Machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products and method for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for thermally processing liquid or semi-liquid food products are inefficient in energy use and inflexible for different products, requiring significant energy for heating and being difficult to adjust for specific heating curves.
Innovation Solution
A machine using magnetic induction heating, where a ferromagnetic stirrer is heated by an external magnetic field generated by wound conductors, allowing precise and rapid heating with reduced energy consumption and flexibility in processing various products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a thermodynamic system with a closed circuit heat exchanger is used, then thermal processing of the product is enabled, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical thermodynamic system (heat exchanger fluid circulation) with an electromagnetic induction system. The induction element generates a magnetic field that directly heats the ferromagnetic stirrer, eliminating the need for mechanical heat transfer through walls and heat exchanger fluids, thereby significantly reducing energy consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The ferromagnetic stirrer acts as an intermediary that converts electromagnetic energy into thermal energy directly within the product. Instead of heating the product indirectly through container walls, the stirrer is heated by induction and then transfers heat directly to the product through contact and mixing, improving energy efficiency.
2Temperature
If a thermodynamic system with fixed heating parameters is used, then thermal processing is achieved, but flexibility for different products and heating curves is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic control capabilities where the induction element's power, frequency, and duty cycle can be adjusted in real-time based on product requirements. The system can adapt heating parameters dynamically during the process, enabling flexible heating curves for different products while maintaining precise temperature control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows changing key parameters such as induction power, frequency, and heating duration to accommodate different product types and thermal processing requirements. This parameter adjustability provides versatility for processing various liquid and semi-liquid food products with different viscosity, thermal conductivity, and desired heating profiles.
3Temperature
If conventional heating methods are used, then thermal processing is achieved, but heating speed and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional thermal conduction heating with electromagnetic induction heating. The magnetic field directly induces eddy currents in the ferromagnetic stirrer, generating heat rapidly and efficiently. This eliminates the thermal lag associated with heating through container walls and heat exchanger fluids, achieving faster heating speeds with better energy efficiency.
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 machine achieves efficient and flexible thermal processing with reduced energy consumption, ensuring high-quality products by precise temperature control and rapid heating, while minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
an induction element (6) configured for generating a magnetic field (M) when an electric current flows in the conductors (7)
Implementation Method 2
heating the ferromagnetic portion (4A) of the stirrer (4) by magnetic induction
Implementation Method 3
heating the liquid or semi-liquid food product by means of the stirrer (4)
Implementation Method 4
set in rotation by a stirrer (4)... rotating about a mixing axis (A) to mix the product
Data Source
AI summary
A machine for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products, comprising: a container for processing liquid or semi-liquid food products and provided with walls and an outlet; a stirrer, made at least partly from ferromagnetic material and disposed inside the processing container, the stirrer rotating about a mixing axis to mix the product to be dispensed;an actuator connected to the stirrer to set the stirrer in rotation about the mixing axis, the machine being characterized in that it comprises an induction element comprising one or more wound conductors for generating a magnetic field when an electric current flows through them, the induction element being disposed outside the processing container so that the magnetic field generated passes through at least part of the walls of the processing container to reach the stirrer and causes heating by magnetic induction.