JP2011126565A - Method and apparatus for mixing liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a control device with a reduced cost which can mix a low-viscosity liquid and a high-viscosity liquid at a desired ratio. <P>SOLUTION: Liquid supply pipes SP1 and SP2 connecting a plurality of liquid supply sources T1 and T2, respectively, are branched. The branched pipes are connected with a plurality of mixing tank MT1 and MT2, allowing a liquid containing a first liquid and a mixing liquid to be supplied. An integrated flow rate of the first liquid supplied to the mixing tank is measured. An integrated flow rate of the liquid which is required to be supplied to the mixing tank is calculated based on the measured value to obtain a theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid. The integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid supplied to the mixing tank is measured. A shortage of the mixing liquid is calculated based on the measured value and the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid. When the measured value of the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid is short with respect to the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, a valve opening of a flow rate control valve is controlled based on a valve opening of the flow rate control valve with respect to the shortage of the mixing liquid calculated in advance, thereby, the mixing liquid is supplied to the mixing tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid mixing method and apparatus for mixing a plurality of types of liquids at a desired ratio, and in particular, a high-viscosity liquid containing a low-viscosity liquid such as fruit juice or water and a solid such as fruit fiber or pulp. The present invention relates to a liquid mixing method and apparatus for mixing a liquid with a desired ratio.

  In various production plants for foods, cosmetics, medicines, etc., a liquid product is produced by mixing a plurality of types of liquids, for example, two types of liquid raw materials. For example, in a beverage production plant, two types of liquid raw materials are stored in respective storage tanks, the liquid raw materials stored in the tanks are respectively supplied to the mixing tanks via the liquid supply pipes, mixed in the mixing tanks, and then mixed. Supplying a liquid to a filling machine etc. is performed. In order to mix the two types of liquid raw materials in a desired ratio, each liquid supply pipe is provided with a flow meter and a flow control valve, and the flow control valve is controlled based on the measured value of the flow meter. Usually, PID control is adopted for mixing control of two kinds of liquids.

  In the beverage manufacturing plant described above, there are cases where there are a plurality of mixing tanks for mixing two types of liquids, for example, two systems. Taking the case of two series as an example, we will adopt a dedicated piping system that connects two storage tanks that store two types of liquids and two mixing tanks in a one-to-one correspondence and connects them individually by dedicated piping. In this case, four dedicated pipes and four liquid feed pumps are required, and there is a problem that the pipe cost increases when the storage tank and the mixing tank are separated from each other. Therefore, it is conceivable to apply a branch piping system in which one liquid supply pipe is provided in each storage tank and branched immediately upstream of the mixing tank, and two branch pipes are connected to the mixing tank. In this case, since there are two liquid supply pipes and two liquid feed pumps, the cost of the pipes and pumps can be reduced, so the storage tank and the mixing tank are separated from each other. Becomes an effective piping system.

JP 2000-330643 A

  The present inventors provide a branch piping system in which one supply pipe is provided in each of two storage tanks, each supply pipe is branched immediately upstream of the mixing tank, and two branch pipes are connected to the mixing tank, respectively. The experiment in which two types of liquids were supplied to the mixing tank and mixed was repeated. In this case, a flow meter and a flow control valve are provided in each branch pipe, and the two kinds of liquids are supplied to the mixing tank by controlling the flow control valve by PID control according to a target flow ratio flowing through the branch pipe. It is what I did.

  As a result of repeating the above-described experiment using various liquids, the present inventors have found that a viscous material that does not contain a fibrous material or a solid material as in the case of mixing water or fruit juice with alcohol. When mixing low liquids, they can be mixed at a desired ratio by PID control, but low viscosity liquids such as fruit juice and water and high viscosity liquids including solids such as fruit fibers and pulp Is mixed with solid matter such as fruit fiber or pulp, or vice versa, the clogging may suddenly be eliminated, and flow control becomes difficult. It has been found that a situation occurs in which a highly viscous liquid containing solids such as fibers and pulp cannot be flowed at a desired ratio. In addition, when diverting a highly viscous liquid containing solids such as fruit fibers and pulp as described above through a branch pipe, when the pipe starts flowing in a large quantity, the pipe side where a large quantity of flow has been generated It has been found that there is a tendency to continue to flow with a heavy bias, and that adjustment is difficult with PID control.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and each liquid supply source, such as a plurality of storage tanks, is provided with one liquid supply pipe, and each liquid supply pipe is branched into a plurality of branch lines. A piping system that can be connected to multiple mixing tanks to supply multiple types of liquids to each mixing tank, and has high viscosity including low viscosity liquids such as fruit juice and water and solids such as fruit fibers and pulp It is an object to provide a liquid mixing method and apparatus capable of mixing liquids in a desired ratio.

  In order to achieve the above object, a liquid mixing method of the present invention supplies a plurality of types of liquids to a plurality of mixing tanks from a plurality of liquid supply sources that supply different types of liquids including a first liquid. In the liquid mixing method of mixing these liquids at a desired ratio, the liquid supply pipes respectively connected to the plurality of liquid supply sources are branched into a plurality of parts, and the plurality of branch lines are respectively connected to the plurality of mixing tanks. A plurality of types of liquid consisting of a first liquid and one or more mixing liquids to be mixed with the first liquid can be supplied to the mixing tank, and an integrated flow rate of the first liquid supplied to the mixing tank is measured; From this measurement value, the integrated flow rate of the liquid that needs to be supplied to the mixing tank to obtain the desired ratio is calculated to obtain the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, and the mixing liquid supplied to the mixing tank Measure the integrated flow rate of The shortage amount of the mixing liquid is calculated from this measured value and the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, and the measured value of the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid is compared with the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid. When a shortage occurs, the mixing liquid is supplied to the mixing tank by controlling the valve opening of the flow control valve based on the valve opening of the flow control valve with respect to the mixing liquid shortage obtained in advance. If the measured value of the mixing liquid is greater than the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, the flow control valve is fully closed.

  The liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention supplies a plurality of types of liquid to each of a plurality of mixing tanks from a plurality of liquid supply sources that supply different types of liquid including the first liquid, and these liquids are supplied at a desired ratio. In the liquid mixing apparatus to be mixed, a plurality of liquid supply pipes respectively connected to a plurality of liquid supply sources are branched into a plurality of parts, and a plurality of branch pipes are connected to a plurality of mixing tanks, respectively. The flow rate of the first liquid measured by a flow meter provided in a branch line through which the first liquid can be supplied and a plurality of types of liquids composed of one or more mixing liquids to be mixed with the first liquid. A control device for controlling the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid by controlling the valve opening degree of the flow rate control valve provided in the branch pipe through which the mixing liquid flows, and the control device supplies the mixing tank Of the accumulated flow rate of the first liquid To calculate the integrated flow rate of the liquid that needs to be supplied to the mixing tank in order to obtain the desired ratio, to obtain the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, and to integrate the mixing liquid supplied to the mixing tank The deficiency of the mixing liquid is calculated from the measured value of the flow rate and the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, and the measured value of the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid is smaller than the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid. If a shortage occurs, the opening of the flow control valve is controlled based on the previously determined shortage of the mixing liquid to control the opening of the flow control valve, and the mixing liquid is transferred to the mixing tank. If the measured value of the mixing liquid is greater than the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, the flow control valve is fully closed.

  According to the present invention, the integrated flow rate of the first liquid supplied to the mixing tank is measured, and from this measured value, the first liquid and one or more mixing liquids to be mixed with the first liquid are desired. Calculate the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid by calculating the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid that needs to be supplied to the mixing tank in order to mix to the ratio of The flow control valve is controlled to a valve opening corresponding to the above, and the mixing liquid is supplied to the mixing tank, and then the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid supplied to the mixing tank is measured, and this measured value and the mixing liquid are measured. Calculate the deficiency of the mixing liquid from the theoretically required amount of the liquid, and if there is a deficiency between the measured value of the mixing liquid and the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, obtain it in advance. The flow control valve is opened based on the opening of the flow control valve for the shortage of liquid for mixing. The mixing liquid is supplied to the mixing tank and the flow rate control valve is fully closed if the measured value of the mixing liquid is greater than the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid. is there.

In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the first liquid is made of a low viscosity liquid, and the mixing liquid is made of a high viscosity liquid.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the plurality of liquid supply sources include a plurality of storage tanks storing different types of liquids.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the plurality of mixing tanks include two or three mixing tanks.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a flow meter and an on-off valve are installed in the branch pipe for flowing the first liquid.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the flow rate control valve and a flow meter are installed in the branch pipe for flowing the mixing liquid.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, the liquid supply pipe is branched into a plurality of portions immediately upstream of the plurality of mixing tanks.
In a preferred aspect of the present invention, a pump is provided in the liquid supply pipe, and the rotation speed of the pump is controlled by inverter control.

The present invention has the following effects.
(1) Since the supply amount of the mixing liquid determined by the supply amount of the first liquid is measured every predetermined time to determine the shortage amount, and the shortage amount of this mixing liquid can be compensated, Mixing the first liquid and the mixing liquid in a desired ratio even when mixing the first liquid having a low viscosity and the liquid for mixing containing a solid substance such as fruit fiber or pulp. Can do.
(2) The supply pipes respectively connected to the plurality of liquid supply sources are branched into a plurality immediately upstream of the plurality of mixing tanks, and the plurality of branch pipes are connected to the plurality of mixing tanks, respectively. Since a plurality of types of liquids consisting of one liquid and one or more mixing liquids can be supplied, the required number of liquid supply pipes and liquid feed pumps is the same as the number of the plurality of supply liquids. The cost related to the pump can be reduced, and the piping system is effective when the liquid supply source and the mixing tank are separated from each other.
(3) Since it is not necessary to employ complicated PID control, the control device is simplified and the device cost can be reduced.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a beverage production plant provided with the liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the structure of a beverage production plant provided with the liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention, and an example provided with three mixing tanks. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing another configuration example of a beverage production plant including the liquid mixing device of the present invention, and an example including three liquid supply sources.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a liquid mixing method and apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. 1 to 3, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a beverage production plant provided with the liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention. In the present embodiment, a mixing liquid containing a first liquid such as fruit juice or water as a low-viscosity liquid and a fibrous component or solid as a high-viscosity liquid (hereinafter collectively referred to as a second liquid). ) Will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the beverage manufacturing plant includes a first storage tank T1 and a second storage tank T2 as liquid supply sources. The first liquid is stored in the first storage tank T1, and the second liquid is stored in the second storage tank T2. A liquid supply pipe SP1 is connected to the first storage tank T1, and a liquid supply pipe SP2 is connected to the second storage tank T2. The first storage tank T1 is replenished with a low-viscosity first liquid from the first liquid supply system, and the second storage tank T2 is replenished with a high-viscosity second liquid from the two liquid supply system. .

  A liquid supply valve SV1 and a liquid feed pump P1 are installed in the liquid supply pipe SP1 from the first storage tank side toward the downstream side. The liquid supply pipe SP1 branches to the first branch pipe BP11 and the second branch pipe BP21 at the downstream end, that is, immediately upstream of the mixing tank, and the first liquid is supplied to the first mixing tank MT1 through the first branch pipe BP11. And is supplied to the second mixing tank MT2 via the second branch pipe BP21. The first branch pipe BP11 is provided with a flow meter FM11 and an on-off valve AV1, and the second branch pipe BP21 is provided with a flow meter FM21 and an on-off valve AV2.

  On the other hand, a liquid supply valve SV2 and a liquid feed pump P2 are installed in the liquid supply pipe SP2 from the second storage tank side toward the downstream side. The liquid supply pipe SP2 branches into the first branch pipe BP12 and the second branch pipe BP22 at the downstream end, that is, immediately upstream of the mixing tank, and the second liquid passes through the first branch pipe BP12 and the first mixing tank MT1. And is supplied to the second mixing tank MT2 via the second branch pipe BP22. The first branch pipe BP12 is provided with a flow meter FM12 and a flow control valve CV1, and the second branch pipe BP22 is provided with a flow meter FM22 and a flow control valve CV2. When liquid is fed from the storage tanks T1 and T2 to the two mixing tanks MT1 and MT2, respectively, the number of liquid feed pumps P1 and P2 is controlled by inverter control to control the number of revolutions (rotational speed) and the liquid is fed corresponding to the required flow rate The flow rate of the pumps P1 and P2 is controlled.

  The first mixing tank MT1 and the second mixing tank MT2 are provided with a level meter LM1 for detecting a low liquid level (LL) and a level meter LM2 for detecting a high liquid level (LH). LL) and high liquid level (LH) are detected, and the liquid level in the tank is controlled between the low liquid level and the high liquid level. The first mixing tank MT1 and the second mixing tank MT2 include a stirrer 5 for stirring and mixing the supplied first liquid and second liquid. And the liquid mixture mixed with 1st mixing tank MT1 and 2nd mixing tank MT2 is each supplied to a filling machine (not shown).

The flow meters FM11, FM12, FM21, FM22 measure the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the branch pipes BP11, BP12, BP21, BP22, and are connected to the control device 10. In FIG. 1, lines connecting the flow meter FM21 and the flow meter FM22 and the control device 10 are omitted. As the flow meters FM11 to FM22, various types of flow meters such as an electromagnetic flow meter, an ultrasonic flow meter, a differential pressure flow meter, and a mass flow meter can be used. The flow meters FM11 to FM22 can measure the volume flow rate (m ³ / s, L / s, etc.) or the mass flow rate (kg / s, etc.) by appropriately selecting the flow meter type. The flow control valves CV1 and CV2 are automatic control valves that are operated by air pressure, and are connected to the control device 10. In FIG. 1, a line connecting the flow control valve CV2 and the control device 10 is omitted.
The control device 10 is configured to control the valve opening degrees of the flow control valves CV1, CV2 based on the measured values of the flow meters FM11, FM12, FM21, FM22.

Next, operation | movement of the liquid mixing apparatus in the beverage manufacturing plant shown in FIG. 1 is demonstrated.
The liquid supply valves SV1 and SV2 are opened, the liquid feed pumps P1 and P2 are operated, the on-off valves AV1 and AV2 are opened, and the valve opening degree of the flow rate control valves CV1 and CV2 is controlled, thereby controlling the inside of the first storage tank T1. The first liquid is divided into the first branch pipe BP11 and the second branch pipe BP21 via the liquid supply pipe SP1, and then supplied to the first mixing tank MT1 and the second mixing tank MT2, and the first liquid in the second storage tank T2 is supplied. The two liquids are divided into the first branch pipe BP12 and the second branch pipe BP22 through the liquid supply pipe SP2, and then supplied to the first mixing tank MT1 and the second mixing tank MT2.

  The flow rate of the first liquid supplied to the first mixing tank MT1 is measured by the flow meter FM11, and the flow rate of the first liquid supplied to the second mixing tank MT2 is measured by the flow meter FM21. Since the on-off valves AV1 and AV2 installed in the first branch pipe BP11 and the second branch pipe BP21 have only an opening / closing function and no flow rate control function, the first and second valves BP11 and BP21 that flow through the first branch pipe BP11 and the second branch pipe BP21. The liquid flow rate cannot be controlled. However, the flow rate control valves CV1, CV2 installed in the first branch pipe BP12 and the second branch pipe BP22 can control the flow rate of the second liquid by controlling the valve opening. Therefore, in the first mixing system on the first mixing tank MT1 side, the flow rate of the second liquid is controlled by controlling the valve opening degree of the flow control valve CV1 based on the flow rate of the first liquid measured by the flow meter FM11. Thus, the first liquid and the second liquid can be mixed at a desired ratio. Also, in the second mixing system on the second mixing tank MT2 side, the flow rate of the second liquid is controlled by controlling the valve opening degree of the flow control valve CV2 based on the flow rate of the first liquid measured by the flow meter FM21. Thus, the first liquid and the second liquid can be mixed at a desired ratio.

Next, a control method for mixing the first liquid and the second liquid at a desired ratio will be described. Since the first mixing system on the first mixing tank MT1 side and the second mixing system on the second mixing tank MT2 side are the same control method, only the first mixing system will be described. The control device 10 includes a central processing unit (CPU), performs various numerical calculations, information processing such as storage, and device control by the CPU, and controls the flow rate control valve based on the flow rate of the first liquid measured by the flow meter FM11. By controlling the valve opening degree of CV1 and controlling the flow rate of the second liquid, the first liquid and the second liquid can be mixed at a desired ratio by the method described below.
The first liquid is supplied to the first mixing tank MT1 through the first branch pipe BP11, and the flow meter FM11 supplies the first liquid from the first branch pipe BP11 to the first mixing tank MT1 within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds is defined as one cycle). An integrated flow rate obtained by measuring the flow rate of the first liquid supplied to 1 cycle is stored as a measured value V1 (I) (the unit of the flow rate is liter (L), and is omitted hereinafter).

  On the other hand, the theoretically required flow rate V2 (Q) of the second liquid is calculated by multiplying the measured value V1 (I) of the integrated flow rate of the first liquid by a predetermined mixing ratio (volume%). For example, when the second liquid is mixed while setting a volume ratio of 5% with respect to the first liquid, the theoretical required flow rate V2 (Q) of the second liquid is the integrated flow rate V1 (I) of the first liquid. On the other hand, V2 (Q) = 0.05 × V1 (I) is calculated. The theoretical required amount of the second liquid is calculated to about 4 digits after the decimal point when the unit is, for example, liters.

  The second liquid is supplied to the first mixing tank MT1 simultaneously with the supply of the first liquid. Then, the integrated flow rate of the second liquid supplied from the first branch pipe BP12 to the first mixing tank MT1 within a predetermined time is measured by the flow meter FM12 and stored as V2 (I).

  Next, the integrated flow rate V2 (I) of the second liquid actually introduced into the first mixing tank MT1 from the theoretical required flow rate V2 (Q) (= 0.05 × V1 (I)) of the second liquid is obtained. The subtracted deficiency V2 (Q) −V2 (I) (= 0.05 × V1 (I) −V2 (I)) is calculated for each cycle.

このように、第２液体の理論上の必要流量に対して測定値（実測値）が少なくて不足量が生じた場合には、表１から第２液体の不足量に対応した流量制御弁ＣＶ１の弁開度に制御する。これによって、第１混合タンクＭＴ１には、第１液体の積算流量の測定値に対応した第２液体の必要流量に前記不足量を加味して投入する。次に、制御開始からの第１液体のトータル積算流量を測定し、この測定値をＶ１（Ｉ）として記憶し、前述と同様に第２液体の理論上の必要流量Ｖ２（Ｑ）を求め、かつ制御開始からの第２液体のトータル積算流量Ｖ２（Ｉ）を測定し、再びＶ２（Ｑ）−Ｖ２（Ｉ）（＝０．０５×Ｖ１（Ｉ）−Ｖ２（Ｉ））の計算を行い、不足量を算出する。 The valve opening degree of the flow control valve CV1 corresponding to the calculated shortage amount of the second liquid is obtained in advance as shown in Table 1 below and stored as a table. In Table 1, the valve opening degree of the flow control valve CV1 with respect to the shortage amount (liter) of the second liquid is shown as a percentage (%).

As described above, when the measured value (actually measured value) is small with respect to the theoretical required flow rate of the second liquid and an insufficient amount occurs, the flow control valve CV1 corresponding to the insufficient amount of the second liquid is obtained from Table 1. The valve opening is controlled. As a result, the deficient amount is added to the required flow rate of the second liquid corresponding to the measured value of the integrated flow rate of the first liquid in the first mixing tank MT1. Next, the total integrated flow rate of the first liquid from the start of control is measured, this measured value is stored as V1 (I), and the theoretical required flow rate V2 (Q) of the second liquid is obtained in the same manner as described above. Further, the total integrated flow rate V2 (I) of the second liquid from the start of the control is measured, and V2 (Q) −V2 (I) (= 0.05 × V1 (I) −V2 (I)) is calculated again. Calculate the deficiency.

  Thereafter, the valve opening degree of the flow control valve CV1 corresponding to the shortage amount is obtained from Table 1, and the liquid amount of the second liquid taking into consideration the shortage amount is supplied in the same procedure as the previous procedure. Thereafter, by repeating this procedure, the first liquid and the second liquid can be supplied to the first mixing tank MT1 and mixed at a desired ratio.

On the other hand, if the measured value of the second liquid and the theoretical required amount of the second liquid are equal, or if the measured value of the second liquid is larger than the theoretical required amount of the second liquid, the flow control valve CV1 is fully closed. Only the first liquid is supplied for one cycle of 3 seconds, and the second liquid is not supplied. Then, if the second liquid is insufficient and a shortage occurs during the measurement of the next 3 second cycle or the next 3 second cycle, the flow control valve is opened and the flow control valve CV1 based on Table 1 is opened. To control the valve opening.
Thus, while supplying and mixing the first liquid and the second liquid to the first supply tank MT1, the mixed liquid is continuously supplied from the first supply tank MT1 to the filling machine.

  Conventionally, in a piping system in which one supply pipe is provided for each of two storage tanks, each supply pipe is branched immediately upstream of the mixing tank, and two branch pipes are connected to the mixing tank, respectively. Each flow pipe is provided with a flow meter and a flow control valve, and the flow control valve is controlled by PID control in accordance with a target flow ratio flowing through the branch pipe to supply two kinds of liquids to the mixing tank. However, when mixing a low-viscosity liquid such as fruit juice or water and a high-viscosity liquid containing solids such as fruit fiber or pulp, solids such as fruit fiber or pulp are clogged in one system. In other cases, the clogging may suddenly be eliminated, and the flow rate control becomes difficult, so that a liquid having a high viscosity cannot be flowed at a desired ratio in the PID control. In addition, when a liquid containing solid matter such as fruit fibers and pulp as described above is diverted in a branch line, when a large amount starts flowing in one line, the flow control valve in the other line is fully opened. However, there is a tendency to continue to flow unevenly toward one of the pipes where a large amount of flow has occurred, and adjustment is difficult with PID control.

  The present invention obtains the theoretical required amount of the second liquid based on the measured value obtained by actually supplying the first liquid to the mixing tank within a predetermined time, and the flow rate is set to the valve opening corresponding to the theoretical required amount. After controlling the control valve and supplying the second liquid to the mixing tank for the same time as the predetermined time, the amount of the second liquid actually supplied to the mixing tank is measured, and this measured value and the theoretical necessity are measured. The shortage amount of the second liquid is calculated from the amount, and the flow rate control valve is controlled to a valve opening degree corresponding to the shortage amount of the second liquid so as to supply the second liquid to the mixing tank. .

  According to the present invention, since the shortage of the second liquid can be compensated in the next cycle, the first liquid having a low viscosity such as fruit juice or water and the high viscosity containing solid matter such as fruit fiber or pulp are included. Even when the second liquid is mixed, it can be mixed at a desired ratio.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing another configuration example of a beverage production plant provided with the liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention. In the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the number of mixing tanks increases by one as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, there are three, the liquid supply pipe branches into three, and there are three branch pipes. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the liquid supply pipe SP1 is branched into the first branch pipe BP11, the second branch pipe BP21, and the third branch pipe BP31 at the downstream end, that is, immediately upstream of the mixing tank. The liquid is supplied to the first mixing tank MT1 through the first branch pipe BP11, is supplied to the second mixing tank MT2 through the second branch pipe BP21, and is supplied to the third mixing tank MT3 through the third branch pipe BP31. To be supplied. The first branch pipe BP11 is provided with a flow meter FM11 and an on-off valve AV1, the second branch pipe BP21 is provided with a flow meter FM21 and an on-off valve AV2, and the third branch pipe BP31 is provided with a flow meter FM31. And an on-off valve AV3.

  The liquid supply pipe SP2 branches into the first branch pipe BP12, the second branch pipe BP22, and the third branch pipe BP32 at the downstream end, that is, immediately upstream of the mixing tank, and the second liquid passes through the first branch pipe BP12. To the first mixing tank MT1, to the second mixing tank MT2 via the second branch pipe BP22, and to the third mixing tank MT3 via the third branch pipe BP32. . The first branch pipe BP12 is provided with a flow meter FM12 and a flow control valve CV1, the second branch pipe BP22 is provided with a flow meter FM22 and a flow control valve CV2, and the third branch pipe BP32 is provided with a flow rate. A meter FM32 and a flow control valve CV3 are installed.

The operation of the liquid mixing apparatus in the beverage production plant shown in FIG. 2 is the same as the operation in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing another configuration example of a beverage production plant provided with the liquid mixing apparatus of the present invention. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the second liquid supply system is increased by one as compared with the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and there is a second liquid A supply system and a second liquid B supply system. That is, it has three liquid supply sources. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a total of three types of liquids, ie, a first liquid and two types of second liquids (second liquid A and second liquid B), are mixed in each mixing tank MT1, MT2 at a desired mixing ratio. Can be mixed. In this case, based on the first liquid, the second liquid A is mixed at a predetermined ratio, and the second liquid B is mixed at a predetermined ratio. For example, the second liquid A is mixed at a ratio of 5% and the second liquid B is mixed at a ratio of 3% with respect to the first liquid.
The operation of the liquid mixing apparatus in the beverage production plant shown in FIG. 3 is the same as the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG. That is, the supply method, flow rate measurement, theoretical flow rate value calculation, deficient amount calculation, required amount calculation, liquid mixing, and the like in the embodiment of FIG. 1 are the same as the “second liquid A” in the embodiment of FIG. And second liquid B ”supply method, flow rate measurement, theoretical flow rate value calculation, deficient amount calculation, required amount calculation, liquid mixing, and the like. Therefore, the second liquid A is controlled to be mixed in a desired required amount with the first liquid as a reference, and the second liquid B is controlled to be mixed in a desired required amount.
1 and 3 show a case where two mixing tanks are used, and FIG. 2 shows a case where three mixing tanks are used, but four or more mixing tanks may be used. In that case, the supply pipes are branched into a plurality of pipes according to the number of the mixing tanks immediately upstream of each mixing tank, and a plurality of branch pipes are connected to each mixing tank.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described so far, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention may be implemented in various different forms within the scope of the technical idea.

5 Stirrer 10 Controller AV1, AV2, AV3 On-off valve BP11, BP12, BP21, BP22, BP31, BP32, BP12A, BP22A, BP12B, BP22B Branch pipe CV1, CV2, CV3, CV1A, CV2A, CV1B, CV1F, valve control , FM12, FM21, FM22, FM31, FM32, FM12A, FM22A, FM12B, FM22B Flow meter LM1, LM2 Level meter MT1, MT2, MT3 Mixing tank P1, P2, P2A, P2B Feed pump SP1, SP2, SP2A, SP2B Liquid piping SV1, SV2, SV2A, SV2B Liquid supply valve T1, T2, T2A, T2B Storage tank

Claims (14)

In a liquid mixing method of supplying a plurality of types of liquids to a plurality of mixing tanks from a plurality of liquid supply sources that supply different types of liquids including a first liquid, and mixing these liquids in a desired ratio,
A liquid supply pipe connected to each of a plurality of liquid supply sources is branched into a plurality of parts, and a plurality of branch pipes are connected to a plurality of mixing tanks, respectively, so that the first liquid and the first liquid are mixed in each mixing tank. Alternatively, it is possible to supply a plurality of types of liquids composed of two or more mixing liquids,
The integrated flow rate of the first liquid supplied to the mixing tank is measured, and the integrated flow rate of the liquid that needs to be supplied to the mixing tank in order to obtain the desired ratio is calculated from this measured value to calculate the mixing liquid theory. Find the required amount above,
Measure the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid supplied to the mixing tank, calculate the shortage amount of the mixing liquid from this measured value and the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid,
When the measured value of the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid is insufficient with respect to the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, the valve of the flow control valve for the previously determined insufficient amount of mixing liquid If the measured value of the mixing liquid is greater than the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, the flow rate is controlled by controlling the valve opening of the flow control valve based on the opening and supplying the mixing liquid to the mixing tank. A liquid mixing method, wherein the control valve is fully closed.   The liquid mixing method according to claim 1, wherein the first liquid is made of a liquid having low viscosity, and the liquid for mixing is made of liquid having high viscosity.   The liquid mixing method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of liquid supply sources include a plurality of storage tanks that store different types of liquids.   The liquid mixing method according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of mixing tanks include two or three mixing tanks.   The liquid mixing method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a flow meter and an on-off valve are installed in the branch pipe for flowing the first liquid.   5. The liquid mixing method according to claim 1, wherein the flow rate control valve and a flow meter are installed in a branch pipe for flowing the mixing liquid.   The liquid mixing method according to claim 1, wherein the liquid supply pipe is branched into a plurality of portions immediately upstream of the plurality of mixing tanks.   The liquid mixing method according to claim 1, wherein a pump is provided in the liquid supply pipe, and the rotation speed of the pump is controlled by inverter control. In a liquid mixing apparatus that supplies a plurality of types of liquid to each of a plurality of mixing tanks from a plurality of liquid supply sources that supply different types of liquid including the first liquid, and mixes these liquids in a desired ratio.
A plurality of liquid supply pipes respectively connected to a plurality of liquid supply sources should be branched into a plurality of parts, a plurality of branch pipes should be connected to a plurality of mixing tanks, respectively, and the first liquid and the first liquid should be mixed in each mixing tank It is possible to supply a plurality of types of liquids composed of one or more mixing liquids,
Based on the integrated flow rate of the first liquid measured by the flow meter provided in the branch line through which the first liquid flows, the valve opening degree of the flow control valve provided in the branch line through which the mixing liquid flows is controlled. A control device for controlling the flow rate of the liquid for mixing,
The controller is
Calculate the integrated flow rate of the liquid that needs to be supplied to the mixing tank in order to obtain the desired ratio from the measured value of the integrated flow rate of the first liquid supplied to the mixing tank, and the theoretical necessity of the mixing liquid Find the quantity
Calculate the shortage amount of the mixing liquid from the measured value of the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid supplied to the mixing tank and the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid,
When the measured value of the integrated flow rate of the mixing liquid is insufficient with respect to the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, the valve opening degree of the flow control valve for the insufficient amount of the mixing liquid obtained in advance is set. Based on this, the opening degree of the flow control valve is controlled to supply the mixing liquid to the mixing tank, and if the measured value of the mixing liquid is greater than the theoretical required amount of the mixing liquid, the flow control valve is A liquid mixing apparatus characterized by being fully closed.   The liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the first liquid is made of a liquid having a low viscosity, and the liquid for mixing is made of a liquid having a high viscosity.   The liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the plurality of liquid supply sources include a plurality of storage tanks storing different types of liquids.   The liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of mixing tanks include two or three mixing tanks.   13. The liquid mixing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the liquid supply pipe is branched into a plurality of portions immediately upstream of the plurality of mixing tanks.   The liquid mixing apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein a pump is provided in the liquid supply pipe, and the rotation speed of the pump is controlled by inverter control.

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