Food Processing Apparatus Dry Gas Inert Atmosphere

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing food processing apparatuses using photocatalysts face challenges in effectively reforming reactants due to condensation issues within the reaction tube, which reduces the effectiveness of the photocatalytic reaction and requires improvements in apparatus configuration for multi-purpose catalyst use.

Innovation Solution

A food processing apparatus with a reaction tank, cooler, and catalytic reactor that includes a reaction tube filled with dry gas, a photocatalyst-coated outer surface, and features like a moisture sensor and pressure regulator to maintain low humidity and prevent condensation, ensuring stable operation and effective reactant reforming.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the reaction tube is cooled to reform the reactant, then the reactant reforming effectiveness is improved, but condensation occurs on the inner surface of the reaction tube

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereactant reforming effectivenessVSAvoidcondensation on reaction tube surface

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The reaction tube is filled with dry nitrogen gas to create an inert atmosphere that prevents moisture condensation on the inner surface. The dry gas environment maintains low humidity even when the reaction tube is cooled, eliminating the harmful condensation effect while preserving the cooling function for reactant reforming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the potential harm of condensation into a benefit by using the cooled reaction tube to condense and remove moisture from the dry gas atmosphere, thereby maintaining a consistently dry environment. The cooling process that causes condensation of water vapor actually helps in moisture removal and maintains low humidity conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Productivity

If the photocatalyst is exposed to light for reactant reforming, then the photocatalytic reaction efficiency is improved, but light is blocked by condensation on the reaction tube surface

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephotocatalytic reaction efficiencyVSAvoidlight transmission to photocatalyst

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

By filling the reaction tube with dry nitrogen gas, the patent prevents moisture condensation that would block light. The inert dry atmosphere ensures that the inner surface of the reaction tube remains free of condensation, allowing maximum light transmission to the photocatalyst and maintaining high photocatalytic reaction efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

3Reliability

If the reaction tube is sealed to maintain dry gas atmosphere, then condensation is prevented, but moisture may enter through sealing portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedry gas atmosphere maintenanceVSAvoidmoisture entry through seals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a moisture trap as an intermediary component that captures and removes moisture before it can enter the reaction tube through sealing portions. The moisture trap acts as a barrier that allows the sealed system to maintain its dry gas atmosphere while accounting for potential moisture ingress points.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a moisture sensor that provides feedback on the humidity level within the reaction tube. When moisture is detected, the system can trigger corrective actions such as activating a drying agent or adjusting the nitrogen gas flow, thereby maintaining the dry gas atmosphere despite potential moisture entry through seals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 apparatus effectively reforms food reactants by maintaining low humidity within the reaction tube, preventing condensation, and ensuring sufficient light exposure to the photocatalyst, thereby enhancing the stability and efficiency of the food processing operation.

Implementation Method 1

An outer surface of the reaction tube is provided with a photocatalyst. The reaction tube allows light radiated from the light source to pass through the reaction tube.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotocatalysis: Catalysis

Implementation Method 2

The interior of the reaction tube is filled with a dry gas

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation prevention: Condensation

Implementation Method 3

a cooler that cools the reactant, which is stored in the reaction tank

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCooling: Cooling

Data Source

PatentUS20230257685A1Food processing apparatus

Publication Date: 2023.08.17 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

A food processing apparatus includes a reaction tank having an internal space for storing a reactant that is in a liquid state and that is used for food, a cooler that cools a reactant stored in the reaction tank, and a catalytic reactor disposed in the internal space. The catalytic reactor includes a reaction tube, a light source disposed in the interior of the reaction tube, and a heat insulator disposed between the reaction tube and the light source. The outer surface of the reaction tube is provided with a photocatalyst. The reaction tube allows light radiated from the light source to pass therethrough. The reaction tube has a first end, and the first end is closed so as to serve as a bottom surface of the reaction tube. The interior of the reaction tube is filled with a dry gas.