JP3414376B2 - Vacuum cooling device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vacuum cooling device which evaporates water in an object to be cooled under reduced pressure and cools it by utilizing latent heat of vaporization.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A vacuum cooling apparatus vacuum-sucks and depressurizes the inside of a cooling tank containing an object to be cooled, thereby lowering the saturated vapor temperature and evaporating the moisture in the object to be cooled. The object to be cooled is cooled by utilizing the latent heat of vaporization of. The vacuum cooling apparatus in example food industry, is used in ships for step a cooked food with packaged.

In such a vacuum cooling apparatus, at the time of vacuum suction, or food debris and fine pieces Tsu <br/> Tobichi to the cooling tank, may further sucked into the vacuum suction line in this Fragments and fine particles of such foods cause the propagation of various bacteria and the generation of malodor. To eliminate this,
Wherein the cooling tank and the certain various cleaning must diligently carry out the pipe such as vacuum suction line, cleaning requires a lot of effort. Therefore, the cleaning work is, usually, not only in the extent to which rinse with water or hot water, this is, it is not possible to completely prevent the occurrence of breeding and odors of the previous Symbol of bacteria.

[0004]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The problem to be solved by the present invention is to reliably prevent the propagation of various bacteria and the generation of bad odors in a cooling tank or a pipe in a vacuum cooling device and to keep the working environment hygienic. To keep it in place.

[0005]

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is a vacuum cooling system equipped with a cooling tank and a vacuum suction line.
A retirement unit, wherein the cooling bath was equipped with a driving switching unit for performing switching between sterilizing operation for supplying cooling operation and steam into the cooling tank and the vacuum suction line in which vacuum cooling <br/> that Is characterized by.

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the above-mentioned killing method.
Bacteria operation stores cooking utensils in the cooling tank and
It is characterized by performing steam sterilization of processing equipment
It

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described.
explain about. The present invention is realized by providing steam supply means in the cooling tank of the vacuum cooling device. Then, the steam supply means, during the cooling operation stop of the vacuum cooling device, supplying steam into the cooling bath. In such a vacuum cooling apparatus, the cooling bath is usually sealably configuration, by supplying <br/> steam to the cooling bath in the sealed state, to perform the sterilization of the inner cooling bath You can Moreover, this sterilization, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of offensive odor due to the growth of bacteria. Thus, during the cooling operation stop of the vacuum cooling device, it is possible to perform the sterilization of the inner cooling bath during the cooling operation stops, accommodate utensils and tableware, and other things to the cooling tank By doing so, these cooking utensils and the like can be sterilized. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a work environment, such as placing the vacuum cooling apparatus, such as in the food industry hygienic.
Further, since the above sterilization is performed while the cooling operation of the vacuum cooling device is stopped, it is possible to effectively use the idle time that does not hinder the work.

Here, the steam supply means includes a steam generation means such as a boiler , a steam line for supplying the steam from the steam generation means to the cooling tank , and a control means for controlling the supply of the steam. Is. The steam line may be provided as a dedicated one for supplying steam to the cooling tank , but the vacuum cooling device itself has a steam using device, or a steam using device is provided around the vacuum cooling device. When installed, the steam line can also be used for these steam-using devices. Here, as the steam using equipment provided in the vacuum cooling device itself,
A vapor ejector attached to a vacuum suction line for promoting vacuum suction is typical. Further, as a steam-using device installed around the vacuum cooling device,
If steam caldron and steamer, and the like. When such a steam using device is installed in the vacuum cooling device itself or in the vicinity thereof, a steam generating means or a steam generating means is provided for these steam using devices.
Since the steam line is already installed, this steam line can be used.

Further, steam is supplied to the cooling tank is discharged using a vacuum suction line of the vacuum cooling device.
Then , the drain in which the vapor is condensed is discharged from the vacuum suction line or the drain discharge port provided in the cooling tank. Therefore, when the steam is discharged from the vacuum suction line, not only the cooling tank but also the inside of the vacuum suction line can be sterilized. That is, since fragments or fine particles of the object to be cooled (for example, food) may be sucked into the vacuum suction line from the inside of the cooling tank, it is possible to perform sterilization including them.

[0010] Here, in the vacuum cooling apparatus, in order to improve the cooling performance, it is provided with a heat exchanger in the vacuum suction line. This heat exchanger promotes vacuum suction from the cooling tank by condensing the negative pressure steam in the vacuum suction line, thereby increasing the efficiency of vacuum cooling. In the vacuum cooling device having such a configuration, the vacuum suction line including the heat exchanger can be sterilized.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a vacuum cooling device according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, the basic structure of the vacuum cooling device will be described first . In this vacuum cooling device, a cooling tank 1 for hermetically containing an object to be cooled and a vacuum suction line 2 for depressurizing the inside of the cooling tank 1 are provided. And an outside air introduction line 3 for returning the pressure in the cooling tank 1 to atmospheric pressure after vacuum cooling.
The cooling tank 1 is provided with an opening / closing door (not shown) for work such as putting in / out of an object to be cooled and the like, and the opening / closing door is configured to be hermetically sealed. The vacuum suction line 2 is provided with a steam ejector 4, a heat exchanger 5, and a liquid ring vacuum pump 6 in this order from the cooling tank 1 side. A check valve 7 for maintaining a reduced pressure state is provided between the cooling tank 1 and the steam ejector 4. A filter 8 is provided at the upstream end of the outside air introduction line 3, and an outside air introduction valve 9 is provided between the filter 8 and the cooling tank 1.

The vapor ejector 4 has a suction side end 1 thereof.
0 is connected to the cooling tank 1, its exhaust side end 11 is connected to the heat exchanger 5, and its steam introduction part 12 is connected to a first steam line 13 extending from a steam generating means (not shown). ing. The first steam line 13 is provided with a steam control valve 14 for interrupting the supply of steam to the steam ejector 4.

The heat exchanger 5 is for cooling the fluid from the vapor ejector 4 and for condensing the vapor in the fluid. The cooling liquid for condensing the vapor is sent to the heat exchanger 5 from the cooling liquid line 15.

The liquid ring vacuum pump 6 sucks and removes the fluid passing through the heat exchanger 5. The liquid pump vacuum pump 6 removes the air in the cooling tank 1 by negative pressure suction and condenses in the heat exchanger 5. The steam that could not be exhausted is discharged. The liquid ring vacuum pump 6 is connected a sealing water line 16 for supplying water seal. The sealing water line 16 is branched from the cooling liquid line 15.

[0016] The filter 8 removes dust and germs like in the outside air to be introduced into the cooling tank 1, thereby preventing the adhesion to the object to be cooled. Further, the outside air introduction valve 9 is
While the on-off valve may be configured to control the introduction and stop of the outside air by using, as in this embodiment, the air introduction amount of the electric valve is changed to the (ventilation resistance) Continuous Tekia Rui several steps Use the inside of the cooling tank 1 from the outside air introduction line 3
It is preferable that the speed of the re-compression can be adjusted by adjusting the flow rate of the air flowing into the.

Furthermore, the vacuum cooling apparatus is provided with a steam supply means 17 to the cooling tank 1. The steam supply means 17 comprises a second steam line 18 and a steam supply valve 19. The second steam line 18 is the first steam line 1
It branches from between the steam control valve 14 and the steam ejector 4 in 3 and is connected to the upper part of the cooling tank 1.
The steam supply valve 19 is provided in the second steam line 18.

Furthermore, the vacuum cooling apparatus, the control device 20 is provided. The control device 20 includes the liquid ring vacuum pump 6, the outside air introduction valve 9, and the steam control valve 1.
4 and the steam supply valve 19 are connected. In addition, the control device 20 controls the supply of the cooling liquid to the heat exchanger 5 through the cooling liquid line 15. Further, the control device 20 includes an operation switching device 21.
The operation switching device 21 instructs the control device 20 to operate the vacuum cooling device including cooling operation, sterilization operation, and operation stop. The following description, including the functional description of the controller 20, the operation of the vacuum cooling device.

The cooling operation in the above configuration will be described. First, the into the cooling tank 1 accommodating a cooling object, closing the door for the work (not shown). At this time,
The outside air introduction valve 9, the steam control valve 14 and the supply蒸弁19 is a closed state. Then, by the operation switch 21, it instructs the cooling operation to the control device 20.
Then, the sealing water line 16 to the liquid ring vacuum pump 6
Sealing water is supplied from the liquid ring vacuum pump 6 is activated. The cooling liquid is supplied from the coolant line 15 to the heat exchanger 5. By the activation of the liquid ring vacuum pump 6, air in said cooling tank 1, the vacuum suction line 2
Vacuum is sucked through. Since the pressure in the cooling tank 1 is lowered the saturated steam temperature as it drops, the moisture in the cooling object in the cooling tank 1 is actively evaporated, the steam, the together with the air vacuum suction line 2 Sucked by. By latent heat of vaporization due to evaporation of moisture object to be cooled during the cooling object is cooled.

The mixed fluid of air and vapor from the cooling tank 1 is cooled in the heat exchanger 5, the vapor condenses. Therefore, the required gas exhaust treated with liquid ring vacuum pump 6 mostly because the air, vacuum suction by the liquid ring vacuum pump 6 is performed in a short time.
Then, when the pressure in the cooling tank 1 becomes extremely low, it becomes difficult to reduce the pressure only with the liquid ring vacuum pump 6. Therefore, the cooling bath temperature detector 1 (not shown) Oh Rui fitted with detection means such as a pressure detector (not shown), by the detection means monitors the state of the inner cooling bath 1, a predetermined pressure Chikaraa Rui when it reaches a predetermined temperature, opening the steam control valve 14, the steam ejector 4
Operate.

[0021] The opening of the steam control valve 14, the first steam to the steam inlet port 12 in the steam <br/> gas ejector 4
Steam flows from the gas line 13, the vapor from the air and the object to be cooled in said cooling tank 1 by the fluid force of the steam is sucked from the suction side end portion 10, the first steam line
Discharged from the exhaust side end portion 11 together with the steam from the emission 13
To be done .

[0022] Then, the mixed fluid of air and steam discharged from the <br/> exhaust side end portion 11 of the steam ejector 4, similar to the above, is cooled in the heat exchanger 5, the vapor of which is rapidly Most of the mixed fluid after passing through the heat exchanger 5 is air because it is condensed. Further, on the downstream side of the steam ejector 4, the cold <br/>却槽is very low pressure in the 1 Nevertheless, the increased pressure of the fluid mixture by the steam ejector 4, the saturated steam temperature of the mixed fluid Therefore, the capacity of the heat exchanger 5 is increased. Furthermore, the air partial pressure on the outlet side of the heat exchanger 5 becomes high, and the vacuum suction by the liquid ring vacuum pump 6 is efficiently performed in a short time. With the above operation , the ultimate pressure in the cooling tank 1 decreases, and the cooling temperature accordingly decreases.

[0023] As described above, the pressure in the cooling tank 1 is decreased, the cooling of the object to be cooled to a predetermined temperature, and closes the <br/> steam control valve 14 to the steam ejector 4 It stops the supply of steam, stopping the liquid ring vacuum pump 6. Then, opening the outside air introduction valve 9 back to the atmospheric pressure from the outside <br/> gas introduction line 3 by introducing air into the cooling tank 1. Thereafter, by opening the door, said from the cooling tank 1 taken out the cooling object, and stops the cooling operation of the vacuum cooling device. A series of cooling operation described above, the operation mode switching
After instructing the cooling operation to the control device 20 by the exchange unit 21, it is performed automatically. Here, when stopping the cooling operation in the middle, the instruction to stop from the operation mode switching exchange 21 to the controller 20.

[0024] Then, after taking out the object to be cooled from the cooling bath 1, in performing sterilization operation during the cooling operation stop of the vacuum cooling device, after closing the door, similar to the above,
Instructing that effect to the control device 20 by the operation mode switching exchange 21. The control device 20, said opening the sheet蒸弁19 while closing the outside air introduction valve 9, the steam supply to the second steam line 18 the cooling tank 1 from the cooling bath 1 by the vapor Sterilize inside. Steam flowing into the cooling tank 1, further wherein the vacuum suction line 2
From via the steam ejector 4 and the heat exchanger 5 of the way, and reach the liquid ring vacuum pump 6, and it is discharged after passing through the <br/> liquid ring vacuum pump 6. Therefore, in the above vacuum cooling apparatus is capable of performing internal sterilization of the equipment such as the steam ejector 4 and the heat exchanger 5 provided in the well cooling tank 1 and the vacuum suction line 2 on the way . Then, after continuing the sterilization operation for a predetermined time, the operation switching unit 21 instructs the control device 20 to stop the sterilization operation. Then, the control device 20 opens the outside air introduction valve 9 and closes the steam supply valve 19 to stop the sterilization operation. The sterilizing operation, by incorporating a timer means and the like to the controller 20, after a predetermined time has elapsed, automatically may be configured to terminate. Such a when the configuration, the desired sterilization operation time depending on usage and Misao industries time of the <br/> vacuum cooling apparatus may be so set as appropriate to the controller 20.

[0025] As described above, the vacuum cooling apparatus, the cooling operation is activated the steam supply means 17 is stopped, the cold <br/>却槽1, the vacuum suction line 2 and the vacuum suction line 2 the devices provided (the steam ejector 4, the heat exchanger, etc. 5) performs a sterilization. Here, the operation of the steam supply means 17, using the fact the a during the cooling operation stop of the vacuum cooling apparatus, during the cooling operation is stopped, such as employment after or at night, and cookware to the cooling tank 1 By storing in advance, steam sterilization of this cooking utensil or the like can be performed. Further, during the suspension of the cooling operation, the cooling tank 1
By storing the cooking utensil and the like inside, the cooling tank 1 can be used also as a storage for the cooking utensil and the like, so that the space can be effectively used. That is, the vacuum cooling apparatus, sterilizer, can also be used as a depot, can be obtained the function of 3 cars in a single device, practically, it is extremely effective.

[0026] Here, in this embodiment, although the second vapor line 18 as a structure that is branched from the first vapor line 13, in which without the steam-using devices, such as the steam ejector 4 , In front of the cooling tank 1
The serial first vapor line 13 connected directly, the first steam line
By the emission 13 providing the supply蒸弁19, the first
The steam line 13 could also be said steam supply means 17. Of course, in those having the steam ejector 4, before as the steam supply means 17 of the the cooling bath 1
The first steam line 13 may be provided exclusively.

Further, in the above example, the second vapor line 18, Yes connected to the top of the cooling tank 1, it is arranged to supply steam from the top of the cooling tank 1. The vacuum suction line 2 is connected to the lower part of the cooling tank 1. Steam, specific gravity is lighter than air, in this manner to supply the steam from the previous SL top of the cooling tank 1, by the steam, the specific gravity of the heavier air from the vapor,
It can be discharged by being pushed out from the lower part of the cooling tank 1. Therefore, the cooling tank 1 can be filled with steam without leaving air, and reliable sterilization can be performed.

[0028]

According to the present invention , it is possible to perform steam sterilization not only in the cooling tank but also in the piping such as the vacuum suction line while the cooling operation of the vacuum cooling device is stopped. it is possible to prevent, also to prevent the occurrence of bad odor
You can In addition, since the cooking utensil can be sterilized when the cooling operation is stopped, the working environment can be kept hygienic.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a vacuum cooling device according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Cooling tank 2 Vacuum suction line 21 Operation switch

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Kumi Matsuya 7 Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Prefecture Miura Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Kiyoya Tateishi 7 Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Miura Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-7-99949 (JP, A) JP-A-5-15774 (JP, A) JP-A-7-91790 (JP, A) JP-A-11-152 (JP, A) JP-A-9-296975 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F25D 7/00 A23L 3/36 A61L 2/06

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A cooling tank 1 and a vacuum suction line 2 are provided.
And a vacuum cooling apparatus, the cooling operation and the inner cooling tank 1 and the vacuum suction line for vacuum cooling the inside cooling bath 1
Operation performed by switching between sterilizing operation for supplying steam into the 2
A vacuum cooling device comprising a switch 21 . 2. The sterilization operation includes cooking in the cooling tank 1.
To store the utensils and steam sterilize the utensils.
The vacuum cooling device according to claim 1, wherein the vacuum cooling device is provided.