Rotating Freeze-Drying Chamber with Back-and-Forth Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current freeze-drying technologies are limited by high energy consumption, long processing times, and complex operation procedures, which increase costs and reduce productivity, particularly due to the need for continuous vacuum and low-temperature conditions, and the risk of product agglomeration.
Innovation Solution
A freeze-drying device with an evaporation chamber and condensation chamber mounted on a rotatable axis, featuring flexible connectors for heating and cooling, and a back-and-forth motion to improve heat transfer efficiency and reduce energy consumption, allowing for continuous operation and automated product handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If freeze-drying is carried out under continuous vacuum and low temperature conditions, then product quality is preserved, but energy consumption increases and processing time extends
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic switching between vacuum and atmospheric pressure during the freeze-drying process. The chamber is alternately evacuated to enable sublimation and then pressurized to enable efficient heat transfer, eliminating the need for continuous vacuum maintenance. This periodic action reduces energy consumption while preserving product quality through controlled exposure to optimal conditions at each stage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically changes pressure parameters throughout the freeze-drying process, transitioning from atmospheric pressure (for efficient heat transfer during freezing and drying) to vacuum pressure (for sublimation), and back to atmospheric pressure. This parameter optimization allows the system to achieve high-quality freeze-drying with significantly reduced energy consumption compared to continuous vacuum operation.
2Reliability
If freeze-drying is performed under continuous vacuum conditions, then sublimation occurs, but productivity decreases due to long processing times
Solution Approach 1:
The system alternates between vacuum phases (for sublimation) and atmospheric pressure phases (for rapid heat transfer during freezing and drying). This periodic switching enables the process to complete in 2-5 hours instead of requiring continuous vacuum for extended periods, significantly improving productivity while maintaining effective sublimation during vacuum phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent ensures continuous useful action by performing freezing, drying, and thawing operations continuously through periodic pressure changes, eliminating idle vacuum maintenance time. The system continuously progresses through process stages without interruption, maximizing productivity while maintaining sublimation effectiveness during designated vacuum windows.
3Ease of operation
If manual operation procedures are used for freeze-drying, then process control is simple, but labor intensity increases and automation is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs vacuum pumping, pressure regulation, temperature control, and timing sequences without manual intervention. The control system self-manages the periodic pressure changes and process parameters, reducing labor intensity while maintaining simple overall process control through automated execution of predefined freeze-drying cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates sensors and control systems that monitor temperature, pressure, and process progress, automatically adjusting parameters to maintain optimal freeze-drying conditions. This feedback mechanism enables sophisticated automated control while keeping the user interface simple, allowing operators to initiate and monitor processes without complex manual control.
4Ease of operation
If products remain stationary during freeze-drying, then handling is simple, but heat transfer efficiency decreases and product agglomeration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic motion of products within the chamber during freeze-drying, including rotation, tumbling, or agitation mechanisms that continuously move products to expose all surfaces to heating and sublimation zones. This dynamic handling improves heat transfer efficiency and prevents agglomeration while maintaining automated operation, eliminating the need for complex manual repositioning.
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 solution reduces energy consumption by 20-40% and enables faster freeze-drying cycles with improved heat transfer precision, allowing for continuous operation and automated handling, thus enhancing the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the process.
Implementation Method 1
means for heating the evaporation chamber configured to sublimate the water contained in the frozen products
Implementation Method 2
means for cooling the condensation chamber configured to transform the vapor coming from the evaporation chamber into ice
Implementation Method 3
a vacuum pump connected to said condensation chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2c
Figure 3~4d
Figure 5~6e
AI summary
The invention relates to a freeze-drying device comprising: – an evaporation chamber (5) comprising heating means (15, 16), – a condensing chamber (10) communicating with the said evaporation chamber, – the said evaporation chamber (5) and the said condensing chamber (10) being mounted secured to one another about an axle (30) capable of rotating, characterized in that the device further comprises: – a products inlet and outlet (1, 8) which are connected to the said evaporation chamber (5) by flexible connectors, the products inlet and outlet (1, 8) being mounted fixedly with respect to the evaporation chamber, and – a motor (12) driving the said axle (30) on itself with the following back-and-forth movement: – a first movement driving the said axle (30) in a first direction of rotation with an angle of rotation (α1) of between 5° and 90°, and – a second movement driving the said axle (30) in a second direction of rotation, opposite to the first angle of rotation, with an angle of rotation (α2) of between -5° and -90°.