Moving Screen Extractor for Continuous Vegetable Protein Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for producing vegetable protein concentrates face challenges with frequent manual cleaning requirements, leading to productivity losses and safety concerns due to clogging of fixed screens in extractors, which limits the continuous operation of production facilities.
Innovation Solution
A continuous process using a moving screen extractor equipped with a cleaning system that contacts the moving screen with a cleaning solvent during its return journey, ensuring both sides are cleaned and maintaining solvent percolation capacity without mixing with the miscella, allowing extended continuous operation without manual cleaning for at least two months.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a fixed screen extractor is used for continuous extraction, then the extraction process can be maintained, but the screen becomes clogged with protein and carbohydrate residues requiring frequent manual cleaning interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the fixed screen into a moving screen that continuously travels through the extractor. The screen moves in a loop, allowing spent material to be discharged and fresh material to be fed continuously. This dynamic configuration prevents clogging by constantly renewing the screening surface and maintaining solvent percolation capacity throughout extended operation periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates a cleaning system that acts on the moving screen during its return journey through the extractor. The cleaning solvent is applied to the screen surface before it re-enters the extraction zone, preventing residue accumulation that would otherwise block solvent percolation. This preliminary cleaning action ensures the screen is always ready for effective extraction.
2Reliability
If manual cleaning operations are performed frequently to maintain screen functionality, then screen plugging is removed, but productivity is reduced due to production interruptions
Solution Approach 1:
The moving screen system is self-cleaning through continuous movement and automated solvent application. The screen cleans itself by passing through the cleaning zone where solvent removes residues, eliminating the need for manual intervention. This self-maintaining system ensures continuous operation without productivity losses from cleaning interruptions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuous operation by eliminating manual cleaning interruptions. The moving screen travels continuously through extraction and cleaning zones in an unbroken loop, maintaining constant solvent percolation and extraction action. This continuous useful action maximizes productivity while keeping the screen functional through automated cleaning.
3Reliability
If cleaning solvent is applied to the moving screen during its return journey, then screen plugging is prevented, but the cleaning solvent may mix with the miscella reducing extraction efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The extractor is divided into distinct functional zones: extraction zones where solvent contacts material, and a cleaning zone where the screen is cleaned during its return journey. This spatial segmentation ensures that cleaning solvent is applied only to the screen surface in the cleaning zone, away from the miscella flow paths in extraction zones, preventing contamination while maintaining screen functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The moving screen acts as an intermediary carrier that separates the cleaning function from the extraction function. The screen receives cleaning solvent in the cleaning zone, dries or drains the solvent, then carries the cleaned surface into the extraction zone where it contacts fresh material and solvent. This intermediary role prevents mixing between cleaning solvent and extraction miscella.
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 process effectively prevents screen plugging and maintains nominal solvent percolation capacity for an extended period, reducing the need for frequent manual cleaning and enhancing operational safety and productivity by using the same composition of cleaning solvent as the extraction solvent, which is recycled and does not mix with the miscella.
Implementation Method 1
a moving screen extractor equipped with a cleaning system that contacts the moving screen with a cleaning solvent during its return journey
Implementation Method 2
removing at least a fraction of the soluble carbohydrates of said defatted vegetable material by solvent extraction, the solvent being aqueous alcohol
Implementation Method 3
using the same composition of cleaning solvent as the extraction solvent, which is recycled and does not mix with the miscella
Data Source
AI summary
This invention relates to a process for the continuous production of vegetal protein concentrates by removing the soluble carbohydrates by an aqueous alcohol from a defatted vegetable material said process requiring no frequent production interruptions for cleaning operations. The innovative process includes the steps of removing at least a fraction of the soluble carbohydrates by solvent extraction, the solvent being aqueous alcohol, to obtain a solvent wet protein rich vegetable material and a miscella; removing the aqueous alcohol form the solvent wet protein rich vegetable material to obtain a vegetable protein concentrate; wherein the solvent extraction takes place in a moving screen solvent extractor equipped with a cleaning means of the moving screen on its return journey and for which no plugging takes place for extended period of time.