Batch Plant Milk Production via Single Mixing Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plant milk production lines are inflexible and costly, making them unsuitable for small-scale producers who require more adaptable and cost-effective solutions for producing both small and large volumes of plant milk.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for batch production of plant milk that utilizes a single mixing unit for multiple process steps, including the introduction of water, plant material, enzymes, and vegetable oil, with a separation unit to produce plant milk efficiently, reducing the number of system components and enabling flexible production.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a continuous production line with multiple stations is used, then high-capacity production is achieved, but investment cost and system complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple process stations (mixing, enzymatic treatment, separation, formulation, homogenization, heat treatment, and packaging) into a single integrated production line with sequential processing zones. This merging approach maintains high-capacity continuous production while reducing the number of separate system components and lowering investment costs compared to conventional multi-station production lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The production line is designed as a universal system that can process different plant materials (grains, legumes, nuts, seeds) through the same sequence of operations. The mixing unit, separation unit, and formulation unit are configured to handle various raw materials and produce different types of plant milk, reducing the need for multiple specialized systems.
2Productivity
If a continuous production line is used, then high-capacity production is enabled, but flexibility and adaptability for small-scale producers are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The production line incorporates adjustable parameters including variable mixing speeds, controllable enzymatic treatment conditions, and flexible formulation ratios. These dynamic adjustments allow the system to adapt to different production volumes and product types, making it suitable for both small-scale and large-scale producers while maintaining continuous operation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables parameter changes in material composition, processing time, and formulation ratios to accommodate different plant materials and product requirements. The mixing unit can adjust ingredient proportions, the enzymatic treatment can vary in duration and temperature, and the formulation unit can modify final product composition, providing flexibility across different production scenarios.
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 allows for adaptable and cost-efficient batch production of plant milk, suitable for both small-scale and large-scale production, by confining process steps to a single mixing unit, thereby reducing system complexity and investment costs.
Implementation Method 1
Production of plant milk comprises breaking starch, originating from plant material, for example in form of grain, into simple sugar molecules. The breaking of the starch is done by mixing the plant material with water and one or more enzymes.
Implementation Method 2
transferring the slurry from the mixing unit to a separation unit, which separates the slurry into a liquid component and a sludge component
Data Source
AI summary
A method of producing plant milk enable batch production and may be implemented in a system of low complexity. The method comprises introducing water, plant material and one or more enzymes into a mixing chamber of a mixing unit; operating the mixing unit to generate a slurry that comprises the water, the plant material and the one or more enzymes; transferring the slurry from the mixing unit to a separation unit, which separates the slurry into a liquid component and a sludge component; transferring the liquid component into the mixing chamber of the mixing unit; adding vegetable oil to the liquid component; and operating the mixing unit to produce, in the mixing chamber, plant milk that comprises the vegetable oil and the liquid component.