Removal of insolubles from aqueous streams used in food processing

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024156114-A1
Application number	US-202418405669-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 5, 2024
Priority date	Jan 30, 2020
Publication date	May 16, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

A food processing system includes at least one receptacle containing a composition of water and insoluble solids, a centripetal force-based solid/liquid separator having an inlet, a solids outlet, and a liquid outlet, and a pump able to direct the composition from the receptacle to the inlet of the separator. The separator is configured to separate the composition into a solids stream including the insoluble solids and a liquid stream including water and to direct the solids stream through the solids outlet and the liquid stream through the liquid outlet.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of scalding poultry workpieces, comprising
immersing the workpieces in a scalder tank containing water, wherein, during the immersing step, insoluble solids are dislodged from the workpieces and deposited in the scalder tank; using a pump to direct water and the insoluble solids from the scalder to a solid/liquid separator; using the separator to remove the insoluble solids from the water; and recycling the water from the separator; wherein:
(A) during the immersing step, insoluble liquids from the workpieces are deposited into the scalder tank; wherein the water leaving the separator contains the insoluble liquids; the method further comprising directing the water from the separator to a liquid/liquid decanter; separating the insoluble liquids from the water; and returning the water from the decanter to the scalder tank; or
(B) the method further comprises immersing the workpieces in a second scalder tank; and overfilling the second scalder tank with fresh water such that it overflows into the first scalder tank.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the pump is a centrifugal pump configured to direct the water and insoluble solids into the separator at sufficient pressure and speed to induce centrifugal separation of the insoluble solids and the water.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein, during the immersing step, insoluble liquids from the workpieces are deposited into the scalder tank;
wherein the water leaving the separator contains the insoluble liquids; the method further comprising: directing the water from the separator to a liquid/liquid decanter; separating the insoluble liquids from the water; and returning the water from the decanter to the scalder tank.

4 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
immersing the workpieces in the second scalder tank; and overfilling the second scalder tank with fresh water such that it overflows into the first scalder tank.

5 . A method of chilling poultry workpieces, comprising:
immersing the workpieces in a chiller tank containing water at a temperature of less than 40° F., wherein immersing the workpieces dislodges insoluble solids that are deposited in the chiller tank; using a pump, directing the water and insoluble solids from the chiller tank to a separator; using the separator, separating the insoluble solids from the water; disposing of the insoluble solids; and recycling the water.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the pump is a centrifugal pump capable of pumping at 50-100 gallons/min; and
wherein directing the water and insoluble solids comprises pumping the water and insoluble solids into the separator at a pressure of 25-50 psig.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the separator is a stationary conical-shaped housing.

8 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
directing the water from the separator to a decanter, wherein the water comprises insoluble liquids; separating the water and the insoluble liquids; and returning the water to the chiller tank.

9 . The method of claim 5 , further comprising supplying fresh water to the chiller tank to maintain a constant volume within the chiller tank.

Assignees

• Safe Foods Corp

Inventors

• Henley Jason
• Huff Steve
• Coleman Todd

Classifications

• A22C17/08 Primary

  Cleaning, e.g. washing, meat or sausages {(treating offal C11B)} · CPC title

• A22B5/08

  Scalding; Scraping; Dehairing; Singeing (treatment of hides or skins C14B) · CPC title

• A22C21/0061

  Cleaning or disinfecting poultry · CPC title

• A22C21/04 Primary

  Scalding, singeing, waxing, or dewaxing poultry · CPC title

• B01D17/0208

  by sedimentation · CPC title