JP2003180292A - Apparatus and method for processing salt - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To process salt to make the corners of the salt removed to round the corner, and to form the salt into fine powdery particles while emphasizing the flavor originally possessed by the salt. <P>SOLUTION: This apparatus for processing the salt has a boiler 11 (the first heating part) for heating water to form steam, an electromagnetic induction heater 12 (the second heating part) for forming the resultant steam into superheated steam, and a main body 2 (a processing part) for processing the salt wetted at an atomizing part 13 (a water-pouring means) by the superheated steam from a discharging part 8a of a nozzle 8 at the lower part of a porous body 3 while vibrating the salt on the porous body 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a salt processing apparatus and method for processing salt using superheated steam at a relatively high temperature in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, edible salts are those in which sodium chloride contains a small amount of minerals, although the proportion varies depending on the production method. This edible salt is moist, which is inconvenient when it is used to sprinkle minute amounts evenly on food. Then, as a salt used on the table, there has been a method in which calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are mixed in an edible salt to a slight extent to form a smooth salt.

[0003]

However, according to the above method, calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate are mixed and the original taste of the salt is lost to some extent. Therefore, it is suitable for thinly sprinkling the whole food, but it is used for seasoning. There was a problem that it was not suitable for.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and a salt processing apparatus for processing salt into a smooth salt having a fine grain size and a small grain size while the salt angles are rounded and mellow, and the original taste is further emphasized. And to provide a method.

[0005]

A salt processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a salt is vibrated by a first heating section which heats water into steam, a second heating section which converts the steam into superheated steam. And a processing part which is brought into a state and is processed by the superheated steam.

According to the above construction, since the salt is processed by the superheated steam in the vibrating state, the superheated steam can be uniformly supplied to the salt, and all the grains of the salt are surely kept in a state where air is not mixed. It is dried by heating and processed. For this reason, the salt processed in the processing section has a rounded salt and becomes more mellow, and the original taste is emphasized more, and it is processed one by one, so it is possible to process it into a finely salted salt with a small particle size. it can.

The salt processing device according to claim 2 is the salt processing device according to claim 1.
In the above, a water injection means for uniformly wetting the surface of the salt is provided.

According to the above construction, since the water film is formed on the surface of the salt and then the superheated steam is irradiated, a gap is formed in advance between the salt and the high temperature while vibrating in the state where the gap is formed. Since the water on the surface of the salt is evaporated by the superheated steam, it is possible to prevent the salt from sticking to each other. Therefore, it is possible to surely process the salt into a salt having a fine grain size and a small grain size.

The salt processing apparatus according to claim 3 is the salt processing apparatus according to claim 1.
Alternatively, in 2, the heating of the second heating unit is by electromagnetic induction heating.

According to the above construction, since it is converted into superheated steam by electromagnetic induction heating, it is considered that the superheated steam is extremely activated. Therefore, the salt is processed efficiently, and the angle of salt is removed to make the salt more mellow, and the original taste is emphasized.

The salt processing apparatus according to claim 4 is the salt processing apparatus according to claim 3.
In the second heating section by electromagnetic induction heating, there is provided a laminated structure of a conductive material having plate members arranged obliquely across magnetic lines of force, and combining the plate members to form a large number of regular fluid passages. A pipe member having the laminated structure inside and an exciting coil wound around the pipe member.

According to the above structure, the laminated structure
It is possible to heat by contacting a vast heat transfer area through which high current flows and high magnetic force lines pass, and it is possible to obtain superheated steam activated by magnetization and ionization. Therefore, the salt is processed efficiently, and the angle of salt is removed to make the salt more mellow, and the original taste is emphasized.

The salt processing device according to claim 5 is the salt processing device according to claim 4.
In the above laminated structure, a large number of small passages are formed in a direction intersecting the axis of the pipe member.

According to the above structure, the superheated steam passing through the small passages is diffused, diffused and scattered, so that the superheated steam activated by magnetization and ionization becomes uniform and the temperature distribution becomes uniform. Therefore, the salt is processed efficiently, and the angle of salt is removed to make the salt more mellow, and the original taste is emphasized.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the salt processing method, a step of evaporating water in the first heating section, a step of making the evaporated water into superheated steam in the second heating section, and vibrating the salt. However, the process of processing with the said superheated steam is included.

According to the above construction, since the salt is processed by the superheated steam in a vibrating state, the superheated steam can be uniformly supplied to the salt, and all the salt particles can be surely supplied without air being mixed. It is dried by heating and processed. Therefore, the processed salt has a smooth and smooth mellowness, and the original taste is further emphasized. Since the processed salt is processed one by one, it can be processed into a finely salted salt having a small particle size.

The salt processing method according to claim 7 is the method according to claim 6.
In the above, before the step of processing the salt, a step of uniformly moistening the surface of the natural salt with a water injection means is included.

According to the above structure, since the water film is formed on the surface of the salt and then the superheated steam is irradiated, a gap is formed in advance between the salt and the salt is heated to a high temperature while vibrating. Since the water on the surface of the salt is evaporated by the superheated steam, it is possible to prevent the salt from sticking to each other. Therefore, it is possible to surely process the salt into a salt having a fine grain size and a small grain size.

The salt processing method according to claim 8 is the method according to claim 6.
Alternatively, in 7, the step of converting the evaporated water into superheated steam in the second heating section is based on electromagnetic induction heating.

According to the above construction, since the superheated steam is converted into the superheated steam by the electromagnetic induction heating, it is considered that the superheated steam is extremely activated. Therefore, the salt is processed efficiently, and the angle of salt is removed to make the salt more mellow, and the original taste is emphasized.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a salt processing apparatus 1 using the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the porous body 3 of the salt processing device 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, a salt heating apparatus 1 includes a boiler 11 (first heating section) which uses water as steam, an electromagnetic induction heating section (second heating section) 12 which uses water as superheated steam, A main body (processing section) 2 in which vibrating salt is processed by superheated steam;
The main body 2 is provided with a mist blowing section 13 (water injection means) arranged at a salt inlet.

The main body 2 includes a porous body 3 and a vibration motor 5
And the nozzle 8 are housed and installed on the base 9. The upper portion of the main body 2 is provided with an opening 2a for the hopper 4. An opening 2b for the salt discharge port 7 is provided on one side surface of the main body 2, and an opening 2c for superheated steam supply is provided on the other side surface. A bellows 6 is provided in the opening 2c. The main body 2 is supported by a spring 10 with respect to the base 9, and the main body 2 is vibrated by the vibration of the vibration motor 5.
Even if the main body 2 vibrates, the bellows 6 absorbs the vibration, so that the nozzle 8 does not vibrate.

As shown in FIG. 2, the porous body 3 has a spiral partition, and a salt moving path is formed so that the salt moves spirally. A salt discharge port 7 is provided at the final end of the salt movement path. In addition, the porous body 3
The bottom surface of is formed in a mesh shape. The porous body 3 thus formed is arranged so as to partition the inside of the main body 2 into an upper part and a lower part, as shown in FIG. Incidentally, the mesh-shaped movement path is made of stainless steel, and the mesh is such that salt does not drop.

The hopper 4 is inserted from the upper portion of the main body 2 into the inside thereof, and a supply pipe 4 a extending from the hopper 4 is provided.
Is formed so as to supply salt to a predetermined position of the porous body 3. The supply pipe 4a shown in FIG. 1 is formed so as to supply the salt on the movement path outside the spiral of the porous body 3, but when the salt is supplied to the center of the spiral, it is formed straight. To be done.

A nozzle 13a for spraying water is attached to the tip of the mist blowing section 13 and is arranged near the opening of the hopper 4 to which salt is supplied. By showering the water from the nozzle 13a of the spray unit 13, the hopper 4
The salt added to the water is uniformly moistened, and a water film is formed on the surface of the salt. The wetness of the salt may be such that a thin water film is formed for each grain of the salt, and may be determined according to the temperature of the superheated steam.

Incidentally, the water injection means is not limited to the form of the spraying part 13, and any means may be used as long as it uniformly moistens the salt before reaching the upper surface of the porous body 3. In addition, the spouting portion 8 of the nozzle 8 on the porous body 3 is exposed to the salt during superheated steam irradiation.
It may be moistened at a place other than a.

The vibration motor 5 is provided in the lower portion of the main body 2 and vibrates so that the salt on the porous body 3 moves toward the discharge port 7.

In the electromagnetic induction heating section 12, the laminated structure 12a shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is housed in the case 12c,
The exciting coil 12b is wound around the case 12c. The case 12c is formed in a pipe shape from a non-magnetic material such as ceramic having excellent heat resistance, corrosion resistance, and pressure resistance. Laminated structure 1 housed in case 12c
2a has a large number of small passages formed of a conductive material such as metal that generates heat due to a change in magnetic field generated by the exciting coil 12b.

The boiler 11 and the electromagnetic induction heating section 12 are
It is connected in series. The superheated steam from the electromagnetic induction heating unit 12 is supplied to the ejection unit 8 a of the nozzle 8. Nozzle 8
As shown in FIG. 2, is formed in an annular shape along the movement path of the spiral porous body 3, and is provided below the porous body 3. The nozzle 8 is provided with a plurality of ejection ports 8a toward the porous body 3 so that superheated steam is applied to the salt on the porous body 3.

As a device for heating steam to superheated steam,
The electromagnetic induction heating unit 6 is used because not only the superheated steam can be obtained in a short time, but also the temperature of the superheated steam can be easily adjusted. In addition, what heats water into steam is not limited to a boiler.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a laminated structure used in the electromagnetic induction heating section 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the first metal plate 531 and the second flat plate are bent in a zigzag chevron shape.
The metal plates 532 are alternately laminated to form a cylindrical laminated body as a whole. As the material of the first metal plate 531 and the second metal plate 532, martensitic stainless steel such as SUS447J1 is used.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first metal plate 531
The peaks (or valleys) 533 of the
The first metal plates 531 are arranged so as to incline, and the ridges (or troughs) 533 of the first metal plates 531 that are adjacent to each other with the second metal plate 532 interposed therebetween are arranged to intersect. Then, the adjacent first metal plates 53
At the intersection of the mountain (or valley) 533 in 1
The metal plate 531 and the second metal plate 532 are welded by spot welding and are electrically conductively joined.

After all, between the first metal plate 531 and the second metal plate 532 on the front side, the first small flow path 5 inclined by the angle α.
35 is formed, and between the second metal plate 532 and the first metal plate 531 on the back side, the second small flow path 53 inclined by an angle −α.
6 are formed, and the first small channel 535 and the second small channel 53 are formed.
It intersects with 6 at an angle of 2 × α. Also, the first metal plate 5
A hole 537 as a third small flow path for causing a turbulent flow of the fluid is provided on the surface of 31 or the second metal plate 532. Furthermore, the surfaces of the first metal plate 531 and the second metal plate 532 are not smooth, and fine irregularities 538 are formed by satin finish or embossing. The unevenness 538 is negligibly small compared to the height of the peak (or valley) 533.

When a high frequency current is applied to the coil 12b from the high frequency power source 12d and a high frequency magnetic field is applied to the laminated structure 12a, an eddy current is generated in the entire first metal plate 531 and the second metal plate 532, and the laminated structure is produced. 12a generates heat. The distribution of the temperature at this time is as follows: the first metal plate 531 and the second metal plate 53.
2 is an eyeball shape extending in the longitudinal direction, and the central portion generates heat more than the peripheral portion, which is advantageous for heating steam that tends to flow in the central portion.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, a first small channel 535 and a second small channel 536 intersecting each other are formed in the laminated body 12a to diffuse the periphery and the center, and in addition to the third layer. Due to the existence of the holes 537 forming the small channels, diffusion in the thickness direction between the first small channels 535 and the second small channels 536 is also performed. Therefore, by these small channels 535, 536, 537,
Macroscopic dispersion, diffusion, and diffusion of water vapor occur over the entire laminated structure 12a. In addition, minute surface irregularities 5
38 causes microscopic diffusion, diffusion and emission. As a result, the water vapor passing through the laminated structure 12a becomes a substantially uniform flow, and the first metal plate 531 and the second metal plate 532 are formed.
An even contact opportunity with the fluid is obtained. As a result, a uniform heating of the steam is ensured.

By the way, the thickness of the metal plates 531 and 532 is 30 μm or more and 1 mm or less, and the high frequency power source 12d is used.
The frequency of the high frequency current is 15kHz to 150kHz
Those in the range are preferred. When the thickness of the metal plate is 30 microns or more and 1 mm or less, it is easy to apply electric power, and it is easy to secure a small flow path by processing a corrugation or the like to increase the heat transfer area. Also, the frequency used is from 15 kHz
In the range of 150 kHz, it is possible to prevent copper loss of the coil and loss of the switching element. In particular, the frequency band with less loss is 20 kHz to 70 kHz. Also,
The heat transfer area per 1 cm ^{3 of the} laminated structure 12a is 2.
It is preferably 5 cm ² or more. Laminated structure 12a
If the metal plates are laminated so that the heat transfer area per 1 cm ³ is 2.5 cm ² or more, and more preferably 5 cm ² or more, the heat exchange efficiency can be increased. Further, it is preferable that the amount of fluid to be heated per 1 cm ² of surface area of the laminated structure 12a is 0.4 cm ³ or less. The amount of fluid per 1 cm ² of surface area of the laminated structure 12a is 0.4 cm ³
If it is less than 0.1 cm ³ , more preferably, rapid response of heat transfer to the fluid can be obtained.

It has been confirmed that the efficiency of exchange of electric energy into thermal energy is extremely high in heating by the laminated structure having the above-mentioned structure. For example, 100m
m diameter, length 200 mm, when using the laminated structure 12a of surface area 2.2m ² ~6.2m ^2, the thickness of the fluid (1 cm ³
(Amount of water film per unit) is 0.5 mm to 0.2 mm, which is an extremely thin film, and is a metal plate 53 that constitutes the laminated structure 12a.
Since 1 and 532 are also thin, the temperature difference is extremely small, and heat transfer can be promoted quickly. Therefore, even if the electromagnetic induction heating unit 12 is compact, a large amount of superheated steam can be generated. In addition, a high current flows in a complicated manner in the laminated structure, and magnetic lines of force also pass in a complicated manner. It is assumed that the superheated steam has an increased activity for a vast area of the laminated structure in this state.

The porous body 3 of the salt processing apparatus 1 is not limited to one having a spiral partition, but may be formed in a rectangular shape so as to move the salt linearly. In this case, the nozzle 8 is formed in a rectangular shape in conformity with the shape of the porous body 3, and the hopper 4 is preferably a slide type. The spring 10 that supports the main body 2 is not limited to this, and may be any elastic member that supports the main body 2 so as to vibrate.

Next, a method of treating salt with superheated steam in the case of using the salt processing apparatus 1 having a steam structure will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, while salt is moistened by showering water from the nozzle 13a of the spray unit 13, salt is introduced from the hopper 4 and a predetermined amount of salt is supplied to the position shown in FIG. When the salt is supplied, the vibration motor 5 is driven and the salt is discharged from the discharge port 7.
The main body 2 and the porous body 3 are vibrated so as to move toward. In addition, the superheated steam heated by the electromagnetic induction heating unit 12 ejects the superheated steam from the nozzle 8 provided below the porous body 3.
Spray from a to salt. As described above, the salt is subjected to the treatment with the superheated steam while being subjected to the superheated steam while traveling along the spiral movement path at a constant speed due to the vibration. In this way, the salt can be heated and dried in the absence of air to be processed.

Initially after the salt is added, the salt itself is at room temperature, and when superheated steam is applied, water drops adhere to the surface of the salt to form a water film. By continuously applying superheated steam, the salt itself is gradually heated, and the water film on the surface also evaporates. At this time, due to the evaporation of the water film on the surface, the grains of the salt may stick to each other depending on the portion, and may be processed into a gritty salt. However, in the present embodiment, the salt is evenly moistened before being put into the main body 2 and a water film is formed on the surface in advance, so that the salt sticks as the water film on the surface of the salt evaporates. It can be processed by heating and drying one by one without fail.

A salt processing apparatus using the present invention is as follows.
The present invention is not limited to this embodiment as long as the salt can be vibrated during processing with superheated steam. For example, the processing unit may be a rotating drum or a vibrating belt conveyor.

[0043]

EXAMPLES Specific examples of the present invention will be described below.
However, the present invention is not limited to the following examples. In the following examples, the salt processing apparatus 1 of FIG.
The amount of superheated steam per 1 cm ^{2 of} 2a was 0.1 cm ³ .

(Example 1) In the salt processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the main body 2 is made of natural salt without being moistened by the spray section 13.
It was processed by superheated steam at 300 ° C.

(Example 2) In the salt processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, natural salt moistened by the spraying section 13 was processed in the main body 2 by superheated steam at 300 ° C.

(Example 3) In the salt processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, natural salt moistened by the spraying section 13 was processed in the main body 2 by superheated steam at 450 ° C.

In Examples 1 to 3, by processing the salt with high-temperature superheated steam, the salt angle was removed and the salt became mellow.
The original taste of salt was emphasized. In addition, Example 1
In Example 2, the salt was processed to be smooth, and in Examples 2 and 3, the salt was made more fine and had a smaller particle size.

As a result, when salt is vibrated and processed with superheated steam, the salt angle is removed and the salt becomes mellow, and the salt is finely processed and has a small particle size, while the original taste is further emphasized. You can say that you can. It can also be said that if the salt is pre-moistened and processed, a more smooth product can be obtained.

[0049]

According to the invention of claim 1, since the salt is processed by the superheated steam in a vibrating state, the superheated steam can be uniformly supplied to the salt, and all the salts can be supplied in a state where air is not mixed. The grains are reliably heated and dried for processing. For this reason, the salt processed in the processing section has a rounded salt and becomes more mellow and the original taste is emphasized more, and it is processed one by one, so it is possible to process it into a finely salted salt with a small particle size. it can.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the water film is formed on the surface of the salt and then the superheated steam is irradiated, a gap is previously formed between the salt and while vibrating in the state where the gap is formed. Since the water on the surface of the salt is evaporated by the high temperature superheated steam, it is possible to prevent the salt from sticking to each other. Therefore, it is possible to surely process the salt into a salt having a fine grain size and a small grain size.

According to the third aspect of the invention, it is considered that the superheated steam is extremely activated because it is turned into superheated steam by electromagnetic induction heating. Therefore, salt is processed efficiently,
The more salty corners are removed, the more mellow and mellow the original taste is emphasized.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the laminated structure can contact and heat the vast heat transfer area through which the high current flows and the high magnetic force lines pass, thereby obtaining the superheated steam activated by the magnetization and the ionization. be able to. Therefore, the salt is processed efficiently, and the angle of salt is removed to make the salt more mellow, and the original taste is emphasized.

According to the invention of claim 5, since the superheated steam passing through the small passages is diffused, diffused and diffused, the superheated steam activated by the magnetization and ionization becomes uniform and the temperature distribution becomes uniform. Become. Therefore, the salt is processed efficiently, and the angle of salt is removed to make the salt more mellow, and the original taste is emphasized.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the salt is processed by the superheated steam in a vibrating state, it is possible to uniformly supply the superheated steam to the salt, and in a state where air is not mixed, all the salt particles are Is surely heated and dried before being processed. Therefore, the processed salt has a smooth and smooth mellowness, and the original taste is further emphasized. Since the processed salt is processed one by one, it can be processed into a finely salted salt having a small particle size.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the water film is formed on the surface of the salt and then the superheated steam is irradiated, a gap is formed in advance between the salt and while vibrating in the state where the gap is formed. Since the water on the surface of the salt is evaporated by the high temperature superheated steam, it is possible to prevent the salt from sticking to each other. Therefore, it is possible to surely process the salt into a salt having a fine grain size and a small grain size.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is considered that the superheated steam is extremely activated because it is turned into superheated steam by electromagnetic induction heating. Therefore, salt is processed efficiently,
The more salty corners are removed, the more mellow and mellow the original taste is emphasized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a salt processing apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a porous body 3 of the salt processing device 1.

3 is an overall perspective view of a laminated structure used in the electromagnetic induction heating unit 12. FIG.

4 is a perspective view showing a detailed structure of the laminated structure of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 salt processing equipment 2 Main body (processing section) 2a to 2c opening 3 Porous body 4 hopper 5 vibration motor 6 Bellows 7 outlet 8 nozzles 8a Ejection part 9 bases 10 springs 11 Boiler (first heating part) 12 Electromagnetic induction heating part (second heating part) 12a metal body 12b Excitation coil 12c case 12d high frequency power supply 13 Mist blower (water injection means) 13a nozzle

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Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A first heating unit that heats water to turn into steam, a second heating unit that turns the steam into superheated steam, and a processing unit that processes salt by vibrating the superheated steam. Salt processing equipment to be equipped. 2. The salt processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising water injection means for uniformly moistening the surface of the salt. 3. The salt processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second heating section is heated by electromagnetic induction heating. 4. The second heating unit by electromagnetic induction heating,
A laminated structure of a conductive material having a plate member arranged obliquely across the magnetic field lines, in which a large number of regular fluid passages are formed by combining the plate members, and a pipe member having the laminated structure therein. The salt processing device according to claim 3, comprising an exciting coil wound around the pipe member. 5. The salt processing device according to claim 4, wherein the laminated structure is formed with a large number of small passages in a direction intersecting with the axis of the pipe member. 6. A step of evaporating water in the first heating section, a step of making evaporated water into superheated steam in the second heating section, and processing with the superheated steam while vibrating salt. And a salt processing method comprising: 7. The salt processing method according to claim 6, further comprising a step of uniformly moistening the surface of the salt with water injection means before the step of processing the salt. 8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the step of converting the evaporated water into superheated steam in the second heating section is by electromagnetic induction heating.
The salt processing method described in 1.