D-Psicose Crystal Preparation with Seeded Cooling and Ethanol Ratio
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for crystallizing D-psicose result in low yield, unfavorable particle size growth, and issues with ethanol taste/smell, making mass production challenging.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a concentrated D-psicose solution mixed with ethanol in a specific ratio, followed by seed addition and controlled cooling to achieve high-purity D-psicose crystals with improved flowability and marketability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a large amount of ethanol is used in the crystallization process, then crystal nucleation occurs, but crystal growth does not occur due to blocking phenomenon by amorphous lumps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the concentration parameter of ethanol from 'large amount' to 'specific ratio' (5-20 wt% of the solution). This parameter optimization prevents the blocking phenomenon by amorphous lumps while maintaining reliable crystal nucleation and enabling proper crystal growth, thus resolving the contradiction between nucleation reliability and productivity.
2Productivity
If high concentration of ethanol remains in the final product, then crystal formation is achieved, but bad taste and smell occur reducing marketability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the ethanol concentration parameter to a specific range (5-20 wt% of the solution) during crystallization. This controlled parameter change enables effective crystal formation while limiting residual ethanol to levels that do not cause bad taste or smell, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and product quality.
3Length of moving object
If cooling crystallization method is applied to achieve crystal growth, then crystal size increases, but production cost increases due to lengthy process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter optimization to achieve a balanced cooling rate that promotes sufficient crystal growth while minimizing process time. This optimized temperature parameter enables the system to achieve both increased crystal size and reduced processing time, resolving the contradiction between crystal size and time loss.
4Manufacturing precision
If D-psicose solution is concentrated to high purity, then crystal purity reaches 98% or higher, but yield decreases due to premature crystallization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces ethanol as an intermediary substance that modifies the crystallization behavior of D-psicose. The ethanol mediates the crystallization process by preventing premature crystallization during concentration while allowing high-purity crystals to form at the optimized concentration range, thus resolving the contradiction between manufacturing precision and productivity.
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 method increases the yield and size of D-psicose crystals to 98% purity with minimal ethanol content, ensuring smooth surface, glossy appearance, and enhanced fluidity, suitable for mass production without bad taste or smell.
Implementation Method 1
crystallization phenomena such as crystal nucleation do not occur in the metastable zone, but when a new crystal is added from the outside, crystal growth occurs
Implementation Method 2
when a seed is added to a solution at or above its saturated concentration, the seed grows in the metastable zone, resulting in crystal growth
Implementation Method 3
cooling crystallization methods are generally applied, and the development of a highly economical technology is required for industrialization
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a preparation method for a D-psicose crystal containing 98% (w/w) or more D-psicose and 0.05% (w/w) or less ethanol based on 100% (w/w) of the entire crystal. The preparation method includes a first step of mixing a D-psicose-containing solution and an organic solvent, and a second step of adding a seed to the mixed solution according to the first step and then cooling the same to obtain a massecuite containing the D-psicose crystal. Therefore, it is possible to increase the yield of the D-psicose crystal from the D-psicose crystal solution and prepare a D-psicose crystal of sufficient size and appropriate shape for use in mass production with no bad taste/smell.