Continuous Differential-Pressure Steam Sterilization for Powder
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sterilization methods for powdered foods and drugs, such as irradiation, microwave, and steam sterilization, face issues like quality deterioration, uneven heating, and incomplete sterilization, leading to potential contamination and nutritional loss, with existing steam systems experiencing agglomeration and energy inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A continuous differential-pressure steam sterilization system that uses superheated steam with controlled pressure and flow rate, combined with a gas-solid separation system and condensate recycling, to achieve rapid and effective sterilization while minimizing thermal damage and energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wet saturated steam sterilization is used, then sterilization effect is improved, but moisture content of material increases and dry state changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of steam from wet saturated steam to dry superheated steam, altering its moisture content and thermal properties to achieve sterilization without adding moisture to the material
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes the phase transition characteristics of superheated steam condensing on powder particles to transfer heat rapidly and then quickly evaporating, enabling short-duration sterilization that prevents moisture absorption while maintaining sterilization effectiveness
2Loss of substance
If superheated steam sterilization is used, then moisture content is controlled, but high-intensity treatment causes flavor deterioration and color deepening
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic or intermittent steam injection rather than continuous high-intensity treatment, allowing brief exposure periods that achieve sterilization while minimizing thermal damage to flavor and color
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses just enough superheated steam at high temperature for the minimal time required to achieve sterilization, avoiding excessive heat exposure that would cause flavor deterioration and color deepening
3Reliability
If conventional steam sterilization is used, then sterilization is achieved, but heat treatment time exceeds 5 seconds causing quality decline
Solution Approach 1:
The patent rushes through the sterilization process by using dry superheated steam that can rapidly penetrate and sterilize powder particles in less than 5 seconds, then quickly remove the steam to prevent prolonged heat exposure that would degrade quality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature and dryness parameters of the steam to superheated conditions, enabling faster heat transfer that reduces the required treatment time below 5 seconds while maintaining sterilization effectiveness
4Ease of operation
If non-condensable gas is used for transmission, then powder can be conveyed, but condensation causes agglomeration and pipe blocking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the thermal parameters of the conveying gas from non-condensable or cool conditions to dry superheated steam, which prevents condensation and the resulting agglomeration and blocking problems while still enabling powder conveyance
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert hot steam environment that prevents condensation and moisture-related agglomeration, allowing smooth powder flow through the system without blocking
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 system ensures safe and quick sterilization of powdered foods and drugs, reduces nutritional quality damage, and promotes energy conservation through steam recycling and waste heat utilization, providing a greener and cleaner sterilization method compared to traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
dry superheated steam sterilization
Implementation Method 2
the steam...condenses on the surface of the powder particles
Implementation Method 3
utilizing the pressure difference before and after the Laval nozzle
Implementation Method 4
Laval nozzle
Implementation Method 5
gas-solid separation system
Implementation Method 6
condensate recycling and waste heat utilization
Data Source
AI summary
A continuous differential-pressure steam sterilization system for a powder, and belongs to the field of material sterilization includes: a superheated steam generation system, a steam pressure and flow rate control system, a quantitative feeding system, an instantaneous differential-pressure sterilization system, a dust explosion suppression system, a sterile cooling system, a primary gas-solid separation system, a secondary gas-solid separation system, a sterile storage system, a steam recovery and reheating system, and a condensate recovery system. The continuous differential-pressure steam sterilization system shortens the thermal contact time and mainly accumulates the heat on the surface of the powder, rather than in the center of the powder, which reduces the damage to the nutritional quality of the powder. Comprehensive treatment methods such as superheated steam, temperature compensation and non-sticky inner lining are adopted to reduce the problem of powder binding, agglomeration, and even blocking in the pipe of the system.