Nozzle Design for Fine Fat Particle Production
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing fine particles from liquids that solidify upon cooling, such as liquid fat, often result in larger droplets and a broader size distribution, with potential solidification issues in supply lines due to cooling gases.
Innovation Solution
A device and process utilizing a nozzle with a propellant gas supply line arranged to generate negative pressure, combined with a cooling gas that is introduced into the nozzle and mixed with the liquid, effectively solidifying the liquid into fine particles without solidification in the supply lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If cooling gas is used to solidify liquid fat in the supply line, then solidification of the liquid in the supply line occurs, but this blocks the supply line and prevents continuous operation
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the cooling process by using separate cooling zones: the supply line remains warm while cooling occurs only in the nozzle and spray chamber. This is achieved by introducing cooling gas at the nozzle inlet and using the expansion cooling effect, thereby preventing solidification in the supply line while enabling solidification for particle formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The liquid fat is preheated in the supply line before reaching the nozzle to ensure it remains in liquid state during transport. The cooling gas is introduced at the nozzle inlet, creating a temperature gradient that prevents premature solidification while enabling controlled solidification during atomization.
2Productivity
If conventional spraying methods are used, then liquid fat is sprayed, but larger droplets and broader size distribution are produced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses pneumatic atomization by introducing cooling gas at the nozzle inlet, which expands and creates a jet that breaks up the liquid fat into fine droplets. The gas-liquid interaction in the expanding flow field produces uniform fine particles with narrow size distribution, avoiding the larger droplets associated with conventional mechanical spraying methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the thermodynamic parameters by introducing cooling gas that undergoes expansion, creating a rapid temperature and pressure drop. This parameter change enables controlled solidification during atomization, producing fine particles with consistent size rather than the broader distribution from conventional methods.
3Manufacturing precision
If propellant gas at low temperature is introduced into the nozzle, then fine particles are formed, but the liquid may solidify in the supply line
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by creating different temperature zones: the supply line maintains higher temperature to prevent solidification, while the nozzle inlet introduces cold propellant gas that expands and cools the liquid locally during atomization. This spatial temperature differentiation enables fine particle formation without supply line blockage.
Solution Approach 2:
The cooling gas acts as an intermediary that transfers cooling effect only where needed. By introducing the cold gas at the nozzle inlet rather than in the supply line, the cooling effect is mediated through the expansion process, allowing fine particle formation while protecting the supply line from solidification.
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 achieves the production of fine particles with a narrow size distribution and prevents solidification of the liquid in the supply lines, ensuring efficient and consistent particle formation.
Implementation Method 1
The propellant gas supply line is arranged to open into the inlet opening of the nozzle in an area in which negative pressure is generated upon application of propellant gas onto the propellant gas supply line
Implementation Method 2
By means of a cooling gas which is introduced into a nozzle as a propellant gas... the liquid is solidified, forming fine particles. Therein, the propellant gas has a temperature below the solidification temperature of the liquid or of the fat
Data Source
AI summary
A device and to a process which can be carried out using the device, for the production of fine particles from a liquid which solidifies upon cooling, in particular from liquid fat. The process has the advantage of producing fine particles of very small size, preferably with narrow size distribution. The device has the advantage that a solidifying liquid can be supplied at a temperature above its solidification temperature, without cooling gas leading to solidification of the liquid in the supply line, which cooling gas is used in the production of the particles.