Seaweed Meal Production Low-Temperature Dehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method for producing seaweed meal, particularly using Ascophyllum nodosum, involves high temperatures during desiccation, which can degrade the active components such as antioxidants and vitamins, compromising the organoleptic properties of the seaweed.
Innovation Solution
A method and installation that involves harvesting Ascophyllum nodosum using cutting bars to minimize environmental impact, followed by refrigerated storage, low-pressure water washing, desalination, gentle drying, vacuum dehydration at low temperatures, and controlled air desiccation to preserve the seaweed's properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If high temperature desiccation (500-550°C) is used to remove water from seaweed, then complete water removal is achieved, but the active components (antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins) are degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the temperature parameter from conventional high temperature (500-550°C) to low temperature (below 60°C) during dehydration, fundamentally altering the thermal conditions to preserve active components while still achieving water removal through extended processing time and mechanical agitation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary mechanical dehydration through pressing and centrifugation before thermal treatment, removing a significant portion of water content beforehand. This preliminary action reduces the water burden that would otherwise require high temperature removal, thereby protecting active components from thermal degradation
2Productivity
If intensive mechanical processing is used to reduce seaweed dimensions for efficient drying, then drying efficiency is improved, but the organoleptic properties of seaweed are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the seaweed processing into distinct stages: initial gentle cutting for size reduction, followed by mechanical dehydration, and finally low-temperature drying. This segmentation allows each stage to be optimized independently, maintaining organoleptic properties while achieving efficient water removal
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces intensive mechanical grinding with a combination of gentle cutting and mechanical dehydration methods (pressing, centrifugation). This substitution achieves dimension reduction and water removal with significantly reduced mechanical stress on the seaweed structure, preserving organoleptic properties
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 effectively maintains the organoleptic and nutritional qualities of seaweed by reducing mechanical and thermal stress, allowing for longer preservation and improved regeneration of seaweed ecosystems.
Implementation Method 1
The refrigerating cell comprises a cooling system made preferably without the use of gas. The cooling system ensures a temperature of between 0°C and 6°C inside the refrigerating cell.
Implementation Method 2
An evaporation system inside the refrigerating cell ensures the dehumidifying of the air inside the cell.
Implementation Method 3
A water ring vacuum pump allows the vacuum to be created inside the drum.
Implementation Method 4
The above-mentioned dehydrating step comprises a sub-step of heating the seaweed by passing a warming agent through the gap in the drum. In more detail, the gap in the drum is designed to allow the passage of steam or water, for heating or cooling, respectively, the contents of the drum.
Implementation Method 5
ventilation means, for example nozzles, are associated with the cylinder. Consequently, a flow of low pressure air strikes the inside of the cylinder, and in particular the seaweed located inside.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Described is a method for making seaweed meal, comprising the steps of harvesting the seaweed from a sea floor; chopping the seaweed; cleaning the seaweed; desiccating the seaweed; grinding the seaweed to a meal; drying the seaweed between the cleaning step and the desiccating step, the drying step is accomplished by seaweed agitator means (6).