Vacuum Condensate Separator Preventing Layer Mixing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In vacuum microwave dehydration, the separation of fat-soluble and water-soluble layers in condensate is challenging due to mixing when atmospheric pressure is released, making it difficult to extract valuable fat-soluble volatiles.
Innovation Solution
A condensate separator system comprising a condenser, separator vessel, water chamber, and pressure equalizer line maintains the separator vessel and water chamber at the same vacuum pressure, allowing for separate accumulation and collection of oily and water condensates without mixing, using valves and a bleed valve to manage air introduction and drainage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If atmospheric pressure is released to drain water phase from separator vessel, then water phase can be drained into water collection vessel, but fat-soluble and water-soluble layers mix together making separation difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent maintains both the separator vessel and water collection vessel at the same vacuum pressure level, eliminating the pressure differential that would cause rapid air inrush and layer mixing. This equipotential pressure condition allows controlled drainage while preserving layer separation, as the draining occurs without the harmful pressure shock that disrupts the stratified condensate layers.
2Stability of the object's composition
If vacuum pressure is maintained in water collection vessel, then layer separation is preserved during drainage, but additional vacuum control mechanisms are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the vacuum control for the water collection vessel with the existing vacuum system used for the separator vessel. By maintaining both vessels at the same vacuum pressure through the existing vacuum pump and connection, the system achieves the beneficial effect of preserved layer separation during drainage without adding separate vacuum control mechanisms, thereby avoiding increased device complexity.
3Quantity of substance
If separator vessel is isolated from condenser and vacuum pump, then condensate can be accumulated and monitored, but vacuum pressure may fluctuate affecting separation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the water collection vessel and the equalizing pressure system as an intermediary to maintain pressure stability during condensate accumulation. When the separator vessel is isolated for accumulation, the vacuum pump continues to maintain vacuum pressure in the water collection vessel, and the pressure equalization system ensures both vessels remain at stable vacuum pressure, preventing pressure fluctuations that would disrupt the condensate 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
Effectively prevents the mixing of fat- and water-soluble layers during condensate separation, enabling the extraction of valuable fat-soluble volatiles as a separate product stream, improving the efficiency of vacuum microwave dehydration processes.
Implementation Method 1
an equalizer line connecting the separator vessel to the water chamber... The equalizer line maintains the separator vessel and water chamber at substantially the same pressure
Implementation Method 2
During operation, the condenser and separator vessel are held under vacuum by means of a vacuum pump
Implementation Method 3
the oily materials will coalesce into droplets over time and float as a layer upon the surface of the water phase in the condensate collection vessel
Data Source
AI summary
This invention was designed to condense, separate and collect volatile compounds from the vapor steam as they exit the dehydrator. Bulk condensate is allowed to accumulate and separate in a separator vessel under vacuum. The undesirable water phase condensate is periodically drained into a water vessel, which is also held under vacuum instead of atmospheric pressure to avoid agitation and mixing of the contents of the separator vessel arising from purging the separator vessel to atmosphere. The separated and desirable oily condensates can then be easily recovered from the separator vessel.