Cranberry puree concentration system

Abstract

The utility model discloses a concentration system for cranberry puree, which is characterized in that a sugar mixing tank is connected with a heating tank, the heating tank is connected with a circulating evaporation tank, the circulating evaporation tank is connected with a second cooler through a first cooler, and the second cooler is connected with a condensate water storage tank; the second cooler is provided with a vacuum port which is connected with a vacuum pump. According to the device disclosed by the utility model, the adjustment and concentration of the flavor of cranberry juice are realized at the same time, and the palatable cranberry puree is obtained in one step.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of cranberry processing technology, specifically relating to a cranberry pulp concentration system. Background Technology

[0002] Cranberries are a nutrient-rich berry, containing abundant proanthocyanidins, ellagic acid, phenolic acids, resveratrol, and other substances with antibacterial properties. Many studies have shown that cranberries can inhibit Helicobacter pylori infection and are effective in preventing gastric ulcers, gastric cancer, and duodenal ulcers. Furthermore, the flavonoids in cranberries have antioxidant functions in both in vivo and in vitro experiments, especially flavonols and proanthocyanidins, which have a preventive effect against atherosclerosis. Cranberries also have functions such as lowering blood pressure, preventing urinary tract infections, and preventing cardiovascular diseases. They also have various health benefits, including promoting bowel movements, lowering cholesterol, and antiviral properties, thus gaining increasing popularity among consumers. However, due to the geographical limitations of cranberry production and its short shelf life and difficulty in preservation, it is primarily consumed as dried cranberries and cranberry juice.

[0003] Raw, unpressed cranberry juice is high in acidity and water content, making it difficult to store and transport. Therefore, before further processing, it needs to be concentrated and sweetened to create a concentrated juice with cranberry color and flavor. Currently, most juice concentration technologies use single-effect or double-effect tubular falling film evaporation. However, this process involves evaporating the juice at high temperatures, which can easily cause denaturation, damaging its original natural color, aroma, flavor, and nutrients. Furthermore, it suffers from long heating times and low yield.

[0004] Chinese patent CN1058857C discloses a fruit juice concentration and sterilization process and apparatus. After preheating and sterilization, the fruit juice first enters a single-effect plate evaporator and a single-effect separator for heating, evaporation, and separation. The separated concentrated fruit juice then enters a double-effect plate evaporator and a double-effect separator for further evaporation and separation. Finally, it enters a triple-effect plate evaporator and a triple-effect separator for further evaporation and separation. This process uses low-temperature evaporation, resulting in a short concentration time and preserving the original color, aroma, flavor, and nutritional components of the fruit juice. It also saves energy, reduces costs, and offers high concentration efficiency and large evaporation capacity.

[0005] Chinese patent CN101313766A discloses a concentrated juice of black goji berries and its preparation method, including selection, rinsing, juicing, clarification and filtration, concentration, and bottling. The concentration is carried out using a vacuum concentration device and low temperature concentration, which does not destroy the natural nutrients of black goji berries and allows the natural nutritional and medicinal value of black goji berries to be fully utilized.

[0006] However, cranberry juice contains a high amount of acidic substances, and direct consumption may cause discomfort such as excessive stomach acid, stomach pain, and diarrhea. Therefore, in order to neutralize the acidic substances and improve the palatability of cranberry juice, it is necessary to add sugar and concentrate the cranberry juice to obtain cranberry puree. However, there is currently no concentration system suitable for cranberry juice. Summary of the Invention

[0007] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this utility model provides a cranberry puree concentration system that simultaneously adjusts and concentrates the flavor of cranberry juice, resulting in a palatable cranberry puree in one step.

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a cranberry puree concentration system, wherein a sugar mixing tank is connected to a heating tank, the heating tank is connected to a circulating evaporator, the circulating evaporator is connected via a first cooler and a second cooler, and the second cooler is connected to a condensate storage tank; the second cooler is provided with a vacuum port, which is connected to a vacuum pump.

[0009] Preferably, the sugar mixing tank is connected to both the sugar tank and the juice storage tank; the sugar mixing tank is equipped with a stirring device.

[0010] Preferably, the sugar mixing tank is connected to the heating tank pipeline via a switch valve; the pipeline is provided with a branch pipe, and a booster pump is provided on the branch pipe.

[0011] Preferably, the heating tank is connected to the steam storage tank, and the heating tank is provided with a first condensate outlet, which is connected to the condensate storage tank pipeline.

[0012] More preferably, the heating tank is cyclically connected to the circulating evaporator, and a sampling valve is provided on the pipeline connecting the bottom of the heating tank and the circulating evaporator.

[0013] Preferably, the circulating evaporator is equipped with a sight glass system and a temperature detector.

[0014] More preferably, the viewing system includes a first viewing mirror, a second viewing mirror, and a third viewing mirror arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

[0015] Preferably, the second cooler has a cooling water inlet at one end; the first cooler has a cooling water outlet.

[0016] More preferably, the cooling water outlet is connected to the cooling water storage tank pipeline, and the cooling water storage tank is connected to the cooling water inlet pipeline.

[0017] Preferably, the heating tank is provided with a drain outlet at the bottom; the circulating evaporator is provided with a cleaning outlet at the top; and the condensate storage tank is provided with a second condensate outlet at the bottom.

[0018] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: it achieves heating and concentration of cranberry juice and flavor adjustment, and condenses and recycles the generated water vapor. The use of a vacuum pump to create a negative pressure environment reduces the difficulty of material transportation and guides the water vapor away from the circulating evaporator, achieving highly efficient concentration. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model. In the figure, 1 is a heating tank, 2 is a circulating evaporator, 3 is a first cooler, 4 is a second cooler, 5 is a condensate storage tank, 6 is a drain outlet, 7 is an inlet / outlet, 8 is a first condensate outlet, 9 is a cleaning port, 10 is a cooling water outlet, 11 is a vacuum port, 12 is a cooling water inlet, 13 is a steam inlet, 14 is a sugar tank, 15 is a juice storage tank, 16 is a sugar mixing tank, 17 is a switch valve, 18 is a booster pump, 19 is a vacuum pump, 20 is a stirring device, 21 is a steam storage tank, 22 is a cooling water storage tank, 23 is a sampling valve, 24 is a first sight glass, 25 is a second sight glass, 26 is a third sight glass, 27 is a temperature detector, and 28 is a second condensate outlet. Detailed Implementation

[0020] The technical solution of this utility model will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. It is worth noting that the following embodiments are only preferred embodiments of this utility model and should not be construed as limiting this utility model. The protection scope of this utility model should be determined by the content of the claims. Modifications or substitutions made by those skilled in the art to the technical solution of this utility model without creative effort all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

[0021] Example 1

[0022] like Figure 1 As shown, a cranberry puree concentration system comprises a sugar mixing tank 16 connected to a heating tank 1, which in turn is connected to a circulating evaporator 2. The circulating evaporator 2 is connected via a first cooler 3 and a second cooler 4, which is connected to a condensate storage tank 5. The mixture of cranberry juice and sugar in the sugar mixing tank 16 is transported to the heating tank 1 via pipeline. Heating, evaporation, and concentration are carried out in the heating tank 1 and the circulating evaporator 2, promoting the dissolution of the sugar. The evaporated gas enters the first cooler 3 and the second cooler 4 for condensation, and the resulting condensate is stored in the condensate storage tank 5. The second cooler 4 is equipped with a vacuum port 11, which is connected to a vacuum pump 19. The vacuum pump 19 is used to create a vacuum in the concentration system, forming a negative pressure state, thereby drawing the mixed solution from the sugar mixing tank 16 into the heating tank 1 and the circulating evaporator 2 for further processing.

[0023] Preferably, the sugar mixing tank 16 is connected to the sugar tank 14 and the juice storage tank 15 respectively, and sugar and cranberry juice are added to the sugar mixing tank 16 respectively; the sugar mixing tank 16 is equipped with a stirring device 20 to accelerate the mixing of cranberry juice and sugar and promote the dissolution of sugar.

[0024] Preferably, the sugar mixing tank 16 is connected to the heating tank 1 via a pipeline through a switch valve 17, and delivers a mixture of cranberry juice and sugar into the heating tank 1; the pipeline is provided with a branch pipe, and a booster pump 18 is provided on the branch pipe. After the cranberry puree is concentrated, the switch valve 17 is closed, and the cranberry puree is output through the booster pump 18 from the heating tank 1 to the next process.

[0025] Preferably, the heating tank 1 is connected to the steam storage tank 21. The heating tank 1 is provided with a first condensate outlet 8, which is connected to the condensate storage tank 5 via pipeline. The steam stored in the steam storage tank 21 is transported to the jacket of the heating tank 1 to heat and concentrate the mixture of cranberry juice and sugar contained inside. The condensate generated when the steam cools is transported to the condensate storage tank 5 via pipeline, collected, and discharged in a centralized manner.

[0026] More preferably, the heating tank 1 is cyclically connected to the circulating evaporator 2 to achieve cyclic heating and concentration; a sampling valve 23 is provided on the pipeline connecting the bottom of the heating tank 1 and the circulating evaporator 2 for sampling and testing the solution concentration. When the concentration meets the standard, the raw slurry is discharged for the next batch of heating and concentration.

[0027] Preferably, the circulating evaporator 2 is equipped with a sight glass system and a temperature detector 27 for monitoring the liquid level and detecting the temperature.

[0028] More preferably, the viewing mirror system includes a first viewing mirror 24, a second viewing mirror 25, and a third viewing mirror 26 arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

[0029] Preferably, the second cooler 4 is provided with a cooling water inlet 12 at one end; the first cooler 3 is provided with a cooling water outlet 10, so that the cooling water circulates in the jacket of the second cooler 4 and the first cooler 3, opposite to the direction of steam movement, so that the steam condenses.

[0030] More preferably, the cooling water outlet 10 is connected to the cooling water storage tank 22 via pipeline, and the cooling water storage tank 22 is connected to the cooling water inlet 12 via pipeline.

[0031] Preferably, the heating tank 1 is provided with a drain port 6 at the bottom for removing dirt; the circulating evaporator 2 is provided with a cleaning port 9 at the top for cleaning the tank body; and the condensate storage tank 5 is provided with a second condensate outlet 28 at the bottom for centralized discharge of condensate.

[0032] Example 2

[0033] Cranberry juice and sugar are first stirred and mixed in sugar mixing tank 16. Then, vacuum pump 19 is turned on to evacuate the heating tank 1, circulating evaporator 2, first cooler 3 and second cooler 4 to create a negative pressure environment. Then, switch valve 17 is opened to use the negative pressure to draw the material in sugar mixing tank 16 into heating tank 1 and circulating evaporator 2. When the material level reaches the height of the second sight glass 25, switch valve 17 is closed and the opening of vacuum pump 19 is adjusted to a lower level so that the steam generated by heating can enter the cooler. Steam storage tank 21 is turned on to introduce steam into the jacket of heating tank 1 for heating. The material is circulated and evaporated and concentrated in heating tank 1 and circulating evaporator 2. The water vapor generated by evaporation enters the first cooler 3 and second cooler 4 for cooling. The condensate generated is stored in cooling water storage tank 5.

[0034] After a period of concentration, the material level is observed to drop through the second sight glass 25 and the third sight glass 26. After the material concentration is sampled and tested by the sampling valve 23 to meet the concentration requirements of the cranberry pulp, the vacuum pump 19 is turned off and the booster pump 18 is turned on to discharge the cranberry pulp in the heating tank 1 and the circulating evaporator 2 from the inlet and outlet 7 and enter the next process. Then the concentration of cranberry juice is repeated.

[0035] When it is necessary to clean the heating tank 1 and the circulating evaporator 2, close the switch valve 17, the lift pump 18 and the vacuum pump 18, inject cleaning water into the circulating evaporator 2 through the cleaning port 9, and circulate and clean the circulating evaporator 2 and the heating tank 1. Then the wastewater after cleaning is discharged from the drain port 6.

Claims

1. A cranberry puree concentration system, characterized in that: The sugar mixing tank (16) is connected to the heating tank (1), the heating tank (1) is connected to the circulating evaporator (2), the circulating evaporator (2) is connected to the first cooler (3) and the second cooler (4), the second cooler (4) is connected to the condensate storage tank (5); the second cooler (4) is provided with a vacuum port (11), and the vacuum port (11) is connected to the vacuum pump (19).

2. The cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sugar mixing tank (16) is connected to the sugar tank (14) and the juice storage tank (15) respectively; the sugar mixing tank (16) is equipped with a stirring device (20).

3. The cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sugar mixing tank (16) is connected to the heating tank (1) via a pipeline through a switch valve (17); a branch pipe is provided on the pipeline, and a booster pump (18) is provided on the branch pipe.

4. The cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating tank (1) is connected to the steam storage tank (21), and the heating tank (1) is provided with a first condensate outlet (8), which is connected to the condensate storage tank (5) via pipeline.

5. A cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that: The heating tank (1) is circulatedly connected to the circulating evaporator (2), and a sampling valve (23) is provided on the pipeline connecting the bottom of the heating tank (1) and the circulating evaporator (2).

6. The cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The circulating evaporator (2) is equipped with a sight glass system and a temperature detector (27).

7. The cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 6, characterized in that: The viewing system includes a first viewing mirror (24), a second viewing mirror (25), and a third viewing mirror (26) arranged sequentially from top to bottom.

8. The cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second cooler (4) is provided with a cooling water inlet (12); the first cooler (3) is provided with a cooling water outlet (10).

9. A cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 8, characterized in that: The cooling water outlet (10) is connected to the cooling water storage tank (22) via pipeline, and the cooling water storage tank (22) is connected to the cooling water inlet (12) via pipeline.

10. A cranberry pulp concentration system according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating tank (1) is provided with a drain outlet (6) at the bottom; the circulating evaporator (2) is provided with a cleaning outlet (9) at the top; and the condensate storage tank (5) is provided with a second condensate outlet (28) at the bottom.

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