A heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate

Abstract

This invention discloses a heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate, comprising: a pre-enzyme inactivation pipeline, a high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate, a storage tank, a vacuum degassing system, and a cooling system. The pre-enzyme inactivation pipeline is used for preheating and heat preservation of the enzymatically hydrolyzed yam pulp; the high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate is used for high-temperature short-time sterilization of the yam pulp; the storage tank receives the sterilized yam pulp; the vacuum degassing system establishes a vacuum environment within the storage tank to remove dissolved oxygen from the yam pulp; and the cooling system performs segmented cooling of the degassed yam pulp to prevent starch granule breakage and moisture loss. This invention effectively kills microorganisms through high-temperature short-time sterilization, vacuum deoxygenation, and segmented temperature-controlled cooling, maximizing the preservation of the yam pulp's nutrients, flavor, and texture, preventing oxidative deterioration and starch structure damage, significantly extending product shelf life, and improving product quality.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of food processing technology, specifically to a heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate. Background Technology

[0002] Yam pulp, as a nutritious food ingredient, faces numerous challenges in its production, processing, and preservation. Its complex composition (such as starch, polyphenols, proteins, and enzymes) and the influence of external environmental factors (such as temperature, oxygen, and microorganisms) easily lead to the following problems: Microbial contamination and spoilage: The growth of microorganisms is the main cause of spoilage and decay of yam pulp, which seriously affects product safety and shelf life.

[0003] Enzymatic browning and color deterioration: Naturally occurring enzymes in yam (such as polyphenol oxidase) are highly susceptible to browning reactions in the presence of oxygen, resulting in a darker color and poor appearance of the yam pulp.

[0004] Starch retrogradation and deterioration of texture: The starch in yam paste is prone to retrogradation under improper storage conditions, which leads to a rough texture and decreased viscosity.

[0005] Nutrient loss and flavor alteration: High temperatures, oxidation, and prolonged storage can lead to the loss of vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in yam pulp, resulting in flavor deterioration.

[0006] Disadvantages of existing technology and the purpose of this invention: Although existing technologies have adopted various measures to address the preservation of yam pulp, some shortcomings still exist in practical applications: The processing steps are decentralized: Pre-enzyme inactivation, high-temperature sterilization, vacuum degassing, and cooling often require independent equipment and operation steps, resulting in a complex process flow, large equipment investment and floor space, and there may be efficiency bottlenecks or poor coordination between each step.

[0007] High energy consumption: In traditional processes, heat treatment and cooling often require a large amount of energy, and there may be problems with low energy recovery efficiency.

[0008] High difficulty in quality control: Multiple independent processing steps increase the complexity of quality control, making it difficult to achieve continuous and precise control over the yam pulp processing, thus affecting the stability of the final product.

[0009] High storage costs: The complex process, high energy consumption, and the need for special packaging and storage conditions result in high overall storage costs for yam pulp.

[0010] Therefore, this application provides a device that integrates heat preservation and sterilization functions, aiming to solve the problems of dispersed processing links, high energy consumption, difficulty in quality control, and high storage costs in the prior art, so as to efficiently and stably process yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate. Utility Model Content

[0011] Purpose of the utility model: To provide a device that integrates heat preservation and sterilization functions, aiming to solve the problems of scattered processing links, high energy consumption, difficulty in quality control, and high storage costs in the existing technology, so as to efficiently and stably process yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate.

[0012] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: A heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate, comprising: The pre-enzyme-inactivating pipeline is used to introduce the enzymatically hydrolyzed yam pulp and is equipped with a heating unit and a heat preservation unit. A high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate is connected to a pre-enzyme-inactivating pipeline and is used to perform high-temperature short-time sterilization on yam pulp that has undergone pre-enzyme inactivation treatment. The storage container is connected to a high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate and is used to receive the sterilized yam pulp. A vacuum degassing system, connected to the storage tank, is used to establish a vacuum environment inside the storage tank and maintain a pressure ≤90kPa for 5-10 minutes to remove dissolved oxygen from the yam pulp. The cooling system, connected to the storage tank, is used to cool the degassed yam pulp in stages to prevent starch granules from cracking and moisture loss due to rapid freezing or repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

[0013] As a further improvement to the above technical solution: The vacuum degassing system includes a vacuum pump, a vacuum valve, a filter screen, and a pipeline. The pipeline connects the vacuum pump and the storage tank. The filter screen is installed at the connection between the pipeline and the storage tank to filter and discharge the air inside the storage tank. The vacuum valve is installed at the connection between the pipeline and the vacuum pump and closes when the air pressure inside the storage tank reaches a set value.

[0014] The cooling system includes a high-temperature cooling system and a low-temperature cooling system.

[0015] The high-temperature cooling system includes: High-temperature compressor: used to compress high-temperature refrigerants; High-temperature stage condenser: releases the heat of the high-temperature refrigerant into a water-cooled or air-cooled environment; High-temperature stage throttling device: controls the flow rate and pressure drop of high-temperature refrigerant; Cascade condenser: It is both an evaporator for the high-temperature refrigerant and a condenser for the low-temperature refrigerant; the high-temperature refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat here, thereby cooling and condensing the low-temperature refrigerant.

[0016] The cryogenic cooling system includes: Cryogenic compressor: Used to compress cryogenic refrigerant.

[0017] Low-temperature stage throttling device: controls the flow rate and pressure drop of the low-temperature stage refrigerant.

[0018] Heat is absorbed in the low-temperature stage evaporator to achieve low-temperature cooling.

[0019] The high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate is made of corrugated metal sheet.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of this utility model are: 1. The use of pre-enzyme inactivation treatment and high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate can efficiently and thoroughly kill microorganisms in yam pulp, while preserving its nutrients and taste to the maximum extent.

[0021] 2. A vacuum degassing system is installed, which can effectively remove dissolved oxygen from the yam pulp, prevent oxidation reactions, and extend the product's shelf life.

[0022] 3. A segmented cooling system, especially a cascade refrigeration system, is adopted to precisely control the cooling process and avoid starch granule rupture and moisture loss caused by rapid freezing or repeated freeze-thaw cycles, thereby maintaining the good texture and stability of the yam pulp.

[0023] 4. The entire device has a compact structure, is easy to operate, and has a high degree of automation, making it suitable for industrial production. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model.

[0025] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cooling system of this utility model.

[0026] In the diagram: 1. Pre-enzyme inactivation pipeline; 2. High-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate; 3. Vacuum degassing system; 31. Vacuum pump; 32. Vacuum valve; 33. Filter screen; 34. Pipeline; 4. Storage tank; 5. Cooling system; 51. High-temperature stage compressor; 52. High-temperature stage condenser; 53. High-temperature stage throttling device; 54. Cascade condenser; 55. Low-temperature stage compressor; 56. Low-temperature stage throttling device; 57. Low-temperature stage evaporator. Detailed Implementation

[0027] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention can be practiced without one or more of these details. In other instances, certain technical features well-known in the art have not been described in order to avoid confusion with the present invention.

[0028] Reference Figure 1-2 A heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate includes a pre-enzyme inactivation pipeline 1, a high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate 2, a storage tank 4, a vacuum degassing system 3, and a cooling system 5.

[0029] The pre-enzyme-inactivating pipeline 1 is used to introduce the enzymatically hydrolyzed yam pulp. It is equipped with a heating unit and a heat preservation unit. The heating unit preheats the yam pulp to the appropriate temperature required for enzymatic hydrolysis, while the heat preservation unit maintains this temperature to ensure the smooth progress of the enzymatic hydrolysis process.

[0030] The high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate 2 is connected to the pre-enzyme inactivation pipe 1 and is used to perform high-temperature short-time sterilization on the yam pulp that has undergone pre-enzyme inactivation treatment. The heat exchange plate can be made of corrugated metal sheet to increase the heat exchange area and heat exchange efficiency, so that the yam pulp can achieve the purpose of high-temperature sterilization in a very short time, while reducing the damage to the nutritional components and flavor of the yam pulp.

[0031] The storage tank 4 is connected to the high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate 2 and is used to receive the sterilized yam pulp. The storage tank 4 is usually a sealed container to prevent the sterilized yam pulp from being contaminated by the outside environment again.

[0032] The vacuum degassing system 3 is connected to the storage tank 4 to establish a vacuum environment within the storage tank 4 and maintain a pressure ≤90kPa for 5-10 minutes. Specifically, the vacuum degassing system 3 includes a vacuum pump 31, a vacuum valve 32, a filter screen 33, and a pipe 34. The pipe 34 connects the vacuum pump 31 and the storage tank 4. The filter screen 33 is located at the connection between the pipe 34 and the storage tank 4 to filter and discharge the air inside the storage tank 4, preventing impurities from entering the vacuum pump 31. The vacuum valve 32 is located at the connection between the pipe 34 and the vacuum pump 31. When the air pressure inside the storage tank 4 reaches the set value (≤90kPa), the vacuum valve 32 automatically closes, maintaining a vacuum state to effectively remove dissolved oxygen from the yam pulp, preventing oxidation and thus extending the product's shelf life.

[0033] Cooling system 5 is connected to storage tank 4 and is used for staged cooling of the degassed yam pulp. This staged cooling process avoids starch granule breakage and moisture loss caused by rapid freezing or repeated freeze-thaw cycles, thus maintaining the good texture and stability of the yam pulp. Cooling system 5 includes a high-temperature cooling system 5 and a low-temperature cooling system 5.

[0034] The high-temperature cooling system 5 includes a high-temperature stage compressor 51, a high-temperature stage condenser 52, a high-temperature stage throttling device 53, and a cascade condenser 54. The high-temperature stage compressor 51 compresses the high-temperature stage refrigerant, increasing its temperature and pressure. The high-temperature stage condenser 52 releases the heat from the high-temperature stage refrigerant into a water-cooled or air-cooled environment, causing it to condense. The high-temperature stage throttling device 53 controls the flow rate and pressure reduction of the high-temperature stage refrigerant. The cascade condenser 54 is a key component; it serves as both the evaporator for the high-temperature stage refrigerant and the condenser for the low-temperature stage refrigerant. Here, the high-temperature stage refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat, thereby cooling and condensing the low-temperature stage refrigerant, providing a cold source for the low-temperature cooling system 5.

[0035] The cryogenic cooling system 5 includes a cryogenic compressor 55, a cryogenic throttling device 56, and a cryogenic evaporator 57. The cryogenic compressor 55 compresses the cryogenic refrigerant. The cryogenic throttling device 56 controls the flow rate and pressure reduction of the cryogenic refrigerant. The cryogenic evaporator 57 is the component that actually cools the target material (i.e., the yam pulp in storage tank 4). Within the cryogenic evaporator 57, the cryogenic refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat from the yam pulp, achieving cryogenic cooling.

[0036] Through the above structure and working principle, this utility model can achieve efficient heat preservation and sterilization, thorough deoxygenation and precise segmented cooling of yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate, effectively ensuring product quality and stability and extending shelf life.

[0037] In specific embodiments of this utility model, the connection methods of each component can be common connection methods in the prior art, such as bolt connection and welding. Specific dimensions, materials, and other parameters can be adjusted according to actual production needs and process requirements.

[0038] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that this invention is not limited to the details of the exemplary embodiments described above, and that it can be implemented in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics of this invention. Therefore, the embodiments should be considered illustrative and non-limiting in all respects, and the scope of this invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the foregoing description. Thus, it is intended that all variations falling within the meaning and scope of equivalents of the claims be included within this invention. No reference numerals in the claims should be construed as limiting the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate, characterized in that, include: The pre-enzyme-inactivating pipeline is used to introduce the enzymatically hydrolyzed yam pulp and is equipped with a heating unit and a heat preservation unit. A high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate is connected to a pre-enzyme-inactivating pipeline and is used to perform high-temperature short-time sterilization on yam pulp that has undergone pre-enzyme inactivation treatment. The storage container is connected to a high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate and is used to receive the sterilized yam pulp. A vacuum degassing system, connected to the storage tank, is used to establish a vacuum environment inside the storage tank and maintain a pressure ≤90kPa for 5-10 minutes to remove dissolved oxygen from the yam pulp. The cooling system, connected to the storage tank, is used to cool the degassed yam pulp in stages to prevent starch granules from cracking and moisture loss due to rapid freezing or repeated freeze-thaw cycles.

2. The heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The vacuum degassing system includes a vacuum pump, a vacuum valve, a filter screen, and a pipeline. The pipeline connects the vacuum pump and the storage tank. The filter screen is installed at the connection between the pipeline and the storage tank to filter and discharge the air inside the storage tank. The vacuum valve is installed at the connection between the pipeline and the vacuum pump and closes when the air pressure inside the storage tank reaches a set value.

3. The heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cooling system includes a high-temperature cooling system and a low-temperature cooling system.

4. The heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate according to claim 3, characterized in that: The high-temperature cooling system includes: High-temperature compressor: used to compress high-temperature refrigerants; High-temperature stage condenser: releases the heat of the high-temperature refrigerant into a water-cooled or air-cooled environment; High-temperature stage throttling device: controls the flow rate and pressure drop of high-temperature refrigerant; Cascade condenser: It is both an evaporator for the high-temperature refrigerant and a condenser for the low-temperature refrigerant; the high-temperature refrigerant evaporates and absorbs heat here, thereby cooling and condensing the low-temperature refrigerant.

5. The heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate according to claim 4, characterized in that: The cryogenic cooling system includes: Cryogenic compressor: Used to compress cryogenic refrigerant; Low-temperature stage throttling device: controls the flow rate and pressure drop of the low-temperature stage refrigerant; Low-temperature stage evaporator: This is the component that actually cools the target object. It absorbs heat within the low-temperature stage evaporator to achieve low-temperature cooling.

6. The heat preservation and sterilization device for yam pulp enzymatic hydrolysate according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-temperature short-time sterilization heat exchange plate is made of corrugated metal sheet.

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