Vacuum Distillation Apparatus for Beverage Dealcoholization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for dealcoholizing alcoholic beverages are not suitable for household and restaurant settings, as they often require large-scale industrial facilities and can affect the taste and composition of wines, and pose safety risks due to the production of flammable ethanol gas.
Innovation Solution
A compact apparatus utilizing vacuum distillation with a fractionating system that condenses ethanol vapors into a fluid, preventing the formation of pure ethanol distillate and ensuring safe operation by dissolving vapors in a cooling liquid, thus avoiding the release of flammable gases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If industrial-scale distillation methods are used to remove alcohol from beverages, then alcohol removal efficiency is improved, but device complexity and suitability for household use deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system is divided into distinct functional modules: a heating unit with temperature control, a vacuum pump system with pressure control, a condensation chamber, and a collection system. Each module operates independently but coordinates through controlled alcohol vapor transfer, enabling efficient alcohol removal while maintaining manageable device complexity suitable for household use.
2Quantity of substance
If traditional distillation is used to remove alcohol, then alcohol content is reduced, but harmful factors increase due to production of flammable ethanol gas
Solution Approach 1:
The system converts the potentially harmful alcohol vapor into a beneficial controlled process intermediate. The vapor is immediately directed into a condensation chamber where it is converted back to liquid form, transforming a flammable gas hazard into a controlled phase change process that safely removes alcohol from the beverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains a controlled atmosphere within the closed system, preventing accumulation of flammable ethanol gas in the surrounding environment. The vacuum pump creates a controlled low-pressure environment that directs vapor flow, and the condensation chamber provides a safe transition zone that eliminates fire hazards.
3Speed
If high heat is applied during dealcoholization, then alcohol evaporation is improved, but taste and aroma of the beverage deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically controls temperature and pressure parameters to optimize the dealcoholization process. Temperature is maintained at a controlled level sufficient for alcohol evaporation but below thresholds that would damage beverage constituents. Pressure control through the vacuum pump enhances alcohol removal efficiency at these moderate temperatures, preventing thermal degradation of taste and aroma compounds.
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
Enables convenient and gentle dealcoholization of wines and other beverages in home conditions without affecting their taste or aroma, while ensuring safety by preventing the production of flammable ethanol gas, making it suitable for household use and compliance with regulations.
Implementation Method 1
The apparatus is arranged to facilitate vacuum distillation for the alcoholic beverage so that the vacuum is produced to the second receptacle and via the fractionating means to the third receptacle
Implementation Method 2
vaporizing ethanol from the alcoholic beverage
Implementation Method 3
the vaporized ethanol is dissolved with the fluid in the second receptacle
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (100, 200) for dealcoholizing alcoholic beverage comprising: a first receptacle (102, 202) comprising means to receive alcoholic beverage, a second receptacle (104, 204) comprising means receive in fluid, a third receptacle (106, 206) arranged to receive alcoholic beverage from the first receptacle, said third receptacle (106, 206) being further connected to the second receptacle (104, 204), means for producing vacuum (211 b) at least functionally connected to at least the third receptacle (106, 206) to lower pressure therein, fractionating means (205) at least partially inside the second receptacle (104, 204), the fractionating means (205) functionally connecting the second (104, 204) and third receptacle (106, 206), wherein the apparatus (100, 200) is arranged to facilitate vacuum distillation for the alcoholic beverage so that vaporizing ethanol from the alcoholic beverage travels via the fractionating means (205) to the second receptacle (104, 204) so that the vaporized ethanol is dissolved with the fluid in the second receptacle (104, 204). Corresponding method for dealcoholization is presented.