EP4239268A1 - Device for drying pasta and drying method using such drying device - Google Patents

Device for drying pasta and drying method using such drying device Download PDF

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Publication number
EP4239268A1
EP4239268A1 EP23159461.5A EP23159461A EP4239268A1 EP 4239268 A1 EP4239268 A1 EP 4239268A1 EP 23159461 A EP23159461 A EP 23159461A EP 4239268 A1 EP4239268 A1 EP 4239268A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
drying
region
stabilisation
pasta
air flow
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
EP23159461.5A
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German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Enrico Fava
Renato DALL'AGATA
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FAVA SpA
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FAVA SpA
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP4239268A1 publication Critical patent/EP4239268A1/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B21/00—Arrangements or duct systems, e.g. in combination with pallet boxes, for supplying and controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects
    • F26B21/02—Circulating air or gases in closed cycles, e.g. wholly within the drying enclosure
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B21/00—Arrangements or duct systems, e.g. in combination with pallet boxes, for supplying and controlling air or gases for drying solid materials or objects
    • F26B21/06—Controlling, e.g. regulating, parameters of gas supply
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B2210/00—Drying processes and machines for solid objects characterised by the specific requirements of the drying good
    • F26B2210/06—Long pasta, e.g. spaghetti
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F26—DRYING
    • F26B—DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM
    • F26B2210/00—Drying processes and machines for solid objects characterised by the specific requirements of the drying good
    • F26B2210/08—Short pasta, e.g. macaroni, vermicelli

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a device for drying pasta and to a drying method using such a drying device.
  • drying devices In the field of pasta processing lines (both long pasta, such as spaghetti, and short pasta, such as penne or fusilli, and other types of pasta, such as lasagne, etc.), the use of drying devices, or dryers, is well known, in which the pasta, after being extruded and, for some types of pasta (in particular for short pasta), after being subjected to a first rapid pre-drying with simultaneous mechanical agitation in a device called "shaker”, is subjected to a drying treatment aimed at removing a desired amount of water therefrom, thereby allowing it to be stiffened (so-called vitrification) and making the packaging, transport and storage thereof possible.
  • a drying treatment aimed at removing a desired amount of water therefrom, thereby allowing it to be stiffened (so-called vitrification) and making the packaging, transport and storage thereof possible.
  • Drying devices which comprise a containment structure provided with an inlet opening and an outlet opening for pasta, connected to each other by the succession of a region of pre-drying (also called “wrapping"), a region of drying, and a region of stabilisation, through which pasta is passed in order to be subjected to desired levels of temperature and relative humidity, thereby modifying the degree of humidity present in the pasta.
  • solutions are known in which the pasta remains in the region of pre-drying for a period of time lasting about 40-45 minutes, with indicative increasing temperature from 50 to 90°C, during which the average humidity percentage of pasta goes from about 28% to about 16-18%.
  • the pasta then passes to the region of drying, where it remains for a period of time equal to about 2 hours, in which its average humidity percentage drops to around 12-12.5%.
  • the percentage of humidity in the central core of the pasta still remains at a higher value than the average humidity, and in particular higher than the value of humidity on the external surface of the pasta.
  • the pasta In order to make the humidity level as uniform as possible between the core of pasta and its external surface (thereby avoiding the formation of cracks or imperfections in the pasta itself due to the unevenness of the humidity), the pasta is then brought in the region of stabilisation, where it is subjected for a certain time to certain values of temperature and relative humidity, such as to increase by a certain degree (usually about 2-3%) the humidity level on the external surface of the pasta, and thus bring it closer to the value of the humidity in the core thereof.
  • thermoregulation means which comprise, in each of the three regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, heat exchangers in which a special heat transfer fluid flows, and internal fans placed in such a way as to generate an air flow that crosses the respective heat exchangers, exchanging heat therewith, and therefore warming up or cooling down.
  • Such dryers of known type further comprise one or more fans, external to the containment structure, which generate an air flow that enters the containment structure through the inlet opening, passes through the regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, interacting with the respective thermoregulation means (in particular with the heat exchangers and with the air flow produced by the internal fans), thereby assuming, in the different regions internal to the containment structure, a desired temperature, and finally exits the outlet opening.
  • the respective thermoregulation means in particular with the heat exchangers and with the air flow produced by the internal fans
  • the air flow generated by the external fans is warmed up and therefore causes from the pasta with which it comes into contact the exit of a certain humidity, which is then carried to the region of stabilisation by the air flow itself; in the region of stabilisation said air flow is then cooled to a desired temperature, thereby causing an increase in its relative humidity, and therefore in the relative humidity within the region of stabilisation, which guarantees that the external surface of the pasta absorbs the humidity required to balance the humidity value present in its core.
  • Such drying devices of known type also comprise, for each of the three regions of pre-drying, drying and stabilisation, special humidity and temperature sensors, which control special aeration means (generally valves or gates) present in the three regions to allow the exit of a desired part of the air comprised therein outside the containment structure, or the intake of air from the outside of the containment structure into the respective region of pre-drying, drying or stabilisation.
  • special aeration means generally valves or gates
  • the degree of humidity in the air flow within the three regions is regulated thanks to such sensors and aeration means; for example, if in a certain region the sensors detect a too high humidity, the aeration means cause an air exchange, which restores the desired degree of humidity in that region.
  • the relative humidity in a certain region depends, in addition to the temperature and the degree of absolute humidity in the air, also on the value of the pressure in that region, which is why if, at the same temperature and absolute humidity, in the region of stabilisation the pressure varies uncontrollably, also the relative humidity in that region will vary uncontrollably, with the consequent risk of damaging or deteriorating the pasta present therein.
  • the main task of the present invention is to solve the problems listed above, and therefore to realize a device for drying pasta and a drying method using such drying device that allow to effectively control the relative humidity in the region of stabilisation, thereby reducing the risk that the pasta treated therein is subject to breakages, unevenness, or other structural and/or organoleptic irregularities.
  • another object of the invention is to realize a device for drying pasta and a drying method using such a drying device that allows to effectively regulate the relative humidity in the region of stabilisation also in the transients, in particular during the steps of shape change or recipe change, during the steps of loading and unloading the machine, etc.
  • a device for drying pasta comprising:
  • the expression " detection means configured for detecting the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation means that the structure, any programming, and the position of said detection means with respect to the containment structure, and in particular with respect to the region of stabilisation, cause said detection means, when activated, to detect the value of the desired property or physical quantity (for example the pressure difference between the region of stabilisation and the exterior of the containment structure) dependent on the air flow passing through the region of stabilisation; in particular, this expression does not comprise other means, such as sensors, possibly present in the drying device and theoretically able to detect the value of the desired property or physical quantity (for example differential pressure sensors), but for example not placed or programmed so as to detect the value of said desired property or physical quantity.
  • this expression does not comprise other means, such as sensors, possibly present in the drying device and theoretically able to detect the value of the desired property or physical quantity (for example differential pressure sensors), but for example not placed or programmed so as to detect the value of said desired property or physical quantity.
  • saying that "the air flow interacts with the thermoregulation means” comprises both the case in which said air flow directly hits the thermoregulation means, exchanging heat directly therewith, and the case in which said air flow hits a further air flow previously warmed up or cooled down by the thermoregulation means, exchanging heat with said further air flow, and therefore warming up or cooling down.
  • Such a device 1 may advantageously be part of a pasta production plant which may comprise other devices, not illustrated, operatively connected upstream (for example a pasta die and a shaker) and downstream (for example a cooler) of the device 1.
  • the device 1 comprises a containment structure 2, such as for example a metal casing, the inside of which results in fluid communication with the external environment 15 only through an inlet opening 3 and an outlet opening 4 for the pasta 5.
  • a containment structure 2 such as for example a metal casing, the inside of which results in fluid communication with the external environment 15 only through an inlet opening 3 and an outlet opening 4 for the pasta 5.
  • Said inlet 3 and outlet 4 openings are connected to each other, internally to the containment structure 2, by the succession of a region of pre-drying 6 (also called of "wrapping"), a region of drying 7, and a region of stabilisation 8.
  • Such regions are advantageously in fluid communication with each other through narrow passages capable of allowing the passage of the pasta 5 and of pressurized air.
  • the three regions are superimposed on each other, and in particular the region of drying 7 is arranged between the region of pre-drying 6 and the region of stabilisation 8; in a further advantageous embodiment, not illustrated, the three regions can be aligned horizontally with each other.
  • the device 1 comprises electronic control means 14, configured for controlling one or more functions of the device 1 itself; advantageously, such electronic control means 14 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, or a microcontroller, or a programmable logic controller (PLC), etc.
  • electronic control means 14 may comprise, for example, a microprocessor, or a microcontroller, or a programmable logic controller (PLC), etc.
  • the device 1 further comprises transport means 9, such as for example one or more conveyor belts, adapted to carry pasta 5 from the inlet opening 3 to the outlet opening 4, passing it through the region of pre-drying 6, the region of drying 7, and the region of stabilisation 8, in that order.
  • transport means such as for example one or more conveyor belts, adapted to carry pasta 5 from the inlet opening 3 to the outlet opening 4, passing it through the region of pre-drying 6, the region of drying 7, and the region of stabilisation 8, in that order.
  • the transport means 9 can be controlled by the electronic control means 14.
  • the transport means 9 comprise three conveyor belts, each arranged in one distinct between the region of pre-drying 6, of drying 7, and of stabilisation 8.
  • the device 1 further comprises ventilation means 10 which can be controlled by the electronic control means 14 to generate a desired air flow, schematically illustrated in the attached figures with arrows 11, which enters the containment structure 2 through the inlet opening 3 and exits, at least partially, from the outlet opening 4, after passing, in that order, the region of pre-drying 6, the region of drying 7 and the region of stabilisation 8.
  • ventilation means 10 which can be controlled by the electronic control means 14 to generate a desired air flow, schematically illustrated in the attached figures with arrows 11, which enters the containment structure 2 through the inlet opening 3 and exits, at least partially, from the outlet opening 4, after passing, in that order, the region of pre-drying 6, the region of drying 7 and the region of stabilisation 8.
  • the ventilation means 10 comprise one or more fans 16.
  • such one or more fans 16 are external to the containment structure 2; advantageously such one or more fans 16 are configured so as to generate an air flow 11 with laminar conformation (a so-called "air blade") that enters into the inlet opening 3, creating a sort of barrier to the exit of air from the inlet opening 3 itself.
  • air blade an air flow 11 with laminar conformation
  • the device 1 comprises one or more drive means 17, for example an inverter, controlled by the electronic control means 14 to operate the one or more fans 16 in the desired manner; in this way the one or more fans 16 can, for example, deliver a desired flow rate of air, and/or generate a desired prevalence.
  • drive means 17 for example an inverter
  • the ventilation means 10 comprise one or more valve means 18 (for example partialization valves), controlled by the electronic control means 14 to selectively partialize the air flow generated by the one or more fans 16 and to convey a desired flow through the inlet opening 3.
  • valve means 18 for example partialization valves
  • the ventilation means 10 comprise one or more deflector means 19, for example an adjustable orientation delivery duct, controlled by the electronic control means 14 to selectively direct one or more air flows generated by the one or more fans 16 towards the inlet opening 3.
  • the device 1 further comprises thermoregulation means, adapted to regulate the temperature of the air flow 11 within the containment structure 2; such thermoregulation means are advantageously provided in the region of pre-drying 6 and/or in the region of drying 7 and/or in the region of stabilisation 8.
  • thermoregulation means comprise one or more heat exchangers 12, such as for example one or more finned batteries, advantageously crossed by a special heat transfer fluid that warms them up or cools them down.
  • the supply of the heat transfer fluid in the one or more finned batteries can be controlled by a special thermodynamic circuit, not illustrated, controlled for example by the electronic control means 14.
  • thermoregulation means comprise internal fans 22, placed so as to generate an internal air flow 23 that passes through a respective heat exchanger 12, exchanging heat therewith, and therefore warming up or cooling down.
  • the heat exchangers 12 can be arranged in such a position as to be hit by the air flow 11, thereby exchanging heat therewith, warming it up or cooling it down, depending on the needs.
  • the exchangers 12 and the internal fans 22 can be arranged and configured so that the respective internal air flow 23, simultaneously with, or after, having hit the respective exchanger 12, comes into contact with the air flow 11, exchanging heat with (and therefore warming up or cooling down) the same.
  • the device 1 further comprises sensor means 20, for example one or more temperature sensors and one or more humidity sensors, configured for detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity in the regions of pre-drying 6, drying 7 and stabilisation 8, respectively.
  • sensor means 20 for example one or more temperature sensors and one or more humidity sensors, configured for detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity in the regions of pre-drying 6, drying 7 and stabilisation 8, respectively.
  • the sensor means 20 are controlled by the electronic control device 14.
  • the device 1 further comprises aeration means 21, configured for carrying out a desired air exchange between the environment external 15 to the containment structure 2 and, respectively, the regions of pre-drying 6, drying 7 and stabilisation 8, thereby controlling the absolute humidity and the temperature thereof, as a function of the respective values detected by the sensor means 20.
  • the aeration means 21 are controlled by the electronic control device 14.
  • said aeration means 21 may comprise one or more solenoid valves, operatively connected to the sensor means 20, for example directly, or preferably by means of the electronic control means 14 by which the sensor means 20 and the aeration means 21 are preferably controlled.
  • the device 1 further comprises detection means 13 (for example one or more differential pressure sensors, one or more anemometers, etc.) configured for detecting the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation 8.
  • detection means 13 for example one or more differential pressure sensors, one or more anemometers, etc.
  • such a desired property or physical quantity may be the pressure difference between the external environment 15 and the interior of the region of stabilisation 8, or the speed or the flow rate of the air that passes through the region of stabilisation 8, or the relative humidity within the region of stabilisation 8.
  • the detection means 13 can be placed in, or near, the region of stabilisation 8; in other advantageous embodiments, not illustrated, the detection means 13 can be placed, alternatively to, in or near, the region of stabilisation 8, also in or near the region of pre-drying 6 and/or in or near the region of drying 7.
  • the electronic control means 14 are operatively connected to the detection means 13 and are configured for controlling the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13.
  • the drying method according to the invention which uses the drying device 1, provides for introducing some pasta 5 in the containment structure 2 through the inlet opening 3, and for operating the transport means 9 to carry the pasta 5 therewith from the inlet opening 3 to the outlet opening 4, passing it, first, through the region of pre-drying 6, then through the region of drying 7, and finally through the region of stabilisation 8.
  • the method provides for operating the thermoregulation means, and for operating the ventilation means 10 to generate therewith an air flow 11 which first interacts with the thermoregulation means, warming up or cooling down, and then hits the pasta 5 while it is passing through the regions of pre-drying 6, of drying 7 and of stabilisation 8.
  • the method according to the invention further provides for detecting the temperature and the absolute humidity in the regions of pre-drying 6, drying 7 and stabilisation 8, respectively, by means of the sensor means 20, and for carrying out a desired air exchange between the external environment 15 and the regions of pre-drying 6 and/or drying 7 and/or stabilisation 8 respectively, thereby controlling their absolute humidity and/or temperature, as a function of the respective values detected by said sensor means 20.
  • the method further comprises the step of detecting, by means of the detection means 13, the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation 8; advantageously said desired property or physical quantity may be the value of the pressure difference between the external environment 15 and the interior of the region of stabilisation 8, and/or the speed and/or the flow rate of the air passing through the region of stabilisation 8, and/or the relative humidity within the region of stabilisation 8.
  • the method further provides for controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13.
  • the step of controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13 provides for operating the one or more drive means 17 to operate the one or more fans 16 in the desired manner.
  • the device 1 comprises one or more valve means 18 (for example partialization valves), controlled by the electronic control means 14, the step of controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13 provides for controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the one or more valve means 18 to selectively partialize the air flow generated by the one or more fans 16 and to convey a desired flow through the inlet opening 3.
  • valve means 18 for example partialization valves
  • the step of controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the ventilation means 10 as a function of the value of the desired property or physical quantity detected by the detection means 13 provides for controlling, by means of the electronic control means 14, the one or more deflector means 19 to selectively direct one or more air flows generated by the one or more fans 16 towards the inlet opening 3.
  • the device for drying pasta according to the invention and the drying method using said drying device solve the above-mentioned task and purposes; in fact, thanks to the control of the ventilation means as a function of the value of a desired property or physical quantity dependent on the air flow that passes through the region of stabilisation detected by the detection means, it is possible to ensure that a desired air flow reaches the region of stabilisation, thus guaranteeing a desired pressure value in said region which, together with the control of the temperature and of the absolute humidity therein, guarantees that an optimal relative humidity value can be obtained so as to allow the pasta present therein to uniform its surface humidity to that of the core.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Drying Of Solid Materials (AREA)
EP23159461.5A 2022-03-02 2023-03-01 Device for drying pasta and drying method using such drying device Pending EP4239268A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IT102022000003926A IT202200003926A1 (it) 2022-03-02 2022-03-02 Dispositivo di essiccazione per pasta e metodo di essiccazione che utilizza tale dispositivo di essicazione.

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EP4239268A1 true EP4239268A1 (en) 2023-09-06

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP23159461.5A Pending EP4239268A1 (en) 2022-03-02 2023-03-01 Device for drying pasta and drying method using such drying device

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EP (1) EP4239268A1 (it)
IT (1) IT202200003926A1 (it)

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5363657A (en) * 1976-10-18 1978-06-07 Tomadini Gino Method of highhtemperature drying noodles in multii staged dryer structure
US5216949A (en) * 1991-11-14 1993-06-08 Barilla G.E.R. F. Lii-Societa Per Azioni Conveyor for transporting lasagne and similar forms of pasta through a drier
EP1776867A2 (en) * 2005-10-21 2007-04-25 Fava S.p.A. integrated air flow drying apparatus and method

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS5363657A (en) * 1976-10-18 1978-06-07 Tomadini Gino Method of highhtemperature drying noodles in multii staged dryer structure
US5216949A (en) * 1991-11-14 1993-06-08 Barilla G.E.R. F. Lii-Societa Per Azioni Conveyor for transporting lasagne and similar forms of pasta through a drier
EP1776867A2 (en) * 2005-10-21 2007-04-25 Fava S.p.A. integrated air flow drying apparatus and method

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Publication number Publication date
IT202200003926A1 (it) 2023-09-02

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