Quick-freezing device for garlic bulbs
By designing a garlic quick-freezing device consisting of a pre-cooling tank, a quick-freezing chamber, and a uniform cooling chamber, and combining it with an lifting and discharging mechanism and liquid nitrogen-ethanol freezing liquid, the problem of rapid garlic freezing was solved, achieving efficient preservation of allicin and improved product purity.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520487440.8
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-03-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-23
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-03-19
AI Technical Summary
In the current garlic dehydration process, allicin has poor thermal stability, causing it to gradually decompose at room temperature, which affects the purity of the product. Although vacuum freeze drying is the mainstream method, it is not very efficient and makes it difficult to achieve rapid freezing of garlic.
A garlic quick-freezing device was designed, comprising a pre-cooling tank, a quick-freezing chamber, and a uniform cooling chamber. The device utilizes a lifting and discharging mechanism to achieve intermittent continuous freezing of garlic. A low-temperature environment is maintained through an insulation layer and a vacuum chamber to avoid heat exchange between cold and hot air. Liquid nitrogen ethanol cryogenic liquid is used for rapid freezing.
This technology enables rapid and continuous freezing of garlic, maintains the stability of allicin, improves product purity, and reduces freezing time and energy consumption.
Smart Images
Figure CN223826579U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model applies to the food industry and relates to equipment for manufacturing garlic powder, specifically a device for quick-freezing garlic. Background Technology
[0002] Garlic contains a variety of nutrients, including carbohydrates, fats, amino acids, proteins, vitamins, and enzymes. Alliin is a unique amino acid found in garlic, and alliinase, also known as garlic enzyme, is the most abundant enzyme found in garlic. The main bioactive component in garlic is allicin, a mixture of volatile compounds. It is a volatile, colorless liquid with a pungent odor formed when alliin and alliinase react with air during garlic crushing. Dehydrated garlic products include dehydrated garlic flakes, garlic granules, and garlic powder. Currently, commonly used dehydration methods include hot air drying, vacuum freeze-drying, and microwave vacuum drying. Because allicin has poor thermal stability, it gradually decomposes at room temperature (20℃). When the temperature exceeds 80℃, the decomposition rate accelerates significantly, leading to changes in its composition and a decrease in purity. Therefore, vacuum freeze-drying has become the mainstream method for producing high-quality dehydrated garlic products. This invention is designed for the rapid and continuous freezing of garlic. Utility Model Content
[0003] The technical problem solved by this utility model is to provide a garlic quick-freezing device, including a pre-cooling tank, a quick-freezing chamber, a uniform cooling chamber, etc., to realize the rapid freezing of garlic. The lifting and discharging mechanism in the quick-freezing chamber can realize the intermittent continuous cooling of garlic.
[0004] The technical solution adopted in this utility model is as follows: The garlic quick-freezing device of this utility model includes a pre-cooling tank, a quick-freezing tank, and a waiting tank covered by an insulation layer. The quick-freezing tank includes an outer tank body and an inner tank body fitted inside the outer tank body; the inner cavity of the inner tank body is divided into a quick-freezing chamber and a uniform cooling chamber that are connected from left to right. The bottom of the quick-freezing chamber is filled with freezing liquid, and the side connection port is connected to the upper part of the uniform cooling chamber. The top of the quick-freezing chamber is connected to the pre-cooling tank through a freezing tank inlet valve, and the bottom of the uniform cooling chamber is connected to the waiting tank through a freezing tank outlet valve. A lifting and discharging mechanism is provided inside the quick-freezing chamber.
[0005] Furthermore, the lifting and discharging mechanism includes guide rails, a mesh cylinder, and a cryogenic motor. The cryogenic motor is connected to the mesh cylinder via a suspension rope, and its power cable enters the quick-freezing chamber through a cable sealing block. The guide rails cooperate with the rolling balls of the mesh cylinder to constrain the movement of the mesh cylinder, allowing it to tilt after rising and lie flat after falling. The mesh cylinder includes a baffle forming a square cylinder, a bottom plate, and side plates, as well as rolling balls installed at the four corners of the bottom of the mesh cylinder. The baffle is located on the connecting port side and adopts a suspension structure. The baffle, bottom plate, and side plates are machined with through holes to facilitate the flow of refrigerant in and out. The guide rails are located at the four corners of the quick-freezing chamber. The two guide rails on the connecting port side are short vertical rails, and the two guide rails on the opposite side of the connecting port are long rails with a vertical lower part and an arc-shaped upper part, the arc being a rotating arc centered on the top of the short rails and away from the rolling balls at the connecting port.
[0006] Alternatively, the lifting and discharging mechanism includes a mesh cylinder and a rotating shaft; the rotating shaft is located at the bottom of the communication port and is fixedly connected to the side plate of the mesh cylinder, the side plate being inclined and located on the side of the communication port.
[0007] Furthermore, the inlet valve and outlet valve of the freezing tank are rotary valves, and the rotary plate is a hemispherical shape, which is sealed to the spherical surface of the valve body.
[0008] Furthermore, a vacuum cavity is formed between the inner and outer tanks, and a pad is installed inside the vacuum cavity. Alternatively, granular insulation material can be filled inside the vacuum cavity.
[0009] Furthermore, the upper end of the precooling tank is connected to the inlet via a precooling valve, which is a rotary valve with a hemispherical rotating plate that is sealed to the spherical surface of the valve body.
[0010] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This invention is equipped with a pre-cooling tank, a quick-freezing chamber, and a uniform cooling chamber to achieve rapid freezing of garlic. The lifting and discharging mechanism inside the quick-freezing chamber intermittently receives and discharges the garlic, enabling intermittent continuous operation of garlic freezing. A pre-cooling tank and a waiting tank are respectively set at the inlet and outlet of the quick-freezing tank to avoid direct heat exchange between the cold air inside the quick-freezing tank and the atmosphere. Together with the insulation layer and vacuum chamber, this ensures the low temperature of the quick-freezing tank. Attached Figure Description
[0011] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the main structure of this utility model;
[0012] Figure 2 for Figure 1 AA sectional view;
[0013] Figure 3 for Figure 1 BB cross-sectional diagram;
[0014] Figure 4 for Figure 1 CC cross-sectional view;
[0015] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of another structure for improving the discharge mechanism;
[0016] Among them: 1-Inlet, 2-Precooling valve, 3-Precooling tank, 4-Freezing tank inlet valve, 5-Outer tank body, 6-Inner tank body, 7-Padded block, 8-Guide rail, 9-Mesh cylinder body, 10-Refrigeration liquid, 11-Waiting tank, 12-Freezing tank outlet valve, 13-Cooling chamber, 14-Connecting port, 15-Vacuum chamber, 16-Hanging rope, 17-Cable sealing block, 18-Low temperature motor, 19-Quick freezing chamber, 20-Insulation layer, 21-Rotating shaft;
[0017] 91-Barrier, 92-Rolling ball, 93-Bottom plate of cylinder, 94-Side plate of cylinder. Detailed Implementation
[0018] The structure of this device is described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The drawings mainly show the main structure of this utility model. Structures or components not shown, such as reinforcing ribs, thermocouple heads, liquid nitrogen tubes, ethanol inlets, etc., are all existing technologies.
[0019] The structure of this utility model garlic quick-freezing device is shown in the attached figure. Figure 1-4 As shown, the system includes a pre-cooling tank 3, a quick-freezing tank, and a waiting tank 11, all covered by an insulation layer 20. The upper end of the pre-cooling tank 3 is connected to the garlic inlet 1 via a pre-cooling valve 2, and the lower end is connected to the quick-freezing tank via a quick-freezing tank inlet valve 4. The quick-freezing tank is connected to the waiting tank 11 below it via a quick-freezing tank outlet valve 12. The pre-cooling valve 2, quick-freezing tank inlet valve 4, and quick-freezing tank outlet valve 12 are all rotary valves. The rotary plate is hemispherical, utilizing the spherical seal between the hemispherical rotary plate and the valve body. When one side is open, the other side remains sealed. The maximum opening is halfway down the hemispherical rotary plate. This valve uses surface sealing, ensuring good sealing and flexible movement. The hemispherical rotary plate is made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a polymer compound formed by the polymerization of tetrafluoroethylene. PTFE possesses excellent chemical stability, corrosion resistance, sealing performance, high lubricity and non-stick properties, electrical insulation, good thermal insulation, and anti-aging resistance. When the temperature is below -180℃, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) materials can still maintain good mechanical properties and chemical stability, and their hardness and strength will not decrease significantly at extremely low temperatures.
[0020] The quick-freezing tank includes an outer tank body 5 and an inner tank body 6. The inner tank body 6 is made of food-grade stainless steel and is fitted inside the outer tank body 5. A vacuum chamber 15 is located between the two. A pad 7 is installed in the vacuum chamber 15 to fix and stabilize the inner tank body 6. The pad 7 is made of heat-insulating material to prevent heat diffusion between the inner and outer tanks. The inner cavity of the inner tank body 6 is divided into a quick-freezing chamber 19 and a cooling chamber 13, which are connected from left to right. The bottom of the quick-freezing chamber 19 contains the freezing liquid 10, and the side connection port 14 connects to the upper part of the cooling chamber 13. A freezer inlet valve 4 is installed at the top of the quick-freezing chamber, and a freezer outlet valve 12 is installed at the bottom of the cooling chamber.
[0021] A lifting and discharging mechanism is installed inside the quick-freezing chamber 19. This mechanism includes guide rails 8, a mesh cylinder 9, and a cryogenic motor 18. The cryogenic motor 18 is purchased externally and can operate in an environment of -40℃. The power cable of the cryogenic motor enters the quick-freezing chamber through a cable sealing block 17, which is also purchased externally. A lifting rope 16 is wound around the wheel of the cryogenic motor, and the other end of the rope 16 is connected to the mesh cylinder 9. The cryogenic motor drives the mesh cylinder 9 upwards via the rope 16. The guide rails 8 constrain the movement of the mesh cylinder 9. The guide rails are located at the four corners of the quick-freezing chamber, and their guide surfaces mate with the rolling balls 92 of the mesh cylinder 9. The two guide rails at the connection port 14 are short, vertical rails, while the guide rail at the opposite position of the connection port is a long rail with a vertical lower section and an arc-shaped upper section. When the rolling ball reaches the top of the short rail, this arc is a rotating arc centered on the top of the short rail, moving away from the connection port.
[0022] The mesh cylinder 9 includes a baffle 91, ball bearings 92, a bottom plate 93, and side plates 94. The baffle 91, bottom plate 93, and side plates 94 form a square cylinder. The baffle 91 is located on the connecting port side and uses a suspended structure, allowing it to rotate freely. The bottom plate 93 and the other three side plates 94 are integrated. Through holes are machined in the baffle 91, bottom plate 93, and side plates 94 to facilitate the entry and exit of refrigerant into the square cylinder. The ball bearings 92 are installed at the four bottom corners of the mesh cylinder and cooperate with guide rails.
[0023] The cryogenic fluid 10 is a liquid nitrogen-ethanol cryogenic fluid. The ethanol is cooled to -15℃ to -25℃ by liquid nitrogen to become a cryogenic fluid. The ethanol is edible alcohol.
[0024] The above-described lifting and discharging mechanism is merely one example; other structures with lifting and discharging functions can be designed based on existing technology. (See attached diagram.) Figure 5 As shown, the lifting and discharging mechanism includes a rotating shaft 21 and a mesh cylinder 9. The rotating shaft 21 is located at the bottom of the connecting port 14 and is fixedly connected to a side plate 94 of the mesh cylinder 9. This side plate is located at the connecting port and is angled to facilitate the falling of garlic during tilting. The drive motor of the rotating shaft 21 is located outside the quick-freezing tank, and the bearing connection adopts a sealed structure, which can be directly purchased externally to ensure the vacuum degree of the vacuum chamber 15.
[0025] The operating principle of this invention is as follows: The pre-cooling valve opens, and peeled garlic cloves fall into the pre-cooling tank through the inlet. The pre-cooling valve is then closed. The temperature of the pre-cooling tank is maintained between 0℃ and -10℃, serving two purposes: pre-cooling the garlic cloves and preventing the direct release of cold air from the quick-freezing tank. The freezing tank inlet valve is then opened, and the garlic cloves in the pre-cooling tank fall into the mesh cylinder of the quick-freezing tank. The freezing tank inlet valve is then closed. The refrigerant in the mesh cylinder directly freezes the garlic cloves. After the required freezing time is reached, the cryogenic motor starts, and the suspension rope lifts the mesh cylinder upwards under the constraint of the guide rail. When the rollers on the mesh cylinder reach the top of the short rail, the rollers on the connecting port side stop, while the rollers on the opposite side of the connecting port continue to move along the arc of the long rail. At this point, the mesh cylinder tilts towards the connecting port side, and the baffle on the mesh cylinder remains vertical due to its own weight, effectively opening the baffle. The garlic cloves then roll from the mesh cylinder into the uniform cooling chamber. The low-temperature motor rotates, and the mesh cylinder falls under its own weight. Due to the constraints and limitations of the guide rail, the mesh cylinder finally falls to the bottom of the quick-freezing chamber in its initial state, returning to its original position to receive garlic. The freezing tank outlet valve is opened, and the garlic in the uniform cooling chamber falls into the waiting tank. The main function of the waiting tank is to prevent the cold air in the quick-freezing tank from being directly released, eliminating direct heat exchange with the atmosphere, acting as a buffer, and helping to save cold air. The garlic in the waiting tank is released and enters the next crushing process. The time that the garlic spends in the pre-cooling tank, quick-freezing chamber, uniform cooling chamber, and waiting tank is matched to ensure the continuity of garlic freezing.
[0026] To enhance the insulation effect of the vacuum chamber, granular insulation material is filled inside the vacuum chamber.
[0027] This invention features a pre-cooling tank and a waiting tank at the inlet and outlet of the quick-freezing tank, respectively, which eliminates direct heat exchange between the cold air inside the quick-freezing tank and the atmosphere, conserving cold air and ensuring the low temperature of the quick-freezing tank. The insulation layer and vacuum chamber increase heat transfer resistance, also contributing to maintaining the low temperature of the quick-freezing tank. A pre-cooling tank is installed before freezing the garlic, and a uniform cooling chamber is installed after quick-freezing to achieve rapid cooling of the garlic. The lifting and discharging mechanism can operate at low temperatures, and its intermittent receiving and discharging enables intermittent continuous operation of garlic freezing. The constraint of the guide rail ensures the deterministic movement of the mesh cylinder, meeting the requirements for stable operation.
Claims
1. A garlic quick freezing apparatus, characterized by: It includes a precooling tank (3) covered with an insulation layer, a quick-freezing tank, and a waiting tank (11); the quick-freezing tank includes an outer tank body (5) and an inner tank body (6) fitted inside the outer tank body (5); the inner cavity of the inner tank body (6) is divided into a quick-freezing chamber (19) and a uniform cooling chamber (13) connected to the left and right sides, the bottom of the quick-freezing chamber (19) is filled with freezing liquid, and the side connection port (14) is connected to the upper part of the uniform cooling chamber (13); the top of the quick-freezing chamber (19) is connected to the precooling tank (3) through the freezing tank inlet valve (4), and the bottom of the uniform cooling chamber (13) is connected to the waiting tank (11) through the freezing tank outlet valve (12); the quick-freezing chamber (19) is equipped with a lifting and discharging mechanism.
2. A garlic quick freezing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: The lifting and discharging mechanism includes a guide rail (8), a mesh cylinder (9), and a cryogenic motor (18); the cryogenic motor (18) is connected to the mesh cylinder (9) via a suspension rope (16), and the guide rail (8) cooperates with the ball bearing (92) of the mesh cylinder to constrain the movement of the mesh cylinder (9); The mesh cylinder (9) includes a gate (91) forming a square cylinder, a bottom plate (93) and a side plate (94), as well as rolling balls (92) installed at the four corners of the bottom of the mesh cylinder; the gate (91) is located on the side of the connecting opening and adopts a suspension structure; through holes are machined on the gate (91), the bottom plate (93) and the side plate (94); The guide rails (8) are set at the four corners of the quick-freezing chamber (19). The two guide rails (8) on the side of the connecting port are vertical short rails, and the two guide rails (8) on the opposite side of the connecting port are long rails with a vertical lower part and an arc shape at the upper part. The arc is a rotating arc with the top of the short rail as the center and away from the ball of the connecting port.
3. A garlic quick freezing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: The power cable of the cryogenic motor (18) enters the quick-freezing chamber (19) through the cable sealing block (17).
4. The garlic quick-freezing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The lifting and discharging mechanism includes a mesh cylinder (9) and a rotating shaft (21); the rotating shaft (21) is located at the bottom of the connecting port (14) and is fixedly connected to the cylinder side plate of the mesh cylinder (9). The cylinder side plate is inclined and located on the side of the connecting port.
5. The garlic quick-freezing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inlet valve (4) and outlet valve (12) of the freezer are rotary valves, and the rotary plate is a hemisphere, which is sealed to the spherical surface of the valve body.
6. The garlic quick-freezing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner tank (6) and the outer tank (5) are separated by a vacuum chamber (15), and a pad (7) is installed in the vacuum chamber (15).
7. The garlic quick-freezing device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The vacuum chamber (15) is filled with granular heat-insulating material.
8. The garlic quick-freezing device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper end of the precooling tank (3) is connected to the inlet via a precooling valve (2).