JP2020192511A - Continuous extraction/drying device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a high-versatility continuous extraction/drying device capable of continuously and massively treating various types of plant raw materials.SOLUTION: A continuous extraction/drying device comprises: a treatment tank having a raw material-charging port and discharge port; a microwave irradiation part irradiating the inside of the treatment tank with the microwave; a cooling condenser cooling and condensing the vapor including the extraction component of the raw material evaporated from the treatment tank by heating resulting from the microwave; a recovery tank recovering the extraction component condensed by the cooling condenser; and a decompression instrument decompressing the inside of the treatment tank. The treatment tank comprises a conveyance procedure for conveying the raw material from the charging port to the discharge port through the inside of the treatment tank, and a container for conveying the raw material on the conveyance procedure. The raw material is characteristically conveyed on that conveyance procedure in such a state as being stored in the container.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a continuous extraction / drying apparatus, and more specifically, a highly versatile continuous extraction / drying apparatus capable of continuously and in large quantities processing various types of plant raw materials (hereinafter, also simply referred to as raw materials). Regarding.

Conventionally, many attempts have been made to effectively utilize raw materials such as agricultural residue and wood, and as an example, a method of extracting an extracted component such as an essential oil from a raw material has been implemented.

In recent years, devices have been proposed that use microwaves to remove water from various raw materials or extract extracted components such as essential oils.
For example, Patent Document 1 describes a raw material recycling apparatus (101) using microwaves capable of continuously processing a large amount of raw materials (see FIG. 4).
More specifically, a processing tank (104) having an input port (102) for inputting raw materials and an discharge port (103) for discharging raw materials, and a microwave generator (105) for generating microwaves. A waveguide (106) that guides the microwave generated by the microwave generator into the processing tank, and a cooling condenser (107) that cools and condenses the vapor of the raw material evaporated from the processing tank by heating with the microwave. A recovery tank (108) that collects the liquid condensed by the cooling condenser, and a microwave transmission material that transmits microwaves are provided at the connection between the waveguide (106) and the outer peripheral surface of the processing tank (104). The processing tank has a screw conveyor (108) that conveys the raw material charged into the processing tank from the input port (102) side to the discharge port (103) side, and the connection position of the microwave transmitting material is the processing tank (). 104) Described is a microwave-based recycling apparatus (101), which is located in a filling portion of a raw material in a main body.

Patent No. 5899604

The recycling apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a screw conveyor in the processing tank in order to continuously process a large amount of raw materials, so that the raw materials charged into the processing tank are transferred from the input port side to the discharge port side. It is configured so that it can be transported to.
However, in such a screw conveyor method, there is a risk that the screw conveyor may be entangled with fibers and may be difficult to convey, or may adhere to the processing tank discharge valve and interfere with the opening / closing operation of the discharge valve, resulting in failure. It was not possible to process hard and low-moisture plant raw materials such as coffee beans, and the types of raw materials that could be processed were limited.
Therefore, there is a demand for a highly versatile device that has more types of raw materials that can be processed than the conventional recycling device.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and can continuously and mass-treat various kinds of plant raw materials, especially even liquids can be extracted or concentrated. It provides a possible and versatile continuous extraction / drying apparatus.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises a processing tank having an inlet and an outlet for raw materials.
A microwave irradiation unit that irradiates the inside of the processing tank with microwaves,
A cooling condenser that cools and condenses steam containing the extracted components of the raw material evaporated from the processing tank by heating with the microwave.
A recovery tank that collects the extracted components condensed by the cooling condenser, and
A decompression means for depressurizing the inside of the processing tank is provided.
The processing tank includes a transport means for transporting the raw material from the inlet to the discharge port through the processing tank.
A container for transporting the raw material is provided on the transport means.
The raw material relates to a continuous extraction / drying apparatus, characterized in that the raw material is transported on the transport means in a state of being contained in the container.

The invention according to claim 2 relates to the apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conveying means is a roller conveyor or a conveyor rail.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the processing tank has an input path connecting the input port and the processing tank, and an opening / closing type first shutter and a second shutter are provided upstream and downstream in the input path, respectively. Arranged, a spare chamber on the input side is provided between the first shutter and the second shutter.
The processing tank has a discharge path connecting the discharge port and the treatment tank, and an opening / closing type third shutter and a fourth shutter are arranged upstream and downstream in the discharge path, respectively, and the third shutter The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a discharge side spare chamber is provided between the fourth shutter and the fourth shutter.

In the invention according to claim 4, the microwave irradiation unit is
A microwave generator that generates microwaves and
A waveguide that guides the microwave generated by the microwave generator into the processing tank,
The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a microwave transmitting material that transmits microwaves is provided at a connection portion between the waveguide and the outer peripheral surface of the processing tank. ..

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the microwave transmissive material has a flat or curved surface whose surface shape on the inner surface side of the processing tank is connected to the inner surface of the processing tank without unevenness, and from the inner surface to the outer surface of the processing tank. It has a shape that becomes larger as it goes toward it.
The waveguide has a flange at the end connected to the processing tank.
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the microwave transmitting material is in contact with the flange on the outer surface side of the processing tank.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the microwave generator continuously irradiates microwaves on the upstream side in the transport direction of the raw material and pulsates the microwaves on the downstream side. 5. The apparatus according to 5.

According to the invention of claim 1, the continuous extraction / drying apparatus includes a processing tank having an inlet and an outlet for raw materials, a microwave irradiation unit that irradiates the inside of the processing tank with microwaves, and heating by microwaves. A cooling condenser that cools and condenses the steam containing the extracted components of the raw material evaporated from the processing tank, a recovery tank that recovers the extracted components condensed by the cooling condenser, and a decompression means for reducing the pressure inside the processing tank. The processing tank is provided with a transport means for transporting the raw material from the inlet to the discharge port through the processing tank, and a container for transporting the raw material on the transport means, and the raw material is placed in the container. Since the raw material is transported on the transport means in the housed state, the raw material is processed by being subjected to microwave irradiation in the tank while being housed in the container, so that the raw material is a solid material. Can be processed even if it is a liquid raw material, and any raw material can be processed regardless of the characteristics of the raw material.
In addition, since the raw material is processed in a container, the raw material can be processed without breaking the prototype of the raw material.
Further, the steam from this raw material can be collected in a cooling condenser and cooled, and the obtained extracted components such as essential oil can be recovered in a recovery tank.
Further, it is possible to process the raw material under reduced pressure, and it is possible to prevent deterioration and deterioration of the raw material component due to high temperature.

According to the invention of claim 2, since the transporting means is a roller conveyor or a conveyor rail, the raw materials contained in the container can be more easily transported together with the container, and all the raw materials can be processed more easily. Can be done.

According to the invention of claim 3, the processing tank has an input path connecting the input port and the processing tank, and an opening / closing type first shutter and a second shutter are arranged upstream and downstream in the input path, respectively. However, a spare chamber on the input side is provided between the first shutter and the second shutter, and the processing tank has a discharge path connecting the discharge port and the treatment tank, and can be opened and closed upstream and downstream in the discharge path, respectively. Since the third shutter and the fourth shutter are arranged and the discharge side spare chamber is provided between the third shutter and the fourth shutter, two shutters are provided for each of the input path and the discharge path, and between the two shutters. By providing the input side spare chamber and the discharge side spare chamber, it is possible to prevent the inflow of air into the processing tank at the time of charging and discharging the raw material. Therefore, the raw material can be continuously processed while maintaining the inside of the processing tank at a constant degree of vacuum.

According to the invention of claim 4, the microwave irradiation unit includes a microwave generator that generates microwaves, a waveguide that guides the microwave generated by the microwave generator into the processing tank, and a waveguide. Since the connection between the microwave and the outer peripheral surface of the processing tank is equipped with a microwave transmitting material that transmits microwaves, all the energy generated by the microwave generator is efficient without the microwaves being reflected on the surface of the raw material. It can be often used for heating raw materials. Therefore, the components can be extracted from the raw material with high energy efficiency.

According to the invention of claim 5, the surface shape of the inner surface side of the processing tank forms a flat surface or a curved surface that connects to the inner surface of the processing tank without unevenness, and as it goes from the inner surface to the outer surface of the processing tank. The waveguide has a large shape, the waveguide has a flange at the end connected to the processing tank, and the microwave transmission material is in contact with the flange on the outer surface side of the processing tank, so that the inside of the tank is in contact with the flange. It is possible to eliminate the unevenness of the flange, widen the space inside the processing tank, and realize high cleanability.
Further, the microwave transmitting material has a shape that increases from the inner surface to the outer surface of the processing tank, and the waveguide has a flange at the end connected to the processing tank, and the microwave transmitting material is the processing tank. It is in contact with the flange on the outer surface side, and by connecting the waveguide and the microwave transmission material via the flange, it functions as an antenna for efficiently irradiating the raw material with microwaves, and to the waveguide. It can have both the function of preventing the infiltration of raw materials and the function of an airtight window when the pressure is reduced.

According to the invention of claim 6, since the microwave generator continuously irradiates the microwave on the upstream side in the transport direction of the raw material and pulsates the microwave on the downstream side, the downstream side having a low water content ( Since the raw material on the discharge side) can be pulse-irradiated with microwaves, the raw material can be dried while preventing the raw material from being burnt and the quality of the extracted component from being deteriorated.

It is an overall block diagram of the continuous extraction / drying apparatus which concerns on this invention. In (A) a partial vertical sectional view and (B) a partial horizontal sectional view of a microwave transmitter, a waveguide, a flange and a microwave generator connected to the processing tank of the continuous extraction / drying apparatus according to the present invention. is there. It is a figure which shows an example of the microwave switching machine arranged between the waveguide of the continuous extraction / drying apparatus which concerns on this invention, and a microwave generator. It is an overall block diagram of the raw material recycling apparatus described in Patent Document 1.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the continuous extraction / drying apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, but the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited by these descriptions.
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a continuous extraction / drying apparatus according to the present invention.

The continuous extraction / drying apparatus (1) according to the present invention has a processing tank (4) having an input port (2) and an discharge port (3) for the raw material (M), and microwaves in the processing tank (4). A microwave irradiation unit (5) to be irradiated, a cooling condenser (6) that cools and condenses the steam containing the extracted component of the raw material (M) evaporated from the processing tank (4) by heating with microwaves, and a cooling condenser ( A recovery tank (7) for recovering the extracted components condensed by 6) and a decompression means (8) for reducing the pressure inside the treatment tank (4) are provided, and the treatment tank (4) is provided with a charging port (2). To transport the raw material (M) from the processing tank (4) to the discharge port (3), and to transport the raw material (M) on the transporting means (9). A container (10) is provided, and the raw material (M) is transported on the transport means (9) in a state of being housed in the container (10).

Examples of the plant raw material in the present invention include, but are not limited to, plant raw materials such as citrus peel, cedar, cypress, nuts, coffee beans, medicinal herbs, and seaweed.

These raw materials are housed in the container (10) alone or together with the extraction solvent and charged into the processing tank (4).
The extraction solvent may be appropriately selected depending on the type of raw material and is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include water, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, ethers, hexane, acetone, ethyl acetate and tetrahydrofuran. it can. Generally, in the case of microwave extraction, the extraction ability is excellent and there are many cases where the raw material can be extracted by itself, but when an extraction solvent is used, water is preferably used because it is safe and inexpensive.

The processing tank (4) is for processing the raw material inside, and the shape thereof may be a rectangular parallelepiped or the like, but the shape is not particularly limited.
The processing tank (4) has a raw material (M) input port (2) at one end (upstream end) in the length direction and a raw material (M) discharge port (3) at the other end (downstream end). doing.
Inside the processing tank (4), a transport means (9) for transporting the container (10) containing the raw material (M) from the input port (2) side to the discharge port (3) side is provided.

As the transporting means (9), any container (10) containing the raw material (M) can be used as long as it can be transported from the input port (2) side to the discharge port (3) side. Can be done.
For example, as the transporting means (9), specifically, a conveyor or the like on which a container (10) containing a raw material (M) is placed or suspended can be mentioned.
The conveyor used as the transport means (9) is preferably a roller conveyor or a conveyor rail.
By using a roller conveyor or a conveyor rail as the transport means (9), the container (10) containing the raw material (M) can be transported in a large amount and stably.
Further, by using the conveyor rail as the transport means (9), it is possible to irradiate the microwave from below the rail and effectively irradiate the microwave from the bottom side of the container (10).
The transport means (9) does not have to be self-propelled. For example, a rail or a roller may be installed to convey the container (10) containing the raw material (M) while pushing it with an extrusion means (not shown) such as an extrusion cylinder.

At the top, side and / or bottom of the processing tank (4), a microwave irradiation unit (5) for irradiating microwaves is provided in the processing tank (4).
The configuration of the microwave irradiation unit (5) is not particularly limited, and any structure that can irradiate the processing tank (4) with microwaves can be used.
As described above, the configuration of the microwave irradiation unit (5) is not limited, but for example, the microwave irradiation unit (5) includes a microwave generator (51) that generates microwaves and a microwave generator (51). A microwave transmitting material that transmits microwaves to the connection between the waveguide (52) that guides the microwave generated by the above to the processing tank (4) and the waveguide (52) and the outer peripheral surface of the processing tank (4). (53) and.
Further, in order to prevent the raw material (M) from being scorched, the continuous irradiation microwave generator (51) installed on the upstream side in the transport direction of the raw material (M) continuously irradiates the microwave and is installed on the downstream side. It is preferable to pulse-irradiate the microwave with the pulse-irradiating microwave generator (51).
By pulsating the raw material (M) on the discharge side having a low water content with a microwave, the raw material (M) can be dried while preventing the raw material (M) from being scorched and the quality of the essential oil from being deteriorated.
The arrangement of the continuous irradiation microwave generator (51) and the pulse irradiation microwave generator (51) can be appropriately changed according to the type and state of the raw material (M).

The number of microwave generators (51) may be one for continuous irradiation microwave generator (51) and one for pulse irradiation microwave generator (51), but the raw material (M) in the processing tank (4) may be one. ), It is preferable to install a plurality of each so that microwaves can be evenly irradiated.

A magnetron is preferably used as the microwave generator (51), but an oscillator using an electron tube such as a gyrotron, a klystron, or a traveling wave tube, a crystal oscillator, or the like is unique depending on the type of the raw material (M). Other known microwave generators, such as solid-state oscillators that amplify vibrations, can also be used.

FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of (A) of the microwave transmitting material (53), the waveguide (52), the flange (54) and the microwave generator (51) connected to the processing tank (4). (B) Partial cross-sectional view.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the microwave transmitting material (53) is arranged at the connection portion between the waveguide (52) and the outer peripheral surface of the processing tank (4), and the microwave transmitting material (53) and the flange. (54), the waveguide (52), and the microwave generator (51) are connected to the processing tank (4) in this order.
As shown in FIG. 2B, the surface shape of the processing tank (4) on the inner surface side of the microwave transmitting material (53) forms a flat surface or a curved surface that connects to the inner surface of the processing tank (4) without unevenness, and the processing tank (4) It has a shape that increases from the inner surface to the outer surface of 4).
The waveguide (52) has a flange (54) at the end connected to the processing tank (4).
Further, the microwave transmitting material (53) is in contact with the flange (54) on the outer surface side of the processing tank (4).
As shown in FIG. 2 (B), the microwave transmitting material (53) and the waveguide (52) are connected via a flange (54).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a microwave switching machine arranged between the waveguide and the microwave generator of the continuous extraction / drying device according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the pulse irradiation microwave generator (51) has a microwave switching machine (55) for switching the microwave irradiation position of the waveguide (52) and the microwave generator (51). It is desirable that it is configured to perform pulse irradiation by arranging it in between.
As a result, the output of the pulse irradiation microwave generator (51) can be effectively utilized as compared with the case where the power of the pulse irradiation microwave generator (51) is turned on and off to perform pulse irradiation. Pulse irradiation can be performed without giving a large load to the irradiation microwave generator (51).
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the waveguide (52) may be branched into two as a unit or as a separate body, or may be branched more than that.
The microwave switching machine (55) is arranged between the waveguide (52) and the microwave generator (51) branched in this way.
Since the waveguide (52) is branched, one microwave generator irradiates a plurality of irradiation ports with microwaves. Therefore, when the power of the microwave generator is turned on and off and pulse irradiation is performed. In comparison, the number of required microwave generators is small.

The microwave emitted from the microwave generator (51) by the microwave switch (55) irradiates any branch of the waveguide (52).
After that, after a certain period of time elapses, the microwave irradiation position is switched by the microwave switching machine (55), and another branch is irradiated with the microwave.
By repeating this operation, microwave pulse irradiation can be realized without turning the power of the microwave generator on and off.
By providing the microwave switching machine (55) in this way, the output of the microwave generator (51) can be effectively utilized, and the power can be turned on / off while the microwave generator is in the continuous operation state. Pulse irradiation can be realized without imposing a large load on the microwave generator (51) as in the case of repeating.
Further, as a known microwave switching machine, there is one using a mechanical mechanism. Specific examples include a rotary switch.

The microwave generator (51) is provided with a cooling fan (not shown), and hot air from the cooling fan can be collected by an exhaust duct (not shown), and the warm air is used to collect the warm air from the discharge port (3). It may be configured so that the discharged raw material can be further dried.
The material of the exhaust duct may be any material, and wood, metal, synthetic resin or a combination thereof may be used, but it is desirable that the material has heat resistance.

At the upper part of the processing tank (4), steam containing the extracted component (steam containing the extracted component) in the raw material that is heated and evaporated in the processing tank (4) by microwave irradiation is sent to the outside of the processing tank (4). One end of a passage (11) for taking out and leading to the cooling condenser (6) is connected.
The other end of the passage is connected to the cooling condenser (6).

The refrigerant flowing in the cooling condenser (6) is once taken out to the outside, cooled by the cooling device (61), and then returned to the cooling condenser (6) again.
The extract component-containing steam supplied into the cooling condenser (6) from the upper portion of the processing tank (4) through the passage (11) is cooled by the refrigerant supplied from the cooling device (61) and liquefied. It is collected in a collection tank (7) connected to the bottom of the cooling condenser (6).

Water or an antifreeze solution can be used as the refrigerant of the cooling condenser (6), and an antifreeze solution containing alcohol as a main component or ethylene glycol or the like as a main component may be used. ..
Although not particularly limited, water is preferably used as a refrigerant because it is inexpensive.

Aromatic distilled water containing essential oils, aroma components, etc. is collected in the recovery tank (7).
The upper portion of the recovery tank (7) is connected to the vacuum pump (81), which is a decompression means, via the first pipe (12).
When the vacuum pump (81) is driven, the pressure inside the processing tank (4) is reduced through the first pipe (12), the cooling condenser (6) and the passage (11).
By utilizing the fact that the boiling point is lowered by reducing the pressure in the treatment tank (4), extraction can be performed at a low temperature without impairing the quality of the extraction component such as the aroma component.

The charging port (2) of the processing tank (4) is open toward the side, and the charging port (2) and the processing tank (4) are connected by a charging path (21).
The opening and closing type first shutter (22) and second shutter (23) are arranged upstream and downstream in the closing path (21), respectively, and the closing side is located between the first shutter (22) and the second shutter (23). It has a spare room (24).
The discharge port (3) of the treatment tank (4) is open toward the side, and the discharge port (3) and the treatment tank (4) are connected by a discharge path (31).
An openable third shutter (32) and a fourth shutter (33) are arranged upstream and downstream in the discharge path (31), respectively, and the discharge side is located between the third shutter (32) and the fourth shutter (33). It has a spare room (34).
The opening / closing style of the first to fourth shutters is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a vertical opening / closing type, a left / right opening / closing type, and a double door.

Since the processing tank (4) has a charging side spare chamber (24) sandwiched between two shutters, when the container (10) containing the raw material (M) is charged, the first upstream side first. One shutter (22) is opened to supply the container (10) containing the raw material (M) to the charging side spare chamber (24), the first shutter is closed, and the inside of the charging side spare chamber (24) is evacuated. After that, the second shutter (23) is opened and the container (10) containing the raw material (M) in the charging side spare chamber (24) is charged into the processing tank (4), thereby charging the processing tank (4). 4) It is possible to prevent the air from flowing into the inside.

Further, since the processing tank (4) has a discharge side spare chamber (34) sandwiched between the two shutters, when the container (10) containing the raw material (M) is discharged, the upstream side is first discharged. The third shutter (32) of the above is opened to discharge the container (10) containing the raw material into the discharge side spare chamber (34), and the third shutter (32) is closed to keep the discharge side spare chamber (34) at normal temperature. After the pressure is applied, the fourth shutter (33) is opened and the container (10) containing the raw material (M) in the discharge side spare chamber (34) is discharged to the outside to enter the processing tank (4). It is possible to prevent the inflow of air.
Therefore, the raw material can be continuously processed while keeping the inside of the processing tank (4) at a constant degree of vacuum.
Therefore, not only the solid substance but also the liquid raw material (M) can be extracted and concentrated.

As shown in FIG. 1, the input side spare chamber (24) is routed through the second pipe (13), and the discharge side reserve chamber (34) is routed through the third pipe (14). It is connected to 82).
The input side spare chamber (24) may be connected to the vacuum pump (81) via the second pipe, and the discharge side spare chamber (34) may be connected to the vacuum pump (81) via the third pipe.
When the vacuum pump (81) and the second vacuum pump (82) are driven, the pressure in the processing tank (4), the input side spare chamber (24) and the discharge side spare chamber (34) is reduced.
The output (degree of vacuum) of the vacuum pump (81) can be changed according to the type of raw material.
When the first pipe (12), the second pipe (13), and the third pipe (14) are provided between the processing tank (4), the input side spare chamber (24), and the discharge side spare chamber (34), respectively. The inside of the processing tank (4), the inlet side spare chamber (24), and the discharge side spare chamber (34) can be depressurized by one vacuum pump (81).
Therefore, the structure is simple and the controllability is excellent, and the raw material can be continuously processed while keeping the inside of the processing tank (4) at a constant vacuum degree.

The continuous extraction / drying apparatus (1) according to the present invention has a first pressure sensor (FIG.) in the input side spare chamber (24), the discharge side reserve chamber (34), and the processing tank (4) in order to detect the pressure. A second pressure sensor (not shown) and a third pressure sensor (not shown) may be provided.
The pressure sensor is not particularly limited, and for example, a diaphragm type pressure sensor can be used.
Further, the continuous extraction / drying apparatus (1) according to the present invention drives the vacuum pump (81) and the second vacuum pump (82) based on the detection results of these pressure sensors, and the second piping (13) and Atmospheric release valve and flow path opening valve, which are solenoid valves arranged in the third pipe (14), first shutter (22), second shutter (23), third shutter (32), fourth shutter (33). It may have a control means (not shown) for controlling the opening and closing of the.
The control means includes a computer equipped with a CPU, a memory (RAM, ROM), and the like.
The memory includes the drive of the vacuum pump (81) and the second vacuum pump (82), the atmosphere release valve and the flow path opening valve which are the solenoid valves arranged in the second pipe (13) and the third pipe (14). A program for automatically controlling the opening and closing of the first shutter (22), the second shutter (23), the third shutter (32), and the fourth shutter (33) is stored, and the control means executes the program. The above automatic control is realized by.

The processing tank (4) may have a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature inside the processing tank (4).
A program for automatically controlling the irradiation of the transport means (9) and the microwave generator (51) is stored in the memory of the control means, and the control means is based on the detection result of the temperature sensor. The above automatic control is realized by executing.
The temperature in the treatment tank (4) is usually constant when the water content of the raw material is high, and rises when the water content decreases.
When the temperature in the processing tank (4) exceeds a predetermined temperature, the control means increases the transport speed of the transport means (9) for preventing the scorching of the raw material and lowers the temperature in the treatment tank (4). The program is executed so as to reduce the irradiation of the wave generator (51).
The temperature sensor is not particularly limited, but it is preferable to use a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, or the like because it is inexpensive and easy to install.
By controlling the temperature in the processing tank (4) using the temperature sensor, the raw material can be dried while preventing the raw material from being scorched due to the temperature rise and the quality of the extracted component from being deteriorated.

The input-side spare chamber (24), the discharge-side reserve chamber (34), and the processing tank (4) may each be provided with a peep window (not shown) for visually recognizing the inside.
By providing the viewing window in this way, it is possible to check the state of the raw materials in the input side spare chamber (24), the discharge side spare chamber (34), and the processing tank (4).

In the continuous extraction / drying apparatus (1) according to the present invention, an automatic feed pretreatment apparatus (not shown) that conveys the raw material (M) from the pre-stage processing apparatus to the container (10) arranged at the inlet (2). May be used.
Examples of the pre-stage treatment device include a squeezing device for squeezing citrus fruits and the like and then discharging the squeezed residue.
Hereinafter, a method of transporting the raw material (M) from the pre-stage processing device to the container (10) arranged in the inlet (2) of the continuous extraction / drying device (1) by using the automatic feed pretreatment device will be described. ..
First, the raw material (M) conveyed from the pre-stage processing device by a belt conveyor or the like is charged into the charging section of the automatic feed pre-processing device.
It may be provided with another mechanism capable of transporting the raw material without using a belt conveyor, and the raw material may be directly charged from the pre-stage processing apparatus to the charging unit.
The charged raw material is conveyed to the crusher by the first automatic feeder.
Examples of the mechanism for transporting the raw material of the first automatic feeding device include a screw conveyor and a belt conveyor, but the mechanism is not particularly limited.
The raw material crushed by the crusher is conveyed to the container (10) arranged in the inlet (2) by the second automatic feeder.
Examples of the mechanism for transporting the raw material of the second automatic feeding device to the container (10) arranged in the charging port (2) include a mono pump, a screw conveyor, and the like, but the mechanism is not particularly limited.

In the continuous extraction / drying apparatus (1) according to the present invention, the raw material (M) is transported on the transport means (9) in a state of being contained in the container (10) for transporting the raw material (M). ..
The shape and material of the container (10) are not particularly limited, and the raw material (M) can be stored inside the container (10), can be carried into the processing tank (4), and is resistant to microwave irradiation. Anything can be used as long as it is.
As described above, the material of the container (10) is not particularly limited, but for example, polypropylene resin such as tapper used in a microwave oven transmits microwaves (does not generate heat), is inexpensive, and is hard to break, so that the container (10) is hard to break. ) Is preferable as the material.
Further, the shape and material of the container (10) can be appropriately selected according to the type of the raw material (M) to be processed and the state of the raw material (M) desired after the treatment.
Since the raw material (M) is processed in a state of being contained in the container (10), it is possible to put different raw materials into adjacent containers and process them at the same time without mixing them.
In addition, since there is no possibility that the raw material (M) adheres to the inner wall of the processing tank (4) or the transport means (9), maintenance such as cleaning inside the processing tank (4) becomes easy.
Further, since the raw material (M) can be dried without breaking the prototype, it can be used as a food drying device for dried fruits and the like. This function is a function that cannot be achieved by a conventional screw conveyor type device.

Hereinafter, an extraction method using the continuous extraction / drying apparatus (1) according to the present invention will be described.
First, the vacuum pump (81) and / or the second vacuum pump (82) is driven, and with the first shutter (22) and the second shutter (23) closed, the air release valve of the second pipe (13) is opened. By opening and closing the flow path opening valve, the pressure inside the input side spare chamber (24) becomes normal.
Next, with the first shutter (22) open and the second shutter (23) closed, the container (10) containing the raw material (M) is placed in the charging side spare chamber (24) from the charging port (2). throw into.
Then, the first shutter (22) is closed, the air release valve of the second pipe (13) is closed, and the flow path opening valve is opened to bring the inside of the input side spare chamber (24) to a predetermined negative pressure.
After that, by opening the second shutter (23), the container (10) containing the raw material is put into the processing tank (4) having a predetermined negative pressure.

Microwaves generated by the microwave generator (51) while the container (10) containing the raw material (M) is transported from the input port (2) side to the discharge port (3) side by the transport means (9). Waves are introduced from the waveguide (52) into the processing tank (4).
As a result, the raw material (M) contained in the container (10) in the processing tank (4) is heated by microwaves and transported from the input port (2) side to the discharge port (3) side.

When the raw material (M) contained in the container (10) in the processing tank (4) is heated by microwaves, the steam (extracted component-containing steam) containing the extracted components (essential oil, etc.) evaporated from the raw materials passes through. It is guided to the cooling condenser (6) through (11), cooled by the refrigerant supplied from the cooling device (61), liquefied, and recovered in the recovery tank (7).
In the recovery tank (7), aromatic distilled water containing essential oils, aroma components and the like is collected.

The container (10) containing the raw material (M) that has reached the discharge port (3) side is discharged from the processing tank (4) by the following procedure.
First, with the vacuum pump (81) and / or the second vacuum pump (82) driven, the third shutter (32) and the fourth shutter (33) are closed, and the air release valve of the third pipe (14) is opened. By closing and opening the flow path opening valve, the inside of the discharge side spare chamber (34) is made a predetermined negative pressure.
Next, the third shutter (32) is opened, the container (10) containing the raw material in the processing tank (4) is put into the discharge side spare chamber (34), and the third shutter (32) is closed.
After that, the atmospheric release valve of the third pipe (14) is opened and the flow path opening valve is closed to bring the inside of the discharge side spare chamber (34) to normal pressure.
Then, by opening the fourth shutter (33), the container (10) containing the raw material (M) is discharged to the outside from the discharge port (3).

The continuous extraction / drying apparatus according to the present invention has a processing tank having an inlet and an outlet for raw materials, a microwave irradiation unit that irradiates the inside of the processing tank with microwaves, and evaporates from the processing tank by heating with microwaves. The processing tank is provided with a cooling condenser that cools and condenses the steam containing the extraction component of the raw material, a recovery tank that recovers the extraction component condensed by the cooling condenser, and a decompression means for reducing the pressure inside the processing tank. A transport means for transporting the raw material from the inlet to the discharge port through the processing tank and a container for transporting the raw material on the transport means are provided, and the raw material is contained in the container. Since it is characterized by being transported on a transport means, the raw material is processed by being irradiated with microwaves in the tank while being contained in the container, so that even a solid raw material is a liquid raw material. However, it can be processed regardless of the characteristics of the raw material.
In addition, since the raw material is processed in a container, the raw material can be processed without breaking the prototype of the raw material.
Low boiling point vapors can be collected and recovered from the liquid, or the high boiling point components of the liquid can be concentrated.
In addition, steam from this raw material can be collected in a cooling condenser and cooled, and the obtained extracted components can be recovered in a recovery tank.
Further, it is possible to process the raw material under reduced pressure, and it is possible to prevent deterioration and deterioration of the raw material component due to high temperature.

Therefore, the continuous extraction / drying apparatus according to the present invention can be widely used as an extraction / drying apparatus for various types of plant raw materials.

1 Continuous extraction / drying device 2 Input port 3 Discharge port 4 Processing tank 5 Microwave irradiation unit 6 Cooling condenser 7 Recovery tank 8 Decompression means 9 Transport means 10 Container M Raw material

Claims (6)

A processing tank having a raw material input port and a raw material discharge port,
A microwave irradiation unit that irradiates the inside of the processing tank with microwaves,
A cooling condenser that cools and condenses steam containing the extracted components of the raw material evaporated from the processing tank by heating with the microwave.
A recovery tank that collects the extracted components condensed by the cooling condenser, and
A decompression means for depressurizing the inside of the processing tank is provided.
The processing tank includes a transport means for transporting the raw material from the inlet to the discharge port through the processing tank.
A container for transporting the raw material is provided on the transport means.
A continuous extraction / drying apparatus, characterized in that the raw material is transported on the transport means in a state of being contained in the container. The device according to claim 1, wherein the transport means is a roller conveyor or a conveyor rail. It has a charging path that connects the charging port and the processing tank, and an opening / closing type first shutter and a second shutter are arranged upstream and downstream of the charging path, respectively, and the first shutter and the second shutter With a spare room on the input side in between
It has a discharge path that connects the discharge port and the processing tank, and arranges a third shutter and a fourth shutter that can be opened and closed, respectively, upstream and downstream in the discharge path, and the third shutter and the fourth shutter are arranged. The apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a discharge side spare chamber is provided between the two. The microwave irradiation unit is
A microwave generator that generates microwaves and
A waveguide that guides the microwave generated by the microwave generator into the processing tank,
The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a microwave transmitting material that transmits microwaves is provided at a connection portion between the waveguide and the outer peripheral surface of the processing tank. The microwave transmissive material has a flat surface or a curved surface that connects the inner surface side of the processing tank without unevenness to the inner surface of the processing tank, and has a shape that increases from the inner surface to the outer surface of the processing tank. And
The waveguide has a flange at the end connected to the processing tank.
The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the microwave transmitting material is in contact with the flange on the outer surface side of the processing tank. The apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the microwave generator continuously irradiates microwaves on the upstream side in the transport direction of the raw material and pulsates the microwaves on the downstream side.