Centrifugal Separator Flow Control for Plant Protein Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for extracting proteins from plant-based materials face challenges in increasing capacity without adding decanters, particularly with soft and bulky precipitates that are difficult to separate, leading to overflow issues and reduced flow rates, and require additional steps for starch and fiber separation.
Innovation Solution
A process utilizing high-speed centrifugal separators with flow influencing means to separate concentrated protein suspensions, combined with a hydrocyclone system for simplifying and increasing the efficiency of protein, starch, and fiber extraction, allowing for recirculation of water and reduced product losses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If decanter centrifuges are used to recover precipitated proteins, then protein separation is achieved, but capacity is limited due to overflow of fine suspensions and difficulty in handling soft and bulky precipitates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical decanter centrifuge system with a high-speed centrifugal separator that uses centrifugal force to separate proteins based on density differences. This substitution allows for higher capacity processing while effectively handling soft and bulky precipitates through controlled centrifugal separation rather than mechanical decanting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation parameters by operating at high speeds to create strong centrifugal forces, and by controlling the density and viscosity of the suspension through pH adjustment and temperature control. These parameter changes enable effective separation of soft and bulky precipitates that cannot be handled by conventional decanter centrifuges.
2Manufacturing precision
If flow rate is reduced to prevent overflow of fine suspensions, then separation quality improves, but capacity decreases requiring multiple parallel decanters
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the decanter centrifuge with a high-speed centrifugal separator that uses centrifugal force to achieve both high separation quality and high capacity. The centrifugal force creates a density gradient that effectively separates fine suspensions without requiring reduced flow rates, eliminating the need for multiple parallel decanters.
3Productivity
If multiple parallel decanters are used to maintain capacity, then productivity increases, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces multiple parallel decanter centrifuges with a single high-speed centrifugal separator. The centrifugal separation mechanism provides sufficient capacity for the entire process in one unit, eliminating the need for multiple parallel devices and reducing overall system complexity.
4Manufacturing precision
If conventional separation methods are used for starch and fiber, then separation is achieved, but additional process steps are required increasing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separation of starch, fiber, and protein into a single centrifugal separation process. By controlling the centrifugal force and suspension properties, all three components are separated simultaneously in one operation, eliminating the need for multiple sequential process steps and reducing overall system complexity.
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 enhances protein recovery rates, simplifies the process, reduces product losses, and increases capacity while maintaining hygiene, allowing for more efficient use of resources and improved separation of starch and fibers in a single step.
Implementation Method 1
separating the fourth flow containing the protein-containing fraction into a liquid light phase and a heavy phase comprising concentrated protein suspension, by using a second centrifugal separator, which is a high-speed centrifugal separator
Implementation Method 2
supplying the slurry and wash water to a hydrocyclone system, which provides a first flow comprising the fibres and protein extracted from the plant-based raw material and a second flow comprising starch extracted from the plant-based raw material
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The present invention relates to a process for extracting starch, fibres and protein from a plant-based raw material. The process comprises supplying slurry of plant-based flour and water to a hydrocyclone system (720), which provides a first flow (F1) comprising the fibres (F) and protein (P) extracted from the plant-based raw material and a second flow (F2) comprising starch (S) extracted from the plant-based raw material. The first flow (F1) is supplied to a first centrifugal separator (S1) to provide a fibre fraction as a third flow (F3) and an aqueous protein-containing fraction as a fourth flow (F4), to which acid is added to precipitate dissolved proteins. The flow (F4) is separated into a liquid light phase comprising whey (Wh) and a heavy phase comprising concentrated protein-containing fraction (CP), by using a highspeed centrifugal disc stack separator (2; S2, 72) comprising a heavy phase outlet and/or light phase outlet that are/is arranged in fluid connection with a flow influencing means (6; 12); and wherein the separating in the second centrifugal separator (S2) comprises regulating the flows at the heavy phase and/or light phase outlets by means of the flow influencing means such that the content of the protein-containing fraction at the light phase outlet is minimized.