Solar Milk Concentration via Electrostatic Ion Attraction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for concentrating fluid milk, such as evaporation and dehydration, require significant energy and induce heat-related changes that degrade the quality of milk products, while also being expensive and environmentally impactful.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing the concept of two forms of water (HDW and LDW) to concentrate milk using renewable solar energy, where positively-charged HDW ions in a lower container attract negatively-charged LDW ions from an upper container, allowing for water removal without heat treatment, using a device with two glass Petri dishes exposed to sunlight.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional evaporation or dehydration methods are used to concentrate milk, then water removal is achieved, but significant energy is consumed and heat-related changes degrade milk quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the phase transition of water from liquid to vapor through solar energy absorption, enabling water removal without conventional thermal evaporation. The solar energy drives phase change directly, eliminating the need for high-energy industrial evaporation systems while concentrating milk.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces conventional thermal evaporation systems with a solar energy-based system. Instead of using mechanical/thermal evaporation equipment, the invention employs solar collectors and phase change materials to achieve water removal, significantly reducing energy consumption and avoiding heat-induced milk quality degradation.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional evaporation or dehydration methods are used to concentrate milk, then water removal is achieved, but heat treatment degrades milk quality
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces thermal evaporation with solar energy-driven phase change. By using solar collectors and phase change materials, the system removes water without subjecting milk to high temperatures, thus preventing heat-related quality degradation while achieving concentration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces phase change materials as intermediaries between solar energy and water removal. These materials absorb solar energy and facilitate phase change at lower temperatures, acting as a mediator that enables water removal without direct heat exposure to milk, thereby preserving milk quality.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional evaporation or dehydration methods are used to concentrate milk, then water removal is achieved, but the process is expensive and environmentally impactful
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs solar energy, a free and renewable resource, to drive the concentration process. By using solar collectors and phase change materials, the system eliminates the need for expensive industrial evaporation equipment and reduces operational costs, making the process economically viable and environmentally friendly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes phase change of water driven by solar energy, which is a natural and efficient process. This approach avoids the high energy costs of conventional evaporation and dehydration methods, reducing both operational expenses and environmental impact while achieving effective milk concentration.
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
Achieves milk concentration with preserved quality and reduced energy consumption, offering a cost-effective, environmentally friendly, and simple process that maintains the nutritional integrity of milk without greenhouse gas emissions.
Implementation Method 1
positively-charged HDW ions in a lower container attract negatively-charged LDW ions from an upper container
Implementation Method 2
utilizing renewable solar energy, where positively-charged HDW ions in a lower container attract negatively-charged LDW ions
Data Source
AI summary
A method used for concentration of fluid milk by renewable energy (RE). RE used in the present invention is sole solar energy (SE) at room temperature (25° C.-27° C.). A device of two glass Petri dishes of same size is arranged as upper and lower plates. A volume of 60 ml of pasteurized bovine or camel milk is put in the upper plate and 60 ml of tap water in the lower plate. The device is placed on the bench beside window to be exposed to sunlight, but not to direct sunrays, at room temperature. After about 30 mins water droplets started to appear on the lower face of the upper plate and increased in size with time. With continuous collection of water droplets for 24 hours, 50% of water is removed i.e. giving 50% concentration of milk; after 48 hours the concentration is 16.67%.