JP2003331377A - Thermometric apparatus for organic material in fermenter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thermometric apparatus for an organic material in a fermenter contributing to overall environmental improvement by treating the organic material easily with efficient acceleration of fermentation without advanced skill. <P>SOLUTION: The thermometric apparatus for the organic material in the fermenter is provided with a long-sized thermometric part 4 retractable from the organic material accumulated in the fermenter; a storage means 52 for storing temperature information detected by the thermometric part 4; a transmitting-receiving means 26 for transmitting and receiving the temperature information stored in the storage means 52, to and from an external information terminal 50; and a power supply part 22 for driving each means. The storage means 52, the transmitting-receiving means 26 and the power supply part 22 are housed in a measuring body part 2 provided at one end in the longitudinal direction of the thermometric part 4. The thermometric part 4 is composed of a long-sized base member 10 to which a plurality of temperature sensors 14 are fixed, and an outer cylinder 6 surrounding the base member 10. Inorganic powder 8 is filled in a space between the long-sized base member 10 and the outer cylinder 6, and the thermometric part 4 and the measuring body part 2 are formed in high airtight structure. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the determination of the degree of fermentation of an organic material by controlling the temperature of the organic material during fermentation when fermenting the organic material such as manure, kitchen waste, sake rice and the like. Temperature measuring device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fermentation of organic materials, particularly composting of organic waste, has conventionally required a high level of skill in composting technology and its operation. In particular, ventilation of organic materials during accumulated fermentation is usually conducted under forced conditions, but the state of fermentation cannot be ascertained simply by performing ventilation, so it is necessary to manage the ventilation volume according to the progress of fermentation. It is an important point that affects quality. Therefore, the temperature of the organic material during fermentation is measured, and the forced air flow rate is controlled based on this. For this type of temperature measurement, there is a method using a data logger or a temperature recording device using a large number of single-point measurement sensors.

[0003]

With such a conventional technique, it is difficult to accurately install a large number of sensors at a point where the fermentation status can be quantitatively grasped. In addition, since the measuring instruments are corroded by the corrosive gas generated from the organic material during fermentation, it is necessary to hermetically seal or remotely isolate the measuring instruments from the surrounding environment. In addition, in managing the forced air flow based on temperature measurement, there is a problem that it is necessary to set the operation setting of related equipment with advanced skills based on know-how, and it is possible to set the operation setting of related equipment with temperature measurement. Is required.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and measures the temperature of an accurate portion of an organic material. In addition, the corrosive gas generated from the organic material during fermentation makes it difficult for the measuring instruments to be corroded. In addition, the measuring instruments are made to have an airtight structure, and the measuring instruments are hermetically sealed from the surrounding environment. It is another object of the present invention to provide a temperature measuring device for an organic material in a fermenter, which facilitates efficient and simple fermentation promotion even if the organic material is not highly skilled, and contributes to overall environmental improvement.

[0005]

Means and Actions for Solving the Problem In order to solve the above-mentioned object, a temperature measuring device for an organic material in a fermenter according to claim 1 is a long-sized device that can be inserted into and removed from the organic material in the fermenter. The temperature measuring unit includes a temperature measuring unit and a measuring main body unit fixed to one end of the temperature measuring unit in the longitudinal direction. The temperature measuring unit includes an outer cylinder and a plurality of temperature units arranged at different length positions in the outer cylinder. A temperature detection unit and an inorganic powder filling the inside of the outer cylinder are provided, and the measurement main body unit stores the temperature information detected by the temperature measurement unit, and the temperature information stored in the storage unit to the outside. The temperature measurement unit, the temperature detection unit, the storage unit, a power supply unit for driving the transmission unit, and a case that accommodates the storage unit, the transmission unit, and the power supply unit. The air-tight structure of the measurement unit and the measurement main unit To collect.

As a result, since the temperature measuring device having the temperature measuring part in which a plurality of temperature detecting parts are arranged side by side on the long base material is accurately arranged at the measuring point of the organic material to measure the temperature, the fermentation of the organic material is performed. The situation can be grasped with certainty. Also,
Since the inorganic powder is filled in the space between the long base material and the outer cylinder, the heat conduction in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction can be increased as compared with the heat conduction in the longitudinal direction. When there is no filling in the space between the long base material and the outer cylinder, that is, when it is air, it acts as a heat insulating layer, and the measured temperature is less likely to be transmitted to the temperature detection unit. On the other hand, the heat transfer in the longitudinal direction becomes relatively large, and the temperature becomes nearly uniform in the longitudinal direction, so that the temperature distribution in the deposition direction of the organic material cannot be measured. Therefore, by increasing the heat conduction in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction as compared with the heat conduction in the longitudinal direction, the temperature distribution in the deposition direction of the organic material can be accurately measured with good response. Further, since the temperature measuring unit and the measuring main body have a highly airtight structure, it is possible to measure even in an environment where a corrosive gas is generated.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the temperature measuring device for an organic material in a fermenter according to the first aspect, the temperature measuring portion is a region within 30% of the entire length from the tip in the longitudinal direction, If at least one temperature detection unit is provided in each of the region within 30% of the whole of the trunk portion close to the main body portion and the remaining central portion, the organic material deposited in the fermentation tank by this temperature measurement unit It is characterized in that the temperature of the organic material is detected by the respective temperature detecting portions when the organic material is embedded in.

Here, the organic material is placed in the long temperature measuring section.
If it is accumulated, it will be
The description will be made with reference to FIG. To perform aerobic fermentation
In addition, the air is blown to the organic material 108 of the fermenter 106 by the blower 1
12 to be distributed. Higher areas are typically outside air
Heat absorption Q₅Is the amount of heat generated by fermentation of organic materials Q₁Than
Also refers to the larger portion 108a. Blower 112
The air supplied from the air supply hole 110 below by
Heat absorption Q_FourIs the amount of heat generated by fermentation of organic materials Q_Threethan
It refers to the large portion 108c. In addition, the middle zone is based on the outside air.
Heat absorption Q₅And the amount of heat absorbed Q by the air supplied from below
_FourThe amount of heat generated by fermentation of organic materials is Q_Twothan
It refers to the small portion 108b. Further down, according to FIG.
Temperature T supplied from₁Air passes through the organic material
Heat is taken from the organic material during fermentation as_Two,
T_ThreeAnd rises. Temperature T of lower layer of organic material_LIs empty
Temperature T₁Since there is a temperature difference with _(L-1)
Is promoted, but at the middle layer, the temperature T of the organic material_MIs
At the same time as being warmed by the air from the lower layer, the temperature of the air
Also T_TwoBecause it is warmed up, T_MAnd T_TwoThe temperature difference between is
It is relatively small, and heat transfer is not very frequent. On the other hand
Layer temperature T_UIs the temperature T of the outside air_OHeat transfer
Motion Q_(U-O)Is promoted.

FIG. 5 (a) shows a case where a temperature measuring unit in which a long base material is provided with seven temperature detecting units is embedded in a fermentation tank in which an organic material is deposited and air is supplied from below. The measurement location where the test was performed is shown. FIG. 5B shows the temperature measurement result measured at a predetermined time interval. Here, point 1 measures the outside air temperature outside the fermentation tank. Seven points of 1800 mm were measured at 250 mm intervals in the deposition direction. According to this, the point 2 follows the temperature change of the outside air. That is, the heat transfer to the outside air is remarkable. Also, point 6,
In No. 7, the temperature dropped with good response due to the operation of the blower. In other words, it is greatly affected by the circulating air from below. Points 3, 4, and 5 are portions where the influence of the temperature change in the external environment and the circulating air are small, and occupy about 40% of the center with respect to the deposition depth. According to this test, an area within about 30% of the surface layer is the above-mentioned high-rise area, about 40% of the center area is the middle-rise area, and about 30% of the deepest area is the low-rise area. Therefore, accurate temperature control in the fermenter is impossible unless the temperature is measured at at least one point in each region having three remarkable temperature patterns.

The invention according to claim 3 is the temperature measuring device for an organic material in a fermenter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the temperature measuring part has three or more and eight or less temperature detecting parts. Is characterized by. Here, if there are less than three temperature detectors, it is not possible to measure the temperatures in the high-rise zone, the middle-rise zone, and the low-rise zone, and accurate temperature control in the fermenter becomes impossible. The accuracy of temperature control increases as the number of temperature detectors increases to 4 and 5, but the depth of the fermenter is generally 1800m.
The temperature measurement interval is about 200 mm or less even if the number of measurement points exceeds eight, and the measurement accuracy is limited even if the number of measurement points is increased. On the other hand, the economic disadvantages such as power consumption increase. Therefore, it is preferable that the number of temperature detection points, which is advantageous in terms of both the accuracy of temperature control and the economic effect, is 3 or more and 8 or less.

The invention according to claim 4 is the temperature measuring device for an organic material in a fermenter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the temperature measuring portion is within 30% of the entire length from the longitudinal end. Are provided within two areas, within two areas within 30% of the total area from the trunk portion close to the measurement body, and within four areas in the remaining central portion. . In the upper layer, which is easily affected by the ambient temperature, and the lower layer, which is sensitively affected by the temperature of the circulating air, it is sufficient to detect the temperature within two places, and the heat transfer is relatively not performed. In order to accurately control the temperature in the middle layer, the number of temperature detectors is limited to four, and the accuracy is relatively increased.

According to the invention of claim 5, in the temperature measuring device for the organic material in the fermenter according to claim 1, the outer cylinder of the temperature measuring part is made of stainless steel or ceramics, and the outer cylinder. The inorganic powder filling the space between the inside and the long base material is more preferably any one or more selected from magnesium oxide, alumina and silica. The organic material during fermentation is highly corrosive and the barrel is preferably a corrosion resistant material such as stainless steel or ceramic. The inorganic powder with which the space between the outer cylinder and the long base material is filled is preferably an inorganic powder such as magnesium oxide, alumina, or silica having an insulating property and a high thermal conductivity. The finer the particle size of the powder is, the higher the filling rate can be obtained, which is more preferable.

According to the invention of claim 6, in the temperature measuring device for the organic material in the fermenter according to claim 1, the transmitting means uses the optical communication to transmit the temperature information stored in the storage means. It is preferable that it is provided so that it can be transmitted to an external information terminal. As a result, the data can be transmitted in a non-contact manner, so that it is not necessary to expose the interface pins or the like, and the measurement main body is not corroded by gas or the like generated by fermentation.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the apparatus for measuring the temperature of an organic material in a fermenter according to the sixth aspect, the transmitting means is an infrared receiving unit connected to an external information terminal by a cable, It is characterized by transmitting an infrared signal. This allows the measurer to bring only an external information terminal such as a personal computer or PDA to the site, connect the infrared transmission / reception unit to the external information terminal such as a personal computer or PDA on the site, and use it as a transmitting / receiving means on the side of the measurement main unit. 0.1-5m
The temperature information can be sent to the external information terminal from a certain distance.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The main features of the embodiments described below are listed below. (Mode 1) A stone ridge is provided at a tip portion of the outer cylinder which is in contact with the organic material of the temperature detecting portion. (Mode 2) A bar-shaped handle that intersects in the axial direction is provided on the measurement body side of the temperature detection unit. (Mode 3) A display monitor such as an LED for displaying an operation signal and temperature is provided on one side surface of the measurement main body. (Mode 4) The temperature measurement unit and the measurement main body unit have a highly airtight structure. (Mode 5) The cover of the temperature measurement unit and the outer cylinder of the measurement main unit are made of a corrosion resistant material. (Mode 6) The measured temperature information is transmitted to an external information terminal, and the fermentation degree of the organic material in the fermentation tank in which the temperature measuring device is arranged is determined from the transmitted temperature information. (Mode 7) The temperatures of the high-rise portion, the middle-rise portion, and the low-rise portion are measured at predetermined time intervals, and the degree of fermentation is determined by the temperature change.

[0016]

Embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the temperature measuring device, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the entire measuring device. The temperature measuring unit 4 of the temperature measuring device is a stainless steel pipe having an outer diameter coated with a fluororesin, and a conical ridge 12 made of stainless steel is fixed to one end of the outer cylinder 6 and the other end is open. The connection part 30 is provided at the open other end,
A rod-shaped handle 32 that is close to the connecting portion 30 and intersects in the axial direction is fixed by a cross joint, and
(The length up to 2 is about 2 m) Inside the outer cylinder 6, sensor guides 10 of U-shaped aluminum rails are arranged in parallel at equal intervals.
One multi-pair type temperature sensor 14 is inserted at 6 places, and the filler 8
(Magnesium oxide powder) is filled and fixed. The temperature sensors are 200 mm and 50 mm from the trunk near the measurement main body 2 of the 1800 mm temperature measurement unit 4 toward the tip.
0 mm, 800 mm, 1100 mm, 1400 mm, 1
It is arranged at 6 points of 700 mm.

The measurement main body 2 is provided with a lid 24 that hermetically opens and closes the open upper surface. Further, the measurement main body 2 is a box body made of resin or the like, a screw hole is provided on the bottom surface, the connection portion 30 of the outer cylinder 6 is airtightly coupled, and the conducting wire 56 from the temperature sensor 14 is drawn in to form a plurality of temperature sensors. The temperature data detected in 14 is converted into an electric signal and transmitted to the measurement main body 2,
It is input as data. The measurement main body 2 is a control board 18
An analog switch 58 that sequentially passes analog signals from the plurality of temperature sensors 14, an A / D converter 40 that converts the analog signals into digital signals, and a storage unit 52 that stores the temperature detection values converted into digital signals. The data stored in 1 is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving unit 26 having the IrDA converter 48 to the personal computer 50 connected to the connector 38 of the cable 36 through the transmitting / receiving unit 34, and the personal computer 50 calculates the composting rate and the like. . The measured temperature data is displayed on the display means 42. The display means 42 emits light in three colors of red, blue and yellow (LED).
16 is provided, and the temperature transition can be discriminated by the color display of each color of red, blue, and yellow. A power supply unit 22 as a power supply for driving each of the above-mentioned means is provided inside the measurement main body unit 2, and a transmission / reception unit 26 for infrared rays is provided on the side surface of the measurement main body unit 2. The measurement main body 2 stores a microcomputer 44 and peripheral circuits, and the microcomputer 44 has a CPU, ROM, R (not shown).
It has an external memory such as an AM. In addition, a metal fitting 28 provided on the side surface of the measurement main body 2 in the vicinity of the transmitting / receiving unit 26.
In addition, a transmission / reception unit 34 for transmission / reception to / from the outside is attached, and a data transmission cable 36 is individually provided as a connection electric wire for transmission / reception. This data transmission cable 36 is a transmission / reception unit 3 that incorporates an IrDA converter 48.
6 is provided at one end and a connection connector 38 is provided at the other end, and is connected to a personal computer 50 provided outside. Here, although the transmitting / receiving unit 34 for transmitting / receiving to / from the outside is hooked on the hanging metal fitting 28, the transmitting / receiving unit 26 and the transmitting / receiving unit 34 are used.
Remote transmission and reception is possible within 5 m. Further, in the present embodiment, the information transmission from the transmission / reception unit 34 to the dedicated personal computer 50 is wired, but it may be wireless.

In the above-mentioned structure, the handle 32 of the temperature measuring unit 4 is used to hold the stake 12 downward, and vertically stabs almost the central portion of the composting material accumulated for fermentation and composting. The temperature of the composting material in contact with the outer cylinder 6 is detected as an analog signal by the plurality of temperature sensors 14, and the A / D converter 40 is sequentially operated from the conducting wire 56 by the analog switch 58.
Is input to the microcomputer 44 as a digital detected temperature signal via. The measured temperature data is stored in the storage means 52. The stored temperature data is measured by the light emitting diode (LED) 16 serving as the display means 42 in the colors of red, blue, and yellow, which are arbitrarily set.
Display on the side of.

The number of the temperature sensors 14 depends on the accumulated height of the composting material, but is 3 to 8, and the interval between them is 250.
mm is appropriate, and the length of the temperature measuring unit 4 may be proportionally changed accordingly. Even with the temperature measuring units 4 having different lengths, the replacement of the temperature measuring unit 4 with the measuring main body unit 2 can be easily performed by the screw of the connection unit 30.

Specific examples of the present invention have been described above in detail, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above. Further, the technical elements described in the present specification or the drawings are
The technical usefulness is exhibited alone or in various combinations, and is not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technique illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of purposes at the same time, and achieving the one purpose among them has technical utility.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A temperature measuring device having a temperature measuring unit in which a plurality of temperature detecting units are arranged side by side on a long base material is accurately arranged at the measuring position of the organic material to measure the temperature, so that the fermentation status of the organic material can be reliably grasped. be able to. In addition, since the inorganic powder is filled in the space between the long base material and the outer cylinder, the heat conduction in the vertical direction can be increased in comparison with the heat conduction in the longitudinal direction. The temperature distribution in the material deposition direction can be accurately measured with good response. In addition, the entire temperature measuring device consisting of the outer cylinder of the temperature detecting part, the measuring main body part and the connecting part has a confidential structure and is a non-corrosive material.
The corrosive gas generated from the composting material during fermentation prevents the measuring instruments from being corroded and seals off the surrounding environment. Further, since the temperature of at least one point is measured in the high-rise area within 30% of the surface layer, the low-rise area within 30% of the deepest area, and the remaining central area, accurate temperature control in the fermenter is possible. Since the data accumulated in the storage means is transmitted in a non-contact manner, it is not necessary to expose the interface pins and the like, and the measurement main body is not corroded by gas or the like generated by fermentation. In this way, the measurer brings only external information terminals such as personal computers and PDAs to the site,
Since an infrared transmission / reception unit can be connected to an external information terminal such as a personal computer or PDA at the site, and temperature information can be sent to the external information terminal from a distance of about 0.1 to 5 m to the transmitting / receiving means on the side surface of the measurement main body, The shortest work is required near the fermenter that produces the foul odor generated when organic materials are fermented.
Workability is also significantly improved for the measurer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a temperature measuring device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the temperature measuring device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an upper layer portion, a middle layer portion, and a lower layer portion.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing temperature and heat transfer in an upper layer portion, a middle layer portion, and a lower layer portion.

[Figure 5] Temperature measurement diagram showing the temperature distribution measurement points in the fermenter and the results

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Measurement main body 4 Temperature measurement section 6 outer cylinder 8 Inorganic powder (magnesium oxide powder) 12 stone feet 14 Temperature sensor 16 Light emitting diode (LED) 22 power supply 26 Transmitter / receiver 32 handle 34 transceiver unit 52 storage means

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) H04B 10/00 B09B 3/00 A 5K102 10/22 H04B 9/00 A // C12M 1/00 (72) Inventor Fukumori Achievement 1-40, Nisshin-cho, Saitama-shi, Saitama Prefecture Biotechnology Research Institute for Specific Industrial Technology (72) Inventor Naoaki Domune 1-40, Nisshin-cho, Saitama City Saitama Prefecture 72) Inventor Yasuhiro Harada 1-40, Nisshin-cho, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture 2F073 AA02 AA22 AB02 BB02 BC04 CC03 EE11 FF08 FH07 GG01 GG04 4B029 AA01 AA27 4D004 A04A02A03 A03 BA04 CA18 DA01 DA02 DA06 4D059 AA01 AA07 BA01 BA03 BA11 CC01 EA06 EB06 4H061 AA03 AA10 CC35 CC47 CC55 GG70 LL07 5K102 AA15 AL11 AL23 MH02 MH13 PB02

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A long temperature measuring part that can be inserted into and removed from an organic material in a fermenter, and a measuring main body fixed to one end of the temperature measuring part in the longitudinal direction, wherein the temperature measuring part comprises: An outer cylinder, a plurality of temperature detection units arranged at different length positions in the outer cylinder, and an inorganic powder filling the inside of the outer cylinder are provided, and the measurement main body unit has a temperature detected by the temperature measurement unit. Storage means for storing information, transmission means for transmitting the temperature information stored in the storage means to an external information terminal, the temperature detection portion, the storage means, and a power supply portion for driving the transmission means, A temperature measuring device for an organic material in a fermenter, comprising: a case for accommodating the storage means, the transmitting means, and a power supply section, wherein the temperature measuring section and the measurement main body have a highly airtight structure. 2. The temperature measuring unit has at least a region within 30% of a whole from a tip in the longitudinal direction, a region within 30% of a whole from a trunk portion adjacent to the measuring main body, and a remaining central portion, respectively. The temperature detecting unit is provided at one location, and when the temperature measuring unit is embedded in the organic material deposited in the fermentation tank, the temperature of each organic material is detected by each temperature detecting unit. The temperature measuring device for the organic material in the fermenter according to 1. 3. The temperature measuring device for an organic material in a fermenter according to claim 1, wherein the temperature measuring unit has three or more and eight temperature detecting units. 4. The temperature measuring section is within 2 areas within 30% of the entire length from the tip in the longitudinal direction, and within 2 areas within 30% of the whole area near the measurement main body. The temperature measuring device for an organic material in a fermenter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a temperature detecting part is provided within four places in the central part of the. 5. The outer cylinder of the temperature measuring unit is made of stainless steel or ceramics, and the inorganic powder filling the outer cylinder is any one or more selected from magnesium oxide, alumina and silica. The temperature measuring device for the organic material in the fermenter according to claim 1. 6. The temperature of the organic material in the fermenter according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means is provided so that the temperature information stored in the storage means can be transmitted to an external information terminal by optical communication. Measuring device. 7. The temperature of the organic material in the fermenter according to claim 6, wherein the transmitting means transmits an infrared signal to an infrared receiving unit connected to an external information terminal by a cable. Measuring device.