A circulating system for sterilizing and distributing fruit pulp
By designing a fruit pulp sterilization diversion and circulation system, and utilizing a three-way reversing valve and an intelligent monitoring module, the problem of inflexible diversion during the traditional fruit pulp sterilization process was solved, achieving efficient and low-consumption fruit pulp production, and improving production efficiency and product quality.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HEPU GUOXIANGYUAN FOOD CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-21
AI Technical Summary
Traditional fruit pulp sterilization processes lack effective diversion mechanisms, resulting in low production efficiency, high labor and energy consumption, and secondary quality risks.
A fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system is designed, which uses a three-way reversing valve to achieve flexible diversion of fruit pulp, and combines it with an intelligent monitoring and control module to monitor production quality parameters in real time and automatically adjust the diversion path according to needs.
It achieves precise diversion of fruit pulp, reduces manpower and energy consumption, reduces material waste, avoids secondary quality risks, and improves production efficiency and product quality.
Smart Images
Figure CN224522337U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to the field of fruit pulp processing technology, specifically to a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system. Background Technology
[0002] In the field of fruit pulp production and processing, fruit pulp sterilization is a key step in ensuring product quality and safety. Traditional fruit pulp sterilization and subsequent processing procedures have many drawbacks and cannot meet the needs of modern fruit pulp production for high efficiency, intelligence, and low loss.
[0003] In the traditional model, the fruit pulp sterilization process lacks an effective diversion mechanism, making it difficult to flexibly and accurately allocate the sterilized fruit pulp to the appropriate path according to the different production needs of juice factories and beverage factories. This results in tedious manual material allocation and transfer in different production scenarios, which not only consumes a lot of manpower but also increases packaging material waste and energy consumption due to multiple operations.
[0004] During the production process, due to the lack of devices for real-time monitoring of production quality parameters, it is impossible to keep track of the state of the fruit pulp at each stage, making it difficult to intelligently control the production process. Once quality problems occur, they are often difficult to detect and adjust in time, which can easily lead to material waste and affect overall production efficiency.
[0005] In addition, traditional production methods involve many redundant steps. For example, sterilized fruit pulp may require secondary packaging and cold storage due to improper distribution. It may then be thawed and processed again as needed. These secondary packaging, cold storage, and thawing processes not only increase production costs but also introduce secondary quality risks, such as damaged packaging, changes in fruit pulp quality during storage, and uneven thawing affecting taste.
[0006] Therefore, developing a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system that can connect two different spaces to achieve material conversion, monitor production quality parameters in real time, intelligently manage and divert the pulp to different demand paths (juice and beverage filling systems), reduce losses of manpower, packaging materials, energy consumption, and materials, is simple and intelligent, reduces repeated processing steps at the back end, improves the overall production line efficiency, and avoids secondary quality risks from unnecessary steps is of great practical significance. Summary of the Invention
[0007] To address the aforementioned issues, this invention provides a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system, which can effectively reduce losses, improve overall production line efficiency, and reduce secondary quality risks.
[0008] The technical solution of this utility model is as follows:
[0009] A fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system includes a pre-sterilization storage tank, heating and sterilization equipment, cooling equipment, a three-way reversing valve, a beverage factory transfer tank, a beverage factory storage tank, a juice factory storage tank, and a juice factory filling machine. The pre-sterilization storage tank is connected to the three-way reversing valve via a first connecting pipeline. The other two ports of the three-way reversing valve are connected to the juice factory storage tank and the beverage factory transfer tank via a second connecting pipeline and a third connecting pipeline, respectively. A fluid conveying device, a heating and sterilization device, and a cooling device are installed sequentially on the first connecting pipeline. The beverage factory transfer tank is connected to the beverage factory storage tank via a fourth connecting pipeline, on which a fluid conveying device is installed. The juice factory storage tank is connected to the juice factory filling machine via a fifth connecting pipeline. The juice factory filling machine is connected to the pre-sterilization storage tank via a sixth connecting pipeline.
[0010] The fluid transport device on the first connecting pipeline is a screw pump.
[0011] The fluid transport device on the fourth connecting pipeline is a rotary pump.
[0012] The heating and sterilization equipment consists of sterilization heating plates.
[0013] The cooling equipment is an ice-cooled plate.
[0014] The three-way directional valve is a pneumatic three-way directional valve. The pneumatic interface of the pneumatic three-way directional valve is connected to the factory's compressed air source, and an on / off solenoid valve is installed on the connecting pipeline between the pneumatic interface and the compressed air source.
[0015] The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system also includes an intelligent monitoring and control module. The intelligent monitoring and control module includes a sensor group and a controller. The sensor group includes liquid level sensors installed in the pre-sterilization storage tank, the beverage factory transfer tank, the beverage factory storage tank, and the juice factory storage tank. The liquid level sensors are electrically connected to the controller, and the on / off solenoid valve of the pneumatic three-way reversing valve is electrically connected to the controller.
[0016] The controller is an industrial-grade programmable logic controller.
[0017] Both the beverage factory storage tank and the juice factory storage tank are equipped with stirring devices.
[0018] The stirring device consists of a stirring motor and stirring blades. The stirring blades are spiral-shaped and are driven to rotate by the stirring motor.
[0019] The beneficial effects of this utility model are as follows:
[0020] 1. This utility model discloses a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system. This fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system achieves flexible and precise diversion. By setting a three-way reversing valve and connecting its two ports to the storage tank of the juice factory and the transfer tank of the beverage factory respectively, the sterilized fruit pulp can be flexibly and precisely distributed to the corresponding path according to the different production needs of the juice factory and the beverage factory. This avoids the tedious manual material preparation and transfer in the traditional mode, saves manpower, and reduces packaging material loss and energy consumption.
[0021] 2. The present invention discloses a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system is equipped with an intelligent monitoring and control module that can monitor the status of the fruit pulp in each stage in real time, such as the liquid level of each storage tank, so as to realize intelligent control of the production process. Once a problem occurs, it can be detected and adjusted in time, reducing material waste and improving overall production efficiency.
[0022] 3. The present invention discloses a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system, which reduces the unnecessary steps in traditional production methods such as secondary packaging, cold storage, and thawing, and avoids secondary quality risks caused by these steps, such as packaging damage, changes in fruit pulp quality during storage, and uneven thawing affecting taste, thereby improving product quality.
[0023] 4. The present invention discloses a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system, which reduces unnecessary steps, avoids multiple operations, and reduces losses in manpower, packaging materials, energy consumption, and materials, thereby reducing production costs.
[0024] 5. The present invention discloses a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system. This fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system is simple and intelligent, connects two different spaces to realize material conversion, monitors production quality parameters in real time and intelligently manages the diversion to different demand paths, reduces the back-end repetitive processing links, and improves the production efficiency of the entire production line. Attached Figure Description
[0025] The advantages and solutions of this application will become clear to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description of preferred embodiments. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this invention.
[0026] In the attached diagram:
[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the composition of a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to an embodiment of the present utility model.
[0028] Figure 2 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of a fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0029] The components represented by the various reference numerals in the diagram are:
[0030] This utility model includes: 1. a pre-sterilization storage tank for fruit pulp; 2. a screw pump; 3. a sterilization heating plate; 4. a cooling plate; 5. a three-way reversing valve; 6. a transfer tank for a beverage factory; 7. a rotor pump; 8. a storage tank for a beverage factory; 9. a storage tank for a juice factory; 10. a filling machine for a juice factory; 11. a first connecting pipe; 12. a second connecting pipe; 13. a third connecting pipe; 14. a fourth connecting pipe; 15. a fifth connecting pipe; and 16. a sixth connecting pipe. Detailed Implementation
[0031] like Figure 1 The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system mainly consists of the following components:
[0032] Storage tanks include: a pre-sterilization storage tank 1 for fruit pulp, a transfer tank 6 for the beverage factory, a storage tank 8 for the beverage factory, and a storage tank 9 for the juice factory. Both the beverage factory storage tank 8 and the juice factory storage tank 9 are equipped with a stirring device, which consists of a stirring motor and spiral-shaped stirring blades. The stirring motor drives the stirring blades to rotate.
[0033] Fluid transport equipment: The fluid transport equipment on the first connecting pipeline 11 is a screw pump 2; the fluid transport equipment on the fourth connecting pipeline is a rotary pump 7.
[0034] As a key fluid transport device in the fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system, screw pump 2 undertakes the important task of stably and continuously transporting fruit pulp from the pre-sterilization storage tank 1 to the subsequent heating and sterilization equipment. The screw pump adopts the screw rotation principle, with intermeshing screws (usually twin-screw or triple-screw structures) rotating within the pump body to form sealed working chambers. As the screws rotate, these chambers continuously transport fruit pulp from the suction end to the discharge end. Screw pump 2 can transport high-viscosity fruit pulp without easily generating pulsations during transport, ensuring the smoothness of the fruit pulp flow. It has strong self-priming capabilities, enabling it to automatically draw in fruit pulp without relying on external auxiliary equipment, simplifying system configuration. To address the potential presence of fruit pulp particles and acidic substances in the fruit pulp, both the pump body and screws of screw pump 2 are made of wear-resistant and corrosion-resistant materials, extending the equipment's service life. Its stable transport performance ensures the uniformity and consistency of the fruit pulp during the heating process, laying a solid foundation for subsequent sterilization and cooling processes.
[0035] Rotary pump 7, as the key fluid transport equipment connecting the beverage plant's transfer tank 6 and storage tank 8 in this system, is responsible for stably and efficiently transporting the pre-treated fruit pulp from the transfer tank to the storage tank for further storage or processing. The rotary pump adopts the principle of rotor rotation, with one or more pairs of meshing rotors rotating in the pump body to form a constantly changing sealed chamber, realizing the intake, compression, and discharge of fruit pulp. The flow rate of rotary pump 7 can be precisely controlled by adjusting the rotor speed to meet the needs of fruit pulp flow rate in different production scenarios. It can adapt to the transport of fruit pulp with different viscosities and solid contents, and is not prone to clogging and wear. Rotary pump 7 has low vibration and low noise during operation, providing a good working environment for operators.
[0036] After the fruit pulp is diverted to the beverage plant's transfer tank 6 via the three-way reversing valve 5, the rotor pump 7 starts, steadily transporting the fruit pulp from the transfer tank to the beverage plant's storage tank 8 through the fourth connecting pipeline. Its adjustable flow rate allows the system to flexibly adjust the amount of fruit pulp delivered according to actual production needs, ensuring the continuity and stability of the production process.
[0037] Heating and sterilization equipment: Sterilization heating plate 3 is used. Sterilization heating plate 3 is the key heating element in this fruit pulp sterilization diversion and circulation system. It is made of high-efficiency heat conduction material and integrates an electric heating element or a pipeline system that can introduce high-temperature steam to quickly and uniformly heat the fruit pulp flowing through the plate. Sterilization heating plate 3 is made of multiple layers of thin metal plates stacked together, forming narrow flow channels between the plates to increase the contact area between the fruit pulp and the heating surface and improve thermal efficiency. The fruit pulp is pumped into the flow channel of sterilization heating plate 3 through a fluid conveying device (such as screw pump 2). The heating plate heats the fruit pulp according to the set program. During the heating process, the temperature of the fruit pulp gradually rises to the temperature required for sterilization and is maintained in the plate for a period of time to ensure sufficient sterilization. The heated fruit pulp then flows out of the plate and enters the next processing stage.
[0038] In the field of fruit pulp sterilization, in addition to using sterilization heating plate 3 as a heating sterilization device, there are many other existing heating sterilization technologies.
[0039] The following is a brief introduction to some common heating sterilization equipment and their working principles:
[0040] Direct steam heating sterilization equipment: By directly introducing high-temperature steam into the fruit pulp, the heat energy of the steam is used to quickly raise the temperature of the fruit pulp to the level required for sterilization and maintain it for a period of time to complete the sterilization process.
[0041] Tubular heat exchanger sterilization equipment: Fruit pulp flows inside the tubular heat exchanger and exchanges heat with the external heating medium (such as hot water or steam) through the tube wall, thereby raising the temperature of the fruit pulp to the sterilization temperature.
[0042] Cooling equipment: The ice-cooled plate 4 is the core cooling element of this fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system. It is made of high-efficiency heat exchange material and has internal channels for cooling medium (such as cold water or ice water) to rapidly cool the fruit pulp flowing through the plate. Similar to the sterilization heating plate, the ice-cooled plate is also made of multiple layers of thin metal plates, but the channel design focuses more on cooling efficiency and may use more complex paths to increase the cooling area and extend the cooling time. Low-temperature cooling medium is provided by an external cooling tower or ice water machine. The cooling medium circulates within the plate, absorbing and carrying away the heat of the fruit pulp to achieve rapid cooling of the fruit pulp. The fruit pulp heated by the sterilization heating plate 3 flows into the ice-cooled plate 4, where the cooling medium circulates and exchanges heat with the fruit pulp to rapidly reduce the temperature of the fruit pulp.
[0043] In the cooling process after fruit pulp sterilization, in addition to using ice-cooled plate 4 as the cooling equipment, there are other cooling technologies available.
[0044] The following is a brief introduction to some common cooling devices and their working principles:
[0045] Tubular cooler: The pulp flows inside the tubular cooler and exchanges heat with an external cold source (such as cooling water or refrigerant) through the tube wall, thereby reducing the temperature of the pulp.
[0046] Spiral plate cooler: Fruit pulp flows in a spiral plate channel and exchanges heat with an external cold source, improving the cooling effect by extending the heat exchange path and time.
[0047] Reversing valve: The three-way reversing valve 5 is a pneumatic three-way reversing valve. Its pneumatic interface is connected to the factory's compressed air source. An on / off solenoid valve is installed on the connecting pipeline between the pneumatic interface and the compressed air source.
[0048] Filling machine: Juice factory filling machine 10.
[0049] Piping: The pre-sterilization storage tank 1 of the fruit pulp is connected to the three-way reversing valve 5 through the first connecting pipe 11. The screw pump 2, the sterilization heating plate 3, and the cooling plate 4 are installed sequentially on the first connecting pipe 11. The other two ports of the three-way reversing valve 5 are connected to the juice factory storage tank 9 and the beverage factory transfer tank 6 through the second connecting pipe 12 and the third connecting pipe 13, respectively. The beverage factory transfer tank 6 is connected to the beverage factory storage tank 8 through the fourth connecting pipe. The rotor pump 7 is installed on the fourth connecting pipe. The juice factory storage tank 9 is connected to the juice factory filling machine 10 through the fifth connecting pipe. The juice factory filling machine 10 is connected to the pre-sterilization storage tank 1 of the fruit pulp through the sixth connecting pipe 16.
[0050] Intelligent monitoring and control module: includes sensor group and controller. The sensor group includes liquid level sensors installed in the pre-sterilization storage tank 1, beverage factory transfer tank 6, beverage factory storage tank 8, and juice factory storage tank 9 respectively. The liquid level sensors are electrically connected to the controller. The on / off solenoid valve of the pneumatic three-way reversing valve is electrically connected to the controller. The controller is an industrial-grade programmable logic controller.
[0051] This system is mainly based on the principles of fluid transport, heating and sterilization, cooling, diversion, and intelligent monitoring and control to process and circulate fruit pulp. Power is provided by screw pump 2 and rotor pump 7 to transport the fruit pulp between various pipelines and equipment. Sterilization heating plates 3 are used to heat and sterilize the fruit pulp, followed by cooling plates 4 to cool the sterilized pulp. Pneumatic three-way reversing valves 5 are used to divert the fruit pulp to different paths. The intelligent monitoring and control module monitors the liquid level of each storage tank in real time and controls the operation of the pneumatic three-way reversing valves 5 according to a preset program, achieving automated operation of the system.
[0052] Please refer to Figure 2 The system works as follows:
[0053] Fruit pulp conveying and sterilization cooling: The fruit pulp is stored in the pre-sterilization storage tank 1. The screw pump 2 is started to draw the fruit pulp out of the pre-sterilization storage tank 1 and convey it to the sterilization heating plate 3 through the first connecting pipeline 11 for heating and sterilization treatment, and then enters the cooling plate 4 for cooling.
[0054] Fruit pulp diversion: After cooling, the fruit pulp reaches the three-way reversing valve 5. At this time, the liquid level sensors installed in the pre-sterilization storage tank 1, the beverage factory transfer tank 6, the beverage factory storage tank 8, and the juice factory storage tank 9 monitor the liquid level of each tank in real time and transmit the signal to the industrial-grade programmable logic controller. The controller controls the on / off solenoid valve of the pneumatic three-way reversing valve 5 according to the preset program and the liquid level information of each tank, thereby changing the channel state of the pneumatic three-way reversing valve 5.
[0055] If the fruit pulp needs to be transported to the juice factory storage tank 9, the pneumatic three-way reversing valve 5 connects the first connecting pipe 11 with the second connecting pipe 12, and the cooled fruit pulp enters the juice factory storage tank 9 through the second connecting pipe 12.
[0056] If the fruit pulp needs to be transported to the beverage factory transfer tank 6, the pneumatic three-way reversing valve 5 connects the first connecting pipe 11 with the third connecting pipe 13, and the cooled fruit pulp enters the beverage factory transfer tank 6 through the third connecting pipe 13.
[0057] Subsequent processing and loops:
[0058] After the fruit pulp enters the beverage factory transfer tank 6, the rotor pump 7 starts and transports the fruit pulp from the beverage factory transfer tank 6 to the beverage factory storage tank 8 through the fourth connecting pipeline. In the beverage factory storage tank 8 and the juice factory storage tank 9, the stirring motor of the stirring device starts and drives the spiral stirring blades to rotate, stirring the fruit pulp in the storage tank to prevent the fruit pulp from settling.
[0059] The fruit pulp in the juice factory storage tank 9 can be transported to the juice factory filling machine 10 for filling through the fifth connecting pipeline. If a special situation occurs during the production process, such as if the juice factory filling machine 10 malfunctions, the remaining fruit pulp in the juice factory filling machine 10 can be returned to the fruit pulp pre-sterilization storage tank 1 through the sixth connecting pipeline 16, waiting for reprocessing.
Claims
1. A circulating system for sterilizing and diverting fruit pulp, characterized in that, The system includes a pre-sterilization storage tank (1), heating and sterilization equipment, cooling equipment, a three-way reversing valve (5), a beverage factory transfer tank (6), a beverage factory storage tank (8), a juice factory storage tank (9), and a juice factory filling machine (10). The pre-sterilization storage tank (1) is connected to the three-way reversing valve (5) via a first connecting pipe (11). The other two ports of the three-way reversing valve (5) are connected to the juice factory storage tank (9) and the beverage factory transfer tank (6) via a second connecting pipe (12) and a third connecting pipe (13), respectively. The beverage plant transfer tank (6) is connected to the beverage plant storage tank (8) through the fourth connecting pipe (14). The fluid conveying equipment is installed on the fourth connecting pipe (14). The juice plant storage tank (9) is connected to the juice plant filling machine (10) through the fifth connecting pipe (15). The juice plant filling machine (10) is connected to the fruit pulp pre-sterilization storage tank (1) through the sixth connecting pipe (16).
2. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid transport device on the first connecting pipeline (11) is a screw pump (2).
3. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fluid transport device on the fourth connecting pipeline is a rotary pump (7).
4. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heating and sterilization equipment is a sterilization heating plate (3).
5. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cooling device is an ice-cooled plate (4).
6. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The three-way reversing valve (5) is a pneumatic three-way reversing valve. The pneumatic interface of the pneumatic three-way reversing valve is connected to the compressed air source of the factory. An on / off solenoid valve is installed on the connecting pipeline between the pneumatic interface and the compressed air source.
7. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 6, characterized in that, It also includes an intelligent monitoring and control module, which includes a sensor group and a controller. The sensor group includes liquid level sensors installed in the pre-sterilization storage tank (1), the beverage factory transfer tank (6), the beverage factory storage tank (8), and the juice factory storage tank (9). The liquid level sensors are electrically connected to the controller, and the on / off solenoid valve of the pneumatic three-way reversing valve is electrically connected to the controller.
8. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The controller is an industrial-grade programmable logic controller.
9. The fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 1, characterized in that, A stirring device is installed in both the beverage factory storage tank (8) and the juice factory storage tank (9).
10. A fruit pulp sterilization and diversion circulation system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The stirring device consists of a stirring motor and stirring blades. The stirring blades are spiral-shaped and are driven to rotate by the stirring motor.