A low-temperature device for drying milk powder
By employing a combined design of an outer cylinder, inner cylinder, atomizer, and vacuum pump in the milk powder drying device, and utilizing the pressure difference between the primary and secondary zones and dynamic baffles, low-temperature and high-efficiency drying of milk powder is achieved. This solves the problems of low nutrient retention rate in high-temperature drying and high energy consumption in low-temperature drying, thereby improving drying efficiency and nutrient retention rate.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QINGHAI ZANGBA DAIRY CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-07-16
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-03
AI Technical Summary
Traditional milk powder drying equipment has a low nutrient retention rate when drying at high temperatures, while low-temperature drying methods are energy-intensive and prone to human error, resulting in reduced drying efficiency.
Employing a low-temperature device comprising an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, an atomizer, and a vacuum pump, the device utilizes the pressure difference between the primary and secondary zones and a dynamic baffle design, combined with ultrasonic atomization and a multi-stage vacuum drying tower, to achieve low-temperature drying of milk powder, reducing protein deformability and improving nutrient retention, while also minimizing human error and energy consumption.
It achieves efficient drying of milk powder under low-temperature conditions, reduces protein denaturation, improves nutrient retention, reduces energy consumption, avoids clogging, and improves drying efficiency.
Smart Images
Figure CN224440266U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention belongs to the field of drying milk powder technology, specifically a low-temperature device for drying milk powder. Background Technology
[0002] Milk powder is a powder made by removing moisture from fresh milk from mammals. It is easy to store and convenient to carry. Milk powder is a reconstituted food made from fresh cow's or goat's milk. It is produced by removing almost all the water from the milk through freezing or heating, drying it, and then adding appropriate amounts of vitamins and minerals.
[0003] Traditional milk powder drying equipment often uses high-temperature drying or low-temperature freezing methods. High-temperature drying (160℃-200℃) will only maintain the nutritional content of milk powder at 70%-75%, and the protein deformation rate is too high, resulting in a low nutrient retention rate. Although existing low-temperature drying methods (such as freeze drying) retain nutrients well, they consume a lot of energy, and both require a certain amount of labor costs, which are prone to human error and reduce drying efficiency. Utility Model Content
[0004] To address the problems mentioned in the background section, this invention provides a low-temperature device for drying milk powder, thereby resolving the difficulty in simultaneously achieving efficiency, nutrition, and cost in low-temperature drying of milk powder.
[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a low-temperature device for drying milk powder, characterized in that it includes an outer cylinder, an inner cylinder, an atomizer, and a vacuum pump. The outer cylinder is cylindrical and has a primary vacuum tube and a secondary vacuum tube on its surface. The inner cylinder is installed inside the outer cylinder and is also cylindrical. The primary vacuum tube and the secondary vacuum tube communicate with the interior of the inner cylinder. The tail ends of the primary vacuum tube and the secondary vacuum tube are connected to the vacuum pump. A first clamping ring is provided at the top of the inner cylinder and is connected to the bottom of the atomizer.
[0006] Optionally, a spiral plate is installed inside the inner cylinder, with the first and last ends of the spiral plate connected to the first and last ends of the inner cylinder. A dynamic partition is installed at the center of the inner cylinder, and the dynamic partition is installed concentrically with the inner cylinder.
[0007] Optionally, the dynamic partition consists of a rotating shaft, a folding fan disc, a sealing strip, and a sensor. The folding fan disc is connected to the rotating shaft and can be folded as the rotating shaft rotates. The fan surface with the largest radius does not have a sealing strip, while the other fan surfaces are provided with sealing strips at the contact points with the inner cylinder. The sensor is located on the surface of the fan surface with the largest radius.
[0008] Optionally, the rotating shaft is engaged with the central hole of the spiral plate.
[0009] Optionally, the dynamic partition divides the inner cylinder into two regions: the region near the top of the inner cylinder is the primary region, and the other region is set as the secondary region. The primary vacuum tube is connected to the primary region, and the secondary vacuum tube is connected to the secondary region. The sensor monitors the data of the primary region.
[0010] Optionally, the inner wall of the inner cylinder is provided with a condensing plate, and the condensing plate is connected to a drain valve, which connects the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder.
[0011] Optionally, a filter plate is installed at the bottom of the inner cylinder, and a heat pipe is embedded in the inner wall of the inner cylinder, with the heat pipe located within the primary zone area.
[0012] Optionally, the outer cylinder is provided with a flange cover, and a second clamping ring is provided on the flange cover, which is connected to the atomizer inlet.
[0013] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0014] In this invention, concentrated milk, after being sterilized and preheated, enters an atomizer. The atomizer can be an ultrasonic atomizer, which atomizes the concentrated milk into microdroplets, reducing the subsequent drying temperature requirement. The milk enters the first-stage zone, where low-temperature hot air (60℃-80℃) generated by heat pipes and a vacuum pump initially evaporates the moisture. After the semi-dried particles fall into the second-stage zone, the remaining moisture is rapidly sublimated in a 30℃ low-temperature vacuum environment provided by a condenser plate and a vacuum pump. After drying, the milk powder is sieved through a filter plate and enters the production line. The ultrasonic atomizer and the multi-stage vacuum drying tower work together to eliminate the need for high temperatures during the atomization process, reduce protein deformability, improve nutrient retention, and reduce the drying heat energy requirement due to the lower boiling point of water in the vacuum environment.
[0015] In this invention, a pressure difference of 20 mbar is maintained between the primary and secondary zones, with the pressure in the primary zone being greater than that in the secondary zone. When concentrated milk enters the primary zone inside the inner cylinder, the partition closes, and the primary zone operates independently, using hot air (60°C) for drying. At this time, the sensor monitors the humidity of the semi-dried particles in the primary zone in real time. When the humidity drops to a certain level, a dynamic partition opening signal is triggered, and the folding fan begins to fold. The vacuum pressure in the primary zone is higher than that in the secondary zone, and the semi-dried particles enter the secondary zone under the push of gravity and airflow. The combination of the dynamic partition and the sensor can reduce the probability of milk powder clogging during transfer, resolving the contradiction between clogging and separation efficiency. Furthermore, the primary zone can be adjusted independently without needing to match the low-temperature requirements of the secondary zone throughout the process, making the entire device energy-saving and reducing human error.
[0016] In this invention, the secondary zone is equipped with a condenser plate to condense the sublimated water vapor in the milk powder in a directional manner and discharge it through a drain valve. This improves the efficiency of water vapor removal, prevents the milk powder from becoming damp and clumping, and the condensate can be recycled, reducing wastewater discharge.
[0017] The rotating shaft of this invention can drive the spiral plate and dynamic partition to rotate. The spiral plate can extend the residence time of milk droplets to 15-25 seconds, improve drying efficiency, and at the same time prevent milk powder from clumping and clogging. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a front view schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a front view schematic diagram of the inner cylinder and atomizer in this utility model;
[0020] Figure 3 This is a side view of the inner cylinder in this utility model;
[0021] Figure 4 This is a bottom view of the inner cylinder in this utility model;
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the dynamic partition in this utility model;
[0023] Figure 6 This utility model Figure 3 Front view diagram of the mid-section;
[0024] In the picture:
[0025] 1. Outer cylinder; 2. Inner cylinder; 3. Atomizer; 4. Vacuum pump; 5. Primary vacuum tube; 6. Secondary vacuum tube; 7. First clamping ring; 8. Spiral plate; 9. Dynamic baffle; 10. Rotating shaft; 11. Folding fan disc; 12. Sealing strip; 13. Sensor; 14. Primary zone; 15. Secondary zone; 16. Condensation plate; 17. Drain valve; 18. Filter plate; 19. Heat pipe; 20. Flange cover; 21. Second clamping ring. Detailed Implementation
[0026] 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.
[0027] like Figures 1 to 6As shown, this utility model provides a low-temperature device for drying milk powder, characterized in that it includes an outer cylinder 1, an inner cylinder 2, an atomizer 3, and a vacuum pump 4. The outer cylinder 1 is cylindrical and has a primary vacuum tube 5 and a secondary vacuum tube 6 on its surface. The inner cylinder 2 is installed inside the outer cylinder 1 and is also cylindrical. The primary vacuum tube 5 and the secondary vacuum tube 6 communicate with the interior of the inner cylinder 2. The vacuum pump 4 is connected to the tail of the primary vacuum tube 5 and the secondary vacuum tube 6. A first clamping ring 7 is provided at the top of the inner cylinder 2 and is connected to the bottom of the atomizer 3.
[0028] Using the above scheme: In this utility model, after the concentrated milk is sterilized and preheated, it enters the atomizer 3. The atomizer 3 can be an ultrasonic atomizer to atomize the concentrated milk into microdroplets, reducing the subsequent drying temperature requirement. The milk enters the first-stage zone 14, where the low-temperature hot air (60℃-80℃) generated by the heat pipe 19 and the vacuum pump 4 initially evaporates the moisture. After the semi-dried particles fall into the second-stage zone 15, the remaining moisture is rapidly sublimated by the 30℃ low-temperature vacuum environment provided by the condenser plate 16 and the vacuum pump 4. After drying, the milk powder is screened by the filter plate and enters the production line. The ultrasonic atomizer and the multi-stage vacuum drying tower work together to eliminate the need for high temperature in the atomization process, reduce the protein deformation rate, improve the nutrient retention rate, and reduce the drying heat energy requirement because the boiling point of water is lower in the vacuum environment.
[0029] The inner cylinder 2 is equipped with a spiral plate 8, the first and last ends of which are connected to the first and last ends of the inner cylinder 2. A dynamic partition 9 is installed in the center of the inner cylinder 2, and the dynamic partition 9 is installed concentrically with the inner cylinder 2.
[0030] Using the above solution: The rotating shaft 10 of this utility model can drive the spiral plate 8 and the dynamic partition 9 to rotate. The spiral plate 8 can extend the residence time of milk droplets to 15-25 seconds, improve drying efficiency, and at the same time prevent milk powder from clumping and clogging.
[0031] The dynamic partition 9 consists of a rotating shaft 10, a folding fan disc 11, a sealing strip 12, and a sensor 13. The folding fan disc 11 is connected to the rotating shaft 10 and can be folded as the rotating shaft 10 rotates. The fan surface with the largest radius does not have a sealing strip 12, while the other fan surfaces are provided with sealing strips 12 at the points where they abut against the inner cylinder 2. The sensor 13 is located on the surface of the fan surface with the largest radius.
[0032] The rotating shaft 10 is snapped into the center hole of the spiral plate 8.
[0033] The dynamic partition 9 divides the inner cylinder 2 into two areas. The area near the top of the inner cylinder 2 is the primary area 14, and the other area is set as the secondary area 15. The primary vacuum tube 5 is connected to the primary area 14, and the secondary vacuum tube 6 is connected to the secondary area 15. The sensor 13 monitors the data of the primary area 14.
[0034] The above scheme is adopted: In this utility model, the pressure difference between the primary zone 14 and the secondary zone 15 is maintained at 20 mbar, and the pressure in the primary zone 14 is greater than that in the secondary zone 15. When the concentrated milk enters the primary zone 14 in the inner cylinder 2, the partition closes and the primary zone 14 operates independently, using hot air (60℃) for drying. At this time, the sensor 13 monitors the humidity of the semi-dried particles in the primary zone 14 in real time. When the humidity drops to a certain level, the dynamic partition 9 is triggered to open. At this time, the folding fan 11 begins to fold, and the vacuum pressure in the primary zone 14 is higher than that in the secondary zone 15. The semi-dried particles enter the secondary zone 15 under the push of gravity and airflow. The combination of the dynamic partition 9 and the sensor 13 can reduce the probability of milk powder clogging during transfer, solve the contradiction between clogging and separation efficiency, and the primary zone 14 can be adjusted independently without matching the low temperature requirements of the secondary zone 15 throughout the process, making the whole device energy-saving and reducing consumption, while reducing human error.
[0035] The inner wall of the inner cylinder 2 is provided with a condensing plate 16, and the condensing plate 16 is connected to a drain valve 17, which connects the inner cylinder 2 and the outer cylinder 1.
[0036] The above solution is adopted: In this utility model, the secondary zone 15 is equipped with a condenser plate 16 to condense the sublimated water vapor in the milk powder in a directional manner and discharge it through the drain valve 17. The water vapor removal efficiency is improved, the milk powder is prevented from becoming damp and clumping, and the condensate can be recycled to reduce wastewater discharge.
[0037] A filter plate 18 is installed at the bottom of the inner cylinder 2, and a heat pipe 19 is embedded in the inner wall of the inner cylinder 2. The heat pipe 19 is located in the primary zone 14 area.
[0038] The outer cylinder 1 is provided with a flange cover 20, and a second clamping ring 21 is provided on the flange cover 20. The second clamping ring 21 is connected to the inlet of the atomizer 3.
[0039] The working principle and usage process of this utility model are as follows: After being sterilized and preheated, concentrated milk enters the atomizer 13, which atomizes the concentrated milk into microdroplets, reducing the subsequent drying temperature requirement. The milk enters the primary zone 14, where low-temperature hot air (60℃-80℃) generated by the heat pipe 19 and vacuum pump 4 initially evaporates the moisture. After the semi-dried particles fall into the secondary zone 15, the remaining moisture is rapidly sublimated by the 30℃ low-temperature vacuum environment provided by the condenser plate 16 and vacuum pump 4. After drying, the milk powder is sieved through the filter plate 18 and enters the production line. The ultrasonic atomizer and the multi-stage vacuum drying tower work together to eliminate the need for high temperatures in the atomization process, reduce protein deformability, and improve nutrient retention. Furthermore, because the boiling point of water is lowered in the vacuum environment, the drying heat energy requirement is reduced. The primary zone 14 and the secondary zone 15 of the device maintain a stable temperature. Maintaining a pressure difference of 20 mbar, with the pressure in Zone 14 being greater than that in Zone 15, when concentrated milk enters Zone 14 of the inner cylinder, the partition closes, and Zone 14 operates independently, using hot air (60℃) for drying. At this time, the sensor monitors the humidity of the semi-dried particles in Zone 14 in real time. When the humidity drops to a certain level, a dynamic partition opening signal is triggered, and the folding fan begins to fold. The vacuum pressure in Zone 14 is higher than that in Zone 15, and the semi-dried particles enter Zone 15 under the push of gravity and airflow. The combination of the dynamic partition and the sensor can reduce the probability of milk powder clogging during transfer, resolving the contradiction between clogging and separation efficiency. Furthermore, Zone 14 can be adjusted independently without needing to match the low temperature requirements of Zone 15 throughout the process, making the entire device energy-saving and reducing human error.
[0040] It should be noted that, in this document, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are used only to distinguish one entity or operation from another, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these entities or operations. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0041] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A low temperature apparatus for drying milk powder, characterized in that, The device includes an outer cylinder (1), an inner cylinder (2), an atomizer (3), and a vacuum pump (4). The outer cylinder (1) is cylindrical and has a primary vacuum tube (5) and a secondary vacuum tube (6) on its surface. The inner cylinder (2) is installed inside the outer cylinder (1) and is also cylindrical. The primary vacuum tube (5) and the secondary vacuum tube (6) are connected to the inside of the inner cylinder (2). The vacuum pump (4) is connected to the tail of the primary vacuum tube (5) and the secondary vacuum tube (6). A first clamping ring (7) is provided at the top of the inner cylinder (2) and is connected to the bottom of the atomizer (3).
2. A low temperature apparatus for drying milk powder as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The inner cylinder (2) is equipped with a spiral plate (8), the first and last ends of which are connected to the first and last ends of the inner cylinder (2). A dynamic partition (9) is installed in the center of the inner cylinder (2), and the dynamic partition (9) is installed concentrically with the inner cylinder (2).
3. A low temperature apparatus for drying milk powder as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The dynamic partition (9) consists of a rotating shaft (10), a folding fan disc (11), a sealing strip (12), and a sensor (13). The folding fan disc (11) is connected to the rotating shaft (10) and can be folded as the rotating shaft (10) rotates. The fan surface with the largest radius does not have a sealing strip (12), while the other fan surfaces are provided with sealing strips (12) at the points where they abut against the inner cylinder (2). The sensor (13) is located on the surface of the fan surface with the largest radius.
4. A low temperature apparatus for drying milk powder as claimed in claim 3, wherein, The rotating shaft (10) is engaged in the central hole of the spiral plate (8).
5. A low temperature apparatus for drying milk powder as claimed in claim 2, wherein, The dynamic partition (9) divides the inner cylinder (2) into two regions. The region near the top of the inner cylinder (2) is the primary region (14), and the other region is set as the secondary region (15). The primary vacuum tube (5) is connected to the primary region (14), and the secondary vacuum tube (6) is connected to the secondary region (15). The sensor (13) monitors the data of the primary region (14).
6. A low temperature apparatus for drying milk powder as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The inner wall of the inner cylinder (2) is provided with a condensing plate (16), and the condensing plate (16) is connected to a drain valve (17), which connects the inner cylinder (2) and the outer cylinder (1).
7. A low temperature apparatus for drying milk powder as claimed in claim 1, wherein, A filter plate (18) is installed at the bottom of the inner cylinder (2), and a heat pipe (19) is embedded in the inner wall of the inner cylinder (2). The heat pipe (19) is located in the primary zone (14).
8. A low temperature apparatus for drying milk powder as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The outer cylinder (1) is provided with a flange cover (20), and a second clamping ring (21) is provided on the flange cover (20). The second clamping ring (21) is connected to the inlet of the atomizer (3).