Device and process for the production of fine fat particles
AssigneeDeutsches Institut FüR Lebensmitteltechnik E.V.
InventorBernhard Hukelmann
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Abstract
A device and to a process which can be carried out using the device, for the production of fine particles from a liquid which solidifies upon cooling, in particular from liquid fat. The process has the advantage of producing fine particles of very small size, preferably with narrow size distribution. The device has the advantage that a solidifying liquid can be supplied at a temperature above its solidification temperature, without cooling gas leading to solidification of the liquid in the supply line, which cooling gas is used in the production of the particles.
Claims11
A process for producing particles from liquid fat having a temperature above its solidification temperature, comprising:
- conducting liquid fat through a supply line to discharge to an inlet of a nozzle and into an area of a central channel of the nozzle
- directing propellant gas into the area of the central channel via an annular opening formed between the inlet and an annular shoulder of the nozzle to create a negative pressure, wherein the central channel tapers to a section of smallest radius at the area and comprises a second section that widens to an outlet opening at an opposite end of the nozzle from the inlet, wherein the propellant gas has a temperature of at least 50 K below the solidification temperature of the liquid fat,
- directing a counterflow of cooling gas into the central channel to cool the liquid fat while it is in the central channel, wherein the cooling gas has a temperature of at least 50 K below the solidification temperature of the liquid fat,
- discharging a mixture of the propellant gas with the liquid fat from the outlet opening of the nozzle,
- subsequent cooling of the mixture of the propellant gas with the fat, and
- separating particles from the propellant gas to obtain the particles.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.