A continuous polydextrose polymerization production system

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of polydextrose preparation technology and relates to a continuous polymerization production system for polydextrose. The system includes a prepolymerization tank and at least three polymerization tanks connected sequentially by pipelines. The prepolymerization tank pretreats the mixed solution to be polymerized, which enters through a feed pipe. The pretreated mixed solution undergoes continuous polymerization in the polymerization tanks, and the polydextrose produced is fed to the next process through an outlet pipe. A level gauge is installed on the prepolymerization tank, and a delivery pump is installed on the delivery pipe. A pneumatic regulating valve is installed on the inlet pipe of the high-temperature heat transfer oil in each polymerization tank, and a thermometer is installed on each polymerization tank. The frequency of the delivery pump is interlocked with the level gauge to regulate the delivery flow rate in the delivery pipe, and the pneumatic regulating valve in each polymerization tank is interlocked with the thermometer to regulate the polymerization temperature within the tank. This invention achieves automated continuous polymerization production of polydextrose, saving labor costs and ensuring stable production operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of polydextrose preparation technology, and specifically relates to a continuous polymerization production system for polydextrose. Background Technology

[0002] The high-temperature polymerization process for preparing polydextrose mainly involves: accurately weighing glucose, sorbitol, and citric acid in a specific ratio and adding them to a batch reactor; heating and vacuum polymerization for at least two hours to obtain polydextrose with a content of not less than 94%. After the reaction, the high-viscosity polydextrose solution is pumped onto a steel belt for cooling and solidification using a high-viscosity pump, or diluted, decolorized, filtered, and then dried in a vacuum belt dryer to solidify. The above preparation method has disadvantages: 1. The high-temperature polymerization steps are not continuous, requiring batch reactions in a batch reactor, limiting production capacity; 2. Each batch is manually controlled, leading to fluctuations in product quality. Utility Model Content

[0003] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide a continuous polymerization production system for polydextrose, which achieves the purpose of automating the continuous polymerization reaction of polydextrose through automated program control, and is very suitable for large-scale industrial production.

[0004] This invention is implemented as follows: a continuous polymerization production system for polydextrose includes a prepolymerization tank and at least three polymerization tanks. Each prepolymerization tank has an inlet and a outlet, with the inlet connected to a feed pipe. The prepolymerization tank pre-treats the mixed solution to be polymerized, which enters through the feed pipe. Each polymerization tank has an inlet and an outlet, with the inlet located at the bottom and the outlet at the top. The outlet is connected to the inlet of the first polymerization tank via a delivery pipe. The outlets and inlets of adjacent polymerization tanks are sequentially connected via connecting pipes. The outlet of the last polymerization tank is connected to an outlet pipe. The pre-treated mixed solution undergoes continuous polymerization in the polymerization tanks, and the polydextrose produced is discharged through the outlet. The liquid is fed into the next process via a pipeline; a prepolymerization heating device is installed in the prepolymerization tank to heat the mixed solution to be polymerized; a level gauge is installed on the prepolymerization tank; a delivery pump is installed on the delivery pipeline; a heat-conducting coil is installed in the polymerization tank to heat the pretreated mixed solution; high-temperature heat-conducting oil is injected into the heat-conducting coil; a pneumatic regulating valve is installed on the oil inlet pipeline of the high-temperature heat-conducting oil in each polymerization tank; a thermometer is installed on each polymerization tank; a pressure gauge and a liquid outlet regulating valve are installed on the liquid outlet pipeline; the frequency of the delivery pump is interlocked with the level gauge to regulate the delivery flow rate of the delivery pipeline; the pneumatic regulating valve of each polymerization tank is interlocked with the thermometer to regulate the polymerization temperature in the tank; and the pressure gauge is interlocked with the liquid outlet regulating valve to regulate the discharge rate of polydextrose.

[0005] Furthermore, the system includes three polymerization tanks connected in sequence via connecting pipes.

[0006] Furthermore, the prepolymer heating device is a steam-heated tube array.

[0007] Furthermore, heat-insulating jackets are installed on the outside of the infusion tube, connecting pipe, and outlet tube.

[0008] Furthermore, a drain pipe is installed on the prepolymer tank and each polymerization tank, and a drain valve is installed on the drain pipe.

[0009] Furthermore, a prepolymer stirring device is also provided inside the prepolymer tank.

[0010] Furthermore, a double-ribbon agitator is also provided in each of the polymerization tanks.

[0011] Furthermore, a vacuum pipeline is also provided on the prepolymer tank.

[0012] Compared with existing technologies, the polydextrose continuous polymerization production system of this invention has the following characteristics: 1. High continuous polymerization production efficiency; 2. Fully automated continuous production with stable product quality. This invention only requires setting the system interlocking conditions to achieve automated continuous polymerization production of polydextrose, saving labor costs, ensuring stable production operation, and enabling highly efficient continuous production. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structural principle of a preferred embodiment of the polydextrose continuous polymerization production system of this utility model.

[0014] The symbols in the image are as follows: 1. Prepolymerization tank; 11. Feed inlet; 12. Drain outlet; 13. Prepolymerization heating device; 14. Level gauge; 15. Prepolymerization stirring device; 16. Vacuum pipeline; 2. Polymerization tank; 21. Inlet; 22. Outlet; 23. Heat transfer coil; 24. Thermometer; 25. Double ribbon agitator; 3. Feed pipe; 4. Delivery pipe; 5. Connecting pipeline; 6. Outlet pipe; 61. Pressure gauge; 62. Outlet regulating valve; 7. Delivery pump; 8. Oil inlet pipeline; 81. Pneumatic regulating valve; 9. Insulation jacket; 10. Drain pipe; 101. Drain valve. Detailed Implementation

[0015] To make the technical problems, technical solutions, and beneficial effects of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit the present utility model.

[0016] Please refer to Figure 1 As shown, a preferred embodiment of the polydextrose continuous polymerization production system of this invention includes a prepolymerization tank 1 and at least three polymerization tanks 2. Figure 1 The system includes a prepolymer tank 1 and three polymerization tanks 2. The arrows in the diagram indicate the flow direction of various materials in the system (including mixed solutions, gases, high-temperature oils, vapors, etc.).

[0017] A feed inlet 11 and a drain outlet 12 are respectively provided on the prepolymerization tank 1. The feed inlet 11 is connected to the feed pipe 3. The prepolymerization tank 1 pre-treats the mixed solution to be polymerized that enters through the feed pipe 3. Each polymerization tank 2 is provided with a liquid inlet 21 and a liquid outlet 22. The liquid inlet 21 is located at the bottom of the polymerization tank 2, and the liquid outlet 22 is located at the top of the polymerization tank 2. The drain outlet 12 is connected to the liquid inlet 21 of the first polymerization tank 2 through a liquid delivery pipe 4. The liquid outlet 22 of two adjacent polymerization tanks 2 are connected to the liquid inlet 21 in sequence through connecting pipes 5. The liquid outlet 22 of the last polymerization tank 2 is connected to the liquid outlet pipe 6. The mixed solution pre-treated by the prepolymerization tank 1 undergoes a continuous polymerization reaction in the polymerization tank 2. The polydextrose produced by the polymerization reaction is input to the next process through the liquid outlet pipe 6.

[0018] The next process refers to conveying the polydextrose produced by the polymerization reaction to a steel belt for cooling and flake formation. After flake formation, it is coarsely crushed and then transported through a pipeline to a pulverizer and then to a packaging system for packaging. Alternatively, the polydextrose produced by the polymerization reaction is conveyed to a dilution tank for dilution and further refining.

[0019] A prepolymerization heating device 13 for heating the mixed solution to be polymerized is installed in the prepolymerization tank 1, and a level gauge 14 is installed on the prepolymerization tank 1. A delivery pump 7 is installed on the delivery pipe 4. A heat-conducting coil 23 for heating the pretreated mixed solution is installed in the polymerization tank 2, and high-temperature heat-conducting oil is injected into the heat-conducting coil 23. A pneumatic regulating valve 81 is installed on the oil inlet pipe 8 of the high-temperature heat-conducting oil in each polymerization tank 2. A thermometer 24 is installed on each polymerization tank 2, and a pressure gauge 61 and an outlet regulating valve 62 are installed on the outlet pipe 6.

[0020] The frequency of the infusion pump 7 is interlocked with the level gauge 14 to regulate the infusion flow rate of the infusion pipe 4. The pneumatic regulating valve 81 of each polymerization tank 2 is interlocked with the thermometer 24 to regulate the polymerization temperature inside the tank. The pressure gauge 61 is interlocked with the outlet regulating valve 62 to regulate the discharge amount of polydextrose.

[0021] The main function of using prepolymer tank 1 is to evaporate the water in the mixed solution and to preheat it. Because the mixed solution has high water content and low temperature, directly using polymerization tank 2 for high-temperature polymerization will result in excessive evaporation and a large temperature difference, which will cause the mixed solution to generate a large amount of foam in polymerization tank 2, forming high pressure and increasing the risk of high-temperature leakage. Polymerization tank 2 itself cannot handle too much evaporated gaseous water.

[0022] The system includes three polymerization tanks 2 connected sequentially by connecting pipes 5. The main reasons for using three polymerization tanks 2 are process and cost considerations: 1. From a process perspective, the polymerization reaction requires at least two hours of high-temperature reaction to achieve the acceptable polyglucopyranoside content. This invention is for continuous polymerization production, with a continuous supply of prepolymer solution from the prepolymer tank 1 into the polymerization tank 2. In high-volume continuous production, even a single or double tank may not guarantee sufficient reaction time for the material within the polymerization tank 2. Three tanks can meet the reaction time requirements (with a double tank, the material travel distance of the mixed solution is usually insufficient; increasing the tank height to improve the material travel distance places excessive demands on site layout and supporting agitation, while also increasing hidden costs). 2. From a cost perspective, a larger number of polymerization tanks 2 is not conducive to initial investment. The polymerization tanks 2 themselves are designed to withstand high temperatures and pressures, and require high-viscosity agitation, resulting in considerable manufacturing costs. Furthermore, a larger number of tanks also requires excessive floor space. Therefore, this embodiment configures three polymerization tanks 2, with the tank volume matched to the production output.

[0023] The prepolymer heating device 13 is a steam-heated tube array. The heat source is high-temperature steam.

[0024] Insulating jackets 9 are respectively installed outside the infusion pipe 4, the connecting pipe 5, and the outlet pipe 6. High-temperature oil is introduced into the insulating jackets 9.

[0025] Each of the prepolymer tank 1 and each polymerization tank 2 is also provided with a drain pipe 10 and a drain valve 101.

[0026] A prepolymer stirring device 15 is also provided in the prepolymer tank 1.

[0027] Each of the polymerization tanks 2 is also equipped with a double ribbon agitator 25.

[0028] A vacuum line 16 is also provided on the prepolymer tank 1. The vacuum line 16 is used to maintain the vacuum level inside the prepolymer tank 1.

[0029] This utility model also discloses a method for continuous polymerization of polydextrose, which uses the aforementioned continuous polymerization system for polydextrose production. The method includes the following steps: Step 1: The mixed solution to be polymerized is fed into the prepolymer tank 1 through the feed pipe 3 for pretreatment. The component ratio of the mixed solution is: glucose: sorbitol: citric acid ratio is 85~89: 10~14: 1. The set temperature of the prepolymer tank 1 is 135~142℃. The moisture content of the mixed solution is controlled below 1%.

[0030] Step 2: Start the infusion pump 7. The mixed solution pretreated by the prepolymerization tank 1 enters the first polymerization tank 2 through the infusion pipe 4 for polymerization reaction. Then, it enters other polymerization tanks 2 in sequence through the connecting pipe 5 to continue the polymerization reaction. The set temperature of each polymerization tank 2 is 160~170℃.

[0031] Step 3: The polydextrose produced by the polymerization reaction is fed into the next process through the outlet pipe 6 on the last polymerization tank 2.

[0032] In step one, the vacuum level inside the prepolymer tank 1 is maintained above -90 kPa.

[0033] The following specific embodiments further illustrate a method for the continuous polymerization production of polydextrose according to this invention.

[0034] Example 1

[0035] The first embodiment of the continuous polymerization production method for polydextrose of this utility model includes the following steps: After the preceding process, a solution was prepared according to the percentage ratio of glucose:sorbitol:citric acid = 89:10:1, and then evaporated to a refractive index of 77% through multi-effect evaporation. The evaporated material was then fed into prepolymer tank 1 under negative pressure. The vacuum level in prepolymer tank 1 was controlled to be above -90 kPa, and the material temperature was maintained at 140°C. At this temperature, the material evaporated to a moisture content below 1%. Before prepolymer discharge, the heat transfer oil furnace was heated to the required temperature in all pipes and polymerization tank 2. At this point, the heat transfer oil temperature was generally around 200°C. After prepolymerization, the material was transported into polymerization tank 2 via a high-viscosity pump 7. When the material level in the last polymerization tank 2 reached 90%, polymerization was carried out at 160°C for two hours, after which the discharge pump of prepolymer tank 1 could be started to replenish the material. Simultaneously, the discharge regulating valve 62 of the last polymerization tank 2 opens to discharge material, and the multi-effect evaporator in the front section also begins to replenish material to the prepolymerization tank 1. Through the interlocking control of the liquid level in the prepolymerization tank 1 by the liquid transfer pump, the material can achieve continuous polymerization in the polymerization tank 2. The discharge from the polymerization tank 2 can either be sent to the steel belt for cooling and flake formation, or it can be sent to the dilution tank for dilution and further refining.

[0036] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A continuous polymerization production system for polydextrose, comprising a prepolymerization tank and at least three polymerization tanks, wherein each prepolymerization tank is provided with an inlet and a outlet, the inlet being connected to a feed pipe, and the prepolymerization tank pretreats the mixed solution to be polymerized entering through the feed pipe, characterized in that, Each polymerization tank is equipped with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is located at the bottom of the polymerization tank, and the outlet is located at the top. The outlet is connected to the inlet of the first polymerization tank via a delivery pipe. The outlets and inlets of adjacent polymerization tanks are connected sequentially via connecting pipes. The outlet of the last polymerization tank is connected to an outlet pipe. The mixed solution pretreated in the prepolymerization tank undergoes continuous polymerization within the polymerization tank. The polydextrose produced by the polymerization reaction is input to the next process via the outlet pipe. A prepolymerization heating device is installed in the prepolymerization tank to heat the mixed solution to be polymerized, and a liquid level setting is provided on the prepolymerization tank. The design includes an infusion pump installed on the infusion pipe, a heat-conducting coil installed in the polymerization tank to heat the pretreated mixed solution, high-temperature heat transfer oil injected into the heat-conducting coil, a pneumatic regulating valve installed on the inlet pipe of the high-temperature heat transfer oil in each polymerization tank, a thermometer installed on each polymerization tank, and a pressure gauge and an outlet regulating valve installed on the outlet pipe. The frequency of the infusion pump is interlocked with the level gauge to regulate the infusion flow rate of the infusion pipe, the pneumatic regulating valve of each polymerization tank is interlocked with the thermometer to regulate the polymerization temperature in the tank, and the pressure gauge is interlocked with the outlet regulating valve to regulate the output of polydextrose.

2. The polydextrose continuous polymerization production system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The system comprises three polymerization tanks connected in sequence by connecting pipes.

3. The polydextrose continuous polymerization production system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The prepolymer heating device is a steam-heated tube array.

4. The polydextrose continuous polymerization production system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Insulation jackets are installed on the outside of the infusion tube, connecting pipe and outlet tube respectively.

5. The polydextrose continuous polymerization production system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each prepolymer tank and each polymerization tank is also equipped with a drain pipe and a drain valve.

6. The polydextrose continuous polymerization production system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A prepolymer stirring device is also installed inside the prepolymer tank.

7. The polydextrose continuous polymerization production system as described in claim 1, characterized in that, Each of the polymerization tanks is also equipped with a double ribbon agitator.

8. The continuous polymeric production system of polydextrose according to claim 1, characterized in that, Vacuum lines are also installed on the prepolymer tank.

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