JPS61249367A - Method for controlling salt concentration of mixture in raw laver storage tank and apparatus therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To keep the freshness and softness of raw laver by detecting the concentration of salt in a storage tank with a concentration sensor, and supplying fresh water when the detected concentration is higher than the optimum concentration range or supplying sea water when the concentration is lower than the range. CONSTITUTION:The salt concentration of a mixture 3 of raw laver and water is measured by the salt concentration sensor 4, and the data is inputted into the salt-concentration controlling apparatus 5. When the detected concentration is higher than the upper limit of the optimum concentration range, the fresh water supplying pump P1 is energized, and when it is lower than the lower limit of the optimum range, the sea water supplying pump P2 is energized until the concentration of the mixed liquid reaches the optimum range, when the pump P1 or P2 is stopped. The salt concentration of the mixed liquid in the storage tank 2 can be maintained constantly within the optimum concentration range by repeating the above operations.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the salinity of a mixture of harvested seaweed and water in a storage tank, and an apparatus for carrying out the method. It is.

[Prior art and its problems]

Before entering the production process, the picked seaweed is temporarily stored in a storage tank while being stirred and kept at a specified salt concentration to keep the seaweed growing active, but as time passes, the mixed liquid in the tank is The salt concentration gradually increases, and if left untreated, it will lead to a decline in the finished quality of the seaweed.If the salt concentration falls below a certain level, the activity of the seaweed will be lost during storage, which will also affect the finished quality of the seaweed. It is necessary to manage the salinity concentration within a specified range as this will lead to a decrease in salt concentration.

Conventionally, the specific gravity of the mixed water in the storage tank was measured at regular intervals using a simple hydrometer, etc., and if the specific gravity exceeded the specified concentration range, fresh water or seawater was artificially supplied, and the Since the amount of feeding at intervals was also dependent on intuition, the salt concentration of the liquid mixture in the tank varied widely, resulting in unstable quality of finished seaweed, and lack of salt concentration resulting in the loss of activity of the raw seaweed algae.
After becoming dried seaweed due to excessive salt content, it absorbs moisture during storage,
There was a risk that salt would precipitate during secondary processing and impair quality.

[Purpose of the invention]

In view of the above points, the present invention makes it possible to maintain the salt concentration of the mixed liquid in the raw seaweed storage tank within a specified range, maintain the freshness and flexibility of the raw seaweed, and thereby make it possible to maintain the freshness and flexibility of the raw seaweed when it is finished as dried seaweed. The aim is to improve the quality such as yield and color and gloss of the product nori, and also to eliminate problems such as moisture absorption during dry nori storage and salt analysis during secondary processing.

[Structure of the invention]

In view of the above points, the present invention manages the salt concentration of the mixed solution of harvested seaweed algae in the storage tank to be within a specified range, and detects the concentration of the mixed solution using a concentration sensor installed in the storage. , set an appropriate concentration range in consideration of the control range in the concentration standard value, supply fresh water when the detected concentration is higher than this appropriate concentration range, supply seawater when the detected concentration is lower than the appropriate concentration range, In either case, if the concentration falls within the appropriate concentration range, the supply will be stopped.Also, in the past, the concentration was measured using a hydrometer and displayed in terms of specific gravity, so the above concentration is displayed as a specific gravity conversion value. It is something to do. Further, the device according to the present invention includes a means for supplying fresh water to a storage tank, a means for supplying seawater, a sensor for detecting the salt concentration in the storage tank, an oscillation modulation circuit for supplying a constant voltage high frequency power source to the sensor, and an appropriate salt concentration range. Compares the measured value of the salt concentration in the storage tank, and outputs an output signal that drives the fresh water supply means when the measured value is higher than the appropriate salinity concentration range, and outputs an output signal that drives the seawater supply means when the measured value is lower than the appropriate concentration range. It is characterized by consisting of a salt concentration control circuit that outputs a signal.

It also includes a device that detects only when the concentration is high and only supplies fresh water, but does not detect or supply seawater when the concentration is low, and also includes a device according to the present invention that supplies fresh water to a storage tank. means, a sensor for detecting the salt concentration in the storage tank, an oscillation modulation circuit that supplies constant voltage high frequency power to the sensor, a salt concentration range suitable for salt concentration and a measured value for salt concentration in the storage tank, and when the measured value is higher than the proper concentration range. The output signal for driving the fresh water supply means is comprised of a salinity concentration control circuit.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a flow sheet of the present invention, in which seaweed 1 is put into a storage tank 2, water is added, and the mixture is mixed.

It is temporarily stored in the storage tank 2 while being stirred. The mixture 3 of seaweed and water in the storage tank must be maintained within a certain range of salinity in order to maintain the activity of the seaweed, and in this case, the water is
The mixed water is a mixture of seawater and fresh water, and the salinity of the mixture 3 is detected by the salinity sensor 4 and input to the salinity adjustment device 5. The concentration adjustment device 115 displays the salinity concentration and also sets an appropriate concentration range in advance.
When the detected concentration is higher than the appropriate concentration range, the freshwater supply pump P1 is operated to supply freshwater from the freshwater tank 6 to the storage tank 2, and when it is lower, the seawater supply pump P2 is operated and the freshwater is stored from the seawater tank 7. Seawater is supplied to tank 2, and when the concentration of the mixed liquid falls within an appropriate range, pump P1 or P2 is stopped, and this process is repeated thereafter. As a result, the concentration of mixed water in the storage tank is always maintained within the appropriate concentration range. The seaweed raw algae 1 in the storage tank 2 is minced by a mincing machine 8, washed with water 9 to remove salt and impurities, and then the minced seaweed is mixed into a mixture of seaweed and water in a blending machine 10. That is, it is used as a raw material for making seaweed, and this raw material for making seaweed is adjusted to an appropriate concentration of seaweed in a concentration adjustment tank 11, and then supplied to a seaweed machine 12 to be made into sheets. To adjust the seaweed concentration, a seaweed concentration sensor 13 is provided in the adjustment tank 11 to detect the seaweed concentration and input it to the seaweed concentration adjustment device 14.

In the concentration adjustment device 14, the water supply pump P1 and the drainage pump P are appropriately driven and adjusted so that the seaweed concentration falls within a preset appropriate concentration range.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus for adjusting the salinity of a mixture 3 in a storage tank 2 for carrying out the method of the present invention. Fresh water from the tank 7 and seawater from the seawater tank 7 are pumped p1. p,
and is installed to store the mixture 3.

The storage tank 2 is equipped with a stirrer 2a for stirring the mixture stored in the tank and a salt concentration sensor 4 for detecting the salt concentration of the mixture 3. Salt concentration adjustment device! ! 5 includes a power supply circuit 21, an oscillation modulation circuit 22. Concentration control circuit 23
．． First drive circuit 27, second drive circuit 281 display circuit 291 indicator light 30° alarm circuit 31. It has an alarm buzzer 32. The concentration control circuit 23 includes a rectifier 24 and an amplifier circuit 2.
5. It consists of a signal discriminator 26. 1st. Second drive circuit 2
The output of 7.28 drives the pumps p, , p, which are freshwater and seawater supply means, and the freshwater tank 6. Freshwater and seawater are supplied from the seawater tank 7 to the mixture storage tank 2, respectively.

Valves V□ and v2 are placed in the freshwater and seawater supply channels as means for adjusting the respective supply amounts. Power circuit 2
Reference numeral 1 supplies AC power to each circuit of the control device, and also supplies DC power and constant voltage power through a rectifier circuit and a constant voltage circuit.

The power supply circuit 21 receives commercial frequency alternating current, rectifies it and once converts it into direct current, and incorporates a constant voltage circuit in this process so that a constant voltage alternating current can be obtained when high frequency is generated at the later stage, so that voltage fluctuations on the power supply side are suppressed by ± In the range of 20%, there is no influence on the secondary side and the concentration measurement is stabilized.

The oscillation modulation circuit 22 receives a constant DC voltage and obtains a predetermined high frequency output using an oscillation circuit such as an astable multivibrator. In this case, the frequency may be fixed or variable. Also,
Adjust the reference level using a reference level adjustment circuit using resistors, capacitors, etc.

Try to obtain high frequency output with positive and negative balance. This high frequency output is applied to the concentration sensor 4 to activate it.

The output of the concentration sensor 4 is input to the concentration control device 5.

The reason for using a balanced high frequency wave as a sensor power source is that it prevents measurement errors caused by electrolyzed gas from the mixed liquid adhering to the electrodes, and it also improves temperature-concentration (water resistance) characteristics compared to commercial frequency measurements. 6 The input signal to the concentration control circuit 23 is connected to the rectifier 24.
, and is processed by the amplifier circuit 25 and compared with a preset concentration reference value in the signal discriminator 26 to determine whether or not the concentration is within the reference value range. In this case, for example, a 5-level discrimination signal S,, S,...S is emitted, and if it is within the reference area, it is "good JSJ", and if it is on the "dark" side of the standard value range, it is "dark" depending on the degree of concentration difference. ”Ss,
S,, r too thin J Ss.

These five levels of signals are each supplied to the display circuit 29, and one of them is displayed by discrimination. This signal S
In accordance with Steps S to S5, one of the indicator lights 1 to L is turned on to display the state of the detected salt concentration of the mixture. That is,
Ll, L, . . . L indicate "too thick", "dark", "good", "light", and "too light", respectively. In addition, when the "concentration" signal S or the "too thin" signal S is issued, the alarm circuit 31 is activated and the alarm buzzer 32 is sounded to indicate whether the salt concentration of the mixture is "too rich" or "too thin". ”.

The "too dark" signal S and the "dark" signal S actuate the first drive circuit 27, and the "light" signal S4 and the "too light" signal S5 actuate the second drive circuit 28. 1st
The drive circuit 27 receives and outputs the "concentrated" signal S and the "concentrated" signal S1, and drives the pump P1 to supply fresh water from the freshwater tank 6.

In this case, in the case of "concentrated" S process, the supply amount per time is increased by lengthening the driving time of pump P1, etc., compared to "concentrated J S".

Further, the second drive circuit 16 receives and outputs the "thin" signal S4 and the "too thin" signal S, and drives the pump P2 to supply seawater from the seawater tank 7. In this case, in the case of "too thin JSs", the supply amount per time is increased by lengthening the drive time of pump P2, etc., compared to "thin" S4. “Good” signal S, then,
The surface drive circuits 27 and 28 are stopped, and both pumps P and P2 are stopped.

In the above, the salt concentration in the storage tank tends to increase as salt oozes out from the seaweed, so detection is performed only when the concentration is high, and fresh water supply alone is sufficient. Therefore, the apparatus according to the present invention includes a means for supplying fresh water to a storage tank, a sensor for detecting the salt concentration in the storage tank, an oscillation modulation circuit for supplying a constant voltage high-frequency power to the sensor, It also includes a salt concentration control circuit that compares the measured value of the salinity concentration in the storage tank with the appropriate salt concentration range and outputs an output signal for driving the fresh water supply means when the measured value is higher than the appropriate concentration range. It is something that

Furthermore, in the above, the salt concentration of the mixed liquid in the storage tank 2 has conventionally been measured by specific gravity using a simple hydrometer. When displaying the salinity concentration in this salinity control bag [5], if the display unit is changed from the conventional method, intuitive judgment may not be possible.Therefore, the display is converted to a specific gravity value corresponding to the measured salinity concentration. It is now displayed.

Figure 3 shows a conversion table between salinity (0100) and specific gravity. The displayed value of specific gravity is y=cx-1)×103, where X is the true value of specific gravity and y is the displayed value, that is, the specific gravity index.

In general, the specific gravity corresponding to the appropriate concentration of the storage mixture of seaweed progenitor algae is about 1.013 to 1.020, and the specific gravity X is x=
If it is 1.0131, the specific gravity index y==13.1
It will be displayed as follows.

The salt concentration of the seaweed raw algae mixture has a specific gravity of 1.013 to 1.0.
The 17th place is used as the appropriate value.

The salinity concentration-specific gravity index conversion table in FIG. 3 is exemplified for the case where the water temperature is 15°C. Since the conversion from salinity to specific gravity index changes depending on the water temperature, a correction circuit is built into the salinity adjustment device.

As mentioned above, if the salt concentration of the seaweed raw algae mixture is too high or too low, it will harm the quality of the seaweed product, so it is necessary to control it so that it does not exceed the permissible limit. The width is set as plus or minus 1.

The set reference value NO is set using a fixed impedance or a variable impedance built into the device, but it is made so that it cannot be arbitrarily adjusted.

(Effects of the Invention) As described above, according to the present invention, the salt concentration of the mixture in the seaweed storage tank can be easily and automatically adjusted to the appropriate concentration, whether the concentration is higher or lower than the appropriate concentration range. It is possible to adjust the concentration to maintain it within a specified range, and it can also issue an alarm if the concentration is too high or too low, preventing quality deterioration during storage of seaweed raw algae. In addition to improving the quality of the dried seaweed, such as the yield and color and gloss of the product, it is also less likely to absorb moisture during storage after being made into dried seaweed, eliminating the risk of problems such as salt analysis during processing, etc. It has excellent advantages.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a method for adjusting the salinity of a mixed liquid in a seaweed storage tank according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
Alternatively, a flow sheet showing an example of the process of processing stored seaweed raw algae and supplying it to a seaweed machine, and FIG. 3 is a conversion table between salinity concentration (0100) and specific gravity. 2: Nori raw algae storage tank, 2a: Stirrer, 3: Mixed liquid, 4:
Salinity concentration sensor, 5: Salinity concentration control device. 6: Freshwater tank, 7: Seawater tank, 23: Salinity concentration control circuit, 2
7: first drive circuit, 28: second drive circuit, P: freshwater supply pump, P2: seawater supply pump.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. When nori algae and water are mixed in a storage tank for temporarily storing nori algae to form a mixture of nori algae and water, this water is a mixture of freshwater and seawater. Determine the appropriate concentration range for water and its salinity to maintain the activity of the seaweed and the finished quality of the seaweed, and add freshwater and seawater to the seaweed at a ratio that will yield a mixed water with a concentration close to that value. The concentration of the mixture is detected by a concentration sensor installed in the storage tank, and when the detected concentration is higher than the appropriate concentration range, fresh water is supplied, and the detected concentration is lower than the appropriate concentration range. A method for adjusting the salinity of a seaweed raw algae storage tank mixture, characterized by supplying seawater when the concentration is low, and stopping the supply when the concentration falls within an appropriate concentration range in either case. 2. Claim 1 characterized in that fresh water is supplied by detecting only when the detected concentration is higher than the appropriate concentration range, and seawater is neither detected nor seawater is supplied when the detected concentration is lower than the appropriate concentration range. The method for adjusting the salinity concentration of a mixture in storage of seaweed algae according to item 1. 3. A means for supplying fresh water and a means for supplying seawater to a storage tank for seaweed, a sensor for detecting the salt concentration in the storage tank;
an oscillation modulation circuit that provides constant voltage high frequency power to the sensor;
The appropriate salt concentration range is compared with the measured value of the salt concentration in the storage tank, and when the measured value is higher than the appropriate salt concentration range, an output signal is output to drive the fresh water supply means, and when the measured value is lower than the appropriate concentration range, the seawater supply means is output. 1. A salinity adjustment device for a mixture in a seaweed algae storage tank, characterized by comprising a salinity adjustment circuit that outputs an output signal to drive the salt concentration adjustment circuit. 4. Means for supplying fresh water to the storage tank for seaweed, a sensor that detects the salinity concentration in the storage tank, an oscillation modulation circuit that supplies constant voltage high-frequency power to the sensor, an appropriate salinity concentration range and a measured value of the salinity concentration in the storage tank A salinity adjustment device for a mixture in a seaweed raw algae storage tank, comprising: a salinity adjustment circuit that compares the measured values and outputs an output signal to drive a freshwater supply means when the measured value is higher than the appropriate salinity concentration range. 5. Claims 3 and 4, characterized in that an alarm circuit is provided to issue an alarm when the measured value of the salt concentration becomes "too rich" or "too thin" with respect to the appropriate concentration range. The apparatus for adjusting the salinity of the mixture in the seaweed algae storage tank described above. 6. The mixture in the seaweed storage tank according to claims 3 and 4, wherein the measured value and the set value of the salinity are expressed by the specific gravity of the liquid mixture in the storage tank. Salinity concentration adjustment device.