Oil Blend Oxidation Stability via Molecular Distillation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blends of oils and fats lack sufficient oxidation stability, which affects their storage and usage in food and pharmaceutical applications, particularly in infant formulas where stability is crucial.
Innovation Solution
Blends are created by molecularly distilling at least one oil and one fat, with specific temperature and vacuum conditions, to enhance their oxidation stability, and these blends can include additional oils, fats, proteins, carbohydrates, minerals, and vitamins.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional blending methods are used, then the process is simple and cost-effective, but the oxidation stability of the blends is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by subjecting oils and fats to molecular distillation before blending them. This pre-treatment removes oxidation-prone components and concentrates stable fractions, ensuring that the resulting blends have superior oxidation stability from the outset rather than requiring complex post-blending stabilization processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by controlling the molecular distillation process under specific vacuum conditions and temperature ranges. By optimizing these parameters, the process selectively separates components based on their volatility and oxidation stability, producing blends with enhanced reliability without requiring excessively complex equipment.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If molecular distillation is applied to oils and fats, then oxidation stability is significantly improved, but the process requires complex equipment and higher costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent exploits phase transitions during molecular distillation, where oils and fats transition from liquid to vapor phase under vacuum conditions. This phase change enables selective separation of oxidation-prone components from stable components, achieving extended storage stability through a well-understood physical process rather than requiring complex chemical treatment systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates an inert environment by conducting molecular distillation under vacuum conditions. This inert atmosphere prevents oxidation during the processing itself and produces a concentrate of oxidation-stable components that maintain their stability during storage, extending the duration of action without requiring complex protective packaging or additives.
3Reliability
If molecular distillation is used to purify oils, then toxins are reduced and purity is enhanced, but the process time and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes energy consumption by carefully controlling temperature and vacuum parameters during molecular distillation. By maintaining temperatures just sufficient to achieve vaporization of target components and using progressive vacuum levels, the process achieves high purity removal of toxins and oxidation-prone substances while minimizing unnecessary energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies extraction by selectively removing oxidation-prone components and toxins from oils and fats through molecular distillation. This targeted extraction approach focuses energy consumption on separating only the harmful fractions rather than processing the entire composition, achieving high purity with reduced energy requirements compared to complete reprocessing.
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 molecular distillation process significantly increases the oxidation stability of the blends, as measured by peroxide value, maintaining stability for extended storage periods and reducing oxidation susceptibility, making them suitable for use in infant formulas and other food products.
Implementation Method 1
Molecular distillation, also known as high vacuum distillation or short path distillation, is a process of separation, purification and concentration of sensitive molecules from various compositions. The process is generally characterized by short term exposure of the composition to high temperatures, by high vacuum in the distillation column and a small distance between the evaporator and the condenser.
Implementation Method 2
The process is generally characterized by short term exposure of the composition to high temperatures, by high vacuum in the distillation column and a small distance between the evaporator and the condenser.
Implementation Method 3
The process is generally characterized by short term exposure of the composition to high temperatures, by high vacuum in the distillation column and a small distance between the evaporator and the condenser.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are processes for the preparation blends of at least one oil and at least one fat and the use of such blends as ingredients of various infant formulas and other articles manufacture.