Extruded Material Drying Using Superheated Steam Atmosphere
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional drying methods for extruded materials often fail to achieve sterility due to contact with germs or microorganisms, especially when using dry air.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam is used to dry extruded materials, maintaining temperatures above 100°C and achieving low germ content or sterility, with the atmosphere composed of high steam content and optional extraction and re-addition of volatile substances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional drying methods using dry air are used, then drying efficiency is maintained, but sterility cannot be achieved due to contact with germs or microorganisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies an inert atmosphere principle by using superheated steam as the drying medium instead of conventional dry air. The steam atmosphere creates a sterile environment that prevents germ and microorganism contamination while effectively drying the extruded material. The high temperature steam acts as both the drying agent and a sterilizing medium, eliminating harmful factors without compromising sterility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the drying atmosphere by using superheated steam at temperatures above 100°C instead of ambient temperature dry air. This parameter change transforms the drying medium into a sterile state that can achieve both drying efficiency and sterility simultaneously, resolving the contradiction between maintaining drying efficiency and achieving sterility.
2Reliability
If the material temperature is increased above 100°C to achieve sterility, then germ content is reduced, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of water, specifically the transition from liquid water to superheated steam, to achieve sterility. By converting water into steam and maintaining it above 100°C, the system creates a sterile environment that contacts the material briefly during extrusion and drying. This phase transition approach achieves sterility more efficiently than prolonged heating, as the steam atmosphere provides immediate sterilization during the drying process, reducing overall energy consumption compared to extended high-temperature treatment.
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 method effectively reduces germ content to near sterility and allows for efficient drying of extruded materials while preventing contamination, enabling safe packaging and storage.
Implementation Method 1
drying the material in the gaseous atmosphere
Implementation Method 2
providing a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam in a housing, extruding a material in the housing, drying the material in the gaseous atmosphere
Implementation Method 3
If the temperature of the material when it emerges from the extruder or enters the housing is more than 100° C., especially more than 110° C., 120° C., 130° C. or 140° C.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method of drying an extruded material that includes the steps of: providing a gaseous atmosphere with superheated steam in a housing, extruding a material in the housing, drying the material in the gaseous atmosphere, and moving the dried material out of the housing. An apparatus for drying the extruded material is also provided.