A continuous homogenizer for casein production
By introducing heating and ultrasonic treatment into the high-pressure homogenizer, combined with the design of reverse spiral flow, the problems of clogging and uneven shearing of high-concentration casein solutions during homogenization are solved, resulting in better homogenization effect and particle uniformity.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- XINJIANG YIPIN CASEIN
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-30
AI Technical Summary
Existing high-pressure homogenizers are not effective at homogenizing high-concentration casein solutions, which can easily lead to problems such as feed pump blockage and uneven material shearing.
A continuous homogenizing device was designed, comprising a high-pressure homogenizer, a support frame, an outer casing, a conveying pipe, an electric heating rod, a temperature sensor, and an ultrasonic generator. The viscosity of the casein solution is reduced by heating and ultrasonic treatment, and a spiral flow guiding component is set in the conveying pipe to achieve reverse spiral flow, break up large-diameter agglomerates, and improve the homogenization effect.
It effectively reduces the viscosity of the casein solution, improves its fluidity, avoids clogging and turbulence, enhances the shearing efficiency of the homogenizer, and ensures the uniformity and homogenization effect of the casein particles.
Smart Images
Figure CN224422660U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of food processing equipment technology, and more specifically, to a continuous homogenizing device for casein production. Background Technology
[0002] Homogenization is a key step in the production of casein. Its purpose is to ensure that casein particles are evenly dispersed in whey, prevent precipitation, and improve product stability. When producing food-grade casein, the casein solution needs to be homogenized, which requires the use of continuous homogenizing equipment, namely a high-pressure homogenizer.
[0003] Existing high-pressure homogenizers, when homogenizing casein solutions, experience a significant increase in viscosity and decreased flowability when the casein solution concentration is too high (e.g., exceeding 8%). This can lead to: 1. Increased load on the feed pump within the homogenizer, potentially causing blockages (e.g., in pumps, valves, or pipelines); 2. Uneven shear force within the material under high pressure, resulting in over-homogenization and structural damage in some areas, while insufficient homogenization in others leads to uneven particle size distribution in the product. In summary, high-pressure homogenizers are ineffective for homogenizing excessively concentrated casein solutions. Therefore, we propose a continuous homogenization device for casein production. Utility Model Content
[0004] The purpose of this invention is to overcome the shortcomings of the existing technology, adapt to practical needs, and provide a continuous homogenizing device for casein production, so as to solve the technical problem that the current high-pressure homogenizer has poor homogenization effect on casein solutions with excessively high concentrations.
[0005] To solve the above-mentioned technical problems, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a continuous homogenizing equipment for casein production, including a high-pressure homogenizer and a support frame. An outer tube is arranged on the top of the support frame, and a conveying pipe is arranged inside the outer tube. One end of the conveying pipe is connected to the feed port of the high-pressure homogenizer. A cavity is formed between the outer tube and the conveying pipe. Several sets of heating rods are arranged at equal intervals in the cavity. A temperature sensor is arranged on one side of the cavity.
[0006] The inner wall of the conveying pipe is provided with spiral flow guiding components, which are arranged from left to right as a first spiral flow guiding assembly, a second spiral flow guiding assembly, a third spiral flow guiding assembly and a fourth spiral flow guiding assembly. The first spiral flow guiding assembly and the third spiral flow guiding assembly are arranged counterclockwise, and the second spiral flow guiding assembly and the fourth spiral flow guiding assembly are arranged clockwise.
[0007] Preferably, the first spiral guide assembly, the second spiral guide assembly, the third spiral guide assembly and the fourth spiral guide assembly are each composed of three sets of spiral blades, and the three sets of spiral blades are distributed at equal intervals along the circumference.
[0008] Preferably, a replenishment box is arranged at the center of the top of the outer tube, a fixing plate is arranged between the replenishment box and the outer tube, a connecting pipe is arranged at the bottom of the outer tube, the connecting pipe communicates with the clamping cavity, and a sealing cap is arranged at the top of the replenishment box.
[0009] Preferably, the bracket includes a base plate, with adjusting rods symmetrically arranged on the top of the base plate, a U-shaped seat arranged at the top of the adjusting rod, fixing bolts arranged at the front and rear of the U-shaped seat, and the outer sleeve located inside the U-shaped seat.
[0010] Preferably, a number of transducer structures are arranged at equal intervals on the outer sleeve, and an ultrasonic generator is arranged on the base plate.
[0011] Preferably, the transducer structure includes a mounting ring, on which four sets of equidistant threaded tubes are screwed around the circumference. A mating seat is rotatably arranged at one end of the threaded tube inside the mounting ring. The transducer body is arranged inside the mating seat. The transducer body is connected to an ultrasonic generator through a wire. The transducer structures arranged from left to right on the outer tube are staggered.
[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are:
[0013] 1. This utility model, through its designed support structure, including a conveying pipe, outer sleeve, heating rod, and temperature sensor, utilizes a structure where the conveying pipe and the outer sleeve's cavity are filled with water. Therefore, when the feed pump inside the high-pressure homogenizer draws in a high-concentration casein solution, the solution flows through the conveying pipe. During this process, the heating rod heats the water in the cavity, and under the detection of the temperature sensor, the water temperature is maintained below the casein denaturation threshold of 60°C. This heats the passing casein solution to 40-50°C. The increased temperature intensifies the thermal motion of protein molecules, weakening intermolecular hydrogen bonding and reducing viscosity by 20%-30%, thus improving fluidity. This invention reduces the load on the feed pump inside the high-pressure homogenizer to avoid blockages. Secondly, the uniform viscosity of the material entering the high-pressure homogenizer results in a more consistent flow velocity distribution at the high-pressure valve seat, preventing uneven turbulence intensity caused by local viscosity differences. The reduced viscosity also increases the shear efficiency of the material within the homogenization gap of the high-pressure homogenizer, reducing the number of repeated homogenization cycles under the same pressure and preventing localized over-shearing (such as excessive breakage of protein aggregates). This improves the homogenization effect of the high-pressure homogenizer on high-concentration casein solutions, solving the current technical problem of poor homogenization effect of high-pressure homogenizers on excessively high-concentration casein solutions. Therefore, this invention has the advantage of better homogenization effect on high-concentration casein solutions.
[0014] 2. This utility model also incorporates a spiral guide component inside the conveying pipe. From left to right, the spiral guide components are a first spiral guide assembly, a second spiral guide assembly, a third spiral guide assembly, and a fourth spiral guide assembly. The first and third spiral guide assemblies are arranged counterclockwise, while the second and fourth spiral guide assemblies are arranged clockwise. Therefore, with the cooperation of the first, second, third, and fourth spiral guide assemblies, the casein solution can undergo repeated forward and reverse spiral flow within the conveying pipe. Compared to the traditional spiral flow in a single direction, this design can better achieve uniform heating of the casein solution and ensure the uniformity of viscosity reduction.
[0015] 3. The outer tube of this utility model is equipped with several sets of transducer structures, and an ultrasonic generator is arranged on the support. The ultrasonic generator, in conjunction with the transducer structures, generates ultrasonic waves (20-40 kHz) and transmits them into the casein solution. The ultrasonic waves then cause pressure changes in the liquid, forming countless tiny cavitation bubbles. These bubbles collapse instantaneously under high pressure (cavitation collapse), releasing strong shock waves and local high temperatures (up to 5000 K) and high pressures (hundreds of megapascals). This causes a violent bursting and breaking effect on particles in the liquid (such as casein molecular aggregates), breaking up large-diameter aggregates, reducing the size of casein particles and making their distribution more uniform. This avoids feed blockage caused by excessively large particles during homogenization, destroys hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces between particles, reduces the colloidal stability of the material, and lowers viscosity (especially effective for systems with a concentration > 8%). Attached Figure Description
[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0017] Figure 2 This is a schematic cross-sectional view of the conveying pipe and outer casing of this utility model;
[0018] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the spiral flow guiding component of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the transducer structure of this utility model;
[0020] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the support structure of this utility model.
[0021] Explanation of the labels in the diagram:
[0022] 1. High-pressure homogenizer; 2. Support frame; 201. Base plate; 202. Adjusting rod; 203. U-shaped seat; 204. Fixing bolt; 3. Conveying pipe; 4. Outer sleeve; 401. Fixing plate; 402. Connecting pipe; 403. Replenishment box; 404. Sealing cover; 5. Clamping cavity; 6. Heating rod; 7. Temperature sensor; 8. Spiral guide component; 801. First spiral guide assembly; 802. Second spiral guide assembly; 803. Third spiral guide assembly; 804. Fourth spiral guide assembly; 9. Transducer structure; 901. Mounting ring; 902. Threaded pipe; 903. Insertion seat; 904. Transducer body; 10. Ultrasonic generator. Detailed Implementation
[0023] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the present invention relates to a continuous homogenizing equipment for casein production, including a high-pressure homogenizer 1 and a support 2. An outer tube 4 is arranged on the top of the support 2, and a conveying pipe 3 is arranged inside the outer tube 4. One end of the conveying pipe 3 is connected to the feed port of the high-pressure homogenizer 1. A cavity 5 is formed between the outer tube 4 and the conveying pipe 3. Several sets of heating rods 6 are arranged at equal intervals in the cavity 5. A temperature sensor 7 is arranged on one side of the cavity 5.
[0024] When the feed pump inside the high-pressure homogenizer 1 draws in the high-concentration casein solution from the outside, the high-concentration casein solution will pass through the delivery pipe 3. During this process, the heating rod 6 controls the water source in the clamping cavity 5 to heat it. Then, under the detection of the temperature sensor 7, the water temperature is maintained at a low casein denaturation threshold of 60℃, thereby heating the casein solution to 40-50℃. The temperature increase intensifies the thermal motion of protein molecules, weakens the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and reduces the viscosity by 20%-30%. Firstly, this improves the fluidity, reduces the load on the feed pump inside the high-pressure homogenizer 1, and avoids blockage. Secondly, after the material with uniform viscosity enters the high-pressure homogenizer 1, the flow velocity distribution at the high-pressure valve seat of the high-pressure homogenizer 1 is more consistent, avoiding uneven turbulence intensity caused by local viscosity differences. The reduced viscosity increases the shear efficiency of the material in the homogenization gap of the high-pressure homogenizer 1. Under the same pressure, the number of repeated homogenizations can be reduced, avoiding local over-shearing (such as excessive breakage of protein aggregates), thereby improving the homogenization effect of the high-pressure homogenizer 1 on the high-concentration casein solution.
[0025] Specifically, a replenishment box 403 is arranged at the center of the top of the outer tube 4, a fixing plate 401 is arranged between the replenishment box 403 and the outer tube 4, a connecting pipe 402 is arranged at the bottom of the outer tube 4, the connecting pipe 402 is connected to the clamping cavity 5, and a sealing cover 404 is arranged on the top of the replenishment box 403; the replenishment box 403 is filled with water, and water can be continuously injected into the clamping cavity 5 through the connecting pipe 402, so that the clamping cavity 5 is always full of water, thus ensuring the heating effect of the solution in the delivery pipe 3.
[0026] Furthermore, the support 2 includes a base plate 201, with adjusting rods 202 symmetrically arranged on the top of the base plate 201. A U-shaped seat 203 is arranged at the top of the adjusting rod 202, and fixing bolts 204 are arranged at the front and rear of the U-shaped seat 203. The outer sleeve 4 is located inside the U-shaped seat 203. After the outer sleeve 4 is inserted into the U-shaped seat 203, the fixing bolts 204 are tightened to fix the outer sleeve 4. Then, the height of the support 2 can be adjusted by adjusting the adjusting rods 202, that is, the height of the conveying pipe 3 can be adjusted. This serves two purposes: firstly, it can support and fix the conveying pipe 3 and other structures, and secondly, it facilitates the connection between the conveying pipe 3 and the feed inlet of the high-pressure homogenizer 1.
[0027] In an embodiment of this utility model, a spiral guide component 8 is arranged on the inner wall of the conveying pipe 3. The spiral guide component 8 consists of a first spiral guide assembly 801, a second spiral guide assembly 802, a third spiral guide assembly 803, and a fourth spiral guide assembly 804 from left to right. The first spiral guide assembly 801 and the third spiral guide assembly 803 are arranged counterclockwise, while the second spiral guide assembly 802 and the fourth spiral guide assembly 804 are arranged clockwise. Each of the first spiral guide assembly 801, the second spiral guide assembly 802, the third spiral guide assembly 803, and the fourth spiral guide assembly 804 consists of three sets of spiral blades, and the three sets of spiral blades are equidistantly distributed along the circumference.
[0028] With the cooperation of the counterclockwise first spiral guide component 801, the third spiral guide component 803, and the clockwise second spiral guide component 802, the fourth spiral guide component 804, the casein solution can repeatedly flow in both forward and reverse spiral directions within the conveying pipe 3. Compared with the traditional spiral flow in a single direction, this can better achieve uniform heating of the casein solution and ensure the uniformity of viscosity reduction of the casein solution.
[0029] In an embodiment of this utility model, several sets of transducer structures 9 are equidistantly arranged on the outer tube 4, and an ultrasonic generator 10 is arranged on the base plate 201. The transducer structure 9 includes a mounting ring 901, and four sets of equidistant threaded tubes 902 are screwed onto the mounting ring 901 around its circumference. One end of the threaded tube 902 located inside the mounting ring 901 is rotatably arranged with a mating seat 903. A transducer body 904 is arranged inside the mating seat 903. The transducer body 904 is connected to the ultrasonic generator 10 through a wire. The transducer structures 9 arranged from left to right on the outer tube 4 are arranged in a staggered manner.
[0030] By tightening the threaded tube 902, the four transducer bodies 904 inside the mounting ring 901 can be abutted against the outer tube 4. Then, the ultrasonic generator 10, in conjunction with the transducer bodies 904, generates ultrasonic waves (20-40 kHz) and transmits them into the casein solution. The ultrasonic waves cause pressure changes in the liquid, forming countless tiny cavitation bubbles. These bubbles collapse instantly under high pressure (cavitation collapse), releasing strong shock waves and local high temperatures (up to 5000 K) and high pressures (hundreds of megapascals). This violently breaks up particles (such as casein molecular aggregates) in the liquid, breaking up large-diameter aggregates, reducing the size of casein particles and making their distribution more uniform. This avoids feed blockage caused by excessively large particles during homogenization, destroys hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces between particles, reduces the colloidal stability of the material, and lowers viscosity (especially effective for systems with a concentration > 8%). Furthermore, the misaligned transducer structure 9 allows differential acoustic waves to be transmitted into the solution from different directions, achieving better performance.
[0031] Working Principle: This embodiment provides a continuous homogenizing device for casein production. First, when the feed pump inside the high-pressure homogenizer 1 draws in a high-concentration casein solution from the outside, the high-concentration casein solution passes through the conveying pipe 3. During this process, the heating rod 6 heats the water source in the clamping cavity 5. Then, under the detection of the temperature sensor 7, the water temperature is maintained below the casein denaturation threshold of 60°C, thereby heating the passing casein solution to 40-50°C. The increased temperature intensifies the thermal motion of protein molecules, weakens the intermolecular hydrogen bonding, and reduces viscosity. The viscosity reduction of 20%-30% has two advantages: firstly, it improves fluidity and reduces the load on the feed pump inside the high-pressure homogenizer 1, preventing blockages; secondly, when materials with uniform viscosity enter the high-pressure homogenizer 1, the flow velocity distribution at the high-pressure valve seat of the high-pressure homogenizer 1 is more consistent, avoiding uneven turbulence intensity caused by local viscosity differences. The reduced viscosity increases the shearing efficiency of the material in the homogenization gap of the high-pressure homogenizer 1, reducing the number of repeated homogenizations under the same pressure and avoiding local over-shearing (such as excessive breakage of protein aggregates), thereby improving the homogenization effect of the high-pressure homogenizer 1 on high-concentration casein solutions.
[0032] Secondly, with the cooperation of the counterclockwise first spiral guide component 801, the third spiral guide component 803 and the clockwise second spiral guide component 802, the fourth spiral guide component 804, the casein solution can repeatedly flow in both forward and reverse spiral directions in the delivery pipe 3. Compared with the traditional spiral flow in a single direction, it can better achieve uniform heating of the casein solution and ensure the uniformity of the viscosity reduction of the casein solution.
[0033] Finally, by tightening the threaded tube 902, the four sets of transducer bodies 904 inside the mounting ring 901 can be abutted against the outer tube 4. Then, the ultrasonic generator 10, in conjunction with the transducer bodies 904, generates ultrasonic waves (20-40 kHz) and transmits them into the casein solution. The ultrasonic waves cause pressure changes in the liquid, forming countless tiny cavitation bubbles. These bubbles collapse instantly under high pressure (cavitation collapse), releasing strong shock waves and local high temperatures (up to 5000 K) and high pressures (hundreds of megapascals). This violently breaks up particles (such as casein molecular aggregates) in the liquid, breaking up large-diameter aggregates, reducing the size of casein particles and making their distribution more uniform. This avoids feed blockage caused by excessively large particles during homogenization, destroys hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces between particles, reduces the colloidal stability of the material, and lowers the viscosity (especially effective for systems with a concentration > 8%). Furthermore, the misaligned transducer structure 9 allows differential acoustic waves to be transmitted into the solution from different directions, achieving better performance.
[0034] The embodiments disclosed herein are preferred embodiments, but are not limited thereto. Those skilled in the art can readily grasp the spirit of this utility model based on the above embodiments and make different extensions and variations. However, as long as they do not depart from the spirit of this utility model, they are all within the protection scope of this utility model.
Claims
1. A continuous homogenizing device for casein production, characterized in that, The device includes a high-pressure homogenizer (1) and a support (2). The top of the support (2) is provided with an outer tube (4). A conveying pipe (3) is provided inside the outer tube (4). One end of the conveying pipe (3) is connected to the feed port of the high-pressure homogenizer (1). A cavity (5) is formed between the outer tube (4) and the conveying pipe (3). Several sets of heating rods (6) are arranged at equal intervals in the cavity (5). A temperature sensor (7) is arranged on one side of the cavity (5). The inner wall of the conveying pipe (3) is provided with a spiral guide component (8). The spiral guide component (8) consists of a first spiral guide assembly (801), a second spiral guide assembly (802), a third spiral guide assembly (803), and a fourth spiral guide assembly (804) from left to right. The first spiral guide assembly (801) and the third spiral guide assembly (803) are arranged counterclockwise, and the second spiral guide assembly (802) and the fourth spiral guide assembly (804) are arranged clockwise.
2. The continuous homogenizing equipment for casein production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first spiral guide assembly (801), the second spiral guide assembly (802), the third spiral guide assembly (803) and the fourth spiral guide assembly (804) are all composed of three sets of spiral blades, and the three sets of spiral blades are distributed at equal intervals along the circumference.
3. The continuous homogenizing equipment for casein production according to claim 1, characterized in that, A replenishment box (403) is arranged at the top center of the outer tube (4), a fixing plate (401) is arranged between the replenishment box (403) and the outer tube (4), a connecting pipe (402) is arranged at the bottom of the outer tube (4), the connecting pipe (402) is connected to the clamping cavity (5), and a sealing cover (404) is arranged at the top of the replenishment box (403).
4. The continuous homogenizing equipment for casein production according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket (2) includes a base plate (201), an adjusting rod (202) is symmetrically arranged on the top of the base plate (201), a U-shaped seat (203) is arranged at the top of the adjusting rod (202), a fixing bolt (204) is arranged at the front and rear of the U-shaped seat (203), and the outer sleeve (4) is located inside the U-shaped seat (203).
5. A continuous homogenizing device for casein production according to claim 4, characterized in that, Several sets of transducer structures (9) are arranged at equal intervals on the outer tube (4), and an ultrasonic generator (10) is arranged on the base plate (201).
6. A continuous homogenizing device for casein production according to claim 5, characterized in that, The transducer structure (9) includes a mounting ring (901), on which four sets of equally spaced threaded tubes (902) are screwed around. A mating seat (903) is rotatably arranged at one end of the threaded tube (902) inside the mounting ring (901). A transducer body (904) is arranged inside the mating seat (903). The transducer body (904) is connected to the ultrasonic generator (10) through a wire. The transducer structures (9) arranged from left to right on the outer tube (4) are staggered.