Homogenizer valve

Abstract

A homogenizer valve includes two or more pressurized, movable valve cones, two or more valve seats and a valve housing which surrounds the valve cones and the valve seats. The valve cones and the valve seats are disposed so that throttles occur between them, which constitute homogenization gaps, which have a gap height h. The homogenization gaps are disposed at an angle in relation to the horizontal plane. The homogenizer valve is intended to be used in existing homogenizers and has been particularly produced to be able to obtain an efficient homogenization for liquids which are processed at a lower pressure and with a greater flow, such as, for example, pasteurized milk.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A homogenization device used to homogenize liquid, which liquid comprises a fat emulsion, by splitting relatively larger fat globules in the liquid into relatively smaller fat globules to stabilize the fat emulsion and prevent setting, the homogenization device comprising:
 an axially extending valve housing having an interior, an inlet into which the liquid to be homogenized is introduced and an outlet from which the liquid exits the housing;   a plurality of axially arranged valve seats in the interior of the housing;   a plurality of movable valve cones in the interior of the housing, the plurality of valve cones being mounted on a common movable rod so that movement of the rod results in corresponding movement of all of the plurality of valve cones, each of the plural valve cones cooperating with a respective one of the valve seats to form a plurality of throttles, each throttle occurring between one of the valve cones and the respective cooperating valve seat, each throttle constituting a homogenization gap through which the liquid passes and which splits the relatively larger fat globules in the liquid into the relatively smaller fat globules to stabilize the fat emulsion and prevent setting; and   each of the plurality of valve cones possessing an outer dimension greater than an inner dimension of the respective cooperating valve seat so that each of the plurality of valve cones and the respective cooperating valve seat radially overlap one another to define a respective one of the homogenization gaps which are each configured to effect a pressure drop sufficient to split the relatively larger fat globules into the relatively smaller fat globules.   
     
     
         2 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein valve cones and valve seats are rotation-symmetrical. 
     
     
         3 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the homogenization gaps are disposed at an angle in relation to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         4 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the homogenization gaps are disposed at 20-45° in relation to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         5 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the homogenization gaps are disposed at 30° in relation to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         6 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the valve cones are threaded on a threaded rod centrally disposed in the valve housing. 
     
     
         7 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the valve cones are disposed such that they are regulated together with the threaded rod by means of a piston, so that all homogenization gaps always have the same gap height h. 
     
     
         8 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the valve seats are secured to the valve housing. 
     
     
         9 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein all of the plurality of axially adjacent valve seats are identical to each other; and
 wherein all of the plurality of movable valve cones in the interior of the housing are identical to each other.   
     
     
         10 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the total number of homogenization gaps is equal to the total number of valve seats, and the total number of homogenization gaps is also equal to the total number of valve cones 
     
     
         11 . A homogenization device to homogenize a liquid comprised of a fat emulsion, the homogenization device comprising
 a plurality of pressurized, movable valve cones;   a plurality of valve seats;   a valve housing surrounding the valve cones and the valve seats;   each of the plurality of valve cones being associated with a respective one of the valve seats so that a throttle occurs between each valve cone and the associated valve seat, each throttle constituting a homogenization gap configured to split relatively larger fat globules in the liquid into relatively smaller flat globules to stabilize the fat emulsion so that setting is prevented; and   each of the plurality of valve cones possessing an outer dimension greater than an inner dimension of the associated valve seat so that each of the plurality of valve cones and the associated valve seat radially overlap one another to define the homogenization gap.   
     
     
         12 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein all of the plurality of axially adjacent valve seats are identical to each other, and wherein all of the plurality of movable valve cones in the interior of the housing are identical to each other. 
     
     
         13 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein all of the plurality of pressurized, movable valve cones are identical to each other, and wherein all of the plurality of movable valve seats are identical to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of pressurized, movable valve cones are mounted on a common movable rod so that movement of the rod results in corresponding movement of all of the plurality of valve cones. 
     
     
         15 . The homogenization device as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the total number of homogenization gaps is equal to the total number of valve seats, and the total number of homogenization gaps is also equal to the total number of valve cones 
     
     
         16 . A method of homogenizing a liquid comprising a fat emulsion, the method comprising:
 introducing the liquid into an inlet of a housing of a homogenization device so that the liquid enters an interior of the housing, the homogenization device comprising a plurality of movable valve cones and a plurality of valve seats positioned in an interior of the housing;   splitting relatively larger fat globules in the liquid in the interior of the housing into relatively smaller fat globules by passing the liquid through at least one homogenization gap formed between one of the movable valve cones and one of the valve seats that radially overlap one another, the homogenization gap formed by the radially overlapping valve cone and valve seat being configured to effect a pressure drop sufficient to split the relatively larger fat globules into the relatively smaller fat globules; and   conveying the liquid which has passed through the at least one homogenization gap to an outlet of the housing of the homogenization device.   
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein each homogenization gap through which the liquid passes is commonly regulated by movement of the plurality of movable valve cones.