JP2017077554A - Transfer method of minute substance, transfer device for minute substance, dissolution method of minute substance and dissolution method of minute substance - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a transfer method of a minute substance capable of stably supplying the minute substance into a liquid with less in risk of back flow.SOLUTION: There is provided a transfer method of a minute substance for transferring the minute substance 16 into a tank 1 by using pressure difference in and out of the tank 1, which includes a process tip immersion process for immersing a tip opening 9B arranged at a tip of a minute substance induction part 9 extending in and out of the tank 1 and opening vertical lower or vertical oblique lower in the tank 1 into a liquid 15 stored in the tank 1, a gas release process for introducing gas in the minute substance induction part 9 and releasing the gas from the tip opening 9B and a minute substance transfer process for transferring the minute substance 16 into the liquid 15 in the tank 1 via the minute substance induction part 9 and the tip opening 9B during duration of the gas release process.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fine material transfer method, a fine material transfer device, a fine material dissolution method, and a fine material dissolution device that are suitably used in all industrial fields including the food industry and the pharmaceutical industry.

  In the food industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and other industrial fields, the stable supply of fine substances into a liquid held in a tank is an extremely important process for stabilizing the manufacturing process and product quality. Conventionally, a method of supplying fine substances such as powder by hand from the upper part of the tank is often employed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). However, in this method, problems such as scattering of fine objects during supply to the surrounding environment and generation of bubbles during stirring occur, and automation of supply is difficult.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in order to prevent scattering of fine objects and to automate supply, a technique for reducing the pressure in a tank and supplying the fine objects into a liquid in the tank using the reduced pressure has been developed and widely used.
Specifically, a fine material supply pipe is connected to the bottom of the tank, a backflow prevention valve is installed near the connection point between the supply pipe and the tank bottom, and a supply hopper into which the fine material is charged is connected to the supply pipe. Then, an appropriate amount of liquid is stored in the tank, and the head space on the liquid surface generated in the upper part of the tank at this time is decompressed by a vacuum pump or the like. When the backflow prevention valve is opened after throwing the fine material into the supply hopper, the fine material is sucked by the negative pressure of the head space in the tank and is supplied into the liquid from the bottom of the tank.
The reason why the fine object is supplied not in the head space but in the liquid is to prevent the supplied fine object from being sucked from the head space by the vacuum pump.

  According to such a technique, it becomes easy to automate the supply of fine objects, and the problem of scattering of fine objects can be avoided. Moreover, since the inside of a tank is pressure-reduced, generation | occurrence | production of the bubble at the time of stirring can be suppressed. Furthermore, if a fine object is sucked under reduced pressure from a remote place by this technique, it can be supplied from a dedicated room in which the fine object is isolated.

  By the way, in a commercially available vacuum suction type powder melting apparatus or the like that employs the above-described technology, the suction guide tube for fine objects is installed at the bottom of the tank so that the suction guide tube and the bottom of the tank are joined. A so-called fine upward guidance method that prevents backflow to the suction guide pipe by installing a backflow prevention valve in the vicinity is widely used.

  If the suction guide tube is installed downward, the tip of the suction guide tube is immersed in the liquid in the tank, so that the inner surface of the suction guide tube may get wet, and fine objects may adhere to and accumulate on the inner surface of the suction guide tube. For this reason, not only the powder dissolving apparatus but also the stirring apparatus, the mixing apparatus, the emulsifying apparatus, etc., the upward guidance method for fine objects is used.

JP-A-5-305224

However, there are many problems with the upward guidance method for fine objects.
First, there is a problem that the liquid flows backward to the suction guide tube when the fine object is sucked. When the suction speed of fine objects is stable and the negative pressure in the tank (suction pressure) is stable, backflow hardly occurs. However, for example, when the fine material is powder, the flow of the powder is likely to fluctuate due to friction, bridge formation, and the like, and the suction speed is difficult to stabilize. For this reason, when the flow rate of the powder to be transferred rapidly increases, the negative pressure in the tank may decrease and the suction force may be greatly reduced, and at this time, a backflow occurs.

The backflow prevention valve is designed to automatically close when the negative pressure in the tank becomes smaller than a certain value in order to prevent backflow of the liquid in the tank.
However, the control for closing the backflow prevention valve requires high speed, and the setting of the negative pressure threshold value in the tank depends on the properties of the powder, so that its design is difficult. Further, trouble may occur during the production of the solution due to the backflow prevention valve. For example, the backflow prevention valve is generally composed of a butterfly valve or the like, but the butterfly valve frequently operates, so that the packing is worn out and leakage and oozing are likely to occur.

  Further, in the upward guidance method, since the suction guide pipe is connected to the bottom of the tank, the pressure due to the weight of the liquid is always applied to the outlet of the suction guide pipe. As a result, the liquid easily flows back to the suction guide tube.

  Once the liquid flows back to the suction guide tube, if the fine material is powder, the powder may adhere to the inner surface of the suction guide tube or partially swell to form lumps. Block. In order to recover this, it is necessary to stop the production, clean the suction guide tube, and dry its inner surface. For this reason, recovery takes a very long time, which is a great manufacturing risk.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a fine material transfer method, a fine material transfer device, a fine material dissolution method, and a fine material dissolution device that can reduce the risk of backflow of liquid and can stably supply fine materials into the liquid. It is to provide.

  The fine material transfer method of the present invention is a fine material transfer method for transferring a fine material into the tank using a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tank, and is provided at the tip of a fine material guiding portion extending in and out of the tank. A tip opening step for immersing a tip opening provided vertically downward or obliquely downward in the tank into a liquid stored in the tank; and introducing gas into the fine material guiding portion; A gas discharge step for discharging from the front end opening, and a fine object transfer step for transferring the fine object into the liquid in the tank through the fine object guide and the front end opening during the gas release step. , Including.

  In addition, the liquid in this invention means all the fluids from the low viscosity fluid like water to the high viscosity fluid whose apparent viscosity is about 1000 Pa.s. Further, the fine substance in the present invention refers to all dry substances that can be sucked by vacuum, such as dried powder, small solids, and fiber-like substances.

  In the present invention, in order to suppress the back flow of the liquid, first, a method of introducing the fine object downward by the fine object guiding portion, that is, a downward guiding method is adopted. That is, in the present invention, a tip immersion step is performed in which the tip opening of the fine material guiding portion that opens vertically or obliquely downward in the tank is immersed in the liquid stored in the tank. Thereby, the backflow by the pressure of the liquid weight in a tank can be prevented. In addition, there is no need to provide a backflow prevention valve at the joint between the fine material guiding part and the tank, and there is no need to control the opening and closing of the backflow prevention valve due to fluctuations in the tank pressure. There is no occurrence.

  Here, the present inventors conducted an experimental analysis on the mechanism by which wetting occurs on the inner surface of the fine object guiding portion adopting the downward guiding method. As a result, when the inner surface of the fine object guiding part gets wet, the liquid flows backward from the tip opening in the liquid, the liquid surface formed inside the fine object guiding part has up and down shaking, and the fine object guiding It has been discovered that the pressure difference between the liquid level formed on the inside of the tank and the liquid level in the tank causes the phenomenon of the liquid level being pushed into the fine material guiding section.

Therefore, in the present invention, in order to keep the internal pressure stronger than the indentation pressure in the fine object guiding part, gas is introduced from the outside into the fine object guiding part. That is, in the present invention, a gas releasing step is performed in which a gas is introduced into the fine material guiding portion by the gas introducing portion and the gas is discharged from the tip supply port. Thereby, gas is always filled in the fine substance guidance | induction part, and the transfer path inner surface can be hold | maintained in the dry state.
In practice, it is sufficient that the gas flow rate is such that bubbles are always opened into the liquid from the opening at the front end of the fine material guiding portion when no fine material is supplied. However, if the gas flow rate is too low, there is a risk of backflow, and if it is too high, there is a risk that the negative pressure in the tank will be reduced. Therefore, it is important to stabilize the flow rate.

  Moreover, in this invention, a fine substance transfer process is performed during the continuation of a gas discharge | release process. As a result, not only the gas is discharged from the supply port, but also the fine objects sucked by the negative pressure in the tank are discharged, so that the liquid backflow is less likely to occur. Therefore, it is possible to completely prevent wetting of the inner surface of the fine object guiding portion and the back flow of the liquid regardless of fluctuations in the flow rate of the fine object.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for transferring a fine material that has a low risk of backflow and stably supplies the fine material into the liquid.

  In addition, the gas discharge | release process of this invention cannot be used for the conventional upward guidance method. If a gas is introduced into a suction guide tube that performs the conventional upward guide method, the gas and the liquid are replaced in the vicinity of the joint portion between the suction guide tube and the tank, and as a result, the liquid flows backward. That is, the gas release process of the present invention is effective only for the downward guidance method of the present invention.

In the method for transferring fine objects of the present invention, the tip immersion step may be performed by storing the liquid in the tank during the continuation of the gas release step.
In the method for transferring a fine object according to the present invention, the tip immersion process may be performed by installing the fine object guiding part in the tank in which the liquid is stored during the continuation of the gas discharge process.

In the fine material transfer method of the present invention, it is preferable that a first introduction port for introducing the fine material into the fine material guide section and a second introduction port for introducing the gas into the transfer path are different.
In the fine material transfer method of the present invention, the gas is preferably pressurized or compressed air or nitrogen.

The fine substance transfer device according to the present invention is a fine substance transfer device for transferring a fine substance from the outside of the tank into the tank by utilizing a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tank, and a flow path extending in and out of the tank. And a gas introduction part that introduces gas into the fine object guide part, and the fine object guide part opens vertically downward or obliquely downward in the tank. It has an opening.
According to such a transfer device for fine objects, the same effects as described above can be obtained.

  In the fine material transfer apparatus according to the present invention, the fine material guide section includes a first introduction port through which the fine material is introduced, and a second introduction port through which the gas is introduced from the gas introduction portion into the transfer path. Are preferably provided.

In the fine material transfer device of the present invention, the fine material guiding portion may penetrate the upper portion, the peripheral wall, or the bottom portion of the tank.
Alternatively, in the fine material transfer device of the present invention, the fine material guiding portion has a tip portion extending vertically downward or obliquely downward in the tank, and the tip opening is formed at the tip portion. It may be provided.

  In the fine material transfer device of the present invention, the gas is preferably pressurized or compressed air or nitrogen.

The fine substance dissolving method of the present invention is characterized in that the fine substance transferred by any of the fine substance transfer methods described above is stirred together with the liquid and dissolved in the liquid.
According to such a method for dissolving a fine product, a solution for dissolving the fine product can be stably produced.

The apparatus for dissolving fine objects according to the present invention includes a tank in which liquid is stored, a liquid supply unit that supplies the liquid into the tank, a decompression unit that depressurizes the tank, and any one of the fine units described above. An apparatus for transferring an object, and an agitation unit for agitating the transferred fine object together with the liquid.
According to such a device for dissolving fine objects, a solution for dissolving fine objects can be stably produced as described above.

1 is an overall view schematically showing a fine object melting apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is the whole figure which shows typically the melt | dissolution apparatus of the fine material which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a general view which shows typically the melting | dissolving apparatus of the fine material which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A)-(C) are the schematic diagrams which show the modification of a fine material induction | guidance | derivation part. (A)-(C) are the schematic diagrams which show the modification of a fine material induction | guidance | derivation part. (A)-(C) are the schematic diagrams which show the modification of a fine material induction | guidance | derivation part. (A)-(C) are schematic diagrams which show the modification of a fine material discharge part. (A)-(D) are schematic diagrams which show the modification of a fine material discharge part. (A)-(B) are schematic diagrams which show the modification of a fine material discharge part.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 1, a dissolution apparatus 101 according to this embodiment includes a sealed tank 1 in which a liquid 15 is stored, a liquid supply unit 25 that supplies the liquid into the tank 1, and a decompression unit 26 that decompresses the inside of the tank 1. And a transfer device 27 that transfers the fine material 16 such as powder into the tank 1 and a stirring unit 28 that stirs the transferred fine material 16 together with the liquid 15.
The fine material 16 is a powder, a small solid, or a fiber.

  The tank 1 is made of metal, plastic, or the like, and has a strength that can withstand pressure reduction in the tank 1. The degree of pressure reduction depends on the manufacturing conditions such as the supply speed of the fine object 16, the viscosity of the liquid 15, or the mixing ratio of the fine object 16 with respect to the liquid 15, and the fine object 16 such as the specific gravity and adhesion of the fine object 16 Depends on the physical characteristics of For example, the tank 1 preferably has a pressure resistance of about 50 kPa in terms of absolute pressure, and more preferably has a strength that can withstand absolute vacuum.

  The tank 1 has an upper portion 112, a peripheral wall 113, and a bottom portion 114. A discharge pipe 2 and a discharge valve 3 for discharging the mix (a solution obtained by dissolving the fine substance 16 in the liquid 15) are installed at the bottom 114 of the tank 1.

The liquid supply unit 25 includes a liquid supply source 24, a liquid valve 23, and a liquid flow rate adjustment unit 22. The liquid 15 supplied from the liquid supply source 24 passes through the liquid valve 23 and is supplied to the tank 1 via the liquid flow rate adjusting unit 22.
The liquid 15 is generally water, but is not limited thereto. The liquid is heated and supplied if necessary.
When the liquid 15 is supplied into the tank 1, the gas and the liquid 15 exist separately in the tank 1, and a liquid level is formed at this boundary. A space existing above the liquid level is referred to as a head space H.

The decompression unit 26 is installed in front of the vacuum pump 14 that decompresses the tank 1, the pressure adjustment unit 11 that regulates the internal pressure of the tank 1, the pressure gauge 10 that measures the internal pressure of the tank 1, and the vacuum pump 14. And a buffer tank 12 that suppresses fluctuations in the internal pressure of the tank 1 and protects the vacuum pump 14.
The decompression unit 26 is connected to the upper portion 112 of the tank 1 and decompresses the inside of the tank 1 by sucking the gas in the head space H.
It is desirable to increase the capacity of the buffer tank 12 as much as possible. Thereby, the flow volume fluctuation | variation of the fine substance 16 caused by the fluctuation | variation of the internal pressure of the tank 1 can be relieved. The liquid (drain) separated in the buffer tank 12 is discharged by opening the drain valve 13.

  The stirring unit 28 includes a stirring power unit 4 installed in the upper part 112 of the tank 1 and a stirring blade 5 connected to the stirring power unit 4.

  The transfer device 27 includes a fine material supply hopper 6, a fine material flow rate adjusting unit 7, a fine material valve 8, a fine material guiding unit 9, and a gas introducing unit 20.

The fine object supply hopper 6 accommodates a fine object 16 inside, and a fine substance flow rate adjusting unit 7 is connected to the bottom thereof.
The fine substance flow rate adjusting unit 7 can use a reducer, an orifice, or the like whose diameter is adjusted as a simple one. Moreover, as what uses motive power, a commercially available auger screw, a rotary type | mold fixed supply apparatus, etc. can be utilized.
A fine object valve 8 for starting or stopping the supply of the fine object 16 is provided below the fine object flow rate adjusting unit 7.

  The fine object guiding portion 9 is, for example, a pipe, and constitutes a flow path that extends in and out of the tank 1 and guides the fine object 16 from the outside to the inside of the tank 1. The fine object guiding portion 9 has a first introduction port 9 </ b> C provided on one end side outside the tank 1. The first introduction port 9 </ b> C is connected to the fine object valve 8. Further, the fine object guiding part 9 has a fine object discharging part 21 provided on the other end side inside the tank 1. The fine object discharge unit 21 is a nozzle, for example, and has a tip opening 9 </ b> B that is open in the tank 1. The tip opening 9 </ b> B is immersed in the liquid 15 in the tank 1.

  Further, the flow path main body of the fine material guiding portion 9 passes through the upper portion 112 of the tank 1. A portion of the fine material guiding portion 9 that extends inside the tank 1 is referred to as a transfer path 9A. In the first embodiment, the transfer path 9 </ b> A is arranged linearly along the vertical direction (gravity direction) of the tank 1. The tip opening 9B opens vertically downward.

  The gas introduction unit 20 includes a gas supply source 17, a gas introduction channel 29, a gas flow rate adjustment unit 18 provided in the middle of the gas introduction channel 29, and a gas valve 19. One end of the gas introduction flow path 29 is connected to the gas supply source 17, and the other end of the gas introduction flow path 29 is connected to a second introduction port 9 </ b> D provided in the fine material guiding section 9.

In the fine material guiding portion 9, the position where the second introduction port 9D is provided is downstream of the first introduction port 9C, and in the present embodiment, is near the upstream end of the transfer path 9A.
The gas introduction flow path 29 is disposed along the extending direction of the nearest portion extending from the second introduction port 9D of the fine object guiding portion 9 toward the tip opening 9B, for example.

  Air can be used as the gas supplied from the gas supply source 17, but nitrogen gas or the like can be used when it is desired to prevent oxidation of the fine objects 16 and the liquid 15. As a supply method, a gas pressurized by a compression cylinder, a compressor or a blower can be used. Note that the above-described gas supply method is not limited as long as the condition that a gas having a constant flow rate is introduced into the fine material guiding portion 9 is satisfied regardless of the presence or absence of the fine material 16 in the fine material guiding portion 9.

  In the transfer device 27 described above, the fine material 16 supplied from the fine material supply hopper 6 is introduced into the fine material guiding unit 9 via the fine material flow rate adjusting unit 7 and the fine material valve 8. The fine object guide 9 guides the fine object 16 into the tank 1 and supplies the fine object 16 into the liquid 15 in the tank 1 through the tip opening 9B. The driving force for transferring the fine object in the transfer device 27 is a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the tank 1 generated by the decompression unit 26.

  Further, the gas supplied from the gas supply source 17 is adjusted to a constant flow rate by the gas flow rate adjusting unit 18, and is supplied to the second introduction port 9 </ b> D of the fine material guiding unit 9 through the gas valve 19. The gas supplied to the fine material guiding portion 9 is alone or mixed with the fine material 16 and is discharged into the liquid 15 in the tank 1 through the tip opening 9B.

The gas flow rate depends on the manufacturing conditions such as the supply speed of the fine object 16 and the viscosity of the liquid 15, the physical characteristics of the fine object 16 such as the specific gravity and adhesion of the fine object 16, It depends on many factors such as the diameter and shape of the transfer path 9A or the pressure applied to the transfer path 9A. In this embodiment, at least when the inside of the tank 1 is depressurized based on the dissolution condition, and when the fine object 16 is not supplied, the lowest reduced flow rate at which a certain amount of bubbles are continuously discharged from the tip opening 9B. If there is a degree.
Moreover, when the viscosity of the liquid 15 is high, or when the pressure applied to the transfer path 9A is high, it is preferable to increase the gas flow rate, but it is desirable to set it so that the degree of decompression in the tank 1 does not decrease.

  The transfer method and dissolution method in the dissolution apparatus 101 of the first embodiment will be described below. The melting apparatus 101 of this embodiment is operated by batch operation or continuous operation.

The case where the melting apparatus 101 is batch-operated will be described.
(1) Gas is continuously introduced from the gas introduction part 20 into the fine substance guiding part 9 at a constant flow rate and continuously discharged from the tip opening 9B (gas release process).
(2) A constant volume of liquid 15 is allowed to flow into the tank 1 from the liquid supply unit 25, and the liquid 15 is stored in the tank 1, thereby immersing the tip opening 9B into the liquid 15 (tip immersing step). .
(3) The stirring blade 5 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed.
(4) The inside of the tank 1 is reduced to a predetermined pressure by the vacuum pump 14.
(5) The fine object valve 8 is opened to transfer a certain amount of the fine object 16 into the tank 1 (fine object transfer step).
(6) When the agitation is completed, the discharge valve 3 is opened, and all the mix in which the liquid 15 and the fine material 16 are agitated and mixed is discharged to the outside.
The first batch operation is completed by the above steps (1) to (6).

  In addition, it is preferable to continue the gas discharge | release of a process (1) until it completes from a process (2) to a process (5), and also after a process (6). In step (6), it is preferable to stop the stirring blade 5 and stop the vacuum pump 14 to release the reduced pressure in the tank 1. Further, the order of steps (2) to (4) can be arbitrarily changed if necessary. Step (1) and step (2) are preferably performed in this order in order to more completely prevent wetting of the transfer path 9A.

  When the first batch operation is completed, the next batch is processed by the same process. At this time, it is desirable that the gas release in the step (1) is continuously performed during the batch operation in order to prevent the inner surface of the fine material guiding portion 9 from getting wet.

A case where the melting apparatus 101 is continuously operated will be described.
(1) The gas is continuously introduced from the gas introduction part 20 into the fine substance guiding part 9 at a constant flow rate and started to be released from the tip opening 9B (gas release process).
(2) The liquid 15 starts to flow from the liquid supply unit 25 into the tank 1 at a constant flow rate. By storing the liquid 15 in the tank 1, the tip opening 9B is immersed in the liquid 15 (tip immersion step).
(3) The stirring blade 5 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed.
(4) The inside of the tank 1 is reduced to a predetermined pressure by the vacuum pump 14.
(5) The fine object valve 8 is opened and the transfer of the fine object 16 is started at a constant flow rate (fine object transfer step).
(6) The discharge valve 3 is opened, and the mix in which the liquid 15 and the fine material 16 are stirred and mixed is discharged to the outside so that the liquid level in the tank 1 is maintained at a constant height.
The continuous operation of the melting apparatus 101 is performed by the above steps (1) to (6).

  As in the case of the batch operation described above, the gas release in the step (1) is continued from the step (2) to the step (5) and is further continued after the step (6). Is preferred. Further, the order of steps (2) to (4) can be arbitrarily changed if necessary. Step (1) and step (2) are preferably performed in this order in order to more completely prevent wetting of the transfer path 9A.

  According to the first embodiment described above, the inside of the fine material guiding portion 9 is always filled with the gas supplied from the gas introducing portion 20 or the mixture of the gas and the fine material 16. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the liquid 15 from flowing backward from the tip opening 9 </ b> B to the fine object guiding portion 9. Therefore, the fine material 16 can be supplied stably and hygienically.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The melting device 102 of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the transfer device 27 adopts a configuration suitable for transferring the fine objects 16 from a distance, and the other configuration is the first embodiment. It is the same. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  When transferring the fine object 16 from a distance, the fine object 16 is difficult to flow due to the frictional resistance between the fine object 16 and the fine object guide 9, and the fine object guide 9 may be blocked. In order to improve this, it is conceivable to increase the degree of decompression of the tank 1, but when the liquid 15 in the tank 1 is heated, boiling due to decompression or cavitation occurs in the rotating stirring blade 5. It becomes easy. In the case of continuous operation, the discharge amount from the tank 1 to the outside decreases.

Therefore, the second embodiment is configured to supply a gas at a constant flow rate from the vicinity of the fine object supply hopper 6 located far away.
Specifically, the second introduction port 9D for gas introduction is provided on the downstream side of the first introduction port 9C and at a position close to the first introduction port 9C. Further, the gas introduction channel 29 is arranged along the extending direction of the portion extending linearly from the second introduction port 9 </ b> D of the fine object guiding portion 9 to the vicinity of the tank 1.

  According to this configuration, the fine material 16 and the gas are appropriately mixed and easily flow in the fine material guiding portion 9, and the flow velocity is not easily lowered or blocked. Even if the blockage occurs, the blockage can be resolved by closing the fine valve 8 and then adjusting the gas flow rate adjusting unit 18 to temporarily increase the gas flow rate. After the blockage is eliminated, the gas flow rate can be adjusted again to the original state to return to stable operation.

  Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the effects of the first embodiment can be achieved, and the fine object 16 can be stably supplied from a distance to the decompressed tank 1.

[Third Embodiment]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The melting apparatus 103 of the third embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment in that it includes a stirring unit 31 installed at the bottom 114 of the tank 1 instead of the stirring unit 28 installed at the upper part 112 of the tank 1. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  The stirring unit 31 includes an impeller 32, a stator 33, and a motor 34. The stator 33 is an annular member disposed in the tank 1 and accommodates the impeller 32 inside. The stator 33 is provided with a plurality of holes through which the liquid 15 can flow. The impeller 32 has a shaft 35 connected to the motor 34 and a plurality of blades 36 provided on the shaft 35. There is a gap between the blades 36 of the impeller 32 and the stator 33, and the impeller 32 rotates by driving the motor 34.

  According to such a structure, there exists an effect similar to 1st Embodiment. Moreover, the fine substance 16 can be melt | dissolved more suitably by combining with the modification mentioned later.

[Modification]
It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and changes in the procedure and changes in the number, shape, and type of parts within the scope that can achieve the object of the present invention are included in the present invention.

(Modification example of the micro object guide)
In each above-mentioned embodiment, fine object guidance part 9 can be constituted as shown in Drawings 4-6. In addition, in FIGS. 4-6, the tank 1 and the fine material guidance | induction part 9 are shown typically, and illustration of other elements is abbreviate | omitted.

  4A to 4C show an example in which the fine object guiding portion 9 penetrates the peripheral wall 113 of the tank 1. In each modification, the transfer path 9A has a curved portion 9A1 that changes the extending direction in a plane parallel to the direction of gravity, and a tip portion 9A2 that extends vertically downward or obliquely vertically downward.

  5A to 5C show an example in which the fine object guiding portion 9 extending from the lower side of the tank 1 passes through the peripheral wall 113 or the bottom portion 114 of the tank 1. In each modification, the transfer path 9A has a curved portion 9A1 that changes the extending direction in a plane parallel to the direction of gravity, and a tip portion 9A2 that extends vertically downward or obliquely vertically downward.

  According to the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, when the installation height of the fine object supply hopper 6 is close to the bottom 114 of the tank 1, the length of the fine object guide 9 can be shortened, and the fine object 16 The resistance at the time of transfer can be reduced. Moreover, it becomes easy to arrange | position the front-end | tip opening 9B near the stirring part 28 in 1st and 2nd embodiment, the stirring part 31 of 3rd Embodiment, etc. FIG. Thereby, since the fine substance 16 supplied in the liquid 15 is stirred immediately, melt | dissolution can be speeded up.

  In each modification shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, one end of the fine object guiding portion 9 may not be connected to the fine object supply hopper 6. For example, the fine object guiding unit 9 may be connected to another storage container that stores the fine object 16. Moreover, you may implement | achieve the suction nozzle which can be moved up and down and right and left manually by connecting the fine substance guidance | induction part 9 and the bendable hose. In these cases, a conveyance device such as a pump may be provided in the fine object guiding unit 9, and the conveyance device may assist the transfer of the fine material 16.

  6A to 6C show an example in which the curved portion 9A1 of the transfer path 9A is greatly curved in a plane parallel to the direction of gravity. Specifically, the curved portion 9A1 rotates once in FIG. 6 (A), is meandering in an S shape in FIG. 6 (B), and descends in a spiral shape in FIG. 6 (C). Note that the tip end portion 9A2 of the transfer path 9A extends vertically downward.

  According to such a configuration, since a part of the curved portion 9A1 of the transfer path 9A functions as a gas reservoir, the internal pressure of the gas can be increased inside the transfer path 9A. Thereby, the backflow prevention effect of the liquid 15 can be further enhanced, which is suitable when the viscosity of the liquid 15 is high. In particular, in FIG. 6C, since centrifugal force is applied to the transferred fine object 16, the effect of preventing the backflow of the liquid 15 can be further enhanced.

(Modification of the fine material discharge unit 21)
In each above-mentioned embodiment, fine object discharge part 21 can be constituted as shown in Drawings 7-9. In addition, in FIGS. 7-9, the fine substance discharge part 21 is shown typically.

  FIG. 7A to FIG. 7C show examples of the channel width of the fine object discharge unit 21. Specifically, the flow path width in the fine substance discharger 21 is constant in FIG. 7A, narrows toward the tip in FIG. 7B, and toward the tip in FIG. 7C. Spreading.

  8A to 8D show examples of the configuration of the fine object discharge unit 21 and the direction of the tip opening 9B. Specifically, in FIG. 8A, the fine object discharge portion 21 is disposed obliquely with respect to the direction of gravity, and the tip opening 9B opens vertically downward. In FIG. 8B, the fine object discharge portion 21 is disposed obliquely with respect to the direction of gravity, and the distal end thereof has a shape cut obliquely, so the distal end opening 9B opens vertically downward. In FIG. 8C, the fine object discharge portion 21 is disposed obliquely with respect to the direction of gravity, and its tip is bent, so the tip opening 9B opens vertically downward. Further, in FIG. 8D, the fine object discharge portion 21 is arranged along the direction of gravity, and the tip thereof has an obliquely cut shape, so that the tip opening 9B opens vertically downward. .

  These modifications can be selected in accordance with various conditions such as the physical characteristics of the liquid 15 and the fine object 16, the manufacturing conditions of the dissolution liquid, and the overall configuration of the fine object guide 9.

For example, according to the configuration shown in FIG. 7B, the internal pressure of the gas can be increased inside the fine object discharge unit 21, and thereby the backflow prevention effect of the liquid 15 can be further increased. Further, in the configuration shown in FIG. 7C, the liquid level hardly changes even if a part of the gas is replaced with the liquid 15 from the fine object discharge unit 21, so that the wetness inside the fine object discharge unit 21 is further reduced. Can be prevented.
Further, the configuration shown in FIGS. 8A and 8D is selected when the flow rate of the gas discharged from the tip opening 9B is large in order to suppress the wetting inside the tip of the fine material discharge unit 21. It is preferable to do.

In the configuration shown in FIG. 9A, the fine object discharge part 21 has a coating part 211 made of a water repellent material on the inner surface side thereof. In the configuration shown in FIG. 9B, the fine object discharge portion 21 has a tip portion 212 made of a water repellent material. For example, polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon (registered trademark)) can be used as the water repellent material.
According to such a configuration, the inner surface of the fine material discharge portion 21 is difficult to get wet, and the fine material 16 can be prevented from agglomerating and adhering in the vicinity of the tip opening 9B. Thereby, a fine substance can be supplied more stably into a liquid.
Moreover, you may combine the structure using a water repellent material as shown to FIG. 9 (A) or FIG. 9 (B) with the structure shown in the above-mentioned FIGS.

(Modification of the method for transferring fine objects)
In the first embodiment, as a procedure for immersing the tip opening 9B of the transfer path 9A in the liquid 15, the transfer path 9A of the fine material guiding portion 9 is fixed in advance in a predetermined position in the tank 1, and the gas tank 1 The tip opening 9B is immersed in the liquid 15 in the process of storing the liquid 15 in the tank 1 while continuing the introduction from the outside and the discharge in the tank 1. As a modification, the tip opening 9 </ b> B may be immersed in the liquid 15 by installing the transfer path 9 </ b> A in the tank 1 in which the liquid is stored in advance while continuing the introduction and release of gas.

(Other)
The present invention provides a method for transferring a fine substance to a liquid and a method for dissolving it, but it may be performed in combination with negative pressure suction of another liquid into the tank of the present invention. Note that a conventional negative pressure suction technique can be used as a method of negatively sucking another liquid into the tank of the present invention.
For example, after the other liquid sucked by the conventional negative pressure suction technique is dissolved in the liquid 15 in the tank 1, the fine object 16 transferred by the transfer device 27 may be dissolved. Alternatively, after the fine material 16 transferred by the transfer device 27 is dissolved in the liquid 15, another liquid sucked by a conventional negative pressure suction technique may be mixed with the solution.
That is, the dissolution of the other liquid according to the conventional technique can be arbitrarily performed in the tank of the present invention as long as the dissolution process of the fine object according to the present invention is not hindered.

In addition, as a conventional technique for improving the transportability of powder, there is a powder fluidization technique for increasing the fluidity of powder by mixing a large amount of gas with the powder. This fluidization technique and the gas provided by the present invention It is essentially different from the introduction method.
That is, the powder fluidization technology is a hopper that stores powder, a large amount of gas is introduced into the powder from the bottom, and a dynamic mixed state of the powder and gas is formed and maintained, It is a technology that improves the fluidity of powder. For this reason, the position of gas introduction is limited to the vicinity of the hopper storing powder. Furthermore, since the powder and the gas are easily separated, it is necessary to continue supplying a very large amount of gas in order to maintain this dynamic mixed state.

On the other hand, the gas introduction method provided by the present invention is a technique for introducing fine objects under the liquid level in the tank using the differential pressure inside and outside the tank. Its purpose is to keep it dry. For this reason, the quantity of the gas to introduce | transduce is a trace amount of the grade which maintains the negative pressure in a tank. Therefore, in the gas introduction method provided by the present invention, fluidization of the powder does not occur and is not necessary. For this reason, the gas introduction in the present invention can be set at an arbitrary position on the upstream side of the tip opening of the fine object guiding portion.
As described above, the gas introduction in the present invention has a new effect of completely preventing the back flow of the liquid to the fine material flow portion without lowering the negative pressure in the tank by a method different from the conventional powder fluidization technique. Play.

Examples of the present invention are shown below.
[Example 1]
In the melting apparatus manufactured with the configuration shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus for transferring a fine material according to the present invention was installed, and a batch type dissolution test was performed using skim milk powder as the fine material and water as the liquid. Test conditions are shown below.
<Device conditions>
Total capacity in tank: 150L
Stirring blade shape: Flat impeller with diameter 150 mm x width 30 mm x 3 sheets Transfer device:
・ Uses 1 inch stainless steel sanitary pipe.
・ Introduced from above the tank and set the pipe outlet 20cm below the liquid level in the tank.
・ A ball valve is installed as a fine valve under the conical hopper (20L).
-A gas supply device consisting of a pressure regulator and a flow meter is installed at the rear stage (tank side) of the valve.
・ Distance between tank and fine material supply hopper: Approximately 2m
<Operating conditions>
Liquid used: Water at 20 ° C Gas used: Compressor air Fine material used: Commercial skim milk powder Volume in tank: 100L
Amount of fines: 25kg
Stirring speed: 1500 RPM
Decompression degree in tank: 50 kPa in absolute pressure
Gas supply rate: 1 NL / s
Fine material supply speed: approx. 1 kg / s
<Results of dissolution test>
The dissolution test of skim milk powder was performed with the above-described apparatus and operating conditions. During the test, the fines valve was intentionally closed twice, and the supply of skimmed milk powder was stopped for 2 to 3 seconds, and then restarted. At this time, the gas was supplied without stopping. As a result, even in the supply stop and restart operations, the supply of skim milk powder could be restarted without any problem, and problems such as blockage were not recognized. Finally, the dissolution test progressed satisfactorily, and there was little generation of bubbles, and a solution having a uniform concentration without unmelted residue could be obtained.

[Example 2]
A batch type dissolution test of CMC and water with a high viscosity at the time of dissolution was performed with the same apparatus configuration as in Example 1. Test conditions are shown below.
<Device conditions>
The same device configuration as in the first embodiment.
<Operating conditions>
Liquid used: Water at 65 ° C Gas used: Compressor air Fine material used: CMC (Carboxymethylcellulose)
Liquid volume in tank: 100L
Amount of fines: 1.5kg
Stirring speed: 2500 RPM
Decompression degree in tank: 50 kPa in absolute pressure
Gas supply rate: 1 NL / s
Fine material supply rate: about 0.03 kg / s
<Results of dissolution test>
The dissolution test of CMC was performed with the above-described apparatus and operating conditions. In the same manner as in Example 1, the supply of CMC was intentionally stopped about 2 to 3 seconds twice during the test while the gas supply was continued, and then restarted. As a result, in the supply stop and restart operations, the supply of CMC can be restarted without any problem, no problems such as clogging are observed, the viscosity is increased, but the dissolution test proceeds well, the generation of bubbles is small, the unmelted A CMC solution having a uniform concentration free of water could be obtained.

[Example 3]
A continuous dissolution test of skim milk powder and water was carried out with the same apparatus configuration as in Example 1. Test conditions are shown below.
<Device conditions>
A discharge pump (using a Mono pump) to the outside of the solution was added to the same apparatus configuration as in Example 1.
<Operating conditions>
Liquid used: Water at 20 ° C. Gas used: Compressor air Fine material used: Commercial skim milk powder Liquid level position in tank: Liquid level at 100 L Stirring speed: 1500 RPM
Decompression degree in tank: 50 kPa in absolute pressure
Gas supply rate: 1 NL / s
Water supply speed: 2kg / s
Fine material supply speed: approx. 0.5kg / s
External discharge speed: 2.5kg / s
<Results of dissolution test>
A continuous dissolution test of skim milk powder was performed for about 5 minutes using the above-described apparatus and operating conditions. During the test, the fine substance supply valve was intentionally closed several times to stop the supply of skimmed milk powder for 2 to 3 seconds, and then restarted. At this time, the gas was supplied without stopping. As a result, the supply of skimmed milk powder can be resumed without problems in the supply stop and restart operations, the dissolution test proceeds well, the generation of bubbles is small, and a uniform concentration solution without unmelting residue can be obtained. It was.

[Example 4]
The configuration of the device is almost the same as in FIG. 1, but with a configuration in which a fine product supply hopper is installed at a distance as shown in FIG. 2, a batch type dissolution test is performed using skim milk powder as the fine product and water as the liquid. went. Test conditions are shown below.
<Device conditions>
Total capacity in tank: 100L
Stirring blade shape: flat plate impeller having a diameter of 150 mm × width of 30 mm × 3 sheets Fine material supply device:
・ Uses a 2-inch stainless steel sanitary pipe.
・ Introduced from above the tank and set the pipe outlet 20cm below the liquid level in the tank.
・ A ball valve is installed as a fine valve under the conical hopper (20L).
-A gas supply device consisting of a pressure regulator and a flow meter is installed at the rear stage (tank side) of the valve.
・ Distance between tank and fine material supply hopper: Approximately 16m
<Operating conditions>
Same as Example 1.
<Results of dissolution test>
The dissolution test of skim milk powder was performed with the above-described apparatus and operating conditions. As in Example 1, the gas supply was not stopped, and the fine product supply valve was intentionally closed twice during the test to stop the supply of skimmed milk powder for 2 to 3 seconds, and then restarted. As a result, in the supply stop and restart operations, the supply of skim milk powder could be restarted without any problem, and problems such as blockage were not recognized. Finally, the dissolution test progressed satisfactorily, and there was little generation of bubbles, and a solution having a uniform concentration without unmelted residue could be obtained.

  The present invention is suitably used in all industrial fields including food industry and pharmaceutical industry.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Tank, 9 ... Fine substance guidance | induction part, 9A ... Transfer path, 9B ... Tip opening, 9C ... 1st inlet, 9D ... 2nd inlet, 15 ... Liquid, 16 ... Fine thing, 20 ... Gas introduction part, 25 ... Liquid supply unit, 26 ... Decompression unit, 27 ... Transfer device, 28 ... Stirring unit, 101, 102, 103 ... Dissolution device.

Claims (12)

A method for transferring a fine object that transfers a fine object into the tank using a pressure difference between inside and outside the tank,
A tip immersion step in which a tip opening provided at the tip of a fine material guiding portion extending in and out of the tank and opening vertically downward or obliquely downward in the tank is immersed in the liquid stored in the tank;
A gas release step of introducing a gas into the fine object guiding portion and releasing the gas from the tip opening;
During the continuation of the gas discharge step, a fine object transfer step of transferring the fine object into the liquid in the tank through the fine object guide portion and the tip opening;
A method for transferring fine objects, comprising: In the transfer method of the fine object according to claim 1,
During the continuation of the gas release step, the tip immersion step is performed by storing the liquid in the tank. In the transfer method of the fine object according to claim 1,
During the continuation of the gas discharge process, the fine object transfer method is characterized in that the tip immersion process is performed by installing the fine object guide part in the tank in which the liquid is stored. In the method for transferring fine objects according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
A method for transferring a fine object, wherein a first introduction port for introducing the fine object into the fine object guide part and a second introduction port for introducing the gas into the fine object guide part are different. In the transfer method of the fine object according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The method for transferring fine objects, wherein the gas is pressurized or compressed air or nitrogen. A fine material transfer device for transferring a fine material from the outside of the tank into the tank using a pressure difference between inside and outside the tank,
A fine material guiding portion constituting a flow path extending in and out of the tank;
A gas introduction part for introducing a gas into the fine material induction part;
With
The apparatus for transferring a fine object, wherein the fine object guide part has a tip opening that opens vertically or obliquely downward in the tank. In the fine material transfer apparatus according to claim 6,
The fine object guide unit is provided with a first introduction port through which the fine object is introduced and a second introduction port through which the gas is introduced from the gas introduction unit. Transfer device. In the transfer device of the fine object according to claim 6 or claim 7,
The apparatus for transferring a fine object, wherein the fine object guide part passes through an upper part, a peripheral wall, or a bottom part of the tank. In the transfer device of the fine object according to any one of claims 6 to 8,
The fine object guiding portion has a tip portion extending vertically downward or vertically obliquely downward in the tank,
The tip opening is provided in the tip portion, and a transfer device for fine objects. In the transfer device of the fine object according to any one of claims 6 to 9,
The apparatus for transferring fine objects, wherein the gas is pressurized or compressed air or nitrogen.   A method for dissolving a fine material, wherein the fine material transferred by the method for transferring a fine material according to any one of claims 1 to 5 is stirred together with the liquid and dissolved in the liquid. . A tank in which liquid is stored;
A liquid supply section for supplying the liquid into the tank;
A decompression section for decompressing the inside of the tank;
The apparatus for transferring a fine object according to any one of claims 6 to 10,
An agitation unit for agitating the transferred fines together with the liquid;
An apparatus for dissolving fine objects, comprising:

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