Air Drying Plant With Segmented Conveyor For Uniform Food Dehydration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food drying methods using treated airflow often result in uneven dehydration, with the outer layer of thicker food pieces drying more than the inner layer, and previous technologies do not effectively address this issue or provide uniform drying across all segments of a conveyor.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor system with alternating air treatment and idle segments, where treated airflow is directed against the conveying surface in an upward or downward direction on air treatment segments, and the surrounding air on idle segments allows moisture redistribution, ensuring uniform drying by alternating between treated and untreated airflow exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If continuous treated airflow is applied on the entire conveyor, then dehydration speed is improved, but moisture distribution uniformity deteriorates with outer layer over-dehydration
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is divided into multiple segments, with only certain segments equipped with blowing conduits for treated airflow application. This segmentation allows the food to receive intermittent airflow treatment rather than continuous exposure, enabling the outer layer to dry during airflow segments while moisture redistributes during non-airflow segments, preventing over-dehydration and achieving uniform moisture distribution throughout the food product.
Solution Approach 2:
The treated airflow is applied periodically rather than continuously, with alternating segments receiving airflow treatment and others allowing natural moisture redistribution. This periodic action creates cycles of dehydration followed by moisture equalization, ensuring that the outer layer does not become excessively dry before the inner layers have time to catch up, thereby achieving uniform moisture distribution while maintaining efficient dehydration rates.
2Productivity
If treated airflow is applied on all conveyor segments, then drying efficiency is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blowing conduits are installed only on specific segments of the conveyor rather than continuously along the entire length. This segmentation reduces the total volume of treated air required and decreases the energy needed for air heating and circulation, while still achieving effective dehydration through intermittent exposure. The non-equipped segments allow natural moisture redistribution without requiring additional energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of applying treated airflow on all conveyor segments (excessive action), the invention applies airflow only on selected segments (partial action). This partial application is sufficient to achieve the desired dehydration effect when combined with the moisture redistribution that occurs during non-airflow segments, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining drying efficiency.
3Productivity
If treated airflow is applied on all conveyor segments, then dehydration is accelerated, but moisture distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is divided into segments with alternating airflow treatment and non-airflow zones. This segmentation creates a rhythm of accelerated dehydration during airflow segments followed by moisture redistribution during non-airflow segments, ensuring that the high dehydration rate does not lead to uneven moisture distribution but rather promotes uniformity through cyclic treatment and relaxation phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The treated airflow is applied in periodic cycles rather than continuously, with food passing through alternating zones of airflow treatment and natural convection. This periodic action allows the food to experience bursts of accelerated dehydration followed by periods of moisture equalization, achieving both high dehydration rates and uniform moisture distribution throughout the product.
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 ensures uniform dehydration of cut-up food by directing treated airflow only on specific segments and allowing moisture redistribution during idle segments, achieving the desired moisture level and preventing over-drying of the inner layers, thus improving efficiency and energy consumption in the drying process.
Implementation Method 1
causing accelerated dehydration of the cut-up food for curing or drying
Implementation Method 2
exposes it to a treated airflow having specific and advantageously controlled temperature and/or humidity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an air-drying plant for air drying cut-up food. The proposed plant consists of a conveyor (10) for cut-up food (1) defining a conveying surface (11), a plurality of blowing conduits (20) with blowing openings (21) channeling a treated airflow at a speed of treatment with a controlled temperature comprised between 4° C. and 60° C. and a controlled humidity; wherein the conveyor includes air treatment segments (12) with conveying surfaces (11) facing and adjacent to said blowing openings (21), said treated airflow being channeled against said conveying surface (11) in an upward or downward direction; and wherein the conveyor (10) also includes idle segments (13) intercalated between said air treatment segments (12), the conveying surface (11) of which is not facing the blowing openings (21), nor is it subjected to an airflow.