KR101217493B1 - Clean-in-place apparatus for freeze dryer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A CIP(clean-in-place) washing apparatus for a freezing dryer is provided to cleanly wash shelves and a process chamber by rotating a rotary pipe by jetting fluid through a jetting pipe. CONSTITUTION: A CIP washing apparatus for a freezing dryer(30) comprises a rotary pipe(90), multiple jetting pipes(110), a plastic bush(120), and a plastic thrust bearing(160). A first end portion(92) and a second end portion of the rotary pipe are rotatably fitted in a second fluid passage of a second coupling flange and are communicated by a third fluid passage. The multiple jetting pipes jet fluid on the exterior of the rotary pipe to rotate the rotary pipe and have a jetting passage which is communicated with the third fluid passage and jets fluid. The plastic bush is fixed in the second fluid passage, and the rotary pipe is rotatably fitted in a shaft hole of the plastic bush. A plastic thrust bearing is fixed in the second fluid passage and supports the rotation of a steel ring(150).

Description

Stationary washing device for freeze dryer {CLEAN-IN-PLACE APPARATUS FOR FREEZE DRYER}

The present invention relates to a lyophilizer, and more particularly, to a stationary washing apparatus for a lyophilizer which rotates a rotary tube for supplying a fluid by spraying a fluid to uniformly and cleanly clean the entire processor chamber. will be.

Lyophilization is widely used as a drying method for food, liquid medicine, blood, cells, etc. in the food processing field, the pharmaceutical field, and the biological field. Lyophilization is carried out by sublimation, which freezes the material and maintains the pressure of water below the triple point of water in which water, ice, and water vapor coexist, changing the ice directly to water vapor.

Lyophilizers are readily found in many patent documents, including US Pat. Nos. 7,347,004, 6,931,754 and Korean Utility Model No. 20-0256642. The lyophilizer is configured by separating a processor chamber for freeze-drying a material and a condenser chamber for collecting water vapor for hygienic treatment of the material. The process chamber and the condenser chamber are connected by conduits.

A plurality of Shelves or Trays are installed in the process chamber that can circulate the brine into the heat medium for lyophilization of the material. A condenser for condensing and freezing water vapor is installed in the condenser chamber. The process and condenser chambers are connected to a vacuum pump to create a vacuum.

The lyophilizer having such a configuration places the material on the shelf of the process chamber and then circulates the brine on the shelf to perform lyophilization of the material. Water vapor that sublimes upon lyophilization of the material enters the condenser chamber from the process chamber through a conduit and then condenses and freezes on the surface of the condenser. Ice frozen on the surface of the condenser circulates a high-temperature, high-pressure refrigerant called hot gas in the condenser, or defrosts by spraying water on the condenser. Also, in order to increase the defrosting efficiency, hot gas circulation and water injection may be used in combination.

On the other hand, for the clean-in-place (CIP) of the process chamber and the shelves, a rotary tube having a plurality of nozzles (Nozzle) for spraying the washing water, steam (Steam), etc. are installed in the process chamber. The nozzles include a fixed nozzle fixed to the rotating tube and a rotating nozzle mounted to rotate on the rotating tube.

In the lyophilizer as described above, the washing water sprayed through the fixed nozzles is concentrated in one place, which makes it difficult to clean the entire process chamber. Rotating nozzles have a larger cleaning area than stationary nozzles, but suffer from insufficient cleaning of the entire process chamber. In addition, the excessive use of the wash water increases the operating cost, there is a problem that generates a large amount of waste water. Therefore, the number of rotating tubes and nozzles is increased to uniformly wash the entire process chamber, but there is a problem in that the piping in the process chamber becomes complicated and the production cost is increased.

The present invention is to solve various problems of the prior art as described above. It is an object of the present invention to provide a stationary washing apparatus for a new lyophilizer in which a rotary tube is rotated by the injection of a fluid so that the entire process chamber can be washed uniformly and cleanly.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a stationary washing apparatus for a lyophilizer which can guarantee the airtightness while the rotation of the rotary tube is smooth.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a stationary washing apparatus for a lyophilizer which can improve the reliability by eliminating the use of bearing oil.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a stationary washing apparatus for a lyophilizer. A stationary washing apparatus for a lyophilizer according to the present invention includes: a first coupling flange mounted on an outer surface of a main body constituting the lyophilizer and having a first fluid passage formed in communication with a hole formed in the main body; A second coupling flange mounted to an inner surface of the main body and having a second fluid passage formed to communicate with the first fluid passage, the second coupling flange being bolted to the first coupling flange; A rotary tube having a first end and a second end fitted to rotate in the second fluid passage, the third fluid passage being formed along the longitudinal direction such that the first end and the second end communicate with each other; A plurality of injection tubes mounted on an outer surface of the rotary tube so as to rotate the rotary tube by injection of the fluid, the plurality of injection tubes communicating with the third fluid passage and having an injection passage for injecting the fluid; A plastic bush fixed to the second fluid passage, the plastic bush having a shaft hole into which the rotary tube can rotate; A first plastic collar disposed on the plastic bush and fixed to the rotary tube so as to rotate; A steel ring disposed on an upper portion of the first plastic collar and fixed to the rotary tube to rotate; And a plastic thrust bearing fixed to support the rotation of the steel ring in the second fluid passage.

The apparatus further includes a gasket mounted between the inner surface of the body and the second coupling flange for airtightness, and a second plastic collar fixed to the rotary tube so as to be disposed between the first plastic collar and the steel ring. The first plastic collar and the second plastic collar overlap each other, a female screw is formed in the center of the steel ring, and a male screw is formed on the outer surface of the rotary tube to be fastened to the female screw.

The stationary washing apparatus for lyophilizer according to the present invention, the rotary tube is rotated by the injection of the fluid through the injection tube it is possible to uniformly and clean the entire process chamber and the shelf. In addition, the bearing structure for supporting the rotation of the rotary tube can ensure the smooth rotation of the rotary tube while ensuring the airtightness, it is not necessary to use the bearing oil in the bearing structure can improve the reliability. Therefore, while a vacuum is required, such as a lyophilizer, it can be very useful for a lyophilizer which should prevent contamination of materials due to oil leakage.

1 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a lyophilizer to which the washing device according to the present invention is applied.
2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration in which the first and second coupling flanges are bolted in the stationary washing apparatus for the lyophilizer according to the present invention.
Figure 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a separate configuration of the stationary washing apparatus for lyophilizer according to the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of the second coupling flange, gasket, rotary tube, plastic bush, first and second plastic collars and plastic thrust bearing in FIG.
Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the rotary tube and the injection tube in the stationary washing apparatus for lyophilizer according to the present invention.
6 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the rotary tube and the injection tube of FIG.

Other objects, specific advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the stationary washing apparatus for a freeze dryer according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the body 12 of the lyophilizer 10 according to the present invention includes a process chamber 14 for lyophilization of a material. The main body 12 may be formed of a cylindrical, rectangular, or the like material having excellent corrosion resistance and durability, for example, stainless steel. The hole 16 is formed in one side of the main body 12. A plurality of bolt holes 18 are formed around the hole 16. A plurality of shelves 20 for placing the material are installed in the process chamber 14.

1 to 4, the stationary washing apparatus 30 according to the present invention includes a first coupling flange 40 and a second coupling flange, respectively, mounted on the outer and inner surfaces of the main body 12. 50). The first coupling flange 40 has a first fluid passage 42 formed in the center thereof for introducing a fluid such as washing water and steam. A plurality of bolt holes 44 are formed along the circumferential direction of the first coupling flange 40 to be aligned with the bolt holes 18 of the main body 12.

The second coupling flange 50 has a second fluid passage 52 formed in the center thereof so as to communicate with the first fluid passage 42 of the first coupling flange 40. The second fluid passage 52 has a first bore 54a, a second bore 54b, and a third bore 54c which are formed to decrease in diameter stepwise along the flow direction of the fluid. The first bore 54a is connected to the second bore 54b by a first step 56a for the first reduction in diameter. The second bore 54b is connected to the third bore 54c by the second end 56b for a second reduction in diameter. A plurality of female threads 58 are formed along the circumferential direction of the second coupling flange 50 so as to be aligned with the bolt holes 44 of the first coupling flange 40.

The water supply pipe 60 is coupled to the upper surface of the first coupling flange 40 by welding. The water supply pipe 60 has a fluid passage 62 for supplying the washing water. The water supply pipe 60 is a well-known water supply device for supplying washing water and is connected to a pump. A plurality of bolts 70 are fastened to the female threads 58 through the bolt holes 18 and 44 to couple the first coupling flange 40 and the second coupling flange 50. A gasket 80 is mounted between the inner surface of the body 12 and the second coupling flange 50 to maintain airtightness. The gasket 80 has a first fluid passage 44 of the first coupling flange 40, a hole 82 formed in alignment with each of the bolt holes 44, and a plurality of bolt holes 84. In the present embodiment, the gasket may be mounted between the outer surface of the body 12 and the first coupling flange 40.

1 to 6, the stationary washing device 30 according to the present invention is coupled to rotate in the second fluid passage 52 of the second coupling flange 50, the rotary tube for spraying the washing water 90 is provided. The rotary tube 90 is a hollow pipe having a first end 92, a second end 94, a third fluid passage 96 formed so that the first end 92 and the second end 94 communicate with each other. It consists of (Hollow pipe). The third fluid passage 96 of the rotary tube 90 communicates with the first fluid passage 42 of the first coupling flange 40.

The first small diameter portion 98a, the second small diameter portion 98b, the third small diameter portion 98c and the large diameter portion 98d gradually expand in diameter from the first end 92 toward the second end 94. It is formed to be. The first small diameter portion 98a is connected to the second small diameter portion 98b by the first end 100a to determine the first diameter. The second small diameter portion 98b is connected to the third small diameter portion 98c by the second end 100b to expand the second diameter. The third small diameter portion 98c is connected to the large diameter portion 98d by the third end 100c for the expansion of the third diameter. The male screw 102 is formed on the outer surface of the second small diameter portion 98b. A plurality of coupling holes 104 are formed along the longitudinal direction of the rotary tube 90 so as to communicate with the third fluid passage 96.

As shown in FIG. 5, the stationary washing apparatus 30 according to the present invention includes a plurality of spray pipes 110 mounted on the outer surface of the rotary tube 90 so as to spray washing water. The injection pipes 110 have injection paths 112 formed to communicate with the third fluid passage 96 of the rotary tube 90. The injection pipes 110 are arranged such that the central axis 114 of the injection path 112 is inclined in either direction with respect to the tangent 106 of the rotary pipe 90. In FIG. 5, the center axis 114 of the injection pipe 110 is shown to be disposed in a clockwise direction, but this is merely an example, and the center axis 114 may be disposed in a counterclockwise direction. The injection pipes 110 may be configured as nozzles.

2 to 4, the stationary washing apparatus 30 according to the present invention includes a plastic bush 120 mounted to the second fluid passage 52 to support the rotation of the rotary tube 90. Equipped. The plastic bush 120 is composed of a sleeve 124 having a shaft hole 122 and a flange 126 formed on the outer surface of the sleeve 124. The sleeve 126 is forcibly fitted to the third bore 54c. The flange 126 is forcibly fitted to the second bore 54b so as to be supported by the second end 56b. The third small diameter portion 98c is loosely fitted to rotate in the shaft hole 122.

The stationary washing apparatus 30 according to the present invention includes a first plastic collar 130 and a second plastic collar 140 mounted on an outer surface of the rotary tube 90 to rotate the rotary tube 90. It is provided. Shaft holes 132 and 142 are formed in the centers of the first and second plastic collars 130 and 140, respectively. The third small diameter portion 98c is forcibly fitted into the shaft holes 132 and 142 so that the rotary tube 90 and the first and second plastic collars 130 and 140 rotate together. The first and second plastic collars 130 and 140 are coupled to the outer surface of the rotary tube 90 so as to overlap each other. In the present embodiment, the plastic collar has been shown and described that the two are overlapped, but this is illustrative and one or three plastic collars may be mounted as needed.

A steel ring 150 is coupled to the upper portion of the outer surface of the rotary tube 90 so as to be disposed on the upper portion of the second plastic collar 140. A female screw 152 is formed at the center of the steel ring 150. The female screw 152 is fastened to the male screw 102 to prevent separation of the rotary tube 90. The steel ring 150 may be made of, for example, stainless steel. In the present embodiment, when the second plastic collar 140 is deleted, the steel ring 150 is in contact with the top surface of the first plastic collar 130.

A plastic thrust bearing 160 is mounted on top of the steel ring 150 to support rotation of the steel ring 150. The plastic thrust bearing 160 is mounted to the first bore 54a to support the top surface of the steel ring 150. A shaft hole 162 is formed in the center of the plastic thrust bearing 160. The first small diameter portion 98a of the rotary tube 90 is loosely fitted into the shaft hole 162. A cap 170 is attached to the second end 94. The hole 172 is formed in the center of the cap 170.

Meanwhile, the plastic bush 120, the first and second plastic collars 130 and 140, and the plastic thrust bearing 160 have a low coefficient of friction and have excellent pressure resistance, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. For example, it may be composed of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). PTFE is called Teflon (product name of DuPont, USA).

Now, the operation of the washing apparatus of the lyophilizer according to the present invention having such a configuration will be described.

1 to 3 and 5, the washing water is supplied through the fluid passage 62 of the water supply pipe 60. After the washing water is supplied to the injection passage 112 of the injection pipe 110 through the first fluid passage 42 of the first coupling flange 40 and the third fluid passage 96 of the rotary tube 90, Sprayed in the radial direction of the rotary tube (90). The rotational force is applied to the rotary tube 90 by the injection force of the washing water, and thus the rotary tube 90 is rotated counterclockwise as shown by arrow "A" in FIG. By rotating the rotary tube 90, the washing water is uniformly sprayed through the injection pipes 110 and the entire process chamber 14 and the shelves 20, thereby cleaning the processor chamber 14 and the shelves 20 cleanly. .

1 to 4, the first and second plastic collars 130 and 140 and the steel ring 150 are rotated together with the rotary tube 90. The outer surfaces of the first and second plastic collars 130 and 140 are rotated while being supported by the inner surface of the second bore 54b. That is, the inner surface of the second bore 54b becomes a bearing surface, and the outer surfaces of the first and second plastic collars 130 and 140 become journals, which rotate as a sliding bearing. Smoothly supports the rotation of the tube (90).

In addition, the steel ring 150 is smoothly rotated while being supported on the upper surface of the second plastic collar 140 and the lower surface of the plastic thrust bearing 160. The first and second plastic collars 130 and 140 and the plastic thrust bearing 160 made of PTFE having a small coefficient of friction smoothly maintain the rotation of the rotary tube 90 without bearing oil.

On the other hand, although the gap (Gap) for the rotation of the rotary tube 90, the main body (B) by the sealing structure of the plastic bush 120, the first and second plastic collars (130, 140), the plastic thrust bearing (160) The confidentiality of 12) is perfectly maintained. That is, the interval for the rotation of the rotary tube 90 is the outer surface of the rotary tube 90 and the outer surface of the plastic bush 120, the inner surface of the second bore (54b) and the first and second plastic collars (130, 140) Are present between the outer surface of the second bore 54b and the outer surface of the still ring 150. The first plastic collar 130 is in close contact with the upper surface of the plastic bush 120 in a state of being tightly fitted to the rotary tube 90 to seal between the outer surface of the rotary tube 90 and the outer surface of the plastic bush 120. . The plastic thrust bearing 160 is in close contact with the upper surface of the steel ring 150 while being tightly fitted to the first bore 54a to seal between the inner surface of the second bore 54b and the outer surface of the steel ring 150. .

Thus, the stationary washing device 30 according to the present invention, the plastic bush 120, the first and second plastic collars 130 and 140, the plastic thrust bearing 160 to smoothly maintain the rotation of the rotary tube 90 In this way, the process chamber 14 can be washed efficiently. In addition, the reliability of the lyophilizer 10 may be improved by the sealing structure of the plastic bush 120, the first and second plastic collars 130 and 140, and the plastic thrust bearing 160 that allow the rotation of the rotary tube 90. It can greatly improve.

The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, those skilled in the art within the spirit and claims of the present invention It will be understood that various changes, modifications, or substitutions may be made thereto, and such embodiments are to be understood as being within the scope of the present invention.

10: freeze dryer 12: main body
14: process chamber 20: lathe
30: stationary washing device 40: first coupling flange
42: first fluid passage 50: second coupling flange
52: second fluid passage 60: water supply pipe
70: bolt 80: gasket
90: rotary tube 96: third fluid passage
110: injection pipe 112: injection path
120: plastic bush 130: first plastic collar
140: second plastic collar 150: steel ring
160: plastic thrust bearing 170: cap

Claims (5)

A first coupling flange mounted on an outer surface of a main body constituting the lyophilizer and having a first fluid passage formed in communication with a hole formed in the main body;
A second coupling flange mounted on an inner surface of the main body and having a second fluid passage formed to communicate with the first fluid passage, the second coupling flange being bolted to the first coupling flange;
A rotary tube having a first end and a second end fitted to rotate in the second fluid passage and having a third fluid passage formed along a length direction such that the first end and the second end communicate with each other;
A plurality of injection tubes mounted on an outer surface of the rotary tube so as to rotate the rotary tube by injection of a fluid, and having an injection passage communicating with the third fluid passage to inject the fluid;
A plastic bush fixed to the second fluid passage, the plastic bush having a shaft hole into which the rotary tube can rotate;
A first plastic collar disposed on the plastic bush and fixed to the rotary tube to rotate;
A steel ring disposed on an upper portion of the first plastic collar and fixed to the rotary tube to rotate;
And a plastic thrust bearing fixed to the second fluid passage to support rotation of the steel ring. The method of claim 1,
The second fluid passage has a first bore, a second bore and a third bore, which is formed such that the diameter thereof is gradually reduced in a flow direction of the fluid, and the plastic bush is forcibly fitted to the third bore. And a flange formed at an upper portion of the sleeve and forcibly fitting to the second bore, wherein the first plastic collar and the steel ring are loosely fitted to the second bore, and the plastic thrust bearing A stationary washing apparatus for lyophilizer fitted to the first bore. The method according to claim 1 or 2,
A gasket mounted between the inner surface of the body and the second coupling flange for airtightness, and a second plastic collar fixed to the rotary tube so as to be disposed between the first plastic collar and the steel ring. Stationary washing device for freeze dryer provided. The method of claim 3,
The first plastic collar and the second plastic collar overlap each other, and a female screw is formed at the center of the steel ring, and an external screw is formed on the outer surface of the rotary tube to be fastened to the female screw. Device. The method of claim 3,
And said plastic bush, said first plastic collar, said second plastic collar and said plastic thrust bearing are each made of polytetrafluoroethylene.

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