How to dry a smoke filter unit

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for drying at least one cell of an electrostatic precipitator of a smoke treatment unit in a coffee bean roaster and smoke treatment unit system, the method comprising passing hot air through the cell while the cell is located inside the electrostatic precipitator and while the cell is switched off.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for roasting coffee beans in a safe environment. [Background technology]

[0002] Roasting coffee beans is a well-known process. The main steps consist of heating the beans to the desired roast level and then cooling or quenching the heated beans to stop the roast. During heating, smoke is released. This smoke contains not only safe and desirable components, particularly the normal roasted coffee aroma, all together, but also undesirable and less safe volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as pyridine, 2-furanmethanol, caffeine, furfural, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and particulate matter (PM). 2.5 , PM 10 ) is also included.

[0003] When roasting is carried out at a manufacturing site that produces significant quantities of roasted beans, all conditions are generally provided to capture unsafe components.

[0004] However, recently, there has been a trend towards small roasters for small batch roasting in stores, restaurants and coffee shops where customers can consume coffee brewed with freshly roasted beans. Roasters not only offer the benefits of freshness and on-site, but also deliver a pleasant roasted coffee aroma to the interior of the store or coffee shop.

[0005] However, as mentioned above, harmful substances are also emitted. If the roaster is used in a closed environment such as a shop, coffee shop or restaurant, depending on the size of the room and the ventilation of the room, the emission of some substances can be harmful. For people who work in the room for several hours, smelling the smoke from the roaster can lead to health problems.

[0006] As a result, in such environments, it is recommended to stop the emission of smoke from the roaster to avoid health problems for the people present in the store. Existing solutions consist of destroying the impurities, such as with afterburners or catalytic afterburners that allow thermal oxidation of the impurities, or of retaining them inside devices such as mechanical filters (metal sieves or paper filters), activated carbon filters, electrostatic precipitators, or a combination thereof.

[0007] Electrostatic precipitators capture some PM. The advantages of electrostatic precipitators are their low cost of purchase and use and their lack of noise and heat generation during use. Because electrostatic precipitators capture contaminants that remain attached to the electrostatic precipitator's charged cells, the devices must be cleaned periodically. Cleaning involves removing the electrostatic precipitator cells from the filter device and rinsing them with water and, optionally, detergent. The cells must then be allowed to dry before being reinstalled inside the filter unit; otherwise, water droplets could cause internal breakdowns in the filter device during operation. Because even a small amount of water can cause the cells to malfunction, it is essential that the cells are well dried before being reinstalled. For this reason, sufficient time is required for the cells to dry; typically, 12 hours is required. Operators can clean the cells at the end of the day and return them to a dry state the next morning.

[0008] This drying time is not an issue if the roasting equipment and associated filters are used only once a day or occasionally, but with the current trend towards using small roasters in shops, restaurants and coffee shops, roasting operations may occur frequently during business hours, and the need to clean the smoke filter device may arise urgently during business hours, in which case the length of the cleaning may be incompatible with the high usage rate of the roaster and filter device.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to address the problem of treating the smoke resulting from coffee bean roasting and making it possible to quickly clean the unit containing the electrostatic precipitator. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for drying at least one wetted removable cell of an electrostatic precipitator smoke filter of a smoke treatment unit (3) of a roasting system, the system comprising: A roasting device, a smoke treatment unit configured to treat smoke produced by the roasting apparatus, the smoke treatment unit including an electrostatic precipitator smoke filter; Equipped with the electrostatic dust collection smoke filter comprises at least one removable cell; the cell comprises an ionizing wire, a collecting electrode, and a repelling electrode; The cell is powered, The method includes at least the steps of passing hot air through a wetted, removable cell while the cell is disposed within an electrostatic precipitator and while the cell is switched off; Hot air is generated by the coffee bean roaster while the roasting chamber of the coffee bean roaster is empty, in particular while there are no coffee beans in the roasting chamber of the coffee bean roaster.

[0011] The method relates to drying cells of an electrostatic precipitator used in a system comprising two devices, the first device being a roaster that can be heated so that beans are roasted, and the second device being a smoke treatment unit configured to treat smoke generated inside the first roaster during roasting of coffee beans, the smoke treatment unit comprising at least an electrostatic precipitator.

[0012] The two devices may be subparts of one single main system, or the two devices may be considered as separate modules that work together during the roasting process.

[0013] An electrostatic precipitator is a particle collection device that filters smoke by using an electrostatic charge to remove particles from the smoke stream. An electrostatic precipitator smoke filter comprises one or more cells. Each cell is identical and an ionization wire or corona metal wire in an upstream ionization region; and a collecting electrode and a repelling electrode in a downstream collection region. The electrodes typically have the form of plates. An electric field is generated through the electrodes and is perpendicular to the smoke flow. Several pairs of spaced apart collecting and repelling plates can be associated to cause the smoke to flow in the spaces between the collecting and repelling plates.

[0014] Typically, the ionization wire is powered to apply a high voltage V to the ionization wire. Smoke particles flowing through the ionization region are ionized to either a positive or negative charge.

[0015] Then, when the smoke stream passes the downstream metal plate, the collecting electrode becomes a collector of ionized particles, and the charged particles are attracted to the plate, move towards the plate, and form a layer that settles on the plate. Thus, the outgoing smoke stream is cleared of the charged particles collected on the collecting electrode.

[0016] An electrostatic precipitator can be used to capture particles having a size between 1.0 and 10 μm.

[0017] After a certain time, the electrodes or plates need to be cleaned, which consists of removing the associated wire and plate cell from the electrostatic precipitator device, rinsing the cell with water and finally with detergent or placing it in the dishwasher, and draining the cell before placing it back inside the electrostatic precipitator device.

[0018] Typically, immediately after draining, the cells are not returned to the interior of the device because they are still wet and the wet wires and plates would disable the operation of the electrostatic precipitator device. However, in the present method, at least one cell is returned to the electrostatic precipitator device to perform an in-place drying operation.

[0019] Drying of the at least one cell is accomplished by passing hot air through the cell while the cell is placed inside the electrostatic precipitator and the cell is switched off.

[0020] The cells are placed inside the electrostatic precipitator, but the fact that they are switched off and not connected to a power source allows them to dry without risk of short circuit.

[0021] Hot air is generated by the coffee bean roaster while the roasting chamber of the coffee bean roaster is empty, in particular while there are no coffee beans in the roasting chamber of the coffee bean roaster.

[0022] Therefore, a roasting device is used to dry the cells by generating a stream of hot, contaminant-free air that evaporates any remaining water droplets on the cells without depositing particles on them.

[0023] In one embodiment, the method can include verifying the absence of beans inside the roasting chamber before drying the cells. For example, a pressure or temperature sensor can be used to detect the presence of beans while the heating operation begins (differences in air loss and heat absorption by the beans, respectively).

[0024] The method allows to significantly reduce the time required to clean and then dry at least one cell, and the drying operation can be reduced to less than one hour, or even less than 30 minutes, which means that the non-operational state of the roasting equipment becomes less critical for the operator.

[0025] In manual mode, the method can be performed by an operator running the roaster without introducing beans into the roasting chamber, with the electrostatic precipitator switched off, and introducing the generated hot air into the smoke filtering unit for a period of time. Running the method for about 30 minutes is usually sufficient to dry the electrostatic precipitator cells.

[0026] The temperature of the hot air generated by coffee roasters is usually above 100°C to allow moisture evaporation. Higher temperatures can shorten drying times, but also increase the time required for the roaster to cool before use. The optimal temperature may depend on the type of roaster (whether it has rapid cooling capabilities or not) and the smoke filtering unit (some of the subunits of the smoke filtering unit may be damaged by high temperatures).

[0027] The 200°C temperature in the roaster can generate a hot air flow of about 60°C in the electrostatic precipitator, which is sufficient to rapidly dry the electrostatic precipitator cells.

[0028] Preferably, the method is carried out in automatic mode, which is defined to assist the operator and allow the drying operation to be as short as possible, in particular less than 30 minutes.

[0029] Preferably, while passing hot air through at least one cell of the electrostatic precipitator, the method comprises: S1 - keeping the electrostatic precipitator cells switched off for a first predetermined period of time; and then S2 - electrically switching on the cell at the end of the first predetermined period of time; if a short circuit is detected during the second predetermined period, performing steps S1 and S2 again; and terminating the act of passing air through the cell if no short circuit is detected during a second predetermined period of time.

[0030] The first predetermined period of step S1 is set to allow sufficient drying time during step S1. This time can be predetermined for each type of system and depends on each specific configuration, such as the type of electrostatic precipitator (internal rows of cells and internal specifications of plates), the number of cells in the electrostatic precipitator, the length of the air path in the smoke treatment unit, the type of roaster, the type of washing (manual or dishwasher with partial drying cycle), etc. Generally, for small systems sized for shops or restaurants, a time of about 5 minutes can be specified.

[0031] In step S2, any short circuit detected by switching on the cell during a second predetermined period is sufficient to confirm that drying is not complete and step S1 must be started again. This second predetermined period can be relatively short, for example, on the order of about 5 to 15 seconds.

[0032] If the electrostatic precipitator has several cells, in step S2, the switch of each cell is turned on to detect a short circuit in at least one cell. sequentially If a short circuit is detected in at least one cell, step S1 must be performed again.

[0033] In another embodiment, the cells can be switched on simultaneously.

[0034] Here, "several" means two or more.

[0035] In one embodiment, if no short circuit is detected during step S2, a check step S3 is performed for a predetermined check period before terminating the operation of passing air through the cell, during which hot air is passed through the electrostatic precipitator while the cell is switched on, and if at least one short circuit is detected during step S3, steps S1 and / or S2 are performed again.

[0036] This check step S3 is an additional check of effective drying of the cell. Check step S3 replicates step S2, but for a longer period of time. The predetermined check period may depend on the system configuration, but typically about 1 or 2 minutes is sufficient.

[0037] If no short circuits are detected in the individual cells, the drying operation can be terminated.

[0038] Terminating the air flow through the cells typically involves passing cooling air through the cells to reduce the temperature of the entire smoke treatment unit and the coffee roaster that produced the hot air. This final step allows the two parts of the system to become operational again.

[0039] Depending on the type of filtering components that make up the smoke treatment unit, it may be essential to maintain the unit within a certain temperature range while it is in use. For example, if the smoke treatment unit includes an activated carbon filter, this filter can generally operate optimally at a temperature of up to 65°C. If the drying operation of the electrostatic precipitator cells raises the smoke treatment temperature close to this limit, the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit, especially the activated carbon filter, must be reduced before a new filtering operation can be performed.

[0040] Similarly, the temperature inside the roaster must be in a range not too high above ambient temperature to allow for the roasting of a new batch of beans inside the roaster. Cooling of the roaster is necessary depending on the temperature of the hot air generated during the drying operation of the electrostatic precipitator cells (generally high enough to allow rapid evaporation of the water in the cells).

[0041] Cooling is achieved by turning off the heat inside the roaster and directing ambient air through the roasting chamber and through the smoke treatment unit.

[0042] In one embodiment, the smoke treatment unit may comprise an activated carbon filter and / or at least one metal mesh filter.

[0043] If the smoke treatment unit comprises such a filter in addition to the electrostatic precipitator, the method has the advantage of heating the additional filter during the drying operation of the electrostatic precipitator cells.

[0044] Since the metal mesh filter is cleaned (washed with water, drained, and dried) in the same way as the electrostatic precipitator cells, the current in-place drying method is also applied to the metal mesh filter, where the metal mesh filter is returned to the inside of the smoke treatment unit immediately after cleaning and dried simultaneously with the electrostatic precipitator cells by the flow of high-temperature air introduced into the smoke treatment unit.

[0045] It has been observed that activated carbon filters have reduced filtering efficiency if they contain any moisture, therefore the activated carbon filter can be kept inside the smoke treatment unit while the electrostatic precipitator cells are drying, and the hot air can displace any moisture that may remain in the filter, improving the filtering efficiency of the filter during subsequent use.

[0046] Preferably, where the smoke treatment unit includes an activated carbon filter, the temperature of the activated carbon filter is maintained at a maximum of 65°C whilst hot air is passed through the cells of the electrostatic precipitator.

[0047] As mentioned above, such filters can be damaged if temperatures exceed 65°C.

[0048] Preferably, the duration of the operation for drying at least one cell of the electrostatic precipitator and / or the temperature of the hot air during said operation are set to avoid excessively significant temperatures in the chamber of the roasting device.

[0049] Typically, controlling this temperature prevents excessively long cooling of the roaster during the final operation, but this value may depend on the type of roaster used.

[0050] In a second aspect, there is provided a system of a coffee bean roaster and a smoke treatment unit, comprising: the smoke treatment unit comprises a smoke driver and at least an electrostatic precipitator, the electrostatic precipitator comprising at least one removable cell of associated rows and plates; the coffee bean machine comprises a heating device; The system includes a control system, a heating device for the roasting apparatus; a smoke driver of the smoke processing unit; Electrical switching of at least one cell of the electrostatic precipitator; and operable to control A control system is configured to carry out the above method for drying at least one removable cell of an electrostatic precipitator.

[0051] Typically, each of the roasting apparatus and the smoke filtering unit comprises a control system, which may be connected to operate at least in the drying mode.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the system, the control system for the smoke treatment can be connected to the control system of the roaster, the control system of the roaster being the master and the control system of the smoke treatment unit being the slave.

[0053] In the drying mode, the control system: Controlling a heating device of a roasting apparatus to generate high-temperature air; controlling a smoke driver of the smoke filtering unit to pass the hot air through at least one cell of the electrostatic precipitator; The device is configured to control the electrical switching of at least one cell of the electrostatic precipitator by switching off at least one switch of the electrostatic precipitator during a first predetermined period of time.

[0054] As a result, during at least one first predetermined period of the drying mode, the control system is configured to direct a flow of hot air from the roasting apparatus through the cells disposed inside the electrostatic precipitator while the cells are switched off.

[0055] Preferably, in the drying mode, the control system is configured to perform the following steps while directing a flow of hot air from the roaster through the cells:

[0056] S1 - keeping at least one cell of the electrostatic precipitator switched off for a first predetermined period of time, then S2 - electrically switching on the cell at the end of the first predetermined period of time; if a short circuit is detected during the second predetermined period, performing steps S1 and S2 again; and terminating the act of passing air through the cell if no short circuit is detected during a second predetermined period of time.

[0057] If the electrostatic precipitator comprises several cells, during step S2 the control system may be configured to detect a short circuit in at least one cell by detecting the short circuit in each cell. Switch in parallel or in series sequentially It is configured to be on.

[0058] In one embodiment, the control system is configured to perform the following steps while directing a flow of hot air from the roaster through the cell:

[0059] If no short circuit is detected during step S2, before terminating the operation of passing air through the cells, an intermediate check step S3 is performed, during which hot air is passed through the cells of the electrostatic precipitator while the cells are switched on; If at least one short circuit is detected during step S3, steps S1 and / or S2 are performed again.

[0060] Preferably, during the step of terminating the drying mode of operation, the control system is configured to deactivate the heating device of the roasting apparatus and activate the smoke driver of the smoke processing unit to pass cooling air through the at least one cell.

[0061] Therefore, during the termination process, turning off the heating device allows the temperature of the entire smoke treatment unit and the coffee roaster to drop, thereby preparing both the smoke treatment unit and the coffee roaster for roasting and filtering operations.

[0062] Preferably, the smoke treatment unit may comprise an air inlet configured to introduce ambient air into the interior of the smoke filtering subunit.

[0063] In one embodiment of the system, the smoke treatment unit comprises an activated carbon filter, and the control system of the system is configured to operate the heating device of the roaster and the smoke driver of the smoke treatment unit to maintain the temperature of the activated carbon filter at a maximum of 65°C.

[0064] Preferably, the duration of the operation to dry the electrostatic precipitator cells and the temperature of the hot air during said operation are set to avoid excessively high temperatures in the roaster.

[0065] This temperature range avoids overheating of the roaster and allows for rapid cooling of the roaster, for example in less than 3 minutes.

[0066] In a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, processor or control unit, cause the computer, processor or control unit to carry out a drying method as described above.

[0067] In a third aspect, there is provided a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, processor or control unit, cause the computer, processor or control unit (30) to perform a drying method as described above.

[0068] The above-described aspects of the invention may be combined in any suitable combination. Moreover, various features herein may be combined with one or more of the above-described aspects to provide combinations other than those specifically shown and described. Further objects and advantageous features of the invention will become apparent from the claims, detailed description, and accompanying drawings.

[0069] Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which: [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0070] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a roaster and smoke processing unit system showing the path of smoke or hot air through the system. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 shows the removal of two cells of the electrostatic precipitator from the smoke treatment unit. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the collection device and air inlet of the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller of the system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0071] Roasting and filtering system Figures 1 and 2 show an exemplary diagram of a system of a roaster 1 and a smoke treatment unit 2. Functionally, the roaster is operable to roast coffee beans and the smoke treatment unit is operable to treat smoke produced by the roaster during roasting.

[0072] Roasting equipment The roasting apparatus 1 is operable to receive and roast coffee beans within the roasting chamber 12.

[0073] Preferably, the roasting apparatus 1 comprises a roasting chamber 12 into which a flow of hot air is introduced to stir and heat the beans. The hot air flow is generated by a heating device 13, which typically includes an air flow driver and a heater. These devices are located below the roasting chamber and introduce the hot air flow through the bottom of the chamber. In the illustrated illustration, the bottom of the chamber is configured to allow air to pass through, and in particular may be a perforated plate on which the beans are placed and through which air can flow upwards.

[0074] The airflow driver is operable to generate an airflow upward toward the bottom of the container. The generated airflow is configured to heat, agitate, and lift the beans, resulting in uniform heating of the beans. Specifically, the airflow driver may be a fan powered by a motor. An air inlet may be provided in the base of the housing to supply air to the interior of the housing, and the airflow driver blows this air toward the chamber 12.

[0075] The heater is operable to heat the airflow generated by the airflow driver. Preferably, the heater is an electrical resistor positioned between the fan and the perforated plate so that the airflow is heated before entering the chamber 12 to heat and lift the beans.

[0076] The heater and / or fan are operable to apply a roast profile to the beans, the roast profile being defined as a curve of temperature against time.

[0077] Roasting the beans produces smoke that is directed into the top opening 121 of the roasting chamber by an air flow generated by an air flow driver, as shown by arrow S1 in FIG.

[0078] Generally, the chaff collector is in flow communication with the top opening 121 of the chamber and catches the chaff that gradually separates from the beans during roasting and is blown into the chaff collector due to its light density.

[0079] The remaining smoke is discharged through a smoke outlet 11 at the top of the roaster.

[0080] Smoke Treatment Unit The smoke treatment unit 2 is operable to receive and treat the smoke A1 emitted at the smoke outlet 11 of the roasting apparatus.

[0081] First, the smoke treatment unit 2 includes a smoke collection device 21 adapted to collect smoke or hot air generated by the roaster. This smoke collection device 21 is particularly shown in the exploded view of FIG. 2, where the collection device forms an internal void space that guides smoke or air (dotted lines A1, A2, A3) from the roaster's outlet 11 toward the smoke filtering subunit 22. In FIG. 2, it can be seen that the bottom of the smoke collection device includes a hole 211 designed to loosely couple with the smoke outlet 11 of the roaster, and the hole 211 is significantly larger than the cross section of the smoke outlet end of the roaster. Generally, the bottom of the smoke collection device is simply installed on top of the roaster without any fastening means. This is particularly practical when the roaster unit 1 and the smoke treatment unit 2 are two separate modules. The smoke treatment unit 2 can be easily connected to or separated from any roaster.

[0082] The collection device comprises a smoke outlet 212 associated with a guide duct 27 that guides the smoke to the second part of the smoke treatment unit, which is the smoke filtering subunit 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide duct 27 is designed to carry the smoke or air downwards to pass through the different filtering devices from bottom to top. Furthermore, in other embodiments not shown, the guide duct can be designed to guide the smoke to pass through the different filtering devices from top to bottom.

[0083] In the illustrated embodiment, the smoke filtering subunit 22 is located near and to the side of the roasting apparatus.

[0084] Second, the smoke filtering sub-unit 22 comprises an electrostatic precipitator 222 adapted to filter small particulate matter PM2.5. As illustrated in Figure 3, the electrostatic precipitator comprises two cells 222a, 222b that can be removed from the smoke filtering unit for cleaning. Once washed with water and drained, the cells can be returned to the interior of the smoke treatment unit and a drying method can be performed.

[0085] In this particular illustrated embodiment, the smoke filtering subunit 22 also includes: an activated carbon filter 221 adapted to remove VOCs from smoke; and other filters for particulate matter (eg, HEPA filter, metal filter, paper filter), such as device 223 adapted to filter large particulate matter PM10.

[0086] Preferably, the device for removing particulate matter is located upstream of the activated carbon filter, this upstream location ensuring that particulate matter does not contaminate the activated carbon filter.

[0087] The electrostatic precipitator is physically located below the activated carbon filter to prevent particles from falling from the electrostatic precipitator onto the activated carbon filter when the electrostatic precipitator is switched off.

[0088] Third, the smoke filtering subunit 22 comprises a smoke driver 23, typically a fan, for drawing contaminated smoke or hot air from the inlet 211 of the collection device through the smoke filtering subunit 22 through which the contaminated smoke passes to the outlet 25 of the smoke filtering subunit 22, where it is delivered to the ambient atmosphere.

[0089] System control system 1, 3 and 4, the control system 3 will now be considered. The control system 3 is operable to control the components of the roaster 1 and the smoke treatment unit 2 to dry the pair of cells 222a, 222b. The control system 3 typically comprises a user interface 32, a processing unit 30, a temperature sensor 26, a power supply 33 and a memory 31.

[0090] The control system of the smoke treatment unit 2 can be independent from the control system of the roaster (when used in manual mode) or, preferably, the control system of the smoke treatment unit 2 can be connected to the control system of the roaster, the control system of the roaster being the master and the control system of the smoke treatment unit being the slave.

[0091] The user interface 32 comprises hardware that allows an end consumer to interface with the processor 30, and is therefore operatively connected to this hardware. More specifically, the user interface receives commands from a user, and user interface signals forward the commands as input to the processor 30. The commands may be, for example, instructions to perform a drying process. The hardware of the user interface 32 may comprise any suitable device, for example, the hardware may comprise one or more of buttons, such as joystick buttons or push buttons, a joystick, LEDs, a graphic or text LCD display, and a graphical screen with touch sensors and / or screen edge buttons.

[0092] When the control system of the smoke treatment unit is slaved to the control system of the roaster, the user interface of the roaster can be used as a common interface for both devices, and the inputs and outputs of the smoke treatment unit are managed from that common interface. For example, the progress of the drying process in the smoke treatment unit can be represented on the user interface of the roaster.

[0093] The sensor 26 is operatively connected to the processor 30 to provide input for monitoring the drying process. In particular, the sensor 26 provides input to the controller regarding the temperature upstream of the activated carbon filter 221. Other optional sensors, such as VOC or PM detection sensors, may be implemented to detect malfunctions during the drying mode, for example the presence of coffee beans inside the chamber of the roaster.

[0094] Processor 30 generally comprises memory and input and output system components arranged as an integrated circuit, typically a microprocessor or microcontroller. Processor 30 may comprise, for example, other suitable integrated circuits such as an ASIC, a programmable logic device such as an FPGA, or an analog integrated circuit such as a controller. Processor 30 may also comprise one or more of the above-mentioned integrated circuits, i.e., multiple processors.

[0095] The power supply 33 is operable to supply electrical energy to at least the processor 30, any filtering devices requiring electrical power such as the electrostatic precipitator and electrostatic precipitator pair cells 222a, 222b, the smoke driver 23, and the heating devices of the roasting apparatus.

[0096] The memory unit 31 is generally configured for storage of program code and optional data. In particular, the program code encodes the drying process. The memory unit typically comprises a non-volatile memory, such as, for example, an EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash, for storing the program code and operating parameters, and a volatile memory (RAM) for storing data. The memory unit 31 may comprise a separate and / or integrated memory (e.g., on the processor die). For programmable logic devices, instructions may be stored as programmed logic.

[0097] In particular, the instructions stored in the memory unit 19 can be idealized to include a program for the drying process of the electrostatic precipitator cells.

[0098] The control system 3 is operable to apply this drying process program by controlling the heating device 13 of the roaster, the smoke driver of the smoke treatment unit 23 and the switches 29a, 29b of the electrostatic precipitator cells based on the short circuit detector 28 and the optional temperature sensor 26.

[0099] The program can use the extracted information encoded on the code and / or other information that may be stored as data in the memory unit 19 and / or input via the user interface 20 and / or signals from the short circuit sensor 28 and optional temperature sensor 26 to control the above components.

[0100] Specifically, the control system 3 is configured to generate hot air in the roaster and pass it through the pair of electrostatic precipitator cells, while keeping the pair of electrostatic precipitator cells switched off until they are dry and moisture no longer causes short circuits within the cells.

[0101] The processing unit 30 receiving an input from the user interface 32 that drying of electrostatic precipitator cells 222a, 222b located within the electrostatic precipitator is desired; processing the input in accordance with smoke processing program code (or programmed logic) stored in memory unit 31; The roaster heating device 13, the smoke driver 23, and the electrostatic precipitator cell switches 29a, 29b are operable to provide outputs including control of the roaster heating device 13, the smoke driver 23, and the electrostatic precipitator cell switches 29a, 29b.

[0102] Specifically, the output is In a first step S1, for a first predetermined period of time, the roaster heating device 13 is activated to generate hot air and the smoke driver 23 is activated to pass this hot air flow through the cells 222a, 222b while keeping the electrostatic precipitator cells switched off; In a second step S2, at the end of the predetermined period, the switch of cell 222a is electrically turned on to detect whether there is a short circuit, and then the switch of cell 222b is electrically turned on to detect whether there is a short circuit; and If a short circuit is detected, steps S1 and S2 are carried out again, and if no short circuit is detected, the operation of passing air through the cell is terminated.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment, the drying process includes controlling the temperature inside the smoke treatment unit, particularly when the unit includes an activated carbon filter 221 as shown in Figure 1. In that preferred embodiment, in addition to the steps described above, the treatment unit 30: receiving the input of the temperature sensor 26; processing the inputs in accordance with smoke processing program code (or programmed logic) stored in memory unit 31; and providing an output including control of the smoke driver 23. The process is more preferably carried out using closed loop control, using the input signal from the temperature sensor 26 as feedback. In the process, the processing unit may also control the heating device of the roaster, for example by reducing the power of the heater.

[0104] If the temperature becomes too high, the fan speed of the smoke driver 23 is increased to introduce a more significant amount of ambient air A at the air inlet 24, which mixes more of the ambient air with the hot air A1, thereby having the effect of lowering the temperature of the hot air A2 flow.

[0105] Alternatively, if the temperature becomes too low, the fan speed of the smoke driver 23 is slowed down to introduce a less significant amount of ambient air A at the air inlet 24, mixing the lesser amount of air with the hot air A1, with the effect of raising the temperature of the flow of hot air A2 through the smoke filtering subunit 22.

[0106] In the system as shown, the drying method is: A roasting device that generates high-temperature air at 200°C, a smoke driver that delivers hot air at a temperature of about 60°C downstream of the electrostatic precipitator 222; Step S1 is performed for a first predetermined period of time of 5 minutes; Step S2, which is carried out during a predetermined period of 5 seconds; A check step S3 was carried out during a predetermined check period of 2 minutes.

[0107] Drying ranged from 10 to 30 minutes depending on the wetness of the cell.

[0108] The method of the present invention has the advantage that it allows for a very rapid cleaning of the smoke treatment unit of the roasting apparatus, reducing the inactivity of the smoke treatment unit from several hours to less than 30 minutes.

[0109] Additionally, the method allows other filter parts of the smoke treatment unit to be dried simultaneously.

[0110] While the invention has been described with reference to the above-described exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the invention as claimed is in no way limited to these exemplary embodiments.

[0111] Variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. Furthermore, where known equivalents exist for specific features, such equivalents are incorporated as if specifically referred to herein.

[0112] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," and similar terms should not be construed in an exclusive or exhaustive sense. In other words, they are intended to mean "including, but not limited to." [Explanation of symbols]

[0113] 1. Roasting equipment 11 Smoke outlet 12 Roasting Chamber 121 Upper exit 13 Heating Devices 14 Temperature Sensor 2 Smoke Processing Unit 21 Smoke collection device 211 Smoke inlet 212 Smoke outlet 22 Smoke filtering subunit 221 Activated carbon filter 222 Electrostatic Precipitator 222a, 222b cells 223 Filter 23 Smoke Driver 24 Air inlet 25 Exit 26 Temperature Sensor 27 Induction duct 28 Short Circuit Detector 29a, 29b Cell switches 3 Controller 30 processing units 31 Memory Unit 32 User Interface 33 Power supply 100 systems

Claims

1. A method for drying at least one wetted removable cell (222a, 222c) of an electrostatic dust smoke filter of a smoke treatment unit (2) of a roasting system (100), said system comprising: A coffee bean roasting device (1), a smoke treatment unit (2) configured to treat smoke generated by the coffee bean roasting apparatus, the smoke treatment unit comprising the electrostatic dust smoke filter (222); Equipped with The electrostatic dust collection filter comprises the at least one removable cell, the cell comprising an ionizing wire, a collecting electrode, and a repelling electrode; Power is applied to the wire and the electrode; The method comprises at least the steps of passing hot air (A3) through the wetted removable cell while the cell is located inside the electrostatic dust filter (222) and while the cell is switched off, wherein said hot air is generated by said coffee bean roasting apparatus while a roasting chamber (12) of said coffee bean roasting apparatus is empty.

2. While passing hot air through the at least one cell of the electrostatic dust filter, the method further comprises: S1-keeping said at least one cell (222a, 222b) of said electrostatic dust filter switched off during a first predetermined period of time; and then S2 - electrically switching on the cell at the end of the first predetermined period of time; if a short circuit is detected during the second predetermined period, performing steps S1 and S2 again; and terminating the operation of passing air through the cell if no short circuit is detected during the second predetermined period of time.

3. 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the electrostatic dust-collecting smoke filter (222) comprises several cells (222a, 222b), and during step S2, each cell is switched on in turn to detect a short circuit in at least one cell.

4. If no short circuit is detected during step S2, before terminating the operation of passing air through the at least one cell, an intermediate check step S3 is performed, during which hot air is passed through the cell of the electrostatic dust collection filter while the cell is switched on, 4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein if a short circuit is detected during step S3, steps S1 and S2 are carried out again.

5. The method of any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the step of terminating the operation of passing hot air through the cells comprises passing cooling air through the cells.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the smoke treatment unit comprises an activated carbon filter (221) and / or at least one metal mesh filter (223).

7. the smoke treatment unit includes an activated carbon filter; 7. The method of claim 6, wherein hot air is passed through the cell while maintaining the temperature of the activated carbon filter at a maximum of 65°C.

8. A system (100) of a coffee bean roasting device (1) and a smoke treatment unit (2), comprising: The smoke treatment unit comprises a smoke driver (23) and at least an electrostatic dust filter (222), the electrostatic dust filter comprising at least one removable cell (222a, 222b) with associated wires and plates; the coffee bean roasting apparatus comprises a heating device (13), The system comprises a control system (3), the control system comprising: the heating device of the coffee bean roasting apparatus; the smoke driver of the smoke processing unit; Electrical switching of the at least one cell of the electrostatic dust filter; and operable to control A system, wherein the control system is configured to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. 9. A coffee bean roaster and smoke processing unit system according to claim 8, wherein during a step of terminating a drying mode of operation, the control system is configured to stop the heating device (13) of the coffee bean roaster and to activate the smoke driver (23) of the smoke processing unit to pass cooling air through the at least one cell.

10. 10. The system of a coffee bean roaster and a smoke processing unit according to claim 9, wherein the smoke processing unit comprises an air inlet (24) configured to introduce ambient air inside the smoke filtering subunit (22).

11. A system of a coffee bean roaster and a smoke treatment unit according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the smoke treatment unit comprises an activated carbon filter (221), wherein the control system of the system is configured to operate the heating device (13) of the coffee bean roasting apparatus and the smoke driver (23) of the smoke processing unit to maintain a temperature of the activated carbon filter at a maximum of 65°C.

12. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, processor or control unit (30), cause said computer, processor or control unit (30) to carry out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

13. A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, processor or control unit, cause the computer, processor or control unit (30) to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 7.

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