Counterflow Extractor Assembly for Consistent Beverage Fractions
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing beverage extraction systems face issues with inconsistent quality control, leading to undesirable changes in extraction solutions, affecting appearance, aroma, flavor, and mouthfeel, particularly in large-scale manufacturing, due to undetected fluctuations in pressure, temperature, and flow rate parameters.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that collects beverage extract fractions in separate vessels under inert atmospheres, adjusting collection times based on real-time measurements of parameters like refractive index and total dissolved solids (TDS) to ensure precise control and consistency, allowing for the formation of mixtures with desired properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous and batch processing systems are used for large-scale beverage extraction, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to undetected fluctuations in pressure, temperature, and flow rate parameters
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction process is divided into multiple sequential extraction zones within the same continuous system. Each zone can be independently controlled and monitored, allowing large-scale processing while maintaining precision through zone-specific parameter control and real-time quality assessment.
Solution Approach 2:
Real-time monitoring systems continuously measure pressure, temperature, and flow rate parameters throughout the extraction process. This feedback enables immediate detection and correction of parameter fluctuations, ensuring consistent extract quality even during large-scale continuous operation.
2Speed
If ground materials are used to increase surface area, then extraction speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional preprocessing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The extraction system is designed to handle multiple material forms (ground and non-ground) through the same extraction apparatus. The system's multi-functionality allows it to achieve high extraction speeds with ground materials when needed, while eliminating the need for separate preprocessing systems by accommodating various material inputs.
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
Ensures consistent and reproducible beverage extract quality by precisely controlling extraction parameters, enabling improved manufacturing processes and innovative product development.
Implementation Method 1
one or more fluid solvents are typically passed through and or about the source media and material, which is most often in rendered and or ground form. This process enables elution by the solvent(s) to dissolve, suspend, disperse, emulsify, capture, and carry away elements, components, and constituents of the source material and media into a resulting extraction solution
Data Source
AI summary
An extractor apparatus that incorporates an autoclave that defines an interior, which extends along a longitudinal axis between opposite media inlet and discharge ports. Also included is a feed assembly that is coupled to the inlet port to supply media during operation to the interior, which establishes a media bed movable about the longitudinal axis through the interior to the discharge port. Further incorporated is a solvent supply that is coupled to the autoclave proximate the discharge port to establish during operation pressurized solvent cross flow that is directionally opposite the direction of movement of movable bed. An extract port is also included, which is coupled to the autoclave proximate the inlet port to extract cross-flowed solvent from the movable media bed during operation. Further included is a capture assembly that is sealingly coupled to the discharge port and which during operation, captures spent media, and is movable to discharge the spent media. The capture assembly may also extract residual solvent from the spent media, which may be communicated to the interior between the inlet and discharge ports.