JP2002035089A - Method and device for sterilization processing in equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for easily sterilizing a port where sterilization is difficult, such as the inner part of a valve or a flange joint part without disassembling. SOLUTION: An induction heating coil 10 is arranged on the outer surface of a metal part in a member having an area to be sterilized in equipment for handling food and medicines, etc., the metal part is heated by induction from the outside of a system to generate heat and, then, the temperature of the inner area to be sterilized is raised and kept by the heat generation to be equal or higher than a previously specified sterilization temperature and equal or lower than the short time heat resistant temperature of the area by a previously specified time schedule so as to perform sterilization.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention handles fluids requiring sterilization, such as foods such as beverages and foods, and various chemicals (for example, used for production, treatment, transportation, storage, etc.).
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sterilizing equipment and devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, it has been necessary to strictly prevent contamination of products with food and medicine manufacturing equipment, equipment, transportation equipment, equipment, and the like. Sterilization treatment is applied. For example, in a manufacturing facility for beverages and the like, water is periodically flowed through pipes and tanks for cleaning, and then steam is flowed to sterilize the inside. In addition, cleaning of the inside of valves and flange joints,
The parts that are difficult to sterilize are periodically disassembled and cleaned and sterilized.

[0003]

However, it takes a great deal of labor and time to disassemble the valve and the flange joint, etc. to clean and sterilize the interior. For example, it can be performed only about once every three months, and a new means for further improving the hygiene level has been desired.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and provides a sterilization method and a sterilization method capable of easily sterilizing places where sterilization is difficult, such as valves and flange joints, without disassembling. It is intended to provide a device to be used.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a metal part of a member having an area to be sterilized for disinfecting a part which is difficult to sterilize without disassembling a part which is difficult to sterilize in equipment for handling foods and medicines. Heat is generated by induction heating from the outside, and the temperature of the region to be sterilized by the heat is raised to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined sterilization temperature and equal to or lower than the short-time heat-resistant temperature of the region in a predetermined time schedule. With this configuration, the region to be sterilized can be easily heated to a temperature at which a desired sterilization can be performed, maintained and sterilized, and troublesome operations such as disassembly can be performed. The sterilization can be easily performed without the need for the above.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The equipment to be sterilized in the present invention is equipment or equipment for handling fluids requiring sterilization, such as foods such as beverages and foods, and various chemicals. Is the production equipment, processing equipment, storage equipment, transportation, storage, and sales equipment in food and drug manufacturing plants (cylinders,
Tank and the like).

The area to be sterilized can be any part of the above-mentioned equipment, and among them, the parts which are difficult to sterilize, for example, the inside of a pipe or tank flange joint or various valves (cocks) Is preferable because it has a large effect on application of the present invention.

The heating temperature of the region to be sterilized is naturally higher than the sterilizing temperature and lower than the short-time heat-resistant temperature of the members (for example, packing) in the region to be sterilized. Here, the short-time heat resistance temperature refers to the maximum temperature that can be tolerated if the temperature is raised for a short time (usually about one hour). The sterilization temperature, sterilization time (temperature rise and hold time) and the number of sterilizations vary depending on the type of bacteria to be sterilized. Therefore, according to the type of bacteria to be sterilized in advance, the sterilization temperature and time schedule (sterilization time, number of sterilizations) Etc. are specified, and the temperature of the region to be sterilized is maintained in accordance with the guidelines. Thereby, a desired sterilization process can be performed.

When the metal portion of the member having the region to be sterilized is induction-heated from outside the system, and the region to be sterilized is heated and maintained at a time schedule specified in advance, the outer surface of the above-mentioned metal portion is required. A method of controlling the induction heating may be employed so that the temperature is raised and maintained at a temperature slightly higher than the sterilization processing temperature of the area to be sterilized and at the same time schedule as the area to be sterilized. Instead of this method, after the metal portion is heated to a predetermined temperature which is considerably higher than the sterilization temperature, induction heating is stopped, and heat conduction from the metal portion allows the region to be sterilized to be processed. Preferably, a method is employed in which the temperature is raised and maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than a previously specified sterilization temperature and equal to or lower than the short-time heat-resistant temperature of the region according to a predetermined time schedule. With this configuration, the region to be sterilized by effectively utilizing the heat capacity of the metal portion can be maintained at a desired sterilizing temperature for a desired time, in other words, the energizing time for induction heating can be reduced. , The time required for the induction heating operation can be shortened than the desired sterilization processing time, and the time required for the above-mentioned processing can be greatly reduced when the sterilization processing at multiple locations is performed sequentially. The possible benefits are obtained.

An apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an induction heating coil mounted on an outer surface of a metal portion of a member having a region to be sterilized, and a power supply for energizing the induction heating coil at a predetermined time schedule. A power supply device, a control mechanism, and the like. With this configuration, by energizing the induction heating coil at a predetermined time schedule, the metal part is heated and heated, and the region to be sterilized by the heat conduction from the heated part is kept at the sterilization temperature or higher for a predetermined time. And a desired sterilization treatment can be performed.

[0011]

Embodiments shown in the drawings will be described below. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of equipment to be subjected to the sterilization method of the present invention, wherein 1 is a pipe, 2 is a flange joint in the pipe 1, 3 is a valve, 4 is a tank, and 5 is the tank. Reference numeral 4 denotes a flange joint, and 6 denotes a sampling cock. In this facility, the flange joints 2, 5, the valve 3, the sampling cock 6, and the like are to be subjected to the sterilization method of the present invention, and an induction heating coil 10 is attached to their outer surfaces. More specifically, for example, in the flange joint portion 2, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 2, the contact region 13 between the opposed flanges 11 and 11 and the packing 12 therebetween and the vicinity thereof are regions to be sterilized. So
The induction heating coil 10 is attached to the outer surface of the flange 11 so that the flange 11 can be heated and heated, and the contact area 13 can be favorably heated and heated by heat conduction from the flange 11. Similarly, the induction heating coil 10 attached to the flange joint 5, the valve 3, the sampling cock 6, etc., heats the internal region to be sterilized satisfactorily by heat conduction from the external metal part (flange, valve body, etc.). So that the metal part can be induction heated. These induction heating coils 10 may be always attached to this facility, or may be attached each time sterilization is performed.

Next, the operation of cleaning and sterilizing the equipment shown in FIG. 1 will be described. After flowing water into the pipe 1 and the tank 4 for cleaning, steam is flowed to sterilize the inside. By this sterilization process, the smooth inner surfaces of the pipe 1 and the tank 4 are well sterilized. However, for example, in the flange joint portion 2 shown in FIG. 2, steam cannot sufficiently enter the contact region 13 between the flange 11 and the packing 12, which results in poor sterilization. Therefore, this contact area 1
In order to sufficiently sterilize 3, a power supply mechanism (not shown) is connected to the induction heating coil 10 arranged on the outer surface of the flange joint 2, and electricity is supplied. This energization causes the metal flange 11 to generate heat, and the contact region 13 is heated and heated by heat conduction from the flange 11, thereby performing sterilization (details will be described later). After the sterilization of one place is completed, another place to be sterilized, for example, a valve 3
The power supply mechanism is connected to the induction heating coil 10 attached to the, and sterilization is performed by supplying power. Hereinafter, the same operation is sequentially performed on other portions (flange joint 5, sampling cock 6, etc.). Thereby, the sterilization processing of the entire equipment shown in FIG. 1 can be performed.

Here, in order to sterilize the contact area 13 shown in FIG. 2, it is necessary to maintain the contact area 13 at a predetermined sterilization temperature or higher for an appropriate time. Now, the contact area 13
The sterilization, the sterilizing temperature above T _1, it is assumed that there must be the retention time than time t. There are several methods for controlling the energization of the induction heating coil 10 to ensure this condition, and representative examples will be described.

In one method, the energization is controlled such that the energization of the induction heating coil 10 causes the outer surface of the flange 11 to rise in temperature as shown by the curve 20 in FIG. When the outer surface of the flange 11 is heated to a predetermined temperature T ₃ at a predetermined time t _2, and stops the energization of the induction heating coil 10. As a result, the outer surface temperature of the flange 11 gradually decreases as shown by the curve 20. On the other hand, since the contact region 13 to be sterilized to raise the temperature by heat conduction from the flange 11, the temperature was raised behind the flange 11 outer surface as shown by curve 21 in FIG. 3, a predetermined sterilizing temperature in time t ₁ T ₁ Beyond. After that, the temperature continued to rise due to the heat conduction from the flange 11,
Since induction heating of the flange 11 is at a temperature higher than the contact region 13 has a heat capacity flange 11 is larger after the finished, continued heating, after reaching the maximum temperature T _2, so on are gradually decreased, time sterilization temperature T in t ₃
Drops to ₁ . Thus, the contact area 13 to be sterilized
During the time t ₁ ~t _3, it is held in the sterilization temperature above T _1. During this time t ₁ ~t ₃ is, to a desired time t, also reaches the highest temperature T ₂ of the contact region 13, out of the components in this region 13, is the lowest heat resistance component The maximum outer surface temperature T ₃ of the flange 11 and the time to reach the temperature t ₂ are determined in advance so as to be equal to or lower than the short-time heat-resistant temperature of the packing 12. By performing the energization control based on a predetermined time schedule, a desired sterilization process can be performed without damaging the components. In this control method, the power supply to the induction heating coil 11, well up to time t _2, then, it is sufficient to left to stop the energization. Therefore, after the power supply to the induction heating coil 10 is completed, the power supply mechanism is disconnected from the induction heating coil 10 and connected to the induction heating coil 10 disposed at another place to start power supply. Can be started, and the sterilization treatment at a plurality of locations can be sequentially and efficiently performed.

In another method of controlling the energization of the induction heating coil 10, energization is controlled so that the energization of the induction heating coil 10 causes the outer surface of the flange 11 to rise in temperature as shown by the curve 23 in FIG. That is, after the outer surface of the flange 11 has reached the slightly higher temperature T ₄ from sterilizing temperatures T ₁ is energized controlled to be maintained substantially at that temperature. On the other hand, since the contact region 13 to be sterilized to raise the temperature by heat conduction from the flange 11, the temperature was raised behind the flange 11 outer surface as shown by a curve 24 in FIG. 4, the predetermined sterilizing temperature time t ₁ T ₁ After that, the temperature is kept slightly lower than the outer surface temperature of the flange 11. Then, until a time t ₃ when the desired sterilization time t is secured, after the energization of the induction heating coil 10, to end the energization of the induction heating coil 10. By the above operations, during the contact region 13 to be sterilized it is time t ₁ ~t ₃ (i.e. over the desired time t), is held in the sterilization temperature above T _1, predetermined sterilizing process is performed. According to this method, although the energization time to the induction heating coil 10 becomes longer, the advantage that the outer surface temperature of the flange 11 can be kept low can be obtained.

In the above embodiment, the flange joints 2, 5 to be sterilized, the valve 3, the sampling cock 6
Are constituted by a metal member, and the metal member is induction-heated to generate heat, and a region to be sterilized is heated by heat conduction. However, there are also materials such as flanges and valves which cannot be induction-heated (for example, those made of plastic, ceramic, etc.). It is possible to apply the present invention to those flanges and valves, etc.
In such a case, a metal attachment (iron plate, iron wire, chain, etc.) capable of induction heating is attached to the outer surface of the component to be sterilized, and an induction heating coil is arranged so that the attachment is induction-heated. I just need.

[0017]

As described above, according to the present invention, the metal portion of the member having the region to be sterilized is heated by induction heating from outside the system, and the region to be sterilized is specified in advance by this heat generation. The temperature is set to be higher than or equal to the sterilization temperature and equal to or lower than the short-time heat-resistant temperature of the region at a time schedule specified in advance, and is maintained. Can be sterilized by raising the temperature to a temperature at which it can be performed, and can be sterilized by a simple operation without disassembling the area to be sterilized, and the effect that the sanitary management of equipment can be performed at low cost. Have.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view showing an example of equipment to which the method of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a flange portion provided in the equipment of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a graph showing a temperature rise characteristic in one example of the sterilization treatment of the flange portion shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a temperature rise characteristic in another example of the sterilization treatment of the flange portion shown in FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Piping 2, 5 Flange joint 3 Valve 4 Tank 6 Sampling cock 10 Induction heating coil 11 Flange 12 Packing 13 Contact area (area to be sterilized) 20, 23 Temperature characteristic line of flange outer surface in flange joint 2 21, 24 Flange Temperature characteristic line of contact area at joint 2

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Makoto Hanada 2-17-8 Tonomachi, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term in Dai-ichi Kogyo Kogyo Co., Ltd. 3K059 AA08 AB19 AB23 AB28 AD10 AD16 AD17 AD34 CD07 CD09 CD10 CD18 CD34 CD37 CD72 CD73 CD75 4C058 AA24 BB02 DD02 DD05 DD12 EE26

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A method for sterilizing inside equipment for handling foods, medicines and the like, wherein a metal portion of a member having an area to be sterilized is heated by induction heating from outside the system, and the heat is generated as described above. A region to be sterilized is heated to a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined sterilization temperature and equal to or lower than the short-time heat-resistant temperature of the region in accordance with a predetermined time schedule, and is maintained. Method. 2. The method for sterilizing inside equipment according to claim 1, wherein the region to be sterilized is a contact portion inside the flange joint or inside the valve that comes into contact with a handling fluid. 3. A metal part of a member having a region to be sterilized is induction-heated from outside the system, heated to a predetermined temperature higher than the sterilization processing temperature, and then the induction heating is stopped. The area to be sterilized by heat conduction from
The sterilization process in the equipment according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature is raised and maintained at a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined sterilization temperature and equal to or lower than the short-time heat-resistant temperature of the region according to a predetermined time schedule. Method. 4. An induction heating coil mounted on an outer surface of a metal part of a member having an area to be sterilized, wherein the induction heating coil is a sterilization apparatus inside equipment that handles food, medicine, and the like.
A sterilization apparatus in equipment, comprising a power supply mechanism for supplying electricity to the induction heating coil at a predetermined time schedule.