Coffee Roasting System Air Temperature Modulation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coffee roasting systems face issues with thermal transients in the roasting drum, leading to inconsistent temperatures, low roasting quality, high maintenance costs due to catalytic filters, and inefficient air purification.
Innovation Solution
A system with a T-shaped tubular body and valve configuration that modulates air temperature and flow to maintain consistent roasting conditions, eliminating the need for catalytic filters by using a suction unit for air recirculation and post-combustion to reduce impurities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If a gas burner is used to generate hot air for roasting, then the roasting process can be performed, but the reaction time for temperature variations is too long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the heating mechanism from gas burner to electric heating elements, fundamentally altering the parameter of heating speed. Electric heating provides rapid temperature adjustments compared to the slow thermal response of gas burners, enabling precise control during roasting cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the gas burner system with an electric heating system. This substitution eliminates the combustion process and associated thermal inertia, providing faster and more responsive temperature control through direct electrical heating of air and drum surfaces.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the temperature is increased to incinerate impurities in the drying step, then air purification is improved, but the roasting quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the air treatment function into separate components: the roasting drum with its heating elements handles temperature control for quality roasting, while a dedicated extraction system with catalytic converter handles impurity removal. This segmentation allows each component to optimize its function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a catalytic converter as an intermediary device in the air extraction path. This converter chemically transforms impurities into less harmful substances without requiring high-temperature incineration, thereby protecting roasting quality while still achieving air purification.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If catalytic filters are installed to retain solid particles, then air purification is improved, but system cost and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into the air extraction system: particle separation through cyclonic action, catalytic conversion of impurities, and heat recovery. This integration achieves comprehensive air purification without requiring separate complex filtration systems, reducing overall system complexity and maintenance needs.
4Manufacturing precision
If the temperature inside the drum is reduced for correct roasting, then roasting quality is improved, but the ability to incinerate impurities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent separates the thermal processing function from the air purification function. The roasting drum operates at controlled temperatures for quality roasting, while a separate air extraction path with catalytic converter handles impurity removal, eliminating the need to compromise roasting quality for incineration capability.
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 ensures consistent roasting temperatures, improves roasting quality, reduces system costs, and minimizes emissions by optimizing air flow and temperature control within the roasting drum.
Implementation Method 1
a combustion chamber (1) with a heat generating unit (2) for heating air
Implementation Method 2
The coffee grain is then cooled (with ambient air or forced air) to allow the enhancement of the fragrance
Implementation Method 3
a decanting cyclone (8) connected to the roasting drum (3) in such a way as to receive a flow of hot air mixed with aerial and/or solid impurities
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
Described is a system (100) for roasting coffee grains comprising a combustion chamber (1) which is able to heat air; a rotary drum (3) for roasting coffee grains; a first connecting conduit (4) between the combustion chamber (1) and the rotary drum (3) for the passage of hot air from the combustion chamber (1) to the rotary drum (3) according to a feed direction (V); a decanting cyclone (8) connected, with a second conduit (9), to the rotary drum (3) in such a way as to receive a flow of hot air mixed with aerial and/or solid impurities from the rotary drum (3) and formed during the roasting; the system (100) also comprises a tubular body (10) with two channels (11, 12) positioned on the first connecting conduit (4) between the combustion chamber (1) and the rotary drum (3); the tubular body (10) is equipped with a first (13) and second (14) valve in such a way as to intercept, on a first channel (11) and with a first valve (13), the flow of hot air coming from the combustion chamber (1) and with the second channel (12) and the second valve (14) configured for intercepting air outside the system (100), at a temperature less than the flow of air arriving from the combustion chamber (1), and feeding it into the first conduit (4) downstream of the first valve (11), with respect to the feed direction (V), in such a way as to modify the temperature of the mixed flow of air entering the rotary drum (3).