Seed Paste Cooling Circulation Through Tank and Heat Exchanger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for producing paste-like food products, such as hummus, face challenges in achieving efficient cooling times and reducing equipment costs, particularly due to high viscosity leading to high pressure drops and the need for additional or larger pumps.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a mixer for mixing and heating, followed by circulation through a tank and tubular heat exchanger with a cooling medium, utilizing a multitube design with controlled flow rates and agitators to ensure even distribution, reducing cooling time from 3-5 hours to 45-60 minutes for a 2000-3000 kg batch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a high shear mixer with jacket is used for batch cooling, then equipment cost is reduced, but cooling time increases to 3-5 hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment costVSAvoidcooling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the mixing function and rapid cooling function into a single integrated mixing vessel equipped with both high-shear mixing elements and a heat exchanger system. This allows the vessel to perform both mixing and rapid cooling operations without requiring separate dedicated equipment, thereby reducing overall equipment cost while achieving rapid cooling times of 45-60 minutes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses dynamic elements including high-shear mixing elements that create intense fluid motion and circulation patterns within the vessel. This dynamic mixing action enhances heat transfer efficiency during cooling by continuously moving the viscous product across the heat exchanger surfaces, enabling rapid cooling without requiring oversized cooling equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If SSHE exchangers are used for continuous production, then cooling efficiency is improved, but equipment investment increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooling efficiencyVSAvoidequipment investment

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mixing vessel is designed with multi-functionality, serving as both a mixing device and a rapid cooling device. The integrated heat exchanger system within the vessel provides cooling capability comparable to dedicated SSHE exchangers, eliminating the need for separate cooling equipment and reducing overall equipment investment while maintaining continuous production capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The heat exchanger system is segmented into multiple heat exchange elements distributed within the mixing vessel. This segmentation allows for efficient heat transfer across multiple surfaces simultaneously, achieving rapid cooling performance similar to SSHE exchangers while using simpler, more cost-effective components that can be integrated into the existing mixing vessel structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If cooling is performed quickly after heat treatment, then bacterial growth is prevented, but pressure drop increases due to high viscosity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebacterial growth preventionVSAvoidpressure drop

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStress or pressure

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces traditional mechanical pumping systems with a self-circulating system driven by high-shear mixing elements. The intense mixing action creates natural circulation currents that move the viscous product through the heat exchanger without requiring external pumps, thereby achieving rapid cooling while minimizing pressure drop and eliminating the need for additional pumping equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 achieves cost-effective and rapid cooling of paste-like products, minimizing bacterial growth risks and equipment costs, while maintaining a steady product flow for efficient production.

Implementation Method 1

circulating the paste-like product over the tank (108) and a heat exchanger through which a cooling media flows

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 2

by introducing e.g. hot water into the jacket the food product can be heated

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Heating

Implementation Method 3

moving the paste-like product horizontally in the tank by using an agitator

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFluid mixing: Stirring

Data Source

PatentEP3935959B1A method and system for processing seeds into a paste-like food product

Publication Date: 2026.04.15 TETRA LAVAL HOLDINGS & FINANCE SA

Figure 1A~1D
Figure 2

AI summary

A method (200) for processing seeds (102) into a paste-like food product (104) is presented. The method comprises mixing (202) the seeds (102) into the paste-like product (104) by using a mixer (106), heating (204) the paste-like product (104) by using the mixer (106), transferring (206) the paste-like product (104) to a tank (108), and circulating (208) the paste-like product (104) over the tank (108) and a heat exchanger (110) through which a cooling media (132) flows, such that the paste-like product (104) is cooled.