Abstract: A heating system (1) comprising a heat pump system is provided, the heat pump system comprising a heat pump (2) operating with a primary fluid and a first sink heater (3), the heat pump (2) being connected to the first sink heater (3), wherein the first sink heater (3) is configured to heat a process medium, the heating system further comprising at least one primary heat source (9) and one secondary heat source (10), the heat pump (2) being connected to the primary heat source (9), wherein the primary heat source (9) is connected to a refrigeration plant (11), the primary heat source (9) being connected to the secondary heat source (10) via a booster (5). A method for integrating a heating system into a drying plant is also provided.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a freeze-drying apparatus having a drying chamber and condenser chambers positioned laterally to the drying chamber and separated therefrom by side walls, wherein openings in the side walls are positioned within a stack height of a heating arrangement positioned in the drying chamber.
Type:
Application
Filed:
August 31, 2023
Publication date:
August 13, 2026
Applicant:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Sikker Rosendal, Michael Krebs, Jens Dahl Kunoy
Abstract: A method and system are provided for drying of non-mammalian proteins. Protein is extracted and subjected in one single operation to a steam infusion treatment under high shear conditions and spray drying. In a further aspect, functionalized, dried, non-mammalian protein powder obtained by said method and showing high viscosity when redispersed in water, is provided.
Abstract: Disclosed is a sensor system for detecting a mechanical contact between a moving part and a non-moving part of a powder handling device, such as a rotary valve. The sensor system comprises an electrical signal source configured to provide a first electric signal, the first electric signal comprising a periodic signal component, which is periodic with a predetermined period and a first electric component having a first electric impedance, wherein the electrical signal source and the first electric component are configured to be electrically connected to the rotating powder handling device so that the first electric component and the rotating powder handling device are connected in series to the electrical signal source. Further disclosed is a powder handling device comprising a sensor system and a method for detecting a mechanical contact between a moving part and a non-moving part of a powder handling device.
Type:
Application
Filed:
July 10, 2025
Publication date:
November 6, 2025
Applicant:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Kristian Ravnborg Nissen, Jon Steffen Larsen, Andreas Jauernik Voigt, Mads Hjertstedt
Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor system for monitoring a powder handling device. The sensor system comprising an alternating electrical signal source electrically connectable to the powder handling device and a processing device. The processing device comprising a measuring device and a controller communicatively connectable to the measuring device. The controller is configured to receive measurement data from the measuring device and determine a phase difference between an input signal and an output signal based on the received measurement data.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 12, 2020
Date of Patent:
August 19, 2025
Assignee:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Kristian Ravnborg Nissen, Mads Hjertstedt, Jon Steffen Larsen, Andreas Jauernik Voigt
Abstract: The invention relates to a heating system comprising a heat pump system. The heat pump system comprises a heat pump, operating with a primary fluid, and a secondary fluid. The heat pump system further comprises a first sink heater. The heat pump is connected to the first sink heater, and the first sink heater is configured to preheat a process medium. The heating system further comprises a second sink heater configured to transfer heat to a second process medium. The heat pump system further comprises a heat exchanger that is connected to the second sink heater and is configured to transfer heat from an exhaust medium of the second sink heater to the secondary fluid used to provide heating to the process medium. The heat pump is connected to the heat exchanger in a parallel configuration. Furthermore, a method for integrating a heating system into a drying plant, the heating system comprising a heat pump system, is provided.
Abstract: A method and a system for recovering aroma compounds from a coffee extract is provided. The coffee extract and a steam flow is provided to a two-fluid nozzle, to generate a spray of coffee extract in steam, which spray is separated to provide an aroma rich gas and stripped coffee extract.
Abstract: In the gas disperser (3), a flow conditioning device (5, 6) is located in the inlet duct section (32). The flow conditioning device comprises a hole plate (5) and a flow straightener (6) positioned in parallel with and at a distance (h) in the axial direction (axd) from the downstream side of the hole plate (5). The hole plate (5) has a predefined hole plate thickness (tp) in the axial direction (axd) and each flow straightener (6) has a predefined flow straightener length (Is) in the axial direction (axd), the flow straightener length (Is) being substantially larger than the hole plate thickness (tp).
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 29, 2018
Date of Patent:
August 27, 2024
Assignee:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Mads Lund Steffensen, Kristian Mark Ingvorsen, Jasbir Dhanoa
Abstract: A method and a system for recovering aroma compounds from a coffee extract is provided. The coffee extract and a steam flow is provided to a two-fluid nozzle, to generate a spray of coffee extract in steam, which spray is separated to provide an aroma rich gas and stripped coffee extract.
Abstract: A system for monitoring a fluid and controlling a process in a membrane filtration plant is provided herein. The system comprises includes a feed sensor, a downstream sensor, and a controller.
Abstract: The powder drying system comprises a powder processing unit (1), and a filter unit (400) defining a central vertical axis (405) and including a filtering chamber (401) accommodating a plurality of bag filters (407), each having a bag filter wall and a top opening, a top portion (402), and an exhaust chamber (403) at or near the top portion (402). The filtering chamber (401) is provided with an inlet (410) configured to allow entry of powder carrying gas to be filtered, and the exhaust chamber (403) has an outlet (420) configured to allow exhaust of filtered gas. In the filtering chamber (401), gas flows through the wall of the bag filters (407), upwards and out through the top opening of the bag filters (407), into the exhaust chamber (403) and further to the outlet (420).
Type:
Application
Filed:
February 9, 2024
Publication date:
June 6, 2024
Applicant:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Thomas FILHOLM, Henrik KULLMANN, Tórstein Vincent JOENSEN
Abstract: A spray drying apparatus has a spray drying chamber; a liquid feed atomizer; a drying gas disperser; a perforated bottom; and a plenum chamber with an outlet below the perforated bottom. At least one guide plate is provided in the plenum chamber to direct gas, which is passing through the perforated bottom into the plenum chamber, towards the bottom of the plenum chamber. The guide plates have lower edges extending on average down to at least half-way between the perforated bottom of the spray drying chamber and the bottom of the plenum chamber.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 25, 2019
Date of Patent:
May 21, 2024
Assignee:
GEA PROCESS ENGINEERING A/S
Inventors:
Mads Lund Steffensen, Kristian Mark Ingvorsen, Henrik Schwartzbach
Abstract: A dryer for drying a liquid feed into a powder comprises a drying chamber defined by a chamber wall including a bottom wall portion; a feed inlet for receiving the liquid feed and dispersing particulate feed into the drying chamber; at least one air inlet for entering drying air into the drying chamber; and at least one drying chamber outlet for dried powder and/or spend drying air from the drying chamber. The feed inlet comprises a decanter centrifuge with an axis of rotation; a first axial end; a second axial end; and a solid phase outlet at the first axial end.
Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor system for monitoring a powder handling device. The sensor system comprising an alternating electrical signal source electrically connectable to the powder handling device and a processing device. The processing device comprising a measuring device and a controller communicatively connectable to the measuring device. The controller is configured to receive measurement data from the measuring device and determine a phase difference between an input signal and an output signal based on the received measurement data.
Type:
Application
Filed:
November 12, 2020
Publication date:
November 16, 2023
Applicant:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Kristian Ravnborg Nissen, Mads Hjertstedt, Jon Steffen Larsen, Andreas Jauernik Voigt
Abstract: A rotary bearing with a damper having an inner bearing element configured for rotation around an axis of rotation, an outer bearing element coaxial with the inner bearing element, an inner damper element with an outer surface surrounding the outer bearing element, an outer damper element with an inner surface surrounding the inner damper element, at least one sealing element provided between the outer surface and the inner surface, the sealing element confining a damper space having a circumferential film space defined by a clearance between the outer surface and the inner surface. The damper space contains fluid and is a closed, isolated damper space.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 7, 2019
Date of Patent:
October 17, 2023
Assignee:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Jon Steffen Larsen, Jakob Nielsen, Asger Hansen
Abstract: A method for training an operator of a spray drying plant, the spray drying plant including a plurality of plant elements including pre-processing elements, a spray drying element, post-processing elements, powder recovery elements, and a programmable logic controller, PLC. The method including the steps of: obtaining a transient model of the spray drying plant, wherein the transient model includes transient sub-models of the plurality of plant elements; calculating repeatedly simulated sensor data based on the obtained transient model, using a processing unit; displaying on a display a training human machine interface, tHMI, configured to communicate with the transient model of the spray drying plant, and to display the simulated sensor data and control data for the transient model; and updating the transient model based on operator input on the tHMI, for controlling the transient model of the spray drying plant.
Type:
Application
Filed:
September 18, 2020
Publication date:
November 10, 2022
Applicant:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Michael Muehlpfordt, Andreas Frank, Marko Savic, Henrik Schwartzbach, Christian Hirschen, Lars Voigt
Abstract: A spray drying apparatus has a spray drying chamber; a liquid feed atomizer; a drying gas disperser; a perforated bottom; and a plenum chamber with an outlet below the perforated bottom. At least one guide plate is provided in the plenum chamber to direct gas, which is passing through the perforated bottom into the plenum chamber, towards the bottom of the plenum chamber. The guide plates have lower edges extending on average down to at least half-way between the perforated bottom of the spray drying chamber and the bottom of the plenum chamber.
Type:
Application
Filed:
March 25, 2019
Publication date:
May 26, 2022
Applicant:
GEA Process Engineering A/S
Inventors:
Mads Lund STEFFENSEN, Kristian Mark INGVORSEN, Henrik SCHWARTZBACH