Superheated Steam Fat Grading for Unsaturated Fatty Acid Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing equipment lacks the ability to efficiently separate unsaturated fatty acids from animal fats, leading to a waste of animal fat due to reduced consumption in diets advocating for healthier options.
Innovation Solution
An animal fat grading device using superheated steam, comprising a bracket, material container, steam heating assembly, oil leakage assembly, pressing part, oil pumping assembly, switch structure, and controller, which classifies animal fat by temperature gradients through controlled melting and pumping, allowing separation of unsaturated fatty acids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If animal fat is consumed less due to health concerns, then unsaturated fatty acid intake is reduced, but animal fat is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments animal fat into different fractions based on melting points through controlled temperature heating. By heating to specific temperature ranges, the fat is separated into multiple layers where unsaturated fatty acids (lower melting point) separate from saturated fatty acids (higher melting point), allowing selective utilization of beneficial components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the temperature parameter during processing to achieve fat separation. By controlling heating temperature and using temperature gradients, the physical state of different fatty acid components changes differently, enabling separation and grading of animal fat based on their distinct thermal properties
2Productivity
If existing equipment is used without separation capability, then processing is simple, but unsaturated fatty acids cannot be separated leading to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The equipment is divided into functional modules: heating assembly, pressing assembly, pumping assembly, and collection system. Each module performs a specific function in the separation process, making the complex separation task manageable through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing assembly serves multiple functions: it presses the fat material, controls the separation process, and regulates flow to the pumping assembly. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional specialized components, balancing capability with complexity
3Temperature
If temperature is increased to melt fat, then fat becomes liquid for processing, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses controlled temperature changes rather than constant high temperature. By heating to specific temperature ranges and maintaining gradients, the process achieves separation at optimized energy levels, melting only the necessary fractions at appropriate temperatures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent exploits phase transitions of different fatty acid components at different temperatures. By controlling the thermal environment, unsaturated fatty acids transition to liquid phase at lower temperatures while saturated fatty acids remain solid or transition at higher temperatures, enabling energy-efficient separation
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
Facilitates the separation and classification of animal fats based on saturated and unsaturated fatty acid content, enabling further utilization of animal fats.
Implementation Method 1
a top side wall and a bottom side wall of the material container are provided with the steam heating assembly
Implementation Method 2
the steam channel is spirally arranged on the side wall of the material container
Implementation Method 3
the pressing part makes the oil leakage assembly move up and down
Implementation Method 4
each oil outlet pipe is provided with a flowmeter and an oil pump
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are an animal fat grading device using superheated steam and a method. The device comprises a bracket, a material container, a steam heating assembly, an oil leakage assembly, a pressing part, an oil pumping assembly, a switch structure and a controller, where an upper part of the bracket is fixedly connected with the material container, a top side wall and a bottom side wall of the material container are provided with the steam heating assembly; an inside is slidably connected with the oil leakage assembly; a top of the oil leakage assembly is fixedly connected with the pressing part; a top surface of the oil leakage assembly is fixedly connected with the oil pumping assembly, a bottom of the material container is communicated with an oil discharging pipe, the switch structure is arranged on the oil discharging pipe, and a temperature sensor is arranged in the material container.