JPS6336744B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Industrial Field of Application] The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the salt concentration of raw material for making nori that is supplied to a nori making machine.

[Prior art and its problems]

Conventionally, when making seaweed paper, cracks, tears, etc. occurred, resulting in a decrease in yield. In addition, by adding a small amount of salt to the seaweed raw material, the yield is improved.
Although the color and gloss are improved, if the salt content is too high, there is a risk that the seaweed may absorb moisture during storage or precipitate during secondary processing, impairing its quality. In addition, a large amount of raw material for seaweed must be continuously supplied to the seaweed machine at all times, and it is difficult to maintain the salt concentration within a specified range.

For example, as an improved version of this,
There is something like the one shown in the publication, and the publication states that in a mixing tank 3, which mixes the raw seaweed washed by the washing machine 1 and water at a certain ratio, the raw seaweed and water in the tank are mixed. A detector 10 is provided to detect the salt concentration of the mixed liquid, and the cleaning time of the raw seaweed in the washing machine 1 or A device is shown that includes a controller 11 that automatically controls the amount of washing water.

However, this device has the following problems. First of all, seaweed algae generally contain foreign substances such as shells, sand, straw waste, iron powder, etc., and cleaning them is done for the reasons mentioned above in order to improve the quality of seaweed products. It is necessary to remove these impurities at the same time as removing the salt, and for this purpose, sufficient washing is required, and after this sufficient washing, the salt content in the seaweed algae is almost zero. . Therefore, washing that leaves salt behind results in incomplete washing, and the impurities cannot be completely removed, leading to a significant deterioration in the quality of the seaweed product.

Second, the mixed liquid of raw seaweed and water in the mixing tank 3, that is, the seaweed raw material, needs to maintain an appropriate and uniform concentration of seaweed in order to make the thickness of the raw seaweed product uniform. In order to maintain the seaweed concentration at a predetermined value in the mixed liquid in the mixing tank 3, it is necessary to frequently adjust the supply ratio of raw seaweed and water, and each time this adjustment is performed, the salt concentration of the mixed liquid is affected and fluctuates. Each time, the controller 11 operates according to the signal from the detector 10 to control the washing time or the amount of washing water, but the raw seaweed is fed at a substantially constant speed to keep the seaweed concentration constant. Because of this, it is difficult to rapidly improve the salt concentration in the mixing tank, and eventually the seaweed concentration will be adjusted again and this situation will be repeated, resulting in the salt concentration being constantly unstable. state. That is, it has not been possible to quickly and appropriately control the salinity concentration only by controlling the washing time of raw seaweed or the amount of washing water. in this case,
To correct the salt concentration of the mixture in the mixing tank once mixed, the salt concentration of the raw seaweed and water mixture newly supplied from the washing machine is averaged, and the averaged salt concentration is detected each time. The only way to do this is to gradually approach the appropriate value, and the reaction becomes extremely slow. When the salinity of the raw seaweed and water mixture to be additionally supplied is set within a predetermined range, small corrections will be repeated, making it impossible to quickly correct the salinity. When the value is such that the salt concentration is adjusted in the opposite direction,
Although it is corrected fairly quickly, there is a risk that the salinity concentration will deviate in the opposite direction due to over-adjustment, causing alternating fluctuations on both sides of the predetermined range and hunting, and in any case, quick and stable adjustment cannot be expected, and the Continuously supplying a large amount of seaweed raw material (mixture) required time to control and could not be adapted.

[Purpose of the invention]

In view of the above points, the present invention aims to appropriately and quickly adjust the salt concentration of the raw material for making nori paste so as to maintain the salinity of the raw material for making nori paste within a specified range and not to cause problems in large-scale supply. Our aim is to improve the quality of seaweed paper production, such as the yield rate and the color and gloss of the product, as well as eliminate problems such as moisture absorption during storage and salt analysis during secondary processing. The purpose is

[Structure of the invention]

The present invention involves mincing raw seaweed, washing it with water, and then mixing the minced seaweed with water in a blender or seaweed concentration adjustment tank to create a mixture of seaweed and water. An appropriate concentration standard value suitable for supplying to the machine or an appropriate concentration range that takes into account the control width is determined based on this standard value, and water that has been adjusted in advance to have a salinity within the appropriate concentration range is used as the water. To adjust the salinity of water, freshwater and seawater are simultaneously supplied to the mixed water adjustment tank at a ratio that will yield mixed water with a salinity within the appropriate concentration range, and when the water level rises to a high level, the simultaneous supply is stopped. The salt concentration of the mixed water in this mixed water adjustment tank is detected by a concentration sensor using a constant voltage oscillation modulation signal, and when the detected salt concentration is higher than the appropriate concentration range, fresh water is supplied, and the detected salt concentration is adjusted to the appropriate level. When the concentration is lower than the range, seawater is supplied, and in either case, when the concentration falls within the appropriate concentration range, the supply is stopped, and when the water level drops to a low level as the mixed water is supplied to the next stage, fresh water is supplied again. This device starts the simultaneous supply of seawater and continues until it reaches a high water level, and the device consists of a means for supplying freshwater to a mixed water adjustment tank of salt and water, a means for supplying seawater, and a means for supplying seawater per hour of each supply means. Means for adjusting each supply amount, a sensor that detects the salt concentration in the adjustment tank, an oscillation modulation circuit that supplies constant voltage high frequency power to the sensor, a water level sensor that detects low and high water levels in the adjustment tank, and a low water level sensor signal A water level control circuit that outputs an output signal that simultaneously drives both freshwater and seawater supply means, and stops the output signal based on a high water level sensor signal, compares the appropriate salinity concentration range with the measured value of salinity in the adjustment tank, and determines whether the measured value is salinity. It is characterized by comprising a salinity concentration control circuit that outputs an output signal to drive the freshwater supply means when the measured value is greater than the appropriate concentration range, and outputs an output signal to drive the seawater supply means when the measured value is smaller than the appropriate concentration range. It is something.

[Example] The present invention will be described below based on an example shown in the drawings.

Figure 1 shows the flow sheet of the present invention, in which the seaweed is minced by cutting it into small pieces using a mincing machine, and the seaweed is thoroughly washed with water to remove salt and foreign substances. After removing the minced seaweed, a mixture of seaweed and water is prepared in a blending machine.
That is, a seaweed mixture is prepared, and this seaweed mixture is temporarily stored in a seaweed mixture stirring tank while being stirred. The concentration can also be adjusted in the stirring tank as necessary. In this case, the water is mixed water with a predetermined concentration with a small amount of salt added, and the mixed water is stored and adjusted from the mixed water adjustment tank to the blender by pump P ₃ , and the water necessary for concentration adjustment is pumped. Supplied by P ₄ .
Fresh water is supplied from the freshwater tank and seawater is supplied from the seawater tank to the mixed water adjustment tank by pumps P ₁ and P ₂ , respectively. The mixed water adjustment tank is equipped with a concentration sensor that detects the salinity concentration and a water level sensor that detects the water level in the tank.The mixed water control device has a concentration control circuit that operates in response to the concentration sensor output, and a concentration control circuit that operates in response to the output of the water level sensor. These concentration control circuits,
It has a drive circuit that operates in response to the output of the water level control circuit. Pumps P ₁ and P ₂ are operated by the drive circuit output signal of the mixed water control device that operates in response to the outputs of the concentration sensor and water level sensor, and the supply amount of fresh water and seawater, and therefore the supply amount and salinity of mixed water are controlled. controlled. The seaweed mixture from the mixer is fed to a seaweed mixture stirring tank, and the seaweed mixture stirred and adjusted in this stirring tank is supplied to a seaweed machine.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a mixed water salinity adjusting device for carrying out the present invention.
The pumps P ₁ and P ₂ are configured to send seawater to the pumps and store them therein.

The mixed water adjustment tank 1 includes a stirrer 4 that stirs the mixed water stored in the tank, a concentration sensor 5 that detects the salt concentration of the mixed water, and a high water level (the water level in the tank is set in advance). A water level sensor 6 is installed which operates and issues a signal when the water level reaches the H level) and the low water level (L level). The mixed water control device 7 includes a power supply circuit 8, an oscillation modulation circuit 9, a concentration control circuit 10, a water level control circuit 14, a first drive circuit 15, a second drive circuit 16, a display circuit 17, an indicator light 18, and an alarm circuit. 19, it has an alarm buzzer 20. The concentration control circuit 10 includes a rectifier 11, an amplifier circuit 12, and a signal discriminator 13. The outputs of the first and second drive circuits 15 and 16 drive pumps P ₁ and P ₂ which are freshwater and seawater supply means, and freshwater and seawater are supplied to the mixed water adjustment tank 1 from the freshwater tank 2 and the seawater tank 3, respectively. supplied to Valves V ₁ and V ₂ are placed in the freshwater and seawater supply channels as means for adjusting the respective supply amounts, making it possible to adjust the supply amounts per hour. Seaweed and water are supplied to the blender 21, but the water is pumped from the mixing water adjustment tank to pump _P3.
Powered by. The seaweed mixture is supplied from the mixer 21 to the seaweed mixture stirring tank 22, and if it is necessary to adjust the concentration of seaweed, water for adjustment is supplied from the mixing water adjustment tank 1 by the pump _P4 . The seaweed mixture stirred and adjusted in the seaweed mixture stirring tank 22 is supplied to a seaweed machine as a raw material for seaweed papermaking.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the concentration sensor, in which electrodes 24 and 25 are placed at a predetermined interval in an insulating cylinder 23, the tips of which protrude into the cylinder 23, and the bases of which are embedded in the cylinder and provide signals respectively. Lines 24a and 25a are derived. One of the electrodes, for example 25, incorporates a temperature correction circuit 26 such as a thermistor for the sensor output.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of the power supply circuit 8 and the oscillation modulation circuit 9. In FIG. The power supply circuit 8 supplies AC power to each circuit of the control device, and also includes a rectifier circuit 8a and a constant voltage circuit 8b.
DC power and constant voltage power are supplied through the

The power supply circuit 8 receives power in the form of commercial frequency alternating current, rectifies it, and once converts it into direct current. In this process, a constant voltage circuit is built in, so that when a high frequency is generated in the subsequent stage, a constant voltage alternating current is obtained. If the side voltage fluctuation is within ±20%, there is no effect on the secondary side, making concentration measurement stable.

The oscillation modulation circuit 9 receives a DC constant voltage and obtains a predetermined high frequency output using an oscillation circuit 9a such as an astable multivibrator. The output waveform at this output end point A is shown in FIG. 5a. In this case, the frequency may be fixed or variable. Further, the reference level is adjusted by a reference level adjustment circuit 9b including a resistor, a capacitor, etc., so as to obtain a high frequency output with positive and negative balance. The output waveform at this output end point B is shown in Figure 5b.
Shown below. This frequency output is applied to the electrode 2 of the concentration sensor.
4 and 25 to activate the concentration sensor 5. The output of the concentration sensor 5 is input to the concentration control circuit 10.

The reasons for using a balanced high frequency wave as a power source for the concentration sensor are that if a direct current component is included, the mixed water will electrolyze and the generated gas will adhere to the electrodes, causing measurement errors. This is because the temperature-concentration (water resistance value) characteristics are more stable than in measurements, and measurement errors due to temperature changes can be reduced. An example of temperature-water resistance value characteristics is shown in FIG. The characteristics of water resistance values measured by high frequency measurement and commercial frequency measurement were shown for the case of salinity concentration of 0.05 to 3%, and it can be seen that in both cases, the degree of change in the resistance measurement value is smaller and more stable with high frequency measurement. . It has been confirmed that good results can be obtained when the frequency of this high-frequency power source is about 1 kHz or higher, and at least measurement is possible even below that, although there are differences in the degree of change. Additionally, if the power supply voltage fluctuates, the current value and therefore the apparent detected salinity concentration value will fluctuate for the same resistance value, making accurate detection impossible and making proper control impossible. A constant voltage circuit for the power supply is required for proper control.

The input signal to the concentration control circuit 10 is a rectifier 11,
The signal is processed by the amplifier circuit 12 and compared with a preset concentration reference value in the signal discriminator 13 to determine whether the concentration is within the reference value range. In this _case , for example, 5-level signals S ₁ , S _{2 .} . . "Dark" S ₂ and "Too dark" S ₁ , and "Light" side is designated as "Light" S ₄ and "Too thin" S ₅ depending on the degree of density difference.

These five levels of signals are each supplied to the display circuit 17, and one of them is displayed by discrimination. Indicator light according to this signal S ₁ ~ S ₅
Lights up any one of _L1 to _L5 to display the detected mixed water concentration state. That is, L ₁ , L ₂ ...L ₅ are "too thick", "dark", "good", "light", "too light", respectively.
Display. Also, the "concentration" signal S ₁ or the "light" signal
When the signal _S5 is issued, the alarm circuit 19
is activated and the alarm buzzer 20 sounds to notify that the mixed water concentration is "too concentrated" or "too thin".

The "too dark" signal S ₁ and the "too dark" signal S ₂ actuate the first drive circuit 15 , and the "light" signal S ₄ and the "too light" signal S ₅ actuate the second drive circuit 16 . urge The first drive circuit 15 receives a “dark” signal S ₂
and “concentration” signal S ₁ is received and output, and the pump
_P1 is driven to supply fresh water from the fresh water tank 2.
The second drive circuit 16 also outputs a “thin” signal (S ₄ ).
and “too thin” signal S ₅ is received and output, and the pump
_P2 is driven to supply seawater from seawater tank 3.
The supply of fresh water and seawater continues until the above signal is lost. For the "good" signal _S3 , both drive circuits 15,
16 is stopped, and both pumps P ₁ and P ₂ are stopped.

The water level sensor 6 has a high water level electrode 6a for detecting a high water level (H level) and a low water level electrode 6b for detecting a low water level (L level). When the water level falls below L level, both drive circuits 15 and 16 are activated to simultaneously drive pumps P ₁ and P ₂ to simultaneously supply fresh water and sea water. During this time, the signal from the concentration sensor is ignored, and the concentration is roughly adjusted by adjusting the valves V ₁ and V ₂ so that the supply ratio of freshwater and seawater matches the reference concentration.

The valves V ₁ and V ₂ are generally adjusted manually, but they can also be controlled by electric signals or the like as a power method.

When the water level reaches the H level, the supply of both fresh water and sea water is stopped, and from this point on, discrimination is made by the concentration control circuit 10 based on the signal from the concentration sensor 5, and the concentration is finely adjusted using the method described above.

During this time, the mixed water is supplied to the blender 21 or the seaweed mixture stirring tank 22 by pumps P ₃ and P ₄ , respectively, and the water level gradually decreases. As soon as the water level falls below the L level, both drive circuits 15 and 16 are activated to simultaneously supply fresh water and seawater, and the above steps are repeated. In view of the above operation, the mounting position of the concentration sensor 5 is preferably below the L level.

FIG. 7 shows an example of the concentration and water level control and drive circuit in the mixed water control device.

101 and 102 are control power supply terminals, 103 is a water level detection signal and a low water level detection signal 103a (normally open contact);
Power terminals 101 and 1 are connected in series with the auxiliary relay m as a series circuit for the high water level detection signal 103b (normally closed contact).
Connect between 02 and 02. Also, the self-holding contact ma ₁ of the auxiliary relay m is connected in parallel with the signal 103a. The auxiliary relay m is provided in the water level control circuit 104, and its auxiliary normally open contacts ma ₂ and ma ₃ are connected to the fresh water pump, respectively.
P ₁ , connected in series with seawater pump P ₂ and power terminal 101,
Connect between 102 and 102. 105 and 106 are salt concentration detection signals, and 105 and 106 are operation signals when the rich side is detected, and 106 is an operation signal when the thin side is detected, and in this case, they are represented as contacts that close when activated, and the contacts ma ₂ and ma ₃ respectively
are connected in parallel. Although these circuits are configured as contact circuits, it is of course possible to configure them as non-contact circuits.

To explain the operation of the above circuit, when the low water level signal 103a is activated, the auxiliary relay m is activated and the pumps P ₁ and P ₂ are driven, and when the high water level signal 103b is activated, the auxiliary relay m is opened and the pumps P _{1 and} P 2 are activated.
Stop driving _P2 .

On the other hand, when the "concentration" and "overconcentration" signals are activated, the pump _P1 is driven, and when the signal is lost, the pump P1 is stopped.
Also, when the “concentration” or “concentration” signal is activated, the pump
If _P2 is driven and the same signal is lost, it will stop.

Next, the operation of the thermistor will be explained. FIG. 8 shows the internal details of the amplifier circuit 12.
Reference numerals 111 and 112 are power terminals to which DC power is applied, and the 112 side is the ground side. 113 is an amplifier with an input terminal 113a and a reference voltage input terminal 11
3b and an output terminal 113c. Input terminal 11
The concentration sensor output is input to 3a via a rectifier 11. An adjustment resistor 114, a reference voltage dividing resistor 115, and a reference voltage fine adjustment resistor 11 are installed between the terminals 111 and 112.
6 are connected in series, and the thermistor 26 is connected in parallel to the adjustment resistor 114. The thermistor 26 is attached to the concentration sensor 5, and its terminal 26
a, 26b are lead-connected to the amplifier circuit 12. Voltage dividing terminal 115 located between both terminals of voltage dividing resistor 115
A is connected to the reference voltage input terminal 113b of the amplifier via the amplification factor adjustment circuit. The amplification factor adjustment circuit includes the voltage dividing terminal 115a and the reference voltage input terminal 113b.
Fine adjustment resistor 118 connected between, resistor 119 and capacitor 1 inserted in parallel between reference voltage input terminal 113b and amplifier output terminal 113c.
It consists of 20 pieces. Output terminal 113c and terminal 1
A floating voltage suppressing resistor 121 is connected between the floating voltage suppressing resistor 121 and the floating voltage suppressing resistor 121.

Here, the action of the thermistor will be explained. The concentration of the mixed water is determined by measuring the resistance value between the electrodes using the concentration sensor 5, but as the water temperature rises, the resistance value decreases and the amplifier input terminal 113a
The signal voltage value given to increases. Therefore amplifier 1
The output signal voltage value of No. 13 increases, and the concentration value apparently moves toward the "dense" side due to the rise in water temperature.

The resistance of the thermistor decreases as the water temperature rises, the potential at the reference voltage dividing point 115a increases, and the potential at the amplifier reference voltage input terminal 113b increases. This increase in the potential of the reference voltage input reduces the potential difference between the input terminal 113a and the reference voltage input terminal 113b, thereby compensating for the increase in the amplifier input voltage due to the water temperature rise.

Compensation can be made in the same manner even if the water temperature drops. In this manner, the output signal voltage of the amplifier is prevented from varying due to changes in water temperature.

As mentioned above, if the salt concentration is too high, it will harm the quality of the seaweed product, so it must be managed so that it does not exceed the permissible limit.For example, the set standard value No.
Nm is set at 95%, plus or minus control range (standard value range width for good) ΔN is set at 5%, and the upper limit of the control range is set as 95% of Nm.
No+ΔN=100%.

As mentioned above, the control range is determined, and when the concentration falls below the lower limit control value, a seawater supply command is issued, and when the concentration increases and reaches the lower limit control value, a stop command is issued, and when the concentration exceeds the upper limit control value, a command to stop the supply of seawater is issued. issue a supply order for
When the concentration drops to the upper limit control value, a stop command is issued.

The setting 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 adjusted arbitrarily.

The standard value to be set is determined by industry consensus, but generally the allowable value Nm is 0.2%.
It is considered to be a degree.

In that case, the standard value No. will be 0.19%, so if we calculate the ratio of supply amount when freshwater and seawater are supplied simultaneously, assuming that the salinity of seawater is 3%, for example, B x 3 (%) / A + B = 0.19 (%) ) A/B = 14 (approximate number) A: Freshwater supply amount B: Seawater supply amount In other words, freshwater: seawater = 14:1.

As mentioned above, the device according to the present invention quickly and appropriately adjusts the salinity concentration of the raw material for making seaweed. When making the mixture, the seaweed raw algae is minced, washed, and then mixed with the minced seaweed using mixed water with a predetermined salt concentration. The salinity of the raw materials is always maintained within an appropriate range.The second feature is that in order to obtain this mixed water, freshwater and seawater are simultaneously supplied at a predetermined ratio until a predetermined water level is reached. After that, freshwater or seawater is continuously supplied according to the detected salinity value to rapidly adjust the concentration, and when the water level drops to a low level, freshwater and seawater are supplied simultaneously again, so that a large amount of mixed water is constantly maintained. The reason is that we have made it possible to supply.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described above, according to the present invention, in the apparatus for adjusting the salinity concentration of a seaweed mixture, there are provided a means for supplying fresh water and a means for supplying seawater to a mixed water adjustment tank of salt and water, and a concentration sensor that detects the salinity concentration in the adjustment tank. ,
An oscillation modulation circuit that provides constant voltage high frequency power to the concentration sensor, a water level sensor that detects low and high water levels in the adjustment tank, and a low water level sensor signal that detects fresh water,
A water level control circuit that outputs an output signal that simultaneously drives both seawater supply means and stops the output signal based on a high water level sensor signal, and compares the appropriate salinity concentration range with the measured value of salinity in the adjustment tank and determines whether the measured value is within the appropriate salinity concentration range. We have installed a salinity control circuit that outputs an output signal to drive the seawater supply means when the measured value is greater than the appropriate concentration range, and outputs an output signal to drive the seawater supply means when the measured value is smaller than the appropriate concentration range, so that the salt concentration is supplied to the seaweed machine. Whether the salt concentration of the seaweed mixture is too high or low, it can be easily and automatically quickly adjusted to the appropriate concentration and maintained within the specified range. In addition to improving the quality such as the yield and color and gloss of the product seaweed, there is no risk of problems such as moisture absorption during storage of seaweed and salt analysis during processing. It has various excellent advantages such as no problem even if the raw material for papermaking is continuously supplied.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flow sheet of an apparatus for adjusting the salinity of a seaweed mixture according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus for adjusting the salinity of a seaweed mixture according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. Cross section, 4th
The figure shows the power supply circuit and oscillation modulation circuit diagram, Figure 5a shows the output waveform at point A in Figure 4, and Figure 5b shows the output waveform at point A in Figure 4.
The output waveform at point B in the figure, Figure 6 is a temperature (water temperature) vs. water resistance value characteristic diagram, Figure 7 is a diagram of concentration and water level control in the mixing water control device, and a drive circuit diagram, and Figure 8 is the inside of the amplifier circuit. It is a detailed view. 1: Mixed water adjustment tank, 2: Freshwater tank, 3: Seawater tank, 4: Stirrer, 5: Concentration sensor, 6: Water level sensor, 7: Mixed water control device, 8: Power supply circuit,
9: Oscillation modulation circuit, 10: Concentration control circuit, 11:
Rectifier, 12: Amplification circuit, 13: Signal discriminator, 1
4: Water level control circuit, 15: First drive circuit, 1
6: Second drive circuit, 17: Display circuit, 18: Indicator light, 19: Alarm circuit, 20: Alarm buzzer, 2
1: Blender, 22: Seaweed mixture stirring tank, 22: Insulating cylinder, 24, 25: Electrode, 26: Temperature correction circuit, P ₁ , P ₂ , P ₃ , P ₄ : Pump, V ₁ , V ₂ : Bulb, L ₁ ~ L ₅ : Indicator light.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Means for supplying fresh water and seawater to a mixed water adjustment tank of salt and water, a concentration sensor that detects the salt concentration in the adjustment tank, and an oscillation that supplies a constant voltage high-frequency power source to the concentration sensor. Modulation circuit, water level sensor that detects low and high water levels in the adjustment tank Water level control that outputs an output signal that simultaneously drives both freshwater and seawater supply means using the low water level sensor signal, and stops the output signal using the high water level sensor signal The circuit compares the proper salt concentration range with the measured value of the salt concentration in the adjustment tank, and when the measured value is greater than the proper salt concentration range, it outputs an output signal to drive the fresh water supply means, and when the measured value is smaller than the proper concentration range, it outputs an output signal to drive the fresh water supply means. A device for adjusting the salinity of a seaweed mixture, comprising a salinity control circuit that outputs an output signal to drive a seawater supply means. 2. The salt concentration adjusting device for a seaweed mixture according to claim 1, characterized in that a temperature correction circuit is incorporated in the concentration sensor.