Continuous frying device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing industrial frying devices face challenges in efficiently filtering small particles from frying oil without significantly reducing the flow rate, leading to accelerated oil degradation and reduced production capacity due to high flow resistance from fine mesh filters.
Innovation Solution
A continuous frying device with an oil circulation pump and external filter chain comprising an oil-particle separator and continuous non-batchwise filter system, allowing a high volume of oil to pass through filters frequently, using a wedge wire filter with a larger mesh size and centrifugal separation to separate contaminants effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If fine meshed filters are used to extract small particles from frying oil, then particle filtering efficiency is improved, but flow resistance increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system is divided into multiple stages: a coarse filter (first filter) with larger mesh size removes large particles, and a fine filter (second filter) with smaller mesh size removes small particles. This segmentation allows each filter to operate at optimal mesh size without requiring the entire system to use fine mesh, thereby maintaining lower overall flow resistance while achieving high particle filtering efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The coarse filter acts as an intermediary element between the frying oil reservoir and the fine filter. It pre-filters the oil by removing large particles before the oil reaches the fine filter, reducing the load on the fine filter and maintaining better flow characteristics through the fine filter while still achieving comprehensive particle removal.
2Measurement precision
If batchwise filtering is used to remove particles, then particle extraction is achieved, but production time is lost and thermal energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration system operates continuously during the frying process. The oil circulation pump continuously circulates frying oil through the coarse filter and fine filter, and the filtered oil is continuously returned to the reservoir. This continuous filtration eliminates batchwise filtering interruptions, maintaining uninterrupted production while constantly removing particles to preserve oil quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtration system performs particle removal as a preliminary continuous action throughout the frying process rather than as a separate batch operation. By continuously filtering oil during frying, the system prevents particle accumulation that would otherwise require stopping production for batch filtering, thus saving production time while maintaining oil quality.
3Measurement precision
If fine mesh filters are used to increase particle capture probability, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but productivity decreases due to reduced flow rate
Solution Approach 1:
The filtration path is segmented into two sequential filters with different mesh sizes. The coarse filter handles the bulk of particle removal with minimal flow resistance, while the fine filter handles only the remaining small particles. This segmentation maintains high overall filtering effectiveness while preserving adequate flow rate to support continuous high-speed frying operations and maintain productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The coarse filter performs partial filtration by removing the majority of large particles before oil enters the fine filter. This partial action at the first stage reduces the burden on the fine filter, allowing the system to achieve comprehensive particle removal without requiring the fine filter to handle all particles alone, thus maintaining better flow characteristics and productivity.
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 solution enhances the probability of filtering particles, reduces flow resistance, and maintains a healthier frying process with a longer oil lifespan by allowing more frequent filter cycles and effective particle removal.
Implementation Method 1
the external filter chain comprises an oil-particle separator and a subsequent continuous non-batchwise filter system, the oil-particle separator configured to take in a flow of particle polluted oil from the frying oil reservoir and separate the flow of particle polluted oil into a first clean flow of oil
Implementation Method 2
the continuous non-batchwise filter system that is configured to filter particles from the second polluted flow of oil onto a filter substrate
Implementation Method 3
at least one heating unit for heating the frying oil in the frying oil reservoir during the frying process
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous frying device is for carrying out a frying process for food products. The device includes a frying oil reservoir which can be filled with a volume of frying oil; a food product carrier which can at least partially be immersed in the frying oil in the frying oil reservoir and at least one heating unit having at least one heating element which is positioned at least partially inside the frying oil reservoir and which has a heating surface which is in contact with the frying oil in the frying oil reservoir during the frying process. The filter chain has a first filter inside the frying oil reservoir and an external filter chain. In operation a volume of at least three times the volume of frying oil contained in the frying oil reservoir passes through the external filter chain per hour.