preferably, the above-mentioned clean steam defoaming system further includes a master control electric valve, which is arranged on the first steam pipe and located at the inlet of the steam-water separation device.

[0012] Preferably, the above-mentioned clean steam defoaming system further includes a pressure regulating valve, which is provided on the first steam pipe and located between the master control electric valve and the steam-water separation device.

[0013] Preferably, the above-mentioned clean steam defoaming system further comprises a control system, wherein the control system comprises a PLC controller.

[0014] Preferably, the above-mentioned clean steam defoaming system also includes a pressure detection device, which is arranged on the third steam pipe and located between the steam purification device and the inlet of the temporary storage tank. The pressure detection device and the pressure regulating valve are both electrically connected to the PLC controller.

[0015] Preferably, in the above-mentioned clean steam defoaming system, the temporary storage tank is further provided with a temperature detection device, the temperature detection device is electrically connected to the PLC controller, and the temperature detection device is used to detect the temperature of the material in the temporary storage tank.

[0016] Preferably, in the above-mentioned clean steam defoaming system, an exhaust valve is further provided at the top of the temporary storage tank for discharging excess steam in the temporary storage tank.

[0017] Preferably, in the above-mentioned clean steam defoaming system, the liquid phase outlet of the steam-water separation device is connected to a condensed water discharge pipe, and the condensed water separated by the steam-water separation device is discharged through the condensed water discharge pipe.

[0018] Compared with the prior art, this application has at least the following advantages:

[0019] The clean steam defoaming system of the present application is applied to a temporary storage tank. High-pressure steam is transported to a steam-water separation device through a first steam pipe. After the water in the steam is separated in the steam-water separation device, dry steam is obtained. The dry steam is transported to a steam purification device through a second steam pipe. The steam is purified into clean steam by the steam purification device. The clean steam is transported to the interior of the temporary storage tank through a third steam pipe and then sprayed onto the surface of the material through a steam spraying device. The foam on the surface of the material is broken by the steam pressure, thereby eliminating the foam. This can avoid the waste of materials caused by the foam not being transported into the system by the material pump to participate in the next production step; at the same time, it can avoid the cavitation of the material pump impeller caused by part of the foam being entrained into the material pump by the material, thereby affecting the life of the material pump; using this clean steam defoaming method, there is no need to use a defoaming agent, will not cause pollution to the material, and will not cause food safety problems; the clean steam treated by the steam-water separation device and the steam purification device is dry and hygienic, can be in direct contact with food, and will not have adverse effects on the material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the clean steam defoaming system of this application.

[0021] In the figure: temporary storage tank 100, material pump 110, exhaust valve 120, temperature detection device 130, first steam pipe 210, second steam pipe 220, third steam pipe 230, pressure detection device 231, steam-water separation device 300, gas phase outlet 310, liquid phase outlet 320, condensate discharge pipe 330, steam purification device 400, steam eruption device 500, main control electric valve 610, pressure regulating valve 620. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] To facilitate understanding of the present application, a more comprehensive description of the present application will be provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings illustrate preferred embodiments of the present application. However, the present application may be implemented in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to provide a more thorough and comprehensive understanding of the disclosure of the present application.

[0023] It should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "disposed on" another element, it may be directly on the other element or there may be an intermediate element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it may be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intermediate element. The terms "vertical," "horizontal," "left," "right," "top," "bottom," "bottom end," "top end," and similar expressions used herein are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only implementation methods.

[0024] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this application belongs. The terms used in the specification herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit this application. The term "and / or" as used herein includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0025] Please see Figure 1In a specific embodiment of the present application, a clean steam defoaming system is provided for eliminating foam in a temporary storage tank, comprising: a first steam pipe 210, the outlet of the first steam pipe 210 being connected to a steam-water separation device 300; a second steam pipe 220, the gas phase outlet 310 of the steam-water separation device 300 being connected to the inlet of the second steam pipe 220, the outlet of the second steam pipe 220 being connected to a steam purification device 400; a third steam pipe 230, the outlet of the steam purification device 400 being connected to the inlet of the third steam pipe 230; a steam eruption device 500, the steam eruption device 500 being arranged at the inner top end of the temporary storage tank 100, the outlet of the third steam pipe 230 being connected to the steam eruption device 500, the steam eruption device 500 having a plurality of nozzles for spraying clean steam toward the foam in the temporary storage tank 100. When the system is working, high-pressure steam is transported to the steam-water separation device 300 through the first steam pipe 210. After the water in the steam is separated in the steam-water separation device 300, dry steam is obtained. The dry steam is discharged from the gas phase outlet 310 of the steam-water separation device 300 and transported to the steam purification device 400 through the second steam pipe 220. The steam is purified into clean steam by the steam purification device 400. The clean steam is transported to the interior of the temporary storage tank 100 through the third steam pipe 230, and then sprayed onto the surface of the material through the steam spraying device 500. The foam on the surface of the material is broken by the steam pressure, thereby eliminating the foam. It is worth noting that the temporary storage tank 100 in the present application includes but is not limited to a balancing cylinder, a material tank, a batching tank, a tank to be loaded, etc. The steam-water separator 300 is used to separate water from steam, converting high-pressure steam into dry steam. It is typically a clean steam-water separator, and can be a baffle-type steam-water separator, a cyclone or centrifugal separator, an adsorption separator, or the like, as needed. In this application, a stainless steel clean steam-water separator is preferred. The steam purification device 400 processes the dry steam in the second steam pipe 220 into food-grade clean air suitable for direct food contact. In this application, a clean steam filter is preferred. The steam spraying device 500 primarily sprays clean steam evenly into the temporary storage tank 100 to eliminate foam on the surface of the material. To ensure that the sprayed clean steam more evenly and comprehensively covers the entire surface of the material in the temporary storage tank 100, the steam spraying device 500 is preferably a spray ball. If the foam ejected from the steam spraying device 500 is directed away from the foam surface, it will not be able to break up the foam. Therefore, the steam ejected from the steam spraying device 500 is directed toward the foam in the temporary storage tank 100 to eliminate the foam.

[0026] The use of the clean steam defoaming system of the present application can avoid material waste caused by the foam not being transported into the system by the material pump 110 to participate in the next production; at the same time, it can avoid part of the foam being entrained into the material pump 110 by the material, causing cavitation of the material pump 110 impeller and affecting the life of the material pump 110; using clean steam for defoaming, there is no need to use a defoaming agent, will not cause pollution to the material, and will not cause food safety problems; the clean steam treated by the steam-water separation device 300 and the steam purification device 400 is dry and hygienic, can be in direct contact with food, and will not have adverse effects on the material; using a spray ball, the clean steam can be more evenly and comprehensively covered on the material surface of the entire storage tank 100, that is, the foam surface, breaking the foam in all directions, leaving no dead corners, and improving the defoaming efficiency.

[0027] The clean steam defoaming system performs defoaming during the working intervals of the temporary storage tank 100. For example, after the batching tank has finished batching, the clean steam defoaming system stops working while the temporary storage tank 100 is in operation. Therefore, the steam pipe must be closed. Therefore, the clean steam defoaming system also includes a master control electric valve 610, which is installed on the first steam pipe 210 and located at the inlet of the steam-water separator 300. When defoaming is required, the master control electric valve 610 opens, and the clean steam defoaming system begins defoaming. During the batching process, the master control electric valve 610 closes, and the clean steam defoaming system stops working. This ensures that the defoaming process is well coordinated with the working process of the temporary storage tank 100.

[0028] Although the steam pressure in the first steam pipe 210 is very high, in actual operation, the steam pressure entering the temporary storage tank 100 for defoaming determines the spray distance. Therefore, the diameter of the temporary storage tank 100 determines the steam pressure. In other words, the required defoaming steam pressure for non-standard temporary storage tanks 100 varies and is generally lower than the pressure of the high-pressure steam in the first steam pipe 210. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the clean steam defoaming system further includes a pressure regulating valve 620, which is disposed on the first steam pipe 210 and located between the master control electric valve 610 and the steam-water separator 300. By adjusting the pressure regulating valve 620 to meet the defoaming pressure required at different application sites, the clean steam defoaming system has a wider applicability.

[0029] In another specific embodiment of the present application, the clean steam defoaming system further includes a control system, wherein the control system includes a PLC controller, and the PLC controller is electrically connected to the master control electric valve.

[0030] After the temporary storage tank 100 is loaded with materials, the materials need to be defoamed. This step is typically time-controlled. Specifically, a predetermined time is set for the materials to be loaded. When the time is reached, a signal is sent via a time relay to the PLC controller. Upon receiving the signal, the PLC issues a command to open the master control electric valve 610, beginning defoaming. After the predetermined defoaming time (typically set based on the amount of foam generated by different materials), another signal is sent via a time relay to the PLC controller. Upon receiving the signal, the PLC issues a command to close the master control electric valve 610, ending defoaming. This automated control method improves work efficiency and reduces manual operation.

[0031] Furthermore, the clean steam defoaming system also includes a pressure detection device 231, which is arranged on the third steam pipe 230 and is located between the steam purification device 400 and the inlet of the temporary storage tank 100. The pressure detection device 231 and the pressure regulating valve 620 are both electrically connected to the PLC controller. The pressure detection device 231 can be a pressure gauge, a pressure sensor, or a pressure transmitter. The pressure detection device 231 is used to detect the clean steam pressure in the third steam pipe 230 at the inlet of the temporary storage tank 100. When the clean steam pressure is higher or lower than the required defoaming pressure, the pressure detection device 231 sends a signal to the PLC. After receiving the signal, the PLC sends an instruction to the pressure regulating valve 620, thereby controlling the opening of the pressure regulating valve 620 so that the clean steam pressure meets the pressure required for defoaming, thereby realizing dynamic adjustment of the defoaming pressure.

[0032] As an improvement, a liquid level detection device can be provided on the temporary storage tank 100, and the liquid level detection device is also electrically connected to the pressure regulating valve 620 and the PLC. When the foam liquid level in the temporary storage tank 100 drops during the defoaming process, the liquid level detection device sends a signal to the PLC. After receiving the signal, the PLC sends an instruction to the pressure regulating valve 620, and adjusts the opening of the pressure regulating valve 620 according to the change of the foam liquid level, so that the pressure of the clean steam sprayed into the temporary storage tank 100 increases, so as to meet the requirement of spraying the foam at a longer spraying distance caused by the drop in the foam liquid level.

[0033] The high-pressure steam in the first steam pipe 210 is typically relatively high in temperature. Although the clean steam obtained after treatment by the steam-water separator 300 and the steam purification device 400 still has a certain temperature, spraying it into the temporary storage tank 100 may increase the temperature of the material. Different materials have different temperature requirements. In particular, some materials may denature due to excessively high temperatures, affecting the material quality. Therefore, in a preferred embodiment, the temporary storage tank 100 is also provided with a temperature detection device 130. The temperature detection device 130 is electrically connected to the PLC controller and is used to detect the temperature of the material in the temporary storage tank 100. The temperature detection device 130 can be in the form of a thermometer combined with a temperature sensor. An upper limit for defoaming temperature is set according to different materials. When the material temperature reaches this limit, the temperature detection device 130 sends a signal to the PLC. Upon receiving the signal, the PLC issues a command to control the master control electric valve 610 to close, stopping steam injection, to ensure that the material temperature does not exceed the upper limit and affect the material quality.

[0034] During the defoaming process, the clean steam defoaming system sprays a certain amount of steam into the temporary storage tank 100, which increases the pressure in the temporary storage tank 100. Furthermore, an exhaust valve 120 is provided at the top of the temporary storage tank 100 to discharge excess steam in the temporary storage tank 100, thereby preventing excessive pressure in the temporary storage tank 100 from affecting the normal operation of the equipment.

[0035] As mentioned above, the function of the steam-water separation device 300 is to separate the water in the steam, so the separated water must be discharged. Therefore, the liquid phase outlet 320 of the steam-water separation device 300 is connected to the condensed water discharge pipe 330, and the condensed water separated by the steam-water separation device 300 is discharged through the condensed water discharge pipe 330.

[0036] The above embodiments merely illustrate several implementation methods of the present application. While the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art may make various modifications and improvements without departing from the spirit of the present application, all of which fall within the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present patent application shall be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A clean steam defoaming system, characterized in that: For defoaming in holding tanks, including: a first steam pipe, wherein an outlet of the first steam pipe is connected to a steam-water separation device; a second steam pipe, wherein the gas phase outlet of the steam-water separation device is connected to the inlet of the second steam pipe, and the outlet of the second steam pipe is connected to a steam purification device; a third steam pipe, wherein the outlet of the steam purification device is connected to the inlet of the third steam pipe; A steam eruption device is provided at the inner top end of the temporary storage tank, the outlet of the third steam pipe is connected to the steam eruption device, and the steam eruption device has a plurality of nozzles for spraying clean steam toward the foam in the temporary storage tank.

2. The clean steam defoaming system according to claim 1, characterized in that: It also includes a master control electric valve, which is arranged on the first steam pipe and located at the inlet of the steam-water separation device.

3. The clean steam defoaming system according to claim 2, characterized in that: It also includes a pressure regulating valve, which is arranged on the first steam pipe and located between the master control electric valve and the steam-water separation device.

4. The clean steam defoaming system according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a control system, which includes a PLC controller. The PLC controller is electrically connected to the master control electric valve.

5. The clean steam defoaming system according to claim 4, characterized in that: It also includes a pressure detection device, which is arranged on the third steam pipe and located between the steam purification device and the inlet of the temporary storage tank. The pressure detection device and the pressure regulating valve are both electrically connected to the PLC controller.

6. The clean steam defoaming system according to claim 4, characterized in that: The temporary storage tank is also provided with a temperature detection device, which is electrically connected to the PLC controller and is used to detect the temperature of the material in the temporary storage tank.

7. The clean steam defoaming system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The top of the temporary storage tank is also provided with an exhaust valve for discharging excess steam in the temporary storage tank.

8. The clean steam defoaming system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The liquid phase outlet of the steam-water separation device is connected to a condensed water discharge pipe, and the condensed water separated by the steam-water separation device is discharged through the condensed water discharge pipe.

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