JP4041032B2 - Vacuum vibration dryer with a function to prevent the enlargement of frozen mass - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an apparatus for obtaining a granular material by freeze-drying a liquid raw material, and in particular to a vacuum vibration dryer capable of preventing enlargement of a frozen mass of a liquid raw material generated at a nozzle outlet. It is related.

Conventionally, in the processing of granular materials such as foods, pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals, feeds, chemicals, etc., when obtaining liquid particles by drying the liquid raw material, the liquid raw material is sprayed in a vacuum of 25 to 27 Pa. In addition, a frozen product is obtained by self-freezing, and the frozen product is sublimated and dried (see, for example, Patent Document 1), or a liquid raw material is sprayed on a cooling cylinder and frozen, and then scraped off with a scraper. A method of sublimating and drying the frozen product was used.
However, when drying and granulating the liquid raw material by these conventional methods, the granular material is burnt and thermally deteriorated, the size of the sprayed droplets becomes uneven, and the drying unevenness is caused. There are problems such as a large installation space, contamination, and insufficient sanitary properties.

And in order to avoid such problems, the present applicant prevents the occurrence of contamination and does not cause quality degradation due to heat, and can further reduce the cost required for drying and granulation processing, Developed a new powder manufacturing device and powder manufacturing method, and has already applied for a patent as Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-399640 "Powder manufacturing device using liquid raw material and powder manufacturing method using this device" It reaches to.
As shown in FIG. 6 (a), the vacuum vibration dryer D ', which is an apparatus for producing a granular material disclosed in this patent application, has a drying chamber 10' of an indirect heating type using a heating medium. 10 'communicates with a vacuum generator 6' for depressurizing the inside, and further, the liquid raw material L is sprayed into the drying chamber 10 'or the freezing section 5' provided in communication with the drying chamber 10 '. This is characterized by the provision of a nozzle 51 'for improving the above-mentioned problems.

Further, the present applicant has made further improvements to the vacuum vibration dryer D ′, and is capable of avoiding drying unevenness and closing of the communication part between the freezing part and the drying room, and a novel powder production apparatus and powder. A method for producing granules has been developed, and a patent application has already been filed as Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-118982 “Vacuum Dryer with Function of Preventing Adhesion of Liquid Raw Material”.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 (b), an adhesion preventing body 50 'is provided in a state of surrounding a nozzle 51' provided in the freezing portion 5 ', thereby spraying the inner peripheral surface of the freezing portion 5'. The droplet M or the frozen material G is prevented from coming into direct contact, and the liquid raw material L is frozen in a lump shape, and the drying unevenness caused by this falling into the drying chamber 10 ′ is prevented. It is a thing.

After that, as the actual operation of the vacuum vibration drier D ′ to which the above-mentioned invention by the applicant is applied proceeds and various liquid raw materials L are handled, the room for improvement that has become latent in the development stage is gradually revealed. It has become.
First, as shown in FIG. 7 (a), when a pipe-shaped nozzle 51 'is used and this nozzle 51' is mounted so as to be directed vertically downward, this nozzle may be formed depending on the properties of the liquid raw material L. Stays on the tip surface and the outer peripheral portion of the nozzle 51 ', freezes, grows into an ice lump I, eventually falls off the nozzle 51' and reaches into the drying chamber 10 ', causing uneven drying and increased drying time. The case that caused it was confirmed.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7B, when a pipe-shaped nozzle 51 'is used and the nozzle 51' is mounted so as to be oriented in the horizontal direction, depending on the properties of the liquid raw material L, this may be It stays on the tip surface and the outer periphery of the nozzle 51 'and freezes, grows to become an ice lump I, and the ice lump I moves to the nozzle fixing portion 5a' without dropping off from the nozzle 51 'and stays there. A case was confirmed.

Furthermore, depending on the properties of the liquid raw material L, the sprayed droplets M or the frozen material G ejected from the nozzle 51 'may adhere to the surface of the adhesion preventing body 50' and freeze, which may prevent adhesion. A case has been confirmed in which it expands to the surface of the body 50 'and eventually drops out as a large ice lump I.
Japanese Examined Patent Publication No. 42-9719 (pages 1 to 8, FIG. 1)

  The present invention has been made in view of such a background, and even when a pipe-shaped nozzle is applied, the formation of ice clumps at the tip of the nozzle is prevented and icing on the surface of the adhesion preventing body is achieved. The technical issue is the development of a vacuum vibration dryer that has a function to prevent the enlargement of frozen lumps, which can avoid drying unevenness and increase in drying time by preventing the formation of lumps.

That is, in the vacuum vibration dryer having the function of preventing the enlargement of the frozen mass according to claim 1, the internal space of the housing installed with the elastic body interposed on the base is used as a drying chamber. A vacuum pump for depressurizing the inside is communicated, and further, a freezing part is communicated with the charging port in the housing, and the liquid raw material sprayed from the nozzle provided in the freezing part is self-frozen. In an apparatus for obtaining a fine frozen substance and then drying the frozen substance put into the drying chamber while flowing the casing by vibrating it with a vibrator unit, a liquid raw material is placed in the freezing part. As a nozzle for spraying, a pipe-shaped one is provided, and this nozzle is directed obliquely downward.
According to this invention, during the operation of the vacuum vibration dryer, the vibration of the nozzle that vibrates in response to the vibration of the casing has both horizontal and vertical components, and the movement of the nozzle tip Therefore, it is possible to prevent the liquid material from being accumulated and the formation of ice lumps at the tip of the nozzle. If ice clumps are generated at the nozzle tip, they can be shaken off before they become enlarged.

Furthermore, in addition to the above requirements, the vacuum vibration dryer having the function of preventing the enlargement of the frozen mass of the liquid raw material according to claim 2 is provided with an anti-adhesion body in a state of surrounding the nozzle in the frozen portion. Is a feature.
According to the present invention, since the surface shape of the adhesion preventing body is constantly or intermittently deformed by the vibration of the drying chamber, the spray droplets or the frozen material adhere to the adhesion preventing body. However, it can be reliably dropped before it becomes enlarged.

Furthermore, in addition to the above requirements, the vacuum vibration dryer having the function of preventing the enlargement of the frozen mass of the liquid raw material according to claim 3 is provided with a thin tube made of a non-adhesive material at the tip of the nozzle. The tip of the tube is used as a liquid material ejection port.
According to the present invention, the retention of the raw material liquid at the jet outlet can be effectively prevented, and when ice conglomerates are generated at the jet outlet, the raw liquid is quickly dropped before it becomes enlarged. be able to.
The above problems can be solved by using the configuration of the invention described in each of the claims as a means.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the formation of the ice lump I in the nozzle 51 and to prevent the spray droplet M or the frozen matter G from coming into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the freezing part 5 and the adhesion preventing body 50, thereby drying. Unevenness and closing of the communication part between the freezing part 5 and the drying chamber 10 can be avoided, and the drying of the liquid raw material L and the production of the granular material can be performed efficiently.

  The vacuum vibration dryer having the function of preventing the enlargement of the frozen mass according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  What is indicated by a symbol D in the figure is a vacuum vibration dryer according to the present invention, which has a casing 1 having an internal space as a drying chamber 10 placed on a base B with an elastic body 2 interposed therebetween. The vibrator unit 4 is provided for the mount bracket 3 attached to the housing 1. In addition, the freezing section 5 is in communication with the insertion port 15 in the housing 1. Furthermore, the vacuum vibration dryer D includes a vacuum generator 6 and a heat medium circulator 7 including a condenser and a vacuum pump as peripheral devices, and the inside of the freezing unit 5 and the drying chamber 10 is evacuated. In addition, the inside of the drying chamber 10 is indirectly heated. The vacuum vibration dryer D configured as described above self-freezes the liquid raw material L (hereinafter referred to as spray droplet M) sprayed in the freezing section 5 into a fine granular frozen material G, and subsequently this freezing. The product G is guided into the drying chamber 10, and the frozen product G is dried while the casing 1 is vibrated by the vibrator unit 4 to obtain powder particles.

Hereinafter, various members constituting the vacuum vibration dryer D will be described in detail.
First, the base B will be described. As an example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base B is constructed by appropriately combining steel materials, and four support columns C are erected on the base B. Is done.
The elastic body 2 is a member formed in a column shape as an example by an elastic member such as a spring or a vibration-proof rubber.

Next, the case 1 will be described. This is a horizontally-placed cylindrical member having an internal space as a drying chamber 10, and fixed legs 11 are formed on the side periphery of the case 1. A side plate 12 that can be freely opened and closed is provided on the part.
Further, an inner jacket plate 13 is provided inside the casing 1 and the side plate 12, and a heat medium nozzle 14 is attached to the heat medium nozzle 14, and a heat medium circulator 7 such as hot water is connected to the heat medium nozzle 14.

  In addition, an inlet 15 is formed in the side periphery of the housing 1, a discharge port 16 is formed in the side plate 12 located on the opposite side, and an exhaust port 17 is formed in the approximate center of the housing 1. The vacuum generator 6 is connected to the exhaust port 17 using a flexible pipe F or the like. In addition, a measurement port 18 is formed at an appropriate location of the housing 1, and a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and the like are attached to the measurement port 18 and connected to an appropriate control panel (not shown).

The discharge port 16 is opened and closed by a lid body 16a. The lid body 16a approaches and separates from the discharge port 16 by operating a handle 16c provided in the duct 16b. Of course, the lid 16a can be opened and closed by using a motor as appropriate so that no manual operation is required.
Further, a drain port 19 is formed in the lower part of the housing 1. In this embodiment, the drying chamber 10 is installed on the base B with the discharge port 16 side inclined downward by 1 to 2 ° with respect to the horizontal line.

A cylindrical freezing portion 5 is provided for the insertion port 15, and the freezing portion 5 is in communication with the drying chamber 10, and the upper end is closed by a top plate 5b. .
The top plate 5b is provided with a nozzle fixing portion 5a, and a pipe-like nozzle 51 is provided. The nozzle 51 is directed obliquely downward, whereby the vibration of the jet outlet 51a that vibrates in response to the vibration of the casing 1 is a component in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction as shown in FIG. To be something with Here, the vibration of the jet nozzle 51a has both horizontal and vertical components. In the vacuum vibration dryer D shown in this embodiment, the casing 1 is in the vertical direction. This is because it vibrates linearly. Incidentally, when the casing 1 vibrates while drawing an elliptical or circular orbit, the vibration of the jet outlet 51a that vibrates in response to the vibration of the casing 1 has both horizontal and vertical components. And the amplitude in each direction changes at any time.
The nozzle 51 is directed obliquely downward as shown in FIG. 3 in addition to the case where the entire pipe-like nozzle 51 is directed obliquely downward and the jet outlet 51a is directed obliquely downward. 4), the nozzle 51 as a whole is directed obliquely downward, while the nozzle 51a is oriented horizontally, or as shown in FIG. 4B, the nozzle 51 is directed obliquely downward. In addition, the one in which the ejection port 51a is oriented in the vertical direction is also included.

  Furthermore, in this embodiment, a thin-walled tube 55 (for example, 0.2 mm) made of a non-adhesive material such as a fluorine resin is attached to the tip of the nozzle 21, and the tip of the tube 55 is connected to the liquid raw material L. It was set as the spout 55a. Of course, depending on the properties of the liquid raw material L, it may not be necessary to attach the tube 55 to the nozzle 51, and if the fluororesin is used as the material of the nozzle 51 or the fluororesin is coated on the nozzle 51, etc. It is effective in preventing the adhesion of the liquid raw material L.

  The pipe connected to the nozzle 51 is provided with a raw material tank 52, a pump 53, and a valve 54, and the liquid raw material L charged into the raw material tank 52 can be sprayed into the drying chamber 10. Configured as follows. In this embodiment, the spout 55a in the tube 55 is positioned in the drying chamber 10 below the charging port 15. However, the spout 55a may be positioned in the freezing section 5. Good.

The freezing portion 5 includes an adhesion preventing body 50 in a state of surrounding the nozzle 51. The adhesion preventing body 50 is a heat insulating material having a small heat capacity such as a synthetic resin such as a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric, or a plastic. As an example, a sheet made of a material is formed in a cone shape having upper and lower portions opened, and a small-diameter opening is fixed to the nozzle fixing portion 5a using a fixing ring 50a.
On the other hand, the large-diameter opening in the adhesion preventing body 50 is provided with an annular fixed ring 50b made of silicon rubber or the like as a material so that the open state can be maintained. When the opening is made heavy with the fixed shape ring 50b or the like in this way, the adhesion preventing body 50 is subjected to vibration different from that of the housing 1 and deforms constantly or intermittently. Prevention of adhesion of the object G is achieved more effectively. In this embodiment, the large-diameter opening in the adhesion preventing body 50 is located in the drying chamber 10. However, the large-diameter opening may be located in the freezing part 5.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the inner surface of the adhesion preventing body 50 is subjected to a fluorine treatment. In the case of a woven fabric, a nonwoven fabric or the like, a fluorine resin is impregnated, while in the case of a resin sheet or the like, the surface Is coated with fluororesin.

  Further, a mount bracket 3 is fixed to the lower part of the outer periphery of the housing 1, and a vibrator unit 4 having an eccentric weight is fixed to the mount bracket 3.

The vacuum vibration dryer D of the present invention is configured as described above as an example, and the operation mode of the vacuum vibration dryer D of the present invention will be described below.
(1) Setting of apparatus Prior to the operation of the vacuum vibration dryer D, both openings of the housing 1 are closed by the side plate 12, and the discharge port 16 is closed by the lid 16a. Further, the number of rotations of the vibrator unit 4 is determined according to the shape, particle size, weight, etc. of the frozen material G put into the drying chamber 10, and the vibration cycle and amplitude are set. In this embodiment, as an example, the rotational speed is 1800 rpm.
Furthermore, the pressure in the drying chamber 10 adjusted by the vacuum generator 6 is set, and the temperature and flow rate of the heat medium circulated by the heat medium circulator 7 are set.

(2) Self-freezing of liquid raw material Then, the vacuum generator 6 is activated to make the inside of the drying chamber 10 and the freezing part 5 into a vacuum state, and the heating medium circulator 7 is activated to start circulating supply of the heating medium. Further, the vibrator unit 4 is activated to vibrate the housing 1.
Subsequently, the pump 53 is started, and the opening degree of the valve 54 is appropriately adjusted to spray the liquid raw material L into the adhesion preventing body 50 from the nozzle 51. In the process of falling inside the adhesion preventing body 50, it becomes self-freezing and becomes a fine granular frozen material G having a diameter of about 0.3 to 1.5 mm. Thereafter, the frozen material G falls into the drying chamber 10.

At this time, the vibration of the vibration unit 4 is transmitted to the nozzle 51, and the tip of the nozzle 51 vibrates with both horizontal and vertical components as shown in FIG. It becomes. Due to the vibration of the nozzle 51, the liquid raw material L adhering to the end face and the outer peripheral surface of the ejection port 55 a is shaken off and falls in the adhesion preventing body 50, and self-freezes in this process and eventually enters the drying chamber 10. Will be reached. In this embodiment, since the tube 55 is thin, the area of the end face of the ejection port 55a is small, and the contact area with the liquid material L is small. As a result, it is possible to prevent the liquid raw material L from staying at the spout 55a and the formation of the ice lump I.
Moreover, even if the ice lump I has been generated in the vicinity of the spout 55a, it can be dropped before it enlarges, and the spray state of the liquid raw material L is deteriorated or enlarged. It is possible to prevent drying unevenness caused by the frozen ice lump I falling into the drying chamber 10.

  At this time, a part of the spray droplet M or the frozen substance G collides with the adhesion preventing body 50, but the surface shape of the adhesion preventing body 50 is deformed constantly or intermittently due to the vibration of the housing 1. Therefore, the spray droplet M or the frozen material G does not adhere to the adhesion preventing body 50. Even if the spray droplet M or the frozen material G adheres to the adhesion preventing body 50, it can be reliably dropped before it becomes enlarged.

(3) Drying operation Next, the frozen material G that has reached the inside of the drying chamber 10 is distributed over a wide area in the longitudinal direction of the drying chamber 10 while flowing under the vibration force from the vibration unit 4. Is indirectly sublimated and dried.
Further, the water vapor generated at this time reaches the vacuum generator 6 from the exhaust port 17 and is appropriately discharged to the outside.

(4) Discharge operation When the water content of the frozen material G eventually becomes a desired value by a temperature sensor or the like, or when a preset processing time has passed, The granular material that has been opened and in a desired dry state is discharged to the outside.

(5) Cleaning operation In addition, when processing different types of liquid raw materials L continuously, it is necessary to clean the vacuum vibration dryer D. The vacuum vibration dryer D shown in this embodiment is a drying chamber. 10 and the internal structure of the freezing section 5 are simple and can be washed with water, so that different types of liquid raw materials L can be easily and continuously processed.

  As described above, according to the vacuum vibration dryer D of the present invention, the ice lump I is not generated near the spout 55a in the tube 55 attached to the nozzle 51, and the spray liquid sprayed from the nozzle 51 The droplet M does not adhere to the freezing part 5 and the adhesion prevention body 50, but self-freezes in the process of dropping, and becomes a fine granular frozen substance G having a diameter of about 0.3 to 1.5 mm. Thereafter, since the frozen material G falls into the drying chamber 10, it is possible to avoid drying unevenness and closing of the communication portion between the freezing unit 5 and the drying chamber 10.

Although the present invention is based on the above-described first embodiment, the following embodiments may be adopted based on the technical idea of the present invention. That is, as described in the background art, a pipe-shaped nozzle 51 'is used, and a vacuum vibration dryer D' or the like nozzle 51 'mounted with the nozzle 51' oriented vertically downward is provided. The present invention can be applied to the vacuum vibration dryer D ′ attached so as to be oriented in the horizontal direction.
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the tube 55 has a bent shape, and such a tube 55 is attached to a nozzle 51 'of a nozzle 51' installed vertically or horizontally to thereby form a nozzle 55a. In which the vibration direction of the jet outlet 55a that vibrates in response to the vibration of the housing 1 has both horizontal and vertical components. is there.

It is a side view which shows a partially broken vacuum vibration dryer of the present invention. FIG. It is the side view which expands and shows the vertical side view and nozzle which expand and show the freezing part vicinity. It is a side view which shows the nozzle which made the form different. It is a side view which shows the tube corresponding to the existing vacuum vibration dryer. It is a side view which shows the vacuum vibration dryer disclosed by the prior application by this applicant. It is a side view which shows the mode of adhesion of the ice lump with respect to the nozzle in an apparatus same as the above.

Explanation of symbols

D Vacuum Vibration Dryer 1 Case 10 Drying Room 11 Fixed Leg 12 Side Plate 13 Jacket Inner Plate 14 Heating Medium Nozzle 15 Input Port 16 Discharge Port 16a Lid 16b Duct 16c Handle 17 Exhaust Port 18 Measurement Port 19 Drain Port 2 Elastic Body 3 Mount bracket 4 Vibrator unit 5 Freezing part 5a Nozzle fixing part 5b Top plate 50 Adhesion prevention body 50a Fixing ring 50b Fixed shape ring 51 Nozzle 51a Spout 52 Raw material tank 53 Pump 54 Valve 55 Tube 55a Spout 6 Vacuum generator 7 Heat medium Circulator B Base C Support column F Flexible pipe G Frozen material L Liquid raw material M Spray droplet I I Frozen mass

Claims (3)

  The internal space of the housing installed with the elastic body interposed on the base is used as a drying chamber, and a vacuum pump for reducing the internal pressure is connected to the drying chamber, and further to the inlet in the housing The freezing part is provided in a communicating state, the liquid raw material sprayed from the nozzle provided in the freezing part is self-frozen to obtain a fine granular frozen material, and then the frozen material charged into the drying chamber is In the apparatus for drying treatment while flowing the casing by vibrating it with a vibrator unit, the freezing section is provided with a pipe-like thing as a nozzle for spraying the liquid raw material, and this nozzle is obliquely below A vacuum vibration dryer with a function to prevent the enlargement of frozen mass, which is characterized by   2. The vacuum vibration dryer according to claim 1, wherein an adhesion preventing body is provided in the freezing portion so as to surround the nozzle.   3. The prevention of the enlargement of the frozen mass according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a thin-walled tube made of a non-adhesive material is attached to the tip of the nozzle, and the tip of the tube is used as a liquid material outlet. A vacuum vibration dryer with functions.

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