An online dosing mixing system

Abstract

The utility model relates to milk beverage preparation technical field, concretely provides an online dosing mixing system, including main pipeline, including starting end, first section, second section, third section, fourth section and terminal end along fluid flow path in proper order, at least one raw milk tank, its supply port fluidly connected to first section, at least one ingredient tank, its supply port fluidly connected to second section, heater and shear material machine, set up on third section in proper order, the input port of at least one ingredient tank fluidly connected to fourth section. The online dosing mixing system of the utility model, by fluidly connecting raw milk tank and ingredient tank to main pipeline, improve ingredient efficiency, reduce the heating time of heat-sensitive ingredient at the same time, avoid the material liquid acidity rise or the material that does not tolerate shear in it is excessively sheared.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of milk beverage preparation technology, and in particular to an online dispensing and mixing system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, in dairy processing, for modified milk, milk beverages, and other products involving ingredients, certain raw materials or food additives need to be added to improve the quality stability or nutritional content of these products during their shelf life. These quantitatively added materials need to be dissolved in a mixing system with milk or purified water before being added to the product to be mixed. The conventional design of the mixing system is as follows: first, milk or purified water is added to the mixing tank via a mixing line; then, the circulating mixing system is started, and the milk or purified water in the mixing tank is circulated and heated through a heating path from the mixing tank to the circulating pump, hot plate, high-shear mixing machine, and back to the mixing tank until the milk or purified water in the tank reaches the required mixing temperature before the mixing process begins. However, this design results in a long heating time for the milk or water in the mixing tank, affecting mixing efficiency and potentially leading to an increase in the acidity of the liquid or excessive shearing of materials that are not shear-resistant. Utility Model Content

[0003] This invention provides an online dosing and mixing system to address the shortcomings of existing technologies where ingredients undergo prolonged heating times along with the fluid (i.e., emulsion or pure water) in the circulating heating path, thus negatively impacting the ingredients. This system simplifies the configuration of the online dosing and mixing system and aims to rapidly heat and mix the fluid containing ingredients with fewer cycles, thereby reducing the number of cycles the fluid containing ingredients undergoes in this online dosing and mixing system.

[0004] This utility model provides an online dispensing and mixing system, comprising: The main pipeline, along the fluid flow path, includes the starting end, the first section, the second section, the third section, the fourth section, and the terminal end in sequence; At least one raw milk tank, the supply port of which is fluidly connected to the first section; At least one ingredient tank, the supply port of which is fluidly connected to the second section; The heater and the shearing and melting machine are sequentially arranged in the third section; The inlet of at least one ingredient tank is fluidly connected to the fourth section.

[0005] According to the online dosing and mixing system provided by this utility model, the starting end of the main pipeline is fluidly connected to an external pure water supply source through a first switching valve.

[0006] According to the online dosing and mixing system provided by this utility model, the starting end of the main pipeline is fluidly connected to an external detergent supply source through a second switch valve, and the ending end of the main pipeline is fluidly connected to an external detergent recovery container through a third switch valve. At the starting end, the first section, the external pure water supply source, and the external detergent supply source are fluidly connected through a tee fitting.

[0007] According to the online dispensing and mixing system provided by this utility model, the supply port of each raw milk tank, the supply port of each ingredient tank, and the input port are fluidly connected to the corresponding section of the main pipeline through their respective switching valves.

[0008] According to the online dispensing and mixing system provided by this utility model, a first power pump is provided in the first section. In the fluid flow path, the first power pump is located after the supply port of the last raw milk tank in at least one raw milk tank.

[0009] According to the online dosing and mixing system provided by this utility model, a regulating valve is provided in the first section. In the fluid flow path, the regulating valve is located after the supply port of the last raw material milk tank and before or after the first power pump.

[0010] According to the present invention, an online dosing and mixing system further includes a fourth switching valve, which is disposed between the first section and the second section.

[0011] According to the present invention, an online dispensing and mixing system further includes a second power pump, which is located after the supply port of the last dispensing tank in at least one dispensing tank in the fluid flow path.

[0012] According to the present invention, an online dosing and mixing system further includes a filter, which is located after the supply port of the last batching tank and before or after the second power pump in the fluid flow path.

[0013] According to the online dosing and mixing system provided by this utility model, the heater is equipped with a temperature sensor and a display. The temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the fluid leaving the heater, and the detected temperature is displayed by the display.

[0014] The online mixing system provided by this utility model connects the raw milk tank and the ingredient tank to the main pipeline in a uniform manner, eliminating the need for separate circulation pipelines for each tank. This simplifies the configuration of the online mixing system and consequently simplifies the feeding and mixing process of dairy products. Furthermore, with both tanks connected to the main pipeline, production personnel can adjust the amount of raw milk and ingredients added, as well as the heating power of the heater, based on parameters such as the content of pure water, raw milk, and ingredients, and the temperature of the fluids in the main pipeline. This improves mixing efficiency while reducing the heating time of heat-sensitive ingredients, thereby shortening the transition time of dairy products. Attached Figure Description

[0015] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the flow path of the online dosing and mixing system provided by this utility model.

[0017] Figure label: 1. Main pipeline; 101. First section; 102. Second section; 103. Third section; 104. Fourth section; 2. Raw milk tank; 3. Mixing tank; 4. First power pump; 5. Regulating valve; 6. Second power pump; 7. Filter; 8. Heater; 9. Temperature sensor; 10. Shearing and mixing machine; 11. First switching valve; 12. Second switching valve; 13. Third switching valve; 14. Fourth switching valve; 15. Fifth switching valve; 16. Sixth switching valve; 17. Seventh switching valve; 18. Eighth switching valve. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of this utility model will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and examples. The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of this utility model.

[0019] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship, are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing the embodiments of 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 the embodiments of this utility model. In addition, the terms "first," "second," and "third" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0020] In the description of the embodiments of this utility model, it should be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "connected" and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection or a detachable connection, wherein a fixed connection can include an integral connection; it can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in the embodiments of this utility model based on the specific circumstances.

[0021] In this embodiment of the 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 with the second feature 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.

[0022] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., refer to specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described in connection with that embodiment or example, which are included in at least one embodiment or example of the present invention. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples. Moreover, without contradiction, those skilled in the art can combine and integrate the different embodiments or examples described in this specification, as well as the features of different embodiments or examples.

[0023] The following is combined with Figure 1 This invention describes an online dosing and mixing system.

[0024] Figure 1 This is a flow path diagram of the online dosing and mixing system provided by this utility model, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, the online batching and mixing system includes a main pipeline 1, at least one raw milk tank 2, at least one batching tank 3, a heater 8, and a shearing and dissolving machine 10. The main pipeline 1 includes, in sequence along the fluid flow path, a starting end, a first section 101, a second section 102, a third section 103, a fourth section 104, and a terminal end.

[0025] The supply port of the raw milk tank 2 is fluidly connected to the first section 101. When there is more than one raw milk tank 2, the multiple raw milk tanks 2 are connected in parallel with each other, and the supply ports of each raw milk tank 2 are fluidly connected to the first section 101 in sequence to supply raw milk to the online dosing and mixing system.

[0026] The supply port of the ingredient tank 3 is fluidly connected to the second section 102. When there is more than one ingredient tank 3, the multiple ingredient tanks 3 are connected in parallel with each other. The supply ports of each ingredient tank 3 are sequentially fluidly connected to the second section 102 so as to provide ingredients or mix fluids containing ingredients for the online dosing and mixing system.

[0027] Heater 8 and shear feeder 10 are sequentially arranged along the fluid flow path on the third section 103. It should be noted that the fluid flow path does not necessarily pass through heater 8; alternatively, heater 8 can be positioned around the fluid flow path to ensure that the heat it generates can be transferred to the fluid flowing beside heater 8. Subsequently, the fluid enters shear feeder 10, where the fluid and ingredients are continuously mixed and dispersed, ultimately resulting in a fluid that is thoroughly mixed with the ingredients.

[0028] The inlet of the ingredient tank 3, in particular, multiple ingredient tanks 3 connected in parallel, should be sequentially fluidly connected to the fourth section 104. This enables the fluid, which has been heated and sheared by the heater 8 and the shearing machine 10, to flow back into the ingredient tank 3 through the inlet for use in the next heating and shearing cycle, or directly to obtain the final desired dairy product.

[0029] Furthermore, the starting end of the main pipeline 1 is fluidly connected to an external pure water supply source via the first switching valve 11. Considering that the fluid used in the chemical mixing process can be not only raw milk but also pure water, it is necessary to configure a pure water supply for the online dosing and mixing system. With the above configuration, under certain operating conditions, pure water input from the external pure water supply source replaces the raw milk supplied by the raw milk tank 2 and acts as the solvent in the chemical mixing process.

[0030] Furthermore, the starting end of the main pipeline 1 is fluidly connected to an external cleaning agent supply source via a second switching valve 12, and the terminal end of the main pipeline 1 is fluidly connected to an external cleaning agent recovery container via a third switching valve 13. With this configuration, when the first switching valve 11 and all supply and input ports of the raw milk tanks 2 and mixing tanks 3 are closed, the cleaning agent supplied by the external cleaning agent supply source can flow through the entire main pipeline 1, thereby cleaning it. This ensures that the online mixing system is essentially free of fluids and ingredients from the previous chemical processing step, allowing it to be cleanly used in the next chemical processing step. The cleaning agent flows to the terminal end of the main pipeline 1 and is recovered by the external cleaning agent recovery container via the third switching valve 13. Therefore, the opening and closing of the second switching valve 12 and the third switching valve 13 are synchronized.

[0031] At the starting end, the first section 101, the external pure water supply source, and the external cleaning agent supply source are fluidly connected via a tee fitting. The external pure water supply source and the external cleaning agent supply source are controlled by a first switching valve 11 and a second switching valve 12, respectively. Preferably, a fifth switching valve 15 is provided at the starting end of the main pipeline 1. When one of the first switching valve 11 and the second switching valve 12 is open, the fifth switching valve 15 is open; when both the first switching valve 11 and the second switching valve 12 are closed, the fifth switching valve 15 is closed. This allows the fifth switch valve 15 to open along with one of the first switch valve 11 and the second switch valve 12 when pure water or cleaning agent needs to be supplied to the main pipeline 1, so that fluid can enter the main pipeline 1; when pure water or cleaning agent does not need to be supplied to the main pipeline 1 (for example, using raw milk supplied by raw milk tank 2 as a solvent in the chemical process, or the fluid that has been mixed with ingredients circulating in the last three sections of the main pipeline 1), the first switch valve 11, the second switch valve 12 and the fifth switch valve 15 are closed simultaneously to prevent any fluid from flowing back to the tee fitting or even to the external pure water supply source and the external cleaning agent supply source.

[0032] The supply port of each raw milk tank 2, the supply port of each ingredient tank 3, and the inlet are fluidly connected to the corresponding section of the main pipeline 1 via their respective on / off valves. These supply ports and inlets are opened or closed based on different operating conditions. The supply port of each raw milk tank 2 is fluidly connected to the first section 101 via the sixth on / off valve 16, the supply port of each ingredient tank 3 is fluidly connected to the second section 102 via the seventh on / off valve 17, and the inlet of each ingredient tank 3 is fluidly connected to the fourth section 104 via the eighth on / off valve 18.

[0033] For example, when cleaning the main pipeline 1 is required, all sixth switch valves 16, seventh switch valves 17, and eighth switch valves 18 are closed so that the cleaning agent cleans only the main pipeline 1 and does not enter the various supply and inlet ports. When the solvent used in the chemical process includes raw milk (whether or not it includes pure water), at least one sixth switch valve 16 of the raw milk tank 2 is open, and at least one seventh switch valve 17 and eighth switch valve 18 of the mixing tank 3 are open so that the ingredients are mixed and dissolved in the raw milk. When the solvent used in the chemical process is pure water and no raw milk is required, at least one sixth switch valve 16 of the raw milk tank 2 is closed, and at least one seventh switch valve 17 and eighth switch valve 18 of the mixing tank 3 are open so that the ingredients are mixed and dissolved in the pure water. Alternatively, when the fluid already mixed with ingredients circulates in the last three sections of the main pipeline 1, i.e., when there is no need to continue adding raw milk, similarly, the sixth switch valve 16 of at least one raw milk tank 2 is closed, and the seventh switch valve 17 and the eighth switch valve 18 of at least one ingredient tank 3 are both opened to allow the fluid mixed with ingredients to circulate.

[0034] Furthermore, the first section 101 is equipped with a first power pump 4, which is located after the supply port of the last raw milk tank 2 in the fluid flow path. The advantage of this configuration is that, regardless of whether the solvent used in the chemical process is raw milk or pure water, when the fluid enters the first section 101, the first power pump 4 can provide flow power for such fluid, ensuring that it can enter the subsequent sections.

[0035] Furthermore, the first section 101 is equipped with a regulating valve 5. In the fluid flow path, the regulating valve 5 is located after the supply port of the last raw milk tank 2 and before or after the first power pump 4, preferably after the first power pump 4. Considering that the ratio of ingredients to solvents needs to be accurate during the dairy product processing, the regulating valve 5 is provided in the first section 101 to regulate the rate and flow rate of the raw milk and / or pure water into the latter three sections.

[0036] Furthermore, a fourth switching valve 14 is installed between the first section 101 and the second section 102 of the main pipeline 1. When the fluid already mixed with ingredients circulates in the latter three sections of the main pipeline 1, that is, when it is not necessary to add more raw milk or even pure water as a solvent, considering that the first section 101 does not need to participate in the chemical processing at this time, the fourth switching valve 14 is closed, isolating the first section 101 from the fluid in the latter three sections. The fluid already mixed with ingredients circulates once or more in the second section 102, the third section 103, the fourth section 104, and at least one mixing tank 3 until the fluid is heated and sheared to the desired degree to obtain the desired dairy product. It is conceivable that when the fourth switching valve 14 is open, the first power pump 4 is turned on or off depending on the fluid dynamics of the entire main pipeline 1; and when the fourth switching valve 14 is closed, the first power pump 4 is turned off simultaneously.

[0037] Furthermore, a second power pump 6 is installed in the second section 102 of the main pipeline 1. In the fluid flow path, the second power pump 6 is located after the supply port of the last batching tank 3 in at least one batching tank 3. When the fourth switch valve 14 is open, the second power pump 6 is turned on or off depending on the fluid power of the entire main pipeline 1, that is, at least one of the first power pump 4 and the second power pump 6 can be turned on; when the fourth switch valve 14 is closed, the second power pump 6 is turned on to ensure that the fluid has sufficient circulation power in the second section 102, the third section 103, the fourth section 104 and at least one batching tank 3.

[0038] Furthermore, a filter 7 is installed in the second section 102 of the main pipeline 1. In the fluid flow path, the filter 7 is located after the supply port of the final batching tank 3 and before or after the second power pump 6, preferably after the second power pump 6. For example, the filter 7 can be a dual filter or other suitable type of filter. The advantage of this configuration is that the fluid passes through the filter 7 to remove residue, resulting in a better taste in the final dairy product.

[0039] Furthermore, the heater 8 is equipped with a temperature sensor 9 and a display. In the fluid flow path, the temperature sensor 9 is located in the sub-section of the third section 103 that is about to leave the area where the heater 8 is located, to detect the temperature of the fluid leaving the heater 8. The detected temperature is displayed on the display. Production personnel read the temperature of the fluid heated by the heater 8 on the display, thereby determining whether the fluid has been heated to the ideal temperature range, and thus deciding whether to perform another material circulation of the fluid in the second section 102, the third section 103, the fourth section 104, and at least one batching tank 3.

[0040] Furthermore, the third section 103 of the main pipeline 1 can also be equipped with detectors for detecting other parameters of the fluid, such as a protein analyzer and a saccharimeter, to detect the nutrient content and high-speed shear particle size of the fluid. Similar to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9, production personnel can use this information to determine whether the ratio of fluid ingredients to solvent is appropriate and whether the degree of shearing is appropriate, thereby deciding whether to perform another fluid reprocessing cycle.

[0041] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of this utility model, and not to limit it. Although this utility model has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features. Such modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this utility model.

Claims

1. An online dispensing and mixing system, characterized in that, include: The main pipeline, along the fluid flow path, includes the starting end, the first section, the second section, the third section, the fourth section, and the terminal end in sequence; At least one raw milk tank, the supply port of which is fluidly connected to the first section; At least one ingredient tank, the supply port of which is fluidly connected to the second section; The heater and the shearing and melting machine are sequentially arranged on the third section; At least one of the ingredient tanks has its inlet fluidly connected to the fourth section.

2. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The starting end of the main pipeline is fluidly connected to an external pure water supply source via a first switching valve.

3. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The starting end of the main pipeline is fluidly connected to an external detergent supply source via a second switching valve, and the ending end of the main pipeline is fluidly connected to an external detergent recovery container via a third switching valve. At the starting end, the first section, the external pure water supply source, and the external detergent supply source are fluidly connected via a tee fitting.

4. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The supply port of each of the raw milk tanks, the supply port of each of the ingredient tanks, and the inlet are fluidly connected to the corresponding section of the main pipeline via their respective on / off valves.

5. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first section is equipped with a first power pump, which is located after the supply port of at least one of the last raw milk tanks in the fluid flow path.

6. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first section is equipped with a regulating valve, which is located after the supply port of the last raw milk tank and before or after the first power pump in the fluid flow path.

7. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a fourth switching valve, which is located between the first section and the second section.

8. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a second power pump, which is located in the fluid flow path after the supply port of at least one of the last of the ingredient tanks.

9. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 8, characterized in that, It also includes a filter, which is located in the fluid flow path after the supply port of the last ingredient tank and before or after the second power pump.

10. The online dispensing and mixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The heater is equipped with a temperature sensor and a display. The temperature sensor is used to detect the temperature of the fluid leaving the heater, and the detected temperature is displayed by the display.

Images