Crystallization kettle for stevioside production

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of stevioside production, in particular to a crystallization kettle for stevioside production, which comprises a stirring mechanism arranged in a kettle body and a ratchet mechanism mounted in the kettle body through a fixing frame, the bottom of the ratchet mechanism is connected with a discharge auger, a discharge pipe is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the kettle body, and the bottom of the discharge pipe is connected with a discharge pipe. The bottom of the discharging auger is located in the discharging pipe. The stirring mechanism comprises a shell installed on the kettle body, a forward and reverse rotation driving assembly is arranged in the shell and connected with a main shaft and a shaft sleeve, the main shaft and the shaft sleeve are rotationally connected to the top of the kettle body, the shaft sleeve is rotationally connected to the main shaft, a lower support is fixedly arranged at the bottom of the main shaft, and lower stirring blades are installed at the two ends of the lower support. An upper bracket is fixedly arranged on the outer wall of the shaft sleeve; according to the crystallization kettle for stevioside production, the stirring mechanism is arranged, so that a solution can flow bidirectionally, convection of materials can be accelerated, the mixing time can be shortened, and the purpose of improving the overall working efficiency is achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of steviol glycoside production technology, specifically to a crystallization kettle for steviol glycoside production. Background Technology

[0002] Crystallization is a crucial step in the production of steviol glycosides, and the crystallization reactor, as a core piece of equipment, directly affects the purity, crystal morphology, and yield of steviol glycosides. However, in existing crystallization reactors, the stirring blades rotate in the same direction, causing the solution to move and mix in the same direction, resulting in prolonged mixing time and reduced overall efficiency. Furthermore, because the crystals are solid, they easily clog the discharge pipe, leading to difficulties in discharging the material. Utility Model Content

[0003] To address the shortcomings of existing technologies, this invention provides a crystallization reactor for the production of steviol glycosides, which solves the technical problems of long mixing time and difficult material discharge.

[0004] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides the following technical solution: a crystallization kettle for the production of steviol glycosides, including a stirring mechanism disposed in the kettle body and a ratchet mechanism installed in the kettle body by a fixing frame, wherein a discharge auger is connected to the bottom of the ratchet mechanism, a discharge pipe is fixedly provided at the bottom of the kettle body, and the bottom of the discharge auger is located inside the discharge pipe;

[0005] The stirring mechanism includes a housing mounted on the vessel body. A forward and reverse rotation drive assembly is provided inside the housing. A main shaft and a bushing are connected to the forward and reverse rotation drive assembly. Both the main shaft and the bushing are rotatably connected to the top of the vessel body, and the bushing is rotatably connected to the main shaft. A lower support is fixed at the bottom of the main shaft. Lower stirring blades are installed at both ends of the lower support. An upper support is fixed on the outer wall of the bushing. Upper stirring blades are installed at both ends of the upper support.

[0006] Preferably, the forward and reverse drive assembly includes a motor mounted on the vessel body, an active bevel gear fixed on the output shaft of the motor, a passive bevel gear one and a passive bevel gear two meshing on one side of the active bevel gear, and the passive bevel gear one and the passive bevel gear two being fixedly connected to the top of the main shaft and the bushing, respectively.

[0007] Preferably, both the upper and lower stirring blades are inclined in the same direction.

[0008] Preferably, the ratchet mechanism includes a sealing shell rotatably connected to the inner side of the fixed frame, an outer ring rotatably disposed inside the sealing shell, a movable groove provided on the inner wall of the outer ring, a pawl elastically connected to the movable groove through a spring piece, a ratchet engaged with the pawl on the inner side of the outer ring, the ratchet fixedly connected to the bottom of the main shaft, and the outer ring fixedly connected to the top of the discharge auger.

[0009] Preferably, a discharge valve is installed on the discharge pipe.

[0010] Preferably, a temperature sensor is installed on the inner wall of the vessel.

[0011] By means of the above technical solution, this utility model provides a crystallization kettle for the production of steviol glycosides, which has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0012] 1. The crystallization kettle for steviol glycoside production is equipped with a stirring mechanism. The forward and reverse drive components drive the upper and lower stirring blades to rotate in opposite directions, which can generate bidirectional flow of the solution, thereby accelerating the convection of materials, shortening the mixing time, and improving the overall working efficiency.

[0013] 2. The crystallization kettle for steviol glycoside production is equipped with a discharge auger. The rotation of the main shaft drives the discharge auger to rotate, thereby pushing the crystals out in a pushing manner, avoiding the problem of discharge blockage. Under the action of the ratchet mechanism, the discharge auger does not move when the main shaft rotates clockwise, but moves when it rotates clockwise. This can avoid the problem of pushing the crystals downward during the mixing process and damaging the discharge valve. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the present invention, form part of this application:

[0015] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the entire utility model;

[0016] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram showing the internal cross-section of the vessel body of this utility model;

[0017] Figure 3 This is a bottom view of the stirring mechanism of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the ratchet mechanism of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 5 This utility model Figure 4 Enlarged structural diagram at point A;

[0020] Figure label:

[0021] 1. Kettle body; 2. Stirring mechanism; 201. Forward and reverse drive assembly; 2011. Motor; 2012. Active bevel gear; 2013. Passive bevel gear one; 2014. Passive bevel gear two; 202. Main shaft; 203. Lower support; 204. Lower stirring blade; 205. Bushing; 206. Upper support; 207. Upper stirring blade; 3. Ratchet mechanism; 301. Sealing shell; 302. Outer ring; 303. Pawl; 304. Spring; 305. Ratchet; 4. Fixing frame; 5. Discharge auger; 6. Discharge pipe; 7. Discharge valve; 8. Temperature sensor. Detailed Implementation

[0022] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the protection scope of the present utility model.

[0023] Stevia glycosides are natural sweeteners extracted from stevia leaves. They are characterized by high sweetness and low calories and are widely used in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical industries.

[0024] Example 1:

[0025] Due to the technical shortcomings of existing technologies, such as long mixing time and difficulty in material discharge, please refer to... Figures 1-5 This embodiment provides a crystallization reactor for steviol glycoside production, which can shorten the mixing time to improve overall work efficiency and discharge the crystals by pushing them out, avoiding the problem of discharge blockage. The crystallization reactor includes a stirring mechanism 2 installed in the reactor body 1 and a ratchet mechanism 3 installed in the reactor body 1 by a fixing frame 4. The ratchet mechanism 3 is characterized by having a discharge auger 5 connected to the bottom of the ratchet mechanism 3, and a discharge pipe 6 fixed to the bottom of the reactor body 1, with the bottom of the discharge auger 5 located inside the discharge pipe 6. In use, the solution inside the reactor body 1 is first fully mixed under the action of the stirring mechanism 2. After mixing is completed, stirring is stopped and crystallization is waited for to be completed. Then, the discharge valve 7 is opened to discharge the excess liquid and crystals from the discharge pipe 6.

[0026] In existing crystallization reactors, the stirring blades inside all rotate in the same direction. This causes the solution to move and mix in the same direction, resulting in longer mixing times and reduced overall efficiency. To address this issue, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 2 and Figure 3The stirring mechanism 2 includes a housing mounted on the vessel body 1. A forward / reverse drive assembly 201 is housed within the housing. A main shaft 202 and a bushing 205 are connected to the forward / reverse drive assembly 201. Both the main shaft 202 and the bushing 205 are rotatably connected to the top of the vessel body 1, and the bushing 205 is rotatably connected to the main shaft 202. A lower support 203 is fixed to the bottom of the main shaft 202, and lower stirring blades 204 are installed at both ends of the lower support 203. An upper support 206 is fixed to the outer wall of the bushing 205, and upper stirring blades 207 are installed at both ends of the upper support 206. Further, the forward / reverse drive assembly 201 includes a motor 2011 mounted on the vessel body 1. A drive bevel gear 2012 is fixed to the output shaft of the motor 2011. One side of 012 is meshed with a passive bevel gear 2013 and a passive bevel gear 2014. The passive bevel gear 2013 and the passive bevel gear 2014 are respectively fixed to the top of the main shaft 202 and the bushing 205. The motor 2011 in the forward and reverse drive assembly 201 works and drives the active bevel gear 2012 to rotate. The active bevel gear 2012 synchronously drives the passive bevel gear 2013 and the passive bevel gear 2014 to rotate synchronously in opposite directions. At the same time, under the action of the main shaft 202 and the bushing 205, the upper stirring blade 207 and the lower stirring blade 204 can be driven to rotate in opposite directions, which can make the solution flow in both directions, thereby accelerating the convection of materials, shortening the mixing time, and improving the overall working efficiency.

[0027] Furthermore, if the stirring blades are horizontally positioned, the contact effect between the inner and outer layers of solution is not good when the solution is being pushed to flow. Therefore, the upper stirring blade 207 and the lower stirring blade 204 are both inclined in the same direction. The purpose of this design is that the upper stirring blade 207 can push the solution inward, while the lower stirring blade 204 can push the solution outward, so that the solution can contact each other faster and better, thereby improving the mixing efficiency.

[0028] Furthermore, a temperature sensor 8 is installed on the inner wall of the vessel 1; the temperature of the solution inside the vessel 1 can be monitored in real time through the temperature sensor 8.

[0029] Example 2:

[0030] During the mixing process, some crystals will begin to crystallize. When the main shaft 202 drives the discharge auger 5 to rotate, these crystals will be squeezed into the discharge pipe 6 as the auger rotates. Since the discharge valve 7 is closed at this time, the squeezed crystals will damage the discharge pipe 6. For this issue, please refer to [reference needed]. Figure 4 and Figure 5The ratchet mechanism 3 includes a sealing shell 301 rotatably connected to the inner side of the fixed frame 4. An outer ring 302 is rotatably disposed within the sealing shell 301. A movable groove is provided on the inner wall of the outer ring 302. A pawl 303 is elastically and movably connected to the movable groove via a spring piece 304. A ratchet 305 is provided on the inner side of the outer ring 302, engaging with the pawl 303. The ratchet 305 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the main shaft 202, and the outer ring 302 is fixedly connected to the top of the discharge auger 5. When the main shaft 202 rotates clockwise, it drives the ratchet 305 to rotate clockwise. When the spindle rotates, the pawl 303 will not engage the ratchet 305, so the discharge auger 5 will not rotate. Conversely, when the spindle 202 rotates counterclockwise, the pawl 303 will engage the ratchet 305, causing the ratchet 305 to rotate and thus the discharge auger 5 to rotate. Therefore, during mixing, the spindle 202 can rotate clockwise to achieve mixing or keep the discharge auger 5 stationary. During discharge, the spindle 202 rotates counterclockwise to drive the discharge auger 5 to rotate, thus completing the discharge.

[0031] Furthermore, a discharge valve 7 is installed on the discharge pipe 6; it can be used for discharge operations.

[0032] It should be noted that the terms “comprising,” “including,” or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.

[0033] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A crystallization vessel for producing steviol glycosides, comprising a stirring mechanism (2) disposed within a vessel body (1), and a ratchet mechanism (3) mounted within the vessel body (1) via a fixing frame (4), characterized in that... The bottom of the ratchet mechanism (3) is connected to a discharge auger (5), and the bottom of the vessel body (1) is fixed with a discharge pipe (6), with the bottom of the discharge auger (5) inside the discharge pipe (6). The stirring mechanism (2) includes a housing mounted on the vessel body (1), and a forward and reverse rotation drive assembly (201) is provided inside the housing. A main shaft (202) and a bushing (205) are connected to the forward and reverse rotation drive assembly (201). The main shaft (202) and the bushing (205) are rotatably connected to the top of the vessel body (1), and the bushing (205) is rotatably connected to the main shaft (202). A lower support (203) is fixed at the bottom of the main shaft (202). Lower stirring blades (204) are installed at both ends of the lower support (203). An upper support (206) is fixed on the outer wall of the bushing (205). Upper stirring blades (207) are installed at both ends of the upper support (206).

2. The crystallization reactor for steviol glycoside production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The forward and reverse drive assembly (201) includes a motor (2011) mounted on the vessel body (1). A drive bevel gear (2012) is fixed on the output shaft of the motor (2011). A passive bevel gear one (2013) and a passive bevel gear two (2014) are meshed on one side of the drive bevel gear (2012). The passive bevel gear one (2013) and the passive bevel gear two (2014) are respectively fixed to the top of the main shaft (202) and the bushing (205).

3. The crystallization reactor for steviol glycoside production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The upper stirring blade (207) and the lower stirring blade (204) are both inclined in the same direction.

4. The crystallization reactor for steviol glycoside production according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ratchet mechanism (3) includes a sealing shell (301) rotatably connected to the inside of the fixed frame (4). An outer ring (302) is rotatably arranged inside the sealing shell (301). A movable groove is provided on the inner wall of the outer ring (302). A pawl (303) is elastically connected to the movable groove through a spring piece (304). A ratchet (305) is provided on the inner side of the outer ring (302) and engages with the pawl (303). The ratchet (305) is fixed to the bottom of the main shaft (202), and the outer ring (302) is fixed to the top of the discharge auger (5).

5. The crystallization reactor for steviol glycoside production according to claim 1, characterized in that: A discharge valve (7) is installed on the discharge pipe (6).

6. The crystallization reactor for steviol glycoside production according to claim 1, characterized in that: A temperature sensor (8) is installed on the inner wall of the vessel body (1).

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