Food Processing Installation Aerosol Capture
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Solution Overview
Problem
Food processing installations release small particles and aerosols into the air during cutting, causing respiratory irritation and increased cleaning needs, and potentially shortening equipment lifespan.
Innovation Solution
A food processing installation with a particle capturing enclosure and a spray nozzle arrangement downstream of the exhaust flow to coalesce aerosols with droplets, which are then collected in a controlled manner, reducing the release of particles into the environment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a cutting device is used to cut food items in a food processing enclosure, then food items can be processed and separated into portions, but small particles and aerosols are dispersed into the air causing respiratory irritation and contamination
Solution Approach 1:
A particle capturing enclosure with a spray nozzle arrangement acts as an intermediary between the cutting device and the surrounding environment. The spray nozzle introduces liquid droplets that coalesce with food aerosols in the exhaust air, capturing particles before they can be released into the workspace, thus protecting workers while maintaining continuous cutting operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system converts the harmful dispersed food particles into a beneficial concentrated form by using the spray nozzle to coalesce aerosols with liquid droplets. The particles that would otherwise be harmful airborne contaminants are transformed into collectible liquid-phase material that can be easily removed and disposed of, turning a health hazard into a manageable waste stream
2Duration of action of moving object
If exhaust air from the food processing enclosure is released directly, then the system operates continuously without interruption, but particles are carried out with the exhaust air into the surrounding environment
Solution Approach 1:
The particle capturing enclosure serves as an intermediary chamber in the exhaust air path. Between the food processing enclosure and the external environment, this intermediate structure with spray nozzles captures particles from the exhaust stream, allowing continuous operation while preventing particle release
Solution Approach 2:
The system extracts harmful particles from the exhaust air stream by introducing spray droplets that coalesce with aerosols. The particle capturing enclosure separates particles from the exhaust flow, extracting the contaminant before the air is discharged to the environment, thus enabling continuous operation with reduced emissions
3Device complexity
If no particle capture system is installed, then the facility requires less equipment and has lower complexity, but there is an increased need for cleaning and reduced equipment lifetime
Solution Approach 1:
The particle capturing enclosure with spray nozzle arrangement performs self-service by automatically capturing and removing particles from the exhaust air. This self-cleaning function prevents particle accumulation on surrounding equipment, reducing the need for manual cleaning and maintenance while extending equipment lifetime
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary particle removal before particles can settle and contaminate surrounding equipment. By capturing particles in the exhaust stream at the source, the system prevents future cleaning needs and equipment degradation, addressing maintenance requirements in advance rather than reactively
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 solution reduces respiratory irritations, decreases cleaning needs, and extends equipment life by effectively capturing aerosols and preventing them from being released into the surroundings.
Implementation Method 1
a spray nozzle arrangement separate from the cutting device and located downstream of the exhaust flow relative to the vent inlet, wherein the spray nozzle arrangement is configured to eject a spray of droplets that coalesce with the food aerosols of the exhaust air
Data Source
AI summary
A food processing installation for processing food items includes: a food processing enclosure; a cutting device in the food processing enclosure; a particle capturing enclosure; an exhaust vent connected to the food processing enclosure via a vent inlet and connected to the particle capturing enclosure via a vent outlet; and a spray nozzle arrangement separate from the cutting device and located downstream relative to the vent inlet. The exhaust vent is configured to conduct an exhaust flow of exhaust air comprising food aerosols emitted from the food processing enclosure to the particle capturing enclosure, and the spray nozzle arrangement is configured to eject a spray of droplets that coalesce with the food aerosols. A method is provided for filtering air from a food processing installation and a particle capturing device.