JP2009008372A - Cooling system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent reduction in pressure reducing capacity, by restraining a rise in the sealing water temperature of a sealing water type vacuum pump with a simple constitution, in a cooling system capable of performing vacuum-cooling and cold air cooling of a cooling object. <P>SOLUTION: A pressure reducing means 6 for sucking and exhausting gas in a treating tank 3 to an external part, has the sealing water type vacuum pump 33. A cooler 5 constituted of an evaporator of a refrigerating machine 27 and a fan 4 supplying cold air to the cooling object 2 via this cooler 5, are arranged in the treating tank 3. A hollow part in the treating tank 3 is laterally divided with the cooler 5 as a boundary, and the cooling object 2 is stored in one, and the vacuum pump 33 is connected to the other via an exhaust pipe 36. The gas in the treating tank 3 is sucked and exhausted to the external part by using the vacuum pump 33, and when vacuum-cooling the cooling object 2, the refrigerating machine 27 is operated. The reduction in the pressure reducing capacity can be prevented by restraining the rise in the sealing water temperature by performing the vacuum-cooling while condensing steam by the cooler 5. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a cooling device for cooling various objects to be cooled such as foods or foods after heating.

As disclosed in the following patent documents, a cooling device that can perform vacuum cooling and cold air cooling of food in one processing tank has been proposed. Here, the vacuum cooling means sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside and reducing the pressure in the processing tank to promote moisture evaporation from the food in the processing tank, and cooling the food by the vaporization latent heat. It is intended. In the cold air cooling, a cooler and a fan are provided in the treatment tank, and the food is cooled by the cold air.
JP-A-4-198681 JP 2002-318051 A

  In the cooling device disclosed in each of the above patent documents, the decompression means and the cooler are operated alternatively, so that the steam is discharged out of the processing tank without being condensed. Therefore, when only a vacuum pump is used as the decompression means, rapid decompression cannot be achieved. Moreover, when using a water-sealed vacuum pump as a decompression means, the vapor | steam produced from a foodstuff raises seal water temperature and there exists a possibility of reducing the capability of a vacuum pump. In particular, when using only a vacuum pump without using a steam ejector or a steam condensing heat exchanger as the decompression means, the decompression capability may be reduced.

  By the way, there is a limit to the pressure reduction in the treatment tank by the decompression means, or the temperature of the food (hereinafter referred to as the product temperature) approaches the saturated steam temperature in the treatment tank at the limit pressure, or the initial product temperature is originally the above-mentioned When the temperature is lower than the saturated steam temperature, vacuum cooling is difficult or impossible. In order to cope with this, a steam ejector or the like is required to improve the capacity of the decompression means.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to achieve effective vacuum cooling with a simple structure in a cooling device typically configured to be capable of vacuum cooling and cold air cooling.

  This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned subject, and the invention according to claim 1 is a sealable treatment tank in which an object to be cooled is accommodated, a cooler provided in the treatment tank, Of the space in the processing tank that is divided while communicating with this cooler as a boundary, it is connected to a space on the opposite side to the object to be cooled through an exhaust pipe, A pressure reducing means for sucking and discharging the gas to the outside and reducing the pressure in the processing tank; and a pressure reducing means for introducing outside air into the pressure-reduced processing tank and returning the pressure in the processing tank. The cooling device is characterized.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the space in the treatment tank is divided into two while communicating with the cooler as a boundary, the object to be cooled is accommodated in one space, and the exhaust pipe is disposed in the other space. The road is connected. Thereby, the vapor | steam which arises from a to-be-cooled object during vacuum cooling will be attracted | sucked to an exhaust pipe line via a cooler. Therefore, if the cooler is functioned, the steam can be efficiently condensed in the cooler, and the suction of the steam into the exhaust pipe line can be prevented. Vacuum cooling can be performed efficiently by evacuating the steam while condensing the vapor in the treatment tank.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the decompression means includes a water-sealed vacuum pump, and the cooler can function when the gas in the treatment tank is sucked and discharged to the outside using the vacuum pump. The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooling device is provided.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cooler can be functioned when the object to be cooled is vacuum-cooled by sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside using the decompression means. Therefore, the object to be cooled can be vacuum-cooled while condensing the vapor with the cooler in the treatment tank. Thereby, the raise of sealing water temperature can be prevented and the fall of pressure reduction capability can be prevented. Moreover, not only the cooler functions in the treatment tank, but also the vapor from the object to be cooled is sucked into the exhaust pipe line through the cooler, so that effective vacuum cooling can be achieved.

  The invention according to claim 3 is the cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the cooler is operable when the temperature of the sealed water in the vacuum pump is higher than a set temperature. .

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the temperature of the sealed water in the vacuum pump is higher than the set temperature (when the load of the vacuum pump is high), the cooler is allowed to function efficiently, The rise can be prevented and the pressure reduction capacity can be prevented from decreasing.

  The invention described in claim 4 is characterized in that steam and / or hot water can be supplied from the upper part of the processing tank when the gas in the processing tank is sucked and discharged to the outside using the decompression means. The cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, after reducing the pressure inside the processing tank by the pressure reducing means, the cooler functions in a state where the inside of the processing tank is sealed to condense the vapor in the processing tank, thereby condensing the inside of the processing tank. In order to further reduce the pressure, the inside of the treatment tank is filled with steam in advance, so that the inside of the treatment tank can be more effectively decompressed and the object to be cooled can be vacuum-cooled. In addition, by introducing steam that is lighter than air downward from the upper part of the processing tank, it is possible to effectively eliminate air from the processing tank.

  In the invention according to claim 5, the object to be cooled is placed on a carriage and accommodated in the processing tank, and the object to be cooled can be cooled with cold air from a fan via the cooler. The said fan is provided so that a cold wind may not be applied to the wheel of the said trolley | bogie, It is a cooling device of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, since the object to be cooled is placed on the carriage, it is easy to carry in or carry out the object to be cooled from the treatment tank. Moreover, in addition to vacuum cooling, cooling with cold air is also possible, and rapid and uniform cooling is possible. In addition, even if the wheels of the carriage are dirty, the cool air from the fan does not hit the wheels, so that contaminants do not rise and hygienic cooling can be achieved.

  Furthermore, the invention described in claim 6 is a cooling device configured to be able to perform vacuum cooling and cold air cooling of an object to be cooled accommodated in a processing tank, and the processing is performed for the vacuum cooling. As a decompression means for sucking and discharging the gas in the tank to the outside, a water-sealed vacuum pump is provided, and for the cold air cooling, in the processing tank, a cooler configured by an evaporator of a refrigerator, A fan that supplies cold air to the object to be cooled through the cooler, and the vacuum pump can be used to suck and discharge the gas in the processing tank to the outside while operating the refrigerator. The cooling device is characterized.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator can be operated when the object to be cooled is vacuum-cooled by sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside using a vacuum pump. Therefore, the object to be cooled can be vacuum-cooled while condensing the vapor with the cooler in the treatment tank. Thereby, the raise of sealing water temperature can be prevented and the fall of pressure reduction capability can be prevented.

  According to the cooling apparatus of the present invention, effective vacuum cooling can be achieved with a simple structure in a cooling apparatus that is typically configured to be capable of vacuum cooling and cold air cooling.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
The cooling device of the present invention is configured to be capable of performing at least vacuum cooling of an object to be cooled, and more preferably configured to be able to perform vacuum cooling and cold air cooling of the object to be cooled. The type of the object to be cooled by this cooling device is not particularly limited, but is typically a food or food after cooking.

  The cooling device of this embodiment includes a processing tank in which an object to be cooled is accommodated, a cooler that cools the inside of the processing tank, a decompression unit that decompresses the inside of the processing tank, and a decompression unit that decompresses the inside of the decompressed processing tank. And control means. Furthermore, in the case where the cooling air cooling is configured to be executable in addition to the vacuum cooling, a fan is further provided that generates air in the processing tank and blows the cooling air through the cooler onto the object to be cooled.

  The treatment tank is a metal can that is formed in a hollow structure so as to accommodate an object to be cooled, and is typically formed in a substantially rectangular hollow box shape. A processing tank is comprised from the processing tank main body in which a to-be-cooled object is accommodated, and the door which opens and closes the opening part of this processing tank main body. In the state where the door is closed, the gap between the treatment tank main body and the door is sealed with packing.

  The treatment tank is preferably a pressure sensor that detects the pressure in the treatment tank, a temperature sensor that detects the temperature in the treatment tank, and a product temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the object to be cooled in the treatment tank (referred to as the product temperature). Any one or more sensors are provided. Preferably, all three of these sensors are provided.

  The object to be cooled is placed in a processing tank directly or in an appropriate container. At that time, the object to be cooled may be taken in and out of the treatment tank via a carriage (including a wagon). Or you may hold | maintain a to-be-cooled object on the shelf provided in the processing tank.

  The cooler is a heat exchanger that cools the inside of the treatment tank. The cooler is typically composed of a refrigerator evaporator. In this embodiment, it is comprised from the evaporator which evaporates the liquefied refrigerant | coolant supplied from the condensing unit of a refrigerator, and cools the gas in a processing tank. However, a cooler is good also as a heat exchanger which uses the cold water supplied from a cold water manufacturing apparatus (chiller), or the brine supplied from a branchler as a refrigerant | coolant.

  When a fan is installed in the treatment tank so that cold air cooling of an object to be cooled can be performed, the cooler has a low temperature (for example, −10 ° C. or less) at which the object to be cooled can be cooled to a chilled region by cold air cooling. It is better to have a heat exchanger that can do. At the time of cold air cooling, the fan is rotated in a state where the cooler is functioning, so that the intake air to the fan or the discharge air from the fan is blown to the object to be cooled as cold air through the cooler.

  By the way, when the object to be cooled is placed on the cart and accommodated in the treatment tank, it is preferable that the cooling wheels are not hit by the wheels of the cart. That is, the installation position of the cooler and the fan is determined so that the cold wind does not hit the wheels of the carriage. In the present embodiment, a cooler and a fan are installed beside the accommodation space for the object to be cooled, but the cooler and the fan are installed above a height position corresponding to the wheel of the carriage. Further, the drive shaft of the fan is arranged horizontally. Thereby, even if the wheel of the carriage is dirty, the cool air from the fan does not hit the wheel, so that the contaminants are prevented from rising in the treatment tank. Moreover, hygienic and quick cooling can be achieved by efficiently applying cold air to the object to be cooled.

  The decompression means is means for decompressing the inside of the processing tank by sucking and discharging the air and vapor in the processing tank to the outside. Specifically, the decompression means includes a water ring vacuum pump. As is well known, a water-sealed vacuum pump is operated by supplying water called sealed water.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, the impeller having blades arranged radially is installed eccentrically with the casing in a casing to which sealed water is supplied. Therefore, when the impeller is rotated at a high speed, a water ring is formed in the casing, and the impeller and the casing are eccentric. Therefore, the internal gas repeats expansion and compression every time it rotates once. Therefore, by providing an intake port and an exhaust port at appropriate positions of the casing, external gas can be sucked and exhausted. Usually, the casing is provided with a water supply port in addition to the intake port and the exhaust port, and the sealed water is supplied into the casing from the water supply port.

  The vacuum pump having such a configuration has an intake port connected to the processing tank via an exhaust pipe. A vacuum valve can be opened and closed in the middle of the exhaust pipe.

  It is preferable to set the cooler and the pressure reducing means for the treatment tank so that the vapor emitted from the object to be cooled during vacuum cooling is sucked into the pressure reducing means via the cooler. That is, it is preferable to connect the exhaust pipe line to a space on the opposite side of the space in the treatment tank that is divided while communicating with the boundary of the cooler from the object to be cooled. Specifically, the space in the processing tank is divided into two with the cooler as a boundary, the object to be cooled is accommodated in one space, and the exhaust pipe line is connected to the other space. Further, when a fan is also installed, the fan is preferably installed in the other space.

  The return pressure means is means for introducing outside air into the treatment tank decompressed by the decompression means and restoring the pressure in the treatment tank. By introducing the outside air into the treatment tank by this pressure-reducing means, the inside of the treatment tank can be restored to atmospheric pressure. It is desirable to introduce outside air into the treatment tank through a filter in consideration of hygiene. The clean air that has passed through the filter is supplied into the treatment tank via the air supply line. By opening and closing a vacuum release valve provided in the middle of the air supply pipeline, the presence or absence of introduction of outside air into the processing tank can be switched.

  The control unit controls the decompression unit, the decompression unit, the refrigerator, the fan, and the like. Conversely, each of these components is controlled by the control means, and predetermined steps are sequentially executed in accordance with a preset program. At that time, the pressure is controlled using the pressure in the processing tank detected by the pressure sensor, the temperature in the processing tank detected by the temperature sensor, the product temperature detected by the product temperature sensor, the elapsed time, and the like.

  Although the cooling device does not ask | require the operating method in particular, it is comprised so that a vacuum cooling process can be performed at least. And preferably, it is comprised so that a cold wind cooling process can be performed after the vacuum cooling process. In this case, in the previous vacuum cooling step, the inside of the object to be cooled can be uniformly cooled, so that temperature unevenness does not occur and rapid cooling can be achieved. In the subsequent cold air cooling step, the cooling can be further reduced to a lower temperature (typically a chilled region). By further cooling with cold air after previously cooling without temperature unevenness by vacuum cooling, even if temperature unevenness occurs due to cold air cooling, the temperature difference can be suppressed to a minute range. In addition, only by vacuum cooling, it is possible to achieve cooling to a low temperature that requires a large decompression means.

  The vacuum cooling process is divided into a first vacuum cooling process and a second vacuum cooling process. The first vacuum cooling step is an essential step in the vacuum cooling step, but the second vacuum cooling step is a step that is executed as desired.

  The first vacuum cooling step is a step for vacuum-cooling the object to be cooled by reducing the pressure inside the treatment tank by the pressure reducing means. In the first vacuum cooling step, the cooler is preferably functioned. Specifically, when the cooler is composed of an evaporator of a refrigerator, the refrigerator is preferably operated during the first vacuum cooling. As a result, vacuum cooling is achieved while condensing the vapor in the cooler, and an increase in the sealing water temperature of the vacuum pump can be suppressed, and a reduction in the pressure reduction capability of the vacuum pump can be prevented. Conventionally, a water flow type heat exchanger has been provided in front of the vacuum pump in the exhaust pipe to supply and drain cooling water and condense the steam in the exhaust pipe, but this heat exchanger is no longer necessary. You can also This not only simplifies the device configuration, but can also save significant water.

  When the second vacuum cooling process is to be executed after the first vacuum cooling process, steam and / or hot water is supplied into the processing tank in the latter half of the first vacuum cooling process, and the air in the processing tank is supplied together with the steam. Is preferably discharged by a decompression means. Thereby, the 2nd vacuum cooling process mentioned later can be performed more effectively.

  When supplying steam or hot water into the treatment tank, the supply is preferably performed from the top of the treatment tank. By introducing a vapor lighter than air downward from the upper part of the processing tank, it is possible to effectively exclude air from the processing tank.

  The function of the cooler (typically operating the refrigerator) during the first vacuum cooling step may be always during the first vacuum cooling step or may be at a desired time. For example, the pressure in the processing tank can be reduced while the cooler is functioning until the steam or hot water is supplied into the processing tank.

  Moreover, when making a cooler function at the desired time in a 1st vacuum cooling process, it is preferable to make a cooler function when the temperature of the sealing water in a vacuum pump is high (when the load of a vacuum pump is high). That is, the sealing water temperature is detected in the vacuum pump during the first vacuum cooling process or in the discharge side thereof, and the cooler is caused to function when the sealing water temperature reaches a set temperature (for example, 35 to 40 ° C.). It is preferable to control. Thereby, while being able to prevent the raise of sealed water temperature efficiently, the fall of pressure reduction capability can be prevented. In addition, the control for causing the cooler to function is not limited to the control based on the sealing water temperature, and the cooler is functioned based on the pressure or temperature in the processing tank, the product temperature, or the elapsed time of the first vacuum cooling process. It may be controlled whether or not.

  In the second vacuum cooling step, the fan is rotated in a state where the cooler is functioning in a state where the inside of the treatment tank depressurized in the first vacuum cooling step is sealed. Thereby, vapor | steam is condensed, stirring the gas in a processing tank, the inside of a processing tank can further be pressure-reduced, and the vacuum cooling of a to-be-cooled object can further be aimed at. After the completion of such a vacuum cooling step, the inside of the treatment tank is restored to atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, if desired, a cold air cooling process is performed in which the fan and the cooler function to cool the object to be cooled.

  As described above, at least the first vacuum cooling step can be executed in the cooling device of this embodiment, and the second vacuum cooling step and / or the cold air cooling step can be further executed as desired. However, depending on the case, after cooling with cold air, vacuum cooling may be performed, or only cold air cooling may be performed. In other words, a cooling device configured to be able to perform vacuum cooling and cold air cooling, to freely switch between vacuum cooling and cold air cooling, to a cooling device that executes only one or a combination of both appropriately, The present invention can be applied.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are schematic views showing an embodiment of the cooling device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door of the treatment tank is opened about half, and FIG. FIG. FIG. 3 is a front view of the cooling apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV in FIG.

  The cooling device 1 of the present embodiment has both functions of vacuum cooling and cold air cooling, and is operated by switching freely so that either one of vacuum cooling or cold air cooling is executed or both are This is an apparatus that is executed to cool the article 2 to be cooled. Although the to-be-cooled object 2 does not ask | require especially, it is the foodstuffs or foodstuffs after heat cooking typically.

  The cooling device 1 according to this embodiment includes a processing tank 3 in which an object to be cooled 2 is accommodated, a fan 4 that generates air in the processing tank 3, and a cooler 5 that cools the inside of the processing tank 3 and particularly cools the air generated by the fan 4. The decompression means 6 for sucking and discharging the fluid in the treatment tank 3 to the outside, the decompression means 7 for restoring the pressure in the treatment tank 3 decompressed by the decompression means 6, and the supply of steam and / or hot water to the treatment tank 3 In addition to the steaming means 8, a control means 9 for controlling them is provided.

  The processing tank 3 is a metal can body formed in a substantially rectangular hollow box shape. The processing tank 3 includes a processing tank main body 10 that opens to the front surface and has a hollow portion, and a door 11 that opens and closes the opening of the processing tank main body 10. The processing tank main body 10 is formed with a substantially rectangular hollow portion opened to the front surface, and a packing 12 is continuously provided along the outer periphery of the substantially rectangular opening.

  A rail 13 is provided at the front upper portion of the processing tank body 10 and extends in the left-right direction and extends to the right side of the processing tank body 10. A door 11 is suspended from the rail 13 so as to be slidable left and right along the rail 13. Specifically, two rollers 14 (FIG. 3) are provided on the left and right of the upper part of the substantially rectangular plate-like door 11, and the rollers 14 are held by the rail 13. Therefore, the door 11 can slide to the left and right with respect to the processing tank body 10 while the roller 14 rotates along the rail 13.

  The position where the door 11 faces the opening of the processing tank body 10 is a fully closed position, and the position where the opening of the processing tank body 10 is completely exposed is a fully open position. In the fully closed position, the door 11 is attracted to the processing tank body 10 by engaging the hooks 16 provided on the left and right sides of the processing tank body 10 with the fasteners 15 (FIG. 1) provided on the left and right sides of the door 11. Can be fixed. Thereby, the clearance gap between the processing tank main body 10 and the door 11 is reliably sealed by the packing 12.

  In the treatment tank 3, the object to be cooled 2 can be accommodated on the left side, and a fan 4 and a cooler 5 are installed on the right side. The object to be cooled 2 can be taken in and out of the treatment tank 3 through the carriage 17. The carriage 17 is configured by providing wheels (casters) 18, 18,... At four corners of the lower surface of a substantially rectangular plate or frame member. The cart 17 may have a plurality of shelves or shelves at the top and bottom, and may have a hand pushing portion. In the present embodiment, a carriage 17 having a plurality of shelf frames at the top and bottom is used, and a container (for example, a hotel pan) 19 containing the article to be cooled 2 is held on each shelf frame. However, a container 17 (for example, Banju) 19 containing the object 2 to be cooled is used by using a cart 17 having wheels 18, 18,... May be stacked on top of each other.

  The processing tank 3 includes a pressure sensor 20 that detects the pressure in the processing tank 3 and a temperature sensor 21 that detects the temperature in the processing tank 3. Furthermore, a product temperature sensor 22 that detects the temperature of the object to be cooled 2 accommodated in the processing tank 3 is also provided. The product temperature sensor 22 according to the present embodiment is configured to insert a temperature detection unit into the object to be cooled 2 and detect the temperature of the object to be cooled 2.

  One or a plurality of fans 4 are provided on the right side wall of the processing tank 3. In the present embodiment, three fans 4, 4 and 4 are provided at regular intervals in the vertical direction in the vertical region corresponding to where the cooler 5 is installed. Each fan 4 is configured such that a plurality of blades 23 are rotationally driven via a drive shaft 25 by a motor 24 arranged outside the processing tank 3. Each drive shaft 25 is provided horizontally penetrating the right side wall of the processing tank 3, and sealing inside and outside the processing tank 3 is ensured also in this penetrating portion.

  In the processing tank 3, a rectangular parallelepiped cooler 5 is provided slightly to the right of the central portion in the left-right direction. Thereby, the hollow part in the processing tank 3 is divided into right and left with the cooler 5 as a boundary. However, these left and right spaces communicate with each other via a gap between the cooler 5 and the treatment tank 3 before and after the cooler 5.

  The cooler 5 is placed on a horizontal pedestal 26 and is installed in a state of floating from the bottom surface in the processing tank 3. The height H of the base 26 is, for example, about 20 cm, and is set higher than the wheels 18 of the carriage 17. As a result, the wind from the fan 4 is prevented from hitting the wheels 18 of the carriage 17, and contaminants are prevented from rising in the treatment tank 3. On the other hand, the object to be cooled 2 placed on the carriage 17 is designed so that the wind of the fan 4 is reliably applied. However, for that purpose, the lowermost container 19 placed on the carriage 17 may be left empty.

  The cooler 5 is composed of an evaporator of the refrigerator 27 having a known configuration. Specifically, the cooler 5 is connected to a condensing unit 29 via a refrigerant pipe 28. The liquefied refrigerant from the condensing unit 29 is supplied to the evaporator (cooler 5) via the liquid electromagnetic valve 30 and the expansion valve 31, and is completely evaporated by this evaporator. At this time, since the refrigerant absorbs heat from the surroundings in the evaporator, the evaporator functions as the cooler 5.

  When the fan 4 is operated in a state where the refrigerator 27 is operated, the suction air to the fan 4 is cooled by the cooler 5 and then the treatment tank 3 before and after the cooler 5 as shown in FIG. Is supplied to the accommodation space of the object 2 to be cooled, and is sucked into the fan 4 through the cooler 5 again. In this manner, a cold air circulation flow can be formed in the treatment tank 3. At this time, it is preferable that the gap between the rear surface of the cooler 5 and the rear surface of the treatment tank 3 and the gap between the front surface of the cooler 5 and the door 11 are made small to some extent. Thereby, wind speed can be raised and a wind can be flowed to the left side wall of the processing tank 3. FIG. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the upper part of the cooler 5 in the present embodiment is configured to provide the top plate 32 so that the wind of the fan 4 does not flow above the cooler 5. The top plate 32 may not be provided in the case where the wind of the fan 4 is allowed to flow from above the cooler 5.

  The processing tank 3 is connected to a decompression means 6 that sucks and discharges the fluid in the processing tank 3 to the outside. In this embodiment, the decompression means 6 is constituted by a water ring vacuum pump 33. As is well known, the water-sealed vacuum pump 33 is supplied with water called sealed water.

  More specifically, in the present embodiment, the impeller (not shown) having blades arranged radially is installed eccentrically with the casing in a cylindrical casing (reference numeral omitted) to which sealed water is supplied. . Therefore, when the impeller is rotated at a high speed, a water ring is formed in the casing, and the impeller and the casing are eccentric. Therefore, the internal gas repeats expansion and compression every time it rotates once. Therefore, by providing an intake port and an exhaust port at appropriate positions of the casing, external gas can be sucked and exhausted. Further, the casing is provided with a water supply port for supplying sealed water into the casing.

  A water seal line 34 is connected to the water supply port of the vacuum pump 33. A seal valve 35 and a flow rate adjustment valve (not shown) are provided in the middle of the seal pipe 34. The sealing valve 35 is a valve that is opened in conjunction with the vacuum pump 33, and is configured by an electromagnetic valve in this embodiment. In this way, the sealed water can be supplied to the vacuum pump 33 via the sealed valve 35 and the flow rate adjusting valve.

  An exhaust pipe 36 and a drain pipe 37 from the processing tank 3 are connected to the suction port of the vacuum pump 33. The exhaust pipe 36 and the drain pipe 37 are a common pipe 38 on the side of the vacuum pump 33, and the common pipe 38 is connected to the intake port of the vacuum pump 33. The common pipe 38 is provided with a check valve 39.

  The exhaust pipe line 36 is connected to the right side of the processing tank 3. In the present embodiment, an exhaust pipe line 36 is connected to the right side of the processing tank 3 slightly above the pedestal 26. On the other hand, the drain pipe 37 is connected to the bottom of the processing tank 3. In the present embodiment, a circular recess 40 is formed at the right corner on the near side on the bottom surface in the treatment tank 3, and a drain pipe 37 is connected to the recess 40. The water in the bottom of the processing tank 3 is naturally guided to the recess 40 by, for example, slightly tilting the processing tank 3.

  A vacuum valve 41 is provided in the middle of the exhaust pipe 36, and a drain valve 42 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 37. Thereby, the gas in the processing tank 3 can be sucked into the vacuum pump 33 via the vacuum valve 41 and the check valve 39. Further, the water accumulated at the bottom of the treatment tank 3 can be sucked into the vacuum pump 33 via the drain valve 42 and the check valve 39. In this embodiment, the vacuum valve 41 and the drain valve 42 are each constituted by a motorized valve.

  By the way, the washing water pipe 43 is connected to the middle of the drain pipe 37 (between the treatment tank 3 and the drain valve 42). When desired, with the vacuum valve 41 and the drain valve 42 closed and the door 11 of the treatment tank 3 opened, the manual valve 44 of the cleaning water pipe 43 is opened, and water is allowed to flow in the reverse direction to the drain pipe 37. The inside of the drain pipe 37 can be cleaned.

  An exhaust separator 45 is connected to the exhaust port of the vacuum pump 33. As a result, the fluid from the vacuum pump 33 is separated from the air and then exhausted and drained. Although this drainage can be performed to a drainage pit (drainage pit) 46, the drainage pit 46 may be disposed above the floor as shown in FIG. Therefore, if the drainage from the inside of the processing tank 3 is to be performed naturally, the processing tank 3 must be set high, and there is a risk that it may hinder the carry-in / out of the object 2 to be cooled. For example, since the water is discharged using the vacuum pump 33, the position of the processing tank 3 can be kept relatively low. Further, if the vacuum is simply drawn from the bottom of the processing tank 3 using the vacuum pump 33, if water accumulates in the drainage pipe 37, there is a risk that the decompression capacity may be reduced. For example, since the exhaust pipe 36 is provided separately from the drain pipe 37, there is no possibility that the decompression capacity is reduced by reducing the pressure using the exhaust pipe 36.

  The treatment tank 3 is connected to a decompression means 7 for decompressing after being decompressed by the decompression means 6. In the return pressure means 7 of the present embodiment, an air supply line 47 connected to the processing tank 3 is provided so as to be able to communicate with outside air via an air filter 48. When the air supply line 47 is connected to the upper part of the processing tank 3, the air supply line 47 is connected to the fan 4 or the cooler so that air flowing into the processing tank 3 does not directly hit the object to be cooled 2 when the pressure is restored. It is preferable to connect to the processing tank 3 in the upper part on the side where 5 is installed. A vacuum release valve 49 is provided in the middle of the air supply line 47. The vacuum release valve 49 is a valve for switching the presence / absence of introduction of outside air into the processing tank 3, and is constituted by an electric valve in this embodiment. By opening the vacuum release valve 49, the inside of the processing tank 3 can be opened to atmospheric pressure.

  Steaming means 8 for supplying steam and / or hot water into the processing tank 3 is connected to the processing tank 3. Although this steam supply means 8 may be comprised from a boiler, it is easy to comprise by the warm water tank 50. FIG. Water can be supplied to the hot water tank 50 via a water supply pipe 51. A water supply valve 52 is provided in the middle of the water supply pipe 51. The water supply valve 52 is a valve for switching the presence / absence of water supply to the hot water tank 50, and is constituted by an electromagnetic valve in this embodiment.

  The hot water tank 50 is provided with a water level detector (not shown). A set amount of water is stored in the hot water tank 50 by controlling the opening and closing of the water supply valve 52 based on the detection signal from the water level detector. The hot water tank 50 is provided with a water temperature sensor (not shown), and the water in the hot water tank 50 is set to a set temperature (for example, 80 ° C.) by controlling the heater 53 based on a detection signal from the water temperature sensor. Retained. The heater 53 is provided with a heater temperature sensor (not shown) to prevent the heater 53 from overheating.

  The hot water tank 50 having such a configuration is connected to the processing tank 3 through the steam supply pipe 54. In the present embodiment, the steam supply conduit 54 is connected to the upper portion of the processing tank 3. At this time, the steam and hot water from the hot water tank 50 are connected to the upper part on the side where the fan 4 and the cooler 5 are installed so that the object to be cooled 2 does not directly hit. A steam supply valve 55 is provided in the middle of the steam supply pipe 54. This steam supply valve 55 is a valve for switching the presence or absence of supply of steam or hot water into the processing tank 3, and is constituted by an electric valve in this embodiment.

  By opening the steam supply valve 55 in a reduced pressure state in the processing tank 3, the steam in the hot water tank 50 is naturally supplied into the processing tank 3 along with the hot water due to the differential pressure. Concentration of water can be prevented by supplying warm water into the treatment tank 3 as well. The hot water supplied into the treatment tank 3 is further evaporated under reduced pressure to fill the treatment tank 3 with steam. Therefore, by operating the decompression means 6, it is possible to effectively eliminate air from the processing tank 3 through the exhaust pipe 36. By the way, when desiring to defrost the cooler 5, steam and / or hot water may be supplied into the treatment tank 3 by the steam supply means 8.

  An overflow pipe 56 is connected to the hot water tank 50 from a steam supply pipe 54. This overflow pipe 56 discharges excess steam and water from the hot water tank 50 through the check valve 57. Furthermore, a blow pipe 58 is connected to the hot water tank 50, branching off from the middle of the water supply pipe 51 (between the hot water tank 50 and the water supply valve 52). When desired, draining from the hot water tank 50 through the blow pipe 58 is performed by opening the manual blow valve 59 provided in the blow pipe 58 and the manual air valve 60 provided in the upper part of the hot water tank 50. Can do.

  The fan 4, the cooler 5, the decompression unit 6, the decompression unit 7, and the steam supply unit 8 are controlled by the control unit 9. The control means 9 is a controller 61 that controls each of the components on the basis of the elapsed time grasped by the control means 9 and detection signals from the sensors 20, 21, and 22. Specifically, the motor 24 of the fan 4, the condensing unit 29 and the liquid electromagnetic valve 30 of the refrigerator 27, the vacuum pump 33 and the sealing valve 35, the vacuum valve 41, the drain valve 42, the vacuum release valve 49, and the hot water tank 50 In addition to the heater 53, the water supply valve 52, and the steam supply valve 55, the pressure sensor 20, the temperature sensor 21, the product temperature sensor 22, and the like are connected to the controller 61. And the controller 61 performs the cooling process of the to-be-cooled object 2 in the processing tank 3 according to a predetermined procedure (program).

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a typical example of the cooling process by the cooling device 1 of the present embodiment. Basically, after the object to be cooled 2 is vacuum-cooled, the cooling air is cooled. However, when the temperature of the object to be cooled 2 is relatively high, it is preferable to first perform the rough heat removal step S1. This rough heat removal process S1 is a process of cooling the object to be cooled 2 with cold air or air cooling.

  In order to cool the air, the refrigerator 27 and the fan 4 are operated in a state where the inside of the treatment tank 3 is sealed, and cooling is performed by blowing cold air to the object 2 to be cooled. On the other hand, for air cooling, the vacuum pump 33 may be operated with the vacuum release valve 49 and the vacuum valve 41 open. Further, the fan 4 may be activated in order to apply wind to the object 2 to be cooled. Thereby, the to-be-cooled object 2 is cooled by discharging | emitting while introduce | transducing outside air in the processing tank 3. FIG. At the time of air cooling, the refrigerator 27 is stopped, the steam supply valve 55 is closed, and the drain valve 42 is opened or closed.

  In this way, when the temperature of the object to be cooled 2 is changed from 90 ° C. to 70 ° C., for example, the process proceeds to the next vacuum cooling step. In the present embodiment, the vacuum cooling process is executed by being divided into a first vacuum cooling process S2 and a second vacuum cooling process S3.

  In the first vacuum cooling step S2, with the processing tank 3 sealed, the vacuum valve 41 and the sealing valve 35 are opened to operate the vacuum pump 33, and the air in the processing tank 3 is sucked and discharged to the outside. The inside of the tank 3 is depressurized. Thereby, the evaporation of moisture from the object to be cooled 2 is promoted, and the object to be cooled 2 is cooled by the latent heat of vaporization.

  In the first vacuum cooling step S2, the fan 4 is stopped, but the refrigerator 27 may be operated. Thereby, the gas in the processing tank 3 can be sucked and discharged outside while condensing the vapor in the cooler 5. Accordingly, rapid vacuum cooling can be achieved. In addition, it is known that the pressure reduction capacity of the vacuum pump 33 depends on the sealing water temperature, but by increasing the vacuum temperature while operating the refrigerator 27, the increase in the sealing water temperature of the vacuum pump 33 is suppressed. Thus, it is possible to prevent a reduction in the pressure reduction capability of the vacuum pump 33. Moreover, the arrangement of the cooler 5 and the vacuum suction port (connection opening of the exhaust pipe 36 to the treatment tank 3) with respect to the treatment tank 3 is the same as that of the present embodiment in that the steam from the object 2 is cooled by the cooler 5. If it is designed to be sucked into the exhaust pipe line 36 via these, these functions and effects can be achieved more reliably. Conventionally, a water flow type heat exchanger is provided in the exhaust pipe line 36 in front of the vacuum pump 33, and cooling water is supplied and drained to condense the vapor in the exhaust pipe line 36. This heat exchanger Can be eliminated. As a result, significant water saving can be achieved.

  The refrigerator 27 may be operated during the first vacuum cooling step S2 at any time during the first vacuum cooling step S2 or at a desired time. For example, the decompression of the processing tank 3 can be performed while the refrigerator 27 is operated until steam or hot water is supplied into the processing tank 3 described below.

  Further, when the refrigerator 27 is operated at a desired time during the first vacuum cooling step S2, the refrigerator 27 can be operated when the temperature of the sealed water in the vacuum pump is high (when the load of the vacuum pump 33 is high). preferable. That is, the sealing water temperature is detected by a sealing water temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the vacuum pump 33 in the first vacuum cooling step S2, and the sealing water temperature is set to a set temperature (for example, set to 35 to 40 ° C.). When reaching, the refrigerator 27 is operated, and when the temperature falls below the set temperature, the operation of the refrigerator 27 is controlled to stop. Thereby, while being able to prevent the raise of sealed water temperature efficiently, the fall of pressure reduction capability can be prevented.

  Furthermore, the control for operating the refrigerator 27 includes the pressure in the processing tank by the pressure sensor 20, the temperature in the processing tank by the temperature sensor 21, the temperature of the object to be cooled by the product temperature sensor 22, or the elapsed time of the first vacuum cooling step S2. And the refrigerator 27 may be controlled to operate when a predetermined temperature or time is reached.

  In the second half of the first vacuum cooling step S2, the steam supply valve 55 is temporarily opened while the decompression means 6 is operated, and steam is supplied into the processing tank 3 with hot water. As a result, the treatment tank 3 is filled with steam, and the steam and air are replaced, so that air can be more reliably removed from the treatment tank 3. At this time, by introducing steam lighter than air downward from the upper part of the processing tank 3, it is possible to effectively eliminate air from the processing tank 3. In this way, the inside of the processing tank 3 is depressurized to the capacity limit of the vacuum pump 33. By this first vacuum cooling step S2, the temperature of the object to be cooled 2 is rapidly cooled to about 40 ° C., for example.

  In the subsequent second vacuum cooling step S3, the vacuum valve 41 and the sealing valve 35 are closed and the vacuum pump 33 is stopped. And the fan 4 and the refrigerator 27 are drive | operated in the state which sealed the inside of the processing tank 3. FIG. Thereby, the vapor | steam in the processing tank 3 is condensed with the cooler 5, and the condensation of vapor | steam is accelerated | stimulated by stirring the gas in the processing tank 3 by the action | operation of the fan 4, and the inside of the processing tank 3 is further pressure-reduced. The to-be-cooled object 2 can be vacuum-cooled. In this way, the temperature of the object to be cooled 2 is cooled to 10 ° C., for example. When the second vacuum cooling step S3 is finished, the operation of the refrigerator 27 is stopped.

  In the subsequent pressure-reducing step S4, the vacuum release valve 49 is opened and the pressure in the processing tank 3 is restored to atmospheric pressure. That is, in the return pressure step S4, the outside pressure is introduced into the processing tank 3 by opening the vacuum release valve 49 while the vacuum valve 41 is closed, and the return pressure in the processing tank 3 is achieved. During this pressure-reducing step S4 or immediately after the pressure-reducing step S4, the drain valve 42 is opened while the vacuum pump 33 is operated, and drainage from the bottom in the processing tank 3 is achieved.

  If the cold air cooling step S5 of the next step is executed without draining the water, the water accumulated at the bottom of the treatment tank 3 may be frozen by the cold air cooling step S5 to prevent the door 11 from being opened. Such inconvenience can be avoided by draining before the cooling step S5. Moreover, even if it does not freeze, if water is left in the processing tank 3, the water flows out from the processing tank 3 when the door 11 is opened. Inconvenience can be avoided. Furthermore, by draining before the cold air cooling step S5, it is possible to prevent water accumulated at the bottom of the treatment tank 3 from becoming a load during cooling with the cold air.

  Drainage from the treatment tank 3 is normally performed by opening the drain valve 42 for a set time while the vacuum pump 33 is operated. However, instead of or in addition to this, the completion of drainage of the condensed water may be detected based on the pressure change in the treatment tank 3 and the drainage treatment may be terminated. For example, when the drain valve 42 is opened and drained in the middle of the decompression step S4 (for example, at the end), the vacuum pump 33 initially sucks the water in the drain pipe 37, so the decompression speed is fast. After the water in the passage 37 is drained, the gas in the processing tank 3 is sucked and discharged, so that the return pressure rate is slowed or the pressure in the processing tank starts to decrease. Therefore, if this is detected, the completion of drainage from the inside of the treatment tank 3 may be detected, and the drainage process may be controlled to end even if the set time has not elapsed.

  In the subsequent cold air cooling step S5, the refrigerator 27 and the fan 4 are operated with the inside of the treatment tank 3 sealed again. By this cold air cooling step S5, the object to be cooled 2 is cooled to 3 ° C., for example. However, you may cool to the area | region to freeze according to the case. By the way, when the to-be-cooled object 2 is still at a high temperature, the steam generated from the to-be-cooled object 2 in the cold air cooling step S5 may accumulate as condensed water at the bottom of the treatment tank 3, so in the cold air cooling step S5, If desired, wastewater treatment may be performed via the drainage pipe 37. At this time, unlike the above-described drainage treatment in the decompression step S4, the vacuum release valve 49 can be drained without being opened. In this way, it is possible to prevent the condensed water from freezing and to prevent the condensed water from flowing out when the door 11 of the treatment tank 3 is opened.

  By the way, the vacuum cooling process does not necessarily need to be performed separately for the first vacuum cooling process S2 and the second vacuum cooling process S3, and may be only the first vacuum cooling process S2. When not performing 2nd vacuum cooling process S3, it is not necessary to supply a vapor | steam and / or warm water into the processing tank 3 in the second half of 1st vacuum cooling process S2.

  Further, the cooling device 1 of the present embodiment is preferably configured to operate only by either vacuum cooling or cold air cooling, in addition to the configuration of cooling with cold air after vacuum cooling. Even when only the vacuum cooling step is executed, draining at the time of returning pressure can prevent the condensed water from flowing out of the treatment tank 3 when the door 11 is opened after the treatment. Furthermore, in addition to the structure of cooling with cold air after vacuum cooling, it can also be configured to cool with vacuum after cooling of cold air. The vacuum cooling process and the cold air cooling process in these cases are the same processes as those described above. However, the vacuum cooling step refers to at least the first vacuum cooling step S2 in the first vacuum cooling step S2 and the subsequent second vacuum cooling step S3.

  The cooling device 1 of the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and can be changed as appropriate. For example, in the said Example, although the fan 4 and the cooler 5 etc. were installed in the right side of the processing tank 3, and the to-be-cooled object 2 was accommodated in the left side of the processing tank 3, it may be comprised symmetrically with this. Good. That is, in this case, the fan 4 and the cooler 5 are installed on the left side of the processing tank 3, and the object to be cooled 2 is accommodated on the right side of the processing tank 3.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although it was set as the structure which raise | generates a wind in the processing tank 3 by the suction | inhalation to the fan 4, it is set as the structure which raise | generates a wind in the processing tank 3 by discharge from the fan 4 contrary to this. Also good.

  Moreover, in the said Example, although it comprised so that vacuum cooling and cold air cooling could be performed, this invention should just be able to perform at least vacuum cooling. In that case, installation of the fan 4 etc. can be abbreviate | omitted in the said Example.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows one Example of the cooling device of this invention. It is a whole block diagram of the cooling device of FIG. 1, and it has shown a part in cross section. It is a front view of the cooling device of FIG. 1, and one part is abbreviate | omitted and shown. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the cooling process by the cooling device of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Cooling device 2 To-be-cooled object 3 Processing tank 4 Fan 5 Cooler 6 Depressurization means 7 Restoration means 8 Steaming means 17 Carriage 18 Wheel 27 Refrigerator 33 Vacuum pump 36 Exhaust pipe

Claims (6)

A sealable treatment tank in which an object to be cooled is stored;
A cooler provided in the treatment tank;
Of the space in the processing tank that is divided while communicating with the boundary of the cooler, the space is connected to the space on the opposite side of the object to be cooled from the space inside the processing tank. Vacuuming means for sucking and discharging the gas to the outside, and decompressing the inside of the treatment tank,
A cooling device comprising: a return pressure means for introducing outside air into the reduced processing tank and returning the pressure in the processing tank. The decompression means includes a water ring vacuum pump,
The cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the cooler can be functioned when sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside using the vacuum pump. The cooling device according to claim 2, wherein the cooler is operable when a temperature of sealed water in the vacuum pump is higher than a set temperature. The steam and / or hot water can be supplied from the upper part of the processing tank when the gas in the processing tank is sucked and discharged to the outside using the decompression unit. 2. The cooling device according to item 1. The object to be cooled is placed on a carriage and accommodated in the treatment tank,
Cooling of the object to be cooled is possible with cold air from a fan through the cooler,
The said fan is provided so that a cold wind may not be applied to the wheel of the said trolley | bogie. The cooling device of any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. A cooling device configured to be able to perform vacuum cooling and cold air cooling of an object to be cooled contained in a processing tank,
For the vacuum cooling, as a decompression means for sucking and discharging the gas in the processing tank to the outside, a water-sealed vacuum pump is provided,
In order to cool the cold air, the processing tank includes a cooler constituted by an evaporator of a refrigerator, and a fan for supplying cold air to the object to be cooled through the cooler.
The cooling apparatus, wherein the gas in the processing tank can be sucked and discharged to the outside using the vacuum pump while the refrigerator is operated.

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