Smoke generator and system for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet - Patents.com

Abstract

The present invention relates to a smoke generator (10, 10a, 10b) comprising a housing (15) with a condensate inlet (11) for receiving smoke condensate and a steam inlet (12) for receiving superheated steam, the smoke condensate being converted into smoke particles when the smoke condensate interacts with the superheated steam, the smoke particles being available at a smoke outlet (13). The present invention also relates to a system for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet (23).

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of smoking items in a smoke cabinet, and in particular to the field of generation of smoke particles from smoke condensate. [Background technology]

[0002] Smoking is the process of flavoring, browning, cooking, or preserving food by exposing it to smoke from the burning or smoldering of an ingredient, most often wood.

[0003] Smoking can be performed in four ways: cold smoking, warm smoking, hot smoking, and through the employment of "liquid smoke", also called smoke condensate. Liquid smoke is a product derived from chemical compounds in water and is applied to food products via misting, dipping, spraying, or immersion. However, producing smoked foods using liquid smoke in conventional equipment takes a significant amount of time because the smoke particles produced are too large to penetrate the products exposed to this smoke. Thus, there is a need to improve smoking processes based on smoke condensate. Summary of the Invention

[0004] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a smoke generator for generating smoke particles from liquid smoke, and a system for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet, which seeks to mitigate, alleviate or eliminate, individually or in any combination, one or more of the deficiencies and drawbacks in the art identified above. It is also an object of the present invention to present a smoke generator design that allows for the generation of small smoke particles, preferably having a diameter smaller than 10 micrometers.

[0005] This objective is obtained by a smoke generator comprising a housing with a condensate inlet for receiving smoke condensate and a steam inlet for receiving superheated steam, the smoke condensate being converted into smoke particles when the smoke condensate interacts with the superheated steam, the smoke particles being receivable at a smoke outlet.

[0006] The advantage associated with the smoke generator is that the size of the smoke particles is similar to that of natural smoke, e.g., smoke produced by burning wood, but the composition of the smoke contains less harmful substances, e.g., tar, than natural smoke. According to one embodiment, the superheated steam has a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius.

[0007] According to one embodiment, the smoke generator comprises a nozzle attached to the condensate inlet configured to distribute smoke condensate within the housing.

[0008] According to one embodiment, the nozzle is located between the steam inlet and the smoke outlet, the distance from the nozzle to the smoke outlet being at least 100 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, or more preferably at least 400 mm, thereby preventing clogging of condensate that has not been pulverized into smoke particles onto the inner surface of the wall of the housing.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the distance between the nozzle and the wall or walls of the housing surrounding the nozzle, and the distance extending between the steam inlet and the smoke outlet, is at least 20 mm, preferably at least 50 mm, or more preferably at least 100 mm, whereby clogging of condensate that has not been pulverized into smoke particles onto the inner surface of the housing wall is further prevented.

[0010] According to some embodiments, the housing has an internal width of 40-200 mm and an internal length from the steam inlet to the smoke outlet of 400-2000 mm. According to one embodiment, the geometry of the housing is cylindrical and the width refers to the diameter.

[0011] According to one embodiment, the smoke generator is provided with a smoke condensate regulator that regulates the flow of smoke condensate into the interior of the housing of the smoke generator through the condensate inlet.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the flow rate is in the range of 0.1 to 20 liters / hour. In other words, the smoke condensate inlet and the smoke condensate regulator are configured to deliver condensate into the housing at a flow rate of 0.1 to 20 liters / hour.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the smoke generator is provided with a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the superheated steam entering the housing of the smoke generator via the steam inlet.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the pressure is in the range of 0.2 to 1.2 bar. In other words, the steam inlet and pressure regulator are configured to deliver steam into the housing at a pressure of 0.2 to 1.2 bar.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the smoke generator is configured to generate a flow rate of mixed vapor and liquid (condensate and vapor combined) through the housing in the range of 25-300 kg / hr.

[0016] This object is also achieved by a system for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet, the system comprising a smoke generator, a steam supply, a smoke condensate supply, a control unit and a smoke cabinet as defined above, the steam supply providing superheated water steam having a steam temperature Ts via a pressure regulator to a steam inlet of the smoke generator, the smoke condensate supply providing smoke condensate via a condensate regulator to a condensate inlet of the smoke generator, and the smoke particles from the smoke outlet of the smoke generator being provided to an inlet of the smoke cabinet operating at a cabinet temperature Tc, the control unit being configured to control the conversion of the smoke condensate to smoke particles based on the steam temperature Ts and the cabinet temperature Tc.

[0017] An advantage with the system is that the time required to smoke food is reduced compared to prior art systems.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the system has a sensor for measuring the steam temperature Ts, the smoke cabinet is configured to operate at a cabinet temperature Tc, and the system further comprises a control unit configured to control the conversion of smoke condensate into smoke particles based on the steam temperature Ts and the cabinet temperature Tc.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the control unit is further configured to control a condensate regulator for regulating the flow rate of the smoke condensate and / or a pressure regulator for regulating the pressure of the superheated steam to control the conversion of the smoke condensate to smoke particles, preferably such that the size of the smoke particles generated by the smoke generator is smaller than 10 micrometers.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the system is configured to generate a flow rate of mixed vapor and liquid (condensate and vapor combined) through the housing in the range of 25-300 kg / hr.

[0021] The foregoing will be apparent from a more particular description of example embodiments as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to the same parts throughout the different views. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating example embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a smoke generator. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a system for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a system for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet including a control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] Aspects of the present disclosure are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the apparatus and methods disclosed herein may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the aspects set forth herein. Like numbers in the drawings refer to like elements throughout.

[0024] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the present disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0025] Some of the exemplary embodiments presented herein are directed to smoke generating devices and systems for providing smoke particles to a smoke cabinet for smoking food. The system of the present disclosure regenerates liquid smoke into original size smoke particles as the particles generated in the process are converted to their original state with smaller particles than conventional systems using liquid smoke where the smoke particles are approximately 100 micrometers, and thus the size of the smoke particles generated by the smoke generator described in the present disclosure is smaller than 10 micrometers, and in some examples, the smoke particles are not visible to the naked eye, i.e., the size of the particles is less than 7 micrometers. The size of the smoke particles generated is comparable to the size of particles in natural smoke, which means that the smoke condensate can be converted into original size smoke particles in the smoke generator.

[0026] Smoke is often used to provide food with odor and color in addition to smoky flavor. Traditionally, liquid smoke, also known as some kind of condensate, is sprayed onto food in a smoke cabinet to coat the food surface. However, adding smoke condensate to food results in uneven coloring, a time-consuming process, and poor-tasting smoke.

[0027] The object of the present invention is to use smoke condensate and convert it into smoke particles in a smoke generator before directing it into a smoke cabinet for smoking food, the size of the smoke particles generated can be the size of natural smoke particles. The smoke generator ensures that the coloring of the food is more uniform and the smoking process is faster and more natural compared to spraying, thus achieving a better flavor.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a smoke generator 10 comprising a housing 15 with two inlets 11, 12 and a smoke outlet 13. The first inlet, also known as the condensate inlet 11, is arranged to receive the smoke condensate. To reduce the effect of harmful substances that are normally present in the smoke condensate, a condensate tank may be provided, in which heavy particles such as tar are separated and fall to the bottom of the condensate tank. The part of the smoke condensate that remains closer to the surface of the condensate tank is guided into the smoke generator 10 and thus contains less harmful substances than the original smoke condensate.

[0029] The second inlet, also known as steam inlet 12, is configured to receive superheated steam, i.e. steam having a steam temperature Ts above 100 degrees Celsius, Ts>100° C. It has been found that the steam temperature should preferably be in the range of 100-140° C., more preferably 110-130° C., and even more preferably 120° C. The superheated steam may be passed through a steam trap to reduce the humidity of the steam before it is directed into the smoke generator 10.

[0030] The smoke condensate is converted to smoke particles when it interacts with the superheated steam, which are then available at the smoke outlet 13. It should be noted that the conversion of the smoke condensate to smoke particles occurs when the smoke condensate interacts with the superheated steam, regardless of the inlet implementation, i.e., any type of opening (with or without a nozzle) may be used when directing the smoke condensate or superheated steam into the smoke generator 10.

[0031] 2 and 3 show two different implementations of a smoke generator in a system for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet.

[0032] 2 shows a first embodiment of a system 20 for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet 23, the system comprising a smoke generator 10a (described above and shown in dashed lines), a steam supply 22 and a smoke condensate supply 21. The steam supply 22 provides superheated steam to the steam inlet 12 of the smoke generator 10a via a pressure regulator 25, and the smoke condensate supply 21 provides smoke condensate to the condensate inlet 11 of the smoke generator 10a via a condensate regulator 24. Smoke particles from the smoke outlet 13 of the smoke generator are provided to an inlet 26 of the smoke cabinet 23.

[0033] In this embodiment, the smoke generator comprises a nozzle 14 attached to the condensate inlet 11, the nozzle 14 being configured to distribute smoke condensate within the smoke generator housing 15. The smoke generator 10a is further provided in this embodiment with a manually controlled smoke condensate regulator 24 which adjusts the flow rate of smoke condensate via the condensate inlet 11 into the housing 15 of the smoke generator 10a. The flow rate is preferably within the range of 0.1 to 20 litres per hour.

[0034] In addition, the smoke generator 10a is in this embodiment provided with a manually controlled pressure regulator 25 which adjusts the pressure of the superheated steam entering the housing 15 of the smoke generator 10a via the steam inlet 12. The pressure is preferably in the range of 0.2 to 1.2 bar. The smoke cabinet 23 is in this embodiment not part of the system 20 and is therefore indicated by a dashed line.

[0035] Inside the housing 15, the condensate inlet 11, or more precisely the nozzle 14, is located between the steam inlet 12 and the smoke outlet 13. The distance from the nozzle 14 to the smoke outlet 13 is at least 100 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, or more preferably at least 400 mm. Thereby, when applying the pressures and flow rates described above for the condensate and the steam, the distance between the nozzle 14 and the smoke outlet 13 ensures that small sized smoke particles are generated before the condensate reaches the inner wall of the housing 15 where the smoke outlet is located. The distance between the nozzle 14 and the wall or walls of the housing 15 surrounding the nozzle 14 and extending between the steam inlet 12 and the smoke outlet 13 is at least 20 mm, preferably at least 50 mm, or more preferably at least 100 mm. Thereby, when applying the pressures and flow rates described above for the condensate and the steam, the distance between the nozzle 14 and the surrounding wall of the housing 15 prevents the condensate from reaching the surface of the wall and clogging to a significant extent.

[0036] The flow rate of the mixed vapor and liquid (condensate and vapor combined) through the housing 15 is in the range of 25-300 kg / hr.

[0037] 3 shows a second embodiment of a system 30 for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet including a control unit 31, the system comprising a smoke generator 10b (described above and shown in dashed lines), a steam supply 22, a smoke condensate supply 21, and the control unit 31. The steam supply 22 provides superheated water steam to the steam inlet 12 of the smoke generator 10b via a pressure regulator 35, and the smoke condensate supply 21 provides smoke condensate to the condensate inlet 11 of the smoke generator 10b via a condensate regulator 34. Smoke particles from the smoke outlet 13 of the smoke generator are arranged to be provided to the inlet 26 of the smoke cabinet 23.

[0038] In this embodiment, the superheated steam has a sensor 32 for measuring a steam temperature Ts, the smoke cabinet is arranged to operate at a cabinet temperature Tc, and the control unit 31 is arranged to control the conversion of smoke condensate to smoke particles based on the steam temperature Ts and the cabinet temperature Tc. To achieve this, the smoke generator 10b is provided with an automatically controlled smoke condensate regulator 34 which regulates the flow rate of smoke condensate into the housing 15 via the condensate inlet 11, and an automatically controlled pressure regulator 35 which regulates the pressure of the superheated steam entering the housing 15 of the smoke generator 10b via the steam inlet 12.

[0039] The flow rate is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 20 litres / hour and the pressure is preferably in the range of 0.2 to 1.2 bar. The smoke cabinet 23 is not part of the system 30 and is therefore indicated by a dashed line.

[0040] The present disclosure relates to a smoke generator comprising a housing with a condensate inlet for receiving smoke condensate and a steam inlet for receiving superheated steam, the smoke condensate being converted into smoke particles when the smoke condensate interacts with the superheated steam, the smoke particles being available at a smoke outlet.

[0041] According to some embodiments, the superheated steam has a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the smoke generator further comprises a nozzle attached to the condensate inlet configured to distribute smoke condensate within the housing.

[0043] According to some embodiments, the smoke generator is provided with a smoke condensate regulator for regulating the flow rate of smoke condensate through the condensate inlet into the housing of the smoke generator. The flow rate may be in the range of 0.1 to 20 liters per hour.

[0044] According to some embodiments, the smoke generator is provided with a pressure regulator that regulates the pressure of the superheated steam entering the housing of the smoke generator via the steam inlet. The pressure may be in the range of 0.2 to 1.2 bar.

[0045] The present disclosure also relates to a system for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet, the system comprising a smoke generator as defined above, a steam supply and a smoke condensate supply, the steam supply providing superheated water steam to the steam inlet of the smoke generator via a pressure regulator. The smoke condensate supply is configured to provide smoke condensate to the condensate inlet of the smoke generator via a condensate regulator, and smoke particles from the smoke outlet of the smoke regulator are provided to the inlet of the smoke cabinet. The smoke cabinet can be a continuous system in which the product is exposed while stationary, as well as in cabinets where the product is temporarily in motion, as well as in periodic steps using belts, conveyors or any other form of movement. The cabinet itself can have an opening that does not close, as a continuous system has this characteristic.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the superheated steam has a sensor for measuring a steam temperature Ts, the smoke cabinet is configured to operate at a cabinet temperature Tc, and the system further comprises a control unit configured to control the conversion of the smoke condensate to smoke particles based on the steam temperature Ts and the cabinet temperature Tc. It is noted that the smoke particles may be natural sized smoke particles, for example non-visible smoke particles having a size of less than 7 micrometers.

[0047] According to some embodiments, the control unit is further configured to control a condensate regulator to adjust the flow rate of the smoke condensate and / or a pressure regulator to adjust the pressure of the superheated steam to control the conversion of the smoke condensate to smoke particles, which may be natural sized smoke particles.

[0048] The description of the exemplary embodiments provided herein is presented for illustrative purposes. The description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the exemplary embodiments to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from various alternative practice of the provided embodiments. The examples discussed herein have been selected and described to explain the principles and characteristics of the various exemplary embodiments and their practical applications, so as to enable those skilled in the art to utilize the exemplary embodiments in various ways and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated. The features of the embodiments described herein may be combined in all possible combinations of methods, apparatus, modules, systems, and computer program products. It should be understood that the exemplary embodiments presented herein may be practiced in any combination with each other.

[0049] It should be noted that the word "comprising" does not necessarily exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed, and the word "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. It should be further noted that any reference signs are not intended to limit the scope of the claims, that the example embodiments may be implemented at least in part by means of both hardware and software, and that several "means", "units" or "devices" may be represented by the same item of hardware.

[0050]

[0033] Illustrative embodiments have been disclosed in the drawings and specification. However, many variations and modifications to these embodiments are feasible. Accordingly, although specific terminology has been employed, it is to be understood that it is intended that they be used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, and the scope of the embodiments is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A smoke generator (10, 10a, 10b) comprising a housing (15) with a condensate inlet (11) for receiving smoke condensate and a steam inlet (12) for receiving superheated steam, The smoke generator, wherein the smoke condensate is converted into smoke particles when the smoke condensate interacts with the superheated steam, and the smoke particles are available at a smoke outlet (13).

2. 2. The smoke generator of claim 1, wherein the superheated steam has a temperature of 120 degrees Celsius.

3. 3. The smoke generator of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a nozzle (14) attached to the condensate inlet (11) configured to distribute the smoke condensate within the housing (15).

4. The nozzle (14) is located between the steam inlet (12) and the smoke outlet (13); 4. A smoke generator as claimed in claim 3, wherein the distance from the nozzle (14) to the smoke outlet (13) is at least 100 mm, preferably at least 200 mm, or more preferably at least 400 mm.

5. 5. A smoke generator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the distance between the nozzle (14) and the one or more walls of the housing (15) surrounding the nozzle (14), and the distance extending between the steam inlet (12) and the smoke outlet (13), is at least 20 mm, preferably at least 50 mm, or more preferably at least 100 mm.

6. 6. The smoke generator according to claim 1, wherein the smoke generator (10a, 10b) is provided with a smoke condensate regulator (24, 34) for regulating the flow rate of the smoke condensate through the condensate inlet (11) into the housing (15) of the smoke generator (10a, 10b).

7. 7. The smoke generator of claim 6, wherein the flow rate is in the range of 0.1 to 20 liters per hour.

8. 8. The smoke generator according to claim 1, wherein the smoke generator (10a, 10b) is provided with a pressure regulator (25, 35) for regulating the pressure of the superheated steam entering the housing (15) of the smoke generator (10a, 10b) via the steam inlet (12).

9. 9. The smoke generator of claim 8, wherein the pressure is in the range of 0.2 to 1.2 bar.

10. A system (30) for supplying smoke particles to a smoke cabinet (23), comprising: The system comprises a smoke generator (10a, 10b) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, a steam supply (22) and a smoke condensate supply (21), the steam supply (22) provides superheated steam through a pressure regulator (25, 35) to the steam inlet (12) of the smoke generator (10a, 10b); the smoke condensate supply (21) provides smoke condensate to the condensate inlet (11) of the smoke generator (10a, 10b) via a condensate regulator (24, 34); The system is configured such that smoke particles from the smoke outlet (13) of the smoke generator are provided to an inlet (26) of the smoke cabinet (23).

11. The system includes a sensor (32) for measuring a steam temperature Ts; the smoke cabinet is configured to operate at a cabinet temperature Tc; 11. The system of claim 10, further comprising a control unit (31) configured to control the conversion of the smoke condensate into smoke particles based on the steam temperature Ts and the cabinet temperature Tc.

12. 12. The system of claim 11, wherein the control unit (31) is further configured to control the condensate regulator (34) for adjusting the flow rate of the smoke condensate and / or the pressure regulator (35) for adjusting the pressure of the superheated steam to control the conversion of the smoke condensate to smoke particles.

13. The system of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the system is configured to generate a mixed vapor and liquid flow rate through the housing in the range of 25 to 300 kg / hr.

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