A dairy vacuum freeze-drying apparatus

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of dairy vacuum freeze drying equipment, including raw material pipeline, vacuum freeze drying cabin, medium pipeline and jacketed tank, the jacketed tank includes precooling tank, crystallization tank and separation tank, medium pipeline is respectively communicated with vacuum freeze drying cabin, precooling tank, crystallization tank and separation tank, and control its tank temperature, precooling tank, crystallization tank and separation tank are sequentially communicated.The dairy vacuum freeze drying equipment, the temperature of emulsion is reduced to approach freezing point by precooling, spray freeze crystallization is carried out in entering crystallization tank, make emulsion rapidly crystallize and send into separation tank and separate, liquid nitrogen is recycled, crystallization is carried into vacuum freeze drying cabin and is vacuumized and dried, emulsion spray freeze crystallization volume is small, and gap is big, to improve sublimation speed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of vacuum freeze-drying equipment, specifically a vacuum freeze-drying equipment for liquid dairy products. Background Technology

[0002] Vacuum freeze drying is a drying technology that utilizes the sublimation properties of ice in a vacuum environment to first freeze water-containing materials into a solid state, and then directly convert the ice into a gaseous state (sublimation) under low pressure conditions, thereby removing moisture. Its core is to preserve the original physical, chemical and biological properties of materials in a low-temperature and vacuum environment.

[0003] When milk enters a vacuum freeze dryer, it changes from liquid to solid during rapid freezing. Due to its large volume, the internal freezing of the milk is achieved through heat exchange. Relatively speaking, both the freezing and thawing speeds are very slow, requiring a significant amount of time and energy. Furthermore, sublimation begins at the surface of the clumps, and the large size of the clumps also affects the sublimation efficiency, thus impacting the drying efficiency and effectiveness. Therefore, this application proposes technical improvements to the existing technology. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a vacuum freeze-drying device for dairy products to solve the problems mentioned in the background art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: A dairy vacuum freeze-drying device includes a raw material pipeline, a vacuum freeze-drying chamber, a media pipeline, and a jacketed tank. The jacketed tank includes a pre-cooling tank, a crystallization tank, and a separation tank. The media pipeline is connected to the vacuum freeze-drying chamber, the pre-cooling tank, the crystallization tank, and the separation tank respectively to control the temperature inside the tank. The pre-cooling tank, the crystallization tank, and the separation tank are connected in sequence. The crystallization tank is equipped with emulsion nozzles and liquid nitrogen nozzles. The emulsion output from the precooling tank is sprayed out from the emulsion nozzles by pressurization. The liquid nitrogen nozzles are connected to the liquid nitrogen tank. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed out from the liquid nitrogen nozzles by increasing the pressure. The emulsion crystallizes into granular solids in the crystallization tank. The separator is equipped with a filter hopper, which is connected to a feed line that connects to the vacuum freeze-drying chamber. The particulate solid emulsion enters the vacuum freeze-drying chamber for freeze-drying.

[0006] As a further improvement of this utility model: the output end of the precooling tank is connected to a circulation pipeline whose other end is connected to the top of the precooling tank via a three-way valve, and a circulation pump is installed on the circulation pipeline.

[0007] As a further embodiment of this invention: the liquid nitrogen nozzles are distributed around the emulsion nozzles, and the liquid nitrogen sprayed from the liquid nitrogen nozzles comes into contact with the emulsion sprayed from the emulsion nozzles, making the temperature near the nozzles lower and accelerating the solidification and crystallization speed of the emulsion. There are multiple liquid nitrogen nozzles connected in series by liquid nitrogen pipelines, which are connected to liquid nitrogen tanks, and liquid nitrogen delivery pumps are installed on the liquid nitrogen pipelines.

[0008] As a further improvement of this utility model, a nitrogen recovery pipeline is also provided on the crystallization tank.

[0009] As a further improvement of this utility model: the bottom of the separation tank is connected to a liquid nitrogen recovery pipeline that is connected to a liquid nitrogen tank, and a recovery pump is installed on the liquid nitrogen recovery pipeline.

[0010] As a further improvement of this utility model: valves are installed at the output end of the crystallizer and the input end of the vacuum freeze-drying chamber, and a star-shaped unloading valve is also provided at the output end of the separation tank.

[0011] As a further improvement of this invention, a vacuum pump is connected to the top of the vacuum freeze-drying chamber.

[0012] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: This dairy vacuum freeze-drying equipment lowers the temperature of the emulsion to near its freezing point through pre-cooling. The emulsion then enters the crystallization tank for spray freeze-crystallization, causing it to crystallize rapidly. It is then sent to a separation tank for separation, where liquid nitrogen is recovered. The crystallized emulsion enters the vacuum freeze-drying chamber for vacuum drying. The emulsion spray freeze-crystallization process results in a small volume and large pores, thereby increasing the sublimation rate. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a vacuum freeze-drying device for dairy products.

[0014] In the diagram: 1. Raw material pipeline; 2. Vacuum freeze-drying chamber; 3. Medium pipeline; 4. Vacuum pump; 5. Precooling tank; 6. Circulation pipeline; 7. Crystallization tank; 8. Nitrogen recovery pipeline; 9. Liquid nitrogen tank; 10. Liquid nitrogen pipeline; 11. Liquid nitrogen nozzle; 12. Valve; 13. Liquid nitrogen recovery pipeline; 14. Filter hopper; 15. Separator; 16. Discharge pipeline; 17. Rotary rotary valve. Detailed Implementation

[0015] Please see Figure 1In this embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum freeze-drying device for dairy products includes a raw material pipeline 1, a vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2, a medium pipeline 3, and a jacketed tank. The jacketed tank includes a pre-cooling tank 5, a crystallization tank 7, and a separation tank 15. The medium pipeline 3 is connected to the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2, the pre-cooling tank 5, the crystallization tank 7, and the separation tank 15 respectively to control the temperature inside the tank. The pre-cooling tank 5, the crystallization tank 7, and the separation tank 15 are connected in sequence. The medium in the pre-cooling tank 5 is fed into the jacket through the medium pipeline 3 to cool the emulsion inside the pre-cooling tank 5 and reduce the temperature of the emulsion to near the freezing point temperature of the emulsion. The crystallization tank 7 is equipped with an emulsion nozzle and a liquid nitrogen nozzle 11. The emulsion output from the precooling tank 5 is sprayed out from the emulsion nozzle through pressurization. The liquid nitrogen nozzle 11 is connected to the liquid nitrogen tank 9. Liquid nitrogen is sprayed out from the liquid nitrogen nozzle 11 through pressurization. The emulsion crystallizes into granular solids in the crystallization tank 7. The crystallization tank 7 sends the medium into the jacket through the medium pipeline 3, so that the inside of the crystallization tank 7 is at -60 to -80 degrees Celsius. Combined with liquid nitrogen spraying to contact the emulsion for cooling, the emulsion crystallizes into individual granules during the spraying process or after contact with the liquid nitrogen at the bottom. The separator 15 is equipped with a filter hopper 14, which is connected to a feed line 16 that communicates with the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2. Particulate solid emulsion enters the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2 for freeze-drying. The solid particles of the emulsion inside the crystallization tank 7 are mixed with liquid nitrogen, therefore they need to be separated in the separator 15. The solid particles are filtered to the top of the filter hopper 14 and then sent to the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2 via the feed line 16. The vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2 is existing technology and is equipped with a heating system that provides the heat required for sublimation through baffle heating. Vacuuming is performed in a low-temperature environment inside the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2 until the pressure is <610Pa, which is lower than the triple point pressure of water. At the same time, the heating system, such as the partition heating, provides the heat required for sublimation, and the sublimation absorbs heat to achieve the purpose of drying. Compared with the existing technology, the volume of the emulsion solid particles is smaller. During the stacking process, there are gaps between the emulsion solid particles. During the sublimation process, the molecules on the surface of the solid material need to absorb energy and break away from the solid binding to enter the gaseous state. The larger the contact area, the more molecules can break away from the solid surface per unit time, so the sublimation rate will be faster accordingly.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the output end of the precooling tank 5 is connected to a circulation pipeline 6, the other end of which is connected to the top of the precooling tank 5, via a three-way valve. A circulation pump is installed on the circulation pipeline 6. The emulsion inside the precooling tank 5 needs to be cooled to near the freezing point temperature of the emulsion. However, in actual operation, it is difficult to achieve uniform and accurate temperature control. Therefore, by using internal circulation stirring, not only can the temperature uniformity be improved, but also the ice crystal growth can be destroyed to prevent the nozzle from clogging. The specific precooling temperature is adjusted according to the actual situation.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, liquid nitrogen nozzles 11 are distributed around emulsion nozzles. The liquid nitrogen sprayed from the liquid nitrogen nozzles 11 comes into contact with the emulsion sprayed from the emulsion nozzles, making the temperature near the nozzles lower and accelerating the solidification and crystallization of the emulsion. There are multiple liquid nitrogen nozzles 11 connected in series by liquid nitrogen pipelines 10. The liquid nitrogen pipelines 10 are connected to the liquid nitrogen tank 9. A liquid nitrogen delivery pump is installed on the liquid nitrogen pipelines 10. In order for the emulsion to crystallize rapidly during the spraying process, the inside of the crystallization tank 7 needs to be kept at a continuous low temperature. By spraying liquid nitrogen, the internal temperature of the crystallization tank 7 can be effectively controlled and the crystallization of the emulsion can be promoted.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, the crystallization tank 7 is also provided with a nitrogen recovery pipeline 8. Liquid nitrogen undergoes an endothermic process in the crystallization tank 7, so the liquid nitrogen will be partially converted into a gaseous state and discharged through the nitrogen recovery pipeline 8 for use in other dairy processing steps.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment, the bottom of the separation tank 15 is connected to a liquid nitrogen recovery pipeline 13 that is connected to the liquid nitrogen tank 9. A recovery pump is installed on the liquid nitrogen recovery pipeline 13. After the liquid nitrogen is separated by the separation tank 15, the liquid nitrogen is recovered to the liquid nitrogen tank 9 through the liquid nitrogen recovery pipeline 13 for circulation.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, valves 12 are installed at the output end of the crystallization tank 7 and the input end of the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2. A star-shaped discharge valve 17 is also provided at the output end of the separation tank 15. The top of the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2 is connected to a vacuum pump 4. The vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2 needs to maintain good sealing during the vacuuming process. Therefore, the valves 12 are used to prevent gas inside the separation tank 15 from entering the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2 and affecting the drying effect inside the vacuum freeze-drying chamber 2.

[0021] It should be noted that all the above embodiments belong to the same utility model concept, and the descriptions of each embodiment have different focuses. Where the description in a particular embodiment is not detailed, please refer to the description in other embodiments.

[0022] The embodiments described above merely illustrate the implementation of this utility model, and while the descriptions are relatively specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the utility model patent. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of this utility model, and these all fall within the protection scope of this utility model. Therefore, the protection scope of this utility model patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A dairy vacuum freeze-drying device, comprising a raw material pipeline (1), a vacuum freeze-drying chamber (2), a media pipeline (3), and a jacketed tank, characterized in that, The jacketed tank includes a precooling tank (5), a crystallizing tank (7) and a separation tank (15). The medium pipeline (3) is connected to the vacuum freeze-drying chamber (2), the precooling tank (5), the crystallizing tank (7) and the separation tank (15) respectively to control the temperature inside the tank. The precooling tank (5), the crystallizing tank (7) and the separation tank (15) are connected in sequence. The crystallization tank (7) is equipped with an emulsion nozzle and a liquid nitrogen nozzle (11). The emulsion output from the precooling tank (5) is sprayed out from the emulsion nozzle by pressurization. The liquid nitrogen nozzle (11) is connected to the liquid nitrogen tank (9). Liquid nitrogen is sprayed out from the liquid nitrogen nozzle (11) by increasing the pressure. The emulsion crystallizes into a granular solid in the crystallization tank (7). The separator (15) is equipped with a filter bucket (14), which is connected to a feed line (16) that communicates with the vacuum freeze-drying chamber (2). The granular solid emulsion enters the vacuum freeze-drying chamber (2) for freeze-drying.

2. The dairy vacuum freeze-drying equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output end of the precooling tank (5) is connected to a circulation pipeline (6) whose other end is connected to the top of the precooling tank (5) via a three-way valve. A circulation pump is installed on the circulation pipeline (6).

3. The dairy vacuum freeze-drying equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The liquid nitrogen nozzles (11) are distributed around the emulsion nozzles. The liquid nitrogen sprayed by the liquid nitrogen nozzles (11) comes into contact with the emulsion sprayed by the emulsion nozzles, making the temperature near the nozzles lower and accelerating the solidification and crystallization of the emulsion. There are multiple liquid nitrogen nozzles (11), which are connected in series by liquid nitrogen pipelines (10). The liquid nitrogen pipelines (10) are connected to the liquid nitrogen tank (9), and a liquid nitrogen delivery pump is installed on the liquid nitrogen pipelines (10).

4. The dairy vacuum freeze-drying equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The crystallization tank (7) is also equipped with a nitrogen recovery pipeline (8).

5. A vacuum freeze-drying apparatus for dairy products according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The bottom of the separation tank (15) is connected to a liquid nitrogen recovery pipeline (13) that is connected to the liquid nitrogen tank (9), and a recovery pump is installed on the liquid nitrogen recovery pipeline (13).

6. The dairy vacuum freeze-drying equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The output end of the crystallizer (7) and the input end of the vacuum freeze-drying chamber (2) are both equipped with valves (12), and the output end of the separator (15) is also equipped with a star-shaped unloading valve (17).

7. The dairy vacuum freeze-drying equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the vacuum freeze-drying chamber (2) is connected to a vacuum pump (4).

Images