Method and apparatus for wasteless homogenized soybean beverage production
A method and apparatus for producing a soy beverage in a non-oxidizing process environment. Soybeans and water are mixed in a pulverizer to produce a slurry, which is then fed through a homogenizing mixer to produce a final beverage product with desired characteristics. The apparatus can be housed in a tamper-proof container with input and output connections for user interface.
1. An apparatus for producing a soy beverage from whole soybeans in a non-oxidizing process environment, the apparatus comprising:
an inlet in fluid communication with a hopper, the hopper for receiving the whole soybeans and water;
the hopper in selective fluid communication with a pulverizing system by means of an input valve, the pulverizing system for crushing the combined whole soybeans and water to form a slurry;
the pulverizing system in selective fluid communication with a mixing device, the mixing device for homogenizing the slurry to form the soy beverage; and
the mixing device in selective fluid communication with an outlet;
wherein the pulverizing system comprises:
a receiving tank;
a discharge line downstream of and in fluid communication with the receiving tank;
a cavitation valve downstream of and in fluid communication with the discharge line, the cavitation valve having an outlet discharging into the receiving tank;
a pump for driving fluid through the receiving tank, discharge line and cavitation valve in sequence; and
a motor for driving the pump.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the hopper is connected to a flush nozzle for receiving rinse water.
3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the pulverizing system and input valve are in communication with a level indicator, the level indicator for determining when a predetermined fill level has been achieved in the pulverizing system and in response directing the input valve to close.
4. An apparatus for producing a soy beverage from whole soybeans in a non-oxidizing process environment, the apparatus comprising:
an inlet in fluid communication with a hopper, the hopper for receiving the whole soybeans and water;
the hopper in selective fluid communication with a pulverizing system by means of an input valve, the pulverizing system for crushing the combined whole soybeans and water to form a slurry;
the pulverizing system in selective fluid communication with a mixing device, the mixing device for homogenizing the slurry to form the soy beverage;
the mixing device in selective fluid communication with an outlet;
an agitation tank interposed between the pulverizing system and the mixing device for receiving water and the slurry from the pulverizing system;
a flow-directing valve between the agitation tank and the mixing device; and
a recirculation tank downstream of and in fluid communication with the mixing device;
wherein the flow-directing valve is a three-way valve allowing alternating fluid flow from the agitation tank and the recirculation tank to the mixing device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the outlet comprises a control valve.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising at least one control panel.
7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a basic process control system interface for the motor.