JPS63129922A - Apparatus for storing perishables - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a fresh produce storage device that allows fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits to be stored for a long period of time at the production site or at the distribution stage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Refrigerated storage is a common means of storing perishables, but in addition to this, a longer term storage method involves changing the air composition within the storage room. In other words, the concentration of oxygen (02) in the storage chamber is reduced, and the concentration of carbon dioxide (Co2) is reduced.
) It is known that by increasing the concentration, it is possible to suppress the respiration of fresh foods and also to prevent chemical reactions such as decomposition and oxidation caused by microorganisms.

An example of the above-mentioned conventional fresh food storage device will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 shows a system diagram of a conventional fresh food storage device. Reference numeral 1' is a storage unit, and a cooling device 4' consisting of an evaporator 2' and a condensing unit 3' is provided. 5′
is a propane gas cylinder, which is combusted by the carbon dioxide generator 6' using air introduced from the storage 1' through the introduction pipe 7' to produce C3H8+ 502→3CO2+4H20→-
The combustion exhaust gas generated in the reaction 631d, ie, carbon dioxide gas (Co2), is discharged to the storage 1' through a discharge pipe 8'. Reference numeral 9' denotes a carbon dioxide adsorption device, which is introduced from the storage 1' through an inlet pipe 10', adsorbs excess carbon dioxide (Co2), and then returned to the storage 1' through a discharge pipe 11'. 1
2' is a gas monitor that detects the gas concentration in the storage chamber 1' and connects the carbon dioxide gas generator e' and the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9'.
are controlled in a timely manner.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with the above configuration, the carbon dioxide gas generator 6' requires a long period of time to be preheated, and it takes a long time to bring the gas components in the storage chamber 1' to a predetermined concentration. It had This often had a negative impact on stocks.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems and provides a fresh produce storage device that can quickly bring the gas components in the storage 1' to a predetermined concentration.

Problems and Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the perishables storage device of the present invention includes a storage for storing perishables, and a combustion system for burning carbon-containing fuel to introduce carbon dioxide gas into the storage. a furnace, a blower that circulates air from the storage to be used for combustion of the fuel in the combustion furnace, an adsorption device containing an adsorbent to adsorb excess carbon dioxide gas generated from the combustion furnace, and the storage an atmosphere release valve that communicates with the atmosphere; a cooling device that cools the inside of the storage; a temperature control means that controls the cooling device that brings the inside of the storage to a predetermined temperature; A valve control device that controls an atmospheric release valve that shuts off the inside and outside of the storage in synchronization only when the cooling is stopped for the first time, and a blower control device that starts operating the blower at the same time as the cooling device starts. be.

Function The present invention uses the above-described configuration to bring the gas components in the storage to a predetermined concentration in a short time. It also prevents adverse effects on stored materials caused by opening the container for a long time to adjust the concentration to a predetermined concentration.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, a fresh food storage apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a fresh produce storage device in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of a control device in one embodiment, and FIG. 3 is a diagram of changes in internal gas components caused by the same device. FIG. 4 is a system diagram of a conventional fresh food storage device.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a storage such as a pre-fabricated refrigerator for storing perishables, including a compressor 2, a condenser 3, an evaporator 4,
A cooling device 7 consisting of blowers 5 and 6 is mounted on the top. The storage 1 includes a carbon dioxide gas generator 8 for filling the interior with carbon dioxide (Co2), and a carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 for adsorbing and removing excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from combustion gas. It is connected. The carbon dioxide gas generator 8 is configured between an introduction pipe 10 that introduces air in the storage 1 and a connecting pipe 11 that leads the combustion gas generated here to the carbon dioxide adsorption device e, and connects the combustion furnace 12 and the combustion gas It is composed of a cooler 13. A blower 14 is installed in the connecting pipe 11 between the cooler 13 and the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9, and guides the air in the storage 1 to the combustion furnace 12 through the introduction pipe 1o.
After the combustion gas generated in step 2 is cooled by a cooler 13, it is led to a carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 through a connecting pipe 11. The combustion furnace 12 includes an inner casing 16 having a heat insulating pipe 15 on its inner surface, an outer casing 18 having an air passage 17 formed between the inner casing 16 and the inner casing 16 for supplying secondary combustion air, and a heat insulating pipe 15 inside the heat insulating pipe 16. A grate 2° on which solid fuel 19 is placed, and an ignition heater 21 for heating combustion air to combust solid fuel 19.
It is composed of

The solid fuel 19 is highly pure carbon and becomes C+ by combustion.
The combustion gas becomes carbon dioxide (Co) and nitrogen (cN2) due to the reaction of 020N2→C02+N2.

On the other hand, the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 is for adsorbing excess carbon dioxide (Co2) in the combustion gas and discharging it to the outside of the storage 1. Inlet pipes 24, 25 and exhaust pipes 26 are connected to the two adsorbers 22, 23 so that the combustion gas alternately circulates.
, 27, and switching valves 28 and 29. The adsorber 22, 23 is filled with an adsorbent 30, 31, and when it adsorbs carbon dioxide gas (Co2) and its adsorption capacity decreases, a blower 32 switches the outside air to a switching valve 33, a discharge pipe 2
Air is blown to the adsorber 22 or adsorber 23 through the introduction pipe or introduction pipe 36 connected to 6°27, desorbs carbon dioxide gas, and discharge pipes 36 and 37 connected to the introduction pipe 24 or introduction pipe 2S, Exhaust pipe 3 through switching valve 38
9 and is configured to be exhausted to the atmosphere.

For example, when the adsorber 22 is performing adsorption and the adsorber 23 is performing desorption, the switching valves 28 and 29 are set so that the combustion gas flows through the inlet pipe 24, adsorber 22, and discharge pipe 26. When opened, the switching valves 33 and 38 are opened in the direction in which outside air flows through the inlet pipe 35, adsorber 23, and exhaust pipe 37 by the blower 32, and is exhausted to the atmosphere from the exhaust W39. The exhaust pipe 40 connects the switching valve 29 and the storage. 41 and 42 are switching valves for the storage 1, the combustion furnace 12, the cooler 13 and the blower 14, respectively.
The switching valves 41 and 42 are connected to each other by a connecting pipe 43. 44 is a controller that controls the air volume of the blower 14, and the air volume is determined by a signal from a gas monitor 46 that detects the gas concentration in the storage 1.

A chamber 46 is a container provided in the introduction pipe 1o between the storage 1 and the switching valve 41, and is connected to the sampling tube 47 of the gas monitor 45. Moreover, 48 is a temperature control means that includes means 52 for measuring the temperature inside the storage 1 and controls the cooling device 7 to adjust the temperature inside the storage 1 to a predetermined temperature. 49 is a presal bag that adjusts the pressure inside the storage 1 during storage, and 5o is a presal bag that adjusts the pressure inside the storage 1 during storage.
This is an atmospheric release valve which is a three-way valve that communicates between the inside of the storage bag 49 or the inside of the storage 1 and the outside of the storage 1. Reference numeral 61 denotes a valve control device that shuts off the inside and outside of the storage 1 in synchronization with the atmosphere release valve 6o only at the first cooling stop after the cooling device reaches a predetermined set temperature from the start of cooling.

Further, 53 is a system operation start switch. Furthermore, the wiring of the valve control device 51 and the blower control device 62 is as follows.
The temperature measuring means 52 in the storage 1 is connected to a temperature controller 48 which is a temperature regulating means, and the contact output thereof is connected to the coils of the relays 49 and 61 in a ring shape.

First, the valve control device 61 will be explained.

The contacts of the relay 49 are connected in an annular manner to the coil of the relay 60, the atmosphere release valve 501, and the valve drive power source 69, and the contacts of the relay 60 are connected in parallel to the contacts of the relays 49 to 49.

Next, the blower control device 62 will be explained.

First, the operation switch 63 is connected to the power supply 56 and the coils of the relays 64 and 66 in a circular manner. The contacts of the relay 65 are connected to the power source 67 and the blower 14 in a ring shape. Furthermore, relay 6
A contact point 4 connects the contact point of the relay 61, the power source 58, and the cooler 7 in an annular manner.

The operation of the fresh food storage device configured as described above will be described below.

First, the operation start switch 63 is turned on in order to set the atmospheric temperature in the storage 1 to the optimum temperature for storing the stored items.
Current flows through the fill of the relay 54 and the contacts of the relay 64 are closed to operate the cooling device γ.

Therefore, the inside of the storage 1 is cooled. Further, current also flows through the coil of the relay 66, closing the contacts of the relay 66, and the blower 14 also moves. Next, when the inside of the storage 1 reaches a set value, the atmospheric temperature inside the storage 1 controls the cooling device 7 to adjust the temperature inside the storage 1 to a predetermined temperature, which includes means 62 for measuring the temperature inside the storage 1. The cooling device 7 is stopped by the temperature control means. From the start of this cooling, in synchronization only with the first stop of the cooling device 7, the inside of the storage 1 is communicated with the presal bag 49 that adjusts the pressure inside the storage 1 during storage from the side that communicates the inside and outside of the storage 1. Switch the atmospheric release valve 6o to the side to shut off the inside and outside of the storage 1.

Even if carbon dioxide gas is blown in by the blower 14 while the atmosphere release valve s o d is open (the atmosphere and the storage 1 are in communication), the inside of the storage 1 is still being cooled, and the volume of gas inside it decreases. Since the atmosphere flows into the storage 1 from outside the storage 1, the carbon dioxide gas sent from the carbon dioxide gas generator 8 does not flow out of the storage 1.

The atmosphere inside storage 1 was initially N2=79%, 02=21
%, and when the carbon dioxide generator 8 is operated, the air inside the refrigerator is introduced into the combustion furnace 12 through the introduction pipe 1° by the blower 14, through the chamber 46 and the switching valve 41,
The solid fuel 19 is heated by the ignition heater 21 and used for combustion. This ignition heater 21 is maintained at a surface temperature of 1000°C by a temperature control means (not shown).
Due to the +N2 reaction, the combustion gas is carbon dioxide (Co2) and nitrogen (
N2), and after cooling in the cooler 13, the connecting pipe 11
As a result, the air passes through the switching valve 42 and the blower 14, further passes through the switching valve 28 and the introduction pipe 24, and enters the adsorber 22. Here, carbon dioxide gas (Co2) is adsorbed by the adsorbent 3o, and only nitrogen (N2) is removed from the exhaust pipe 26 and the switching valve 29.
It passes through and circulates to the storage 1 through the exhaust pipe 40. After a certain period of time has elapsed, the switching valves 28 and 29 are switched so that the adsorber 22 in which the combustion gas circulates is switched to the adsorber 23, and the combustion gas passes through the switching valve 28 and the introduction pipe 25 and enters the adsorber 23. Here again, carbon dioxide (Co2) is adsorbed by the adsorbent 31, and only nitrogen (CN2) is removed from the exhaust pipe 27.
It passes through the switching valve 29 and circulates to the storage 1 through the exhaust pipe 40. After a certain period of time has passed again, the adsorber 22.23
is switched, and the combustion gas is circulated alternately. During this time, the adsorbent 30.31 filled in the adsorber 22.23 reaches the limit of its adsorption capacity for carbon dioxide (CO2), and the carbon dioxide (CO2) in the combustion gas can no longer be adsorbed. It is exhausted into the storage 1 through the pipe 40, and the carbon dioxide (Co2) concentration in the storage 1 begins to gradually increase. 75-
This is the state about 2 hours after the start of operation in a storage warehouse 1 with a size of . During this time, the oxygen (02) concentration in storage 1 was initially 21
It continues to decrease from H. The gas concentration in storage 1 is changed to oxygen (
0)=s%, carbon dioxide (Co2): 5%F nitrogen (N2)
= 90% as a predetermined value, when the gas monitor 45 detects by sampling the gas in the chamber 46 that the carbon dioxide in the storage 1 has increased to 6%, the carbon dioxide adsorption device Air blower 32 for removing and removing item 9
is operated, and regeneration of the adsorbent in the adsorber is started. For example, the adsorber 22 circulates the combustion gas to generate carbon dioxide (C
When adsorbing O2), the adsorber 23 uses the blower 32 to supply outside air to the switching valve 33, the inlet pipe 36, and the exhaust pipe 2.
7 and is blown onto the adsorbent 31, whereby carbon dioxide (CO2) is desorbed and regenerated.

Since this is performed alternately at regular intervals, the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration within the storage 1 is maintained at a predetermined level. On the other hand, oxygen (o2)! 1 degree continues to decrease as it is being used for combustion during that time, and reaches the predetermined 5% after 10 hours, which is detected by the gas monitor 46, and the carbon dioxide gas generator 8 and carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 are stopped. let Now, the inside of storage 1 has the predetermined gas concentration oxygen (02) = 5%, carbon dioxide (C
o2) = 5% to nitrogen (N2) = 90% and storage begins. At the same time as detecting that the oxygen (02) concentration has reached the predetermined value of 6.
The connecting pipe 43 and the connecting pipe 11 are switched so as to be in communication with each other.

After that, the blower 14 is operated at regular intervals, and the chamber 4 is
By detecting the gas in the storage compartment 6 with the gas monitor 46, if the carbon dioxide (Co2) generated by the respiration of fresh food stored in the storage compartment 1 exceeds a predetermined value of 5%, the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 is activated. , adsorbs carbon dioxide (CO2) until it reaches a predetermined concentration. To explain this operation, when the gas monitor 45 detects that a predetermined concentration has been exceeded,
The blower 14 is operated, and the gas in the storage 1 is transferred to the inlet pipe 1o.
, the switching valve 41, the connecting pipe 43, the switching valve 42, the blower 14, the connecting pipe 11, the switching valve 28, and the introduction pipe 24.
) is adsorbed by the adsorbent 30 and further circulates to the storage 1 through the exhaust pipe 2θ, the switching valve 29, and the exhaust pipe 40. On the other hand, in the adsorber 23, outside air is passed through a switching valve 33, an inlet pipe 35, and an exhaust pipe 27 by a blower 32, and the adsorbent 3
1, carbon dioxide gas (Co2) is desorbed and regenerated. Since this is performed alternately at regular intervals, the carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration in the storage 1 returns to the predetermined concentration.

In addition, oxygen (0
2) becomes below a predetermined value of 5%, outside air is introduced into the storage 1 by the blower 32 and replenished.

The introduction route includes a blower 32, a switching valve 33, and an introduction pipe 35.
, the exhaust pipe 27, the switching valve 29, and the exhaust pipe, and is introduced into the storage 1.

Next, the operation of ventilating the gas in the storage 1 in order to finish storage and take out the perishables in the storage 1 will be explained.

Ventilation switch (not shown) on control panel (not shown)
By turning ON, the blower 14 is operated, and the gas in the storage 1 is transferred to the inlet pipe 1o, the switching valve 41, the connecting pipe 43, the switching valve 42, the connecting pipe 11, the switching valve 28,
It passes through the introduction pipe 25 and the discharge pipe 37 and is released into the atmosphere.

At the same time, outside air is introduced into the storage 1 by the blower 32. The route includes the blower 32, the switching valve 33, the introduction pipe 34,
These are a discharge pipe 26, a switching valve 29, and an exhaust pipe 40.

When the gas monitor 45 detects that the gas in the storage 1 has become equal to the outside air, the blowers 14 and 32i are stopped, and the switching valve 33 is connected to the introduction pipe 34 so that the switching valve 28 is communicated with the introduction pipe 24. Switch so that they are connected.

In addition, the atmosphere release valve 5Q is not only a three-way valve that communicates between the inside of the storage 1 and the breather plug 49 or the inside and outside of the storage 1, but also a three-way valve that connects the inside and outside of the system piping, or between the inside and outside of the system piping, or the inside and outside of the storage 1. It may also be a three-way valve that allows communication between the two.

As described above, according to this embodiment, there is a storage 1 for storing perishables, a combustion furnace 12 for burning fuel containing carbon in order to introduce carbon dioxide into the storage 1, and a combustion furnace 12 for burning fuel containing carbon to introduce carbon dioxide into the storage 1. A blower 14 that circulates air for combustion from the storage 1, and an adsorption device 9 containing an adsorbent to adsorb excess carbon dioxide gas generated from the combustion furnace 12.
and an atmosphere release valve 6o that communicates the storage 1 with the atmosphere.
, a cooling device 7 that cools the inside of the storage 1, a temperature control means 48 that controls the cooling device 7 that brings the inside of the storage 1 to a predetermined temperature, and a cooling device 7 that controls the cooling device 7 from the start of cooling to the first cooling stop. Valve control device 5 that controls the atmosphere release valve 60 that shuts off the inside and outside of the storage 1 in synchronization with the time only.
1 and a blower control device 62 that starts the operation of the blower 14 at the same time as the cooling device 7 starts, and since the blower 14 is operated at the same time as the start of cooling, the surface of the ignition heater 21 is cooled and the energization rate is lowered. rose, solid fuel 19
The amount of heat supplied to the fuel increases, increasing the ignition speed. This means that it takes only a short time to reach the set concentration and prevents deterioration of the freshness of stored products. Furthermore, by opening the atmosphere release valve 5o until the first cooling stop, the storage 1
Even if the volume of the atmosphere inside decreases, outside air is introduced into the storage 1 to prevent the inside of the storage 1 from becoming negative pressure. This can prevent the airtightness and durability of the storage from deteriorating due to the inside of the storage 1 becoming negative or positive.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the perishables storage device of the present invention includes a storage for storing perishables, a combustion furnace for burning fuel containing carbon to introduce carbon dioxide into the storage, and a combustion furnace for the combustion furnace. a blower that circulates air from the storage for combustion of the fuel; an absorber containing an adsorbent to adsorb excess carbon dioxide gas generated from the combustion furnace; and an atmosphere vent that communicates the storage with the atmosphere. A valve, a cooling device that cools the inside of the storage, a temperature control means that controls the cooling device that brings the inside of the storage to a predetermined temperature, and the cooling device synchronized only at the first cooling stop after the start of cooling. By providing a valve control device that controls a valve that shuts off the inside and outside of the storage, and a blower control device that starts operation of the blower at the same time as the start of the cooling device, the blower is operated from the start of cooling. Since the surface of the heater is cooled, the energization rate increases in order to maintain the surface at 1oQO°C, which increases the heat supply to the solid fuel and increases the ignition speed. This prevents the deterioration of the freshness of stored products because it can reach the set concentration in a short time, and the installation of an atmosphere release valve reduces the internal load in the storage due to cooling caused by the high air density of the storage. It is possible to prevent pressure increase and ensure long-term reliability of the airtightness of the storage.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of a fresh food storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram of a valve control device and a blower control device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the inside of a refrigerator using the same device. FIG. 4, which is a diagram of changes in gas components, is a system diagram of a conventional fresh food storage device. 1...Storage, 12...Combustion furnace, 14
...Blower, 9...Carbon dioxide adsorption device, 6o...Atmospheric release valve, 7...Cooling device, 48...Temperature control Means, 61...
Valve control device, 62...Blower control device. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and one other person q-
Cooling device/d--Itinerary wind fan l;() -iL fJI Hand Hair;HiW-Big change release valve 57--Bardu II+Uplift 1 62-Way yiL 抛關控&! Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] a storage for storing perishables; a combustion furnace for burning carbon-containing fuel to introduce carbon dioxide gas into the storage;
A blower that circulates air from the storage to be used for combustion of the fuel in the combustion furnace, an adsorption device containing an adsorbent to adsorb excess carbon dioxide gas generated from the combustion furnace, and an adsorption device that connects the storage and the atmosphere. A communicating atmosphere release valve,
a cooling device that cools the inside of the storage; a temperature control unit that controls the cooling device to bring the inside of the storage to a predetermined temperature; A fresh produce storage device comprising: a valve control device that controls an atmosphere release valve that shuts off the inside and outside; and a blower control device that starts operating the blower at the same time as the cooling device starts.