Vacuum cooling device

Abstract

To provide a technique for suppressing an increase in size of a device even when washing a processing tank using hot washing water.SOLUTION: A vacuum cooling device 10 includes: a processing tank 12 having an internal space SP where a cooled object is arranged; a vacuum device 14 using water and vapor for sucking gas from the internal space SP; and a vapor supply path 40 for supplying vapor into the vacuum device 14; a water supplying path 56 for supplying water to the vacuum device 14; and a washing device 18 for supplying washing water to the processing tank 12. The washing device 18 has: a water passage 112 branching from the water supply path 56; and a vapor passage 114 branching from the vapor supply path 40, and generates hot washing water using the water from the water passage 112 and the vapor from the vapor passage 114.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology disclosed in this specification relates to a vacuum cooling device. [Background technology]

[0002] The vacuum cooling device sucks air from the processing tank to reduce the internal pressure, vaporizes the moisture in the object in the processing tank, and rapidly cools the object by the heat of vaporization. Patent Document 1 describes a vacuum cooling device for cooling food. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-221546 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Although not disclosed in Patent Document 1, cleaning of the inside of the treatment tank has conventionally been performed manually. One possible approach is to automate cleaning by supplying cleaning water into the treatment tank. In food applications, it is desirable to supply hot water at a high temperature (for example, about 80°C) as cleaning water to remove protein and oil stains. In order to supply hot cleaning water, a separate hot water tank or the like must be installed for cleaning the inside of the treatment tank, which increases the size of the device.

[0005] The technology disclosed in this specification aims to provide a technology that can prevent the device from becoming large even when cleaning a treatment tank with hot cleaning water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This specification discloses a vacuum cooling device that includes a treatment tank having an internal space in which a cooling target is placed, a vacuum device that uses water and steam to suck gas from the internal space, a steam supply line that supplies steam to the vacuum device, a water supply line that supplies water to the vacuum device, and a cleaning device that supplies cleaning water to the treatment tank, the cleaning device having a water passage branched from the water supply line and a steam passage branched from the steam supply line, and generating hot cleaning water using water from the water passage and steam from the steam passage. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The technology disclosed in this specification provides a technology that can prevent the device from becoming large even when cleaning a treatment tank with hot cleaning water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a vacuum cooling device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cleaning device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration example of a junction according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. The components of the embodiments described below can be combined as appropriate. In addition, some components may not be used.

[0010] [Vacuum cooling device overview] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vacuum cooling apparatus 10 according to an embodiment. The vacuum cooling apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a treatment tank 12, a vacuum device 14, a pressure recovery unit 16, and a cleaning device 18. The vacuum cooling apparatus 10 also includes a steam supply line 40 for supplying steam to the vacuum device 14, a water supply line 56 for supplying water to the vacuum device 14, and a control means 90. In the vacuum cooling apparatus 10, a cooling target such as food is placed in the treatment tank 12, the treatment tank 12 is sealed, and the vacuum device 14 reduces the pressure by sucking and discharging the fluid in the treatment tank 12 to the outside. When the pressure inside the treatment tank 12 is reduced, the moisture in the cooling target evaporates. The temperature of the cooling target decreases due to the heat of vaporization of the moisture. After reducing the pressure inside the treatment tank 12, the vacuum cooling device 10 uses a pressure recovery unit 16 to introduce outside air into the treatment tank 12, making the pressure substantially the same as that of the outside air, and making it possible to remove the cooling target from inside the treatment tank 12. When cleaning the inside of the treatment tank 12 when no cooling target is placed in the treatment tank 12, the cleaning device 18 supplies cleaning water to the treatment tank 12 to clean the inside of the treatment tank 12.

[0011] The treatment tank 12 is a hollow container that can withstand reduced pressure in the internal space and can be opened and closed with a door. The treatment tank 12 has an internal space SP in which the object to be cooled is placed. The treatment tank 12 is formed in a roughly rectangular box shape, and the opening on the front can be opened and closed with a door. By opening the door, food can be put in and taken out of the internal space SP, and by closing the door, the opening of the treatment tank 12 can be blocked, making the internal space SP an airtight space. Doors may be provided on both the front and back of the treatment tank 12.

[0012] The vacuum device 14 sucks fluid (mainly gas, specifically air or steam) from the internal space of the treatment tank 12 and discharges it to the outside of the treatment tank 12, thereby reducing the pressure inside the treatment tank 12. The vacuum device 14 uses water and steam to suck the gas from the internal space SP. The vacuum device 14 has an exhaust path (vacuum pipe) 20 connected to the treatment tank 12. The vacuum device 14 has an ejector 22, a heat exchanger 24 for steam condensation, a vacuum valve 26, and a vacuum pump 28 (vacuum device) arranged in this order on the exhaust path 20. An exhaust path 30 is connected to the downstream end of the exhaust path 20 via the vacuum pump 28. The exhaust path 30 branches at a branch point 32 into an exhaust pipe 34 and a drainage pipe 36.

[0013] The ejector 22 is provided in the exhaust path 20 and is connected to a steam supply path 40. The ejector 22 is connected to the internal space SP of the treatment tank 12. When steam is supplied from the steam supply path 40 from the upstream side to the downstream side of the exhaust path 20, the ejector 22 sucks in fluid on the treatment tank 12 side (upstream side) of the exhaust path 20 due to the ejector effect, and discharges it together with steam to the downstream side of the exhaust path 20. In this way, the ejector 22 sucks in gas from the internal space SP using steam from the steam supply path 40. A steam supply valve 42 is provided in the steam supply path 40. By operating the opening and closing of the steam supply valve 42, the supply of steam to the ejector 22 can be controlled, and the ejector 22 can be switched between operating and not operating.

[0014] The heat exchanger 24 is disposed in the exhaust path 20 and performs heat exchange between the steam flowing through the exhaust path 20 and the coolant, thereby cooling the steam. The supply of the coolant will be described later. The heat exchanger 24 is an indirect heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the fluid in the exhaust path 20 and the coolant without mixing them. The steam in the exhaust path 20 is cooled and condensed by the heat exchanger 24.

[0015] The vacuum valve 26 is disposed between the heat exchanger 24 and the vacuum pump 28 in the exhaust path 20. The vacuum valve 26 is an on-off valve that controls the opening and closing of the exhaust path 20.

[0016] The vacuum pump 28 is, for example, a water-sealed type, and is operated while being supplied with water called seal water. Water is supplied to the vacuum pump 28 via a seal water supply path 50. The seal water supply path 50 is provided with a seal water shutoff valve 52 and a seal water control valve 54. Seal water can be supplied to the vacuum pump 28 by opening the seal water shutoff valve 52. The seal water control valve 54 controls the flow rate of the seal water flowing through the seal water supply path 50. When the vacuum pump 28 is operated with the seal water shutoff valve 52 and the seal water control valve 54 open, the vacuum pump 28 draws in fluid from the exhaust path 20 and exhausts and drains the fluid to the discharge path 30. The vacuum pump 28 uses water from the water supply path 56 and cold water from the cold water supply path 62 as seal water to draw in steam from the steam supply path 40 and gas (air) from the internal space SP of the treatment tank 12. The gas and liquid of the fluid discharged into the discharge path 30 are branched at a branching point 32, with the gas being discharged through an exhaust pipe 34 and the liquid being drained through a drain pipe 36. The vacuum pump 28 may be on / off controlled or inverter controlled.

[0017] The water supply system to the heat exchanger 24 and the vacuum pump 28 will now be described. The heat exchanger 24 and the vacuum pump 28 can be supplied with either room temperature water or cold water by switching between them. Cold water is water that has been cooled to a predetermined temperature by a chiller or the like. Room temperature water is water that has not passed through a cooling device such as a chiller.

[0018] The water supply path 56 supplies room temperature water. The water supply path 56 is equipped with a room temperature water control valve 58 and a check valve 60. The water supply path 56 sends room temperature water toward the heat exchanger 24 and the vacuum pump 28. The room temperature water control valve 58 switches between supplying and stopping room temperature water by switching it on and off, and controls the amount of room temperature water supplied by adjusting its opening. The check valve 60 prevents room temperature water from flowing back from the heat exchanger 24 and vacuum pump 28 toward the supply source. The cold water supply path 62 supplies cold water. The cold water supply path 62 is connected to the water supply path 56 downstream of the check valve 60. The flow path downstream of the point where the water supply path 56 and the cold water supply path 62 join becomes a common water supply path 64. The common water supply passage 64 is connected to the heat exchanger water supply passage 66 and the seal water supply passage 50, and supplies cold water and room temperature water as coolants to the heat exchanger 24 and the vacuum pump 28. The vacuum device 14 can control the temperature and flow rate of the coolant supplied to the heat exchanger 24 and the vacuum pump 28 by controlling the supply amounts of cold water and room temperature water. As a result, the heat exchanger 24 cools the gas that has passed through the ejector 22 using water from the water supply passage 56. The heat exchanger 24 also cools the gas that has passed through the ejector 22 using cold water from the cold water supply passage 62.

[0019] The heat exchanger supply channel 66 connects the channel through which steam from the heat exchanger 24 passes to a channel that performs indirect heat exchange. The heat exchanger supply channel 66 supplies coolant to the heat exchanger 24 and discharges the coolant that has been heat exchanged. The coolant discharged from the heat exchanger 24 is discharged to a drain channel 68 or a cold water discharge channel 74. The drain channel 68 or the cold water discharge channel 74 is connected to the heat exchanger supply channel 66 downstream of the heat exchanger 24.

[0020] The drainage channel 68 discharges the discharged coolant to the outside. A drainage shutoff valve 70 and a drainage control valve 72 are arranged in the drainage channel 68. The drainage shutoff valve 70 is switched between open and closed to switch whether or not to discharge the coolant from the drainage channel 68. The drainage control valve 72 has an adjustable opening degree to control the flow rate of the coolant discharged from the drainage channel 68.

[0021] Chilled water discharge path 74 returns the coolant discharged from heat exchanger 24 to the chilled water tank (the chiller's water supply source). A chilled water control valve 76 is disposed in chilled water discharge path 74. Chilled water control valve 76 is adjustable in opening / closing and opening degree to control the flow rate of coolant discharged from chilled water discharge path 74. By adjusting the opening / closing and opening degrees of drain shutoff valve 70, drain control valve 72, and chilled water control valve 76, vacuum device 14 can control whether the coolant discharged from heat exchanger 24 is discharged to the outside, returned to the chiller, or stopped from circulating, etc.

[0022] The pressure recovery unit 16 introduces outside air into the depressurized treatment tank 12 to restore the pressure inside the treatment tank 12. In this embodiment, the pressure recovery unit 16 includes an air intake path 80, an air intake control valve 82, a check valve 86, an air filter 87, and a manual release valve 88. The air intake path 80 is connected to the treatment tank 12, and has the air intake control valve 82 and air filter 87 disposed therein. The air intake control valve 82 is adjustable in opening and closing and its opening degree, and controls the flow rate of outside air flowing through the air intake path 80 and supplied to the treatment tank 12.

[0023] The check valve 86 is connected to the treatment tank 12. The check valve 86 is a valve that allows gas to flow in the direction in which it is discharged from the treatment tank 12 to the outside air, but does not allow gas to flow in the direction from the outside air toward the treatment tank 12. The check valve 86 discharges gas inside the treatment tank 12 to the outside when the pressure inside the treatment tank 12 becomes higher than the outside air. The manual release valve 88 is connected to the treatment tank 12. The manual release valve 88 is a valve that can be manually switched on and off by an operator. The manual release valve 88 opens to supply outside air into the treatment tank 12 when, for example, the air supply control valve 82 malfunctions.

[0024] The vacuum cooling device 10 is equipped with sensors for detecting temperature and pressure in various parts. The pressure sensor 202 detects the pressure inside the treatment tank 12. The condensed water temperature sensor 204 is disposed between the heat exchanger 24 and the vacuum pump 28 in the exhaust path 20 and detects the temperature of the fluid cooled and condensed by the heat exchanger 24. The seal water temperature sensor 206 is disposed in the vacuum pump 28 and detects the temperature of the seal water supplied to the vacuum pump 28. The feed water temperature sensor 208 is disposed in the water supply path 56 and detects the temperature of the room temperature water flowing through the water supply path 56. The feed water pressure sensor 210 is disposed in the water supply path 56 and detects the pressure of the room temperature water flowing through the water supply path 56. The temperature sensor 220 is disposed in the ejector 22 and detects the temperature of the fluid passing through the ejector 22. The heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 230 is disposed downstream of the heat exchanger 24 in the heat exchanger water supply path 66. The heat exchange outlet temperature sensor 230 detects the temperature of the coolant that has exchanged heat with the steam in the heat exchanger 24 .

[0025] The control means 90 controls each component of the vacuum cooling apparatus 10. The control means 90 includes a computer system. The control means 90 includes a processor such as a central processing unit (CPU), a storage device including volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM) and nonvolatile memory such as read-only memory (ROM), and an input / output interface including an input / output circuit capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data. The control means 90 controls the cooling operation of the vacuum cooling apparatus 10 by operating various valves and pumps based on the detection results of the pressure sensor 202, condensate temperature sensor 204, seal water temperature sensor 206, feed water temperature sensor 208, feed water pressure sensor 210, temperature sensor 220, and heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 230. The control means 90 also controls the cleaning operation of the cleaning device 18.

[0026] [Overview of cleaning equipment] The cleaning device 18 supplies cleaning water to the treatment tank 12. The cleaning device 18 cleans the inside (internal space SP) of the treatment tank 12 with the supplied cleaning water. Protein stains and oil stains from the food to be cooled and the like adhere to the internal space SP of the treatment tank 12. The cleaning device 18 cleans the inner surface of the treatment tank 12 by supplying cleaning water into the inside of the treatment tank 12.

[0027] The cleaning device 18 is connected to the internal space SP of the treatment tank 12 by a cleaning water supply path 116. The cleaning device 18 supplies cleaning water to the internal space SP via the cleaning water supply path 116.

[0028] The internal space SP of the treatment tank 12 is an airtight space partitioned by a wall 100. The treatment tank 12 includes a cleaning water inlet 102 that connects the internal space SP to the outside. The inlet 102 is provided in the wall 100 and is connected to a cleaning water supply channel 116. A nozzle 104 that discharges cleaning water can be attached and detached to the inlet 102. That is, the nozzle 104 is configured as a detachable attachment and can be attached and detached to a mounting portion provided on the inlet 102. The nozzle 104 is fluidly connected to the inlet 102 by attaching the tube portion 106 of the nozzle 104 to the mounting portion. The nozzle 104 is disposed near the center of the internal space SP via the rod-shaped tube portion 106. The nozzle 104 is, for example, a rotary type. The nozzle 104 changes the direction of discharge of cleaning water by the supply pressure of the cleaning water supplied to the nozzle 104 or the discharge reaction force of the cleaning water discharged from the nozzle 104. By rotating, the nozzle 104 can eject cleaning water onto the entire surface of the internal space SP centered on the nozzle 104. Therefore, the cleaning device 18 can clean the entire inner surface of the internal space SP by causing the flow of cleaning water to directly collide with it.

[0029] The washer 18 supplies hot water as wash water at a temperature suitable for washing protein stains and oil stains from food and the like. The washer 18 adjusts the temperature of the wash water to a set value within an adjustment range including 80°C. The adjustment range is not particularly limited, but can be, for example, a predetermined range of 70°C or higher and lower than 100°C. The washer 18 may inject detergent or chemicals into the hot water. The washer 18 may switch between a washing operation using wash water containing detergent and the like and a rinsing operation using wash water not containing detergent and the like. The operation of supplying wash water by the washer 18 is automatically controlled by the vacuum cooling device 10.

[0030] The cleaning device 18 cleans the treatment tank 12 in a single pass (flowing) manner without circulating the cleaning water. In other words, the cleaning water ejected from the nozzle 104 cleans the internal space SP of the treatment tank 12 and then is discharged to the outside of the treatment tank 12. The treatment tank 12 has an outlet 108 that discharges the cleaning water supplied to the internal space SP to the outside of the treatment tank 12. The outlet 108 is provided at the lower part of the wall portion 100 or at the bottom of the treatment tank 12. A check valve 110 is provided at the outlet 108. The check valve 110 allows the flow of fluid out of the internal space SP through the outlet 108 and blocks the flow of fluid into the internal space SP through the outlet 108. As a result, the check valve 110 prevents air from flowing into the internal space SP from the outlet 108 when the internal space SP is depressurized by the vacuum device 14. When cleaning water is supplied to the internal space SP by the cleaning device 18, the check valve 110 allows the cleaning water to be discharged from the outlet 108 to the outside of the treatment tank 12. Instead of the check valve 110, a manual opening / closing valve may be provided, or a plug that seals the outlet 108 may be attached or detached.

[0031] (Configuration of cleaning device) The cleaning device 18 according to this embodiment has a water passage 112 branching off from the water supply passage 56 and a steam passage 114 branching off from the steam supply passage 40. The water passage 112 branches off from the water supply passage 56 at a position upstream of the room-temperature water control valve 58. As a result, the water supply passage 56 supplies water to the cleaning device 18 in addition to the vacuum device 14 (heat exchanger 24 and vacuum pump 28). The steam passage 114 branches off from the steam supply passage 40 at a position upstream of the steam supply valve 42. The steam supply passage 40 supplies steam to the cleaning device 18 in addition to the vacuum device 14 (ejector 22). The cleaning device 18 produces hot cleaning water using water from the water passage 112 and steam from the steam passage 114.

[0032] 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cleaning device 18 according to the embodiment. The cleaning device 18 has the water passage 112 and steam passage 114 described above, and a cleaning water supply passage 116. The cleaning device 18 has a junction 118 where the water passage 112 and the steam passage 114 join together. The water passage 112 and the steam passage 114 are each connected to the junction 118. An outlet of the junction 118 is connected to the cleaning water supply passage 116. The cleaning device 18 generates cleaning water by mixing water from the water passage 112 and steam from the steam passage 114 at the junction 118. That is, the cleaning device 18 generates hot cleaning water by mixing water and steam and increasing the water temperature using the heat of the steam.

[0033] The cleaning device 18 has a water supply valve 120, a steam supply shutoff valve 122, and a cleaning valve 124. The water supply valve 120 is an on-off valve provided in the water passage 112. The water supply valve 120 is arranged in the water passage 112 upstream of the junction 118. The cleaning device 18 switches between supplying and stopping the supply of water from the water passage 112 by opening and closing the water supply valve 120. A check valve 126 is provided between the water supply valve 120 and the junction 118. The check valve 126 allows water to flow from the water passage 112 to the junction 118 and prevents backflow of cleaning water from the junction 118 to the water passage 112. The steam supply shutoff valve 122 is an on-off valve provided in the steam passage 114. The steam supply shutoff valve 122 is arranged in the steam passage 114 upstream of the junction 118. The cleaning device 18 switches between supplying and stopping the supply of steam from the steam passage 114 by opening and closing the steam supply shutoff valve 122. A check valve 128 is provided between the steam supply shutoff valve 122 and the junction 118. The check valve 128 allows steam to flow from the steam passage 114 to the junction 118 and prevents backflow of cleaning water or steam from the junction 118 to the steam passage 114. The cleaning valve 124 is an on-off valve provided in the cleaning water supply passage 116. The cleaning valve 124 is arranged in the cleaning water supply passage 116 upstream of the inlet 102 of the treatment tank 12. The cleaning device 18 switches between supplying and stopping the supply of cleaning water from the cleaning water supply passage 116 by opening and closing the cleaning valve 124. During the cooling operation of the vacuum cooling device 10, the cleaning device 18 closes the cleaning valve 124 under the control of the control means 90, thereby blocking the flow of gas between the internal space SP of the treatment tank 12 and the cleaning device 18. During cleaning of the treatment tank 12, the cleaning device 18 opens the water supply valve 120, the steam supply shutoff valve 122, and the cleaning valve 124 under the control of the control means 90.

[0034] The cleaning device 18 has a cleaning water pump 130, a cleaning water temperature sensor 132, a steam control valve 134, and a regulator 136. The cleaning water pump 130 sends cleaning water to the treatment tank 12. The cleaning water pump 130 is arranged in the cleaning water supply path 116. The cleaning water pump 130 is arranged in the cleaning water supply path 116 between the junction 118 and the cleaning valve 124. The cleaning water pump 130 draws in heated cleaning water from the junction 118, pressurizes the drawn-in cleaning water, and discharges it toward the treatment tank 12. A control valve for pressure control or the like may be provided downstream of the cleaning water pump 130. If a control valve is provided, the supply pressure of the cleaning water to the treatment tank 12 (nozzle 104) can be accurately controlled.

[0035] Wash water temperature sensor 132 measures the temperature of the wash water. Wash water temperature sensor 132 measures the temperature of the wash water at a measurement position in wash water supply path 116, between wash water pump 130 and wash valve 124. Wash water temperature sensor 132 outputs the measurement result of the wash water temperature to adjuster 136.

[0036] The steam control valve 134 is provided in the steam passage 114. The steam control valve 134 is disposed in the steam passage 114 between the steam supply shutoff valve 122 and the check valve 128. The steam control valve 134 is a control valve with an adjustable opening. The steam control valve 134 controls the steam flow rate in the steam passage 114 to a value corresponding to the opening. The opening of the steam control valve 134 is controlled by a regulator 136. The configuration of the steam control valve 134 is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a motor-driven electric valve.

[0037] The adjuster 136 is a controller that adjusts the opening degree of the steam control valve 134. The adjuster 136 constitutes part of the control means 90. The adjuster 136 is electrically connected to the wash water temperature sensor 132 and the steam control valve 134. The adjuster 136 holds a set value for the wash water temperature that is set within an adjustment range that includes 80°C. The control means 90 sets or changes the temperature set value of the adjuster 136 based on input operations to an operation unit (not shown). The adjuster 136 adjusts the opening degree of the steam control valve 134 so that the wash water temperature approaches the set value based on the output value (temperature measurement result) of the wash water temperature sensor 132. As a result, the opening degree of the steam control valve 134 is adjusted based on the output value of the wash water temperature sensor 132. If the measured wash water temperature value is lower than the set value, the adjuster 136 increases the opening degree of the steam control valve 134 and increases the steam flow rate. If the measured temperature value is higher than the set value, the regulator 136 reduces the opening of the steam control valve 134 to reduce the steam flow rate, thereby adjusting the temperature of the cleaning water supplied to the treatment tank 12 to the set value.

[0038] The cleaning device 18 has an injection device 138. The injection device 138 is connected to the confluence 118. The injection device 138 can inject additives such as detergents and chemicals into the cleaning water.

[0039] 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the junction section 118 according to the embodiment. The junction section 118 has a structure in which a second pipe 146 connected to the steam passage 114 is inserted into a first pipe 140 having, for example, an inlet section 142 connected to the water passage 112 and an outlet section 144 connected to the cleaning water supply passage 116. The junction section 118 has a partial double-pipe structure with the first pipe 140 and the second pipe 146. A steam discharge section 148 that discharges steam into the first pipe 140 is provided at the tip of the second pipe 146. When cleaning water is produced, the first pipe 140 is filled with water supplied from the water passage 112. High-temperature steam from the steam passage 114 is discharged from the steam discharge section 148 through the second pipe 146. As a result, water and steam are mixed in the first pipe 140, and the temperature of the water rises to become hot water. The flow rate of steam released into the first pipe 140 is controlled by adjusting the opening of the steam control valve 134, thereby producing cleaning water at a set temperature. The cleaning water pump 130 draws cleaning water from the outlet 144, pressurizes it, and sends it out from the cleaning water supply path 116 to the treatment tank 12.

[0040] [Cooling Operation of Vacuum Cooling Device 10] Next, the cooling operation of the vacuum cooling device 10 will be described. When performing cooling processing, the nozzle 104 of the vacuum cooling device 10 is removed from the processing tank 12. The vacuum cooling device 10 places the object to be processed in the processing tank 12 and closes the door. The object to be processed may be food to be cooled, for example. The following cooling operation of the vacuum cooling device 10 is realized by the control of the control means 90.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 1 , the vacuum cooling device 10 opens the steam supply valve 42 to supply steam from the steam supply line 40 to the ejector 22. The vacuum cooling device 10 also opens the vacuum valve 26 and operates the vacuum pump 28 to create a fluid flow in the exhaust line 20 from the treatment tank 12 toward the heat exchanger 24. The vacuum cooling device 10 also supplies coolant from the water supply line 56, the cold water supply line 62, the common water supply line 64, and the heat exchanger water supply line 66 to the heat exchanger 24. Based on the detection results of the water supply temperature sensor 208, the water supply pressure sensor 210, and the heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor 230, the vacuum cooling device 10 controls various valves and pumps to adjust the flow rates of room-temperature water and cold water, thereby adjusting the amount and temperature of the coolant supplied to the heat exchanger 24. The coolant that has passed through the heat exchanger 24 is recovered to the cold water supply unit through the cold water discharge line 74 or discharged to the outside through the drain line 68.

[0042] The vacuum cooling device 10 supplies steam from the steam supply path 40 to the ejector 22, and by using the ejector effect, sucks the fluid in the treatment tank 12 into the exhaust path 20. The fluid flowing through the exhaust path 20 is pushed by the force of the steam, sucked by the vacuum pump 28, and flows toward the heat exchanger 24. The fluid flowing through the exhaust path 20 is cooled by the heat exchanger 24, and at least a portion of it is liquefied, reducing its volume. This allows the ejector 22 to more effectively suck gas from the treatment tank 12. Furthermore, the reduction in the volume of the fluid after passing through the heat exchanger 24 allows the vacuum pump 28 to more effectively suck the fluid in the exhaust path 20.

[0043] The vacuum cooling device 10 sucks the fluid from the treatment tank 12, reduces the pressure inside the treatment tank 12, evaporates the moisture contained in the treatment object, and cools the treatment object using the heat of vaporization generated during evaporation. After cooling of the treatment object is completed, the vacuum cooling device 10 stops the supply of steam and opens the air supply control valve 82 of the pressure recovery unit 16 to make the pressure inside the treatment tank 12 approximately the same as the outside air, opens the door of the treatment tank 12, and removes the treatment object. During the cooling operation, the water supply valve 120, steam supply shutoff valve 122, and cleaning valve 124 of the cleaning device 18 are closed.

[0044] [Method for cleaning the vacuum cooling device 10] Next, a method for cleaning the vacuum cooling device 10 will be described. The vacuum cooling device 10 evaporates and discharges moisture from the food or other object to be cooled contained in the processing tank 12, so protein stains, oil stains, and the like derived from the object to be cooled and carried with the air may adhere to the wall 100 of the processing tank 12. The cleaning device 18 cleans the wall surface of the wall 100 that defines the internal space SP of the processing tank 12.

[0045] In preparation for the cleaning process, an operator installs the nozzle 104 and closes the door of the processing tank 12 to separate the internal space SP from the outside. In this state, the cleaning operation begins. The following cleaning method for the vacuum cooling device 10 is realized by the control of the control means 90 (and the regulator 136).

[0046] As shown in Figure 2, the cleaning device 18 opens the water supply valve 120 and the steam supply shutoff valve 122 to supply water from the water passage 112 and steam from the steam passage 114 to the confluence 118. The cleaning device 18 generates hot cleaning water by mixing the water and steam. The cleaning device 18 can add detergent or the like to the cleaning water by operating the injection device 138 as needed. The cleaning device 18 opens the cleaning valve 124 and operates the cleaning water pump 130 to supply cleaning water to the inlet 102 of the treatment tank 12 via the cleaning water supply path 116.

[0047] While the cleaning water is being supplied, the regulator 136 adjusts the opening of the steam control valve 134 so that the temperature of the cleaning water approaches the set value based on the output value of the cleaning water temperature sensor 132. As a result, cleaning water at the set temperature is supplied to the treatment tank 12.

[0048] The cleaning device 18 supplies cleaning water to the cleaning water supply path 116 at a predetermined pressure using a cleaning water pump 130. A nozzle 104 connected to the inlet 102 discharges the cleaning water into the surrounding area while changing the discharge direction according to the supply pressure of the cleaning water. In this way, the nozzle 104 discharges the cleaning water onto the entire wall surface of the wall portion 100 that defines the internal space SP of the treatment tank 12. The discharged cleaning water removes dirt adhering to the wall surface of the wall portion 100. The discharged cleaning water is discharged to the outside of the treatment tank 12 from an outlet 108 provided at the bottom of the treatment tank 12.

[0049] The vacuum cooling device 10 operates the cleaning device 18 to supply cleaning water for, for example, a predetermined time. After the predetermined time has elapsed, the vacuum cooling device 10 stops the supply of cleaning water from the cleaning device 18. That is, the cleaning device 18 stops the cleaning water pump 130 and closes the water supply valve 120, steam supply shutoff valve 122, and cleaning valve 124 of the cleaning device 18. This completes the cleaning operation. After the cleaning operation is completed, the operator removes the nozzle 104 from the treatment tank 12. This completes the cleaning method for the vacuum cooling device 10.

[0050] [effect] As described above, the vacuum cooling apparatus 10 of this embodiment includes a treatment tank 12 having an internal space SP in which a cooling target is placed, a vacuum device 14 that uses water and steam to suck gas from the internal space SP, a steam supply line 40 that supplies steam to the vacuum device 14, a water supply line 56 that supplies water to the vacuum device 14, and a cleaning device 18 that supplies cleaning water to the treatment tank 12. The cleaning device 18 has a water passage 112 branching off from the water supply line 56 and a steam passage 114 branching off from the steam supply line 40, and generates hot cleaning water using the water from the water passage 112 and the steam from the steam passage 114. Thus, by branching the water passage 112 and the steam passage 114 from the water supply line 56 and the steam supply line 40, respectively, which supply water and steam to the vacuum device 14, the water and steam used to generate the hot cleaning water can be obtained. As a result, hot cleaning water can be supplied without providing a dedicated supply facility for the cleaning device, such as a hot water tank, separate from the supply facility for the vacuum device 14. This makes it possible to prevent the device from becoming too large even when cleaning the treatment tank 12 with hot cleaning water.

[0051] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cleaning device 18 has a junction 118 where the water passage 112 and the steam passage 114 join, and cleaning water is produced by mixing the water from the water passage 112 and the steam from the steam passage 114 at the junction 118. This allows cleaning water to be produced simply by merging the water passage 112 and the steam passage 114. For example, when indirectly exchanging heat between water and steam using a heat exchanger, it is necessary to provide a path for discharging the steam (condensed water) after the heat exchange, whereas in this embodiment, no path for discharging steam is required at the junction 118, so the device configuration for producing hot cleaning water can be simplified and made smaller.

[0052] In this embodiment, the washing device 18 further comprises a washing water temperature sensor 132 that measures the temperature of the washing water, and a steam control valve 134 provided in the steam passage 114, and the opening degree of the steam control valve 134 is adjusted based on the output value of the washing water temperature sensor 132. This makes it possible to accurately adjust the temperature of the washing water to the desired temperature. Furthermore, the temperature of the washing water can be freely controlled by setting the temperature.

[0053] In this embodiment, the treatment tank 12 also includes a cleaning water inlet 102 to which a nozzle 104 for discharging cleaning water can be attached / detached. To reduce variations in the cleaning effect, it is preferable to position the nozzle 104 near the center of the internal space SP of the treatment tank 12, but the presence of the nozzle 104 would interfere with the insertion and removal of the cooling target. Therefore, by configuring as described above, the nozzle 104 can be removed when the vacuum cooling device 10 is operating (during cooling), so that a high cleaning effect can be achieved without the nozzle 104 getting in the way during the cooling operation.

[0054] In this embodiment, the cleaning device 18 further includes a cleaning water pump 130 that sends cleaning water to the treatment tank 12. This allows the cleaning water pump 130 to supply cleaning water at a pressure suitable for the nozzle 104. In particular, when the nozzle 104 is a rotary nozzle powered by water pressure, the pressure value required for rotating the nozzle 104 can be easily achieved. Furthermore, increasing the discharge pressure of the cleaning water can improve the cleaning effect.

[0055] In this embodiment, the washing device 18 adjusts the temperature of the washing water to a set value within an adjustment range that includes 80° C. This allows washing water to be supplied at a temperature that is effective for removing protein stains and oil stains that occur when cooling food, for example.

[0056] In this embodiment, the vacuum device 14 includes an ejector 22 that uses steam from the steam supply line 40 to suck in gas from the internal space SP, and a heat exchanger 24 that uses water from the water supply line 56 to cool the gas that has passed through the ejector 22. This allows the gas from the internal space SP to be sucked in by the ejector effect using steam as a driving fluid, while the steam is cooled and condensed in the heat exchanger 24, thereby reducing the volume of the steam and improving the suction effect, thereby achieving high cooling performance. Furthermore, by utilizing a portion of the water and steam used in the ejector 22 and the heat exchanger 24, a high cooling effect can be achieved, while also achieving a high cleaning effect using hot cleaning water.

[0057] [Other embodiments] In the embodiment, an example was shown in which a wash water temperature sensor 132 and a steam control valve 134 were provided, and the opening of the steam control valve 134 was adjusted based on the output value of the wash water temperature sensor 132, but instead of the steam control valve 134 being an electric control valve, it may also be a self-acting control valve that adjusts its opening by expanding and contracting a temperature-sensing section. Also, it is not necessary to provide a wash water temperature sensor 132 and a steam control valve 134. Also, in the embodiment, an example was shown in which the temperature of the wash water was adjusted by adjusting the opening of the steam control valve 134, but a water control valve may be provided in the water passage 112, and the temperature of the wash water may be adjusted by adjusting the opening of the water control valve, or both the steam flow rate and the water flow rate may be controlled.

[0058] In the embodiment, an example has been shown in which the treatment tank 12 is provided with a cleaning water inlet 102 to which a nozzle 104 can be detachably attached, but a fixed (non-detachable) nozzle may be provided in the treatment tank 12. Alternatively, the treatment tank 12 may be provided with a nozzle that is movable by an actuator, so that the nozzle is retracted during the cooling operation and moved to near the center of the internal space SP during the cleaning operation.

[0059] [Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] This disclosure includes matters that contribute to the realization of Goal 8 of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), "Decent Work and Economic Growth," as well as matters that contribute to the realization of Goal 12, "Responsible Consumption and Production." [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10...vacuum cooling device, 12...treatment tank, 14...vacuum device, 16...pressure recovery unit, 18...cleaning device, 20...exhaust path, 22...ejector, 24...heat exchanger, 26...vacuum valve, 28...vacuum pump, 30...exhaust path, 32...branch, 34...exhaust piping, 36...drainage piping, 40...steam supply path, 42...steam supply valve, 50...sealing water supply path, 52...sealing water shutoff valve, 54...sealing water control Valve, 56...water supply passage, 58...room temperature water control valve, 60...check valve, 62...chilled water supply passage, 64...common water supply passage, 66...heat exchanger water supply passage, 68...drain passage, 70...drain shutoff valve, 72...drain control valve, 74...chilled water discharge passage, 76...chilled water control valve, 80...air supply passage, 82...air supply control valve, 86...check valve, 87...air filter, 88...manual release valve, 90...control means, 100...wall portion , 102... inlet, 104... nozzle, 106... pipe section, 108... outlet, 110... check valve, 112... water passage, 114... steam passage, 116... cleaning water supply passage, 118... confluence, 120... water supply valve, 122... steam supply shutoff valve, 124... cleaning valve, 126... check valve, 128... check valve, 130... cleaning water pump, 132... cleaning water temperature sensor, 134... steam control valve, 136...regulator, 138...injection device, 140...first piping, 142...inlet section, 144...outlet section, 146...second piping, 148...steam discharge section, 202...pressure sensor, 204...condensate temperature sensor, 206...sealing water temperature sensor, 208...supply water temperature sensor, 210...supply water pressure sensor, 220...temperature sensor, 230...heat exchanger outlet temperature sensor, SP...internal space.

Claims

1. a processing tank having an internal space in which a cooling target is placed; a vacuum device that uses water and steam to suck out gas from the internal space; a steam supply line for supplying steam to the vacuum device; a water supply line for supplying water to the vacuum device; a cleaning device that supplies cleaning water to the treatment tank, the cleaning device has a water passage branched from the water supply passage and a steam passage branched from the steam supply passage, and generates the cleaning water, which is hot water, using water from the water passage and steam from the steam passage. Vacuum cooling device.

2. The cleaning device has a junction where the water passage and the steam passage join together, and the cleaning water is generated by mixing the water from the water passage and the steam from the steam passage at the junction. The vacuum cooling device according to claim 1 .

3. The washing device further includes a washing water temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the washing water, and a steam control valve that is provided in the steam passage, The opening degree of the steam control valve is adjusted based on the output value of the wash water temperature sensor. The vacuum cooling device according to claim 2 .

4. The treatment tank includes an inlet for the cleaning water to which a nozzle for discharging the cleaning water can be attached and detached. The vacuum cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The cleaning device further includes a cleaning water pump that delivers the cleaning water to the treatment tank. The vacuum cooling device according to claim 4.

6. The washing device adjusts the temperature of the washing water to a set value within an adjustment range including 80°C. The vacuum cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. the vacuum device includes an ejector that uses steam from the steam supply line to suck gas from the internal space, and a heat exchanger that uses water from the water supply line to cool the gas that has passed through the ejector. The vacuum cooling device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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