Recirculation System for Ice Cream Pasteurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ice cream production machines, localized hot spots on the tank walls during pasteurization can cause the product to burn and form lumps, leading to a poorer quality ice cream due to inadequate mixing and heat distribution.
Innovation Solution
A machine with a recirculation system that uses a pump to continuously recirculate the product through a supply and dispensing duct, combined with a mixer unit inside the cylinder, prevents the product from sticking to the walls by applying additional stirring action, especially during high-temperature cycles like pasteurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If the heat exchange fluid heats the containment tank during pasteurization, then the basic products are heated to pasteurization temperatures, but the product in contact with the tank walls becomes excessively hot and burns
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a recirculation system that dynamically moves the basic products between the containment tank and an external processing chamber. This dynamic circulation prevents static contact with hot tank walls, eliminating localized burning while maintaining effective pasteurization temperatures throughout the product.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the heating process into two separate locations: the containment tank for controlled heating and an external processing chamber for additional treatment. This segmentation allows the product to be heated uniformly without concentrated hot spots on tank walls, preventing burning while achieving pasteurization.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the mixer continuously stirs the products during processing, then the basic products are mixed, but inadequate mixing occurs near the tank walls
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system creates continuous dynamic movement of products through piping between the containment tank and external chamber. This dynamic flow ensures constant mixing action throughout the entire product volume, including areas near tank walls that static mixers cannot adequately reach, achieving uniform homogeneous consistency.
3Device complexity
If the product is held static in the containment tank during pasteurization, then the heating process is simpler, but the product sticks to the walls and forms lumps
Solution Approach 1:
The recirculation system introduces dynamic movement without significantly complicating the heating system. The pump and piping infrastructure enables continuous product circulation, preventing sticking and lump formation while maintaining relatively simple heating controls in the containment tank.
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 recirculation system ensures a smooth, homogeneous consistency of the ice cream by preventing sticking and burning, resulting in a higher quality product with improved homogenization during the pasteurization process.
Implementation Method 1
recirculation means for recirculating the products contained in the containment and processing cylinder which is able to withdraw the products from the cylinder through the connecting duct and to return them into the cylinder through the supply duct
Implementation Method 2
The tank is wrapped in coils through which a heat exchange fluid is made to flow. The heat exchange fluid heats or cools the tank and, consequently, the products therein
Implementation Method 3
The containment tank internally comprises a mixer for the basic products which guarantees that the basic products are mixed continuously during processing
Data Source
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AI summary
This invention relates to a machine for making and dispensing liquid, semiliquid and/or semi-solid food products and which comprises at least a cylinder (2) for containing and processing basic products, means (3) for heating and cooling the cylinder (2) wrapped around at least part of the cylinder (2) and a mixer unit (8) positioned inside the cylinder (2) which is able to mix the basic products during their processing; the machine also comprises a supply duct (10) for supplying the products into the cylinder (2), a dispensing duct (11) for withdrawing the food products from the cylinder (2) and means (12) for recirculating the products contained in the containment and processing cylinder (2) which are able to withdraw the products from the cylinder (2) through the dispensing duct (11, 11') and to return them into the cylinder (2) through the supply duct (10).