JP2000189076A - Washing apparatus of cereal - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To secure a bactericidal effect when cereals are washed, and improve the taste after the washing. SOLUTION: This system for cooking rice comprises a first rice-washing step 11 for charging a rice-washing tank with a polished rice, simultaneously supplying an alkaline water thereto, and washing the rice with the alkaline water, and a second rice-washing step 12 for draining the alkaline water, washing the rice with an ozonous watery. By washing the rice with the ozonous water after finishing the washing of the rice with the alkaline water, the ozone included in the ozonous water becomes degradable, and as a result, the ozone washing can be carried out and the sterilization can be effectively performed in a condition in which the active species can be readily generated. The elution of the excessive organic matter included in the rice, for instance, a sugar and a protein is increased, and effectively removed. The reduction of the taste by oxidative deterioration of the rice can be prevented, and the rice can be cooked deliciously.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a cereal washing apparatus configured to secure a sterilizing effect when washing cereals and to improve the taste after washing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a feeding center or the like that processes a large amount of grains such as rice and wheat, a large amount of grains is washed by a large-sized washing device to increase production efficiency. Among rice grains, a rice cooking system that cooks rice requires a large amount of washing water in order to wash the bran adhering to the rice surface in the rice washing process.

[0003] In addition, aseptic rice cooked rice that is sold as a commercial product is sold in a state in which polished rice is washed, cooked, and packed in a packaging pack. Thus, when selling rice, it is necessary to sterilize the cooked rice in order to store it for a long time at room temperature. On the other hand, in a rice production system that automatically produces cooked rice, a rice milling process that removes the hulls of brown rice with a rice mill, a rice washing process in which the milled rice is transported to a rice washing device, and rice is washed, Immersion process to put rice in water, weighing process to measure washed rice, rice cooking process to put rice weighed to a predetermined amount into rice cooker and heat by heating, rice cooking process There is a laying step of placing the cooked rice in a container, and a washing step of washing the rice cooker after the laying.

[0004] In the rice polishing step of the above steps, a rotor driven by a motor is provided in a rice milling chamber to which brown rice is supplied in order to remove the outer skin of the brown rice. Stir the brown rice in the room to remove the brown rice skin. Further, in the rice washing process, rice is washed with clean water while stirring the rice conveyed by the conveyor. As another rice washing method, after putting rice in a container, water is jetted into the container, and the rice in the container is washed while stirring the rice with the jetted water flow.
The purpose of the rice washing step is to remove the rice bran on the surface of the rice, to remove various bacteria on the rice, and to wash away the pesticides attached to the rice.

However, in a rice washing apparatus generally used in the rice washing process, since tap water is only discharged from a water supply pipe extending above the stirrer, various bacteria and heat-resistant bacteria attached to rice are removed. It could not be removed sufficiently. Moreover, since heat-resistant bacteria that cannot be sterilized even by heating in the rice cooking process may remain in the cooked rice, after the rice cooking process, chemicals such as acetic acid or citric acid are added to sterilize various bacteria attached to the rice, and It was necessary to improve the shelf life of the rice.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, development of a washing apparatus using ozone water in which ozone gas having a high sterilizing effect is dissolved in washing water used in a rice washing process is being promoted.

[0007]

However, relatively less expensive rice such as long grain rice and medium grain rice are imported from foreign countries due to the lessons of the rice shortage and the diversification of the rice market. It is known that these long grain rice and medium grain rice have problems such as a large number of bacteria adhering to the rice, a pesticide being applied, and an extremely low water content. In order to remove bacteria adhering to rice, it is necessary to use, for example, ozone gas or to clean the production process.
Further, regarding the taste, it is necessary to lengthen the time for washing rice, adjust the amount of water added during cooking rice to a large extent, and take a sufficiently long immersion time in water after washing rice.

[0008] However, with respect to the improvement of taste, there is a problem that it is still difficult to cook delicious rice which is still in the taste of Japanese even if adjustment of water addition and immersion time are set for each of long grain rice and medium grain rice. is there. That is, this problem is caused by the inherent characteristics of long grain rice and medium grain rice. As described above, even if the amount of water during rice cooking is increased or the immersion time is increased, only the water near the rice surface increases. Therefore, moisture cannot penetrate sufficiently into the inside of rice in a short time. Therefore, the cooked rice is slightly different from the taste of short-grained rice usually eaten by Japanese people, and has a problem that the rice does not feel delicious because it has a so-called bulky taste.

[0009] The water content of rice varies somewhat between the time of harvesting the rice and the time after the harvest. For this reason, with respect to changes in the water content of rice,
By adjusting the amount of cooking water for cooking to an appropriate amount, the deliciousness of the cooked rice is ensured. In order to solve such problems, rice washing using ozone water has been studied. However, when rice is washed with ozone water, the sterilizing effect of the ozone water due to excess organic substances contained in rice, such as bran and proteins, is reduced. It is difficult to select conditions such as the concentration of ozone water used in the rice washing process and the setting of the rice washing time because the taste is lowered due to oxidation deterioration as well as the reduction.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cereal washing apparatus which solves the above-mentioned problems.

[0011]

The present invention has the following features to solve the above-mentioned problems. The invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that, in a grain cleaning apparatus for cleaning grains using ozone water, a part or all of a cleaning step for cleaning the grains is performed under alkaline conditions. is there.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since part or all of the washing step for washing cereals is performed under alkaline conditions, ozone washing is performed under conditions where ozone is easily decomposed and active species are easily generated as a result. And sterilization can be performed effectively. Further, by washing with alkaline water (for example, so-called alkaline ionized water by electrophoretic separation) before or during ozone water washing, extra organic substances contained in rice, such as sugars and proteins, increase in elution, which is effective. , And can reduce the factors that hinder the action of ozone in the next step. Further, by washing the cereals with alkaline ionized water, a decrease in taste due to oxidative deterioration of the cereals can be reduced, and the cereals can be cooked into delicious rice.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the grain cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein after performing a washing step of washing the grains with alkaline water, the alkaline water is drained to ozone-clean the grains. The ozone water washing step of washing with water is performed continuously. Therefore, according to the invention of claim 2, after performing a washing step of washing the grains with alkaline water (for example, so-called alkaline ionized water by electrophoretic separation), the alkaline water is drained, and the grains are washed with ozone water. Since the ozone water washing process is performed continuously, it is possible to effectively sterilize the grains by washing the grains with ozone water under conditions where ozone is easily decomposed and active species are likely to be generated as a result. Become. Further, by washing with alkaline water before or during ozone water washing, extra organic substances contained in rice, such as sugar and protein, are increased and can be effectively removed, and the action of ozone in the next step is improved. Can be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the grain cleaning apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the pH of the alkaline water is in a range of 7.5 to 11.0. is there. Therefore, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the pH of the alkaline water (for example, so-called alkaline ionized water by electrophoretic separation) is in the range of 7.5 to 11.0, the oxide due to the ozone water is appropriately reduced. It is neutralized and can prevent taste deterioration due to oxidative deterioration of food.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a rice cooking system to which a rice washing device as one embodiment of a grain cleaning device according to the present invention is applied. In this rice cooking system, a first rice washing step 11, a second rice washing step 12, a third rice washing step 13, an immersion step 14, and a rice cooking step 15 are provided on the line.

In the first rice washing step 11, the milled rice is put into a rice washing tank and alkaline water (for example, so-called alkaline ionized water by electrophoretic separation, the same applies hereinafter) is supplied, and the rice is washed with alkaline water. Will be
In the second rice washing step 12, ozone water is supplied after draining the alkaline water used in the first rice washing step 11, and rice washing with ozone water is performed. In the step of generating ozone water in the second rice washing step 12, the alkaline water and the tap water are mixed, and then the ozone is dissolved and the ozone water under the alkaline condition is supplied to wash the rice.

In the third rice washing step 13, the second rice washing step 11
After the ozone water used for washing rice is drained, alkaline water (alkali ion water) is supplied again, and the rice is washed with alkaline water. After the rice washing with alkaline water is performed in the first rice washing step 11 as described above, the second rice washing step 1
By washing rice with ozone water in step 2, ozone contained in ozone water is easily decomposed and as a result, active species (・
It is possible to wash rice with ozone water under conditions where active oxygen (O, OH, etc.) is likely to be generated and to sterilize effectively. In addition, by washing with alkaline water in the first rice washing step 11 which is a pre-step of the second rice washing step 12 in which rice is washed with ozone water, excess organic substances contained in rice, for example, elution of sugar and protein are increased. Can be effectively removed and the second
Factors that hinder the action of ozone in the rice washing step 12 can be reduced. Further, by washing the rice with alkaline ionized water in advance, it is possible to prevent a decrease in taste due to oxidative deterioration of the rice, and to cook delicious rice.

Further, after the rice is washed with ozone water under alkaline in the second rice washing step 12, the rice is washed with alkaline water in the third rice washing step 13 to neutralize the ozone water adhering to the surface of the rice. The rice is washed. In the present embodiment, after the ozone water washing, a third rice washing step 13 for washing rice with alkaline water or ordinary water again is provided in order to prevent adverse effects due to residual ozone water.
The rice washing step 13 does not necessarily need to be provided in all cases.

In the immersion step 14, the rice which has been washed with ozone water and alkaline water is put into a immersion vessel, and then, for example, alkaline water is supplied and immersed in a neutralized state. Then, in the rice cooking step 15, the rice that has been subjected to the immersion step using, for example, alkaline water is cooked by a rice cooker. In addition, a conveyor (not shown) is provided between each process.
Alternatively, rice is put into a container (not shown) moved by a conveyor and transported.

Reference numeral 21 denotes an ozone water generator, which includes an oxygen gas generator 22, an ozone gas generator 23, and a gas-liquid separator 24. The oxygen gas generator 22 separates and generates oxygen at a higher concentration than in the atmosphere using, for example, a PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) separation method. The above PS
Oxygen supply means other than the A separation method may be used as the oxygen gas generator 22.

The ozone gas generator 23 is configured to generate ozone (O ₃ ) by, for example, a silent discharge method, and applies a voltage between the electrodes to generate a silent discharge to generate ozone (O ₃ ).
₃ ) can occur. The gas-liquid separator 24 is
Ozone gas supplied from the ozone gas generator 23 is aerated in the ozone aeration tank 25. In the ozone aeration tank 25,
Raw water such as tap water and alkaline water sent from a pump 27 provided in the water intake conduit 26 is supplied.

On the other hand, in the ozone gas generator 23,
The oxygen gas from the oxygen gas generator 22 is ozonized by the ozone gas generator 23, and the ozone gas is supplied to the ozone aeration tank 25 and aerated. In the ozone aeration tank 25, water and ozone gas are mixed to generate ozone water. Then, the ozone water generated in the ozone aeration tank 25 is supplied to the second rice washing step 12. The excess ozone gas aerated in the ozone aeration tank 25 is decomposed into oxygen in an ozone gas decomposition tank 28 and exhausted to the atmosphere.

An ozone water supply pipe 29 for supplying ozone water to the second rice washing step 12 is connected to an ozone water discharge port 25 a provided at the bottom of the ozone aeration tank 25. 31
Is an electrolysis tank for electrolyzing water supplied from the water supply pipe line 32 to generate acidic water and alkaline water. In the electrolysis tank 31, by applying a voltage to the anode and the cathode, water in the tank is electrolyzed, and pH 3 to pH 6 is applied from the anode side.
Is discharged from the cathode side to pH 7.5 to pH 11
Of alkaline water is discharged. And the electrolysis tank 31
Is connected to an acidic water supply pipe 33 to an acidic water discharge port 31a that discharges acidic water, and an alkaline water supply pipe 34 is connected to an alkaline water discharge port 31b that discharges alkaline water.

The alkaline water supply pipe 34 is branched into branch pipes 34a to 34d. Each branch line 34a-
The end of 34d is the first rice washing step 11 and the second rice washing step 1
2. Since it is connected to each of the third rice washing step 13, the immersion step 14, and the rice cooking step 15, alkaline water is supplied to each of the steps 11 to 15. The branch conduit 34a supplies alkaline water to the first rice washing step 11 and is connected to one end of an intake conduit 26 connected to the ozone aeration tank 25. In addition, the flow rate of the alkaline water supplied to the ozone aeration tank 25 is adjusted by the valve opening of the flow control valve 20 provided in the water intake conduit 26. Then, in the water intake pipe 26, the tap water supplied from the tap water supply pipe 19 and the alkaline water supplied from the branch pipe 34 a are mixed and supplied to the ozone aeration tank 25. Therefore, each of the steps 11 to 1
5 performs rice washing, immersion, and rice cooking under alkalinity.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the rice washing tank. First
As shown in FIG. 2, the rice washing tank 41 used in the rice washing step 11 and the second rice washing step 12 has a cylindrical first container 42.
And a cylindrical second container 43 provided integrally outside the container. The upper end and the lower end of the first container 42 have inclined portions 42a and 42b narrowed inward, respectively, and an inlet 44 is provided at the upper end of the inclined portion 42a, and an outlet 45 is provided at the lower end of the inclined portion 42b. Is provided.

A discharge port 45 has a first shut-off valve 46 having a mesh filter at the bottom of the cylindrical container 42,
A second shutoff valve 47 disposed below the shutoff valve 46. In addition, the first container 42 has a rice washing room 48 into which milled rice is charged. The rice washing room 48 is supplied with alkaline water, tap water or ozone water at the inlet 4 as described later.
When discharged from 4, the rice is stirred while being washed.

An annular drainage passage 49 is provided between the first container 42 and the second container 43.
The drainage channel 49 is a channel for discharging the washing liquid overflowing from the inlet 44 of the rice washing room 48, and a drain pipe 50 communicates with the bottom of the drainage channel 49. The drain pipe 50 is provided with a water quality detection unit 51. In this water quality detection unit 51, a turbidity meter 51a and an oxidation-reduction potential measurement device (OR
P meter) 51b.

Turbidity meter 51a installed in water quality detecting section 51
When the washing liquid overflowing from the rice washing room 48 is drained from the drain passage 49 to the drain line 50, the concentration of minute solids such as rice bran in the waste liquid flowing through the drain line 50 is measured, and the measurement result is controlled. Output to the device 52. In addition, the water quality detection unit 5
The oxidation-reduction potential measuring instrument 51b installed in the rice washing room 4
When the washing liquid overflowing from the drain line 8 is drained from the drain line 49 to the drain line 50, the oxidation-reduction potential determined by the concentration ratio between the oxidant and the reductant in the waste liquid flowing through the drain line 50 is measured. Is output to the control device 52.

Above the rice washing tank 41, an ozone water supply pipe 29 and an alkaline water supply pipe 34 are provided at a joint 53 in a T-shape where they are joined. The cleaning liquid discharge pipe 54 extending downward from the joint 53 is connected to the ozone water or alkaline water supply pipe 34b supplied from the ozone water supply pipe 29.
It is provided at a position where the alkaline water supplied from is discharged into the rice washing room 48.

The alkaline water supply line 34 near the joint 53
A first solenoid valve 55 is provided at b. Also, joint 5
A second solenoid valve 56 is disposed in the ozone water supply pipe 29 near 3. The control device 52 determines whether the removal of the rice bran by the alkaline water or the tap water has been completed based on the measurement result of the turbidity meter 51a in the rice washing room 48 based on the detection signal from the turbidity meter 51a of the water quality detection unit 51. .

The controller 52 controls the first rice washing step 1 described above.
In 1, the first electromagnetic valve 55 is opened to discharge the alkaline water into the rice washing chamber 48, and the first rice washing step 11 is performed. And
When the control device 52 detects that the first rice washing step 11 has been completed from the measurement result of the turbidity meter 51a as described later,
After closing the first solenoid valve 55 to stop the supply of alkaline water or tap water, the second shutoff valve 46 is closed and the second shutoff valve 46 is closed.
The shut-off valve 47 is opened to drain the used alkaline water or tap water.

Thereafter, the control device 52 controls the second shutoff valve 47
Then, the second electromagnetic valve 56 is opened to discharge the ozone water into the rice washing chamber 48, and the second rice washing step 12 is performed.
Then, it is determined whether or not the second rice washing step 12 using the ozone water has been completed based on the detection signal from the water quality detecting means 51. In the second rice washing step 12, immediately after the start of the rice washing, the oxidation-reduction potential shows, for example, -50 mV due to the residual effect of the alkaline water used in the first rice washing step 11, but the ozone works sufficiently. Then, the oxidation-reduction potential turns to the positive side and stabilizes.

In the third rice washing step 13, preferably, alkaline water is used. When the ozone water used in the second rice washing step 12 remains in the rice washing room 48, it shows a higher oxidation-reduction potential than tap water. Since the alkaline water (oxidation-reduction potential −50 mV) neutralizes it, the measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential measuring instrument 51 b of the water quality detection unit 51 approaches negative. When the measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential measuring device 51b becomes almost the same value as the tap water (oxidation-reduction potential + 100 to 300 mV), it is determined that the second rice washing step 12 has been completed, and the second
The solenoid valve 56 is closed.

If the third rice washing step 13 is not provided, the second rice washing step 12 is completed, or if the third rice washing step 13 is provided, the first and second shutoff valves 4 are provided.
The valves 6 and 47 are opened, and the rice washed with the washing water is discharged from the discharge port 45 and dropped into a transport container or a conveyor. Thus, the final rice washing step 12 or 1
The rice washed with alkaline water in step 3
Transported to Then, it is immersed in alkaline water or tap water supplied through the alkaline water supply pipe 34 and the branch pipe 34c.

The immersed rice is transported to the rice cooking step 15 and cooked using alkaline water or tap water supplied through the branch pipe 34d. As described above, ozone is neutralized by immersion or cooking with alkaline water, and rice can be cooked into delicious and plump cooked rice. Here, the operation when the alkaline water is used for washing in the first rice washing step 11 will be described.

In the first rice washing step 11, the electrolysis tank 3
The alkaline water generated in step 1 is replaced with alkaline water supply line 3
The rice is supplied through the branch line 4 and the branch line 34a, and is washed with alkaline water. A soluble component such as albumin and a sparingly soluble component such as prolamin and glutelin are present on the surface of rice, and the amount of elution varies depending on the pH of water.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the pH of the waste liquid and the amount of organic substances contained in the waste liquid. In FIG. 3, the amount of organic matter includes biochemical oxygen demand (hereinafter referred to as “BOD”), which is one of the indexes, and total organic carbon (hereinafter “TOD”).
OC ") and a suspended substance (hereinafter referred to as" SS "). Then, it can be seen from the graph shown in FIG. 3 that as the pH increases, that is, as the pH becomes higher, the amount of organic substances contained in the waste liquid increases.

This is considered to be because, for example, the carboxyl group of the hydrophilic protein is in an ionic state and is solubilized.
Bran and protein are one of the factors that affect the taste of rice, but it is known that a smaller amount is more delicious. FIG.
It is a graph which shows the relationship between H and the protein elution amount. From the graph shown in FIG. 4, it can be seen that the elution amount increases as the protein becomes more alkaline. Therefore, the rice bran and protein can be effectively removed by washing the rice with alkaline water, so that delicious rice can be obtained. In addition, the amount of water required for washing rice can be reduced, and the time for washing rice can be reduced. In addition, by solubilizing with the surface components of rice, the cell wall interstitium (hemicellulose) of rice is loosened and gaps are formed between tissues.

As a result, the water absorption increases. Therefore, by using alkaline water in the immersion step 14, it is possible to cook plump and delicious rice,
The immersion time can be shortened, or the amount of water used for immersion can be reduced. Further, in the second rice washing step 12, the ozone water is easily consumed by rice bran still remaining in the rice and organic substances eluted from the rice. No effect is observed. Therefore, as the amount of contact increases, the bactericidal effect is recognized, but the components of rice are also oxidized and affect the taste.

The amount of ozone contact can be expressed by the product of the main factors, ozone water concentration C (mg / L), contact time T (min), and ozone water flow rate Q (L / min) per gram of rice. . FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the results of sterilization and taste of cooked rice obtained by washing rice with ozone water based on the contact amount of ozone.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, when the amount of ozone with respect to 1 part by volume of rice is 4.0 × 10 ^-6 parts by volume or less, sterilization cannot be sufficiently performed. In addition, the amount of ozone per one part by volume of rice is 2.
When the content is 0 × 10 ⁻⁴ volume part or more, it can be understood that the taste result is not delicious. Therefore, in order to satisfy both the bactericidal effect and the taste effect, the amount of ozone per 1 part by volume of rice must be 4.0.
× is 10 ^-6 parts by volume or more, it is desirable that and 2.0 × 10 ^-4 parts by volume or less.

From these results, it is possible to obtain a good evaluation of both the bactericidal effect and the taste when rice is washed with ozone water immediately after washing with alkaline water, or when alkaline ozone water is used in the rice washing step. it can. Also, ozone water is
It is intended to sterilize heat-resistant bacteria that form spores that could not be sterilized by conventional rice cookers. Therefore, in the second rice washing step 12 after washing with alkaline water in the first rice washing step 11, the use of alkaline ozone water can further enhance the sterilizing effect.

After washing with alkaline water in the first rice washing step 11 as described above, sterilization is performed using alkaline ozone water in the rice washing step, and then rice washing with alkaline water is performed in the second rice washing step 12. As a result, the oxides generated during the washing with ozone water are neutralized with alkaline water and the amount of organic substances is reduced (FIG. 3).
(See FIG. 4) and the amount of protein eluted (see FIG. 4) can be suppressed to a negative effect on taste.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the immersion time and the amount of protein eluted from rice. FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the immersion time and the amount of reducing sugar contained in rice. In FIG. 6, graph I shows the change in the amount of protein eluted in alkaline water, and graph II shows the change in the amount of protein eluted in tap water. In FIG. 7, graph III shows the change in the amount of reducing sugar contained in the rice in alkaline water,
IV shows the change in the amount of reducing sugars in tap water rice.

According to the graphs I, II and III, IV, the time when the protein is eluted from the rice is faster than the time when the reducing sugar is generated inside the rice. Therefore, for 15 minutes when the elution of the protein by the alkaline water is almost constant, the protein is removed by flowing the alkaline water. Thereafter, the flow of alkaline water is stopped. Then, by immersing the washed rice in alkaline water to increase the reducing sugars, it is possible to obtain delicious cooked rice. In the above experiment, the pH of the alkaline water used was set to be in the range of 7.5 to 11.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the results of comparing changes in the number of bacteria after washing rice with alkaline ozone water and ordinary ozone water. FIG. 9 is a graph showing a change in the concentration of rice-adhering bacteria when rice is washed with tap water and then with ozone water, and a change in the concentration of rice-attached bacteria when rice is washed with alkaline ozone water and then washed with ozone water. is there. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the number of rice-adhering bacteria was 1 when the rice was washed with alkaline ozone water and then with ozone water, compared to when the rice was washed with tap water and then with ozone water. It can be seen that it can be reduced to / 2 or less.

Further, the rice washed in the rice washing steps 11 to 13 is transported to the immersion step 14. Immersion step 14
In this, alkaline water is used as washing water. This makes it possible to neutralize the oxides generated during the washing of the ozone water with the alkaline water with alkaline water, thereby suppressing the adverse effect on the taste.
In addition, the following effects are expected to improve the taste. That is, as described above, the rice is washed with alkaline water and immersed to solubilize it with the surface components of the rice, whereby the cell wall interstitium (hemicellulose) of the rice is loosened to form a gap between the tissues. This increases the water absorption. Therefore, by using alkaline water in the immersion step 14, it is possible to cook plump and delicious rice, and to shorten the immersion time or reduce the amount of water used for immersion.

FIGS. 10 and 11 are flowcharts of the rice washing process executed by the control device 52. In this rice washing treatment, the ozone water concentration C (mg / L) and the ozone water flow rate Q (L / min) are set to be constant. In addition, in this rice washing processing step, the third rice washing step 13 is not performed, so that it is not shown in the flowchart.

The control device 52 executes the step S shown in FIG.
In P1 (hereinafter, “step” is omitted), the first solenoid valve 55 is opened to discharge the alkaline water supplied through the alkaline water supply pipe 34 into the rice washing chamber 48.
A predetermined amount of milled rice has already been introduced into the rice washing room 48. Therefore, the rice in the rice washing chamber 48 is washed while being stirred by the alkaline water flow discharged from the cleaning liquid discharge pipe 54 provided above the inlet 44.

In the next SP2, when the first solenoid valve 55 is opened.
Interval t₁Read. Then, in SP3, the preset
Alkaline water treatment time T₁And time t₁Compare with S
In P3, T₁> T₁When is alkaline water
Returned to SP2 because the rice washing process by
Continue processing. However, in SP3, T₁≤t ₁
When the rice washing process with alkaline water has been completed
To SP4.

It is to be noted that the turbidity measurement results based on the amount of rice bran desorbed from the rice using the turbidity meter 51a as the water quality detection means, instead of the rice washing time management by the time setting as described above, are as follows.
A method in which the time at which the value falls below the set value is regarded as the end of the rice washing process may be adopted. In SP4, since the rice washing processing with the alkaline water has been completed, the first solenoid valve 55 is closed to stop the supply of the alkaline water. Thus, the first rice washing step 11 is completed.

Subsequently, in SP5, the second shut-off valve 47 is opened to discharge the alkaline water in the rice washing room 48 from the discharge port 45. At this time, the first shut-off valve 46 provided above the second shut-off valve 47 is closed, but the valve body is provided with a large number of small mesh holes smaller than rice grains. for that reason,
The alkaline water used for washing rice in the washing room 48 passes through the valve element of the first shut-off valve 46 and is drained. However, the rice washed in the rice washing room 48 cannot pass through the valve element of the first shut-off valve 46 and remains in the rice washing room 48.

At SP6, the opening time t of the second shut-off valve 47
Read ₂ Then, in SP7, comparing the t ₂ preset alkaline water discharging time T ₂ and time. SP7
In T2, when T ₂ > t ₂ , the discharge of the alkaline water has not been completed, so the flow returns to SP6 and the aging treatment is continued. However, in SP7, when it is T ₂ ≦ t ₂ proceeds to SP8 since discharge of the alkaline water is completed.

[0054] In SP8, since the alkaline water discharging time T ₂ has elapsed, to close the second shutoff valve 47. continue,
The second rice washing step 12 is performed. In SP9, the second solenoid valve 5
The valve 6 is opened to discharge the ozone water supplied through the ozone water supply pipe 29 into the rice washing room 48. In the next SP10, the measurement value of the oxidation-reduction potential measuring device 51b is read. That is, the oxidation-reduction potential a of the waste liquid drained from the rice washing room 48 to the drain line 50 is read.

In the next SP11, it is checked whether or not the oxidation-reduction potential a read in SP10 is 500 mV or less. In SP11, when a> 500 mV, the waste liquid from the rice washing tank 48 is still in a neutralized state by the action of the alkaline water used in the first rice washing step 11, and ozone does not sufficiently act. SP10
When the reduction potential a becomes a> 500 mV, it is determined that ozone has sufficiently acted on the rice, and SP1 shown in FIG.
Proceed to 2.

In SP12, when the oxidizing property of the waste liquid overflowing from the rice washing chamber 48 becomes stronger, it is determined that a sufficient sterilizing effect has been obtained, the second rice washing step 12 is terminated, and the second solenoid valve 56 is turned on. The valve is closed to stop the supply of the ozone water. It goes without saying that management based on time may be performed in place of monitoring and monitoring the state of sterilized rice washing using the oxidation-reduction potential a as described above. However, in the case of time management, care must be taken so that the taste is not reduced due to excessive ozone treatment and the sterilization effect is insufficient due to insufficient time.

When a third rice washing step 13 (not shown in FIGS. 9 and 10) using alkaline water is performed after the second rice washing step 12, the read oxidation-reduction potential a is 100 mV or less. Check if a>
When it is 100 mV, the waste liquid in the rice washing room 48 has not been neutralized yet, so that alkaline water is injected until a ≦ 100 mV, and the oxidation-reduction potential a becomes almost the same value as tap water. Go to the process.

As described above, by mixing ozone water remaining in the rice washing room 48 or adhering to rice with alkaline water and neutralizing the ozone water, it is possible to prevent deterioration in taste due to oxidative deterioration of the cooked rice. Further, use of alkaline water more than necessary can be prevented. In the next SP13, the alkaline water immersion time t ₃
Read. Then, at SP14, and compares the t ₃ and alkaline water discharge time T ₃ set in advance time. SP1
In T4, when T ₃ > t ₃ , the second rice washing step 12
Since the immersion processing in Step 2 is not completed, the process returns to SP13, and the immersion processing is continued. However, in SP14, T ₃ ≦
When a t ₃ proceeds to SP15 for immersion processing in the second rice washing step 12 has been completed.

As described above, the protein is effectively eluted by supplying the alkaline water immersion time t ₃ (for example, t ₃ = about 15 minutes) to the rice washing room 48, and then the supply of the alkaline water is stopped. The reducing sugar contained in rice is produced by immersing the rice in alkaline water. Thereby, delicious rice can be obtained. Incidentally, a method in which the immersion step 14 and subsequent steps are performed in another container may be employed.

In the next step SP15, the second shut-off valve 47 is opened, and the alkaline water in the rice washing chamber 48 is discharged from the discharge unit 45. In SP16, the first shut-off valve 46 is opened.
Thereby, the washed rice in the rice washing room 48 is discharged downward from the discharge port 45. In addition, below the outlet 45, a container or a conveyor for storing the washed rice is provided.

In the next step SP17, the predetermined time t ₄ required for the rice in the rice washing room 48 to be discharged is derogated. And S
The US discharging time T ₄ which is set in advance in P18 is compared with the time t _4. In SP18, to return to the SP17 because T _4> is not yet completed the US emissions when a t _4, to continue the aging process. However, in SP18, T ₄ ≦ t
When the number is ₄ , the rice discharge is completed, and the process proceeds to SP19.

In the next step SP19, the first shut-off valve 46 is closed. Subsequently, in SP20, the second shut-off valve 47 is closed. Thereby, the second rice washing step 12 is completed. In the next SP21, it is checked whether the rice washing process or the rice cooker system stop is set. In SP21, when the device stop is not set, the process returns to SP1. Then, the processes after SP1 are executed again.

If the apparatus is set to stop in SP21, the current rice washing process is terminated. In this way, after washing rice with alkaline water, washing rice with ozone water can increase the elution of organic substances such as sacrifice and protein and can be effectively removed, and thus reduce the amount of water used in the rice washing process, The rice washing time can be reduced.
This makes it possible to cook delicious rice in the rice cooking process.

Further, the use of alkaline water in the immersion step 14 increases the amount of water absorbed on the rice surface.
4 can save the amount of water and shorten the immersion time. By washing in advance with alkaline water as described above, rice bran and the like can be removed before ozone washing, so that elution of organic substances during ozone washing can be suppressed, so that the sterilizing effect of ozone water can be further enhanced. Therefore, rice washing time with ozone water can be shortened, and the amount of ozone water used in the rice washing process can be saved. Therefore, the rice washed with the ozone water can be sufficiently sterilized and taste delicious when cooked.

In the rice washing control process, whether or not the rice washed with alkaline water is in a neutralized state is determined based on the value measured by the oxidation-reduction potential measuring device 51b. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is also possible to use a refractometer or a turbidimeter for detecting the removal of water as a measure of the end of washing, based on the quality of the waste liquid. Further, it is also possible to provide a water quality detecting means such as an oxidation-reduction potential measuring device 51b in the rice washing room 48 and measure the oxidation-reduction potential in the rice washing room 48.

In the above embodiment, the rice washing room 4
It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which a stirrer for rotating the blades is attached to the inside of 8. In the above embodiment, the rice washing step using ozone water only needs to be able to stir while the rice is immersed, so that a washing water discharge port can be provided in the lower part or side part of the rice washing chamber 48.

Since the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the rice washing apparatus, instead of stirring the rice in the rice washing chamber 48 as described above, for example, rice and ozone water or alkaline water are introduced into the pipe, and the rice is passed through the pipe. It is good also as a rice washing apparatus with the structure made to wash rice. In the above-described embodiment, the same rice washing tank 41 is used for the first rice washing step 11 and the second rice washing step 12 if necessary, and the third rice washing step 13 is used. It is good also as a structure provided with the rice washing tank.

Further, in the above embodiment, instead of the ozone aeration tank 25 used in the ozone water generating apparatus 21, an ozone gas such as an ejector, a mixing pump, and a net may be used to dissolve ozone gas in water. Of course. Further, an oxygen gas cylinder can be used instead of the oxygen gas generator 22. In addition, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which ozone gas is dissolved in water, and for example, an electrolysis type ozone water generation device can be used.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a first modification of the present invention. In FIG. 12, the same portions as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted. In FIG. 12, flow control valves 61 to 64 are provided in each of the branch pipes 34 a to 34 d branched from the alkaline water supply pipe 34. The flow control valves 61 to 64 are appropriately adjusted in valve opening according to the amount of rice in the first rice washing step 11, the second rice washing step 12, the third rice washing step 13, the immersion step 14, and the rice cooking step 15, respectively. For this reason, in each of the steps 11 to 15, the supplied alkaline flow rate is adjusted to a necessary appropriate amount, thereby preventing wasteful consumption of alkaline water.

The flow rate adjusting valves 61 to 64 may be manually operated valves or valves with an actuator configured to automatically adjust the flow rate by a control signal from the control device 52. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a second modification of the present invention. In FIG. 13, the same parts as those in the above embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 13, the alkaline water supply pipe 34 is provided with an alkaline water tank 65 for storing the alkaline water generated by the electrolysis tank 31. The alkaline water stored in the alkaline water tank 65 is supplied to each of the steps 11 to 15 at a flow rate corresponding to each opening degree of the flow control valves 61 to 64. The alkaline water tank 65 is constantly replenished with the alkaline water generated in the electrolysis tank 31. Therefore, the electrolysis tank 3
Even when the amount of 1 is small, when the alkaline water is not used, the alkaline water is stored in the alkaline water tank 65, so that the supply of the alkaline water does not become insufficient.

In each of the above embodiments, the case where rice is washed is described as an example. However, the present invention can of course be applied to washing grains (eg, wheat and the like) other than rice. It is.

[0073]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since part or all of the washing step for washing cereals is performed under alkaline conditions, ozone is more active, that is, active species are generated. Ozone cleaning can be performed under conditions that are easy to perform, and sterilization can be performed effectively. Further, by washing with alkaline water before or during ozone water washing, extra organic substances contained in rice, such as sugar and protein, are increased and can be effectively removed, and the action of ozone in the next step is improved. Can be reduced. Further, by washing the cereals with alkaline ionized water, a decrease in taste due to oxidative deterioration of the cereals can be reduced, and the cereals can be cooked into delicious rice.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, after performing the washing step of washing cereals with alkaline water,
Since the ozone water washing step of draining the alkaline water and washing the grains with ozone water is performed continuously,
The cereals can be washed with ozone water under conditions where ozone is easily decomposed and active species are likely to be generated as a result, so that the cereals can be effectively sterilized. Further, by washing with alkaline water before or during ozone water washing, extra organic substances contained in rice, such as sugar and protein, are increased and can be effectively removed, and the action of ozone in the next step is improved. Can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the pH of the alkaline water is in the range of 7.5 to 11.0, the oxides due to the ozone water are appropriately neutralized, and the food is oxidized and degraded. Taste can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a rice cooking system to which a rice washing device as one embodiment of a grain cleaning device according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a rice washing tank.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing the relationship between the pH of a waste liquid and the amount of organic substances contained in the waste liquid.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between pH and the amount of protein eluted.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the results of sterilization and taste of cooked rice obtained by washing rice with ozone water based on the contact amount of ozone.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the immersion time and the amount of protein eluted from rice.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the immersion time and the amount of reducing sugars contained in rice.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the results of comparing changes in the number of bacteria after washing rice with alkaline ozone water and ordinary ozone water.

FIG. 9 is a graph showing a change in the concentration of rice-adhering bacteria when rice is washed with tap water and then with ozone water, and a change in the concentration of rice-attached bacteria when rice is washed with alkaline ozone water and then washed with ozone water. .

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a rice washing process executed by the control device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of a rice washing process executed by the control device subsequent to the process of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram showing a first modification of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing a second modification of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 first rice washing step 12 second rice washing step 13 third rice washing step 14 dipping step 15 rice cooking step 21 ozone water generator 22 oxygen gas generator 23 ozone gas generator 24 gas-liquid separator 25 ozone aeration tank 28 ozone gas decomposition tank 29 ozone Water supply line 31 Electrolysis tank 34 Alkaline water supply line 41 Rice washing tank 42 First container 43 Second container 44 Input port 45 Discharge port 46 First shutoff valve 47 Second shutoff valve 48 Rice washing room 49 Drainage channel 50 Drain pipe Road 51 Oxidation-reduction potential measuring device 52 Controller 61-64 Flow control valve 65 Alkaline water tank

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Noriko Nakura 1-6-3 Fujimi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Tokiko Corporation (72) Inventor Terufumi Iwata 1-6-1, Fujimi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-ku, Kanagawa Prefecture No. Tokiko Corporation F term (reference) 3B201 AA48 AB01 AB33 BB03 BB92 BB98 CB12 CB23 CC21 CD42 CD43 4B023 LC08 LE11 LK01 LP04 LQ03 LT56 4D043 BC31

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A grain washing apparatus for washing grains using ozone water, wherein a part or all of the washing step for washing the grains is performed under alkaline conditions. 2. The grain washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein after performing a washing step of washing the grains with alkaline water, an ozone water washing step of draining the alkaline water and washing the grains with ozone water. Cleaning is performed continuously. 3. The grain washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pH of the alkaline water is in a range of 7.5 to 11.0.