JP2004209475A - Garbage fermentation treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a garbage fermentation treatment apparatus capable of stable fermentation and decomposition treatment by keeping a garbage moisture content at its adequate value. <P>SOLUTION: A treatment tank for storing the garbage for its fermentation and decomposition comprises a garbage moisture content detecting means 191 for detecting the moisture content of a garbage moisture conditioning material and control means 18 for controlling stirring means and heating means based on the signal from the garbage moisture content detecting means, which is constituted to detect the temperature when the garbage is heated by the heating means after stirring the garbage for a prescribed time following the heating by the heating means is stopped, thereby enabling the apparatus to keep the moisture content at its adequate value for the stable fermentation and decomposition treatment. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a garbage fermentation treatment apparatus for composting garbage using microbial decomposition.

  Conventionally, the moisture content of the garbage moisture adjusting material in a garbage fermentation treatment apparatus that performs composting using microbial decomposition is detected by a moisture content detecting means, and the moisture content is calculated and set based on the detected detection signal. There are many known garbage fermentation treatment apparatuses that perform good microbial treatment by adjusting the water content as compared with the water content. Further, as a method for replacing the garbage moisture adjusting material, there is a method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 1-114186, and a method is provided in which an outlet is provided at the bottom of the processing tank 1, a lid is opened and closed, and the processing tank 1 is dropped by gravity.

  However, there is a garbage fermentation treatment apparatus of a moisture content control type that calculates the moisture content and adjusts the moisture content in a range of about 60% suitable for microbial treatment. The state of the garbage water conditioning material in the range of before and after is suitable for microbial treatment, but the amount of water is too large to be taken out when replacing the garbage water conditioning material, and the weight becomes considerably heavy, Removal work was difficult, transportation was difficult, and there was a problem in terms of convenience.

  The garbage fermentation treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a moisture content detection unit that detects the moisture content of the garbage moisture regulator, a stirring unit based on a signal from the moisture content detection unit, and a control unit that controls a heating unit. The water content detection means is configured to perform stirring by the heating means for a predetermined time when heating by the heating means is stopped, and then perform heating by the heating means to detect the temperature at that time, and maintain the water content at an appropriate value. It is possible to perform stable fermentation decomposition treatment.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION This invention can hold | maintain a water content to an appropriate value, and the stable fermentation decomposition processing is attained.

  The present invention provides a processing tank for storing and fermenting and decomposing garbage, a garbage moisture adjusting material stored in the processing tank, and a stirring means for stirring and mixing the garbage and the garbage moisture adjusting material that have been input. Heating means for heating the treatment tank; water content detection means for detecting the water content of the garbage water conditioning material; and the stirring means and heating means based on a signal from the water content detection means. Control means, the water content detection means, after performing stirring for a predetermined time when heating by the heating means is stopped, is configured to perform heating by the heating means to detect the temperature at that time, the water content It can be maintained at an appropriate value, and stable fermentation decomposition treatment can be performed.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a vertical and horizontal cross-sectional view of a processing tank of a garbage fermentation treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The garbage fermentation treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Reference numeral 1 denotes a processing tank for biologically processing garbage such as kitchen garbage. Reference numeral 2 denotes a heater as a heating unit for heating the inside of the processing tank 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes a stirring blade of a stirrer that stirs a garbage moisture adjusting material 4 described later housed in the processing tank 1 together with garbage, and is driven by a motor 6. The stirring blade 3 is attached around the stirring shaft 7 in a spiral arrangement, and is made of a hard metal. Reference numeral 4 denotes a raw garbage water conditioning material, which carries microorganisms for fermenting and decomposing the raw garbage, and is made of sawdust, wood chips and the like. Reference numeral 5 denotes an outlet for the garbage water conditioning material 4 provided at the bottom of the processing tank 1. Reference numeral 8 denotes a sprocket attached to the stirring shaft 7, and 9 denotes a sprocket attached to the motor 6. Reference numeral 10 denotes a chain connecting the sprocket 8 and the sprocket 9 and transmitting the driving force from the motor 6 to the stirring blade 3. The stirring blade 3, the stirring shaft 7, the sprockets 8, 9 and the motor 6 constitute the stirring means of this embodiment. Reference numeral 11 denotes a lid that covers the garbage input port of the processing tank 1. Reference numeral 12 denotes an air supply port for sending air to the garbage fermentation treatment apparatus. The intake / exhaust fan 13 is a supply / exhaust unit of the present embodiment. 14 is an exhaust port, 15 is a first temperature detector such as a thermistor installed on the inner bottom surface of the processing tank 1, and 16 is a second temperature detector such as a thermistor that detects the temperature of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 inside the processing tank 1. The temperature detector 17 is a mounting rod for mounting the first temperature detector 15 and the second temperature detector 16. The first temperature detector 15 and the second temperature detector 16 are the moisture content detecting means of the present embodiment. The temperature detection of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 is performed at two places of the first temperature detector 15 and the second temperature detector 16 constituting the moisture content detecting means. The first temperature detector 15 needs to be installed on the inner bottom surface in the processing tank 1 and on or near the back surface where the heater 2 is installed. The mounting rod 17 is mounted so as to protrude from the position where the first temperature detector 15 is mounted in the direction toward the inside of the processing tank 1 and the direction of the stirring shaft 7. The second temperature detector 16 is attached to a tip of a mounting rod 17. Further, an operation panel having various switches and a display unit 19 described later is provided near the lid 11. Further, a sensor for detecting an abnormality such as an optical sensor is installed in the processing tank 1, and it is possible to detect an abnormality of the garbage moisture adjusting material by this sensor. This sensor may be any sensor capable of detecting an abnormality by increasing the amount of moisture adjusting material, generating lumps, identifying colors, and the like. For example, there is a sensor such as a weight sensor that detects an abnormality by an increase in weight.

  Next, a control configuration of the garbage fermentation treatment apparatus of the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 18 denotes a control unit constituted by a microcomputer or the like, which performs general control of the garbage fermentation treatment apparatus of the present embodiment as described later. Reference numeral 19 denotes a display unit for performing various displays of the garbage fermentation treatment apparatus, which displays by LEDs, and a garbage moisture adjusting material exchange switch is also provided on the display unit 19. Reference numeral 20 denotes a lid opening / closing confirmation switch which is turned on when the lid 11 is completely closed to enable the control means 18 to operate the garbage fermentation treatment apparatus. Reference numeral 21 denotes an opening / closing opening / closing confirmation switch, which is turned ON when the opening 5 for taking out the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 is closed, and the opening 5 is opened when the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 is taken out. However, it is turned on by pressing the garbage moisture adjusting material exchange switch, and the control by the control means 18 can be performed. Reference numeral 22 denotes a heater temperature detection unit that detects a heating temperature of the heater 2. Reference numeral 192 denotes a water content calculating means for calculating the water content based on the detection signal sent from the water content detecting means 191 as described later.

  Reference numeral 24 denotes abnormality detecting means for detecting an abnormality of the garbage moisture adjusting material, and a signal detected here is sent to the control means 18 and displayed on the display unit 19.

  Therefore, the operation of the garbage fermentation treatment apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described. The garbage is opened with the lid 11 opened, and if the two switches of the lid open / close confirmation switch 20 and the take-out open / close confirmation switch 21 are ON, the control means 18 starts driving the motor 6. The motor 6 rotates the stirring blade 3 at a speed of about 3 to 30 rpm, and mixes the raw garbage and the raw garbage moisture adjusting material 4 that are input. The garbage and the garbage water conditioning material 4 are stirred for a relatively long time when the garbage is charged, but thereafter, the operation is intermittently performed for about one minute or several minutes per hour. At the same time, the control means 18 starts energizing the heater 2 while checking the temperature detected by the heater temperature detection unit 22, and controls the temperature of the raw garbage moisture adjusting material 4 to be 40 ° C. or higher. In order to promote fermentation, the intake / exhaust fan 13 is also rotated by the control means 18 to supply oxygen.

  Next, the moisture content calculating means 192 composed of a microcomputer periodically calculates the moisture content, and the control means 18 receives this and performs the moisture content adjusting operation. The operation of calculating the water content once a day is usually sufficient. Prior to calculating the water content, the water content calculating means 192 stops energizing the heater 2. Next, the motor 6 of the stirrer is driven to sufficiently stir. Next, when a predetermined time has elapsed and the temperature distribution and the water content of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 in the processing tank 1 have become uniform, the heater 2 again controls the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 in the processing tank 1. Start heating. At this time, stirring is not performed, and the temperature at each position is detected by the first temperature detector 15 and the second temperature detector 16 constituting the water content detection means 191 in this embodiment. The moisture content calculating means 192 takes in the detection signal of each detected temperature data, and calculates the moisture content from the relationship between the temperature and the moisture content previously stored in the memory.

  The fact that the water content can be calculated by measuring the temperature from the relationship between the temperature and the water content will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the temperature change curves detected by the first temperature detector 15 and the second temperature detector 16 when the moisture content is high Δh are 15h and 16h. When the water content is low Δl, they are 15l and 16l. When the water content Γ is high, the thermal conductivity of the garbage water conditioning material 4 decreases as can be seen from the difference in specific heat between water and air, and the temperature near the second temperature detector 16 at the tip of the mounting rod 17 is reduced. Is lower than the temperature near the first temperature detector 15 at the base of the mounting rod 17. That is, the manner in which heat is transferred from the vicinity of the first temperature detector 15 to the vicinity of the second temperature detector 16 becomes considerably dull. On the other hand, when the water content Γ is low, the thermal conductivity of the garbage water conditioning material 4 increases, and heat is transmitted from the vicinity of the first temperature detector 15 to the vicinity of the second temperature detector 16 as compared with 15h and 16h. This is faster, and the temperature of the garbage water conditioning material 4 is higher. As described above, the calculation of the water content Γ in the present embodiment is performed by detecting the temperature while focusing on the effect of the water content す る on the heat transfer.

  As shown in FIG. 3, when the raw garbage water conditioning material 4 in the treatment tank 1 is sufficiently stirred, and the heating by the heater 2 as the heating means is continued starting from a state where the temperature distribution and the water content become uniform, Since the first temperature detector 15 is attached to the inner bottom surface of the processing tank 1 near the heater 2, the first temperature detector 15 rises as indicated by 15h and 15l. Since the first temperature detector 15 is located near the surface of the processing tank 1 and is directly affected by external influences, the first temperature detector 15 is affected not only by the moisture content の of the garbage water content adjusting material 4 but also by external conditions. Will show various changes. Therefore, the temperature curves 15h and 15l measured by the first temperature detector 15 become various temperature curves under the influence of the environment even if the water content の of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 is kept constant. However, even if the surface temperature of the processing tank 1 changes in this way, the temperature detected by the second temperature detector 16 indicates a predetermined temperature drop from this surface temperature depending on the water content Γ. This temperature drop is less affected by the outside world. Therefore, the second temperature detector 16 is for checking how much the temperature decreases in relation to the first temperature detector 15. When the water content Γ is high Γh, a relatively large temperature drop ΔTh is generated from 15 h to 16 h, and when the water content Γ is low Γ1, a small temperature drop ΔTl is generated from 15 liters to 16 l.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the conditions such as the initial temperature and the external air temperature are changed in various ways, and the water content is used as a parameter, and the data of the temperature curves such as 15h and 15l and the temperature drop ΔTh, ΔTl etc. Data is measured and stored in a memory in association with the elapsed time. The elapsed time is measured by a timer 193 such as a timer. Therefore, when the first temperature detector 15 and the second temperature detector 16 perform temperature detection at the respective positions after a predetermined time has elapsed, the water content calculating means 192 receives the signal of the detection data and lowers the temperature. Calculate ΔT. Γ corresponding to the elapsed time, the temperature just before the heater ON detected by the first temperature detector 15 and the temperature decrease ΔT is the water content rate of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 Γ.

  By the way, when the control means 18 controls the heating by the heater 2 so as to be a constant temperature T0, the measured temperature of the first temperature detector 15 located near this temperature shows a substantially constant value T0. Therefore, when such control is performed, the difference between the temperature detected by the second temperature detector 16 and T0 is obtained without providing the first temperature detector 15 in the configuration of the water content detection means 191 described above. Thus, the temperature drop ΔT can be calculated. That is, in this case, the moisture content detecting means 191 is one temperature detector provided at the tip of the mounting rod 17, and the first temperature detector 15 is not required, which contributes to cost reduction and reduces the memory capacity. Can be.

  When the water content Γ is determined, the water content Γ is sent to the control means 18, and the control means 18 compares the calculated water content with the set water content. The set moisture content is input from input means 194 such as a numeric keypad provided on the operation panel. It is appropriate to set a value in the range of 40% to 60%, which is an ideal water content for microorganism treatment, as the set water content Γ. However, it is also possible to adopt the most appropriate numerical value in this area, for example, a value such as 50%, and control to maintain this value. If the water content Γ is in the range of 40% to 60%, which is the set water content, since the water contained in the garbage water conditioning material 4 is in an optimal state, the current condition is maintained so that the water is not excessively skipped. Therefore, the temperature control of the heater 2, the stirring control of the stirring device, and the ventilation control of the intake / exhaust fan 13 are performed. If the calculated water content Γ has a positive deviation exceeding the range of 40% to 60%, the control means 18 controls the operation frequency of the motor 6 of the stirring blade 3, the heating frequency of the heater 2 and the suction frequency. The frequency of operation of the exhaust fan 14 is increased to control the evaporation of the moisture in the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 to reduce the deviation. Conversely, if the water content の of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 has a low negative deviation, the heater 2 is stopped, and the operation frequency of the intake / exhaust fan 13 and the motor 6 of the stirring blade 3 is reduced to adjust the garbage moisture. Control is performed to reduce the deviation by suppressing evaporation of water in the material 4. Moisture is supplemented by the input of garbage. If there is a deviation on the display unit 19, the control unit 18 displays the fact, and if not, displays the fact again. This adjustment operation is usually continued for about one day. The moisture content 徐 々 に gradually changes due to the adjustment during this time, and the moisture content detection operation is performed again after one day, and the moisture content adjustment operation is performed again based on the result. This operation is further repeated.

  In this way, the water content is controlled to fall within the range of 40% to 60%, and the ideal water content of garbage can be maintained. However, since the raw garbage moisture adjusting material 4 is made of sawdust, wood chips, or the like, it must be replaced when an abnormality occurs.

  Next, the operation of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 after detecting an abnormality will be described.

  The total weight of the garbage water conditioning material 4 detected as abnormal and the garbage contained in the treatment tank 1 including undecomposed garbage is 10 kg or more in a normal garbage fermentation treatment apparatus, and is replaced. Considering the work such as transportation, there is a need to reduce the weight. As an embodiment of the present invention, a description will be given by setting the water content of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 at the time of replacement to 40% or less at which replacement and transportation can be easily performed.

  Considering the material of the processing tank 1, the capacity of the heater 2, and the running cost, the operability such as replacement and transportation is improved by reducing the water content as much as possible.

  When the abnormality detecting means 24 detects an abnormality of the garbage water conditioning material 4, the signal is sent to the control means 18, and the control means 18 sets the heater 2 at the replacement temperature set value higher than the normal temperature set value of the heater 2. Start to control 2. The replacement temperature set value is preferably about 80 to 100 ° C. When the temperature of the second temperature detector 16 reaches the replacement temperature set value while detecting the temperature of the second temperature detector 16, control is performed to maintain the temperature for a certain period of time.

  After that, the water content is measured several times until the water content of the garbage water conditioning material 4 becomes 40% or less. When the water content falls to 40% or less, the control means 18 stops supplying power to the heater 2 and sends a signal to the display unit 19 to display the time for replacing the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 to the user. By displaying the information on the display unit 19, the user can be notified that the replacement time has come. As described above, when the garbage water content adjusting material 4 is replaced, the temperature of the garbage water content adjusting material 4 is increased by increasing the set value of the heater 2 from the normal set value. The water content of the garbage water conditioner 4 can be reduced to 40% or less in a short time, and the garbage water conditioner 4 can be sterilized.

  As a method of reducing the water content of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 to 40% or less, there is also a method of changing the operation time of the motor 6, and when the above-mentioned abnormality signal is sent to the control means 18, the control means 18 The control of the motor 6 is started so that the operation time of the motor 6 is operated more frequently than the normal set time. By frequently operating the motor 6, the garbage water conditioning material 4 is well mixed, the frequency of contact with air increases, and the water contained in the garbage water conditioning material 4 can be well evaporated. . During the operation, the water content is measured, and stirring is performed until the water content becomes 40% or less. When the water content falls to 40% or less, the control means 18 stops supplying power to the motor 6 and sends a signal to the display unit 19 to display the time for replacing the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 to the user. In this way, by operating the motor 6 more frequently than the normal set operation time, the water content of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 can be reduced to 40% or less without relatively running cost. Further, instead of performing the operation time of the motor 6 more frequently than the normal operation time, the same effect can be obtained by making the rotation speed of the motor 6 higher than the normal rotation speed.

  As another method for reducing the water content of the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 to 40% or less, there is also a method of changing the air volume of the air supply / exhaust fan 13. Then, the control means 18 starts controlling the air volume of the air supply / exhaust fan 13 to be larger than the normal air volume. By increasing the air volume of the supply / exhaust fan 13, the exchange amount of the moist air in the processing tank 1 increases, and the water evaporation rate of the garbage water conditioning material 4 increases. Therefore, the water content of the garbage water conditioning material 4 can be reduced to 40% or less. The same effect can be obtained by making the operation time of the air supply / exhaust fan 13 more frequent than the normal operation time instead of making the air flow larger than the normal air amount.

  Further, by combining any of the above-described change of the set value of the heater 2, change of the operation time of the motor 6, and change of the set value of the supply / exhaust fan, the garbage moisture adjusting material can be more efficiently used. 4 can have a water content of 40% or less.

  Next, a method of replacing the garbage moisture adjusting material 4 will be described.

  First, when the outlet 5 is opened, the outlet open / close confirmation switch 21 is turned off, and the control means 18 stops driving the motor 6. Next, when the garbage / moisture content adjusting material exchange switch provided on the display unit 19 is turned on, the take-out opening / closing confirmation switch 21 is turned on, and the motor 6 starts driving. The rotation of the motor 6 causes the garbage / moisture adjusting material 4 to fall and be stored in a previously installed receiving box. Here, since the water content of the garbage water adjusting material 4 is 40% or less, it falls smoothly from the outlet 5. Further, since the weight of the garbage water conditioning material 4 is reduced, the burden of carrying is reduced, and the generation of odor during storage can be suppressed.

  As is clear from the above description, the garbage fermentation treatment apparatus of the present invention can maintain the water content at an appropriate value, and enables stable fermentation decomposition treatment. Useful.

Longitudinal and transverse cross-sectional view of a processing tank of the garbage fermentation processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Control configuration diagram of the simultaneous garbage fermentation treatment device Diagram showing the effect of water content on the temperature change curve

Explanation of reference numerals

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Processing tank 2 Heater 3 Stirring blade 4 Garbage moisture adjusting material 5 Outlet 6 Motor 7 Stirring shaft 8 Sprocket (for stirring)
9 Sprocket (for motor)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Chain 11 Lid 12 Air supply port 13 Intake / exhaust fan 14 Exhaust port 15 1st temperature detector 16 2nd temperature detector 17 Mounting rod 18 Control means 19 Display unit 20 Lid opening / closing confirmation switch 21 Exit opening / closing confirmation switch Reference Signs List 22 heater temperature detection unit 23 garbage moisture adjusting material exchange switch 24 abnormality detection means 191 moisture content detection means 192 moisture content calculation means 193 time measurement means 194 input means

Claims (4)

A processing tank for storing and decomposing garbage for fermentation and decomposition, a garbage moisture adjusting material stored in the processing tank, a stirring means for stirring and mixing the raw garbage and the garbage moisture adjusting material charged, Heating means for heating the tank, moisture content detection means for detecting the moisture content of the garbage moisture adjusting material, and the stirring means, control means for controlling the heating means based on a signal from the moisture content detection means, The garbage fermentation treatment apparatus, wherein the water content detection means is configured to stir for a predetermined time when heating by the heating means is stopped, and then perform heating by the heating means to detect the temperature at that time. 2. The garbage fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water content detecting means includes first and second temperature detectors, and detects a temperature difference between the two temperature detectors. 2. The garbage fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the moisture content detecting means detects a difference between a temperature detected by the temperature detector and a set temperature for controlling heating of the heating means. A processing tank for storing and decomposing garbage for fermentation and decomposition, a garbage moisture adjusting material stored in the processing tank, a stirring means for stirring and mixing the raw garbage and the garbage moisture adjusting material charged, Heating means for heating the tank, moisture content detection means for detecting the moisture content of the garbage moisture adjusting material, and the stirring means, control means for controlling the heating means based on a signal from the moisture content detection means, The garbage fermentation treatment apparatus, wherein the moisture content detection unit is configured to perform stirring by the heating unit after stirring for a predetermined time and detect a temperature at that time.

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