Abstract:In order to improve the separation rate of poultry eggshell membranes, a steam flash-explosion method with pressure compensation was designed. The effective separating of eggshell membranes from eggshells was realized through steam flash-explosion, which occurred by instantaneous pressure relief after saturated steam for heat transfer and compressed air for further pressure compensation. The key factors affecting separation power were analyzed and determined. The analysis results showed that with the increase of initial pressure, the power of separation was enhanced. The heat transfer models under different conditions were constructed, and the minimum time required for heat transfer was determined. The influence of various factors on the flash evaporation characteristics of superheated water film inside the eggshell was simulated and analyzed by using the Fluent software, and the experimental level range of each factor was determined through single factor experiments. The response surface optimization experimental method of four factors and three levels was applied, initial pressure, temperature, holding time and particle size were taken as test factors, and the separation rate was taken as evaluation index according to the theoretical analysis, numerical simulation, and single factor experimental results. The parameters of influencing factors were optimized and verified by tests. The results of experiments were that when the initial pressure was 1.2 MPa, the temperature was 130 ℃, the holding time was 37 s, and the particle size was 6 mm, the separation rate was 85.97%. The method showed a good separation effect, which could provide a reference for the research and optimization of the eggshell membrane separation.