Sieve Drum Insect Cleaning System with Closed Water Cycle
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for processing insect larvae are inefficient in separating insects from water, often resulting in high water consumption, inadequate removal of breeding process remains, and stress on the insects due to inadequate handling.
Innovation Solution
A larval saving device featuring a sieve drum with a wedge wire sieve and a transport screw, combined with a closed water cycle and spray bars for gentle washing and water management, decouples breeding from processing, allowing independent operation and increased system flexibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional sieving systems are used to separate insects from water, then separation is achieved, but sieving efficiency is insufficient and live larvae can crawl through the sieve openings
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the sieve system by using a rotating drum configuration with controlled rotation speed, and by selecting specific mesh sizes (1.0-2.5 mm) that prevent larvae from crawling through while maintaining separation efficiency. The rotation speed is controlled to prevent larvae from escaping during the separation process.
2Manufacturing precision
If washing is performed to remove breeding process residues, then cleaning is achieved, but water consumption is high
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a water recovery system where wash water is collected, filtered, and reused in subsequent washing cycles. This closed-loop approach significantly reduces fresh water consumption while maintaining effective removal of breeding process residues from the larvae.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotating sieve drum operates continuously with water being sprayed onto the larvae throughout the separation process, ensuring constant cleaning action. The continuous rotation allows for sustained washing efficiency without requiring large batches of water, as water is applied and recovered in an ongoing cycle.
3Productivity
If insects are handled during processing, then separation and cleaning are achieved, but stress on insects increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or aggressive mechanical handling with a gentle rotating drum system that uses controlled rotation and water flow to achieve separation and cleaning. The insects are contained within the rotating drum and separated through the sieve openings under controlled conditions, minimizing physical stress and trauma to the live larvae.
4Ease of operation
If breeding and processing are integrated, then operational simplicity is maintained, but system flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the insect production system into separate functional modules: a breeding unit and a processing unit with the sieve drum separator. This segmentation allows each unit to operate independently at optimized parameters, enabling flexible adjustment of breeding and processing rates, and allowing the processing facility to handle insects from multiple breeding sources.
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 achieves efficient separation of insects from water with reduced water consumption, gentle handling to minimize stress, and improved removal of breeding process remains, enabling flexible and sustainable insect processing.
Implementation Method 1
a sieve drum (310) with a shell surface (320) having meshes (321)
Implementation Method 2
with a transport screw (300) within the sieve drum for transporting the insects or worms from an inlet end (311) of the sieve drum to an outlet end (312) of the sieve drum
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 2a
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cleaning plant for cleaning live insects, in particular live insect larvae, or live worms, comprising a collection device for receiving and mixing the insects or worms with water to form a mixture, a first conveying device for conveying the mixture from the collection device, and a first larval separation device for separating the insects or worms from the water in the mixture conveyed by the first conveying device. The separated water is available for further use in the cleaning plant; in particular, it is at least partially recirculated in an insect facility, especially in the cleaning plant.