JP2023119243A - Processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a processing device capable of monitoring a cooling state of process water in a heat exchanger and cooling the process water in an auxiliary manner in a case where abnormality of cooling occurs.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a processing device 1 comprising a processing tub 3, a heat exchanger 9, abnormality detection means 16 and auxiliary cooling means 4. Provided is the processing device 1 in which the processing tub 3 heats or cools an internally accommodated processed object 2 by process water circulating between the processing tub 3 and the heat exchanger 9, the heat exchanger 9 cools the process water by heat exchange between the process water and a fluid, the abnormality detection means 16 detects abnormality of cooling in the heat exchanger 9 based on a state amount change of the process water or the fluid before/after the heat exchange or based on a flow rate of the fluid, and the auxiliary cooling means 4 cools the process water in a case where abnormality is detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a processing apparatus used for heating and cooling an object to be processed.

2. Description of the Related Art For the purpose of food sterilization, etc., a treatment apparatus is used in which an object to be treated is placed in a treatment tank, heated by treated water circulating between the treatment tank and a heat exchanger, and then cooled. In Patent Document 1, the object to be treated is sterilized by heating with the treated water heated by supplying steam to the heat exchanger, and the object to be treated is cooled by supplying cooling water from the cooling tower to the heat exchanger. Disclosed is a processing apparatus for heat sterilization of foodstuffs capable of cooling the

Japanese Patent No. 4229420

In such a processing apparatus, if the supply of cooling water from a cooling means such as a cooling tower to the heat exchanger is interrupted, the cooling inside the processing tank becomes insufficient. In particular, when the object to be processed is food, insufficient cooling tends to result in poor quality due to overheating. If it is possible to monitor the cooling state of the treated water in the heat exchanger, it is possible to promptly take appropriate measures when a cooling abnormality occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to monitor the cooling state of the treated water in the heat exchanger and to auxiliary cool the treated water when a cooling abnormality occurs. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing apparatus.

According to the present invention, the processing apparatus comprises a processing tank, a heat exchanger, an abnormality detection means, and an auxiliary cooling means. configured to be heated or cooled by treated water circulating between a tank and said heat exchanger, said heat exchanger configured to cool said treated water by heat exchange between said treated water and a fluid; The abnormality detection means is configured to detect a cooling abnormality in the heat exchanger based on a state quantity change before and after heat exchange of the treated water or the fluid, or based on the flow rate of the fluid, and the auxiliary cooling Means are provided for a treatment unit configured to cool the treated water when the anomaly is detected.

In the processing apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to detect a cooling abnormality in the heat exchanger by monitoring the state quantity change of the treated water or fluid before and after the heat exchange by the abnormality detection means. Further, when an abnormality is detected, the auxiliary cooling means can auxiliary cool the treated water to avoid overheating of the object to be treated.

Various embodiments of the present invention are illustrated below. The embodiments shown below can be combined with each other.
Preferably, the abnormality detection means is configured to detect the abnormality based on a pressure difference before and after heat exchange of the fluid.
Preferably, the abnormality detection means is configured to detect the abnormality based on a temperature difference between before and after heat exchange of the treated water.
Preferably, the abnormality detection means is configured to detect the abnormality based on a temperature difference between before and after heat exchange of the fluid.
Preferably, the auxiliary cooling means is water supply means configured to supply the treated water to the treatment tank or the circulation path for the treated water, and the water supply means is adapted to supply the It is configured to additionally supply treated water.
Preferably, a main cooling means is provided, the main cooling means is configured to supply first cooling water as the fluid to the heat exchanger, and the auxiliary cooling means is adapted to reduce the A second cooling water is supplied to the heat exchanger to cool the treated water.

It is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a flow chart showing the operation of the sterilizer 1 of FIG. 1;

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Each feature shown in the embodiments shown below can be combined with each other. In addition, the invention is established independently for each characteristic item.

1. Sterilizer 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a sterilization device 1 as a processing device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The sterilization apparatus 1 of this embodiment is an apparatus for thermally sterilizing an object 2 to be processed and then cooling it. Although the type of the object 2 to be treated is not particularly limited, the sterilizer 1 is preferably used for food, especially retort food.

The sterilization apparatus 1 includes a treatment tank 3, a water supply means 4, a drainage means 5, a pressurization means 6, an exhaust means 7, a circulation means 8, a heat exchanger 9, a steam supply means 10, and a main cooling means. Means 11 , drain discharge means 13 , control means 15 and abnormality detection means 16 are provided. The configuration of each element will be specifically described below.

The processing tank 3 is a hollow container containing the object 2 to be processed, and the object 2 to be processed contained therein is heated or cooled by the treated water circulating between the processing tank 3 and the heat exchanger 9 . configured to Although the shape of the processing tank 3 is not particularly limited, in this embodiment, the processing tank 3 is provided with a horizontally arranged cylindrical member. It is possible. Therefore, by opening the door, the object to be processed 2 can be taken in and out of the processing tank 3, and by closing the door, the opening of the processing tank 3 can be airtightly closed. In this embodiment, the object 2 to be treated is placed on trays 20 accommodated over a plurality of stages on a carriage in the treatment tank 3, and heat sterilization is performed above the bottom surface in the treatment tank 3. .

The processing bath 3 is provided with a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature inside the processing bath 3 and a water level detector (not shown) for detecting the water level inside the processing bath 3 . The water level detector may have any configuration, but may be an electrode type water level detector, for example.

The water supply means 4 supplies water into the processing bath 3 through a water supply channel 40 connected to the bottom of the processing bath 3 . A water supply pump 41 and a water supply valve 42 are provided in the water supply path 40 . By opening the water supply valve 42 while the water supply pump 41 is in operation, water from a water supply source (not shown) can be supplied into the processing tank 3 and stored in the processing tank 3 . In this embodiment, water is stored in the processing bath 3 up to a set water level at which the objects 2 to be processed stored in the processing bath 3 are not immersed.

The water supply means 4 of this embodiment also functions as an auxiliary cooling means. When an abnormality in cooling of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9 is detected by the abnormality detection means 16, which will be described later, relatively low-temperature water is additionally supplied from the water supply means 4 into the treatment tank 3. FIG. As a result, it is possible to prevent the temperature inside the processing tank 3 from being maintained at a relatively high temperature, and to cool the object 2 to be processed.

The drainage means 5 drains water from the treatment tank 3 through a drainage channel 50 connected to the bottom of the treatment tank 3 . The drainage channel 50 is provided with a drainage valve 51 and a check valve 52 . By opening the drain valve 51, the water in the treatment tank 3 can be discharged to the outside.

The pressurizing means 6 supplies pressurized air (compressed air) into the processing tank 3 through the pressurizing passage 60 . By opening the pressurization valve 61 provided in the pressurization path 60, the pressurized air from the pressurized air source can be supplied into the processing bath 3 to pressurize the inside of the processing bath 3 to a pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure. can.

The exhaust means 7 exhausts gas through the exhaust path 70 from the inside of the processing tank 3 under pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure. The exhaust path 70 is connected to the upper portion of the processing bath 3, and is provided with an exhaust valve 71 and a check valve 72 in order from the processing bath 3 side. When the exhaust valve 71 is opened while the pressure in the processing tank 3 exceeds the atmospheric pressure, the gas in the processing tank 3 is discharged to the outside through the exhaust path 70, and the pressure in the processing tank 3 can be lowered. can.

The circulation means 8 circulates the treated water between the treatment tank 3 and the heat exchanger 9 . The circulation means 8 includes a circulation path 80 , a circulation pump 81 and an ejection nozzle 82 . One end of the circulation path 80 is connected to the bottom of the processing bath 3 , and the other end is connected to a jet nozzle 82 in the processing bath 3 via the circulation pump 81 and the heat exchanger 9 in this order. The jet nozzle 82 jets the treated water from the circulation path 80 toward the object 2 to be treated. The shape and number of the jet nozzles 82 are arbitrary, but it is preferable to configure them so that the treated water is evenly jetted over the objects to be treated 2 contained in the treatment bath 3 .

The heat exchanger 9 is provided in the middle of the circulation path 80 of the circulation means 8 . The heat exchanger 9 heats the treated water flowing through the circulation path 80 by heat exchange with the heating steam supplied from the steam supply means 10, and heats the treated water with cold water as a cooling fluid supplied from the main cooling means 11. Used for cooling by heat exchange. In the following description, the side through which the steam supplied from the steam supply means 10 and the cooling water supplied from the main cooling means 11 flow is the primary side of the heat exchanger 9, and the circuit 80 is connected to the treated water. The flowing side is called the secondary side of the heat exchanger 9 .

The steam supply means 10 supplies heating steam to the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 to heat the treated water flowing through the circulation path 80 . The steam supply means 10 includes a steam supply line 100 for supplying steam from a boiler (not shown) to the heat exchanger 9 , and the steam supply line 100 is provided with a steam supply valve 101 . By adjusting the opening degree of the steam supply valve 101, the temperature of the treated water circulating in the circulation path 80 can be adjusted, thereby adjusting the inside of the treatment bath 3 to a desired temperature. Specifically, the opening degree of the steam supply valve 101 is adjusted based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor of the processing tank 3 . In the illustrated example, in the steam supply line 100, a portion of the pipeline on the downstream side (the heat exchanger 9 side) of the steam supply valve 101 is shared with the cold water feed path 112 of the main cooling means 11. ing. Also, the steam supply passage 100 joins the cold water feed passage 112 at a position downstream of the cold water feed valve 114 (on the side of the heat exchanger 9).

The main cooling means 11 supplies cold water to the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 to cool the treated water flowing through the circulation path 80 . The main cooling means 11 comprises a cooling tower 110 . Chilled water (cooling tower water) cooled by the cooling tower 110 is supplied to the heat exchanger 9 through a chilled water feed line 112 by a water pump 111, and the water after passing through the heat exchanger 9 flows through a chilled water return line 113. Returned to cooling tower 110 . By cooling the treated water by heat exchange with cold water as a cooling fluid in the heat exchanger 9, the temperature in the treatment tank 3 can be lowered and the object 2 to be treated can be cooled.

A cold water feed valve 114 is provided in the cold water feed path 112 , and a cold water return valve 115 is provided in the cold water return path 113 . When the water pump 111 is operated with the cold water feed valve 114 and the cold water return valve 115 open, cooling water can be circulated between the cooling tower 110 and the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 . On the other hand, when the cold water feed valve 114 and the cold water return valve 115 are closed, the flow of cold water to the heat exchanger 9 can be stopped.

The drain discharge means 13 discharges the condensed water of the heating steam supplied to the heat exchanger 9 by the steam supply means 10 to the outside. The drain discharge means 13 includes a drain discharge valve 131 , a steam trap 132 , and a check valve 133 provided in this order in a drain discharge path 130 branched from the cold water return path 113 . By opening the drain discharge valve 131 when supplying steam to the heat exchanger 9, the condensed water of the steam can drop downward and be discharged to the outside.

The abnormality detection means 16 detects an abnormality in the cooling of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9 based on the state quantity change before and after the heat exchange of the treated water or the cold water as the cooling fluid in the heat exchanger 9 . Causes of abnormal cooling of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9 include an abnormality in the cooling tower 110 (for example, failure of the blower), an abnormality in cold water circulation (for example, water shortage in the cooling tower 110, air entrainment in the water pump 111, cold water supply line 112 or cold water return line 113), abnormality in the heat exchanger 9 (e.g., clogging of the pipeline in the heat exchanger 9), abnormality in circulation of treated water (e.g., air entrapment in the circulation pump 81, circulation blockage of the path 80). Of these, abnormalities in the circulation of cold water and treated water, and cooling abnormalities caused by abnormalities in the heat exchanger 9 are detected when only the state quantity before heat exchange or only the state quantity after heat exchange is monitored. is difficult. For example, if only the temperature or pressure of the chilled water before heat exchange in the chilled water feed path 112 is monitored, a cooling abnormality caused by clogging of the pipe line of the heat exchanger 9 or the chilled water return path 113 on the downstream side may not be detected. becomes difficult. In the present invention, by monitoring the state quantity change between two points before and after heat exchange of treated water or cold water, detection is not possible when only one of the state quantities before and after heat exchange is monitored. Enable detection of difficult cooling anomalies.

In this embodiment, attention is focused on pressure as a state quantity, and an abnormality is detected based on the pressure difference ΔP before and after heat exchange of cold water supplied from the main cooling means 11 . The abnormality detection means 16 of this embodiment includes a differential pressure switch 16a. The differential pressure switch 16 a has a high pressure side connection port 16 b connected near the primary side inlet of the heat exchanger 9 and a low pressure side connection port 16 c connected near the primary side outlet of the heat exchanger 9 . The high-pressure side connection port 16b of the differential pressure switch 16a of the present embodiment is connected to the cold water feed path 112, and is downstream of the cold water feed valve 114 in the cold water feed path 112 (the side of the heat exchanger 9) and the steam supply path. 100 and the cold water feed path 112 are connected to the upstream side (cooling tower 110 side). In addition, the low-pressure side connection port 16c is connected to the cold water return path 113, and upstream of the cold water return valve 115 in the cold water return path 113 and the branch portion of the cold water return path 113 and the drain discharge path 130 (heat exchanger 9 side).

On the primary and secondary sides of the heat exchanger 9, the cold water and treated water pressures respectively drop from upstream to downstream. Such a pressure loss is particularly conspicuous in the heat exchanger 9 in which the shape of the internal pipes is complicated, and increases as the flow velocity of the fluid increases. Therefore, in a state in which a sufficient amount of cold water is normally supplied from the cooling tower 110, the pressure difference of the cold water before and after heat exchange is relatively large. On the other hand, due to an abnormality such as water shortage in the cooling tower 110, air entrapment in the water pump 111, or clogging of the pipe line through which cold water flows, the amount of cold water supplied from the cooling tower 110 is insufficient, or the cooling tower 110 and the heat exchanger 9 do not function properly. If the circulation of cold water is stagnant between them, the pressure difference ΔP of the cold water before and after heat exchange is reduced. The differential pressure switch 16a of this embodiment detects the pressure difference ΔP between the cold water passing through the cold water feed path 112 toward the heat exchanger 9 and the water passing through the cold water return path 113 after heat exchange with the treated water. , and outputs an alarm signal to the control means 15 when the pressure difference ΔP becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value _THP .

The control means 15 controls each means described above based on detection signals from the temperature sensor and the water level detector, alarm signals from the abnormality detection means 16, elapsed time, and the like. Specifically, the control means 15 includes a water supply pump 41, a water supply valve 42, a water discharge valve 51, a pressurization valve 61, an exhaust valve 71, a circulation pump 81, a steam supply valve 101, a water supply pump 111, a cold water feed valve 114, and a cold water return. It controls the valve 115, the drain discharge valve 131, and the like. A temperature sensor, a water level detector, an abnormality detection means 16 and the like are connected to the control means 15 . As will be described later, the control means 15 performs heat sterilization and subsequent cooling of the objects 2 to be treated in the treatment bath 3 according to a predetermined procedure (program).

It should be noted that the control means 15 configured as described above can be specifically configured by an information processing device having a CPU, a memory (for example, a flash memory), an input section, and an output section. Then, the processing by each component of the control means 15 configured by the information processing device is performed by the CPU reading and executing the program stored in the memory. For example, a personal computer, a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), or a microcomputer is used as the information processing device. However, some functions of the control means 15 may be configured to be executed on a cloud connected by any communication means.

2. Operation of the sterilizer 1 The control means 15 controls various valves and pumps according to a predetermined procedure (program) to perform heat sterilization and subsequent cooling of the object 2 in the treatment tank 3 . Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the control means 15 controls the water supply step S1 into the treatment tank 3 and the sterilization step S3 in a state in which the object 2 is stored in the treatment tank 3. A transfer step S2, a sterilization step S3 for heating and sterilizing the object 2 to be treated, a main cooling step S4 for cooling the object 2 after heat sterilization by the main cooling means 11, and a step S7 for discharging water from the treatment tank 3 are sequentially executed. . Further, in parallel with the main cooling step S4, an abnormality detection step S5 for detecting an abnormality in the cooling of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9 is performed, and when an abnormality is detected in the abnormality detection step S5, the auxiliary cooling step S6 is executed. Each step will be described in more detail below.

<Water supply step S1>
In the water supply step S1, the control means 15 causes the water supply means 4 to supply water into the processing tank 3, and the water is stored in the processing tank 3 up to a set water level. Specifically, the water supply unit 4 supplies water by opening the water supply valve 42 while the water supply pump 41 is in operation. A water level detector can detect that water has been stored in the treatment tank 3 up to the set water level.

As the set water level, it is possible to set a water level at which none of the objects 2 to be treated in the treatment tank 3 are submerged. be. In addition, a water level lower than the maximum water level at which none of the objects 2 to be treated in the treatment tank 3 is immersed is set as the set water level so that additional water can be supplied when an abnormality occurs in the cooling of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9. is more preferable.

<Transition step S2>
In the transition step S2, the control means 15 drives the circulation pump 81 of the circulation means 8 to circulate the treated water between the treatment tank 3 and the heat exchanger 9, while supplying the treated water to the heat exchanger 9. The temperature in the processing tank 3 is raised by heating with the steaming means 10 . Specifically, the control means 15 supplies heating steam to the heat exchanger 9 by opening the steam supply valve 101 to heat the treated water. Further, in the transition step S2, the control means 15 opens the drain discharge valve 131 of the drain discharge means 13 to discharge the condensed water of the steam to the outside. On the other hand, in the transition step S2, the control means 15 keeps the cold water feed valve 114 and the cold water return valve 115 of the main cooling means 11 closed. When a predetermined transition time elapses from the start of the transition step S2, or when the inside of the treatment tank 3 rises to the sterilization temperature, the transition step S2 is terminated.

After the start of the transition step S2, the pressure valve 61 of the pressure means 6 and the exhaust valve 71 of the exhaust means 7 are installed in order to prevent the material to be processed 2 from expanding due to heating and the package (such as a retort pouch) from bursting. is controlled to pressurize according to the temperature in the processing tank 3 . Thereafter, circulation of water by the circulation means 8 and pressurization in the processing tank 3 are continued until the main cooling step S4 and the sub-cooling step S6 are completed.

<Sterilization step S3>
In the sterilization step S3, the control means 15 controls the supply of steam to the heat exchanger 9 by the steam supply means 10 while circulating water between the treatment tank 3 and the heat exchanger 9 by the circulation means 8. Water is heated to make sterilizing water, and the inside of the processing tank 3 is thereby maintained at the sterilization temperature, and the object 2 to be processed in the processing tank 3 is heated and sterilized. Specifically, the control means 15 adjusts the opening degree of the steam supply valve 101 to maintain the temperature detected by the temperature sensor of the treatment bath 3 at or above the sterilization temperature. Also in the sterilization step S3, the control means 15 opens the drain discharge valve 131 of the drain discharge means 13 to discharge the condensed water of the steam to the outside. On the other hand, in the sterilization step S3, the control means 15 keeps the cold water feed valve 114 and the cold water return valve 115 of the main cooling means 11 closed.

When a predetermined sterilization time elapses while the inside of the treatment bath 3 is at the sterilization temperature or higher, the control means 15 stops the supply of steam to the heat exchanger 9 by the steam supply means 10, and terminates the sterilization step S3. Specifically, the control means 15 closes the steam supply valve 101 of the steam supply means 10 . As described above, in the sterilization step S3, the pressurizing means 6 and the exhausting means 7 are controlled to set the inside of the processing tank 3 to a set pressure exceeding the atmospheric pressure (more than the saturated steam pressure corresponding to the temperature inside the processing tank 3). maintained at a slightly higher pressure).

<Main cooling step S4>
In the main cooling step S4, the control means 15 supplies cold water as a cooling fluid to the heat exchanger 9 by the main cooling means 11 while circulating water between the treatment tank 3 and the heat exchanger 9 by means of the circulation means 8. This cools the treated water, thereby cooling the object 2 in the treatment tank 3 . Specifically, the control means 15 opens the cold water feed valve 114 and the cold water return valve 115 of the main cooling means 11 , drives the water feed pump 111 , and closes the drain discharge valve 131 of the drain discharge means 13 so that the cooling tower 110 and the heat exchanger 9 to circulate cold water. In addition, in the main cooling step S4, the control means 15 keeps the steam supply valve 101 of the steam supply means 10 closed.

When a predetermined cooling time elapses from the start of the main cooling step S4, or when the temperature in the processing tank 3 drops to a preset cooling temperature, the control means 15 closes the cold water feed valve 114 and the cold water return valve 115. At the same time, the water pump 111 is stopped. As a result, the supply of cold water to the heat exchanger 9 by the main cooling means 11 is stopped, and the main cooling step S4 ends.

<Abnormality detection step S5>
When the main cooling process S4 is started, the abnormality detection process S5 is executed in parallel. In the abnormality detection step S5, the control means 15 monitors the pressure difference ΔP before and after the heat exchange of cold water supplied from the main cooling means 11 by the abnormality detection means 16, and detects abnormality according to predetermined conditions. Specifically, the control means 15 detects the pressure difference ΔP between the cold water passing through the cold water supply path 112 and the water passing through the cold water return path 113 by the differential pressure switch 16a, and the pressure difference ΔP is equal to or less than a predetermined value TH _P. When an alarm signal is received from the differential pressure switch 16a, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cooling of the treated water. The predetermined value _THP in the abnormality determination is the flow rate of cold water sent from the cooling tower 110, the length and inner diameter of the cold water supply path 112 and the cold water return path 113, the structure of the heat exchanger 9, the structure of the abnormality detection means 16 ( For example, the height difference (the distance in the vertical direction) between the high-voltage side connection port 16b and the low-voltage side connection port 16c is taken into account, and the distance is appropriately set.

<Auxiliary cooling step S6>
If it is determined that the cooling abnormality of the treated water has occurred, the auxiliary cooling step S6 is started. In the auxiliary cooling step S6, the control means 15 additionally supplies relatively low-temperature water into the processing tank 3 by the water supply means 4 as the auxiliary cooling means, and circulates the water through the circulation path 80 by the circulation means 8. cools the object to be processed 2 in the processing tank 3 . The water supply means 4 supplies water by opening the water supply valve 42 while the water supply pump 41 is in operation, as in the operation in the water supply step S1.

In parallel with the additional water supply and water circulation, the control means 15 causes the drainage means 5 to drain part of the treated water. Specifically, the control means 15 opens the drain valve 51 and discharges part of the treated water in the treatment tank 3 to the outside. As a result, it is possible to efficiently cool the object 2 to be treated and prevent the object 2 to be treated in the treatment layer from being immersed in water due to additional water supply.

In the auxiliary cooling step S6, the additional water supply by the water supply means 4 and the drainage of the treated water by the drainage means 5 may be performed continuously or intermittently. may be performed alternately. Further, in order to prevent air from entering the circulation pump 81 during drainage, additional water supply, circulation of water by the circulation means 8, and drainage of treated water may be repeated in this order in the auxiliary cooling step S6. good.

After starting the auxiliary cooling step S6, the supply of cold water from the main cooling means 11 to the heat exchanger 9 may be stopped to end or temporarily stop the main cooling step S4. For example, the operation of the cooling tower 110 may be temporarily stopped in order to deal with an abnormality of the main cooling means 11, and cooling may be performed only by the auxiliary cooling means. Alternatively, the supply of cold water from the main cooling means 11 to the heat exchanger 9 may be continued to continue the main cooling step S4. For example, if the amount of decrease in the pressure difference ΔP is relatively small and some cooling effect, though insufficient, can be expected from the main cooling means 11, cooling may be performed by both the main cooling means 11 and the auxiliary cooling means. .

When a predetermined time elapses from the start of the auxiliary cooling step S6, or when the temperature in the processing tank 3 drops to a preset cooling temperature, the control means 15 closes the water supply valve 42 and stops the water supply pump 41. . As a result, the water supply to the processing tank 3 by the water supply means 4 is stopped, and the sub-cooling step S6 is completed. Alternatively, the abnormality detection means 16 continues to monitor the pressure difference ΔP during the execution of the auxiliary cooling step S6, and the normal circulation of cold water between the cooling tower 110 and the heat exchanger 9 is achieved by coping with the abnormality of the main cooling means 11. is resumed and the pressure difference ΔP exceeds a predetermined value _THP , the sub-cooling step S6 may be terminated and the main cooling step S4 resumed.

<Drainage process S7>
In the drainage step S7, the treated water is drained from the treatment tank 3 by the drainage means 5. As shown in FIG. At this time, the control means 15 opens the water discharge valve 51 in a state in which the pressurizing valve 61 is opened and the inside of the processing tank 3 is pressurized by the pressurizing means 6, so that the water can be quickly discharged from the processing tank 3 to the outside. . After that, the pressure valve 61 is closed and the exhaust valve 71 of the exhaust means 7 is opened to return the inside of the processing tank 3 to atmospheric pressure. can be taken out.

3. Effect The sterilizer 1 of this embodiment includes an abnormality detection means 16 . In parallel with the main cooling step S4, the control means 15 monitors the state quantity change before and after the heat exchange of cold water as treated water or cooling fluid by the abnormality detection means 16 . As a result, it is possible to monitor the cooling state of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9 and to take appropriate measures early in the event of an abnormality, thereby avoiding overheating of the object 2 to be treated.

The abnormality detection means 16 of this embodiment includes a differential pressure switch 16a and detects a pressure difference ΔP between before and after heat exchange of cold water supplied from the main cooling means 11 . Since the cold water pressure difference ΔP near the inlet and the outlet on the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 is detected, it is possible to detect cold water problems such as drought in the cooling tower 110, air entrapment in the water pump 111, blockage of the pipe line through which cold water flows, and the like. A variety of abnormalities can be detected due to abnormalities in circulation.

Moreover, the water supply means 4 of the sterilization apparatus 1 of this embodiment has a function as an auxiliary cooling means. As a result, when an abnormality occurs in the cooling of the treated water, relatively low-temperature water is additionally supplied into the treatment tank 3 by the water supply means 4, whereby the object 2 to be treated in the treatment tank 3 can be cooled. It becomes possible to avoid overheating of the workpiece 2 . Further, by using the water supply means 4 originally provided in the sterilization apparatus 1 as auxiliary cooling means, there is no need to introduce a new device for auxiliary cooling in the event of a cooling abnormality.

4. Other Embodiments The present invention can also be implemented in the following aspects.

In the above embodiment, the abnormality detection means 16 detects an abnormality based on the pressure difference ΔP before and after heat exchange of cold water, but the configuration of the abnormality detection means 16 is not limited to this. As an example, focusing on temperature as a state quantity, the abnormality detection means 16 may be configured to detect an abnormality based on the temperature difference ΔT1 before and after heat exchange of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9 . In this case, the abnormality detection means 16 has two temperature sensors. One temperature sensor is provided near the inlet on the secondary side of the heat exchanger 9 (for example, a position between the circulation pump 81 and the heat exchanger 9 in the circulation path 80). A temperature T1 _in of the treated water passing through the circulation path 80 toward is detected. The other temperature sensor is provided near the outlet on the secondary side of the heat exchanger 9 (for example, in the middle of the circulation path 80 from the heat exchanger 9 to the treatment tank 3), and after heat exchange with cold water, the heat exchanger 9 , the temperature T1 _out of the treated water passing through the circulation path 80 toward the treatment tank 3 is detected. Then, the temperature difference ΔT1=T1 _in −T1 _out is calculated by the control means 15, and when the temperature difference ΔT1 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value TH _T1 , it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cooling of the treated water.

As another example, focusing on the temperature as the state quantity, the abnormality detection means 16 may be configured to detect an abnormality based on the temperature difference ΔT2 before and after the heat exchange of cold water as the cooling fluid in the heat exchanger 9. good. In this case, the abnormality detection means 16 has two temperature sensors. One temperature sensor is provided near the inlet on the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 (for example, downstream of the cold water feed valve 114 in the cold water feed passage 112), The temperature T2 _in of the chilled water passing through 112 is detected. The other temperature sensor is provided near the outlet on the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 (for example, upstream of the chilled water return valve 115 in the chilled water return path 113), and after heat exchange with the treated water, the temperature sensor is discharged from the heat exchanger 9 to the cooling tower. The temperature T2 _out of the water passing through the cold water return path 113 towards 110 is detected. Then, the temperature difference ΔT2=T2 _out −T2 _in is calculated by the control means 15, and when the temperature difference ΔT2 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value TH _T2 , it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cooling of the treated water. In this way, by configuring the abnormality detection means 16 to detect a cooling abnormality in the heat exchanger 9 based on the temperature difference between before and after the heat exchange of the treated water or cold water, cooling of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9 status can be monitored.

It should be noted that the predetermined values TH _T1 and TH _T2 used for determining abnormality may be set so as to change according to the elapsed time after the start of the main cooling step S4. Normally, the temperature difference between treated water or cold water before and after heat exchange is relatively large immediately after the start of cooling, and then gradually decreases as cooling progresses. Therefore, the predetermined values TH _T1 and TH _T2 may be set to decrease continuously or stepwise according to the elapsed time after the start of the main cooling step S4.

As still another example, the abnormality detection means 16 may be configured to detect an abnormality based on the flow rate of cold water as the cooling fluid. In this case, the abnormality detection means 16 comprises a flow meter. The flow meter is provided near the inlet on the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 (for example, downstream of the cold water feed valve 114 in the cold water feed path 112), and flows from the cooling tower 110 toward the heat exchanger 9. Measure the cold water flow rate V _in through the . Then, in the control means 15, when the flow rate _Vin becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value _THV , it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cooling of the treated water. Alternatively, a flow meter is provided near the outlet on the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 (for example, upstream of the cold water return valve 115 in the cold water return path 113), and after heat exchange with the treated water, the heat exchanger 9 to the cooling tower 110 The flow rate V _out of water passing through the cold water return path 113 toward the direction of the control means 15 may be measured and the similar determination may be made.
Thus, by configuring the abnormality detection means 16 to detect a cooling abnormality in the heat exchanger 9 based on the flow rate of cold water, the cooling state of the treated water in the heat exchanger 9 can be monitored.

In the above embodiment, the water supply means 4 as the auxiliary cooling means is configured to additionally supply relatively low-temperature water into the processing tank 3 in the auxiliary cooling step S6. It is not limited to this. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which water is additionally supplied from the water supply means 4 into the circulation path 80 .

Further, in the above embodiment, the main cooling means 11 is configured to include the cooling tower 110, but the main cooling means 11 may be configured to include a chiller. Also in this case, it is possible to detect an abnormality in the cooling of the treated water by monitoring changes in the state quantity of cold water supplied from the chiller to the heat exchanger 9 .

Further, in the above embodiment, the water supply means 4 is used as the auxiliary cooling means, but the configuration of the auxiliary cooling means is not limited to this, and a separate device may be introduced as the auxiliary cooling means. As an example, a chiller may be introduced as an auxiliary cooling means. In this case, the chiller is configured to be able to supply cold water (this is called second cooling water) to the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 . In the main cooling step S4, the treated water is cooled by supplying cold water (referred to as first cooling water) from the cooling tower 110 of the main cooling means 11 to the heat exchanger 9 . Then, when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the cooling of the treated water, in the auxiliary cooling step S6, the control means 15 supplies the second cooling water to the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 by means of the chiller so that the treated water to cool. In addition, the device introduced as the auxiliary cooling means is not limited to the chiller, and a cooling tower may be introduced as the auxiliary cooling means, and the sterilization apparatus 1 may be configured to include a total of two cooling towers together with the cooling tower 110 of the main cooling means 11. .

As another example, a water supply means for supplying water to the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 as an auxiliary cooling means (this is called a second water supply means in contrast to the water supply means 4 as the first water supply means) is introduced. good too. In this case, the second water supply means is configured to be able to supply relatively low-temperature water from the water supply source to the cold water supply path 112 via the water supply path connected between the cold water supply valve 114 and the heat exchanger 9. be done. A water supply pump and a water supply valve are provided in the water supply path, and water can be supplied to the cold water supply path 112 by opening the water supply valve while the water supply pump is in operation. By supplying relatively low temperature water to the primary side of the heat exchanger 9 from the second water supply means, the treated water is cooled. Further, when the second water supply means is used as the auxiliary cooling means, the water discharge means for discharging water according to the amount of water supplied from the second water supply means (this is the second water discharge means for the water discharge means 5 as the first water discharge means ) is provided. At least part of the water that has passed through the heat exchanger 9 through a drainage channel connected between the branch of the drain discharge channel 130 and the heat exchanger 9 in the cold water return channel 113 is discharged to the outside.

While various embodiments of the invention have been described above, they are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. The embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

Reference Signs List 1: Sterilizer 2: Object to be treated 3: Treatment tank 4: Water supply means 5: Drainage means 6: Pressurization means 7: Exhaust means 8: Circulation means 9: Heat exchanger 10: Steam supply means 11: Main cooling means 13 : Drain discharge means 15 : Control means 16 : Abnormality detection means 16a : Differential pressure switch 16b : High pressure side connection port 16c : Low pressure side connection port 20 : Tray 40 : Water supply path 41 : Water supply pump 42 : Water supply valve 50 : Drainage path 51 : Drain valve 52 : Check valve 60 : Pressurization path 61 : Pressurization valve 70 : Exhaust path 71 : Exhaust valve 72 : Check valve 80 : Circulation path 81 : Circulation pump 82 : Ejection nozzle 100 : Steam supply path 101 : Supply Steam valve 110: Cooling tower 111: Water pump 112: Cold water feed path 113: Cold water return line 114: Cold water feed valve 115: Cold water return valve 130: Drain discharge line 131: Drain discharge valve 132: Steam trap 133: Check valve

Claims (6)

A processing device,
A treatment tank, a heat exchanger, an abnormality detection means, and an auxiliary cooling means,
The processing tank is configured to heat or cool the object to be processed contained therein with treated water circulating between the processing tank and the heat exchanger,
the heat exchanger is configured to cool the treated water by heat exchange between the treated water and a fluid;
The abnormality detection means is configured to detect a cooling abnormality in the heat exchanger based on a state quantity change before and after heat exchange of the treated water or the fluid, or based on the flow rate of the fluid,
The processing apparatus, wherein the auxiliary cooling means is configured to cool the treated water when the abnormality is detected. The processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The processing device, wherein the abnormality detection means is configured to detect the abnormality based on a pressure difference before and after heat exchange of the fluid. The processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The processing apparatus, wherein the abnormality detection means is configured to detect the abnormality based on a temperature difference between before and after heat exchange of the treated water. The processing apparatus according to claim 1,
The processing device, wherein the abnormality detection means is configured to detect the abnormality based on a temperature difference between before and after heat exchange of the fluid. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The auxiliary cooling means is water supply means configured to supply the treated water to the treatment tank or the circulation path of the treated water,
The processing apparatus, wherein the water supply means is configured to additionally supply the treated water when the abnormality is detected. The processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
comprising a main cooling means,
The main cooling means is configured to supply first cooling water as the fluid to the heat exchanger,
The processing apparatus, wherein the auxiliary cooling means is configured to supply second cooling water to the heat exchanger to cool the treated water when the abnormality is detected.