Multi-stage filtration apparatus and filtration method for heterogeneous food admixtures

Abstract

A multi-stage filtration apparatus (100) for heterogeneous food admixtures comprises supply means (I1) for introducing a input heterogeneous admixture (All) being introduced to the multi-stage filtration apparatus (100), a pre-filtration station (M1) which is intended to receive the input heterogeneous admixture (All) being introduced and to separate it into a first admixture portion (Filtr1) and a residual solid admixture portion (Sol1), a filtration station (M2) comprising at least one tangential filter (F1) which is provided to separate from the first admixture portion (Filtr1) a concentrated suspension portion (Concentrata) and a final filtered portion (Finale), at least one supply device (I2) which is provided to circulate the first admixture portion (Filtr1) in the filtration station (M2). The pre-filtration station (M1) comprises at least one vibrating sieve (V1) in order to separate the heterogeneous admixture (All).

Claims

1. A multi-stage filtration apparatus for heterogeneous food admixtures, including at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase, comprising a supply device for supplying an input heterogeneous admixture, including at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase, to the multi-stage filtration apparatus, a pre-filtration station which is intended to receive the input heterogeneous admixture and to separate it into a first admixture portion and a residual solid admixture portion, a filtration station comprising at least one tangential filter which is provided to separate from the first admixture portion a concentrated suspension portion and a final filtered portion, at least one supply device which is provided to circulate the first admixture portion in the filtration station, characterized in that the pre-filtration station comprises at least one vibrating sieve in order to filter the input heterogeneous admixture.

2. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the filtration station comprises at least two tangential filters.

3. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least two tangential filters are arranged in series so as to be subsequently passed through by the concentrated suspension portion.

4. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 1 comprising a first tank for collecting the first admixture portion, the at least one supply device being connected to the first tank so as to be operatively interposed between the pre-filtration station and the filtration station and at least one supply pipe which connects the first tank to the filtration station in order to supply the first admixture portion to the filtration station.

5. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a cooling station which is intended to reduce the temperature of the first admixture portion or the circulating concentrated suspension portion.

6. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the cooling station is arranged downstream of the filtration station.

7. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a first connection pipe for transporting a cold concentrated suspension portion to the first tank.

8. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 5, and comprising at least one control device which is capable of controlling a discharge flow of the concentrated suspension portion from a three-way connection.

9. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a second connection pipe for transporting the concentrated suspension portion into the first tank.

10. The multi-stage filtration system according to claim 1, wherein the heterogeneous admixture has a quantity of solid material, expressed as a volume of solid material divided by the total volume of the heterogeneous food admixture between 0% and 40%.

11. The multi-stage filtration apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a washing station which is capable of cleaning the components of the pre-filtration station and/or the filtration station, preferably the washing station comprises a second tank which is operatively connected to the at least one tangential filter which is capable of containing liquids for cleaning filters to be circulated in the at least one tangential filter.

12. A method for filtering heterogeneous food admixtures, including at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase therein, comprising the steps of: supplying an input heterogeneous admixture to a pre-filtration station, pre-filtering the heterogeneous admixture by means of the pre-filtration station in order to obtain a first filtered admixture portion and a residual solid admixture portion, and supplying at least partially a filtration station comprising at least one tangential filter with a first filtered admixture portion, wherein the pre-filtering step comprises separating the input heterogeneous admixture by means of at least one vibrating sieve which is contained in the pre-filtration station.

13. The method for filtering heterogeneous food admixtures according to claim 12, further comprising the step of: inserting in the pre-filtration station the input heterogeneous admixture, including at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase, having a quantity of solid material expressed as a volume of solid material divided by the total volume of the heterogeneous food admixture between 0% and 40%.

14. The method for filtering heterogeneous food admixtures according to claim 12, comprising a cooling step for cooling the concentrated suspension portion being discharged from the filtration phase.

15. The method for filtering heterogeneous food admixtures according to claim 12, comprising a washing step which is capable of cleaning the components of the pre-filtration station and/or the filtration station.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram of the connections of the multi-stage filtration and purification apparatus of the invention;

[0039] FIG. 2 is a side view of the multi-stage filtration apparatus of the invention;

[0040] FIG. 3 is a top view of the multi-stage filtration apparatus of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 4 is a front view of the multi-stage filtration apparatus of the invention.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0042] In the Figures, there is generally designated 100 a multi-stage filtration apparatus for heterogeneous food admixtures constructed according to the present invention.

[0043] The apparatus 100 is in particular provided to carry out a multi-stage filtration process for heterogeneous admixtures concerning the oenological production system but it could readily be used or readily adapted by a person skilled in the art for/to a process for processing different types of heterogeneous food admixtures (for example, fruit juices, etc.).

[0044] The apparatus 100 is particularly suitable for processing heterogeneous admixtures which contain wine sediment or must sediment.

[0045] In this context, the term heterogeneous admixture is used to identify an admixture comprising at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase therein.

[0046] The apparatus 100 comprises at least one supply device I1 in order to supply by means of a first inlet AV01 a input heterogeneous admixture All being introduced in the filtration apparatus 100 and a pre-filtration station M1 which is intended to receive the input heterogeneous admixture All being introduced and to separate it into a first admixture portion Filtr1 and a residual solid admixture portion Sol1.

[0047] The first admixture portion Filtr1 corresponds to the heterogeneous admixture portion All which is filtered and passed through the pre-filtration station M1 while the residual solid admixture portion Sol1 corresponds to the input heterogeneous admixture portion All which is blocked by the pre-filtration station M1.

[0048] The pre-filtration station M1 has a generally cylindrical form which extends about a longitudinal centre axis Z and which is delimited by a lateral surface MI and by opposite bases which are substantially planar and which are axially opposed with respect to Z, by an upper portion M1a and a lower portion M1b. The upper portion M1a is connected to a cover 1 which comprises an upper connection 1a, on which there is provision for the insertion of the supply device I1.

[0049] Externally, the pre-filtration station M1 has a first connection M1Sol1 which extends out of the generally cylindrical structure in a direction which is tangential to the cylindrical surface MI of the pre-filtration station M1.

[0050] The pre-filtration station M1 comprises at least one vibrating sieve V1.

[0051] In a preferred version, the vibrating sieve V1 is of the type with a superficial sieve mesh of the product between 1.2 and 1 m.sup.3, preferably of approximately 1.13 m.sup.3.

[0052] The size of the holes of the vibrating sieve V1 is selected on the basis of the characteristics of the heterogeneous admixture involved.

[0053] In particular, the vibrating sieve V1 may have holes of 250 mc if the heterogeneous admixture is wine sediment and approximately 500 mc if the heterogeneous admixture to be processed is must sediment.

[0054] The vibrating sieve V1 is supplied by a motor having a power of 1.1 kW.

[0055] The pre-filtration station M1 comprises at least one filter for separation by means of vibrations, a filtering sieve.

[0056] The lower portion M1b is connected by means of a first connection element 4 to a cylindrical duct 5 which is capable of transferring the individual content to a first tank S01 which is connected and therebelow and which is generally composed of a cylindrical member 6.

[0057] In particular, there is caused to pass through the cylindrical duct 5 the first admixture portion Filtr1 which is filtered through the pre-filtration station M1 by the vibrating sieve V1, the remaining residual portion of solid admixture Sol1, which is blocked by the vibrating sieve V1, is transferred instead by means of the first connection M1Sol1 to a storage container which is not shown in the Figures.

[0058] The filtration apparatus 100 further comprises a filtration station M2 which is provided for filtering the first admixture portion Filtr1 and a supply device I2 which is provided to supply the first admixture portion Filtr1 to the filtration station M2. The supply device I2 is operatively connected to a lower portion of the first tank SO1, that is to say, in the tank portion opposite the cylindrical duct 5 with respect to the axis Z.

[0059] In a preferred form, the supply device 12 comprises connection elements for operatively connecting the tank SO1 and the filtration station M2. The supply device 12 comprises a second lower connection 7 which is secured in an upper portion thereof (with respect to the axis Z) to the first tank SO1 and which terminates in a connection 7a. The connection 7a is in turn connected by means of a first connection path to a three-way connection element 8 which communicates by means of one of the other two paths with a transfer pipe 9. The transfer pipe 9 is connected in the region of the opposite ends thereof to the three-way element 8 and the filtration station M2, respectively.

[0060] The first tank SO1 is supported in a stable position by a plurality of legs 7b.

[0061] In a preferred embodiment, the supply device I1 comprises a connection tube 2 which is connected at one end to the upper connection 1a and at the other end to the first inlet AV01.

[0062] The connection tube 2 has a flow connection and control element 2a which is received at the free end thereof.

[0063] The supply device 12 further comprises a second pump P02 which is inserted between the filtration station M2 and the pre-filtration station M1 and which is provided to circulate of the first admixture portion Filtr1. The second pump P02 is configured to optimize the transfer of the solution from the first tank SO1 to the filtration station M2.

[0064] In another embodiment, the supply device I2 provides for a second inlet AV02 which is positioned downstream of the first tank S01 which allows direct insertion upstream of the filtration station M2 of another heterogeneous admixture All2 to be processed which is mixed with the first admixture portion Filtr1 before the introduction into the filtration station M2.

[0065] The filtration station M2 comprises at least a first tangential filter F1 for filtering the first admixture portion Filtr1 so as to separate from the first admixture portion Filtr1 a concentrated suspension portion Conc and a final filtered portion Fin.

[0066] The filtration station M2 further comprises a first pump P01, or the like, which is provided to circulate the admixture to be filtered through the various elements which are cooperating in a fluid-dynamic manner.

[0067] In a preferred embodiment, the filtration station M2 comprises two tangential filters F1 and F2 which are connected to each other in series.

[0068] Advantageously, the first filter F1 and the second filter F2 have a mutually similar structure.

[0069] The first and the second tangential filters F1 and F2 are of the same type as the tangential filters which are arranged to process in succession the first admixture portion Filtr1 in order to separate therefrom a concentrated suspension portion Conc and a final filtered portion Fin.

[0070] In a preferred embodiment, the final filtered portion Fin. is collected by means of a connection F2S03 which is connected at an end thereof to the tangential filter F1 or to one of the above-mentioned tangential filters F1 or F2 and, at the other end, to a final valve connection S03. That connection is in turn connected to a collection tank (not shown in the Figures) in which the final filtered portion

[0071] Fin is collected.

[0072] The tangential filter F1 is a membrane type filter of stainless steel or ceramic materials or polymer materials. The membrane type is selected on the basis of the admixture to be processed and the percentage of the solids present therein. In a preferred form, they are of stainless steel.

[0073] The tangential filters are arranged so as to be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal centre axis Z.

[0074] In particular, the first pump P01 has a power of 15 kW so as to supply the tangential filter F1 at a flow rate of the first admixture portion Filtr1 between 3 and 12 ht/h. In that manner, there is produced a pressure inside the tangential filter(s) between 7 and 10 bar.

[0075] In an embodiment, the first and second filters F1, F2 are connected in the manner of a ring so that the admixture can be selectively recirculated continuously between the first tangential filter F1 and the second tangential filter F2.

[0076] In a preferred embodiment, a transfer pipe is operatively connected in the region of a terminal zone of the second tangential filter F2 by means of a second three-way connection element F2a. The connection element F2a is connected at the opposite end to the end connected to the second tangential filter F2 to the first pump P01 which is inserted in line with respect to the circuit of the filtration station M2. By means of the third path of the second connection element F2a, there is connected a first curved pipe 23 which is capable of transferring the circulating liquid into the tangential filter F1 which is connected downstream of the first curved pipe 23.

[0077] The other end of the first tangential filter F1 is connected to a second curved pipe 12 which is provided to transfer the circulating liquid again into the second tangential filter F2: by means of those elements, there is produced a first circulation C1 of the circulating liquid to be filtered.

[0078] The temperature of the circulating admixture in the first circulation C1 is monitored by means of a thermal probe. In a preferred form, the thermal probe is a PT100 having a range of use between 50 C. and +800 C.

[0079] In particular, the second curved pipe 12 has a first and a second annular connection portion 12a and 12b. In a preferred embodiment, the first annular connection portion 12a is connected to a second connection pipe M2S01, comprising a third connection 14, which is inserted in an upper lateral section of the first tank S01, which is provided for transferring therein a predetermined quantity of a concentrated suspension portion Conc which is obtained at the discharge from the filtration station M2e circulating in the first circulation C1.

[0080] The apparatus 100 further comprises a cooling station M3 for cooling the concentrated suspension portion Conc.

[0081] Advantageously, furthermore, the second curved pipe 12 has in the lower portion the second annular connection portion 12b which is arranged at the opposite side in accordance with the axis Z with respect to the first annular connection portion 12a. The second annular connection portion 12b radially receives on the curvilinear development axis thereof a fourth connection 13 which is also tubular in form. That fourth connection 13 is connected at the opposite end with respect to the second annular connection portion 12b to a second cooling element M3b in the cooling station M3. The cooling station M3 is intended to lower the temperature of the circulating concentrated suspension portion Conc. At the inlet to the cooling station M3, it is possible to control the quantity of the concentrated suspension portion Conc to be cooled.

[0082] That reduction function of the temperature brings about a significant technical advantage allowing fine control of the temperature of the admixture processed and also the viscosity thereof.

[0083] This allows optimization of the organoleptic properties of the admixture which is obtained as well as optimization of the general multi-stage filtration process of the present invention.

[0084] Furthermore, as a result of the structural and functional features of the present invention, it is possible to selectively decide how much and what portion of the circulating liquid to introduce into the above-mentioned cooling station M3 in order to modify or maintain the desired temperature and viscosity conditions of the admixture, thereby preserving advantageous characteristics, such as, for example, the organoleptic properties thereof.

[0085] That cooling station M3 further comprises a first cooling element M3a which is connected by means of a fifth connection 16, a three-way connection 16a, a tubular connection 16 and a valve connection M3AV06, which are connected to each other in series in this order, to a tank (not shown in the Figures) which is provided for collecting a cold concentrated suspension portion Cold.

[0086] Preferably, a tubular extension M3S01 is connected at one end thereof to the three-way connection 16a and at the other end to a lower inlet of the first tank S01 by means of a tubular connection 15 and a valve AV04 which are connected in series, the valve AV04 being received in the region of the first tank S01.

[0087] The cold concentrated suspension portion Cold may selectively be introduced into the first tank S01 or into a tank (not shown in the Figures) at the discharge from the multi-stage filtration apparatus 100.

[0088] Furthermore, the multi-stage filtration apparatus 100 comprises at least one control device AV04 which is capable of controlling a discharge flow of the concentrated suspension portion Conc from the three-way connection 16a towards the first tank S01.

[0089] The cooling station M3 is preferably operative at temperature ranges between 7 and 12 C. and comprises a heat exchange surface-area of 1.2 m.sup.3.

[0090] The filtration apparatus 100 further comprises a washing station M4 which is capable of cleaning the filters and other components contained in the stations provided for filtration.

[0091] Advantageously, the washing station M4 is provided parallel with the pre-filtration station M1 and the filtration station M2.

[0092] The washing station M4 comprises a third pump P03 or the like, which is capable of circulating cleaning liquids in the at least one tangential filter F.

[0093] The third pump P03 is connected in line to a second tank S02 and to a sixth tubular connection 17, which is operatively connected at the other end to an eighth connection 19 which terminates in a portion of the first tangential filter F1.

[0094] In another embodiment, the washing station M4 is provided with pipelines so as to allow the circulation of the cleaning liquids through all the operatively connected ducts of the filtration station M2.

[0095] For the person skilled in the art, it is commonplace to select the type of cleaning liquids which is most suitable (acids, bases, polar, apolar, alcohols, etc.) in order to carry out an efficient removal of the contaminants present.

[0096] In another preferred embodiment, the washing station M4 is further provided with additional pipelines which are capable of circulating the cleaning liquid in the pre-filtration station M1 and/or in the first tank S01.

[0097] The second tank S02 is in the upper portion connected to a seventh connection 18, which is operatively connected to a ninth connection 20 which transports the cleaning liquids in the upper connection 1a by means of a tenth connection 21 and the cylindrical member 6 of the first tank S01.

[0098] Preferably, the filtration apparatus 100 of the invention comprises mainly four functional stations, of which two are intended for the filtration and purification process, one for the pre-filtration process and one for a washing station.

[0099] The operating methods of the multi-stage filtration apparatus 100 which define the method of the present invention comprise the steps described below.

[0100] The input heterogeneous admixture All to be processed is introduced into the processing circuit via supply means I1 and from there it is transferred to the pre-filtration station M1. In that station there is provided a vibrating sieve V1 which separates from the input heterogeneous admixture All being introduced a residual solid admixture portion Sol1 and a first filtered admixture portion Filtr1. That residual solid admixture portion Sol1 is collected by means of a dedicated circuit and is controlled by way of storage means according to the preferences of the user in accordance with the teaching set out in the prior art.

[0101] The first filtered admixture portion Filtr1 which is obtained by filtration of the input heterogeneous admixture All is collected in a first tank S01 and is subsequently transferred to and advantageously circulated in the filtration station M2 with tangential filters. The movement of the first filtered admixture portion Filtr1 in the filtration station M2 is brought about by means of the supply device 12 which is advantageously provided.

[0102] Once the filtration station M2 has been reached, the first filtered admixture portion Filtr1 is further processed by means of the at least one tangential filter F1 which is received therein, being separated into a concentrated suspension portion Conc which contains a greater percentage of solid suspensions with respect to the first filtered admixture portion Filtr1 being introduced into the tangential filter F1 and a final filtered portion Fin, having the desired purity characteristics. The final filtered portion Fin will in fact have no suspensions and will be sterilized in respect of organisms such as yeasts and bacteria.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment, the final filtered portion Fin is collected in a suitable collection tank and is not subjected to other filtration steps.

[0104] In a variant of the above-mentioned method, there may be provided a second tangential filter F2 which is arranged downstream of the first tangential filter F1 and which is provided in order to further filter the concentrated suspension portion Conc in order to further improve the properties of the.

[0105] In another version of the method, there may be provision for cooling the concentrated suspension portion Conc being discharged from the first tangential filter F1 before supplying it to the second tangential filter F2.

[0106] In another preferred embodiment, the above-mentioned method comprises the step of introducing into the pre-filtration station M1 the input heterogeneous admixture All, including at least one solid phase and at least one liquid phase, having a quantity of solid material which is expressed as a volume of solid material divided by the total volume of the heterogeneous food admixture between 0% and 40%.

[0107] Naturally, in the above-described invention a person skilled in the art would be able to provide additional modifications and variants for the purpose of satisfying specific and contingent application requirements, which variants and modifications are in any case included in the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims.