Steam kettle

Abstract

To provide a steam pot capable of protecting a pipeline.SOLUTION: A steam pot 1 includes an inner pot 2, a jacket, a common line, a steam supply line, a cooling water supply line 6, and a compressed air supply line 7. The inner pot 2 can store an object to be processed. The jacket is provided outside the inner pot 2. The common line 4 is connected to the jacket 3. The steam supply line 5 is configured to be connected to the common line 4 and supply steam from a steam supply source to the jacket 3 through the common line 4, and is configured to supply compressed air to the jacket 3 through the common line 4 between supply of steam and supply of cooling water. The steam supply line 5 and the cooling water supply line 6 are connected to the common line 4 through a three-way valve 13 that can be controlled automatically.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a steam cooker for heating an object to be treated with steam. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is a steam kettle equipped with a jacket (steam chamber) on the outside of an inner pot that contains food or other processed material. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a steam kettle that can heat and cool food by supplying steam and cooling water to the jacket. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 2889169 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, when steam and cooling water are supplied to the jacket through a common pipe, there is a risk of the steam and cooling water mixing and causing problems in the pipe (line). To prevent this, it is possible to provide a process for supplying compressed air to the jacket between the supply of steam and the supply of cooling water. However, even with this configuration, there is a risk of steam or cooling water flowing into unexpected pipes due to incorrect operation of a manual valve or the like when switching between steam, cooling water, and compressed air, causing problems.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a steam boiler capable of protecting piping. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] According to the present invention, there is provided a steam kettle comprising an inner kettle, a jacket, a common line, a steam supply line, a cooling water supply line, and a compressed air supply line, wherein the inner kettle is capable of accommodating an object to be treated, the jacket is provided on the outside of the inner kettle, the common line is connected to the jacket, the steam supply line is connected to the common line and is configured to supply steam from a steam supply source to the jacket via the common line, the cooling water supply line is connected to the common line and is configured to supply cooling water from a cooling water supply source to the jacket via the common line, the compressed air supply line is connected to the steam supply line or the common line and is configured to be able to supply compressed air to the jacket via the common line between the supply of the steam and the supply of the cooling water, and the steam supply line and the cooling water supply line are connected to the common line via an automatically controllable three-way valve.

[0007] According to the present invention, the steam supply line and the cooling water supply line are connected to a common line via an automatically controllable three-way valve, thereby preventing steam or cooling water from flowing into unexpected piping due to incorrect operation and preventing malfunctions in the piping.

[0008] Various embodiments of the present invention will be described below as examples, and the embodiments shown below can be combined with each other.

[0009] Preferably, the system further includes a control means, which is configured to be able to switch the three-way valve between a first state in which the steam supply line and the common line are connected and a second state in which the cooling water supply line and the common line are connected, and is configured to sequentially execute a heating process in which the steam is supplied through the steam supply line, a steam discharge process in which the compressed air is supplied through the compressed air supply line and the steam is discharged, a cooling process in which the cooling water is supplied through the cooling water supply line, and a cooling water discharge process in which the compressed air is supplied through the compressed air supply line and the cooling water is discharged, and the control means further switches the three-way valve from the first state to the second state between the steam discharge process and the cooling process.

[0010] Preferably, the system further includes a cooling water return line and a bypass line, the cooling water return line being configured to return the cooling water supplied to the jacket to the cooling water supply source, and the bypass line connecting the common line and the cooling water return line.

[0011] Preferably, the bypass line is provided with a bypass valve, which is an automatic valve.

[0012] Preferably, the cooling water return line is provided with a cooling water outlet valve, and the cooling water outlet valve is an automatic valve.

[0013] Preferably, the steam supply line, the cooling water supply line and the compressed air supply line are each provided with a check valve.

[0014] Preferably, the steam supply line is provided with a steam supply valve, the cooling water supply line is provided with a cooling water supply valve, and the compressed air supply line is provided with a compressed air supply valve, and the steam supply valve, the cooling water supply valve, and the compressed air supply valve are all automatic valves. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic diagram showing a steam kettle 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the steam boiler 1 of FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing, by bold lines, the flow paths of steam and condensed water in the heating step S1 of the steam cooker 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram showing, by bold lines, a flow path of compressed air in the steam discharge step S2 of the steam cooker 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a diagram showing, by bold lines, flow paths of cooling water and condensate in the cooling step S3 of the steam boiler 1 in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram showing, by bold lines, flow paths of cooling water and compressed air in the bypass valve opening step S4 of the steam boiler 1 of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a diagram showing, by a thick line, a flow path of compressed air in the cooling water discharge step S5 of the steam boiler 1 in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a steam cooker 1 according to a modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] The following describes embodiments of the present invention. The various features shown in the following embodiments can be combined with each other. Furthermore, each feature can be an independent invention.

[0017] 1. Steam boiler 1 configuration 1 is a schematic diagram showing a steam cooker 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The steam cooker 1 of this embodiment is a cooker capable of heating and cooling food, which is an object to be processed.

[0018] As shown in Fig. 1, the steam cooker 1 of this embodiment includes an inner cooker 2 and a jacket 3. The steam cooker 1 also includes lines (pipes) for circulating steam, cooling water, and compressed air, such as a common line 4, a steam supply line 5, a cooling water supply line 6, a compressed air supply line 7, a drain discharge line 8, a cooling water return line 9, a compressed air discharge line 10, and a bypass line 11. In addition, the steam cooker 1 includes control means 12 for controlling automatic valves and the like, which will be described later. Each component will be described in detail below.

[0019] The inner pot 2 is a hollow container with a bottom that opens upward and can accommodate food inside. The inner pot 2 can have any shape and may have a stirring device (not shown) inside that stirs the food (the term "steam pot" in this specification includes a kneader equipped with a stirring means). The inner pot 2 may be an open pot or a vacuum pot. In addition, in this embodiment, the inner pot 2 is equipped with a hopper 2a that opens upward.

[0020] The jacket 3 is provided on the outside of the inner pot 2. For example, in the illustrated example, the jacket 3 is provided so as to cover the lower region of the inner pot 2. Steam, compressed air, or cooling water is supplied to the inside of the jacket 3 in a switched manner.

[0021] The common line 4 is connected on its upstream side to a three-way valve 13, which will be described later, and on its downstream side to the jacket 3. In this embodiment, the common line 4 branches on its downstream side into a steam inlet line 40 and a cooling water inlet line 41. The steam inlet line 40 is connected to the lower part of the jacket 3, and the cooling water inlet line 41 is connected to the upper part of the jacket 3. A steam supply inlet valve 42 is provided on the steam inlet line 40. A cooling water inlet valve 43 is provided on the cooling water inlet line 41.

[0022] The steam supply line 5 connects a boiler (boiler connection port) serving as a steam supply source (not shown) to the three-way valve 13, and supplies steam from the boiler into the jacket 3 via the common line 4. The steam supply line 5 is provided with a check valve 50 and a steam supply valve 51, in this order from the upstream side.

[0023] The cooling water supply line 6 connects a cooling water supply source (chiller) (not shown) to the three-way valve 13, and supplies cooling water from the cooling water supply source into the jacket 3 via the common line 4. The cooling water supply line 6 is provided with a check valve 60 and a cooling water supply valve 61 in this order from the upstream side.

[0024] The compressed air supply line 7 connects a compressed air source (compressor connection port) (not shown) to the three-way valve 13, and supplies compressed air from the compressed air source into the jacket 3 via the common line 4. The compressed air supply line 7 is provided with a compressed air supply valve 70 and a check valve 71, in this order from the upstream side. The compressed air supply line 7 shares piping with the downstream side of the steam supply line 5 on its downstream side.

[0025] With the above-described configuration, the steam supply line 5, the cooling water supply line 6, and the compressed air supply line 7 are connected to the common line 4 via the three-way valve 13, respectively.

[0026] Here, the three-way valve 13 of this embodiment is an automatically controllable valve. The three-way valve 13 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which the steam supply line 5 or the compressed air supply line 7 communicates with the common line 4, and a second state in which the cooling water supply line 6 communicates with the common line 4. In the first state, steam or compressed air from the steam supply line 5 or the compressed air supply line 7 can be supplied to the jacket 3 via the common line 4. On the other hand, in the second state, cooling water from the cooling water supply line 6 can be supplied to the jacket 3 via the common line 4. Therefore, in the steam kettle 1 of this embodiment, mixing of steam from the steam supply line 5 and cooling water from the cooling water supply line 6 is reliably prevented (interlock) by the three-way valve 13 being in either the first state or the second state.

[0027] The drain discharge line 8 is configured to discharge condensed water (drain) of steam supplied into the jacket 3 to the outside. One end of the drain discharge line 8 is connected to the jacket 3. The drain discharge line 8 is provided with, in order from the upstream side, a steam trap 80 and a drain valve 81. The downstream side of the drain discharge line 8 is connected to an exhaust drain line 83 via a drain switching valve 82. The exhaust drain line 83 is provided with a check valve 84.

[0028] The drain switching valve 82 is a three-way valve, and is configured to switch between draining water (drain water or condensate) from the drain discharge line 8 or the cooling water return line 9 through the exhaust drain line 83 or returning it to the cooling water supply source via the cooling water return line 9. However, the drain switching valve 82 can have any configuration as long as it can switch between draining water and condensate. For example, the drain switching valve 82 may be configured as a three-way valve, combining two valves.

[0029] The cooling water return line 9 is configured to return condensed water from the jacket 3 to the cooling water supply source. Specifically, the cooling water return line 9 connects the upper part of the jacket 3 to the cooling water supply source. The cooling water return line 9 is provided with, in this order from the upstream side, a cooling water outlet valve 90, a temperature sensor 91, the above-mentioned drain switching valve 82, and a check valve 92.

[0030] In this embodiment, the drain discharge line 8 is connected to the cooling water return line 9 at a position (referred to as a connection position P) between the cooling water outlet valve 90 and the drain switch valve 82. Between the connection position P and the drain switch valve 82, the drain discharge line 8 and the cooling water return line 9 are common piping.

[0031] The compressed air discharge line 10 is configured to discharge compressed air supplied into the jacket 3 to the outside. Specifically, the compressed air discharge line 10 includes a first compressed air discharge line 10A and a second compressed air discharge line 10B. One end of the first compressed air discharge line 10A is connected to the upper part of the jacket 3, and the other end is connected to the drain discharge line 8 at a position between the drain valve 81 and the above-mentioned connection position P. One end of the first compressed air discharge line 10A shares a piping with the cooling water inlet line 41 at a position closer to the jacket 3 than the cooling water inlet valve 43. A first compressed air discharge valve 100 is provided in the first compressed air discharge line 10A.

[0032] One end of the second compressed air discharge line 10B is connected to the upper part of the jacket 3, and the other end is connected to the drain discharge line 8 at a position between the drain valve 81 and the above-mentioned connection position P. One end of the second compressed air discharge line 10B shares piping with the cooling water return line 9 at a position closer to the jacket 3 than the cooling water outlet valve 90. A second compressed air discharge valve 101 is provided on the second compressed air discharge line 10B.

[0033] The bypass line 11 is configured to bypass the common line 4 and the cooling water return line 9. One end of the bypass line 11 is connected to the common line 4 at a position between the three-way valve 13 and the branch position of the steam inlet line 40 and the cooling water inlet line 41. The other end of the bypass line 11 is connected to the drain discharge line 8 (= the cooling water return line 9, which is a common pipe) at a position between the above-mentioned connection position P and the drain switching valve 82. A bypass valve 110 is provided in the bypass line 11.

[0034] The control means 12 controls the various valves described above based on the detection signal from the temperature sensor 91, the elapsed time, etc. Specifically, the control means 12 controls the three-way valve 13, the steam supply inlet valve 42, the cooling water inlet valve 43, the steam supply valve 51, the cooling water supply valve 61, the compressed air supply valve 70, the drain valve 81, the drain switching valve 82, the cooling water outlet valve 90, the first compressed air discharge valve 100, the second compressed air discharge valve 101, the bypass valve 110, etc. Here, all of these valves are automatic valves (e.g., air-driven valves) so that they can be automatically controlled by the control means 12. Then, the control means 12 executes the heating of the food in the inner pot 2 and the subsequent cooling process according to a predetermined procedure (program), as will be described later.

[0035] Specifically, the control means 12 having the above configuration can be configured, for example, by an information processing device including a CPU, a memory (e.g., a flash memory), an input unit, and an output unit. The processing by each of the above-mentioned components of the control means 12 configured by the information processing device is performed by the CPU reading and executing a program stored in the memory. As the information processing device, for example, a personal computer, a PLC (programmable logic controller), or a microcomputer is used. However, some functions of the control means 12 may be configured to be executed on a cloud connected by any communication means.

[0036] 2. Operation of Steam Cooker 1 Next, the operation of the steam cooker 1 by the control means 12 will be described. The control means 12 heats and then cools the food in the inner pot 2 by controlling various valves and the like in accordance with a predetermined procedure (program). Before operation begins, that is, before each of these steps is performed, at least the steam supply valve 51, cooling water supply valve 61, and compressed air supply valve 70 are closed. When an instruction to start operation is given, such as by pressing a predetermined start button, the control means 12 sequentially performs a heating step S1, a steam discharge step S2, a cooling step S3, a bypass valve opening step S4, and a cooling water discharge step S5, as shown in FIG. 2, with food placed in the inner pot 2. Each step will be described in more detail below.

[0037] <Heating step S1 (see Figure 3)> In the heating step S1, the control means 12 supplies steam into the jacket 3 through the steam supply line 5 to heat the food in the inner pot 2. Specifically, the control means 12 closes the cooling water supply valve 61 and the compressed air supply valve 70, opens the steam supply valve 51, and sets the three-way valve 13 to the first state. The control means 12 also closes the cooling water inlet valve 43 and the bypass valve 110, and opens the steam supply inlet valve 42. As a result, steam from the boiler is supplied into the jacket 3 through the steam supply line 5 and the common line 4 (steam inlet line 40).

[0038] In addition, the control means 12 opens the drain valve 81, closes the cooling water outlet valve 90, the first compressed air discharge valve 100, and the second compressed air discharge valve 101, and sets the drain switch valve 82 to the drain side. As a result, the condensed water (drain) of the steam supplied into the jacket 3 is discharged from the exhaust drain line 83 via the drain discharge line 8 in which the steam trap 80 is installed.

[0039] By supplying steam in this manner, the control means 12 sets the interior of the jacket 3 to the set heating pressure (set heating temperature), and then maintains this state to heat the food in the inner pot 2. For example, the control means 12 adjusts the opening or opening / closing of the steam supply valve 51 so as to maintain the pressure detected by a pressure sensor (not shown) provided in the jacket 3 at the set heating pressure. When a predetermined end condition, such as the heating time, is met, the control means 12 closes the steam supply valve 51 to stop the supply of steam into the jacket 3, and proceeds to the next process.

[0040] In addition, in the initial stage of the heating step S1, it is also preferable to temporarily open the first compressed air exhaust valve 100 and the second compressed air exhaust valve 101 (for example, for one minute) to actively exhaust the air stagnating in the upper part of the jacket 3 and purge the steam, thereby reducing the heat transfer inhibition in the heating step S1.

[0041] <Steam discharge step S2 (see Figure 4)> In the steam discharge step S2, the control means 12 discharges steam by supplying compressed air into the jacket 3 through the compressed air supply line 7. Specifically, the control means 12 closes the steam supply valve 51 and the cooling water supply valve 61, opens the compressed air supply valve 70, and sets the three-way valve 13 to the first state. The control means 12 also closes the cooling water inlet valve 43 and the bypass valve 110, and opens the steam supply inlet valve 42. As a result, compressed air from the compressed air supply source is supplied into the jacket 3 through the compressed air supply line 7 and the common line 4 (steam inlet line 40).

[0042] In addition, the control means 12 opens the drain valve 81, the first compressed air discharge valve 100, and the second compressed air discharge valve 101, closes the cooling water outlet valve 90 and the bypass valve 110, and sets the drain switch valve 82 to the drain side. As a result, the compressed air supplied into the jacket 3 is discharged from the exhaust drain line 83 via the drain discharge line 8, the first compressed air discharge line 10A, and the second compressed air discharge line 10B. Mainly drain is discharged from the drain discharge line 8 connected to the lower part of the jacket 3, and mainly light steam and the supplied compressed air are discharged from the first compressed air discharge line 10A and the second compressed air discharge line 10B connected to the upper part of the jacket 3.

[0043] This steam discharge step S2 discharges the residual steam in the jacket 3, thereby cooling the jacket 3 and the inner pot 2. After executing the steam discharge step S2 for a predetermined time, the control means 12 closes the compressed air supply valve 70, thereby moving on to the next step.

[0044] <Cooling step S3 (see Figure 5)> In the cooling step S3, the control means 12 supplies cooling water into the jacket 3 through the cooling water supply line 6 to cool the food in the inner pot 2. Specifically, the control means 12 closes the steam supply valve 51 and the compressed air supply valve 70, opens the cooling water supply valve 61, and sets the three-way valve 13 to the second state. The control means 12 also closes the steam supply inlet valve 42 and the bypass valve 110, and opens the cooling water inlet valve 43. As a result, cooling water from the cooling water supply source is supplied into the jacket 3 through the cooling water supply line 6 and the common line 4 (cooling water inlet line 41).

[0045] In addition, the control means 12 opens the cooling water outlet valve 90, closes the drain valve 81, the first compressed air discharge valve 100, and the second compressed air discharge valve 101, and sets the drain switching valve 82 to the side returning the cooling water to the cooling water supply source. As a result, the cooling water supplied into the jacket 3 is returned to the cooling water supply source via the cooling water return line 9. In this way, in the cooling step S3, the cooling water circulates between the cooling water supply source and the jacket 3.

[0046] In the cooling step S3, the control means 12 constantly monitors the temperature of the condensate returned to the cooling water supply source, as detected by the temperature sensor 91. If the control means 12 determines that the condensate is being returned to the cooling water supply source at a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature, the control means 12 sets the drain switching valve 82 to the drain side to drain the condensate, stops the cooling step S3, or issues a warning. This configuration makes it possible to prevent high-temperature water from circulating in the cooling water supply source.

[0047] This cooling step S3 cools the food in the jacket 3. When predetermined termination conditions such as the cooling time have been met, the control means 12 closes the cooling water supply valve 61 to stop the supply of cooling water into the jacket 3, and the process moves to the next step.

[0048] At the end of the cooling step S3, the control means 12 switches the three-way valve 13 from the second state to the first state. In this embodiment, the three-way valve 13 is switched from the first state to the second state before the start of the cooling step S3, and is switched from the second state to the first state after the cooling step S3 is completed. In other words, the three-way valve 13 in this embodiment is in the second state only during the cooling step S3, and maintains the first state during other steps. This reliably prevents backflow of steam and compressed air into the cooling water supply line 6.

[0049] <Bypass valve opening process S4 (see Figure 6)> In the bypass valve opening step S4, the control means 12 drains the cooling water remaining in the common line 4 via the bypass line 11 prior to the cooling water discharge step S5. Specifically, the control means 12 opens the bypass valve 110, closes the cooling water inlet valve 43 and the cooling water outlet valve 90, and sets the drain switch valve 82 to the drain side. The control means 12 also opens the compressed air supply valve 70 to promote drainage of the remaining cooling water using compressed air. As a result, the cooling water remaining in the common line 4 is drained from the exhaust drain line 83 via the bypass line 11 and the piping of the drain discharge line 8 downstream of the connection position with the bypass line 11. Note that in the bypass valve opening step S4, the cooling water inlet valve 43, the drain valve 81, and the cooling water outlet valve 90 may be open. However, depending on the construction status of the common line 4, compressed air may not be supplied in the bypass valve opening step S4.

[0050] <Cooling Water Discharge Step S5 (See FIG. 7)> In the cooling water discharge step S5, the control means 12 discharges the cooling water by supplying compressed air into the jacket 3 through the compressed air supply line 7. Specifically, the control means 12 closes the steam supply valve 51 and the cooling water supply valve 61, and opens the compressed air supply valve 70 following the bypass valve opening step S4. The control means 12 also closes the cooling water inlet valve 43 and the bypass valve 110, and opens the steam supply inlet valve 42. As a result, compressed air from the compressed air supply source is supplied into the jacket 3 through the compressed air supply line 7 and the common line 4 (steam inlet line 40).

[0051] In addition, the control means 12 opens the drain valve 81, closes the cooling water outlet valve 90, the first compressed air discharge valve 100, and the second compressed air discharge valve 101, and sets the drain switch valve 82 to the drain side. As a result, the compressed air supplied into the jacket 3 is discharged from the exhaust drain line 83 via the drain discharge line 8.

[0052] In the cooling water discharge step S5, the bypass valve 110 may be kept open from the bypass valve opening step S4, or the bypass valve 110 may be closed during the cooling water discharge step S5.

[0053] This cooling water discharge step S5 discharges the remaining cooling water from the jacket 3. After executing the cooling water discharge step S5 for a predetermined time, the control means 12 closes at least the compressed air supply valve 70. This completes the series of heating and cooling steps by the steam kettle 1.

[0054] 3. Effects According to the embodiment described above, the following advantageous effects can be obtained.

[0055] (1) The steam supply line 5 and the cooling water supply line 6 are connected to the common line 4 via an automatically controllable three-way valve 13. This allows the three-way valve 13 to act as an interlock, reliably preventing the mixing of steam from the steam supply line 5 and cooling water from the cooling water supply line 6. Preventing the mixing of steam and cooling water prevents the occurrence of water hammer and reduces damage to the piping.

[0056] (2) The common line 4 and the cooling water return line 9 are connected by a bypass line 11, and the control means 12 drains the cooling water remaining in the common line 4 in the bypass valve opening step S4. This makes it possible to suppress water hammer, which occurs when steam comes into contact with the remaining water when steam is supplied to the common line 4 in the heating step S1 during the next operation of the steam boiler 1. Furthermore, suppressing water hammer makes it possible to reduce damage to the piping.

[0057] (3) The steam supply line 5, cooling water supply line 6, and compressed air supply line 7 are each equipped with check valves 50, 60, and 71. This makes it possible to prevent backflow of steam, cooling water, or compressed air. This also makes it possible to prevent damage to each line due to backflow even if the three-way valve 13 malfunctions or breaks down.

[0058] (4) The three-way valve 13, steam supply inlet valve 42, cooling water inlet valve 43, steam supply valve 51, cooling water supply valve 61, compressed air supply valve 70, drain valve 81, drainage switching valve 82, cooling water outlet valve 90, first compressed air discharge valve 100, second compressed air discharge valve, and bypass valve 110 are each automatic valves. These valves are controlled by control means 12, so that the heating step S1, steam discharge step S2, cooling step S3, bypass valve opening step S4, and cooling water discharge step S5 are performed in sequence. This prevents manual operation errors and makes it possible to prevent steam or cooling water from flowing into unexpected piping.

[0059] 4. Variations The present invention can also be implemented in the following aspects.

[0060] In the steam embodiment, the common line 4 branches downstream into the steam inlet line 40 and the cooling water inlet line 41. However, the common line 4 may be directly connected to the jacket 3 without branching.

[0061] In the above-described embodiment, the compressed air supply line 7 is connected to the steam supply line 5 upstream of the three-way valve 13 (see FIG. 1 ). However, the compressed air supply line 7 may be connected to the common line 4 as shown in FIG. 8 . Even in this case, the steam supply line 5 and the cooling water supply line 6 are connected to the common line 4 via the three-way valve 13, making it possible to reliably prevent mixing of the steam from the steam supply line 5 and the cooling water from the cooling water supply line 6. In this configuration, it is not essential to switch the three-way valve 13 at the end of the cooling step S3, and the three-way valve may remain in the second state in the subsequent bypass valve opening step S4 and cooling water discharge step S5.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the three-way valve 13, steam supply inlet valve 42, cooling water inlet valve 43, steam supply valve 51, cooling water supply valve 61, compressed air supply valve 70, drain valve 81, drainage changeover valve 82, cooling water outlet valve 90, first compressed air discharge valve 100, second compressed air discharge valve 101, and bypass valve 110 are all automatic valves. However, it is also possible to configure at least some of the valves as manual valves. For example, it is also possible to configure only the three-way valve 13, steam supply inlet valve 42, cooling water inlet valve 43, steam supply valve 51, cooling water supply valve 61, and compressed air supply valve 70, which are arranged upstream of the jacket 3, as automatic valves, and to configure the drain valve 81, drainage changeover valve 82, cooling water outlet valve 90, first compressed air discharge valve 100, second compressed air discharge valve 101, and bypass valve 110, which are arranged downstream of the jacket 3, as manual valves.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the steam supply line 5, the cooling water supply line 6, and the compressed air supply line 7 are respectively equipped with check valves 50, 60, and 71. However, as long as the three-way valve 13 is provided, it is not essential to provide the check valves 50, 60, and 71. Problems caused by backflow of steam or cooling water can be prevented by the three-way valve 13 alone.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the control means 12 performs the bypass valve opening step S4 between the cooling step S3 and the cooling water discharging step S5. However, the bypass valve opening step S4 may not be performed as a separate step, and the bypass valve 110 may be opened in the cooling water discharging step S5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 1: Steam kettle 2: Inner pot 2a: Hopper 3: Jacket 4: Common line 5: Steam supply line 6: Cooling water supply line 7: Compressed air supply line 8: Drain discharge line 9: Cooling water return line 10: Compressed air discharge line 10A: First compressed air discharge line 10B: Second compressed air discharge line 11: Bypass line 12: Control means 13: Three-way valve 40: Steam inlet line 41: Cooling water inlet line 42: Steam supply inlet valve 43: Cooling water inlet valve 50: Check valve 51:Steam supply valve 60: Check valve 61: Cooling water supply valve 70: Compressed air supply valve 71: Check valve 80: Steam trap 81: Drain valve 82: Drainage switching valve 83: Exhaust drain line 84: Check valve 90: Cooling water outlet valve 91: Temperature sensor 92: Check valve 100: First compressed air discharge valve 101: Second compressed air discharge valve 110: Bypass valve P: Connection position S1: Heating process S2: Steam discharge process S3: Cooling process S4: Bypass valve opening process S5: Cooling water discharge process

Claims

1. A steam kettle comprising an inner pot, a jacket, a common line, a steam supply line, a cooling water supply line, and a compressed air supply line, The inner pot is capable of accommodating the material to be treated, The jacket is provided on the outside of the inner kettle, the common line is connected to the jacket; the steam supply line is connected to the common line and is configured to supply steam from a steam supply source to the jacket via the common line; the cooling water supply line is connected to the common line and is configured to supply cooling water from a cooling water supply source to the jacket via the common line; the compressed air supply line is connected to the steam supply line and is configured to be able to supply compressed air to the jacket via the common line between the supply of the steam and the supply of the cooling water, The steam supply line and the cooling water supply line are connected to the common line via an automatically controllable three-way valve.

2. The steam cooker according to claim 1, Further comprising control means, the control means is configured to be able to switch the three-way valve between a first state in which the steam supply line and the common line are communicated with each other and a second state in which the cooling water supply line and the common line are communicated with each other, and is configured to sequentially execute a heating step of supplying the steam through the steam supply line, a steam discharge step of supplying the compressed air through the compressed air supply line and discharging the steam, a cooling step of supplying the cooling water through the cooling water supply line, and a cooling water discharge step of supplying the compressed air through the compressed air supply line and discharging the cooling water, The control means further switches the three-way valve from the first state to the second state between the steam discharge step and the cooling step, and sets the three-way valve to the second state only during the cooling step.

3. The steam cooker according to claim 1 or 2, Further provided with a cooling water return line and a bypass line, the cooling water return line is configured to return the cooling water supplied to the jacket to the cooling water supply source; The bypass line connects the common line and the cooling water return line.

4. The steam cooker according to claim 3, The steam boiler is provided with a bypass valve in the bypass line, and the bypass valve is an automatic valve.

5. The steam cooker according to claim 3 or 4, The steam kettle is provided with a cooling water outlet valve in the cooling water return line, and the cooling water outlet valve is an automatic valve.

6. The steam cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 5, The steam kettle, wherein the steam supply line, the cooling water supply line, and the compressed air supply line are each provided with a check valve.

7. The steam cooker according to any one of claims 1 to 6, The steam supply line is provided with a steam supply valve, a cooling water supply valve is provided in the cooling water supply line; a compressed air supply valve is provided in the compressed air supply line; The steam supply valve, the cooling water supply valve, and the compressed air supply valve are all automatic valves.

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