Centrifugal Solid-Liquid Separation for Insoluble Removal in Food Processing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Poultry processing establishments face challenges in achieving USDA microbial performance standards due to the presence of solid and liquid contaminants, such as feathers, fecal matter, and insoluble fats, which interact with antimicrobials and increase microbial load, making it difficult to maintain a low microbial load in aqueous processing streams.

Innovation Solution

The use of a centripetal force-based solid/liquid separator (SL separator) to remove insoluble materials from aqueous streams by employing centrifugal force to separate heavier-than-water solids from liquids, reducing microbial growth and contamination, and optionally using a liquid/liquid decanter to further separate insoluble liquids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional processing methods are used without solid/liquid separation, then the processing system is simple and requires minimal equipment, but the microbial load increases and antimicrobial effectiveness decreases due to contamination from solids and insoluble liquids

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemicrobial load controlVSAvoidprocessing equipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes insoluble solids and liquids from the aqueous processing stream using a solid/liquid separator and liquid/liquid decanter. This separation removes contaminants (feathers, fecal matter, insoluble fats) from the water stream, thereby reducing microbial load and improving antimicrobial effectiveness without significantly complicating the overall processing system

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the contamination removal process into two distinct stages: first using a solid/liquid separator to remove insoluble solids, then using a liquid/liquid decanter to separate insoluble liquids from the aqueous stream. This segmentation allows each device to specialize in removing specific types of contaminants, improving overall effectiveness while maintaining manageable system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If antimicrobial interventions are applied to contaminated streams, then microbial reduction is attempted, but the solids and insoluble liquids interact with the antimicrobials and reduce their effectiveness

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial effectivenessVSAvoidcontaminant interaction with antimicrobials

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by removing insoluble solids and liquids from the aqueous stream before antimicrobial interventions are applied. The solid/liquid separator and liquid/liquid decanter are positioned upstream in the processing flow, eliminating contaminants that would otherwise interfere with antimicrobial effectiveness, thereby ensuring that subsequent antimicrobial treatments work on a cleaner, more effective medium

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If manual removal of solids is performed at the end of processing, then labor requirements are high and time-consuming, but automated separation systems reduce manual labor and increase processing efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidseparation system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical removal of solids with automated centrifugal separation systems. The solid/liquid separator uses centrifugal force to automatically separate and remove insoluble solids from the aqueous stream, eliminating the need for manual shoveling and cleaning operations. This substitution significantly improves productivity and reduces labor requirements while the modular design keeps device complexity manageable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 effectively removes up to 90% of insoluble solids, reducing microbial growth and contamination, thereby enhancing the ability to meet USDA standards and minimizing labor requirements for manual solids removal.

Implementation Method 1

a centripetal force-based solid/liquid separator to remove insoluble materials from aqueous streams by employing centrifugal force to separate heavier-than-water solids from liquids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCentrifugal force: Centrifugal Force

Implementation Method 2

optionally using a liquid/liquid decanter to further separate insoluble liquids

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDensity gradient separation: Density Gradient

Data Source

PatentUS12396466B2Removal of insolubles from aqueous streams used in food processing

Publication Date: 2025.08.26 SAFE FOODS CORP

AI summary

A food processing system includes at least one receptacle containing a composition of water and insoluble solids, a centripetal force-based solid/liquid separator having an inlet, a solids outlet, and a liquid outlet, and a pump able to direct the composition from the receptacle to the inlet of the separator. The separator is configured to separate the composition into a solids stream including the insoluble solids and a liquid stream including water and to direct the solids stream through the solids outlet and the liquid stream through the liquid outlet.