Method for processing sugar beet root crops

Abstract

FIELD: food industry.SUBSTANCE: method for extracting sugar from a sugar beet root crop is proposed, in which the root crop is cut in a cutting device into strips / chips having a length and a cross-section, and sugar is extracted from the strips / chips. The strips / chips have a uniform length, so that the standard deviation of the strip / chip lengths is less than 50 mm.EFFECT: improved extraction of sugar from root crops.11 cl, 7 dwg

Description

[0001] Level of technology

[0002] The present invention relates to a method for extracting sugar from sugar beet roots, in which the roots are cut into strips / chips in a cutting device. The structure of each strip / chip is characterized by its length and cross-section.

[0003] Sugar extraction from sugar beet roots is a lengthy and energy-consuming process. Therefore, there is a constant need to improve this process by reducing processing time and / or energy consumption, and / or improving the quality of the resulting sugar.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved method for extracting sugar from sugar beet roots.

[0005] Essence of the invention

[0006] The above problem is solved using a method for extracting sugar from sugar beet roots, in which they are cut into strips / chips in a cutting device. The structure of each strip / chip is characterized by its length and cross-section, wherein the lengths of the strips / chips are at least substantially the same; namely, the strips / chips have uniform lengths, such that the standard deviation of the strip / chip lengths is less than 50 mm.

[0007] The description relating to the present embodiment also applies to other embodiments, and vice versa. Variations implemented with regard to the present embodiment can be incorporated into other embodiments, and vice versa.

[0008] The present invention relates to the extraction of sugar from sugar beet roots. To extract sugar, sugar beet roots are chopped and / or cut into strips / chips, which are then mixed with water. This mixture is heated, and the sugar is extracted from the strips / chips into the water, forming a sugar-water solution. This process occurs in a tank, a diffusion unit, or other similar device, in which the strips / chips are suspended in a heated sugar-water solution. Then, after a predetermined residence time, the strips / chips are separated from the sugar-water solution. Sugar extraction is preferably carried out continuously, i.e., the strips / chips and water are continuously added, and the sugar-water solution and the processed strips / chips are continuously removed.Since the strips / chips are suspended in the sugar-water solution, they must be separated from the solution, for example, using a filter, centrifuge, or other similar devices. The sugar-water solution is then concentrated by evaporating the water until the sugar begins to crystallize. The separated strips / chips can be used, for example, as an energy source or as livestock feed. Filtration of the strips / chips from the sugar-water solution is also preferably carried out continuously.

[0009] The extraction unit can work as a combination device or as a counter-current or parallel-current device.

[0010] In a counter-current device, the strips / chips and the sugar-water solution are passed through the tank in opposite directions. In a parallel-flow device, the strips / chips and the sugar-water solution are passed through the tank in the same direction.

[0011] According to the invention, the strips / chips have at least substantially, and preferably virtually all, the same (uniform) length. According to the invention, the length of a strip is its longest dimension.

[0012] It was found that the uniformity of the lengths of the strips / chips significantly improves the process of separating the strips / chips from the sugar solution in water, since the likelihood of clogging the separation device is reduced.

[0013] The lengths of the strips / chips preferably significantly exceed their cross-sectional dimensions. In preferred embodiments, the strips / chips have an elongated shape, such as an elongated cylinder or cuboid, preferably a cuboid in which one dimension is significantly larger than the other two.

[0014] In preferred embodiments, the average length of the strips / chips is in the range of 50-350 millimeters, preferably in the range of 80-200 millimeters, and more preferably in the range of 100-150 millimeters. In preferred embodiments, the average cross-sectional area of ​​the strips / chips is less than 30 mm 2 , preferably less than 30 mm 2 The cross-section is made by a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the strip. It is preferable for the average cross-sectional area to be greater than 1 mm. 2 , even more preferably more than 3 mm 2 .

[0015] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the standard deviation of the lengths of the strips / chips is less than 50 mm, preferably less than 30 mm, and more preferably less than 10 mm.

[0016] In preferred embodiments, the lengths of more than 90% of the strips / chips exceed 50 mm, preferably 80 mm, more preferably 100 mm.

[0017] The strips / shavings can be cut from sugar beet roots in a direction that is substantially parallel or at an angle, preferably at a right angle, to the longitudinal direction of each root. The cutting direction preferably depends on the elasticity of the sugar beet roots.

[0018] The problem is also solved in a method for extracting sugar from sugar beet roots, in which the roots are cut in a cutting device into strips / shavings, and the roots are fed into the cutting device with a selected orientation.

[0019] The description relating to the embodiment under consideration also applies to other embodiments, and vice versa. Variations implemented taking into account the embodiment under consideration of the present invention may be incorporated into other embodiments, and vice versa.

[0020] According to this preferred or patentable embodiment of the present invention, all sugar beet roots are fed into the cutting / chopping device in the same orientation. This orientation is preferably maintained during the cutting / chopping operation. Each sugar beet root can be fed into the cutting device such that the cutting or chopping direction is parallel to the lengthwise direction of the root: that is, the longitudinal direction of the cut strips / shavings is parallel to the longitudinal direction of the root, and / or the cutting direction is parallel to the lengthwise direction of the root.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, in the first cutting step, each sugar beet root is cut perpendicular to the direction of its length into segments, preferably into segments having the same length, more preferably into segments, the length of each of which is equal to the desired length of strips / shavings.

[0022] The segments are then divided into a plurality of strips / chips, such as by chopping or punching or other similar operation.

[0023] As already noted, the strips / shavings are punched (cut) and / or cut from sugar beet roots. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that other means and methods can be used to produce strips / shavings from sugar beet roots, which are encompassed by the scope of the present invention.

[0024] In preferred embodiments, sugar beets are grown under artificially created conditions. Such cultivation, in accordance with the present invention, allows sugar beets to grow under certain conditions, namely, with the provision of light, nutrients, and water. Sugar beets are preferably grown not in the ground, but in an artificial medium such as wadding, preferably cotton wadding. An example of such a technology is vertical farming, but the present invention is not limited to this example. Using artificially created cultivation, it is possible to influence, for example, the shape of sugar beet roots, their sugar content, and / or the taste of the sugar.

[0025] Growing under artificially created conditions preferably means that the sugar beet roots are not in soil, but rather in an aqueous solution, which preferably also contains plant nutrients. The energy required for plant growth can be provided, for example, by LEDs and / or sunlight. A combination of these two light sources is preferably used. During plant growth, their condition is regularly monitored, preferably automatically, for example, by automated devices. If special treatment is required for an individual plant, such as the addition of specific nutrients, this is also preferably performed automatically.

[0026] Sugar beet root crops are preferably grown in a device for cultivating beet root crops, in particular sugar beets, comprising a forming structure with a cavity for a growing root crop, wherein the forming structure is designed in such a way that the external shape of the root crop during growth is at least partially determined by the walls of the cavity.

[0027] According to the present invention, it is possible to at least partially determine the external shape of grown root crops by growing them within the cavity of a forming structure. If the shape of the growing root crop approaches a certain desired shape, so that the shape of the harvested root crop meets the specified specifications, then subsequent processing of the root crops can be carried out more efficiently, resulting in increased yield and reduced energy consumption. Although the present invention is not limited to vertical farming technologies, meaning that the device according to the invention can also be used to improve traditional beet cultivation in the field, the main advantage is achieved by using the device in combination with vertical farming.Thus, the efficiency of subsequent processing can be increased to such an extent that the overall energy balance of vertical farming, including subsequent processing, is improved compared to that of traditional field cultivation. This addresses the aforementioned key challenges of field cultivation and eliminates its inherent shortcomings. For example, if harvested sugar beet roots conform to the specified shape specifications and are thus more similar in shape and size, subsequent processing steps such as transporting the roots, cutting them into strips / chips, and dissolving and / or extracting sugar from the roots in water can be carried out much more simply and efficiently.

[0028] According to the present invention, the cavity is preferably completely or partially filled with water in liquid, gaseous, and / or vaporous form and / or a nutrient solution for soilless cultivation of sugar beets, particularly for aeroponic or hydroponic cultivation. The advantage of this technology is that the fully grown root crop does not need to be washed before further processing. In other embodiments, the cavity is filled with soil for soil cultivation.

[0029] In the context of the present invention, the term "forming" preferably means that the root crop, during its growth, comes into contact with at least one wall of the forming element, so that the external shape of the growing root crop is influenced by this wall of the forming element, since it does not move to the side. This means that the forming structure is designed such that the size of the cavity is smaller, in at least one dimension, for example in height or diameter, than the size of a typical root crop grown outside the cavity before harvesting. Furthermore, the forming structure preferably comprises a rigid or semi-rigid base element, so that it can mechanically withstand the typical pressure developed during root crop growth. In preferred embodiments, the cavity is intended to contain only one single root crop, so that the external shape of each single root crop can be individually formed.

[0030] In particular, the present invention includes a device, system, and method for growing beet plants under artificially created conditions, which means that at least an artificial light source is used to promote growth. Preferred embodiments involve growing beet plants using soilless, aeroponic, or hydroponic technology. However, other embodiments also allow for growing beets in soil.

[0031] According to the present invention, the forming structure comprises a base element that forms a cavity, which is preferably cylindrical, conical, cuboidal, or cubical in shape, most preferably cuboidal or cubical with rounded edges. The advantage of a cavity with a cuboid or cubical shape is that the grown beet root crop has, at least in part, a corresponding cuboidal or cubical external shape, in particular with rounded edges. Root crops formed in this manner are easier and more efficient to transport compared to root crops formed under natural conditions, since they do not roll away and can be stacked or packaged at a much higher packing density in containers.

[0032] Furthermore, cuboidal or cubic root crops can be cut into strips / chips of more uniform dimensions, specifically to avoid the formation of excessively short strips / chips, which have a very negative impact on some subsequent operations. When cutting naturally grown sugar beet roots into strips / chips, not only well-shaped strips / chips are typically obtained but also a significant number of short strips / chips. Such short strips / chips negatively affect the countercurrent exchange within the extraction unit (also referred to as a "diffusion unit"), as they can clog the filters of the extraction-diffusion system. If this occurs, the countercurrent exchange must be stopped, and the filters must be cleaned of the clogged short strips / chips.For naturally grown root crops, there may also be a reduction in strip / chip cutting performance and / or they may result in reduced diffusion and / or extraction due to higher strip / chip packing density, such as due to short strips.

[0033] In contrast, cube-shaped or cubic sugar beet roots grown in the apparatus of the present invention can be cut into strips / chips with a reduced number of so-called short strips / chips, so that clogging in the extraction system or other aforementioned disadvantages are at least reduced, if not prevented, and at the same time, material loss during cutting is significantly reduced. The same applies to roots grown in a cylindrical cavity, provided that the roots are cut, for example, from top to bottom, or vice versa. In other embodiments, the roots are cut into strips transversely. It is also possible to imagine that the roots are shredded. It should be noted that the more rounded the corners of the cavity, the easier it is to remove the roots from the cavity during harvesting.

[0034] Shaping sugar beet roots improves the efficiency of the cutting process. Growing sugar beets in artificially created conditions also allows for the roots to be laid out in a preferred orientation after harvest, which will be maintained until they are cut.

[0035] In preferred embodiments, sugar beet roots obtained as a result of cultivation under artificially created conditions have a cuboid, cylindrical, or disc-shaped shape. In preferred embodiments, at least one dimension of such roots is preferably at least substantially equal to the desired length of strips / shavings. Roots grown under artificially created conditions can be cut, for example, using a punch or chopper, into a plurality of strips / shavings.

[0036] When sugar beets are grown in artificially created conditions, peeling the roots is preferable. Sugar beet roots grown in artificially created conditions are not soiled, resulting in improved energy transfer to the roots and / or increased cutting efficiency. Furthermore, the knives used to cut sugar beet roots experience virtually no wear.

[0037] The strips / shavings, regardless of whether the root vegetables are grown in a natural environment or under artificially created conditions, are preferably mixed with water and / or a sugar-water solution. This step of the process is carried out in a separate tank. At this stage, the strips / shavings are preferably preheated.

[0038] After this, the sugar is extracted from the strips / shavings, and then the strips / shavings are separated from the sugar solution in water.

[0039] Brief description of drawings

[0040] Fig. 1 is a schematic view of a sugar beet root crop according to the present invention;

[0041] Fig. 2 is a schematic view of strips / chips according to the present invention;

[0042] Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 - illustrations of the method of cutting strips / chips;

[0043] Fig. 5 and Fig. 6 are views illustrating the feeding of sugar beet roots into the cutting device 9;

[0044] Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating the extraction of sugar from sugar beet roots.

[0045] Detailed description of the invention

[0046] The present invention will be described with respect to specific embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the invention is not limited by these embodiments, but is defined solely by the claims. The drawings are presented and described schematically only and are not limiting. The dimensions of some elements in the drawings may be exaggerated, and such deviations from scale are for illustrative purposes.

[0047] Where an indefinite or definite article is used to indicate a singular noun, the indication includes the plural of that noun unless otherwise expressly stated.

[0048] Furthermore, the references in the description and claims to "first," "second," "third," and the like are used to distinguish between similar elements and do not necessarily indicate chronological or physical order. It should be understood that terms used in this manner may alternate in appropriate situations, and that embodiments of the invention described in the description may be performed in a sequence different from that indicated in the description.

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a sugar beet root crop 2 grown using conventional technology (under natural conditions). The sugar beet root crop is elongated in the longitudinal direction, which determines its greatest size and which is the axis of at least substantial symmetry. The sugar beet roots of the present invention can also be grown under artificially created conditions. In this case, the shape of the root crops is preferably influenced, if not determined, for example, by special seeds and / or shaping structures designed to at least partially influence the external shape of the root crops. The shaping structure, for example, comprises a cavity, the walls of which limit the growth of the root crop in a certain direction.

[0050] The forming structure may comprise a base member that forms a cavity, which is preferably cylindrical, conical, cuboid or cubic in shape, most preferably cuboid or cubic in shape with rounded edges.

[0051] To extract sugar from sugar beet roots, they are cut into strips / chips, which are shown in Fig. 2. Each strip / chip has a length L and a cross-section CR. According to the invention, the lengths of the strips / chips are at least substantially equal. The cross-section of the strips / chips can have any shape or size, but it is desirable that the cross-section be small in size to increase the surface area of ​​the strips / chips.

[0052] Figure 3 illustrates a possible method for processing sugar beet root crops. In the embodiment under consideration, the root crops are first cut into longitudinal segments 4, making cuts perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the root crops. The cuts 5 can be made simultaneously or sequentially. The resulting sugar beet root segments 4 preferably have the same length 6. In preferred embodiments, the length 6 of the segment is equal to the desired length L of the strips / shavings.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a diagram of the cutting of segments into strips / chips. In the embodiment under consideration, the cutting apparatus has a grid of knives 20, which simultaneously cut (cut) the cross-section 7 of segment 4 of the sugar beet root, forming strips / chips with a cross-section CR. The lengths of the strips / chips are equal to the length of segment 6 of the sugar beet root.

[0054] In other variants, it is also possible to cut strips / shavings 1 along the periphery of the sugar beet root crop or segment 4 of the root crop.

[0055] Figure 5 illustrates a preferred or patentable embodiment of the present invention. Unlike known technical solutions, the sugar beet roots are fed into the cutting apparatus not randomly, but in an orderly fashion, in this case by length. The selected orientation can be achieved, for example, by means of a V-shaped conveyor belt 21, as shown in Figure 6.

[0056] The advantage of feeding sugar beet roots according to the selected orientation is that all the roots can be cut in the same way, resulting in a more uniform length L of the resulting strips / chips.

[0057] Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of sugar extraction. Sugar beet roots are fed into a cutting apparatus 9, preferably in a predetermined orientation, and in this orientation, each root is cut into strips / chips. As shown by arrow 17, the strips / chips are fed into a mixer 10, in which they are mixed with water or with a solution 12 of sugar and water (in this embodiment), leaving the extraction unit 14. In the mixer 10, the strips / chips are preheated. Then, the mixture of sugar beet root strips and water is fed into the extraction unit 14, as shown by arrow 13. In the extraction unit 14, sugar is extracted from the roots in the presence of water and under the influence of elevated temperature. In preferred embodiments, the extraction unit operates in a continuous mode, i.e., strips / chips 17 and water 11 are continuously fed into the extraction / diffusion system 14, and the processed strips / chips 17 and the sugar solution 18 in water are also continuously discharged.Then the sugar solution in water is purified and processed in apparatus 19, in which white sugar crystals are obtained.

[0058] LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0059] 1 - strip

[0060] 2 - Sugar beet root

[0061] 3 - longitudinal direction of sugar beet root

[0062] 4 - longitudinal segments

[0063] 5 - cut

[0064] 6 - segment length

[0065] 7 - cross-section of a root crop segment along section 5

[0066] 8 - Root crop supply, transport direction

[0067] 9 - cutting apparatus

[0068] 10 - mixer, preheating device

[0069] 11 - Water supply

[0070] 12 - recirculated flow

[0071] 13 - a mixture of sugar with strips / shavings of root vegetables and water

[0072] 14 - Extraction / Diffusion Unit

[0073] 16 - Processed strips / shavings of root vegetables with reduced sugar content

[0074] 17 - flow of strips / shavings of sugar beet root crops

[0075] 18 - flow of sugar solution with water

[0076] 20 - knife, knife net

[0077] 21 - conveyor belt

[0078] CR - cross-section of the strip

[0079] L - strip length.

Claims

1. A method for extracting sugar from a sugar beet root crop, in which the root crop is cut in a cutting device into strips / chips (1) having a length (L) and a cross-section (CR), and sugar is extracted from the strips / chips, characterized in that the strips / chips have a uniform length, so that the standard deviation of the lengths of the strips / chips is less than 50 mm.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the average length is in the range of 50-350 millimeters, preferably in the range of 80-200 millimeters, and more preferably in the range of 100-150 millimeters.

3. The method according to paragraph 1 or 2, characterized in that the standard deviation of the lengths of the strips / chips is less than 30 mm and preferably less than 10 mm.

4. The method according to one of the preceding paragraphs, characterized in that the lengths of more than 90% of the strips / shavings (1) exceed 50 mm, preferably 80 mm, more preferably 100 mm.

5. The method according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the average cross-sectional area of ​​the strips / chips is less than 30 mm 2 and more than 1 mm 2 .

6. The method according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the sugar beet roots are fed into the cutting device with a selected orientation.

7. The method according to one of the previous points, characterized in that the strips / shavings are cut from sugar beet roots.

8. The method according to one of the previous points, characterized in that the sugar beet roots are grown in artificially created conditions.

9. The method according to one of the previous points, characterized in that the strips / shavings are mixed with water.

10. The method according to one of the previous paragraphs, characterized in that the operation of cleaning the sugar beet roots is not carried out.

11. The method according to paragraph 9, characterized in that the strips / shavings are separated from the sugar-water solution.

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