JP2008109859A - Filter-regenerating apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter-regenerating apparatus which can suitably regenerate a membrane filter to reduce the cost of the filter in response to the clogging of the membrane filter. <P>SOLUTION: This filter-regenerating apparatus 1 for regenerating a membrane filter installed in a filtration device 4 disposed between a beer-charging machine 3 and a product tank 2 for storing a beer through a filtration process comprises an enzyme-feeding device 11 for feeding β-glucanase into the filtration device 4, and a hot water-feeding 12 for feeding hot water into the filtration device 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a filter regeneration device that regenerates a membrane filter provided in a filtration device, and in particular, according to the degree of clogging of the membrane filter, by appropriately regenerating the membrane filter, the filter cost can be reduced. The present invention relates to a filter regeneration device that can reduce the amount of noise.

Conventionally, for example, a beer filtration method according to Patent Document 1 is known as an invention aimed at regeneration of a microfiltration membrane (see Patent Document 1).
The beer filtration method according to Patent Document 1 is a beer filtration method that uses a microfiltration membrane having anisotropy in the pore diameter in the thickness direction of the membrane and filters the filtrate stock solution with periodic backwashing. The composition which is the beer fermentation completion liquid manufactured using the wort obtained by performing the beta-glucanase process by the preparation process for wort manufacture for the filter undiluted | stock for object is employ | adopted.

In Patent Document 1, as a method for regenerating a microfiltration membrane, a microfiltration membrane is immersed in a mixed solution of 2% β-glucanase and 2% protease for 2 hours, followed by hot water washing and water washing. Is disclosed.
And according to the beer filtration method which concerns on patent document 1, the beer fermentation completion | finish liquid manufactured using the wort obtained by performing the beta-glucanase process by a preparation process is periodically backwashed using a microfiltration membrane. With the structure of filtering with a sufficient amount of filtration even with a membrane regenerated by washing, a practical filtration can be achieved.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-28369

However, the beer filtration method according to Patent Document 1 is applied in a so-called filtration process in which a beer fermentation finished liquid is filtered to produce a filtered beer, and the filtered beer that has undergone the filtration process is used. The present invention is not applied to final filtration of filtered beer in a so-called filling process in which a container is filled with a filling machine.
In addition, the beer filtration method according to Patent Document 1 has a problem that the regeneration of the microfiltration membrane is not realized as an apparatus.
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems of the prior art, and its purpose is to reduce the filter cost by appropriately regenerating the membrane filter according to the degree of clogging of the membrane filter. An object of the present invention is to provide a filter regeneration device capable of performing the above.

A filter regeneration device according to claim 1 of the present invention is a filter regeneration device that regenerates a membrane filter provided in a filtration device disposed between a product tank storing beer that has undergone a filtration process and a beer filling machine. A device,
An enzyme supply device for supplying β-glucanase into the filtration device;
A hot water supply device for supplying hot water into the filtration device is provided.
A filter regeneration device according to claim 2 of the present invention is the filter regeneration device according to claim 1, wherein the beer filling machine corresponds to the product tank side corresponding to the primary side of the membrane filter and the secondary side. A differential pressure gauge for measuring the differential pressure of the beer with the side is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the filter regeneration apparatus according to the second aspect further comprises an alarm means for issuing an alarm when the value measured by the differential pressure gauge exceeds a predetermined threshold value. It is characterized by providing.
Furthermore, the filter regeneration device according to claim 4 of the present invention is the filter regeneration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the hot water supply device includes a hot water tank for storing hot water, The hot water can be circulated between the hot water tank and the filtration device.

  According to the filter regenerating apparatus according to claim 1 of the present application, the membrane filter includes an enzyme supply device that supplies β-glucanase into the filtration device, and a hot water supply device that supplies hot water into the filtration device. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the filter cost. Further, when the membrane filter is regenerated, it is not necessary to backwash the membrane filter, and the working efficiency can be improved.

  Moreover, according to the filter regeneration apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, the filter regeneration apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the beer filling corresponding to the product tank side and the secondary side corresponding to the primary side of the membrane filter is performed. With the configuration including the differential pressure gauge that measures the differential pressure of the beer with respect to the machine side, it is possible to appropriately regenerate the membrane filter according to the degree of clogging of the membrane filter.

  Furthermore, according to the filter regeneration device according to claim 4 of the present application, in the filter regeneration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the hot water supply device includes a hot water tank for storing hot water, Since the hot water can be circulated between the tank and the filtration device, the membrane filter can be sterilized while saving hot water after regeneration of the membrane filter by β-glucanase.

Hereinafter, a filter regeneration device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a filter regeneration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining processing by the filter regeneration device.
In general, the beer production process includes a preparation process for producing wort from crushed wheat, a fermentation process for producing wort by fermenting wort, and filtering and removing yeast and impurities from the young beer. It has the filtration process which produces | generates beer, and the filling process which fills containers, such as a can and a bowl, with filtered beer.

And the filter reproduction | regeneration apparatus 1 which concerns on this invention is applied in a filling process among the manufacturing processes of the said beer.
In the filling process of filling the filtered beer into the container, as shown in FIG. 1, the product tank 2 storing the filtered beer filtered in the filtering process, and the filtered beer stored in the product tank 2 in the container And a filling machine 3 for filling.

In addition, between the product tank 2 and the filling machine 3, before filling the container with the filtered beer, bacteria, fine impurities, etc. are removed from the filtered beer and final filtration before shipping as a product is performed. A filtering device 4 is provided.
The filtration device 4 includes a filtration tank (not shown) through which filtered beer passes and a membrane filter (not shown) disposed in the filtration tank.

The membrane filter is a so-called microfiltration membrane, and the filtered beer passes through the membrane filter from the primary side (product tank 2 side) to the secondary side (filler 3 side), so that bacteria in the filtered beer, Yeast, fine impurities, etc. can be removed.
The filter regeneration device 1 includes a differential pressure gauge 10 that measures the differential pressure of the filtered beer between the primary side and the secondary side of the membrane filter, and an enzyme supply device 11 that supplies the filter regeneration solution to the filtration tank of the filtration device 4. A hot water supply device 12 for supplying hot water to the filtration tank of the filtration device 4, a discharge port 13 provided between the filtration device 4 and the filling machine 3, a controller 14 for controlling the regeneration of the filter, Alarm means 16 for alarming clogging.

The differential pressure gauge 10 is connected to the upstream side and the downstream side of the filtration device 4, measures the pressure of the filtered beer at each position, and calculates the differential pressure at both positions. Then, the differential pressure value calculated by the differential pressure gauge 10 is input to the controller 14.
The enzyme supply device 11 has an enzyme tank (not shown) for storing the filter regeneration solution, and can supply the filter regeneration solution from the upstream side into the filtration tank of the filtration device 4 according to a command from the controller 14. It has become.

  A filter regenerating solution containing β-glucanase is used. Here, it is preferable to use a filter regenerating solution having a β-glucanase content of 1.2% or more and 20% or less. Particularly, the β-glucanase content is 1.2% or more and 2% from the viewpoint of cost. It is preferable to use less than. Any β-glucanase can be used as long as it can degrade β-glucan, such as those derived from Aspergillus, those derived from Bacillus, those derived from Penicillium, those derived from Humicola insolens, etc., but derived from Trichoderma Β-glucanase is most preferred for regenerating the filter.

  The hot water supply device 12 has a hot water tank (not shown) for storing hot water, and can supply hot water from the upstream side into the filtration tank of the filtration device 4 according to a command from the controller 14. In this case, a hot water circulation path 17 is formed between the hot water supply device 12 and the filtration device 4, and the hot water supply device 12 is between the hot water tank of the hot water supply device 12 and the filtration tank of the filtration device 4. The hot water can be circulated.

  Here, a switching valve 15 to which a discharge port 13 and a hot water circulation path 17 are connected is provided between the filtering device 4 and the filling machine 3. Then, the switching valve 15 supplies the filtered beer that has flowed out of the filtration device 4, the filter regenerating solution supplied from the enzyme supply device 11 or the hot water supplied from the hot water supply device 12, the filling machine 3, the discharge port 13, and the hot water circulation. It is configured to be switchable to an inflow state that flows into any one of the paths 17 or a shut-off state that allows storage in the filtration tank of the filtration device 4 without flowing into any one of the paths 17.

The controller 14 displays an operation signal indicating whether or not a filling operation of the filtered beer supplied from the product tank 2 by the filling machine 3 is being performed and a differential pressure value input from the differential pressure gauge 10. When the differential pressure value exceeds a predetermined threshold value, an alarm signal is output to the alarm means 16. Further, the controller 14 controls the supply of filtered beer by the product tank 2, the supply of filter regenerating liquid by the enzyme supply device 11, the supply of hot water by the hot water supply device 12, and the switching of the switching valve 15.
The alarm means 16 is configured to issue an alarm based on an alarm signal input from the controller 14.

Next, the operation of the filter regeneration device 1 will be described.
First, in the filling process of filling a normal filtered beer into a container, the switching valve 15 is switched to the inflow state to the filling machine 3, and the filtered beer stored in the product tank 2 is filled with the filling device 3. The filled beer 3 fills the filtered beer into a container such as a can or a bowl.
In this case, the filtered beer supplied from the product tank 2 to the filling machine 3 passes through the filtering device 4 to remove bacteria, yeast, fine impurities and the like in the filtered beer.

  Here, if filtration of the filtered beer by the filtration apparatus 4 is continued, the membrane filter of the filtration apparatus 4 will be clogged, and the filtration performance of the filtration apparatus 4 will fall. As a result of research, the present inventor has found that clogging of the membrane filter is mainly caused by β-glucan contained in the filtered beer.

And when clogging of a membrane filter arises, the differential pressure | voltage of filtered beer in the primary side and secondary side of a membrane filter will become large.
Therefore, in the filter regeneration device 1, the differential pressure gauge 10 always measures the pressure of the filtered beer on the upstream side and the downstream side of the filtration device 4, calculates the differential pressure at both positions, and calculates the calculated difference. The pressure value is input to the controller 14.

Here, in the filtration apparatus 4, when the differential pressure | voltage of the filtered beer in the primary side of a membrane filter and a secondary side becomes 0.02 Mpa or more, it is judged that the filtration performance reached the limit.
Therefore, in the filter regeneration device 1, the controller 14 is based on the differential pressure value input from the differential pressure gauge 10, and the differential pressure value becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold set by subtracting a predetermined value from 0.02 Mpa. In such a case, an alarm signal is output to the alarm means 16. Then, the alarm unit 16 issues an alarm based on the alarm signal input from the controller 14 (step S101).

  Here, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the filter regeneration process is automatically started after the filling operation of the filtered beer by the filling machine 3 on the day based on the alarm activation by the warning means 16. In the embodiment, after the operator confirms the activation of the alarm by the alarm means 16 and further confirms the stop of the operation signal transmitted during the filling operation by the filling machine 3 (step S102), the operator performs the filter regeneration process of the controller 14. A configuration is adopted in which the filter regeneration process is started by turning on the start switch (step S103).

When the filter regeneration process is started, the controller 14 first switches the switching valve 15 to the shut-off state in the state where the supply of the filtered beer from the product tank 2 is stopped, and the controller 14 of the filtration device 4 by the enzyme supply device 11. Supply of the filter regenerating liquid into the filtration tank is started.
Then, the membrane filter is immersed in the filter regeneration solution for a predetermined time by filling the filter regeneration solution in the filtration tank of the filtration device 4 (step S104). In the present embodiment, the membrane filter is immersed in the filter regenerating solution for 1 hour.

Here, as described above, the clogging of the membrane filter is mainly caused by β-glucan contained in the filtered beer. Since the β-glucanase in the regenerated solution hydrolyzes β-glucan, it is possible to eliminate clogging of the membrane filter.
After the membrane filter is immersed in the filter regeneration solution for a predetermined time, the controller 14 switches the switching valve 15 to the inflow state to the discharge port 13 in a state where the supply of the filter regeneration solution from the enzyme supply device 11 is stopped. At the same time, supply of hot water into the filtration tank of the filtration device 4 by the hot water supply device 12 is started.

  And the enzyme adhering to a membrane filter is wash | cleaned for a predetermined time by flowing hot water from the hot water supply apparatus 12 to the discharge port 13 through the inside of the filtration tank of the filtration apparatus 4 (step S105). In the present embodiment, the membrane filter is washed with hot water for 5 minutes or more. As described above, the membrane filter is washed with hot water for 5 minutes or longer, so that the membrane filter can be completely washed away, and the influence of β-glucanase mixed into the product can be prevented.

After the membrane filter has been washed for a predetermined time with hot water, the controller 14 switches the switching valve 15 to an inflow state to the hot water circulation path 17 in a state where the hot water supply from the hot water supply device 12 is continued.
Then, the membrane filter is sterilized for a predetermined time by circulating hot water supplied from the hot water supply device 12 between the hot water tank of the hot water supply device 12 and the filtration tank of the filtration device 4 (step S106). In this embodiment, the membrane filter is sterilized for 20 minutes. Thus, the membrane filter can be sterilized while saving hot water by circulating hot water supplied from the hot water supply device 12 between the hot water tank of the hot water supply device 12 and the filtration tank of the filtration device 4. It becomes possible.

After the sterilization of the membrane filter for a predetermined time, the controller 14 switches the switching valve 15 to the inflow state to the discharge port 13 in a state where the hot water supply from the hot water supply device 12 is stopped, and the filtration tank of the filtration device 4 By discharging the hot water inside, the filter regeneration process by the filter regeneration device 1 is completed.
Here, in the present embodiment, the filter regeneration device 1 is configured to sterilize the membrane filter for a predetermined time after the membrane filter has been cleaned for a predetermined time, but the membrane filter is sterilized for a predetermined time. It doesn't matter.

And after completion | finish of the filter reproduction | regeneration process by the filter reproduction | regeneration apparatus 1, by switching the switching valve 15 to the inflow state to the filling machine 3, the filling operation of the filtered beer to the container by the filling machine 3 can be started again. It becomes possible.
As described above, according to the filter regeneration device 1, it is possible to reduce the filter cost by appropriately regenerating the membrane filter according to the degree of clogging of the membrane filter. Further, when the membrane filter is regenerated, it is not necessary to backwash the membrane filter, and the working efficiency can be improved.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications can be made in the embodiments of the present invention.
For example, in the present embodiment, the filter regeneration device 1 includes the differential pressure gauge 10, and the controller 14 outputs an alarm signal to the alarm means 16 based on the differential pressure value input from the differential pressure gauge 10. However, the filter regeneration device 1 includes a timer device (not shown) instead of the differential pressure gauge 10, and the timer device 16 receives the alarm means 16 after the membrane filter is replaced or after a predetermined period has elapsed since the end of the previous filter regeneration process of the membrane filter. However, it may be configured to output an alarm signal. Further, the filter regeneration device 1 includes both a timer device and a differential pressure gauge 10, and outputs a warning signal from the controller 14 to the warning means 16 when either of the above conditions of the timer device and the differential pressure gauge 10 is satisfied. It does not matter. In this case, the predetermined period of the timer device is preferably about one month.

Next, the effect of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to a membrane filter regeneration test example for the filter regeneration device 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing instantaneous flow rates in a clogged membrane filter, a membrane filter after regeneration by the filter regeneration device according to the present invention, and a new membrane filter. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing differential pressures in a clogged membrane filter, a membrane filter after regeneration by the filter regeneration device according to the present invention, and a new membrane filter.

The membrane filter is inserted into a single housing and the filtration device 4 is configured. After the membrane filter is clogged, the membrane filter is immersed in the filter regenerating solution for 1 hour, and then passes through the membrane filter when hot water is poured. The instantaneous flow rate and the differential pressure between the primary side and the secondary side of the membrane filter were measured.
As a result, the membrane filter after regeneration by the filter regeneration device 1 according to the present invention recovers the instantaneous flow rate to the same level as a new membrane filter as shown in FIG. 3, and the differential pressure as shown in FIG. It is clear that the clogging has been greatly reduced and clogging has been substantially eliminated.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a filter regeneration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the process by a filter reproduction | regeneration apparatus. It is a figure which shows the instantaneous flow volume in the membrane filter clogged, the membrane filter after the reproduction | regeneration by the filter reproduction | regeneration apparatus based on this invention, and a new membrane filter. It is a figure which shows the differential pressure | voltage in the clogged membrane filter, the membrane filter after reproduction | regeneration by the filter reproduction | regeneration apparatus based on this invention, and a new membrane filter.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Filter regeneration apparatus 2 Product tank 3 Filling machine 4 Filtration apparatus 10 Differential pressure gauge 11 Enzyme supply apparatus 12 Hot water supply apparatus 13 Outlet 14 Controller 15 Switching valve 16 Alarm means 17 Hot water circulation path

Claims (4)

A filter regeneration device that regenerates a membrane filter provided in a filtration device disposed between a product tank that stores beer that has undergone a filtration process and a beer filling machine,
An enzyme supply device for supplying β-glucanase into the filtration device;
A filter regeneration device comprising a hot water supply device for supplying hot water into the filtration device.   The filter according to claim 1, further comprising a differential pressure gauge for measuring a differential pressure of the beer between the product tank side corresponding to the primary side of the membrane filter and the beer filling machine side corresponding to the secondary side. Playback device.   3. The filter regeneration device according to claim 2, further comprising alarm means for issuing an alarm when a value measured by the differential pressure gauge exceeds a predetermined threshold value.   The hot water supply device includes a hot water tank for storing hot water, and is configured to circulate the hot water between the hot water tank and the filtration device. The filter regeneration device according to claim 1.

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