JPH08128766A - Method and apparatus for refrigerating at cryogenic temperature - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To obtain a refrigerating machine in which the normal refrigerating capacity of a refrigerating machine can be drawn to its limit and which can be refrigerated at cryogenic temperature and is easy to be moved or transported by immersing a material to be refrigerated in a brine tank containing brine liquid in which salt is melted in alcohol liquid and refrigerating. CONSTITUTION: Brine liquids 4 of first and second brine supply tanks 2, 3 are cooled to predetermined temperature by both refrigerating machines 14, 17. The brine liquid 4 of the tank 2 is fully filled in a brine tank 1 via both tubes 6, 7 by a line pump 5, and maintained until the material to be refrigerated in the tank becomes a predetermined temperature. Further, when the material to be refrigerated is uniformly cooled, the liquid 4 of the tank 1 is discharged by the pump 5 to the tank 2 via both the tubes 6, 7. Further, the liquid maintained at the low temperature is fully filled from the tank 3 to the tank 1 via both supply tubes 9, 10, thereby quickly freezing the material to be refrigerated contained in the tank 1.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ultra-low temperature freezing method suitable for preserving seafood such as shrimp, squid and tuna, plants such as fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers and organs, and an apparatus therefor.

[0002]

Conventionally, seafood such as shrimp, squid and tuna,
In order to freeze and transport plants such as fruits and vegetables, fresh flowers, organs, etc. and store them, freezing methods and freezing devices for storing and freezing these frozen objects in a freezer or the like below are known. However, there is no known refrigerating means capable of miniaturizing the refrigerating capacity of an ordinary refrigerator to the limit and refrigerating to ultra-low temperature.

[0003]

In the case of the conventional technique, it is possible to freeze and store it at the normal temperature of the refrigerator, but the refrigerating capacity of the ordinary refrigerator is brought out to the limit and frozen at an ultralow temperature. That was a difficult task. Therefore, the means for freezing to an ultra-low temperature of 70 ° C to 80 ° C below freezing is conventionally limited to a large-scale unit that is fixed on the ground. It was difficult to freeze the object to be frozen at ultra-low temperature.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the present invention provides an ultra-low temperature freezing method characterized by immersing and freezing an object to be frozen in a brine tank containing a brine solution prepared by dissolving salt in an alcohol solution. To do. Also, the present invention
In the above-mentioned freezing method, an ultra low temperature freezing method is provided, wherein the alcohol liquid is a mixed liquid of ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol. The present invention also provides an ultra-low temperature freezing method characterized in that in the above freezing method, the salt concentration is substantially equal to or higher than the salt concentration of the object to be frozen. Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the above-mentioned freezing method, an object to be frozen, which is maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone, is rapidly frozen by being immersed in an ultra-low temperature brine solution. An ultra low temperature freezing method is provided.

The present invention also provides an ultra-low temperature refrigerating apparatus characterized in that a brine solution prepared by dissolving salt in an alcohol solution is stored in a brine tank provided with a cooling pipe of a refrigerator. Further, the present invention provides an ultra-low temperature refrigeration system characterized in that, in the refrigeration system described above, the alcohol liquid is a mixed liquid of ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol. Further, the present invention provides an ultra-low temperature refrigerating apparatus, wherein the refrigerating apparatus has a salinity concentration substantially equal to or higher than a salinity concentration of an object to be frozen. Further, the present invention is the above refrigeration apparatus,
A brine solution supply tank maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone and a brine solution supply tank maintained at a temperature much lower than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone were used to bring the brine solution to the brine tank. An ultra-low temperature refrigerating apparatus, which is characterized in that it can be selectively supplied. Further, the present invention provides, in the refrigeration apparatus described above, a brine tank maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone, and a brine tank maintained at a temperature much lower than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone. An ultra-low temperature refrigeration system is provided which is characterized in that and are placed side by side.

[0006]

In the ultra-low temperature freezing method or the freezing apparatus according to the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the brine liquid obtained by dissolving the salt in the alcohol liquid is, for example, Freon R22 whose freezing temperature limit is about 40 ° C below freezing. When cooled with an ordinary refrigerator, the temperature can be reduced to an ultra-low temperature of about 80 ° C below freezing point. When the product is sealed and stored in a storage bag made of synthetic resin such as ultra-low temperature durability vinyl and immersed in a brine tank containing the brine solution and frozen, the frozen object rapidly develops the maximum ice crystal formation zone. When it is thawed and frozen, it is less likely to destroy cellular tissue, separate water and glycogen from cells, and change and damage proteins.
It has the effect of keeping the freshness before freezing very good, without changing the color tone, gloss, and the like. The reason why the brine solution obtained by dissolving salt in an alcohol solution can be made to have an extremely low temperature exceeding the freezing temperature limit of a normal refrigerator is currently unknown and will be entrusted to later studies. It is considered that this is because the salt dissolved in the alcoholic liquid makes the far-infrared ray transmittance extremely high, and thus the transmittance at an extremely low temperature is extremely increased. The ultra-low temperature refrigerating apparatus according to the present invention has a function that can be easily configured by storing a brine solution in which a salt is dissolved in an alcohol solution in a brine tank provided with a cooling pipe of a refrigerator. is there.

Further, according to the present invention, in the above-mentioned refrigeration method, since the alcohol liquid is a mixed liquid of ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol, the brine liquid can be provided at a lower cost than when all the alcohol liquid is ethyl alcohol. . Further, the present invention, in the above-mentioned freezing method or freezing device, the salt concentration of rock salt or the like dissolved in alcohol can be freely changed to its saturation point, but the cells of fish, meat and other frozen objects have By setting the salt concentration to be almost the same, the substance to be frozen can be frozen rapidly. The reason for this is unknown, but it is considered that there is an action of extracting heat from the inside of the cells of the frozen object via far infrared rays or the like. Further, the present invention, in the above-mentioned refrigeration method or refrigeration apparatus, by subjecting the object to be frozen maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone to rapid freezing by immersing it in an ultra-low temperature brine solution. The object to be frozen can be uniformly frozen at an ultra-low temperature. In this case, in the refrigeration apparatus of the present invention, the brine liquid supply tank maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone and the temperature much lower than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone. From the brine supply tank
By providing the brine solution in the brine tank so that the brine solution can be selectively supplied, the object to be frozen can be rapidly frozen by rapidly passing through the maximum ice crystal production zone while the object to be frozen is kept in the Brian tank. Further, the present invention provides, in the refrigeration apparatus described above, a brine tank maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone, and a brine tank maintained at a temperature much lower than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone. By arranging and, the frozen object can be frozen even at an ultra-low temperature by replacing one brine tank slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone with the other ultra-low temperature brine tank. There is an action that can be done.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail with reference to the embodiments shown below. Reference numeral 1 denotes a brine tank, which is slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone of the frozen material, for example, 0 ° to -5 ° C.
First brine solution supply tank 2 maintained at a uniform temperature of
And much lower than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, for example,
A brine solution 4 in which rock salt is dissolved in an alcohol solution at a temperature substantially equal to or higher than the salt concentration of the cells to be frozen from the second brine solution supply tank 3 maintained at a temperature of -60 ° to -75 ° C. Is selectively supplied to maintain its temperature. From the first brine solution supply tank 2, the line tank 5 is configured to fill and discharge the brine solution 4 into the brine tank 1 through the supply pipes 6 and 7, and The brine liquid supply tank 3 is configured so that the brine liquid 4 can be filled into the brine tank 1 by the line pump 8 via the supply pipes 9 and 10 and discharged. In the case of the embodiment, the solenoid valve 11 is provided in the supply pipe 6 of the first brine solution supply tank 2.
Is provided, and the solenoid valve 1 is provided between the supply pipes 6 and 9.
A relay pipe 12 having 3 in the middle is connected, and a solenoid valve 11 provided in the supply pipe 6 of the first brine solution supply tank 2 is connected.
Is opened only during the supply and discharge of the brine solution 4, and the solenoid valve 13 of the relay pipe 12 supplies the brine solution 4 for quenching from the second brine solution supply tank 3 via the supply pipes 6 and 9 to the Brian tank 1.
It is configured so that it is opened when the product is immediately supplied. 1
Reference numeral 4 is a first refrigerator for cooling the first brine supply tank 2, which cools a cooling pipe 15 arranged in the tank 2 by expanding an ordinary refrigerant such as compressed Freon R22 with an expansion valve 16. It is configured to do. Reference numeral 17 denotes a second refrigerator for cooling the second brine liquid supply tank 3, which cools a cooling pipe 19 arranged in the tank 2 by expanding a compressed refrigerant such as Freon R22 with an expansion valve 18. It is configured to do. Reference numeral 20 denotes a line pump 5 of the brine tank 1 based on a detection signal of a detector 21 such as a liquid level sensor, a temperature sensor, and a liquid concentration sensor provided in the brine tank 1, as indicated by a broken line of the signal cable. , 8, the refrigerators 14 and 17, the solenoid valve 1
It is a control panel for performing operations 1 and 13 and opening / closing operation / opening / closing control. Reference numerals 22 and 23 denote drains with open / close valves provided in the first and second brine liquid supply tanks 2 and 3, respectively.

In the configuration of the above embodiment, the brine 14 in the first brine supply tank 2 is fed to the refrigerator 14
The brine liquid 4 in the second brine supply tank 3 is cooled to a uniform temperature slightly higher than the maximum ice crystal formation zone of the frozen object, for example, 0 ° to -5 ° C.
7, the substance to be frozen is cooled to a temperature much lower than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, for example, −60 ° to −75 ° C. The brine solution 4 in the first brine supply tank 2 is supplied to the brine tank 1 by the line pump 5 via the supply pipes 6 and 7.
And is kept until the frozen object stored in the brine tank 1 reaches a constant temperature. When the object to be frozen has cooled to the inside uniformly, the brine liquid 4 in the brine tank 1 is discharged to the first brine liquid supply tank 2 by the line pump 5 through the supply pipes 6 and 7, and then the maximum ice crystal is produced. A brine solution 4 maintained at a temperature much lower than the zone temperature, for example, -60 ° to -75 ° C, is supplied from the second brine solution supply tank 3 to the brine tank 1 via the supply pipes 9 and 10. The object to be frozen, which is filled and stored in the brine tank 1, can be rapidly frozen until a constant ultra-low temperature is reached. In the configuration of the above-described embodiment, the brine 14 in the first brine supply tank 2 is adjusted to a temperature slightly below the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone of the frozen object by the refrigerator 14 without providing the brine tank 1. The refrigerating material is put into the brine liquid 4 of the first brine supply tank 2 cooled to a high temperature, for example, 0 ° C. to −5 ° C., and then cooled.
The frozen material is put in the brine solution 4 of the second brine supply tank 3 cooled to a temperature far below the maximum ice crystal formation zone of the frozen material, for example, at a temperature of -60 ° to -75 ° C. Of course, it is also possible to adopt a configuration in which quick freezing is performed.

[0010]

[Effect] As described above, in the ultra-low temperature freezing method or the refrigerating apparatus according to the present invention, the brine solution obtained by dissolving salt such as rock salt in the alcohol solution is, for example, a brine solution containing 100% alcohol solution without addition of salt. Cooling with an ordinary refrigerator that uses Freon R22 as a refrigerant can cool only to -40 ° C, but it has the effect of cooling to an ultra-low temperature of about -80 ° C. Therefore, shrimp, squid , Seafood such as tuna, fruits and vegetables, plants such as fresh flowers,
If the object to be frozen, such as organs, is sealed and stored in a storage bag made of synthetic resin such as vinyl that has ultra-low temperature durability, and then immersed in the brine tank containing the brine cooled to the ultra-low temperature to freeze Is rapidly passed through the maximum ice crystal formation zone and frozen, resulting in less damage to cell tissues, separation of water and glycogen from cells, and alteration of proteins, and damage. The effect of maintaining the freshness before freezing without changing the gloss, the elasticity and the like. Further, in the ultra-low temperature freezing method or refrigerating apparatus according to the present invention, when a brine solution prepared by dissolving salt such as rock salt in alcohol solution is used, for example, Freon R whose freezing temperature limit is -40 ° C is used.
When cooled by a normal refrigerator using 22 as a refrigerant, -40
Whereas it takes about 9 hours to cool down to ° C,
To cool from 40 ° C to ultra low temperature of -80 ° C 2
It has the effect of being able to cool in a short period of time, reducing power consumption, and being able to provide an ultra-low temperature refrigeration system with a high refrigeration efficiency equipped with a large capacity brine tank in a small refrigerator. There is an effect that it is possible to provide a mobile ultra-low temperature refrigeration system which can be installed in a ship or a freight car and operated using an existing generator.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view schematically showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Brine tank 2 ... Brine liquid supply tank 3 ... Brine liquid supply tank 4 ... Brine liquid 5 ... Line pump 6 ... Supply pipe 7 ... Supply pipe 8 ... Line pump 9 ・ ・ ・ Supply pipe 10 ・ ・ Supply pipe 11 ・ ・ Solenoid valve 12 ・ ・ Relay pipe 13 ・ ・ Solenoid valve 14 ・ ・ Refrigerator 15 ・ ・ Cooling pipe 16 ・ ・ Expansion valve 17 ・ ・ Refrigerator 18 ・ ・・ Expansion valve 19 ・ Cooling pipe 20 ・ Control panel 21 ・ Detector 22 ・ Drain 23 ・ Drain

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. An ultra-low temperature freezing method comprising immersing and freezing an object to be frozen in a brine tank containing a brine solution prepared by dissolving salt in an alcohol solution. 2. The ultra-low temperature freezing method according to claim 1, wherein the alcohol liquid is a mixed liquid of ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol. 3. The freezing method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the salt concentration is substantially equal to or higher than the salt concentration of the object to be frozen. 4. The refrigerating method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the substance to be frozen, which is maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal formation zone, is immersed in an ultra-low temperature brine solution and rapidly cooled. Ultra-low temperature freezing method characterized by freezing 5. An ultra-low temperature refrigeration system characterized in that a brine solution prepared by dissolving a salt in an alcohol solution is stored in a brine tank provided with a cooling pipe of a refrigerator. 6. The cryogenic refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein the alcohol liquid is a mixed liquid of ethyl alcohol and methyl alcohol. 7. The cryogenic refrigerator according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the salt concentration is substantially equal to or higher than the salt concentration of the substance to be frozen. 8. The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 5, 6 or 7, and a brine liquid supply tank maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone,
An ultra-low temperature refrigeration system characterized in that the brine solution is supplied to the brine tank selectively from the brine solution supply tank maintained at a temperature much lower than the maximum ice crystal production zone temperature. 9. The refrigerating apparatus according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the brine tank is maintained at a uniform temperature slightly higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone, and the temperature is much higher than the temperature of the maximum ice crystal production zone. An ultra-low temperature refrigeration system characterized in that a brine tank maintained at a low temperature was placed side by side.