Spray Drying Insect Flour for Dehydrated THC Candy

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for efficient, reliable, and scalable systems for producing insects and insect-derived foodstuffs, particularly to meet growing global protein demands and address future food and resource shortages, while ensuring animal welfare and minimizing environmental impact.

Innovation Solution

A system for producing spray dried insects using a spray dryer with a heated gas supply and multiple separation stages to separate insects from gas mixtures, combined with a process for mixing and processing insects into multifunctional flour compositions that can include cannabis enhancers, fiber-starch materials, and other additives.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional insect rearing facilities are used, then insect production can be achieved, but the facilities require large physical space and extensive water resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect production efficiencyVSAvoidphysical space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the insect rearing process into separate functional modules: a gas-tight rearing chamber for insect cultivation, a separate spray drying system for processing, and distinct separation stages. This modular segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently, reducing overall space requirements while maintaining high production efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system utilizes phase transition of water through spray drying technology, converting liquid insect-mixture into dried powder form through rapid evaporation in a controlled gas environment. This phase transition enables compact processing space while achieving high-density insect production and minimal water retention in the final product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Quantity of substance

If conventional insect processing methods are used, then insect protein can be extracted, but extensive water usage and environmental impact occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect protein outputVSAvoidwater consumption and environmental impact

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces conventional mechanical processing and water-intensive cooking methods with a gas-phase spray drying process. The insect mixture is atomized and dried in a controlled gas environment, eliminating the need for extensive water usage in processing while achieving complete protein extraction and concentration in the final powder product.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spray drying process utilizes rapid phase transition from liquid to aerosol to dried powder, enabling water removal without extensive heating or water addition. This phase transition mechanism achieves concentrated insect protein output with minimal water consumption and reduced environmental impact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If high-density insect rearing is implemented, then space efficiency improves, but insect welfare and disease prevention become more challenging

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsect production densityVSAvoidinsect welfare and disease prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs a gas-tight rearing chamber that maintains a controlled, sterile gas environment throughout the insect cultivation and processing stages. This inert atmosphere prevents contamination and disease transmission, enabling high-density rearing while maintaining insect welfare through controlled conditions that eliminate pathogens and prevent cannibalism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements continuous processing where insects are reared, processed, and dried in an unbroken gas-tight sequence without exposure to external contaminants. This continuous action maintains sterile conditions throughout, preventing disease introduction even at high densities, while the controlled environment ensures consistent welfare standards.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 system enables high-density insect production with minimal space and water usage, producing novel foodstuffs while ensuring insect welfare and reducing environmental impact, addressing future food security challenges.

Implementation Method 1

a spray dryer (KAP) having: (a0) an interior (KAP'); (a1) a top (K-T) and a bottom (K-B) that are spaced apart along a vertical axis (KYY); (a2) a liquid input (KAR) that is configured to introduce an insect liquid mixture (H39, KAS) to the interior (KAP') of the spray dryer (KAP); (a3) a gas input (KAQ) that is configured to introduce a heated gas supply (KAG') to the interior (KAP') of the spray dryer (KAP)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentUS20220039453A1Dehydrated THC candy foodstuff compositions

Publication Date: 2022.02.10 INSECTERGY IP HOLDINGS LLC

AI summary

Dehydrated tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) candy foodstuff compositions are described, wherein the composition includes water, THC, and/or insects, a binding agent, an acid, or an oil. The composition includes flavorings, enhancers, lipids, emulsifiers, surfactants, esters, and various other ingredients, and may include various types of treated water.