Pearl Sugar Dissolution Control via Pore Parameter Optimization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The high dissolution time of existing pearl sugar is not optimal for certain applications, requiring a solution that balances sweetness, functionality, and aesthetic qualities.
Innovation Solution
Pearl sugar with a dissolution time between 3 minutes and 8 minutes at 20°C, achieved through specific size and density specifications, and a process involving raw material preparation, pressing, drying, maturation, and breaking steps, to produce sugar agglomerates with controlled pore radius and volume.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If pearl sugar is made with traditional manufacturing methods, then it maintains structural integrity and aesthetic appearance, but dissolution time becomes too long (not optimal for certain applications)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by controlling the pore radius (10-70 μm) and pore volume (120-155 mm³/g) of the pearl sugar agglomerates, as well as adjusting the biggest dimension (5.6-8.0 mm) and bulk density (600-700 kg/m³). These parameter optimizations enable the pearl sugar to dissolve within 3-8 minutes while maintaining its structural integrity and aesthetic appearance, thus resolving the contradiction between dissolution time and application versatility.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If pearl sugar particles are made smaller to reduce dissolution time, then dissolution speed improves, but weight and structural stability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the size parameter by setting the biggest dimension between 5.6 and 8.0 mm, and controls the bulk density between 600 and 700 kg/m³. This parameter optimization allows the pearl sugar to achieve acceptable dissolution time (3-8 minutes) while maintaining adequate weight (0.05-1.0 gram per particle) and structural stability for practical applications.
3Ease of operation
If pearl sugar has higher density for better handling, then handling ease improves, but dissolution time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent identifies bulk density as a critical parameter and optimizes it to fall between 600 and 700 kg/m³. This optimized density range provides a favorable balance: the pearl sugar particles are dense enough for easy handling and storage, yet maintain sufficient porosity (pore radius 10-70 μm, pore volume 120-155 mm³/g) to ensure dissolution within the target time frame of 3-8 minutes.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is pearl sugar, having a biggest dimension between 5.6 and 8.0 mm, and a dissolution time at 20° C. lying between 3 minutes and 8 minutes, or a biggest dimension of smaller than 5.6, and a dissolution time at 20° C. lying between 1 minute and 3 minutes and 30 seconds. The invention further relates to a process for the preparation of pearl sugar, using a sugar-containing raw material which is brought to a moisture content lying between 0.5 and 4.0 wt. %, an average size of between 0.40 and 1.20 mm, and whereby at most 2 wt. % of particles have a size of at most 0.20 mm.