A continuous washing centrifuge for microcapsules

Abstract

The utility model discloses a continuous cleaning centrifugal device of microcapsule relates to cleaning centrifugal device, include: the separation cavity that is driven and rotates in the predetermined direction circumference, the liquid outlet is inquired into the separation cavity, and with its bottom keeps the predetermined distance, and the raw material suspension perfusion pipe that is centrally distributed, its inner wall is provided with the thread flow guide groove opposite with the circumference direction of separation cavity, the output end inquires into the separation cavity and is tangent with the inner wall, and the cleaning fluid flow guide pipe that is centrally distributed, its liquid outlet direction is opposite with the circumference direction of separation cavity. The utility model can protect the physical integrity of microcapsule product to the greatest extent, and realizes the deep, even cleaning, effectively solved the inherent inefficiency, the high damage rate, the problem of poor uniformity of traditional intermittent cleaning method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to a cleaning centrifuge device, specifically a continuous cleaning centrifuge device for microcapsules. Background Technology

[0002] Microencapsulation technology, as a core encapsulation and controlled-release method, has been widely used in biomedicine, food science, functional materials, and agricultural chemicals. After the microcapsule preparation process, unreacted monomers, initiators, organic solvents, or salt impurities often remain on the surface and inside the microcapsules. These residues may not only affect the purity, stability, and subsequent function of the microcapsules, but also introduce safety risks when applied in the pharmaceutical or food industries. Therefore, efficient, gentle, and thorough cleaning steps are an indispensable key step in the post-processing of microcapsules.

[0003] Currently, in laboratory and small-to-medium-scale production, the cleaning of microcapsule suspensions generally relies on intermittent centrifugation or filtration techniques. Specifically, this method has the following limitations: Traditional batch centrifugation or filtration is an intermittent process, requiring multiple cycles of "centrifugation / filtration - removal of supernatant / filtrate - resuspension - centrifugation / filtration again," which is cumbersome, time-consuming, and has low throughput, making it difficult to meet the needs of large-scale, continuous preparation. Furthermore, during repeated centrifugation, sedimentation, resuspension, and decanting, microcapsules (especially those with fragile wall materials or poor particle size uniformity) are easily subjected to uneven shear forces and solid compression effects, leading to breakage, deformation, or aggregation, affecting product yield and quality. Utility Model Content

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide a continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules to address the aforementioned shortcomings in the prior art.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides the following technical solution: a continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules, comprising:

[0006] A separation chamber that is driven to rotate circumferentially in a predetermined direction;

[0007] The liquid outlet extends into the separation chamber and maintains a predetermined distance from its bottom. The raw material suspension injection pipe, which is centrally distributed, has a threaded guide groove on its inner wall that is opposite to the circumferential direction of the separation chamber.

[0008] The output end of the cleaning fluid guide tube is inserted into the separation chamber and tangent to the inner wall, and is located at the center of the chamber. Its liquid outlet direction is opposite to the circumferential direction of the separation chamber.

[0009] Preferably, the separation cavity has a frustum-shaped structure, and its port is the lower base of the frustum-shaped structure.

[0010] Preferably, it also includes an inlaid outer lip embedded in the port of the separation cavity, the inner side of which is provided with an annular blocking portion facing a predetermined radius toward the axis.

[0011] Preferably, the inner wall of the separation chamber is fixedly provided with a spiral guide stream extending from the bottom towards the port.

[0012] Preferably, the spiral guide stream is formed by an array of several circular protrusions.

[0013] Preferably, the device includes a base, on one side of which a touch screen and a power switch are fixedly mounted. The touch screen is used to control a drive motor fixedly mounted inside the base, whose output shaft is fixedly connected to the separation chamber.

[0014] Preferably, a glass enclosure is fixedly installed on the base, and the separation chamber is located within the glass enclosure.

[0015] Preferably, the top port of the glass enclosure is inlaid with a transparent acrylic cover plate, and the threaded guide groove and the cleaning fluid guide pipe are both fixed to the transparent acrylic cover plate.

[0016] In the above technical solution, the continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules provided by this utility model has the following beneficial effects: it integrates centrifugal separation and dynamic countercurrent washing; the high-speed rotation of its separation chamber provides a powerful centrifugal force for solid-liquid separation; and the unique design of the raw material suspension injection tube and the cleaning liquid guide tube ensures the continuity and efficiency of the process. The threaded guide grooves on the inner wall of the raw material suspension injection tube, which are opposite to the rotation direction of the separation chamber, allow the microcapsules to be buffered before entering the high-speed centrifugal field, significantly reducing the initial impact shear force, effectively protecting the structural integrity of the microcapsules, and reducing the risk of breakage and deformation.

[0017] Meanwhile, the cleaning fluid is injected into the guide tube in a manner tangential to the inner wall and in the opposite direction of rotation, creating a strong countercurrent backwashing effect. This design allows the cleaning fluid to penetrate the microcapsule layer tightly attached to the cavity wall at high speed, greatly enhancing the dissolution and mass transfer process of impurities, avoiding cleaning dead zones and channeling, and ensuring that all microcapsules undergo consistent and in-depth cleaning, thereby significantly improving the uniformity and thoroughness of cleaning. Attached Figure Description

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments recorded in this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1A schematic diagram of the overall structure provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the separation chamber, the raw material suspension injection pipe, and the cleaning fluid guide pipe provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the inlaid outer lip and the separation cavity provided in an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0022] Figure 4 A cross-sectional structural schematic diagram provided for an embodiment of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the spiral guide stream provided in an embodiment of this utility model.

[0024] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0025] 1. Separation chamber; 2. Raw material suspension injection pipe; 21. Threaded guide channel; 3. Cleaning fluid guide pipe; 4. Inlaid outer lip; 41. Annular shield; 5. Spiral guide channel; 6. Base; 61. Touch screen; 62. Power switch; 63. Drive motor; 64. Glass enclosure; 65. Transparent acrylic cover. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solution of this utility model, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Please see Figure 1-5 This utility model provides a technical solution: a continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules, comprising:

[0028] Example 1

[0029] The aforementioned cleaning centrifuge device includes a separation chamber 1, a raw material suspension injection pipe 2, and a cleaning liquid guide pipe 3. The separation chamber 1 is fixedly connected to the output shaft of a drive motor 63 through its bottom center. When driven, it can rotate at high speed around its central axis in a predetermined direction (e.g., clockwise). The rotation speed can be precisely adjusted within the range of several hundred to several thousand revolutions per minute according to process requirements.

[0030] The raw material suspension infusion tube 2 is vertically positioned, with its outlet extending into the separation chamber 1 and maintaining a predetermined distance (e.g., 5-20 mm) from the bottom of the separation chamber 1. It is also strictly centered to ensure symmetrical feeding. The upper end of the tube 2 is connected via a pipeline to an external feed pump (not shown in the figure) with precisely controllable flow rate, used to continuously pump the raw material suspension containing microcapsules and impurities. One key improvement of this embodiment is that a threaded guide groove 21 is machined on the inner wall of the raw material suspension infusion tube 2, with a direction opposite to the circumferential rotation of the separation chamber 1. For example, if the separation chamber 1 rotates clockwise, the threaded guide groove 21 is designed to rotate counterclockwise. When the raw material suspension flows through this section, the threaded guide groove 21 imparts an initial tangential velocity to the fluid opposite to the rotation direction of the separation chamber, acting as a buffer and pre-guide, significantly reducing the impact shear force experienced by the microcapsule particles when they directly collide with the high-speed rotating chamber wall, effectively protecting the integrity of the microcapsule structure.

[0031] The cleaning fluid guide pipe 3 also extends into the separation chamber 1, and the arrangement of its output end (outlet) is another key point. This output end is located in the central area of ​​the separation chamber 1, and its outlet direction is set to be tangential to the inner wall surface of the separation chamber 1. Simultaneously, its spray direction is opposite to the circumferential rotation direction of the separation chamber 1. For example, if the separation chamber 1 rotates clockwise, the cleaning fluid is sprayed tangentially counterclockwise. The upper end of the cleaning fluid guide pipe 3 is connected to an independent, high-precision cleaning fluid pump.

[0032] The device operates as follows: Drive motor 63 starts, causing separation chamber 1 to rotate at high speed. The raw material suspension, propelled by the feed pump, is injected into separation chamber 1 through raw material suspension injection pipe 2. Guided by the threaded guide groove 21, the liquid flows in the opposite direction to the chamber's rotation. Then, under strong centrifugal force, it is rapidly thrown against the inner wall of separation chamber 1 and flows along it. The denser microcapsules are concentrated in the annular region tightly adhering to the inner wall, forming a dynamic concentrated layer. Simultaneously, cleaning fluid (such as deionized water) directly impacts this concentrated microcapsule layer in a high-speed, reverse tangential jet form through cleaning fluid guide pipe 3. This "reverse tangential backwashing" mode generates strong shear and turbulence, enabling the cleaning fluid to efficiently penetrate the microcapsule layer and quickly displace residual impurities (dissolved state). The light impurity mother liquor and cleaning waste liquid are located in the near-axial liquid phase region. Driven by continuous feeding and cleaning fluid, all liquids (including the displaced waste liquid and part of the cleaning fluid) eventually overflow from the upper port of separation chamber 1, while the cleaned microcapsules remain near the inner wall of the chamber under centrifugal force and can be collected intermittently or continuously from the bottom of the device.

[0033] Example 2

[0034] This embodiment is based on Embodiment 1, see also... Figure 2In this embodiment, the separation chamber 1 is designed as a frustum-shaped structure, that is, its longitudinal section is trapezoidal, with a smaller upper base and a larger lower base. The larger diameter end (lower base) of the frustum is defined as its port, used for overflow drainage; the smaller diameter end (upper base) is the closed bottom. This structure, with a smaller upper end and a larger lower end, is conducive to forming a stable liquid circulation. As the microcapsules move downward along the inner wall (towards the port), the flow cross-sectional area increases, which helps to slow down the flow rate and prolong the cleaning contact time.

[0035] To further address the issue of microcapsules, either extremely small or with near-liquid density, potentially being lost with the overflow liquid during continuous operation (i.e., "material runaway"), this embodiment adds an inlaid outer lip 4 at the port of the separation chamber 1. This inlaid outer lip 4 is fixedly embedded at the edge of the port, and its inner side extends upward to form an annular blocking portion 41. The inner diameter of this annular blocking portion 41 is smaller than the inner diameter of the port of the separation chamber 1; that is, it protrudes axially, forming a physical barrier.

[0036] During operation, due to centrifugal force, the denser microcapsules are mainly distributed in the outer ring region near the cavity wall. When the liquid layer reaches the port height and attempts to overflow, the liquid can flow out over the inner edge of the annular barrier 41. However, the outermost ring of liquid, where the highest concentration of microcapsule solids is located, is directly blocked by the side of the annular barrier 41 when it flows to this point. This blocking effect significantly increases the resistance to the overflow of microcapsules, ensuring that most microcapsules are effectively retained in the cavity region within the annular barrier 41 for continued cleaning, while impurities, waste liquid, and excess cleaning liquid can be smoothly discharged from the inner upper part, thus achieving more precise "solid-liquid separation" and improving the microcapsule recovery rate.

[0037] Example 3

[0038] See Figure 3-5 This embodiment includes a base 6, within which a drive motor 63 is fixedly mounted. The separation chamber 1 is connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 63 via a rotating shaft. Multiple spiral guide channels 5 are fixedly arranged on the inner wall of the separation chamber 1. These guide channels 5 begin from the bottom of the chamber and extend upwards (towards the port) along the inner wall surface. In a preferred embodiment, as... Figure 4 As shown, the spiral-shaped flow channel 5 can be formed by welding multiple circular protrusions distributed along a spiral path, rather than continuous ridges. These protruding structures can disturb the liquid boundary layer flowing close to the wall, breaking the laminar flow state and generating moderate local eddies. This disturbance can, on the one hand, prevent excessive deposition or adhesion of microcapsules on the inner wall, promoting their overall downward movement; on the other hand, it can enhance the mixing of the cleaning fluid with the interior of the microcapsule clusters, improving cleaning efficiency.

[0039] A touch screen display 61 and a power switch 62 are fixedly mounted on one side of the base 6. The touch screen display 61 is electrically connected to a control system (such as a PLC) and can be used to set and control the speed (i.e., centrifugal force intensity) of the drive motor 63, display the operating status, and can be expanded to control the flow rate of the feed pump and the cleaning fluid pump, realizing centralized and digital operation.

[0040] To ensure operational safety and collect waste liquid, a glass enclosure 64 is fixedly installed around the separation chamber 1 on the base 6, completely enclosing the high-speed rotating separation chamber 1. All waste liquid overflowing from the port of the separation chamber 1 is first ejected onto the inner wall of the glass enclosure 64, then flows down the wall and collects at the bottom of the glass enclosure 64. A drain port may be provided at the bottom, and the waste liquid can be continuously pumped away by an external suction pump (not shown in the figure) to keep the working environment clean.

[0041] A transparent acrylic cover plate 65 is embedded in the top port of the glass enclosure 64. This cover plate 65 not only serves as a safety protection and observation window, but also as a fixing base for multiple feed pipes. The raw material suspension injection pipe 2 and the cleaning fluid guide pipe 3 are both vertically inserted and fixedly installed on this transparent acrylic cover plate 65, ensuring their centered positioning in the separation chamber 1, while also making the overall structure compact and easy to install and maintain.

[0042] The foregoing description only illustrates certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Undoubtedly, those skilled in the art can modify the described embodiments in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the above drawings and descriptions are illustrative in nature and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules, characterized in that, include: A separation chamber (1) that is driven to rotate circumferentially in a predetermined direction; The liquid outlet is inserted into the separation chamber (1) and kept at a predetermined distance from its bottom. The raw material suspension injection pipe (2) is centrally distributed and its inner wall is provided with a threaded guide groove (21) opposite to the circumferential direction of the separation chamber (1). The output end is inserted into the separation chamber (1) and tangent to the inner wall, and the cleaning liquid guide pipe (3) is located in the center of the chamber. Its liquid outlet direction is opposite to the circumferential direction of the separation chamber (1).

2. The continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules according to claim 1, characterized in that, The separation cavity (1) is a frustum-shaped structure, and its port is the bottom of the frustum-shaped structure.

3. The continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules according to claim 2, characterized in that, It also includes an inlaid outer lip (4) embedded in the port of the separation cavity (1), and an annular shielding part (41) with a predetermined radius toward the axis is provided on its inner side.

4. The continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner wall of the separation chamber (1) is fixedly provided with a spiral guide stream (5) extending from the bottom to the port.

5. A continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules according to claim 4, characterized in that, The spiral guide stream (5) is composed of several circular protrusions arranged in an array.

6. The continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules according to claim 1, characterized in that, It includes a base (6), on one side of which a touch screen (61) and a power switch (62) are fixedly installed. The touch screen (61) is used to control a drive motor (63) fixedly installed in the base (6) and whose output shaft is fixedly connected to the separation chamber (1).

7. The continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules according to claim 6, characterized in that, A glass enclosure (64) is fixedly installed on the base (6), and the separation chamber (1) is located inside the glass enclosure (64).

8. A continuous cleaning and centrifugation device for microcapsules according to claim 7, characterized in that, The top port of the glass enclosure (64) is inlaid with a transparent acrylic cover plate (65), and the threaded guide groove (21) and the cleaning fluid guide pipe (3) are both fixed on the transparent acrylic cover plate (65).

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