Dielectric Sensing in Chocolate Conching for Moisture Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conching processes for producing high-quality chocolates are time- and energy-consuming, and lack effective real-time monitoring and control methods to ensure optimal moisture content and aroma discharge, relying on weight detection which is not sufficient for precise quality control.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing a dielectric sensor to continuously monitor the dielectric properties of the chocolate mass, allowing for real-time moisture content determination and process optimization, eliminating the need for sample taking and ensuring precise control of the conching process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional weight detection methods are used to monitor moisture content during conching, then the monitoring system is simple to implement, but the measurement precision is insufficient for precise quality control
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical weight detection with dielectric sensing to measure moisture content. The dielectric sensor detects changes in the dielectric properties of the chocolate mass, which correlate with moisture content, providing more precise measurements without relying on indirect weight-based inference.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent monitors changes in dielectric parameters (permittivity and loss factor) of the chocolate mass during conching. These parameter changes provide direct information about moisture content and process state, enabling precise quality control through real-time measurement of electrical properties rather than mechanical weight.
2Reliability
If the conching process is extended to ensure quality, then the moisture content and aroma discharge improve, but the processing time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements real-time feedback control by continuously monitoring dielectric properties during conching. The measured dielectric parameters are fed back to control the conching process, allowing dynamic adjustment of processing time and conditions to achieve optimal quality while minimizing unnecessary extension of processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables preliminary determination of process endpoint by monitoring dielectric changes that indicate moisture content reduction and aroma discharge progress. This allows the process to be stopped at the optimal moment when quality targets are reached, preventing unnecessary time extension beyond what is actually needed.
3Reliability
If the conching process is extended to ensure quality, then the moisture content and aroma discharge improve, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The real-time dielectric monitoring provides feedback on process progress, enabling energy-efficient control by maintaining conching only as long as necessary to achieve quality targets. The system can detect when moisture content and aroma discharge have reached desired levels, allowing early termination of energy-consuming processing.
Solution Approach 2:
By preliminarily determining the endpoint through dielectric measurements, the system avoids unnecessary energy consumption from extended processing. The dielectric sensor detects process state changes that indicate when quality objectives are met, enabling timely cessation of energy-intensive conching operations.
4Measurement precision
If weight-based monitoring is used to track dehumidification progress, then the implementation is straightforward, but the measurement precision for moisture content is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical weight measurement with electrical dielectric sensing. The dielectric sensor directly measures the electrical properties of the chocolate mass, which are sensitive to moisture content, providing more precise measurements while the automated detection system handles the complexity of dielectric property measurement.
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
Enables efficient and precise monitoring and control of the conching process, optimizing the chocolate production by determining moisture content and other properties in real-time, reducing the need for sample analysis and improving product quality.
Implementation Method 1
detecting, by means of a sensor means comprising a dielectric sensor, dielectric properties of the product mass in an environment of the dielectric sensor
Data Source
AI summary
A device for processing a product mass, including a container for receiving the product mass, at least one product mass processing tool in the container, which is provided to act on the product mass, and at least one sensor means having a dielectric sensor, wherein the sensor means is arranged and formed in such a way that dielectric properties of the product mass can be detected continuously or at least temporarily by means of the dielectric sensor in an environment of the dielectric sensor. The invention further relates to a method for processing a product mass, in particular by means of a device of this type.