Fluidization drying device

Abstract

To provide a fluidization drying device suitable for drying coated seeds.SOLUTION: A fluidization drying device includes: a drying tank 4 in which seeds subjected to drying processing are stored; a blowing duct 6 connected to the bottom face side of the drying tank 4; an air blower 8 for supplying air through the blowing duct 6; a heating unit 10 disposed in the blowing duct 6; and a controller for controlling the air blower 8 and the heating unit 10. A drying pattern for drying seeds includes a strong air blowing pattern part for increasing an amount of air to be blown and a weak air blowing pattern part for decreasing an amount of air to be blown. The controller includes pattern adjusting means for adjusting the drying pattern and generating a corrected pattern. The pattern adjusting means adjusts the strong air blowing pattern part of the drying pattern and generates a corrected drying pattern. Operation control means controls air blowing means on the basis of the drying pattern or the corrected drying pattern.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fluidized drying apparatus for drying seeds coated with pesticides or the like.

Background Art

[0002] In rice cultivation, there are two methods: a method of directly sowing seeds in the soil and growing them (direct seeding cultivation), and a method of sowing seeds in a seedling box, growing them until they reach a certain size, and then transplanting the grown seedlings into a paddy field using a transplanter (transplanting cultivation). In the seedling raising for this rice transplanting cultivation, pesticides (such as fungicides) are applied to the nursery soil or in the seedling box to protect the rice from pests and diseases.

[0003] In recent years, due to the increasing environmental problems, there has been a demand for a method of reducing the amount of pesticides used, and such a method of use has been proposed (pesticide registration) by pesticide manufacturers. One of these methods of use is to sow seeds pre-coated with pesticides (such as fungicides) (also referred to as "coated seeds") in a seedling box for seedling raising. In this method of use, instead of applying pesticides to the seedling box, the amount of pesticides used can be significantly reduced (for example, by up to about 90%) by coating the seeds, contributing to the reduction of pesticides, the reduction of empty containers, labor saving (dispersion of labor force), etc., and providing an environmentally friendly method of using pesticides.

[0004] When adopting this method of use, a spreading agent is used to prevent the coated pesticide from dissolving out from the surface of the seeds, and this spreading agent is stirred and mixed with the pesticide and coated on the seed surface. However, when the pesticide is coated with the addition of the spreading agent, the seed surface becomes more adherent and the seeds are more likely to stick together. The same concern also exists even when the spreading agent is not added.

[0005] Therefore, it is also conceivable to dry the coated seeds. As a drying device, a fluidized drying device for drying paddy rice is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This fluidized drying device includes a drying chamber main body for accommodating paddy rice, and hot air is ejected from the bottom surface of the drying chamber main body to fluidize and mix the paddy rice for drying.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, since the above-described fluidized drying device is for drying paddy rice, the entire device is large and suitable for drying a large amount of paddy rice. Therefore, it is not suitable for drying seeds coated with a pesticide (a mixture of a spreading agent and a pesticide), and the realization of a fluidized drying device suitable for drying coated seeds is desired.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a fluidized drying device suitable for drying coated seeds.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The fluidized drying device of the present invention includes a drying treatment tank for accommodating seeds to be dried, a blower duct connected to the bottom surface side of the drying treatment tank, a blowing means for feeding air through the blower duct, a heating means disposed in the blower duct, and a controller for controlling the blowing means and the heating means. The air from the blowing means is heated by the heating means and fed to the drying treatment tank, and the heated air is ejected from the bottom surface side of the drying treatment tank to fluidize the seeds accommodated in the drying treatment tank while drying them. The drying treatment pattern for drying the seeds includes a strong blowing pattern part that increases the blowing volume from the blowing means and a weak blowing pattern part that decreases the blowing volume from the blowing means, and the strong blowing pattern part and the weak blowing pattern part are provided in this order. The controller has pattern adjustment means for adjusting the drying treatment pattern to generate a corrected treatment pattern. The pattern adjustment means adjusts the strong blowing pattern part of the drying treatment pattern to generate the corrected drying treatment pattern, and the operation control means controls at least the blowing means based on the drying treatment pattern or the corrected drying treatment pattern.

[0010] In this fluidized drying apparatus, the overall processing time of the drying treatment pattern is made constant, and the processing time of the strong blowing pattern part is adjusted to be longer (or shorter) by the pattern adjustment means. When the processing time of the strong blowing pattern part is adjusted to be longer (or shorter), the processing time of the weak blowing pattern part is adjusted to be shorter (or longer). By adjusting in this way, the efficiency of the drying treatment operation can be improved.

[0011] Alternatively, the processing time of the weak blowing pattern part of the drying treatment pattern may be made constant. In this case, when the processing time of the strong blowing pattern part is adjusted to be longer (or shorter) by the pattern adjustment means, the overall processing time of the drying treatment pattern is adjusted to be longer (or shorter).

[0012] Also, the drying treatment pattern may include a strong blowing pattern part, a medium blowing pattern part, and a weak blowing pattern part. By including these three blowing pattern parts in this way, the drying treatment of the seeds can be controlled more finely. Furthermore, it is preferable to control the air blowing means and the heating means according to the drying treatment pattern. By doing so, the air blowing flow rate of the air blowing means and the heating amount of the heating means can be adjusted corresponding to the type of seeds and the like, and the flow rate and temperature of the warm air during the drying treatment can be adjusted. In this case, the plurality of drying treatment patterns will include an air blowing control pattern for controlling the air blowing means and a heating control pattern for controlling the heating means.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] According to the fluidized drying apparatus described in claim 1 of the present invention, the drying treatment pattern for drying seeds includes a strong air blowing pattern part with a large air blowing amount and a weak air blowing pattern part with a small air blowing amount, and the strong air blowing pattern part and the weak air blowing pattern part are provided in this order. Then, the pattern adjustment means adjusts this strong air blowing pattern part to generate a modified drying treatment pattern, and the operation control means controls at least the air blowing means based on the drying treatment pattern or the modified drying treatment pattern. Therefore, the air blowing amount can be adjusted with a simple operation, and the seeds can be dried as desired according to the type of seeds, the processing amount of seeds, and the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

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

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a fluidized drying device and a fluidized drying treatment system according to the present invention will be described. First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of the fluidized drying device according to the present invention will be described.

[0016] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the illustrated fluidized drying device 2 includes a drying treatment tank 4 for accommodating seeds S (see FIG. 2) to be dried, a blower duct 6 connected to the bottom of the drying treatment tank 4, a blower 8 (constituting a blowing means) for feeding air through the blower duct 6, and a heating unit 10 for heating the air fed through the blower duct 6.

[0017] The drying treatment tank 4 has a cylindrical treatment tank main body 12, and a bottom wall member 14 is provided on the bottom surface side of the treatment tank main body 12. The bottom wall member 14 is composed of, for example, a punching plate provided with a large number of circular holes 16 (see FIG. 3), and air is blown through the large number of holes 16 of the bottom wall member 14. A first wire mesh 18 is provided on the inner surface side of the bottom wall member 14, and a size of the mesh of the first wire mesh 18 is selected to be smaller than the size of the seeds to be dried. By providing such a first wire mesh 18, it is possible to prevent the seeds S from falling through the large number of holes 16 of the bottom wall member 14.

[0018] The air supply duct 6 includes an inflow portion 20 extending from the air supply blower 8, an outflow portion 22 connected to the bottom of the treatment tank body 12, and a connection portion 24 connecting the inflow portion 20 and the outflow portion 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the inflow portion 20 extends in a fan-shaped manner toward the downstream side, the connection portion 24 extends upward in a cylindrical shape, and the lower end portion of the connection portion 24 is connected to the downstream end portion of the inflow portion 20. Further, the outflow portion 22 extends in a funnel shape so that the inner diameter increases upward, and an annular flange 26 protruding radially outward is provided at the outflow side end portion thereof, and this annular flange 26 functions as a mounting table portion.

[0019] In this embodiment, a ring-shaped member 28 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall member 14 of the treatment tank body 12 (specifically, a portion protruding radially outward from the treatment tank body 12), and the ring-shaped member 26 of the treatment tank body 12 is placed on the upper surface of the annular flange 26 of the air supply duct 6. By mounting and supporting in this way, the air supply duct 6 and the treatment tank body 12 are connected. Although not shown, in order to connect the ring-shaped member 28 of the treatment tank body 12 to the annular flange 26 of the air supply duct 6, for example, a clamp tool (for example, a toggle clamp) well-known per se can be detachably attached.

[0020] The air supply blower 8 is disposed outside the inflow portion 20 of the air supply duct 6, and the air from the air supply blower 8 passes through the air supply duct 6 (the inflow portion 20, the connection portion 24, and the outflow portion 22) as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, and is ejected from a large number of holes 16 in the bottom wall member 14 of the treatment tank body 12 to the seeds S to be dried in the treatment tank body 12.

[0021] The heating unit 10 disposed in the air supply duct 6 includes a plurality (for example, 2 to 3) of heaters 30 (constituting heating means). The air from the air supply blower 8 is heated as it flows around the plurality of heaters 30, and the heated air is fed into the treatment tank body 12 through the air supply duct 6.

[0022] In this embodiment, in order to prevent the seeds S from scattering outside during the drying process, a cover body 32 is attached so as to cover the upper surface opening of the treatment tank body 12. This cover body 32 includes a ring-shaped frame body 34, and a second wire mesh 36 is fixed to the inner surface side of this frame body 34. The size of the mesh of this second wire mesh 36 is selected to be smaller than the size of the seeds S to be dried, similar to the mesh of the first wire mesh 18. By providing such a second wire mesh 36, it is possible to prevent the seeds S from scattering from the upper surface opening of the treatment tank body 12 to the surroundings. Incidentally, although not shown, this cover body 32 can be detachably attached to the upper end portion of the treatment tank body 12 using a clamping tool well-known per se.

[0023] In this embodiment, a pair of first handles 38 are provided at opposing portions of the frame body 34 so that the handling of the cover body 32 (for example, attachment, removal, carrying, etc. of the cover body 32) becomes easy. Further, a pair of second handle portions 40 are provided at opposing portions of the peripheral side wall of the treatment tank body 12 so that the handling of the treatment tank body 12 (for example, attachment, removal, carrying, discharging of the seeds S in the treatment tank body 12, etc.) becomes easy.

[0024] Returning to FIG. 1, this fluidized drying apparatus 2 includes a frame support 42, and the treatment tank body 12, the air duct 6, and the air blower 8 are supported by this frame support 42. The illustrated frame support 42 includes a first support frame portion 44 that supports the treatment tank body 12 and the air duct 6, and a second support frame portion 46 that supports the air blower 8, and the first support frame portion 44 and the second support frame portion 46 are integrally formed. Caster means 48 (only three of them are shown in FIG. 1) are attached to the four corners at the bottom of this frame support 42. For example, by pushing this frame support 42 (and / or the treatment tank body 12), this fluidized drying apparatus 2 can be easily moved.

[0025] This fluidized drying device 2 further includes a box-shaped control panel 50. A controller 52 for controlling the fluidized drying device 2 is built into the control panel 50, and a display device 54 is disposed on its upper surface. As will be understood from the following description, the display device 54 functions as an operation panel 56 and also functions as a display means for displaying seed treatment data described later. This control panel 50 is attached to the upper parts of a pair of intermediate supports 55 that extend upward between the treatment tank main body 12 and the blower 8. A printer 58 is also built into the control panel 50. The printer 58 prints out seed treatment data and the like when the seeds S are dried, and the printed output paper (not shown) is discharged from the discharge port 60 of the control panel 50.

[0026] Mainly referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, when the display device 54 functions as the operation panel 56, various switches are displayed on the screen of the operation panel 56. Specifically, a seed selection switch 62, a throughput selection switch 64, an air volume adjustment switch 66, a start switch 68, a stop switch 70, a data output switch 72, etc. are displayed on the operation panel 56. The seed selection switch 62 is for selecting the type of the seeds S to be dried. For example, it selects the type of the seeds S such as rapeseed, soybean, adzuki bean, etc. The throughput selection switch 64 is for selecting the throughput of the seeds S to be dried. For example, it is selected from three levels: a large throughput, a normal throughput, and a small throughput of the seeds S. The air volume adjustment means 66 is composed of, for example, a combination of an up switch (not shown) for increasing the air volume and a down switch (not shown) for decreasing the air volume. By pressing the up switch, the air volume increases by one level, and by pressing the down switch, the air volume decreases by one level.

[0027] In addition, the start switch 70 is for starting the drying process of the seeds S. When this start switch 70 is pressed, the heating heater 30 and the blower 8 are activated. The stop switch 70 is for stopping the drying process of the seeds S. When this stop switch 70 is pressed, the heating heater 30 and the blower 8 stop operating. Further, separately from the various switches on the screen display of the operation panel 56, a main switch 74 is provided. When this main switch 74 is turned on, power is supplied to the fluidized drying device 2. When this main switch 74 is turned off, the supply of power to the fluidized drying device 2 stops.

[0028] In this embodiment, a first temperature sensor 76, a second temperature sensor 78, and an anemometer 80 are provided to acquire the processing data of the seeds S. For example, the first temperature sensor 76 measures the outlet temperature of the heating unit 10 (heater outlet temperature), the second temperature sensor 88 measures the temperature of the seeds S being dried (seed processing temperature), and the anemometer 80 measures the wind speed of the warm air flowing through the blower 8 (in other words, the air volume). The temperature measurement data of the first and second temperature sensors 76, 78 and the wind speed data of the anemometer 80 are sent to and stored in the controller 52.

[0029] The controller 52 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor and includes a processing pattern selection means 82, a pattern adjustment means 84, an operating time calculation means 86, a processing pattern setting means 88, and an operation control means 90. When, for example, "soybean" is selected as the type of the seeds S by the seed selection switch 62 on the operation panel 56 and "normal" is selected as the processing amount by the processing amount selection switch 64, the processing pattern selection means 82 selects a specific drying processing pattern PT shown in FIG. 5, for example, based on "soybean" selected by the seed selection switch 62 and "normal" selected by the processing amount selection switch 64.

[0030] Referring to Fig. 5, in this embodiment, the plurality of drying treatment patterns P to be selected are composed of a strong blowing pattern part P1 that increases the blowing volume (wind speed h2) from the blower 8 and a weak blowing pattern part P2 that decreases the blowing volume (h1) from the blower 8. The weak blowing pattern part P2 is executed following the strong blowing pattern part P1. In the first half of the drying treatment, the blowing volume from the blower 8 is increased to promote the drying of the coated seeds S, and in the second half, the blowing volume from the blower 8 is decreased to gently dry the coated seeds S. The blowing volume from the blower 8 is controlled to change according to this drying treatment pattern.

[0031] In this embodiment, the heating amount of the heater 30 (heating means) is set to be constant, but it can also be controlled so that the heating amount of the heater 30 changes according to this drying treatment pattern. In this case, in the strong blowing pattern part P1, since the blowing volume is large and the temperature of the warm air tends to drop, it is preferable to control the heating amount of the heater 30 to increase. In the weak blowing pattern part P2, since the blowing volume is small and the temperature of the warm air tends to rise, it is preferable to control the heating amount of the heater 30 to decrease. Instead of controlling the blower 8 and the heater 30 according to the common drying treatment pattern P, a drying treatment pattern PB for the blower 8 and a drying treatment pattern PH for the heater 30 can be created, and the blower 8 can be controlled based on the drying treatment pattern PB, and the heater 30 can be controlled based on the drying treatment pattern PH.

[0032] In the specific drying treatment pattern PT of this embodiment, as can be understood from Fig. 5, the total drying treatment time TT is set to about 10 to 15 minutes (for example, about 12 minutes). When the type of the seeds S is, for example, "seed winnowing", regardless of the size of the processing amount, the total drying treatment time TT is configured to be constant. By configuring in this way, the processing time becomes constant, and the efficiency of the drying operation can be improved.

[0033] In the specific drying process pattern PT of FIG. 5, the time T1 from time t0 to t1 is the strong blowing pattern section P1, and this strong blowing pattern section P1 is set to about 4 minutes, for example. The period from t1 to t2 is the weak blowing pattern section P2, and this weak blowing pattern section P2 is set to about 8 minutes, for example. As for the entire specific drying process pattern PT, the total time TT (TT = P1 + P2) of the time (P1) of the strong blowing pattern section P1 and the subsequent time (P2) of the weak blowing pattern section P2 is about 12 minutes, for example.

[0034] The pattern adjustment means 84 adjusts the specific process pattern PT selected by the process pattern selection means 82 as follows based on the adjustment signal from the air volume adjustment means 66 of the operation panel 56. Referring to FIG. 6, for example, when the air volume adjustment means 66 (for example, the down switch) of the operation panel 56 is operated one step in the air volume decreasing direction, based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the strong blowing pattern section P1 is shortened by one step (for example, 0.5 minutes) and adjusted to the time T11 (for example, 3.5 minutes). As a result, the air volume of the air supplied from the blower 8 decreases. At this time, since the drying process time TT of the specific drying process pattern PT is set to be constant (for example, 12 minutes), the operation time calculation means 86 calculates the time T21 of the weak blowing pattern section P2 based on the corrected time T11 and adjusts it to the time T21 (for example, 8.5 minutes) that is one step (for example, 0.5 minutes) longer. In this way, the corrected specific drying process pattern PT1 is generated.

[0035] In addition, when this air volume adjustment means 66 (for example, the down switch) is operated two steps (or three steps...) in the air volume decreasing direction, based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the strong blowing pattern section P1 is shortened by two steps (or three steps...), for example, 1 minute (or 1.5 minutes...) and adjusted to 3 minutes (or 2.5 minutes...). At this time, the time T2 of the weak blowing pattern section P2 is increased by two steps (or three steps...), for example, 1 minute (or 1.5 minutes...) and adjusted to 9 minutes (or 9.5 minutes...). By adjusting in this way, the air volume from the blower 8 can be further decreased.

[0036] Also, for example, when the air volume adjustment means 66 (e.g., the up switch) of the operation panel 56 is operated one step in the air volume increasing direction, based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the forced air blowing pattern part P1 becomes one step (e.g., 0.5 minutes) longer and is adjusted to the time T12 (e.g., 4.5 minutes). As a result, the air volume of the air supplied from the blower 8 increases. At this time, the operation time calculation means 86 calculates the time T22 of the weak air blowing pattern part P2 based on the corrected time T12, and adjusts it to the time T22 (e.g., 7.5 minutes) which is one step (e.g., 0.5 minutes) shorter. In this way, the corrected specific drying process pattern PT2 is generated.

[0037] In addition, when this air volume adjustment means 66 (e.g., the up switch) is operated two steps (or three steps...) in the air volume increasing direction, based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the forced air blowing pattern part P1 becomes two steps (or three steps...), for example, 1 minute (or 1.5 minutes...) longer and is adjusted to 5 minutes (or 5.5 minutes...). At this time, the time T22 of the weak air blowing pattern part P2 becomes two steps (or three steps...), for example, 1 minute (or 1.5 minutes...) shorter and is adjusted to 7 minutes (or 6.5 minutes...). By adjusting in this way, the air volume from the blower 8 can be further increased.

[0038] The process pattern setting means 88 sets the specific drying process pattern PT (or the corrected corrected specific drying process patterns PT1, PT2) as described later, and the operation control means 90 controls the blower 8 based on the set specific drying process pattern PT (or the corrected specific drying process patterns PT1, PT2). In addition, in this embodiment, the heater 30 is energized with a constant power to generate a predetermined amount of heat, and is not controlled based on the drying process pattern P.

[0039] In this embodiment, the controller 52 further includes data processing means 92, data output means 94, timer means 96, first memory means 98, and second memory means 100. The data processing means 92 processes seed treatment data such as temperature measurement data (heater outlet temperature data and seed treatment temperature data) from the first and second temperature sensors 76 and 78, wind speed measurement data (wind speed data) from the anemometer 80, and the set processing pattern set by the processing pattern setting means 88, and registers the processed data in the second memory means 100.

[0040] In the above-described embodiment, the drying treatment time TT according to the drying treatment pattern P is configured to be constant (for example, 12 minutes), and the air blowing volume is varied by changing the time T1 of the strong blowing pattern section P1 and the time T2 of the weak blowing pattern section P2 within this drying treatment time T0. However, instead of such a configuration, it may be configured as shown in FIG. 7.

[0041] In the adjustment method in FIG. 7, only the strong blowing pattern section P1 of the specific drying treatment pattern PT (drying treatment pattern P) is adjusted, and the weak blowing pattern section P2 is kept at a constant time. In this case, if the time T11 of the strong blowing pattern section P1 becomes shorter, the overall drying treatment time TT1 (TT1 = T11 + T2) becomes shorter, and if the time T12 of the strong blowing pattern section P1 becomes longer, the overall drying treatment time TT2 (TT2 = T12 + T2) becomes longer. In this way, the blowing volume from the blower 8 can also be adjusted. In this case, in addition to the time (T1) of the strong blowing pattern section P1 of the specific drying treatment pattern PT, the time (T2) of the weak blowing pattern section P2 may be adjusted.

[0042] For example, when the air volume adjusting means 66 of the operation panel 56, such as a down switch (or an up switch), is operated one step (e.g., 0.5 minutes) in the air volume decreasing direction (or the air volume increasing direction), based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the forced air blowing pattern section P1 becomes shorter (or longer) by one step, e.g., adjusted to time T11 (or T12), such as 3.5 minutes (or e.g., 4.5 minutes). As a result, the overall drying process time TT1 (or TT2) of the specific drying process pattern PT1 (or PT2) is set to, for example, 11.5 minutes (or 12.5 minutes), and a corrected specific drying process pattern PT1 (or PT2) modified in this way is generated.

[0043] Next, mainly with reference to FIGS. 4 and 8, the flow of the drying process of the seeds S (e.g., rice seeds) by this fluidized bed drying apparatus 2 will be described. As a previous step of this drying process, seeds S to be dried (i.e., coated seeds) are produced. To produce the coated seeds S, for example, a mixer device (not shown) is used. A coating agent (e.g., a mixture of a pesticide and a spreading agent stirred and mixed) and the seeds S (e.g., rice seeds) are put into this mixer device, and the mixer device is operated to stir and mix the seeds S and the coating agent, thereby producing coated seeds with the coating agent adhering to the surface.

[0044] Thereafter, the drying process of the coated seeds S is performed using the fluidized bed drying apparatus 2. When performing this drying process, the main switch 74 is turned on to supply power to the fluidized bed drying apparatus 2 (step S1). Then, the seed selection switch 62 of the operation panel 56 is operated to select the type of the seeds S to be dried, e.g., "rice seeds" (step S2), and further, the throughput selection switch 64 is operated to select the throughput, e.g., "normal" (step S3).

[0045] Then, the processing pattern selection means 82 of the controller 52 selects a specific drying processing pattern PT corresponding to the type of the seeds S and the processing amount thereof from among a plurality of drying processing patterns P registered in the first memory means 98 (step S4). When modifying the selected specific drying processing pattern PT, the process proceeds from step S5 to step S6, and the air volume is adjusted by the pattern adjustment means 84. This adjustment of the air volume is performed so as to shorten (or lengthen) the time T1 of the strong air blowing pattern part P1 of the specific drying processing pattern PT as described above. By such adjustment, a modified specific drying processing pattern PT1 (or PT2) is generated.

[0046] When not adjusting the air volume, the process moves from step S4 to step S7, and the processing pattern setting means 88 sets the specific drying processing pattern PT selected by the processing pattern selection means 82. Also, when adjusting the air volume, the process proceeds from step S6 to step S7, and the processing pattern setting means 88 sets the adjusted modified specific drying processing pattern PT1 (or PT2).

[0047] After setting the drying processing pattern P (specific drying processing pattern PT, modified specific drying processing patterns PT1, PT2) in this way, the start switch 68 is pressed (step S8). Then, the fluidized drying apparatus 2 is started, and the timer means 96 operates (step S9), and the drying process of the coated seeds S is started (step S10). That is, the heater 30 operates (step S11), and the blower 8 also operates (step S12), and the air from the blower 8 is heated to become warm air and is fed into the processing tank main body 4 through the air duct 6 (see FIG. 2).

[0048] The warm air fed through the air duct 6 ejects into the processing tank main body 12 through a number of holes 16 (and the meshes of the first wire net 18) of the bottom wall member 14 of the processing tank main body 12. By such warm air, the accommodated coated seeds S are dried while being stirred and mixed. Incidentally, the warm air ejected into the processing apparatus main body 12 flows upward and is discharged to the outside through the meshes of the second wire net 36.

[0049] This drying process is carried out according to a specific drying process pattern PT (modified specific drying process patterns PT1, PT2). In the strong air blowing pattern section P1, the air volume of the air blower 8 is controlled to increase, and in the weak air blowing pattern section P2, the air volume of the air blower 8 is controlled to decrease. Such a drying process is carried out until the specific drying process pattern PT (modified specific drying process patterns PT1, PT2) ends.

[0050] In this way, the specific drying process pattern PT (modified specific drying process patterns PT1, PT2) is carried out. In other words, when the drying process time TT has elapsed from the start of the drying process, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S14, the timer means 96 is reset, the heating heater 30 stops operating, and further the air blower 8 stops operating. In this way, the drying process for the coated seeds S ends. The coated seeds dried in this way can be used for direct seeding cultivation and transplanting cultivation, and a method of using environmentally friendly pesticides can be provided.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the air volume from the air blower 8 is changed in two stages of strong and weak, that is, it is changed from the strong air blowing pattern section P1 to the weak air blowing pattern section 2. However, it is not limited to such a configuration, and the air volume can also be changed in three stages of strong, medium, and weak. Referring to FIG. 9, in this example, the specific drying process pattern PPT (drying process pattern PP) includes a strong air blowing pattern section P1 in which the air volume from the air blower 8 is increased, a weak air blowing pattern section P2 in which the air volume from the air blower 8 is decreased, and a medium air blowing pattern section P3 in which the air volume is less than that in the strong air blowing pattern section P1 and more than that in the weak air blowing pattern section P2. The strong air blowing pattern section P1, the medium air blowing pattern section P3, and the weak air blowing pattern section P2 are carried out in this order.

[0052] Even in such a specific drying process pattern PPT, the specific drying process pattern PPT can be adjusted by the pattern adjustment means of the controller. In this case, the strong blowing pattern part P1 of the specific drying process pattern PPT may be adjusted as described above, or the strong blowing pattern part P1 and the medium blowing pattern part P3 of the specific drying process pattern PPT may be adjusted as described above.

[0053] When drying treatment is performed using this fluidized drying apparatus 2, when the processing amount of the seeds S to be dried is small, the thickness of the seeds S accommodated in the processing tank body 12 becomes thin. When the air volume from the blower 8 increases in such a thin state, the coated seeds S are greatly fluidized and jump by the air ejected from the numerous holes 16 of the bottom wall member 14 of the processing tank body 12, and the desired drying treatment cannot be performed. Therefore, in such a case, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, it is preferable to configure so as to define a small processing space in the processing tank body 12.

[0054] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in this embodiment, for example, a cylindrical member 112 is disposed in the processing tank body 12, and the inner processing space SS can be defined inside the processing tank body 12 by this cylindrical member 112. In this case, the cylindrical member 112 may be placed on the inner surface of the bottom wall member 14 (the first wire mesh 18) near the central part in the processing tank body 12. The lower surface of this inner processing space SS is defined by the bottom wall member 14 (the first wire mesh 18) of the processing tank body 12, the peripheral side surface is defined by the cylindrical member 112, and the upper surface is defined by the cover body 32 (the frame body 34 and the second wire mesh 36).

[0055] In this case, the coated seeds S are accommodated in the inner processing space SS inside the cylindrical member 112. By accommodating them in such a small inner processing space SS, it is possible to ensure a certain thickness even if the amount of coated seeds S to be dried is small. As a result, the coated seeds S do not flow around in a large bouncing manner during the drying process, and the coated seeds S can be dried as required. At this time, the warm air from the air duct (not shown) flows into the inner processing space SS (the space where the coated seeds S are accommodated) through the numerous holes 16 in the bottom wall member 14, and also flows into the outer annular space SR outside the inner processing space SS. In order to prevent the flow through this outer annular space SR, an annular flow blocking plate (not shown) may be provided between the inner peripheral surface of the processing tank main body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 112, and the flow blocking plate may be used to block the flow of warm air through the outer annular space SR.

[0056] In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, one cylindrical member 112 is disposed in the processing tank main body 12, but two or more cylindrical members 112 may be disposed. For example, when four cylindrical members 112 are disposed, it becomes as shown in FIG. 12. In this case, the coated seeds S can be dried using the four small inner processing spaces SS.

[0057] By combining the above-described fluidized drying device 2 and the server system 122, a fluidized drying processing system 123 as shown in FIG. 13, for example, can be constructed. In FIG. 13, the fluidized drying device 2 can be of the same configuration as described above, and a controller 52 for controlling the fluidized drying device 2 is built in the control panel 50. Then, an operation panel 56, a display device 54, and a printer 58 are provided in relation to this control panel 50 (controller 52), and further, a communication means 124 (constituting the first communication means) for transmitting the seed processing data generated by this fluidized drying device 2 is provided.

[0058] The seed treatment data to be transmitted includes, for example, the drying treatment date (working date), lot number, type of seed S, moisture content after drying treatment, drying temperature (e.g., seed treatment temperature and heater outlet temperature), and drying time (e.g., time in the strong blowing pattern section and time in the weak blowing pattern section).

[0059] Also, this server system 122 includes a server device 126 that constitutes the system. This server device 126 includes, for example, data processing means 128 (composed of, for example, a microprocessor, etc.) for processing the seed treatment data from the fluidized drying device 2 as required, and storage means 130 (composed of, for example, a hard disk storage device, etc.) for storing the seed treatment data processed by the data processing means 128. Also, related to this server device 126, input means 132 (composed of, for example, a keyboard, mouse, etc.) for inputting information, display means 134 (composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display device, etc.), and a printer 136, etc. are provided, and further, communication means 38 (constituting the second communication means) for transmitting and receiving seed treatment data is provided.

[0060] In this fluidized drying treatment system 123, between the fluidized drying device 2 and the server system 122, various signals are transmitted and received via the communication means 124 (the first communication means) on the fluidized drying device 2 side and the communication means 138 on the server system 122 side. The seed treatment data generated by the fluidized drying device 2 is sent to the server system 122 via the first and second communication means 124, 138 and stored in the storage means 130 of the server device 126.

[0061] The seed treatment data registered in the storage means 130 of this server system 122 can be viewed by using various information terminal devices, such as a smartphone 140, a portable information terminal device 142 (e.g., a tablet), and a portable personal computer 144. A communication means 146 is provided in the smartphone 140, a communication means 148 is provided in the portable information terminal device 142, and a communication means 150 is provided in the portable personal computer 144. These communication means 146, 148, 150 constitute a third communication means.

[0062] Between the server system 122 and the information terminal devices (smartphone 140, portable information terminal device, portable personal computer 144), various signals are transmitted and received via the communication means 138 (second communication means) on the server system 122 side and the communication means (communication means 146, 148, 150) on the information terminal device (smartphone 140, portable information terminal device, portable personal computer 144) side. The seed treatment data registered in the storage means 130 of the server system 122 is sent to the information terminal devices (smartphone 140, portable information terminal device, portable personal computer 144) via the second and third communication means 138, 146, 148, 150, and the seed treatment data of the coated seeds can be known by using the information terminal devices (smartphone 140, portable information terminal device, portable personal computer 144) possessed by administrators, workers, etc.

[0063] As described above, an embodiment of the sliding drying device and the fluidized drying treatment system according to the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0064] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the specific drying treatment pattern PT is selected from a plurality of drying treatment patterns P based on the type and processing amount of the seeds S. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the specific drying treatment pattern PT may be selected based only on the type of the seeds S.

Explanation of reference numerals

[0065] 2 Fluidized drying device 4 Drying treatment tank 8 Blower 10 Heating Unit 12 Processing Tank Body 32 Cover Body 50 Control Panel 52 Controller 56 Operation Panel 82 Processing Pattern Selection Means 84 Pattern Adjustment Means 88 Processing Pattern Setting Means 122 Server System 123 Fluidized Drying Processing System 126 Server Device 140 Smartphone 142 Portable Information Terminal Device 144 Portable Personal Computer S Seeds

Claims

1. A fluidized drying device comprising: a drying tank in which seeds to be dried are accommodated; an air duct connected to the bottom side of the drying tank; an air blowing means for blowing air through the air duct; a heating means disposed in the air duct; and a controller for controlling the air blowing means and the heating means, the device heats the air from the air blowing means by the heating means and supplies it to the drying tank, and ejects the heated air from the bottom side of the drying tank to fluidize the seeds accommodated in the drying tank while drying the seeds, The drying treatment pattern for drying the seeds includes a strong air blowing pattern section for increasing the amount of air blown from the air blowing means and a weak air blowing pattern section for decreasing the amount of air blown from the air blowing means, and the strong air blowing pattern section and the weak air blowing pattern section are provided in this order, The controller has a pattern adjustment means for adjusting the drying process pattern to generate a modified process pattern, the pattern adjustment means adjusts the strong air blowing pattern portion of the drying process pattern to generate the modified drying process pattern, and the operation control means controls at least the air blowing means based on the drying process pattern or the modified drying process pattern.

2. The fluidized drying device according to claim 1, characterized in that the overall processing time of the drying processing pattern is constant, and when the processing time of the strong air flow pattern section is adjusted to be longer by the pattern adjustment means, the processing time of the weak air flow pattern section is adjusted to be shorter, and when the processing time of the strong air flow pattern section is adjusted to be shorter, the processing time of the weak air flow pattern section is adjusted to be longer.

3. The fluidized drying device described in claim 1, characterized in that the processing time of the weak air blowing pattern section of the drying processing pattern is constant, and when the processing time of the strong air blowing pattern section is adjusted to be longer by the pattern adjustment means, the overall processing time of the drying processing pattern is adjusted to be longer, and when the processing time of the strong air blowing pattern section is adjusted to be shorter, the overall processing time of the drying processing pattern is adjusted to be shorter.

4. The fluidized drying device described in claim 1, characterized in that the drying processing pattern includes the strong air blowing pattern section which increases the amount of air blown from the air blowing means, the weak air blowing pattern section which reduces the amount of air blown from the air blowing means, and a medium air blowing pattern section which makes the amount of air blown from the air blowing means less than in the strong air blowing pattern section and more than in the weak air blowing pattern section, and the pattern adjustment means of the controller adjusts at least the strong air blowing pattern section of the drying processing pattern.

5. 2. The fluidized bed drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation control means of the controller controls the air blowing means and the heating means based on the drying treatment pattern.

Images