Centrifugal Separator Counter Pressure Control for Citrus Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing citrus fruit processing methods face challenges in achieving optimal pulp separation efficiency, often requiring complex equipment and recirculation of processed materials to control pulp content in citrus juice and peel oil separation, leading to inefficiencies and potential contamination.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a centrifugal separator with hermetically sealed inlets and outlets, where liquid citrus material is separated into heavy and light phases, with parameters like viscosity or turbidity measured to control the counter pressure of outlets, allowing for continuous processing without recirculation, optimizing separation and extending equipment lifespan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If recirculation of separated liquids is used to control pulp content, then separation precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control function from complex recirculation systems and implements it through simple counter pressure regulation. By taking out the essential control mechanism (pressure regulation) from the complicated recirculation equipment, the system achieves pulp content control precision while significantly reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical recirculation system with a pressure regulation system. Instead of using mechanical pumps and pipes to recirculate liquids, the invention uses counter pressure regulation at the outlets to achieve the same control effect, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining separation precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If recirculation of processed materials is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the time-consuming recirculation step and replaces it with immediate counter pressure regulation. By taking out the recirculation process and substituting it with direct pressure control at the outlet, the system maintains pulp content precision while eliminating the time loss associated with recirculation.
3Manufacturing precision
If recirculation system is used, then separation precision is improved, but reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the separator from the recirculation loop, preventing processed material from re-entering the separator. By taking out the separator from the recirculation system and using counter pressure regulation instead, the invention maintains separation precision while improving separator reliability through prolonged equipment lifespan.
4Measurement precision
If complex monitoring and recirculating equipment is added, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex monitoring and recirculating equipment with a simple counter pressure regulation system. By substituting the mechanical monitoring and recirculation infrastructure with pressure control at the outlet, the system achieves the necessary measurement precision for pulp content control while significantly reducing device 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 enables efficient and controllable citrus fruit processing by adjusting counter pressures based on measured parameters, ensuring optimal pulp content in juice and peel oil separation without the need for recirculation, thereby improving process efficiency and equipment longevity.
Implementation Method 1
separating the citrus fruit material in the separator to obtain at least a liquid heavy phase and a liquid light phase, wherein the density of the liquid heavy phase is higher than the density of the liquid light phase
Implementation Method 2
using high-speed centrifugal separators
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method for citrus fruit processing comprising the steps of introducing liquid citrus fruit material to be processed via an inlet to a centrifugal separator being mechanically hermetically sealed at the inlet and at the liquid outlets; separating the citrus fruit material in the separator to obtain at least a liquid heavy phase and a liquid light phase, wherein the density of the liquid heavy phase is higher than the density of the liquid light phase; discharging the liquid heavy phase via a liquid heavy phase outlet and the liquid light phase via a liquid light phase outlet of the separator; measuring at least one parameter of the discharged liquid heavy phase and/or liquid light phase, wherein the parameter is related to a concentration of the heavy phase in the liquid light phase, or vice versa; and adjusting the counter pressure of the liquid heavy phase outlet with respect to the liquid light phase outlet, or vice versa, based on the measurement in step d) so as to control the concentration of the heavy phase in the liquid light phase, or vice versa, discharged from the separator. The present invention further provides a system for performing the method.