JP2010273649A - Method and apparatus for sterilizing continuous rope for drying tobacco leaf - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent fungi to be bred on tobacco leaves from being developed in their drying step by effectively sterilizing continuous ropes prior to knitting the tobacco leaves thereon. <P>SOLUTION: A method for sterilizing continuous ropes N knitted with tobacco leaves includes the following process: the continuous ropes N to be sterilized are hung and arranged in a sterilization chamber 12; steam is filled in the chamber 12 and the inside space of the chamber 12 is maintained for a set time at a temperature or higher necessary for sterilizing the continuous ropes N; subsequently, while exhausting the steam in the chamber 12, hot air for drying the tobacco leaves is brought into the chamber 12 and circulated in the chamber 12. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a disinfection treatment method and a disinfection treatment apparatus for a leaf tobacco drying tether.

  The drying of leaf tobacco is generally carried out by suspending the leaf tobacco in the drying room with the hemp string in the rope of the hemp string, but the yellowing, browning, Since it does not like rapid dehydration in any of the middle bone dry periods, it is managed to maintain an appropriate humidity, and there is a problem that mold tends to be generated in leaf tobacco. Molds are often generated particularly in the petiole knitted on the continuous rope, and the work of rubbing molds attached to the leaf tobacco with a brush before storage after drying is performed. However, since this work requires a lot of labor, the petiole part is cut and separated about 5 cm (5 to 10% by weight) without storing it. This situation has resulted in a large labor burden and reduced revenue for the management of leaf tobacco producers, and there is a need for a fundamental solution that prevents mold from adhering to leaf tobacco during drying.

  Since the occurrence of mold is often found in the petiole knitted on the continuous rope, if the fungus of the mold attached to the continuous rope can be sterilized and sterilized before knitting, it is effective for combating the mold of leaf tobacco that occurs during drying. It is believed that. As a prior art, it has been proposed to use a lasso after immersing it in a disinfectant, washing it with water and drying it (for example, see Patent Document 1 below). However, since the work process is complicated, drying time is required, and a sufficient disinfection effect has not been confirmed, it is not widely used by producers. Also, when sterilizing a longline with a drug, if the rinse (washing) after the process is not performed sufficiently, there is also a problem that discolored leaves that are considered to be affected by the residual drug are generated in the petiole part of the leaf tobacco. Has been.

JP 2003-144123 A

  The present invention has been proposed to address the above-mentioned problems, and aims to effectively suppress sterilization of the tether before knitting leaf tobacco, thereby suppressing mold generated in the leaf tobacco during drying. It is what.

  In order to achieve such an object, a disinfecting method and a disinfecting apparatus for a leaf tobacco drying tether according to the present invention include at least the configurations according to the following independent claims.

  [Claim 1] A process of suspending and arranging a string to be processed in a processing chamber, and filling the processing chamber with steam so as to maintain the processing chamber at a temperature higher than a temperature necessary for sterilization of the string. A sterilization step, and a drying step of continuously sending the hot air for drying into the processing chamber and circulating it in the processing chamber while exhausting the steam in the processing chamber, following the end of the sterilization step. A method of disinfecting a longline for drying tobacco leaves.

  [Claim 4] A processing chamber having an openable and closable exhaust port, in which a processing target string is suspended, and a compartment which is communicated with the processing chamber through an openable and closable circulation port and discharge port. A dry hot air generating chamber, and a steam supply pipe that has a steam outlet for ejecting steam into the processing chamber, and is arranged so that the steam outlet is disposed at an upper portion, a lower portion, and a side portion of the processing chamber. An opening / closing body that individually opens and closes the discharge port, the circulation port, and the exhaust port, an opening / closing body drive unit that drives the opening / closing body, and a set time by closing the exhaust port, the discharge port, and the circulation port. The treatment chamber is filled only with steam ejected from the steam outlet to sterilize the tether, and after the set time, the exhaust port, the discharge port, and the circulation port are opened, and the steam in the treatment chamber is discharged. While exhausting, the warm air generated in the dry warm air generation chamber To circulate in the processing chamber by feeding the processing chamber, disinfection processor leaf tobacco drying communicating rope, characterized in that it comprises a control unit for driving and controlling the opening and closing member driving unit.

  According to the disinfection processing method and disinfection processing apparatus for leaf tobacco drying ropes of the present invention having such characteristics, sterilization treatment and drying treatment can be performed without moving the linkage rope in a state where the ropes are arranged in the processing chamber. Therefore, it is possible to effectively sterilize the tether before knitting the leaf tobacco without performing a complicated operation, and to suppress mold generated in the leaf tobacco during drying.

It is explanatory drawing (description of a sterilization process) for demonstrating the disinfection processing method and disinfection processing apparatus of the lasso for leaf tobacco drying which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing (description of a drying process) for demonstrating the disinfection processing method and disinfection processing apparatus of the lasso for leaf tobacco drying which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing (functional diagram of a control part) for demonstrating the disinfection processing method and disinfection processing apparatus of the lasso for leaf tobacco drying which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which showed the specific example of the hanging tool 14 arrange | positioned in the processing chamber 12 (the figure (a) is a front view, the figure (b) is a top view).

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.1 and FIG.2 is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the disinfection processing method and disinfection processing apparatus of the leaf tobacco drying tether which concern on embodiment of this invention. The apparatus main body 10 in the sterilization processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention is partitioned by a wall portion 11, and a processing chamber 12 and a dry hot air generation chamber 13 are respectively formed in the apparatus main body 10. In the processing chamber 12, hanging tools 14 are arranged side by side, and the string N to be processed is suspended from the hanging tools 14. Further, the apparatus main body 10 is provided with a door (not shown) for carrying the processing target longline N into the processing chamber 12 and carrying it out of the processing chamber 12.

  The processing chamber 12 has an exhaust port 15 that can be opened and closed. The exhaust port 15 is provided for exhausting the vapor filled in the processing chamber 12, and it is effective to provide the upper portion of the processing chamber 12. A drain port 16 is provided at the bottom of the processing chamber 12. The drain port 16 is provided for draining the steam condensed water after sterilization. A drainage channel 16A is connected to the drainage port 16, and a drainage valve 16B is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 16A. The drainage valve 16B has a valve drive unit (drive motor) 16B1 for performing an opening / closing operation. Equipped.

  The processing chamber 12 and the dry hot air generation chamber 13 can communicate with each other via the discharge port 17 and the circulation port 18. The discharge port 17 is provided to discharge hot air for drying from the dry hot air generating chamber 13 to the processing chamber 12, and the circulation port 18 circulates the hot air flowing into the processing chamber 12 to the dry hot air generating chamber 13. It is provided to make it. It is effective to provide the discharge port 17 below the processing chamber 12 and the dry hot air generating chamber 13, and to provide the circulation port 18 above the processing chamber 12 and the dry hot air generating chamber 13.

  A rectifying plate (perforated plate) 19 is provided in the processing chamber 12 as necessary. The rectifying plate 19 is provided on the discharge port 17, and a space is formed on the rectifying plate 19 in which the processing target longline N is suspended. The rectifying plate 19 has a function of sequentially sending the hot air for drying discharged from the discharge port 17 toward the long line N to be processed while guiding the hot air to the place away from the discharge port 17.

  Opening and closing bodies 15A, 17A and 18A are provided in the exhaust port 15, the discharge port 17 and the circulation port 18, respectively, and the exhaust port 15, the discharge port 17 and the circulation port 18 are respectively opened and closed by opening and closing the opening and closing members 15A, 17A and 18A. It can be opened and closed freely. Further, the opening / closing bodies 15A, 17A, 18A are equipped with opening / closing body drive units (drive motors) 15B, 17B, 18B so that the opening / closing bodies 15A, 17A, 18A can be automatically opened and closed.

  A steam supply pipe 20 having a steam outlet 20 </ b> A through which steam is jetted is piped in the processing chamber 12. A plurality of the steam outlets 20 </ b> A are arranged at the upper part, the lower part, and the side part in the processing chamber 12. By providing the steam outlets 20 </ b> A disposed in the processing chamber 12 at the corners of the processing chamber 12, it is possible to uniformly eject steam into the processing chamber 12. The steam supply pipe 20 is branched in the middle and is piped to the upper, lower and side portions in the processing chamber 12. A branching group is arranged outside the apparatus body 10, and an air supply valve 21 is connected to the branching group pipe. Is provided. By opening and closing the air supply valve 21, the steam supplied from the steam generator (boiler) can be supplied or shut off. The supply valve 21 can also be equipped with a valve drive part (drive motor) 21A, and the supply valve 21 can be automatically opened and closed by installing this.

  In the dry hot air generating chamber 13, a heat source 22 and a blower 23 are provided for obtaining hot air for drying. The heat source 22 includes, for example, a furnace 22 </ b> B into which a flame from a combustor 22 </ b> A disposed outside the apparatus main body 10 is blown, and a chimney 22 </ b> C that discharges flue gas from the furnace to the outside of the apparatus main body 10. The blower 23 generates wind toward the furnace 22B, discharges hot air heated in the furnace 22B from the discharge port 17, and further forms an airflow circulating in the dry hot air generation chamber 13 from the circulation port 18. . An intake port 24 is formed in the upper part of the dry hot air generating chamber 13.

  A control panel 30 is provided on the outer wall of the apparatus body 10. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating functions of the control unit 31 provided in the control panel 30. The control unit 31 has a basic function of performing drive control of the opening / closing body drive units 15B, 17B, and 18B. In addition to this, the operations of the valve drive units 16B1, 21A, the blower 23, or the combustor 22A may be controlled to comprehensively control the operation of the entire apparatus. The control unit 31 receives a signal from the timer 32 or a detection signal from a pressure sensor 33 that detects the pressure in the processing chamber 12 as necessary. The control unit 31 controls the operation timing of the opening / closing body driving units 15B, 17B, and 18B by a signal from the timer 32.

  When the pressure sensor 33 is provided, the control unit 31 opens the exhaust port 15 when the pressure in the processing chamber 12 exceeds the atmospheric pressure based on the detection signal from the pressure sensor 33 and exhausts the gas when the pressure is within the atmospheric pressure. Preload control for closing the mouth 15 can be performed.

  Further, by maintaining the pressure in the processing chamber 12 higher than the atmospheric pressure without performing the preload control by the pressure sensor 33, it becomes possible to make the temperature in the processing chamber 12 uniform. In this case, it is necessary to improve the airtightness of the opening / closing bodies 15A, 17A, and 18A. As an example, a necessary pressure can be maintained by using a somewhat heavy plate (for example, a 1 mm thick stainless plate).

  A method for disinfecting the longline N using the disinfecting apparatus having such a configuration will be described below. First, the process target tether N is suspended in the processing chamber 12. The door (not shown) of the processing chamber 12 is opened, and the tether N is suspended from the hanger 14 provided in the processing chamber. In the illustrated example, a plurality of suspension tools 14 are arranged in the horizontal direction, and the tethers N are suspended so as not to overlap each suspension tool 14.

  Next, when the door of the processing chamber 12 is closed and the operation switch of the control panel 30 is activated to the “operation mode”, the control unit 31 closes the opening / closing bodies 15A, 17A, and 18A as shown in FIG. The opening / closing body drive units 15B, 17B, and 18B are operated so that the exhaust port 15, the discharge port 17 and the circulation port 18 are closed, and the valve drive unit 21A is operated so as to open the air supply valve 21. Thus, the steam is ejected into the processing chamber 12 from the steam outlet 20A. This starts the sterilization process.

  In this sterilization process, steam is injected from the top and bottom and the side of the processing chamber 12 so that the inside of the processing chamber 12 has a uniform temperature of 100 ° C. or higher. By providing a large number of the steam outlets 20A on the upper and lower sides and on the sides of the processing chamber 12, the balance of the steam flow in the processing chamber 12 is stabilized, and the product temperature of the processing target tether N is leveled. Sterilization can be performed in a short time without uneven processing. The processing time of the sterilization process is managed by measuring the output signal from the timer 32. When the time set in the control unit 31 is reached, the control unit 31 stops the sterilization process and proceeds to the splicing process. .

  Note that the pressure in the processing chamber 12 in the sterilization process becomes higher than the atmospheric pressure due to the injection of steam (for example, steam pressure: 0.5 to 0.9 MPa, steam amount: 100 to 200 kg / h). By increasing the airtightness of the opening / closing bodies 15A, 17A, and 18A, the pressure in the processing chamber 12 can be maintained uniformly. By maintaining the pressure in the processing chamber 12 slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure, the temperature in the processing chamber 12 can be maintained at a uniform temperature of 100 ° C. or higher necessary for sterilization. By setting the pressure in the processing chamber to about 3 to 5 mmAq, it is possible to obtain an effect of longline disinfection. In addition, preload control is performed as necessary to avoid excessive pressure rise. In this case, the pressure in the processing chamber 12 is detected by the pressure sensor 33, and the control unit 31 calculates a control amount from the deviation between the detected pressure and the set pressure, and based on this control amount, the exhaust port 15. The opening / closing body driving unit 15B is opened / closed.

  After the end of the sterilization process, the process proceeds to the drying process. In the drying process, hot air for drying is fed into the processing chamber 12 while the steam in the processing chamber 12 is exhausted. When the sent warm air absorbs the moisture, it is heated again and returned to the processing chamber, and the processing target longline N is continuously dried. When the control unit 31 finishes the above-described sterilization process based on the output signal of the timer 32, as shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing body drive units 15B, 17B so as to open the opening / closing bodies 15A, 17A, 18A. , 18B are operated to open the exhaust port 15, the discharge port 17, and the circulation port 18, and the valve drive unit 21A is operated so as to close the air supply valve 21, and the steam ejected from the steam ejection port 20A Stop.

  At that time, after the air supply valve 21 is fully closed, the control unit 31 first opens the drain valve 16B to discharge the steam condensed water accumulated in the processing chamber 12, and then, for about 5 to 10 minutes. The open / close body 18A of the circulation port 18 is kept closed, and only the open / close body 17A of the discharge port 17 and the open / close body 15A of the exhaust port 15 are opened to process the outside air taken into the dry hot air generating chamber 13. A cooling operation is performed in which the steam is sent into the chamber 12 and the steam in the processing chamber 12 is discharged outside through the discharge port 15. By performing the normal drying operation by opening the circulation port 18 after performing such a cooling operation, it becomes possible to shift to the drying process more safely and smoothly, and equipment (blower, control device, etc.) Therefore, it is not necessary to use a high temperature, so that the equipment cost can be reduced.

  If it transfers to a drying process, the combustor 22A and the air blower 23 will be operated in advance or simultaneously, and the warm air which generate | occur | produced in the dry warm air generation chamber 13 will be sent in in a process chamber. The warm air that has been sent spreads to a layer below the current plate 19 in the processing chamber 12 and is blown evenly from the hole of the current plate 19 toward the continuous line N. Then, the warm air deprived of the moisture of the tether N is circulated through the circulation port 18 into the dry warm air generation chamber 13, and again becomes dry warm air and is sent into the processing chamber 12 from the discharge port 17.

  After the steam accumulated in the processing chamber 12 is pushed out by the hot air sent into the processing chamber 12 and exhausted from the exhaust port 15, in the drying process, the temperature in the processing chamber 12 becomes a temperature suitable for drying. It is preferable to control the outputs of the blower 23 and the combustor 22A. When the drying process reaches the set time based on the output signal of the timer 32, the control unit 31 stops the blower 23 and the combustor 22A and ends the drying process. As described above, the steam condensed water accumulated in the processing chamber 12 from the sterilization process to the initial stage of the drying process is operated from the drain port 16 by opening the drain valve 16B by operating the valve driving unit 16B1 at the start of the drying process. It drains out of the processing chamber 12 through the drainage channel 16A.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing a specific example of the hanger 14 provided in the processing chamber 12 (FIG. 4A is a front view and FIG. 4B is a plan view). The hanger 14 is provided at both ends of the recumbent portion 14A disposed substantially horizontally at a predetermined height in the processing chamber 12, the hook portions 14B provided at predetermined intervals on the recumbent portion 14A, and the recumbent portion 14A. A support portion 14C and a movable wheel 14D provided on the support portion 14C are provided. The movable wheel 14 </ b> D of the support portion 14 </ b> C is supported on the support rail 40 provided on the side wall of the processing chamber 12, so that the recumbent portion 14 </ b> A is movable. In the example of the hanger 14, by providing the hook portion 14B, the longline N can be hooked in a state of being bundled in a round shape as illustrated. As a result, the user can suspend it in the processing chamber 12 as it is without losing the state in which the longline N is normally stored and managed. And by suspending the continuous rope N on the hanger 14, steam and warm air can be efficiently invaded into the center of the rope, and an effective sterilization / drying process can be performed.

  According to the disinfection processing method and the disinfection processing apparatus for leaf tobacco drying tethers according to the embodiment of the present invention, steam sterilization processing and hot air drying processing are performed in one processing chamber 12 on the processing target tether N. Can be performed continuously without moving the longline N. This series of processes can be batch processed continuously and in a short time by the operation program of the control unit 31. Although it takes 2-3 days to treat about 1000 longline N with conventional medicine, according to the embodiment of the present invention, this can be completed in 1 to 3 hours.

10: apparatus main body, 11: wall, 12: processing chamber, 13: drying hot air generation chamber,
14: Suspension tool, 14A: Recumbent part, 14B: Hook part, 14C: Support part,
14D: movable wheel, 40: support rail,
15: exhaust port, 16: drainage port, 17: discharge port, 18: circulation port,
19: Current plate, 20: Steam supply pipe, 20A: Steam outlet,
21: Air supply valve,
22: heat source, 22A: combustor, 22B: furnace, 23: chimney,
23: Blower, 24: Inlet,
15A, 17A, 18A: Opening and closing body,
15B, 17B, 18B: Opening / closing body drive unit,
16B1, 21A: valve drive unit,
30: Control panel, 31: Control unit, 32: Timer, 33: Pressure sensor

Claims (10)

A process of suspending and arranging the processing target ropes in the processing chamber;
A sterilization step of filling the treatment chamber with steam and maintaining the treatment chamber for a set time above the temperature required for the sterilization treatment of the continuous line;
Drying tobacco leaves characterized by having a drying step of sending hot air for drying into the processing chamber and circulating it in the processing chamber while exhausting steam in the processing chamber continuously after the end of the sterilization step Lasso disinfection method for use.   The said sterilization process injects vapor | steam from the upper and lower sides and the side part of the said process chamber so that the said process chamber may be made into the uniform temperature of 100 degreeC or more, The leaf tobacco drying series described in Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. Rope disinfection method.   The said sterilization process performs pre-pressure control which opens an exhaust port when the pressure in the said process chamber exceeds atmospheric pressure, and closes an exhaust port when it is less than atmospheric pressure, It described in Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. A method for disinfecting a lasso for drying tobacco leaves.   The said sterilization process maintains the pressure in the said processing chamber at a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, The disinfection processing method of the lasso for leaf tobacco drying described in Claim 1 or 2 characterized by the above-mentioned. A processing chamber having an openable and closable exhaust port, in which a processing target rope is suspended,
A dry hot air generating chamber that is defined so as to be able to communicate with the processing chamber via a circulation port and a discharge port that can be opened and closed;
A steam supply pipe that has a steam outlet for ejecting steam into the processing chamber, and is arranged to arrange the steam outlet at an upper portion, a lower portion, and a side portion of the processing chamber;
An opening and closing body for individually opening and closing the discharge port, the circulation port and the exhaust port;
An open / close body drive unit for driving the open / close bodies, and
The exhaust port, the discharge port, and the circulation port are closed, and the processing chamber is filled with steam ejected from the steam ejection port for a set time to sterilize the continuous line, and after the set time, the exhaust port and the The opening / closing body is configured to open the discharge port and the circulation port and exhaust the steam in the processing chamber, and send the hot air generated in the dry hot air generation chamber into the processing chamber to circulate in the processing chamber. And a control unit that drives and controls the drive unit.   6. A disinfection treatment of a leaf tobacco drying tether according to claim 5, wherein a baffle plate is provided in the processing chamber above the discharge port, and the tether is suspended from the baffle plate. apparatus.   7. The leaf tobacco drying string disinfection treatment apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein a heat source and a blower are disposed in the dry hot air generating chamber.   The apparatus for disinfecting a leaf tobacco drying tether according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein a drain outlet is provided at the bottom of the processing chamber.   The control unit is configured to control the preload according to a detection signal of a pressure sensor disposed in the processing chamber to open the exhaust port when the pressure in the processing chamber exceeds atmospheric pressure and to close the exhaust port when the pressure is within atmospheric pressure. The disinfection treatment apparatus for a leaf tobacco drying tether according to any one of claims 5 to 8.   The control unit keeps the opening and closing body of the circulation port closed, opens only the opening and closing body of the discharge port and the opening and closing body of the exhaust port, and takes outside air taken into the dry hot air generating chamber into the processing chamber The apparatus for disinfecting a lasso for drying leaf tobacco according to any one of claims 5 to 9, wherein a cooling operation for discharging the steam in the processing chamber to the outside through the discharge port is performed.

Images