• 专利附录
  • 专利说明
  • 权利要求
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    • 专利摘要:
    "apparatus for dewatering an organic material, and method for dehydrating an organic material" an apparatus for microwave vacuum drying of organic materials such as food and bioactive, has a plurality of microwave generators 50 actuated to cause interference between their respective microwave streams and equally distributed microwave energy through the vacuum chamber 34. the transparent microwave window 36 in the chamber is arranged so that the organic material to be dried is moved therethrough on a conveyor belt 60 and the microwave energy passing into the chamber 34 immediately finds the organic materials, thereby attenuating the energy and reducing bending.
    公开号:BR112012016310B1
    申请号:R112012016310
    申请日:2010-10-25
    公开日:2018-10-30
    发明作者:Fu Jun；Yaghmaee Parastoo；D Durance Timothy
    申请人:Enwave Corp；
    IPC主号:
    专利说明:

    (54) Title: APPLIANCE FOR DEHYDRATING ORGANIC MATERIAL, AND, METHOD FOR DEHYDRATING AN ORGANIC MATERIAL.
    (51) IntCI .: A23L 3/54; F26B 15/18; F26B 21/10; F26B 3/347; F26B 5/04.
    (30) Unionist Priority: 1/18/2010 US 61/295835.
    (73) Holder (s): ENWAVE CORPORATION.
    (72) Inventor (s): JUN FU; TIMOTHY D. DURANCE; PARASTOO YAGHMAEE.
    (86) PCT Application: PCT CA2010001686 of 10/25/2010 (87) PCT Publication: WO 2011/085467 of 7/21/2011 (85) Date of Beginning of the National Phase: 29/06/2012 (57) Summary: APPLIANCE FOR DEHYDRATING ORGANIC MATERIAL, AND, METHOD FOR DEHYDRATING AN ORGANIC MATERIAL An apparatus 20 for microwave vacuum drying of organic materials such as food and bioactive, has a plurality of microwave generators 50 actuated to cause interference between their respective microwave currents and microwave energy equally distributed through the vacuum chamber 34. The transparent microwave window 36 in the chamber is arranged so that the organic material to be dried is moved through it on a conveyor belt 60 and the microwave energy that passes into the interior of the chamber 34 immediately finds the organic materials, thus attenuating the energy and reducing arching.
    1/17 “APPARATUS TO DEHYDRATE ORGANIC MATERIAL, AND, METHOD TO DEHYDRATE AN ORGANIC MATERIAL”
    Field of the invention [001] The invention belongs to devices and methods for microwave vacuum drying organic materials, which includes food products and biologically active materials, such as vaccines, antibiotics, proteins and cultures of microorganisms.
    Background to the invention [002] Dehydration of organic materials is commonly done in the food processing industry and in the production of biologically active materials. It can be done to preserve products for storage. It can also be made to create a product that is used in dehydrated form, for example, dehydrated herbs and various types of chips. Conventional methods of dehydrating organic products include air drying and freeze drying. Both of these drying methods have their limitations. In general terms, air drying is slow, and freeze drying is expensive and both methods tend to degrade the appearance and texture of products, which is undesirable in the case of food.
    [003] Another method used to dehydrate food products and biologically active materials is microwave vacuum dehydration. Examples of this in the patent literature include WO 2009/049409 Al a Durance and others, published on April 23, 2009, WO 2009/033285 Al a Durance and others, published on March 19, 2009. Vacuum drying with micro -waves is a quick method that can produce products with improved quality, compared to air-dried and freeze-dried products. Since drying is done under reduced pressure, the boiling point of water and the oxygen content of the atmosphere are reduced, thus food and medicinal components sensitive to oxidation
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 13/37
    2/17 and thermal degradation can be retained to a higher degree than by air drying. The drying process is also much faster than air and freeze drying. The present invention is directed to improvements in the microwave vacuum drying technique.
    Summary of the invention [004] One aspect of the invention pertains to the mode of operation of microwave generators in drying organic materials in a vacuum chamber. The current inventors have determined that by employing several microwave generators and working them in combination and programmed sequence, it is possible to precisely control the microwave field through a transparent microwave window. Using microwave interference, the invention can achieve random scanning of electrically controlled microwaves, so that organic materials are treated uniformly by microwave energy. This in turn allows for improved control of the drying process.
    [005] When two or more microwave sources are operating together, in such a way that microwave output currents overlap, the output currents will combine and interfere with one another in a confluent current or beam, similar to two rivers that join. In the case of two microwave currents, if they are out of phase with each other, the phase shift causes a reorientation of the confluent microwave current. The inventors have determined that when several microwave sources are activated and deactivated randomly over time, the result is a random orientation of the microwave beam. The principle can be used to randomly and evenly distribute or scan the confronting microwave current across a defined space, without the need to mechanically reorient the microwave generators. In the present invention the microwave current is distributed
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 14/37
    3 / η or scanned through a transparent microwave window, for transmitting microwave radiation to a vacuum chamber containing organic material to be dehydrated. The material to be dehydrated can optionally be in motion through or inside the vacuum chamber. Such material movement can assist in the further distribution of microwave energy within the material.
    [006] The microwave chamber can incorporate a corresponding water charge, designed to absorb microwave energy that has passed through the window and through the organic material being dehydrated. The water charge serves to reduce the reflection of excess microwave radiation inside the vacuum chamber, in order to control the potential for high electric field nodes, and thus reduce the potential for arc formation.
    [007] In accordance with aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for dehydrating organic material, comprising a vacuum chamber, a set of two or more microwave generators, a transparent microwave window for transmitting radiation from microwave inside the vacuum chamber, a microwave chamber between the microwave generators and the window, and device to control the operation of the microwave generators to activate and deactivate in programmed combination and sequence, causing interference between the microwave current from any generator and the microwave current from any other generator in the set.
    [008] Another aspect of the invention pertains to the reduction of microwave radiation arc formation, which occurs in microwave vacuum vacuum dehydrators. Arc formation can cause burning of the products that are being dehydrated. The inventors determined that such an arc formation can be reduced by means of an arrangement, in which the organic material is placed so that radiation that passes through the transparent window of
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 15/37
    MYl microwave from the vacuum chamber immediately finds the organic material, before moving further into the vacuum chamber. This has the effect of attenuating microwave energy within the vacuum chamber, and thus reducing arc formation. Microwave reflections caused by organic material return to the interior of the microwave chamber, where they create permanent waves and hot spots. Since the microwave chamber is at atmospheric pressure, the probability of arcing is very low. The arrangement is carried out by placing the organic material on or near the window and, optionally, transporting the organic material through the window, for example, on a transparent microwave conveyor belt, which is on or near the window.
    [009] In accordance with that aspect of the invention, an apparatus is provided for dehydrating organic material comprising a vacuum chamber, a microwave generator, a transparent microwave window in the vacuum chamber, a microwave chamber waves between the window and the generator and, optionally, a device to transport organic material through the transparent microwave window inside the vacuum chamber.
    [0010] Both aspects previously mentioned, that is, the control of the microwave field and the reduction of air formation, can be incorporated in a single device. In accordance with this aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a set of two or more microwave generators, a transparent microwave window in the vacuum chamber, a microwave chamber between the generators microwave and the window, the window being positioned so that the organic material can be placed on or adjacent to it, such that the microwave radiation that passes through the window immediately finds the organic material, and device for control the operation of the microwave generators to activate and deactivate in a programmed combination and sequence, causing interference between the microwave current from any generator and the
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 16/37
    5 / η microwave current from any other generator in the set.
    [0011] The invention further provides methods for dehydrating an organic material. Examples of materials suitable for dehydration by means of the invention include fruits, whether pureed or cut, frozen or thawed, including bananas, mangoes, papaya, pineapples, melons, apples, pears, cherries, berries, peaches, apricots, plums , grapes, oranges, lemons, grapefruit; vegetables, whether fresh or frozen, whole, pureed or in pieces, including peas, beans, corn, carrots, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, potatoes, beets, turnips, squashes, onions, garlic; fruit and vegetable juices, pre-cooked grains that include rice, oats, wheat, barley, corn, flaxseed; hydrocolloid solutions or suspensions, vegetable gums, frozen liquid bacterial cultures, vaccines, enzymes, protein isolates, amino acids, injectable drugs, pharmaceutical drugs, natural medicinal compounds, antibiotics, antibodies, compound materials in which a hydrocolloid or gum surrounds and encapsulates a droplet or particle of a relatively less stable material as a means of protecting and stabilizing the less sensitive material; meats, fish and seafood, whether fresh or frozen, pureed or chunked, dairy products such as milk, cheese, whey protein isolates and yogurt; and moist extracts of fruits, vegetables and meats.
    [0012] One aspect of the dehydration method belongs to the mode of operation of microwave generators. According to this aspect, the method comprises introducing the organic material into a vacuum chamber, reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber to less than atmospheric, activating and deactivating a set of two or more microwave generators in combination and programmed sequence , cause interference between a microwave current from any of the generators and a microwave current from any of the other generators, and apply microwave radiation currents through a transparent microPetition window 870180006342 , of 24/01/2018, p. 17/37
    6/17 waves into the vacuum chamber, to dehydrate the organic material and remove the dehydrated material from the vacuum chamber.
    [0013] Another aspect of the dehydration method pertains to reducing the arc formation of microwave radiation in a microwave vacuum dehydrator while dehydrating the organic material, such that the microwave field is attenuated by the organic material immediately when passing through the window. According to this aspect, the method comprises producing the organic material in a vacuum chamber, reducing the pressure to a lower than atmospheric pressure, applying microwave radiation through the window to dehydrate the organic material on or near the window, optionally transport through the vacuum chamber and remove the dehydrated organic material from the vacuum chamber.
    [0014] Both of the previously mentioned methods can be incorporated into a single method that includes transporting organic material through a transparent microwave window, and also enabling and disabling a plurality of microwave generators in combination and programmed sequence, to apply microwave radiation through the window.
    These and other features of the invention will be evident from the following description and drawings of the preferred embodiments.
    Brief description of the drawings [0016] Figure 1 is an isometric view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.
    [0017] Figure 2 is an isometric view from the opposite side of the view in figure 1, with the outlet module, housing and vacuum chamber cover removed.
    [0018] Figure 3 is a cut-away view over Nail 3-3 in Figure 1.
    [0019] Figure 4 is a cut-away view over Nail 4-4 of
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 18/37 / 17 figure 2.
    [0020] Figure 5 is a longitudinal section of another modality of the device.
    Description of preferred modalities [0021] Throughout the following description and drawings, in which corresponding and equal parts are identified by the same reference characters, specific details are described to provide a more global understanding for people skilled in the art. However, well-known elements may not have been shown or described in detail, to avoid unnecessary obscuration of the disclosure. Consequently, the description and drawings must be observed in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.
    [0022] The dehydration apparatus 20 comprises a processing unit 22 in which organic material is vacuum dried with microwaves. The unit has an input end 24 and an output end 26, with a raw material loading module 28 at the input end and a dehydrated material discharge module 30 at the output end. The processing unit 22 is supported on a frame 32.
    [0023] A vacuum chamber 34 extends the length of the processing unit 22. A transparent microwave window 36, made of Teflon, forms the back wall of the vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has a cover 38 and side walls 40, with support elements 106 between the walls. Microwave chamber modules are arranged below window 36, there being four such modules 42A, 42B, 42C, 42D in the illustrated modality. Each module has a set of six microwave generators 50 and a microwave chamber 52. Each microwave chamber has a floor 54 with recesses 56, each accommodating a respective microwave generator 50 and two face walls lateral 58 that open outward in the direction
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    8/17 upwards. The transverse face walls 59 of the microwave chambers separate the adjacent microwave chambers. The transparent microwave window 36 forms the upper wall of the microwave chambers 52. The microwave chambers are not sealed from the atmosphere and are thus filled with air at atmospheric pressure. Microwave chambers are used to create interference microwaves across space and distance.
    [0024] The modality of figures 1 to 4 has six microwave generators in each module, however the device may, alternatively, have a different number of generators in each module, as long as there are at least two generators in each module, so that interference may occur between the waves generated by the respective generators. For example, each module can have two, three, four or more microwave generators. Generators within a module can be arranged in two or more rows, with each row having two or more generators. For example, in the embodiment of figures 1 to 4, there are two parallel rows, one row being oriented perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the processing unit 22 with three generators per row. Alternatively, there may be a single row of generators in each module perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the processing unit, each row having two, three, or more generators. Figure 5 illustrates a mode 200 of the device, in which there are three microwave generators 50 in each module, arranged in a single row. In all cases, the spacing between the generators within a module is selected to be such that interference will occur between the microwave currents generated by the respective generators.
    [0025] A microwave-transparent conveyor belt 60, for transporting organic material through the vacuum chamber, extends along window 36 and is in direct contact with it. The conveyor belt extends into the loading modules and
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    9 / Π unloading 28, 30 as described below, and forms a continuous loop, for example, running below the microwave generators.
    [0026] The loading module 28 has a raw material feed distributor 62 positioned above the conveyor belt 60, and configured to drop raw material to be dehydrated on the conveyor belt. The belt runs over the conveyor rollers 63 in the loading module. A raw material supply tank 64 is connected through a feed conduit 66 to the raw material feed distributor 62. A feed controller 68 controls the flow of raw material into the distributor. Supply tank 64 is at atmospheric pressure. A raw material in liquid form for dehydration can be sucked into the distributor and vacuum chamber through the pressure differential between the vacuum chamber and the supply tank. A raw material for dehydration in the form of pieces or granules, or in open containers, can be introduced into the processing unit 22 by a duct, auger, or other transfer device, capable of transporting material into the vacuum chamber without loss substantial vacuum. For example, a series of individual open containers, such as glass vials of serum, can be inserted into the vacuum chamber and transported through the window, either on a transparent microwave belt, or directly over the window. The loading module 28 has a housing 70 attached and sealed to the inlet end 24 of the processing unit. The interior of the charging module is open to the vacuum chamber and is, therefore, under reduced pressure during operation of the device. An observation window 72 on the housing allows visual inspection into the vacuum chamber.
    [0027] The unloading module 30 has conveyor rollers to guide the conveyor belt 60. A material collector 76 is
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    10/17 positioned under the roller facing outwards, to receive dehydrated material that is dropped from the conveyor belt. A drive roller 78, rotated by a motor 80, drives the conveyor belt. The discharge module 30 includes a housing 82 fixed and sealed to the outlet end 26 of the processing unit 22, and an observation window 73. The discharge module is open to the vacuum chamber and is thus under reduced pressure during operation of the device.
    [0028] Optionally, and as illustrated in figure 3, the conveyor belt 60 can form a continuous mesh without extending below the microwave generators. Here the path of the conveyor belt is around a single roller 63 in the loading module and a single roller 74 in the unloading module, with the return path of the belt being between its front path and the transparent microwave window 36 The belt on its forward path is thus located on the belt on its return path which, in turn, is located on the microwave window 36. A drive roller, not shown in figure 3, is provided for drive the belt.
    [0029] A conveyor auger 84 is positioned over the material collector 76 and receives the dehydrated material from it. A vacuum seal 86 between the bottom end of the material collector 76 and the auger conveyor 84 maintains the vacuum inside the vacuum chamber 34 and auger conveyor 84. The auger 84 is driven by an engine 88. A pair of 90A outlet valves .90B at one end of the auger conveyor provides removal of dehydrated material from the apparatus. The valves 90A, 90B function as an air lock to allow removal of dry product. Vacuum sealed containers (not shown in the drawings) to receive the dry product are connected to the valves. One valve is open at a time to allow a container to receive product from the auger, while another valve is closed to allow removal of
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    11/17 a full container from that valve. The two valves are opened and closed alternately to allow the auger to operate continuously.
    [0030] The dehydration apparatus includes a vacuum pump 96 operationally connected via a conduit 97 to the vacuum distributor 110 which, in turn, connects to the vacuum chamber on the vacuum ports 98 on its side walls 40. One Condenser 100 is operationally connected to the cooling unit 102 to condense water vapor produced during dehydration of the organic material. Alternatively, the condenser can be located outside the vacuum chamber, connected between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum pump.
    [0031] The apparatus includes a refrigeration unit 102 comprising a compressor, cooling fan and refrigerant pump, connected to transport refrigerant through a refrigerant pipe 108 to condenser 100, and thus maintain the condenser at a desired temperature.
    [0032] A charge of water is provided at the top of the vacuum chamber 34 to absorb microwave energy, and thus prevent microwave reflection in the vacuum chamber. This is done by means of microwave transparent water pipe 112 shown in figure 4 under cover 38 of the vacuum chamber. The water that is pumped through the pipeline by a pump (not shown in the drawings) can be either salt or bmpa water. Piping 112 can be in various dimensions and configurations to correspond to the microwave field.
    [0033] The device 20 includes a programmable logic controller (PLC) programmed and connected to control the operation of the system, including controlling the flow of input of raw material, the motors, the microwave generators, the vacuum pump, and the coolant pump. It is programmed to activate and deactivate microwave generators within
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    12/17 each of the microwave generator modules 42A to 42D. Whenever a microwave generator is activated, the microwave created by the generator will have a new phase. Due to microwave interference, the microwave with the new phase interferes with other microwaves and creates a new microwave distribution through organic materials. Although microwave generators are activated and deactivated through PLC programming, microwave phases are created randomly. The microwave distribution is thus changed randomly and frequently. Over time the average microwave energy through all organic material is equal.
    [0034] For example, within a module, a given generator can be run for a set time for a duration of five seconds, then run for two seconds, then run for five seconds, and so on. It is preferred that at least two of the generators within a module are radiating at any given time, so that the energy output of the generators is higher and is available for product dehydration. The microwaves produced by any generator are always out of step with the microwaves produced by each other generator due to the random variation inherent in the time in which the generators are activated. The microwave currents thus interfere with each other to produce reinforced pulses of microwave energy that penetrate the vacuum chamber. The direction of the pulses varies randomly across the entire area in the chamber radiated by the generators in a module. Over a period of time all parts of that area are subjected to a substantially equal amount of energy.
    [0035] The dehydration device 20 operates according to the method that follows. The vacuum pump, coolant pump, water pump, microwave generators, motors 80, 88 and the raw material feed controller 68 are all activated under the control of the PLC. Pressure within
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    13/17 vacuum chamber can be in the range of approximately 0.01 (1.33 Pa) to approximately 100 Torr (13332 Pa), alternatively approximately 0.1 (13.3 Pa) to approximately 30 Torr (3999 Pa). The organic material to be dehydrated is fed on the conveyor belt 60 and is loaded through the vacuum chamber, through the transparent microwave window. The material is dehydrated by radiation from the generators that passes through the window. Processing time can be in the range of approximately 0.5 to 2 hours. The dehydrated material falls into the material collector 76, moves into the auger conveyor 84 and is removed from the apparatus via outlet valves 90A, 90B.
    Example 1 [0036] A dehydration apparatus in the form of apparatus 20 described above, has microwave generators, each having a power output of 1200 watts. The peak energy within a given four-generator microwave generator module is therefore 4.8 kw. The vacuum system evacuates the device to an absolute pressure of 0.1 Torr. Each microwave chamber has a height of 14.5 inches (36.8 cm), a length of 27 inches (68.6 cm) and a width at the top of 28 inches (71.1 cm). The spacing between center-to-center microwave generators was 12 inches (30.5 cm) between adjacent rows and 6 inches (15.2 cm) between adjacent generators within a row. The conveyor belt is operated at a speed in the range of 0.01 to 1 cm / s.
    Example 2 [0037] An embodiment of the invention for drying organic materials in a batch mode has been operated to dehydrate various foods, bioactive materials and flask materials, in some cases using frozen materials. The final moisture content of the dehydrated material was measured.
    (a) Bulky samples of pieces of meat,
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    14/17
    Brussels, green peas and egg whites were dried at a pressure of 35
    Torr. The results are shown in Table 1. Table 1
    Sample and weight Drying time Average microwave energy Final moisture content Pieces of cam (874g) 130 min 1532 1.02 +/- 0.061% Brussels sprouts (843g) 280 min 973 4.66 +/- 1.17 %% Green peas (759g) 287 min 946 4.59 +/- 0.61% Egg whites (384g) 236 min 1473 1.76 +/- 0.55%
    (b) Frozen samples of bioactive materials, namely, lipase and amylase, were dried at a pressure of approximately 0.15 Torr or less. The results are shown in Table 2. Table 2
    Sample and weight Drying time Average micro energywaves Final moisture content Lipase (15% w / v) a-amylase (15% w / v) (337g)(241g) 9.5 hours12 hours 12981071 3.06 +/- 0.36%2.60 +/- 0.24%
    (c) Flask material samples were dried at a pressure of approximately 0.15 Torr (19.9 Pa) or less. The results are shown in Table 3. Table 3
    Sample and weight Timeindrying Energyaveragemicrowave Final moisture content Lactobacillus (215 bottles IG 96 min 1118 2.97 +/- each) 0.8% Solution (220 bottles IG 168 min 1390 2.05 +/- milkskimmed each) 0.01% Lipase (20% (215 bottles 2g 230 min 652 3.47 +/- w / v) each) 0.55%
    [0038] It should be understood that although particular devices to perform certain functions of the device, or particular structures, or steps, were described above with respect to the preferred modalities, several other devices, structures and steps can be employed in the device and
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    15/17 method of the invention. Examples of this include the following.
    (i). The device for transporting organic material through the microwave transparent window can include means such as window vibration, window insertion, and using gravity, mechanical pushers, etc.
    (ii). The device for reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber may include any device for applying a vacuum to the vacuum chamber, such as connection to a central vacuum system in an installation.
    (iii). The device for loading organic material into the vacuum chamber and / or for discharging dehydrated material, can be structured to facilitate the loading of various forms of material, for example, solids, gels, etc., and the handling of materials in containers, for example, vaccines contained in vials.
    (iv). The dehydration device can be structured to operate in batch mode, as well as in continuous mode. For batch mode the device may not require loading and unloading modules, or any conveyor to move organic materials through the vacuum chamber. Instead, the materials are placed in the vacuum chamber, which is then sealed and evacuated. After dehydration the vacuum is broken, the vacuum chamber is unsealed, and the dry materials are removed. The operation can be mechanized or done manually by an operator.
    (v) The processing apparatus may include any desired and practical number of modules, including a single module. The modules can be arranged in a stacked configuration to reduce the floor space required by the device.
    List of reference numerals dewatering unit processing unit
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    16/17 processing unit inlet end 26 processing unit outgoing end 28 loading module unloading module vacuum chamber structure transparent microwave window vacuum chamber cover vacuum chamber side walls microwave microwave generator microwave chamber microwave chamber floor recessed in the floor microwave chamber side walls microwave chamber extremes conveyor belt raw material distributor conveyor belt roller loading module raw material tank supply line feed controller loading module housing loading module observation window unloading module observation window unloading module roller 76 material pickup roller drive material for roller actuation
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 28/37 / 17 unloading module housing conveyor auger vacuum seal in unloading module 88 motor for conveyor auger outlet control valves vacuum pump vacuum duct vacuum ports on side walls of vacuum chamber 100 condenser
    102 refrigeration unit
    106 vacuum chamber holders
    108 refrigerant tube
    110 vacuum distributor
    112 water charge pipe
    200 dehydration device
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    1/7
    权利要求:
    Claims (33)
    [1]
    1. Apparatus (20) for dehydrating organic material, comprising:
    (a) a vacuum chamber (34);
    (b) a set of two or more microwave generators (50);
    (c) a transparent microwave window (36) for transmitting microwave radiation from the microwave generators to the vacuum chamber;
    the apparatus (20) characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises:
    (d) a microwave chamber (52) between the microwave generators and the transparent microwave window, the two or more microwave generators in the set being positioned in such a way that a microwave current waves from any one generator overlaps in the microwave chamber with a microwave current from any other generator in the set; and (e) a device to control the operation of the microwave generators, to activate and deactivate the microwave generators to cause interference between the microwave current from either generator and the microwave current from any other generator in the set.
    [2]
    2. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the device for controlling comprises a device for activating a first generator of the set in a first moment for a first duration and deactivating it for a second duration and for acting in another of the generators in a second moment for a third duration and deactivate it for a fourth duration, in which the first time is different from the second time.
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    2/7
    [3]
    Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a device (28) for loading organic material into the vacuum chamber, device (30) for discharging dehydrated organic material from the vacuum chamber and device (60) to transport organic material through the vacuum chamber.
    [4]
    Apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the device for transporting comprises a device (60) (60) for transporting organic material through the transparent microwave window inside the vacuum chamber.
    [5]
    5. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the microwave chamber (52) and the set of microwave generators (50) comprise a module (42A, 42B, 42C, 42D), and the apparatus comprises two or more modules.
    [6]
    6. Apparatus, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the microwave generators are positioned in a row generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the apparatus.
    [7]
    7. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the set comprises three microwave generators.
    [8]
    8. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the set comprises four or more microwave generators positioned in two or more rows generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the apparatus, each row having two or more generators.
    [9]
    9. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a water charge (112) positioned in the vacuum chamber.
    [10]
    10. Apparatus according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a device (96, 97, 98) for reducing pressure inside the vacuum chamber.
    [11]
    11. Apparatus (20) for dehydrating organic material,
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    3/7 comprising:
    (a) a vacuum chamber (34);
    (b) a microwave generator (50);
    (c) a transparent microwave window (36) for transmitting microwave radiation from the microwave generator to the vacuum chamber;
    (d) a microwave chamber (52) between the microwave generator and the transparent microwave window; and (e) a device (60) for transporting the organic material through the transparent microwave window inside the vacuum chamber;
    characterized by the fact that the transport device extends along the transparent microwave window and in contact with the transparent microwave window.
    [12]
    Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the device for transporting comprises a conveyor belt (60) adjacent to the transparent microwave window.
    [13]
    Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a device (28) for loading organic material into the vacuum chamber and device (30) for discharging dehydrated organic material from the vacuum chamber.
    [14]
    14. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a water charge (112) positioned in the vacuum chamber.
    [15]
    Apparatus according to claim 14, characterized in that the water load comprises water pipe (112) adjacent to an upper cover (38) of the vacuum chamber.
    [16]
    16. Apparatus according to claim 11, characterized by the fact that it also comprises a device (96, 97, 98) for reducing
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    ΜΊ pressure inside the vacuum chamber.
    [17]
    17. Method for dehydrating an organic material, characterized by the fact that it comprises the steps of:
    (a) introducing the organic material into a vacuum chamber (34), the chamber being arranged to receive microwave radiation from a set of two or more microwave generators (50), the generators in the set being positioned in such a way that a microwave current from any generator overlaps with a microwave current from any other generator in the set;
    (b) reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber to less than atmospheric pressure;
    (c) activate and deactivate the two or more generators in the set a plurality of times to cause interference between a microwave current from any one of the generators and a microwave current from any other of the generators, and apply the microwave streams through a transparent microwave window (36) to dehydrate organic material in the vacuum chamber; and, (d) removing the dehydrated organic material from the vacuum chamber.
    [18]
    18. Method, according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that the step of activating and deactivating comprises acting on a first generator of the set in a first moment for a first duration and deactivating it for a second duration and activating another of generators in a second moment for a third duration and disable it for a fourth duration, and the first moment is different from the second moment.
    [19]
    19. Method, according to claim 18, characterized by the fact that the first duration overlaps with the third duration.
    [20]
    20. Method, according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that there are at least three microwave generators in the set,
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 33/37 and each generator will be operated at a different time.
    [21]
    21. Method, according to claim 20, characterized by the fact that at least two of the generators are radiating at the same time.
    [22]
    22. Method, according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that it also comprises the step of transporting organic material through the vacuum chamber when it is being dehydrated.
    [23]
    23. Method, according to claim 17, characterized in that the organic material is transported through the transparent microwave window.
    [24]
    24. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the reduced pressure is a pressure in the range of 0.01 to 100 Torr (1.33 to 13332 Pa).
    [25]
    25. Method, according to claim 17, characterized by the fact that it also comprises the step of draining water through tubing in the microwave chamber, to absorb microwave energy.
    [26]
    26. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the organic material comprises one of a fruit, a vegetable, a fruit juice, a vegetable juice, a pre-cooked grain or a bacterial culture, a vaccine, an enzyme, a protein isolate, a hydrocolloid, an injectable drug, a pharmaceutical drug, an antibiotic, an antibody, meat, fish, seafood, milk, cheese, whey protein isolate, yogurt, an extract fruit, a vegetable extract and a meat extract.
    [27]
    27. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that the organic material is encapsulated in a hydrocolloid.
    [28]
    28. Method for dehydrating an organic material, comprising the steps of:
    (a) introducing the organic material into a vacuum chamber
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 34/37
    6/7 (34);
    (b) reducing pressure in the vacuum chamber to less than atmospheric pressure;
    (c) transporting the organic material through the vacuum chamber through a transparent microwave window (36) of the vacuum chamber through the device (60) to transport the organic material;
    (d) applying microwave radiation through the transparent microwave window to dehydrate the organic material when it is being transported through the vacuum chamber; and, (e) removing the dehydrated organic material from the vacuum chamber;
    characterized by the fact that in said device (60) for transporting organic material it extends along the transparent microwave window (36) and is in contact with the transparent microwave window (36).
    [29]
    29. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that step (c) comprises moving a conveyor belt (60) adjacent to the window.
    [30]
    30. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that the method is operated in a continuous mode and the step of reducing pressure is done before the step of introducing the organic material.
    [31]
    31. Method, according to claim 28, characterized in that the method is operated in a batch mode and the step of reducing pressure is done after the step of introducing the organic material.
    [32]
    32. Method according to claim 28, characterized in that the reduced pressure is a pressure in the range of 0.01 to 100 Torr (1.33 to 13332 Pa).
    [33]
    33. Method, according to claim 28, characterized by the fact that it also comprises the step of draining water through the pipe
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 35/37
    7/7 (112) in the microwave chamber, to absorb microwave energy.
    Petition 870180006342, of 01/24/2018, p. 36/37
    2/5
    3/5
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    同族专利:
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    EP2525675B1|2015-04-15|
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    US20160209114A1|2016-07-21|
    US9958203B2|2018-05-01|
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    CA2781644C|2015-09-29|
    DK2526776T3|2015-12-07|
    DK2525675T3|2015-07-13|
    EP2526776B1|2015-09-23|
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    EP2525675A1|2012-11-28|
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    AU2010342753A1|2012-07-12|
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    WO2011085467A1|2011-07-21|
    PT2526776E|2015-12-30|
    HUE025591T2|2016-05-30|
    BR112012016310A2|2015-09-01|
    CN102711529A|2012-10-03|
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    MX2012007766A|2012-08-01|
    US10139161B2|2018-11-27|
    US20180224206A1|2018-08-09|
    AU2010342753B2|2015-07-09|
    EP2526776A2|2012-11-28|
    HK1172214A1|2013-04-19|
    US20180224207A1|2018-08-09|
    EP2525675A4|2013-07-31|
    NZ600723A|2014-07-25|
    PL2526776T3|2016-01-29|
    JP2013517442A|2013-05-16|
    MX341850B|2016-09-05|
    ES2540989T3|2015-07-15|
    CN102711529B|2014-07-23|
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    法律状态:
    2017-06-27| B06F| Objections, documents and/or translations needed after an examination request according [chapter 6.6 patent gazette]|
    2017-10-31| B07A| Technical examination (opinion): publication of technical examination (opinion) [chapter 7.1 patent gazette]|
    2018-07-17| B09A| Decision: intention to grant [chapter 9.1 patent gazette]|
    2018-10-30| B16A| Patent or certificate of addition of invention granted|Free format text: PRAZO DE VALIDADE: 20 (VINTE) ANOS CONTADOS A PARTIR DE 25/10/2010, OBSERVADAS AS CONDICOES LEGAIS. |
    优先权:
    申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
    US29583510P| true| 2010-01-18|2010-01-18|
    PCT/CA2010/001686|WO2011085467A1|2010-01-18|2010-10-25|Microwave vacuum-drying of organic materials|
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