Tartaric Acid Concentration Plant Vacuum Evaporation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current tartaric acid concentration processes in evaporation plants face challenges with high energy consumption and the tendency of solutions to crystallize, leading to encrustation and damage, as well as the need for continuous concentration measurement to ensure efficient yield.
Innovation Solution
A plant and process utilizing a series of evaporation units with a recirculation system and barometric condenser, incorporating a heat-exchange evaporation chamber and liquid-aeriform separation chamber, along with pressure and flow rate sensors for continuous concentration measurement and feedback control, to efficiently concentrate tartaric acid while minimizing energy usage and preventing crystallization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If traditional evaporation plants are used to concentrate tartaric acid, then concentration can be achieved, but energy consumption is high and crystallization encrustation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the operating parameters of the evaporation process by operating at reduced pressure (vacuum conditions) and controlled temperatures. This prevents the tartaric acid solution from reaching temperatures that cause crystallization and encrustation, while still achieving effective concentration through evaporation at lower energy input levels.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the harmful effect of high temperature (which causes encrustation) into a beneficial low-temperature evaporation process by using vacuum conditions. The reduced pressure allows water to evaporate at lower temperatures, preventing crystallization damage while maintaining effective concentration capability.
2Quantity of substance
If evaporation is used to concentrate tartaric acid solution, then concentration is achieved, but crystallization encrustation damages the plant
Solution Approach 1:
The patent operates the evaporation process under vacuum conditions with controlled temperature parameters that prevent the tartaric acid solution from reaching its crystallization point. This allows concentration to proceed without the harmful encrustation effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite system combining vacuum evaporation technology with specific heating and cooling mechanisms. This composite approach allows precise control over the evaporation process, maintaining conditions that favor concentration while preventing crystallization.
3Productivity
If continuous concentration measurement is implemented, then production yield is optimized, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback control system using sensors (such as refractometers or density meters) to continuously monitor the concentration of tartaric acid in real-time. This measurement feedback is fed back to the control system, which automatically adjusts evaporation parameters to maintain optimal concentration levels, maximizing productivity through precise control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex manual measurement and control mechanisms with automated sensor-based systems. Modern analytical sensors provide continuous concentration data without requiring complex mechanical intervention, simplifying the overall control system while enabling precise productivity optimization.
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 enables efficient, low-energy concentration of tartaric acid with continuous measurement and control, preventing crystallization and ensuring accurate concentration, thus maintaining plant integrity and optimizing production yield.
Implementation Method 1
The physical principle on which this type of plant is based is an evaporation principle which exploits the different boiling points (and therefore evaporation) of the components of a solution
Implementation Method 2
heat-exchange evaporation chamber
Implementation Method 3
barometric condenser
Data Source
AI summary
A plant for concentrating a tartaric acid solution includes a first and a second evaporation unit arranged in series, a pump for feeding a diluted tartaric acid solution into the first evaporation unit, a barometric condenser placed downstream of the second evaporation unit, and a system for feeding a first low-temperature vapor into the first evaporation unit. A process for concentrating tartaric acid includes providing a plant according to the above description, performing a first concentration, by evaporation, of the diluted tartaric acid solution, inside the first evaporation unit, and performing a second concentration, by evaporation, of the partially concentrated tartaric acid solution from the first evaporation unit, inside the second evaporation unit. The plant and process have the advantages of ensuring low energy consumption, allowing concentration of solutions tending to crystallization, and allowing the continuous measurement of the tartaric acid concentration to be concentrated.