JP3581943B2 - Square temperature controlled fermentation tank with washing function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a square-type temperature-controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function mainly used for sake brewing, and more particularly to a square-type temperature-controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function having a washing and fermentation temperature control function in a fermentation tank. is there. In this specification, the square fermentation tank refers to a fermentation tank in which the fermentation tank is not circular but is square when viewed from above.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In fermentation tanks used for sake brewing, devices such as installation of internal stirring blades and automatic adjustment of mash temperature have been developed, and automation of the fermentation process has been promoted.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, by incorporating a rotating device such as a stirring blade inside the fermentation tank, it is impossible to completely clean the inside of the tank with a conventional automatic cleaning device that automatically lowers the washing nozzle into the tank. Was. For this reason, manual washing is performed by workers, but a large tank requires a long washing time, which makes it difficult to complete the process from pumping out the mash to washing in one working time per day.
[0004]
In addition, since the mash in the initial stage of preparation is a semi-solid, it has poor fluidity, and it is difficult to keep the temperature inside the mash uniform. In particular, in a large tank, when the moromi temperature in the horizontal direction was different, the moromi temperature could not be adjusted sufficiently depending on the stirring blades.
[0005]
Furthermore, it is important to understand the temperature distribution in the fermentation tank in terms of mash fermentation management, but only the temperature near the tank inner wall could be measured because the stirring blades were rotating.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a square temperature-controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function for efficiently washing the inside of a fermentation tank provided with stirring blades. Another object of the present invention is to provide a square temperature-controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function capable of optimizing the temperature distribution in the direction of the rotation axis of the stirring blade. Another object of the present invention is to provide a square temperature-controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function capable of detecting the temperature of moromi in the radially inner side of the horizontal blade portion despite the presence of the horizontal blade portion of the stirring blade. .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the square temperature-controlled fermentation tank device (10) with a washing function, which is a premise of the present invention, the upper part (24A) of the inner wall of the fermentation tank (12) has a square shape, the lower part (24B) has a semi-cylindrical shape, and the lower part has a lower part. (24B) is inclined downward from one side toward the other side with the discharge port (42), and a plurality of agitating blades (18) are provided on a rotating shaft (14) horizontally disposed inside the fermentation tank (12). Is provided so as to be rotatable about the axis of the lower part (24B) and to reach the vicinity of the inner surface of the lower part (24B). And in the square-type temperature-controlled fermentation tank device (10) with a washing function of the present invention, a plurality of washing nozzles (50) for injecting the washing solution into the fermentation tank (12) are provided at the upper part in the fermentation tank (12). And is rotatable in both directions about a substantially horizontal axis of rotation.
[0008]
A plurality of washing nozzles (50) are arranged on the upper part (24A) of the inner wall of the fermentation tank (12), and rotate around a substantially horizontal straight line to spray a washing liquid to thereby produce an inner wall of the fermentation tank (12). And the stirring blade (18) is washed. Since the cleaning nozzle (50) is rotatable in the normal and reverse directions within a rotation angle range of, for example, 360 °, the cleaning nozzle (50) reciprocates within a specific narrow rotation angle range and concentrates within the rotation angle range. Can be washed. The cleaning liquid sprayed from the plurality of cleaning nozzles (50) cleans the inner surface of the fermentation tank (12) and the stirring blade (18). In addition, by providing a plurality of washing nozzles (50), a large fermentation tank (12) can be washed without any trouble.
[0009]
Another temperature controlled fermentation tank device (10) with a washing function according to the present invention further includes the following components (a) and (b). (A) Dispensing detection means (60) for detecting the end of dispensing of the mash from the fermentation tank (12), and (b) when the dispensing of the mash from the fermentation tank (12) is completed, the washing nozzle (50) is used. Cleaning operation control means (62) for starting injection of the cleaning liquid.
[0010]
The dispensing detection means (60) determines the end of the dispensing of the mash from the fermentation tank (12) by, for example, determining whether or not the mash is present in a predetermined portion such as the morrow dispensing port (42), or from the fermentation tank (12). It is detected after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of dispensing mash. With the detection of the completion of the dispensing of the mash from the fermentation tank (12) by the dispensing detecting means (60), the cleaning operation control means (62) starts spraying the cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle (50). Since the washing in the fermentation tank (12) is started upon completion of the dispensing, the charging operation can be performed immediately at the start of the next operation such as the next day.
[0011]
Another temperature controlled fermentation tank device (10) with a washing function according to the present invention further includes the following components (c) to (e). (C) a plurality of moromi temperature detecting means (30) for detecting the temperature of each part of the mash in the fermentation tank (12), and (d) fermentation corresponding to the temperature detecting part of each morm temperature detecting means (30). Cooling means (34) distributed and mounted on the outer surface side of the tank (12), (e) a temperature control means (62) for individually controlling the cooling means (34) based on the detection of the temperature detection means (30). ).
[0012]
The cooling means (34) cools the mash in the fermentation tank (12) by passing cooling water from the lower part to the upper part, for example. In this case, the direction in which the cooling water flows from the lower part (24B) to the upper part (24A) of the fermentation tank (12) matches the direction in which the heat-exchanged water moves to the upper part by convection. This can increase the efficiency of cooling. The plurality of moromi temperature detecting means (30) are distributed and arranged in the mash of the fermentation tank (12), and detect the distribution of the moromi temperature in the fermentation tank (12). The moromi temperature control means (62) individually controls the cooling means (34) based on the temperature distribution detected by the plurality of moromi temperature detection means (30). Thereby, if any part of the mash in the fermentation tank (12) has a temperature higher than the appropriate temperature, that part is cooled by the cooling means (34) corresponding to the position, and And the temperature distribution of the mash in the fermentation tank (12) is optimized, for example, homogenized.
[0013]
In another square temperature-controlled fermentation tank device (10) with a washing function according to the present invention, the stirring blade (18) includes a vertical wing portion (20) extending in the radial direction of the rotating shaft (14), and a rotating shaft (14). And a lateral wing portion (22) extending in the axial direction. In the fermentation tank (12), a temperature sensor insertion range (26) through which the horizontal wing portion (22) does not pass is provided intermittently in the axial direction of the rotating shaft (14). The sensor support member (32) passes through the temperature sensor insertion range (26) and supports the moromi temperature detection means (30) at a position radially inside the horizontal wing portion (22).
[0014]
The temperature sensor insertion range (26) is set as an axial range of the rotating shaft (14) through which the horizontal blade portion (22) of the stirring blade (18) never passes, and supports the moromi temperature detection means (30) and supports it. The sensor support member (32) is positioned in the temperature sensor insertion range (26) in the axial direction of the rotation shaft (14). As a result, the mash temperature detecting means (30) and the sensor support member (32) are prevented from interfering with the rotating stirring blade (18), and the mash temperature at a portion radially inside the horizontal wing portion (22) is reduced. The temperature can be detected without any trouble by the temperature detecting means (30).
[0015]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a vertical longitudinal sectional view and a vertical transverse sectional view of the square fermentation tank device 10, respectively. FIG. 3 is a side view of the square fermentation tank device 10.
[0016]
The square fermentation tank 12 has a square shape in plan view (as viewed from above in FIG. 1), which is distinguished from a circular shape. The upper part 24A of the square fermentation tank 12 has a square shape, and the lower part 24B Is viewed from the front (as viewed from the right side in FIG. 1) and has a semicircular arc shape. The lowermost portion of the lower portion 24B has a downward slope that gradually descends in the longitudinal direction of the square fermentation tank 12 (the left-right direction in FIG. 1). The rotating shaft 14 is horizontally installed so as to extend horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the square fermentation tank 12, and is rotatably supported at both ends by front and rear walls of the square fermentation tank 12. The stirring blade driving device 16 is disposed below the front end of the lower portion 24B, and drives the rotating shaft 14. At the same axial position of the rotating shaft 14, four stirring blades 18 are provided at 90 ° intervals in the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 14, and such a set of four stirring blades 18 They are arranged at substantially equal intervals in the axial direction. Each of the stirring blades 18 includes a vertical blade portion 20 protruding outward from the rotation shaft 14 in the radial direction of the rotation shaft 14, and a horizontal blade portion coupled to a tip end of the vertical blade portion 20 and extending substantially parallel to the axial direction of the rotation shaft 14. And a portion 22. The horizontal blade portion 22 is in a radial position such that it passes near the inner surface of the lower portion 24B along the inner surface when passing through the lower portion 24 of the semi-cylindrical shape with the rotation of the stirring blade 18. I have. In the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14, temperature sensor insertion ranges 26 that do not overlap with the horizontal blade portion 22 are provided at substantially equal intervals.
[0017]
The temperature sensor device 28 has a temperature sensor 30 for detecting a temperature, and a rigid support rod portion 32 which extends linearly and to which the temperature sensor 30 is attached at the tip. The support rod portion 32 is inserted from the outside of the square fermentation tank 12 at an axial position of the rotary shaft 14 corresponding to the temperature sensor insertion range 26, passes through the temperature sensor insertion range 26, and becomes a position close to the rotary shaft 14. Has reached. As illustrated in FIG. 2, two temperature sensor devices 28 are exemplified, and the distance from the inner surface of the square fermentation tank 12 to the temperature sensor 30 can be arbitrarily set by appropriately selecting the length of the support rod portion 32. . The position where the temperature sensor device 28 is inserted is not limited to the lower portion 24B, but may be a vertical side wall portion of the square fermentation tank 12 above the lower portion 24B. As a result of the temperature sensor device 28 being located at the temperature sensor insertion range 26 in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14, interference with the rotation of the stirring blade 18 and the stirring blade 18 can be avoided. In the example shown in the figure, three temperature sensor insertion ranges 26 are formed in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14, and three temperature sensor devices 28 are provided in the square fermentation tank 12, three from each side of the square fermentation tank 12. Plugged into. Note that the shape of the stirring blade 18 is not limited to the illustrated one because it is changed according to the size of the tank.
[0018]
The outside of each side surface of the square fermentation tank 12 is covered with three cooling jackets 34 that are continuously arranged in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14 corresponding to the temperature sensor device 28. Each cooling jacket 34 reaches near the lowermost end of the lower portion 24 at the lower end, and reaches a position slightly higher than the highest position of the horizontal wing portion 22 at the upper end. A water supply port 36 and a drain port 38 are provided at the lower end and upper end of each cooling jacket 34, and a cooling water solenoid valve 40 is provided at the water supply port 36, and the cooling water from the water supply port 36 into the cooling jacket 34. Control the supply of The cooling water flowing into the cooling jacket 34 from the water supply port 36 rises while cooling the side surface of the square fermentation tank 12, and is discharged from the drain port 38.
[0019]
The mash dispensing port 42 is provided at the lowermost end of the lower portion 24 </ b> B that is gradually descending at the lowest portion in the axial direction of the rotating shaft 14 and is opened and closed by a dispensing solenoid valve 44.
[0020]
The automatic cleaning device 46 is provided at the upper part in the square fermentation tank 12. In the automatic washing device 46, the two washing tubes 48 extend horizontally and in parallel with each other, and are rotatably supported at both ends on the front and rear walls of the square fermentation tank 12, respectively. Water as a cleaning liquid is supplied from a water supply port 56 outside the device 12. A plurality of cleaning nozzles 50 are mounted in a row in each cleaning tube 48. The washing nozzle drive device 52 that can be rotated forward and backward is mounted on the upper part of the square fermentation tank 12 and rotates the two washing tubes 48 forward and backward. The cleaning electromagnetic valve 54 is provided at the water supply port 56 and opens and closes the water supply port 56.
[0021]
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the square fermentation tank device 10. The payout detecting means 60 is a timer or a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of the mash in the portion of the mash discharge port 42 on the downstream side of the discharge solenoid valve 44 in FIG. The control means 62 receives the detection signals from the payout detection means 60 and the respective temperature sensors 30, and receives the stirring blade drive device 16, the discharge electromagnetic valve 44, the cleaning electromagnetic valve 54, the cleaning nozzle drive device 52, and the cooling water. The solenoid valve 40 is controlled. When the mash is put into the square fermentation tank 12, the control means 62 drives the stirring blade driving device 16. By driving the stirring blade driving device 16, the rotating shaft 14 rotates, and the stirring blade 18 stirs the mash. Each of the temperature sensor devices 28 is set at the position of the temperature sensor insertion range 26 in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 14, so that the collision with the stirring blade 18 is avoided despite the rotation of the stirring blade 18, The temperature of the moromi at the part radially inside from the wing part 22 is appropriately detected.
[0022]
The control means 62 detects the temperature distribution of the moromi at each part in the axial direction of the rotary shaft 14 and at each part on both sides in the horizontal direction at right angles to the temperature distribution from the temperature detected by each temperature sensor 30 and corresponds to the part having a higher temperature than the target temperature. The cooling water solenoid valve 40 of the cooling jacket 34 to be opened is opened. Thereby, in the cooling jacket 34, the cooling water flows from the water supply port 36 to the drain port 38, and the mash from the outer surface to the inner surface of the square fermentation tank 12 is cooled. In this way, the moromi temperature of each part in the square fermentation tank 12 is optimized, and the temperature distribution of the mash in the square fermentation tank 12 is made appropriate, for example, uniform.
[0023]
When the preparation of the mash is completed, the control means 62 stops the stirring blade driving device 16 and opens the dispensing electromagnetic valve 44. The mash in the square fermentation tank 12 is sucked by suction means (not shown) downstream of the mash discharge port 42 and is discharged from the inside of the square fermentation tank 12. The payout detecting means 60 detects a predetermined time from the start of suction by the suction means or the opening of the payout solenoid valve 44 when the timer is a timer, and when it is a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of moromi, It is detected that the mash has disappeared downstream from the dispensing solenoid valve 44, that is, in any case, it is detected that the mash has been dispensed from the square fermentation tank 12. When the dispensing of the mash is completed, the control means 62 opens the cleaning electromagnetic valve 54 and drives the cleaning nozzle driving device 52. Thus, the washing nozzle 50 sprays water while rotating in the circumferential direction of the washing pipe 48, and the inner surface of the square fermentation tank 12 and the stirring blade 18 are washed with the water. The control unit 62 causes the cleaning nozzle driving device 52 to rotate in the normal and reverse directions, and causes the cleaning nozzle 50 to swing back and forth. By controlling the forward / reverse rotation amount and the forward / reverse switching timing of the cleaning nozzle driving device 52, the reciprocating swing range of the cleaning nozzle 50 can be adjusted to a specific one. The control means 62 drives the stirring blade driving device 16 at a predetermined speed during the jetting of water from the cleaning nozzle 50 to rotate the stirring blade 18 at a predetermined speed, thereby enhancing the cleaning effect of the stirring blade 18. be able to. When the cleaning is completed, the cleaning electromagnetic valve 54 is closed, the supply of water from the water supply port 56 to the cleaning pipe 48 is stopped, and the injection of water from the cleaning nozzle 50 is stopped.
[0024]
In the figure, two washing pipes 48 are provided, but the number and intervals of the washing nozzles 50 in each washing pipe 48 can be changed according to the size of the square fermentation tank 12.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
Since the present invention has the above functions, even if there is a stirring blade that is rotationally driven in the fermentation tank, it is possible to perform automatic cleaning, and further, since it is possible to perform cleaning automatically other than the working time, The work process can now proceed reliably. In particular, even in large fermentation tanks, the temperature distribution of moromi can be measured using stirring blades, temperature control according to moromi temperature is carried out by each cooling jacket, and the moromi temperature can be controlled accurately. It makes the invention even more useful and useful.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a square fermentation tank device.
FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a square fermentation tank device.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the square fermentation tank device.
FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of a square fermentation tank device.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Square fermentation tank device (Square temperature controlled fermentation tank device with washing function)
12 Square fermentation tank (fermentation tank)
14 Rotary shaft 18 Stirrer blade 20 Vertical wing part 22 Horizontal wing part 24A Upper part 24B Lower part 26 Temperature sensor insertion range 30 Temperature sensor (Matsu temperature detecting means)
32 Support rod part 34 Cooling jacket (cooling means)
42 Mashi dispensing outlet (discharge outlet)
50 Cleaning nozzle 60 Dispensing detection means 62 Control means (cleaning work control means, moromi temperature control means)

Claims (4)

The upper part (24A ) of the inner wall of the fermentation tank (12) has a square shape, the lower part (24B) has a semi-cylindrical shape, and the lower part (24B) descends from one side toward the other side with the outlet (42). and gradient reaching the vicinity of the inner surface of the lower portion of the rotatably and tip about the axis of the rotating shaft (14) (24B) which is horizontally provided inside the plurality of stirring blades (18) of the fermentation tank (12) in cleaning function square temperature control fermentation tank apparatus (10) comprising as, fermentation tanks plurality of cleaning nozzles (50) for injecting cleaning liquid into the (12) is, fermentation tank (12) of the upper ( The square temperature-controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function according to claim 12, wherein the device is arranged in 12A) and is rotatable in both directions around a substantially horizontal rotation axis. It starts cleaning liquid injection from the fermentation tank (12) payout detection means for detecting the end of the payout of the mash from the (60) and the cleaning nozzle and the payout of mash from the fermentation tank (12) in the ends (50) The square temperature-controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function according to claim 1, further comprising a washing operation control means (62). A plurality of moromi temperature detecting means (30) for detecting the temperature of each part of the mash in the fermentation tank (12), and an outer surface of the fermentation tank (12) corresponding to the temperature detecting part of each morm temperature detecting means (30). A cooling means (34) distributed on the side and a moromi temperature control means (62) for individually controlling the cooling means (34) based on the detection of the moromi temperature detecting means (30). The temperature controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Stirring blade (18) is provided with Tatetsubasa portion extending in radial direction of the rotating shaft (14) (20), rotating shaft and a lateral wings portion (22) extending in the axial direction (14), fermentation tank (12) in the intermittently provided temperature sensor insertion range that does not pass through the lateral wings portion (22) (26) in the axial direction of the rotating shaft (14), the sensor support member (32) is temperature passes through the sensor insertion range (26), from the side wing portions (22) in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that supporting the moromi temperature detecting means (30) to the site of radially inwardly A square temperature-controlled fermentation tank device with a washing function as described.

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