JP2021148575A - Moisture content measuring device and moisture content measuring method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a moisture content measuring device and moisture content measuring method, capable of accurately measuring that a powder reaches a dry state having a moisture content to be targeted even when the powder deposits on the window of a drying device.SOLUTION: In a moisture content measuring device 1, a resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 constituted of one port VNA sends a signal to be measured in a microwave or millimeter wave band into a treatment vessel 11 through a window part 11e from a port to receive a signal component sent from the window part 11e through the treatment vessel 11 by the port and measure the resonance characteristics of the treatment vessel 11 in the process of uniformly charging the air and a powder as a dielectric into a treatment vessel 11 and heating the dielectric to reduce the moisture content of the powder. A controller 50 performs control to specify that the powder reaches a dry state including a moisture content to be targeted on the basis of resonance characteristics measured by the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 while sliding the frequency of the signal and preset resonance characteristics and stop heating.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a water content measuring device for measuring water contained in a powder in a non-destructive and non-contact manner, and a water content measuring method.

Continuous production is attracting attention in the field of manufacturing tablets, which are pharmaceutical products. Continuous production is a production method in which the processes of weighing, mixing, granulation, drying, and sizing, which are the processes of manufacturing tablets, are performed with a continuous device. There are merits such as space saving and reduction of human error in work.

In addition, it is possible to produce highly reliable tablets by measuring with various sensors in each process and controlling the process. One of the measurement items is the water content measurement performed in a process such as drying. This is used for the purpose of measuring the water content of a tablet as a powder in real time and adjusting the drying time so as to achieve a predetermined drying state.

Conventionally, in this application, a technique using a sensor using near infrared rays (for example, Patent Document 1 and the like) is known.

JP-A-2009-249359

When measuring the water content with a sensor using near infrared rays as in the conventional device described in Patent Document 1, the device for drying is provided with a window for transmitting near infrared rays, and the sensor is installed in the window to dry the dryer. The configuration that measures the inside is common.

However, the powder containing water may adhere to the window of the drying device, and in that case, near infrared rays cannot be transmitted to the inside depending on the amount of water contained in the powder, which makes measurement with a sensor difficult. There are challenges. Therefore, in order to maintain the measurement with the sensor, a sensor capable of transmitting the powder adhering to the window is required.

The present invention has been made to solve such a conventional problem, and even when the powder adheres to the window of the drying device, the powder is in a dry state having a target water content. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water content measuring device capable of accurately measuring the fact that the result has occurred, and a water content measuring method.

In order to solve the above problems, the water content measuring device according to claim 1 of the present invention has a metal wall surface, and a hollow non-metal window portion (11e, 11f) is provided on the metal wall surface. The treatment when the processing container (11, 11A) and the processing container are uniformly filled with powder and gas as a dielectric and the powder is in a dry state having a target water content. The setting means (61, 61A) for setting the resonance characteristics of the container, the heating means (12b) for heating the dielectric filled in the processing container, and the signal for measuring the microwave or millimeter wave band are described above. Resonance characteristic measurement that sends out from the window to the processing container, receives the signal component emitted from the window through the processing container, and measures the resonance characteristic of the processing container filled with the dielectric. The resonance characteristics of the processing container measured by the means (30, 30A, 30B) and the resonance characteristic measuring means while sliding the frequency of the signal for measurement while the dielectric is being heated, and the resonance characteristics of the processing container are set by the setting means. It is configured to have a water content measuring control means (62, 62A) for identifying that the powder is in the dry state based on the resonance characteristics.

With this configuration, the water content measuring device according to claim 1 of the present invention uses a signal (electromagnetic wave) in the microwave or millimeter wave band, so that even if powder adheres to the window portion, the powder is used. It is possible to maintain good signal transmission regardless of the amount of water contained in the powder, and to measure the water content of the powder in a non-destructive, non-contact and accurate manner through measurement of resonance characteristics.

Further, in the water content measuring device according to claim 2 of the present invention, the resonance characteristic measuring means has a signal transmitting unit (121) and a receiving unit (122) for the measurement, and is transmitted from the transmitting unit. And the signal that is sent from the transmitting unit through the window unit into the processing container, reflected by the dielectric material filled in the processing container, and received by the receiving unit through the window unit. The structure is such that the reflection characteristic of the processing container is measured based on the components, and the reflection characteristic measured by the water content measuring means by the resonance characteristic measuring means is the target water content of the powder. When the reflection characteristics set by the setting means are matched in accordance with the dry state having the above, the powder may be determined to be in the dry state.

With this configuration, the water content measuring device according to claim 2 of the present invention can realize the measurement of the resonance characteristic by the reflection characteristic and the measurement of the water content of the powder by using one resonance characteristic measuring means. It is possible to reduce the cost.

Further, in the water content measuring device according to claim 3 of the present invention, the processing container has a first window portion (11e) and a second window portion (11f) at positions facing each other on the metal wall surface, respectively. The first resonance characteristic measuring means (30A), wherein the resonance characteristic measuring means is provided corresponding to the first window portion and the second window portion, respectively, and has a signal transmitting unit and a receiving unit for the measurement. ), And the signal transmitted from the transmitting unit of the first resonance characteristic measuring means and the transmitting unit of the first resonance characteristic measuring means having the second resonance characteristic measuring means (30B). It is delivered into the processing container through the first window portion, passes through the dielectric material filled in the processing container, passes through the second window portion, and is transmitted by the receiving unit of the second resonance characteristic measuring means. The structure is such that the transmission characteristic of the processing container is measured based on the received signal component, and the water content measurement control means is measured by the first resonance characteristic measuring means and the second resonance characteristic measuring means. When the permeation characteristic matches the permeation characteristic set by the setting means corresponding to the dry state having the target water content of the powder, it is determined that the powder is in the dry state. It may be a configuration.

With this configuration, the water content measuring device according to claim 3 of the present invention can measure the resonance characteristic by the transmission characteristic using two resonance characteristic measuring means, and increases the variation for measuring the resonance characteristic. be able to.

Further, in the water content measuring device according to claim 4 of the present invention, the setting means sets the value of the S parameter constituting the vertical axis of the resonance characteristic in the dry state having the target water content as a set value. Then, in the water content measuring control means, when the value of the S parameter in the resonance characteristic of the processing container measured by the resonance characteristic measuring means matches the set value, the powder becomes the dry state. It may be configured to determine that the product has been used.

With this configuration, the water content measuring apparatus according to claim 4 of the present invention has reached the target dry state of the powder from the value of the S parameter in the resonance characteristic of the processing container measured by the resonance characteristic measuring means. This can be specified and the processing load can be reduced.

In order to solve the above problem, the water content measuring method according to claim 5 of the present invention has a metal wall surface, is hollow inside, and is provided with a non-metal window portion (11e, 11f) on the metal wall surface. A water content measuring method for measuring the water content of the powder in a state where the powder is put into the treated container (11, 11A) and the powder and the gas are uniformly filled as a dielectric. Therefore, the setting steps (S1, S1A) for setting the resonance characteristics of the processing container when the powder is in a dry state having a target water content, and the dielectric filled in the processing container. The heating control step (S3) for heating the body and the signal for measuring the microwave or millimeter wave band during the heating control are sent from the window to the processing container while sliding the frequency within the variable frequency range. , Resonance characteristic measurement step (S4, S5, S4A, S5A) for receiving a signal component emitted from the window portion through the processing container and measuring the resonance characteristic of the processing container filled with the dielectric. ), The resonance characteristic of the processing container measured in the resonance characteristic measurement step, and the water content characteristic of the powder being in the dry state based on the resonance characteristic set in the setting step. A configuration including a measurement control step (S6, S6A, S7) and a heating stop control step (S8) for stopping the heating of the dielectric when the powder is specified to be in the dry state. have.

With this configuration, the water content measuring method according to claim 5 of the present invention can be applied to the microwave even when the powder adheres to the window portion regardless of the water content contained in the powder. Alternatively, a microwave band signal (electromagnetic wave) can be satisfactorily transmitted, and the water content of the powder can be measured accurately in a non-destructive and non-contact manner through measurement of resonance characteristics.

The present invention provides a water content measuring device capable of accurately measuring that the powder is in a dry state having a target water content even when the powder adheres to the window of the drying device, and a water content. A quantity measuring method can be provided.

It is a system block diagram of the simulation model used for the verification of the 1st measurement principle for the water content measurement of the powder which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the dryer adopted in the simulation model shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the reflection characteristic obtained as the verification result of the 1st measurement principle for the water content measurement of the powder which concerns on this invention. It is a system block diagram of the simulation model used for the verification of the 2nd measurement principle for the water content measurement of the powder which concerns on this invention. It is an overall block diagram of the water content measuring apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the detailed structure of the processing container in the water content measuring apparatus shown in FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the water content measuring apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the water content measurement processing operation of the water content measuring apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the water content measuring apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control system of the water content measuring apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the water content measurement processing operation of the water content measuring apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the water content measuring device and the method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

In the water content measuring device according to the present invention, for example, a powder or the like which is a raw material for tablets is put into a dryer, moistened in the container, mixed with a gas or the like, and uniformly filled. It measures the amount of water (moisture content) contained in the powder dried in. In view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present inventor has determined the water content of the powder using high-frequency signals of microwaves and millimeter waves, which are signals that can pass the powder (didens) filled in the dryer. The measurement method was examined. First, the measurement principle will be described.

(First measurement principle)
In examining the first measurement principle, it is assumed that the gas (air) and powder are uniformly distributed in the internal space (hollow part: inside the dryer) of the dryer. At this time, the relative permittivity of the powder in the container of the dryer is ε ₁ , the relative permittivity of the gas in the container is ε _0, and the ratio (filling rate) of the powder in the container is N (0 <N). Assuming <1), using Lichtenecker's logarithmic mixing law, the relative permittivity ε2 of the entire inside of the dryer is
logε ₂ = N logε ₁ + (1−N) logε ₀・ ・ ・ (1)
It can be expressed as.

Here, if ε ₀ is 1,
logε ₂ = N logε ₁
logε ₂ = N logε ₁ ^N
ε ₂ = ε ₁ ^N・ ・ ・ (2)
Therefore, assuming that the dryer is a metal structure, the dryer can be regarded as a cavity resonator (hereinafter referred to as a resonator) filled with a dielectric _{having a relative permittivity of ε 2.}

Further, the powder is a substance in which the tablet material and the water content are combined, and the dielectric constant of each is 10 or less for the tablet material and about 80 for the water content. From the above formula, the relative permittivity ε ₁ of the powder is the water content. It is expected that it will change significantly depending on the situation.

Furthermore, since the resonance characteristics of a resonator filled with a dielectric are determined by the shape of the resonator and the dielectric constant of the dielectric, the change in the resonance characteristics when the dryer is regarded as a resonator is powder. It will represent the change in the water content of.

Resonance characteristics can be measured using a vector network analyzer (VNA) connected to a dryer. A VNA is a device that measures the frequency characteristics of a high-frequency signal that passes through and is reflected by an object to be measured, and includes one having one port and one having two or more ports. Regarding the measurement of the water content of the powder according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the resonance characteristic by measuring the transmission characteristic using two or more VNA ports, but as a cheaper method, one port is used. It is conceivable to use only one and measure the reflection characteristics to obtain the resonance characteristics.

The present inventor has confirmed (verified) using a simulation model 100 that the reflection characteristics of a dryer regarded as a resonator can be measured using a 1-port VNA (first measurement principle). .. As shown in FIG. 1, the simulation model 100 includes a dryer 110, a 1-port VNA 120, and a control PC 130.

As shown in FIG. 2, for example, the dryer 110 is composed of a hollow cylindrical metal member having a radius (R) of 100 mm and a height of 200 mm, and powder is placed in the hollow portion (inside the vessel 111). , Can be uniformly filled with gas (air). A window portion 112 made of, for example, a non-metal is formed in a predetermined position on the side surface of the dryer 110, and a waveguide 113 for excitation extends at a right angle to the outside of the side surface so as to surround the window portion 112. Has been done. The waveguide 113 has a configuration capable of transmitting and receiving a high-frequency signal for measurement to and from the inside of the device 111 with the window portion 112 sandwiched through the hollow portion thereof.

The VNA 120 has a signal source 121, a receiving unit 122, and a port 123, and a vibration unit 124 is attached to the port 123. The signal source 121 is a portion that generates and transmits a measurement signal to be transmitted to the port 123 and the receiving unit 122. The signal source 121 generates, for example, a signal in a microwave or millimeter wave frequency band. The signal source 121 constitutes the transmission unit of the present invention.

The receiving unit 122 outputs the signal output from the signal source 121 and the signal source 121 to the port 123, and radiates the signal to the inside 111 of the dryer 110 via the exciting unit 124, the waveguide 113, and the window unit 112. After that, it is a part that receives a signal input to the port 123 via the window unit 112, the waveguide 113, and the vibration unit 124. The vibration unit 124 is a source of vibration of a signal radiated from the port 123 of the VNA 120 to the inside 111 of the dryer 110, and is composed of an antenna, a transmission line, and the like.

The control PC 130 is composed of a personal computer (PC) and has a calculation function unit that calculates the reflection characteristics of the dryer 110 based on the signal received by the reception unit 122 of the VNA 120 connected by the USB cable. By this arithmetic function unit, the control PC 130 is radiated from the signal source 121 to the inside 111 of the dryer 110 via the port 123 with the signal transmitted from the signal source 121 and received by the receiving unit 122, and then the port. The arithmetic processing for obtaining the S11 parameter, which is the ratio of the signals input to 123 (ratio of power), is performed.

Regarding the control conditions for obtaining the reflection characteristics in the simulation model 100 having the above configuration, the relative permittivity in the dryer 110 is set to 2.2 (assuming a relative permittivity of about 24 for the powder and a filling rate of 0.25). It can be changed in 3 steps of 2.0 (assuming a relative permittivity of powder of about 16 and a filling rate of 0.25) and 1.8 (assuming a relative permittivity of powder of about 10 and a filling rate of 0.25). The setting was set. Further, the frequency variable range of the measurement signal output by the VNA 120 is set to, for example, a frequency width of 1.1 GHz to 1.4 GHz.

In the reflection characteristic measurement simulation by the simulation model 100, the VNA 120 is driven and controlled by the control PC 130, the signal generated by the signal source 121 is transmitted to the receiving unit 122, and the signal is transmitted to the port 123, the vibrating unit 124, and the waveguide. While radiating through the tube 113 and the window 112 to the powder and gas (filling: dielectric) uniformly filled in the inside 111 of the dryer 110, by the filling of the inside 111 of the dryer 110 The reflected signal component was taken in by the reverse path and received by the receiving unit 122, and the reception result was analyzed and processed by the control PC 130.

At that time, according to the control conditions described above, the relative permittivity in the internal 111 of the dryer 110 is changed in order of 2.2, 2.0, and 1.8, and the measurement signal output from the VNA 120 each time. The frequency of the above was controlled to be changed within the variable frequency range, and the reflection characteristic was measured based on the received signal in the receiving unit 122.

As a result of measuring the reflection characteristics by the simulation model 100, the reflection characteristics (frequency characteristics of S11) as shown in FIG. 3 were obtained. The reflection characteristics shown in FIG. 3 show the relationship between the two with the horizontal axis representing the frequency and the vertical axis representing the S11 parameter (power value). As an example, the relative permittivity of the inside 111 of the dryer 110 is set to 2. When set to 2, if the frequency is changed within the variable frequency range (1.1 to 1.4 GHz in this example), for example, the S11 parameter decreases when the frequency exceeds 1.21 GHz. It reverses from a trend to an upward trend. Similarly, when the relative permittivity of the internal 111 of the dryer 110 is set to 2.0 and 1.8 and the frequency is changed within the above frequency variable range, for example, the frequency is 1.27 GHz and 1 At around .34 GHz, the S11 parameter reverses from a downward trend to an upward trend.

According to the reflection characteristics shown in FIG. 3, there is a frequency at which the value of the S11 parameter decreases due to resonance in a state in which a filler (dielectric) containing powder is filled in the dryer 110, which is a resonator. It can be seen that the frequency changes according to the relative permittivity of the entire dielectric of the inside 111 of the dryer 110. From this measurement result, it was confirmed that the reflection characteristics of the dryer 110 can be obtained by the 1-port VNA 120 and the water content of the powder can be measured.

(Second measurement principle)
The first measurement principle is to measure the reflection characteristics of the dryer 110, which is regarded as a resonator, using one VNA 120 having one port, but if cost is acceptable, two one-port VNAs. A method of measuring the transmission characteristics of the resonator using the above is also conceivable.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration of a simulation model 100A for verifying that the transmission characteristics of the dryer 110A can be measured using two 1-port VNAs (second measurement principle).

In the simulation model 100A, the same functional parts as those of the simulation model 100 (see FIG. 1) are designated by the same reference numerals. As shown in FIG. 4, in the simulation model 100A, the dryer 110A has windows 112a and 112b at a predetermined side surface position and a side surface position on the opposite side thereof, respectively, and corresponds to the respective window portions 112a and 112b. Waveguides 113a and 113b are provided. Other configurations are the same as the dryer 110 of the simulation model 100.

In the simulation model 100A, the VNAs 120a and 120b are arranged so as to face the other end openings of the waveguides 113a and 113b, respectively. The basic structures of VNA 120a and 120b are the same as those of VNA 120 shown in FIG.

The control PC 130A is equivalent to the control PC 130, and is dried based on the measurement outputs of the VNAs 120a and 120b instead of the arithmetic function unit that calculates the reflection characteristics of the resonator of the dryer 110 using one VNA. It has a calculation function unit that calculates the transmission characteristics of the device 110A. By this arithmetic function unit, the control PC 130A is output from the signal source 121 of the VNA 120a and received by the receiving unit 122, and is output from the signal source 121 of the VNA 120a and sent out from the port 123a, and is transmitted to the oscillation source 124a and the induction source 124a. It is radiated from the window portion 112a via the wave tube 113a to the filling in the vessel 111 of the dryer 110A, then discharged from the window portion 112b to the outside of the vessel, and is discharged to the outside of the vessel via the waveguide 113b and the vibration portion 124b to the port 123b. Arithmetic processing for obtaining the transmission characteristic, which is the ratio of signals (ratio of power) received by the receiving unit 122 of the waveguide 122 via the waveguide, is executed. The control PC 130A is equivalent to the control PC 130 (see FIG. 1) except that it has a calculation function unit related to the transmission characteristic.

In the transmission characteristic measurement simulation by the simulation model 100A, the waveguide is driven and controlled by the control PC 130A, and the measurement signal output from the signal source 121 is sent to the receiving unit 122, while the measurement signal output from the signal source 121 is used. A signal is radiated from the port 123a to the inside 111 of the dryer 110A via the waveguide 113a and the window 112a, and the VNA 120b is driven from the inside 111 of the dryer 110A via the window 112b and the waveguide 113b. The signal input to the port 123a was received by the receiving unit 122, and the reception result (measurement result of the transmission characteristic) was analyzed and processed by the control PC 130A.

At that time, for example, as in the case of the first measurement principle, the relative permittivity in the internal 111 of the dryer 110A is changed in the order of (2.2), (2.0), and (1.8). Based on the reception output of the receiving unit 122 of the VNA 120b, the horizontal axis is the frequency and the vertical axis is the power, while controlling the frequency of the signal output from the VNA 120a to be changed within the variable frequency range. The permeation characteristics of the dryer 110A representing the above were measured.

As a result of measuring the transmission characteristics by the simulation model 100A, there is a frequency at which the value on the vertical axis decreases due to resonance in the dryer 110A, which is a resonator, and that frequency is the relative permittivity of the entire dielectric of the internal 111 of the dryer 110A. I was able to grasp that it was changing according to the rate. From this measurement result, it was possible to acquire the permeation characteristics of the dryer 110A using two VNAs 120a and 120b having one port, and to confirm that the water content of the powder in the container 111 can be measured. ..

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(First Embodiment)
First, the configuration of the water content measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7.

The water content measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment is provided, for example, in the tablet manufacturing line, in association with the granulation drying device that performs the steps of mixing, granulating, and drying the powder that is the raw material of the tablet. The water content of the powder that is uniformly filled with air or the like in the processing container of the granulation drying device is measured.

The water content measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment measures the water content of the powder based on the first measurement principle, and as shown in FIG. 5, the granulation drying device 10 and the resonance characteristic measurement. It is configured to have a sensor 30 and a control device 50.

As shown in FIG. 6, for example, the granulation drying device 10 has a main body portion 11a and a bottom portion 11b connected below the main body portion 11a, and the main body portion 11a and the bottom portion 11b are composed of a hollow cylindrical metal member. In order to put powder into the hollow part (inside the container: corresponding to the inside of the container 111 in FIGS. 1 and 4), mix it with gas (air), and perform the drying process while granulating. The processing container 11 of the above, the ventilation device 12 connected to the bottom portion 11b of the processing container 11 and sending hot air into the processing container 11, the stirring device 13 arranged at the bottom 11b of the processing container 11, and supplied into the processing container 11. It is configured to include a filter device 14 for discarding the generated hot air.

On the side wall of the upper part of the main body 11a of the processing container 11, a tubular charging portion 11c for connecting a transport pipe, which is an element of the pre-process of the mixing / granulating / drying process, is formed, and the charging portion 11c is charged. A mouth 11d is provided. A window portion 11e made of, for example, a non-transparent non-metallic member is provided at a predetermined position on the peripheral surface of the main body portion 11a of the processing container 11. On the side of the bottom portion 11b of the processing container 11, an outlet 11g for taking out the powder dried so as to have a predetermined water content from the inside of the processing container 11 is provided.

The ventilation device 12 has a blower 12a and a heater 12b (see FIG. 5), and blows hot air, for example, about 60 to 100 ° C., sent through the blower 12a and the heater 12b into the processing container 11. , It is connected to the bottom portion 11b of the processing container 11 so that it can be disposed of from the exhaust duct 15 connected to the upper portion of the main body portion 11a of the processing container 11. The upper part of the ventilation device 12 is connected to the tubular bottom portion 11b of the processing container 11 via a filter layer 16 such as a mesh for supporting the powder as a raw material.

The stirring device 13 is provided inside the bottom portion 11b of the processing container 11. The stirring device 13 has a stirring blade (agitator) 13a rotatably provided above the filter layer 16 and a rotor disk 13b rotatably provided around the filter layer 16.

The filter device 14 is a device for discharging the hot air to the outside after removing and cleaning the fine powder component of the powder as a raw material contained in the hot air supplied to the inside of the processing container 11.

Further, injection nozzles 17a and 17b of a liquid binder containing water are individually provided on the upper side of the main body 11a and the lower side of the bottom 11b of the processing container 11.

The granulation drying device 10 having the above configuration is configured so that the liquid binder can be sprayed from the injection nozzles 17a and 17b onto the granules put into the processing container 11 to adjust the water content of the granules. There is. Further, the granulation drying device 10 can rotate the rotor disk 13b in the stirring device 13 and rotate the stirring blade 13a to perform centrifugal rolling of the granules housed therein. Further, the granulation drying device 10 can blow hot air from the bottom 11b side of the processing container 11 through the filter layer 16, and the fluidized bed granulation can be performed by the floating flow stirring action of the hot air blown from below. ing.

Further, the granulation drying device 10 rotates the rotor disc 13b and the stirring blade 13a, and blows hot air from the bottom 11b side of the processing container 11 through the filter layer 16 to stir the hot air and the rotor disc 13b. And the stirring action of the stirring blade 13a is made to act in a centralized manner so that the granules can be rolled and granulated in a fluidized layer.

The resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 is composed of a 1-port VNA. The 1-port VNA adopted here has a configuration equivalent to that of the VNA 120 (see FIG. 1) described in the explanation of the first measurement principle, and is inside the processing container 11 with the window portion 11e of the processing container 11 interposed therebetween. It is arranged at a position where signals can be transmitted and received between the filling material (a powder containing water and a gas mixed and uniformly filled: a dielectric).

The 1-port VNA as the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 has, for example, a frequency range of 40 MHz to 4 GHz. Further, this 1-port VNA has a USB cable 5 and can be connected to the control device 50 by the USB cable 5 for drive control. Further, this 1-port VNA can handle a measurement speed of up to 120 μsec / point, for example, and can secure a measurement accuracy of ± 0.5 dB (a representative value of −6 dB). The resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 constitutes the resonance characteristic measurement means of the present invention.

Note that FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which a waveguide 113 is provided corresponding to the window portion 112 of the dryer 110 and a vibration generating portion 124 is provided in the VNA 120. The corresponding portion, that is, the waveguide provided corresponding to the window portion 11e of the processing container 11, and the vibration portion provided in the VNA 120, is not shown.

The control device 50 corresponds to the control PC 130 (see FIG. 1) mentioned in the description of the first measurement principle, and sets the resonance characteristics, drives the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30, and outputs the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30. It is intended to comprehensively control the water content measuring device 1 such as the measuring process of the water content of the powder in the processing container 11 based on the above.

As shown in FIG. 7, the control device 50 has, for example, a control unit 51, an operation unit 52, and a display unit 53. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 51a, a storage unit 51b, an external interface (I / F) unit 51c, and a USB port 51d. The CPU 51a realizes the setting control unit 61, the water content measurement control unit 62, and the display control unit 63 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 51b, for example.

The operation unit 52 is composed of input devices such as a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel, and outputs the information input for the operation to the control unit 51. The display unit 53 is composed of an image display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays an image for inputting information necessary for measuring the water content of the powder, an image showing a state under test, and the like. The external I / F unit 51c serves as an interface function for connecting the control device 50, the blower 12a provided in the granulation drying device 10, and the heating heater 12b via the network 6. The USB port 51d is a portion for connecting the USB connector of the USB cable 5 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30.

In the control device 50, the CPU 51a includes a setting control unit 61, a water content measurement control unit 62, and a display control unit 63.

The setting control unit 61 performs various setting processes such as setting control data and measurement conditions for measuring the water content of the powder filled in the processing container 11 as a filling material. For example, the setting control unit 61 corresponds to the relative dielectric constant determined by the total amount of the filler (powder containing water and gas: dielectric) in the processing container 11, the mixing ratio of the powder and the gas, and the like. Therefore, it has a function of setting the reflection characteristics of the powder when the powder is in a state having a target water content (dry state). This reflection characteristic may be measured in advance (see FIG. 3) and stored as the control data in the control table 60 prepared in advance in the storage unit 51b before the measurement.

The water content measurement control unit 62 controls each unit related to the measurement of the water content of the powder in the processing container 11 based on the set control data and measurement conditions. Specifically, the water content measurement control unit 62 generates a measurement signal from the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 while changing the frequency in one direction within a preset frequency range, and radiates it from the port. The reflection characteristic is measured in real time while receiving the signal input from the port, and the measurement result is controlled to be retained. During this time, the water content measurement control unit 62 drives the blower 12a to send hot air, and performs heating drive control for heating and driving the heating heater 12b. Further, the water content measurement control unit 62 compares the measurement result with the reflection characteristics (control data) set in advance, and when the two match, the powder is in a dry state having the target water content. It is specified and controlled so as to stop the heating drive control.

The display control unit 63 is for displaying various information such as a control data setting screen related to the measurement by the setting control unit 61 and the measurement result of the reflection characteristic by the water content measurement control unit 62 on the display unit 53. Display control is performed. The display control unit 63 controls the display unit 53 to display a message notifying the fact that the powder is in a dry state having a target water content from the measurement result of the reflection characteristics. May be done.

Next, the water content measurement processing operation of the water content measuring device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

In order to start this water content measurement process, first, the setting control unit 61 is in a dry state having the target water content of the powder based on a predetermined setting operation in the operation unit 52. The reflection characteristic of the powder is stored in the control table 60 as control data for measuring the water content (step S1). The reflection characteristics set as control data are those measured in advance. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the frequency and power (S11 parameter) correspond to the relative permittivity of the dielectric material filled in the processing container 11. ) And the correspondence with.

After setting the reflection characteristics in step S1, the water content measurement control unit 62 drives and controls the blower 12a and the agitator 13 based on the predetermined measurement start operation in the operation unit 52, and puts them into the processing container 11. The powder and the gas whose water content has been adjusted are mixed and stirred to perform a filling process for uniformly filling the powder and the gas (step S2).

During the execution of the filling process in step S2, the water content measurement control unit 62 heats and drives the heating heater 12b to control the filling to be heated (step S3).

While executing the heating control in step S3, the water content measurement control unit 62 drives the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30, and signals for measurement from the port while sequentially fluctuating and setting the oscillation frequency within a predetermined frequency range. Is radiated, and a signal input to the port is received through the processing container 11 (step S4), and a process of measuring the reflection characteristics of the powder based on the transmitted / received signal is performed (step S5). ).

Here, assuming that the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 has the same configuration as the VNA 120 shown in FIG. 1, the water content measurement control unit 62 transmits the signal generated by the signal source 121 to the reception unit 122. At the same time, the signal is radiated into the processing container 11 (filling) through the port 123, the vibration unit 124, the waveguide 113, and the window 112, while the signal reflected in the processing container 11 (filling) is emitted. The resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 is driven so as to be captured by the reverse path and received by the receiving unit 122.

Next, the water content measurement control unit 62 sends out the signal transmitted from the signal source 121 and received by the receiving unit 122, and is transmitted from the signal source 121 and radiated to the filling material in the processing container 11, and then, after that, The reflection characteristic, which is the ratio of the signal received by the receiving unit 122 in the reverse path, is obtained (step S5), and the obtained reflection characteristic value (measured value) and the reflection characteristic set as control data (step S5) are obtained. It is determined whether or not the set value) matches (step S6).

If it is determined that the measured value does not match the set value (NO in step S6), the water content measurement control unit 62 measures the reflection characteristic while further fluctuating the oscillation frequency (step S4). (Step S5).

During this period, if it is determined that the measured value matches the set value (YES in step S6), the water content measurement control unit 62 determines that the powder is in a dry state having a target water content. (Step S7), the drive (heating control) of the heater 12b is stopped (step S8), and a series of water content measurement processes are completed.

In the first embodiment, the reflection characteristics of the processing container 11 corresponding to the dry state including the target water content of the powder are measured in advance, and the frequency (horizontal) in the desired frequency region in these measurement results is measured. The correspondence between the axis) and the S11 parameter (vertical axis) is set in the control table 60 as the reflection characteristic (set value), and the variation of the parameter (frequency) on the horizontal axis in the reflection characteristic measured in the reflection characteristic measurement mode. Focusing on it, the control operation of determining that the powder has reached the target dry state (controlling the water content measurement) is illustrated.

However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, it may be configured to determine that the powder has reached the target dry state by paying attention to the fluctuation of the vertical axis parameter (S11 parameter) in the reflection characteristics measured in advance. good. In this case, the setting control unit 61 sets the value of the S11 parameter constituting the vertical axis of the resonance characteristic in the dry state having the target water content as a set value in the control table 60, and controls the water content measurement. Moisture content measurement control in which the unit 62 determines that the powder has reached the target dry state when the power value in the resonance characteristic of the processing container 11 measured by the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 matches the above set value. The configuration may be such that the operation is executed. According to this configuration, the processing load of the water content measurement control can be expected to be reduced, and when it is known that the relative permittivity (moisture content) of the dielectric electric material in the processing container 11 changes only slightly. Especially useful for.

As described above, the water content measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment has a processing container 11 having a metal wall surface and a hollow metal wall surface provided with a non-metal window portion 11e, and the inside of the processing container 11. A setting control unit 61 for setting the resonance characteristics of the processing container 11 in a dry state in which the powder and the gas are uniformly filled as a dielectric and the powder has a target water content, and the processing container. A heating heater 12b for heating the dielectric material filled in the 11 and a signal for measuring a microwave or millimeter wave band are sent from the window 11e to the processing container 11 and passed through the processing container 11 to the window 11e. Resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 that receives the signal component emitted from the container and measures the resonance characteristic of the processing container 11 filled with the dielectric, and resonance while sliding the frequency of the signal for measurement during heating of the dielectric. A water content measurement control unit 62 that identifies that the powder has become dry based on the resonance characteristics of the processing container 11 measured by the characteristic measurement sensor 30 and the resonance characteristics set by the setting control unit 61. It is a configuration having.

With this configuration, the water content measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment uses a signal (electromagnetic wave) in the microwave or millimeter wave band, so that even if powder adheres to the window portion 11e, it can be attached to the powder. It is possible to maintain good signal transmission regardless of the amount of water contained, and to measure the water content of the powder in a non-destructive, non-contact and accurate manner through measurement of resonance characteristics.

In particular, in the water content measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment, the resonance characteristic measuring sensor 30 has a signal source 121 and a receiving unit 122 for measuring signals, and the signal transmitted from the signal source 121 and the signal source. Reflection of the processing container 11 based on a signal component sent from 121 through the window portion 11e into the processing container 11 and reflected by the dielectric material filled in the processing container 11 and received by the receiving unit 122 through the window portion 11e. The structure is such that the characteristics are measured, and the water content measurement control unit 62 sets the reflection characteristics measured by the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 according to the dry state having the target water content of the powder. When the reflection characteristics set by 61 are matched, it is determined that the powder is in a dry state.

With this configuration, the water content measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment can realize the measurement of the resonance characteristic by the reflection characteristic and the measurement of the water content of the powder by using one resonance characteristic measuring sensor 30. It is possible to reduce the cost.

Further, in the water content measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment, the setting control unit 61 sets the value of the S11 parameter constituting the vertical axis of the reflection characteristic in the dry state having the target water content as the set value. The water content measurement control unit 62 determines that the powder is in a dry state when the value of the S11 parameter in the reflection characteristic of the processing container 11 measured by the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30 matches the set value. Is.

With this configuration, the water content measuring device 1 according to the present embodiment has reached the target dry state of the powder from the value of the S11 parameter in the resonance characteristic of the processing container 11 measured by the resonance characteristic measuring sensor 30. This can be specified and the processing load can be reduced.

Further, in the method for measuring the water content according to the present embodiment, the powder is put into a processing container 11 having a metal wall surface, having a hollow inside, and having a non-metal window portion 11e provided on the metal wall surface. It is a water content measuring method in which the water content of the powder is measured in a state where the powder and the gas are uniformly filled as a dielectric, and the powder is in a dry state having a target water content. Setting step S1 for setting the resonance characteristics of the processing container 11 at the time, heating control step S3 for heating the dielectric filled in the processing container 11, and a signal for measuring a microwave or millimeter wave band during heating control. Is sent from the window portion 11e to the processing container 11 while sliding the frequency within the variable frequency range, and the signal component emitted from the window portion 11e through the processing container 11 is received and the dielectric is filled. Powder based on the resonance characteristic measurement steps (S4, S5) for measuring the resonance characteristics of the processing container 11 and the resonance characteristics of the processing container 11 measured in the resonance characteristic measurement step and the resonance characteristics set in the setting step. The water content measurement control step (S6, S7), which is characteristic of the body being in a dry state, and the heating stop in which the heating of the dielectric is stopped by specifying that the powder is in the dry state. The configuration includes the control step S8.

With this configuration, the water content measuring method according to the present embodiment can be applied to the microwave or millimeter even when the powder adheres to the window portion 11e regardless of the water content contained in the powder. Wave band signals (electromagnetic waves) can be satisfactorily transmitted, and the water content of powder can be measured with high accuracy in a non-destructive and non-contact manner through measurement of resonance characteristics.

(Second Embodiment)
The water content measuring device 1A according to the present embodiment measures the water content of the powder based on the second measurement principle, and as shown in FIG. 9, the granulation drying device 10A and the resonance characteristic measurement. It is configured to have sensors 30A and 30B and a control device 50A. In the water content measuring device 1A, the same functional parts as those of the water content measuring device 1 (see FIG. 5) according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

The water content measuring device 1A measures the permeation characteristics of the filling material filled in the processing container 11A, which is regarded as a resonator, by using two resonance characteristic measuring sensors 30A and 30B each consisting of one port of VNA. , It has a configuration having a transmission characteristic measurement function instead of the reflection characteristic measurement function according to the water content measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment. The configuration other than the portion related to the measurement function of the reflection characteristic is the same as that of the water content measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment.

The two 1-port VNAs used as the resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B have the same configurations as the VNAs 120a and 120b (see FIG. 4) mentioned in the explanation of the second measurement principle, respectively, and are processing containers. A signal is transmitted and received between the window portions 11e and 11f provided on the outer walls of the peripheral surfaces of the 11A opposite to each other and the filling in the processing container 11A. The resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B constitute the first resonance characteristic measurement means and the second resonance characteristic measurement means of the present invention, respectively, and the windows 11e and 11f in the processing container 11A are the first resonance characteristic measurement means of the present invention. It corresponds to the window part and the second window part, respectively. Also in FIG. 9, the waveguide provided corresponding to the windows 11e and 11f of the processing container 11A and the exciting portion provided corresponding to the resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B are not shown. ..

The control device 50A corresponds to the control PC 130A (see FIG. 4) described in the description of the second measurement principle, and has, for example, the functional configuration shown in FIG. In FIG. 10, the control device 50A has a control unit 51A, an operation unit 52, and a display unit 53.

The control unit 51A includes a CPU 51a, a storage unit 51b, an external interface (I / F) unit 51c, and a USB port 51d. The CPU 51a realizes the setting control unit 61A, the water content measurement control unit 62A, and the display control unit 63 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 51b, for example.

The setting control unit 61A performs various setting processes such as setting control data and measurement conditions for measuring the water content of the powder filled in the processing container 11A as a filling material. For example, the setting control unit 61A has a target water content corresponding to a relative permittivity determined by the total amount of the filling material in the processing container 11A, the mixing ratio of powder and gas, and the like (a state in which the setting control unit 61A has a target water content ( It has a function of setting the permeation characteristics of the powder when it becomes dry). This transmission characteristic may also be measured in advance and stored as control data in the control table 60A prepared in advance in the storage unit 51b, for example, before the measurement is performed.

The transmission characteristic can be regarded as, for example, in the reflection characteristic shown in FIG. 3, the vertical axis indicates the parameter of the transmission characteristic instead of the S11 parameter. Therefore, regarding the specific example of the transmission characteristic (control data), the frequency and the transmission characteristic parameter (electric power) are set according to the relative permittivity of the filling material inside the processing container 11A based on the transmission characteristic measured in advance. The transparency characteristic data indicating the correspondence between the above may be set.

The water content measurement control unit 62A controls each unit related to the measurement (observation) of the water content of the powder in the processing container 11A. Specifically, the water content measurement control unit 62A generates a measurement signal from the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A while changing the frequency in one direction within a preset frequency range, and passes through the window portion 11e from the port. While radiating to the filling in the processing container 11A, the transmission characteristics are measured in real time while the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30B receives the signal emitted from the window portion 11f through the filling in the processing container 11A. And control to retain the measurement result. During this time, the water content measurement control unit 62A drives the blower 12a to send hot air, and performs heating drive control for heating and driving the heating heater 12b. Further, the water content measurement control unit 62A compares the measurement result with the preset permeation characteristics, and if both are in agreement, identifies that the powder is in a dry state having the target water content and heats the powder. The drive control is controlled to be stopped.

In the control unit 51A, two USB ports 51d are formed, and the USB connector of the USB cable 5 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A and the USB connector of the USB cable 5 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30B are connected to each port. NS.

The configuration of the control device 50A other than the above-described components is the same as the configuration of the control device 50 in the water content measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment.

Next, the water content measurement processing operation of the water content measuring device 1A will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, the same processing steps as those of the water content measurement processing operation (see FIG. 8) of the water content measuring device 1 according to the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals.

In order to start this water content measurement process, first, the setting control unit 61A is in a dry state having the target water content of the powder based on a predetermined setting operation in the operation unit 52. The permeation characteristic setting process of storing the permeation characteristic of the powder at this time as control data for measuring the water content in the control table 60A is performed (step S1A). The reflection characteristic set as the control data is measured in advance. For example, the correspondence between the frequency and the electric power (transmission characteristic parameter) corresponding to the relative permittivity of the dielectric filled in the processing container 11A. It represents.

After setting the permeation characteristics in step S1A, the water content measurement control unit 62A drives and controls the blower 12a and the agitator 13 based on the predetermined measurement start operation in the operation unit 52, and puts them into the processing container 11A. The powder and the gas whose water content has been adjusted are mixed and stirred to perform a filling process for uniformly filling the powder and the gas (step S2).

During the execution of the filling process in step S2, the water content measurement control unit 62A heat-drives the heating heater 12b to control the filling to be heated (step S3).

While executing the heating control in step S3, the water content measurement control unit 62A drives the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A and sequentially fluctuates and sets the oscillation frequency within a predetermined frequency range for measurement from the port. While radiating the signal, the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A is driven to receive the signal input to the port through the processing container 11A (step S4A), and the powder is prepared based on the transmitted / received signal. A process for measuring the transmission characteristics is carried out (step S5A).

Here, assuming that the resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B have the same configuration as the VNA 120a and 120b shown in FIG. 4, the water content measurement control unit 62A is generated by the signal source 121 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A. The signal is transmitted to the receiving unit 122, and the signal is radiated into the processing container 11A (filling) through the port 123a, the vibrating unit 124a, the waveguide 113a, and the window portion 112a, and further in the processing container 11A (filling). The resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B are received by the receiving unit 122 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30B via the waveguide 113b, the vibration unit 124b, and the port 123b. Drive control.

Next, the water content measurement control unit 62A passes through the signal transmitted from the signal source 121 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A and received by the receiving unit 122 and the signal transmitted from the signal source 121 and passed through the filling in the processing container 11A. After that, the transmission characteristic which is the ratio of the signal received by the receiving unit 122 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30B is obtained (step S5A), and the obtained transmission characteristic value (measured value) is set as control data. It is determined whether or not the transmission characteristic (set value) is the same (step S6A).

If it is determined that the measured value does not match the set value (NO in step S6A), the water content measurement control unit 62A measures the transmission characteristic while further fluctuating the oscillation frequency (step S4A). (Step S5A).

During this period, if it is determined that the measured value matches the set value (YES in step S6A), the water content measurement control unit 62 determines that the powder is in a dry state having a target water content. (Step S7), the drive (heating control) of the heating heater 12b is stopped (step S8), and a series of water content measurement processing is completed.

Also in this embodiment, the correspondence between the frequency (horizontal axis) and the S parameter (vertical axis) is set in the control table 60A as the transmission characteristic (set value), and the transmission characteristic is measured in the transmission characteristic measurement mode. Not only determining that the powder has reached the target dry state by focusing on the fluctuation of the parameter on the horizontal axis in, but also focusing on the fluctuation of the parameter (power value) on the vertical axis in the permeation characteristics measured in advance. It may be configured to determine that the powder has reached the target dry state.

As described above, the water content measuring device 1A according to the present embodiment has a processing container 11A having a metal wall surface and having hollow metal wall surfaces provided with non-metal windows 11e and 11f, and a processing container 11A. A setting control unit 61A for setting the resonance characteristics of the processing container 11A in a dry state in which the powder and the gas are uniformly filled as a dielectric and the powder has a target water content. A heating heater 12b for heating the dielectric filled in the processing container 11A and a signal for measuring a microwave or millimeter wave band are sent from the window portion 11e to the processing container 11A, and pass through the processing container 11A to the window. Resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B that receive the signal component emitted from the unit 11f and measure the resonance characteristics of the processing container 11A filled with the dielectric, and the frequency of the signal for measurement during heating of the dielectric. Moisture content that identifies that the powder has become dry based on the resonance characteristics of the processing container 11A measured by the resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B while sliding and the resonance characteristics set by the setting control unit 61A. It has a structure including a measurement control unit 62A.

In particular, in the water content measuring device 1A according to the present embodiment, the processing container 11A has windows 11e and 11f at positions facing each other on the metal wall surface, respectively, and the resonance characteristic measuring function is provided in the windows 11e and 11f. A signal transmitted from the signal source 121 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A, which is provided corresponding to each other and has a resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A and 30B having a signal source 121 and a receiving unit 122 for measurement, and a signal transmitted from the signal source 121 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A. It is sent from the signal source 121 of the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30A through the window portion 11e into the processing container 11A, passes through the dielectric material filled in the processing container 11A, passes through the window portion 11f, and receives the resonance characteristic measurement sensor 30B 122. The transmission characteristic of the processing container 11A is measured based on the signal component received by the water content measurement control unit 62A, and the transmission characteristic measured by the resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B is the target of the powder. When the permeation characteristics set by the setting control unit 61A corresponding to the dry state having the water content to be determined are matched, it is determined that the powder is in the dry state.

With this configuration, the water content measuring device 1A according to the present embodiment can measure the resonance characteristics by the transmission characteristics using two resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B, and a variation for measuring the resonance characteristics can be obtained. Can be increased.

Further, in the water content measuring device 1A according to the present embodiment, the setting control unit 61A sets the value of the S parameter (power value) constituting the vertical axis of the permeation characteristic in the dry state having the target water content. When the value of the S parameter (power) in the transmission characteristics of the processing container 11A measured by the resonance characteristic measurement sensors 30A and 30B is set as a value and the water content measurement control unit 62A matches the set value, the powder is powdered. Is configured to be determined to be in a dry state.

With this configuration, the water content measuring device 1A according to the present embodiment targets the powder from the value of the S parameter (power) in the transmission characteristics of the processing container 11A measured by the resonance characteristic measuring sensors 30A and 30B. It is possible to identify that the product has become dry, and the processing load can be reduced.

As described above, the water content measuring device and the water content measuring method according to the present invention are in a dry state in which the powder has a target water content even when the powder adheres to the window of the drying device. It has the effect of being able to accurately measure the fact that the product has become It is useful for all methods of measuring quantity.

1, 1A Moisture content measuring device 10, 10A Granulation drying device 11, 11A Processing container 11e, 11f Window 12b Heating heater (heating means)
30 Resonance characteristic measurement sensor (resonance characteristic measurement means)
30A resonance characteristic measurement sensor (first resonance characteristic measurement means)
30B resonance characteristic measurement sensor (second resonance characteristic measurement means)
50, 50A control device 61, 61A Setting control unit (setting means)
62, 62A Moisture content measurement control unit (moisture content measurement control means)
110, 110A Dryer 112, 112a, 112b Window 120, 120a, 120b Vector network analyzer (VNA)
121 Signal source (transmitter)
122 Receiver 130, 130A Control PC

Claims (5)

A processing container (11, 11A) having a metal wall surface and having a hollow metal wall surface provided with non-metal windows (11e, 11f).
Setting means for setting the resonance characteristics of the processing container when the powder and the gas are uniformly filled as a dielectric in the processing container and the powder is in a dry state having a target water content. (61, 61A) and
A heating means (12b) for heating the dielectric filled in the processing container, and
A signal for measuring a microwave or millimeter wave band is sent from the window portion to the processing container, and a signal component emitted from the window portion through the processing container is received and the dielectric is filled. Resonance characteristic measuring means (30, 30A, 30B) for measuring the resonance characteristic of the processing container
While heating the dielectric, the powder is based on the resonance characteristics of the processing container measured by the resonance characteristic measuring means and the resonance characteristics set by the setting means while sliding the frequency of the signal for measurement. With the water content measurement control means (62, 62A) for identifying that the dry state has been reached.
A water content measuring device characterized by having. The resonance characteristic measuring means has a signal transmitting unit (121) and a receiving unit (122) for the measurement, and the signal transmitted from the transmitting unit and the processing container from the transmitting unit through the window unit. It is configured to measure the reflection characteristics of the processing container based on the signal component sent out to the inside, reflected by the dielectric filled in the processing container, and received by the receiving unit through the window portion.
In the water content measuring control means, the reflection characteristic measured by the resonance characteristic measuring means is set by the setting means in accordance with the dry state having the target water content of the powder. The water content measuring apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined that the powder is in the dry state when the above conditions are met. The processing container has a first window portion (11e) and a second window portion (11f) at positions facing each other on the metal wall surface, respectively.
The first resonance characteristic measuring means (30A), which is provided corresponding to the first window portion and the second window portion, and has a transmitting unit and a receiving unit of signals for measurement, respectively. The signal transmitted from the transmitting unit of the first resonance characteristic measuring means and the transmitting unit of the first resonance characteristic measuring means having the second resonance characteristic measuring means (30B). It is delivered into the processing container through the first window portion, passes through the dielectric material filled in the processing container, and is received by the receiving unit of the second resonance characteristic measuring means through the second window portion. It is configured to measure the transmission characteristics of the processing container based on the signal component to be measured.
The water content measuring control means corresponds to a dry state in which the permeation characteristics measured by the first resonance characteristic measuring means and the second resonance characteristic measuring means have the target water content of the powder. The water content measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the powder is determined to be in the dry state when the permeation characteristics set by the setting means are matched. The setting means sets the value of the S parameter constituting the vertical axis of the resonance characteristic in the dry state having the target water content as the set value.
The water content measuring control means determines that the powder is in the dry state when the value of the S parameter in the resonance characteristic of the processing container measured by the resonance characteristic measuring means matches the set value. The water content measuring device according to claim 1, wherein the water content measuring device is characterized by the above. The powder is put into a processing container (11, 11A) having a metal wall surface, the inside is hollow, and a non-metal window portion (11e, 11f) is provided on the metal wall surface, and the powder and gas are mixed. It is a water content measuring method for measuring the water content of the powder in a state of being uniformly filled as a dielectric.
Setting steps (S1, S1A) for setting the resonance characteristics of the processing container when the powder is in a dry state having a target water content, and
A heating control step (S3) for heating the dielectric filled in the processing container, and
During the heating control, a signal for measuring a microwave or millimeter wave band is sent from the window to the processing container while sliding the frequency within the variable frequency range, and passes through the processing container from the window. Resonance characteristic measurement steps (S4, S5, S4A, S5A) for receiving the emitted signal component and measuring the resonance characteristics of the processing container filled with the dielectric.
A water content measurement control step characterized by the fact that the powder is in the dry state based on the resonance characteristics of the processing container measured in the resonance characteristic measurement step and the resonance characteristics set in the setting step. (S6, S6A, S7) and
A heating stop control step (S8) for stopping the heating of the dielectric material when the powder is specified to be in the dried state,
A method for measuring a water content, which comprises.

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