Helical Confectionery Tempering Flow Path for Uniform Heat Treatment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing thermal treatment apparatuses for confectionery masses suffer from uneven temperature distribution, increased layer thickness, and varying residence times, which can lead to burning of temperature-sensitive masses and inefficient heat transfer, especially in masses containing milk.
Innovation Solution
A thermally treating apparatus with a helical flow path that extends transversely around the vertical axis of the housing, ensuring all mass particles reside for the same time, using a constant or variable angle of inclination, and maintaining a constant passage cross-section to prevent dead zones and ensure uniform velocity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the confectionery mass flows through the apparatus from below in an upward direction with parallel bottoms and segment-like holes, then the mass contacts the tubes, but the layer thickness increases and causes burning of temperature-sensitive masses
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting element is designed with a helical shape that guides the confectionery mass to flow around the tubes in a curved path. This helical configuration ensures that the mass maintains a consistent, reduced layer thickness as it contacts the tubes, preventing localized overheating and burning while ensuring uniform thermal treatment across all mass particles.
2Temperature
If the passage cross section continuously changes along the flow path, then the mass flows about the tubes, but the velocity varies substantially leading to locally different temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting element is designed with specific geometric characteristics including a constant width and a constant angle of inclination along the flow path. This local geometric consistency maintains a uniform passage cross-section, ensuring that the confectionery mass flows at substantially constant velocity throughout the apparatus, thereby achieving uniform temperature distribution.
3Loss of time
If dead zones and nests are present along the flow path, then the mass flows through the apparatus, but residence time varies substantially causing inconsistent treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The helical deflecting element creates a continuous, smooth flow path that eliminates dead zones and stagnant nests. The constant angle of inclination and uniform geometry ensure continuous movement of all mass particles through the apparatus at consistent velocities, guaranteeing that all particles experience identical residence times and receive uniform thermal treatment.
4Productivity
If the flow path extends parallel to the axes of the tubes in some parts, then the mass flows through the apparatus, but heat transfer becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The deflecting element is designed with a helical shape that guides the confectionery mass to flow around the tubes in a curved path. This helical configuration ensures that the mass maintains a consistent, reduced layer thickness as it contacts the tubes, preventing localized overheating and burning while ensuring uniform thermal 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 design ensures uniform thermal treatment of confectionery masses, preventing damage and maintaining product quality by ensuring all particles experience the same residence time and velocity, thereby enhancing the thermal treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
a tempering medium flows through a plurality of tubes and the confectionary mass to be tempered contacts the tubes while it flows through the apparatus
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus (100, 100′) for thermally treating a confectionery mass includes a housing (1) having an approximately vertical axis (2), a core (3) being located in the housing (1) and being arranged in an approximately concentric way with respect to the axis (2) of the housing (1), a plurality of tubes (12) being located in the housing (1), each of the tubes (12) having an approximately vertical axis and being designed and arranged for a tempering medium to flow through them, and at least one deflecting element (13) being designed and arranged to connect the housing (1) to the core (3) such that a flow path of the confectionary mass through the apparatus (100, 100′) is determined, the flow path extending in a transverse direction with respect to the tubes (12), at least a part of the deflecting element (13) having a helical shape.