Vegetable Milk Production With Decanter-Sieve Recirculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for producing plant-based milk, such as those using decanters or sieve filtration devices, face inefficiencies in terms of milk yield and energy consumption, with decanters leaving solids with high liquid content and sieve filtration devices allowing solids to pass through, leading to suboptimal energy usage and operational challenges.
Innovation Solution
A combined decanter and sieve filtration system where decanter solids are directly fed to a sieve filtration device without pretreatment, utilizing a sieve-screw centrifuge or pusher centrifuge with washing liquid to enhance separation efficiency and reduce energy consumption, while maintaining high solids content in the filtration device solids.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a decanter device is used for separation, then the liquid collected is essentially free of solids and suitable for drinking, but the solids remaining in the decanter have high liquid content requiring further drying
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the separation process into two distinct stages: first using a decanter device to produce liquid free of solids, then using a sieve filtration device to process the solids. This segmentation allows each device to operate optimally for its specific function, eliminating the need for additional drying energy while maintaining high liquid freedom from solids.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces an intermediary sieve filtration device between the decanter and the final product. This intermediary device processes the solids from the decanter by separating them with a sieve, allowing the liquid to pass through while retaining solids. This intermediary step enables the liquid to be returned to the decanter for recirculation, reducing energy requirements for further drying.
2Manufacturing precision
If a sieve filtration device is used, then solids are retained more effectively, but the liquid passed through contains more solids and requires additional processing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements continuous recirculation of the liquid from the sieve filtration device back to the decanter. This continuous useful action ensures that the liquid is repeatedly processed until it achieves the desired freedom from solids, maximizing solid retention while minimizing liquid loss. The system maintains continuous operation to optimize both separation efficiency and material recovery.
3Reliability
If decanter solids are fed to sieve filtration device without pretreatment, then operational robustness is improved, but the solids may cause operational disruptions in the sieve device
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary action by using the decanter device to pre-separate the suspension into liquid and solids before the solids enter the sieve filtration device. This preliminary separation reduces the load on the sieve device and prevents operational disruptions. The decanter prepares the solids by removing excess liquid, making them more suitable for the sieve filtration process.
4Productivity
If more liquid is returned to the decanter device, then plant-based milk yield increases, but the sugar content increases requiring dilution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the parameter of liquid recirculation by returning a controlled amount of liquid from the sieve filtration device back to the decanter. This parameter change optimizes the balance between milk yield and sugar content. The system adjusts the recirculation flow rate to maximize productivity while maintaining acceptable sugar levels, and any excess sugar is managed through controlled dilution.
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
This approach increases plant-based milk yield and reduces energy requirements by optimizing solids and liquid content separation, allowing for higher sugar recovery and improved operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
a decanter device (10) which has a decanter inlet (12), which is connected to a starting material source (16) via a first supply line (14), so that the starting material can be supplied to the decanter device (10) via the first supply line (14), a decanter liquid outlet (18), at which decanter liquid (20) obtained from the starting material by means of the decanter device (10) can be tapped off as plant-based milk for further processing, and a decanter solids outlet (22), at which decanter solids (24) obtained from the starting material by means of the decanter device (10) can be tapped off
Implementation Method 2
the solids present in a starting material suspension (e.g. the plant-based starting material in suspension) are at least partially separated from the liquid present in the starting material suspension via radial centrifugal forces
Implementation Method 3
In a sieve filtration device, in contrast to a decanter device, the suspension is forced under pressure against a sieve (e.g., a filter sieve), allowing the liquid to pass through the sieve while retaining at least some of the solids
Implementation Method 4
utilizing a sieve-screw centrifuge or pusher centrifuge with washing liquid to enhance separation efficiency
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
Apparatus and method for producing plant-based milk, comprising a raw material source, a decanter device downstream of the raw material source, and a sieve filtration device downstream of the decanter device.