Soybean steam cooking device
By using a steam penetration tank with a multi-layered steam heating layer and a distributor design, combined with a steam nozzle containing a mixture of ethanol and acetic acid, the problems of high energy consumption and nutrient loss in soybean heat treatment are solved, achieving efficient and low-cost heat treatment.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GUANGXI NANNING KANGZHIDOU FOOD TECH
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-30
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
Existing soybean heat treatment technologies suffer from high energy consumption and low heat utilization efficiency, leading to increased production costs. Furthermore, high-temperature treatment can damage proteins and amino acids, reducing nutritional value.
The steam penetration tank, designed with a multi-layered steam heating layer and a steam distributor, combined with a mixed steam nozzle for ethanol and acetic acid, dynamically controls the steam pressure and recovers and reuses high-temperature condensate, thereby improving heat transfer efficiency and preserving the nutritional value of soybeans.
It significantly reduces the energy consumption of soybean cooking, increases the heat utilization efficiency to 85%, reduces the amount of fresh steam generated by 30%-40%, and ensures that the nutritional value of soybean protein is not compromised.
Smart Images
Figure CN224140133U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of food processing technology, and specifically relates to a soybean steam cooking device. Background Technology
[0002] Soy protein, as a high-quality plant protein source, is widely used in food, animal feed, and other fields. Appropriate heat treatment can loosen the molecular structure of soybean protein, exposing more enzyme cleavage sites, which facilitates digestive enzymes in breaking it down into smaller peptides and amino acids, significantly improving human digestibility and absorption. However, high temperatures or improper heat treatment can cause excessive protein denaturation, leading to irreversible aggregation and cross-linking, forming large, insoluble molecules that hinder digestive enzyme activity and destroy amino acids, severely reducing nutritional value.
[0003] To effectively eliminate or reduce the activity of anti-nutritional factors in soybeans, high-temperature treatment at 120℃-130℃ is generally used. For some specific anti-nutritional factors, such as phytic acid, temperatures above 140℃ are required to achieve approximately a 60% reduction in activity. Currently, the industry commonly uses heating tubes. While this method meets the processing temperature requirements, during soybean boiling, heat is transferred to the soybeans through convection and conduction. Water has a high specific heat capacity, requiring the absorption of a large amount of heat during the heating process. Furthermore, the heat transfer exhibits a gradient, resulting in relatively low heat utilization efficiency. This method suffers from significant energy consumption, substantially increasing production costs. Therefore, developing a novel heat treatment technology and equipment that can effectively reduce the activity of anti-nutritional factors, decrease energy consumption, and ensure the nutritional quality of soybean protein is urgently needed. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this utility model is to provide a soybean steam cooking device, thereby overcoming the defects pointed out in the background art. The specific technical solution is as follows:
[0005] A soybean steam cooking device, comprising
[0006] A steam penetration tank is provided with multiple layers of steam heating layers. Each layer of the steam heating layer is connected to an ethanol mixed steam nozzle and an acetic acid mixed steam nozzle. A high-temperature flash steam port is provided at the top of the steam penetration tank, and a high-temperature condensate outlet is provided at the bottom of the steam penetration tank.
[0007] A steam distributor, wherein the branch pipes on the steam distributor correspond to each of the steam heating layers;
[0008] A steam generator, the steam outlet of which is connected to the steam distributor, and a first control valve is provided between the steam generator and the steam penetration tank;
[0009] A pressure sensor is connected to the steam penetration tank and is used to detect the pressure inside the steam penetration tank.
[0010] Preferably, a first outlet pipe is connected to the high-temperature condensate outlet, the first outlet pipe is connected to a spiral pipe heat exchanger, the spiral pipe heat exchanger is connected to the soaking tank through a second outlet pipe, and a Y-type filter is connected to the first outlet pipe.
[0011] Preferably, the steam distributor is connected to the steam outlet of the steam generator via a steam outlet pipe, and a first control valve and a pressure gauge are connected to the steam outlet pipe.
[0012] Preferably, the high-temperature flash steam port is connected to a high-temperature flash steam valve, the high-temperature flash steam valve is connected to a high-temperature flash steam main pipeline, the high-temperature flash steam main pipeline is connected to a steam ejector and a high-temperature flash steam branch pipeline, and the steam ejector is connected to the steam inlet of the steam generator.
[0013] Preferably, the high-temperature flash steam branch pipe is connected to a plate heat exchanger, and the outlet pipe on the plate heat exchanger is connected to the soaking tank.
[0014] Preferably, a second control valve is connected to the high-temperature flash steam branch pipe.
[0015] This invention utilizes a steam generator to produce steam. Soybeans to be cooked are placed in a steam penetration tank, which contains multiple layers of steam heating. Steam generated by the steam generator is distributed to these heating layers via a steam distributor to cook the soybeans. Simultaneously, ethanol-mixed steam nozzles and acetic acid-mixed steam nozzles are installed on the steam penetration tank to preserve high-nutrient protein content during the cooking process. Attached Figure Description
[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. In all the drawings, similar elements or parts are generally identified by similar reference numerals. In the drawings, the elements or parts are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a soybean steam cooking device provided by this utility model;
[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the control process of the steam penetration tank provided by this utility model;
[0019] Explanation of key figure labels:
[0020] 1-Steam penetration tank, 2-Steam distributor, 3-Steam generator, 4-Steam heating layer, 5-Ethanol mixed steam nozzle, 6-Acetic acid mixed steam nozzle, 11-High-temperature flash steam port, 12-High-temperature condensate outlet, 13-High-temperature flash steam valve, 14-High-temperature flash steam main pipeline, 15-Steam ejector, 16-High-temperature flash steam branch pipeline, 17-Plate heat exchanger, 18-Second control valve, 71-First outlet pipe, 72-Second outlet pipe, 8-Spiral pipe heat exchanger, 9-Soaking tank, 10-Y-type filter, 22-Steam outlet pipeline, 23-First control valve, 24-Pressure gauge. Detailed Implementation
[0021] 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.
[0022] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," and "lateral" are used interchangeably.
[0023] The terms "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "top surface," "bottom surface," "inner," "outer," "inner side," and "outer side" are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description. They do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.
[0024] In the description of this utility model, "several" means one or more, "multiple" means two or more, "greater than," "less than," and "exceeding" are understood to exclude the stated number, while "above," "below," and "within" are understood to include the stated number. If the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used in the description, they are for descriptive purposes and to distinguish technical features, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance, or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features, or implicitly indicating the sequential relationship of the indicated technical features.
[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "setting" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model based on the specific circumstances. The embodiments of this utility model will now be described based on its overall structure.
[0026] See Figure 1 A soybean steam cooking device includes a steam penetration tank 1, a steam distributor 2, a steam generator 3, a steam heating layer 4, an ethanol-mixed steam nozzle 5, an acetic acid-mixed steam nozzle 6, and a pressure sensor.
[0027] The steam penetration tank 1 has multiple layers of steam heating layers 4. Each layer of steam heating layer 4 is connected to an ethanol mixed steam nozzle 5 and an acetic acid mixed steam nozzle 6. The top of the steam penetration tank 1 is provided with a high-temperature flash steam port 11, and the bottom of the steam penetration tank 1 is provided with a high-temperature condensate outlet 12. The diversion pipes 21 on the steam distributor 2 correspond to each layer of steam heating layer 4. The steam outlet of the steam generator 3 is connected to the steam distributor 2, and a first control valve is provided between the steam generator and the steam penetration tank. The pressure sensor is connected to the steam penetration tank 1 to detect the pressure inside the steam penetration tank 1.
[0028] Each of the steam heating layers 4 can be used to steam-cook the soybeans in that layer. The ethanol-mixed steam nozzle 5 is used to inject ethanol-containing steam into the steam penetration tank 1, and the acetic acid-mixed steam nozzle 6 is used to inject acetic acid-containing steam into the steam penetration tank.
[0029] The high-temperature flash steam port 11 is used for depressurization of the steam penetration tank 1. The high-temperature flash steam is 100℃-110℃ steam released when the steam penetration tank 1 is depressurized.
[0030] During the steam cooking process of soybeans, high-temperature condensate is generated after the steam exchanges heat with the soybeans. The high-temperature condensate generated by each steam heating layer 4 flows downward along the surface of the heating layer. The bottom of the steam penetration tank 1 is the lowest point of the entire tank container, which also provides a natural collection place for the condensate to accumulate. Finally, high-temperature condensate of 90℃-95℃ will accumulate at the bottom of the steam penetration tank 1. The high-temperature condensate outlet 12 is used to discharge the high-temperature condensate in the steam penetration tank 1.
[0031] Steam generator 3 is used to generate steam, and the generated steam flows through steam distributor 2 to each steam heating layer 4 in steam penetration tank 1. The number of steam heating layers 4 can be set according to the volume of steam penetration tank 1.
[0032] In this process, since multiple steam heating layers 4 are set in the steam penetration tank 1 to meet the processing volume of soybeans, if the steam distributor 2 is not set, the entire steam penetration tank 1 will only use one steam inlet. In this case, the soybeans at the steam inlet will be cooked first. After the steam fills the entire steam penetration tank 1 and cooks the soybeans in the other steam heating layers 4, the soybeans in the other layers far away from the steam inlet will be cooked later.
[0033] Thus, soybeans located far from the steam vent have a different cooking time than those located near the steam vent. Soybeans near the steam vent are prone to excessively long high-temperature processing times, leading to excessive protein denaturation, irreversible aggregation and cross-linking, forming large insoluble molecules that hinder digestive enzyme activity and damage amino acids, severely reducing nutritional value. Furthermore, soybeans heated in the same tank are prone to insufficient product quality stability. Therefore, when dealing with large quantities of soybeans requiring processing, after layering steam heating layers 4 in the steam penetration tank 1, a steam distributor 2 is installed on the steam penetration tank 1. The distributor pipes 21 on the steam distributor 2 can correspond to each steam heating layer 4, simultaneously introducing steam into each steam heating layer 4, stabilizing the overall temperature field inside the tank, and improving the uniformity of soybean heating.
[0034] Based on the layered steam heating layers 4 in the steam penetration tank 1, to ensure that ethanol-containing steam and acetic acid-containing steam can adapt to the layered steam heating layers 4, an ethanol-mixed steam nozzle 5 and an acetic acid-mixed steam nozzle 6 are installed in each layer of steam heating layer 4 to inject ethanol-containing steam and acetic acid-containing steam into that layer. The ethanol-mixed steam nozzles 5 corresponding to each layer of steam heating layer 4 are all connected to the ethanol-mixed steam generating device, and each ethanol-mixed steam nozzle 5 is equipped with an electric control valve. Similarly, the acetic acid-mixed steam nozzles 6 corresponding to each layer of steam heating layer 4 are all connected to the acetic acid-mixed steam generating device, and each acetic acid-mixed steam nozzle 6 is equipped with an electric control valve.
[0035] The pressure sensor detects the pressure inside the steam penetration tank 1, enabling automated control of the steam penetration tank 1. The steam control process of the steam penetration tank 1 is described in [reference needed]. Figure 2 The steam generator 3 is fed into the steam distributor 2 by controlling the steam through the first control valve based on the detection result of the pressure sensor, thereby controlling the steam fed into the steam penetration tank 1.
[0036] In the soybean steam cooking device described above, the sealed design of the steam penetration tank reduces heat loss, increasing the thermal efficiency from 50% to 85%, and dynamic pressure control avoids wasting ineffective steam.
[0037] See Figure 1 In a preferred embodiment, a first outlet pipe 71 is connected to the high-temperature condensate outlet 12, the first outlet pipe 71 is connected to the spiral pipe heat exchanger 8, the spiral pipe heat exchanger 8 is connected to the soaking tank 9 via a second outlet pipe 72, and a Y-type filter 10 is connected to the first outlet pipe 71.
[0038] The high-temperature condensate accumulated at the bottom of the steam penetration tank 1 enters the spiral pipe heat exchanger 8 through the first outlet pipe 71. The spiral pipe heat exchanger 8 heats the water used for soaking soybeans. The spiral pipe heat exchanger 8 uses the high-temperature condensate generated by the steam penetration tank 1 for heat exchange, raising the temperature of the water used for soaking soybeans to 60°C, making full use of the residual heat of the high-temperature condensate in the steam penetration tank 1.
[0039] Since the steam penetration tank 1 is used to steam-cook soybeans, the high-temperature condensate generated at the bottom inevitably contains some impurities. In order to reduce the cleaning efficiency of the spiral tube heat exchanger 8 while ensuring its heat exchange efficiency, the high-temperature condensate is filtered by a Y-type filter 10 before entering the spiral tube heat exchanger 8.
[0040] See Figure 1 In a preferred embodiment, the steam distributor 2 is connected to the steam outlet of the steam generator 3 via a steam outlet pipe 22, and a first control valve 23 and a pressure gauge 24 are connected to the steam outlet pipe 22.
[0041] The first control valve 23 can control the steam generated by the steam generator 3 to enter the steam distributor 2, while the pressure gauge 24 can detect the pressure of the steam on the steam outlet pipe 22.
[0042] The first control valve 23 is an electric control valve, which can control the opening degree of the electric control valve to realize the generation of high-pressure steam and low-pressure steam at the steam outlet of the steam generator 3.
[0043] See Figure 1 In a preferred embodiment, the high-temperature flash steam port 11 is connected to a high-temperature flash steam valve 13, the high-temperature flash steam valve 13 is connected to a high-temperature flash steam main pipe 14, the high-temperature flash steam main pipe 14 is connected to a steam ejector 15 and a high-temperature flash steam branch pipe 16, and the steam ejector 15 is connected to the steam inlet of the steam generator 3.
[0044] See Figure 1In a preferred embodiment, the high-temperature flash steam branch pipe 16 is connected to the plate heat exchanger 17, and the outlet pipe on the plate heat exchanger 17 is connected to the soaking tank 9.
[0045] The high-temperature flash steam valve 13 is also an electrically controlled valve. The steam penetration tank 1 is in a sealed state. When it is necessary to depressurize the steam penetration tank 1, the waste heat of the high-temperature flash steam generated by the high-temperature flash steam port 11 at the top of the steam penetration tank 1 can be utilized.
[0046] There are two ways to utilize the waste heat of high-temperature flash steam. One is to use a steam injector 15 to draw in high-temperature flash steam at 100℃~110℃, mix and pressurize it, and then directly return it to the steam generator 3 inlet pipe, reducing the amount of fresh steam generated. The other is to have the high-temperature flash steam pass through a gas-liquid separator and then enter a plate heat exchanger 17 (made of 316L steel) to preheat cold water from 15℃-20℃ to 60℃, making full use of the waste heat in the high-temperature flash steam.
[0047] See Figure 1 In a preferred embodiment, a second control valve 18 is connected to the high-temperature flash steam branch pipe 16, wherein the second control valve 18 is used to control the waste heat utilization method of the high-temperature flash steam.
[0048] The soybean steam cooking device described above reduces the amount of fresh steam generated by 30% to 40% through high-temperature flash steam recovery and utilization.
[0049] This embodiment also provides a method for steam-cooking soybeans using the soybean steam-cooking device described above, as follows:
[0050] 1. Place the soybeans to be cooked into each steam heating layer of the steam penetration tank, and pressurize and cook them by applying high-pressure steam to each steam heating layer through the steam generator.
[0051] 2. After the high-pressure steam is introduced for the predetermined time, the steam penetration tank is depressurized through the high-temperature flash steam port, so that the steam penetration tank is reduced to atmospheric pressure. Then, ethanol mixed steam is introduced into the steam penetration tank through the ethanol mixed steam nozzle, and the tank is treated under micro-pressure until the predetermined time.
[0052] 3. After the ethanol mixed vapor has been treated under micro-pressure for a predetermined time, acetic acid mixed vapor is introduced into the steam penetration tank through the acetic acid mixed vapor nozzle and treated under micro-pressure for a predetermined time.
[0053] 4. After the acetic acid mixed vapor has been treated under micro-pressure for the predetermined time, the vapor penetration tank is reduced to atmospheric pressure, and then ethanol mixed vapor is introduced into the vapor penetration tank through the ethanol mixed vapor nozzle. The mixture is then treated under micro-pressure for the predetermined time, and finally the pressure is released.
[0054] In summary, the soybean steam cooking device provided by this utility model uses steam to cook soybeans. Steam has high heat transfer efficiency, enabling more even heat transfer to the soybeans. Steam has a large latent heat; when it comes into contact with the soybean surface, it releases a large amount of heat, rapidly heating the soybeans and significantly reducing energy consumption during the soybean cooking process. Simultaneously, the device is equipped with ethanol-mixed steam nozzles and acetic acid-mixed steam nozzles to ensure the detoxification effect and nutritional value of the soybeans during steam cooking.
[0055] The foregoing description of specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention is for illustrative and explanatory purposes. These descriptions are not intended to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and it is obvious that many changes and variations can be made based on the above teachings. Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, these specific embodiments are merely explanations of the present invention and are not intended to limit the invention. The specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. The purpose of selecting and describing exemplary embodiments is to explain the specific principles of the present invention and its practical application, so that those skilled in the art, after reading this specification, can make modifications, substitutions, variations, and various choices and changes to the embodiments as needed without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, provided that such modifications, substitutions, variations, and choices and changes are within the scope of the claims of the present invention and are protected by patent law.
Claims
1. A soybean cooking apparatus characterized by comprising: include A steam penetration tank is provided with multiple layers of steam heating layers. Each layer of the steam heating layer is connected to an ethanol mixed steam nozzle and an acetic acid mixed steam nozzle. A high-temperature flash steam port is provided at the top of the steam penetration tank, and a high-temperature condensate outlet is provided at the bottom of the steam penetration tank. A steam distributor, wherein the branch pipes on the steam distributor correspond to each of the steam heating layers; A steam generator, the steam outlet of which is connected to the steam distributor, and a first control valve is provided between the steam generator and the steam penetration tank; A pressure sensor is connected to the steam penetration tank and is used to detect the pressure inside the steam penetration tank.
2. A soybean steaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The high-temperature condensate outlet is connected to a first outlet pipe, which is connected to a spiral pipe heat exchanger. The spiral pipe heat exchanger is connected to the soaking tank via a second outlet pipe, and a Y-type filter is connected to the first outlet pipe.
3. The soybean steaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The steam distributor is connected to the steam outlet of the steam generator via a steam outlet pipe, and the first control valve and pressure gauge are connected to the steam outlet pipe.
4. The soybean steaming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The high-temperature flash steam port is connected to a high-temperature flash steam valve, the high-temperature flash steam valve is connected to a high-temperature flash steam main pipeline, the high-temperature flash steam main pipeline is connected to a steam ejector and a high-temperature flash steam branch pipeline, and the steam ejector is connected to the steam inlet of the steam generator.
5. A soybean cooking apparatus according to claim 4, wherein The high-temperature flash steam branch pipe is connected to the plate heat exchanger, and the outlet pipe on the plate heat exchanger is connected to the soaking tank.
6. A soybean cooking apparatus according to claim 4, wherein A second control valve is connected to the high-temperature flash steam branch pipeline.