JP2005138089A - Method for measuring percentage of water content - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method for measuring the percentage of water content capable of accurately measuring the water content of a garbage disposal material stored in a disposal vessel of a garbage disposer independently from the structure of the garbage disposer. <P>SOLUTION: The method for measuring the percentage of water content for estimating the percentage of water content of the garbage disposal material in the disposal vessel 1 on the basis of relationship between temperature rise value of a heater measured in advance and the percentage of water content of the garbage disposal material by using a thermal water content sensor 42 provided with the heater which generates heat by being energized, a temperature measuring member for detecting the temperature of the heater, i.e., a thermistor comprises the steps of heating the heater and detecting the temperature of the heater by the thermistor in a state of stopping an agitating shaft 12 at the position where agitating blades 12b, 13 are not positioned in the vicinity of the water content sensor 42, and estimating the percentage of water content of the garbage disposal material on the basis of the relationship between the data and the value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a moisture content measurement method for measuring the moisture content of a garbage treatment material placed in a treatment tank for decomposing garbage in a garbage treatment apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been proposed a garbage processing apparatus that ferments and decomposes garbage by the action of microorganisms (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  This kind of garbage processing apparatus is a means for mixing garbage into a processing tank that contains microorganisms in a processing tank that contains garbage as a garbage processing material. Thus, the garbage is fermented and decomposed by the action of microorganisms while stirring the garbage treatment material and the garbage.

  By the way, the microorganisms used in the garbage treatment apparatus are mainly aerobic bacteria, and the decomposition reaction of garbage by microorganisms is greatly influenced by factors such as moisture, temperature, oxygen, etc., and even one of these factors is appropriate for each. If it is out of range, disassembly will not proceed easily. For example, when garbage containing a large amount of moisture is put into the treatment tank and the garbage treatment material becomes excessively watery, it becomes deficient due to lack of oxygen, and the garbage treatment material becomes too dry. In this case, there is a shortage of water necessary for the activity of microorganisms, and in any case, the garbage remains without being decomposed.

  Therefore, in the above-described garbage processing apparatus, the environment in the processing tank is controlled so that the activity of microorganisms in the processing tank can be maintained. That is, in the above-described garbage processing apparatus, the garbage processing material in the treatment tank and the stirring means for stirring the garbage, the motor for driving the stirring means, the ventilation means for ventilating the garbage processing material, and the inside of the treatment tank Food treatment material and heating means such as a heater for heating garbage, a thermal moisture sensor that detects the moisture content of the garbage treatment material, and the moisture content detected by the moisture sensor determines the activity of microorganisms. Control means for controlling the stirring means, heating means, and aeration means are provided so as to fall within the moisture content range suitable for maintaining the water content. Therefore, in the above-mentioned garbage disposal apparatus, it becomes possible to keep the moisture content of the garbage treatment material within the moisture content range suitable for maintaining the activity of microorganisms. The moisture content sensor for measuring the moisture content is not limited to the thermal type, but there is also an electrostatic type sensor. However, there is a problem that the capacitive type sensor is more expensive than the thermal type sensor. It was.

  Note that in a garbage processing apparatus that ferments and decomposes garbage by the action of microorganisms, the above-described stirring means intersects the stirring axis held in the treatment tank and the stirring axis (for example, a direction orthogonal to the stirring axis) A so-called horizontal type garbage disposal apparatus in which the center line of the agitation shaft is disposed in the horizontal direction as in the garbage disposal apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1; There is provided a so-called vertical garbage disposal apparatus in which the center line of the stirring shaft is arranged in the vertical direction. In addition, in the vertical type garbage processing equipment, which has a relatively large processing capacity that is used not for home use but for business use, separate from the treatment tank, the garbage treatment material and garbage stored in the treatment tank are temporarily stored. In addition to providing a storage tank for storage, a storage means is provided in the storage tank for introducing garbage processing material and garbage, and conveying means for conveying the garbage processing material and garbage from the storage tank to the processing tank. A set is also provided. Moreover, in the vertical type garbage disposal apparatus, the aeration means is generally configured so that air is aerated from the bottom to the top in the treatment tank.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the thermal moisture sensor described above includes a heating element 42a that generates heat when energized, a substrate 42c on which a thermistor 42b that detects the temperature of the heating element 42a is mounted, and a metal in which the substrate 42c is housed. The case 42d is attached to the treatment tank so that the garbage processing material A in the treatment tank is in contact with the surface of the case 42d. The heating element 42a is energized for a specified time and the temperature of the heating element 42a. Is detected by the thermistor 42b, and the moisture content is measured from the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a. Here, since the heat of the heating element 42a is easily radiated to the garbage treatment material A as the moisture content of the garbage treatment material A is higher, the temperature detected by the thermistor 42b is lower and the moisture content of the garbage treatment material A is lower. As the heat of the heating element 42a becomes less likely to be dissipated to the garbage disposal material A, the temperature detected by the thermistor 42b becomes higher. Therefore, the temperature increase value decreases as the moisture content of the garbage treatment material A increases, and increases as the moisture content of the garbage treatment material A decreases. Therefore, the temperature increase value of the heating element 42a and the garbage treatment material are preliminarily determined. If the relational data is created by measuring the relation with the moisture content of A and the relational data is used, the moisture content of the garbage treatment material A can be measured from the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a. It is.

By the way, in the said patent document 1, in order to measure the moisture content of a garbage disposal material accurately, the garbage disposal material by the stirring means and the stirring of garbage are stopped, and the garbage disposal material is not flowing. Has proposed a moisture content measurement method that measures the moisture content of garbage treatment materials.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-235328 (refer to pages 4 to 6 and FIGS. 1 to 4)

  However, even if the moisture content measuring method for measuring the moisture content of the garbage treatment material and the garbage treatment material in a state in which the stirring of the garbage is stopped as described above, the structure of the garbage treatment device is adopted. In some cases, the measurement accuracy of the moisture content may be lowered, and in some cases, oxygen may become insufficient due to excessive moisture, and decomposition of garbage may stop.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned reasons, and its purpose is to accurately determine the moisture content of the garbage treatment material accommodated in the treatment tank in the garbage treatment apparatus regardless of the structure of the garbage treatment apparatus. It is in providing the moisture content measuring method which can be measured.

  The invention of claim 1 includes a garbage treatment material inhabited by microorganisms for decomposing the garbage, a treatment tank containing the garbage, and a stirring means for agitating the garbage treatment material and the garbage in the treatment tank. The stirring means has a stirring shaft that is rotatably held in the processing tank, and a stirring blade that protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the stirring shaft and whose tip moves along the inner peripheral surface of the processing tank as the stirring shaft rotates. In the garbage processing apparatus constituted by the above, a thermal moisture content measuring device having a heating element and a temperature measuring element for detecting the temperature of the heating element in the vicinity of the heating element is brought into contact with the garbage processing material in the treatment tank. The moisture content measuring method is to presume the moisture content of the garbage treatment material based on the relational data between the temperature rise value of the heating element measured in advance and the moisture content of the garbage treatment material. Stop the stirring means so that the stirring blade is not located near the moisture content measuring device. In this state, the heating element is caused to generate heat, the temperature of the heating element is detected by the temperature measuring element, and the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is measured from the temperature rise value of the heating element based on the above relational data. To do.

  According to the present invention, when the moisture content is measured, the garbage treatment material is not flowing because the stirring means is stopped, and the stirring means is such that the stirring blade is not located in the vicinity of the moisture content measuring device. Therefore, when the stirring means is stopped, the garbage treatment material that has been in contact with the moisture content measuring device before the stop is scraped off by the stirring blade, and the gap between the moisture content measuring device and the garbage treatment material is removed. Generation | occurrence | production of a space | gap can be prevented and the moisture content of the garbage processing material accommodated in the processing tank can be accurately measured irrespective of the structure of a garbage processing apparatus.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, two moisture content measuring devices are arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the treatment tank so that the heating elements of each moisture content measuring device generate heat before the stirring means is stopped. The passage of the stirring blade is detected by the temperature drop of the heating element due to the passage of the tip of the stirring blade near the moisture content measuring device, and the tip of the stirring blade is positioned in the vicinity of one moisture content measuring device. The stirring means is stopped as described above, and the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is measured using the other moisture content measuring device.

  According to this invention, the moisture content of the garbage treatment material can be measured using the moisture content measuring device far from the tip of the stirring blade in a state where the agitating means is stopped. Variation in measurement accuracy due to the difference in structure can be reduced.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in order to stop the stirring means in the first aspect of the invention, the heating element is heated in advance before the stirring means is stopped, and the tip of the stirring blade passes through the vicinity. The stirring means is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed since the passage of the stirring blade was detected due to a temperature drop.

  According to this invention, when the stirring means is stopped, the tip of the stirring blade can be reliably separated from the moisture content measuring device, and variation in moisture content measurement accuracy due to the difference in the structure of the garbage treatment device is reduced. be able to.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of moisture content measuring devices are provided, and when each of the moisture content measuring devices generates heat under the same conditions, the temperature rise of each heating element The minimum value among the values is used for the measurement of the moisture content.

  According to the present invention, since the temperature rise value of the moisture content measuring device in which a gap is formed in the vicinity of the moisture content measuring device and the temperature rise value of the heating element becomes large is not used, the measurement accuracy of the moisture content is further increased. Can do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the garbage treatment apparatus is provided with a garbage treatment material in the treatment tank and a ventilation means for aerating air to the garbage. When the measurement is performed, the air volume by the aeration unit is reduced as compared with the operation of the stirring unit.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the moisture content due to the influence of the air ventilated by the aeration means.

  In the first aspect of the invention, when the moisture content is measured, the garbage processing material is not flowing because the stirring means is stopped, and the stirring blade of the stirring means is not located in the vicinity of the moisture content measuring device. Therefore, when the stirring means is stopped, the garbage treatment material that has been in contact with the moisture content measuring device before the stop is scraped off by the stirring blades, and the gap between the moisture content measuring device and the garbage treatment material is reduced. It is possible to prevent the generation of voids in the waste water and to accurately measure the moisture content of the garbage treatment material accommodated in the treatment tank regardless of the structure of the garbage treatment apparatus.

  First, after describing the schematic structure of the garbage processing apparatus in this embodiment, referring to FIG. 1, the moisture content measuring method will be described.

  The garbage processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a garbage processing material inhabited by microorganisms that decompose garbage and a metal processing tank 1 that accommodates the garbage and performs the decomposition process of the garbage, and the processing tank 1. A garbage disposal material to be placed and a metal storage tank 2 for temporarily storing the garbage are provided. The storage tank 2 is formed in a shape in which the left and right side surfaces of the main plate 2a having a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the left and right direction in FIG. 1 are closed with side plates 2b and 2b and the upper surface is closed with an upper plate 2c. The treatment tank 1 is formed in a cylindrical shape whose upper and lower surfaces are closed. Further, the upper plate 2c of the storage tank 2 is provided with an input port 2d for supplying the garbage processing material and garbage, and the input port 2d is covered with an input door 24 so as to be opened and closed.

  Moreover, the garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment forms an outlet in the lower part of the right side plate 2b of the storage tank 2 in FIG. A cylindrical transfer pipe 3 is provided between the discharge port of the storage tank 2 and the introduction port of the treatment tank 1, and is disposed so as to straddle the storage tank 2 and the transfer pipe 3, and is rotatably supported. By rotating the rotating shaft 22a of the screw 22 in the forward rotation direction, the contents in the storage tank 2 can be conveyed to the processing tank 1. Here, spiral screw blades 22 b are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotation shaft 22 a of the screw 22. The rotating shaft 22a of the screw 22 is arranged with the center line as the left-right direction in FIG. 1 and rotates by receiving the rotational force from the motor 5 as a power source provided outside the storage tank 2.

  Between the side plates 2b, 2b of the storage tank 2, a rotating shaft 23a of the paddle 23 is rotatably supported above the screw 22, and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 23a rotates within the storage tank 2. Crushing blades 23b are provided for finely crushing relatively large garbage. In the paddle 23, the rotating shaft 23a is rotated by receiving the rotational force from the motor 5 described above, and the relatively large garbage put in the storage tank 2 is crushed by the crushing blades 23b. Since the storage tank 2 employs the main plate 2a having a U-shaped cross section orthogonal to the left-right direction as described above, the garbage thrown into the storage tank 2 is placed on the periphery of the screw 22. It is easy to gather, and it is difficult for garbage to remain on the inner surface of the storage tank 2 after the raw garbage thrown into the storage tank 2 is conveyed to the processing tank 1. The rotating direction of the rotating shaft 22a of the screw 22 and the rotating shaft 23a of the paddle 23 is switched between forward and reverse depending on the rotating direction of the motor 5 described above. In the present embodiment, a chain 6 for rotating the two rotary shafts 22a and 23a with one motor 5 is provided.

  The garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment inputs a garbage processing material into the storage tank 2 prior to the input of the garbage at startup, and processes the garbage processing material input into the storage tank 2 through the transfer pipe 3. It is made to convey to the tank 1. Here, the food waste treatment material is like compost (fertilizer), for example, a residue obtained by treating food waste (persistent cellulose or protein complex) may be used. As a bulking material, wood chips such as sawdust may be mixed. In addition, A in FIG. 1 shows the garbage processing material accommodated in the processing tank 1, and B in the figure shows the garbage thrown into the storage tank 2.

  A stirring shaft 12 is rotatably supported between the upper plate 1 a and the lower plate 1 c of the processing tank 1, and the stirring shaft 12 has a plurality of rotations orthogonal to the stirring shaft 12 and rotating in the processing tank 1. The stirring blades 12b, 12b, 13, and 13 are projected, and the respective leading ends of the stirring blades 12b, 12b, 13, and 13 move along the inner peripheral surface of the processing tank 1 as the stirring shaft 12 rotates. It is supposed to be. In short, the agitation shaft 12 is arranged with the center line as the vertical direction, is rotated by receiving the rotational force from the motor 4 as a power source provided outside the processing tank 1, and is accommodated in the processing tank 1. Stir the garbage processing material and garbage. In this way, by stirring the garbage treatment material and the garbage, the contact between the garbage treatment material and the garbage is promoted, and fresh air is introduced from the aeration means described later to uniformize the contents in the treatment tank 1. Can be planned. The rotating direction of the stirring shaft 12 is switched between forward and reverse depending on the rotating direction of the motor 4. In this embodiment, the stirring shaft 12 and the plurality of stirring blades 12b, 12b, 13, and 13 constitute the stirring means for stirring the garbage treatment material and the garbage in the treatment tank 1, but the stirring blade The numbers 12b and 13 are not particularly limited.

  By the way, most of the garbage thrown into the storage tank 2 is transported to the treatment tank 1 through the transport pipe 3, but if even a small amount of garbage remains on the inner surface of the storage tank 2, While odor and rot odor become a problem, when fermenting and decomposing garbage in the treatment tank 1, in addition to carbon dioxide, methane, water, etc., a gas with an unpleasant odor such as a nitrogen compound or a sulfur compound is generated. . Then, in the garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment, while providing the piping 7 which connects the upper part of the storage tank 2 and the processing tank 1, and connects the internal space of the storage tank 2 and the internal space of the processing tank 1, An oxidation catalyst type deodorizer (not shown) is provided in the upper part of the treatment tank 1, and an exhaust fan (not shown) is provided on the outlet side of the deodorizer. Therefore, by operating the exhaust fan, the decomposition gas and water vapor generated in the processing tank 1 and the air sucked from the storage tank 2 through the pipe 7 are discharged to the outside of the processing tank 1 through the deodorizer. It has become. Further, the stirring shaft 12 and the stirring blade 13 are formed hollow, and a plurality of nozzles 13 b are projected downward from the stirring blade 13. Therefore, when the blower is operated, the air supplied to the internal space of the stirring blade 13 through the internal space of the stirring shaft 12 is jetted from each nozzle 13b, so that fresh air is supplied to the contents in the processing tank 1 And the activity of microorganisms contributing to the fermentative decomposition of garbage can be increased. In the present embodiment, the blower, the agitation shaft 12, the agitation blades 13, and the plurality of nozzles 13b constitute a ventilation means for aerating the garbage processing material.

  Moreover, since the environment in which the activity of microorganisms increases is necessary for the fermentation process in the processing tank 1, and not only aeration of the contents but also heating is required, in the garbage processing of this embodiment, the processing A heater (not shown) is provided as a heating means for heating the garbage processing material and the garbage in the tank 1, and the garbage processing in the treatment tank 1 is controlled by controlling the heat generation amount (energization amount) of the heater. The temperature of the wood and garbage can be adjusted.

  Moreover, the garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment is a thermal moisture content sensor 42 that detects the moisture content (volumetric moisture content) of the garbage treatment material in the treatment tank 1, and the garbage treatment material in the treatment tank 1. A temperature sensor 43 that detects the temperature, and a controller 30 that is provided outside the processing tank 1 and monitors the inputs from the sensors 42 and 43 to control the operations of the motors 4 and 5, the heater, and the exhaust fan. ing. Here, the moisture content sensor 42 and the temperature sensor 43 are disposed in the processing tank 1 so as to contact the contents in the processing tank 1. The controller 30 controls the motor 5 so that the contents of the storage tank 2 are conveyed to the processing tank 1 at regular time intervals. The moisture content sensor 42 is the same as the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 8, and includes a heating element 42a that generates heat when energized, a substrate 42c on which a thermistor 42b that detects the temperature of the heating element 42a is mounted, and a substrate 42c. And a metal case 42d that is housed, and is attached to the treatment tank so that the garbage processing material A in the treatment tank is in contact with the surface of the case 42d. The heating element 42a is energized for a specified time and generates heat. The temperature of the body 42a is detected by the thermistor 42b, and the moisture content is measured from the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a. In this embodiment, the thermistor 42b constitutes a temperature measuring body, and the moisture content sensor 42 constitutes a moisture content measuring device.

  By the way, the inventors of the present application extract a solution to the problem of accurately measuring the moisture content of the garbage treatment material accommodated in the treatment tank 1 in the garbage treatment apparatus regardless of the structure of the garbage treatment apparatus. At this time, paying attention to the influence of the garbage treatment material in the treatment tank 1 and the stirring means for stirring the garbage on the measurement accuracy of the moisture content sensor 42, the following plural types of experiments were conducted.

  First, in order to clarify the influence of the flow rate of the garbage treatment material by stirring the garbage treatment material in the treatment tank 1 on the moisture content measurement accuracy by the stirring means, the moisture content sensor 42 is disposed in the treatment tank. 1 is disposed at substantially the same height as the upper stirring blade 12b in FIG. 2, and a garbage treatment material having a moisture content of 9.7% is accommodated in the treatment tank 1, and the stirring shaft 12 is rotated. However, when the relationship between the rotational speed of the stirring shaft 12 when the heating element 42a is energized to heat the heating element 42a and the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a detected by the thermistor 42b is examined, the result shown in FIG. 3 is obtained. Obtained. FIG. 3 shows that the energization conditions for the heating element 42a are as follows: the applied voltage is 5.6V, the application time is constant at 300 seconds, and the number of revolutions and the temperature rise of the heating element 42a when the number of revolutions of the stirring shaft 12 is varied. The horizontal axis indicates the number of revolutions (rpm) of the motor 4 that drives the stirring shaft 12, and the vertical axis indicates the temperature rise value ΔT (° C.) of the heating element 42a. Note that the air flow rate by the vent means was constant at 480 L / min.

  From FIG. 3, even when the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is constant and the energization condition to the heating element 42 a of the moisture content sensor 42 is constant, the temperature rise of the heating element 42 a is caused by the difference in the rotational speed of the stirring shaft 12. The values were found to be different. From the result of FIG. 3, even when the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is constant and the energization condition to the heating element 42a of the moisture content sensor 42 is constant, the garbage treatment material is flowing. Since it is considered that the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a varies depending on the flow rate of the garbage treatment material, as a method for accurately measuring the moisture content of the garbage treatment material in the treatment tank 1, the flow of the garbage treatment material Two methods, a method of measuring the moisture content by disposing the moisture content sensor 42 at a position where the speed is constant, and a method of measuring the moisture content in a state where the stirring of the garbage treatment material by the stirring means is stopped Can be considered. Therefore, in order to determine which one of the former method and the latter method should be adopted, the moisture content sensor 42 depending on the presence / absence of stirring of the garbage treatment material by the stirring means and the difference in the arrangement of the moisture content sensor 42. When the difference in the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a was examined, the results shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B were obtained. Here, FIG. 4A shows the result of measuring the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a when the heating element 42a of the moisture content sensor 42 is energized while stirring the garbage treatment material by the stirring means. ) Is a result of measuring a temperature rise value of the heating element 42a when the heating element 42a of the moisture content sensor 42 is energized in a state where stirring of the garbage processing material by the stirring means is stopped. 4 (a) and 4 (b), the horizontal axis represents the moisture content of the garbage processing material accommodated in the treatment tank 1, and the vertical axis represents the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a of the moisture content sensor 42. “A” indicates the relationship data between the moisture content and the temperature rise value when the moisture content sensor 42 is disposed at the position X1 of the treatment tank 1 in FIG. 2, and “b” indicates the moisture content sensor 42 in the treatment tank 1 in FIG. Shows the relationship data between the moisture content and the temperature rise value when arranged at the position X2, and "C" indicates the moisture content and temperature rise value when the moisture sensor 42 is arranged at the position X3 of the treatment tank 1 in FIG. "Ni" indicates the relationship data between the moisture content of the garbage treatment material and the temperature rise value when the moisture content sensor 42 is disposed at the position X4 of the treatment tank 1 in FIG. Each of the above-mentioned positions X1, X2, X3, and X4 has a height from the inner bottom surface of the processing tank 1 set to 310 mm, 340 mm, 390 mm, and 500 mm, respectively, and the position X4 is from the upper stirring blade 12b. The height is slightly lower, and the position X3 is substantially the same height as the lower stirring blade 12b. The energization conditions for the heating element 42a are as follows. In FIG. 4A, the applied voltage is 7V and the application time is constant at 300 seconds. In FIG. 4B, the applied voltage is 5.6V and the application time is 300 seconds. Constant. In addition, the number of rotations of the stirring shaft 12 when stirring the garbage treatment material by the stirring means was constant at 1.33 rpm.

  4 (a) and 4 (b), the heating element 42a is energized with the stirring by the stirring means stopped as compared with the case where the heating element 42a is energized while stirring by the stirring means. In the case, it was found that the variation in the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a due to the difference in the positions X1, X2, X3, and X4 of the moisture content sensor 42 in the treatment tank 1 was smaller. Further, in FIG. 4 (a) showing an example of relational data between the temperature rise value and the moisture content when the heating element 42a is energized while stirring by the stirring means, positions X1, X2, Regarding X3, while the temperature increase value increases or decreases with the increase of the moisture content, the temperature increase value and the moisture content when the heating element 42a is energized while stirring by the stirring means is stopped. In FIG. 4B showing an example of the relationship data, it has been found that the temperature increase value decreases with an increase in the moisture content of the garbage treatment material for all the positions X1, X2, X3, and X4.

  Therefore, when the garbage processing material is being stirred by the stirring means, a plurality of moisture contents exist with respect to the temperature rise value, and the temperature rise value and the moisture content are associated one-to-one. In some cases, the moisture content of the garbage treatment material may be erroneously detected, whereas when the stirring of the garbage treatment material by the stirring means is stopped, the temperature rise value and the moisture content It can be seen that can be associated one-to-one. Note that the reason why the temperature increase value increases or decreases as the moisture content increases when the heating element 42a is energized and the temperature increase value is measured while stirring by the stirring means is the moisture content sensor. It is considered that this is because the garbage treatment material flows near the surface of 42 and the flow rate changes depending on the moisture content of the garbage treatment material. Here, when the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is relatively high, the temperature of the heating element 42a is likely to rise because the viscosity of the garbage treatment material is high and the garbage treatment material does not flow easily, and the moisture content of the garbage treatment material When the temperature is relatively low, the viscosity of the garbage treatment material is low, and the garbage treatment material is likely to flow, and the heat generated in the heating element 42a is easily taken away by the garbage treatment material, and the temperature of the heating element 42a is unlikely to rise. It is done.

  By the way, in FIG. 4 (a), the data regarding the positions X1, X2, and X3 increase and decrease as the moisture content increases, whereas the data regarding the position X4 indicates the temperature as the moisture content increases. Although the increase value decreased, the garbage processing material was accidentally stuck to the moisture content sensor 42 at the position X4, and the garbage treatment material did not flow in the vicinity of the moisture content sensor 42 arranged at the position X4. It was. Here, FIG. 5 shows an example of an increase curve of the temperature detected by the thermistor 42b when the heating element 42a of the moisture content sensor 42 is energized for 300 seconds, which is the specified time, for each of the positions X3 and X4. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis indicates the elapsed time from the start of energization of the heating element 42 a, and the vertical axis indicates the temperature detected by the thermistor 42 b, where “C” in FIG. The data when it is arranged at X3, and the data when "ni" in the figure arranges the moisture content sensor 42 at the position X4 in the treatment tank 1, respectively, are indicated by the arrows in the figure. Indicates the timing when the stirring blade 12b passes through the positions X3 and X4 of the moisture content sensor 42 in the circumferential direction of the processing tank 1. From FIG. 5, in the moisture content sensor 42 at the position X4 where the nearby garbage treatment material did not flow as described above, a decrease in the detected temperature is observed only when the stirring blade 12b passes while the heating element 42a is energized. On the other hand, in the moisture content sensor 42 at the position X3 where the nearby garbage treatment material was flowing, the temperature once rises after the temperature is lowered when the heating blade 42b is passed while the heating element 42a is energized. After that, it hardly rises. As described above, the temperature increase value of the moisture content sensor 42 at the position X3 is smaller than that of the moisture content sensor 42 at the position X4. The temperature increase value is generated in the heating element 42a due to the flow of the nearby garbage treatment material. This is thought to be because heat is taken away by the garbage treatment material and temperature rise is suppressed. From the above results, the fluctuation of the flow rate of the garbage treatment material has a greater influence on the fluctuation of the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a of the moisture content sensor 42 than the fluctuation of the moisture content of the garbage treatment material. it is conceivable that.

  Further, depending on the positional relationship between the moisture content sensor 42 and the stirring blade 12b, it is considered that an air layer is formed in the vicinity of the moisture content sensor 42 by being scraped by the stirring blade 12 when stirring by the stirring means is stopped. When an air layer is formed in the vicinity of the moisture content sensor 42, the area where the garbage treatment material A contacts on the surface of the case 42d of the moisture content sensor 42 decreases, and the temperature rise value increases. The moisture content detected by the sensor 42 may be lower than the actual moisture content.

  Therefore, in the garbage processing apparatus of the present embodiment, the following moisture content measuring method is adopted as a moisture content measuring method for measuring the moisture content of the garbage processing material in the treatment tank 1.

  That is, the moisture content measurement method of the present embodiment is a moisture content measurement in which the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is estimated based on the relationship data between the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a measured in advance and the moisture content of the garbage treatment material. In this method, the heating element 42a is heated and the temperature of the heating element 42a is detected by the thermistor 42b while the stirring means is stopped so that the stirring blades 12b, 12, 13, 13 are not located near the moisture content sensor. Then, the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is measured from the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a based on the relational data. In the present embodiment, as described above, the thermistor 42b constitutes a temperature measuring body that detects the temperature of the heating element 42a.

  If such a moisture content measuring method is adopted, the garbage processing material is not flowing because the stirring means is stopped during the measurement of the moisture content, and the stirring means is the stirring blades 12b, 12b, 13 , 13 is stopped so as not to be located in the vicinity of the moisture content sensor 42, so that the garbage processing material in contact with the moisture content sensor 42 is scraped by the stirring blades 12b, 12b, 13, 13 when the stirring means is stopped. It is possible to prevent a void from being generated between the moisture content sensor 42 and the garbage treatment material, and the moisture content of the garbage treatment material accommodated in the treatment tank 1 is determined as the structure of the garbage treatment device. It is possible to measure with high accuracy regardless. By the way, in the garbage processing apparatus of this embodiment as mentioned above, since garbage is conveyed from the storage tank 2 to the processing tank 1 at a fixed time interval, the garbage just conveyed to the processing tank 1 is moisture content. When the moisture content is measured by the moisture content sensor 42 when it is present in the vicinity of the sensor 42, it is considered that the detection accuracy is lowered. Therefore, the moisture content measurement by the moisture content sensor 42 is performed, for example, from the storage tank 2 It is desirable to carry out immediately before conveying garbage to the treatment tank 1. In addition, what is necessary is just to make it control the timing which measures such a moisture content with the above-mentioned controller 30. FIG.

  Further, as described above, the garbage processing apparatus of the present embodiment is provided with the garbage processing material in the treatment tank 1 and the ventilation means for ventilating the air to the garbage, but the ventilation means vents the treatment tank 1 from the ventilation means. Ventilation means when the moisture content sensor 42 is arranged at each of the above-mentioned positions X1, X2, X3, X4 in order to clarify the influence of the air volume (flow rate) of the air on the measurement accuracy of the moisture content sensor 42 When the relationship between the air volume caused by the above and the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a was examined, the results shown in FIGS. 5 (a), (b), (c), and (d) were obtained, respectively. 5 (a) to 5 (d), the horizontal axis is the air volume of the air that is vented into the treatment tank 1 by the ventilation means, the vertical axis is the temperature rise value, and the white circle is the upper stirring blade 12 b of the treatment tank 1. Data is shown when the water content sensor 42 is stopped at the position overlapping the moisture content sensor 42 in the vertical direction, and data when the black circle is stopped at the position where the lower stirring blade 12b is overlapped with the water content sensor 42 in the vertical direction of the treatment tank 1 is shown. Is shown.

  From FIG. 5, the temperature rise value is higher when the moisture content sensor 42 is disposed at positions X3 and X4 where the height from the inner bottom surface of the treatment tank 1 is relatively lower than at positions X1 and X4. It was found that the variation in the flow rate was small and hardly affected by the ventilation of air into the treatment tank 1. This is because the air supplied into the processing tank 1 is supplied through the nozzle 13b projecting downward from the stirring blade 13, and the air supplied to the lower part of the processing tank 1 through the nozzle 13b is supplied to the processing tank 1. It is considered that the moisture content sensor 42 disposed on the upper side is more susceptible to the influence of air because it gathers along the inner peripheral surface of the treatment tank 1 when going from the bottom to the top in the interior.

  Therefore, when the moisture content is measured by the moisture content sensor 42, it is conceivable that the moisture content sensor 42 is disposed at a position that is not easily affected by the ventilation by the ventilation means. Since the design is troublesome, it is desirable to reduce the air volume by the ventilation means as compared with the operation of the stirring means. Here, in the case where the air volume by the aeration means is made lower than that during the operation of the agitating means, the aeration air volume may be reduced or the aeration air volume may be eliminated. By lowering than the time, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the measurement accuracy of the moisture content due to the influence of the air ventilated by the aeration means.

  In order to prevent the ventilation by the ventilation means from affecting the measurement accuracy of the moisture content sensor 42, a baffle plate that blocks the flow of air into the vicinity of the moisture content sensor 42 is disposed immediately below the moisture content sensor 42. If this is done, the temperature of the heating element 42a of the moisture content sensor 42 is less affected by ventilation even when ventilation is performed by the ventilation means, so that ventilation by the ventilation means affects the measurement accuracy of the moisture content sensor 42. Can be prevented. Further, if the moisture content sensor 42 is disposed at a lower position in the processing tank 1 where the influence of ventilation by the ventilation means is small and not affected by the heat of the heater (planar heater) as the heating means. Not only can the measurement accuracy of the moisture content sensor 42 be improved, but also the area of the heater can be prevented from being reduced. As an example of the position of such a moisture content sensor 42, the position as shown by x mark in FIG. 8 can be mentioned, for example. 8 are separated from the stirring blade 13 and the heater between the stirring blade 13 and the heater (not shown) in the vertical direction of the processing tank 1, The distance from the inner bottom surface of the treatment tank 1 to the lower end surface of the heater is H1, the distance from the inner bottom surface of the treatment tank 1 to the moisture content sensor 42 is H2, and the distance from the moisture content sensor 42 to the lower end surface of the heater is When H3, for example, the position is such that H1 = 300 mm, H2 = 170 mm, and H3 = 130 mm.

  By the way, although the garbage processing apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 includes only one moisture content sensor 42 for measuring the moisture content in the treatment tank 1, the moisture content sensor 42 is arranged around the treatment tank 1. Two heating elements 42a are arranged apart from each other in the direction so that the heating element 42a of each moisture content sensor 42 is heated before stopping the stirring means, and the heat generated by the tip of the stirring blade 12b passing near the moisture content sensor 42. By detecting the passage of the stirring blade 12b due to the temperature drop of the body 42a, the stirring means is stopped so that the tip of the stirring blade 12b is positioned in the vicinity of one moisture content sensor 42, and the other moisture content sensor 42 is used. If the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is measured, the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is obtained by using the moisture content sensor 42 far from the tip of the stirring blade 12b with the stirring means stopped. Can measure , It is possible to reduce variations in measurement precision due to the difference in structure of the garbage disposal apparatus. In addition, in the garbage processing apparatus in this embodiment, four stirring blades 12b, 12b, 13, and 13 are provided in the processing tank 1, and four stirring is performed in one plane orthogonal to the center line of the stirring shaft 12. When the blades 12b, 12b, 13, and 13 are projected, the angle formed by the two stirring blades 12b and 13 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction of the processing tank 1 is 90 degrees. So that the angle formed by the two straight lines connecting each of the moisture content sensors 42 and the stirring shaft 12 is 45 degrees which is half of the angle formed by the two adjacent stirring blades 12b and 13 when projected onto If the moisture content sensor 42 is disposed, it is possible to more reliably prevent a gap from being formed in the vicinity of one of the two moisture content sensors 42. Similarly, when the angle formed by two stirring blades adjacent in the circumferential direction is 60 degrees, the angle formed by two straight lines connecting each moisture content sensor 42 and the stirring shaft 12 is half of 60 degrees, for example. 30 degrees, and when the angle formed by two adjacent stirring blades in the circumferential direction is 180 degrees, the angle formed by two straight lines connecting each moisture content sensor 42 and the stirring shaft 12 is, for example, What is necessary is just to set 90 degree which is a half of 180 degree | times.

  Further, when the stirring unit is stopped to measure the moisture content by the moisture sensor 42, the heating element 42a is heated in advance before the stirring unit is stopped, and the tip of the stirring blade 12b passes through the vicinity. The stirring means may be stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed since the passage of the stirring blade 12b is detected due to the temperature drop of the heating element 42a. In this way, when the stirring means is stopped, the stirring blade 12b is stopped. Can be reliably separated from the moisture content sensor 42, and variation in the measurement accuracy of the moisture content due to the difference in the structure of the garbage disposal device can be reduced. Note that the predetermined time may be timed by the time limit means such as a timer in the controller 30, for example.

  Further, a plurality of moisture content sensors 42 for measuring the moisture content of the garbage treatment material in the treatment tank 1 are provided, and each heating element when the heating element 42a of each moisture content sensor 42 is heated under the same conditions. If the minimum value of the respective temperature rise values of 42a is used for the measurement of the moisture content based on the relational data, a gap is formed in the vicinity of the moisture content sensor 42, and the temperature rise value of the heating element 42a becomes large. Since the temperature rise value of the moisture content sensor 42 is no longer used, the measurement accuracy of the moisture content can be further increased.

It is a schematic block diagram of the garbage processing apparatus in embodiment. It is principal part explanatory drawing of a garbage disposal apparatus same as the above. It is characteristic explanatory drawing of a garbage disposal apparatus same as the above. It is characteristic explanatory drawing of a garbage disposal apparatus same as the above. It is characteristic explanatory drawing of a garbage disposal apparatus same as the above. It is characteristic explanatory drawing of a garbage disposal apparatus same as the above. It is principal part explanatory drawing of a garbage disposal apparatus same as the above. It is a schematic block diagram of a thermal moisture content sensor.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Processing tank 2 Storage tank 3 Conveying pipe 4 Motor 5 Motor 12 Stirring shaft 12b Stirring blade 22 Screw 30 Controller 42 Moisture content sensor 43 Temperature sensor A Garbage disposal material B Garbage

Claims (5)

  A garbage treatment material inhabited by microorganisms for decomposing the garbage and a treatment tank containing the garbage, and an agitation means for agitating the garbage treatment material and the garbage in the treatment tank, the agitation means being a treatment tank Garbage which is composed of an agitation shaft rotatably held on the outer periphery and an agitation blade which protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the agitation shaft and whose tip moves along the inner peripheral surface of the treatment tank as the agitation shaft rotates. In the treatment device, a thermal moisture content measuring device having a heating element and a temperature measuring element for detecting the temperature of the heating element in the vicinity of the heating element is arranged at a position in contact with the garbage treatment material in the treatment tank. The moisture content measuring method for estimating the moisture content of the garbage treatment material based on the relationship between the temperature rise value of the heating element measured in advance and the moisture content of the garbage treatment material, wherein the stirring blade measures the moisture content. With the stirring means stopped so that it is not located near the device, By heating the body detected by the temperature measuring body temperature of the heating element, water content measuring method characterized by measuring the water content of the food waste material based on the relationship data from the temperature rise value of the heating element.   Two moisture content measuring devices are arranged apart from each other in the circumferential direction of the treatment tank, and the heating elements of each moisture content measuring device are heated before stopping the stirring means, and the vicinity of the moisture content measuring device is located at the tip of the stirring blade. Detecting the passage of the stirring blade due to the temperature drop of the heating element due to the passage of the part, stopping the stirring means so that the tip of the stirring blade is located in the vicinity of one moisture content measuring device, and measuring the moisture content of the other The moisture content measurement method according to claim 1, wherein the moisture content of the garbage treatment material is measured using an apparatus.   When stopping the agitation means, the heating element is heated in advance before the agitation means is stopped, and a predetermined time has elapsed after detecting the passage of the agitation blade due to the temperature drop of the heating element due to the tip of the agitation blade passing through the vicinity. The water content measurement method according to claim 1, wherein the stirring means is stopped after the elapse of time.   A plurality of moisture content measuring devices are provided, and the minimum value of the temperature rise values of each heating element when the heating elements of each moisture content measuring device are heated under the same conditions is used for measuring the moisture content. The moisture content measuring method according to claim 1, wherein:   The garbage processing apparatus is provided with a ventilation means for venting air to the garbage treatment material and garbage in the treatment tank, and when measuring the moisture content, the air volume by the aeration means is determined from the time when the stirring means is operated. The water content measuring method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the water content is also reduced.

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