Intermittent Tobacco Drying via Heated Surface Contact
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tobacco drying processes fail to achieve low moisture content and desirable chemical changes in tobacco material, leading to suboptimal organoleptic properties and efficiency in tobacco processing.
Innovation Solution
A method involving intermittent contact of tobacco material with a heated surface, typically between 100°C to 300°C, to achieve a moisture content of 0 to 10% oven volatiles, while agitating the material to prevent burning and enhance chemical changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If tobacco material is continuously heated to dry it, then moisture content is reduced, but the tobacco material burns and chemical composition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by intermittently contacting tobacco material with heated surfaces rather than continuous heating. The process involves cycles of contact with heated surfaces at 100-300°C followed by separation, creating a periodic heating pattern that achieves moisture reduction while preventing burning. This is implemented through a continuous tumbling mechanism where tobacco is repeatedly brought into contact with and removed from heated surfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamics by using a continuous tumbling motion to agitate the tobacco material during the drying process. This dynamic movement ensures that tobacco particles are constantly repositioned, preventing localized overheating and burning while maintaining efficient heat transfer during contact periods. The tumbling mechanism creates a dynamic system where contact time with heated surfaces is controlled and variable.
2Productivity
If heating temperature is increased to improve drying efficiency, then moisture removal speed increases, but sugar and nicotine degradation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by utilizing a moderate temperature range of 100-300°C rather than higher temperatures, combined with intermittent contact timing. This parameter optimization allows efficient moisture removal while preserving heat-sensitive compounds. The process controls both temperature magnitude and exposure duration to achieve productive drying with minimal chemical degradation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If tobacco material is agitated during heating, then uniform drying is achieved, but contact time with heated surface is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The tumbling mechanism creates periodic cycles where tobacco material is alternately brought into contact with heated surfaces and then separated. Each cycle provides brief contact for heat transfer followed by separation to prevent overheating, achieving uniform drying through repeated cycles rather than prolonged continuous contact.
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 method effectively reduces moisture content, significantly decreases sugar, nicotine, and ammonia levels, and increases the fill value of treated tobacco, resulting in improved organoleptic properties and enhanced processing efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
intermittently contacting a tobacco starting material with a heated surface to produce a treated tobacco material with a moisture content of from 0 to about 10% oven volatiles (OV)... the heated surface has a temperature of from at least about 100°C to about 300°C prior to contact with the tobacco material... contacting the tobacco material with the heated surface heats the tobacco material to a peak temperature of from about 120°C to about 230°C
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a method of treating tobacco material comprising intermittently contacting a tobacco starting material with a heated surface to produce a dried treated tobacco material. Also provided is an apparatus for treating tobacco material. The invention also provides treated tobacco material that is seared and dried, as well as products comprising the same.