Buttermaking Filter with Auger and Back-Flush Valve

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing butter-making processes face inefficiencies in separating butterfat from buttermilk, leading to butterfat loss and filter clogging, which disrupts continuous production and requires frequent cleaning of in-line filters.

Innovation Solution

A filter system incorporating a hollow housing with a rotatable auger conveyor and a normally closed, selectively openable valve allows for in-situ cleaning and efficient recovery of butterfat, using a cylindrical filter screen to separate butterfat from buttermilk, with the auger conveyor sweeping butterfat towards an outlet and the valve enabling flushing to maintain filter efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If in-line filters are used to trap butterfat before it passes to the storage tank, then butterfat recovery is improved, but the filters become clogged and require frequent cleaning or replacement

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutterfat lossVSAvoidproduction continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system performs self-cleaning by using the process fluid (buttermilk) itself to flush accumulated butterfat from the filter screen. The back-flush mechanism allows the filter to clean itself during operation without requiring external intervention or dismantling, converting the filtering function into a self-maintaining system that prevents clogging while continuing to recover butterfat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The filter system dynamically switches between filtering mode and back-flush cleaning mode. During normal operation, butterfat is trapped on the filter screen; periodically, the system reverses the flow direction to dislodge and remove accumulated butterfat. This dynamic operation allows the filter to maintain effectiveness over extended periods without continuous manual cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If filters are cleaned frequently to maintain efficiency, then filtering performance is improved, but production interruptions increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefilter efficiencyVSAvoidproduction interruption time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter system performs self-cleaning by using the process fluid (buttermilk) itself to flush accumulated butterfat from the filter screen. The back-flush mechanism allows the filter to clean itself during operation without requiring external intervention or dismantling, converting the filtering function into a self-maintaining system that prevents clogging while continuing to recover butterfat.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The back-flush cleaning operation is designed to occur during normal production flow without requiring shutdown or interruption. The system maintains continuous operation by seamlessly switching between filtering and cleaning modes, ensuring that butterfat recovery and filter maintenance both occur during uninterrupted production cycles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Productivity

If the valve remains closed to maintain filter pressure, then filtering efficiency is improved, but butterfat accumulates on the filter screen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefiltering efficiencyVSAvoidbutterfat accumulation

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The valve operates periodically, switching between closed (filtering) and open (back-flush) positions. During the closed phase, butterfat accumulates on the filter screen for efficient trapping; during the open phase, accumulated butterfat is flushed away. This periodic cycling prevents permanent clogging while maintaining high filtering efficiency during the closed phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The filter system dynamically switches between filtering mode and back-flush cleaning mode. During normal operation, butterfat is trapped on the filter screen; periodically, the system reverses the flow direction to dislodge and remove accumulated butterfat. This dynamic operation allows the filter to maintain effectiveness over extended periods without continuous manual cleaning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 solution significantly enhances the efficiency of butterfat recovery and reduces production interruptions by allowing for easy cleaning of the filter without dismantling, maintaining continuous operation and maximizing butterfat recovery.

Implementation Method 1

a filter screen that at least partly surrounds at least one rotatable auger conveyor extending longitudinally along the interior of the housing, the housing being capable of receiving buttermilk within its interior such that on operation of the auger conveyor buttermilk passes through the filter screen to create a filtered buttermilk fraction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFiltration: Filter (physical)

Implementation Method 2

butter forming part of the received buttermilk is entrained by the auger conveyor and moved longitudinally along the housing towards one or more butterfat outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical conveyance: Screw

Implementation Method 3

a normally closed, selectively openable valve that is connected to the housing and that when open permits flow of buttermilk within the housing for flushing butter from the auger conveyor and/or the filter screen via the butterfat outlet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydraulic flushing: Fluid Spray

Data Source

PatentEP4477072A1Apparatus for processing a cream or milk substance, and a related method

Publication Date: 2024.12.18 ARLA FOODS AMBA

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AI summary

A filter (50), for use in butter-making, comprises a hollow housing (51) supporting therein a filter screen (52) that at least partly surrounds (i) at least one rotatable auger conveyor (56) extending longitudinally along the interior of the housing (51), the housing (51) being capable of receiving a primary buttermilk fraction within its interior such that on operation of the auger conveyor buttermilk passes through the filter screen to create a filtered buttermilk fraction; and butter forming part of the primary buttermilk fraction is entrained by the auger conveyor (56) and moved longitudinally along the housing (51) to (ii) one or more butter outlet (61) via which it exits the housing (51). The filter further includes (iii) one or more buttermilk outlet (58) to which in use of the filter the filtered buttermilk fraction passes after passing through the filter screen; and (iv) a normally closed, selectively openable valve (59) that is connected to the housing (51) and that when open permits flow of buttermilk within the housing (51) for flushing butter from the auger conveyor (56) and/or the filter screen (52).