JP2006042968A - Indoor gas exchange method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an indoor gas exchange method and apparatus preventing oxygen deficiency in a room. <P>SOLUTION: This indoor gas exchange method is so formed as to prepare a gas packaging machine 1 using nitrogen gas and a nitrogen gas supply device 3 which extracts nitrogen gas having nitrogen as a main component from raw material air, supplies the nitrogen gas to the gas packaging machine 1 and discharges exhaust gas including oxygen; and introduce the exhaust gas from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 to a nitrogen filling chamber 5 where the gas packaging machine 1 is installed and nitrogen gas is emitted from the gas packaging machine 1. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an indoor gas replacement method and indoor gas replacement equipment that prevent oxygen deficiency in a room.

  In order to maintain the quality of products such as food and medicine, packaging from which oxygen is removed is used. The removal of oxygen is performed by gas replacement with nitrogen gas or vacuum packaging, but in the case of gas replacement, the oxygen concentration in the room decreases due to nitrogen gas leaking from the packaging machine into the room and the working environment is deficient in oxygen There is a risk of becoming an atmosphere (hereinafter referred to as “oxygen deficiency”). The oxygen concentration in the air is approximately 20.9%, and when it is below 18%, an oxygen-deficient atmosphere is obtained.

  In particular, food factories that support HACCP (Hazard Analysis Critical Control System) tend to work in highly airtight rooms to prevent insects and dust from entering the production site. There is. In the case of a clean room such as a pharmaceutical factory, indoor air is circulated. If the oxygen concentration in the air in the working environment is reduced from such a current situation, the worker will be seriously affected and there is a high risk of oxygen deficiency.

  In view of this, an oxygen deficiency prevention device that prevents the occurrence of an oxygen deficiency state has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). The apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 introduces air into the atmosphere based on detection data from an oxygen sensor, and can quickly eliminate an oxygen deficient state.

  In addition, an underground drainage ventilation method that prevents oxygen deficiency by performing ventilation has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 2 below). The method shown in Patent Document 2 controls the operation of a ventilation fan or the like for detecting the state of ventilation and ventilating efficiently.

In addition, a carbon dioxide concentration adjusting device for eliminating an excessive amount of carbon dioxide and oxygen deficiency in the house has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3 below). The apparatus shown in Patent Document 3 is configured to eliminate oxygen deficiency by adjusting the carbon dioxide gas concentration in the house by opening and closing the open / close damper at predetermined time intervals or by the carbon dioxide gas concentration in the house.
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 6-74155 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-61398 JP 2000-139239 A

  However, the devices and methods as shown in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 monitor the oxygen concentration in the work environment by monitoring the oxygen concentration in the work environment to control the operation of the ventilation facility. In such devices and methods, the ventilation equipment is operated when the oxygen concentration is low, and the ventilation equipment is stopped when the oxygen concentration is high. Will be affected. In addition, a large amount of ventilation and a lot of time are required to return the lowered oxygen concentration to the normal oxygen concentration, and the worker may be deficient during that time. In addition, there is a problem in that ventilation equipment must be installed for ventilation, and the equipment cost, installation location, maintenance work, etc. are required. Furthermore, in a room with high airtightness, a room such as a clean room, etc., the actual situation is that the above-described apparatus and method cannot be used due to problems of airtightness maintenance and space.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an indoor gas replacement method and indoor gas replacement equipment that prevent oxygen deficiency in the room.

  In order to achieve the above object, the indoor gas replacement method of the present invention extracts a nitrogen gas using equipment using nitrogen gas and nitrogen gas containing nitrogen as a main component from raw material air and supplies the extracted nitrogen gas to the equipment using nitrogen gas. In addition, a nitrogen gas supply device that discharges exhaust gas containing oxygen is prepared, and the exhaust gas of the nitrogen gas supply device is introduced into a room in which the nitrogen gas use facility is installed and nitrogen gas is released from the nitrogen gas use facility The gist is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the indoor gas replacement facility of the present invention includes a nitrogen gas utilization facility that uses nitrogen gas, and a nitrogen gas mainly composed of nitrogen from raw material air, and the nitrogen gas utilization facility. A nitrogen gas supply device for supplying exhaust gas and exhausting exhaust gas containing oxygen, and introducing the exhaust gas of the nitrogen gas supply device into a room in which the nitrogen gas utilization facility is installed and nitrogen gas is released from the nitrogen gas utilization facility The gist of the present invention is that it includes an exhaust gas introducing means.

  That is, according to the present invention, the exhaust gas of the nitrogen gas supply device is introduced into a room in which the nitrogen gas utilization facility is installed and nitrogen gas is released from the nitrogen gas utilization facility.

  Therefore, even if nitrogen gas is released into the room from the nitrogen gas utilization facility, the oxygen-rich exhaust gas discharged from the nitrogen gas supply device is supplied into the room to prevent the indoor oxygen concentration from being lowered. An oxygen deficient atmosphere can be prevented. Moreover, since oxygen-rich exhaust gas is directly introduced into the room instead of ventilation, the indoor oxygen concentration can be quickly restored to a normal concentration without taking much time. In addition, exhaust gas discharged from a nitrogen gas supply device for supplying nitrogen to the nitrogen gas utilization facility can be used effectively, eliminating the need for conventional ventilation equipment and reducing the oxygen deficient atmosphere. It is possible to easily prevent an oxygen deficient atmosphere without incurring equipment costs, installation location, maintenance work, and the like, and is also suitable when the indoor space is limited. In addition, since it is not necessary to introduce outside air by ventilation, the room retains its airtightness even if it is a room such as a clean room with increased airtightness to prevent intrusion of dust and other germs such as dust Can be used particularly preferably.

  In the present invention, the exhaust gas introduction means can automatically stabilize the oxygen concentration in the room when a certain proportion of the exhaust gas is introduced into the room. Can be provided.

  In the present invention, when the flow control means for controlling the flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the room is provided, the indoor oxygen concentration can be set to an arbitrary concentration. For example, when the concentration of nitrogen gas released from the nitrogen gas utilization facility is high, the flow rate of exhaust gas can be increased, and when the concentration of released nitrogen gas is low, the flow rate of exhaust gas can be decreased.

  In the present invention, when the flow rate control means controls the flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the room in accordance with the operating state of the nitrogen gas utilizing facility, the flow rate controlling means is provided indoors in accordance with the operating state of the nitrogen gas utilizing facility. The introduction amount of the oxygen-rich exhaust gas to be introduced can be adjusted, the indoor oxygen concentration can be prevented from fluctuating, and the indoor oxygen concentration can be stabilized. For example, when the amount of nitrogen gas released from the nitrogen gas utilization facility is large due to the operation of the nitrogen gas utilization facility, the flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the room is increased, the operation of the nitrogen gas utilization facility is stopped, and When the amount of nitrogen gas released from the nitrogen gas utilization facility is small, the flow rate of exhaust gas introduced into the room can be reduced.

  In the present invention, the apparatus includes concentration measuring means for measuring the oxygen concentration or nitrogen concentration in the room, and the flow rate control means controls the flow rate of exhaust gas introduced into the room according to the measurement result of the concentration measuring means. Since the amount of oxygen-rich exhaust gas is adjusted by directly measuring the indoor oxygen concentration and nitrogen concentration, the indoor oxygen concentration can be stabilized. For example, the flow rate of exhaust gas introduced into the room can be increased when the oxygen concentration in the room is low, and the flow rate of exhaust gas introduced into the room can be decreased when the oxygen concentration in the room is high.

  Next, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of an indoor gas replacement facility of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the indoor gas replacement facility includes a gas filling packaging machine 1 that is a nitrogen gas utilization facility that uses nitrogen gas, and nitrogen gas mainly containing nitrogen from raw material air, and the gas filling A nitrogen gas supply device 3 that supplies the packaging machine 1 and exhausts exhaust gas containing oxygen, and a chamber in which the gas filling packaging machine 1 is installed and from which nitrogen gas is released (nitrogen filling chamber 5) An exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 serving as exhaust gas introduction means for introducing the exhaust gas of the nitrogen gas supply device 3 is provided therein.

  The exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 has one end connected to the discharge port of the nitrogen gas supply device 3 and the other end connected to the nitrogen filling chamber 5, so that the exhaust gas discharged from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 is nitrogenated. It is introduced into the filling chamber 5. The exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 is branched so that a predetermined amount of the exhaust gas discharged from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 is discharged out of the nitrogen filling chamber 5.

  As described above, the exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 branches as described above, and a constant proportion of the exhaust gas discharged from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 is constantly introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5. By doing so, an appropriate amount of exhaust gas can be introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5.

  The exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 is provided with a first on-off valve 7a for exhaust gas that opens and closes the exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 and controls opening and closing of the introduction of the exhaust gas into the nitrogen filling chamber 5, and the exhaust gas branched from the exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 The branch pipe 9 is provided with a second on-off valve 9a for exhaust gas that opens and closes the exhaust gas branch pipe 9 to control the opening and closing of the exhaust gas discharged to the outside of the nitrogen filling chamber 5.

  Here, the nitrogen gas supply device 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The nitrogen gas supply device 3 uses a PSA (Pressure Swing Adsorption) method to extract nitrogen gas from a predetermined amount of raw material air with a predetermined nitrogen yield and supply a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas to the gas filling packaging machine 1 It is supposed to be. The nitrogen gas supply device 3 has two adsorption towers, a first adsorption tower 11 and a second adsorption tower 13, having a predetermined capacity (PSA capacity) in order to continuously supply nitrogen gas. Switch to drive.

  An adsorbent that mainly adsorbs oxygen is sealed in the first adsorption tower 11 and the second adsorption tower 13 of the nitrogen gas supply device 3. The adsorbent adsorbs oxygen when the pressure in the adsorption tower is increased, and releases the adsorbed oxygen when the pressure is decreased.

  FIG. 2A shows the nitrogen gas supply device 3 that supplies a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas from the first adsorption tower 11 and discharges a predetermined amount of exhaust gas from the second adsorption tower 13, and FIG. ) Shows the nitrogen gas supply device 3 that supplies a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas from the second adsorption tower 13 and discharges a predetermined amount of exhaust gas from the first adsorption tower 11.

The nitrogen gas supply device 3 shown in FIG. 2 (A) extracts a nitrogen gas by introducing a predetermined amount of raw material air into the high-pressure first adsorption tower 11 and adsorbing oxygen from the raw air in the first adsorption tower 11. The nitrogen gas (N ₂ ) is supplied from the supply port to the gas filling and packaging machine 1. During this time, a predetermined amount of the extracted nitrogen gas is introduced into the low-pressure second adsorption tower 13 and exhaust gas containing a predetermined amount of oxygen (O ₂ ) is discharged from the second adsorption tower 13 through the outlet. (Backflow purge). As shown in the figure, the nitrogen gas supply device 3 includes a flow passage through which the raw air, nitrogen gas, and exhaust gas circulate, and a plurality of on-off valves that control these flow passages so as to switch the flow direction as necessary. The flow path is opened and closed.

  As shown in FIG. 2 (B), before the adsorbent of the first adsorption tower 11 is saturated with oxygen, the nitrogen gas supply device 3 switches the inside of the second adsorption tower 13 to a high pressure and the first adsorption tower 11. Switch to low pressure inside. Then, a predetermined amount of raw material air is introduced into the high-pressure second adsorption tower 13, nitrogen gas is extracted by adsorbing oxygen from the raw material air by the second adsorption tower 13, and the nitrogen gas is gas-filled and packed from the supply port. The machine 1 is supplied. During this time, a predetermined amount of the extracted nitrogen gas is introduced into the low-pressure first adsorption tower 11, and exhaust gas containing a predetermined amount of oxygen is discharged from the first adsorption tower 11 through the discharge port.

  In this way, the nitrogen gas supply device 3 continuously supplies a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas to the gas filling packaging machine 1 and discharges exhaust gas containing a predetermined amount of oxygen into the nitrogen filling chamber 5. Yes.

  Next, the gas filling packaging machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3.

  As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the gas filling and packaging machine 1 puts food as a content in a bag 15 and fills the bag 15 with nitrogen gas. Specifically, the gas filling and packaging machine 1 includes a holding step for holding a bag 15 having a predetermined capacity for putting food, an opening step for opening the bag 15, a content filling step for putting food in the bag 15, and a bag 15 containing food. A nitrogen gas filling process in which nitrogen gas is filled in, a sealing process in which the bag 15 filled with food and nitrogen gas is sealed, and an extraction process for taking out the sealed bag 15 as a product are automatically performed in order. This is a non-chamber rotary type apparatus.

  In addition, it is not restricted to the said non-chamber system, You may employ | adopt a chamber system.

  The interior of the gas filling and packaging machine 1 includes a space portion 17 for performing work, and an accommodating portion 19 for accommodating various devices that control the operation of the gas filling and packaging machine 1. Necessary devices such as a rotating disk 21 that rotates in order to perform the above-mentioned work steps in sequence and a nozzle 23 for injecting nitrogen gas into the bag 15 containing food are arranged in the space 17. Yes.

  A first opening 27 through which a rotating shaft 25 that pivotally supports the rotating disk 21 and a second opening through which a member necessary for operation is passed are provided on the upper surface of the accommodating portion 19 in the space 17. . The second opening is provided at a position where it cannot be seen. In the housing part 19, there are a drive part 31 having a rotation shaft 25 connected to the center part of the rotary disk 21 through the first opening 27, a control part 33 for controlling the drive of the drive part 31, etc. Necessary equipment is arranged. The control unit 33 controls the drive unit 31 to rotate the rotary disk 21 and controls the opening and closing of a nitrogen first on-off valve 35a described later to control the nitrogen gas injection operation from the nozzle 23. ing.

  The gas filling and packaging machine 1 is provided with a supply pipe 35 for supplying nitrogen gas supplied from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 into the gas filling and packaging machine 1. The supply pipe 35 has one end connected to the supply port of the nitrogen gas supply device 3 and the other end connected to the nozzle 23. The supply pipe 35 is branched to supply the nitrogen gas supplied from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 to the space 17 of the gas filling packaging machine 1.

  The supply pipe 35 is provided with a first open / close valve 35a for nitrogen that opens and closes the supply pipe 35 and controls the opening and closing of the filling (injection) of nitrogen gas into the bag 15. A nitrogen gas branch branched from the supply pipe 35 is provided. The pipe 37 is provided with a second open / close valve 37a for nitrogen that controls the opening and closing of the supply of nitrogen gas to the space 17 of the gas filling and packaging machine 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a content supply port 41 for putting food into the bag 15 is provided on the upper surface of the casing forming the space 17 of the gas filling packaging machine 1, and on one side surface A bag supply port 43 for supplying the bag 15 into the gas filling packaging machine 1 is provided, and an outlet 45 for taking out the product is provided on the other side surface. Openings such as the content supply port 41, the bag supply port 43, and the take-out port 45 are formed with a predetermined width, height, and depth, and have a predetermined area.

  In the nitrogen gas filling step, nitrogen gas is always supplied to the space portion 17 at a predetermined flow rate, for example, to prevent air from entering from the outside and to stably fill the bag 15 with a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas. Has been.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the gas filling packaging machine 1 is configured so that the bag 15 is first supplied from the bag supply port 43 in the holding step, and the bag 15 is attached to the rotary disk 21 and held. In the opening step, the opening of the held bag 15 is opened. Next, food is put into the bag 15 from the content supply port 41 in the content filling step, and a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas is filled into the bag 15 containing the food in the nitrogen gas filling step (that is, the gas in the bag 15 is filled). Gas replacement to replace nitrogen gas). Next, the bag 15 filled with food and nitrogen gas is sealed in the sealing step. Then, the bag 15 sealed in the take-out process is taken out as a product.

  As described above, the gas filling and packaging machine 1 is installed, and the exhaust gas of the nitrogen gas supply device 3 is introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 from which nitrogen gas is released from the gas filling and packaging machine 1. Even if nitrogen gas is released from the gas filling and packaging machine 1 into the nitrogen filling chamber 5, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is supplied by supplying oxygen-rich exhaust gas discharged from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 into the room. Can be prevented, and the inside of the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be prevented from becoming an oxygen deficient atmosphere. Moreover, since oxygen-rich exhaust gas is directly introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 instead of ventilation, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be quickly restored to a normal concentration without taking much time. .

  Further, since exhaust gas discharged from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 for supplying nitrogen to the gas filling and packaging machine 1 can be used effectively, ventilation equipment that has been indispensable in the past is no longer necessary, and oxygen deficiency is eliminated. It is possible to easily prevent an oxygen-deficient atmosphere without incurring equipment costs, installation location, maintenance work, etc. to prevent the atmosphere, and is also suitable when the space in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is limited. It is. Further, since it is not necessary to introduce outside air by ventilation, the inside of the nitrogen-filled chamber 5 is a room with improved airtightness to prevent intrusion of dust (dust) such as dust and various germs as in this embodiment. However, the airtightness can be maintained, and it can be particularly preferably used.

  Even if the inside of the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is a clean room, the same effect can be obtained.

  In addition, since the exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 constantly introduces a certain proportion of the exhaust gas into the nitrogen filling chamber 5, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be stabilized, and the worker in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be stabilized. Can provide a good working environment. In addition, ventilation is not performed after the oxygen concentration has decreased as in the prior art, but oxygen-rich exhaust gas is constantly introduced into the room to ensure the oxygen concentration, so that a stable oxygen concentration can be maintained at all times. . That is, conventionally, when trouble occurs in the ventilator, there is a risk that the state of low oxygen concentration continues or there is a risk of oxygen deficiency due to insufficient ventilation, but in the present invention, the oxygen concentration in the room is always constant. Because it is secured, it is extremely safe.

  Next, an example of specific operating conditions of the indoor gas replacement facility will be described.

In the gas filling packaging machine 1, the width of the bag supply port 43 is 210 mm (millimeters), the height is 190 mm, and the depth of the opening is 50 mm. The outlet 45 has a width of 210 mm, a height of 100 mm, and a depth of 50 mm. The first opening 27 has an outer shape (diameter) of 50 mm, an inner diameter (diameter of the rotating shaft 25) of 20 mm, and a depth of 20 mm. The same applies to the second opening. The content supply port 41 has a width of 100 mm, a height of 100 mm, and a depth of 150 mm. Nitrogen gas was supplied to the inside of the gas-filled packaging machine 1 to prevent the air from entering through these openings and the oxygen concentration inside the gas-filling packaging machine 1 from rising, and was released from each opening. The nitrogen flow rate required at this time was 3 m ³ / hr.

  In the present embodiment, in order to make the oxygen concentration in the 1 L (liter) capacity bag 15 (in the product) filled with nitrogen gas 0.5% or less, in the space portion 17 of the gas filling packaging machine 1 (hereinafter referred to as “the oxygen concentration”). The product was filled with a predetermined amount of nitrogen gas so that the oxygen concentration in the product was kept below 0.5% and the oxygen concentration in the product was kept below 0.5%.

As shown in FIG. 6, 3 m ³ / hr of nitrogen gas was supplied from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 in order to keep the oxygen concentration in the gas-filled packaging machine 1 at 0.5% or less. Thus, by continuing to flow a certain amount of nitrogen gas into the gas-filled packaging machine 1, it is possible to prevent the entry of air from the outside and keep the oxygen concentration in the gas-filled packaging machine 1 low.

In addition, when the gas filling and packaging machine 1 of this embodiment puts food in a 1 L-capacity bag 15 for gas replacement, the necessary amount of nitrogen gas taken out with the product under the condition of the product filling speed of 50 bags / min is: The maximum is 1 L × 50 bags / min × 60 minutes = 3000 L = 3 m ³ / hr. That is, the amount of nitrogen gas required to fill the product with nitrogen gas is 3 m ³ / hr. Therefore, as described above, 3 m ³ / hr of nitrogen gas was supplied from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 in order to fill the product with nitrogen gas.

Thus, in this embodiment, the nitrogen gas 3m 3 ^/ hr required to the gas filling packaging machine 1, the sum of nitrogen gas 3m 3 ^/ hr required to fill the total from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 6.0 m ³ / hr of nitrogen gas was supplied.

The nitrogen gas supply device 3 shown in FIG. 6A has a PSA capacity (nitrogen generation amount) of 6.0 m ³ / hr, a nitrogen yield of 38% and a nitrogen purity of about 99.9% from a raw material air amount of 20 m ³ / hr. Nitrogen gas can be extracted, and exhaust gas of 14.0 m ³ / hr is discharged. The amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas was 29.9%.

During product filling, nitrogen gas 6 m ³ / hr was supplied to the bag 15 from the nozzle 23 via the first open / close valve (valve) 35a for nitrogen, also serving as gas replacement in the product. Among these, 3 m ³ / hr is taken out together with the product, and 3 m ³ / hr is released into the nitrogen filling chamber 5. During non-filling, nitrogen gas was supplied from the second open / close valve (valve) 37a for nitrogen to the gas-filled packaging machine 1 at 3 m ³ / hr to prevent air from entering.

  The PSA-type nitrogen gas supply apparatus has a nitrogen tank therein. The feed air compressor is loaded / unloaded by the fluctuation of the nitrogen pressure in the tank to cope with the fluctuation of the nitrogen consumption. For example, when the nitrogen pressure in the tank rises to 0.7 MPa, the raw air compressor is unloaded, and when the nitrogen pressure in the tank drops to 0.6 MPa, the raw air compressor is loaded. By repeating this, the generation amount of nitrogen gas is controlled in accordance with the nitrogen supply amount.

As shown in FIG. 6A, when the nitrogen gas supply device 3 having a PSA capacity of 6.0 m ³ / hr is used, the first on-off valve for exhaust gas described above introduces 65% of the exhaust gas into the nitrogen filling chamber 5. 7a and the opening / closing degree of the second on-off valve 9a for exhaust gas are set. Thus, when the product is filled with nitrogen gas, the amount of exhaust gas generated is 14.0 m ³ / hr on average over time, 65% of which is 9.1 m ³ / hr, which is the nitrogen filling chamber 5. The oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 was 22.5%. When the gas filling and packaging machine 1 is not filling (injecting) at all, the amount of exhaust gas generated is 7.0 m ³ / hr on average over time, and 65% of 4.5 m ³ / hr is supplied to the nitrogen filling chamber 5. As a result, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 was 18.0%. In this way, an operator's oxygen deficiency can be prevented.

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the nitrogen gas supply device 3 having a PSA capacity of 6.0 m ³ / hr is used as in the nitrogen gas supply device 3 shown in FIG. During the operation), the degree of opening and closing of the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a and the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a was set so that the amount of exhaust gas introduced was 50%. On the other hand, while the product is not filled (during non-filling), the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a is completely opened, and the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a is completely closed, The amount introduced was 100%. By switching according to the operation during filling and non-filling in this way, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 becomes 20.9% regardless of the execution of the filling operation, and the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is stable. did.

The same effect can be obtained when the amount of nitrogen supplied to the gas filling and packaging machine 1 does not change both during filling with nitrogen and during filling with no nitrogen. That is, when 65% of the exhaust gas is supplied to the nitrogen filling chamber 5, as shown in FIG. 7, 6m ³ / hr of nitrogen gas is supplied to the gas filling packaging machine 1 during the nitrogen filling, and 3m ³ / hr of this is supplied. When 3m ³ / hr is taken out with the product and released into the nitrogen filling chamber 5, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 becomes 22.5%, and the total amount of nitrogen gas of 6 m ³ / hr during non-filling Was discharged into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 through the gas filling packaging machine 1, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 was 18.0%.

  That is, when exhaust gas corresponding to the amount of nitrogen gas released from the gas filling and packaging machine 1 into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 becomes constant.

  By the above method, the amount of exhaust gas introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 from the nitrogen gas supply device 3 is set according to the amount (condition) of nitrogen gas used (used) in the gas filling packaging machine 1. In this case, the oxygen concentration or nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be kept within a certain range and oxygen deficiency can be prevented without particularly controlling the amount of exhaust gas introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 in real time. Moreover, according to the operation state (operation state) of the gas filling packaging machine 1, it is a simple switching mechanism by the exhaust gas first and second on-off valves 7a and 9a provided in the exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 and the exhaust gas branch pipe 9. By changing the amount of exhaust gas introduced, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be kept constant and stabilized.

  In the above embodiment, the PSA-type nitrogen gas supply device 3 is adopted as the nitrogen gas supply device, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a membrane separation type nitrogen gas supply device is adopted. May be.

  The membrane separation type nitrogen gas supply apparatus separates and generates nitrogen gas in the raw material air by utilizing the difference in the gas membrane permeation rate. Since the speed at which the gas permeates the membrane is determined by the solubility and diffusibility of the gas molecules in the membrane, oxygen with a fast permeation rate is discharged outside the membrane, and nitrogen with a slow permeation rate is supplied. .

  By adopting the above membrane separation type nitrogen gas supply device, stable supply of nitrogen gas, easy operation, no vibration part and less noise vibration, simple device configuration, small installation space, maintenance free, It has the effect of not being restricted by the High Pressure Gas Safety Law.

  An example using the membrane separation type nitrogen gas supply device will be described with reference to FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 8A, the membrane separation type nitrogen gas supply device has a capacity of 6.0 m ³ / hr, and nitrogen gas can be extracted at a nitrogen yield of 20% from the raw material air amount of 37.9 m ³ / hr. 31.9 m ³ / hr of exhaust gas is discharged. The amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas was 24.8%.

In this example, the degree of opening and closing of the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a and the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a is set so that 50% of the exhaust gas is introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5. By doing so, when they are filled with nitrogen gas into the product, the oxygen concentration of the feed rate 16.0 m ³ / hr next nitrogen charging chamber 5 with 50% of 31.9m ³ / hr of waste gas Was 20.9%. When the gas filling and packaging machine 1 is not filling (injecting) at all, the exhaust gas supply amount is 8.0 m ³ / hr at 50% of 16.0 m ³ / hr, and the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is 18. It became 0%. Thereby, an operator's oxygen deficiency can be prevented.

In the example shown in A ′ of FIG. 8, the capacity of the nitrogen gas supply device is 6.0 m ³ / hr, and nitrogen gas can be extracted with a nitrogen yield of 20% from the raw material air amount of 37.9 m ³ / hr. Exhaust gas of 31.9 m ³ / hr is discharged. The amount of oxygen in the exhaust gas was 24.8%.

In this example, the degree of opening and closing of the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a and the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a is set so that 100% of the exhaust gas is introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5. Specifically, the second exhaust gas on-off valve 9a was closed. Thus, when the product is filled with nitrogen gas, the supply amount of exhaust gas is 31.9 m ³ / hr at 100% of 31.9 m ³ / hr, and the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 Was 22.7%. When the gas filling and packaging machine 1 is not filling (injecting) at all, the exhaust gas supply rate is 16.0 m ³ / hr at 100% of 16.0 m ³ / hr, and the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is 20 It was 9%. Thereby, an operator's oxygen deficiency can be prevented.

  Further, in the example shown in FIG. 8B, during the product filling (filling operation), the open / close degree of the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a and the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a is set so that the amount of exhaust gas introduced is 50%. Set. On the other hand, while the product is not filled (during non-filling), the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a is completely opened, and the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a is completely closed, The amount introduced was 100%. By switching according to the operation during filling and non-filling in this way, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 becomes 20.9% regardless of the execution of the filling operation, and the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is stable. did.

  Oxygen in the nitrogen-filled chamber 5 when nitrogen gas is supplied using a membrane-separated nitrogen gas supply device and the amount of nitrogen supplied to the gas-filled packaging machine 1 does not change both during and without nitrogen filling The concentration was as shown in FIG. In this case as well, oxygen deficiency can be prevented.

  Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  In this embodiment, the amount of exhaust gas introduced is changed according to the operating state of the gas filling packaging machine 1. Other than that, it is the same as that of the said Example, and the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 10, the first exhaust gas on-off valve 7 a and the second exhaust gas on-off valve 9 a are used for the exhaust gas introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 according to the operating state of the gas filling packaging machine 1. The flow rate may be automatically controlled.

  Specifically, an on-off valve control device 51 is provided for performing on-off control of the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a and exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a. The on-off valve control device 51 is connected to the control unit 33 of the gas filling and packaging machine 1, and performs on-off control of the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a and exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a in real time according to the control state. Like that.

  By doing so, exhaust gas corresponding to the amount of nitrogen released into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be supplied, and the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be stabilized.

  For this reason, in order to increase the flow rate of the exhaust gas, the degree of opening of the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a is set to a large open state, and the degree of opening of the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a is set to a small open state or closed state. On the other hand, in order to reduce the flow rate of the exhaust gas, by opening the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a to a small open state or closed state, and opening the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a to a large open state, The oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be set to an arbitrary concentration.

  The flow rate control means is not limited to the on-off valves such as the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a and the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a. For example, the inner diameter (thickness) of the exhaust gas introduction pipe 7 and the exhaust gas branch pipe 9 is set. The amount of exhaust gas introduced can be set by setting or the like.

  Further, the concentration sensor 55 is provided as a concentration measuring means for measuring the oxygen concentration or the nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5, and the first exhaust gas on-off valve 7 a and the second exhaust gas on-off valve 9 a are connected to the concentration sensor 55. You may make it control the flow volume of the waste gas introduce | transduced in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 according to a measurement result.

  Specifically, the concentration sensor 55 is connected to the on-off valve control device 51. The on-off valve control device 51 receives the measurement result of the concentration sensor 55, and performs on-off control of the exhaust gas first on-off valve 7a and the exhaust gas second on-off valve 9a according to the measurement result. Thus, for example, when measuring the oxygen concentration, when the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is low, the flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is increased, and the oxygen in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is increased. When the concentration is high, the flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be reduced. On the other hand, when measuring the nitrogen concentration, the flow rate of exhaust gas introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is increased when the nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is high, and the nitrogen filling chamber when the nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is low. The flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into 5 can be reduced. Thereby, since the oxygen concentration or nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is directly measured to adjust the introduction amount of the oxygen-rich exhaust gas, the oxygen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5 can be further stabilized.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the present invention can also be suitably used when a plurality of gas filling packaging machines 1 are installed in the nitrogen filling chamber 5. In this case, by controlling the flow rate of exhaust gas introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 according to the operating state of each gas filling packaging machine 1 and the oxygen concentration or nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5, Can be effectively replaced with oxygen.

  For example, when any one of the plurality of gas filling and packaging machines 1 stops operating and no longer releases nitrogen gas, or when the amount released into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is small, the inside of the nitrogen filling chamber 5 It is possible to reduce the flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the gas and stabilize the oxygen or nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5. On the other hand, when the discharge amount into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 from the above state increases, the flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the nitrogen filling chamber 5 is increased to stabilize the oxygen or nitrogen concentration in the nitrogen filling chamber 5. Can be made.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be applied not only to a gas filling and packaging machine but also to an environment in which nitrogen gas can be released from a nitrogen gas utilization facility that uses nitrogen gas indoors, and can be used for applications that prevent indoor oxygen deficiency. .

It is a figure which shows one Example of the indoor gas replacement equipment of this invention. It is a figure which shows a nitrogen gas supply apparatus. It is a perspective view which shows a gas filling packaging machine. It is sectional drawing which shows a gas filling packaging machine. It is a top view which shows a gas filling packaging machine. It is a figure which shows the example using the nitrogen gas supply apparatus of a PSA system. It is a figure which shows the example using the nitrogen gas supply apparatus of a PSA system. It is a figure which shows the example using the membrane separation type nitrogen gas supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example using the membrane separation type nitrogen gas supply apparatus. It is a figure which shows the indoor gas replacement equipment of a 2nd Example. It is a figure which shows the indoor gas replacement equipment of a 3rd Example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gas filling packaging machine 3 Nitrogen gas supply apparatus 5 Nitrogen filling chamber 7 Exhaust gas introduction pipe 7a First exhaust gas on-off valve 9 Exhaust gas branch pipe 9a Exhaust gas second on-off valve 11 First adsorption tower 13 Second adsorption tower 15 Bag 17 Space Part 19 Storage part 21 Rotating disk 23 Nozzle 25 Rotating shaft 27 First opening part 31 Drive part 33 Control part 35 Supply pipe 35a First on-off valve for nitrogen 37 Nitrogen gas branch pipe 37a Second on-off valve for nitrogen 41 Contents supply port 43 Bag supply port 45 Outlet 51 Open / close valve controller 55 Concentration sensor

Claims (6)

Prepared a nitrogen gas utilization facility that uses nitrogen gas and a nitrogen gas supply device that extracts nitrogen gas mainly composed of nitrogen from the raw material air and supplies it to the nitrogen gas utilization facility and exhausts exhaust gas containing oxygen And
An indoor gas replacement method comprising introducing the exhaust gas of the nitrogen gas supply device into a room in which the nitrogen gas utilization facility is installed and nitrogen gas is released from the nitrogen gas utilization facility. Nitrogen gas utilization equipment that uses nitrogen gas,
A nitrogen gas supply device for extracting nitrogen gas containing nitrogen as a main component from raw material air and supplying the nitrogen gas utilization facility and exhausting exhaust gas containing oxygen;
An indoor gas replacement facility comprising exhaust gas introducing means for introducing exhaust gas of the nitrogen gas supply device into a room in which the nitrogen gas utilization facility is installed and nitrogen gas is released from the nitrogen gas utilization facility.   The indoor gas replacement facility according to claim 2, wherein the exhaust gas introducing means introduces a certain proportion of the exhaust gas into the room.   The indoor gas replacement facility according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a flow rate control means for controlling a flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the room.   The indoor gas replacement facility according to claim 4, wherein the flow rate control means controls the flow rate of the exhaust gas introduced into the room according to the operating state of the nitrogen gas utilization facility. A concentration measuring means for measuring the oxygen concentration or nitrogen concentration in the room;
The indoor gas replacement facility according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the flow rate control means controls a flow rate of exhaust gas introduced into the room according to a measurement result of the concentration measuring means.

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