JP2020006261A - Atmospheric pressure plasma sterilizer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a device capable of solving the problem of practicality that an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilizer is difficult to treat a large amount of plasma treatment objects swiftly and uniformly at a low cost although it is expected to take the place of a conventional pharmaceutical method or a steaming method because it can sterilize bacteria and mold or the like growing on rice flour, wheat flour, buckwheat flour or the like under a low temperature and dry condition.SOLUTION: A grounding electrode and a non-grounding electrode having a penetrating opening are arranged in the vertical direction of a reaction vessel for plasma sterilization. Metal meshes for dispersing a treatment object are arranged separately from each other in the vertical direction. The treatment object is subjected to plasma treatment by generating barrier discharge plasma while dropping the treatment object through the opening. The means for generating plasma are arranged in a plurality of stages.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus for sterilizing or inactivating mold venom using atmospheric pressure plasma.

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, sterilizers for agricultural products and medical equipment that use atmospheric pressure plasma have attracted attention. In the food industry, in particular, ensuring food safety and security from the viewpoint of eliminating the risk of food poisoning due to bacteria, molds, fungi, etc. derived from the soil where foodstuffs grow and bacteria, molds, viruses, etc. that grow during the distribution period. Interest is growing.
For example, in the industry of powdered food materials such as flour and buckwheat flour, there is a need to reliably sterilize bacteria, mold, viruses, etc. while maintaining the original characteristics of the material such as flavor, aroma, texture, and stiffness. Is growing.
In order to meet the above needs, in the field related to the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus, new attempts have been made regarding the electrode structure and the supply power waveform optimization technology which are the key technologies of the plasma generation means. However, it is difficult to process a large amount of plasma processing objects quickly, without cost, and without unevenness, and it has not yet been fully commercialized.
In addition, it is difficult to apply the mold poison removal method by physical adsorption because the influence of the adsorbent on the human body must be considered. It is known that the wet treatment process is indispensable, and the application of the treatment agent to food is difficult because the treatment agent permeates into the object to be treated and the quality deteriorates and decomposes due to excessive humidity.

Representative techniques relating to an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus for a processing target having a particulate or powder shape include, for example, techniques described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2.
Patent Document 1 describes the following. That is, in a plasma sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object by plasma generated by applying a voltage between electrodes in a source gas atmosphere,
A counter electrode consisting of an upper electrode and a lower electrode facing each other with a gap in the vertical direction,
Supply means for supplying the object from the center of the upper or lower electrode toward the gap,
An outer peripheral opening formed of the gap formed in the vicinity of the outer periphery between the upper and lower electrodes, wherein the object rolling from the center of the lower electrode toward the outer periphery is formed by the outer peripheral opening; Discharging means for discharging from the outside to the outside,
With
The upper electrode of the counter electrode is continuously formed from a supply port of the supply means to the outer peripheral opening. In a plasma sterilization apparatus for sterilizing an object by plasma generated by applying a voltage between the electrodes under a source gas atmosphere, a counter electrode comprising an upper electrode and a lower electrode opposed to each other with a gap in the vertical direction; A supply means for supplying the object from the center of the lower electrode toward the gap, and an opening-shaped outer peripheral opening including the gap formed in the vicinity of the outer periphery between the upper and lower electrodes; Discharging means for discharging the object rolling from the center of the lower electrode toward the outer periphery to the outside through the outer peripheral opening, and the upper electrode of the counter electrode is provided from a supply port of the supply means. A plasma sterilization apparatus formed continuously up to the outer peripheral opening.
Then, the following is described. That is, the upper and lower counter electrodes are both formed in a disk shape, and at least the lower electrode rotates about the disk center as a rotation center.

  Patent Document 2 describes the following. That is, an electrode unit in which rod-shaped electrodes are formed by being covered with a first dielectric and formed in a substantially annular shape at a predetermined circumferential interval substantially in parallel with each other, and disposed outside the electrode unit, A processing object is sealed inside, a cylindrical discharge vessel having a second dielectric, an external electrode body disposed outside the discharge vessel, and an alternating current or a pulse between the electrode unit and the external electrode body. A plasma processing apparatus comprising: a rotating device configured to rotate the discharge vessel in a state where a glow discharge is generated by applying a voltage; and a discharge region extending structure capable of extending a discharge region of the glow discharge into and out of an electrode unit. .

Table 2016/190436 JP-A-2017-076603

The conventional device has an advantage that by rotating the electrode, the contact between the processing object and the plasma is promoted, and the plasma sterilization can be reliably performed, but since the electrode interval is as narrow as about 1 mm to 10 mm. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the plasma processing amount of the processing target. That is, since the direction in which the processing target moves in the plasma region is parallel to the electrode surface, there is a demerit that the processing amount is limited by the distance between the pair of electrodes. As a result, there is a problem that a large amount of objects to be processed cannot be quickly and uniformly plasma-processed, and there is a problem in practicality.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus capable of rapidly processing a large amount of powdery or granular objects at low cost in plasma sterilization processing. Another object of the present invention is to provide a plasma sterilization apparatus capable of mass-processing low-cost powdery objects such as rice flour, flour, buckwheat flour, cocoa powder, matcha powder, and pepper.

A first invention of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a reaction container for storing an object to be treated, an air inlet for introducing air into the reaction container, and an air for discharging air inside the reaction container. A discharge port, a receiving port for the processing object provided in the reaction container, a recovery port for collecting the processing object from the reaction container, a ground electrode, an ungrounded electrode, the ground electrode, and the non-ground electrode. A dielectric provided on at least one of the ground electrodes, and a power supply for applying an AC or pulsed voltage between the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode; and a power supply for the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode. Atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization processing apparatus for applying a high voltage from the power supply during the time to generate an atmospheric pressure plasma between the electrodes, and performing a plasma processing on the object to be processed,
An opening penetrating from the upper side to the lower side along the vertical direction is disposed in each of the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode, and the plasma processing is performed while the processing object is dropped substantially in the vertical direction.

  A second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, a mesh for sieving the processing object is arranged at a receiving port of the processing object.

  A third invention is characterized in that, in the first or second invention, a mesh for dispersing the processing object is arranged above at least one of the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode.

  In a fourth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the ground electrode is formed of a metal plate having an opening penetrating along a substantially vertical direction, and the non-ground electrode is a dielectric plate. It is a rod-shaped electrode covered with a body.

  In a fifth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the ground electrode is formed of a mesh-shaped metal, and the non-ground electrode is a rod-shaped electrode covered with a dielectric. There is a feature.

  In a sixth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the ground electrode is formed of a mesh-like metal, and the non-ground electrode has an opening penetrating along a substantially vertical direction. And a metal plate covered with a dielectric.

  In a seventh aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, each of the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode is formed of a rod-shaped metal, and is substantially orthogonal to a center line of the reaction vessel. It is characterized by being arranged in a substantially plane of one plane.

  In an eighth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, each of the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode is formed of a flat electrode, and the opening of the ground electrode and the non-ground The openings of the electrodes are characterized in that they are arranged so that they do not overlap when viewed from the vertical direction.

  A ninth invention is the invention according to any one of the first to eighth inventions, wherein the ground electrode includes a plurality of N ground electrodes including a first ground electrode, a second ground electrode, and an Nth ground electrode. And a plurality of N non-grounded electrodes comprising a first non-grounded electrode, a second non-grounded electrode, and an Nth non-grounded electrode as the non-grounded electrode, wherein a center line of the reaction vessel is provided. The first ground electrode and the first non-ground electrode are paired, respectively, and the second ground electrode and the second non-ground electrode are respectively provided in substantially N different planes substantially orthogonal to each other. The N-th ground electrode and the N-th non-ground electrode are arranged as a pair.

  In a tenth aspect based on any one of the first to ninth aspects, the reaction vessel is vibrated by a vibrator.

With the conventional apparatus, it is difficult to perform plasma processing on a large amount of objects at low cost, quickly, without unevenness, and there is a problem in practicality. However, the plasma sterilization processing apparatus according to the present invention has a problem. It has the effect that it can be eliminated. That is, the plasma sterilization treatment apparatus according to the present invention performs the plasma treatment while passing powdery, granular, or similar objects to be treated through a number of openings provided so as to penetrate from the upper side to the lower side of the electrode. There is an effect that there is no limitation on the processing amount due to the narrow electrode interval as in the system. As a result, the plasma sterilization apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that it is possible to easily cope with an increase in the throughput of an object by increasing the size of the electrode having the opening. In addition, the plasma sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention has an effect that the plasma sterilizing effect can be reliably performed by arranging a plurality of plasma generating means in the vertical direction.
In the plasma sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, the mesh is arranged in the reaction vessel, and the plasma processing is performed if the object is rocked by a vibrator, so that the powdery and granular processing objects are sterilized and classified. It can be carried out at the same time and can be put to practical use as a plasma sterilization apparatus for rice flour, flour, buckwheat flour, cocoa powder, matcha powder, pepper and the like. Its industrial value is significant.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a plasma generating means which is a constituent member of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a plasma generation unit which is a component of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a plasma generating means which is a constituent member of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a plasma generating means which is a component of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the respective drawings, the same members are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the duplicate description will be omitted.
Note that the present invention is not limited to the following description, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the drawings shown below, the scale of each member may be different from the actual scale for convenience of explanation. Also, the scale may be different from the actual one between the drawings.

(1st Embodiment)
First, an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Here, as an example of the plasma processing target, wheat powder is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can perform plasma processing reliably if the target is powdery, granular, or similar. For example, large amounts of plasma treatment can be reliably applied to powdery objects such as rice flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cacao powder, matcha powder, and powdered cheese. I can do it.
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view showing a plasma generating means which is a constituent member of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a reaction vessel 1 for accommodating an object to be treated 19 and an air inlet for introducing air into the reaction vessel 1. 9a, an air discharge port 9b for discharging the atmosphere inside the reaction vessel, a receiving port 2 for the processing object 19 provided in the reaction vessel 1, and the processing object 19 A collection port 15 for collecting the object 19, a ground electrode 12, a non-ground electrode 11, a dielectric 10 provided on at least one of the ground electrode 12 and the non-ground electrode 11, And a power supply 7 for applying an AC voltage between the non-grounded electrodes 11.
Further, the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a mesh 5 for sifting the processing object 19 in the vicinity of the receiving port 2 of the processing object 19. Further, a shaker 17 for swinging the reaction vessel 1 is provided. The power supply 7 is connected to the ground electrode 12 and the non-ground electrode 11. The ground electrode 12 and the non-ground electrode 11 have openings 12a and 11a, respectively, through which the processing object 19 passes. Further, a collection plate 18 and a collection box 16 for collecting the object 19 in cooperation with the collection port 15 are provided.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a reaction vessel. The reaction vessel 1 is a tubular vessel having a rectangular or circular cross section, and is installed such that its center line 1a substantially coincides with the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, the reaction vessel 1 has an open upper end and a closed lower end. The shape and material of the reaction vessel 1 can be arbitrarily selected. Here, for example, the cross-sectional shape is made rectangular and made of SUS material. For example, SUS304 is used, and the size is, for example, an inner dimension, width 20 cm × depth 20 cm × height 30 cm × thickness 2 mm. Then, the reaction vessel 1 is vibrated from a bottom surface or a side surface by a vibrator 17 described later.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a port for receiving the object to be processed. The processing object receiving port 2 is arranged at the upper part of the reaction container 1, and receives the processing object 19 into the reaction container 1. The place to be arranged may be the upper side surface of the reaction vessel 1. The processing object receiving port 2 may also be used as an air introduction port 9a described later.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a sieve mesh. The sieve mesh 5 is arranged on the upper part of the reaction vessel 1. The sieve mesh 5 receives the processing object 19 from the receiving port 2 and temporarily holds most of the processing object 19. The object 19 placed on the mesh 5 for a sieve is shaken by a shaker 17 described later, falls down gradually by its own weight, and moves in the direction of a ground electrode 12 and a non-ground electrode 11 described later. . The mesh count of the sieve mesh 5 is selected in consideration of the particle size of the processing target 19. Here, since the object 19 to be treated is wheat flour (particle diameter: about 20 μm to about 170 μm), for example, a stainless steel mesh No. 90 (wire diameter: 100 μm, aperture: 182 μm, aperture ratio: 41.7%) is used. To be elected.

Reference numeral 9a is an air inlet. The atmosphere introduction port 9a introduces the atmosphere (air) into the inside of the reaction vessel 1 and supplies it between a ground electrode 12 and a non-ground electrode 11 described later. The air (air) introduced from the air inlet 9a passes between the later-described ground electrode 12 and the non-ground electrode 11, and is discharged from the later-described air outlet 9b. A blower (not shown) can be used to introduce and discharge air (air). Further, the air inlet 9 a may be used also as the receiving port 2 for the object to be treated, or may be provided on a side surface of the reaction vessel 1.
Reference numeral 9b is an air outlet. The air outlet 9b discharges the air (air) introduced into the reaction vessel 1 from the air inlet 9a. Note that a blower (not shown) can be used to introduce and discharge air (air). Further, the air discharge port 9b may be used also as a recovery port 15 described later.

Reference numeral 12 is a ground electrode. The ground electrode 12 is disposed in a plane substantially orthogonal to the center line 1a of the reaction vessel 1. The shape of the ground electrode 12 is rectangular or circular, similar to the cross-sectional shape of the reaction vessel 1. The material is made of metal, for example, SUS304. Here, since the cross-sectional shape of the reaction vessel 1 is a rectangle of 20 cm × 20 cm, the rectangle is 20 cm × 20 cm in size, similarly to the cross-sectional size of the reaction vessel 1. The thickness is about 1 mm to 5 mm, for example, 2 mm. The ground electrode 12 has an opening 12a described later. As shown in FIG. 2, the ground electrode 12 is used in combination with a later-described non-ground electrode 11 and the power supply 7.
Reference numeral 12a denotes an opening of the ground electrode 12. The opening 12a is a through hole or a gap through which the processing object 19 falling from the sieve mesh 5 passes from the upper side to the lower side. Here, through holes having a diameter of 5 mm are arranged at approximately 5 mm intervals as the openings 12a. The opening ratio is preferably set to be larger than the opening ratio of the sieve mesh 5 in consideration of the fluidity of the processing object 19 inside the reaction vessel 1. Here, for example, the aperture ratio is set to about 50%. The opening 12a allows a part of the processing object 19 falling from the sieve mesh 5 to pass through. In addition, a region other than the opening 12 a of the electrode 12 supports a part of the processing target 19 that falls from the mesh for sieve 5. That is, a part of the processing object 19 is placed on the ground electrode 12, and when it is vibrated (oscillated) by the vibrator 17, which will be described later, from the upper surface of the ground electrode 12 to the lower side via the opening 12 a. Fall.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a non-ground electrode. The non-ground electrode 11 is disposed substantially parallel to and opposed to the ground electrode 12. The ungrounded electrode 11 is a rod-shaped metal electrode, as shown in FIG. Here, for example, a SUS304 bar having a diameter of 5 mm and a length of 21 cm is used. The surface of the non-ground electrode 11 is coated with a ceramic sprayed coating (dielectric 10) except for its end face. The formation of a ceramic coating on a SUS material by the ceramic spraying method is generally widely used. A plurality of adjacent non-grounded electrodes 11 coated with the ceramic sprayed coating are fixed to the reaction vessel 1 substantially in parallel with a gap of about 5 mm therebetween via an electric insulating material (not shown). The distance between the non-ground electrode 11 and the ground electrode 12 is set to about 1 mm to 10 mm, and here, for example, 19 lines are set to 5 mm. The processing object 19 placed on the non-grounded electrode 11 is vibrated (oscillated) by a vibrator 17 described below, and falls below the non-grounded electrode 11.
The non-ground electrode 11 is used in combination with the ground electrode 12, and generates the barrier discharge plasma 13 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, when a high voltage power is supplied from the power supply 7 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b between the non-ground electrode 11 and the ground electrode 12, Atmospheric pressure barrier discharge plasma 13 is generated. The barrier discharge plasma 13 has bacteria, fungi, and fungi that have settled on the processing object 19 due to a sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and an inactivating effect of mold venom. Each mold venom can be killed and inactivated.
Reference numeral 11a denotes a gap (hereinafter referred to as an opening) between adjacent non-grounded electrodes 11. The opening 11a allows the processing object 19 falling from the upper side to pass from the upper side to the lower side.
Reference numeral 10 denotes a dielectric. The dielectric 10 is an electrical insulating layer that covers the surface of the non-grounded electrode 11. The dielectric 10 is selected from insulating materials such as glass, ceramic, polymer film, polyethylene, vinyl, silicon rubber, fluororesin, polyimide, and mica. Here, a film formed by spraying ceramic is used. The ceramic film has a thickness of about 0.5 mm to 1 mm, for example, is formed substantially uniformly with a thickness of 0.5 mm. The dielectric 10 has an effect of suppressing an increase in current when high-voltage power is supplied between the non-ground electrode 11 and the ground electrode 12. As a result, low-temperature plasma called barrier discharge, streamer discharge, or glow discharge can be generated.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an AC power supply. The AC power supply 7 supplies high-voltage AC power to the non-ground electrode 11 and the ground electrode 12. The AC power supply 7 may be any AC power supply. For example, the power source is selected from a power source capable of supplying a commercial frequency (50 Hz or 60 Hz), a high frequency of several KHz to about 10 KHz, and a sine wave power or a pulsed power of 13.56 MHz. Here, for example, a power supply of a commercial frequency is used. Although the maximum power of the power source depends on the scale of the barrier discharge plasma to be generated, here, for example, a power source capable of supplying a maximum of 50 KW is used.
Reference numerals 8a and 8b are first and second power supply lines. The first power supply line 8 a connects one output terminal of the AC power supply 7 to the non-ground electrode 11. The second power supply line 8 b connects the other output terminal of the AC power supply 7 to the ground electrode 12.
Reference numeral 6 denotes a connection terminal of the power supply line 8a. The connection terminal 6 is a terminal that insulates the ungrounded electrode 11 and the power supply line 8a from the reaction vessel 1 and connects them.
Reference numeral 13 denotes a barrier discharge plasma. The barrier discharge plasma 13 is generated when a high-voltage power is supplied between the non-grounded electrode 11 and the grounded electrode 12 from the power supply 7 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b. The barrier discharge plasma 13 has bacteria, fungi, and fungi that have settled on the processing object 19 due to a sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and an inactivating effect of mold venom. Each mold venom can be killed and inactivated.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a recovery plate for the processing object 19. The collecting plate 18 is provided at the bottom of the reaction vessel 1 and collects the processing object 19 that passes through the region of the barrier discharge plasma 13 and falls in cooperation with the collecting port 15 described later.
Reference numeral 15 is a recovery port. The collection port 15 collects the processing object 19 that passes through the region of the barrier discharge plasma 13 and falls in cooperation with the collection plate 18 and a collection box 16 described later.
Reference numeral 16 denotes a collection box. The collection box 16 stores the processing object 19 discharged from the collection port 15.
Reference numeral 17 denotes a vibrator. The vibrator 17 vibrates the reaction vessel 1 and vibrates the sieve mesh 5, the non-grounded electrode 11, the dielectric 10, the grounded electrode 12, and the recovery plate 18. The vibrator 17 is arranged at the bottom or the side of the reaction vessel 1. The vibrator 17 is also called a swinging device, and is generally used for a machine for sieving powders.

Reference numeral 19 denotes an object to be processed. The processing object 19 is, for example, wheat flour here. It is known that the particle size of wheat flour is generally from about 20 μm to about 170 μm.
Reference numeral 20 denotes a hopper. The hopper 20 stores an object 19 to be treated, for example, wheat flour in an appropriate amount, and throws the same into the reaction vessel 1 via a rotary valve 21 and an inlet 23 described later.
Reference numeral 21 denotes a rotary valve. The rotary valve 21 moves the object 19 stored in the hopper 20 on the upstream side to the inlet on the downstream side. The supply of the object 19 is stopped by stopping the rotation of the rotary valve 21, and the supply is started when the rotation is started. Note that the supply speed of the object 19 can be controlled by combining with a variable speed motor. The supply speed can be selected appropriately. Here, for example, it is set in a range of about 100 g to 1 kg per minute. By supplying the reaction vessel 1 and the means for generating the barrier discharge plasma 13 on a scale capable of large-scale processing, it is possible to supply several tens of kg per minute.
Reference numeral 23 is an input port. The input port 23 inputs the object 19 supplied from the rotary valve 21 into the reaction vessel 1. The object 19 falls by gravity from the charging port 23 and is charged into the reaction vessel 1 via the sieve mesh 5. The structure of the inlet 23 can be arbitrarily selected.

Next, a method for plasma sterilizing the powdery object 19 using the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, for example, wheat flour is an object.
First, the flour of the plasma processing object 19, for example, 24 kg is charged into the hopper 20.
Next, the vibrator 17 is operated to vibrate (oscillate) the reaction vessel 1. When the reaction vessel 1 is vibrated, the sieve mesh 5, the non-ground electrode 11, the dielectric 10, the ground electrode 12, and the recovery plate 18 vibrate (oscillate).
Next, a high-voltage power is supplied from the AC power supply 7 to the non-ground electrode 11 and the ground electrode 12 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b. When the voltage of the AC power supply 7 is gradually increased, the atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13 is generated. When the barrier discharge plasma 13 of the atmosphere is generated, ozone is generated therein. Therefore, the relationship between the generated concentration of the ozone and the voltage of the AC power supply 7 is grasped. Since the concentration at which a person senses the smell of ozone is generally 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm, the output is set so as not to exceed this concentration.
Then, from the data indicating the relationship between the ozone generation concentration and the output of the AC power supply 7, the voltage value of the AC power supply 7 when the ozone concentration becomes approximately 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm is grasped. The ozone concentration is measured by a commercially available ozone concentration meter (ozone concentration range: for example, 0.00 to 3.00 ppm). Here, the voltage value of the AC power supply 7 when the ozone concentration becomes approximately 0.05 ppm is referred to as an appropriate voltage value.
Next, the output of the AC power supply 7 is set to the appropriate voltage value. As a result, the atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13 shown in FIG. 2 is generated.
When the barrier discharge plasma 13 is generated and the object 19 is exposed to the barrier discharge plasma 13, a sterilizing effect due to ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, ultraviolet light, and the like existing in the plasma 13 and a decrease in mold poisoning are obtained. Due to the activating effect, the bacteria, mold fungi, and mold venom that have settled on the object 19 are each killed and inactivated.

Next, the rotary valve 21 is operated, and the flour of the target 19 is charged into the reaction vessel 1 from the target input hopper 20 via the rotary valve 21 and the charging port 23. The supply speed is in the range of approximately 100 g to 1 kg per minute, and here, for example, approximately 400 g per minute.
The flour of the object 19 charged into the reaction vessel 1 falls from the charging port 23 to the sieve mesh 5, and most of the flour is placed on the sieve mesh 5. The flour of the object 19 placed on the sieve mesh 5 gradually falls downward while being sieved by the vibrating sieve mesh 5. The amount of flour of the falling object 19 is approximately 400 g per minute.
Part of the flour of the object 19 sieved by the sieving mesh 5 passes through the opening 12 a of the ground electrode 12 and enters the barrier discharge plasma 13. A part that has entered the barrier discharge plasma 13 passes through the opening 11 a of the non-grounded electrode 11, and falls onto the recovery plate 18.
The object 19 placed on the ground electrode 12 and the non-ground electrode 11 is shaken by the vibrator 17, and falls from the openings 12 a and 11 a.
In this way, the flour of the object 19 sieved by the sieve mesh 5 is exposed to the barrier discharge plasma 13 from the sieve mesh 5 via the opening 12a of the ground electrode 12, and then the non-ground electrode 11 And once placed on the collection plate 18. As a result, the flour of the processing object 19 is sterilized and treated with mold venom due to the bactericidal effect of plasma and the inactivation of mold venom.
The flour of the object 19 placed on the collection plate 18 is collected in the collection box 16 via the collection port 15 by the vibration of the vibrator 17.

As described above, in the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the reaction container 1 is a cylindrical container, and the center line 1a of the cylindrical container is substantially vertical. The openings 12a and 11a for passing the processing object 19 in a substantially vertical direction are provided in the ground electrode 12, the dielectric 10, and the non-ground electrode 11, respectively. The main movement of the flour, which is the object 19, inside the reaction vessel 1 is substantially in the vertical direction, and the amount thereof does not depend on the distance between the pair of electrodes including the ground electrode 12 and the non-ground electrode 11, and the amount of the movement is not limited. Is proportional to the electrode area and the aperture ratio of the openings 12a and 11a.
Therefore, by increasing the sizes of the ground electrode 12 and the non-ground electrode 11, it is possible to easily plasma-treat a large amount of the wheat flour as the object 19. That is, when the throughput of the processing object 19 is increased, it can be easily dealt with by increasing the cross-sectional area of the reaction vessel 1 and the sizes of the ground electrode 12 and the non-ground electrode 11.
The atmospheric-pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention can plasma-process a large amount of powdery, granular, or similar objects in a large amount, quickly, and without unevenness. It is possible to provide.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes rice flour, flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cacao powder, matcha powder, powdered cheese, etc. A large amount of the powdery target can be subjected to plasma processing, and can be provided as a practical machine. The economic effect of the practical use of the present invention in the processed food industry is remarkable.

(Second embodiment)
Next, an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Here, as an example of the plasma processing target, wheat powder is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can perform plasma processing reliably if the target is powdery or similar. For example, for powdery objects such as rice flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cacao powder, matcha powder, powdered cheese, etc. Plasma processing can be performed.
FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a plasma generation unit which is a component of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the same members as those in the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. The configuration of the plasma generating means disposed between the internal mesh 5 for the sieve and the collecting plate 18 is different.
That is, between the sieve mesh 5 and the collection plate 18 inside the reaction vessel 1, a first object dispersion mesh 25a described later, a first rod-shaped non-ground electrode 11b described later, and a first The mesh-type ground electrode 12b, a second object dispersion mesh 25b described later, a second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c described later, and a second mesh-type ground electrode 12c described below are arranged from the upper side to the lower side. They are arranged in this order.

Reference numeral 25a is a first object dispersion mesh. The first object-dispersing mesh 25a is installed below the sieve mesh 5 at a distance of 0.5 cm to 10 cm, for example, at a position of 4 cm away here. The first object dispersion mesh 25a receives the treatment object 19 falling from the sieve mesh 5, and temporarily holds most of the object. The object 19 placed on the first object-dispersing mesh 25a is shaken by the vibrator 17 and dispersed on the first object-dispersing mesh 25a. Falls under its own weight. The count of the first object dispersion mesh 25a is selected in consideration of the particle diameter of the processing object 19. In this case, since the processing object 19 is wheat flour (particle diameter: about 20 μm to about 170 μm), for example, a stainless steel mesh No. 90 (wire diameter: 100 μm, aperture: 182 μm, aperture ratio: 41.7%) Is selected. The first object dispersion mesh 25a is electrically grounded.
Reference numeral 11b is a first bar-type non-ground electrode. As shown in FIG. 3, the first bar-type non-grounded electrode 11b is formed by connecting a plurality of bar electrodes covered with the dielectric material 10 in a plane substantially perpendicular to the center line 1a of the reaction vessel 1 so as to be parallel to each other. And are arranged at equal intervals. The first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b is placed at a position 0.5 cm to 10 cm away from the first object dispersion mesh 25a, for example, 2 cm away here. As shown in FIG. 4, the first rod-shaped non-ground electrode 11 b is a rod-shaped metal electrode, and its surface is covered with a dielectric 10. Here, for example, the same electrode as the non-grounded electrode 11 of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used. The distance between the first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b and a first mesh-type ground electrode described later is set to about 1 mm to 10 mm, for example, 5 mm here. The processing object 19 placed on the first rod-shaped non-grounded electrode 11b is vibrated by the vibrator 17 and falls below the first rod-shaped non-grounded electrode 11b.

The first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b is used in combination with a first mesh-type ground electrode 12b described later, and generates the barrier discharge plasma 13a shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a high voltage is applied between the first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b and the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b from the power source 7. When voltage power is supplied, atmospheric pressure barrier discharge plasma 13a is generated. Note that the barrier discharge plasma 13a is formed of bacteria, mold, and the like that have settled on the processing target 19 due to the sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and the inactivation effect of mold venom. Fungi and mold venoms can be killed and inactivated, respectively.
Reference numeral 11aa denotes a gap (hereinafter, referred to as an opening) between adjacent first rod-shaped non-ground electrodes 11b. The opening 11aa allows the processing object 19 falling from the upper side to pass from the upper side to the lower side.

Reference numeral 12b is a first mesh-type ground electrode. The first mesh type ground electrode 12b generates a barrier discharge plasma 13a in combination with the first rod type non-ground electrode 11b. The count of the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b is selected in consideration of the particle size of the processing object 19. Here, since the processing object 19 is wheat flour (particle diameter: about 20 μm to 170 μm), for example, a stainless steel mesh 90 (wire diameter: 100 μm, aperture: 182 μm, aperture ratio: 41.7%) is selected. It is. The first mesh-type ground electrode 12b receives the processing object 19 falling from the upper side, and temporarily holds most of the processing object 19. Here, the object 19 held on the first mesh type ground electrode 12b is subjected to plasma processing by the barrier discharge plasma 13a during the held time.
The object 19 placed on the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b is shaken by the vibrator 17 to be dispersed and spread on the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b, and gradually weights downward. To fall.

  Reference numeral 25b denotes a second object dispersion mesh. The second object-dispersing mesh 25b is provided at a position below the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b at a distance of 0.5 cm to 10 cm, here, for example, at a distance of 2 cm. The second object dispersion mesh 25b receives the processing object 19 falling from the first mesh type ground electrode 12b, and temporarily holds most of the object. The object 19 placed on the second object dispersion mesh 25b is shaken by the vibrator 17 to be dispersed and spread on the second object dispersion mesh 25b, and gradually lower. Falls under its own weight. The mesh number of the second object dispersion mesh 25b is the same as that of the first object dispersion mesh 25a. The second object dispersion mesh 25b is electrically grounded.

Reference numeral 11c is a second rod-shaped non-ground electrode. As shown in FIG. 3, the second rod-type non-ground electrode 11 c is formed by parallelizing a plurality of rod electrodes covered with the dielectric 10 in one plane substantially orthogonal to the center line 1 a of the reaction vessel 1. They are arranged at equal intervals. The second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c is placed 0.5 cm to 10 cm apart, for example, 2 cm away from the second mesh-type ground electrode 12b. As shown in FIG. 4, the second rod-type non-ground electrode 11 c is a rod-shaped metal electrode, and its surface is covered with a dielectric 10. Here, for example, the same electrode as the non-grounded electrode 11 of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention is used. An interval 12c between the second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c and a second mesh-type ground electrode described later is set to about 1 mm to 10 mm, for example, 5 mm here. The processing object 19 placed on the second rod-shaped non-grounded electrode 11c is vibrated by the vibrator 17 and falls below the second rod-shaped non-grounded electrode 11.
The second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c is used in combination with a second mesh-type ground electrode 12c described later, and generates a barrier discharge plasma 13a shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, a high voltage is applied between the second rod type non-ground electrode 11c and the second mesh type ground electrode 12c via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b from the power source 7. When voltage power is supplied, atmospheric pressure barrier discharge plasma 13a is generated. Note that the barrier discharge plasma 13a is formed of bacteria, mold, and the like that have settled on the processing object 19 due to a sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and an inactivating effect of mold venom. Fungi and mold venoms can be killed and inactivated, respectively.
Reference numeral 11ab denotes a gap (hereinafter, referred to as an opening) between adjacent second rod-shaped non-ground electrodes 11c. The opening 11ab allows a part of the processing object 19 falling from the upper side to pass from the upper side to the lower side.

Reference numeral 12c is a second mesh-type ground electrode. The second mesh type ground electrode 12c generates a barrier discharge plasma 13a in combination with the second rod type non-ground electrode 11c. The count of the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c is selected in consideration of the particle size of the processing object 19. Here, since the object 19 to be treated is wheat flour (particle diameter: about 20 μm to about 170 μm), for example, a stainless steel mesh No. 90 (wire diameter: 100 μm, aperture: 182 μm, aperture ratio: 41.7%) is used. To be elected. The second mesh-type ground electrode 12c receives the processing object 19 falling from the upper side, and temporarily holds most of the processing object 19. Here, the object 19 held on the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c is subjected to plasma processing by the barrier discharge plasma 13a during the held time.
The object 19 placed on the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c is shaken by the vibrator 17, and is dispersed and spread on the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c, and gradually weights downward. To fall.
Reference numeral 13a is a barrier discharge plasma. The barrier discharge plasma 13a supplies power between the first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b and the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b and between the second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c and the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c. This occurs when high-voltage power is supplied from the power supply 7 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b. The barrier discharge plasma 13a is composed of bacteria, fungi, and fungi that have settled on the processing target 19 due to the sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and the inactivating effect of mold venom. Each mold venom can be killed and inactivated.

  Here, a first-stage electrode having a pair of a first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b and a first mesh-type ground electrode 12b is arranged below the first object dispersion mesh 25a. Below that, a second object dispersion mesh 25b, and a second-stage electrode having a pair of a second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c and a second mesh-type ground electrode 12c are arranged. By arranging the third and fourth stage electrodes, it is possible to further enhance the effect of the plasma processing.

Next, a method for plasma sterilizing the powdery target 19 using the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, for example, wheat flour is an object.
First, the flour of the plasma processing object 19, for example, 24 kg is charged into the hopper 20.
Next, the vibrator 17 is operated to vibrate the reaction vessel 1. When the reaction vessel 1 is vibrated, the sieve mesh 5, the first object dispersion mesh 25a, the first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b, the first mesh type ground electrode 12b, and the second object dispersion Mesh 25b, the second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c, the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c, and the recovery plate 18 vibrate.
Next, high-voltage power is supplied from the AC power supply 7 to the first bar-type non-ground electrode 11b and the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b. A high-voltage power is supplied to the second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c and the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c. When the voltage of the AC power supply 7 is gradually increased, atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13a is generated. When the atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13a is generated, ozone is generated therein. Therefore, the relationship between the ozone generation concentration and the voltage of the AC power supply 7 is grasped. Since the concentration at which a person senses the smell of ozone is generally 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm, the output is set so as not to exceed this concentration.
Then, from the data indicating the relationship between the ozone generation concentration and the output of the AC power supply 7, the voltage value of the AC power supply 7 when the ozone concentration becomes approximately 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm is grasped. The ozone concentration is measured by a commercially available ozone concentration meter (ozone concentration range: for example, 0.00 to 3.00 ppm). Here, the voltage value of the AC power supply 7 when the ozone concentration becomes approximately 0.05 ppm is referred to as an appropriate voltage value.
Next, the output of the AC power supply 7 is set to the appropriate voltage value. As a result, the atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13a shown in FIG. 4 is generated between the first rod-shaped non-grounded electrode 11b and the first mesh-type grounded electrode 12b and between the second rod-shaped non-grounded electrode 11c and the second rod-shaped non-grounded electrode 11c. It occurs between the mesh type ground electrodes 12c.

Next, the rotary valve 21 is operated, and the flour of the target 19 is charged into the reaction vessel 1 from the target input hopper 20 via the rotary valve 21 and the charging port 23. The supply speed is in the range of approximately 100 g to 1 kg per minute, and here, for example, approximately 400 g per minute.
The flour of the object 19 charged into the reaction vessel 1 falls from the charging port 23 to the sieve mesh 5, and most of the flour is placed on the sieve mesh 5. The flour of the object 19 placed on the sieve mesh 5 gradually falls downward while being sieved by the vibrating sieve mesh 5. The amount of flour of the falling object 19 is approximately 400 g per minute.
The object 19 that has passed without being placed on the sieve mesh 5 falls onto the first object dispersion mesh 25a.

  The object 19 includes a first object dispersion mesh 25a, an opening 11aa of the first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b, a first mesh-type ground electrode 12b, a second object dispersion mesh 25b, and a second object dispersion mesh 25b. It passes through the opening 11ab of the rod-shaped non-ground electrode 11c and the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c in this order, and reaches the collection plate 18. In the first object dispersion mesh 25a and the second object dispersion mesh 25b on the way, the object 19 drops and moves while spreading while being dispersed. Then, it reaches the collection plate 18.

When the target object 19 passes between the first rod-shaped non-ground electrode 11b in which the barrier discharge plasma 13a is generated and the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b, the target 19 has a sterilizing effect on the plasma and no mold poisoning. By the activating action, the flour of the processing object 19 is sterilized and treated for mold venom.
Then, when the barrier discharge plasma 13a passes between the second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c and the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c where the plasma 13a is generated, the plasma disinfecting action and the mold poison inactivating action are performed. The flour to be treated 19 is sterilized and treated for mold venom.
The object 19 subjected to the plasma processing by the barrier discharge plasma 13a is collected in the collection box 16 via the collection plate 18 and the collection port 15.

As described above, in the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the reaction container 1 is a cylindrical container, and the center line 1a of the cylindrical container is in the vertical direction. And a sieve mesh 5, a first object dispersion mesh 25a, a first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b, and a first mesh type The ground electrode 12b, the second object dispersion mesh 25b, the second rod-type non-ground electrode 11c, and the second mesh-type ground electrode 12c are arranged, and the first rod-type non-ground electrode 11b is While generating the barrier discharge plasma 13a between the first mesh type ground electrode 12b and the barrier discharge plasma 13a between the second rod type non-ground electrode 11c and the second mesh type ground electrode 12c, The target object 19 is The flour, which is the object 19, is moved in a substantially vertical direction from the upper side to the lower side of the reaction vessel 1 because it is exposed to the zuma 13a, and the processing amount depends on the size of the pair of electrodes and the openings 11aa, 11ab. Is proportional to the aperture ratio.
As a result, it is possible to easily cope with the need to process a large number of objects 19 by increasing the sizes of the ground electrodes 12b and 12c and the non-ground electrodes 11b and 11c. That is, when the processing amount of the processing object 19 is increased, it can be easily dealt with by increasing the sectional area of the reaction vessel 1 and the sizes of the ground electrodes 12b and 12c and the non-ground electrodes 11b and 11c. is there.
In the above description, the number of regions where the barrier discharge plasma 13a is generated depends on the first-stage plasma region in which the first bar-type non-ground electrode 11b and the first mesh-type ground electrode 12b are paired, There are a total of two second-stage plasma regions in which the non-grounded electrode 11c and the second mesh-type grounded electrode 12c are paired. It is easy to increase the number of steps in the region where the discharge plasma 13a is generated to three or more.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention can mass-produce a large amount of powdery, granular, or similar objects in a large amount, quickly, without unevenness, and is practically usable. It is possible to provide.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes rice flour, flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cocoa powder, matcha powder, powdered cheese, etc. A large amount of the powdery target can be subjected to plasma processing, and can be provided as a practical machine. The economic effect of the practical use of the present invention in the processed food industry is remarkable.

(Third embodiment)
Next, an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Here, as an example of the plasma processing target, wheat powder is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reliably perform plasma processing if the target is powdery or similar. For example, for powdery objects such as rice flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cacao powder, matcha powder, powdered cheese, etc. Plasma processing can be performed.
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a plasma generating means which is a constituent member of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIGS. 5 and 6, the same members as those in the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and overlapping description will be omitted.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention is different from the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatuses according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention as shown in FIG. The configuration of the plasma generation means disposed between the sieve mesh 5 and the collection plate 18 inside the reaction vessel 1 is different.
That is, between the sieve mesh 5 and the collecting plate 18 inside the reaction vessel 1, a flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening described later and a mesh-type ground electrode 26 for dispersing an object described below are arranged from the upper side to the lower side. They are arranged in order.

Reference numeral 11d is a flat non-ground electrode having an opening. The flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening is disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to the center line 1a of the reaction vessel 1. The shape of the flat non-grounded electrode 11d having an opening is rectangular or circular, like the cross-sectional shape of the reaction vessel 1. The material is made of metal, for example, SUS304. Here, since the cross-sectional shape of the reaction vessel 1 is a rectangle of 20 cm × 20 cm, the rectangle is 20 cm × 20 cm in size, similarly to the cross-sectional size of the reaction vessel 1. The thickness is about 1 mm to 5 mm, for example, 2 mm. The sieve mesh 5 and the flat non-grounded electrode 11d having an opening are separated by 0.5 cm to 10 cm, and here, for example, are installed at a position separated by 4 cm.
The flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening and a mesh-type ground electrode 26 for dispersing an object to be described later are used in combination with the power source 7 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, when a high-voltage power is supplied from the power supply 7 to the non-grounded electrode 11d and the grounded electrode 26 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b, a large voltage is applied. Atmospheric pressure barrier discharge plasma 13b is generated.
In addition, the barrier discharge plasma 13b is formed of bacteria, mold, and the like that have settled on the processing target 19 due to the sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and the inactivation effect of mold venom. Fungi and mold venoms can be killed and inactivated, respectively.
Reference numeral 6a is an insulating material. The insulating material 6a is fixed to the reaction vessel 1 in a state where the flat non-grounded electrode 11d having an opening is electrically insulated.
Reference numeral 11ad is an opening. The opening 11ad allows the object 19 falling from the sieve mesh 5 to pass downward. The size of the opening 11ad is about 2 mm to 10 mm in diameter, and here, for example, 5 mm. The opening ratio is made substantially the same as the count of the mesh for sieve 5.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a mesh-type ground electrode for dispersing an object. The object-dispersion mesh-type ground electrode 26 is used in combination with the flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening. The object-dispersion mesh-type ground electrode 26 is provided at a distance of 3 mm to 5 cm, for example, 5 mm away from the flat non-ground electrode 11 d having an opening.
The object-dispersion mesh-type ground electrode 26 receives the object 19 falling from the opening 11ad, and temporarily holds most of the object. The object 19 placed on the object-dispersing mesh-type ground electrode 26 is shaken by the vibrator 17, dispersed on the object-dispersing mesh-type ground electrode 26, and gradually spread downward while spreading. Fall under its own weight. The number of the mesh-type ground electrode 26 for dispersing the object is selected in consideration of the particle size of the object 19 to be processed. In this case, since the processing object 19 is wheat flour (particle diameter: about 20 μm to about 170 μm), for example, a stainless steel mesh No. 90 (wire diameter: 100 μm, aperture: 182 μm, aperture ratio: 41.7%) Is selected.

  Reference numeral 13b denotes a barrier discharge plasma. The barrier discharge plasma 13b is supplied from the power supply 7 to the high voltage between the flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening and the mesh-type ground electrode 26 for dispersing an object through the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b. Occurs when power is supplied. The barrier discharge plasma 13b is a bacterium, a fungus, and a bacterium that has settled on the processing object 19 due to a sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and an inactivating effect of mold venom. Each mold venom can be killed and inactivated.

Next, a method for plasma sterilizing the powdery object 19 using the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Here, for example, wheat flour is an object.
First, the flour of the plasma processing object 19, for example, 24 kg is charged into the hopper 20.
Next, the vibrator 17 is operated to vibrate the reaction vessel 1. When the reaction vessel 1 is vibrated, the sieve mesh 5, the flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening, the mesh dispersion electrode 26 for dispersing an object, and the recovery plate 18 vibrate.
Next, high-voltage power is supplied from the AC power supply 7 to the flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening and the mesh-type ground electrode 26 for dispersing an object via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b. . As the voltage of the AC power supply 7 is gradually increased, atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13b is generated. When the barrier discharge plasma 13b in the atmosphere is generated, ozone is generated therein. Therefore, the relationship between the generated concentration of ozone and the voltage of the AC power supply 7 is grasped. Since the concentration at which a person senses the smell of ozone is generally 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm, the output is set so as not to exceed this concentration.
Then, from the data indicating the relationship between the ozone generation concentration and the output of the AC power supply 7, the voltage value of the AC power supply 7 when the ozone concentration becomes approximately 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm is grasped. The ozone concentration is measured by a commercially available ozone concentration meter (ozone concentration range: for example, 0.00 to 3.00 ppm). Here, the voltage value of the AC power supply 7 when the ozone concentration becomes approximately 0.05 ppm is referred to as an appropriate voltage value.
Next, the output of the AC power supply 7 is set to the appropriate voltage value. As a result, the atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13b shown in FIG. 6 is generated between the flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening and the mesh ground electrode 26 for dispersing an object.

Next, the rotary valve 21 is operated, and the flour of the target 19 is charged into the reaction vessel 1 from the target input hopper 20 via the rotary valve 21 and the charging port 23. The supply speed is in the range of approximately 100 g to 1 kg per minute, and here, for example, approximately 400 g per minute.
The flour of the object 19 charged into the reaction vessel 1 falls from the charging port 23 to the sieve mesh 5, and most of the flour is placed on the sieve mesh 5. The flour of the object 19 placed on the sieve mesh 5 gradually falls downward while being sieved by the vibrating sieve mesh 5. The amount of flour of the falling object 19 is approximately 400 g per minute. The object 19 that has passed through without being placed on the sieve mesh 5 falls toward the flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening.
The object 19 sieved by the sieving mesh 5 falls toward the flat non-grounded electrode 11d having an opening. A part of the object 19 which has reached the flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening passes through the object-dispersion mesh type ground electrode 26 without passing through.
Most of the object placed on the flat non-grounded electrode 11d having an opening spreads and falls while being dispersed by the vibration of the vibrator 17.

Most of the object 19 that has fallen on the object-dispersing mesh-type ground electrode 26 is temporarily placed on the electrode 26. The object 19 once placed on the flat non-grounded electrode 11d having an opening falls by the vibration of the vibrator 17 and reaches the collection plate 18.
Almost all of the object 19 sieved by the sieve mesh 5 passes through the plasma 13b generated between the flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening and the object dispersion mesh ground electrode 26. , And undergoes plasma processing by the plasma 13b.
The object 19 subjected to the plasma processing by the plasma 13b is collected in the collection box 16 via the collection plate 18 and the collection port 15.

As described above, in the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the reaction container 1 is a cylindrical container, and the center line 1a of the cylindrical container is in the vertical direction. The sieve mesh 5, a flat non-ground electrode 11d having an opening, and a mesh-type ground electrode 26 for dispersing an object are arranged in this order from the upper side of the reaction vessel 1. , 26, while exposing the object 19 to the barrier discharge plasma 13b while dropping the object 19 in the vertical direction, the processing amount of the flour, which is the object 19, in the reaction vessel 1 is It is proportional to the area and the aperture ratio of the pair of electrodes 11d and 26.
As a result, it is possible to easily cope with the need to process a large number of objects 19 by increasing the size of the pair of electrodes 11d and 26. That is, when the throughput of the processing object 19 is increased, it can be easily coped with by increasing the cross-sectional area of the reaction vessel 1 and the size of the pair of electrodes 11d and 26.
In the above description, the number of regions where the barrier discharge plasma 13b is generated is a single plate-type non-ground electrode 11d having an opening and a mesh-type ground electrode 26 for dispersing an object. By arranging a plurality of pairs as a pair in the vertical direction of the reaction vessel 1 as a pair, the plasma processing effect on the object 19 can be increased.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention can mass-produce a large amount of powdery, granular, or similar objects in a large amount, quickly, without unevenness, and is practically applicable. It is possible to provide.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes rice flour, flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cocoa powder, matcha powder, powdered cheese and the like. A large amount of the powdery target can be subjected to plasma processing, and can be provided as a practical machine. The economic effect of the practical use of the present invention in the processed food industry is remarkable.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Here, as an example of the plasma processing target, wheat powder is described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention can perform plasma processing reliably if the target is powdery or similar. For example, for powdery objects such as rice flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cacao powder, matcha powder, powdered cheese, etc. Plasma processing can be performed.
FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a schematic perspective view showing a plasma generating means which is a component of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

First, the configuration of an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the same members as those in the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first, second and third embodiments of the present invention are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated. Omitted.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7 in comparison with the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatuses according to the first, second and third embodiments of the present invention. As described above, the configuration of the plasma generating means disposed between the sieve mesh 5 and the collecting plate 18 inside the reaction vessel 1 is different.
That is, between the sieve mesh 5 and the collecting plate 18 inside the reaction vessel 1, a first object dispersion mesh 25a, a first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11e described later, and a first A pair of first-stage plasma generation electrodes 27a composed of a dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrode 12e, a second object-dispersing mesh 25b, a second dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11f described later, and a second A pair of second-stage plasma generation electrodes 27b composed of two dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrodes 12f are arranged in this order.

Reference numeral 11e denotes a first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode. The first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11 e is composed of a plurality of rod electrodes covered with a dielectric 10, and as shown in FIG. 7, a plane substantially orthogonal to the center line 1 a of the reaction vessel 1. Are arranged in parallel at equal intervals. The first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11e is placed at a position 0.5 cm to 10 cm apart, for example, 2 cm away here, below the first object dispersion mesh 25a.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11 e is a rod-shaped metal electrode, and its surface is covered with a dielectric 10. Here, for example, an electrode (diameter: 5 mm, length: 21 cm, dielectric: sprayed ceramic coating, thickness: approximately 0.5 mm) similar to the ungrounded electrode 11 of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. ) Is used. As shown in FIG. 8, the first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrodes 11e are alternately arranged with first dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrodes 12e described later. The distance between both electrodes 11e and 12e is approximately 5 mm. Here, for example, the number of the first dielectric-coated bar-type non-ground electrodes 11e is ten, and the number of the first dielectric-coated bar-type ground electrodes 12e is nine.

Reference numeral 12e is a first dielectric-coated bar-type ground electrode. The first dielectric-covered rod-type ground electrode 12e is composed of a plurality of rod electrodes covered with a dielectric 10, and as shown in FIG. 7, in one plane substantially orthogonal to the center line 1a of the reaction vessel 1. Are arranged at regular intervals. The first dielectric-covered rod-type ground electrode 12e is placed below the first object dispersion mesh 25a at a distance of 0.5 cm to 10 cm, here, for example, at a distance of 2 cm.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrode 12 e is a rod-shaped metal electrode, and its surface is covered with a dielectric 10. Here, for example, an electrode (diameter: 5 mm, length: 21 cm, dielectric: sprayed ceramic coating, thickness: approximately 0.5 mm) similar to the ungrounded electrode 11 of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. ) Is used. As shown in FIG. 8, the first dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrodes 12e are alternately arranged with the first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrodes 11e. The distance between both electrodes 11e and 12e is approximately 5 mm.

Reference numeral 27a is a first-stage plasma generation electrode. As shown in FIG. 8, the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a is a pair of electrodes including a first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11e and a first dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrode 12e.
As shown in FIG. 8, the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a receives the atmospheric-pressure barrier discharge when high-voltage power is supplied from the power supply 7 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b. Plasma 13c is generated. Note that the barrier discharge plasma 13c is formed of bacteria, mold, and the like that have settled on the processing target 19 due to the sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and the inactivation effect of mold venom. Fungi and mold venoms can be killed and inactivated, respectively.

Reference numeral 11f is a second dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode. The second dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11f is composed of a plurality of rod electrodes covered with a dielectric 10, and as shown in FIG. 7, a plane substantially perpendicular to the center line 1a of the reaction vessel 1. Are arranged in parallel at equal intervals. The second dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11f is provided at a position 0.5 cm to 10 cm apart, for example, 2 cm away here, below the second object dispersion mesh 25b.
As shown in FIG. 8, the second dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11f is the same as the first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11e. As shown in FIG. 8, the second dielectric coated rod type non-ground electrode 11f is alternately arranged with a second dielectric coated rod type ground electrode 12f described later.

Reference numeral 12f is a second dielectric-coated bar-type ground electrode. The second dielectric-covered rod-type ground electrode 12f is composed of a plurality of rod electrodes covered with the dielectric 10, and is formed on a plane substantially orthogonal to the center line 1a of the reaction vessel 1, as shown in FIG. They are arranged in parallel and at equal intervals. The second dielectric-covered rod-type ground electrode 12f is provided at a position 0.5 cm to 10 cm away from the second object dispersion mesh 25b, for example, 2 cm away here.
As shown in FIG. 8, the second dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrode 12f is the same as the first dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrode 12e.

Reference numeral 27b is a second-stage plasma generation electrode. As shown in FIG. 8, the second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b is a pair of electrodes including a second dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11f and a second dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrode 12f.
As shown in FIG. 8, when the high-voltage power is supplied from the power supply 7 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b, the second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b performs the atmospheric pressure barrier discharge. Plasma 13c is generated. Note that the barrier discharge plasma 13c is formed of bacteria, mold, and the like that have settled on the processing target 19 due to the sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and the inactivation effect of mold venom. Fungi and mold venoms can be killed and inactivated, respectively.
Reference numeral 13c is a barrier discharge plasma. The barrier discharge plasma 13c is supplied between a pair of electrodes including a first dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11e and a first dielectric-coated rod-type ground electrode 12e, and a second dielectric-coated rod-type non-ground electrode 11f. This occurs when high voltage power is supplied from the power supply 7 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b between a pair of electrodes composed of the second dielectric coated rod type ground electrode 12f. . The barrier discharge plasma 13c is composed of bacteria, fungi, and fungi that have settled on the processing target 19 due to the sterilizing effect of ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, electrons, ultraviolet light, and the like generated by the plasma and the inactivation effect of mold venom. Each mold venom can be killed and inactivated.

Next, a method for plasma sterilizing the powdery object 19 using the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described. Here, for example, wheat flour is an object.
First, the flour of the plasma processing object 19, for example, 24 kg is charged into the hopper 20.
Next, the vibrator 17 is operated to vibrate the reaction vessel 1. When the reaction vessel 1 is vibrated, the sieve mesh 5, the first object dispersion mesh 25a, the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a, the second object dispersion mesh 25b, and the second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b And the recovery plate 18 vibrates.
Next, high-voltage power is supplied to the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a from the AC power supply 7 via the first and second power supply lines 8a and 8b, and high-voltage power is supplied to the second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b. Supply power. When the voltage of the AC power supply 7 is gradually increased, the atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13c is generated. When the barrier discharge plasma 13c in the atmosphere is generated, ozone is generated therein. Therefore, the relationship between the generated concentration of the ozone and the voltage of the AC power supply 7 is grasped. Since the concentration at which a person senses the smell of ozone is generally 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm, the output is set so as not to exceed this concentration.
Then, from the data indicating the relationship between the ozone generation concentration and the output of the AC power supply 7, the voltage value of the AC power supply 7 when the ozone concentration becomes approximately 0.01 ppm to 0.05 ppm is grasped. The ozone concentration is measured by a commercially available ozone concentration meter (ozone concentration range: for example, 0.00 to 3.00 ppm). Here, the voltage value of the AC power supply 7 when the ozone concentration becomes approximately 0.05 ppm is referred to as an appropriate voltage value.
Next, the output of the AC power supply 7 is set to the appropriate voltage value. As a result, the atmospheric barrier discharge plasma 13c shown in FIG. 8 is generated at the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a and the second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b.
When the barrier discharge plasma 13c is generated and the object 19 is exposed to the barrier discharge plasma 13c, a sterilizing effect due to ozone, oxygen radicals, ions, ultraviolet light, and the like existing in the plasma 13c and a decrease in mold poisoning are obtained. Due to the activating effect, the bacteria, mold fungi, and mold venom that have settled on the object 19 are each killed and inactivated.

Next, the rotary valve 21 is operated, and the flour of the target 19 is charged into the reaction vessel 1 from the target input hopper 20 via the rotary valve 21 and the charging port 23. The supply speed is in the range of approximately 100 g to 1 kg per minute, and here, for example, approximately 400 g per minute.
The flour of the object 19 charged into the reaction vessel 1 falls from the charging port 23 to the sieve mesh 5, and most of the flour is placed on the sieve mesh 5. The flour of the object 19 placed on the sieve mesh 5 gradually falls downward while being sieved by the vibrating sieve mesh 5. The amount of flour of the falling object 19 is approximately 400 g per minute. The object 19 that has passed through without being placed on the sieve mesh 5 falls and moves toward the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a.
The object 19 sieved by the sieve mesh 5 falls onto the first object dispersion mesh 25a. A part of the object 19 that has reached the first object dispersion mesh 25a passes through and falls toward the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a. Most of the objects that have reached the first object dispersion mesh 25a are temporarily placed on the first object dispersion mesh 25a and spread while being dispersed by the vibration of the vibrator 17. And fall.

The object 19 that has dropped or passed through the first object dispersion mesh 25a passes through the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a, and is temporarily placed on the second object dispersion mesh 25b. Another part of the object 19 that has fallen from the mesh 25a is placed on the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a.
The object 19 once placed on the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a falls by vibrating by the vibrator 17, and is once placed on the second object dispersion mesh 25b. You.
The object 19 placed on the second object dispersion mesh 25b spreads and falls while being dispersed by the vibration of the vibrator 17. The object 19 that has dropped from the mesh 25b passes through the second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b and drops toward the collection plate 18.

When the target object 19 passes through the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a and the second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b in which the barrier discharge plasma 13c is generated, the target 19 has a plasma sterilizing action and a mold poisoning inactivating action, The flour to be treated 19 is sterilized and treated for mold venom.
The object 19 subjected to the plasma processing by the barrier discharge plasma 13c is collected in the collection box 16 via the collection plate 18 and the collection port 15.

As described above, in the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the reaction container 1 is a cylindrical container, and the center line 1a of the cylindrical container is in the vertical direction. And a sieve mesh 5, a first object dispersion mesh 25a, a first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a, and a second object dispersion A mesh 25b and a second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b are arranged, and a barrier discharge plasma 13c is generated in the first-stage plasma generation electrode 27a and the second-stage plasma generation electrode 27b, and the object 19 is placed in the barrier discharge plasma. 13c, the flour, which is the object 19, moves in a substantially vertical direction from the upper side to the lower side of the reaction vessel 1, and the amount of the processing is the same as the first and second-stage plasma generation electrodes 27a. Proportional to 27b area and the opening ratio of the.
As a result, it is possible to easily cope with the need to process a large number of objects 19 by increasing the sizes of the first and second stage plasma generation electrodes 27a and 27b.
In the above description, the number of the regions where the barrier discharge plasma 13c is generated is two in total of the first and second-stage plasma generation electrodes 27a and 27b. However, the effect of the plasma processing of the object 19 is further ensured. Therefore, it is possible to easily increase the generation region of the barrier discharge plasma 13c to three or more.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention can plasma-process a large amount of powdery, granular, or similar objects in a large amount, quickly, without unevenness, and is practically usable. It is possible to provide.
The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention includes rice flour, flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cacao powder, matcha powder, powdered cheese and the like. A large amount of the powdery target can be subjected to plasma processing, and can be provided as a practical machine. The economic effect of the practical use of the present invention in the processed food industry is remarkable.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, an atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The configuration of the plasma generation means of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is such that a flat ground electrode and a flat non-ground electrode having an opening penetrating along the vertical direction of the reaction vessel 1 are separated. The flat ground electrode and the flat non-ground electrode are arranged so that the positions of the openings of the flat ground electrode and the flat non-ground electrode are shifted from each other so as not to overlap when viewed from the vertical direction. That is, the plate-type ground electrode and the plate-type non-ground electrode are arranged in order from the upper side of the reaction vessel 1, and the positions of the through holes are shifted from each other. The object to be processed does not directly pass through the through-hole of the flat non-grounded electrode, but is once placed on the flat non-grounded electrode, and then is vibrated by the vibrator 17 to be processed. It falls from the through hole of the ground electrode.
When arranging the flat-type ground electrode and the flat-type non-grounded electrode, the vertical position of the arrangement position is such that the flat-type non-grounded electrode and the flat-type grounded electrode are arranged in this order from the upper side of the reaction vessel 1. You may.
Specifically, as the plasma generating means, a ground electrode 12 having an opening which is a component of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and the third embodiment of the present invention And a flat non-grounded electrode 11d having an opening, which is a constituent member of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the above.
Even when the ground electrode 12 and the flat non-ground electrode 11d are combined, similarly to the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to the first, second, third and fourth embodiments of the present invention, rice flour, A large quantity of powdery objects such as flour, buckwheat flour, soy flour, squash flour, ginseng flour, fish flour, spices, cacao powder, matcha powder, powdered cheese, etc. can be plasma-treated in large quantities and provided as a practical machine It is possible to
In this case, since the ground electrode 12 and the flat non-ground electrode 11d are structurally strong, they are excellent in maintainability. As a result, the economic effect of the practical application of the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus in the processed food industry according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention is remarkably large.

1 ... reaction vessel,
1a: center line of the reaction vessel
2 ... Reception port for processing object
5 mesh for sieve,
6 ... connection terminal,
7 ... AC power supply,
8a, 8b ... first and second power supply lines,
9a: Atmospheric inlet,
9b ... air outlet,
10 ... dielectric,
11 ... ungrounded electrode,
11a: Opening of non-ground electrode 11,
11b 1st rod type non-ground electrode,
11c... A second rod-type non-ground electrode
12 ... ground electrode,
12a: opening of ground electrode 12,
12b: first mesh-type ground electrode,
12c: second mesh-type ground electrode,
17 ... shaker,
18 ··· Recovery plate for processing object 19
19 ・ ・ ・ Object to be processed,
25a: first object dispersion mesh,
25b... Second object dispersion mesh.

Claims (10)

A reaction vessel for accommodating the object to be treated, an air inlet for introducing air into the reaction vessel, an air outlet for exhausting the atmosphere inside the reaction vessel, and receiving the object to be treated provided in the reaction vessel A port, a recovery port for recovering the object to be processed from the reaction vessel, a ground electrode, a non-ground electrode, a dielectric provided on at least one of the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode, and the ground. A power supply for applying an AC or pulsed voltage between the electrode and the non-grounded electrode, applying a high voltage from the power supply between the grounded electrode and the non-grounded electrode, and applying an atmospheric pressure plasma between the electrodes. In the atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus for performing plasma processing on the object to be processed,
An opening penetrating from the upper side to the lower side along the vertical direction is disposed in each of the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode, and the plasma processing is performed while dropping the processing target substantially in the vertical direction. Atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization equipment. 2. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mesh for sieving the object to be processed is arranged at a receiving port of the object to be processed. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a mesh for dispersing the object to be processed is disposed above at least one of the ground electrode and the non-ground electrode. 4. The ground electrode according to claim 1, wherein the ground electrode is formed of a metal plate having an opening penetrating along a substantially vertical direction, and the non-ground electrode is a rod-shaped electrode covered with a dielectric. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims. The atmospheric pressure according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the ground electrode is formed of a mesh-shaped metal, and the non-ground electrode is a rod-shaped electrode covered with a dielectric. Plasma sterilization equipment. The ground electrode is formed of a mesh-like metal, and the non-ground electrode has an opening penetrating along a substantially vertical direction, and is formed of a metal plate coated with a dielectric. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The said ground electrode and the said non-ground electrode are both formed by rod-shaped metal, and are arrange | positioned in the substantially one-plane substantially orthogonal to the center line of the said reaction container, The claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization treatment device according to any one of the above items. The ground electrode and the non-ground electrode are both formed as flat electrodes, and the opening of the ground electrode and the opening of the non-ground electrode are arranged so that they do not overlap when viewed from the vertical direction. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: A plurality of N ground electrodes including a first ground electrode, a second ground electrode, and an Nth ground electrode are provided as the ground electrode, and a first non-ground electrode and a second non-ground electrode are used as the non-ground electrodes. A plurality of N non-grounded electrodes comprising a grounded electrode and an Nth non-grounded electrode, wherein each of the first and second non-grounded electrodes is substantially in a plane of N different planes substantially orthogonal to a center line of the reaction vessel; A pair of a ground electrode and a first non-ground electrode, a pair of the second ground electrode and a second non-ground electrode, and a pair of the N-th ground electrode and the N-th non-ground electrode. The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein: The atmospheric pressure plasma sterilization apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the reaction vessel is vibrated by a vibrator.

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