Rounded Electrode Corners for Uniform RF Food Pasteurization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food pasteurization devices can experience localized high field strengths, leading to burning or charring of foodstuff masses during the heating process.
Innovation Solution
The electrodes within the heating tube have rounded corners to limit the electric field strength, and the electrodes are positioned with a significant axial interspace to ensure uniform heating, preventing hot spots and allowing for efficient energy transfer across the tube length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If electrodes with sharp corners are used in the heating tube, then the electric field strength is high and heating efficiency is improved, but localized high field strengths cause burning or charring of the foodstuff mass
Solution Approach 1:
The electrodes are designed with rounded corners instead of sharp edges. This curvature distributes the electric field more evenly across the electrode surface, preventing concentration of field lines at sharp points. The rounded geometry maintains effective heating while eliminating the harmful localized high field strengths that cause burning or charring of the foodstuff mass.
2Productivity
If electrodes are positioned close together to maximize heating zone, then heating efficiency increases, but field strength becomes too high causing hot spots
Solution Approach 1:
The electrode design incorporates rounded corners specifically at the regions where electric field concentration occurs. This localized geometric modification addresses the hot spot problem at critical points while maintaining the overall electrode configuration and spacing needed for efficient heating. The rounded corners create a more uniform field distribution in the critical zones without reducing the effective heating zone.
3Productivity
If RF energy is increased to achieve high output, then productivity increases, but the risk of burning or charring the mass increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rounded corner design of the electrodes enables the system to operate at higher RF power levels without causing burning or charring. The curved geometry distributes the high energy input more uniformly across the foodstuff mass, allowing increased productivity through higher output while maintaining safe temperature distribution that prevents thermal damage.
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 configuration ensures uniform heating of the foodstuff, preventing burning or charring and achieving a high flow rate and output, while maintaining energy efficiency and preventing undesirable drying or oxidation during the pasteurization process.
Implementation Method 1
a system of mutually co-acting electrodes which are added to the tube and which are connected to an RF power generator which generates energy at a frequency in the range of about 10-50 MHZ to the electrodes such that the mass present in the first tube can be heated during its first residence time in this first tube
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a device for pasteurizing or sterilizing a mass of foodstuff, which device comprises: a feed for supplying the mass; heating means for heating the mass, comprising: a tube of an electrically and magnetically inert material connecting to the feed; a system of mutually co-acting electrodes which are added to the tube and which are connected to an RF power generator which generates energy at a frequency in the range of about 10-50 MHZ to the electrodes such that the mass present in the first tube can be heated during its first residence time in this first tube; and a discharge for discharging the mass, wherein the electrodes have rounded corners on their end zones facing toward the inner surface of the tube for the purpose of locally limiting the strength of the electric field generated by the electrodes.