Grape Dehydration Plant with Paired Air Diffusion Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current grape withering by dehydration methods suffer from uneven air flow distribution, leading to non-uniform dehydration and increased risk of mold and rot, relying heavily on operator experience, and lack precise control over weight loss and sugar content uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A plant with a ventilation circuit featuring paired diffusion modules for uniform air flow distribution and sensors to monitor and adjust the air flow based on operating parameters, ensuring consistent dehydration and reducing energy consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If simple axial-flow fans mounted on movable floor platforms are used to spread air flow in the room, then the device complexity is reduced and ease of operation is improved, but the air flow distribution becomes turbulent and unidirectional, resulting in non-uniform dehydration and increased risk of mold growth
Solution Approach 1:
The air flow generation system is segmented into multiple fixed air flow generators positioned at different locations within the room, each responsible for a specific zone. This segmentation replaces the single movable fan approach, ensuring uniform air distribution across all grape containers without requiring operator movement or positioning decisions.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical system of movable fans is replaced with a fixed mechanical infrastructure of multiple air flow generators. This substitution eliminates the need for movable platforms and manual positioning, providing consistent, controlled air flow patterns that ensure uniform dehydration throughout the room.
2Adaptability or versatility
If iterative and frequent measurements of Bx° by wine experts are performed, then the measurement flexibility is improved, but the measurement precision is reduced due to arbitrary random selection of measurement points
Solution Approach 1:
Manual measurement by wine experts is replaced with an automated sensor system that objectively measures Bx° at predefined locations. This substitution eliminates arbitrary random selection while maintaining measurement flexibility through programmable sampling schedules and multiple sensor positions, ensuring both precision and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The measurement system incorporates feedback loops where sensor data is continuously monitored and used to adjust air flow conditions. This automated feedback mechanism replaces subjective expert judgment with objective, repeatable measurements that trigger systematic responses, improving both precision and adaptability.
3Reliability
If dehumidification assembly continuously operates to maintain predetermined humidity level, then the reliability of humidity control is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dehumidification assembly operates periodically rather than continuously, with cycles of operation and rest. Sensors monitor humidity levels and trigger dehumidification only when thresholds are exceeded, maintaining reliable humidity control while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback control where humidity sensors continuously monitor conditions and automatically regulate dehumidification operation. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable humidity maintenance by activating the dehumidifier only when needed, optimizing energy usage while preserving control reliability.
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 solution achieves uniform grape dehydration, reduces the influence of operator experience, and enhances control over the dehydration process, resulting in improved productivity and efficiency compared to existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
a ventilation circuit provided with at least a flow generator and a first and second air diffusion modules for supplying and for forcing the air flow, respectively, into and into the room
Implementation Method 2
grapes withering by dehydration... reducing the water content in the grapes
Implementation Method 3
at least a sensor for detecting at least an operating parameter indicative of the dehydration level of the grapes
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plant (1) for grapes withering by dehydration, comprising: - a dehumidification room (2) isolatable from an outer environment and intended to house grapes containers (C), - air flow generating means (30) comprising a ventilation circuit and a first and a second diffusion module (4a,5a,4b,5b,4c,5c) for said air flow in said room (2), said first and second diffusion modules (4a,5a,4b,5b,4c,5c) are arranged facing each other and at the opposite sides of the room (2) and are intended for the forced supply of an air flow and for the corresponding intake thereof respectively, said first and said second diffusion modules (4a,5a,4b,5b,4c,5c) being substantially provided with the same air passage area, - plant (1) comprising at least one sensor for detecting at least one operating parameter indicative of the grapes dehydration level, - said air flow generating means are operatively connected to said at least one sensor such to control said air flow on the basis of said at least one operating parameter. The present invention further relates to a process for grapes withering by dehydration, comprising at least the steps of: a- arranging grapes into a plant isolatable from the outer environment, b- sending an air flow having a prevalent direction on said grapes by means of a first diffusion module, c- drawing said air flow by means of a second diffusion module, wherein said first diffusion module and said second diffusion module substantially have the same air passage area and are arranged facing each other along said prevalent direction.