Fluidized drying device and fluidized drying processing system

Abstract

Provided is a fluidized drying device suitable for drying coated seeds. 【Solution means】A fluidized drying device comprising a drying treatment tank 4 for accommodating seeds to be dried, a blower 8 for feeding air through a blower duct 6, a heater 30 disposed in the blower duct 6, and a controller for controlling the blower 8 and the heater, wherein the air from the blower 8 is heated by the heater 30, and the heated air is ejected from the bottom side of the drying treatment tank 4 to fluidize and dry the seeds. The controller includes a processing pattern selection means for selecting a specific drying processing pattern from a plurality of drying processing patterns based on the type of the seeds S, a processing pattern setting means for setting the specific drying processing pattern selected by the processing pattern selection means, and an operation control means for controlling at least the blowing means based on the specific drying processing pattern set by the processing pattern setting means.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

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

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

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

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

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

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

Means for Solving the Problems

[0009] The fluidized drying device of the present invention includes a drying treatment tank for accommodating seeds to be dried, a blower duct connected to the bottom surface side of the drying treatment tank, a blowing means for feeding air through the blower duct, a heating means disposed in the blower duct, and a controller for controlling the blowing means and the heating means. The air from the blowing means is heated by the heating means and fed to the drying treatment tank, and the heated air is ejected from the bottom surface side of the drying treatment tank to fluidize the seeds in the drying treatment tank accommodated in while drying them, and is a fluidized drying device. The controller includes a processing pattern selection means for selecting a specific drying processing pattern from a plurality of drying processing patterns, pattern adjustment means for modifying the specific drying treatment pattern; the specific drying processing pattern selected by the processing pattern selection means or processing pattern setting means for setting a modified specific drying treatment pattern modified by the pattern adjustment means, the specific drying treatment pattern or the modified specific drying treatment pattern and an operation control means for controlling at least the blowing means based on the specific drying processing pattern. including The plurality of drying treatment patterns include a strong blowing pattern part for increasing the blowing amount from the blowing means and a weak blowing pattern part for decreasing the blowing amount from the blowing means, the strong blowing pattern part and the weak blowing pattern part are provided in this order, and the pattern adjustment means adjusts the strong blowing pattern part of the specific drying treatment pattern It is characterized by the above.

[0010] In this fluidized drying apparatus, it is preferable to select a specific drying processing pattern from a plurality of drying processing patterns based on the type of seeds and the amount of seeds to be processed. When the amount of seeds to be dried is large, the layer of seeds accommodated in the drying processing tank becomes relatively thick. In such a case, the blowing amount by the blowing means can be increased. However, when the amount of seeds to be processed is small, the layer of seeds accommodated in the drying processing tank becomes relatively thin. In such a case, it is desirable to reduce the blowing amount by the blowing means. Therefore, it is preferable to select a drying processing pattern based on the type of seeds and the amount of seeds to be processed.

[0012] Also, it is preferable that the plurality of drying processing patterns include a strong blowing pattern section, a medium blowing pattern section, and a weak blowing pattern section. By including these three blowing pattern sections in this way, the drying processing of seeds can be controlled more finely.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable to control the blowing means and the heating means according to the specific processing pattern. By doing so, the blowing flow rate of the blowing means and the heating amount of the heating means can be adjusted corresponding to the type of seeds and the like, and the flow rate and temperature of the warm air during the drying processing can be adjusted. In this case, the plurality of drying processing patterns will include a blowing control pattern for controlling the blowing means and a heating control pattern for controlling the heating means.

[0014] Also, the fluidized drying processing system of the present invention fluidizes seeds for drying processing According to any one of claims 1 to 4A fluidized drying device, a server system for registering drying process data including the drying process condition data and / or the drying process result data of the fluidized drying device, and an information terminal device for accessing the drying process data registered in the server system, wherein the fluidized drying device is provided with a first communication means, the server system is provided with a second communication means, and the information terminal device is provided with a third communication means. The drying process data from the fluidized drying device is fed to the server system via the first communication means and the second communication means, and the drying process data registered in the server system is fed to the information terminal device via the second communication means and the third communication means.

Effect of the Invention

[0016] According to the fluidized drying device described in claim 1 of the present invention, a controller for controlling the blowing means and the heating means are plural selects and sets a specific drying process pattern from the drying process patterns, and controls at least the blowing means based on the set specific drying process pattern, so that a drying process suitable for the seeds to be dried can be performed. Also, Regarding the plurality of drying treatment patterns, the strong blowing pattern part and the weak blowing pattern part are provided so as to be performed in this order, and since the pattern adjustment means adjusts the strong blowing pattern part of the specific drying treatment pattern, the strong blowing pattern, in other words, the drying treatment time by strong blowing can be adjusted according to the type of seeds and the like.

[0017] Also, according to the fluidized drying process system described in claim 5 of the present invention, According to any one of claims 1 to 4 the drying process data including the drying process condition data and / or the drying process result data of the fluidized drying device is transmitted from this fluidized drying device to the server system, and this drying process data is registered in the server system, so that the drying process data by this fluidized drying device can be easily confirmed from the outside using an information terminal device such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a fluidized drying apparatus and a fluidized drying treatment system according to the present invention will be described. First, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, an embodiment of the fluidized drying apparatus according to the present invention will be described.

[0020] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the illustrated fluidized drying apparatus 2 includes a drying treatment tank 4 that houses seeds S (see FIG. 2) to be dried, a blower duct 6 connected to the bottom of the drying treatment tank 4, a blower 8 (constituting a blowing means) for feeding air through the blower duct 6, and a heating unit 10 for heating the air fed through the blower duct 6.

[0021] The drying treatment tank 4 has a cylindrical treatment tank body 12, and a bottom wall member 14 is provided on the bottom surface side of the treatment tank body 12. The bottom wall member 14 is composed of, for example, a punching plate provided with a large number of circular holes 16 (see FIG. 3), and air is blown through the large number of holes 16 of the bottom wall member 14. A first wire mesh 18 is provided on the inner surface side of the bottom wall member 14, and as the mesh size of the first wire mesh 18, one smaller than the size of the seeds to be dried is selected. By providing such a first wire mesh 18, it is possible to prevent the seeds S from falling through the large number of holes 16 of the bottom wall member 14.

[0022] The air duct 6 includes an inflow portion 20 extending from the air blower 8, an outflow portion 22 connected to the bottom of the treatment tank body 12, and a connecting portion 24 connecting the inflow portion 20 and the outflow portion 22. As shown in FIG. 1, the inflow portion 20 extends in a fan shape expanding toward the downstream side, the connecting portion 24 extends upward in a cylindrical shape, and the lower end portion of the connecting portion 24 is connected to the downstream end portion of the inflow portion 20. Further, the outflow portion 22 expands in a funnel shape so that the inner diameter increases upward, and an annular flange 26 protruding radially outward is provided at the outflow side end portion thereof, and this annular flange 26 functions as a mounting table portion.

[0023] In this embodiment, a ring-shaped member 28 is attached to the outer peripheral portion of the bottom wall member 14 of the treatment tank body 12 (specifically, the portion protruding radially outward from the treatment tank body 12), and the ring-shaped member 26 of the treatment tank body 12 is placed on the upper surface of the annular flange 26 of the air duct 6. By mounting and supporting in this way, the air duct 6 and the treatment tank body 12 are connected. Although not shown, in order to connect the ring-shaped member 28 of the treatment tank body 12 to the annular flange 26 of the air duct 6, for example, a well-known clamping tool (for example, a toggle clamp) can be used for detachably attaching.

[0024] The blower 8 is disposed outside the inflow portion 20 of the air duct 6. The air from the blower 8 passes through the air duct 6 (the inflow portion 20, the connection portion 24, and the outflow portion 22) as indicated by the arrow in FIG. 2, and is ejected from a number of holes 16 in the bottom wall member 14 of the treatment tank body 12 onto the seeds S to be dried in the treatment tank body 12.

[0025] The heating unit 10 disposed in the air duct 6 includes a plurality (for example, 2 to 3) of heaters 30 (constituting heating means). The air from the blower 8 is heated as it flows around the plurality of heaters 30, and the heated air is fed into the treatment tank body 12 through the air duct 6.

[0026] In this embodiment, in order to prevent the seeds S from scattering outside during the drying process, a cover body 32 is attached so as to cover the upper surface opening of the treatment tank body 12. This cover body 32 includes a ring-shaped frame body 34, and a second wire mesh 36 is fixed to the inner surface side of this frame body 34. The mesh size of this second wire mesh 36 is selected to be smaller than the size of the seeds S to be dried, similar to the mesh of the first wire mesh 18. By providing such a second wire mesh 36, it is possible to prevent the seeds S from scattering around from the upper surface opening of the treatment tank body 12. Incidentally, although not shown, this cover body 32 can also be detachably attached to the upper end portion of the treatment tank body 12 using a well-known clamping tool.

[0027] In this embodiment, a pair of first handles 38 are provided at opposing portions of the frame body 34 so as to facilitate the handling of the cover body 32 (for example, attaching, detaching, carrying, etc. of the cover body 32). Also, a pair of second handle portions 40 are provided at opposing portions of the circumferential side wall of the treatment tank body 12 so as to facilitate the handling of the treatment tank body 12 (for example, attaching, detaching, carrying, discharging the seeds S in the treatment tank body 12, etc.).

[0028] Returning to FIG. 1, this fluidized drying apparatus 2 includes a frame support 42, and the treatment tank main body 12, the air duct 6, and the air blower 8 are supported by this frame support 42. The illustrated frame support 42 includes a first support frame portion 44 that supports the treatment tank main body 12 and the air duct 6, and a second support frame portion 46 that supports the air blower 8, and the first support frame portion 44 and the second support frame portion 46 are integrally formed. Caster means 48 (only three of them are shown in FIG. 1) are attached to the four corners at the bottom of this frame support 42. For example, by pushing this frame support 42 (and / or the treatment tank main body 12), this fluidized drying apparatus 2 can be easily moved.

[0029] This fluidized drying apparatus 2 further includes a box-shaped control panel 50. A controller 52 for controlling the fluidized drying apparatus 2 is built into this control panel 50, and a display device 54 is disposed on its upper surface. As will be understood from the following description, this display device 54 functions as an operation panel 56 and also functions as a display means for displaying the seed treatment data described later. This control panel 50 is attached to the upper parts of a pair of intermediate support columns 55 that extend upward between the treatment tank main body 12 and the air blower 8. A printer 58 is also built into this control panel 50. This printer 58 prints out seed treatment data and the like when the seeds S are dried, and the printed output paper (not shown) is discharged from the discharge port 60 of the control panel 50.

[0030] Mainly referring to FIG. 4, in this embodiment, when the display device 54 functions as the operation panel 56, various switches are displayed on the screen of this operation panel 56. Specifically, a seed selection switch 62, a throughput selection switch 64, an air volume adjustment switch 66, a start switch 68, a stop switch 70, a data output switch 72, etc. are displayed on this operation panel 56. The seed selection switch 62 is for selecting the type of the seed S to be dried. For example, the type of the seed S such as rice, soybean, adzuki bean, etc. is selected. The throughput selection switch 64 is for selecting the throughput of the seed S to be dried. For example, it is selected from three levels: a large throughput of the seed S, normal, and small. The air volume adjustment means 66 is composed of, for example, a combination of an up switch (not shown) for increasing the air volume and a down switch (not shown) for decreasing the air volume. By pressing the up switch, the air volume increases by one level, and by pressing the down switch, the air volume decreases by one level.

[0031] Also, the start switch 70 is for starting the drying process of the seed S. When this start switch 70 is pressed, the heating heater 30 and the blower 8 operate. The stop switch 70 is for stopping the drying process of the seed S. When this stop switch 70 is pressed, the heating heater 30 and the blower 8 stop operating. Further, separately from the various switches on the screen display of the operation panel 56, a main switch 74 is provided. When this main switch 74 is turned on, power is supplied to the fluidized drying device 2, and when this main switch 74 is turned off, the supply of power to the fluidized drying device 2 stops.

[0032] In this embodiment, a first temperature sensor 76, a second temperature sensor 78, and an anemometer 80 are provided to acquire the processing data of the seeds S. For example, the first temperature sensor 76 measures the outlet temperature of the heating unit 10 (heater outlet temperature), the second temperature sensor 88 measures the temperature of the seeds S being dried (seed processing temperature), and the anemometer 80 measures the wind speed of the warm air flowing through the blower 8 (in other words, the air volume). The temperature measurement data of the first and second temperature sensors 76 and 78 and the wind speed data of the anemometer 80 are sent to and stored in the controller 52.

[0033] The controller 52 is composed of, for example, a microprocessor, and includes a processing pattern selection means 82, a pattern adjustment means 84, an operating time calculation means 86, a processing pattern setting means 88, and an operating control means 90. exists. Operation When, for example, "seed winnowing" is selected as the type of the seeds S by the seed selection switch 62 on the panel 56 and "normal" is selected as the processing amount by the processing amount selection switch 64, the processing pattern selection means 82 selects a specific drying processing pattern PT shown in FIG. 5, for example, based on "seed winnowing" selected by the seed selection switch 62 and "normal" selected by the processing amount selection switch 64.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 5, in this embodiment, the plurality of selected drying processing patterns P are composed of a strong blowing pattern part P1 that increases the air volume (wind speed h2) from the blower 8 and a weak blowing pattern part P2 that decreases the air volume (h1) from the blower 8. The weak blowing pattern part P2 is executed following the strong blowing pattern part P1. In the first half of the drying process, the air volume from the blower 8 is increased to promote the drying of the coated seeds S, and in the second half, the air volume from the blower 8 is decreased to gently dry the coated seeds S. The drying process is controlled so that the air volume from the blower 8 changes according to this drying processing pattern.

[0035] In this embodiment, the heating amount of the heater 30 (heating means) is made constant, but it is also possible to control the heating amount of the heater 30 to change according to this drying treatment pattern. In this case, in the strong blowing pattern section P1, since the blowing amount is large and the temperature of the warm air tends to decrease, the heating amount of the heater 30 is controlled to increase. In the weak blowing pattern section P2, since the blowing amount is small and the temperature of the warm air tends to increase, it is preferable to control the heating amount of the heater 30 to decrease. Instead of controlling the blower 8 and the heater 30 according to the common drying treatment pattern P, a drying treatment pattern PB for the blower 8 and a drying treatment pattern PH for the heater 30 may be created, and the blower 8 may be controlled based on the drying treatment pattern PB, and the heater 30 may be controlled based on the drying treatment pattern PH.

[0036] In the specific drying treatment pattern PT of this embodiment, as can be understood from FIG. 5, the overall drying treatment time TT, for example, is set to about 10 to 15 minutes (for example, about 12 minutes). When the type of the seeds S is, for example, "seed winnowing", regardless of the size of the processing amount, the overall drying treatment time TT is configured to be constant. By configuring in this way, the processing time becomes constant, and the efficiency of the drying operation can be improved.

[0037] In the specific drying treatment pattern PT of FIG. 5, the time T1 from time t0 to t1 is the strong blowing pattern section P1, and this strong blowing pattern section P1 is set to about 4 minutes, for example. The period from t1 to t2 is the weak blowing pattern section P2, and this weak blowing pattern section P2 is set to about 8 minutes, for example. As for the entire specific drying treatment pattern PT, the total time TT (TT = P1 + P2) of the time (P1) of the strong blowing pattern section P1 and the subsequent time (P2) of the weak blowing pattern section P2 is about 12 minutes, for example.

[0038] The pattern adjustment means 84 adjusts the specific processing pattern PT selected by the processing pattern selection means 82 as follows based on the adjustment signal from the air volume adjustment means 66 of the operation panel 56. Referring to FIG. 6, for example, when the air volume adjustment means 66 (e.g., the down switch) of the operation panel 56 is operated one step in the air volume decreasing direction, based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the strong blowing pattern part P1 becomes one step (e.g., 0.5 minutes) shorter and is adjusted to the time T11 (e.g., 3.5 minutes). As a result, the air volume of the air supplied from the blower 8 decreases. At this time, since the drying processing time TT of the specific drying processing pattern PT is set to be constant (e.g., 12 minutes), the operation time calculation means 86 calculates the time T21 of the weak blowing pattern part P2 based on the corrected time T11 and adjusts it to the time T21 (e.g., 8.5 minutes) that is one step (e.g., 0.5 minutes) longer. In this way, the corrected specific drying processing pattern PT1 is generated.

[0039] In addition, when this air volume adjustment means 66 (e.g., the down switch) is operated two steps (or three steps...) in the air volume decreasing direction, based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the strong blowing pattern part P1 becomes two steps (or three steps...), for example, 1 minute (or 1.5 minutes...) shorter and is adjusted to 3 minutes (or 2.5 minutes...). At this time, the time T2 of the weak blowing pattern part P2 becomes two steps (or three steps...), for example, 1 minute (or 1.5 minutes...) longer and is adjusted to 9 minutes (or 9.5 minutes...). By adjusting in this way, the air volume from the blower 8 can be further decreased.

[0040] Also, for example, when the air volume adjustment means 66 (e.g., up switch) of the operation panel 56 is operated one step in the air volume increasing direction, based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the strong blowing pattern section P1 becomes one step (e.g., 0.5 minutes) longer and is adjusted to time T12 (e.g., 4.5 minutes). As a result, the air volume of the air supplied from the blower 8 increases. At this time, the operation time calculation means 86 calculates the time T22 of the weak blowing pattern section P2 based on the corrected time T12 and adjusts it to the time T22 (e.g., 7.5 minutes) which is one step (e.g., 0.5 minutes) shorter. In this way, the corrected specific drying process pattern PT2 is generated.

[0041] In addition, when this air volume adjustment means 66 (e.g., up switch) is operated two steps (or three steps...) in the air volume increasing direction, based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the strong blowing pattern section P1 becomes two steps (or three steps...), for example, 1 minute (or 1.5 minutes...) longer and is adjusted to 5 minutes (or 5.5 minutes...). At this time, the time T22 of the weak blowing pattern section P2 becomes two steps (or three steps...), for example, 1 minute (or 1.5 minutes...) shorter and is adjusted to 7 minutes (or 6.5 minutes...). By adjusting in this way, the air volume from the blower 8 can be further increased.

[0042] The process pattern setting means 88 sets the specific drying process pattern PT (or the corrected specific drying process patterns PT1, PT2) as will be described later, and the operation control means 90 controls the blower 8 based on the set specific drying process pattern PT (or the corrected specific drying process patterns PT1, PT2). In this embodiment, the heater 30 is energized with a constant power to generate a predetermined amount of heat and is not controlled based on the drying process pattern P.

[0043] In this embodiment, the controller 52 further includes data processing means 92, data output means 94, timer means 96, first memory means 98, and second memory means 100. The data processing means 92 processes seed treatment data such as temperature measurement data (heater outlet temperature data and seed treatment temperature data) from the first and second temperature sensors 76 and 78, wind speed measurement data (wind speed data) from the anemometer 80, and the set treatment pattern set by the treatment pattern setting means 88, and registers the processed data in the second memory means 100.

[0044] Also, the data output means 98 sends the seed treatment data registered in the second memory means 100 to the printer 58 based on the data output signal from the data output switch 72, and the printer 58 prints out this seed treatment data. Further, a plurality of drying treatment patterns P based on the type and treatment amount of the seeds S are registered in the first memory means 98, and the treatment pattern selection means 82 selects the drying treatment pattern corresponding to the type of the selected seeds S and the selected treatment amount among the plurality of drying treatment patterns registered in the first memory means 98, that is, the specific drying treatment pattern PT.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the drying treatment time TT by the drying treatment pattern P is configured to be constant (for example, 12 minutes), and the air flow rate is varied by changing the time T1 of the strong air blowing pattern part P1 and the time T2 of the weak air blowing pattern part P2 within this drying treatment time T0. However, instead of such a configuration, it may be configured as shown in FIG. 7.

[0046] In the adjustment method shown in Fig. 7, only the strong air-blowing pattern section P1 of the specific drying process pattern PT (drying process pattern P) is adjusted, and the weak air-blowing pattern section P2 is maintained for a fixed period of time. In this case, if the time T11 of the strong air-blowing pattern section P1 becomes shorter, the overall drying process time TT1 (TT1 = T11 + T2) will become shorter; if the time T12 of the strong air-blowing pattern section P1 becomes longer, the overall drying process time TT2 (TT2 = T12 + T2) will become longer. Even in this way, the air volume from the air blower 8 can be adjusted. Incidentally, in this case, in addition to the time (T1) of the strong air-blowing pattern section P1 of the specific drying process pattern PT, the time (T2) of the weak air-blowing pattern section P2 may also be adjusted.

[0047] For example, when the air volume adjustment means 66 on the operation panel 56, such as a down switch (or up switch), is operated one step (e.g., 0.5 minutes) in the air volume reduction direction (or air volume increase direction), based on this operation signal, the time T1 of the strong air-blowing pattern section P1 becomes one step shorter (or longer), for example, adjusted to T11 (or T12), such as 3.5 minutes (or 4.5 minutes). As a result, the overall drying process time TT1 (or TT2) of the specific drying process pattern PT1 (or PT2) is set to, for example, 11.5 minutes (or 12.5 minutes), and the modified specific drying process pattern PT1 (or PT2) thus modified is generated.

[0048] Next, mainly with reference to Figs. 4 and 8, the flow of the drying process of the seeds S (e.g., rice seeds) by this fluidized drying apparatus 2 will be described. As a pre-stage of this drying process, seeds S to be dried (i.e., coated seeds) are produced. To produce the coated seeds S, for example, a mixer device (not shown) is used. The coating agent (e.g., a mixture of a pesticide and a spreading agent stirred and mixed) and the seeds S (e.g., rice seeds) are put into this mixer device, and the mixer device is operated to stir and mix the seeds S and the coating agent. In this way, coated seeds with the coating agent adhering to the surface are produced.

[0049] Thereafter, the coated seeds S are dried using the fluidized drying apparatus 2. When performing this drying process, the main switch 74 is turned on to supply power to the fluidized drying apparatus 2 (step S1). Then, the seed selection switch 62 on the operation panel 56 is operated to select the type of the seeds S to be dried, for example, "soybean seeds" (step S2), and further the throughput selection switch 64 is operated to select the throughput, for example, "normal" (step S3).

[0050] Then, the process pattern selection means 82 of the controller 52 selects a specific drying process pattern PT corresponding to the type and throughput of the seeds S from among a plurality of drying process patterns P registered in the first memory means 98 (step S4). When modifying the selected specific drying process pattern PT, it proceeds from step S5 to step S6, and the air volume is adjusted by the pattern adjustment means 84. This adjustment of the air volume is adjusted so as to shorten (or lengthen) the time T1 of the strong air blowing pattern part P1 of the specific drying process pattern PT as described above. By such adjustment, a modified specific Drying treatment pattern PT1 (or PT2) is generated.

[0051] When the air volume is not adjusted, it moves from step S4 to step S7, and the process pattern setting means 88 sets the specific drying process pattern PT selected by the process pattern selection means 82. Also, when the air volume is adjusted, it proceeds from step S6 to step S7, and the process pattern setting means 88 sets the adjusted modified specific drying process pattern PT1 (or PT2).

[0052] After setting the drying process pattern P (specific drying process pattern PT, modified specific drying process patterns PT1 and PT2) in this way, the start switch 68 is pressed (step S8). Then, the fluidized drying apparatus 2 starts, and the timer means 96 operates (step S9), and the drying process of the coated seeds S is started (step S10). That is, the heater 30 operates (step S11), and the blower 8 also operates (step S12). The air from the blower 8 is heated to become warm air and is fed into the processing tank main body 4 through the air duct 6 (see Figure 2).

[0053] The warm air fed through the air duct 6 ejects into the processing tank main body 12 through a number of holes 16 (and the meshes of the first wire mesh 18) of the bottom wall member 14 of the processing tank main body 12. By such warm air, the accommodated coated seeds S are dried while being stirred and mixed. Incidentally, the warm air ejected into the processing apparatus main body 12 flows upward and is discharged to the outside through the meshes of the second wire mesh 36.

[0054] This drying process is carried out according to the specific drying process pattern PT (modified specific drying process patterns PT1 and PT2). In the strong air blowing pattern part P1, the air volume of the blower 8 is controlled to increase, and in the weak air blowing pattern part P2, the air volume of the blower 8 is controlled to decrease. Such a drying process is carried out until the specific drying process pattern PT (modified specific drying process patterns PT1 and PT2) ends.

[0055] When the specific drying process pattern PT (modified specific drying process patterns PT1 and PT2) is carried out in this way, in other words, when the drying process time TT has elapsed from the start of the drying process, the process proceeds from step S13 to step S14. The timer means 96 is reset, the heater 30 stops operating, and the blower 8 also stops operating. In this way, the drying process for the coated seeds S ends. The coated seeds dried in this way can be used for direct seeding cultivation and transplanting cultivation, and a method of using environmentally friendly agricultural chemicals can be provided.

[0056] In the above-described embodiment, the air volume from the blower 8 is changed in two levels of strong and weak, that is, it is changed from the strong blowing pattern section P1 to the weak blowing pattern section P2. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the air volume can also be changed in three levels of strong, medium, and weak. Referring to FIG. 9, in this example, the specific drying process pattern PPT (drying process pattern PP) includes a strong blowing pattern section P1 in which the air volume from the blower 8 is increased, a weak blowing pattern section P2 in which the air volume from the blower 8 is decreased, and a medium blowing pattern section P3 in which the air volume is less than that in the strong blowing pattern section P1 and more than that in the weak blowing pattern section P2. The strong blowing pattern section P1, the medium blowing pattern section P3, and the weak blowing pattern section P2 are executed in this order.

[0057] Even in such a specific drying process pattern PPT, the specific drying process pattern PPT can be adjusted by the pattern adjustment means of the controller. In this case, the strong blowing pattern section P1 in the specific drying process pattern PPT may be adjusted as described above, or the strong blowing pattern section P1 and the medium blowing pattern section P3 in the specific drying process pattern PPT may be adjusted as described above.

[0058] When drying is performed using this fluidized drying apparatus 2, when the processing amount of the seeds S to be dried is small, the thickness of the seeds S accommodated in the processing tank main body 12 becomes thin. When the air volume from the blower 8 increases in such a thin state, the coated seeds S are greatly fluidized and bounce by the air ejected from the many holes 16 of the bottom wall member 14 of the processing tank main body 12, and the desired drying process cannot be performed. Therefore, in such a case, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, it is preferable to configure the processing tank main body 12 to define a small processing space therein.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, in this embodiment, a cylindrical member 112 is disposed in the treatment tank main body 12, and the inner treatment space SS can be defined inside the treatment tank main body 12 by this cylindrical member 112. In this case, the cylindrical member 112 may be placed on the inner surface of the bottom wall member 14 (the first wire mesh 18) near the central portion in the treatment tank main body 12. The lower surface of this inner treatment space SS is defined by the bottom wall member 14 (the first wire mesh 18) of the treatment tank main body 12, the peripheral side surface is defined by the cylindrical member 112, and the upper surface is defined by the cover body 32 (the frame body 34 and the second wire mesh 36).

[0060] In this case, the coated seeds S are accommodated in the inner treatment space SS inside the cylindrical member 112. By accommodating them in such a small inner treatment space SS, a certain thickness can be ensured even if the processing amount of the coated seeds S to be dried is small. As a result, the coated seeds S do not flow around by jumping greatly during the drying process, and the coated seeds S can be dried as required. At this time, the warm air from the air duct (not shown) flows into the inner treatment space SS (the space where the coated seeds S are accommodated) through the numerous holes 16 of the bottom wall member 14, and also flows into the outer annular space SR outside this inner treatment space SS. In order to prevent it from flowing through this outer annular space SR, an annular flow blocking plate (not shown) may be provided between the inner peripheral surface of the treatment tank main body 12 and the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical member 112, and the flow blocking plate may be used to block the flow of warm air through the outer annular space SR.

[0061] In the example shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, one cylindrical member 112 is disposed in the treatment tank main body 12, but two or more cylindrical members 112 may be disposed. For example, when four cylindrical members 112 are disposed, as shown in FIG. 12, in this case, the coated seeds S can be dried using the four small inner treatment spaces SS.

[0062] By combining the above-described fluidized drying device 2 and the server system 122, a fluidized drying processing system 123 as shown in FIG. 13, for example, can be constructed. In FIG. 13, the fluidized drying device 2 can be of the same configuration as described above, and a controller 52 for controlling the fluidized drying device 2 is built in the control panel 50. And, in relation to this control panel 50 (controller 52), an operation panel 56, a display device 54, and a printer 58 are provided, and further, a communication means 124 (constituting a first communication means) for transmitting the seed treatment data generated by this fluidized drying device 2 is provided.

[0063] The seed treatment data to be transmitted includes, for example, the drying treatment date (working day), lot number, type of seed S, moisture content after drying treatment, drying temperature (e.g., seed treatment temperature and heater outlet temperature), and drying time (e.g., time of the strong blowing pattern section and time of the weak blowing pattern section), etc.

[0064] Also, this server system 122 includes a server device 126 that constitutes the system. This server device 126 includes, for example, data processing means 128 (constituted from, for example, a microprocessor, etc.) for processing the seed treatment data from the fluidized drying device 2 as required, and storage means 130 (constituted from, for example, a hard disk storage device, etc.) for storing the seed treatment data processed by the data processing means 128. Also, in relation to this server device 126, input means 132 (constituted from, for example, a keyboard, mouse, etc.) for inputting information, display means 134 (constituted from, for example, a liquid crystal display device, etc.), and a printer 136, etc. are provided, and further, communication means 38 (constituting a second communication means) for transmitting and receiving seed treatment data is provided.

[0065] In this fluidized drying processing system 123, between the fluidized drying device 2 and the server system 122, various signals are transmitted and received via the communication means 124 (first communication means) on the fluidized drying device 2 side and the communication means 138 on the server system 122 side. The seed processing data generated by the fluidized drying device 2 is sent to the server system 122 via the first and second communication means 124, 138 and stored in the storage means 130 of the server device 126.

[0066] The seed processing data registered in the storage means 130 of this server system 122 can be viewed by using various information terminal devices, such as a smartphone 140, a portable information terminal device 142 (e.g., a tablet), and a portable personal computer 144. The smartphone 140 is provided with communication means 146, the portable information terminal device 142 is provided with communication means 148, and the portable personal computer 144 is provided with communication means 150. These communication means 146, 148, 150 constitute the third communication means.

[0067] Between the server system 122 and the information terminal devices (smartphone 140, portable information terminal device, portable personal computer 144), various signals are transmitted and received via the communication means 138 (second communication means) on the server system 122 side and the communication means (communication means 146, 148, 150) on the information terminal device (smartphone 140, portable information terminal device, portable personal computer 144) side. The seed processing data registered in the storage means 130 of the server system 122 is sent to the information terminal devices (smartphone 140, portable information terminal device, portable personal computer 144) via the second and third communication means 138, 146, 148, 150, and the seed processing data of the coated seeds can be known by using the information terminal devices (smartphone 140, portable information terminal device, portable personal computer 144) possessed by administrators, workers, etc.

[0068] As described above, an embodiment of the sliding drying device and the fluidized drying processing system according to the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0069] For example, in the above-described embodiment, a specific drying process pattern PT is selected from a plurality of drying process patterns P based on the type of the seed S and its processing amount. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration, and the specific drying process pattern PT may be selected only based on the type of the seed S.

Explanation of Signs

[0070] 2 Fluidized drying device 4 Drying treatment tank 8 Blower 10 Heating unit 12 Treatment tank body 32 Cover body 50 Control panel 52 Controller 56 Operation panel 82 Processing pattern selection means 84 Pattern adjustment means 88 Processing pattern setting means 122 Server system 123 Fluidized drying processing system 126 Server device 140 Smartphone 142 Portable information terminal device 144 Portable personal computer S Seed

Claims

1. A fluidized bed drying apparatus comprising a drying treatment tank for accommodating seeds to be dried, a blower duct connected to the bottom surface side of the drying treatment tank, a blower means for feeding air through the blower duct, a heating means disposed in the blower duct, and a controller for controlling the blower means and the heating means, wherein air from the blower means is heated by the heating means and fed to the drying treatment tank, and the heated air is ejected from the bottom surface side of the drying treatment tank to fluidize the seeds accommodated in the drying treatment tank while drying them, The controller includes a processing pattern selection means for selecting a specific drying processing pattern from a plurality of drying processing patterns, a pattern adjustment means for modifying the specific drying processing pattern, a processing pattern setting means for setting the specific drying processing pattern selected by the processing pattern selection means or the modified specific drying processing pattern modified by the pattern adjustment means, and an operation control means for controlling at least the blower means based on the specific drying processing pattern or the modified specific drying processing pattern. The plurality of drying processing patterns include a strong blowing pattern portion for increasing the blowing amount from the blower means and a weak blowing pattern portion for decreasing the blowing amount from the blower means, the strong blowing pattern portion and the weak blowing pattern portion are provided in this order, and the pattern adjustment means adjusts the strong blowing pattern portion of the specific drying processing pattern. A fluidized bed drying apparatus characterized by this.

2. The fluidized bed drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing pattern selection means of the controller selects the specific drying processing pattern from the plurality of drying processing patterns based on the type of the seeds and the processing amount of the seeds.

3. The plurality of drying treatment patterns include a strong blowing pattern part for increasing the air volume from the blowing means, a weak blowing pattern part for decreasing the air volume from the blowing means, and a medium blowing pattern part for making the air volume from the blowing means less than that in the strong blowing pattern part and more than that in the weak blowing pattern part. The pattern adjusting means of the controller adjusts at least the strong blowing pattern part of the specific drying treatment pattern. The fluidized drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. The operation control means of the controller controls the blowing means and the heating means based on the specific drying treatment pattern set by the treatment pattern setting means. The fluidized drying apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that.

5. A fluidized drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 for fluidizing and drying seeds, a server system for registering drying treatment data including the drying treatment condition data and / or the drying treatment result data of the fluidized drying apparatus, and an information terminal device for accessing the drying treatment data registered in the server system. The fluidized drying apparatus is provided with a first communication means, the server system is provided with a second communication means, and the information terminal device is provided with a third communication means. The drying treatment data from the fluidized drying apparatus is sent to the server system via the first communication means and the second communication means, and the drying treatment data registered in the server system is sent to the information terminal device via the second communication means and the third communication means. A fluidized drying treatment system, characterized in that.

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