Gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables

Abstract

The invention discloses a gas fumigation device for sterilization and preservation of fruits and vegetables. The gas fumigation device comprises a gas generation module, a fumigation module, a washing module and a control module. The gas generation module is used for generating fumigation gas, the fumigation module is used for providing a fumigation environment, and the washing module is used for washing the fumigation gas. The gas generation module is connected with the fumigation module and used for conveying fumigation gas to the fumigation module. The washing module is connected with the fumigation module and used for circularly washing the fumigation gas in the washing module. The fumigation module comprises a gas concentration detector, and the gas concentration detector is used for detecting the concentration A of fumigation gas in the fumigation module. The gas generation module comprises a front side control valve, and the front side control valve is used for controlling the gas exchange process of the gas generation module and the fumigation module. The washing module comprises a rear side control valve, and the rear side control valve is used for controlling the gas exchange process of the fumigation module and the washing module. The control module is electrically connected with the gas concentration detector, the front side control valve and the rear side control valve.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of post-harvest preservation of fruits and vegetables, and in particular to a gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables. Background Art

[0002] At present, in order to prevent rot caused by pathogen infection and reduce losses after harvesting fruits and vegetables, fungicide treatment methods such as pesticide solution immersion and long-term fungicide fumigation (the fungicide is in contact with the fruits and vegetables during the entire storage period) are often used. This leads to excessive pesticide residues in fruit and vegetable tissues and even causes drug damage to fruits and vegetables, posing potential food safety risks.

[0003] Gas fumigation is a highly competitive method for preserving fruits and vegetables after harvest. Fumigation compounds are technical measures to kill pests, pathogens or other harmful organisms under a sealed temperature and pressure. This gas in a molecular state can penetrate into the tissues of fumigated fruits and vegetables, controlling the reproduction and inhibition of pathogens, but if the fumigation time is too long or the concentration is too high, harmful gases will remain on the surface or in the tissues. Therefore, how to reduce the fungicide residues on the surface or in the tissues of fruits and vegetables during post-harvest processing is a problem that still needs to be solved. Summary of the invention

[0004] The object of the present invention is to provide a gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables, which can reduce the residual fungicide on the surface or in the tissue of fruits and vegetables during post-harvest processing of fruits and vegetables.

[0005] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides the following solutions:

[0006] The present invention provides a gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables, comprising a gas generating module, a fumigation module, a washing module and a control module; the gas generating module is used to generate fumigation gas, the fumigation module is used to provide a fumigation environment, and the washing module is used to wash the fumigation gas; the gas generating module is connected to the fumigation module, and is used to transport the fumigation gas to the fumigation module; the washing module is connected to the fumigation module, and is used to circulate and wash the fumigation gas in the washing module;

[0007] The fumigation module includes a gas concentration detector, which is used to detect the concentration A of the fumigation gas in the fumigation module; the gas generation module includes a front control valve, which is used to control the gas exchange process between the gas generation module and the fumigation module; the washing module includes a rear control valve, which is used to control the gas exchange process between the fumigation module and the washing module;

[0008] The control module is electrically connected to the gas concentration detector, the front control valve and the rear control valve respectively, so that:

[0009] When A is equal to the first threshold, the front control valve and the rear control valve are controlled to be closed, so that the fumigation module enters the fumigation mode;

[0010] When the fumigation module maintains the fumigation mode for a preset time, the rear control valve is controlled to open, so that the washing module washes the fumigation gas; when A drops to a second threshold, the washing module stops washing.

[0011] Preferably, the gas generating module also includes a gas generating bottle, an ultrasonic vibration plate, a front air inlet pipe and a front air outlet pipe; the gas generating bottle is placed on the ultrasonic vibration plate, and the gas generating bottle is connected to the fumigation module through the front air inlet pipe and the front air outlet pipe respectively; the front control valve includes a first control valve and a second control valve, the first control valve is installed on the front air inlet pipe, and the second control valve is installed on the front air outlet pipe; the control module is electrically connected to the ultrasonic vibration plate to control the vibration of the ultrasonic vibration plate.

[0012] Preferably, the fumigation module also includes a fumigation treatment chamber, a temperature and humidity controller, a fan and a humidifier; the fumigation treatment chamber is a closed chamber with a heating function; the temperature and humidity controller is electrically connected to the control module, and is used to input a preset temperature range and a preset humidity range to the control module; the fan is installed in the fumigation treatment chamber, and is used to accelerate the gas flow in the fumigation treatment chamber; the humidifier is installed in the fumigation treatment chamber, and is used to increase the humidity in the fumigation treatment chamber; the control module is electrically connected to the fumigation treatment chamber, the fan and the humidifier, so as to control the heating action of the fumigation treatment chamber, the blowing action of the fan and the humidifying action of the humidifier.

[0013] Preferably, the washing module further comprises a rear air outlet pipe, a rear air inlet pipe, an air pump, a tower gas scrubber, a circulation pipe, a circulation pump, a spray head and a flow equalizing plate; the rear control valve comprises a third control valve and a fourth control valve, the third control valve is installed on the rear air outlet pipe, and the fourth control valve is installed on the rear air inlet pipe;

[0014] The fumigation treatment chamber is connected to the tower gas scrubber through the rear air outlet pipe, and the air pump is installed on the rear air outlet pipe; the lower end of the circulation pipe is connected to the bottom of the tower gas scrubber, and the upper end of the circulation pipe extends into the top of the tower gas scrubber, the circulation pump is installed on the circulation pipe, and the spray head is installed on the upper end of the circulation pipe; the flow equalizing plate is installed in the tower gas scrubber and is located at the lower side of the spray head; one end of the rear air inlet pipe is connected to the fumigation treatment chamber, and the other end of the rear air inlet pipe extends into the tower gas scrubber; the rear air outlet pipe and the rear air inlet pipe both pass through the flow equalizing plate;

[0015] The control module is electrically connected to the air pump and the circulation pump.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has achieved the following technical effects:

[0017] In the fumigation mode, the concentration of the fumigation gas in the fumigation module is just near the first threshold value, thereby accurately controlling the concentration and treatment time of the fungicide gas and the fresh-keeping gas for treating fruits and vegetables, and minimizing the contact between the fungicide gas and fruits and vegetables, thereby reducing the residual amount of fungicide in the fruit and vegetable tissues.

[0018] In the gas generation mode, the scrubbing module does not work, so that the fumigation module quickly rises to the required fumigation gas concentration, shortening the working time of the gas generation mode, thereby speeding up the startup process. Similarly, in the scrubbing mode, the gas generation module does not work, thereby speeding up the scrubbing process. Due to the shortened startup time and scrubbing time, the system energy consumption is reduced.

[0019] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the generation rate of the fumigation gas in the gas generating bottle can be increased by vibrating the gas generating bottle with the ultrasonic vibration plate, thereby further shortening the duration of the gas generating mode and reducing the energy consumption of the system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the drawings required for use in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of a gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] In the figure: 1-ultrasonic vibration plate; 2-gas generating bottle; 3-first control valve; 4-second control valve; 5-gas concentration detector; 6-temperature and humidity controller; 7-fan; 8-humidifier; 9-fourth control valve; 10-third control valve; 11-air pump; 12-sprinkler head; 13-flow equalizing plate; 14-circulating pump; 15-fumigation treatment chamber; 16-tower gas scrubber. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The following will be combined with the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention to clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0024] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables, which can reduce the residual fungicide on the surface of fruits and vegetables during post-harvest processing of fruits and vegetables.

[0025] In order to make the above-mentioned objects, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments.

[0026] Reference Figure 1 The present embodiment provides a gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables, including a gas generating module, a fumigation module, a washing module and a control module. The gas generating module is used to generate fumigation gas (sterilizer gas or preservative gas), the fumigation module is used to provide a fumigation environment, and the washing module is used to wash the fumigation gas. The gas generating module is connected to the fumigation module to transport the fumigation gas to the fumigation module. The washing module is connected to the fumigation module to circulate and wash the fumigation gas in the washing module.

[0027] The fumigation module includes a gas concentration detector 5, which is used to detect the concentration A of the fumigation gas in the fumigation module. The gas generation module includes a front control valve, which is used to control the gas exchange process between the gas generation module and the fumigation module. The washing module includes a rear control valve, which is used to control the gas exchange process between the fumigation module and the washing module.

[0028] The control module is electrically connected to the gas concentration detector 5, the front control valve and the rear control valve respectively, so that:

[0029] When A is equal to the first threshold, the front control valve and the rear control valve are controlled to be closed, so that the fumigation module enters the fumigation mode.

[0030] When the fumigation module maintains the fumigation mode for a preset time, the rear control valve is controlled to open, so that the washing module washes the fumigation gas. When A drops to the second threshold, the washing module stops washing.

[0031] The working principle of the gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables in this embodiment is as follows:

[0032] Through the real-time detection of the fumigation gas concentration in the fumigation module by the gas concentration detector 5, the gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables is divided into three working modes: gas generation mode, fumigation mode and washing mode. In the fumigation mode, A is just near the first threshold value (i.e., the theoretical minimum treatment concentration), so as to accurately control the concentration and treatment time of the sterilant gas and the fresh-keeping gas for treating fruits and vegetables, and minimize the contact between the sterilant gas and the fruits and vegetables, thereby reducing the residual amount of sterilant in the fruit and vegetable tissues.

[0033] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the gas generating module further includes a gas generating bottle 2, an ultrasonic vibration plate 1, a front air inlet pipe and a front air outlet pipe. The gas generating bottle 2 is placed on the ultrasonic vibration plate 1, and the gas generating bottle 2 is connected to the fumigation module through the front air inlet pipe and the front air outlet pipe respectively. The front control valve includes a first control valve 3 and a second control valve 4, the first control valve 3 is installed on the front air inlet pipe, and the second control valve 4 is installed on the front air outlet pipe. The control module is electrically connected to the ultrasonic vibration plate 1 to control the action of the ultrasonic vibration plate 1.

[0034] After the fumigation gas is generated in the gas generating bottle 2 , it enters the fumigation module through the front air inlet pipe and squeezes the original gas in the fumigation module into the gas generating bottle 2 .

[0035] The ultrasonic vibration plate 1 vibrates the gas generating bottle 2, so that the generation rate of the fumigation gas in the gas generating bottle 2 can be increased, thereby shortening the duration of the gas generating mode and accelerating the fumigation process.

[0036] In the gas generation mode, when A approaches the first threshold value (for example, reaches 95% of the first threshold value), the ultrasonic vibration plate 1 can be turned off to improve the control accuracy of A, so that during the time period from the control module sending the command to the front control valve, the fumigation gas entering the fumigation module is as small as possible, so that in the fumigation mode, A will not exceed the first threshold value too much.

[0037] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the fumigation module also includes a fumigation treatment chamber 15, a temperature and humidity controller 6, a fan 7 and a humidifier 8. The fumigation treatment chamber 15 is a closed chamber with a heating function, which is respectively connected to the front air inlet pipe and the front air outlet pipe. The temperature and humidity controller 6 is electrically connected to the control module, and is used to input a preset temperature range and a preset humidity range to the control module. The fan 7 is installed in the fumigation treatment chamber 15 to accelerate the gas flow in the fumigation treatment chamber 15. The humidifier 8 is installed in the fumigation treatment chamber 15 to increase the humidity in the fumigation treatment chamber 15. The control module is electrically connected to the fumigation treatment chamber 15, the fan 7 and the humidifier 8 to control the heating action of the fumigation treatment chamber 15, the blowing action of the fan 7 and the humidifying action of the humidifier 8. Before the gas generating bottle 2 generates fumigation gas, the parameters of the temperature and humidity controller 6 and the humidifier 8 should be set in advance.

[0038] As a possible example, in this embodiment, the washing module also includes a rear air outlet pipe, a rear air inlet pipe, an air pump 11, a tower gas scrubber 16, a circulation pipe, a circulation pump 14, a spray head 12 and a flow equalizing plate 13. The rear control valve includes a third control valve 10 and a fourth control valve 9, the third control valve 10 is installed on the rear air outlet pipe, and the fourth control valve 9 is installed on the rear air inlet pipe. The fumigation treatment chamber 15 is connected to the tower gas scrubber 16 through the rear air outlet pipe, and the air pump 11 is installed on the rear air outlet pipe. The lower end of the circulation pipe is connected to the bottom of the tower gas scrubber 16, and the upper end of the circulation pipe extends into the top of the tower gas scrubber 16. The circulation pump 14 is installed on the circulation pipe, and the spray head 12 is installed at the upper end of the circulation pipe. The flow equalizing plate 13 is installed in the tower gas scrubber 16 and is located at the lower side of the spray head 12. One end of the rear air inlet pipe is connected to the fumigation treatment chamber 15, and the other end of the rear air inlet pipe extends into the tower gas scrubber 16. The rear air outlet pipe and the rear air inlet pipe both pass through the equalizing plate 13. The control module is electrically connected to the air pump 11 and the circulation pump 14. It can be understood that the depth of the scrubbing liquid in the tower gas scrubber 16 should be lower than the equalizing plate 13 and higher than one end of the rear air outlet pipe extending into the tower gas scrubber 16.

[0039] After the gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables enters the washing mode, the air pump 11 pumps the fumigation gas in the fumigation treatment chamber 15 into the tower gas scrubber 16 through the rear air outlet pipe. After the fumigation gas floats in the washing liquid, it returns to the fumigation treatment chamber 15 through the rear air inlet pipe. The circulation pump 14 transports the washing liquid to the spray head 12, and then sprays the washing liquid onto the flow equalizing plate 13, forming a layer of liquid film on the upper surface of the flow equalizing plate 13. The flow equalizing plate 13 has evenly distributed through holes, and the washing liquid flows downward to the bottom of the tower gas scrubber 16 through the through holes. The fumigation gas discharged from the rear air outlet pipe passes through the through holes on the flow equalizing plate 13 and the liquid film on the upper surface of the flow equalizing plate 13 during the upward flow process, and then returns to the fumigation treatment chamber 15 through the rear air inlet pipe. The fumigation gas is treated by the washing liquid during the flow in the tower gas scrubber 16.

[0040] The specific operation process of the gas generation mode is as follows:

[0041] 1-1, the first control valve 3 and the second control valve 4 are opened, and the third control valve 10 and the fourth control valve 9 are closed. Fumigation gas is generated in the gas generator, and the fumigation gas enters the fumigation module through the front air inlet pipe, and squeezes the original gas in the fumigation module into the gas generating bottle 2.

[0042] 1-2. When the fumigation gas concentration in the fumigation treatment chamber 15 increases to a certain range below the first threshold, the ultrasonic vibration plate 1 is closed; when the gas concentration in the fumigation treatment chamber 15 reaches the first threshold, the first control valve 3, the second control valve 4, the third control valve 10 and the fourth control valve 9 are closed, the fumigation treatment chamber 15 remains in a closed state, and the fumigation mode begins.

[0043] The specific operation process of the fumigation mode is as follows:

[0044] 2-1. Maintain the closed state of the first control valve 3, the second control valve 4, the third control valve 10 and the fourth control valve 9 until the preset fumigation time is reached.

[0045] The specific operation process of the washing mode is as follows:

[0046] 3-1. Open the third control valve 10 and the fourth control valve 9, and start the air pump 11 and the circulation pump 14; the fumigant gas in the gas fumigation treatment chamber 15 is pumped into the tower gas scrubber 16 below the liquid level of the scrubbing liquid, and the scrubbing liquid in the tower gas scrubber 16 rises to the upper part of the tower gas scrubber 16 under the action of the circulation pump 14, and is discharged in the form of spray to fully react with the fumigant gas, and the reacted gas flows into the fumigation treatment chamber 15. When the fumigant gas concentration in the fumigation treatment chamber 15 drops to the second threshold value, the scrubbing mode is completed.

[0047] The present invention uses specific examples to illustrate the principles and implementation methods of the present invention. The above examples are only used to help understand the method and core ideas of the present invention. At the same time, for those skilled in the art, according to the ideas of the present invention, there will be changes in the specific implementation methods and application scope. In summary, the content of this specification should not be understood as limiting the present invention.

Claims

1. A gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables, characterized in that: It comprises a gas generation module, a fumigation module, a washing module and a control module; the gas generation module is used to generate fumigation gas, the fumigation module is used to provide a fumigation environment, and the washing module is used to wash the fumigation gas; the gas generation module is connected to the fumigation module to transport the fumigation gas to the fumigation module; the washing module is connected to the fumigation module to circulate and wash the fumigation gas in the washing module; The fumigation module includes a gas concentration detector, which is used to detect the concentration A of the fumigation gas in the fumigation module; the gas generation module includes a front control valve, which is used to control the gas exchange process between the gas generation module and the fumigation module; the washing module includes a rear control valve, which is used to control the gas exchange process between the fumigation module and the washing module; The control module is electrically connected to the gas concentration detector, the front control valve and the rear control valve respectively, so that: When A is equal to the first threshold, the front control valve and the rear control valve are controlled to be closed, so that the fumigation module enters the fumigation mode; When the fumigation module maintains the fumigation mode for a preset time, the rear control valve is controlled to open, so that the washing module washes the fumigation gas; When A drops to a second threshold, the washing module stops washing.

2. The gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gas generating module also includes a gas generating bottle, an ultrasonic vibration plate, a front air inlet pipe and a front air outlet pipe; the gas generating bottle is placed on the ultrasonic vibration plate, and the gas generating bottle is connected to the fumigation module through the front air inlet pipe and the front air outlet pipe respectively; the front control valve includes a first control valve and a second control valve, the first control valve is installed on the front air inlet pipe, and the second control valve is installed on the front air outlet pipe; the control module is electrically connected to the ultrasonic vibration plate to control the action of the ultrasonic vibration plate.

3. The gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables according to claim 2, characterized in that: The fumigation module also includes a fumigation treatment chamber, a temperature and humidity controller, a fan and a humidifier; the fumigation treatment chamber is a closed chamber with a heating function; the temperature and humidity controller is electrically connected to the control module, and is used to input a preset temperature range and a preset humidity range to the control module; the fan is installed in the fumigation treatment chamber, and is used to accelerate the gas flow in the fumigation treatment chamber; the humidifier is installed in the fumigation treatment chamber, and is used to increase the humidity in the fumigation treatment chamber; the control module is electrically connected to the fumigation treatment chamber, the fan and the humidifier, so as to control the heating action of the fumigation treatment chamber, the blowing action of the fan and the humidifying action of the humidifier.

4. The gas fumigation device for sterilizing and preserving fruits and vegetables according to claim 3, characterized in that: The washing module further includes a rear air outlet pipe, a rear air inlet pipe, an air pump, a tower gas scrubber, a circulation pipe, a circulation pump, a spray head and a flow equalizing plate; the rear control valve includes a third control valve and a fourth control valve, the third control valve is installed on the rear air outlet pipe, and the fourth control valve is installed on the rear air inlet pipe; The fumigation treatment chamber is connected to the tower gas scrubber through the rear air outlet pipe, and the air pump is installed on the rear air outlet pipe; the lower end of the circulation pipe is connected to the bottom of the tower gas scrubber, and the upper end of the circulation pipe extends into the top of the tower gas scrubber, the circulation pump is installed on the circulation pipe, and the spray head is installed on the upper end of the circulation pipe; the flow equalizing plate is installed in the tower gas scrubber and is located at the lower side of the spray head; one end of the rear air inlet pipe is connected to the fumigation treatment chamber, and the other end of the rear air inlet pipe extends into the tower gas scrubber; the rear air outlet pipe and the rear air inlet pipe both pass through the flow equalizing plate; The control module is electrically connected to the air pump and the circulation pump.

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