Bubble Generator Air Dehumidification for Stable Milk Foam Quality
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for preparing foamed liquid food products, such as milk foam, face challenges in reliability and stability due to external conditions like temperature and humidity, and require high-quality, energy-efficient, and cost-effective solutions.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a bubble generator with gas transmissive pores and an air supply that uses dehumidified air to reduce humidity below 90% before introducing it into the liquid food product flow, along with a compressor for pressurized air and a microfiltration device for sterile gas distribution, enhancing the formation of microbubbles and foam quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ambient air is used for foaming without dehumidification, then the system is simple and energy-efficient, but the foam quality becomes unstable and unreliable under varying external conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The air is dehumidified in advance before being supplied to the bubble generator. The air drying device removes moisture from ambient air before it enters the foaming system, ensuring consistent foam quality regardless of external humidity conditions. This preliminary treatment of the air supply resolves the contradiction by preparing the air in advance to maintain reliability without requiring complex real-time adjustments.
2Reliability
If dehumidified air is supplied to the bubble generator, then foam quality stability improves, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system controls the humidity parameter of the supplied air within an optimal range (relative humidity below 90%, preferably below 80%, 75%, or 70%). By maintaining air humidity within this specific parameter range rather than completely drying it, the system achieves reliable foam quality while minimizing energy consumption. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between reliability and energy use.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the bubble generator operates without air drying, then the system is cost-effective and simple, but external conditions like temperature and humidity significantly affect the prepared foamed product
Solution Approach 1:
The air drying device acts as an intermediary between the ambient environment and the bubble generator. It filters and dehumidifies the air before it reaches the foaming process, isolating the sensitive bubble generation from external harmful factors like humidity and temperature variations. This intermediary component protects the foam quality without requiring complex control systems throughout the entire apparatus.
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
The system improves the reliability and stability of foamed liquid food products by reducing the influence of external conditions, ensuring consistent quality and energy efficiency, while being cost-effective and hygienic.
Implementation Method 1
an air drying device for drying air, preferably dehumidifying air, to be supplied to the air supply space
Implementation Method 2
a bubble generator for generating bubbles in a liquid food product flow. The bubble generator comprises a wall having gas transmissive pores
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a system for aerating a liquid food product, wherein the system includes a bubble generator (5) for generating bubbles in a liquid food product flow. The bubble generator (5) includes a wall (23) having gas transmissive pores, which wall separates an air supply space (24) from the liquid food product flow, wherein an air supply (4) is provided for supplying air to the air supply space (24). The air supply (4) includes an air drying device (7) for drying air, preferably dehumidifying air, to be supplied to the air supply space (24) and/or a container (8) containing pre-dried air, said container (8) being arranged for supplying dried air to the air supply space.