阅读说明：本技术 利用固态rf能量技术加热炸油的设备和方法 (Apparatus and method for heating frying oil using solid state RF energy technology ) 是由 约斯特·凡尔珀 于 2018-05-09 设计创作，主要内容包括：本发明涉及一种处理设备,在该处理设备中对炸油进行加热、消毒和/或巴氏消毒、灭菌。本发明还涉及一种利用射频波处理炸油的方法。(The invention relates to a treatment plant in which frying oil is heated, sterilized and/or pasteurized and sterilized. The invention also relates to a method for treating frying oil by using radio frequency waves.)

1. A processing apparatus in which products are transported from a product inlet to a product outlet and fried in frying oil, characterized in that the frying oil is pumped by means of a pump through a microwave chamber (5) and is heated thereby, wherein the microwave chamber (5) comprises at least one solid-state radio-frequency source (2), preferably a plurality of solid-state radio-frequency sources (2).

2. Treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the microwave chamber (5) is at least substantially transparent to microwaves.

3. The processing device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the solid state radio frequency sources (2) are arranged in an array of n columns and m rows, wherein n is an integer greater than 1 and m is an integer above 1.

4. Treatment apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sources (2) are arranged around the circumference of the microwave chamber, preferably equidistantly.

5. Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, having an inlet and an outlet, which are separate from each other.

6. Treatment apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pump conveys the frying oil through the solid state radio frequency source (2).

7. Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment device (1) comprises a control system for controlling the solid-state radio frequency source (2) and/or the pump.

8. Treatment device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment device (1) comprises a sensor which measures at least one property of the frying oil and/or one property of the radiation reflected from the frying oil, wherein the signal of the sensor is preferably utilized by the control system.

9. Treatment apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the treatment apparatus (1) comprises a filter for removing particulate matter from the frying oil.

10. A method for heating frying oil by means of radio frequency waves, characterized in that said radio frequency waves are provided by one or more solid state radio frequency sources (6).

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the frying oil is delivered from an inlet of a processing apparatus to an outlet of the processing apparatus, the inlet being separate from the outlet.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the frying oil is continuously and/or intermittently delivered.

13. Method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that one or more sensors are provided which measure one or more properties of the frying oil and/or the radiation reflected from the frying oil.

14. Method according to claim 13, characterized in that the signal of the sensor is used to control the solid-state radio-frequency source (6) and/or the pump that conveys the frying oil through the solid-state radio-frequency source (6).

15. Method according to one of claims 10 to 14, characterized in that the frying oil is heated, sterilized and/or pasteurized, sterilized.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a processing apparatus in which products are transported from an inlet to an outlet and fried in frying oil. The invention also relates to a method for heating frying oil by using radio frequency waves.

Background

In conventional industrial continuous fryers for frying e.g. meat products, the frying oil is heated to about 180 ℃ depending on the product to be fried. The products to be fried enter the fryer via a conveyor and the products will be directed through the fryer via one or more conveyors, preferably a lower conveyor in combination with a compacting conveyor. Product exits the fryer pot via the lower conveyor. The heat exchanger is applied to the fryer, preferably at the bottom of the fryer. In known embodiments, an electrical element located in the stainless steel tube will heat the frying oil flowing around the tube body. In another known embodiment, the hot oil flows through stainless steel tubes of the heat exchanger. In the latter case, the temperature of the hot oil in the fryer is about 250 ℃ at the inlet and about 200 ℃ at the outlet from the fryer. However, in the devices according to the prior art it is not possible to control the temperature of the frying oil precisely, so that in most cases the frying oil is too hot and therefore degrades relatively quickly, which leads to an increased production cost and a relatively energy-inefficient mode of operation.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus and method which do not comprise the drawbacks of the prior art.

This problem is solved by a processing apparatus in which products are transported from a product inlet to a product outlet and fried in frying oil, wherein the frying oil is pumped through a microwave chamber by a pump and thereby heated, and wherein the microwave chamber comprises at least one solid state radio frequency source, preferably a plurality of solid state radio frequency sources.

The subject matter disclosed with respect to the present invention is also applicable to other inventions and vice versa. The subject matter disclosed with respect to the present invention can also be combined with the subject matter of other inventions of the present application.

The present invention relates to a fryer for frying products in a fryer. Such products may be meat, cheese, vegetable products or combinations thereof. Frying is carried out in an oil bath, preferably at a temperature of about 180 ℃. The product is transported from the product inlet through the oil sump to the product outlet, for example by a conveyor or in a moving cage. The product is preferably immersed in an oil bath. The product inlet and the product outlet may be one and the same. Preferably, however, the product inlet and the product outlet are separate. The frying process may be batch, continuous or semi-continuous.

The products to be fried preferably enter the treatment apparatus of the invention by means of a conveyor, and more preferably the products will be guided through the apparatus via one or more conveyors, even more preferably a lower conveyor in combination with a compacting conveyor. Preferably, the product exits the fryer via a lower conveyor.

According to the invention, frying oil is pumped through the microwave chamber by a pump or the like and is thereby heated. The microwave chamber includes at least one solid state radio frequency source, preferably a plurality of solid state radio frequency sources, each having a solid state Radio Frequency (RF) transistor in an RF power amplifier. A radio frequency power amplifier is an electronic amplifier that converts a low power radio frequency signal to a high power signal. Typically, an RF power amplifier drives the antenna of the transmitter. The antenna may be coupled to and/or located in a waveguide, wherein the antenna may radiate microwaves into the waveguide, which is preferably designed from a reflective material, and may guide the microwaves to a desired location, for example into a frying chamber in which the products to be treated are located. Advantages of solid state RF energy technology compared to magnetrons are low voltage drive, semiconductor reliability and lower power consumption due to advanced control systems.

A microwave chamber having a solid state rf source is used to heat, heating the frying oil. The frying oil according to the present invention is any oil industrially used for frying, and is a consumable.

The treatment apparatus of the present invention also includes a pump that delivers and pumps the frying oil through the solid state radio frequency source. The pump may be any device known to those skilled in the art that moves a liquid. The pump may also be a device that adds some potential energy to the frying oil so that the frying oil may be driven by gravity through the solid state radio frequency source. The capacity of the pump, i.e. the pressure difference and/or the volume flow, is preferably controllable. Preferably, the pump is controlled in dependence on the temperature of the frying oil in the oil bath and/or in dependence on the energy provided by the solid state radio frequency source. The pump and subsequent flow of frying oil through the fryer pot may also be utilized to affect heat transfer between the frying oil and the product being fried. Turbulent or laminar heat transfer conditions or a mixture thereof may be achieved in the process apparatus of the invention.

For heating purposes, frying oil flows out of the oil bath to the microwave chamber where it is heated and then flows back into the oil bath of the fryer. There may be a plurality of locations in the fryer where the frying oil is removed and/or a plurality of locations where the frying oil is poured back into the fryer. One or more of the inlets and/or one or more of the outlets may each be equipped with a valve to regulate flow to or from the fryer pot. The frying oil preferably flows in the same direction as the product flows in the fryer. This may be advantageous to prevent distortion of the position of the food product on the conveyor and to achieve deposits, such as loose particulate matter, e.g. coatings in the case of coated products, which may be collected and discharged by a filter and sediment removal device, preferably built into the fryer. Preferably, an integrated pump will force the filtered oil back to the fryer inlet. In case an additional external filter is applied, preferably the pre-filtered oil will be pumped to the external filter located near the fryer pot and from there back to the inlet side of the fryer pot. The flow of frying oil and product to be fried in the same direction also has the advantage that the temperature is highest at the beginning of frying, which reduces the absorption of oil by the product during frying.

Preferably, the fryer comprises a filter and/or sediment remover within the fryer, preferably within the sump and/or pump, and/or a filter and/or debris remover may be provided in the conduit to/from the pump and/or microwave chamber.

According to the invention, frying oil is exposed to microwave energy in a microwave chamber, which according to a preferred embodiment is a tube. The microwave chamber, preferably the tube, is preferably made of a material which is at least substantially transparent to microwaves and therefore is not heated or is heated only to a small extent by microwave energy. Preferably, the inner area of the pipe is 0.017-0.2m²And/or the inner diameter of the pipe is preferably 0.15 to 0.5 m. Microwave cavity and/or to and/or from a microwave cavityThe conduit of the chamber may comprise a mixing device. In the case of a tubular body, the mixing device is preferably a static mixer.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the apparatus of the invention may comprise not only one solid-state radio frequency source, but also a plurality of solid-state radio frequency sources. This may be achieved by using one or more antennas and/or one or more waveguides. Preferably, each radio frequency source may be individually powered, and preferably each radio frequency source may be controlled, more preferably closed loop controlled, more preferably individually closed loop controlled. Preferably, the wavelength, amplitude and/or direction of the radiation may be controlled.

The solid state radio frequency sources are preferably arranged in an array of n columns and m rows, where n is an integer greater than 1 and m is an integer greater than 1. Preferably, the solid state radio frequencies are arranged equidistantly in a row and/or the columns are also arranged equidistantly. In the case of multiple sources, they may be arranged randomly.

Preferably, the solid state radio frequency sources are arranged equidistantly around the circumference of the microwave chamber.

Preferably, the treatment apparatus of the present invention comprises means for conveying the products to be fried through a bath of hot frying oil, preferably with the products submerged in the bath. The device is preferably a conveyor, preferably a conveyor chain. Preferably, the two conveyors are arranged in parallel, with the products placed between the conveyors to keep them submerged in the frying pan.

Alternatively or additionally, the fryer is designed for batch processing, wherein the products to be fried are immersed in a hot oil bath, e.g. with a cage.

Preferably, the processing apparatus comprises a control system for controlling the solid state radio frequency source and/or the pump. The control system preferably comprises one or more sensors, the sensor signals being used to control the one or more solid state radio frequency sources, the sensors preferably being individually and/or in relation to each other and/or the control system controlling the pump. In applications where the frying oil is pumped through a conduit, gradual heating of the frying oil and/or very precise temperature control may be achieved by controlling the electromagnetic field with precision control of power level, frequency and/or phase versus time to achieve uniform energy distribution in the frying oil chamber or frying oil, for example. The RF energy load may be adjusted according to the progress of the heating process. For example, during heating, the RF energy load may change. Such a change in load may be detected, for example, by measuring reflected energy via the antenna. The control system compares the energy transmitted through the antenna with the reflected energy and will thereby adjust the energy to be transmitted by the antenna. The amplitude, frequency, and/or phase may be controlled individually and/or in groups at each solid state RF energy source. The antenna may be used as a sensor, for example for detecting radiation reflected from the frying oil to be treated.

The sensor may sense one or more properties of the frying oil, such as the temperature of the frying oil and/or the energy absorbed by the frying oil and/or the energy absorption rate of the frying oil, which may change as, for example, the color of the frying oil changes. A sensor may measure the type of radiation, e.g., wavelength, reflected by the frying oil. Since the frying oil is transported during heating by RF radiation, there can be a plurality of sensors on the transport path. The local readings of the sensors may be used to control the respective local solid-state radio sources and/or the solid-state radio sources upstream and/or downstream of each sensor. In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is a thermocouple, such as PT 100.

In the event that a change in frying oil occurs in the fryer, the sensor may determine one or more properties of the frying oil and regulate and/or control heating of the frying oil. Subsequently or alternatively, the heating of the frying oil, and in particular the provision of a solid state RF energy source, may be adapted to, for example, the ageing and/or contamination of the frying oil with particulate matter.

Alternatively or additionally, the pump may be controlled, for example based on signals from a sensor, and the capacity of the pump may be increased or decreased to vary the residence time of the frying oil in the microwave chamber, particularly in the tube.

The processing plant of the invention is preferably part of a feed or food production line comprising one or more processing stations. Upstream of the treatment apparatus is preferably a batter machine.

Therefore, another preferred or inventive embodiment of the present invention is a production line, in particular a food production line, comprising the apparatus of the present invention. The production line preferably has a common control system, so that the modification of the recipe of the product to be produced can be carried out centrally for all the devices in the production line. For a fryer this means that it is possible to automatically change, for example, the temperature of the frying oil in the oil bath and/or the residence time of the products to be fried in the oil bath.

According to another preferred embodiment, the inventive device is provided together with a cooling unit and/or a packaging unit.

The problem is also solved by a method for heating frying oil by means of radio frequency waves, wherein the radio frequency waves are provided by one or more solid state radio frequency sources.

The subject matter disclosed with respect to the present invention is also applicable to other inventions and vice versa. The subject matter disclosed with respect to the present invention can also be combined with the subject matter of other inventions of the present application.

Preferably, the frying oil is delivered from an inlet of the processing apparatus to an outlet of the same apparatus separate from the inlet.

Preferably, one or more sensors are provided which measure the frying oil, the products to be fried and/or the radiation reflected from the frying oil and/or the products. Preferably, these properties are measured at least twice during the treatment with RF radiation. The variation of these properties is determined and taken into account when controlling the solid state rf source and/or the pump that pumps the frying oil through the microwave chamber, preferably a tube.

Transistor technology generates strong RF fields. Preferably, a plurality of RF sources are applied, which may be controlled individually and preferably in relation to each other. For example, in applications where material is pumped through a pipeline, gradual heating of frying oil may be achieved by controlling the electromagnetic field with precision such as achieving uniform energy distribution by controlling the power level, frequency and/or phase versus time. Typically, when the load changes at a point in the fry oil, the controller can control specific parameters at that point to correct the adverse effects of the load change. For example, the load of frying oil may change during heating. This change in load will be detected by the antenna by measuring the reflected energy. The control system compares the energy transmitted by the antenna with the reflected energy, thereby adjusting the energy to be transmitted by the antenna.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The description applies equally to all embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

Fig. 1a and 1b show a first embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1c shows a second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a and 1b depict a first embodiment of a solid state RF excited microwave device comprising a plurality of solid state RF sources 2, each solid state RF source 2 comprising a waveguide 10 and/or an antenna 11. In this example, the apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of solid state RF sources 2, here five solid state RF sources 2, the solid state RF sources 2 being arranged at the circumference of the frying chamber 9, and preferably equidistantly arranged around the circumference of the frying chamber. The number of sources 2 in the circumferential direction may depend on the efficiency of the microwave for uniformly heating the frying oil 8, for example by measuring the temperature rise per unit time. The solid state RF source 2 is located in a chamber 7, in this example the chamber 7 is defined by a housing 3. The housing 3 may be similar to a faraday cage to prevent electromagnetic waves from being emitted from the housing. At least the inner wall 4, but preferably the entire housing 3, may be made of steel, e.g. stainless steel. Inside the chamber 7 and/or inside the housing 3, a frying oil chamber 5 is provided, here a microwave tube 5, the microwave tube 5 separating the frying oil chamber 5 from the chamber 7 where the solid state RF source 2 is located. The tube material is preferably at least partially transparent to the microwave energy provided by the solid state RF source 2, more preferably completely transparent, and more preferably does not absorb microwave energy and is therefore not heated by microwave energy, if any, but is heated only by the product being heated without deposits accumulating on the inner walls of the tube. In particular, the tube, and in particular the inner wall 6 of the tube, will not be at a higher temperature than the desired temperature of the frying oil, for example not higher than 180 ℃. The material of the tubular body 5 is not metal, but is suitable for certain plastic and/or quartz materials, more preferably food grade, in order to efficiently convert microwave energy to elevated frying oil temperatures to be heated. Frying oil 8 is located within frying oil chamber 5 and will be heated by one solid state source 2, preferably a plurality of solid state sources 2, located in chamber 7. This embodiment is preferred, for example, in situations where the cleaning agent used to clean the frying oil chamber 5 may not come into contact with the solid source 2. The tube 5 may also be used to direct the product through the solid state RF source 2. The chamber 7 surrounding the tubular body 5 can be cooled to cool the RF source if desired.

Fig. 1c shows another embodiment of the present invention. Reference may be made to the description according to fig. 1a and 1 b. However, in this example, there is a microwave transparent shield 12, which microwave transparent shield 12 protects the antenna 11 and waveguide 10 from the frying oil 8. The shielding means is preferably made of a microwave transparent material, for example the material of the tube body 5 as described above.

Reference numerals:

1 microwave device

2 solid state RF energy source

3 case

4 inner wall of the shell 3

Frying oil chamber, microwave tube body

6 inner wall of microwave tube body 5

7 solid state source chamber

8 frying oil

9 frying oil chamber

10 waveguide

11 aerial

12 microwave transparent shielding device