Forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice

Abstract

The utility model belongs to the technical field of fruit juice concentration, and discloses a forward osmosis concentration device for small-pulp fruit juice, which comprises a fruit juice circulation tank for containing small-pulp fruit juice, a forward osmosis concentration component for concentrating small-pulp fruit juice and a drawn liquid circulation component for drawing water, and the fruit juice circulation tank is communicated with a fruit juice circulation pump; the forward osmosis concentration assembly comprises a mold assembly shell and a forward osmosis biomimetic membrane arranged in the mold assembly shell, end seats are arranged on the two sides of the mold assembly shell, and the two sides of the forward osmosis concentration assembly are communicated with the fruit juice circulating tank and the fruit juice circulating pump through the end seats respectively; the draw solution circulating assembly comprises a draw solution circulating tank, a draw solution circulating pump and a reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism, and the draw solution circulating tank is filled with an environment-friendly draw solution; according to the utility model, low-temperature forward osmosis concentration is combined with multi-stage pretreatment, so that the membrane pollution risk is reduced, and the consumption of chemicals and the discharge of wastewater are reduced through the cyclic regeneration of drawn liquid and the resourceful treatment of waste liquid while the nutrition of fruit juice is retained.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of fruit juice concentration technology, and more specifically, it relates to a forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp fruit juice. Background Technology

[0002] In the food industry, juice concentration technology is a key process for increasing product added value, extending shelf life, and reducing transportation costs. Small berries (such as blueberries, raspberries, and blackcurrants) are rich in vitamins, polyphenols, and antioxidants, possessing high nutritional value and market demand. However, their heat-sensitive components are easily destroyed during traditional high-temperature concentration processes, leading to flavor and nutrient loss. Furthermore, with increasingly stringent environmental regulations and consumers' preference for natural foods, developing efficient, low-energy, and environmentally friendly concentration technologies has become an urgent need for the industry.

[0003] Currently, fruit juice concentration mainly relies on evaporation and reverse osmosis technologies. Evaporation removes water through high-temperature heating, which is highly efficient, but the high temperatures can degrade heat-sensitive components and consume a large amount of energy. Reverse osmosis, although operating at room temperature, requires high-pressure drive, resulting in high equipment investment and operating costs. Furthermore, membrane modules are prone to clogging by contaminants such as colloids and microorganisms in fruit juice, requiring frequent cleaning or replacement, increasing maintenance costs. While existing technologies attempt to introduce membrane pretreatment (such as microfiltration and ultrafiltration) to reduce pollution, problems such as incomplete pretreatment and difficulties in membrane regeneration remain. In addition, some processes rely on chemical cleaning agents or high-salt drawdown solutions, leading to significant wastewater treatment challenges and increased environmental burden.

[0004] In response to the aforementioned problems, forward osmosis (FO) technology has attracted attention in recent years due to its low energy consumption and mild operating conditions. However, existing forward osmosis devices still suffer from drawbacks in juice concentration applications, such as low draw liquor regeneration efficiency, insufficient waste liquor resource utilization, and low system integration, which restrict their large-scale application. For example, traditional draw liquor is difficult to recycle and requires large amounts of chemical reagents; direct discharge of waste liquor causes resource waste and environmental pollution; and insufficient membrane fouling control measures increase the risk of production interruption.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an innovative forward osmosis concentration device that can achieve low-temperature and high-efficiency concentration of fruit juice, reduce the risk of membrane fouling through multi-stage pretreatment, and reduce chemical consumption and wastewater discharge by combining extract recycling and wastewater resource utilization technologies, thereby meeting the multiple requirements of the fruit juice processing industry for quality, cost and environmental protection.

[0006] Therefore, this utility model provides a forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice. Utility Model Content

[0007] In view of the above-mentioned problems of existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice, which adopts low temperature forward osmosis concentration combined with multi-stage pretreatment. While retaining the nutrients of the juice, it reduces the risk of membrane fouling and reduces chemical consumption and wastewater discharge through the recycling of the extract and the resource utilization of waste liquid.

[0008] The objective of this utility model can be achieved through the following technical solutions:

[0009] A forward osmosis concentration device for small berry juice includes a juice circulation tank for holding small berry juice, a forward osmosis concentration component for concentrating small berry juice, and an extractant circulation component for extracting water, wherein the juice circulation tank is connected to a juice circulation pump.

[0010] The forward permeation concentration assembly includes a module assembly shell and a forward permeation biomimetic membrane disposed inside the membrane assembly shell. Both sides of the module assembly shell are provided with end seats, and both sides of the forward permeation concentration assembly are respectively connected to the juice circulation tank and the juice circulation pump through the end seats.

[0011] The draw solution circulation assembly includes a draw solution circulation tank, a draw solution circulation pump, and a reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism. The draw solution circulation tank contains environmentally friendly draw solution. The draw solution circulation pump is connected to the forward osmosis concentration assembly. Both ends of the draw solution circulation tank are connected to the forward osmosis concentration assembly and the draw solution circulation pump, respectively. The reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism includes a reverse osmosis membrane feed pump with one end connected to the draw solution circulation tank. The other end of the reverse osmosis membrane feed pump is connected to a reverse osmosis housing. A reverse osmosis membrane for the environmentally friendly draw solution is installed inside the reverse osmosis housing. An end cap is closed on the upper side of the reverse osmosis housing. An inlet is provided on one side of the reverse osmosis housing and is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane feed pump. A retentate outlet is provided on the other side of the reverse osmosis housing and is connected to the draw solution circulation tank through a heat exchanger.

[0012] The forward osmosis concentration device further includes a pretreatment component, which includes a coarse filtration unit, a sterilization unit, and a precision filtration unit connected in sequence. The outlet of the pretreatment component is connected to the juice circulation tank.

[0013] The permeate outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane concentration unit is connected to a waste liquid recovery device, which includes an evaporation crystallization unit and a pure water reuse unit, and the evaporation crystallization unit and the pure water reuse unit are connected.

[0014] As a further preferred technical solution of this utility model, the environmentally friendly extractant is a biodegradable sugar-based solution with a concentration of 10%-20%;

[0015] The surface of the forward permeation biomimetic membrane is coated with an anti-fouling nano-coating, and the membrane pore size is 0.1-1 nm;

[0016] The reverse osmosis membrane concentration unit is also equipped with an energy recovery device for recovering residual pressure energy during the reverse osmosis process, and the energy recovery device is connected to the heat exchanger.

[0017] As a further preferred technical solution of this utility model, the precision filtration unit of the pretreatment component adopts a ceramic membrane filter;

[0018] The sterilization unit of the pretreatment component is a combined ultraviolet-ozone sterilizer.

[0019] As a further preferred technical solution of this utility model, the forward permeation concentration component is also equipped with a temperature sensor and an automatic temperature control valve. The temperature sensor, the automatic temperature control valve and the heat exchanger are linked to adjust the temperature of the environmentally friendly extractant to 20-30℃.

[0020] Both the juice circulation tank and the extraction liquid circulation tank are equipped with a multi-parameter monitor for real-time detection of temperature, pH, conductivity and flow rate data.

[0021] As a further preferred technical solution of this utility model, the reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism is provided with an ultrasonic oscillator inside the reverse osmosis shell for online removal of contaminants on the membrane surface;

[0022] The forward permeation biomimetic membrane and the membrane module housing adopt a quick-release sealing structure for easy replacement and cleaning.

[0023] As a further preferred technical solution of this utility model, the forward osmosis concentration device also includes a control component, which integrates a PLC module and an algorithm model based on the detection data of a multi-parameter monitor.

[0024] The control component is also equipped with a fault warning module for equipment abnormality alarms, which triggers an alarm when the membrane flux decreases by ≥20% or the conductivity is abnormal.

[0025] As a further preferred technical solution of this utility model, the juice circulation pump, the extract liquid circulation pump and the reverse osmosis membrane feed pump are all driven by frequency conversion.

[0026] The connecting pipes and inner walls of each tank in the forward osmosis concentration unit are lined with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP).

[0027] As a further preferred technical solution of this utility model, the evaporation and crystallization unit of the waste liquid recovery device adopts a multi-effect falling film evaporator;

[0028] The pure water reuse unit of the waste liquid recovery device realizes the recycling of pure water in the waste liquid through ion exchange resin and reverse osmosis membrane group.

[0029] As described above, the forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects:

[0030] This invention utilizes the aforementioned forward osmosis concentration device for small fruit juice. Compared with existing technologies, this device employs a structure that, through the synergistic design of a juice circulation tank, a forward osmosis concentration component, and a draw liquid circulation component, achieves low-temperature, non-thermal concentration of the juice, avoiding the damage to flavor and nutrients caused by high temperatures. Furthermore, a pretreatment component is included, which removes impurities and microorganisms from the source through coarse filtration, sterilization, and precision filtration, reducing the risk of membrane fouling and ensuring the stability of the concentration process. In addition, the reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism is linked with the draw liquid circulation tank to achieve draw liquid regeneration and waste liquid resource utilization (evaporation and crystallization to recover solutes, and pure water reuse), reducing chemical reagent consumption and wastewater discharge.

[0031] Additional aspects and advantages of this invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. Attached Figure Description

[0032] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0033] Figure 1 This is a basic framework diagram of a forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to this utility model application;

[0034] Figure 2 An extended framework diagram of a forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to this utility model application;

[0035] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to this utility model application;

[0036] Figure 4 This is a top view of a forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to this utility model application;

[0037] Figure 5 This is a cross-sectional view of the forward osmosis concentration component of a forward osmosis concentration device for small fruit juice according to this utility model application;

[0038] Figure 6This is a cross-sectional view of the reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism of a forward osmosis concentration device for small fruit juice according to this utility model application.

[0039] Figure 7 for Figure 6 Enlarged schematic diagram of point I in the middle.

[0040] Summary of figure labels and their descriptions:

[0041] 100. Juice circulation tank; 110. Juice circulation pump; 200. Forward osmosis concentration unit; 210. Module housing; 220. Forward osmosis biomimetic membrane; 230. End cap; 300. Draw liquid circulation unit; 310. Draw liquid circulation tank; 320. Draw liquid circulation pump; 330. Reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism; 331. Reverse osmosis membrane feed pump; 332. Reverse osmosis housing; 333. Reverse osmosis membrane; 334. End cap; 335. Heat exchanger; 336. Ultrasonic oscillator; 340. Energy recovery device; 400. Pretreatment unit; 410. Coarse filtration unit; 420. Sterilization unit; 430. Precision filtration unit; 500. Waste liquid recovery device; 510. Evaporation and crystallization unit; 520. Pure water reuse unit; 600. Control unit. Detailed Implementation

[0042] The following specific embodiments illustrate the implementation of this utility model. Those skilled in the art can easily understand other advantages and effects of this utility model from the content disclosed in this specification.

[0043] It should be noted that the structures, proportions, and sizes depicted in the accompanying drawings are merely for illustrative purposes and to aid those skilled in the art. They are not intended to limit the scope of this invention and therefore have no substantial technical significance. Any modifications to the structure, changes in proportions, or adjustments to size, provided they do not affect the effectiveness or purpose of this invention, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed herein. Furthermore, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "middle," and "one" used in this specification are merely for clarity and not intended to limit the scope of this invention. Changes or adjustments to their relative relationships, without substantially altering the technical content, should also be considered within the scope of this invention. Specific structures can be described with reference to the accompanying drawings of the patent application.

[0044] This invention provides a forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1 to 7 As shown, it includes a juice circulation tank 100 for holding small berry juice, a forward osmosis concentration component 200 for concentrating small berry juice, and an extractant circulation component 300 for extracting water. The juice circulation tank 100 is connected to a juice circulation pump 110.

[0045] The forward permeation concentration assembly 200 includes a module assembly housing 210 and a forward permeation biomimetic membrane 220 disposed inside the membrane assembly housing. Both sides of the module assembly housing 210 are provided with end seats 230. Both sides of the forward permeation concentration assembly 200 are respectively connected to the juice circulation tank 100 and the juice circulation pump 110 through the end seats 230.

[0046] The draw solution circulation assembly 300 includes a draw solution circulation tank 310, a draw solution circulation pump 320, and a reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism 330. The draw solution circulation tank 310 contains environmentally friendly draw solution. The draw solution circulation pump 320 is connected to the forward osmosis concentration assembly 200. Both ends of the draw solution circulation tank 310 are connected to the forward osmosis concentration assembly 200 and the draw solution circulation pump 320, respectively. The reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism 330 includes a reverse osmosis membrane that is connected at one end to the draw solution circulation tank 310. A reverse osmosis membrane feed pump 331 is provided, with its other end connected to a reverse osmosis housing 332. A reverse osmosis membrane 333 for environmentally friendly draw liquid is installed inside the reverse osmosis housing 332. An end cap 334 is provided on the upper side of the reverse osmosis housing 332. An inlet is provided on one side of the reverse osmosis housing 332 and is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane feed pump 331. A retentate outlet is provided on the other side of the reverse osmosis housing 332 and is connected to the draw liquid circulation tank 310 through a heat exchanger 335.

[0047] The forward osmosis concentration device also includes a pretreatment component 400, which includes a coarse filtration unit 410, a sterilization unit 420 and a precision filtration unit 430 connected in sequence. The outlet of the pretreatment component 400 is connected to the juice circulation tank 100. The pretreatment component 400 (coarse filtration + ultraviolet-ozone sterilization + ceramic membrane precision filtration) effectively removes impurities and microorganisms, extends the shelf life of the juice, and avoids nutrient loss caused by traditional high-temperature sterilization.

[0048] The permeate outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane concentration unit 330 is connected to a waste liquid recovery device 500. The waste liquid recovery device 500 includes an evaporation crystallization unit 510 and a pure water reuse unit 520, which are connected to each other.

[0049] Wastewater is recycled and reused through an evaporation and crystallization unit 510 and a pure water reuse unit 520.

[0050] The environmentally friendly draw solution is a biodegradable sugar-based solution with a concentration of 10%-20%. The environmentally friendly sugar-based draw solution (concentration 10%-20%) is biodegradable, non-toxic and harmless. Combined with the reverse osmosis membrane concentration unit 330, it realizes the recycling and regeneration of the draw solution, which greatly reduces the consumption cost of chemical reagents.

[0051] The surface of the forward permeation biomimetic membrane 220 is coated with an anti-fouling nano-coating with a pore size of 0.1-1 nm. By using the forward permeation biomimetic membrane 220 (pore size 0.1-1 nm) in combination with the anti-fouling nano-coating, mild room temperature concentration is achieved, avoiding the destruction of heat-sensitive nutrients in the fruit juice (such as vitamins and polyphenols) by high temperatures, and maximizing the preservation of the natural flavor and nutritional value of the small fruit juice.

[0052] The reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism 330 is also equipped with an energy recovery device 340 for recovering residual pressure energy during the reverse osmosis process. The energy recovery device 340 is connected to the heat exchanger 335. By linking the energy recovery device 340 with the heat exchanger 335, the residual pressure and heat energy of the reverse osmosis are recovered, thereby reducing the system energy consumption.

[0053] The precision filtration unit 430 of the pretreatment component 400 adopts a ceramic membrane filter; the ceramic membrane filter is corrosion resistant, easy to clean, and reduces the risk of clogging.

[0054] The sterilization unit 420 of the pretreatment component 400 is a combined ultraviolet-ozone sterilizer.

[0055] The forward permeation concentration component 200 is also equipped with a temperature sensor and an automatic temperature control valve. The temperature sensor, the automatic temperature control valve and the heat exchanger 335 are linked to adjust the temperature of the environmentally friendly extractant to 20-30°C.

[0056] Both the juice circulation tank 100 and the extract liquid circulation tank 310 are equipped with multi-parameter monitoring instruments for real-time detection of temperature, pH, conductivity and flow rate data.

[0057] The reverse osmosis membrane concentration unit 330 is equipped with an ultrasonic oscillator 336 inside the reverse osmosis housing 332 for online removal of contaminants from the membrane surface; the forward osmosis biomimetic membrane 220 and the membrane module housing adopt a quick-release sealing structure for easy replacement and cleaning; the ultrasonic oscillator 336 removes contaminants from the surface of the reverse osmosis membrane 333 online, and combined with the quick-release sealing structure design, simplifies the replacement and cleaning process of the forward osmosis membrane and extends the membrane life.

[0058] The forward osmosis concentration device also includes a control component 600, which integrates a PLC module and an algorithm model based on the detection data of a multi-parameter monitor. The multi-parameter monitor monitors temperature, pH, conductivity and flow rate in real time, and dynamically adjusts the membrane module temperature (20-30℃) and the draw liquid flow rate in combination with the PLC algorithm model to ensure stable permeation efficiency.

[0059] The control component 600 is also equipped with a fault warning module for equipment abnormal alarms. When the membrane flux decreases by ≥20% or the conductivity is abnormal, an alarm is triggered. The fault warning module triggers the alarm based on the membrane flux (decrease of ≥20%) and conductivity abnormality thresholds to avoid membrane fouling or leakage risks and reduce downtime for maintenance.

[0060] The juice circulation pump 110, the extract liquid circulation pump 320, and the reverse osmosis membrane feed pump 331 are all driven by frequency conversion.

[0061] The connecting pipes and inner walls of each tank in the forward osmosis concentration unit are lined with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP).

[0062] The evaporation and crystallization unit 510 of the waste liquid recovery device 500 adopts a multi-effect falling film evaporator;

[0063] The pure water reuse unit 520 of the waste liquid recycling device 500 realizes the recycling of pure water in the waste liquid through ion exchange resin and reverse osmosis membrane 333.

[0064] Forward osmosis concentration does not require high pressure drive, and the equipment investment and operating costs are lower than those of traditional evaporation concentration; moreover, the modular design supports continuous production, meeting the large-scale needs of the juice processing industry.

[0065] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A forward osmosis concentration device for small berry juice, characterized in that, It includes a juice circulation tank for holding small berry juice, a forward osmosis concentration component for concentrating small berry juice, and an extractant circulation component for extracting water. The juice circulation tank is connected to a juice circulation pump. The forward permeation concentration unit includes a module housing and a forward permeation biomimetic membrane disposed inside the membrane housing. Both sides of the module housing are provided with end seats, and both sides of the forward permeation concentration unit are connected to the juice circulation tank and the juice circulation pump respectively through the end seats. The draw liquid circulation assembly includes a draw liquid circulation tank, a draw liquid circulation pump, and a reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism. The draw liquid circulation tank contains environmentally friendly draw liquid. The draw liquid circulation pump is connected to the forward osmosis concentration assembly. Both ends of the draw liquid circulation tank are connected to the forward osmosis concentration assembly and the draw liquid circulation pump, respectively. The reverse osmosis membrane concentration mechanism includes a reverse osmosis membrane feed pump connected to the draw liquid circulation tank at one end and connected to the reverse osmosis housing at the other end. The reverse osmosis housing contains a reverse osmosis membrane for the environmentally friendly draw liquid. The upper side of the reverse osmosis housing is covered with an end cap. One side of the reverse osmosis housing has an inlet that is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane feed pump. The other side of the reverse osmosis housing has a retentate outlet that is connected to the draw liquid circulation tank through a heat exchanger. The forward osmosis concentration unit also includes a pretreatment component, which includes a coarse filtration unit, a sterilization unit and a precision filtration unit connected in sequence. The outlet of the pretreatment component is connected to the juice circulation tank. The permeate outlet of the reverse osmosis membrane concentration unit is connected to a waste liquid recovery device, which includes an evaporation crystallization unit and a pure water reuse unit, and the evaporation crystallization unit and the pure water reuse unit are connected.

2. The forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The environmentally friendly extractant is a biodegradable glycosyl solution with a concentration of 10%-20%. The surface of the forward permeation biomimetic membrane is coated with an anti-fouling nano-coating, and the membrane pore size is 0.1-1 nm; The reverse osmosis membrane concentration unit is also equipped with an energy recovery device for recovering residual pressure energy during the reverse osmosis process, and the energy recovery device is connected to the heat exchanger.

3. The forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The precision filtration unit of the pretreatment component uses a ceramic membrane filter; The sterilization unit of the pretreatment component is a combined ultraviolet-ozone sterilizer.

4. The forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The forward permeation concentration component is also equipped with a temperature sensor and an automatic temperature control valve. The temperature sensor and the automatic temperature control valve are linked with the heat exchanger to adjust the temperature of the environmentally friendly extract liquid to 20-30℃. Both the juice circulation tank and the extraction liquid circulation tank are equipped with a multi-parameter monitor for real-time detection of temperature, pH, conductivity and flow rate data.

5. The forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The reverse osmosis membrane concentration unit is equipped with an ultrasonic oscillator inside the reverse osmosis housing for online removal of contaminants from the membrane surface; The forward permeation biomimetic membrane and the membrane module housing adopt a quick-release sealing structure for easy replacement and cleaning.

6. The forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to claim 4, characterized in that, The forward osmosis concentration device also includes a control component, which integrates a PLC module and an algorithm model based on the detection data from a multi-parameter monitor. The control component is also equipped with a fault warning module for equipment abnormality alarms, which triggers an alarm when the membrane flux decreases by ≥20% or the conductivity is abnormal.

7. The forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The juice circulation pump, the extract liquid circulation pump, and the reverse osmosis membrane feed pump are all driven by frequency converters. The connecting pipes and inner walls of each tank in the forward osmosis concentration unit are lined with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP).

8. The forward osmosis concentration device for small pulp juice according to claim 1, characterized in that, The evaporation and crystallization unit of the waste liquid recovery device adopts a multi-effect falling film evaporator; The pure water reuse unit of the waste liquid recovery device realizes the recycling of pure water in the waste liquid through ion exchange resin and reverse osmosis membrane group.

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