Continuous and feed-boil high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors

Abstract

The continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to embodiments of the present invention include a reactor body that generates process flavor by a Maillard reaction under high-temperature, high-pressure reaction conditions by introducing a precursor and reactants and then performing a heating step, and a substance supply device provided in communication with one side of the reactor body, which continuously or semi-continuously supplies an additive substance formed from at least one of the precursor and reactants into the reactor body when the heating step of the reactor body is performed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to continuous and fed-batch high-temperature and high-pressure process flavor reactors. More specifically, by designing a process flavor reactor with a structure capable of continuously supplying precursors and reactants during the heating process for the production of process flavors, the reaction efficiency during the production of process flavors can be improved, and the characteristics of the product can be made more diverse. The present invention relates to continuous and fed-batch high-temperature and high-pressure process flavor reactors.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, the functions and roles of foods are changing according to the needs of the times. The basic functions of foods, such as the supply of energy necessary for life and the supply of nutrients necessary for the growth and maintenance of the human body, are decreasing in importance due to the improvement of national income and living standards. On the other hand, the needs for sensory qualities such as the color, aroma, and texture of foods are becoming increasingly important. In addition, since modern society has entered, the demand for ready-to-eat foods for home use, such as HMR (home meal replacement), which is convenient and easy to prepare for the cooking and preparation of products, is gradually increasing.

[0003] Along with this, the markets for seasoned foods and ready-to-eat foods are rapidly increasing. That is, the functions and values of foods are changing from the classical "supply of nutrients" to an increasing role of "palatability" that gives pleasure, and the role of the supply of energy and nutrients in foods is becoming more important in terms of balance rather than a quantitative concept.

[0004] As the roles and needs of foods change in this way, there is a tendency to develop various types of process flavors having various characteristics and functions. That is, process flavors are not only used for the purpose of enhancing the flavor and aroma of foods, but also for the purpose of improving the preservability of foods and maintaining freshness for a long time, and for the production of special-purpose foods such as health foods, patient foods, and religious foods.

[0005] Existing process flavors are manufactured using batch-type, high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors.

[0006] These batch-type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors heat the reaction at 90°C to 120°C to produce process flavors. After adding the appropriate amounts of precursors and reactants immediately before heating, the reactor is completely sealed and the heating reaction is carried out. At this time, the reaction takes place at a high temperature of over 100°C inside the completely sealed high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor, and the heating process is carried out under high internal pressure due to the presence of water vapor.

[0007] On the other hand, in high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors, the main reactions that produce the major components of process flavors, such as pyrazines, thiazoles, thiophenes, and oxazoles, are typically the Maillard reaction and the Maillard-lipid interaction.

[0008] Theoretically, due to the characteristics of these reactions, continuously or sequentially adding precursors and reactants to the process flavor reactor can increase the efficiency of the reaction and alter the properties of the reaction product. However, conventional batch-type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors are completely sealed, and the heating process is carried out under high-temperature, high-pressure reaction conditions. This has resulted in a limitation in that it is practically impossible to add precursors or reactants during the process.

[0009] Relevant prior art documents include the following: [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Korean Published Patent No. 10-2021-0094972 (Title of Invention: Method for Producing Rice Starch Syrup Powder and Manufacturing System Thereof, Publication Date: 2021.07.30) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The embodiments of the present invention provide continuous and feed-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors that can improve the reaction efficiency during the production of process flavors and further diversify the characteristics of the product by continuously or semi-continuously adding additives such as precursors and reactants during the process of producing process flavors by heating precursors and reactants under completely sealed high-temperature, high-pressure reaction conditions.

[0012] Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention provide continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors that can easily realize the continuous and semi-continuous supply of additives during the heating process by adding a substance supply device to the reactor body for continuously supplying additives during the production of process flavors. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor is provided, comprising: a reactor body that generates process flavor by a Maillard reaction under high-temperature, high-pressure reaction conditions by adding a precursor and reactants and then performing a heating step; and a substance supply device provided in communication with one side of the reactor body, which continuously or semi-continuously supplies an additive substance formed from at least one of the precursor and reactants into the reactor body when the heating step of the reactor body is performed.

[0014] Preferably, the material supply device may include a material supply chamber for storing the additive in a sealed state, a steam inlet connected to one side of the upper part of the reactor body and the upper part of the material supply chamber to guide steam generated inside the reactor body to the upper part of the material supply chamber, and a material supply unit connected to the lower part of the material supply chamber and the other side of the upper part of the reactor body to supply the additive stored inside the reactor body into the reactor body.

[0015] Preferably, an inlet may be formed at the top of the substance supply chamber for introducing the additive into the substance supply chamber, and a sealing lid may be provided that can be opened and closed to seal the inlet.

[0016] Preferably, the steam inlet section may include a steam inlet passage connected to the reactor body and the material supply chamber so as to guide the steam from one upper side of the reactor body to the upper part of the material supply chamber, and a steam inlet valve positioned in the steam inlet passage so as to intermittently control the flow of the steam flowing in through the steam inlet passage.

[0017] Preferably, the material supply unit may include a material supply passage connected to the reactor body and the material supply chamber so as to guide the additive from the lower part of the material supply chamber to the upper part of the reactor body; a material supply valve configurably positioned in the material supply passage to intermittently control the flow of the additive supplied through the material supply passage; and a supply amount measuring device positioned in the material supply passage between the material supply valve and the reactor body to measure the amount of the additive supplied through the material supply passage.

[0018] Preferably, the material supply device can operate in at least one of the following modes: a steam inflow mode in which the steam inflow valve is opened during the heating process of the reactor body, allowing the steam generated inside the reactor body to flow into the material supply chamber; a material supply mode in which the material supply valve is opened with the steam inflow valve open, supplying the additive stored in the material supply chamber into the reactor body; and a shutdown mode in which the steam inflow valve and the material supply valve are closed, interrupting the inflow of steam and the supply of the additive.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention, the substance supply device may further include a pressurizing device provided in communication with the internal space of the substance supply chamber, which pressurizes the internal space of the substance supply chamber in order to stably supply the additive stored in the substance supply chamber to the reactor body at a constant flow rate when needed.

[0020] Preferably, the pressurizing device may include a pressurizing cylinder provided in a cylindrical shape that communicates with the internal space of the material supply chamber, a pressurizing piston provided in a piston shape that is movable inside the pressurizing cylinder, and an actuator connected to the pressurizing piston to provide an operating force for the movement of the pressurizing piston.

[0021] Preferably, the material supply device can operate in at least one of the following modes: a steam inflow mode in which, during the heating process of the reactor body, the material supply valve is closed and the steam inflow valve is opened, and then the pressurizing device is used to allow the steam generated inside the reactor body to flow into the material supply chamber; a material supply mode in which, after opening the material supply valve and closing the steam inflow valve, the pressurizing device is used to supply the additive stored in the material supply chamber into the reactor body; and an operation stop mode in which the steam inflow valve and the material supply valve are closed, and the operation of the pressurizing device is interrupted, thereby interrupting the inflow of steam and the supply of the additive.

[0022] Here, in the steam inflow mode, the pressurizing piston can move in a first direction that increases the internal space by the driving force of the actuator, or the pressurizing piston can move in the first direction by the pressure of the steam in a state where the driving force of the actuator does not act.

[0023] And in the substance supply mode, the pressurizing piston moves in a second direction that decreases the internal space by the driving force of the actuator, so that the additive substance stored in the internal space of the substance supply chamber can be supplied to the reactor body.

[0024] Preferably, at the lower part of the substance supply chamber, an inclined surface portion having a structure inclined downward toward a portion connected to the substance supply portion may be formed so that the additive substance smoothly slides and moves to the substance supply portion.

[0025] On the other hand, a plurality of the substance supply devices may be provided in the reactor body so as to selectively provide different types of the additive substances inside the reactor body.

[0026] Further, the reactor body may include a reactor tank that houses the precursor and the reactant and generates the process flavor by a heating process, a reactor heater disposed outside the reactor tank to heat the precursor and the reactant stored in the reactor tank at high temperature and high pressure, a stirrer disposed inside the reactor tank to stir the precursor and the reactant, a thermometer disposed in the reactor tank to measure the internal temperature of the reactor tank, and a pressure gauge disposed in the reactor tank to measure the internal pressure of the reactor tank.

Advantages of the Invention

[0027] The continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to embodiments of the present invention are configured such that a substance supply device is connected to one side of the reactor body, and additives are continuously or semi-continuously supplied while the heating process is taking place in the reactor body. This improves the reaction efficiency during the production of process flavors, thereby enabling the production of process flavors of superior quality compared to conventional methods.

[0028] Furthermore, the continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to embodiments of the present invention have a structure in which steam generated in the reactor body is introduced into the material supply chamber through the steam inlet, and then the additives stored in the material supply chamber are supplied to the reactor body through the material supply section by the pressure of the steam. As a result, the additives can be stably supplied into the reactor body while the reactor body and material supply device are completely sealed, and the loss of intermediate products generated inside the reactor body can be prevented.

[0029] Furthermore, the continuous and feed-feed high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to embodiments of the present invention operate in one of three modes—steam inlet mode, material supply mode, and operation stop mode—by appropriately opening and closing the steam inlet valve in the steam inlet section and the material supply valve in the material supply section. Therefore, the desired mode can be easily and simply set and changed by only simple operations of opening and closing the steam inlet valve and the material supply valve, thereby allowing the user to easily adjust the operation of the material supply device.

[0030] Furthermore, the continuous and feed-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to the embodiments of the present invention can continuously or semi-continuously supply additives during the heating process by simply adding a substance supply device to an existing process flavor reactor. Therefore, they can be reused for existing batch-type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors, reducing economic costs and the increase in installation work due to replacement, and further improving the quality and performance of the process flavor with the simple operation of adding a substance supply device.

[0031] Furthermore, the continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to embodiments of the present invention have a structure that uses a pressurizing device to pressurize the inside of the material supply chamber and stably supply the additive stored in the material supply chamber to the reactor body at a preset flow rate. As such, the additive can be forcibly supplied to the reactor body without being greatly affected by the physical properties or viscosity of the additive, and since the amount of additive supplied is proportional to the operating amount of the pressurizing device, the amount of additive supplied can be accurately adjusted by controlling the operation of the pressurizing device. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] This figure schematically shows continuous and feed-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 shows the steam inflow modes for continuous and feed-boil high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors. [Figure 3] Figure 1 shows the material supply modes of continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors. [Figure 4] This figure schematically shows continuous and feed-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to other embodiments of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure schematically shows continuous and feed-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows the steam inflow modes for continuous and feed-boil type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors. [Figure 7] Figure 5 shows the material supply modes of continuous and feed-boil high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] Examples of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited or restricted by these examples. The same reference numerals shown in each drawing indicate the same components.

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a diagram showing the vapor inflow mode of the continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor 100 shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a diagram showing the substance supply mode of the continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0035] Referring to Figure 1, a continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a reactor body 110 and a material supply device 120.

[0036] In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, the continuous and feed-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor 100 can be simply referred to as "process flavor reactor 100". The process flavor reactor 100 of this embodiment produces process flavors by a heating process based on the Maillard reaction and Maillard-lipid interaction, and the reaction efficiency of the process flavor can be improved by continuously supplying additive substances M formed from at least one of the precursor and reactants using a substance supply device 120.

[0037] In other words, in this embodiment, the process flavor reactor 100 generates process flavor by a Maillard reaction through a heating process after the precursor and reactants are introduced into the reactor body 110. The reaction efficiency of the process flavor can be maximized by continuously supplying the additive substance M formed from the precursor and reactants into the reactor body 110 during the heating process using the substance supply device 120.

[0038] On the other hand, in this embodiment, the process flavor reactor 100 can be configured to have high-temperature and high-pressure reaction conditions inside through a heating process during the production of process flavors. In particular, the inside of the reactor body 110 can be filled with high-temperature and high-pressure steam generated by heating the precursor and reactants.

[0039] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the reactor body 110 of this embodiment can be used to generate process flavor by introducing precursors and reactants and heating them. At this time, high-temperature and high-pressure reaction conditions can be created inside the reactor body 110 by the heating of the precursors and reactants, and process flavor can be generated by the Maillard reaction under these reaction conditions.

[0040] On the other hand, the reactor body 110 may be formed with the same or similar structure as a process flavor reactor that has been used to produce existing process flavors.

[0041] For example, the reactor body 110 of this embodiment may include a reactor tank 111, a reactor heater 112, a stirrer 113, a thermometer 114, and a pressure gauge 115.

[0042] The reactor tank 111 is a tank-shaped structure having an internal space S for containing precursors and reactants, and generates process flavors from the precursors and reactants through a heating reaction by the reactor heater 112. The internal space S of the reactor tank 111 can be formed with a structure that is completely sealed from the outside air, thereby preventing the loss of highly volatile intermediate products such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide that are generated during the heating process of the precursors and reactants.

[0043] The reactor heater 112 can be positioned outside the reactor tank 111 to heat the precursor and reactants stored in the reactor tank 111 at high temperature and pressure. In this embodiment, the reactor heater 112 will be described as being positioned to surround the entire outer surface of the reactor tank 111.

[0044] The agitator 113 can be positioned in the reactor tank 111 to agitate the precursor and reactants stored in the reactor tank 111. In this embodiment, the lower part of the agitator 113 is positioned inside the reactor tank 111, and multiple stirring blades may be formed to agitate the precursor and reactants stored in the reactor tank 111. In this embodiment, the upper part of the agitator 113 is positioned so as to be exposed above the reactor tank 111, and power can be supplied to the agitator 113.

[0045] The thermometer 114 can measure the internal temperature in the internal space S of the reactor tank 111 in real time. The thermometer 114 may be positioned to penetrate the top of the reactor tank 111.

[0046] The pressure gauge 115 can measure the internal pressure in the internal space S of the reactor tank 111 in real time. The pressure gauge 115, like the thermometer 114, can be positioned to penetrate the top of the reactor tank 111.

[0047] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the substance supply device 120 of this embodiment can continuously or semi-continuously supply an additive substance M, formed from at least one of the precursor and reactants, into the reactor body 110 when the reactor body 110 is being heated. Such a substance supply device 120 may be provided so as to communicate with one side of the reactor body 110.

[0048] On the other hand, multiple substance supply devices 120 can be provided in the reactor body 110 to selectively supply different types of additive substances M to the reactor body 110. In this embodiment, for the sake of explanation, it will be described as if a single substance supply device 120 is provided in the reactor body 110, but it is not limited to this, and multiple substance supply devices 120 may be provided in the reactor body 110, and various types of additive substances M may be selectively supplied according to the manufacturing process of the process flavor.

[0049] The additive M is formed from at least one of the precursor and reactants, and can be provided in a low-viscosity liquid form so as to be smoothly supplied through the material supply unit 126 described later. However, it is not limited to this, and the additive M may also be provided in granular form or in a highly viscous liquid form.

[0050] For example, the substance supply device 120 of this embodiment may include a substance supply chamber 122, a steam inlet 124, and a substance supply unit 126.

[0051] The substance supply chamber 122 can store the additive substance M in a sealed state. The substance supply chamber 122 described above can be manufactured in a cylindrical shape with a hollow interior.

[0052] Here, an inlet 1221 can be formed at the top of the material supply chamber 122. Therefore, the additive substance M can be introduced into the internal space S of the material supply chamber 122 through the inlet 1221.

[0053] Furthermore, a sealed lid 1222 can be provided on the top of the material supply chamber 122. Such a sealed lid 1222 can be positioned on the top of the material supply chamber 122 and has a structure that opens and closes the input port 1221. In this embodiment, the sealed lid 1222 will be described as being hinged to the top of the material supply chamber 122, but it is not limited to this, and various forms of opening and closing structures can be applied.

[0054] The steam inlet 124 can guide the steam V generated inside the reactor body 110 to the upper part of the material supply chamber 122. One end of the steam inlet 124 can be connected to one side of the upper part of the reactor body 110, and the other end of the steam inlet 124 can be connected to the upper part of the material supply chamber 122.

[0055] For example, the steam inlet 124 may include a steam inlet passage 1241 and a steam inlet valve 1242.

[0056] Here, the steam inlet passage 1241 can guide steam V from one upper side of the reactor body 110 to the upper part of the material supply chamber 122. The steam inlet passage 1241 as described above can be provided by a pipe member. One end of the steam inlet passage 1241 may be connected to communicate with the reactor body 110, and the other end of the steam inlet passage 1241 may be connected to communicate with the material supply chamber 122.

[0057] Furthermore, the steam inlet valve 1242 can interrupt the flow of steam V flowing in through the steam inlet passage 1241. For this purpose, the steam inlet valve 1242 can be placed in the steam inlet passage 1241.

[0058] The material supply unit 126 can supply additive substances M stored inside the material supply chamber 122 into the reactor body 110. One end of the material supply unit 126 may be connected to the lower part of the material supply chamber 122, and the other end of the material supply unit 126 may be connected to the upper side of the reactor body 110.

[0059] For example, the material supply unit 126 may include a material supply passage 1261, a material supply valve 1262, and a supply amount measuring instrument 1263.

[0060] Here, the material supply passage 1261 can guide the additive substance M from the lower part of the material supply chamber 122 to the upper part of the reactor body 110. The material supply passage 1261 described above can also be provided by a pipe member, in the same or similar manner as the steam inlet passage 1241. One end of the material supply passage 1261 may be connected to communicate with the reactor body 110, and the other end of the material supply passage 1261 may be connected to communicate with the material supply chamber 122. In this case, it is preferable that the connection position between the other end of the material supply passage 1261 and the material supply chamber 122 is located lower than the connection position between the other end of the steam inlet passage 1241 and the material supply chamber 122.

[0061] Furthermore, the substance supply valve 1262 can interrupt the flow of the additive substance M supplied through the substance supply passage 1261. For this purpose, the substance supply valve 1262 can be positioned in the substance supply passage 1261 so as to be openable and closable.

[0062] Furthermore, the supply amount measuring device 1263 can measure the supply amount of additive substance M supplied through the substance supply passage 1261. The supply amount measuring device 1263 described above can be formed from a flow meter or a flow velocity meter and can be placed between one end and the other end of the substance supply passage 1261.

[0063] Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the substance supply device 120 of this embodiment can operate in at least one of the following modes: steam inflow mode, substance supply mode, and operation stop mode.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, the steam inflow mode opens the steam inflow valve 1242 during the heating process of the reactor body 110, allowing the steam V generated inside the reactor body 110 to flow into the material supply chamber 122. That is, in steam inflow mode, the steam inflow valve 1242 may be open and the material supply valve 1262 may be closed. Therefore, the steam V generated inside the reactor body 110 can flow into the material supply chamber 122 through the steam inflow passage 1241, and the internal pressure of the material supply chamber 122 can be increased to be equal to the internal pressure of the reactor body 110.

[0065] As shown in Figure 3, in the material supply mode, the material supply valve 1262 can be opened in the steam inflow mode, allowing the additive substance M stored in the material supply chamber 122 to be supplied into the reactor body 110. That is, in the material supply mode, the steam inflow valve 1242 is opened, and the material supply valve 1262 can also be opened. Therefore, the additive substance M stored in the material supply chamber 122 can be naturally supplied into the reactor body 110 through the material supply passage 1261 by the pressure and gravity of the steam V flowing into the material supply chamber 122.

[0066] As shown in Figure 1, in the shutdown mode, the steam inlet valve 1242 and the material supply valve 1262 can be closed to interrupt the inflow of steam V and the supply of additives M. In other words, in the shutdown mode, the steam inlet valve 1242 is closed and the material supply valve 1262 can also be closed. Therefore, the inflow of steam V from the reactor body 110 into the material supply device 120 and the supply of additives M from the material supply device 120 to the reactor body 110 are interrupted. On the other hand, the process of introducing the additives M into the material supply chamber 122 is preferably performed in the shutdown mode.

[0067] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100' according to other embodiments of the present invention.

[0068] In Figure 4, reference numerals that are the same or similar to those shown in Figures 1 to 3 indicate the same components, and detailed explanations thereof are omitted. Below, we will mainly describe the differences from the continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0069] Referring to Figure 4, the difference between the continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100' according to other embodiments of the present invention and the continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3 lies in the structure of the substance supply device 120'.

[0070] In other words, in the substance supply device 120' of this embodiment, the supply efficiency of the additive substance M through the substance supply unit 126' can be further improved by changing the lower surface structure of the substance supply chamber 122' and the arrangement structure of the substance supply unit 126'.

[0071] Here, an inclined surface portion 122a may be formed on the lower surface of the material supply chamber 122', which slopes downward toward the material supply passage 1261' of the material supply unit 126'. For example, the lower surface structure of the material supply chamber 122' may be connected to communicate with the other end of the material supply passage 1261' of the material supply unit 126', and may be provided in a funnel shape that slopes downward toward the other end of the material supply passage 1261'.

[0072] As a result, unlike the substance supply device 120 shown in Figures 1 to 3, the additive substance M contained inside the substance supply chamber 122' can move more smoothly along the inclined surface portion 122a inside the substance supply chamber 122' to the substance supply passage 1261' of the substance supply unit 126'.

[0073] Furthermore, the arrangement of the material supply section 126' can be formed such that the material supply passage 1261' is inclined downward from the material supply chamber 122' to the reactor body 110. For example, one end of the material supply passage 1261' may be connected to communicate with the reactor body 110, and the other end of the material supply passage 1261' may be connected to communicate with the lower surface of the material supply chamber 122' at a higher position than the one end of the material supply passage 1261'.

[0074] The other end of the material supply passage 1261' can be connected to the center of the lower surface of the material supply chamber 122', in the same or similar manner as the hollow tube formed in the center of the funnel. This allows the additive material M that flows into the other end of the material supply passage 1261' to move more smoothly along the material supply passage 1261', which is formed to be inclined downwards, unlike the material supply passage 1261 shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0075] As mentioned above, the continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100' according to this embodiment, shown in Figure 4, allow for a smoother supply of additives M than the continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3. Therefore, even if the viscosity of the additives M is high, a stable supply of additives M can be maintained.

[0076] For reference, although not shown in the drawings of the present invention, it is also possible to place a vibration generator or ultrasonic generator on at least one of the inclined surface portion 122a of the material supply chamber 122' and the material supply passage 1261'. When a vibration generator or ultrasonic generator is placed in this manner, the vibration generator or ultrasonic generator can improve the mobility and supply efficiency of the additive material M by providing vibration or ultrasonic waves to the inclined surface portion 122a or the material supply passage 1261' during the supply process of the additive material M.

[0077] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing a continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor 200 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6 is a diagram showing the vapor inflow mode of the continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor 200 shown in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the substance supply mode of the continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor 200 shown in Figure 5.

[0078] In Figures 5 to 7, reference numerals that are the same or similar to those shown in Figures 1 to 3 indicate the same components, and detailed explanations thereof are omitted. Below, we will focus on the differences from the continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3.

[0079] Referring to Figures 5 to 7, the continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 200 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention differ from the continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that they further include a pressurizing device 222 for pressurizing the internal space of the material supply chamber 122.

[0080] The pressurizing device 222 in this embodiment may be provided in the material supply chamber 122 so as to communicate with the internal space of the material supply chamber 122. The pressurizing device 222 as described above can stably supply the additive substance M stored in the material supply chamber 122 to the reactor body 110 by providing pressure inside the material supply chamber 122 when the additive substance M is supplied.

[0081] In more detail, in this embodiment, the internal space of the material supply chamber 122 can be pressurized by operating the pressurizing device 222 while the steam inlet 124 is closed and the material supply unit 126 is open. In this way, the additive substance M stored in the material supply chamber 122 can be forcibly moved through the material supply unit 126 to the internal space S of the reactor body 110 by the pressure of the pressurizing device 222.

[0082] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the pressurizing device 222 of this embodiment may include a pressurizing cylinder 2221, a pressurizing piston 2222, and an actuator 2223.

[0083] The pressurizing cylinder 2221 may be provided in a cylindrical shape on the side of the material supply chamber 122 so as to communicate with the internal space of the material supply chamber 122. One end of the pressurizing cylinder 2221 may be connected to the side of the material supply chamber 122 so as to communicate with the side of the material supply chamber 122, and the other end of the pressurizing cylinder 2221 may be arranged so as to allow the piston rod of the pressurizing piston 2222, which will be described later, to move through it.

[0084] The pressurizing piston 2222 is provided in a piston shape inside the pressurizing cylinder 2221 and can slide along the inside of the pressurizing cylinder 2221 by the actuator 2223. At this time, the pressurizing piston 2222 can move along the inside of the pressurizing cylinder 2221 by the pressure of the water vapor V and the operating force of the actuator 2223.

[0085] Here, the pressurizing piston 2222 moves along the inside of the pressurizing cylinder 2221 by at least one of the pressure of the steam V flowing in through the steam inlet 124 and the operating force of the actuator 2223, and can move in a first direction D1 in which the internal space of the material supply chamber 122 increases.

[0086] The pressurizing piston 2222 can then move along the inside of the pressurizing cylinder 2221 by the operating force of the actuator 2223, moving in a second direction D2 in which the internal space of the material supply chamber 122 decreases.

[0087] For example, the pressurizing piston 2222 may include a piston member 2222a that moves along the inside of the pressurizing cylinder 2221 in a first direction D1 or a second direction D2, and a piston rod 2222b that is connected to the piston member 2222a and the actuator 2223 and movably penetrates the other end of the pressurizing cylinder 2221.

[0088] The piston member 2222a can change the internal pressure of the material supply chamber 122 as it moves along the inside of the pressurizing cylinder 2221. Specifically, when the piston member 2222a moves in a first direction D1 due to the operating force of the actuator 2223, the internal pressure of the material supply chamber 122 can be lowered. Then, when the piston member 2222a moves in a second direction D2 due to the operating force of the actuator 2223, the internal pressure of the material supply chamber 122 can be increased.

[0089] The actuator 2223 is configured to provide the piston rod 2222b with the force necessary to move the piston member 2222a along the inside of the pressurizing cylinder 2221. For example, the actuator 2223 may be a hydraulic cylinder, a link member and drive motor, or a gear member and drive motor.

[0090] The actuator 2223 described above may be configured so that its operation is controlled through a separate control unit (not shown). Therefore, the user can adjust the operation of the actuator 2223 through the operation of the control unit, thereby easily controlling the operating method of the pressurizing device 222 through a preset program.

[0091] The pressurizing device 222 of this embodiment, configured as described above, can operate in one of the following modes: a steam inflow mode in which steam V generated inside the reactor body 110 is introduced into the material supply chamber 122; a material supply mode in which additive substances M stored in the material supply chamber 122 are supplied into the reactor body 110; and an operation stop mode in which both the inflow of steam V and the supply of additive substances M are stopped.

[0092] As shown in Figure 6, in the steam inflow mode, the material supply valve 1262 is closed and the steam inflow valve 1242 is opened during the heating process of the reactor body 110, allowing the steam V generated inside the reactor body 110 to flow into the material supply chamber 122. The pressurizing device 222 can smoothly receive high-pressure steam V from the reactor body 110 into the material supply chamber 122 by creating a vacuum or maintaining a free-moving state in the internal space of the material supply chamber 122.

[0093] At this time, the pressurizing piston 2222 can move in a first direction D1 that increases the internal space of the material supply chamber 122 by the operating force of the actuator 2223, or by the pressure of the steam V flowing into the material supply chamber 122. When the pressurizing piston 2222 moves by the operating force of the actuator 2223, as in the former case, the steam inflow mode of the pressurizing device 222 can be stably executed in a preset control pattern, and when the pressurizing piston 2222 moves by the pressure of the steam V, as in the latter case, the operation of the actuator 2223 is unnecessary, and therefore the operating cost of the actuator 2223 can be reduced.

[0094] As shown in Figure 7, in the material supply mode, the additive substance M stored in the material supply chamber 122 can be supplied into the reactor body 110 by opening the material supply valve 1262 and closing the steam inlet valve 1242. The pressurizing device 222 can forcibly discharge the additive substance M stored in the material supply chamber 122 into the reactor body 110 by pressurizing the internal space of the material supply chamber 122.

[0095] Therefore, in the material supply mode, the pressurizing piston 2222 can move in the second direction D2, which is opposite to the first direction D1, by an external force acting in the second direction D2, thereby reducing the internal space of the material supply chamber 122. As the internal space of the material supply chamber 122 decreases in this way, the pressure inside the material supply chamber 122 increases, and the additive substance M can be forcibly discharged into the material supply unit 126.

[0096] At this time, the pressurizing piston 2222 can move in a second direction D2 that reduces the internal space of the material supply chamber 122 by the operating force of the actuator 2223. Thus, the internal space of the material supply chamber 122 is pressurized by the pressurizing piston 2222, and the additive substance M in the material supply chamber 122 can be forcibly discharged towards the reactor body 110.

[0097] As shown in Figure 5, in the shutdown mode, the inflow of steam V through the steam inlet 124 and the supply of additive substance M through the additive supply 126 can be interrupted by closing the steam inlet valve 1242 and the substance supply valve 1262, and interrupting the operation of the pressurizer 222. In this shutdown mode, the additive substance M can be replenished inside the substance supply chamber 122.

[0098] As mentioned above, the continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 200 according to this embodiment, shown in Figures 5 to 7, differ from the continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors 100 shown in Figures 1 to 3 in that the amount of additive substance M supplied can be predetermined using the distance traveled by the pressurizing piston 2222 of the pressurizing device 222. Therefore, in this embodiment, by controlling the operation of the pressurizing device 222, the presence or absence of supply and the amount of supply of additive substance M can be accurately and easily adjusted, and even if the additive substance M has high viscosity, it can be stably supplied through the substance supply unit 126.

[0099] In this embodiment, the pressurizing device 222 was described as being mounted on the side of the material supply chamber 122 with a structure similar to that of a hydraulic cylinder. However, it is not limited to this, and various structures that can apply pressure inside the material supply chamber 122 are applicable.

[0100] For example, unlike this embodiment, it is also possible to utilize the material supply chamber 122 as a pressurizing cylinder without installing a separate pressurizing cylinder. That is, the pressurizing piston of the pressurizing device may be movably arranged inside the material supply chamber 122, which acts as a pressurizing cylinder, and by moving up and down along the inside of the material supply chamber 122, the inflow of water vapor V and the supply of additive substance M can be alternately performed.

[0101] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained with specific details such as concrete components and limited embodiments and drawings. These are provided only to aid in a more general understanding of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Various modifications and variations can be made from such descriptions by a person with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs. Therefore, the idea of ​​the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments described above, and not only the claims described below, but all variations equivalent to or comparable to these claims, fall within the scope of the idea of ​​the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0102] This is included in the text.

Claims

1. A reactor body that generates process flavor by Maillard reaction under high temperature and high pressure reaction conditions by adding precursors and reactants and then performing a heating step, Continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactors, comprising a substance supply device provided in communication with one side of the reactor body, which continuously or semi-continuously supplies an additive substance formed from at least one of the precursor and the reactant into the interior of the reactor body when the heating step of the reactor body is performed.

2. The material supply device is A substance supply chamber for storing the aforementioned additive in a sealed state, A steam inlet is connected to one upper side of the reactor body and the upper part of the material supply chamber, so as to guide the steam generated inside the reactor body to the upper part of the material supply chamber, The continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 1, comprising a material supply unit connected to the lower part of the material supply chamber and the upper part of the reactor body, for supplying the additive stored inside the material supply chamber into the reactor body.

3. At the top of the material supply chamber, An inlet is formed for introducing the additive into the substance supply chamber. The continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 2, characterized in that a sealing lid for sealing the inlet is provided that can be opened and closed.

4. The steam inlet section is A steam inlet passage is connected to the reactor body and the material supply chamber so as to guide the steam from one upper side of the reactor body to the upper part of the material supply chamber, The continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 3, further comprising a steam inlet valve positioned in the steam inlet passage to intermittently control the flow of steam entering through the steam inlet passage.

5. The material supply unit is, A substance supply passage is connected to the reactor body and the substance supply chamber so as to guide the additive from the lower part of the substance supply chamber to the upper part of the reactor body, A substance supply valve is provided in the substance supply passage so as to interrupt the flow of the additive supplied through the substance supply passage, and The continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 4, comprising a supply rate measuring device positioned in the material supply passage between the material supply valve and the reactor body to measure the amount of additive supplied through the material supply passage.

6. The material supply device is A continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 5, characterized in that it operates in at least one of the following modes: a steam inflow mode in which the steam inflow valve is opened during the heating process of the reactor body, allowing the steam generated inside the reactor body to flow into the material supply chamber; a material supply mode in which the material supply valve is opened with the steam inflow valve open, supplying the additive stored in the material supply chamber into the reactor body; and a shutdown mode in which the steam inflow valve and the material supply valve are closed, interrupting the inflow of steam and the supply of the additive.

7. The material supply device is The continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 5, further comprising a pressurizing device provided in communication with the internal space of the material supply chamber, which pressurizes the internal space of the material supply chamber in order to stably supply the additive stored in the material supply chamber to the reactor body.

8. The pressurizing device is A pressurizing cylinder provided in a cylindrical shape that communicates with the internal space of the material supply chamber, A pressurizing piston is provided inside the pressurizing cylinder in a piston-like manner, A continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 7, comprising an actuator connected to the pressurizing piston to provide an operating force for the movement of the pressurizing piston.

9. The material supply device is A continuous and feed-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 8, characterized in that it operates in at least one of the following modes: a steam inflow mode in which, during the heating process of the reactor body, the substance supply valve is closed and the steam inflow valve is opened, and then the pressurizing device is used to allow the steam generated inside the reactor body to flow into the substance supply chamber; a substance supply mode in which, after opening the substance supply valve and closing the steam inflow valve, the pressurizing device is used to supply the additive stored in the substance supply chamber to the reactor body; and an operation stop mode in which the steam inflow valve and the substance supply valve are closed, and the operation of the pressurizing device is interrupted, thereby interrupting the inflow of steam and the supply of the additive.

10. In the steam inflow mode, the pressurizing piston moves in a first direction that increases the internal space due to the driving force of the actuator, or the pressurizing piston moves in a first direction due to the pressure of the steam without the driving force of the actuator acting upon it. The continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 9, characterized in that in the substance supply mode, the pressurizing piston moves in a second direction that reduces the internal space by the driving force of the actuator, thereby supplying the additive stored in the internal space of the substance supply chamber to the reactor body.

11. At the bottom of the material supply chamber, The continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 7, characterized in that an inclined surface portion is formed which is inclined downward toward the portion connected to the material supply portion, so that the additive material slides smoothly into the material supply portion.

12. The material supply device is The continuous and flow-add type high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 1, characterized in that a plurality of units are provided in the reactor body to selectively supply different types of additives to the inside of the reactor body.

13. The reactor body is, A reactor tank containing the precursor and the reactant, which generates the process flavor by a heating step, A reactor heater is positioned outside the reactor tank to heat the precursor and reactants stored in the reactor tank at high temperature and pressure, A stirrer is placed inside the reactor tank to stir the precursor and the reactants, A thermometer is placed in the reactor tank to measure the internal temperature of the reactor tank, A continuous and flow-add high-temperature, high-pressure process flavor reactor according to claim 1, comprising a pressure gauge disposed in the reactor tank for measuring the internal pressure of the reactor tank.

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