Cooling Device for Maltol Sublimation with Jacketed Condensation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sublimation processes for maltol result in low production efficiency, high separation costs, environmental pollution, and resource wastage due to water absorption and centrifugal dehydration, with potential pipe blockages and odor generation.

Innovation Solution

A cooling device with a reaction kettle featuring an enameled inner wall, jackets for temperature control, throttle plates with through holes, and a scraper mechanism for direct condensation and solidification of sublimated maltol, utilizing vacuum and controlled temperature to avoid water usage and centrifugal dehydration.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If water absorption and centrifugal dehydration are used in the sublimation process, then the material can be purified and separated, but production efficiency decreases and separation costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepurification qualityVSAvoidproduction efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the water absorption and centrifugal dehydration steps from the traditional sublimation process. By using direct condensation on cooled surfaces followed by scraping, the patent removes the need for subsequent separation operations, thereby maintaining purification quality while dramatically improving production efficiency and reducing separation costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements continuous operation by maintaining constant cooling of the condensation surfaces and continuously scraping off condensed material. This continuous condensation and removal process eliminates the batch-wise nature of traditional water absorption and centrifugal dehydration, sustaining high productivity while ensuring consistent purification quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

2Quantity of substance

If water absorption is used to cool and dissolve sublimated material, then the material can be captured, but a large amount of water is consumed and sewage pollution is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial captureVSAvoidsewage pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the physical state and temperature parameters of the condensation surfaces to directly solidify the sublimated material without using water as a solvent. By maintaining surface temperatures below the sublimation point of the material, the patent achieves effective material capture while eliminating water consumption and associated sewage pollution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the potentially harmful effect of direct condensation (material adhering to surfaces) into a beneficial feature by designing easily cleanable surfaces and using scraping mechanisms. This approach transforms what could be a contamination risk into an efficient material recovery method that avoids water usage and sewage generation entirely.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If centrifugal dehydration is used to separate material from water, then the material can be recovered, but manpower and material resources are wasted and odor pollution is generated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveseparation efficiencyVSAvoidresource wastage
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and eliminates the centrifugal dehydration step from the process by implementing direct condensation and scraping. This removes the need for energy-intensive centrifugal separation, reducing both resource consumption and odor pollution while maintaining effective material recovery through the simplified condensation-scraping mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Object-generated harmful factors

If the reaction kettle wall is smooth, then material adheres less, but condensation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvematerial adhesionVSAvoidcondensation efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies different surface qualities to different parts of the condensation system. The inner surfaces of the condensation chambers are designed with high surface area and appropriate roughness to maximize condensation efficiency, while the outer surfaces or surfaces in contact with collected material are designed to be smooth or easily removable for efficient material recovery. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adhesion and condensation efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic scraping mechanisms that actively remove condensed material from surfaces in real-time. This dynamic approach prevents material buildup that would reduce condensation efficiency while allowing temporary adhesion during the condensation process, thus resolving the contradiction between needing some adhesion for condensation and needing smooth surfaces for easy removal.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device simplifies the process, enhances production efficiency, reduces impurities, and minimizes environmental impact by eliminating water usage and resource wastage, achieving higher yield and lower costs.

Implementation Method 1

the sublimated gas is directly cooled and solidified on the inner wall of the reaction kettle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Implementation Method 2

cooling water...is introduced into a jacket...cooling the reaction kettle wall

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a vacuum is drawn in the reaction kettle with a vacuum pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Implementation Method 4

the material is sublimated into gaseous state

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSublimation: Sublimation

Data Source

PatentEP4238625B1Cooling device
Publication Date: 2025.07.16 ANHUI JINHE INDUSTRIAL CO LTD
  • EP4238625B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4238625B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention provides a cooling device and a cooling method for a sublimation section. The cooling device comprises a reaction kettle (1) provided with a smooth inner wall, wherein the top of the reaction kettle (1) is provided with a gas phase port (11), the bottom of the reaction kettle (1) is provided with a discharge port (12), the middle of the reaction kettle (1) is provided with a sublimation gas phase inlet (13), and a wall of the reaction kettle (1) is further provided with a jacket (2).