Power-Variable Ultrasonic Freezing of Salt-Water Fish Fillets

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing freezing methods for fish fillets result in large ice crystals that cause physical damage to cell walls, leading to nutritional and flavor losses due to non-uniform ice crystal growth and increased freezing time.

Innovation Solution

A method utilizing power-variable ultrasonic waves in conjunction with a salt-water immersion process to freeze fish fillets, where the frequency is maintained at 20 kHz and power is varied between 800 to 600 W, then adjusted to 200 to 600 W, to promote uniform ice crystal formation and reduce freezing denaturation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If conventional freezing methods are used, then freezing time is reduced, but ice crystal size increases and causes physical damage to cell walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefreezing timeVSAvoidice crystal size uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamic adjustment of ultrasonic power during the freezing process. The ultrasonic power is varied in multiple stages: initially set at a first power level to promote nucleation, then adjusted to a second power level to control crystal growth, and finally adjusted to a third power level to break down large crystals. This dynamic power adjustment resolves the contradiction by enabling both rapid freezing and uniform ice crystal formation throughout the process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs periodic ultrasonic treatment with distinct phases. The ultrasonic waves are applied in periodic cycles with different power levels at different stages of freezing. This periodic action allows the system to promote nucleation during certain phases while controlling crystal growth during other phases, achieving both short freezing time and uniform ice crystal size.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If high-power ultrasonic waves are used continuously, then ice crystal nucleation is promoted, but energy consumption increases and tissue damage may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenucleation promotionVSAvoidultrasonic energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts ultrasonic power levels based on the freezing stage. Instead of continuous high-power application, the system uses a first lower power level for initial nucleation promotion, then adjusts to different power levels at subsequent stages. This dynamic approach maintains reliable nucleation promotion while significantly reducing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-power treatment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies ultrasonic waves at different power levels appropriate to each freezing stage rather than using excessive high power throughout. The first power level is sufficient for nucleation promotion, and subsequent adjustments prevent excessive energy input that would cause tissue damage. This partial action principle optimizes energy efficiency while maintaining treatment effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

This approach shortens freezing time by 20%, reduces fish juice loss by 30% compared to constant-power ultrasonic treatment, and decreases salt-soluble protein loss by 20% compared to untreated samples, maintaining the texture and nutritional value of the fish.

Implementation Method 1

Physical effects (cavitation effect) of ultrasonic waves can reduce the degree of supercooling needed by ice crystal nucleation to promote the formation of crystal nuclei

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCavitation effect: Cavitation

Implementation Method 2

The ultrasonic waves can break larger ice crystals as well. The bubbles produced by the higher-intensity ultrasonic waves can also act as crystal nuclei effectively

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Implementation Method 3

the phenomenon of strong agitation and micro gasification produced by the ultrasonic cavitation effect can increase the mass and heat transfer coefficient of frozen food, thus achieving the purpose of rapid freezing

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic cavitation: Cavitation

Data Source

PatentUS9497976B2Method for improving, by using power-variable ultrasonic waves, frozen fish fillets treated by means of salt-water immersion process
Publication Date: 2016.11.22 SOUTH CHINA UNIV OF TECH

AI summary

A method for improving frozen fish fillets treated by way of a salt-water immersion process includes the following steps: pretreating raw fish to obtain fish fillets; precooling the fish fillets; stacking the precooled fish fillets to obtain a fish fillet stack; freezing the fish fillet stack by using a salt-water immersion process, and performing power-variable ultrasonic wave treatment; and feeding the fish fillets into a cold storage, and performing freezing storage at minus 18 degrees centigrade. The power-variable ultrasonic wave treatment includes: firstly treating for 5 to 10 min under the power of 800 to 600 W, and then changing the power to 200 to 600 W for treating for 5 to 15 min. The freezing time of fish flesh is shortened, and formed ice crystals are fine and uniform, thereby preventing the damage of the formed ice crystals to cell walls.