Cryogenic Gas Granulation for Chewing Gum Pellets

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing processes for producing chewing-gum pellets using water-based granulation face issues such as dispersion of soluble substances, high water and energy consumption, and increased production costs, along with the complexity of water treatment systems.

Innovation Solution

A process that employs a cryogenic gas, such as a mixture of air and carbon dioxide, for granulation, eliminating the need for water and simplifying the system by using air as the primary carrier for cooling and conveying the gum granules, which are then mixed with additional substances and formed into pellets.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If water-based granulation is used, then cooling and conveying of granules is achieved, but soluble substances disperse and organoleptic properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling of granulesVSAvoiddispersion of soluble substances

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the cooling medium from liquid (water) to gas (cryogenic gas), which eliminates the harmful dissolution effect while maintaining the cooling function. The cryogenic gas is introduced in a liquid state and then vaporizes, providing cooling through phase change without causing substance dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transitions of the cryogenic gas (liquid to gas) as the cooling mechanism. The cryogenic gas is introduced in liquid form, vaporizes upon contact with the warm granules, and absorbs heat during this phase change, effectively cooling the granules without causing soluble substance dispersion that occurs with liquid water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Temperature

If water-based granulation is used, then granule cooling and conveying is achieved, but water and energy consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling of granulesVSAvoidwater consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the cooling medium from liquid (water) to gas (cryogenic gas), which eliminates the harmful dissolution effect while maintaining the cooling function. The cryogenic gas is introduced in a liquid state and then vaporizes, providing cooling through phase change without causing substance dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transitions of the cryogenic gas (liquid to gas) as the cooling mechanism. The cryogenic gas is introduced in liquid form, vaporizes upon contact with the warm granules, and absorbs heat during this phase change, effectively cooling the granules without causing soluble substance dispersion that occurs with liquid water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Temperature

If water-based granulation is used, then granule cooling and conveying is achieved, but production costs increase due to water treatment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling of granulesVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the cooling medium from liquid (water) to gas (cryogenic gas), which eliminates the harmful dissolution effect while maintaining the cooling function. The cryogenic gas is introduced in a liquid state and then vaporizes, providing cooling through phase change without causing substance dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transitions of the cryogenic gas (liquid to gas) as the cooling mechanism. The cryogenic gas is introduced in liquid form, vaporizes upon contact with the warm granules, and absorbs heat during this phase change, effectively cooling the granules without causing soluble substance dispersion that occurs with liquid water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

4Temperature

If water-based granulation is used, then granule cooling and conveying is achieved, but system complexity increases due to water treatment systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling of granulesVSAvoidwater treatment system

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state parameter of the cooling medium from liquid (water) to gas (cryogenic gas), which eliminates the harmful dissolution effect while maintaining the cooling function. The cryogenic gas is introduced in a liquid state and then vaporizes, providing cooling through phase change without causing substance dispersion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention utilizes phase transitions of the cryogenic gas (liquid to gas) as the cooling mechanism. The cryogenic gas is introduced in liquid form, vaporizes upon contact with the warm granules, and absorbs heat during this phase change, effectively cooling the granules without causing soluble substance dispersion that occurs with liquid water.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 prevents the alteration of gum formulations, reduces production costs, and simplifies the system, making it more reliable and efficient for large-scale production by avoiding the drawbacks of water-based granulation.

Implementation Method 1

a flow of gas in the cryogenic state, preferably having a temperature below -40° C., so as to produce chewing-gum granules that are immediately cooled within said cutting chamber

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

carried away from said chamber by said flow of gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectGas flow: Convection

Data Source

PatentUS11477991B2Process for producing a chewing-gum pellet

Publication Date: 2022.10.25 SOREMARTEC SA(BE)

AI summary

Described herein is a process for producing a chewing-gum pellet, which includes a step of granulation of the gum that is carried out in a flow of cryogenic gas.