WO2016027831A1

WO2016027831A1 - Tobacco material manufacturing device and manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: WO2016027831A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/073234
Authority: WO
Inventors: 宏海植松; 毅二村; 尚大高; 敬一塙; 明弘小出; 真太郎馬場; 田口　聡
Original assignee: 日本たばこ産業株式会社
Priority date: 2014-08-19
Filing date: 2015-08-19
Publication date: 2016-02-25
Also published as: WO2016027306A1

Abstract

　Provided is a manufacturing technique for obtaining a tobacco material having an altered flavor. The present invention is provided with: a cylindrical drying unit (3) for continuously receiving a conveyed tobacco material, drying the received tobacco material while rotating, and delivering the tobacco material; a heating unit (4) for heating the drying unit from outside the drying unit; and a drying medium supply unit (5) for suppressing the concentration of oxygen in the drying unit and sending a drying medium for placing the tobacco material in an absolutely dry state into the drying unit.

Description

Tobacco material manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method

The present invention relates to a tobacco material manufacturing apparatus and a manufacturing method.

A method of performing pressure drying to change the flavor of tobacco leaves is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, a rotor-type tobacco material dryer is known (see, for example, Patent Document 2). Further, a technique is known in which a tobacco material is impregnated with carbon dioxide to expand the tissue of the tobacco material (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Special table 2003-509077 gazette International Publication No. 2007/045606 JP 54-41398 A

A method of performing pressure drying to change the flavor of tobacco leaves (tobacco materials) is known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses that the moisture content of tobacco leaves during heating is maintained above 10%, and the moisture content of tobacco leaves after drying is also maintained at 10% or more, so that the filling power of tobacco leaf pieces (filling (power) is improved. However, in the prior art, as described in Patent Document 1, a tobacco leaf with a high moisture content before drying is dried. In particular, Patent Document 1 also describes that in the drying process, it is important not to reduce the amount of water as much as possible. In other words, to the best of the applicant's knowledge, there is no literature that mentions drying treatment under conditions where the moisture content of tobacco leaves is very low. In addition, there is no document that mentions the relationship between the change in the bulkiness and flavor of tobacco leaves when drying is performed under conditions where the moisture content of the tobacco leaves is very low.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a manufacturing technique for obtaining a tobacco material having a changed flavor.

The present inventor has found that a tobacco material having a changed flavor can be obtained by performing a drying treatment under a condition where the moisture content of the tobacco material is very low, and has reached the present invention.

More specifically, the present invention continuously receives the cigarette material being conveyed, dries the cigarette material received while rotating itself, and feeds it out, and the drying unit from the outside of the drying unit. A cigarette material manufacturing apparatus comprising: a heating unit that heats the gas; and a drying medium supply unit that suppresses the oxygen concentration in the drying unit and supplies the drying medium in an absolutely dry state to the drying unit. It is.

According to the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the tobacco material is heated, and a drying medium that makes the tobacco material in an absolutely dry state (also referred to as an absolutely dry state) is supplied, so that the flavor of the tobacco material is improved. Can be changed. The flavor of the tobacco material in the present invention is the strength of the roasted feeling. For example, the smell of tobacco material can be eliminated and a new flavor can be given. The absolute dry state in the present invention means, for example, that the moisture content after the tobacco material is dried is 2.0% by weight or less. Tobacco materials are expected to deteriorate in quality due to the influence of oxygen when heated to a high temperature in an absolutely dry state. For example, the quality deterioration includes a decrease in bulkiness and crushing strength due to a change in the shape of the tobacco material, carbonization, taste deterioration, and the like. In the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention, the supplied drying medium can suppress the oxygen concentration in the drying section (heating section), and the quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material can be suppressed. As a result, the desired tobacco flavor can be obtained while maintaining the quality of the tobacco material.

Tobacco materials can be cut tobacco leaf materials and tobacco leaf materials before cutting. In addition, the tobacco leaf material may be any of tobacco leaves divided into mesophyll portions and vein portions, and may include tobacco trunk portions that are not tobacco leaf portions. Tobacco material is continuously received, dried, and sent out. Tobacco material transported by a conveyor or the like is supplied from the inlet side of the drying section without being stopped, dried, and discharged from the outlet side. Means that. In other words, it means that the tobacco material is conveyed and dried in a series. Continuously of the present invention includes a case where the conveyance speed changes due to adjustment of the supply amount of the tobacco material, and a case where it temporarily stops.

The heating unit is provided to cover the drying unit, for example, and heats the drying unit from the outside. Although a heating part may cover a part of drying part, it can heat a drying part more effectively by covering the whole drying part. The heating unit cooperates with the drying medium supply unit, for example, so that the moisture content after drying of the tobacco material is 2.0% by weight or less, and the product temperature of the tobacco material is 120 ° C. to 220 ° C., The drying unit is heated while the drying medium is supplied. The drying medium is not particularly limited as long as it can suppress the oxygen concentration in the drying section and can dry the tobacco material, and examples thereof include superheated steam and inert gas. By using superheated steam, the drying heat treatment can be performed more efficiently.

Further, in the present invention, not only the moisture content and product temperature of the tobacco material, but also the oxygen concentration in the drying section is measured, and based on the oxygen concentration, for example, the flow rate and temperature of the drying medium, the heating temperature of the heating section, the drying The exhaust amount of air in the unit may be controlled. As a result, quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen on the tobacco material can be suppressed. Thereby, the flavor of the target tobacco can be obtained, maintaining the quality of tobacco material.

For example, the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention further includes an oxygen concentration measurement unit that measures the oxygen concentration in the drying unit, and in the drying unit, based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measurement unit, At least one of the flow rate of the supplied drying medium and the temperature of the drying medium may be controlled. For example, in the drying medium supply unit, when the moisture content of the tobacco material is equal to or lower than a predetermined value and the product temperature is equal to or higher than the predetermined value, the flow rate of the drying medium can be increased when the oxygen concentration exceeds the predetermined value. Thereby, the oxygen concentration is reduced, the quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen of the tobacco material is suppressed, and the desired tobacco flavor can be obtained while maintaining the quality of the tobacco material.

For example, the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention further includes an oxygen concentration measurement unit that measures an oxygen concentration in the drying unit, and an exhaust unit that exhausts an air mixture in the drying unit, and in the drying unit, The exhaust amount discharged may be controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring unit. The air mixture includes steam, volatile components from raw materials, air, and the like. Thereby, quality deterioration by the influence of oxygen of a tobacco material can be suppressed. Such control is performed by keeping the supply amount of the drying medium constant, so that the oxygen concentration can be changed without greatly affecting the drying efficiency. For example, the drying medium supply unit supplies a certain amount of drying medium at a certain temperature, and a certain amount of drying medium is supplied at a certain temperature in the drying unit, and the oxygen measured by the oxygen concentration measurement unit. Based on the concentration, the exhaust amount to be discharged may be controlled so that the oxygen concentration becomes a predetermined value or less. For example, in the exhaust section, when the supply amount of the dry medium is constant and the oxygen concentration exceeds a predetermined value, the exhaust amount can be reduced. Further, for example, in the exhaust section, the exhaust amount can be increased or maintained if the supply amount of the drying medium is constant and the oxygen concentration is not more than a predetermined value.

The drying section needs to be able to rotate itself and is difficult to seal due to its structure. Therefore, for example, a gap is formed on the inlet side or the outlet side of the drying unit, and the amount of outside air flowing into the drying unit through the gap changes according to the increase or decrease of the exhaust amount. For example, when the displacement is reduced, more drying medium is present in the drying section, and the inflow of outside air is suppressed. As a result, the effect of suppressing the oxygen concentration in the drying section is enhanced, and quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material can be suppressed. For example, when the exhaust amount increases, the supplied drying medium is discharged into the drying unit, and the inflow of outside air increases accordingly. As a result, the oxygen concentration in the drying part can be maintained in an appropriate state.

The exhaust unit may be provided on the inlet side of the drying unit, and the drying medium supply unit may be provided on the outlet side of the drying unit. Thereby, the supply direction of the drying medium is opposed to the direction in which the tobacco material flows, and the drying efficiency and heating efficiency of the tobacco material can be further improved. Moreover, the smell of tobacco material can be removed.

The oxygen concentration in the drying part is 15% or less, preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and the moisture content after drying of the tobacco material is 2.0% by weight or less. The product temperature of the material can be 120 ° C. or higher and 220 ° C. or lower. More preferably, the temperature of the tobacco material can be 160 ° C. or higher and 210 ° C. or lower. More preferably, the article temperature of the tobacco material can be 180 ° C. or higher and 200 ° C. or lower. According to the said conditions, the quality deterioration by the influence of the oxygen of tobacco material can be suppressed, and the flavor of the target tobacco can be obtained, maintaining the quality of tobacco material.

Moreover, the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention may further include a moisture amount adjustment unit that is provided on the outlet side of the drying unit and adjusts the moisture content of the tobacco material that is sent out from the drying unit. Good. For example, the moisture amount adjusting unit sprays water or saturated steam onto the tobacco material sent out from the drying unit. As a result, the tobacco material can be given flexibility, and the tobacco material can be prevented from being crushed during conveyance or winding. Further, the tobacco material immediately after being sent out from the drying section is in a high temperature and absolutely dry state, and is liable to cause quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen. By spraying the saturated steam by the moisture amount adjusting unit, the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere around the tobacco material immediately after being sent out from the drying unit can be reduced.

In addition, the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a dry state measuring unit that measures a dry state of the tobacco material sent from the drying unit, and a temperature in a flow path through which the tobacco material sent from the drying unit passes. Further comprising at least one of a channel temperature measuring unit that measures the concentration of oxygen in the channel that measures the oxygen concentration in the channel through which the tobacco material sent from the drying unit passes, The moisture content adjusting unit may adjust the moisture content of the tobacco material sent out from the drying unit based on the measurement result.

For example, the water content adjustment unit can adjust the spray amount of water or saturated steam according to the dry state of the tobacco material sent out from the drying unit. By this adjustment, the moisture content (for example, about 12% to 15%) of the completely dry tobacco material suitable for subsequent processing and transportation can be obtained. Further, for example, when the temperature in the flow path through which the tobacco material passes is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the moisture amount adjusting unit reduces or maintains the spray amount, and the temperature in the flow path through which the tobacco material passes exceeds a predetermined value. In this case, the amount of saturated vapor sprayed can be increased. Further, for example, when the oxygen concentration in the flow path through which the tobacco material passes is equal to or lower than a predetermined value, the water content adjustment unit reduces or maintains the spray amount of saturated steam, and the oxygen concentration in the flow path through which the tobacco material passes. If the value exceeds the predetermined value, the amount of saturated steam sprayed can be increased.

Here, the present invention can be specified as a tobacco material manufacturing method corresponding to the above-described tobacco material manufacturing apparatus. For example, the present invention continuously accepts the tobacco material to be conveyed in a cylindrical drying unit, dries the tobacco material received while the drying unit itself rotates, and sends it out, and in the drying step, In the heating step of heating the drying unit from the outside of the drying unit, and in the drying step, a drying medium that suppresses the oxygen concentration in the drying unit and makes the tobacco material in an absolutely dry state is fed into the drying unit. And a drying medium supply step.

According to the method for producing a tobacco material according to the present invention, the tobacco material is heated, and the drying medium that makes the tobacco material in an absolutely dry state is supplied, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration, and the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material. It is possible to obtain the desired tobacco flavor while maintaining the quality of the tobacco material while suppressing the deterioration of quality due to.

The method for producing a tobacco material according to the present invention further includes an oxygen concentration measuring step for measuring an oxygen concentration in the drying unit, and an exhausting step for exhausting the air mixture in the drying unit, wherein the drying medium supplying step Then, a constant amount of drying medium is supplied at a constant temperature, and in the exhaust process, the exhaust amount discharged is set so that the oxygen concentration becomes a predetermined value or less based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measurement unit. You may make it control. By supplying the drying medium in a constant amount at a constant temperature, the oxygen concentration can be changed without greatly affecting the drying efficiency.

In addition, the means for solving the problems in the present invention can be employed in combination as much as possible.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a manufacturing technique for obtaining a tobacco material having a changed flavor.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. FIG. 3 shows a processing flow in the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 shows an example of a table used for exhaust processing. FIG. 5 shows the overall configuration of the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus and manufacturing method according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The tobacco material manufactured by the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the embodiment includes various tobacco products such as cigarettes (with a filter and without a filter), smokeless tobacco (for example, snus and gum), hand-rolled tobacco, and water tobacco. Can be applied to, cigars, skinny.

<First Embodiment>
<Manufacturing equipment>
FIG. 1 shows an overall configuration of a tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1 (hereinafter also simply referred to as a manufacturing apparatus) according to a first embodiment. The manufacturing apparatus 1 includes a supply conveyor 21, a rotor dryer 3, a heater 4, a superheated steam supply unit 5, an inlet side hood 61, an outlet side hood 62, an exhaust processing unit 7, a spray pipe 81, a spray nozzle 82, and a transport conveyor 22. Various measuring instruments (oxygen concentration meters ω1, ω2, thermometers T1, T2, T3, moisture meters M1, M2, camera X) and a control device 9 are provided.

The supply conveyor 21 supplies tobacco material to the rotor dryer 3. The supply conveyor 21 can be configured by an existing belt conveyor. However, the supply conveyor 21 is not particularly limited as long as it can transport the tobacco material. As the tobacco material, a tobacco leaf material that has been cut and a tobacco leaf material that has not been cut can be used. In addition, the tobacco leaf material may be any of tobacco leaves divided into mesophyll portions and vein portions, and may include tobacco trunk portions that are not tobacco leaf portions. Examples of tobacco leaf materials include those cut to a step width of 0.1 to 2.0 mm. The step size can be appropriately determined according to the use of the tobacco material, for example, the type of cigarette or smokeless tobacco. As tobacco leaf varieties, main varieties such as yellow varieties, Burley varieties, native varieties, oriental varieties, and fermented leaves using them can be used. The step width is a value set when cutting the raw leaf tobacco with a tobacco cutter (not shown). Tobacco leaf cutting is an operation that cuts raw leaf tobacco into long and narrow fibers with a certain width. A machine that performs cutting is called a cutting machine, and a rotary type cutting machine or a cut-off type cutting machine is a common device. However, when cutting tobacco with these devices, the width for engraving raw leaf tobacco The value to be set is called step size.

The rotor-type dryer 3 corresponds to a drying unit of the present invention, continuously receives the tobacco material supplied by the supply conveyor 21, and dries and sends out the received tobacco material while rotating itself. The rotor dryer 3 is cylindrical and has an inlet 31 and an outlet 32. The entrance 31 is provided with a tobacco material receiver 23 having a slope. The tobacco material conveyed by the supply conveyor 21 falls, slides on the slope of the tobacco material receiver 23, and is successively fed into the rotor dryer 3.

The rotor dryer 3 rotates around the central axis of the cylinder, for example, at a speed of 2 to 10 rpm. The central axis is slightly inclined so that the inlet 31 is slightly higher than the outlet 32. The inclination can be changed freely. The rotor dryer 3 is provided with a driving device 33 at the lower part of the outer peripheral surface near the inlet 31 and the outlet 32. The drive device 33 is configured to include, for example, a motor, a pulley, and a belt. When the motor is driven, the driving force is transmitted to the rotor dryer 3, and the rotor dryer 3 rotates. Since the rotation shaft is slightly inclined, the tobacco material in the rotor-type dryer 3 is conveyed while the moisture is gradually removed from the inlet 31 toward the outlet 32 as the rotor-type dryer 3 rotates. .

The rotor dryer 3 is provided with an oxygen concentration meter ω1 that measures the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3. The value of the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration meter ω <b> 1 is input to the control device 9. In addition, the rotor dryer 3 is the drying temperature fed by the temperature in the rotor dryer 3 measured by the thermometer T1 of the dryer that measures the temperature in the rotor dryer 3 or the rotor dryer 3. The rotational speed can be adjusted based on the moisture content of the tobacco material measured by the moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood that measures the moisture content of the subsequent tobacco material. The moisture meter M1 of the outlet side hood measures the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying. Thereby, the tobacco material is confirmed to be in an absolutely dry state.

The heater 4 corresponds to the heating unit of the present invention, and heats the rotor dryer 3 from the outside of the rotor dryer 3. The heater 4 has a cylindrical shape whose inner diameter is slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rotor dryer 3, covers the outer peripheral wall surface of the rotor dryer 3, and heats the rotor dryer 3. A slight gap is formed between the inner peripheral wall surface of the heater 4 and the outer peripheral wall surface of the rotor dryer 3, and the heater 4 is separated from the rotor dryer 3. Therefore, when the rotor dryer 3 rotates, the heater 4 is fixed to a support portion (not shown) without rotating. The heater 4 includes a temperature in the rotor dryer 3 measured by a thermometer T1 of the dryer, a moisture content of the tobacco material after drying measured by a moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood, and an oxygen concentration meter ω1. The temperature can be adjusted based on the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 measured in step (1).

The superheated steam supply unit 5 corresponds to the drying medium supply unit of the present invention. The superheated steam supply unit 5 suppresses the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 and supplies superheated steam as a drying medium in which the tobacco material is in an absolutely dry state into the rotor dryer 3. Instead of superheated steam, an inert gas such as nitrogen may be used. By using superheated steam, the drying heat treatment can be performed more efficiently. The superheated steam supply unit 5 includes a superheated steam generator 51 and a superheated steam supply pipe 52 through which the superheated steam flows. The superheated steam generator 51 generates saturated steam, further heats the generated saturated steam (for example, 100 ° C.), and generates superheated steam (for example, 160 ° C. to 500 ° C.). The superheated steam supply unit 5 is provided on the outlet side of the rotor-type dryer 3, in other words, provided so that the supply direction of the superheated steam faces the direction in which the tobacco material flows. Thereby, the drying efficiency and heating efficiency of tobacco material can be improved more. The superheated steam generator 51 includes a temperature in the rotor dryer 3 measured by the thermometer T1 of the dryer, a moisture content of the tobacco material after drying measured by the moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood, and an oxygen concentration meter. The temperature and flow rate of the superheated steam to be generated may be adjusted based on the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 measured at ω1. In addition, for example, the superheated steam may be generated by using the steam in the steam piping of the factory equipment and heating it.

The inlet hood 61 covers the inlet 31 of the rotor dryer 3 and suppresses the air in the rotor dryer 3 from leaking to the outside. The inlet-side hood 61 is a hexahedron, an opening for receiving the inlet 31 of the rotor-type dryer 3 is formed on the surface on the rotor-type dryer 3 side, and the surface facing the surface on the rotor-type dryer 3 side (supply conveyor 21) An opening for receiving the tobacco material receiver 23 is formed on the side surface. Further, an exhaust pipe 71 constituting the exhaust processing unit 7 is connected to the upper surface (top surface). In addition, the inlet side hood 61 should just be able to suppress that the air in the rotor type dryer 3 leaks outside, for example, may be a cylindrical shape which has an upper surface and a lower surface.

The outlet side hood 62 covers the outlet 32 of the rotor dryer 3 and suppresses the air in the rotor dryer 3 from leaking to the outside. The outlet side hood 62 is a hexahedron, and an opening for receiving the outlet 32 of the rotor dryer 3 is formed on the surface of the rotor dryer 3 side. Further, an opening for receiving the superheated steam supply pipe 52 is formed on a surface facing the opening for receiving the outlet 32. In addition, the lower surface is formed with an opening through which the tobacco material after drying sent out from the rotor dryer 3 is passed. An exhaust pipe 71 constituting the exhaust processing unit 7 may be connected to the upper surface (top surface). The outlet side hood 62 only needs to be able to prevent the air in the rotor dryer 3 from leaking to the outside, and may be, for example, a cylindrical shape having an upper surface. The outlet hood 62 is provided with a moisture meter M1 for the outlet hood that measures the moisture content of the tobacco material delivered from the rotor dryer 3.

As described above, the inlet-side hood 61 and the outlet-side hood 62 have a function of suppressing the air in the rotor dryer 3 from leaking to the outside. However, the rotor dryer 3 needs to be able to rotate itself and is difficult to seal because of its structure. Therefore, gaps are formed between the inlet 31 of the rotor-type dryer 3 and the inlet-side hood 61 and between the outlet 62 and the outlet-side hood 62 of the rotor-type dryer 3, and the outside air is passed through this gap. Can flow into the rotor dryer 3. And according to the increase / decrease in the exhaust amount of the air discharged | emitted from the exhaust process part 7 mentioned later, the quantity of the external air which flows in into the rotor type dryer 3 through this clearance gap changes.

The exhaust treatment unit 7 corresponds to the exhaust unit of the present invention, and exhausts the air mixture in the rotor dryer 3. The air mixture includes steam, volatile components from raw materials, air, and the like. The exhaust processing unit 7 includes an exhaust pipe 71 and a fan 72. One end of the exhaust pipe 71 is connected to the upper surface of the inlet side hood 61, and the other end is connected to the fan 72. When the fan 72 is driven, the air in the rotor dryer 3 is exhausted through the exhaust pipe 71 by the suction action of the fan 72. The fan 72 can adjust the amount of air discharged from the rotor dryer 3 based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration meter ω1.

The spray tube 81 constitutes a part of the moisture amount adjusting unit of the present invention, and the tobacco material fed from the rotor dryer 3 passes through. The spray tube 81 is rectangular in cross section, but may be cylindrical. A plurality of (for example, multistage) spray nozzles 82 (which constitute a part of the water content adjusting unit of the present invention) are provided on the wall of the spray pipe 81 to spray water or saturated steam.

Near the inlet (upper part) of the spray tube 81, a camera X is provided for detecting whether the quality of the cigarette material after drying sent from the rotor dryer 3 has deteriorated due to the influence of oxygen. For example, the quality deterioration includes a decrease in bulkiness and crushing strength due to a change in the shape of the tobacco material, carbonization, taste deterioration, and the like. For example, a taste change can also be detected by a color change or the like. The camera X is connected to an alarm device (not shown), and when the quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material is detected, the alarm device notifies that effect. In addition, when quality deterioration by the influence of oxygen of tobacco material is detected, detection information is input into the control apparatus 9, and the rotor dryer 3, the heater 4, the superheated steam generator 51, the fan 72, the supply conveyor 21, etc. Each device may be stopped.

Further, near the outlet (lower part) of the spray tube 81, an oxygen concentration meter ω2 for the spray tube for measuring the oxygen concentration near the outlet in the spray tube 81 is provided. Near the outlet of the spray tube 81, a spray tube thermometer T2 for measuring the temperature near the outlet in the spray tube 81 is provided. The spray nozzle 82 is a moisture content value of the tobacco material after drying measured by the moisture meter M1 of the outlet side hood, an oxygen concentration value of the spray tube 81 measured by the oxygen concentration meter ω2 of the spray tube, and a spray. Based on the temperature value in the spray pipe 81 measured by the pipe thermometer T2, the temperature and the spray amount of the saturated steam to be sprayed can be adjusted.

The transport conveyor 22 transports the dried tobacco material to a buffer silo (not shown). Although not shown in the figure, the conveyor 22 can have a multi-stage configuration. Similarly to the supply conveyor 21, the transport conveyor 22 can also be configured by an existing belt conveyor.

The transport conveyor 22 is provided with a transport conveyor thermometer T3 for measuring the temperature of the dried tobacco material being transported, and a transport conveyor moisture meter M2 for measuring the moisture content of the transported dried tobacco material. ing. The spray nozzle 82 further takes into consideration the value of the temperature of the tobacco material after drying measured by the thermometer T3 of the conveyor and the value of the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying measured by the moisture meter M2 of the conveyor. The temperature of water to be sprayed and the amount of spray can be adjusted.

The control device 9 includes an information processing device having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory, an input device such as a keyboard, and a display device including a display. The input device is, for example, setting a predetermined oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3, setting a predetermined moisture content of the tobacco material when the tobacco material is in an absolutely dry state, and setting a predetermined product temperature of the tobacco material. Etc. are accepted. The CPU executes a control program for each device stored in the memory, and based on the information detected by each measuring instrument, controls the rotational speed of the rotor dryer 3 and controls the temperature of the heater 4 (heating process). Control of the temperature and flow rate of superheated steam generated by the superheated steam generator 51 (superheated steam supply process), exhaust amount control of the fan 72 (exhaust process), transport speed control of the supply conveyor 21, and water sprayed by the spray nozzle 82 Alternatively, the temperature of the saturated steam, the spray amount control (moisture adjustment process), the control of the transport speed of the transport conveyor 22, and the like are performed.

<Control flow>
FIG. 3 shows a processing flow in the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment. In the manufacturing apparatus 1, the control of each device described above may be executed by an individual program that realizes control of each device, or all devices may be executed by one control program. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along conveyance of a tobacco material.

In the tobacco material supply process in step S01, the tobacco material is transported by the supply conveyor 21, and the tobacco material is supplied to the rotor dryer 3. The tobacco material conveyed by the supply conveyor 21 falls when it is conveyed to the end on the rotor dryer 3 side, and is successively fed into the rotor dryer 3 via the tobacco material receiver 23.

In the drying process of the tobacco material in step S02, the supplied tobacco material is transported while gradually removing moisture from the inlet 31 toward the outlet 32 in the rotor dryer 3 rotating at, for example, 4 rpm. . In the drying process, the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying is 2% or less (absolutely dried), the temperature of the tobacco material after drying is 180 ° C. to 200 ° C., and the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 is 15%. Heat processing, superheated steam supply processing, and exhaust processing are performed as follows.

(Heat treatment)
In the heat treatment, the control device 9 controls the heater 4 so that the heating temperature becomes a constant temperature (for example, 300 ° C.).

(Supply processing of superheated steam)
In the superheated steam supply process, the control device 9 controls the superheated steam generator 51 so that the temperature (for example, 300 ° C.) and the flow rate of the superheated steam are constant.

(Exhaust treatment)
In the exhaust process, the control device 9 determines the amount of air exhausted from the rotor dryer 3 by the suction action of the fan 72 based on the oxygen concentration of the rotor dryer 3 measured by the oxygen concentration meter ω1. Control. Here, FIG. 4 shows an example of a table used for exhaust processing. The control device 9 accesses a table stored in the memory and performs exhaust processing. For example, when the oxygen concentration is equal to or lower than a predetermined oxygen concentration (for example, 15%), the control device 9 maintains the displacement or increases the displacement. Further, the control device 9 reduces the displacement when the oxygen concentration exceeds a predetermined oxygen concentration (for example, 15%). As described above, gaps are formed between the inlet 31 of the rotor dryer 3 and the inlet hood 61 and between the outlet 62 and the outlet hood 62 of the rotor dryer 3. Thus, outside air can flow into the rotor dryer 3. For example, when the displacement is reduced, there is more drying medium in the rotor dryer 3, and the inflow of outside air is suppressed. As a result, the effect of suppressing the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 is enhanced, and excessive oxidation of the tobacco material can be suppressed. Further, for example, when the exhaust amount increases, the supplied drying medium is discharged into the rotor-type dryer 3, and the inflow of outside air increases accordingly. As a result, the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 can be maintained in an appropriate state. Thereby, quality deterioration by the influence of oxygen of a tobacco material can be suppressed.

In order to maintain the oxygen concentration in an appropriate state, it can be adjusted by changing the supply amount of superheated steam in the superheated steam supply process. In addition, by adjusting the temperature and supply amount of superheated steam and adjusting the exhaust amount by exhaust processing as described above, the oxygen concentration is adjusted without greatly affecting the preset heating / drying capacity of the apparatus. I can do this.

In the tobacco material moisture content adjusting step of step S03, the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying, which is fed from the rotor dryer 3, is adjusted. Specifically, water is sprayed on the tobacco material. In addition, when the dried tobacco material is in an absolutely dry state (containing water content of 2% or less) and the product temperature is 160 ° C. or higher, and the dried tobacco material is exposed to the atmosphere, the quality of the tobacco material is deteriorated due to the influence of oxygen. It is also possible. Therefore, in the moisture content adjustment step, saturated steam is sprayed in addition to water to reduce the oxygen concentration in the spray tube 81, and to suppress quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material after drying. As a result, the high-temperature and completely dry tobacco material after drying is cooled without causing quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen, and the moisture content (for example, 12 to 12) has flexibility suitable for subsequent processing and transportation. 15%).

In the step of transporting tobacco material after drying in step S04, the tobacco material after drying is transported to a buffer silo (not shown). Thus, the processing by the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the first embodiment is completed.

<Effect>
According to the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment, the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying is 2% or less (absolutely dried), and the temperature of the tobacco material after drying is 180 ° C. to 200 ° C., Heat treatment by the heater 4, supply processing of superheated steam generated by the superheated steam generator 51, and exhaust processing by the fan 72 are performed so that the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 is 15% or less. As a result, the odor of the tobacco material disappears and a roasted feeling can be given. Moreover, since the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 is 15% or less, quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material can be suppressed. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the bulkiness of the tobacco material after drying is increased by supplying the tobacco material with heating or superheated steam under a condition where the product temperature is 180 ° C. to 200 ° C.

Further, by spraying saturated vapor on the dried tobacco material passing through the spray pipe 81, the quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen can be suppressed when the tobacco material is transported in the spray pipe 81 or the transport conveyor 22. . In addition, the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying is 2% or less (absolutely dried), but by spraying water to a moisture content of, for example, about 12 to 15%, the tobacco material is flexible. Can be granted. As a result, it is possible to suppress crushing during transport and winding of the tobacco material.

The control device 9 can control the motor that drives the supply conveyor 21 based on the moisture content of the tobacco material measured by the moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood of the rotor dryer 3. For example, the control device 9 can maintain the rotation speed of the motor when the moisture content of the tobacco material measured by the moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood is a specified value. On the other hand, the control device 9 can reduce the rotation speed of the motor when the moisture content of the tobacco material measured by the moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood exceeds a specified value. Thus, the moisture content of the tobacco material in the vicinity of the outlet of the rotor dryer 3 may be adjusted by adjusting the supply amount of the tobacco material put into the rotor dryer 3. In addition, when the rotational speed of the motor of the supply conveyor 21 is lowered, it is conceivable that the production amount of the tobacco material produced is reduced. Therefore, the control device 9 acquires information on the storage amount of tobacco material stored in a buffer silo (not shown), and reduces the rotation speed of the motor of the supply conveyor 21 only when there is a storage amount that does not reduce the production. You may do it.

In the first embodiment, the control device 9 controls each device, but the function of the control device 9 may be assigned to each device so that each device performs its own control.

Second Embodiment
<Manufacturing equipment>
FIG. 5 shows the overall configuration of the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to the second embodiment. The tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment is different from the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1 of the first embodiment in the configuration downstream of the rotor-type dryer 3. In addition, about the structure similar to embodiment already demonstrated, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is omitted.

In the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment, a water / steam supply pipe 84 for supplying water or saturated steam passes through the upper surface (top surface) of the outlet side hood 62. The water / steam supply pipe 84 constitutes a part of the moisture amount adjusting unit of the present invention, supplies water or saturated steam, and is supplied from the rotor dryer 3 and the temperature and oxygen of the tobacco material after drying. Adjust the density. For example, the water / steam supply pipe 84 supplies water or saturated steam to lower the temperature and oxygen concentration of the tobacco material after drying.

The water / steam supply pipe 84 is straight and extends downward in the outlet hood 62. The tip of the water / steam supply pipe 84 is located near the outlet of the outlet side hood 62, in other words, before the rotary valve 65 provided at the outlet of the outlet side hood 62. The water / steam supply pipe 84 may penetrate the side surface of the outlet side hood 62 to form a bent portion, and the tip may be located near the outlet of the outlet side hood 62. Further, a nozzle that adjusts the flow rate, flow rate, direction, pressure, etc. of the water or saturated steam to be supplied may be provided at the tip of the water / steam supply pipe 84. A plurality of water / steam supply pipes 84 may be provided.

In the vicinity of the outlet of the outlet hood 62, the moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood that measures the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying, and the oxygen concentration meter ω3 of the outlet hood that measures the oxygen concentration near the outlet of the outlet hood 62 , And an outlet hood thermometer T4 for measuring the temperature in the vicinity of the outlet of the outlet hood 62. The water / steam supply pipe 84 is a value near the outlet of the outlet hood 62 measured by the moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood, the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying, and the oxygen concentration meter ω3 of the outlet hood. Based on the value of the oxygen concentration and the value of the temperature in the vicinity of the outlet of the outlet hood 62 measured by the thermometer T3 of the outlet hood, the temperature and supply amount of water to be supplied and saturated steam can be adjusted.

At the outlet of the outlet hood 62, a rotary valve 65 for adjusting the flow rate of the tobacco material sent out from the outlet hood 62 is provided.

Below the rotary valve 65, the conveyor 22 is provided. The conveyor 22 conveys the tobacco material after drying to a buffer silo (not shown). In addition, you may provide the camera X in 1st embodiment which detects whether the tobacco material after drying has deteriorated quality by the influence of oxygen in the conveyance conveyor 22. FIG. The camera X may be connected to an alarm device (not shown), and when the quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material is detected, the alarm device may notify that effect. Further, when quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material is detected, detection information is input to the control device 9, and the rotor dryer 3, the heater 4, the superheated steam generator 51, the fan 72, the supply conveyor 21, etc. Each device may be stopped.

As in the first embodiment, the CPU of the control device 9 controls the rotational speed of the rotor dryer 3, the temperature control (heat treatment) of the heater 4, and the temperature and flow rate of the superheated steam generated by the superheated steam generator 51. Control of the superheated steam supply process, control of the exhaust amount of the fan 72 (exhaust process), control of the transport speed of the supply conveyor 21, control of the transport speed of the transport conveyor 22, and water supplied through the water / steam supply pipe 84 Alternatively, the temperature and supply amount of saturated steam are controlled.

<Control flow>
The process flow in the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment is basically the same as the process flow shown in FIG. 3 described in the first embodiment. However, since the moisture content adjustment process of the tobacco material in step S03 is slightly different, step S03 will be described. In the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment, the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying, which is fed from the rotor dryer 3, is adjusted in the outlet hood 62. More specifically, the control device 9 determines the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying measured by the moisture meter M1 of the outlet hood, the outlet of the outlet hood 62 measured by the oxygen concentration meter ω3 of the outlet hood. Based on the value of the oxygen concentration in the vicinity and the value of the temperature in the vicinity of the outlet of the outlet hood 62 measured by the thermometer T4 of the outlet hood, the temperature and supply amount of water and saturated steam supplied from the water / steam supply pipe 84 Adjust.

For example, the temperature of the saturated steam to be supplied can be 100 ° C., and the flow rate of the saturated steam can be 24 to 30 kg / h. Thereby, the product temperature of the tobacco material after drying which is 200 degreeC, for example can be reduced to 150 degrees C or less. Also in the second embodiment, in the water content adjustment step, saturated steam is sprayed in addition to water to reduce the oxygen concentration of the outlet-side hood 62, thereby suppressing quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material after drying. . As a result, the high-temperature and completely dry tobacco material after drying is cooled without causing quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen, and the moisture content (for example, 12 to 12) has flexibility suitable for subsequent processing and transportation. 15%).

The control device 9 may supply saturated steam at least one of after the start of operation of the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1a and before the end of the operation. There is a concern that the flow rate of the tobacco material is reduced after the start of operation or before the end of the operation, compared with the normal operation in which the flow rate of the tobacco material is stabilized, and the temperature of the tobacco material is higher than that during the normal operation. Therefore, by supplying saturated steam after the start of operation or before the start of operation, the product temperature of the tobacco material can be lowered efficiently. Note that saturated steam may be supplied during normal operation.

According to the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment, the moisture content of the tobacco material after drying is 2% or less (absolutely dried), and the product temperature of the tobacco material after drying is 180 ° C to 200 ° C, Heat treatment by the heater 4, supply processing of superheated steam generated by the superheated steam generator 51, and exhaust processing by the fan 72 are performed so that the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 is 15% or less. As a result, the odor of the tobacco material disappears and a roasted feeling can be given. Moreover, since the oxygen concentration in the rotor dryer 3 is 15% or less, quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen in the tobacco material can be suppressed. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the bulkiness of the tobacco material after drying is increased by supplying the tobacco material with heating or superheated steam under a condition where the product temperature is 180 ° C. to 200 ° C.

Further, by supplying saturated steam to the tobacco material after passing through the outlet hood 62, the quality of the tobacco material deteriorates due to the influence of oxygen when it is conveyed in the outlet hood 62 or on the conveyor 22. Can be suppressed. The moisture content of the tobacco material after drying is 2% or less (absolutely dried), but water is supplied through the water / steam supply pipe 84 to reduce the moisture content to, for example, about 12 to 15%. Thus, flexibility can be imparted to the tobacco material. As a result, it is possible to suppress crushing during transport and winding of the tobacco material.

The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the production apparatus and the production method of the tobacco material according to the present invention are not limited to these, and combinations thereof can be included as much as possible. In addition, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment described above, it is needless to say that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

For example, the control device 9 can control the superheated steam generator 51 based on the oxygen concentration of the rotor dryer 3 measured by the oxygen concentration meter ω1. For example, the control device 9 can increase the flow rate of the drying medium when the oxygen concentration of the rotor dryer 3 measured by the oxygen concentration meter ω1 exceeds a predetermined oxygen concentration (for example, 15%). Thereby, the oxygen concentration is reduced, the quality deterioration due to the influence of oxygen of the tobacco material is suppressed, and the desired tobacco flavor can be obtained while maintaining the quality of the tobacco material.

Further, for example, the heater 4 may be divided into an upstream side and a downstream side in the flow of tobacco material and controlled individually. For example, the control device 9 may control the heater 4 so that the heating temperature of the upstream heater 4 is higher than the heating temperature of the downstream heater 4. Thereby, the tobacco material on the upstream side of the rotor dryer 3 can be rapidly dried and heated quickly, and the bulkiness of the tobacco material after drying can be enhanced. Further, the control device 9 controls the heating temperature of the downstream heater 4 based on the temperature near the outlet of the rotor dryer 3 measured by the thermometer T1, and controls the product temperature of the tobacco material. Also good. At that time, the control device 9 controls the superheated steam supply unit 51 and the downstream heater 4 so that the temperature of the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam generation device 51 and the temperature of the downstream heater 4 become the same. May be. Thereby, the article temperature of tobacco material can be stabilized. Instead of the thermometer T1, other thermometers T2, T3, and T4 may be used.

In the case where the heater 4 is divided into the upstream side and the downstream side in the flow of the tobacco material, the control device 9 allows the heating temperature by the upstream heater 4 to be lower than the heating temperature of the downstream heater 4. The heater 4 may be controlled. Thereby, compared with the case where it controls so that the heating temperature by the upstream heater 4 becomes higher than the heating temperature of the downstream heater 4, a tobacco material can be finally made into a different taste. Further, the control device 9 controls the heating temperature of the downstream heater 4 based on the temperature near the outlet of the rotor dryer 3 measured by the thermometer T1, and controls the product temperature of the tobacco material. Also good. At that time, the control device 9 controls the superheated steam supply unit 52 and the downstream heater 4 so that the temperature of the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam generation device 51 and the temperature of the downstream heater 4 become the same. May be. Thereby, the article temperature of tobacco material can be stabilized. Instead of the thermometer T1, other thermometers T2, T3, and T4 may be used.

Further, the control device 9 may adjust the supply amount of the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam generation device 51 according to the supply amount of the tobacco material. Thereby, the drying efficiency and heating efficiency of tobacco material can be improved more. In addition, the odor of the tobacco material can be removed more effectively. For example, when the supply amount of tobacco material increases compared to the previous detection result, the control device 9 compares the supply amount of superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam generation device 51 with the previous supply amount. Can be adjusted to be more. For example, the control device 9 compares the supply amount of the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam generation device 51 with the supply amount until then when the supply amount of the tobacco material is smaller than the previous detection result. It can be adjusted to reduce. A reference supply amount may be set. If the reference supply amount is larger than the reference set amount, the supply amount may be increased. If the reference supply amount is smaller than the reference set amount, the supply amount may be decreased. The supply amount of the tobacco material may be detected, for example, by providing a weight sensor on the supply conveyor 21 and using this weight sensor. The supply amount of the tobacco material may be detected in the vicinity of the outlet of the rotor dryer 3.

In addition, the tobacco material manufacturing apparatus 1a according to the second embodiment is configured to include the rotor dryer 3 similarly to the tobacco leaf material manufacturing apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment. Instead, a vibration conveyor that conveys and drys the tobacco material while applying vibration to the tobacco material, or a net conveyor that conveys and drys the tobacco material by a net-like net may be used. In other words, the water / steam supply pipe 84 according to the second embodiment can be provided on the outlet side of the roasting apparatus other than the rotor-type dryer 3.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Cigarette material manufacturing apparatus 21 ... Supply conveyor 22 ... Conveyor 3 ... Rotor dryer 4 ... Heater 5 ... Superheated steam supply part 51 ... Superheated steam generator 52 ... Superheated steam supply pipe 61 ... Inlet side hood 62 ... Outlet side hood 65 ... Rotary valve 7 ... Exhaust treatment part 71 ... Exhaust pipe 72 ... Fan 81 ... Spray tube 82 ... Spray nozzle 84 ... Water / steam supply tube ω1, ω2, ω3 ... Oxygen concentration meter T1, T2, T3, T4 ... Thermometer M1, M2 ... Moisture meter X ··camera

Claims

A cylindrical drying unit that continuously receives the tobacco material to be transported, dries the tobacco material received while rotating itself, and sends it out;
A heating unit for heating the drying unit from the outside of the drying unit;
A drying medium supply unit that suppresses the oxygen concentration in the drying unit and supplies a drying medium that makes the tobacco material in an absolutely dry state into the drying unit;
An apparatus for producing tobacco material.
An oxygen concentration measuring unit for measuring the oxygen concentration in the drying unit;
In the drying unit, at least one of a flow rate of the supplied drying medium and a temperature of the drying medium is controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring unit. The tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to 1.
An oxygen concentration measurement unit for measuring the oxygen concentration in the drying unit;
An exhaust part for exhausting the air mixture in the drying part,
The tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an exhaust amount discharged is controlled in the drying unit based on an oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measurement unit.
The drying medium supply unit supplies a certain amount of drying medium at a constant temperature,
In the drying unit, a certain amount of drying medium is supplied at a constant temperature, and the exhaust amount discharged is set so that the oxygen concentration becomes a predetermined value or less based on the oxygen concentration measured by the oxygen concentration measuring unit. The tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, which is controlled.
The apparatus for producing tobacco material according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the drying medium is superheated steam.
4. The tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the exhaust unit is provided on an inlet side of the drying unit, and the drying medium supply unit is provided on an outlet side of the drying unit.
The oxygen concentration in the drying part is 15% or less, the moisture content after drying of the tobacco material is 2.0% by weight or less, and the product temperature of the tobacco material is 120 ° C. or higher and 220 ° C. or lower. The tobacco material manufacturing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The tobacco material according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a moisture amount adjusting unit that is provided on an outlet side of the drying unit and adjusts a moisture content of the tobacco material fed from the drying unit. Manufacturing equipment.
A dry state measuring unit for measuring a dry state of the tobacco material sent out from the drying unit, a flow path temperature measuring unit for measuring a temperature in a flow path through which the tobacco material sent out from the drying unit passes, and the drying unit A flow path oxygen concentration measurement unit that measures the oxygen concentration in the flow path through which the tobacco material delivered from
The said moisture content adjustment part is a manufacturing apparatus of the tobacco material of Claim 8 which adjusts the moisture content of the tobacco material sent out from the said drying part based on the said measurement result.
Tobacco material to be conveyed is continuously received in a cylindrical drying section, the drying section is rotated while the drying section itself rotates, and a drying step of sending out the tobacco material;
In the drying step, a heating step of heating the drying unit from the outside of the drying unit;
In the drying step, a drying medium supply step of sending a drying medium that suppresses the oxygen concentration in the drying unit and makes the tobacco material in an absolutely dry state into the drying unit;
A method for producing a tobacco material.
An oxygen concentration measurement step for measuring the oxygen concentration in the drying section;
An exhaust step of exhausting the air mixture in the drying section,
In the drying medium supply step, a constant amount of drying medium is supplied at a constant temperature,
The method for producing a tobacco material according to claim 10, wherein in the exhausting step, an exhaust amount discharged is controlled based on the oxygen concentration measured in the oxygen concentration measuring step so that the oxygen concentration becomes a predetermined value or less. .