Electric Field Shell Softening for Non-Thermal Nut Shelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for shelling shell-fruits, such as nuts, often result in breakage of fruit kernels, reducing their value and causing thermal decomposition of valuable constituents like oils, as high temperature processes are not effective in completely separating the kernel from the shell without damaging it.
Innovation Solution
Applying an electric field to soften the shell of shell-fruits using a capacitor, allowing for non-thermal separation of the kernel from the shell, with energy input of at least 1 kJ/kg and electric field strengths of 0.5 to 2 kV/cm, facilitated by electrical pulses and optional conditioning with steam and overpressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If thermal processes are used to separate the kernel from the shell, then the shelling process is facilitated, but the fruit kernels suffer breakage and valuable constituents are thermally decomposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal processes with an electric field-based treatment system. A capacitor is used to generate an electric field that acts on the shell-fruits, causing the shell to soften and separate from the kernel without thermal decomposition. This substitution of thermal energy with electrical energy resolves the contradiction by achieving shelling facilitation while avoiding kernel damage and constituent decomposition.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter used for shelling from temperature to electric field strength. By controlling the electric field parameters (capacitor charge, field intensity, exposure time), the shell softening process is optimized to achieve easy separation while maintaining kernel integrity. This parameter change allows precise control over the softening process without the harmful effects of high temperature.
2Manufacturing precision
If high temperature thermal processes are applied to improve shelling, then the shell separation is enhanced, but valuable oils and constituents are thermally decomposed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes thermal energy with electrical energy in the form of an electric field generated by a capacitor. This electric field treatment softens the shell to improve separation quality while completely avoiding thermal decomposition of valuable oils and constituents. The substitution eliminates the harmful thermal effects while maintaining the beneficial shell softening effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the controlling parameter from temperature to electric field characteristics (voltage, capacitance, exposure time). This parameter transformation enables precise control of shell softening to achieve high separation quality while preventing substance loss, as the electric field does not cause thermal decomposition of sensitive constituents.
3Ease of operation
If conventional thermal pretreatment is used before shelling, then the shell becomes easier to break open, but the fruit kernels cannot be completely separated in one piece
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal pretreatment with electric field treatment using a capacitor. The electric field selectively softens the shell material to facilitate breaking while simultaneously affecting the shell-kernel interface to enable clean separation. This substitution achieves both easy shell breaking and complete kernel separation in one piece, resolving the contradiction between operational ease and separation quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the pretreatment parameter from temperature to electric field intensity and duration. By optimizing these electrical parameters, the shell achieves optimal softening for easy breaking while the electric field also acts to separate the kernel from the shell cleanly. This parameter change enables simultaneous achievement of both easy operation and high manufacturing precision.
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
Improves shelling efficiency by allowing easier separation of fruit kernels in one piece with reduced breakage and thermal damage, enhancing the extraction of constituents like oils while maintaining product quality.
Implementation Method 1
softening the shell around a fruit body of the shell-fruits by applying an electric field
Implementation Method 2
The electric field applied can be, in particular, a non-thermally acting electric field in which the upper energy limit is determined such that substantially no heating of the shell-fruits in the sense of ohmic heating takes place
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for treating shell-fruits (3), in particular for producing shell-fruits (3) with improved shelling properties in comparison to untreated shell-fruits (3). The invention further relates to a device (1) for treating shell-fruits (3), in particular for producing shell-fruits (3) with improved shelling properties in comparison to untreated shell-fruits (3), comprising a hermetically sealable treatment chamber (2) for conditioning the shell-fruits (3). In order to provide a method and a device for treating shell-fruits which do not damage the contents of the kernel and simultaneously permit improved shelling of the shell-fruits and the opened shell to be better separated from the kernel, the method according to the invention comprises softening the shell of the shell-fruits (3) by applying an electric field, and the device according to the invention comprises at least one capacitor (4) for generating an electric field in the treatment chamber (2).