JP4046210B2 - Sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing a granular material or a leaf-like crushed product requiring sterilization with superheated steam. Examples of the object to be sterilized include foods such as buckwheat flour, spices, tea leaves, dried vegetables, and wood foods, sawdust, soil (cultured soil), and pharmaceuticals in addition to foods.
[0002]
[Prior art]
For sterilization of sterilized food products such as food granules and leafy materials such as tea leaves, a method of using superheated steam and treating it at high temperature in a short time has a great sterilizing effect. It is also known to be effective for alteration, quality deterioration, for example, starch pregelatinization, fragrance deterioration such as tea leaves, destruction of active ingredients such as vitamins, fading and the like. Specifically, an air current method in which powder or the like is introduced into an air stream of superheated steam and sterilized while floating and moving, or an object to be sterilized such as a leaf-like material is screwed in a container while supplying superheated steam. For example, a stirring method for sterilizing while stirring at high speed is proposed and put into practical use.
[0003]
However, problems remain such as agglomeration due to condensation due to temperature drop when the object to be sterilized comes into contact with superheated steam, inadequate sterilization due to uneven heating, and adverse effects on subsequent processes such as drying. ing. Further, in the case of the stirring type, there is a problem that the object to be sterilized is crushed or kneaded, and there is a problem that heating unevenness caused by uneven stirring and insufficient sterilization are likely to occur.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As mentioned above, several methods using superheated steam have been proposed, and the best method and optimum conditions will be selected according to the form and nature of the object to be sterilized. However, the most important point of sterilization with superheated steam is how to disperse the material to be sterilized in superheated steam, uniformly contact it, and heat it in a short time before preventing alteration and preventing agglomeration. is there.
[0005]
The present invention makes it possible to apply a wide range of sterilization products having different forms and properties using a relatively simple device to disperse the sterilization products in superheated steam.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, First, superheated steam and sterilized material are introduced into a dispersing device, and the sterilized material is forcibly dispersed and brought into contact with superheated steam, and includes a horizontally rotating disk. An object is dropped toward the center of the disk and scattered. Second, a conical protrusion is provided at the center of the upper surface of the disk of the first means, and the superheated steam and the object to be sterilized are dropped toward the conical protrusion to increase the dispersion efficiency. Thirdly, in the dispersing device, the disk of the first or second means has a peripheral edge portion that is higher than a central portion. Fourth, an appropriate number of protrusions such as pins are detachably disposed on the disk of the first, second or third means or on the upper surface thereof.
[0007]
Fifth, superheated steam and sterilized material are introduced into the dispersing device, and the sterilized material is forcibly dispersed and brought into contact with the superheated steam, and the dispersing device continuously rotates horizontally at an appropriate interval. The superheated steam and the object to be sterilized are dropped toward the center of the upper disk.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the present invention, a disperser is first incorporated in a sterilizer, and the object to be sterilized is forcibly dispersed and brought into contact with superheated steam, which is a key point of a sterilizer using superheated steam. Dispersion is completed and sterilization can be performed efficiently in a short time. The dispersion device includes a disk that rotates horizontally and continuously drops superheated steam and sterilized material at the center of the device. The object is blown along the upper surface of the disk in the outer circumferential direction by centrifugal force, and further strikes the inner circumferential surface of the case of the dispersing device to disperse and come into contact with superheated steam. At this time, by changing the number of rotations of the disk, it is possible to easily adjust to the optimum conditions for the form such as the size, shape, specific gravity and the like of the object to be sterilized, and it is possible to provide a dispersion apparatus that can deal with a wide range.
[0009]
Secondly, a conical protrusion is provided at the center of the upper surface of the disk, and superheated steam and sterilized material are dropped on the disk, so that they are not displaced and are blown to the four sides of the disk to enhance the dispersion effect. I can do it. Third, by raising the peripheral edge of the disk with respect to the center, it is possible to delay the scattering speed of the fallen object to be sterilized, to adjust the sterilization time, and to increase the degree of dispersion. . Fourth, a protrusion such as a pin can be provided on the disk or its upper surface, and the object to be sterilized can collide with it to prevent agglomeration and strengthen the dispersion. Further, by arbitrarily adjusting the arrangement and quantity of the protrusions, it is possible to adjust the sterilization time corresponding to a wide range of forms of the object to be sterilized.
[0010]
Fifth, it is possible to promote the dispersion by arranging double or multiple disks as the dispersing device. The dispersion device comprising the above disk is a device that rotates the disk using power to forcibly disperse the object to be sterilized in superheated steam. Depending on the form and nature of the object to be sterilized, the disk or its upper surface Measures are taken to prevent agglomeration and adjust the sterilization time.
[0011]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is a flow sheet for explaining the entire sterilization apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a supply device for storing and delivering the article to be sterilized, and the article to be sterilized is put into the dispersing device 3 through the valve 2. The valve 2 may be a rotary valve normally used in this field. 4 is a heating device, and the superheated steam heated here is sent to the dispersion device 3 through the filter 5. That is, the superheated steam and the object to be sterilized are simultaneously sent to the dispersing device 3 through the same pipe line, and the object to be sterilized is forcibly dispersed and contacted with the superheated steam to be sterilized. Details of the dispersion device 3 will be described later. Reference numeral 7 denotes a cyclone for collecting the sterilized material. The sterilized material sterilized in the dispersing device 3 is separated, sent to the drying and cooling device 9 through the valve 8, and taken out as a product. On the other hand, the superheated steam separated by the cyclone 7 is sent again to the heating device 4 by the circulation blower 11 via the fine powder recovery device 10. Steam is introduced into the pipeline between the circulation blower 11 and the heating device 4.
[0012]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, the dispersing device 3 includes a case composed of a main body casing 13 fixed to the frame body 12, and a lid body 15 pivotally attached to the frame body 12 by a hinge 14. It consists of a disk 16 to be stored. The disk 16 is supported to rotate horizontally around the shaft 17 and is driven by a motor 18 fixed to the frame body 12. A cone 19 is fixed at the center of the upper surface of the disk 16, and an appropriate number of blades 20 extending upward along the inner periphery of the casing 13 and discharge blades 21 extending downward are provided on the periphery. The pipe 6 is connected to the lid 15 so as to be concentric with the disk 16. Therefore, the superheated steam and the sterilized material introduced from the pipe 6 fall toward the cone 19. A discharge port 22 is provided in the main body casing 13 and is connected to the cyclone 7. Reference numeral 23 denotes a lock for fixing the lid 15 to the main body casing 13, and 24 denotes a monitoring window provided in the lid 15.
[0013]
During operation of the device, the form of the object to be sterilized, that is, whether it is granular or powdery, or leafy, such as tea leaves, or the characteristics, that is, the strength of water absorption, the importance of fragrance, the alteration of ingredients such as vitamins, etc. The rotational speed of the disk 16, the temperature of superheated steam, the flow rate, and the input amount of the object to be sterilized are adjusted accordingly. The article to be sterilized falls from the charging line 6 so as to be sprayed toward the cone 19 together with superheated steam, flows in four directions so as to form a film on the disk 16, and is blown from the periphery of the disk 16 by centrifugal force. Furthermore, it collides with the inner wall of the main body casing 13 and scatters. That is, it disperses forcibly in superheated steam, contacts uniformly, and sterilization is completed in a short time. As described above, the wings 20, 21 are attached to the periphery of the disk 16, helping to disperse the objects to be sterilized from the disk 16 and delivering them to the discharge port 22. Further, the blades 20 and 21 are useful for preventing the main casing 13 from adhering to an object to be sterilized. It goes without saying that the state of scattering changes depending on the diameter and the number of rotations of the disk 16, but in order to better adapt to the form of the object to be sterilized, as shown in FIGS. Ingenuity is made.
[0014]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the residence time on the disk of the sterilized material is extended by making the height of the peripheral part higher than the center part, and the speed of scattering is increased by increasing the rotational speed of the disk, It is intended to increase the efficiency of dispersion.
[0015]
In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 to 10, an appropriate number of pins 25 are arranged on the disk or the upper surface thereof, the object to be sterilized falling on the disk 16 is made to collide with it, and the flow of superheated steam is disturbed and dispersed. Is to increase the speed. Moreover, in the thing to be sterilized which tends to agglomerate, for example, starch etc. are useful for the prevention and are extremely effective. If the position and quantity of the pins 25 can be attached and detached so that they can be changed depending on the form and nature of the object, the applicable range of the object to be sterilized can be further expanded.
[0016]
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the disks 16 are arranged in a double manner so that they are dispersed in two stages, and are effective when used for articles to be sterilized that are difficult to separate. Further, this disk can be combined with the devices shown in FIGS. The disk 16 is not limited to double but may be triple or more.
[0017]
FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which a so-called in-line mixer is used as a dispersing device other than the use of a disk. The in-line mixer is a structure in which a right element 27 in which a flat plate is twisted 180 degrees to the right and a left element 28 that is twisted 180 degrees to the left are alternately shifted in the pipe 26 by about 90 degrees, and the shape is extremely high. It is simple, has no stagnation, and by inverting the flow for each left and right element, the object to be sterilized can be dispersed in the superheated steam. Moreover, it can be used according to the form of a to-be-sterilized object by increasing / decreasing the quantity of an element or adjusting the quantity of input superheated steam and the to-be-sterilized object. Further, by changing the diameter of the conduit 26, the size of the element, and the shape, the capacity of the dispersing device can be changed.
[0018]
The dispersion apparatus of the present embodiment is used under atmospheric pressure. Conventionally, in order to prevent agglomeration of sterilized materials due to condensation of superheated steam, an apparatus for processing under pressure to increase the saturation temperature. In addition, devices that are treated under reduced pressure so as not to impair the aroma and flavor have been put into practical use. Of course, the dispersion device of the present invention can be incorporated in these devices, and the effects of the respective methods. Can be further enhanced.
[0019]
FIG. 13 is an example of a test using this apparatus.
[0020]
【The invention's effect】
As described in detail above, in the present invention, the disinfectant is forcibly and quickly dispersed in superheated steam by the dispersing device, and the disinfectant is not evenly agglomerated and is uniformly uneven. Without contact with superheated steam, it can be sterilized in a short time. In addition, this prevents deterioration of the sterilized material and loss of components, that is, deterioration of quality, and can cope with an extremely wide range without being restricted by the form and properties of the sterilized material.
[0021]
Further, if the sterilization is performed in a short time in the dispersing apparatus, the entire apparatus can be collected in a very compact manner, which facilitates maintenance and management, and is extremely advantageous for reducing the cost of the apparatus.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a flow sheet of a sterilizer.
FIG. 2 is a side view of a dispersion apparatus.
FIG. 3 is a top view of the dispersion apparatus.
FIG. 4 is a side view showing a part of the main part of the dispersing device in cross section.
5 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the dispersion apparatus, taken along line A in FIG.
FIG. 6 is a side view showing another embodiment of a disk.
FIG. 7 is a side view showing another embodiment of a disk.
FIG. 8 is a side view showing another embodiment of a disk.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing another embodiment of a disk.
FIG. 10 is a side view showing another embodiment of a disk.
FIG. 11 is a side view showing another embodiment of a disk.
FIG. 12 is a side view showing another embodiment of the dispersing apparatus.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a test using this apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Supply apparatus 2 Valve 3 Dispersing apparatus 4 Heating apparatus 5 Filter 6 Pipe line 7 Cyclone 8 Valve 9 Drying and cooling apparatus 10 Fine powder recovery apparatus 11 Circulating blower 12 Frame body 13 Main body casing 14 Hinge 15 Cover body 16 Disc 17 Shaft 18 Motor 19 Cone Body 20 Wings 21 Discharge vanes 22 Discharge port 23 Lock 24 Monitoring window 25 Pin 26 Pipe line 27 Right element 28 Left element

Claims (5)

The superheated steam and the sterilized material are introduced into the dispersing device, and the sterilized material is forcibly dispersed and brought into contact with the superheated steam, and the dispersing device includes a horizontally rotating disk, The object is a sterilizer that is dropped toward the center of the disk and scattered. The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein a conical protrusion is provided at the center of the upper surface of the disk, and superheated steam and an object to be sterilized are dropped toward the conical protrusion to increase the dispersion efficiency. The sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the disk has a peripheral edge portion that is higher than a central portion. The sterilizer according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein an appropriate number of projections such as pins are detachably disposed on the disk or the upper surface thereof. The superheated steam and the sterilized material are introduced into the dispersing device, and the sterilized material is forcibly dispersed and brought into contact with the superheated steam, and the dispersing device includes a plurality of sheets that rotate horizontally at appropriate intervals. A sterilizer comprising a disk, wherein the superheated steam and the object to be sterilized are dropped toward the center of the upper disk.

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