JPH05161487A - Apparatus for treating food with saline solution - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To impart high sterilization activity to a treating liquid in an apparatus for the treatment of a food with saline solution while preventing the problems such as contamination of the apparatus, health hazard to the worker, etc. CONSTITUTION:The objective apparatus is provided with a treating tank 11 for holding a treating liquid composed of a saline solution having a specific concentration, a saline solution tank 12a for holding the saline solution to be supplied to the treating tank 11 and an electrolytic cell 13 to produce hypochlorous acid or sodium hypochlorite by electrolyzing the saline solution supplied between an anode 13a and a cathode 13b placed in a line to supply the saline solution from the saline solution tank 12a to the treating tank 11. The treating liquid is imparted with the sterilization action of hypochlorous acid or sodium hypochlorite.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating salt water of food.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An apparatus for treating salt water of foods should be treated with a treatment liquid consisting of salt water having a predetermined concentration suitable for various foods such as fresh fish, meat, fruits and vegetables, for example, a treatment liquid containing an aqueous solution of sodium chloride having a predetermined concentration. It is intended to maintain the freshness for a long period of time by dipping the above-mentioned food at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time. Further, in such a salt water treatment apparatus, there is a possibility that various bacteria may mix into the treatment liquid or contaminate the treatment liquid during the salt water treatment of various foods, and the various bacteria may propagate. No. 139694, No. 5
9-6494, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-178488, etc. show a salt water treatment device equipped with means for sterilizing a treatment liquid. In these salt water treatment apparatuses, ultraviolet rays, ozone, etc. are used as means for sterilizing the treatment liquid.

[0003]

By the way, it is well known that ozone has a sterilizing power, but in order to fully exert the sterilizing effect of ozone, it is necessary to add ozone into the treatment liquid. It is necessary to dissolve the gas in a high concentration so that a gas containing a high concentration of ozone is supplied into the treatment liquid and dissolved while stirring. For this reason, the treatment liquid foams due to contaminants such as proteins and fats therein, and the foam adheres to and contaminates the processed food, the processing tank, and other components. Further, since the amount of ozone dissolved in the treatment liquid is lower than the amount of ozone supplied to the treatment liquid, the amount of ozone released into the air is large, which may impair the health of workers.
If the amount of ozone supplied into the treatment liquid is reduced to solve these problems, the sterilizing effect of ozone is greatly reduced.

In the means using ultraviolet rays,
Ultraviolet rays can not expect much bactericidal effect of the treatment liquid because the sterilizing power is considerably lower than ozone, and it is difficult to sterilize the entire treatment liquid because only the part through which ultraviolet rays pass is sterilized. It is impossible to sterilize the entire treatment liquid in a short time. Although it is possible to use a chlorine-based bactericide, it is difficult to control the concentration because a method of diluting the stock solution of the bactericide is used in such means, and the bactericide is used every time it is used. Since it is consumed, the treatment liquid itself cannot sustain the bactericidal effect. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to address these issues.

[0005]

A salt water treatment apparatus for food according to the present invention comprises a treatment tank for storing a treatment liquid consisting of salt water having a predetermined concentration, and a salt water storage tank for storing salt water supplied to the treatment tank. And an electrolytic cell for electrolyzing the salt water supplied between the anode and the cathode to generate sodium hypochlorite, which is disposed in a supply system path for supplying the salt water of the salt water storage tank to the treatment tank. It is what

Further, the food processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a processing tank for containing a processing liquid of salt water having a predetermined concentration, a salt water containing tank for containing salt water to be supplied to the processing tank, and a salt water containing tank. An electrolytic cell is provided which is disposed in a supply system passage for supplying salt water to the treatment tank and which electrolyzes salt water supplied between the anode and the cathode to generate hypochlorous acid.

In these salt water treatment apparatuses, it is preferable that the salt concentration of the salt water in the salt water storage tank is the same as the salt concentration of the treatment liquid consisting of the salt water having a predetermined concentration in the treatment tank. Aqueous sodium chloride solution is preferred. Furthermore, it is preferable that the treatment tank is provided with a cooling means for cooling the treatment liquid, and cold salt water treatment is possible.

[0008]

In the salt water treatment apparatus for food having such a structure, salt water is supplied from the salt water storage tank into the processing tank to store the processing liquid containing the salt water of a predetermined concentration in the processing tank. In addition, when the treatment liquid decreases, salt water can be supplied from the salt water storage tank to the treatment tank to supplement each time. In addition, sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid have a bactericidal action and can dissolve a sufficient amount in salt water, so operate the electrolytic cell when supplying salt water from the salt water storage tank to the treatment tank. When the salt water flowing through the supply system is electrolyzed, sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid is generated in the salt water and supplied to the treatment tank together with the salt water and easily dissolved in the treatment liquid.

For this reason, when the concentration of sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid in the treatment liquid is lower than a predetermined concentration, the electrolytic cell is operated at an appropriate time to electrolyze the salt water, so that the treatment liquid is treated. The bactericidal action caused by sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid can be retained, and various bacteria in the treatment liquid can be sterilized. In this case, ozone, ultraviolet rays, and other germicides are not used to sterilize the treatment liquid. Therefore, according to the salt water treatment apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to solve problems such as contamination of food and apparatus due to the use of ozone, effects on the health of workers, sterilization effect, and the like, and ultraviolet rays. It is possible to solve the problems of the bactericidal effect due to the use of sterilizing agent, the bactericidal effect due to the use of bactericidal agent, and the problem of the concentration control of the bactericidal agent.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a salt water treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The salt water treatment device 10 includes a treatment tank 11,
The first salt water supply means 12 and the electrolytic cell 13 are provided, and the treated water cooling means 14, the second salt water supply means 15 and the control means 16 are provided.

The inside of the processing tank 11 is partitioned by a partition wall 11a into a processing chamber 11b and a cooling chamber 11c. Both chambers 11b and 11c are communicated with each other via a communication conduit 11d, and to the communication conduit 11d. A circulation pump 11e is interposed. The cooling means 11 is installed in the cooling chamber 11c of the processing tank 11.
4 is provided with a cooler 14a. Cooler 1
Reference numeral 4a includes a compressor 14b, and cools the processing liquid in the cooling chamber 11c by circulating a refrigerant in the cooler 14a through the circulation system path 14c. In addition, the circulation pump 11
By driving e, the processing liquid in the cooling chamber 11c is transferred to the processing chamber 11b.
And the processing liquid in the processing chamber 11b flows into the partition wall 11a.
It flows over the top and flows into the cooling chamber 11c, and the entire processing liquid is cooled uniformly.

The first salt water supply means 12 is a salt water storage tank 12
a, a supply pump 12c arranged in a communication conduit 12b that connects the salt water storage tank 12a and the electrolytic tank 13, and a solenoid opening / closing valve 1
2d (first on-off valve) is provided. The salt water storage tank 12a is provided with a third concentration sensor 16f constituting the control means 16 and a float switch 12f, and the water supply pipe line 17a faces above the third concentration sensor 16f. The third concentration sensor 16f has a function of detecting the sodium chloride concentration in the salt water storage tank 12a. In the first salt water supply means 12, the sodium chloride aqueous solution in the salt water storage tank 12a is supplied to the electrolytic cell 13 by driving the supply pump 12c and opening the first opening / closing valve 12d.

The electrolytic cell 13 is provided with an anode 13a and a cathode 13b in a casing, and a path for sodium chloride aqueous solution is formed between the both electrodes 13a and 13b. Electrolyzer 1
In No. 3, when a voltage is applied between both electrodes 13a and 13b, the sodium chloride aqueous solution flowing in the passage is electrolyzed to generate sodium hypochlorite. The generated sodium hypochlorite flows out of the casing together with the sodium chloride aqueous solution and is supplied to the processing tank 11.

The second salt water supply means 15 is a second salt water storage tank 15a for storing an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, and the first supply line 1
5b and the second supply pipe 15c are provided with electromagnetic opening / closing valves 15d and 15e, respectively. An aqueous solution of sodium chloride having a higher concentration than the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is stored in the second salt water storage tank 15 and the salt water in the second salt water storage tank 15a is opened when the second opening / closing valve 15d is opened. Is supplied to the first salt water storage tank 12a, and the third opening / closing valve 15
When e is opened, the salt water in the second salt water storage tank 15a is supplied to the processing tank 11.

The control means 16 includes first, second and third controllers 16a, 16b and 16c, and a first concentration sensor 16d for detecting the concentration of sodium hypochlorite,
It is provided with second and third concentration sensors 16e and 16f for detecting the concentration of sodium chloride. First concentration sensor 16
d is disposed in the processing tank 11, detects the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the processing liquid in the processing tank 11, and outputs a concentration detection signal to the first controller 16a. First controller 1
In 6a, when the sodium hypochlorite concentration in the treatment liquid is lower than a predetermined value, the supply pump 12c is driven based on the concentration detection signal, the first opening / closing valve 12d is opened, and both of the electrolytic cells 13 are opened. A predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes 13a and 13b.

As a result, the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is supplied into the electrolysis tank 13, and the salt water is electrolyzed while flowing in the electrolysis tank 13 to generate sodium hypochlorite. The produced sodium hypochlorite is supplied to the treatment tank 11 together with salt water, and adjusts the sodium hypochlorite concentration in the treatment liquid to a predetermined value. When the sodium hypochlorite concentration in the treatment liquid is adjusted to a predetermined value, the first controller 16a stops the drive of the supply pump 12c based on the concentration detection signal from the first concentration sensor 16d and the first opening / closing valve. 12d is closed to stop the supply of salt water and sodium hypochlorite to the treatment tank 11.

The second concentration sensor 16e is provided in the processing tank 11, detects the sodium chloride concentration in the processing liquid in the processing tank 11, and outputs a concentration detection signal to the second controller 16
output to b. In the second controller 16b, when the concentration of sodium chloride in the treatment liquid is lower than a predetermined value, the third opening / closing valve 15e is opened based on the concentration detection signal to treat high-concentration salt water in the second salt water storage tank 15a. Supply to the tank 11. As a result, the concentration of sodium chloride in the treatment liquid is adjusted to a predetermined value, and the second controller 16b determines the third opening / closing valve 15 based on the detection signal from the second concentration sensor 16e.
e is closed and the supply of salt water to the processing tank 11 is stopped.

The third concentration sensor 16f is the first salt water storage tank 1
2a, which detects the concentration of sodium chloride in the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a and outputs a concentration detection signal to the third controller 16c. First salt water storage tank 12
In a, when the salt water level is lowered due to the supply of the salt water to the treatment tank 11, the float switch 12f operates,
The fourth on-off valve 17b provided in the water supply pipe line 17a is opened to supply water to the first salt water storage tank 12a. In addition, in the third controller 16c, the first salt water storage tank 12a
When the sodium chloride concentration in the salt water in the inside is lower than a predetermined value, the second opening / closing valve 15d is opened based on the concentration detection signal from the third concentration sensor 16f, and the second salt water storage tank 15 is opened.
The high-concentration salt water of a is supplied to the first salt water storage tank 12a.

Therefore, the sodium chloride concentration in the salt water is adjusted to a predetermined value, and the third controller 16c closes the second opening / closing valve 15d based on the concentration detection signal from the third concentration sensor 16f, and the first The supply of salt water to the salt water storage tank 12a is stopped. At the same time, the float switch 12f operates to close the fourth opening / closing valve 17b to stop the water supply. Thereby, in the first salt water storage tank 12a, the sodium chloride concentration of salt water and the water level of salt water are always adjusted to predetermined values. The sodium chloride concentration of the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is set to be substantially the same as the concentration of sodium chloride in the treatment liquid.

In the salt water treatment apparatus 10 for food thus constructed, salt water is supplied from the first salt water storage tank 12a of the first salt water supply means 12 to the processing tank 11 through the electrolytic tank 13 to chloride the salt having a predetermined concentration. A treatment liquid containing sodium is contained in the treatment tank 11. During this time, in the electrolytic bath 13, a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes 13a and 13b to generate sodium hypochlorite, and the treatment bath 11 together with salt water.
And a treatment liquid containing a predetermined concentration of sodium hypochlorite and a predetermined concentration of sodium chloride is generated in the treatment tank 11. The treatment liquid in the treatment tank 11 is cooled to a predetermined temperature by driving the cooling means 14 so that the selected food can be treated with salt water.

The selected food is dipped in such a treatment tank 11 for a predetermined time for salt water treatment, and if necessary, cold water treatment and stored in a predetermined storage place. When germs are generated in the treated water during this salt water treatment, the germs are sterilized by the bactericidal action of sodium hypochlorite in the treated liquid, so that the germs are prevented from propagating in the treated liquid. Further, when the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid decreases due to this sterilization, the first controller 16a drives the supply pump 12c based on the concentration detection signal from the first concentration sensor 16d, and The 1 on-off valve 12d is opened, and a voltage of a predetermined pressure is applied between the electrodes 13a and 13b of the electrolytic cell 13.

Therefore, the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is supplied to the electrolytic cell 13, and the supplied salt water is electrolyzed to generate sodium hypochlorite in the salt water. Sodium chlorite is supplied to the treatment tank 11 together with salt water, and the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid is adjusted to a predetermined concentration to constantly maintain the bactericidal action. During this time, in the first salt water supply means 12, the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is kept at a predetermined water level by the action of the float switch 12f, the third concentration sensor 16f, the third controller 16c, etc. The concentration is maintained at the sodium chloride concentration in the processing liquid.
In addition, when sodium hypochlorite is produced by electrolysis of salt water, sodium chloride in the salt water is consumed, but since the consumption amount is extremely small, it contains sodium hypochlorite supplied to the treatment tank 11. The sodium chloride concentration in salt water is almost the same as the sodium chloride concentration in the treatment liquid.

Further, in the treatment of salt water of food, the treatment liquid is rapidly cooled with ice, or when the food to be treated is a frozen substance, the treatment liquid is diluted by dissolution of ice, and moisture is removed from the food to be treated. It may be leached to dilute the processing liquid. When this state occurs, the second controller 1
6b opens the 3rd on-off valve 15e based on the detection signal from the 2nd concentration sensor 16e, supplies the salt water containing high concentration sodium chloride in the 2nd salt water storage tank 15a to the processing tank 11, and processes it. Adjust the sodium chloride concentration in the liquid to the specified concentration.

As described above, in the salt water treatment apparatus 10, the salt water is supplied from the first salt water storage tank 12a into the processing tank 11 to store the processing liquid of the salt water having a predetermined concentration in the processing tank 11. In addition, when the processing liquid decreases, the first salt water storage tank 12a to the processing tank 11 are used each time.
Salt water can be supplied to supplement the water. Further, since sodium hypochlorite has a bactericidal action and can dissolve a sufficient amount in salt water, the first salt water storage tank 1
The salt water supplied by applying a voltage between both electrodes 13a and 13b of the electrolytic bath 13 at the time of supplying the salt water from the 2a to the treatment bath 11 can be electrolyzed, and by this electrolysis, sodium hypochlorite is added to the salt water. To generate a treatment tank with salt water 1
Can be supplied within 1.

Therefore, when the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid is lower than a predetermined concentration, the electrolytic cell 13 is operated at an appropriate time to electrolyze the salt water, so that the treatment liquid is treated with hypochlorous acid. The bactericidal action due to sodium can be maintained at all times, and various bacteria in the treatment liquid can always be effectively sterilized. In this case, since ozone, ultraviolet rays, and other germicides are not used to sterilize the treatment liquid, contamination of food and equipment due to the use of ozone, effects on the health of workers, Problems such as bactericidal effect and the like can be solved, and problems such as bactericidal effect due to use of ultraviolet rays, bactericidal effect due to use of bactericide and bactericide concentration control can be solved.

Further, in the salt water treatment device 10,
Since the means for adjusting the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid in the treatment tank 11 while adjusting the concentration is adopted, the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid is always automatically set to the predetermined concentration. Can be adjusted. In addition, the sodium chloride concentration of the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is determined by the treatment tank 11
Since the concentration is set to be the same as the concentration of sodium chloride in the treatment liquid therein, there is an advantage that the concentration of sodium chloride in the treatment liquid is not changed when sodium hypochlorite is supplied to the treatment liquid.

FIG. 2 shows a salt water treatment device 20 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The salt water treatment device 20 includes a treatment tank 21, a first salt water supply means 22 and an electrolysis tank 23, as well as a treated water cooling means 24, a second salt water supply means 25 and a control means 26. In these, the treatment tank 21, the first salt water supply means 22, the treated water cooling means 24, the second salt water supply means 25, and the control means 26 are the same as those in the salt water treatment device 10 of the first embodiment, and the electrolysis tank 23.
Is different from the electrolytic cell 13 of the salt water treatment apparatus 10, and due to this, the composition of the treatment liquid is different.

The electrolytic cell 23 is provided with a diaphragm 23c between the anode 23a and the cathode 23b in the casing, and the diaphragm 23c divides the casing into an anode chamber 23d and a cathode 23e. In the electrolytic cell 23, the salt water from the first salt water storage tank 22a is separately supplied to both chambers 23d and 23e, and the salt water supplied to both chambers 23d and 23e is applied with a voltage to both electrodes 23a and 23b. Is electrolyzed to generate hypochlorous acid in the anode chamber 23d. The generated hypochlorous acid is supplied to the treatment tank 21 together with salt water. Therefore, the treatment liquid in the treatment tank 21 is salt water containing a predetermined concentration of hypochlorous acid and sodium chloride, and in the treatment liquid, hypochlorous acid has a bactericidal action.

The other constructions and effects of the salt water treatment apparatus 20 are the same as those of the salt water treatment apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the parts having the same construction as the salt water treatment apparatus 10 are included in the constituent members. Similar symbols are assigned to the serial numbers, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a salt water treatment device according to an embodiment of the first invention of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a salt water treatment device according to an embodiment of the second invention of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20 ... Salt water treatment device 11, 21, ... Treatment tank, 1
2, 22 ... 1st salt water supply means, 12a, 22a ... 1st salt water storage tank, 13, 23 ... Electrolyzer, 13a, 13b, 23
a, 23b ... Electrode, 23c ... Diaphragm, 14, 24 ... Treated water cooling means, 15, 25 ... Second salt water supply means, 15a, 2
5a ... 2nd salt water storage tank, 16, 26 ... Control means.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Internal reference number FI technical display area A23B 7/158

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A treatment tank for containing a treatment liquid comprising a predetermined concentration of salt water, a salt water storage tank for storing salt water to be supplied to the treatment tank, and a supply system for supplying salt water from the salt water storage tank to the treatment tank. An apparatus for treating salt water of food, comprising: an electrolytic cell disposed in a channel to electrolyze salt water supplied between an anode and a cathode to generate sodium hypochlorite. 2. A treatment tank for containing a treatment liquid comprising salt water having a predetermined concentration, a salt water storage tank for storing salt water to be supplied to the treatment tank, and a supply system for supplying salt water from the salt water storage tank to the treatment tank. An apparatus for treating salt water of food, comprising: an electrolytic cell disposed in a channel to electrolyze salt water supplied between an anode and a cathode to generate hypochlorous acid. 3. The salt water treatment apparatus for food according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the salt concentration of the salt water in the salt water storage tank is the same as the salt concentration of a treatment liquid consisting of salt water having a predetermined concentration in the treatment tank. 4. The food salt water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the treatment tank is provided with cooling means for cooling the treatment liquid.