Microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder essence

Abstract

The utility model discloses a microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder essence, which realizes vertical circulating stirring of raw materials in a material storage tank through the rotary motion of a spiral conveying shaft in a material guide barrel; the spiral conveying shaft pumps the raw materials located on the lower portion of the material storage tank upwards along the material guide barrel, then the raw materials flow back through the upper end of the material guide barrel, and circular flowing of the raw materials in the vertical space is achieved. Therefore, the phenomena of local deposition and layering of the raw materials in the storage tank are avoided. Especially for emulsion with large density difference between the wall material and the core material, layering phenomena such as wall material sedimentation and core material oil phase floating are effectively prevented, the uniformity and the stability of the raw materials in the storage process are remarkably improved, and then the embedding rate and the structural integrity of the microcapsule are improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of microcapsule spray drying equipment, and in particular to a microcapsule spray dryer for the production of emulsified powder flavorings. Background Technology

[0002] In the food, daily chemical, and pharmaceutical industries, microencapsulation technology is widely used to protect volatile or heat-sensitive active ingredients (such as fragrances). The mainstream process involves atomizing and drying an emulsion containing wall materials (such as gum arabic or maltodextrin) and core materials (fragrances) using a spray dryer to form microcapsule powders with a protective shell. The principle is to disperse the core material (fragrance) in an emulsion containing wall materials, and then use spray drying to evaporate the surface moisture of the droplets. The wall material quickly forms a film that encapsulates the core material, creating a microcapsule structure.

[0003] However, during the storage of the emulsion before spray drying, due to density differences between the wall material and the core material, unstable interfacial tension, or insufficient emulsifier performance, the emulsion is prone to stratification (such as oil phase floating or wall material settling), resulting in uneven distribution of components within the droplets. During spray drying, the stratified emulsion exhibits an imbalance in the ratio of wall material to core material within individual droplets, with some droplets lacking sufficient wall material to form a continuous, dense film, leading to insufficient microcapsule encapsulation efficiency. Utility Model Content

[0004] In view of this, this utility model proposes a microcapsule spray dryer for the production of emulsified powder flavorings, with the aim of solving the problem of insufficient microcapsule encapsulation rate to at least a certain extent.

[0005] The solution provided by this utility model includes:

[0006] A microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings includes a material storage unit, a spray drying unit, and a separation unit connected in sequence by pipes.

[0007] The storage unit includes a storage tank, and a stirring mechanism is provided inside the storage tank. The stirring mechanism includes a guide cylinder, a screw conveyor shaft, and a first driver for driving the screw conveyor shaft to rotate. The guide cylinder is vertically arranged inside the storage tank. The lower end of the guide cylinder forms an inlet and the upper end forms an outlet. The screw conveyor shaft is arranged inside the guide cylinder and is rotatably connected to the storage tank.

[0008] The spray drying unit includes a drying tower, an atomizer is installed inside the drying tower, the atomizer is connected to the storage unit by a pipeline, and the drying tower is provided with a discharge port and an air vent for introducing drying hot air.

[0009] The separation unit includes a cyclone separator, the input end of which is connected to the outlet of the drying tower.

[0010] As a further optional solution, multiple connecting rods are provided outside the guide cylinder, with the first end of the connecting rod connected to the guide cylinder and the second end of the connecting rod connected to the storage tank.

[0011] As a further optional solution, both ends of the screw conveyor shaft are rotatably connected to the storage tank, the first driver is a motor, and the motor and the screw conveyor shaft are connected by belt drive.

[0012] As a further optional solution, the mixing mechanism also includes a stirrer, which includes an extension rod and a stirring plate disposed at a first end of the extension rod. The second end of the extension rod is fixedly connected to the screw conveyor shaft. The second end of the extension rod is located below the inlet of the guide cylinder, and the stirring plate is located outside the guide cylinder and in the middle of the storage tank.

[0013] As a further optional solution, the separation unit includes two cyclone separators arranged in parallel, each cyclone separator having a first output port and a second output port, the first output port being connected to a material loading box.

[0014] As a further alternative, the atomizer can be a pressure atomizer, a centrifugal atomizer, or an airflow atomizer.

[0015] Compared with the prior art, the microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings of this application has at least the following advantages:

[0016] The rotation of the screw conveyor shaft within the feed cylinder enables vertical circulation and stirring of the raw materials in the storage tank. The screw conveyor shaft draws the raw materials from the lower part of the storage tank upwards along the feed cylinder, then returns them through the upper end of the feed cylinder, achieving vertical spatial circulation of the raw materials. This prevents localized sedimentation and stratification of the raw materials within the storage tank. Particularly effective for emulsions with significant density differences between the wall material and the core material, it effectively prevents stratification phenomena such as wall material sedimentation and core material oil phase floating, significantly improving the uniformity and stability of the raw materials during storage, thereby increasing the encapsulation rate and structural integrity of the microcapsules. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings according to an embodiment of this utility model;

[0018] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the connection structure between the spray drying unit and the separation unit in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the stirring mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the stirring mechanism in an embodiment of this utility model;

[0021] In the diagram: 1. Storage unit; 11. Storage tank; 12. Mixing mechanism; 121. Guide cylinder; 1211. Inlet; 1212. Outlet; 122. Screw conveyor shaft; 123. First driver; 124. Agitator; 1241. Extension rod; 1242. Agitator plate; 125. Connecting rod;

[0022] 2. Spray drying unit; 21. Drying tower; 211. Discharge port; 212. Air outlet; 22. Atomizer;

[0023] 3. Separation unit; 31. Cyclone separator; 311. First output port; 312. Second output port; 32. Material box. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The specific embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are used to illustrate this utility model, but are not intended to limit its scope.

[0025] In the description of this utility model, it should be understood that the terms "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "vertical", "horizontal", etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this utility model and simplifying the description, and 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. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model.

[0026] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "joining," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; 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; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0027] In this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, "above" or "below" the second feature can mean that the first feature is in direct contact with the second feature, or that the first feature is in indirect contact through an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. "Below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0028] refer to Figure 1-4 This utility model discloses a microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings, comprising a storage unit 1, a spray drying unit 2, and a separation unit 3 connected in sequence by pipes; the storage unit 1 includes a storage tank 11, and a stirring mechanism 12 is provided inside the storage tank 11. The stirring mechanism 12 includes a guide cylinder 121, a screw conveyor shaft 122, and a first driver 123 for driving the screw conveyor shaft 122 to rotate. The guide cylinder 121 is vertically arranged inside the storage tank 11, and the lower end of the guide cylinder forms an inlet 1211 and the upper end forms an inlet 1211. The unit has an output port 1212. The spiral conveying shaft 122 is disposed inside the guide cylinder 121 and is rotatably connected to the storage tank 11. The spray drying unit 2 includes a drying tower 21, which is equipped with an atomizer 22. The atomizer 22 is connected to the storage unit 1 via a pipe. The drying tower 21 is provided with an outlet 211 and an air vent 212 for introducing dry hot air. The separation unit 3 includes a cyclone separator 31, the input end of which is connected to the outlet 211 of the drying tower 21.

[0029] Specifically, the raw material formed by mixing the core material (fragrance) and the wall material is stored in the storage tank 11. The stirring mechanism 12 keeps stirring the raw material in the storage tank 11 to prevent the raw material from settling or stratifying. The raw material in the storage tank 11 is transported to the atomizer 22 in the drying tower 21 through a pipeline. The atomizer 22 atomizes the raw material, making it into tiny droplets. The air outlet 212 of the drying tower 21 is connected to an external air supply device, which is used to supply dry hot air into the drying tower 21. The air supply device adopts existing technology and is not shown in the figure. The dry hot air comes into contact with the droplets, causing the moisture in the droplets to evaporate rapidly, forming a solid wall material film (microcapsule shell) on the surface. The processed microcapsules and gas are output from the outlet 211 of the drying tower 21 to the separation unit 3. The cyclone separator 31 in the separation unit 3 uses centrifugal force to separate the microcapsules and waste gas, thereby obtaining microcapsules.

[0030] The stirring mechanism 12, through the rotational motion of the spiral conveyor shaft 122 within the guide cylinder 121, achieves vertical circulation stirring of the raw materials in the storage tank 11. The spiral conveyor shaft 122 draws the raw materials located at the lower part of the storage tank 11 upwards along the guide cylinder 121, and then returns them through the upper end of the guide cylinder 121, realizing the vertical spatial circulation of the raw materials. This avoids localized sedimentation and stratification of the raw materials within the storage tank 11. In particular, for emulsions with significant density differences between the wall material and the core material, it effectively prevents stratification phenomena such as wall material sedimentation and core material oil phase floating, significantly improving the uniformity and stability of the raw materials during storage, thereby increasing the encapsulation rate and structural integrity of the microcapsules.

[0031] In some embodiments, to ensure that the guide cylinder 121 is stably disposed within the storage tank 11 and can form the inlet 1211 and the outlet 1212, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, multiple connecting rods 125 are provided outside the guide cylinder 121. The first end of the connecting rod 125 is connected to the guide cylinder 121, and the second end of the connecting rod 125 is connected to the storage tank 11.

[0032] In this embodiment, the guide cylinder 121 is coaxially arranged with the storage tank 11. The raw material at the bottom of the storage tank 11 is drawn into the guide cylinder 121 and rises upward along the guide cylinder 121, finally overflowing from the output port 1212 at the upper end of the guide cylinder 121, realizing vertical space circulation. The connecting rod 125 ensures the stability of the guide cylinder 121 and prevents the guide cylinder 121 from moving.

[0033] In some embodiments, to facilitate the rotation of the spiral conveying shaft 122, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the two ends of the spiral conveyor shaft 122 are rotatably connected to the storage tank 11, the first driver 123 is a motor, and the motor and the spiral conveyor shaft 122 are connected by belt drive.

[0034] In this embodiment, a belt drive connection structure is used to drive the screw conveyor shaft 122, which can reduce the impact load on the screw conveyor shaft 122, reduce noise, and avoid overload damage to the screw conveyor shaft 122 or the motor.

[0035] In some embodiments, to improve the stirring effect, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown, the stirring mechanism 12 also includes a stirrer 124, which includes an extension rod 1241 and a stirring plate 1242 disposed at the first end of the extension rod 1241. The second end of the extension rod 1241 is fixedly connected to the screw conveyor shaft 122. The second end of the extension rod 1241 is located below the inlet 1211 of the guide cylinder 121, and the stirring plate 1242 is located outside the guide cylinder 121 and in the middle of the storage tank 11.

[0036] In this embodiment, by adding a stirrer 124, a circumferential stirring vortex can be formed on the outside of the feed cylinder 121; combined with the vertical circulation of the spiral conveyor shaft 122, the sedimentation and stratification of raw materials can be prevented; both the spiral conveyor shaft 122 and the stirrer 124 are driven by the first driver 123, and the transmission structure is simple.

[0037] In some embodiments, to improve the separation effect, such as Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the separation unit 3 includes two cyclone separators 31 arranged in parallel. Each cyclone separator 31 includes a first output port 311 and a second output port 1212. The first output port 311 is connected to the material container 32.

[0038] The material container 32 is used to store the separated microcapsules, while the second output port 312 is used to discharge waste gas. To avoid environmental pollution, the second output port 312 can be connected to a waste gas treatment device. The waste gas treatment device is based on existing technology and is therefore not shown in the figure.

[0039] In the above scheme, the atomizer 22 can refer to the prior art, and its type can be a pressure atomizer 22, a centrifugal atomizer 22, or an airflow atomizer 22. Its atomization principle will not be described in detail here.

[0040] In summary, this application provides a microcapsule spray dryer for the production of emulsion powder flavorings. The rotational motion of the screw conveyor shaft 122 within the feed cylinder 121 achieves vertical circulation and stirring of the raw materials in the storage tank 11. The screw conveyor shaft 122 draws the raw materials located at the lower part of the storage tank 11 upwards along the feed cylinder 121, and then returns them through the upper end of the feed cylinder 121, achieving vertical spatial circulation of the raw materials. This avoids localized sedimentation and stratification of the raw materials within the storage tank 11. Particularly effective for emulsions with significant density differences between the wall material and the core material, it prevents stratification phenomena such as wall material sedimentation and core material oil phase floating, significantly improving the uniformity and stability of the raw materials during storage, thereby increasing the encapsulation rate and structural integrity of the microcapsules.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0042] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model. It should be noted that for those skilled in the art, several improvements and substitutions can be made without departing from the technical principles of the present utility model, and these improvements and substitutions should also be considered within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings, characterized in that, It includes a storage unit, a spray drying unit, and a separation unit connected in sequence by pipes; The storage unit includes a storage tank, and a stirring mechanism is provided inside the storage tank. The stirring mechanism includes a guide cylinder, a screw conveyor shaft, and a first driver for driving the screw conveyor shaft to rotate. The guide cylinder is vertically arranged inside the storage tank. The lower end of the guide cylinder forms an inlet and the upper end forms an outlet. The screw conveyor shaft is arranged inside the guide cylinder and is rotatably connected to the storage tank. The spray drying unit includes a drying tower, an atomizer is installed inside the drying tower, the atomizer is connected to the storage unit by a pipeline, and the drying tower is provided with a discharge port and an air vent for introducing drying hot air. The separation unit includes a cyclone separator, the input end of which is connected to the outlet of the drying tower.

2. The microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings according to claim 1, characterized in that, Multiple connecting rods are provided outside the guide cylinder. The first end of the connecting rod is connected to the guide cylinder, and the second end of the connecting rod is connected to the storage tank.

3. The microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the spiral conveyor shaft are rotatably connected to the storage tank, the first driver is a motor, and the motor and the spiral conveyor shaft are connected by belt drive.

4. The microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mixing mechanism further includes a stirrer, which includes an extension rod and a stirring plate disposed at the first end of the extension rod. The second end of the extension rod is fixedly connected to the screw conveyor shaft. The second end of the extension rod is located below the inlet of the guide cylinder, and the stirring plate is located outside the guide cylinder and in the middle of the storage tank.

5. The microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The separation unit includes two cyclone separators arranged in parallel. Each cyclone separator includes a first output port and a second output port. The first output port is connected to the material loading box.

6. The microcapsule spray dryer for producing emulsified powder flavorings according to claim 1, characterized in that, The atomizer is a pressure atomizer, a centrifugal atomizer, or an airflow atomizer.

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