Adjustable Pasteurization Chamber Length for Throughput Variations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional pasteurization systems face challenges in maintaining optimal heat holding time due to varying product throughput, leading to over-pasteurization and quality impairment, especially when product throughput changes.
Innovation Solution
The method involves controlling the product volume within the pasteurization chamber and adjusting the length of the treatment section based on the product throughput to ensure consistent heat holding time, using adjustable components like a pipe with a setting drive and regulating means to manage the product volume and treatment section length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of moving object
If the treatment section length is increased to maintain heat holding time at low product throughput, then the required heat holding time is maintained, but the system becomes over-pasteurized and product quality is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the treatment section length adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the treatment section length based on actual product throughput conditions, allowing the pasteurization process to optimize between maintaining sufficient heat holding time and preventing over-pasteurization. This is achieved through movable components such as adjustable pipes or valves that change the effective treatment path length in response to varying production rates.
2Manufacturing precision
If the treatment section length is decreased to reduce over-pasteurization at high product throughput, then product quality is improved, but the required heat holding time is not maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the treatment section length based on actual product throughput conditions. When product throughput is high, the treatment section length is decreased to prevent over-pasteurization. When product throughput is low, the treatment section length is increased to ensure sufficient heat holding time. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between maintaining quality and ensuring proper pasteurization duration.
3Manufacturing precision
If buffer storage volume is increased to compensate for throughput variations, then over-pasteurization is reduced, but the system becomes more complex and space-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the buffer storage function from a separate, large-volume tank and integrates it directly into the pasteurization process itself. By making the treatment section length adjustable, the system uses the pasteurization chamber itself as the buffer, eliminating the need for separate buffer storage infrastructure. This reduces system complexity and space requirements while maintaining the ability to compensate for throughput variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the buffer storage function with the pasteurization process by making the treatment section length variable. Instead of having separate buffer tanks and pasteurization chambers, the system combines these functions into a single integrated unit where the treatment section acts as both the pasteurization zone and the buffer for throughput variations. This consolidation reduces overall system complexity.
4Ease of operation
If the treatment section length is fixed, then the system is simpler to operate, but the heat holding time cannot be optimized for varying product throughput
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the treatment section length adjustable rather than fixed. The system dynamically adapts the treatment section length based on actual product throughput conditions, allowing the pasteurization process to optimize between maintaining sufficient heat holding time and preventing over-pasteurization. This is achieved through movable components such as adjustable pipes or valves that change the effective treatment path length in response to varying production rates.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach effectively prevents over-pasteurization and under-pasteurization, maintaining the quality of the product by optimizing the pasteurization process, and eliminates the need for large buffer tanks by dynamically adapting to changes in product throughput.
Implementation Method 1
the respective product is heated to a pasteurization temperature
Implementation Method 2
the germs and/or micro organisms that are harmful to products are effectively killed off
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for pasteurizing a liquid product by heating it to a pasteurization temperature which results in any product-harming microorganisms being killed and by maintaining the product at this temperature in a treatment chamber over a holding time.