Seaweed production system

Abstract

This invention provides a nori (seaweed) manufacturing system that enables the maintenance of more appropriate humidity levels in the drying chamber, thereby improving the finished product (quality) of dried nori. [Solution] A hood (intake member) 21 is provided directly above the drying chamber 7, slightly larger than the top surface of the drying chamber 7. The hood 21 is for taking in moist air blown up from the drying chamber 7 and is formed in the shape of a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with an open bottom. One end of exhaust ducts 26, 28, etc., is connected to the top surface of the hood 21, communicating with the inside of the hood 21. The other ends of the exhaust ducts 26, 28, etc., are led out to the outside of the shed 13 and connected to the intake ports of the first blower 30, the third blower 32, etc. Discharge ducts 34, 36, etc., are connected to the discharge ports of the first blower 30, the third blower 32, etc.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a nori (seaweed) production system. More specifically, the present invention relates to a nori production system comprising a shed and a nori production apparatus installed inside the shed. [Background technology]

[0002] The nori (seaweed) manufacturing apparatus consists of a front section including a paper-making section, a dewatering section, a peeling section, etc., and a drying chamber (dryer) located adjacent to the rear of the front section. In a nori (seaweed) manufacturing apparatus with this configuration, a nori mat holder, on which the nori mat is held (stretched), is moved forward by a conveyor belt. In the paper-making section, the raw nori is thinly formed into a sheet on the nori mat. Then, in the dewatering section, the raw nori on the nori mat is pressed and dewatered before being sent to the drying chamber. In the drying chamber, the nori mat holder is moved by a conveyor belt while the raw nori is dried, and the resulting sheet-like dried nori is peeled off the nori mat in the peeling section.

[0003] The seaweed processing equipment is installed inside a shed. An exhaust fan is provided in the ceiling of the shed to expel humid air blown up from the drying chamber of the seaweed processing equipment as exhaust gas to the outside of the shed. Additionally, openings such as dampers are provided on the sides of the shed to introduce dry, cold outside air into the interior. The seaweed processing season is during the winter months, from the end of November to the beginning of March (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] The quality of dried nori (and therefore its market price) largely depends on the quality of the drying process in the drying room. Therefore, controlling the humidity and temperature of the drying room is crucial for producing high-quality dried nori. Meanwhile, in recent years, nori production equipment has become increasingly large, and consequently, drying rooms and sheds have also grown larger. Therefore, in order to properly manage and adjust the humidity and temperature of the entire large drying room, it has become essential to pay close attention to humidity control inside the shed as well.

[0005] Humidity and temperature in a drying room are generally correlated; humidity decreases as the temperature rises, and humidity increases as the temperature falls. Therefore, temperature and humidity control in a drying room is carried out while measuring both temperature and humidity. Thus, temperature and humidity in a drying room are correlated parameters, and humidity control is generally carried out in parallel with temperature control.

[0006] Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the applicant has previously proposed a nori (seaweed) production system that enables proper humidity control of the shed and further improves the quality of nori drying in the drying room (see Patent Document 2).

[0007] The nori manufacturing system proposed in Patent Document 2 consists of a shed and a nori manufacturing apparatus installed inside the shed. The nori manufacturing apparatus moves a nori mat holder, on which multiple nori mats are held (stretched), by a conveyor belt, and in the paper-making section, it thinly sheets out raw nori on the nori mats. Then, it moves the nori mat holder to a dewatering section to dewater the raw nori on the nori mats that has been papered out, and then it dries the nori mat holder. The nori mat holder is brought into the room, and the raw nori attached to the nori mat is dried in the drying room while the nori mat holder is moved by a conveyor. Then, the dried nori is peeled off the nori mat in the peeling section. Air heated by an air heating device installed on the side of the drying room is sent to the bottom of the drying room to blow up the inside of the drying room. The shed is blown out of the drying room by a first fan installed on its ceiling. A seaweed manufacturing system that discharges exhaust gas to the outside of the shed, comprising: a second fan that introduces dry outside air into the shed; a humidity measuring means or a temperature measuring means for measuring the humidity or temperature inside the drying room; and a control unit that controls the airflow of the first fan and the second fan based on the humidity data or temperature data transmitted from the humidity measuring means or the temperature measuring means, wherein the control unit increases the airflow of exhaust gas discharged by the first fan and increases the airflow of outside air introduced by the second fan when the humidity or temperature inside the drying room is high, and decreases the airflow of exhaust gas discharged by the first fan and decreases the airflow of outside air introduced by the second fan when the humidity or temperature inside the drying room is low, thereby maintaining the humidity and temperature inside the drying room appropriately.

[0008] Furthermore, with a nori (seaweed) manufacturing system having such a configuration, by appropriately controlling the rotation speed (airflow) of a first fan for exhausting exhaust gas, which is installed on the ceiling of the shed, and a second fan for introducing outside air, which is installed on the side of the shed, according to the humidity or temperature measured by a humidity measuring means or a temperature measuring means, it becomes possible to maintain the humidity inside the drying room at an appropriate level and to produce dried nori with good finish (quality). [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0009] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-045981 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5951657 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The nori (seaweed) production system proposed in Patent Document 2, as described above, makes it possible to maintain appropriate humidity levels in the drying chamber and produce dried nori with good finish (quality). However, there was a desire to further improve the finish (quality) of the dried nori. Therefore, the inventors continued their diligent research and discovered that by forcibly discharging an appropriate amount of the humid air blown up from the drying chamber of the nori (seaweed) manufacturing apparatus as exhaust gas to the outside of the shed, so that the humidity inside the drying chamber remains within an appropriate range, the humidity inside the drying chamber can be maintained at an even more appropriate level, thereby improving the finished product (quality) of the dried nori. This led to the completion of the present invention.

[0011] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a nori (seaweed) manufacturing system that can further improve the finished product (quality) of dried nori by maintaining the humidity inside the drying chamber more appropriately. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] To achieve the above objective, the configuration of the seaweed production system according to the present invention is as follows: (1) It consists of a hut and a seaweed manufacturing device installed inside the hut, The aforementioned nori manufacturing apparatus moves the nori mat holder by a first conveyor within the drying chamber, drying the raw nori that has spread on the nori mat held in the nori mat holder, then peels the dried nori from the nori mat in the peeling section, and also sends heated air from an air heating device provided on the side of the drying chamber to the bottom of the drying chamber to blow air up the inside of the drying chamber. Furthermore, the aforementioned shed is designed to discharge the moist air blown up from the drying chamber to the outside of the shed, in a nori (seaweed) manufacturing system. The drying chamber is characterized by having a hollow intake member with an open lower end above it for taking in the moist air blown up from the drying chamber, and by having the moist air discharged to the outside of the shed through an exhaust duct equipped with a blower connected to the intake member.

[0013] The above configuration (1) of the seaweed production system of the present invention provides the following effects. In other words, according to the configuration of (1) above, by appropriately controlling the airflow of the blower equipped in the exhaust duct connected to the intake member, almost all of the moist air blown up from the drying chamber of the seaweed manufacturing apparatus can be taken into the intake member, and an appropriate amount can be forcibly discharged outside the shed as exhaust gas so that the humidity or temperature inside the drying chamber is within an appropriate range. Therefore, according to the configuration of (1) above, it is possible to provide a nori (seaweed) manufacturing system that makes it possible to maintain an even more appropriate humidity level in the drying chamber and to further improve the finished product (quality) of the dried nori.

[0014] In the configuration of the seaweed production system of the present invention described in (1) above, it is preferable to have the following configurations as described in (2) to (4).

[0015] (2) In the configuration of (1) above, the intake member is divided into multiple zones inside, Each zone is connected to the intake member, and the exhaust duct equipped with the blower is connected to it. In a vertical lower region inside the drying chamber corresponding to each of the plurality of zones, humidity measuring means or temperature measuring means is provided respectively. The air volume of each blower is controlled based on humidity data or temperature data transmitted from the humidity measuring means or temperature measuring means. According to the preferred configuration of (2) above, while measuring the humidity or temperature in a vertical lower region (hereinafter simply referred to as "each region") inside the drying chamber corresponding to each of the plurality of zones by the corresponding humidity measuring means or temperature measuring means, based on the humidity data or temperature data which are the measurement results transmitted from the respective humidity measuring means or temperature measuring means, by appropriately controlling the air volume of each blower, almost all of the moist air blown up from each region inside the drying chamber is taken into the corresponding zones of the intake member, and an appropriate amount is forcibly discharged to the outside of the hut as exhaust gas so that the humidity or temperature in each region inside the drying chamber is within an appropriate range. As a result, it is possible to keep the humidity in the drying chamber more appropriately and make the finished (quality) of the dried laver better.

[0016] (3) In the configuration of (1) above, the blower includes a casing, a sirocco fan housed in the casing, and a fan motor for rotating the sirocco fan. By rotating the sirocco fan by the fan motor, a negative pressure is generated to discharge the air sucked from the suction port from the discharge port.

[0017] (4) In the configuration of (1) above, the laver manufacturing apparatus further conveys the laver holder holding the laver mat by a second conveyor, thinly scoops up raw laver in a sheet shape on the laver mat in the scooping section, then moves the laver holder to the dehydration section to dehydrate the raw laver on the scooped-up laver mat, and then carries the laver holder into the drying chamber.

Effect of the Invention

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a nori (seaweed) manufacturing system that makes it possible to maintain an even more appropriate humidity level in the drying chamber, thereby improving the finished product (quality) of the dried nori. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a nori (seaweed) manufacturing apparatus installed inside a shed, which is a component of a nori manufacturing system in one embodiment of the present invention (the configuration of the inside of the drying chamber is not shown). [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic rear cross-sectional view showing the structure of a shed, which is a component of the seaweed production system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration around the drying chamber of a seaweed manufacturing apparatus, which is a component of a seaweed manufacturing system in one embodiment of the present invention (the exhaust duct is not shown). [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing the connection between the drying chamber and the exhaust duct of a seaweed manufacturing apparatus, which are components of a seaweed manufacturing system according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram illustrating the control system of a seaweed production system in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0020] The present invention will be described in more detail below using preferred embodiments. However, the embodiments described below are merely examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0021] (Configuration of seaweed manufacturing equipment) First, the configuration of the seaweed manufacturing apparatus installed inside the shed in one embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to Figure 1.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic side view showing the configuration of a nori (seaweed) manufacturing apparatus installed inside a shed, which is a component of a nori manufacturing system in one embodiment of the present invention (the configuration of the inside of the drying chamber is not shown).

[0023] As shown in Figure 1, the nori (seaweed) manufacturing apparatus 1 consists of a front section 2 and a drying chamber (dryer) 7 located adjacent to the rear of the front section 2.

[0024] In the front section 2, a sheeting section 3, a dewatering section 4, a peeling section 5, and a holder washing section 6 are arranged along the conveying path of a conveying conveyor 8, which is configured to circulate and transport nori mat holders (not shown) by an endless chain 8a formed by endlessly connecting attachment chains. Here, multiple nori mats (not shown) are held (stretched) in the nori mat holder.

[0025] The endless chain 8a is wrapped in a horizontally elongated rectangular shape around one drive sprocket 9 and three driven sprockets 10-12 (a two-tiered configuration: the upper conveyor belt 8U and the lower conveyor belt 8L), and is positioned in pairs opposite each other at the same height in the vertical direction of the paper in Figure 1 in order to hold the nori mat holder from both sides. The drive sprocket 9 is then rotated by, for example, a drive motor (not shown) (see arrow A in Figure 1), which allows the endless chain 8a to rotate intermittently clockwise in Figure 1 at predetermined timings.

[0026] In the conveying path of the conveying conveyor 8, which consists of an endless chain 8a in an upper and lower configuration, the upper conveying conveyor 8U, located at a higher position, has the paper-making section 3 and the dewatering section 4 arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of transport (from left to right in Figure 1). In the conveying path of the conveying conveyor 8, the lower conveying conveyor 8L, located at a lower position, has the peeling section 5 and the holder washing section 6 arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the direction of transport (from right to left in Figure 1). The nori mat holder is then transported (moved) sequentially to the paper-making section 3, the dewatering section 4, the drying chamber 7, the peeling section 5, and the holder washing section 6.

[0027] After dewatering, the nori mat holders are transported into the drying chamber 7 via the upper conveyor 8U, which is located at a higher position on the conveyor path of the transport conveyor 8. The drying chamber 7 is equipped with a two-tiered drying conveyor (not shown), for example, consisting of an upper conveyor and a lower conveyor. The raw nori that has spread onto the nori mats held in the nori mat holders is dried as it moves through the drying chamber 7 on the drying conveyor, becoming dried nori. After drying, the nori mat holders are transferred to the lower level of the conveying path of the conveying conveyor 8, specifically to the lower level conveying conveyor 8L.

[0028] The paper-making section 3 processes the process of thinly forming raw seaweed into a sheet on a seaweed mat held (stretched) in a seaweed mat holder. The dewatering unit 4 dewaters the raw seaweed on the seaweed mat that has been formed by the papermaking unit 3. In the seaweed manufacturing apparatus 1, the dewatering unit 4 is composed of a suction dewatering unit 4a, which is arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction, and which dewaters the seaweed by sucking moisture from the seaweed dough formed on the upper surface of the seaweed mat, and a press dewatering unit 4b, which dewaters the seaweed by pressing a sponge-like pad onto the seaweed dough. The peeling section 5 peels the dried seaweed from the seaweed mats held in the seaweed mat holder. In the seaweed manufacturing apparatus 1, the peeling section 5 is composed of a preliminary peeling section (edge ​​peeling section) 5a, which peels only the edges (edges) of the dried seaweed from the seaweed mats, and a main peeling section (seaweed peeling device) 5b, which peels the entire dried seaweed from the seaweed mats, arranged in order from the upstream side to the downstream side in the conveying direction. The holder washing unit 6 washes the nori mat holders from which the dried nori has been peeled with water. After washing, the nori mat holders are transported back to the papermaking unit 3, where the above processes of papermaking, dewatering, drying, peeling, and washing are repeated.

[0029] As can be seen from the above description, the nori manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment moves the nori mat holder in the drying chamber 7 using a drying conveyor (first conveyor), dries the raw nori that has spread on the nori mat held in the nori mat holder, and then peels the dried nori from the nori mat in the peeling section 5. Furthermore, as will be described later, the nori manufacturing apparatus 1 in this embodiment sends air heated by an air heating device 14 provided on the side of the drying chamber 7 to the bottom of the drying chamber 7 and blows air up inside the drying chamber 7 (see Figure 2, which will be described later). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the nori manufacturing apparatus 1 is configured such that a nori mat holder, on which the nori mat is held (stretched), is transported (moved) by a transport conveyor 8 (second conveyor) while the raw nori is thinly formed into a sheet on the nori mat in the papermaking section 3, then the nori mat holder is moved to the dewatering section 4 to dewater the raw nori on the papermaking section, and then the nori mat holder is brought into the drying chamber 7.

[0030] (Structure of the hut) Next, the structure of the shed that constitutes the seaweed manufacturing system together with the seaweed manufacturing apparatus in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 2 to 5.

[0031] Figure 2 is a schematic rear cross-sectional view showing the structure of the shed, which is a component of the nori (seaweed) manufacturing system in this embodiment; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view showing the configuration around the drying chamber of the nori manufacturing apparatus, which is a component of the nori manufacturing system (the exhaust duct is not shown); Figure 4 is a schematic plan view showing the connection between the drying chamber and the exhaust duct of the nori manufacturing apparatus, which is a component of the nori manufacturing system; and Figure 5 is a block diagram for explaining the control system of the nori manufacturing system.

[0032] As shown in Figure 2, the nori (seaweed) manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 is installed inside the shed 13, with the drying chamber 7 located at its rear. The nori manufacturing apparatus 1 has an air heating device (kettle) 14 attached to the right side of the drying chamber 7 (see Figure 3). The air heating device 14 is equipped with a burner 15, a heat exchange duct 16, an air intake fan 17, etc. The heat exchange duct 16 is connected to a chimney 18 for discharging exhaust gas to the outside. In addition, an automatically opening and closing outside air inlet damper 19 is provided on the outer wall of the shed 13, located near the air intake fan 17. Outside air that flows into the interior of the shed 13 through the damper 19 is introduced into the air heating device 14 by the air intake fan 17 (see dashed arrow A in Figure 2). The air heated by the air heating device 14 is sent to the bottom of the drying chamber 7 through a communication port 20 that opens at the bottom of the drying chamber 7 (see dashed arrow B in Figure 2), and is blown upward inside the drying chamber 7 (see dashed arrow C in Figure 2). As the air heated by the air heating device 14 blows upward inside the drying chamber 7 (see dashed arrow C in Figure 2), it absorbs moisture from the raw seaweed spread on the seaweed mats, drying it out and becoming humid air, which is then forcibly discharged outside the shed 13 as exhaust gas (the specific discharge mechanism will be described later). Additionally, two ventilation fans 38 are installed in the ceiling of shed 13.

[0033] As shown in Figures 2 to 4, a hood 21, which is slightly larger than the top surface of the drying chamber 7, is provided directly above the drying chamber 7 as an intake member. The hood 21 is for taking in moist air blown up from the drying chamber 7.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2, one end of exhaust ducts 26, 28, etc., is connected to the upper surface of the hood 21, communicating with the inside of the hood 21. The other ends of the exhaust ducts 26, 28, etc., are led to the outside of the shed 13 and connected to the intake ports of separate first blowers 30, third blowers 32, etc. Discharge ducts 34, 36, etc., are connected to the discharge ports of the first blowers 30, third blowers 32, etc. The air heated by the air heating device 14 is blown upward inside the drying chamber 7, absorbing moisture from the raw seaweed spread on the seaweed mats, drying it and turning it into humid air, which is then forcibly discharged as exhaust gas from the discharge ducts 34, 36, etc., to the outside of the shed 13 (see dashed arrows D, E in Figure 2).

[0035] The configuration of the nori (seaweed) manufacturing system of this embodiment, as described above, provides the following effects and advantages. In other words, with the above configuration, by appropriately controlling the airflow of the first blower 30 etc. provided in the exhaust duct 26 etc. connected to the hood (intake member) 21, almost all of the moist air blown up from the drying chamber 7 of the seaweed manufacturing apparatus 1 can be taken into the hood (intake member) 21, and an appropriate amount can be forcibly discharged to the outside of the shed 13 as exhaust gas so that the humidity inside the drying chamber 7 is within an appropriate range. Therefore, according to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a nori (seaweed) manufacturing system that makes it possible to maintain an even more appropriate humidity level in the drying chamber 7, thereby improving the finished product (quality) of the dried nori.

[0036] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hood 21 is formed in the shape of a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with an open lower end, and its interior is divided into four zones (the first zone 22 on the left rear, the second zone 23 on the left front, the third zone 24 on the right rear, and the fourth zone 25 on the right front). For convenience, these first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 are each divided into two front and rear regions 22a, 22b; 23a, 23b; 24a, 24b; and 25a, 25b.

[0037] Further details are provided below. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, one end of each exhaust duct 26, 27, 28, and 29 is connected to the upper surface of the hood 21 for each zone. More specifically, one end of exhaust ducts 26a and 26b is connected to the upper surface of the first zone 22 of the hood 21, located in the front region 22a, and one end of exhaust ducts 26c and 26d is connected to the rear region 22b. The exhaust ducts 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d are made of stainless steel (SUS) corrugated hoses with an inner diameter (φ) of 450 mm, and their other ends are connected to the intake port of the first blower 30 via a rectangular duct (EA 750 mm × 750 mm) 26e made of SUS. In addition, a rectangular discharge duct (EA 750 mm × 750 mm) 34 made of SUS is connected to the discharge port of the first blower 30.

[0038] On the upper surface of the second zone 23 of the hood 21, one end of exhaust ducts 27a and 27b is connected to the front area 23a, and one end of exhaust ducts 27c and 27d is connected to the rear area 23b. The other ends of exhaust ducts 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d are connected to the intake port of the second blower 31 via a rectangular duct 27e. A rectangular discharge duct 35 is connected to the discharge port of the second blower 31. The size and material of each duct are the same as those of the exhaust duct 26a, rectangular duct 26e, rectangular discharge duct 34, etc. Furthermore, in Figure 4, for the sake of clarity, one end of the exhaust ducts 27a, 27b, 27c, and 27d is depicted detached from the upper surface of the second zone 23 of the hood 21.

[0039] On the upper surface of the third zone 24 of the hood 21, one end of exhaust ducts 28a and 28b is connected to the front area 24a, and one end of exhaust ducts 28c and 28d is connected to the rear area 24b. The other ends of exhaust ducts 28a, 28b, 28c, and 28d are connected to the intake port of the third blower 32 via a rectangular duct 28e. A rectangular discharge duct 36 is connected to the discharge port of the third blower 32. The size and material of each duct are the same as those of the exhaust duct 26a, rectangular duct 26e, rectangular discharge duct 34, etc.

[0040] On the upper surface of the fourth zone 25 of the hood 21, one end of exhaust ducts 29a and 29b is connected to the front area 25a, and one end of exhaust ducts 29c and 29d is connected to the rear area 25b. The other ends of exhaust ducts 29a, 29b, 29c, and 29d are connected to the intake port of the fourth blower 33 via a rectangular duct 29e. A rectangular discharge duct 37 is connected to the discharge port of the fourth blower 33. The size and material of each duct are the same as those of the exhaust duct 26a, rectangular duct 26e, rectangular discharge duct 34, etc.

[0041] In this embodiment, the "Ebara Single-Sided Suction Multi-Ace Fan No. 41 / 2SRM4" manufactured by Ebara Corporation was selected as the first blower 30, second blower 31, third blower 32, and fourth blower 33. This blower comprises a casing, a sirocco fan housed within the casing, and a fan motor for rotating the sirocco fan. By rotating the sirocco fan with the fan motor, this blower generates negative pressure that causes air drawn in from the intake port to be discharged from the outlet port. This fan has a maximum airflow of 19,000 m³ 3 It has a frequency of 0-19,000 m³ / h, a static pressure of 200 Pa, a maximum output of 3.7 kW, and inverter control allows for airflow from 0 to 19,000 m³. 3 Automatic or manual control is possible within the range of / h. Automatic control is performed in conjunction with the humidity controller. It is also possible to control each of the four fans independently. Reasons for selecting this fan: The airflow per dryer (drying chamber 7) is 308.5 m³. 3 / min(308.5 × 60 = 18,510m) 3 / h) and 18,510m 3 / h×5 cars=92,550m3 / h It is. 92,550 m 3 Assuming that 80% of the air of 92,550 m / h is discharged outside the hut 13 (assuming that 20% is returned to the dryer (drying chamber 7) for humidity adjustment), 92,550 m 3 / h × 0.8 = 74,040 m 3 / h It becomes. Assuming exhaust is carried out using four blowers, 74,040 m 3 / h ÷ 4 units = 18,510 m 3 / h It becomes. From the above, as the first blower 30, the second blower 31, the third blower 32, and the fourth blower 33, the "Ebara Side Suction Multi Ace Fan No. 41 / 2SRM4" manufactured by Ebara Corporation, which is a blower with a maximum air volume of 19,000 m / h, was selected. 3 Note that the sizes of the above exhaust duct 26a, rectangular duct 26e, rectangular discharge duct 34, etc. were set on the premise of the selection of the "Ebara Side Suction Multi Ace Fan No. 41 / 2SRM4" manufactured by Ebara Corporation.

[0042]

[0043] As shown in FIG. 3, in the drying chamber 7, at appropriate positions (in the lower side in this embodiment) in the respective regions corresponding to the first zone 22, the second zone 23, the third zone 24, and the fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 (the vertically lower regions of each zone, hereinafter the same), the first humidity sensor S1, the second humidity sensor S2, the third humidity sensor S3, and the fourth humidity sensor S4 as humidity measuring means are provided, respectively.

[0044] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the control unit 39 is connected to the first humidity sensor S1, the second humidity sensor S2, the third humidity sensor S3, and the fourth humidity sensor S4, as well as the first driver 40 of the first blower 30, the second driver 41 of the second blower 31, the third driver 42 of the third blower 32, and the fourth driver 43 of the fourth blower 33. The first driver 40, the second driver 41, the third driver 42, and the fourth driver 43 each include an inverter circuit.

[0045] The humidity levels in each area corresponding to the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 are measured by the first humidity sensor S1, second humidity sensor S2, third humidity sensor S3, and fourth humidity sensor S4, respectively, and the resulting humidity data is transmitted to the control unit 39. The control unit 39 then controls the first driver 40, second driver 41, third driver 42, and fourth driver 43, respectively, based on the humidity data measured by the first humidity sensor S1, second humidity sensor S2, third humidity sensor S3, and fourth humidity sensor S4. For example, when the humidity in each area corresponding to the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is all within the appropriate range, the first blower 30, second blower 31, third blower 32, and fourth blower 33 are all operated normally. Also, for example, when the humidity in each area corresponding to the first zone 22 and second zone 23 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is within the appropriate range, but the humidity in each area corresponding to the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is outside the appropriate range and low, the first blower 30 and second blower 31 are operated normally, and the rotation speed of the fan motors of the third blower 32 and fourth blower 33 is reduced to decrease the airflow of the third blower 32 and fourth blower 33.

[0046] (Operation method for the seaweed production system) Next, an example of how to operate the seaweed production system in this embodiment will be described.

[0047] In Figure 2, outside air flowing into the interior of the shed 13 from the outside air inlet damper 19 is introduced into the air heating device 14 by the air introduction fan 17 (see dashed arrow A in Figure 2). The air heated by the air heating device 14 is sent to the bottom of the drying chamber 7 through the communication port 20 opened at the bottom of the drying chamber 7 (see dashed arrow B in Figure 2) and blows upward inside the drying chamber 7 (see dashed arrow C in Figure 2). As the air heated by the air heating device 14 blows upward inside the drying chamber 7, it absorbs moisture from the raw seaweed spread on the seaweed mats, drying them out and becoming humid air. The moist air blown up from the drying chamber 7 is taken into the hood 21 and, driven by the first blower 30, the third blower 32, etc., is forcibly discharged as exhaust gas to the outside of the shed 13 through the exhaust ducts 26, 28, etc. (see dashed arrow D in Figure 2) via the discharge ducts 34, 36, etc. (see dashed arrow E in Figure 2).

[0048] As shown in Figures 2 to 5, the humidity in each area inside the drying chamber 7 that corresponds to the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 is measured by the first humidity sensor S1, the second humidity sensor S2, the third humidity sensor S3, and the fourth humidity sensor S4, respectively. For example, when the humidity in each area inside the drying chamber 7 that corresponds to the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 is all within the appropriate range, the first blower 30, the second blower 31, the third blower 32, and the fourth blower 33 are all operated normally. As a result, almost all of the moist air blown up from each area (with humidity within the appropriate range) corresponding to the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is evenly drawn into the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 at the same airflow rate, and is forcibly discharged to the outside of the shed 13 through the exhaust ducts 26, 27, 28, and 29 and the discharge ducts 34, 35, 36, and 37. Therefore, the humidity in each area inside the drying chamber 7 corresponding to the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 is all maintained within the appropriate range. Consequently, it is possible to further maintain the humidity inside the drying chamber 7 to an even more appropriate level, resulting in an even better finished product (quality) of dried seaweed.

[0049] Furthermore, for example, if the humidity in the areas corresponding to the first zone 22 and second zone 23 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is within the appropriate range, and the humidity in the areas corresponding to the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is outside the appropriate range and low, the first blower 30 and the second blower 31 are operated normally, and the rotational speed of the fan motors of the third blower 32 and the fourth blower 33 is reduced to decrease the airflow of the third blower 32 and the fourth blower 33. As a result, almost all of the moist air blown up from the areas corresponding to the first zone 22 and second zone 23 of the hood 21 (with humidity within the appropriate range) inside the drying chamber 7 is taken into the first zone 22 and second zone 23 of the hood 21 at the same airflow rate, and is forcibly discharged to the outside of the shed 13 through the exhaust ducts 26 and 27 and the discharge ducts 34 and 35. In addition, almost all of the moist air blown up from the areas corresponding to the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 (with low humidity) inside the drying chamber 7 is taken into the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 at the same airflow rate, and is forcibly discharged to the outside of the shed 13 through the exhaust ducts 28 and 29 and the discharge ducts 36 and 37. Therefore, while maintaining the humidity in each area corresponding to the first zone 22 and second zone 23 of the hood 21 within the drying chamber 7 within the appropriate range, the humidity in each area corresponding to the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 within the drying chamber 7 can be quickly restored to the appropriate range. As a result, it becomes possible to maintain the humidity inside the drying chamber 7 at an even more appropriate level, thereby improving the finished product (quality) of the dried seaweed.

[0050] Furthermore, for example, if the humidity in the areas corresponding to the first zone 22 and second zone 23 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is high and outside the appropriate range, and the humidity in the areas corresponding to the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is within the appropriate range, the rotational speed of the fan motors of the first blower 30 and the second blower 31 is increased to increase the airflow of the first blower 30 and the second blower 31, and the third blower 32 and the fourth blower 33 are operated normally. As a result, almost all of the moist air blown up from the areas (overly humid) corresponding to the first zone 22 and second zone 23 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is taken into the first zone 22 and second zone 23 of the hood 21 at the same airflow rate, and is forcibly discharged to the outside of the shed 13 through the exhaust ducts 26 and 27 and the discharge ducts 34 and 35. In addition, almost all of the moist air blown up from the areas (with humidity within the appropriate range) corresponding to the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is taken into the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 at the same airflow rate, and is forcibly discharged to the outside of the shed 13 through the exhaust ducts 28 and 29 and the discharge ducts 36 and 37. Therefore, while maintaining the humidity in each area corresponding to the third zone 24 and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 within the drying chamber 7 within an appropriate range, the humidity in each area corresponding to the first zone 22 and second zone 23 within the drying chamber 7 can be quickly reduced to an appropriate range. As a result, it becomes possible to maintain the humidity inside the drying chamber 7 at an even more appropriate level, thereby improving the finished product (quality) of the dried seaweed.

[0051] As described above, according to the configuration of the nori manufacturing system of this embodiment, the humidity in each area (hereinafter simply referred to as "each area") corresponding to the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7 is measured by the first humidity sensor S1, second humidity sensor S2, third humidity sensor S3, and fourth humidity sensor S4, respectively, while the measurements transmitted from the first humidity sensor S1, second humidity sensor S2, third humidity sensor S3, and fourth humidity sensor S4 are measured. Based on the humidity data obtained from each unit, the airflow rates of the first blower 30, the second blower 31, the third blower 32, and the fourth blower 33 are appropriately controlled. This allows almost all of the humid air blown up from each area inside the drying chamber 7 to be taken into the first zone 22, the second zone 23, the third zone 24, and the fourth zone 25 of the hood 21, respectively. The air can then be forcibly discharged to the outside of the shed as exhaust gas in appropriate amounts so that the humidity in each area inside the drying chamber 7 is within the appropriate range. As a result, the humidity inside the drying chamber 7 can be maintained at an even more appropriate level, leading to an even better finished product (quality) of dried seaweed.

[0052] In the nori (seaweed) production system of this embodiment, for example, suction adjustment valves (not shown) for adjusting the suction pressure may be provided at the base ends of the exhaust ducts 26, 27, 28, and 29. This makes it possible to evenly suction the entire upper surface of the drying chamber (dryer) 7 and equalize the humidity inside the drying chamber (dryer) 7. Furthermore, by adjusting the suction pressure of the exhaust ducts 28 and 29 on the air heating device (kettle) 14 side, it is possible to adjust the secondary air returning to the air heating device (kettle) 14 and thereby adjust the humidity inside the drying chamber (dryer) 7.

[0053] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case in which humidity control of the drying chamber 7 is performed based on the measurement results (humidity data) of a humidity sensor such as the first humidity sensor S1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. As described above, humidity and temperature in the drying chamber are correlated parameters, so for example, a temperature sensor may be provided as a means of measuring temperature instead of a humidity sensor, and the airflow of the first blower 30, the second blower 31, the third blower 32, and the fourth blower 33 may be adjusted (humidity control of the drying chamber 7) based on the measurement results (temperature data) of the temperature sensor.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case in which the hood 21 as an intake member is provided directly above the drying chamber 7 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. As long as almost all of the moist air blown up from the drying chamber 7 can be taken into the hood (intake member) 21, the upper surface of the drying chamber 7 and the lower surface of the hood (intake member) 21 may be separated to some extent.

[0055] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case in which multiple exhaust ducts are connected to the upper surface of the hood (intake member) 21 was described as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. The number of exhaust ducts may be one.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the case in which the interior of the hood (intake member) 21 is divided into four zones was described as an example. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. The interior of the hood (intake member) may be divided into two or three zones, or into five or more zones. Also, the interior of the hood (intake member) does not necessarily have to be divided into multiple zones.

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first humidity sensor S1, the second humidity sensor S2, the third humidity sensor S3, and the fourth humidity sensor S4 were described as being provided in appropriate locations within each region (the vertically downward region of each zone) corresponding to the first zone 22, second zone 23, third zone 24, and fourth zone 25 of the hood 21 inside the drying chamber 7. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to this configuration. Two or more humidity sensors (or temperature sensors) may be provided in one region, and the average value of the measured values ​​from each sensor may be used. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 Nori production equipment 2 Front part 3. Cutting section 4 Dehydration section 5. Stripped section 6. Holder cleaning section 7 Drying room 8. Conveyor belt for transport (second conveyor belt) 8a Endless chain 8U Upper conveyor 8L Lower conveyor 9 Drive sprocket 10, 11, 12 driven sprockets 13 Huts 14. Air heating device 15 burners 16 Heat exchange duct 17 Air intake fan 18 Chimney 19. Damper for outside air inflow 20 connecting ports 21 Hood (Intake component) 22 Zone 1 23 Zone 2 24 Zone 3 25 Zone 4 26, 27, 28, 29 Exhaust duct 30 First blower 31. Second blower 32 Third blower 33. The fourth blower 39 Control Unit 40 First Driver 41 Second Driver 42 Third Driver 43 The fourth driver S1 First humidity sensor S2 Second humidity sensor S3 Third humidity sensor S4 4th humidity sensor

Claims

1. It consists of a hut and a seaweed manufacturing device installed inside the hut. The aforementioned nori manufacturing apparatus moves the nori mat holder by a first conveyor within the drying chamber, drying the raw nori that has spread on the nori mat held in the nori mat holder, then peels the dried nori from the nori mat in the peeling section, and also sends heated air from an air heating device provided on the side of the drying chamber to the bottom of the drying chamber to blow air up the inside of the drying chamber. Furthermore, the aforementioned shed is designed to discharge the moist air blown up from the drying chamber to the outside of the shed, in a nori (seaweed) manufacturing system. A nori (seaweed) production system characterized by having a hollow intake member with an open lower end above the drying chamber for taking in the moist air blown up from the drying chamber, and discharging the moist air to the outside of the shed through an exhaust duct equipped with a blower connected to the intake member.

2. The intake member is divided into multiple zones inside, Each zone is connected to the intake member, and the exhaust duct equipped with the blower is connected to it. Within the drying chamber, in the vertically downward region corresponding to each of the multiple zones, a humidity measuring means or a temperature measuring means is provided, The nori manufacturing system according to claim 1, wherein the airflow rate of each blower is controlled based on humidity data or temperature data transmitted from the humidity measuring means or temperature measuring means.

3. The blower comprises a casing, a sirocco fan housed within the casing, and a fan motor for rotating the sirocco fan, and the fan motor rotates the sirocco fan to generate negative pressure, causing air drawn in from the intake port to be discharged from the outlet, as described in claim 1.

4. The nori manufacturing apparatus further comprises transporting the nori mat holder, which holds the nori mat, by a second conveyor, while forming a thin sheet of raw nori on the nori mat in the forming section, then moving the nori mat holder to the dewatering section to dewater the raw nori on the nori mat that has been formed, and then transporting the nori mat holder into the drying chamber, as described in claim 1.

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