Sugar Beet Sorting and Washing With Dry Foreign Matter Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sugar beet processing methods require significant water and energy consumption, large space, and are prone to errors in separating foreign matter, leading to inefficient sugar production and high wastewater treatment costs.
Innovation Solution
A method involving dry or substantially dry transport of sugar beets using a detection unit to automatically identify and sort out foreign objects, followed by a cleaning process with reduced water usage, minimizing mechanical maintenance and improving sorting efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If water transport is used to remove foreign matter during beet processing, then cleaning effect is improved, but water consumption and energy consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical water transport system with an optical detection and air blast sorting system. Detection units (optical sensors) identify foreign matter, and air blasts selectively remove detected contaminants without requiring continuous water flow for transport. This substitution dramatically reduces water consumption while maintaining effective foreign matter removal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the foreign matter removal function from the water transport process. Instead of relying on water to both transport and clean, the system separates these functions: dry transport moves beets while dedicated detection and air blast units handle foreign matter removal. This extraction allows the system to achieve cleaning effectiveness without the high water consumption associated with water-based transport systems.
2Reliability
If physical separation methods such as belt and drum stone catchers are used, then foreign matter is removed, but space requirements and mechanical maintenance increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical separation devices (belt and drum stone catchers) with an optical detection and air blast system. Sensors detect foreign matter properties, and controlled air blasts remove contaminants without requiring large mechanical separation equipment. This reduces both the physical space needed and the mechanical maintenance burden while maintaining effective foreign matter separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the detection parameters from mechanical property-based separation to optical/physical property-based detection. By using optical sensors to detect differences in reflectivity, color, or other optical properties between sugar beets and foreign matter, the system achieves separation without the bulky mechanical structures required by traditional physical separation methods.
3Reliability
If wet transport is used to clean sugar beets, then foreign matter is removed during transport, but wastewater treatment effort increases due to high sugar content
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cleaning function from the transport process itself. Instead of using wet transport to simultaneously move and clean beets, the system uses dry transport for movement and applies minimal water only during dedicated cleaning stages after foreign matter is removed. This prevents sugar-laden water from being generated during transport, eliminating the wastewater treatment burden while still achieving effective cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent skips the intermediate wet transport cleaning stage entirely. By using dry transport followed by targeted cleaning only when necessary, the system avoids the prolonged contact between water and sugar beets that occurs during wet transport. This rushing through the problematic intermediate stage minimizes sugar dissolution into water, reducing wastewater treatment requirements.
4Measurement precision
If detection and sorting units are used for foreign object removal, then sorting rate of foreign objects is enhanced, but additional equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the detection and sorting units to perform multiple functions: optical detection identifies foreign matter, classification determines the appropriate removal method, and air blast mechanisms execute removal. This multi-functional integration achieves high sorting precision without requiring separate dedicated equipment for each function, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced capabilities.
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
Reduces water consumption, space requirements, and mechanical maintenance while enhancing the sorting rate of foreign objects, resulting in a cost-effective and efficient sugar beet processing system.
Implementation Method 1
foreign bodies in the mass stream are automatically detected by a first detection unit
Implementation Method 2
small parts are removed from the mass stream in a separator
Implementation Method 3
the usable portion of sugar beets is washed with the addition of water
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method (1) for providing a usable fraction of sugar beets (17) from a mass stream containing sugar beets, the method comprising at least the following steps: I. in a first process step (11), small parts are removed from the mass stream in a separator; II. in a second process step (12) following the first process step, foreign bodies in the mass stream are automatically detected by means of a first detection unit and the detected foreign bodies (14) are selectively sorted out by means of a first sorting unit in order to provide a usable fraction of sugar beets (13); III. in a third process step (15) following the second process step, the usable fraction of sugar beets (13) is washed by the addition of water (16) so that a usable fraction of sugar beets (17) is provided.