Fermentation processing device

Abstract

To suppress unnecessary energy consumption due to excessive drying of a processing object while properly performing fermentation and drying of the processing object, and realize a fermentation processing device with the excellent energy saving property.SOLUTION: A fermentation processing device includes: a processing tank to which a processing object is input; a stirrer which stirs the processing object in the processing tank; a heat supply unit which supplies heat to the processing object in the processing tank; and a control unit which drives the stirrer and the heat supply unit on the basis of a plurality of control modes. The plurality of control modes include: an initial mode in which the stirrer is operated continuously under a predetermined heat supply amount from the heat supply unit; an intermediate mode in which the stirrer is operated intermittently under a smaller heat supply amount than in the initial mode; and a later stage mode in which the stirrer is operated continuously or intermittently under a heat supply amount equal to or less than the predetermined heat supply amount in the initial mode. The control unit executes at least one of the intermediate mode and the later stage mode after executing the initial mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fermentation treatment apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a fermentation treatment machine that ferments objects to be treated such as food waste and livestock manure into compost has been known. For example, in the fermentation treatment machine disclosed in Patent Document 1, aerobic bacteria that are active at high temperatures are added to the object to be fermented that is introduced into the fermentation stirring tank from the inlet. Then, by rotating the rotating shaft placed in the fermentation stirring tank, the stirring blades attached to the rotating shaft perform subdivision and stirring of the object to be fermented in the fermentation stirring tank. When the fermentation of the object to be fermented in the fermentation stirring tank is completed, drying air is supplied into the fermentation stirring tank by a drying intake fan to dry the object to be fermented.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, if the object to be treated is dried too much in the treatment tank, it means that wasteful power is consumed, which is not desirable from the viewpoint of energy saving. In Patent Document 1, regarding the control for suppressing wasteful energy consumption due to excessive drying while appropriately performing the fermentation and drying of the object to be treated, no consideration has been given at all.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and its object is to provide a fermentation treatment apparatus excellent in energy saving that can suppress wasteful energy consumption due to excessive drying of the object to be treated while appropriately performing the fermentation and drying of the object to be treated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a treatment tank into which an object to be treated is introduced, a stirrer that stirs the object to be treated in the treatment tank, a heat supply unit that supplies heat to the object to be treated in the treatment tank, and a control unit that drives the stirrer and the heat supply unit respectively based on a plurality of control modes. The plurality of control modes include an initial mode in which the stirrer is continuously operated under a predetermined heat supply amount by the heat supply unit, a middle mode in which the stirrer is intermittently operated under a heat supply amount less than that in the initial mode, and a late mode in which the stirrer is continuously or intermittently operated under a heat supply amount equal to or less than the predetermined heat supply amount in the initial mode. The control unit executes at least one of the middle mode and the late mode after executing the initial mode.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the above configuration, while appropriately performing the fermentation and drying of the object to be treated, it is possible to suppress wasteful energy consumption due to excessive drying of the object to be treated. Thereby, a fermentation treatment apparatus excellent in energy saving (saving of electricity cost) can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In this specification, the axial direction of the rotating shaft 2 shown in FIG. 2, that is, the direction in which the axis Ax of the rotating shaft 2 extends is defined as the left-right direction. The left-right direction is parallel to the horizontal plane. And the direction orthogonal to the left-right direction in the horizontal plane is defined as the front-back direction, and the direction orthogonal to the horizontal plane is defined as the up-down direction. Here, when the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 2 is placed on a plane parallel to the horizontal plane, the side where the inlet 4 of the object to be treated is located with respect to the rotating shaft 2 is defined as "front", and the above-mentioned front-back, left-right, and up-down directions are defined. Also, the circumferential direction and the radial direction when the rotating shaft 2 rotates with respect to the axial direction may be simply referred to as the circumferential direction and the radial direction, respectively.

[0010] In the drawings, the X direction is the left-right direction, the Y direction is the front-back direction, and the Z direction is the up-down direction. The +X side (the tip side of the arrow) is the left side in the left-right direction, the +Y side is the front side in the front-back direction, and the +Z side is the upper side in the up-down direction. The definitions of the above directions are merely used for the description in this specification, and the actual directions and positional relationships during use are not necessarily limited to the directions defined above and the positional relationships based thereon.

[0011] In this specification, "switch" refers to a mechanical switching mechanism, and includes, for example, a push button accompanied by mechanical movement. Also, in this specification, the unit of weight is N (Newton), and the unit of mass is kg.

[0012] 〔1. Outline of Fermentation Treatment Apparatus〕 FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. The fermentation treatment apparatus 100 is an apparatus that processes a material to be treated to produce compost, a soil conditioner, or the like. The material to be treated is, for example, food waste generated at home or in a store, but may also be livestock manure or the like. When processing the material to be treated, it is preferable to mix microorganisms for promoting the fermentation of the material to be treated into the material to be treated. As the microorganisms, for example, aerobic bacteria (hereinafter also simply referred to as "bacteria") are preferably used. Note that the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can be used not only for producing compost and feed used as agricultural soil conditioners and fertilizer components but also for producing raw materials for paints, dyes, pigments, or cosmetics as a treatment apparatus for treating the material to be treated.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 includes a main body 101 and an equipment arrangement part 102 arranged on the left side of the main body 101. In the main body 101, the treatment of the material to be treated (fermentation and composting treatment) is performed. In the equipment arrangement part 102, various equipment necessary for the treatment of the material to be treated in the main body 101 is arranged.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a view in which some members are removed from the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. Specifically, FIG. 2 is a view in which the lid part 1011, the equipment cover 1021, and the control box 1022 are removed from the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1. The lid part 1011 is attached to the main body cover 1012 of the main body 101 and can open and close the cover opening 1012a of the main body cover 1012. The equipment cover 1021 covers some of the equipment arranged in the equipment arrangement part 102. The control box 1022 is located on the front side of the equipment arrangement part 102. A display device 30 is mounted on the control box 1022.

[0015] The display device 30 displays various types of information. In the present embodiment, information such as the operating time of the fermentation treatment device 100 and the weight of the object to be processed is displayed on the display device 30. The display device 30 is configured by, for example, a display device with a touch panel. The user who uses the fermentation treatment device 100 can check the operating state of the fermentation treatment device 100 by looking at the information displayed on the display device 30. Further, the user can, if necessary, operate the touch panel of the display device 30 to input information or switch the display screen to check the desired information.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the main body part 101 includes a treatment tank 1, a rotating shaft 2, and a plurality of stirring claws 3.

[0017] The treatment tank 1 is a tank for fermenting the object to be processed that is introduced. The treatment tank 1 is covered with the main body part cover 1012. In the present embodiment, the treatment tank 1 has a cylindrical tube part 11 extending in the left - right direction, and a left wall part 12a and a right wall part 12b arranged at both ends in the left - right direction of the tube part 11. The left wall part 12a and the right wall part 12b are plate - shaped and extend in the Y direction and the Z direction. A tube part opening 11a penetrating in the radial direction is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the tube part 11. The tube part opening 11a and the cover opening 1012a overlap in the radial direction and constitute an inlet 4 for introducing the object to be processed into the treatment tank 1. The inlet 4 is opened and closed by a lid part 1011. Note that the inlet 4 is also used for taking out the object to be processed from the treatment tank 1. That is, the user can introduce the object to be processed into the treatment tank 1 and take it out from the treatment tank 1 through the inlet 4. Thus, the fermentation treatment device 100 includes a treatment tank 1 into which the object to be processed is introduced.

[0018] An emergency opening - closing cover 1012a is provided below the front side of the main body part cover 1012. For example, when an abnormality occurs in the fermentation treatment device 100 and it is desired to quickly take out the object to be processed in the treatment tank 1, by opening the opening - closing cover 1012a, an opening (not shown) located below the tube part opening 11a of the treatment tank 1 is exposed, and the object to be processed in the treatment tank 1 can be taken out.

[0019] The rotating shaft 2 is located within the processing tank 1. The rotating shaft 2 is a columnar shaft extending in the left - right direction. The rotating shaft 2 rotates about an axis Ax extending in the left - right direction. In the present embodiment, when viewed from the +X direction side, the rotating shaft 2 rotates in the clockwise direction about the axis Ax. The left - hand end of the rotating shaft 2 is rotatably supported by the left wall portion 12a. The right - hand end of the rotating shaft 2 is rotatably supported by the right wall portion 12b.

[0020] A plurality of stirring vanes 3 are arranged on the rotating shaft 2. Specifically, the plurality of stirring vanes 3 are arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 2. At least a part of the plurality of stirring vanes 3 are arranged on the rotating shaft 2 with a space therebetween in the left - right direction. Also, the plurality of stirring vanes 3 are fixed to the rotating shaft 2 such that the tips (the ends on the side opposite to the fixed side with respect to the rotating shaft 2) are displaced in the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft 2 when viewed from the +X direction. The plurality of stirring vanes 3 rotate together with the rotating shaft 2 and stir the object to be processed within the processing tank 1. In the fermentation treatment apparatus 100, by fermenting and drying the object to be processed while stirring the object to be processed in the processing tank 1 with the stirring vanes 3, a target product such as compost or soil conditioner is obtained. Therefore, the rotating shaft 2 and the plurality of stirring vanes 3 constitute a stirrer MX for stirring the object to be processed within the processing tank 1. That is, the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 includes the stirrer MX.

[0021] The equipment arrangement section 102 is provided with a stirring motor 5, an intake blower 6, and a filter section 7. The stirring motor 5 is a drive source for rotating the rotating shaft 2 to stir the object to be processed by the stirring vanes 3. The stirring motor 5 is driven by a motor inverter 5a (see FIG. 4). The rotational output of the stirring motor 5 is transmitted to the rotating shaft 2 via a power transmission mechanism 8 including power transmission means such as gears.

[0022] The intake blower 6 is a blower device that supplies gas into the treatment tank 1 and is driven by a blower inverter 6a (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, the gas is air. The air sent out from the intake blower 6 enters the treatment tank 1 from the left wall portion 12a of the treatment tank 1 through the air supply path 9. By supplying air into the treatment tank 1, oxygen can be appropriately supplied to microorganisms (for example, aerobic bacteria) in the treatment tank 1. Thereby, the fermentation treatment by microorganisms is promoted in the treatment tank 1.

[0023] The air in the treatment tank 1 is sent from the left wall portion 12a of the treatment tank 1 to the filter unit 7 through the exhaust path 10. The air sent to the filter unit 7 enters the filter unit 7 from the lower part of the filter unit 7, passes through a filter (not shown) that removes foreign substances disposed inside, and is exhausted outside the filter unit 7 from the upper part of the filter unit 7. The air exhausted outside the filter unit 7 is sent to a deodorizing device (not shown), subjected to deodorizing treatment, and discharged into the atmosphere. Note that the deodorizing device may be disposed inside or outside the fermentation treatment device 100.

[0024] An opening / closing door D1 is provided on the front surface of the control box 1022 shown in FIG. 1. In the opening / closing door D1, a window Dw that is colorless or colored and transparent is provided at a position on the front side of the display device 30. Therefore, when the opening / closing door D1 is closed, the user can view the information displayed on the display device 30 through the window Dw. Further, an opening / closing door D2 is provided on the main body cover 1012 of the main body portion 101. FIG. 3 shows the appearance of the fermentation treatment device 100 with the opening / closing door D1 and the opening / closing door D2 in FIG. 1 opened.

[0025] When the opening / closing door D1 is opened, the display device 30 provided in the control box 1022 and the first emergency stop switch SW1 are exposed. As a result, the user can perform some pressing input on the display device 30 with a touch panel. Also, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the fermentation processing device 100 and it is necessary to quickly stop the operation of the fermentation processing device 100, the user can press the first emergency stop switch SW1 (also referred to as the "emergency stop switch on the control box side") to stop the operation of the fermentation processing device 100 under the control of the control unit COM (see FIG. 4).

[0026] In the main body cover 1012, above the opening / closing door D2, a second emergency stop switch SW2 (also referred to as the "emergency stop switch on the operation box side") is provided. The user can also stop the operation of the fermentation processing device 100 under the control of the control unit COM by pressing the second emergency stop switch SW2. Here, the second emergency stop switch SW2 is exposed to the outside without being covered by the opening / closing door D2 in the main body cover 1012. Therefore, in an emergency, the user can directly press the second emergency stop switch SW2 to immediately stop the operation of the fermentation processing device 100 without performing the operation of opening the opening / closing door D2.

[0027] When the opening / closing door D2 is opened, the buzzer stop switch SW3, the operation start switch SW4, and the operation stop switch SW5 provided in the main body 101 are exposed. The buzzer stop switch SW3, the operation start switch SW4, and the operation stop switch SW5 are positioned in this order from above to below, but this positional relationship is not limited. By pressing the buzzer stop switch SW3, the user can temporarily stop the buzzing of the buzzer BZ (see FIG. 4) of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 in an emergency. Also, by pressing the operation start switch SW4, the user can start the operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100. Further, by pressing the operation stop switch SW5, the user can stop the operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100. Note that the stop of the buzzing of the buzzer BZ, the start and stop of the operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 are executed under the control of the control unit COM.

[0028] [2. Hardware Configuration of Fermentation Treatment Apparatus] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. In addition to the stirring motor 5 and the intake blower 6 described above, the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 includes an intake heater BH, a first tank heater TH1, a second tank heater TH2, a buzzer BZ, and a signal tower SL. Note that the first tank heater TH1 and the second tank heater TH2 may be collectively referred to simply as the "tank heater".

[0029] The intake heater BH heats the gas (air) supplied into the treatment tank 1 by the intake blower 6. By supplying the heated air into the treatment tank 1, the temperature in the treatment tank 1 approaches a temperature suitable for the fermentation of the object to be treated by microorganisms, promoting the fermentation of the object to be treated and drying the object to be treated. The energization of the intake heater BH is performed by the intake heater switch BHa. The intake heater switch BHa is controlled by the control unit COM.

[0030] The tank heaters (the first tank heater TH1 and the second tank heater TH2) heat the treatment tank 1. The first tank heater TH1 and the second tank heater TH2 are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction at the lower part of the treatment tank 1. By heating the treatment tank 1 with the first tank heater TH1 and the second tank heater TH2, the object to be treated in the treatment tank 1 is warmed to a temperature suitable for fermentation, the fermentation of the object to be treated is promoted, and the object to be treated is dried. The energization of the first tank heater TH1 and the second tank heater TH2 is respectively performed by the first tank heater switch TH1a and the second tank heater switch TH2a. The first tank heater switch TH1a and the second tank heater switch TH2a are controlled by the control unit COM.

[0031] The above intake blower 6, intake heater BH, first tank heater TH1 and second tank heater TH2 constitute a heat supply unit TS that supplies heat to the object to be treated in the treatment tank 1 to ferment and dry the object to be treated. That is, the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 includes the heat supply unit TS.

[0032] The buzzer BZ emits a buzzer sound when an abnormality occurs in the fermentation treatment apparatus 100. The signal tower SL notifies the outside of the operating state of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 by lighting three-color lamps of red (R), yellow (Y), and green (G). Note that the R lamp lights up, for example, when an abnormality occurs in the fermentation treatment apparatus 100. The Y lamp lights up, for example, when the operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 stops. The G lamp lights up, for example, when the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 is in operation. The operations (notification, lighting) of the buzzer BZ and the signal tower SL are controlled by the control unit COM.

[0033] Next, various switches and sensors included in the fermentation processing apparatus 100 will be described. In addition to the above-described first emergency stop switch SW1, second emergency stop switch SW2, buzzer stop switch SW3, operation start switch SW4, and operation stop switch SW5, the fermentation processing apparatus 100 includes an inlet opening / closing switch SW0, a first tank heater temperature sensor TH1s, a second tank heater temperature sensor TH2s, an intake air temperature sensor BHs, an outside air temperature sensor OTs, and a weight sensor Ws. Signals detected by the above switches and sensors are output to the control unit COM.

[0034] The inlet opening / closing switch SW0 is a switch (button) that switches according to the opening and closing of the inlet 4 by the lid portion 1011. For example, when the lid portion 1011 is open, the pressing of the inlet opening / closing switch SW0 by the lid portion 1011 is released. In this case, the inlet opening / closing switch SW0 turns OFF. On the other hand, when the lid portion 1011 is closed, the inlet opening / closing switch SW0 is pressed by the lid portion 1011 and turns ON.

[0035] The first tank heater temperature sensor TH1s detects the temperature of the first tank heater TH1. The second tank heater temperature sensor TH2s detects the temperature of the second tank heater TH2. The intake air temperature sensor BHs detects the temperature of the air supplied into the processing tank 1 by the intake blower 6. These temperature sensors are composed of, for example, thermocouples, but may be composed of other sensors (resistance temperature detectors, thermistors, non-contact temperature sensors, etc.). The outside air temperature sensor OTs detects the temperature of the environment (outside the fermentation processing apparatus 100) where the fermentation processing apparatus 100 is installed.

[0036] The weight sensor Ws measures the weight of the treatment tank 1 and the weight of the object to be treated in the treatment tank 1. For example, by measuring the weight of the treatment tank 1 before the object to be treated is loaded and the weight of the treatment tank 1 after the object to be treated is loaded with the weight sensor Ws respectively and obtaining the difference therebetween, the weight of the object to be treated loaded into the treatment tank 1 can be obtained. Further, by measuring the weight of the treatment tank 1 by the weight sensor Ws according to the elapse of the treatment time of the object to be treated, based on the change in the above weight, the degree of dryness (the progress of drying) of the object to be treated in the treatment tank 1, in other words, the weight reduction of the object to be treated can also be obtained. Note that the weight reduction of the object to be treated is an amount indicating how much the weight of the object to be treated has decreased since it was loaded. Such a weight sensor Ws is configured to include, for example, a load cell and a weighing indicator that amplifies a load signal from the load cell and performs AD conversion to convert it into a weight value. In FIGS. 1 and 2, for convenience, the illustration of the load cell (weight sensor Ws) as the sensor detection device is omitted.

[0037] The fermentation treatment apparatus 100 further includes a timing unit TI. The timing unit TI is composed of a timer that measures various times (for example, the elapsed time since the start of operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100). Further, the timing unit TI manages the current date and time (year, month, and day). The information measured or managed by the timing unit TI is output to the control unit COM. Note that the timing unit TI may be built in the control unit COM.

[0038] The fermentation treatment apparatus 100 includes a control unit COM and a storage unit 40. The control unit COM controls each part of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100. In particular, the control unit COM drives the stirrer MX and the heat supply unit TS based on a plurality of control modes. The details of the plurality of control modes will be described later. Such a control unit COM is configured by a central processing unit called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for example.

[0039] The storage unit 40 is a memory that stores various types of information in addition to the operation program of the control unit COM. It is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a non-volatile memory, and the like. For example, the control parameters when driving the stirrer MX and the heat supply unit TS in a plurality of control modes are stored in the storage unit 40. The details of the above control parameters will be described later.

[0040] Although not particularly shown in the drawings, the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 further includes a product temperature sensor, an exhaust pressure sensor, an outside air humidity sensor, and an electric power amount sensor. The product temperature sensor detects the temperature of the object to be processed in the treatment tank 1. The exhaust pressure sensor is disposed in the exhaust path 10 (see FIG. 2) and detects the pressure of the air exhausted from the treatment tank 1. The outside air humidity sensor detects the humidity of the environment (outside the fermentation treatment apparatus 100) where the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 is installed. The electric power amount sensor detects the amount of electric power consumed by the fermentation treatment apparatus 100.

[0041] [3. Details of Control Modes] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a plurality of control modes and control parameters executed by the control unit COM. The plurality of control modes include an initial mode, a middle mode, and a final mode.

[0042] The initial mode is a control mode in which the stirrer MX is continuously operated under a predetermined heat supply amount by the heat supply unit TS. The above heat supply amount is determined by the intake air speed of the intake blower 6, the use / non-use of the intake heater BH, the intake target temperature, the use / non-use of the tank heaters (the first tank heater TH1 and the second tank heater TH2), and the temperature of the tank heaters. That is, by executing the initial mode with the settings shown in FIG. 5, the above predetermined heat supply amount can be realized in the initial mode.

[0043] The medium mode is a control mode in which the stirrer MX is intermittently operated with a smaller heat supply amount than in the initial mode. By executing the medium mode with the settings shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to achieve a smaller heat supply amount in the medium mode than in the initial mode. The late mode is a control mode in which the stirrer MX is continuously or intermittently operated with a heat supply amount equal to or less than a predetermined heat supply amount in the initial mode. By executing the late mode with the settings shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to achieve a heat supply amount equal to or less than the predetermined heat supply amount in the late mode.

[0044] The above-described plurality of control modes are set for each of a plurality of categories classified according to the input weight of the object to be processed into the processing tank 1. In the example of FIG. 5, the input weight of the object to be processed is classified into five categories in order from the heaviest, "heaviest", "heavy", "medium", "light", and "lightest", and for each category, an initial mode, a medium mode, and a late mode are set.

[0045] Specifically, the control modes X1 to X3 in FIG. 5 respectively correspond to the initial mode, the medium mode, and the late mode when the input weight of the object to be processed is "heaviest". Similarly, the control modes H1 to H3 respectively correspond to the initial mode, the medium mode, and the late mode when the input weight of the object to be processed is "heavy". The control modes M1 to M3 respectively correspond to the initial mode, the medium mode, and the late mode when the input weight of the object to be processed is "medium". The control modes L1 to L3 respectively correspond to the initial mode, the medium mode, and the late mode when the input weight of the object to be processed is "light". The control modes N1 to N3 respectively correspond to the initial mode, the medium mode, and the late mode when the input weight of the object to be processed is "lightest".

[0046] The specific weight ranges for the above five classifications of "heaviest", "heavy", "medium", "light", and "lightest" may be set as appropriate. For example, when the maximum weight of the object to be processed that can be put into the processing tank 1 is 100 N (mass 100 kg), the "lightest" classification may be set as the range where the input weight is 0 or more and less than 20 N (mass 20 kg), the "light" classification may be set as the range where the input weight is 20 N or more and less than 40 N (mass 40 kg), the "medium" classification may be set as the range where the input weight is 40 N or more and less than 60 N (mass 60 kg), the "heavy" classification may be set as the range where the input weight is 60 N or more and less than 80 N (mass 80 kg), and the "heaviest" classification may be set as the range where the input weight is 80 N or more and 100 N (mass 100 kg) or less.

[0047] The above-mentioned control parameters are parameters indicating the heat supply conditions of the heat supply unit TS and the stirring conditions of the stirrer MX in a plurality of control modes. Specifically, the control parameters are the operating time of the stirrer MX, the stirring speed, the operating time and the stop time when performing intermittent operation, the use / non-use of the intake blower 6, the intake speed of the intake blower 6, the use / non-use of the intake heater BH, the intake target temperature, the use / non-use of the tank heaters (the first tank heater TH1, the second tank heater TH2), the temperature of the tank heaters, etc., which are settings or set values.

[0048] Here, the operating time of the stirrer MX refers to the total time from the start to the end of continuous operation if it is a control mode of continuous operation of the stirrer MX, and refers to the sum of the operating time (stirring time) of the stirrer MX and the stop time of the stirrer MX if it is a control mode of intermittent operation of the stirrer MX. In FIG. 5, depending on the control mode, although 999 minutes is set as the operating time of the stirrer MX, since the intermittent stop time is 0 minutes, it only indicates continuous operation (it is only inputting the maximum value in terms of setting).

[0049] The stirring speed refers to the rotational speed of the rotating shaft 2 of the stirrer MX. Here, it corresponds to the rotational speed of the stirring motor 5 that rotates the rotating shaft 2. The rotational speed of the stirring motor 5 can be set to any one of the first speed (10 Hz), second speed (20 Hz), third speed (30 Hz), fourth speed (40 Hz), fifth speed (50 Hz), and sixth speed (60 Hz). Note that the frequencies in parentheses refer to the drive frequencies of the stirring motor 5, that is, the frequencies of the AC voltage output from the motor inverter 5a.

[0050] The intake air speed of the intake blower 6 corresponds to the drive speed of the intake blower 6, that is, the rotational speed of the motor that rotates the intake fan of the intake blower 6. The rotational speed of the intake fan can be set to any one of the first speed (20 Hz), second speed (25 Hz), third speed (30 Hz), fourth speed (35 Hz), fifth speed (40 Hz), sixth speed (45 Hz), seventh speed (50 Hz), eighth speed (55 Hz), and ninth speed (60 Hz). Note that the frequencies in parentheses refer to the drive frequencies of the motor that rotates the intake fan, that is, the frequencies of the AC voltage output from the blower inverter 6a.

[0051] The intake target temperature is the target value of the temperature of the air (intake air temperature) supplied into the treatment tank 1 by the intake blower 6. The control unit COM controls the energization of the intake heater BH by controlling the intake heater switch BHa so that the intake air temperature becomes the intake target temperature.

[0052] The above control parameters are stored in the storage unit 40 for each control mode. Note that the setting of the control parameters in each control mode shown in FIG. 5 is the basic setting, and here it is also called the "standard steady operation setting".

[0053] Next, the control of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 based on the above-described plurality of control modes will be described. Here, it is targeted to ferment and dry the object to be treated so that the weight of the object to be treated is reduced by 80% from the weight at the time of input. The target reduction rate (80% as described above) in this case is also called the set reduction rate.

[0054] FIG. 6 is a graph showing the change in the mass ratio of the object to be processed under control when the input weight of the object to be processed belongs to the "medium" category. When the control unit COM determines that the input weight of the object to be processed belongs to the "medium" category based on the detection by the weight sensor Ws (see FIG. 4), it sequentially executes the control modes M1 to M3 in FIG. 5. Specifically, it is as follows. When executing the control modes M1 to M3, the time a on the horizontal axis in FIG. 6 indicates the end time of the operation of control mode M1 (4 hours after the start of operation). Also, the time b on the horizontal axis refers to the time obtained by adding the operation time of control mode M2 (16 hours) to time a (20 hours after the start of operation). Also, the mass ratio on the vertical axis in FIG. 6 is the ratio of the weight of the object to be processed detected by the weight sensor Ws to the weight at the time of input, converted into a ratio of mass. Therefore, a mass ratio of 100% of the object to be processed corresponds to the input weight itself.

[0055] When the object to be processed is put into the processing tank 1 and the operation start switch SW4 (see FIG. 4) is pressed, the control unit COM executes control mode M1 as the initial mode. That is, the control unit COM drives the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX under the heat supply conditions and stirring conditions indicated by each control parameter of control mode M1 in FIG. 5. Specifically, the above heat supply conditions are: intake air speed: 7 speeds (50 Hz), intake air heater used, intake air target temperature: 100 ° C, tank heater used, tank heater temperature: 70 ° C. The above stirring conditions are specifically: stirring time: 4 hours, stirring speed: 4 speeds (40 Hz), stirring intermittent stop time: 0 minutes. That is, stirring is performed continuously.

[0056] In the initial mode, due to the continuous operation of the stirrer MX, the object to be processed put into the processing tank 1 is uniformly stirred. As a result, the fermentation and drying of the object to be processed proceed. Moreover, since the object to be processed is stirred under a predetermined heat supply amount according to the above heat supply conditions, the weight reduction of the object to be processed due to drying is large. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, in the initial mode, the slope of the graph showing the mass change of the object to be processed becomes large (the weight reduction of the object to be processed with respect to the passage of time is large).

[0057] When the operation in control mode M1 ends (when 4 hours have elapsed since the start of the operation), the control unit COM executes control mode M2 as the mid-term mode. That is, the control unit COM drives the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX under the heat supply conditions and stirring conditions indicated by the respective control parameters of control mode M2 in FIG. 5. Specifically, the heat supply conditions are as follows: intake air speed; 1 speed (20 Hz), intake air heater used, intake air target temperature; 100 °C, tank heater used, tank heater temperature; 70 °C. That is, in the mid-term mode, since the intake air speed is slower than in the initial mode, the heat supply amount is less than in the initial mode. The stirring conditions are specifically as follows: stirring time; 16 hours, stirring speed; 4 speeds (40 Hz), stirring intermittent operation time; 15 minutes (per hour), stirring intermittent stop time; 45 minutes (per hour). That is, stirring is performed intermittently.

[0058] In the mid-term mode, due to the intermittent operation of the stirrer MX, the fermentation of the object to be processed is promoted while the stirring is stopped. Also, since the heat supply amount is less than in the initial mode, the weight reduction (excessive drying) of the object to be processed due to drying is suppressed, and thereby the power consumption is also suppressed. Note that in the mid-term mode, since the heat supply amount is less than in the initial mode, the slope of the graph showing the mass change of the object to be processed becomes gentler compared to the initial mode (the weight reduction of the object to be processed over time is smaller than in the initial mode).

[0059] When the operation in control mode M2 ends (when 20 hours have elapsed since the start of the operation), the control unit COM executes control mode M3 as the late-term mode. That is, the control unit COM drives the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX under the heat supply conditions and stirring conditions indicated by the respective control parameters of control mode M3 in FIG. 5. Specifically, the heat supply conditions are as follows: intake air speed; 7 speeds (50 Hz), intake air heater used, intake air target temperature; 100 °C, tank heater used, tank heater temperature; 70 °C. That is, since the heat supply conditions in the late-term mode are the same as in the initial mode, the heat supply amount is also the same as in the initial mode. Stirring time; 4 hours, stirring speed; 4 speeds (40 Hz), stirring intermittent stop time; 0 minutes. That is, stirring is continuously performed under the same stirring conditions as in the initial mode.

[0060] In the later stage mode, by continuously operating the stirrer under an appropriate heat supply amount, the final adjustment of the moisture content of the object to be processed is performed. As a result, the object to be processed is reduced in weight to a weight corresponding to the set weight reduction rate (80%) (20% of the input weight). That is, at the end of the later stage mode, the weight of the object to be processed reaches the weight corresponding to the set weight reduction rate. Therefore, since drying down to a weight below the weight corresponding to the set weight reduction rate is suppressed, wasteful power consumption due to over-drying of the object to be processed is suppressed.

[0061] In the above, the control when the input weight of the object to be processed belongs to the "medium" category has been described. However, for the case where the input weight belongs to other categories, each part of the fermentation processing apparatus 100 may be controlled based on a plurality of control modes corresponding to the other categories.

[0062] Note that when the input weight is "light" or "lightest", as shown in FIG. 5, in the control modes L3 or N3 as the later stage mode, the operation time of the stirrer MX is 0 hours, so the later stage mode is not executed. This is because when the input weight is "light" or "lightest", the original weight of the object to be processed is small. Therefore, by executing the middle stage mode relatively longer, the object to be processed can be appropriately fermented and dried without executing the later stage mode, and the weight of the object to be processed can be reduced to the weight corresponding to the set weight reduction rate.

[0063] In the above, an example has been described in which the input weight of the object to be processed is divided into five categories, and for each category, the initial mode, the middle stage mode, and the later stage mode are set. However, the number of categories may be one, or may be a plurality other than five.

[0064] For example, FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a plurality of control modes executed by the control unit COM. In FIG. 7, the input weight of the object to be processed is classified into three categories: "heavy", "medium", and "light", and an example is shown in which an initial mode, a middle mode, and a final mode are set for each category. As shown in the figure, even if the number of categories is three, control parameters for the initial mode, the middle mode, and the final mode are set for each category, and the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX may be driven respectively under the heat supply conditions and the stirring conditions indicated by each control parameter.

[0065] In the example of FIG. 7, in the middle mode when the input weight of the object to be processed is "heavy", the operation time of the stirrer MX is 0 hour. In this case, the control unit COM executes the initial mode and the final mode. In the final mode, since the intake air target temperature is lower than that in the initial mode, the heat supply amount can be reduced compared to the initial mode, suppressing excessive drying of the object to be processed and suppressing wasteful power consumption. Also, even though the heat supply amount in the final mode is less than that in the initial mode, it was confirmed that at the end of the final mode, the weight of the object to be processed was reduced to the weight corresponding to the set weight reduction rate. This is presumably because the operation time of the final mode is longer than that of the initial mode, and even if the heat supply amount in the final mode is small, the weight reduction due to drying of the object to be processed is sufficiently performed.

[0066] As described above, after executing the initial mode, the control unit COM executes at least one of the middle mode and the final mode. Thereby, while appropriately performing the fermentation and drying of the object to be processed, it is possible to suppress wasteful energy consumption due to excessive drying of the object to be processed. That is, while realizing an optimal fermentation environment, it is possible to appropriately perform the weight reduction to the set weight reduction rate due to drying of the object to be processed, and to realize the fermentation processing apparatus 100 having excellent energy saving performance (saving of electricity cost).

[0067] In particular, the control unit COM executes a plurality of control modes corresponding to the category to which the input weight of the object to be processed belongs. That is, the control unit COM executes at least one of an initial mode corresponding to the above category, a middle mode corresponding to the above category, and a final mode corresponding to the above category. In this case, based on a plurality of control modes according to the input weight of the object to be processed, the stirrer MX and the heat supply unit TS are driven. Therefore, regardless of the input weight of the object to be processed (regardless of the magnitude of the input weight), fermentation and drying of the object to be processed are appropriately performed in the treatment tank 1. Also, regardless of the magnitude of the input weight, wasteful energy consumption due to excessive drying of the object to be processed can be suppressed.

[0068] In the configuration where the heat supply unit TS includes the intake blower 6 as a blower device and the intake heater BH as in the present embodiment, the control unit COM controls (adjusts) the driving speed (rotation speed of the intake fan) of the intake blower 6 as shown in FIG. 5 in each of the plurality of control modes to control the heat supply amount. By adjusting the driving speed of the intake blower 6, it becomes easy to adjust the heat supply amount. Therefore, it becomes easy to supply heat to the object to be processed with an optimal heat supply amount according to the input weight of the object to be processed.

[0069] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of control parameters in a plurality of control modes. In FIG. 8, control parameters different from those in FIG. 5 are shown in bold and thick frames (the same method of notation will be used in the following drawings unless otherwise specified). As shown in FIG. 8, the heat supply amount can also be changed by changing the driving speed of the intake blower 6 in the initial mode, the middle mode, and the final mode. Even when each control mode is executed in such a way of changing the heat supply amount, the same effects as those obtained when each control mode shown in FIG. 5 is executed can be obtained.

[0070] Incidentally, in the configuration where the heat supply unit TS includes the tank heaters (the first tank heater TH1 and the second tank heater TH2) as in the present embodiment, the control unit COM may control the heat supply amount by controlling the temperature of the tank heaters in each of the plurality of control modes. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of control parameters in the plurality of control modes executed by the control unit COM. In the example of FIG. 9, in the middle stage mode and the late stage mode of each section, the temperature of the tank heaters (the first tank heater TH1 and the second tank heater TH2) is lowered below the setting in FIG. 5, and at the same time, the intake target temperature is also lowered below the setting in FIG. 5.

[0071] As shown in FIG. 9, in the plurality of control modes of each section, the heat supply amount can also be changed by changing the temperature of the tank heaters. Even when each control mode is executed in such a way of changing the heat supply amount, the same effects as those obtained when each control mode shown in FIG. 5 is executed can be obtained.

[0072] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of control parameters in the plurality of control modes executed by the control unit COM. In the example of FIG. 10, in any one of the control modes of each section, the stirring speed of the stirrer MX is made different from the setting in FIG. 5.

[0073] Further, FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of the above control parameters. In the example of FIG. 11, in any one of the control modes of each section, the stirring speed and the operation time of the stirrer MX are made different from the setting in FIG. 5.

[0074] In FIG. 5, in the initial mode, the middle stage mode, and the late stage mode, the stirring speed is kept constant and the operation time is changed. In FIG. 10, in the initial mode, the middle stage mode, and the late stage mode, the operation time is the same as that in FIG. 5 and the stirring speed is changed. In FIG. 11, in the initial mode, the middle stage mode, and the late stage mode, both the operation time and the stirring speed are changed. Even when each control mode is executed by changing the stirring conditions as in FIGS. 10 and 11, the same effects as those obtained when each control mode in FIG. 5 is executed can be obtained.

[0075] From the above, from the perspective of stirring the object to be processed under optimal stirring conditions according to the input weight of the object to be processed and appropriately fermenting and drying the object to be processed in the treatment tank 1, it can be said that the control unit COM may control at least one of the stirring speed and the operation time of the stirrer MX in each of the plurality of control modes.

[0076] Further, FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of control parameters in a plurality of control modes executed by the control unit COM. In the example of FIG. 12, in any of the control modes for each section, the operation time (stirring condition) of the stirrer MX and the temperature of the tank heater (heat supply amount) are made different from the settings in FIG. 5. Further, in FIG. 12, in the control mode where the temperature of the tank heater is lowered compared to the setting in FIG. 5, the intake target temperature is also lowered compared to the setting in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 12, even when each control mode is executed by changing both the stirring condition and the heat supply amount from the basic setting in FIG. 5, the same effect as when each control mode in FIG. 5 is executed can be obtained.

[0077] [4. Control Based on the Weight Reduction Rate] In the configuration where the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 is provided with the weight sensor Ws as in the present embodiment, the control unit COM can automatically measure the input weight of the object to be processed into the treatment tank 1 by the weight sensor Ws and execute a plurality of control modes corresponding to the measured input weight classification. Therefore, it is not necessary for the operator who inputs the object to be processed into the treatment tank 1 to grasp the input weight in advance, nor is it necessary for the operator to manually input the input weight.

[0078] Further, depending on the type of the object to be processed, the temperature state at the time of input of the object to be processed (whether it was in a frozen state or at room temperature), etc., even when the same control is performed, the way (degree) of weight reduction of the object to be processed may be different. In the present embodiment, since the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 is provided with the weight sensor Ws, the weight of the object to be processed after input can be monitored by the weight sensor Ws. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform control to change the conditions during the process to achieve the target weight reduction based on the degree of weight reduction. Hereinafter, an example of such control will be described.

[0079] FIG. 13 shows a graph a0 showing an example of the mass change of the object to be processed when the object to be processed is fermented and dried by the process based on the control modes M1 to M3 of FIG. 5, and a graph a1 showing an example of the mass change of the object to be processed when the process is performed by changing the control parameters of the control modes M2 and M3 halfway. Here, as an example of the control parameter, the operation time of the stirrer MX is considered. Note that the graph a0 is a reference graph assumed when processing is performed on the object to be processed belonging to the category of "medium" in weight, and is the same graph as FIG. 6. This graph a0 is also referred to as an assumed weight reduction characteristic graph.

[0080] First, at the end of the initial mode (control mode M1), the control unit COM determines (predicts) whether or not the weight W of the object to be processed reaches the weight Wf corresponding to the set weight reduction rate R at the end of the final mode (here, the late stage mode) based on the weight W of the object to be processed measured by the weight sensor Ws and the set weight reduction rate R. Note that the weight Wf is expressed as Wf = Wa(1 - R), where Wa is the weight of the object to be processed at the time of input.

[0081] For example, assume that the set weight reduction rate R is 80% and the planned weight (weight on the graph a0) of the object to be processed at the end of the initial mode is W0 (N). If the weight measured by the weight sensor Ws at the end of the initial mode is a weight W1 (N) less than the planned weight W0, it means that the weight reduction due to the drying of the object to be processed has progressed more than planned. Therefore, if the process proceeds as planned from here, it is predicted that at the end of the late stage mode, the weight W of the object to be processed will further fall below the weight Wf, that is, the object to be processed will be over-dried.

[0082] Therefore, in this case, the control unit COM, for example, extends the operation time of the intermediate mode until the time b1 (>b) from the start of the process, and shortens the operation time of the late mode by (b1 - b). In the intermediate mode, the heat supply amount is less than that in the initial mode. For this reason, by extending the intermediate mode and shortening the late mode, the progress (weight reduction) of the drying of the object to be processed is delayed, and the weight W of the object to be processed can reach the weight Wf at the timing of the end of the late mode (see graph a1). That is, at the end of the late mode, the weight W of the object to be processed can be prevented from falling below the weight Wf. As a result, over-drying of the object to be processed can be reliably suppressed, and wasteful energy consumption due to over-drying can be reliably suppressed.

[0083] Further, FIG. 14 is a diagram showing together the graph a0 of FIG. 13 and another example of the mass change of the object to be processed when the control parameters of the control modes M2 and M3 are changed halfway through the process, which is the graph a2. When the weight measured by the weight sensor Ws at the end of the initial mode is a weight W2 (N) greater than the planned weight W0, the weight reduction due to the drying of the object to be processed has not progressed more than planned. Therefore, even if the process proceeds as planned from here, it is predicted that the weight W of the object to be processed will not reach the weight Wf at the end of the late mode, and the desired weight reduction will not be performed.

[0084] Therefore, in this case, the control unit COM, for example, shortens the operation time of the intermediate mode to the time b2 (<b) from the start of the process, and shortens the operation time of the late mode by (b - b2). In the late intermediate mode, the heat supply amount is more than that in the intermediate mode. For this reason, by shortening the intermediate mode and extending the late mode, the drying (weight reduction) of the object to be processed is advanced, and the weight W of the object to be processed can reach the weight Wf at the timing of the end of the late mode (see graph a2). That is, the object to be processed can be reliably reduced in weight (dried) to the weight Wf corresponding to the set weight reduction rate R.

[0085] In the above, an example was described in which the operation time of the stirrer MX in the middle stage mode and the late stage mode was adjusted so that the weight W of the object to be processed reached the weight Wf at the end of the final mode. However, in addition to the above operation time, the same effect can also be obtained by adjusting the stirring speed of the stirrer MX or the amount of heat supplied by the heat supply unit TS.

[0086] For example, in the example of FIG. 13, in the middle stage mode, instead of extending the operation time, the stirring speed may be decreased or the amount of heat supplied may be decreased compared to the set value (the control parameter set first). The decrease in the amount of heat supplied can be realized by a decrease in the driving speed of the intake blower 6, a decrease in the temperature of the tank heater, etc. On the other hand, in the example of FIG. 14, in the middle stage mode, instead of shortening the operation time, the stirring speed may be increased or the amount of heat supplied may be increased compared to the set value. The increase in the amount of heat supplied can be realized by an increase in the driving speed of the intake blower 6, an increase in the temperature of the tank heater, etc.

[0087] Also, in the above, an example of control when the final mode of the process is the late stage mode was described. However, when the late stage mode is not performed, such as when the weight classification is "light" and "lightest", that is, when the final mode of the process becomes the middle stage mode, by adjusting at least any one of the operation time, stirring speed, and amount of heat supplied in the middle stage mode, the same effect as above can be obtained.

[0088] From the above, it can be said that the control unit COM, at the end of the initial mode, based on the weight W of the object to be processed measured by the weight sensor Ws and the set reduction rate R, determines whether the weight W of the object to be processed reaches the weight Wf corresponding to the set reduction rate R at the end of the final mode, which is either the middle stage mode or the late stage mode. If it is determined that it does not reach, at least any one of the amount of heat supplied, the stirring speed of the stirrer MX, and the operation time in the middle stage mode or the late stage mode may be adjusted so that the weight W of the object to be processed reaches the weight Wf corresponding to the set reduction rate R at the end of the final mode.

[0089] 〔5. Regarding power-saving operation〕 FIG. 15 is a diagram showing together the graph a0 in FIG. 13 and a graph a3 showing an example of the mass change of the object to be processed when the power saving mode is executed during the process. For example, when processing an object to be processed that is likely to dry in the fermentation processing apparatus 100, the mass change of the object to be processed may deviate significantly from the reference graph a0 (assumed weight loss characteristic graph). In the graph a3 of FIG. 15, at the time point T1 when the mid-term mode ends, the weight W of the object to be processed has reached the weight Wf. Depending on the type of the object to be processed, the time point T1 may be earlier than the end time point of the mid-term mode, or may be later than the above end time point.

[0090] Therefore, in this case, at the time point T1 when the weight W of the object to be processed measured by the weight sensor Ws reaches the weight Wf corresponding to the set weight loss rate R, the control unit COM may execute a power saving mode in which the heat supply amount is reduced from the time point T1 (preferably from the late mode). As the power saving mode, for example, it is conceivable to turn off at least one of the intake heater BH and the tank heater. As described above, by executing the power saving mode at the time point T1 when the weight W of the object to be processed reaches the weight Wf, the drying and energy consumption of the object to be processed after the time point T1 can be minimized.

[0091] 〔6. Regarding high load operation〕 FIG. 16 is a diagram showing together the graph a0 in FIG. 13 and a graph a4 showing an example of the mass change of the object to be processed when the high load mode is executed during the process. For example, when processing an object to be processed that is difficult to dry in the fermentation processing apparatus 100, the mass change of the object to be processed may deviate significantly from the reference graph a0 (assumed weight loss characteristic graph). In the graph a4 of FIG. 16, at the time point T1 (= start time point of the late mode) when the mid-term mode ends, the weight W of the object to be processed is a weight W4 that is larger than the weight W3 on the reference graph a0. Therefore, even if the processing proceeds as planned, it is predicted that the weight W of the object to be processed will not reach the weight Wf at the end of the late mode and the desired weight loss will not be achieved.

[0092] Therefore, in this case, it is desirable for the control unit COM to switch to an operation mode with a higher load than the late-stage mode at the start of the late-stage mode. The operation mode with a higher load can be realized by further increasing the heat supply amount compared to the late-stage mode. Specifically, by increasing the driving speed of the intake blower 6 more than in the late-stage mode, raising the temperature of the tank heater more than in the late-stage mode, etc., an operation mode with a higher load than the late-stage mode can be realized.

[0093] By executing such an operation mode with a higher load, the weight W of the object to be processed can reach the weight Wf at the end of the late-stage mode. That is, even when using an object to be processed for which drying is difficult to progress, the weight of the object to be processed can be reduced to the target weight Wf.

[0094] From the above, the control unit COM, at the start of the late-stage mode, based on the weight W of the object to be processed measured by the weight sensor Ws and the set reduction rate R, determines whether the weight W of the object to be processed reaches the weight Wf corresponding to the set reduction rate R at the end of the late-stage mode. If it is determined that it does not reach, it can be said that it is desirable to switch to an operation mode with a higher load than the late-stage mode.

[0095] 〔7. Control for Each Season and Installation Region〕 FIGS. 17 to 20 are explanatory diagrams showing an example of control parameters corresponding to each season (spring, summer, autumn, winter) during the operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 when the installation region A of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 is an arbitrary region (for example, Osaka Prefecture). Note that the boldface and thick frames in FIG. 18 indicate parts different from the control parameters (set values) shown in FIG. 17. Similarly, the boldface and thick frames in FIG. 19 indicate parts different from the control parameters shown in FIG. 18, and the boldface and thick frames in FIG. 20 indicate parts different from the control parameters shown in FIG. 19.

[0096] The control parameters shown in FIGS. 17 to 20 may be stored in the storage unit 40 shown in FIG. 4. Further, the control parameters for each season during the operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 may be prepared for each installation area of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 and stored in the storage unit 40. That is, in a configuration where the storage unit 40 stores control parameters indicating the heat supply conditions of the heat supply unit TS and the stirring conditions of the stirrer MX in a plurality of control modes (initial, middle, and late modes for each weight category), the control parameters may be set corresponding to each of the four seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter and the installation area of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100.

[0097] In this case, the control unit COM can select, from the storage unit 40, control parameters corresponding to the season and the installation area during the operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100, and control the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX based on the plurality of control modes having the selected control parameters.

[0098] Here, information on the installation area of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 is stored in the storage unit 40 by an operator operating the touch panel of the display device 30 in advance and inputting it. Therefore, the control unit COM can select, from the storage unit 40, control parameters corresponding to the installation area based on the installation area information stored in the storage unit 40.

[0099] Further, in the timer unit TI (see FIG. 4) of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100, current date and time information is managed. Therefore, the control unit COM can automatically recognize the season during the operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 from the current date and time information. For example, based on the above date and time information, the control unit COM can recognize spring from March 1 to May 31, summer from June 1 to August 31, autumn from September 1 to November 30, and winter from December 1 to February 28 (or February 29). Thus, the control unit COM can select, from the storage unit 40, control parameters corresponding to the above season based on the above date and time information.

[0100] Note that the control unit COM may recognize the current season based on the data of the current outside air temperature detected by the outside air temperature sensor OTs (see FIG. 4) and the average temperature data for each season in the installation area. For example, the control unit COM may determine whether the difference between the data of the current (during operation) outside air temperature and the average temperature data of spring in the installation area is within a predetermined range. If it is within the predetermined range, it may be recognized that the current season is spring. For other seasons (summer, autumn, winter), they can be recognized by the same method as above. Also, as another method, an operator may operate the touch panel of the display device 30 to directly input information on the current season, and the control unit COM may recognize the current season based on the input information.

[0101] The specific control in each season is as follows. For example, when the season in the current installation area A is spring, the control unit COM selects (extracts) the control data shown in FIG. 17 from the storage unit 40 and controls the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX based on a plurality of control modes (initial mode, middle mode, final mode) corresponding to the weight classification of any of the objects to be processed in FIG. 17. When the season in the current installation area A is summer, the control unit COM selects the control data shown in FIG. 18 from the storage unit 40 and controls the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX based on a plurality of control modes corresponding to the weight classification of any of the objects to be processed in FIG. 18. When the season in the current installation area A is autumn, the control unit COM selects the control data shown in FIG. 19 from the storage unit 40 and controls the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX based on a plurality of control modes corresponding to the weight classification of any of the objects to be processed in FIG. 19. When the season in the current installation area A is winter, the control unit COM selects the control data shown in FIG. 20 from the storage unit 40 and controls the heat supply unit TS and the stirrer MX based on a plurality of control modes corresponding to the weight classification of any of the objects to be processed in FIG. 20.

[0102] At the transition from winter to spring and from spring to summer, the average temperature rises. Therefore, when the current season is spring or summer, by operating the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 using the control parameters shown in FIG. 17 or FIG. 18, while suppressing excessive power consumption in the intake blower 6 and the heaters (intake heater BH, first tank heater TH1, second tank heater TH2), it is possible to suppress excessive drying of the object to be treated and maintain a temperature and moisture content at which the bacteria in the treatment tank 1 can easily ferment. Also, when the object to be treated is excessively dried and the moisture content decreases, a part of the object to be treated comes out of the treatment tank 1 as powder, and this powder becomes a factor causing clogging in the filter section 7 (see FIG. 2) (clogging is particularly likely to occur from winter to spring). Suppressing excessive drying of the object to be treated as described above also leads to suppressing a decrease in the moisture content and suppressing clogging of the filter section 7.

[0103] Also, at the transition from spring to summer, in addition to the temperature, the humidity also rises. In particular, in a state where the humidity is high after the onset of the rainy season, the moisture in the treatment tank 1 may not be able to escape completely. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 18, by increasing the speed (air volume) of the intake blower 6 compared to the case of FIG. 17, it is possible to make the state such that moisture easily escapes from the object to be treated and appropriately dry the object to be treated.

[0104] At the transition from summer to autumn and from autumn to winter, the average temperature drops, so the state becomes such that bacteria are less likely to ferment (a state of being too wet). When the current season is autumn or winter, by operating the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 using the control parameters shown in FIG. 19 or FIG. 20, for the object to be treated that is particularly heavy, it is possible to increase the heat supply amount (tank heater temperature) and maintain an appropriate temperature and moisture content that do not inhibit decomposition by bacteria. Also, at the transition from summer to autumn, the temperature change between day and night becomes large, the outside air humidity also decreases, and the moisture in the object to be treated in the treatment tank 1 easily escapes. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19, by reducing the air volume of the intake blower 6 compared to summer, it is possible to prevent excessive drying (escape of moisture) of the object to be treated.

[0105] As described above, by operating the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 using control parameters according to the installation area and season, it is possible to appropriately ferment and dry the object to be treated for each installation area and season.

[0106] In addition, since the outside air temperature and humidity differ for each installation area of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100, the necessary (minimum) heat supply amount for fermenting and drying the object to be treated also differs for each installation area. For example, between Hokkaido and Kyushu in winter, the heat supply amounts necessary for fermenting and drying the object to be treated are clearly different. As described above, by storing control parameters corresponding to each installation area in the storage unit 40 and making it possible to select control parameters according to the installation area, the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 can be operated with control parameters suitable for the installation area, and the object to be treated can be fermented and dried with the minimum necessary heat supply amount. That is, energy savings can be appropriately achieved for each installation area.

[0107] [8. Regarding Control at the Initial Introduction Stage] FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing still another example of control parameters in a plurality of control modes executed by the control unit COM. The setting of the control parameters in each control mode shown in FIG. 21 is also called the "standard reset after operation setting" with respect to the "standard steady operation setting" in FIG. 5.

[0108] At the initial introduction stage of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 and after cleaning the inside of the treatment tank 1 during maintenance of the fermentation treatment apparatus 100, in addition to bacteria (for example, aerobic bacteria) in the treatment tank 1, auxiliary materials (for example, "sawdust") are added and treatment (fermentation, drying) is performed. Since the auxiliary materials have high water absorption, by adding the auxiliary materials, it is possible to secure the amount of water necessary for the fermentation of the bacteria and secure an appropriate fermentation environment. In addition, by adding the auxiliary materials, it is also possible to adjust the density of the object to be treated in the treatment tank 1 and improve the stirring efficiency.

[0109] Thus, at the initial stage of introducing the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 or the like, auxiliary materials are introduced into the treatment tank 1 for the purpose of moisture adjustment or the like as described above. For this reason, it is desirable to suppress the heat supply amount for a certain period after the object to be treated is first introduced into the treatment tank 1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit COM, after introducing the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 or after maintenance, first introduces the object to be treated into the treatment tank 1 and operates the fermentation treatment apparatus 100, and then, for a predetermined period, makes the heat supply amounts in a plurality of control modes lower than the maximum value of the set values after the elapse of the predetermined period.

[0110] For example, as shown in FIG. 21, the control unit COM, after introducing the fermentation treatment apparatus 100, for a predetermined period (for example, one week) after operating the fermentation treatment apparatus 100, makes the intake target temperature, which is an example of the heat supply amounts in a plurality of control modes, lower than 100°C, which is the maximum value of the set values after the elapse of the predetermined period (the set values of "standard steady operation setting" in FIG. 5). Note that for the control modes N2 and N3 of "standard steady operation setting" in FIG. 5, the intake target temperature is set to 55°C, which is lower than 100°C. Since the intake target temperature is sufficiently low, there is no need to change the setting of the intake target temperature (the moisture amount can be sufficiently ensured without further lowering the intake target temperature). For this reason, in the "standard reset operation setting" in FIG. 21, for control modes other than the control modes N2 and N3, the intake target temperature is set to 90°C, which is lower than 100°C. In addition to lowering the intake target temperature, the driving speed of the intake blower 6 or the temperature of the tank heater may be lowered compared to the setting in FIG. 5.

[0111] Thus, at the initial stage of introducing the fermentation treatment apparatus 100 or the like, by lowering the heat supply amount for a predetermined period, a tank environment suitable for exerting the functions of the auxiliary materials (moisture adjustment, density adjustment, improvement of stirring efficiency) is surely realized.

[0112] [9. Supplementary Note] The fermentation treatment apparatus 100 described in the present embodiment can also be expressed as the fermentation treatment apparatus shown in the following supplementary note.

[0113] The fermentation treatment apparatus of Supplementary Note (1) is A treatment tank into which an object to be treated is introduced, A stirrer for stirring the object to be treated in the treatment tank, A heat supply unit for supplying heat to the object to be treated in the treatment tank, A control unit for driving the stirrer and the heat supply unit respectively based on a plurality of control modes, The plurality of control modes are An initial mode in which the stirrer is continuously operated under a predetermined heat supply amount by the heat supply unit, A middle mode in which the stirrer is intermittently operated under a heat supply amount less than that in the initial mode, A late mode in which the stirrer is continuously or intermittently operated under a heat supply amount equal to or less than the predetermined heat supply amount in the initial mode, After executing the initial mode, the control unit executes at least one of the middle mode and the late mode.

[0114] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (2) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (1), The plurality of control modes are set for each of a plurality of sections classified according to the input weight of the object to be treated into the treatment tank, The control unit executes the plurality of control modes corresponding to the section to which the input weight of the object to be treated belongs.

[0115] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (3) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (2), The heat supply unit is A blower for supplying gas into the treatment tank, An intake heater for heating the gas supplied into the treatment tank by the blower, In each of the plurality of control modes, the control unit controls the heat supply amount by controlling the driving speed of the blower.

[0116] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (4) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (2) or (3), The heat supply unit is including a tank heater for heating the treatment tank, In each of the plurality of control modes, the control unit controls the amount of heat supplied by controlling the temperature of the tank heater.

[0117] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (5) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes (2) to (4), In each of the plurality of control modes, the control unit controls at least one of the stirring speed and the operation time of the stirrer.

[0118] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (6) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes (2) to (5), further comprising a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the object to be treated in the treatment tank.

[0119] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (7) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (6), At the end of the initial mode, the control unit determines whether or not the weight of the object to be treated reaches the weight corresponding to the set reduction rate at the end of the final mode, which is either the middle mode or the late mode, based on the weight of the object to be treated measured by the weight sensor and the set reduction rate. If it is determined that the weight does not reach the set reduction rate, at least one of the amount of heat supplied, the stirring speed of the stirrer, and the operation time is adjusted during the middle mode or the late mode so that the weight of the object to be treated reaches the weight corresponding to the set reduction rate at the end of the final mode.

[0120] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (8) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (6) or (7), When the weight of the object to be treated measured by the weight sensor reaches the weight corresponding to the set reduction rate, the control unit executes a power-saving mode in which the amount of heat supplied is reduced from that time point.

[0121] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (9) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes (6) to (8), At the start of the late stage mode, the control unit determines, based on the weight of the object to be processed measured by the weight sensor and the set weight loss rate, whether the weight of the object to be processed reaches the weight corresponding to the set weight loss rate at the end of the late stage mode. If it is determined that the weight does not reach the corresponding weight, the control unit switches to an operation mode with a higher load than the late stage mode.

[0122] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (10) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes (1) to (9), further comprising a storage unit that stores control parameters indicating the heat supply conditions of the heat supply unit and the stirring conditions of the stirrer in the plurality of control modes, the control parameters stored in the storage unit are set corresponding to each season of spring, summer, autumn, and winter and the installation area of the fermentation treatment apparatus, the control unit selects, from the storage unit, the control parameters corresponding to the season during operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus and the installation area, and controls the heat supply unit and the stirrer based on the plurality of control modes having the selected control parameters.

[0123] The fermentation treatment apparatus according to supplementary note (11) is the fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of supplementary notes (1) to (10), after the introduction or maintenance of the fermentation treatment apparatus, when the object to be processed is first put into the treatment tank and the fermentation treatment apparatus is operated, the control unit makes the heat supply amount in the plurality of control modes lower than the maximum value of the set value after the elapse of the predetermined period.

[0124] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, and it can be implemented with expansion or modification without departing from the gist of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0125] The present invention can be used for a fermentation treatment apparatus that ferments and dries objects to be processed such as food waste.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0126] 1 Processing tank 2 Rotating shaft (agitator) 3 Stirring blades (agitator) 6 Intake blower (heat supply unit, air blower) 40 Memory unit 100 Fermentation processing device A Installation area BH Intake heater (heat supply unit) COM Control unit H1~H3 Control modes L1~L3 Control modes M1~M3 Control modes N1~N3 Control modes X1~X3 Control modes MX Agitator R Set reduction rate TH1 First tank heater (heat supply unit, tank heater) TH2 Second tank heater (heat supply unit, tank heater) T1 Time point TS Heat supply unit Ws Weight sensor

Claims

1. A treatment tank into which an object to be treated is introduced, A stirrer for stirring the object to be treated in the treatment tank, A heat supply unit for supplying heat to the object to be treated in the treatment tank, A control unit for driving the stirrer and the heat supply unit respectively based on a plurality of control modes, The plurality of control modes are An initial mode in which the stirrer is continuously operated under a predetermined heat supply amount by the heat supply unit, A middle mode in which the stirrer is intermittently operated under a heat supply amount less than that in the initial mode, A late mode in which the stirrer is continuously or intermittently operated under a heat supply amount equal to or less than the predetermined heat supply amount in the initial mode, The control unit executes at least one of the middle mode and the late mode after executing the initial mode. A fermentation treatment apparatus.

2. The plurality of control modes are set for each of a plurality of sections divided according to the input weight of the object to be treated into the treatment tank, The control unit executes the plurality of control modes corresponding to the section to which the input weight of the object to be treated belongs. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The heat supply unit A blower for supplying gas into the treatment tank, An intake heater for heating the gas supplied into the treatment tank by the blower, The control unit controls the heat supply amount by controlling the driving speed of the blower in each of the plurality of control modes. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 2.

4. The heat supply unit Includes a tank heater for heating the treatment tank, The control unit controls the heat supply amount by controlling the temperature of the tank heater in each of the plurality of control modes. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 2.

5. The control unit controls at least one of the stirring speed and the operation time of the stirrer in each of the plurality of control modes. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 2.

6. Further includes a weight sensor for measuring the weight of the object to be treated in the treatment tank. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 2.

7. At the end of the initial mode, the control unit determines, based on the weight of the object to be processed measured by the weight sensor and the set weight loss rate, whether the weight of the object to be processed reaches the weight corresponding to the set weight loss rate at the end of the final mode, which is either the intermediate mode or the late mode. If it is determined that the weight does not reach the set weight loss rate, at least one of the heat supply amount, the stirring speed of the stirrer, and the operation time in the intermediate mode or the late mode is adjusted so that the weight of the object to be processed reaches the weight corresponding to the set weight loss rate at the end of the final mode. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 6.

8. When the weight of the object to be processed measured by the weight sensor reaches the weight corresponding to the set weight loss rate, the control unit executes a power saving mode in which the heat supply amount is reduced from that time point. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 6.

9. At the start of the late mode, the control unit determines, based on the weight of the object to be processed measured by the weight sensor and the set weight loss rate, whether the weight of the object to be processed reaches the weight corresponding to the set weight loss rate at the end of the late mode. If it is determined that the weight does not reach the set weight loss rate, the control unit switches to an operation mode with a higher load than the late mode. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 6.

10. The fermentation treatment apparatus further comprises a storage unit that stores control parameters indicating the heat supply conditions of the heat supply unit and the stirring conditions of the stirrer in the plurality of control modes. The control parameters stored in the storage unit are set corresponding to each season of spring, summer, autumn, and winter and the installation area of the fermentation treatment apparatus. The control unit selects the control parameters corresponding to the season during operation of the fermentation treatment apparatus and the installation area from the storage unit, and controls the heat supply unit and the stirrer based on the plurality of control modes having the selected control parameters. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to claim 1.

11. After the introduction or maintenance of the fermentation treatment apparatus, the control unit makes the heat supply amount in the plurality of control modes lower than the maximum value of the set values after the elapse of a predetermined period, starting from when the object to be processed is first put into the treatment tank and the fermentation treatment apparatus is operated for the predetermined period. The fermentation treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

Images