Freeze-drying equipment

Abstract

To provide a freeze-drying apparatus that is energy-efficient and capable of vacuum freeze-drying. [Solution] The freeze-drying apparatus 1 comprises a heat pump 20 and a vacuum drying oven 10. The heat pump supplies a heating medium and a cooling medium to the vacuum drying oven. The vacuum drying oven includes a drying chamber 11 for heating the workpiece W with the heating medium, adsorption chambers 12 and 13 equipped with adsorption sections 90 for adsorbing water vapor generated from the workpiece, and a liquefaction chamber 14 for liquefying the water vapor generated when the adsorption section is regenerated using a cooling medium.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a freeze-drying apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, various freeze-drying techniques have been developed for drying a material to be dried by heating a frozen material to be dried under vacuum to sublimate ice in the material to be dried into water vapor, and bringing the water vapor into contact with a low-temperature heat medium to desublimate the water vapor into ice for collection (for example, see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] In such a freeze-drying technique, a large amount of energy is required to produce a high-quality freeze-dried product in a short time for water with large latent heat, through processes including freezing of water contained in the material to be freeze-dried, sublimation after freezing, freezing after sublimation, and liquefaction after freezing. In particular, the energy is consumed by electric power for the refrigeration apparatus and fuel for the boiler.

[0004] Hereinafter, specific conventional freeze-drying methods will be described. First, the material to be dried is pre-frozen in a pre-freezer. Second, the pre-frozen materials to be dried are arranged and placed on shelves in a vacuum vessel. Third, the pressure inside the vacuum vessel is reduced by a vacuum pump to a state of less than 100 torr, which is close to a full vacuum. Fourth, in the evacuated vacuum vessel, a high-temperature heat medium generated by a boiler is caused to flow through a heating coil laid on the shelf for the material to be dried, so as to heat the material to 50°C to 60°C, and sublimate the moisture in the material to be dried. Fifth, in order to collect the sublimated water vapor, a refrigeration apparatus is used to generate a low-temperature heat source of -30°C to -60°C. Using this low-temperature heat source, a low-temperature heat medium such as CO2 or brine (antifreeze) is generated, and the liquid is sent into a coiled serpentine tube called a cold trap provided in the vacuum vessel. The outer peripheral portion of the cold trap is in direct contact with the water vapor, so that the water vapor is desublimated into ice, and the ice on the outer peripheral portion of the cold trap is allowed to grow until the moisture in the material to be dried is appropriately sublimated. In this way, the moisture in the material to be dried is removed, and the drying is completed. Sixth, the material to be dried is taken out from the vacuum vessel, and the ice on the outer peripheral portion of the cold trap is melted in a short time by low-pressure steam from the boiler.

Prior Art Documents

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-194459 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] As mentioned above, conventional freeze-drying methods require boiler equipment in steps 4 and 6, and refrigeration equipment in step 5. Therefore, conventional freeze-drying methods, which combine vacuum containers and cold traps, result in high fuel consumption from the boiler equipment and high electricity consumption from the refrigeration equipment, leading to massive energy consumption.

[0007] This invention was made to solve the above problems, and aims to provide a freeze-drying apparatus that can freeze-dry in an energy-saving manner. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The freeze-drying apparatus according to the present invention, which achieves the above objective, is a freeze-drying apparatus comprising a heat pump and a vacuum drying oven. The heat pump supplies a heating medium and a cooling medium to the vacuum drying oven. The vacuum drying oven has a drying chamber for heating a workpiece with the heating medium, an adsorption chamber equipped with an adsorption section for adsorbing water vapor generated from the workpiece, and a liquefaction chamber for liquefying the water vapor generated when the adsorption section is regenerated with the cooling medium. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] With the freeze-drying apparatus configured as described above, a heat pump can be used instead of a boiler as the heat source for heating in the fourth step described above. Also, instead of a cold trap used to collect the sublimated water vapor in the fifth step described above, it is collected in an adsorption section. Furthermore, in the sixth step, low-pressure steam from a boiler is used to melt the ice on the outer circumference of the cold trap, but since ice does not grow using a cold trap, a boiler is unnecessary. As a result, a freeze-drying apparatus that can freeze-dry with energy savings can be provided. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This diagram shows a freeze-drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a case where water vapor is adsorbed in the first adsorption chamber (adsorption process) and the water adsorbed in the adsorption section is evaporated in the second adsorption chamber (regeneration process). [Figure 2] This diagram shows a freeze-drying apparatus according to this embodiment, illustrating the case where water vapor is adsorbed in the second adsorption chamber and the water adsorbed on the adsorption part is evaporated in the first adsorption chamber. [Figure 3] This figure shows the vacuum drying oven of the freeze-drying apparatus according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This diagram shows a freeze-drying apparatus according to a modified example, illustrating a case where water vapor is adsorbed in the first adsorption chamber and the water adsorbed on the adsorption part is evaporated in the second adsorption chamber. [Figure 5] This diagram shows a freeze-drying apparatus according to a modified example, illustrating a case where water vapor is adsorbed in the second adsorption chamber and the water adsorbed on the adsorption part is evaporated in the first adsorption chamber. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for illustrative purposes and may differ from actual ratios.

[0012] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a case where water vapor is adsorbed in the first adsorption chamber 12 (adsorption process) and the water adsorbed on the adsorption unit 90 is evaporated in the second adsorption chamber 13 (regeneration process). Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to this embodiment, showing a case where water vapor is adsorbed in the second adsorption chamber 13 (adsorption process) and the water adsorbed on the adsorption unit 90 is evaporated in the first adsorption chamber 12 (regeneration process). Figure 3 is a diagram showing the vacuum drying oven 10 of the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to this embodiment.

[0013] Examples of workpieces W to be freeze-dried by the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to this embodiment include various liquid foods and beverages such as ingredients and soups for instant ramen, instant coffee, and other products in the food and pharmaceutical industries.

[0014] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a vacuum drying oven 10 through which a workpiece W is freeze-dried, a heat pump 20 that supplies a heating medium and a cooling medium to the vacuum drying oven 10, a heating path 30 through which the heating medium heated by the heat pump 20 circulates, a first tank 40 in which the heating medium circulating in the heating path 30 is stored, a cooling path 50 through which the cooling medium cooled by the heat pump 20 circulates, and a second tank 60 in which the cooling medium circulating in the cooling path 50 is stored.

[0015] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the vacuum drying furnace 10 includes a drying chamber 11 that heats a workpiece W with a heating medium, two adsorption chambers 12 and 13 each provided with an adsorption unit 90 that adsorbs water vapor generated from the workpiece W, and a liquefaction chamber 14 that liquefies water vapor generated when the adsorption unit 90 is regenerated using a cooling medium. The interior of the vacuum drying furnace 10 is kept in a vacuum state during the freeze-drying operation by a vacuum pump (not illustrated).

[0016] A first on-off valve 15 is provided on the partition wall between the drying chamber 11 and the first adsorption chamber 12. A second on-off valve 16 is provided on the partition wall between the drying chamber 11 and the second adsorption chamber 13. A third on-off valve 17 is provided on the partition wall between the liquefaction chamber 14 and the first adsorption chamber 12. A fourth on-off valve 18 is provided on the partition wall between the liquefaction chamber 14 and the second adsorption chamber 13.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the drying chamber 11 is provided with a carry-in port 11A through which the workpiece W is carried in, and mounting shelves 11B on which the workpiece W is placed.

[0018] A door 11T that can be freely opened and closed is arranged at the carry-in port 11A. The workpiece W is placed on the mounting shelves 11B while the door 11T is open. With the door 11T closed, the interior of the vacuum drying furnace 10 is in a sealed state.

[0019] The mounting shelves 11B are heated by the heating medium supplied from the heat pump 20. As a result, the workpiece W placed on the mounting shelves 11B is heated, the ice in the workpiece W sublimes and is released, and the workpiece W is thereby dried. As a result, the workpiece W can be freeze-dried.

[0020] As shown in Figure 3, the adsorption chambers 12 and 13 include the first adsorption chamber 12 and the second adsorption chamber 13. The first adsorption chamber 12 is provided with an adsorption unit 90 to which an adsorbent is closely attached, and a heat exchanger 12A in contact with the adsorption unit 90. The second adsorption chamber 13 is also similarly provided with an adsorption unit 90 and a heat exchanger 13A. Note that known materials such as zeolite and silica gel can be used as the adsorbent.

[0021] By supplying a cold heat medium supplied from the heat pump 20 to the adsorption chambers 12 and 13, the adsorption section 90 is cooled via the heat exchangers 12A and 13A. Therefore, water vapor that is heated in the drying chamber 11 and sublimated from the workpiece W can be suitably collected.

[0022] By supplying a hot heat medium supplied from the heat pump 20 to the adsorption chambers 12 and 13, the adsorption section 90 is heated via the heat exchangers 12A and 13A. As a result, the moisture adsorbed by the adsorption section 90 can be evaporated via the heat exchangers 12A and 13A. Therefore, saturation of the moisture collected by the adsorption section 90 is detected in advance by a detector (not shown), and after the saturation is detected, the adsorption section 90 can be regenerated by releasing the moisture.

[0023] When water vapor generated in the freeze-drying step from the drying chamber 11 is being adsorbed (adsorption step) by the adsorption section 90 in the first adsorption chamber 12, the moisture adsorbed by the adsorption section 90 in the second adsorption chamber 13 is being evaporated (regeneration step). At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the first on-off valve 15 and the fourth on-off valve 18 are open, and the second on-off valve 16 and the third on-off valve 17 are closed.

[0024] Further, when water vapor generated in the freeze-drying step from the drying chamber 11 is being adsorbed (adsorption step) by the adsorption section 90 in the second adsorption chamber 13, the moisture adsorbed by the adsorption section 90 in the first adsorption chamber 12 is being evaporated (regeneration step). At this time, as shown in FIG. 2, the first on-off valve 15 and the fourth on-off valve 18 are closed, and the second on-off valve 16 and the third on-off valve 17 are open. In this manner, by alternately performing the adsorption step and the regeneration step in the first adsorption chamber 12 and the second adsorption chamber 13, freeze-drying of the workpiece W in the drying chamber 11 can be continuously performed.

[0025] In the liquefaction chamber 14, water vapor generated when the adsorption section 90 is regenerated is cooled and liquefied by the cold heat medium supplied from the heat pump 20.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, the liquefaction chamber 14 is provided with a condenser 14A for liquefying water vapor and a storage section 14B for storing the liquefied water.

[0027] The water stored in the storage section 14B is discarded via a drain line (not shown) after the freeze-drying operation.

[0028] The heat pump 20, although not shown in the diagram as appropriate, includes a refrigerant flow path through which the refrigerant circulates, a compressor for compressing the refrigerant, a hot water heat exchanger 21 (condenser) for supplying heat to a heating medium circulating in the heating path 30, an expansion valve for expanding the refrigerant, and a chilled water heat exchanger 22 (evaporator) for supplying cold energy to a cold medium circulating in the cooling path 50. The heat pump 20 is configured to extract both cold and hot energy simultaneously. The refrigerant circulating in the refrigerant flow path is not particularly limited, but can be appropriately selected and used, for example, a fluorocarbon refrigerant or a natural refrigerant such as ammonia or carbon dioxide.

[0029] The hot water heat exchanger 21 is located downstream of the compressor. The hot water heat exchanger 21 heats the heating medium circulating in the heating path 30 by exchanging heat with the high-temperature refrigerant discharged from the compressor.

[0030] The chilled water heat exchanger 22 is located downstream of the expansion valve. The chilled water heat exchanger 22 cools the refrigerant circulating in the cooling path 50 by exchanging heat with the refrigerant, which has been cooled to a low temperature by the expansion valve.

[0031] As shown in Figure 1, the heating path 30 heats the mounting shelf 11B in the drying chamber 11, the adsorption section 90 in the first adsorption chamber 12, and the adsorption section 90 in the second adsorption chamber 13 by circulating a heat transfer medium heated by the heat pump 20.

[0032] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the heating path 30 includes a first heating path 31 connecting the heat pump 20 and the first tank 40, a second heating path 32 provided in contact with the mounting shelf 11B in the drying chamber 11 and through which the heating medium from the first tank 40 circulates, a third heating path 33 through which the heating medium circulates from the first tank 40 through the heat exchanger 12A in the first adsorption chamber 12, a fourth heating path 34 through which the heating medium circulates from the first tank 40 through the heat exchanger 13A in the second adsorption chamber 13, and a fifth heating path 35 through which the heating medium is supplied from the first tank 40 to the heat pump 20.

[0033] The circulation of the heat transfer medium within the heating path 30 is carried out by heating pumps P1, P2, and P3. The heat transfer medium circulating within the heating path 30 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is water. The temperature of the heat transfer medium circulating within the heating path 30 is, for example, 65°C.

[0034] The second heating path 32, as well as the third heating path 33 and the fourth heating path 34, are branched at the branching section J1. A heating pump P2 is provided in the second heating path 32. The second heating path 32 is positioned in contact with the mounting shelf 11B of the drying chamber 11 in the vacuum drying oven 10. Alternatively, the second heating path 32 may be positioned near the mounting shelf 11B of the drying chamber 11 in the vacuum drying oven 10.

[0035] A heating pump P1 is provided in the common section of the third heating path 33 and the fourth heating path 34. Switching valves V1 and V2 are provided in the third heating path 33. Switching valves V1 and V2 switch on / off the supply of the first medium passing through the third heating path 33 to the first adsorption chamber 12. The third heating path 33 is located in the heat exchanger 12A of the first adsorption chamber 12 in the vacuum drying oven 10.

[0036] The third heating path 33 and the fourth heating path 34 are branched at branching section J2. Switching valves V3 and V4 are provided in the fourth heating path 34. Switching valves V3 and V4 switch on / off the supply of the heat transfer medium passing through the fourth heating path 34 to the second adsorption chamber 13. The fourth heating path 34 is located in the heat exchanger 13A of the second adsorption chamber 13 in the vacuum drying oven 10.

[0037] A heating pump P3 is provided in the fifth heating path 35.

[0038] The first tank 40 stores a heat transfer medium that is heated by the heat pump 20. The temperature of the heat transfer medium in the first tank 40 is, for example, 65°C.

[0039] The cooling path 50 cools the water vapor near the condenser 14A in the liquefaction chamber 14, the adsorption section 90 in the first adsorption chamber 12, and the adsorption section 90 in the second adsorption chamber 13 by circulating a cooling medium cooled by the heat pump 20.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cooling path 50 includes a first cooling path 51 connecting the heat pump 20 and the second tank 60, a second cooling path 52 through which the cooling medium circulates from the second tank 60 through the condenser 14A in the liquefaction chamber 14, a third cooling path 53 through which the cooling medium circulates from the second tank 60 through the heat exchanger 12A in the first adsorption chamber 12, a fourth cooling path 54 through which the cooling medium circulates from the second tank 60 through the heat exchanger 13A in the second adsorption chamber 13, and a fifth cooling path 55 through which the cooling medium is supplied from the second tank 60 to the heat pump 20.

[0041] The circulation of the cooling medium within the cooling path 50 is carried out by cooling pumps P4, P5, and P6. The cooling medium circulating within the cooling path 50 is not particularly limited, but for example, it is water. The temperature of the cooling medium circulating within the cooling path 50 is, for example, 7 to 10°C.

[0042] The second cooling path 52, as well as the third cooling path 53 and the fourth cooling path 54, are branched at the branching section J3. The second cooling path 52 is located in the condenser 14A of the liquefaction chamber 14 within the vacuum drying oven 10. A cooling pump P6 is provided in the second cooling path 52.

[0043] A cooling pump P4 is provided in the common area of ​​the third cooling path 53 and the fourth cooling path 54. Switching valves V5 and V6 are provided in the third cooling path 53. Switching valves V5 and V6 switch the supply of the cooling medium passing through the third cooling path 53 to the first adsorption chamber 12 on and off. The third cooling path 53 is located in the heat exchanger 12A of the first adsorption chamber 12 in the vacuum drying oven 10. That is, the third cooling path 53 is shared with the third heating path 33 in the vicinity of the heat exchanger 12A.

[0044] The third cooling path 53 and the fourth cooling path 54 are branched at the branching section J4. The fourth cooling path 54 is provided with switching valves V7 and V8. The switching valves V7 and V8 switch on / off the supply of the cooling medium passing through the fourth cooling path 54 to the second adsorption chamber 13. The fourth cooling path 44 is located in the heat exchanger 13A of the second adsorption chamber 13 in the vacuum drying oven 10. That is, the fourth cooling path 54 is shared with the fourth heating path 34 in the vicinity of the adsorption section 90.

[0045] A cooling pump P5 is provided in the fifth cooling path 55.

[0046] The second tank 60 stores a cooling medium that is cooled by the heat pump 20. The temperature of the cooling medium in the second tank 60 is, for example, 7°C.

[0047] With the heating path 30 and cooling path 50 configured as described above, for example, by opening switching valves V1 and V2 and closing switching valves V5 and V6, a heating medium can be supplied to the adsorption section 90 of the first adsorption chamber 12. At the same time, by closing switching valves V3 and V4 and opening switching valves V7 and V8, a cooling medium can be supplied to the adsorption section 90 of the second adsorption chamber 13.

[0048] On the other hand, by opening switching valves V5 and V6 and closing switching valves V1 and V2, a cooling medium can be supplied to the adsorption section 90 of the first adsorption chamber 12. At this time, by closing switching valves V7 and V8 and opening switching valves V3 and V4, a heating medium can be supplied to the adsorption section 90 of the second adsorption chamber 13.

[0049] The switching of the switching valves V1 to V8 and the first on-off valves 15 to the fourth on-off valves 18 is controlled by a control unit (not shown). The control unit is, for example, a CPU.

[0050] Next, a freeze-drying method for the workpiece W using the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. First, we will describe the case in which an adsorption process is performed in the first adsorption chamber 12 and a regeneration process is performed in the second adsorption chamber 13.

[0051] First, the workpiece W is pre-frozen in a spare freezer (not shown). Then, the worker opens the door 11T of the drying chamber 11, places the workpiece W on the shelf 11B, and closes the door 11T. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the control unit opens the first on-off valve 15 and the fourth on-off valve 18, and closes the second on-off valve 16 and the third on-off valve 17. The control unit also opens the switching valves V5, V6 and V3, V4, and closes the switching valves V1, V2 and V7, V8.

[0052] The control unit then drives a vacuum pump (not shown) to create a vacuum inside the vacuum drying oven 10. At this time, the vacuum is set to less than 100 torr, close to a perfect vacuum.

[0053] In this state, the control unit operates the heat pump 20. As a result, the rack 11B in the drying chamber 11 is heated to 50-60°C, and the workpiece W placed on the rack 11B is freeze-dried. At this time, the water vapor generated by sublimation enters the first adsorption chamber 12 because the first on-off valve 15 is open and the second on-off valve 16 is closed, and is adsorbed by the adsorption section 90 in the first adsorption chamber 12.

[0054] At this time, a cooling medium (7-10°C) cooled by the heat pump 20 is supplied to the first adsorption chamber 12, and the adsorption unit 90 is cooled in the first adsorption chamber 12. At this time, the heat exchanger 12A of the adsorption unit 90 can enhance the adsorption effect by removing the heat generated by the adsorption unit 90 with the cooling medium. In conventional methods, the generated water vapor is collected and accumulated on the outer periphery of a cold trap by flowing a cooling medium of -30°C to -60°C through it. However, according to the freeze-drying apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the water vapor can be recovered at 7-10°C, thus saving energy.

[0055] Furthermore, a heat transfer medium heated by the heat pump 20 is supplied to the second adsorption chamber 13, and the moisture adsorbed on the adsorption unit 90 in the second adsorption chamber 13 is evaporated. Note that evaporation of moisture does not occur at the beginning of operation when no moisture is attached to the adsorption unit 90, but occurs after repeated operation when moisture has attached to the adsorption unit 90.

[0056] Next, we will explain the case in which the adsorption process is performed in the second adsorption chamber 13 and the regeneration process is performed in the first adsorption chamber 12.

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, the control unit closes the first on-off valve 15 and the fourth on-off valve 18, and opens the second on-off valve 16 and the third on-off valve 17. The control unit also closes the switching valves V5, V6 and V3, V4, and opens the switching valves V1, V2 and V7, V8.

[0058] In this state, since the first on-off valve 15 is closed and the second on-off valve 16 is open, the water vapor generated inside the drying chamber 11 enters the second adsorption chamber 13 and is adsorbed by the adsorption part 90 inside the second adsorption chamber 13.

[0059] At this time, a cooling medium (7-10°C) cooled by the heat pump 20 is supplied to the second adsorption chamber 13, and the adsorption unit 90 is cooled in the second adsorption chamber 13. At this time, the heat exchanger 13A of the adsorption unit 90 can enhance the adsorption effect by removing the heat generated by the adsorbent using the cooling medium. As a result, energy saving can be achieved.

[0060] Furthermore, a heat transfer medium heated by the heat pump 20 is supplied to the first adsorption chamber 12, and the moisture adsorbed on the adsorption section 90 in the first adsorption chamber 12 is evaporated. The water vapor generated at this time moves to the liquefaction chamber 14, where it is liquefied by the condenser 14A. The liquefied water is stored in the storage section 14B. The above operation is then repeated alternately.

[0061] As described above, the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes a heat pump 20 and a vacuum drying oven 10. The heat pump 20 supplies a heating medium and a cooling medium to the vacuum drying oven 10. The vacuum drying oven 10 includes a drying chamber 11 for heating the workpiece W with the heating medium, adsorption chambers 12 and 13 equipped with adsorption sections 90 for adsorbing water vapor generated from the workpiece W, and a liquefaction chamber 14 for liquefying the water vapor generated when the adsorption section 90 is regenerated using a cooling medium. With the freeze-drying apparatus 1 configured in this way, the heat pump 20 can be used as a heat source for heating instead of a boiler. In addition, the sublimated water vapor is collected in the adsorption section 90 instead of a cold trap. From the above, it is possible to provide a freeze-drying apparatus 1 that can freeze-dry in an energy-saving manner.

[0062] Furthermore, the adsorption chambers 12 and 13 are supplied with a cooling medium, thereby cooling the adsorption section 90. With the freeze-drying apparatus 1 configured in this way, the heat exchangers 12A and 13A of the adsorption section 90 can enhance the adsorption effect by removing the heat generated by the adsorbent using the cooling medium. As a result, the performance of the adsorption section 90 is maintained.

[0063] Furthermore, at least two or more adsorption chambers 12 and 13 are provided. With the freeze-drying apparatus 1 configured in this way, the amount of workpiece W that can be processed is increased or the freeze-drying time of the workpiece W is shortened, and continuous operation becomes possible.

[0064] Furthermore, a heating medium is supplied to the adsorption chambers 12 and 13 to heat the adsorption section 90, thereby evaporating the moisture adsorbed on the adsorption section 90 and regenerating the adsorption section. With the freeze-drying apparatus 1 configured in this way, external heating by boilers or electric heaters is unnecessary, thus achieving energy savings, and continuous operation is possible because the adsorption section 90 is regenerated.

[0065] Furthermore, the freeze-drying apparatus 1 also has a first tank 40 to which a heating medium is supplied. With the freeze-drying apparatus 1 configured in this way, it is possible to supply a heating medium even if an external heat source cannot be secured.

[0066] <Variation> Next, the configuration of the freeze-drying apparatus 2 according to Modification 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. The freeze-drying apparatus 2 according to Modification 1 differs from the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment in that two heat exchangers 112A and 113A are provided in the first adsorption chamber 12 and the second adsorption chamber 13, respectively. Figure 4 is a system diagram showing the freeze-drying apparatus 2 according to Modification 1, showing the case in which water vapor adsorption is performed in the first adsorption chamber 12 and the evaporation of moisture adsorbed on the adsorption unit 90 is performed in the second adsorption chamber 13. Figure 5 is a system diagram showing the freeze-drying apparatus 2 according to Modification 1, showing the case in which water vapor adsorption is performed in the second adsorption chamber 13 and the evaporation of moisture adsorbed on the adsorption unit 90 is performed in the first adsorption chamber 12.

[0067] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the freeze-drying apparatus 2 according to Modification 1 includes a vacuum drying oven 110 through which the workpiece W is freeze-dried, a heat pump 20 that supplies a heating medium and a cooling medium to the vacuum drying oven 110, a heating path 130 through which the heating medium supplied from the heat pump 20 circulates, a first tank 40 that stores the heating medium circulating in the heating path 130, a cooling path 150 through which the cooling medium supplied from the heat pump 20 circulates, and a second tank 60 that stores the cooling medium circulating in the cooling path 50. The configurations of the heat pump 20, the first tank 40, and the second tank 60 are the same as those of the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0068] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the vacuum drying oven 110 has a drying chamber 11, two adsorption chambers 112 and 113, and a liquefaction chamber 14. The drying chamber 11 and the liquefaction chamber 14 are the same as those in the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0069] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the first adsorption chamber 112 is provided with an adsorption section 90 to which the adsorbent is in close contact, and two heat exchangers 112A in contact with the adsorption section 90. The second adsorption chamber 113 is similarly provided with an adsorption section 90 and two heat exchangers 113A, as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

[0070] The heating path 130 includes a first heating path 31, a second heating path 32, a third heating path 133 through which the heat medium circulates from the first tank 40 through the adsorption section 90 in the first adsorption chamber 12, a fourth heating path 134 through which the heat medium circulates from the first tank 40 through the adsorption section 90 in the second adsorption chamber 13, and a fifth heating path 35. The first heating path 31, the second heating path 32, and the fifth heating path 35 have the same configuration as the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0071] The cooling path 150 includes a first cooling path 51, a second cooling path 52, a third cooling path 153 through which the cooling medium circulates from the second tank 60 through the adsorption section 90 in the first adsorption chamber 12, a fourth cooling path 154 through which the cooling medium circulates from the second tank 60 through the adsorption section 90 in the second adsorption chamber 13, and a fifth cooling path 55. The first cooling path 51, the second cooling path 52, and the fifth cooling path 55 have the same configuration as the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, so their description is omitted.

[0072] In the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the third cooling path 53 was shared with the third heating path 33 in the vicinity of the adsorption section 90, whereas in the freeze-drying apparatus 2 according to Modification 1, the third cooling path 153 is configured independently of the third heating path 133.

[0073] Furthermore, in the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to the above-described embodiment, the fourth cooling path 54 was shared with the fourth heating path 34 in the vicinity of the adsorption section 90, whereas in the freeze-drying apparatus 2 according to Modification 1, the fourth cooling path 154 is configured independently of the fourth heating path 134.

[0074] The vacuum drying method for the freeze-drying apparatus 2 according to Modification 1 is the same as that for the freeze-drying apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment, so a description will be omitted.

[0075] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0076] For example, in the embodiment described above, a cooling medium was supplied to the adsorption chambers 12 and 13 to cool the adsorption section 90, but it is not necessary to supply a cooling medium to the adsorption chambers.

[0077] Furthermore, although two adsorption chambers 12 and 13 are provided in the embodiment described above, there may be one or three or more adsorption chambers.

[0078] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, a heating medium was supplied to the adsorption chambers 12 and 13 to heat the adsorption section 90, thereby evaporating the moisture adsorbed on the adsorption section 90. However, it is not necessary to supply a heating medium to the adsorption chambers.

[0079] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the liquefaction chamber 14 had a storage section 14B for storing the liquefied water, but it does not have to have a storage section. In this case, the water liquefied in the liquefaction chamber 14 may be stored in the drying chamber 11, or a separate storage chamber may be provided and the liquefied water may be stored in the storage chamber.

[0080] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment included a first tank 40 and a second tank 60, the first and second tanks do not necessarily have to be provided. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1, 2 freeze-drying equipment, 10, 110 Vacuum drying oven, 11 Drying room, 112, 113 adsorption chamber, 14 liquefaction chamber, 14B Storage section, 20 heat pumps, 30, 130 heating routes, 40 Tank 1, 50, 150 cooling paths, 60 Tank 2, 90 Adsorption part, Working two jobs.

Claims

1. A freeze-drying apparatus comprising a heat pump and a vacuum drying oven, The heat pump supplies a heating medium and a cooling medium to the vacuum drying oven. The vacuum drying oven is A drying chamber for heating the workpiece with the aforementioned heating medium, An adsorption chamber is provided with an adsorption section that adsorbs water vapor generated from the workpiece, A freeze-drying apparatus having a liquefaction chamber that liquefies the water vapor generated when the adsorption section is regenerated using the cooling medium.

2. The freeze-drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adsorption chamber is supplied with the cooling medium, thereby cooling the adsorption section.

3. The freeze-drying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two or more adsorption chambers are provided.

4. The freeze-drying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat transfer medium is supplied to the adsorption chamber to heat the adsorption section, thereby evaporating the water adsorbed on the adsorption section.

5. The freeze-drying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquefaction chamber has a storage section for storing liquefied water.

6. The freeze-drying apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a first tank to which the heat transfer medium is supplied.

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