JP2005040742A - Automatic transportation pipe washing apparatus using pig - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic transportation pipe washing apparatus using a pig which can be operated remotely, automatically and continuously without any manual work to save manpower and can prevent sundry bacilli from entering into a transportation pipe caused by taking out the pig, and with which a washing liquid flows through a clearance between the pig and the pipe when washing to prevent the pig from disturbing the stream of the washing liquid and also the pig can be washed to smoothly perform the changeover of process lines. <P>SOLUTION: In this automatic washing apparatus, a launcher 11 for launching the pig is provided at one end of the transportation pipe 1 and a catcher for catching the pig is provided at another end. The pig 41 is moved to a catcher 21 side by compressed gas from a launcher 11 side to expel a product remaining in the transportation pipe and the product adhering to an inner wall surface, and after the pig is pushed back to the launcher 11 side by the compressed gas from the catcher 21 side, the washing liquid is poured in and washing is performed by movement of the pig 41. Further in the apparatus, the launcher 11 is attached with inclination, and a pig stopper 13, a pig washing section 14 and a pig catching section 15 are provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention is an apparatus for automatically cleaning the inside of a pipe for transferring a liquid or slurry fluid used in food factories, chemical factories, etc. More specifically, the product remaining in the pipe by moving the pig Alternatively, the present invention relates to an automatic cleaning device for a transfer pipe using a pig that dispenses a product attached to an inner wall surface and then cleans it with a cleaning liquid.

  In the line for transferring food such as milk, coffee, juice, mayonnaise, ketchup, jam, chocolate or cosmetics such as cream, milk, shampoo, rinse, body soap, toothpaste, etc. To transfer to the tank, to transfer the intermediate product fluid obtained by mixing the raw material fluid and other fluids to the intermediate storage tank, or to pack the final product fluid stored in the storage tank In some cases, the liquid is transferred to a filling device, and each is directly transferred by a pipeline using a fluid transfer pipe.

  After the raw material fluid or product fluid is transferred through the transfer pipe, it remains in the pipe or remains attached to the inner wall surface of the pipe, and leaving it as it is may cause bacteria and mold, which is undesirable for hygiene. For this reason, the fluid remaining in the transfer pipe is dispensed with a pig, and then the hygiene of the transfer pipe is maintained by washing with an acid, an alkaline solution, hot water, cold water, or the like.

  In addition, the transfer pipe does not always transfer the same raw material fluid or product fluid, and may transfer different raw material fluids or product fluids. This prevents contamination from different fluids and purity.

  As one of the cleaning operations, remove the bolts and nuts from the joints of the transfer piping and disassemble them, clean the disassembled piping manually with a brush, detergent, chemicals, etc. May be assembled into In this case, not only does it require a lot of manpower and a lot of time, but there is also a problem that work cannot be done manually by using long piping.

  In order to eliminate such labor-intensive work, a pig made of foamed resin or rubber material whose outer diameter is substantially equal to the inner diameter of the transfer pipe is removed from the pig insertion port provided at one end of the transfer pipe. There is also a method in which a pressure fluid is used to feed and move to a pig outlet on the fluid outlet side to discharge the residue in front of the pig traveling direction, or the fluid attached to the inner wall surface of the pipe is removed and then washed with a cleaning liquid.

  In this case, the pig must be taken out of the transfer pipe, which is time consuming, and the removed pig is contaminated by the attachment of residual fluid. For this reason, it was difficult to automate the switching operation, and continuous operation was not possible. In addition, since the pig comes out of the pipe, there is a risk of contamination, and it is not suitable for washing food-related transfer pipes that require strict hygiene.

  In order to solve the above problems, if it is going to be automated, the pig fired from the launcher enters the recovery unit while discharging the fluid in the transfer pipe, and again the launcher side with the drive source from the recovery unit side In this case, no matter what pig is used, the drive source is installed on the launch side and the collection side, and the pig seals when traveling into the transfer pipe. If the structure is provided, the gas in the drive source is received and the inside of the transfer pipe is easily advanced. In order to confirm the launch, passage, and arrival of a pig, for example, switching and automation of a valve have already been performed using a magnetic sensor described in Japanese Patent No. 2816968.

  Examples of such automated cleaning apparatuses include those shown in FIGS. That is, as shown in FIG. 7, when the food in the intermediate food tank 56 is sent to the transfer pipe 51 via the pump 55, the pig 91 set in the launcher 61 is connected to the rear of the launcher 61. When the compressed gas is introduced into the gas supply pipe 68a and moves to the catcher 71 side, the food in the transfer pipe 51 is discharged to the product tanks 58 and 58 on the catcher 71 side. At this time, of course, the essential valves are opened and closed according to the procedure.

  As shown in FIG. 8, when the pig 91 advances and is detected by the magnetic sensor 94, the compressed gas from the launcher 61 side is cut off, and the compressed gas is introduced into the gas supply pipe 74 on the catcher 71 side. When returning to the launcher 61 side and passing through the magnetic sensor 93, an instruction to switch to liquid cleaning is activated.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, when the cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 70 is injected through the cleaning liquid supply pipe 68 b connected to the rear part of the launcher 61 and the cleaning pump 69, the pig 91 moves and reaches the catcher 71 side. When the pig 91 arrives on the catcher side, it is in a closed state and various cleaning operations cannot be performed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the cleaning liquid is poured from the branch pipe 52 and the cleaning operation is performed, the end of the launcher 61 becomes a pocket and cleaning cannot be performed completely. Therefore, it is only necessary to open the rear valve 68c and suck the cleaning liquid. However, the pig 91 blocks the opening 68d and the cleaning liquid does not flow. Further, when the cleaning liquid is switched, a vacuum action occurs when the liquid in the transfer pipe 51 is discharged from the branch pipe 53, and the pig 91 advances into the transfer pipe 51 as shown in FIG. The liquid may not be washed due to clogging.

  Thus, in the automatic cleaning device for the transfer pipe by the pig, it was necessary to have a structure for retaining the pig and the structure for cleaning the pig itself so that the pig 91 does not interfere with the flow of the cleaning liquid during liquid cleaning. There was no automatic cleaning device for transfer pipes with a pig having such a structure.

  The present invention was developed with the object of solving the above-mentioned problems, and can be operated remotely and automatically without requiring manual operation, saving labor and, of course, miscellaneous bacteria in the transfer pipe generated by taking out the pig. After the pig is captured at the end of the launcher, it falls but is stopped by the stopper and does not travel to the transfer pipe. During cleaning, the cleaning liquid flows from the gap between the pig and the pipe, Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic cleaning device for a transfer pipe using a pig, which does not hinder the flow, and at that time, can also clean the pig and can smoothly switch the line.

  As means for solving the above problems and achieving the object, the present invention provides a launcher for launching a pig at one end of a transfer pipe, a catcher for receiving the pig at the other end, and a compressed gas from the launcher side. Move the pig to the catcher side to discharge the product remaining in the transfer pipe and the product adhering to the inner wall, push it back to the launcher side with the compressed gas from the catcher side, inject the cleaning liquid and wash by moving the pig Developed and adopted a cleaning device for transfer pipes with a pig, which is an automatic cleaning device, which is equipped with a launcher tilted and equipped with a pig stopper, pig cleaning unit, and pig capturing unit did.

  Moreover, in the automatic cleaning device for the transfer pipe by the pig configured as described above, the stopper of the pig stopper device is moved down based on the signal from the magnetic sensor that detects the capture at the pig capturing unit, and from the catcher side. The automatic cleaning device of the transfer pipe by the pig equipped with the control means that the compressed gas is cut off and the pig falls naturally and is stopped by the stopper, and the pig stopper opens and closes the front part of the pig cleaning part by the vertical movement of the cylinder The automatic cleaning device for the transfer pipe by the pig, and the pig cleaning unit, which are configured to perform the automatic cleaning device for the transfer pipe by the pig, and the pig capturing unit, which are 10 to 30% larger than the outer diameter of the pig, We have developed and adopted an automatic cleaning device for transfer pipes using pigs, with the rear part 1 to 3% larger than the outer diameter of the pig as the throttle part.

  According to the automatic transfer pipe cleaning device using the pig of the present invention, since the pig catching portion of the throttle portion is provided in the rear part of the launcher, the pig returned by the drive source from the catcher side immediately falls back in reaction. Without being captured by the capturing unit. When captured, the pig stopper is lowered by the signal from the magnetic sensor and the drive source from the catcher is turned off. The pig is automatically dropped and stopped by the stopper and does not proceed into the transfer pipe.

  The launcher has an enlarged part of the pig cleaning part in front of the pig catching part, and a stopper that stops the pig at that position, so when the cleaning liquid flows, the cleaning liquid is smooth from the gap between the pig and the pipe The contamination of the transfer pipe can be removed. At that time, the dirt attached to the surface of the pig and the dirt attached to the launcher can be washed, so that the inside of the pipe can be washed without taking out the pig.

  In addition, the cleaning operation is convenient because it can be performed in a series of steps before the pig is fired, and the operations of capturing, moving, and stopping the pig are automatically controlled by signals from each magnetic sensor. Therefore, it can be cleaned easily and efficiently without any effort. Furthermore, the traveling travel is smooth and reliable.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying FIGS. FIG. 1 is a side view of a state where a pig is set, FIG. 2 is a side view of a state where the pig has reached the catcher side, and FIG. 3 is a side view of a state where the pig is returned and captured by a catcher of the launcher. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state of being stopped by a stopper, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the launcher. The automatic cleaning device for the transfer pipe by the pig is roughly divided into a transfer pipe 1, a launcher 11 for firing a pig provided at one end of the transfer pipe 1, a catcher 21 for receiving a pig provided at the other side, and a pig stopper device 31. , And is composed of a pig 41 for discharging the fluid.

  The transfer pipe 1 is provided with a branch pipe 2 and a branch pipe 3 on the catcher 21 side near the launcher 11, and the branch pipe 2 is connected to an intermediate food tank 6 via a valve 4 and a pump 5. On the other hand, the branch pipe 3 is arranged on the catcher 21 side, and a plurality of product tanks 8 and 8 are connected via a valve 7 and also connected to a cleaning waste liquid tank 9.

As shown in FIG. 5, the launcher 11 for launching the pig has an arcuate portion 12 at the tip and a pig 4.
1 is a tapered portion 13, a cleaning portion 14 that is 10 to 30% larger than the outer diameter of the pig 41, and a rear portion that is 1 to 3% larger than the outer diameter of the pig 41 is the throttle portion. It is comprised with the capture part 15. FIG.

  The launcher 11 is installed with an inclination in the range of 5 to 90 degrees, and a receiving body 16 for receiving the pig 41 is provided at the rear end. Reference numeral 17 denotes a rear upper opening. A connecting pipe 18 is connected to the connecting pipe 18. A gas supply pipe 18 a and a cleaning liquid supply pipe 18 b are connected to the connecting pipe 18, and the cleaning liquid supply pipe 18 b is connected to the cleaning liquid via the cleaning pump 19. The tank 20 is connected.

  The catcher 21 is provided with a receiving body 23 for receiving the pig 41 on the end plate 22 at the rear end, and after receiving the advanced pig 41, the gas supply pipe 24 for the drive source that returns to the launcher 11 side is provided on the rear side. It is connected to the upper end.

  The pig stopper device 31 is provided on the front upper portion of the pig cleaning unit 14, and the stopper 33 is moved up and down by the cylinder 32 so that the opening of the cleaning unit 14 can be opened and closed. That is, when the pig 41 detects the capture by the magnetic sensor 34 installed on the outer peripheral surface of the launcher 11, the stopper 33 is moved down based on the signal from the magnetic sensor 34, and the drive source on the catcher 21 side is turned off. Receive the falling pig 41. When the stopper 33 is raised by the cylinder 32, the pig 41 is automatically dropped and set at the set position.

  The pig 41 is formed of an elastic material made of rubber or foamed synthetic resin that elastically contacts the inner wall of the transfer pipe 1, and has a permanent magnet 42 built in one side as shown in FIG. Has been. As the pig 41 moves, the magnetic sensor 42 installed on the outer peripheral surface of the transfer pipe line 5 close to the launcher 11 and the outer peripheral surface of the transfer pipe line 5 close to the catcher 21 by the lines of magnetic force from the built-in permanent magnet 32. The passage and arrival of the pig 31 are sensed by the magnetic sensor 43 installed in, and based on the sensor signal, the supply of compressed gas is stopped.

  Explaining a specific example of use by the automatic washing apparatus with a pig configured as described above, the valves 4 and 7 provided on the branch pipes 2 and 3 of the transfer pipe 1 are opened, and the food stored in the intermediate food tank 6 is removed. In this case, it is fed into the transfer pipe 1 through the pump 5 and collected in the food tanks 8 and 8, and as shown in FIG. The pressurized gas from 18a is received, it starts from the re-juice part 13, progresses toward the catcher 21 side, pays out food in front of the pig 41, and wipes off food adhering to the inner wall surface of the tube. The compressed gas from the launcher 11 side is stopped by a signal that the pig 41 moves forward and reaches the magnetic sensor 43.

  When the pig 41 reaches the catcher 23 on the catcher 21 side, pressurized gas is supplied from the gas supply pipe 24 attached to the rear upper part, the pig 41 is pushed back to the launcher 11 side, and the pig 41 passes the magnetic sensor 42. Then, it enters the launcher 11 and hits the receiving body 16 at the rear end, and as shown in FIG.

  When the pig 41 reaches the receiving body 16 of the launcher 11, the magnetic sensor 34 senses it, and the cylinder 32 of the pig stopper device 31 is moved downward by the signal to lower the stopper 33 and simultaneously the compressed gas from the catcher 21 side Stop. When the compressed gas from the catcher 21 side is cut, the pig 41 captured by the capturing unit 15 naturally falls because the launcher 11 itself is inclined, and is stopped by a stopper 33 as shown in FIG. .

  After the above operation is completed, the cleaning operation process is started. That is, in the state of FIG. 4, the cleaning liquid is injected from the cleaning liquid tank 20 through the pump 19 from the upper opening 17 at the rear of the launcher 11, or is injected through the branch pipe 2 through the valve 4. Then, the liquid is washed into the washing waste liquid tank 9. At this time, since the pig 41 is located in the enlarged portion of the cleaning section and is stopped by the stopper 33, the pig 41 does not enter the transfer pipe, and if the cleaning liquid is injected from the upper opening portion 17, the pig 41 may obstruct the flow. In addition, it can flow smoothly through the gap between the pig 41 and the pipe, and the dirt of the pig 41 can be removed.

  Then, after the cleaning liquid is flowed, the pig 41 moves to the state shown in FIG. 1 in close contact with the set position of the juice portion 13 and is compressed from the gas supply pipe 18a in the same manner as when the product is dispensed to push out the cleaning liquid. Receiving the gas, the vehicle starts from the juice portion 13, moves toward the catcher 21, wipes dirt from the transfer pipe, and causes the cleaning liquid to flow into the cleaning waste liquid tank 9. When reaching the catcher 21 side, the pig 41 is pushed back to the launcher 11 side with the compressed gas from the gas supply pipe 24, enters the launcher 11, hits the receiving body 16, and is captured by the capturing unit 15.

  When the pig 41 returning to the launcher 11 reaches the receiving body 16 of the launcher 11 and is captured by the capturing unit, the stopper 33 is moved downward by a signal from the magnetic sensor 34 and the compressed gas from the catcher 21 is stopped. . When the compressed gas from the catcher 21 side is cut, the pig 41 captured by the capturing unit 15 falls and proceeds to the cleaning unit 14. Also, if the dirt is severe, the kind of cleaning liquid is changed, and the dirt in the transfer pipe can be completely removed by repeating the pig cleaning operation. Close contact with the set position.

It can be used not only for cleaning transfer pipes for food and cosmetics but also for dispensing and cleaning sterilization of transfer pipes for oils, fats, oils, chemicals, and chemicals.

It is a side view of the state where the pig of the device of the present invention was set. It is a side view of the state where the pig has reached the catcher side. It is a side view of the state where a pig returned and was captured by the capture part. It is a side view in the state where a pig is stopped with a stopper. It is an expanded sectional view of a launcher. It is an expanded sectional view of a pig. It is a side view in the state where the pig of the conventional example was set. It is a side view of the state where the pig has reached the catcher side. It is a side view of the state with which the washing | cleaning liquid was filled. It is a side view of the state filled with the cleaning liquid from the distribution pipe. It is a side view in the state where a pig stopped in piping.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Transfer piping 11 Launcher 14 Pig washing part 15 Pig capture part 21 Catcher 31 Pig stopper apparatus 32 Cylinder 33 Pig stopper 34 Magnetic sensor 41 Pig

Claims (5)

  A launcher that launches a pig is provided at one end of the transfer pipe, and a catcher that catches the pig is provided at the other end, and the pig is moved to the catcher side by compressed gas from the launcher side, and the product remaining on the transfer pipe and the inner wall surface It is an automatic cleaning device that dispenses the product that adheres and pushes it back to the launcher side with compressed gas from the catcher side, and then injects the cleaning liquid and cleans it by moving the pig. And an automatic cleaning device for a transfer pipe by a pig, comprising a pig cleaning unit and a pig capturing unit.   Based on the signal from the magnetic sensor that detects the capture at the pig capture unit, the stopper of the pig stopper device moves down, the compressed gas from the catcher side is cut, and the pig naturally falls and is stopped by the stopper The automatic cleaning device for a transfer pipe by a pig according to claim 1, comprising means.   The automatic cleaning device for a fluid transfer pipe using a pig according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the pig stopper is configured to open and close the front surface of the pig cleaning unit by vertically moving the cylinder.   4. The automatic cleaning device for a transfer pipe using a pig according to claim 1, wherein the pig cleaning section is an enlarged section that is 10 to 30% larger than the outer diameter of the pig. 5. The apparatus for cleaning a fluid transfer pipe using a pig according to claim 1, wherein the pig catching section has a throttling portion at a rear portion which is 1 to 3% larger than the outer diameter of the pig.

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