NZ626168B2 - Sonotrode and device for reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products - Google Patents
Sonotrode and device for reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- NZ626168B2 NZ626168B2 NZ626168A NZ62616812A NZ626168B2 NZ 626168 B2 NZ626168 B2 NZ 626168B2 NZ 626168 A NZ626168 A NZ 626168A NZ 62616812 A NZ62616812 A NZ 62616812A NZ 626168 B2 NZ626168 B2 NZ 626168B2
- Authority
- NZ
- New Zealand
- Prior art keywords
- sonotrode
- front face
- product
- ultrasonic
- main body
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000012263 liquid product Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 238000005187 foaming Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 17
- 239000000047 product Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 43
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 35
- 238000002604 ultrasonography Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 14
- 238000009776 industrial production Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 8
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 12
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 claims description 10
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 5
- PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N nickel Chemical compound [Ni] PXHVJJICTQNCMI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N titanium Chemical compound [Ti] RTAQQCXQSZGOHL-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910052719 titanium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 4
- 239000010936 titanium Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910045601 alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000000956 alloy Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 claims description 3
- 229910052782 aluminium Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminum Chemical compound [Al] XAGFODPZIPBFFR-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 2
- 238000005065 mining Methods 0.000 claims description 2
- 229910052759 nickel Inorganic materials 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000003208 petroleum Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229940035295 Ting Drugs 0.000 claims 2
- 239000004411 aluminium Substances 0.000 claims 1
- REDXJYDRNCIFBQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N aluminium(3+) Chemical class [Al+3] REDXJYDRNCIFBQ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims 1
- 239000004568 cement Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 7
- 235000013405 beer Nutrition 0.000 description 6
- 235000016795 Cola Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 241001634499 Cola Species 0.000 description 5
- 235000011824 Cola pachycarpa Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 235000011829 Ow cola Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 235000013399 edible fruits Nutrition 0.000 description 4
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 4
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 235000013365 dairy product Nutrition 0.000 description 3
- 241000229754 Iva xanthiifolia Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000002518 antifoaming agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000005911 diet Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 230000037213 diet Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000018102 proteins Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 102000004169 proteins and genes Human genes 0.000 description 2
- 108090000623 proteins and genes Proteins 0.000 description 2
- 235000010469 Glycine max Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 229910001069 Ti alloy Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 102000007544 Whey Proteins Human genes 0.000 description 1
- 108010046377 Whey Proteins Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 240000007329 Zingiber officinale Species 0.000 description 1
- 235000006886 Zingiber officinale Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000014171 carbonated beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000001311 chemical methods and process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011109 contamination Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001419 dependent Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000009826 distribution Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011143 downstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003379 elimination reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000855 fermentation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004151 fermentation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001914 filtration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000015203 fruit juice Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000008397 ginger Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000002500 ions Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- 229910052751 metal Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000007769 metal material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006011 modification reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035515 penetration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000825 pharmaceutical preparation Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004544 spot-on Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 238000009210 therapy by ultrasound Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000021119 whey protein Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
- B01D19/0073—Degasification of liquids by a method not covered by groups B01D19/0005 - B01D19/0042
- B01D19/0078—Degasification of liquids by a method not covered by groups B01D19/0005 - B01D19/0042 by vibration
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B01—PHYSICAL OR CHEMICAL PROCESSES OR APPARATUS IN GENERAL
- B01D—SEPARATION
- B01D19/00—Degasification of liquids
- B01D19/02—Foam dispersion or prevention
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
- B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
- B06B3/00—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
- B06B3/04—Methods or apparatus specially adapted for transmitting mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency involving focusing or reflecting
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
- B67C—CLEANING, FILLING WITH LIQUIDS OR SEMILIQUIDS, OR EMPTYING, OF BOTTLES, JARS, CANS, CASKS, BARRELS, OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; FUNNELS
- B67C3/00—Bottling liquids or semiliquids; Filling jars or cans with liquids or semiliquids using bottling or like apparatus; Filling casks or barrels with liquids or semiliquids
Abstract
Disclosed is a sonotrode (10) for generating an ultrasonic field in industrial production processes for reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products (3). The sonotrode (10) includes a main body part (1) with connecting means for connection with a high frequency generator and has a front face from which the ultrasonic field is directed to the desired spot or area of the product (3) to be de-foamed. The main body part (1) has the shape of a rectangular or square block element having a reduced diameter part on the side of the front face which is enlarged compared to the latter. The front face is concave in shape in relation to a product (3) surface for focusing the ultrasonic field to a specific area of the product (3) foam to be treated in a concentrated form compared to a non-focused ultrasound. The front face has a rectangular form with a round concavity in the direction of the longitudinal axis in the shape of a rounded groove or channel. from which the ultrasonic field is directed to the desired spot or area of the product (3) to be de-foamed. The main body part (1) has the shape of a rectangular or square block element having a reduced diameter part on the side of the front face which is enlarged compared to the latter. The front face is concave in shape in relation to a product (3) surface for focusing the ultrasonic field to a specific area of the product (3) foam to be treated in a concentrated form compared to a non-focused ultrasound. The front face has a rectangular form with a round concavity in the direction of the longitudinal axis in the shape of a rounded groove or channel.
Description
DescriptionDescription
Sonotrode and Device for Reducing and Eliminating FSonotrode and Device for Reducing and Eliminating Foaming of Liquid Productsoaming of Liquid Products
The present invention s to a sonotrode for generating an ultrasonic
field in rial production processes such as chemical processes or
food-related processes, in which a liquid product is processed, which
generates during the processing a g on the upper surface of the
product. The invention relates also to a device comprising one or more
such sonotrodes for de-foaming.
In different fields of industry, the foam generation of a product to be
processed is an inherent problem. In the field of beverage ry, for
example, mainly with carbonated products such as cola and beer, but also
with non-carbonated products such as fruit juices, etc., there exists during
the production process, but also during the filling of the product into bottles
or the like the problem that the product generates a large amount of foam.
The generation of foam results often in an red loss of product, and
also the contamination of the containers, into which the product is to be
filled, is a big m in these industries. During the filling s, the
tion of too much foam leads to problems with regard to the sealing
of the containers, and furthermore the filling line process is considerably
slowed down due to the foam on top of the product. However, also in other
industries, the foam generation of liquid products is a matic issue.
Examples of other industries are the chemical, petroleum, pharmaceutical
and mining industries. Foam can form in tanks, open vessels or in
containers or bottles, into which the product is filled. Due to the foam,
there exists also a problem with regard to the vessel capacity/volume, the
downstream processing equipment such as pumps, homogenizers,
pasteurizers, filling lines and the filtration equipment.
In the prior art, tional technologies used to reduce or to act against
the generation of too much foam have for several years involved the use
of anti-foam chemicals. However, in the food industry, the use of
als is not possible, and in other industries the use of such
chemicals for reducing the generation of foam is rather cost-intensive.
Also, the chemicals may change the teristics of the liquid t,
which is processed in the production line.
Furthermore, mechanical foam breakers have been ted in the prior
art in order to limit the generation of foam during the filling of beer or cola
into bottles, for example. A further solution to this type of problem consists
in anti-foam devices using ound waves for the destruction of foam on
top of the liquid product. In A1, for example, an
ultrasonic device is disclosed for eliminating the creation of foam in large
containers. This known device uses round, plate-shaped resonators
mounted on a rotating device and being ed with means for changing
the angle of the treatment surface of the resonator plates of this device in
the direction of the product. Through the change of the angle of the plateshaped
resonators and the rotation of the two devices, the ultrasonic field
is d on a specific spot on the surface of the product container. This
system is rather big in its construction and difficult to be implemented in
existing filling lines without substantial modifications. Furthermore, this
known ultrasonic device needs complicated means for controlling the
creation of the ultrasonic field and for permanent modifying the angle of
radiation of the focused ultrasonic field.
In A1, a further ultrasonic transducer system is
disclosed, having a sonotrode with a main body part and a liquid ent
surface on its end. The foam treatment e of this sonotrode is
provided with a plurality of horn-shaped cavities. Due to the plurality of
cavities, a more intensive ultrasonic field may be emitted. However, also
this type of an ultrasonic treatment device has disadvantages in terms of
the possibility to eliminate the generation of foam in certain applications,
e.g. in filling lines for filling beverages into bottles or containers.
In view of the mentioned cks of the prior art ons, it is an object
of at least red embodiments of the present invention to provide a
sonotrode and an ultrasonic device with at least one sonotrode, which are
more ent and more flexible with respect to the application in existing
production lines and with respect to the foam elimination and foam
ion in different tion processes, and/or to at least provide the
public with a useful .
This problem is solved by a sonotrode with the features of claim 1 and by
a device for generating an ultrasonic field ing to the features of
claim 9. Preferred embodiments and characteristics of the invention are
disclosed in the respective dependent claims.
A first aspect of the invention as claimed in claim 1 provides a sonotrode
for generating an ultrasonic field in industrial production processes for
reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products with a compact onepiece
form of the sonotrode body. The sonotrode is provided with a main
body part having connecting means for the connection of the sonotrode
with a high-frequency generator, and has a front face, from which the
ultrasonic field is directed to the desired spot or area of the t to be
de-foamed. The main body part has a shape of a rectangular or square
block element having a reduced diameter part on the side of the front face
which is enlarged compared to the reduced diameter part, and the front
face is concave in shape in relation to a product surface for focusing the
onic field to a specific area of a product foam to be treated in a
concentrated form compared to a non-focused ound. Said front face
has a rectangular form with a round concavity in the direction of the
longitudinal axis in the shape of a d groove or channel.
In an embodiment, as a result of the concave form of the front face, the
ultrasonic field is concentrated compared to a flat or a convex front face.
The cavity of the front face according to the invention is preferably formed
such that an increased effect for the de-foaming of a liquid product is
achieved. The concave front face of the ode according to the
invention may in particular be formed like a rounded groove or channel
with an especially optimized ure. In an embodiment, the ultrasonic
high-amplitude frequency, which is introduced into the sonotrode by
means of a connecting part, is effectively itted by the block-shaped
main body part to the concave front face such that the generation of foam
during the processing of the liquid product can be effectively eliminated
and reduced.
According to an advantageous form of realization of the invention, the
sonotrode is provided with a high power output, in particular with an
ultrasonic power output into air of between 1 and 10,000 watts, between 2
and 1000 watts, preferably 5 to 1 to 800 watts, more preferably 10 to 700
watts, and even more preferably between 20 to 600 watts.
According to an advantageous form of realization of the invention, the
sonotrode is provided with a high-amplitude ratio, in particular with an
ultrasonic amplitude of peak-to-peak displacement between 1 and 150
microns, preferably 5 to 140 microns, more preferably 10 to 120 s,
and even more preferably 30 to 120 microns. h extensive search,
the inventors have found out that with these ranges of a high-amplitude
ratio a highly effective foam destruction and reduction is possible.
Surprisingly, these high-frequency ratios have turned out to be most
effective for the e of de-foaming liquid products.
According to a further advantageous form of realization of the invention,
the main body part is of a rectangular block-like shape having a reduced
diameter part on the side of the front face, which is enlarged compared to
the latter. This means, the sonotrode has in its upper region a blockshaped
part of a t form with the means for connecting the
sonotrode to a high-frequency tor. However, in the lower part, i.e.
the part closer to the front face, which is provided for directing the
ultrasonic field on the foam of the product, there is provided an area of
reduced diameter, so that the sonotrode has a cross-sectional tree-like
form. This form is most effective for creating a high-frequency ultrasonic
field with a compact and – from a first point of view – rather simply formed
ode. It has shown that the enlarged n of the front face with a
reduced diameter part between the like body part and the front face
is excellent for transmitting a large amount of high-frequency ultrasonic
beams onto the product to be treated. Therefore, the de-foaming effect is
considerably increased by means of this type of sonotrode ing to
the invention.
According to a further ageous form of realization of the invention,
between the main body part and the front face of the sonotrode for
generating the focused ultrasonic field of a high amplitude, a neck-like
portion with round lateral ations along a longitudinal axis L of the
concave front face is provided, which has a longitudinal axis L, which is
approximately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis S of the sonotrode itself.
According to a further advantageous form of realization of the invention,
the sonotrode device improves the impedance ng with air and as a
result improves the ultrasonic energy output efficiency and penetration
distance through the air with sufficient energy to collapse foam at the
following distances away from the emitting surface of the front face of the
sonotrode: 0.1mm to 1000mm, preferably 0.2mm to 500mm, more
preferably between 1mm and 250mm and most preferably between 10mm
and 100mm.
According to a further advantageous form of realization of the invention,
the ode device is of such a form and size that it could be
orated into a pipe, open trough, closed or open tank, vessel,
container (made of steel, plastic, glass, metal) containing a flow-able
material of foam, or foam and liquid or foam, liquid and solids and the
ultrasonic and in a way that energy emitted from the sonotrode surface or
concave front face would break the foam passing through.
According to a further preferred form of realization of the invention, the
front face of the sonotrode has a rectangular form with a round ity
in the udinal direction L.
According to a further advantageous form of realization of the invention,
the sonotrode has a concavity at its front face, which is formed like a
segment of a circle with a radius between r = 2 cm to r = .
The sonotrode according to the invention is preferably made of a metal
material, such as steel (stainless steel?), aluminum, nickel, titanium or
alloys of these types of als. The best de-foaming s have been
achieved with a ode made out of a material that has a high degree
of tensile strength c force (e.g. titanium alloy).
According to a further advantageous form of ation of the invention,
the form and construction of the block-type sonotrode is such that the
ultrasonic sound intensity is between 10 to 200 db, preferably 50 to 190
db, more preferably 70 to 180 db, and most ably 100 to 175 db.
These values of ultrasonic sound intensity have shown very good s
in the de-foaming of very different types of liquid products such as
ges (cola, diet cola, diet carbonated fruit drinks, sugar based
carbonated fruit drinks, none carbonated fruit drinks, ginger beer, root
beer, dairy products, dairy/fruit drinks, beer, all ated drinks, none
carbonated drinks, fermentation , dairy protein based fluids, soy
protein based fluids, whey protein based fluids, oil based fluids, etc.) as
well as chemical or pharmaceutical products.
According to a further ageous feature of the sonotrode according to
the invention, the block-shaped main body part is provided with a circular
central connection portion for connecting to an onic generator.
Through this constructive measure, the block element of the sonotrode is
on its upper surface formed with a disk-like central connecting part, which
has turned out to be very ive for the introduction and distribution of
the high-amplitude ultrasonic field from the high-frequency generator to the
front face, which emits the high-frequency ultrasound to the product
surface to be treated.
A second aspect of the present invention is also directed to a device for
de-foaming liquid products in industrial production processes, such as
chemical, pharmaceutical or beverage-related processes, according to the
features of claim 9, which comprises an ound generator, a converter
with a cooling unit and at least one high-frequency cable for connecting
sonotrode(s) to the generator. The device is provided with at least one
block-shaped high-amplitude ratio sonotrode as described above
according to the first aspect.
According to a preferred form of ation the device is provided with two
sonotrodes mounted on a common mother sonotrode such that both
udinal axis L of the front faces are essentially parallel to one another.
By means of this the de-foaming effect is increased and a larger area of
product can be treated at the same time.
According to one further aspect of the de-foaming device according to the
invention the sonotrodes are arranged with their front faces in line with a
transport direction of a production line of the product to be treated. That
means the longitudinal axis of the front faces are in the same direction as
the transport of product or bottles in the production line. A rather long
ultrasonic field is emitted though this measure.
Alternatively the sonotrodes are ed with their front faces in an angle
with respect to a ort direction of a production line of the product to
be treated. Preferably the angle n the longitudinal axis L and the
direction of product process may be = 90° or more preferably = 45°.
With this kind of a lateral acting of the ultrasonic field to the product
surface in some specific applications the treatment ha surprisingly been
shown to be more effective.
Further advantages, features and forms of realization are described in the
following detailed description of some embodiments of the invention, with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a ctive view of a first example of ation of the
inventive sonotrode;
Fig. 2a is a perspective view of an example of realization of a
sonotrode device ing to the invention with two sonotrodes in line
with the product process;
Fig. 2b is a perspective view of an example of realization of a
sonotrode device according to the invention with two sonotrodes arranged
in an angle compared to the product process; and
Fig. 2c is a ctive view of a r example of realization of a
ode device ing to the invention with two sonotrodes in an
angle of 90° in relation to the product process.
Figure 1 shows in a perspective view a first example of realization of a
sonotrode according to the invention. The sonotrode 10 ses in
general two different parts: first, on the upper side, there is provided a
main body part 1, and second, on the lower part, which is also the part
being directed to the liquid product to be treated, there is a front face 2,
which according to the invention has a concavity in the direction of the
product (bottom part in Fig. 1). Here, the main body part 1 has the
rectangular or square form of a compact block-like element 40. At the
upper end of the main body part 1, the sonotrode 10 according to this
example of realization is provided with a circular central connection
portion, which has the form of a disk-shaped part made of the same
material and in one piece with the sonotrode 10. In this example of
realization, the upper edges of the main body part 2 are slightly rounded,
and the lateral edges are chamfered. In the lower half of the sonotrode 10,
there is provided a reduced diameter part 41, which in a cross-sectional
view has a Y-like form with rounded lateral indentations and which is
ed to the bottom end of the sonotrode 10 in order to form a
rectangular front face 2 having a concavity 21 in the direction of the
product to be treated. The concavity 21 has a longitudinal axis L, which is
dicular to the overall longitudinal axis S of the sonotrode 10 and its
main body part 1.
The concave front face 2 being ted to the main body part 1 through
the reduced diameter part 41 results in an excellent transmission of highamplitude
ratio ultrasonic frequencies from the ultrasound generator to the
front face 2, from which the onic field is to be emitted in a focused
manner onto the foam of a product, which forms, for example, on the
upper surface of a liquid product in a production vessel.
The concavity of the front face 2 is formed ably with an radius of r =
2 cm or more. The focusing of the ultrasonic field is hereby optimized in
view of the de-foaming purpose of liquid products. With the concave form
of the front face 2 a more d and thereby more concentrated
ultrasound is d. This increases the effect of eliminating the foam
generation. According to advantageous embodiment of the inventive
sonotrode is provided with a high amplitude ratio, in ular with an
ultrasonic amplitude of peak to peak displacement between 1 and 150
microns, preferably 5 to 140 microns, more ably 10 to 120 microns
and more preferably 30 to 120 microns. These values are best for foam
eliminating in most liquid products, in particular beverages such as cola or
beer.
The form and construction of the sonotrode (10) according to the invention
is such that the ultrasonic sound intensity is approximately between 10 to
200 db, preferably 50 to 190 db, more preferably 70 to 180 db and most
ably 100 to 175 db. With these ranges of intensity the sonotrode 10
achieves best results and the generation of foam is ted.
In Fig. 2a to 2c three different examples of realization of a sonotrode
device ing to the invention with two combined odes are
shown. These devises 20 have each two sonotrodes 10 mounted on a
common mother sonotrode 4 or common base element. The mother
sonotrode 4 is connected to a hiegh frequency cable and ultrasound
generator (not shown) and transfers the frequency directly to the both
sonotrodes 10. These sonotrodes 10 are essentially of the same shape
and have the same characteristics as the form of realization described in
connection with Fig. 1.
The mother sonotrode 4 in the examples of realization (Fig. 2a to 2c) is a
rectangular block element with a I-type cross-section, i.e. enlarged end
portions and a reduced diameter in the middle section. The middle n
of the mother sonotrode 4 is here provided with to udinal throughholes
in order to reduce the weight and to increase the transfer of
ultrasound to the two sonotrodes 10. Both sonotrodes 10 are actuated
thereby with the same and increased amount of ound.
Fig. 2a shows an example of realization in which the longitudinal axis L of
the sonotrodes 10 are in line or parallel to the transport direction of the
production line of the product to be treated (cf. arrows in Fig. 2a).
In Fig. 2b a similar ultrasonic device 20 is shown with the difference that
the two parallel sonotrodes 10 are not in line with the transport dorection of
the t 3 but are turned in an angle of approximately 45° (angle =
45°). In some application areas this arrangement has resulted in much
better results.
The further example of realization ing to Fig. 2c shows both
sonotrodes 10 being in an angle of 90° compared to the direction of
transport of the t 3 or bottles. By means of this the width of the
ultrasonic concentrated field is increased. The number of sonotrodes can
be increased and be more than two. Furthermore the form of the
sonotrodes 10 and mother-sonotrode 4 may be changed as long as the
front faces 2 of the sonotrodes 10 are provided with an concavity
increasing the focusing effect as specified in the appended claims.
The product 3 or liquid to be med by the sonotrode 10 or device 20
according to the invention may be in a vessel, container etc. (in Fig. 2a to
2c only schematically indicated). Or the product is filled in a filling line into
separate bottles or the like. The ive sonotrode and device is
especially adapted for both applications due to its new sonotrode design
and highly focused ultrasound field. The flexibility and variation of
application areas is therefore y increased for very different industrial
production processes regarding foam creating liquids.
The term ‘comprising’ as used in this specification and claims means
‘consisting at least in part of’. When interpreting statements in this
specification and claims which include the term ‘comprising’, other features
besides the features prefaced by this term in each ent can also be
present. d terms such as ise’ and ‘comprised’ are to be
interpreted in similar manner.
Claims (18)
1. Sonotrode for generating an ultrasonic field in industrial production processes for reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products with a compact onepiece form of the sonotrode body, wherein the sonotrode is provided with a main body part having ting means for connection with a high frequency generator and having a front face from which the ultrasonic field is directed to the desired spot or area of the product to be de-foamed, wherein the main body part has the shape of a rectangular or square block element having a d diameter part on the side of the front face which is enlarged compared to the reduced diameter part and wherein the front face is concave in shape in relation to a product surface for focusing the ultrasonic field to a specific area of a product foam to be treated in a concentrated form compared to a nonfocused ultrasound and wherein said front face has a rectangular form with a round concavity in the direction of the longitudinal axis in the shape of a rounded groove or channel.
2. Sonotrode according to claim 1, n between the main body part and the front face for generating the focused ultrasonic field, a neck-like tapered portion with round lateral indentations along a longitudinal axis of the front face is provided which axis is imately perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the sonotrode.
3. Sonotrode according to any one of the ing claims, wherein said concavity of the front face is formed in its cross section perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the ode like a segment of a circle with a radius between r = 2 cm to r = .
4. ode according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sonotrode is made of steel, aluminium, nickel, titanium or alloys of these materials.
5. Sonotrode according to any one of the preceding , wherein said the main body part and said front face are formed in a one-piece body realized of the same al.
6. ode according to claim 5, wherein said same material is titanium or an alloy including titanium.
7. Sonotrode according to any one of the ing claims, wherein the blockshaped main body part is provided with a ar central connection portion for connecting to an onic generator.
8. Sonotrode according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said industrial production processes is selected from the group consisting of chemical, food, petroleum, ceutical, beverage or mining-related processes.
9. Device for de-foaming liquid products in industrial production processes comprising an ultrasound generator, a converter with a g unit, at least one high frequency cable for connecting ode(s) to the generator, wherein said device is provided with at least one shaped high amplitude ratio sonotrode according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8.
10. Device according to claim 9, comprising means for producing a high amplitude ratio ultrasound
11. Device according to claim 10, wherein said means for producing a high amplitude ratio ultrasound are means for producing a high amplitude ratio ultrasound in the range of an ultrasonic ude of peak to peak cement between 1 and 150 microns.
12. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the ultrasonic sound intensity is between 10 and 200 db.
13. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein at least two sonotrodes are provided which are mounted on a common mother sonotrode such that both longitudinal axis of the front faces are parallel to one another and that both ultrasonic fields are combined in the area of the product to be treated in order to increase the de-foaming effect.
14. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the sonotrodes are arranged away from the product to be treated such that the ultrasound ng surface of the front faces of the sonotrode(s) is/are in a distance of 0.1 mm to 1000 mm.
15. Device according to any one of claims 9 to 14, wherein said inductrial production processes is ed from the group consisting of chemical, pharmaceutical or beverage related processes.
16. Sonotrode according to claim 1, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed.
17. A sonotrode for ting an ultrasonic field in industrial production processes, substantially as herein described with nce to any embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.
18. A device according to claim 9, substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. WO 72296 /*'\
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
EP11189063.8 | 2011-11-14 | ||
EP11189063.8A EP2591864B1 (en) | 2011-11-14 | 2011-11-14 | Sonotrode and device for reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products |
PCT/EP2012/072458 WO2013072296A1 (en) | 2011-11-14 | 2012-11-13 | Sonotrode and device for reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
NZ626168A NZ626168A (en) | 2015-10-30 |
NZ626168B2 true NZ626168B2 (en) | 2016-02-02 |
Family
ID=
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
AU2012338949B2 (en) | Sonotrode and device for reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products | |
AU2010246892B2 (en) | Density modification | |
CA2812706C (en) | Fluid shockwave reactor | |
AU2009276288B8 (en) | Viscosity reduction | |
NZ626168B2 (en) | Sonotrode and device for reducing and eliminating foaming of liquid products | |
AU2007240129B2 (en) | Ultrasonic transducer systems | |
EP2665127B1 (en) | A multipurpose device for transmitting radiation | |
EP3829737A1 (en) | Apparatus, system and methods for emitting acoustic energy with circular concave head | |
RU2188797C1 (en) | Device for treatment of liquid media | |
EP3708247A1 (en) | Non-invasive mixing of liquids | |
Bhandari et al. | Potential Of Ultrasound Technology In Nutraceuticals And Pharmaceuticals | |
US20050058579A1 (en) | Acoustic energy transducer | |
Raju et al. | ULTRASONIC TECHNOLOGY FOR FOOD INDUSTRY | |
EP1448482A1 (en) | System and method for sterilization of a liquid |