Apparatus and method for treating a stream of a substance to be treated by countercurrent of an extracted substance

Abstract

An apparatus (11) for treating a stream of a substance to be treated by countercurrent of an extracting substance, wherein the stream proceeds in substantially opposite directions (F1, F2), comprising a motor-driven treatment assembly (13) defined by at least one first fixed member (15) and at least one corresponding first movable member (17) which rotates relative to the fixed member and cooperates with the fixed member to define a corresponding cavitation stage (19) capable of causing the phenomenon of hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture of the substances, in the apparatus, at least one of the at least one fixed member (15) and / or the at least one movable member (17) comprises a plurality of radially projecting portions (21a, 21b), at least one of which is configured to cause a propelling effect on the stream of the substance to be treated in a direction (F1) substantially opposite to the countercurrent (F2) of the extracting substance during rotation of the movable member (17).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for treating a flow of a substance to be treated by countercurrent of an extractable substance. The present invention relates to the technical field of technologies used to enhance phase contact and thus enhance mass and heat transfer, and to enhance the chemical reaction rate.

[0002] The apparatus according to the present invention finds advantageous applications in several industrial fields, for example, as an extractor for high-quality functional foods derived from plant substances and natural products. Certain but not exclusive applications of the present invention relate to the extraction of functional foods from solid or powder forms, or plant matrices crushed into various sizes, such as malt lees resulting from the production of beer, or waste sludge from processing in the food industry including, for example, orange peels.

Background Art

[0003] WO2018 / 146647 discloses an apparatus for enhancing phase contact between one or more liquid phases and a solid phase, the apparatus comprising a high-turbulence section arranged alternately with a section of hydrodynamic cavitation having a high shear force, wherein a first flow of a first substance of the solid phase can move either in cocurrent or countercurrent with respect to a second flow of a second substance of the liquid phase.

[0004] According to a particular embodiment of the teachings proposed therein, these phases can be fed in opposite directions when it is advantageous to cause countercurrent contact between the phases, for example, in a single operation such as stripping, extraction, leaching, etc.

[0005] In that particular embodiment, the device disclosed in the aforementioned background art enables the treatment of the flow of the substance to be treated by the countercurrent of the substance to be extracted. In the configuration provided for this purpose, the known device comprises a motor-driven treatment assembly, in which assembly the above flow proceeds along substantially parallel directions in substantially opposite directions.

[0006] In the known device, there are provided a first fixed member, a cavitation stage that rotates relative to the fixed member and cooperates with the fixed member to cause the phenomenon of hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture of substances flowing in opposite directions within the device, and at least one corresponding member that defines a stage of turbulent mixing arranged alternately with the cavitation stage.

[0007] In the known device, there are provided a first fixed member and at least one corresponding member that defines a corresponding cavitation stage that rotates relative to the fixed member and cooperates with the fixed member to cause the phenomenon of hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture of substances flowing in opposite directions within the device. The cavitation stage is further arranged alternately with the stage of turbulent mixing.

[0008] One of the drawbacks found in the teachings provided by the aforementioned background art results from the low performance of the device when operating in countercurrent. The applicant has observed that in a device of the type described in WO2018 / 146647, due to the gradient of the solid-phase concentration formed along the axis of the device, there is a countercurrent of the solid phase of the substance to be treated with respect to the liquid phase of the substance to be extracted, and this gradient decreases from the end of the device where the solid phase is supplied towards the end of the device where the liquid phase is supplied (which is also the end of the device where the used solid phase exits after extraction).

[0009] The applicant has further observed that by operating with an L / S ratio as follows, a stable flow state of the solid phase can be obtained in the presence of the countercurrent of the liquid phase. L / S > 40 Here L = mass flow rate of the liquid phase S = Mass flow rate of the solid phase When the L / S ratio decreases, it is observed that the critical condition for maintaining the stable flow of the solid phase increases. When the L / S ratio reaches about 30, it reaches a point where countercurrent operation becomes impossible, and as a result, the operation of the device is inhibited by the accumulation of the solid phase in the first chamber of turbulent mixing, i.e., typically the mixing chamber where the solid phase is supplied.

[0010] As is known, the L / S ratio is the most important parameter in the industrial operation of solid-liquid extraction. This is because the higher the L / S ratio, the greater the flow rate of the liquid containing the extracted solute that is subjected to subsequent separation, purification, concentration, and drying operations for the same amount of the resulting final product. This means that the higher the L / S ratio in the operation of solid-liquid extraction, the higher the investment cost and operating cost of the separation, purification, concentration, and drying sections.

[0011] For the investment cost and operating cost of solid-liquid extraction equipment to be economically competitive, the solid-liquid extraction section must be operated at the lowest possible L / S ratio, preferably L / S < 10, and even more preferably L / S < 5. Summary of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0012] Therefore, the main object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the above-mentioned problem of how to optimize the performance of the device for enhancing phase contact when the substance to be treated moves countercurrently to the flow of the substance to be extracted.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a device and method that are more efficient than the prior art and can reduce the operating cost for treating the flow of the substance to be treated by the countercurrent flow of the substance to be extracted.

[0014] An important object of the present invention is to provide a device and method of the above type that can be industrially applied on a large scale.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0015] These and other objects are achieved using the apparatus and methods claimed in the appended claims, which form an integral part of the technical teachings provided herein with respect to the present invention.

[0016] The apparatus according to the present invention enables the treatment of a stream of a substance to be treated by countercurrent flow of an extracting substance. According to the present invention, the substance to be treated and the extracting substance can take mutually different physical states, for example, a solid state and a liquid state, respectively.

[0017] The stream of the substance to be treated can include, for example, typically a mass of a solid-state substance in the form of powder, crushed pieces, sludge, granules, and flakes, in which components advantageous for extraction, for example, polyphenols, proteins, dietary fibers, and essential oils, are dispersed. The stream of the extracting substance may be composed of a liquid-state substance, typically water.

[0018] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention can increase the relative slip velocity of the phases included in the multiphase flow passing through the apparatus. Advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention enables the implementation of a low-temperature extraction process, thereby preventing the occurrence of oxidation phenomena, and thus enabling the production of high-quality polyphenols and proteins having high antioxidant power.

[0019] Advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention enables the extraction of the aforementioned components with a higher level of efficiency than the prior art and at a yield higher than 70% and exceeding 90%. Advantageously, the apparatus according to the present invention enables the implementation of a process for extracting components such as polyphenols, proteins, dietary fibers, and essential oils from the substance to be treated without using a volatile solvent or by reducing the use of a volatile solvent.

[0020] Advantageously, the device according to the invention makes it possible to carry out an extraction process of the above type that is faster than currently known processes. A particularly important advantage of the device according to the invention results from the fact that it consumes less energy compared to the extraction techniques currently in use.

[0021] In a particular embodiment of the device according to the invention, the components of the substance to be treated are rapidly extracted, typically in less than 3 minutes, and brought into the liquid phase by the combined action of high turbulence, shear forces, and the phenomenon of cavitation.

[0022] The device according to the invention mainly comprises a motor-driven treatment assembly in which the flow of the substance to be treated and the countercurrent of the substance to be extracted move in a countercurrent manner. More specifically, within the motor-driven treatment assembly, due to the movement and shape of the members forming the treatment assembly, the flows of the substance to be treated and the substance to be extracted take various directions, but these flows pass completely through the treatment assembly, that is, from their respective inlet ports to their respective outlet ports in substantially parallel but substantially opposite directions.

[0023] According to the invention, the motor-driven treatment assembly has at least one fixed member and at least one corresponding movable member that rotates relative to the fixed member and cooperates with the fixed member to define a corresponding cavitation stage capable of causing the phenomenon of hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture of the above substances.

[0024] According to the invention, the turbulent mixing of the above substances is provided upstream and / or downstream of the cavitation stage. Preferably, the cavitation stage can cause high shear forces and high cavitation in the mixture of substances. Even more preferably, the above stage with high shear forces and high cavitation can provide a cavitation mode characterized by a cavitation number σ < 1 to the mixture of substances.

[0025] According to the present invention, advantageously, the movable member and / or the fixed member comprises a plurality of radially projecting portions or teeth. Advantageously, according to the present invention, the projections of the movable and fixed members of the hydrodynamic cavitation stage having a high shear force make it possible to establish an optimal countercurrent regime of the solid phase, i.e., the substance to be treated, with respect to the liquid phase.

[0026] In particular, referring to FIG. 1, which schematically shows a preferred form of the projections of the fixed and movable members, the projections are linearly inclined with respect to the axis of rotation S1 of the movable member, which rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow R1.

[0027] The Applicant has observed that by inclining the shape of the projections 21a of the fixed member 15 and the shape of the projections 21b of the movable member 17 with respect to the axis of rotation S1 of the motor-driven processing assembly, a propulsion effect on the solid phase is obtained so as to enable countercurrent of the solid phase with respect to the flow of the liquid phase, even in the presence of a very low L / S ratio, typically L / S < 1.

[0028] The propulsion effect means the effect of propulsion or forward movement. The inclination angle of the projections 21a, 21b of the fixed or movable member with respect to the axis of rotation of the movable member can exert a propulsion action on the countercurrent of the liquid flow of the substance to be extracted towards the direction of travel F1 of the solid flow of the substance to be treated, at any angle other than α = 0° and α = 90°.

[0029] However, the following has been found. i For angles in the range 0° < α < 3°, since the propulsion effect is very important, in order to avoid operating with a non-uniform solid concentration along the axis of rotation S1 of the motor-driven processing assembly, i.e., in order to avoid sn / C s1 > 3, it is necessary to operate the assembly at a low rotational speed, typically < 500 rpm. Here, C s1= The concentration of the solid phase in the turbulent mixing chamber where the solid phase is supplied C sn = The concentration of the solid phase in the turbulent mixing chamber at the outlet of the solid phase itself However, in such a rotational speed mode, the intensity of turbulence, shear force, and cavitation is disadvantageous. ii For angles in the range of 80° < α < 90°, in order to avoid operating with a non-uniform solid concentration along the rotation axis S1 of the processing assembly, that is, to avoid a ratio C s1 / C sn > 3, the propulsion effect is limited to the extent that the assembly needs to be operated at a high rotational speed, typically > 3000 rpm.

[0030] However, in such a rotational speed mode, the rotational speed is too high and cannot be adjusted downward, so the intensity of turbulence, shear force, and cavitation is disadvantageous. The power consumption absorbed by the motor that moves the movable member of the motor-driven processing assembly, and thus the operating cost, is also disadvantageous. iii Preferably, in order to improve the convenience in industrial implementation, the inclination angle of the protruding portions of the movable member and the fixed member with respect to the rotation axis of the movable member must be in the range of 3° < α < 80°. Within this range, the range of 5° < α < 60° is the range that can maximize the operating freedom of the processing assembly, and thus is the preferred range. As the optimal inclination angle range, the range of 10° < α < 45° is even more preferable.

[0031] The inclination of the radial protrusions of the fixed member and the movable member with respect to the rotation axis of the processing assembly generates a propulsion effect in the forward direction of the solid phase, that is, the substance to be processed, and this effect also generates a reverse thrust on the liquid phase advancing in countercurrent. Due to this phenomenon, the pressure in the processing assembly increases, and there is a tendency for the pressure required for the pump that supplies the liquid phase to the device to increase.

[0032] To avoid this phenomenon, the clearance between the rotating member and the fixed member must be determined in a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the movable member such that the average velocity at which the liquid phase advances (i.e., the "average liquid-phase cross-sectional velocity") is < 1 m / s, preferably < 0.1 m / s.

[0033] Also, to prevent the generation of uncontrolled local turbulent flow phenomena, it is also preferable that the inclination of the protruding portion of the fixed member and the inclination of the protruding portion of the movable member are selected to be the same. Identify the dimensionless fluid number, which is a parameter characterizing the operating mode of the processing assembly or the solid-liquid contactor. The definition of the fluid number is as follows. Fluid number, Fr = w2R / g Here w: Rotational angular velocity of the rotor [rad / s] g: Acceleration due to gravity = 9.806 [m / s] R: Outer radius of the rotor [m] Identify the inclination angle α of the protruding portions of the fixed member and the movable member with respect to the rotation axis of the contactor. The following propulsion interval index (TPI) was defined. TPI = Log(Fr) × Cos(α) Here Log(Fr): Logarithm to the base 10 of the fluid number Cos(α): Cosine of the inclination angle α of the protruding portions in the radial direction of the fixed member or stator and the movable member or rotor, i.e., the teeth of the stator and the rotor, with respect to the rotation axis S1 of the rotor For the solid-liquid contactor to be operable in a stable countercurrent mode in the industrially interesting range of L / S ratios, i.e., in the range 0.2 < (L / S) < 100, the inclination of the teeth of the rotor and the stator, as well as the configuration of the contactor and its operating mode, 0.1 < TPI < 4 must satisfy the ratio.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the teeth of the rotor and the stator are straight inclined teeth. According to the present invention, the propulsion effect of the solid phase in the forward direction can also be obtained with other forms of teeth, such as parabolic or sigma-shaped forms.

[0035] Figure 2 shows an example of parabolic teeth. α: trailing edge angle = actual inclination angle of the tooth and propulsion inclination angle corresponding to the angle used when evaluating TPI β: leading edge angle α≧0, β≧0 apply to this form, and α = 30°, β = 0° apply to the illustrated example.

[0036] Figure 3 shows an example of "sigma-shaped" teeth. Here, α: trailing edge angle = actual inclination angle of the tooth and propulsion inclination angle corresponding to the angle used when evaluating TPI β: leading edge angle α≧0, β≧0 apply to this form, and α = β = 45° apply to the illustrated example.

[0037] According to the present invention, at least one of the protrusions of the first fixing member and / or the first movable member is configured to cause a propulsion effect in a direction substantially opposite to the countercurrent of the substance to be extracted in the flow of the substance to be processed when the movable member rotates.

[0038] According to the present invention, the at least one radial protrusion for propulsion has a propulsion surface inclined with respect to the rotation axis of the rotating member. Furthermore, according to the present invention, the surface faces downstream of the fixed member or the rotating member in the direction in which it moves through the cavitation stage of the flow of the substance to be processed.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the at least one radial protrusion for propulsion has a propulsion surface, and a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the movable member and having a non-zero area of the projection of the propulsion surface onto the plane is determined on the plane.

[0040] More specifically, the at least one radial protrusion for propulsion has a surface, and a plane perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotating member and having a non-zero area of the projection of the surface onto the plane located downstream of the rotating member in the moving direction of the flow of the substance to be processed is determined on the plane.

[0041] In addition, the motor-driven processing assembly is preferably configured to pass the substantially parallel but substantially opposite-direction flows through the device. The motor-driven processing assembly can rotate the movable member at a speed suitable for causing cavitation and mixing phenomena within the assembly. The speed can be indicated as 500 - 5000 rpm, more preferably 700 - 3000 rpm.

[0042] The rotation of the movable member of the motor-driven assembly can be provided, for example, by an electric gear motor. To ensure an appropriate effect of cavitation on the mixture of substances passing through the motor-driven processing assembly, the opposing surfaces of the protrusions of the rotating member and the fixed member preferably further have a parabolic contour.

[0043] Even more preferably, the protrusion of the rotating member has a circumferential parabolic contour. In addition, the parabolic contour of the protrusion preferably follows a parabola curve with its apex located at the trailing edge of the protrusion with respect to the rotation direction of the movable member, along a radius connecting the edge to the center of the movable member or the fixed member respectively, and the focus of the parabola is also on the radius.

[0044] According to this preferred embodiment of the present invention, the protrusions of the rotating member and the fixed member are made with the same mirror parabolic contour. The equation of the preferred parabola of the contours of the protrusions of the fixed member and the movable member is represented by the function Y = 0.0062974·X2.

[0045] A minimum gap is provided at the trailing edge between the protrusion of the fixed member and the protrusion of the movable member when the trailing edges of the teeth of the movable member and the fixed member are substantially aligned along the corresponding radii of the movable member and the fixed member.

[0046] Advantageously, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the motor-driven processing assembly comprises at least one second fixed member and at least one corresponding second movable member that rotates relative to the fixed member. The second fixed member and the second movable member cooperate with each other to define corresponding mixing stages in order to promote the mixing of the substances traveling in opposite directions within the motor-driven processing assembly.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a housing that houses the motor-driven processing assembly. The first fixed member of the motor-driven processing assembly and the second fixed member of the motor-driven processing assembly are also preferably integral with the housing and, in some cases, can be made as a single piece with the housing, whereby the fixed members of the motor-driven processing assembly are substantially integrally configured.

[0048] In a particular embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a motor-driven processing assembly having a plurality of cavitation stages and a plurality of mixing stages, the plurality of cavitation stages and the plurality of mixing stages being alternately arranged with respect to each other and being configured to be continuously passed through by the flow of the substance to be processed and the countercurrent of the substance to be extracted, which are substantially parallel but in substantially opposite directions.

[0049] Preferably, the first fixed member further comprises a corresponding first cylindrical stator ring with a radially protruding portion, and the first rotating member comprises a radially protruding portion and a plurality of rotor disks surrounded by the first stator ring. The first stator ring defines a corresponding cavitation chamber in which the first rotating member operates. According to the present invention, at least a part of the radially protruding portion is a radially protruding portion for propulsion.

[0050] The second fixing member includes a corresponding second cylindrical stator ring, and the second rotating member includes a plurality of radially protruding portions and is surrounded by the second stator ring. The second stator ring defines a corresponding mixing chamber in which the second rotating member operates.

[0051] According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the radially protruding portions of the second rotating member include corresponding cylindrical pins or pegs, which can impart a highly turbulent flow pattern to the mixture of substances encountered during rotation of the movable member.

[0052] According to the present invention, preferably, the mixing stage can impart a highly turbulent flow pattern with Re > 500000 to the multiphase flow. Preferably, the cylindrical pins extend radially from the axis of rotation of the second movable member over a length such that the diameter of the outer circumference described by the pins is in the range of 0.3 to 0.9×D. Here, D is the inner diameter of the mixing chamber defined by the inner wall of the second fixing member or the second stator ring.

[0053] Furthermore, preferably, the number of the pins is at least two, and more preferably three, and they are arranged in planes perpendicular to, parallel to, and preferably not identical to the axis of rotation of the second rotating member.

[0054] Preferably, all the movable members are rotatably fixed to a common single rotating shaft driven by a motor. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the motor-driven processing assembly comprises three cavitation stages and four mixing stages. Further according to this embodiment of the present invention, the flow of the substance to be processed passes sequentially in a first direction through the first mixing stage, the first cavitation stage, the second mixing stage, the second cavitation stage, the third mixing stage, the third cavitation stage, and the fourth mixing stage. The countercurrent of the substance to be extracted passes sequentially in a second direction opposite to the first direction through the fourth mixing stage, the third cavitation stage, the third mixing stage, the second cavitation stage, the second mixing stage, the first cavitation stage, and the first mixing stage.

[0055] The motor-driven processing assembly comprises an inlet port for the substance to be processed and an outlet port for the processed substance, as well as an inlet port for the substance to be extracted and an outlet port for the extracted substance.

[0056] Preferably, the inlet port for the substance to be processed and the outlet port for the extracted substance are arranged in the first mixing stage, while the inlet port for the substance to be extracted and the outlet port for the processed substance are arranged in the last mixing stage.

[0057] In a typical usage mode of the device according to the present invention, the substance to be processed reaches the inlet port in a solid or fluid state, including solid portions in the form of powder, crushed pieces, sludge, and flakes, and the processed substance reaches the outlet port in the form of substantially squeezed solid residue. Referring further to this usage mode of the device, the substance to be extracted and the extracted substance reach in liquid form.

[0058] According to the present invention, the liquid phase to be extracted can also be supplied through a lateral nozzle penetrating the stator wall of the high-turbulence mixing section, thereby generating a flow of the substance to be extracted, typically in a liquid state, provided by the combination of the corresponding inlet port and the flow of the substance to be extracted coming from the lateral nozzle.

[0059] Some preferred embodiments of the present invention are provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0060]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, there is shown an apparatus 11 for treating a stream of substance C1 to be treated by countercurrent of an extractable substance C2, made according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 11 comprises a motor-driven processing assembly 13, in which the stream C1 of the substance to be treated and the countercurrent C2 of the extractable substance are substantially parallel as shown in the figure by arrows F1 and F2, respectively, but proceed along substantially opposite directions.

[0063] Referring further to the illustrated embodiment, the motor-driven processing assembly 13 is provided with three first fixed members 15 and three corresponding first movable members 17. The movable member 17 rotates about the rotation axis S1 with respect to the fixed member 15, and in cooperation with the fixed member 15, can cause the phenomenon of hydrodynamic cavitation in a mixture of substances advancing in opposite directions within the motor-driven processing assembly 13, defining corresponding cavitation stages 19a, 19b, 19c.

[0064] According to the present invention, the first fixed member 15 and the first movable member 17 are provided with a plurality of radially protruding portions 21a, 21b, and these protruding portions 21a, 21b are configured to cause a propulsion effect on the flow of the substance to be processed in a direction F1 substantially opposite to the countercurrent F2 of the substance to be extracted while the movable member 17 rotates about the axis S1.

[0065] The propulsion radially protruding portions 21a, 21b are provided with a propulsion surface 23 inclined with respect to the rotation axis S1 of the first movable member 17. The first fixed member 15 is provided with a corresponding first cylindrical stator ring 25 having the propulsion radially protruding portion 21a, and the first rotating member 17 is provided with the propulsion radially protruding portion 21b and includes a corresponding rotor disk 27 surrounded by the stator ring 25.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 1, the propulsion surfaces 23 of the first fixed member 15 and the first movable member 17 are perpendicular to the rotation axis S1, and the projections of these surfaces 23a, 23b on a plane P1 located downstream of the propulsion surface 23 in the moving direction F1 of the substance to be processed have non-zero areas on the plane P1.

[0067] Referring again to FIGS. 4 to 7, the motor-driven processing assembly 13 includes four second fixed members 29 and four second movable members 31. The movable member 31 rotates about the axis S1 with respect to the fixed member 29 and, in cooperation with the fixed member 29, defines corresponding turbulent mixing stages 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d to facilitate the mixing of substances traveling in opposite directions within the motor-driven processing assembly 13.

[0068] The second fixed member 29 includes a corresponding second cylindrical stator ring 35, and the second movable member 31 includes a plurality of second radially protruding portions 37 and is surrounded by the second stator ring 35.

[0069] In the illustrated embodiment, the second radially protruding portion 37 includes a corresponding linear cylindrical pin or peg. In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention, the motor-driven processing assembly 13 includes a total of three cavitation stages 19 and four mixing stages 33.

[0070] In the illustrated exemplary configuration, the cavitation stage 19 and the mixing stage 33 are alternately arranged with respect to each other, and the flow of the substance to be processed in the first direction F1 and the countercurrent of the substance to be extracted in the second opposite direction F2 are configured to continuously pass in a substantially parallel direction.

[0071] Referring further to the illustrated embodiment, all of the movable members 17, 31 are rotatably fixed to a single motor-driven common rotating shaft 39. Other embodiments of the present invention are contemplated to be able to have any number and various configurations of cavitation stages and mixing stages.

[0072] The motor-driven processing assembly 13 includes an inlet and an outlet port through which the substance passes. In the illustrated embodiment, the assembly 13 includes an inlet port 41 for the substance C1 to be processed, an outlet port 43 for the processed substance C3, an inlet port 45 for the substance C2 to be extracted, and an outlet port 47 for the extracted substance C4.

[0073] Referring further to the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 11 includes a housing 49, and the fixing members of the cavitation stage 19 and the mixing stage 33 are integral with the housing. The first fixing member 15 and the second fixing member 29 are also made as a single piece with the housing 49. The shaft 39 is connected to a gear motor 51 that can rotate the movable members 17 and 31 of the motor-driven processing assembly 13.

[0074] In the illustrated embodiment, adjacent first radially projecting portions 21a, 21b include parallel and inclined opposing surfaces 23 that define corresponding inclined grooves or channels 51a, 51b through which the material passes during rotation of the first movable member 17.

Example

[0075] The solid-liquid extraction test was carried out on a solid phase consisting of a plant matrix (in the form of a powder having a particle size of 50 - 250 microns and crushed leaves having a particle size of 0.5 - 2.5 mm, or both in the form of "tea cuttings") using water as the extraction liquid and supplying the phases in countercurrent. Number of stages 33 of turbulent mixing: 4 Number of high shear force and cavitation stages 19: 3 (all of the first fixing member and the first movable member include propulsion protrusions, i.e., protrusions that define an inclined surface 23 capable of causing a propulsion effect on the flow of the material to be processed during rotation of the movable member 17) The stages 33 of turbulent mixing are arranged alternately with the high shear force and cavitation stages 19. Inner diameter of the stages 33 of turbulent mixing: 206 mm Axial length of the stages 33 of turbulent mixing: 80 mm Peg 37 of the mixing stage: Six pegs arranged in a parallel plane perpendicular to the rotation axis S1 of the motor-driven processing assembly. When the shaft 39 rotates, it forms a helix with a forward thrust. The circumference described by the peg 37 during rotation is 0.9×D, where D = the inner diameter of the mixing stage 33 Inner radius of the cavitation stage 19: 96 mm Minimum gap between the rotor and stator of the cavitation stage 19: 3 mm (first stage 19a), 2.2 mm (second stage 19b), 1.5 mm (third stage 19c) Axial length of the first stator ring 25 and rotor disk 27 of the cavitation stage: 30 mm Rotation speed of the shaft 39: In the range of 500 - 2500 rpm Number of stator grooves 51a: 18 Number of rotor grooves 51b: 18 Stator teeth 21a: Linear with an inclination α of 18° with respect to the rotation axis S1 of the device Rotor teeth 21b: Linear with an inclination α of 18° with respect to the rotation axis S1 of the device With this configuration, a countercurrent flow of the solid phase with respect to the liquid phase can be obtained, and it is stable up to a ratio L / S = 0.2 throughout the tested rotation speed range (i.e., 500 - 2500 rpm, corresponding to a range of TPI from 1.35 to 2.68).

[0076] The present invention as described and illustrated is capable of many alternatives and modifications within the scope of the same inventive principle.

Claims

1. An apparatus (11) for treating a flow of a substance to be treated by countercurrent of an extractable substance, wherein said flow proceeds in substantially opposite directions (F1, F2), in an apparatus comprising a motor-driven treatment assembly (13) defined by at least one first stationary member (15) and at least one corresponding first movable member (17) which rotates relative to said stationary member and cooperates therewith to define a corresponding cavitation stage (19) capable of causing the phenomenon of hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture of said substances, characterized in that at least one of said at least one stationary member (15) and / or said at least one movable member (17) comprises a plurality of radially projecting portions (21a, 21b), at least one of which is configured to cause a propelling effect on said flow of the substance to be treated in a direction (F1) substantially opposite to said countercurrent (F2) of the extractable substance when said movable member (17) rotates. Apparatus (11).

2. Said at least one propelling radially projecting portion (21a, 21b) comprises a propelling surface (23), and a surface (23a, 23b) having a non-zero area of the projection of said propelling surface (23) onto a plane (P1) perpendicular to the rotation axis of said movable member (17) is determined on said plane, The apparatus according to claim 1.

3. Said at least one propelling radially projecting portion (21a, 21b) comprises a propelling surface (23) inclined with respect to the rotation axis (S1) of said movable member (17), The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Said motor-driven treatment assembly (13) comprises at least one second stationary member (29), and at least one second movable member (31) which rotates relative to said stationary member and cooperates therewith to define a corresponding turbulent mixing stage (33) to promote the mixing of said substances proceeding in opposite directions within said motor-driven treatment assembly, and comprises, The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 or 3.

5. Said motor-driven treatment assembly (13) comprises a plurality of cavitation stages (19) and a plurality of mixing stages (33), wherein said plurality of cavitation stages (19) and said plurality of mixing stages (33) are arranged alternately with each other and are configured such that the flow of said substance to be treated and the countercurrent of said extractable substance, which are substantially parallel but in substantially opposite directions, continuously pass therethrough. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The first fixing member (15) comprises a corresponding first cylindrical stator ring (25) with a radially protruding portion (21a), The first rotating member (17) Comprises a radially protruding portion (21b), Comprises a corresponding rotor disk (27) surrounded by the first stator ring, The radially protruding portions (21a, 21b) are propulsion radially protruding portions, The device according to claim 5.

7. At least one of the propulsion radially protruding portions (21a, 21b) has a linear or parabolic or sigma-shaped inclined form, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The second fixing member (29) comprises a corresponding second cylindrical stator ring (35), The second rotating member (31) comprises a plurality of radially protruding portions (37), surrounded by the second stator ring, The radially protruding portions comprise corresponding cylindrical pins, The device according to claim 5 or 6 or 7.

9. Adjacent radially protruding portions (21a, 21b) comprise mutually opposing parallel inclined surfaces (23) defining corresponding inclined grooves or channels (51a, 51b) for the substance to pass through, The device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for treating a flow of a substance to be treated by countercurrent of an extracted substance, comprising: Arranging a motor-driven treatment assembly (13) comprising at least one first fixing member (15) and at least one first movable member (17) that rotates relative to the fixing member and cooperates with the fixing member to define a corresponding cavitation stage (19) capable of causing the phenomenon of hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture of substances, wherein the at least one fixing member (15) and / or the at least one movable member (17) comprises a plurality of radially protruding portions (21a, 21b); Passing the substantially parallel but substantially opposite-direction flows into the motor-driven treatment assembly (13); When the first movable member rotates, promoting a propulsion effect on the flow of the substance to be treated in a direction (F1) substantially opposite to the countercurrent (F2) of the extracted substance by at least one of the radially protruding portions (21a, 21b); A method comprising.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the step of causing turbulent mixing is provided upstream and downstream of the cavitation stage in the substance. The method according to claim 10.

12. The propulsion radial protrusions (21a, 21b) comprise a propulsion surface (23), and a surface (23a, 23b) having a non-zero area of the projection of the propulsion surface (23) onto a plane (P1) perpendicular to the rotation axis of the movable member (17) is determined on the plane. The method according to claim 10 or 11.

13. The radial protrusions (21a, 21b) are propulsion radial protrusions, and comprise a propulsion surface (23) inclined with respect to the rotation axis (S1) of the movable member (17). The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12.

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