Support structure for high-temperature pressure vessels

Abstract

To develop a support structure which, with a review of a fixation relationship between a trunk part of a high-temperature pressure vessel such as a retort sterilization iron pot and a supporting leg unit, can allow thermal strain (thermal expansion) of the trunk part of the vessel in a portion thus fixed.SOLUTION: A support structure S according to the present invention includes an abutting plate 11 on an upper portion of a leg body part 10 in a supporting leg unit 1. The abutting plate supports the outer periphery of the trunk lower portion of a high-temperature pressure vessel M in a non-fixation state. The trunk part of the high-temperature pressure vessel M includes holding brackets 2 each of which holds a corresponding end of the abutting plate 11 in a loosely fitting state. The holding brackets 2 each include: a holding cutout part 21 which houses the corresponding end of the abutting plate 11; and a fixation part 22 which is provided on both ends of the holding cutout part 21. The holding brackets 2 are welding-fixed at the fixation part 22 to the trunk part of the high-temperature pressure vessel M.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a high-temperature pressure vessel such as a retort processing device used for food processing, etc., and particularly relates to a support structure when installing a high-temperature pressure vessel.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in a device that makes the inside of a container in a high-temperature and high-pressure state, accommodates a workpiece such as food therein, and performs processes such as sterilization, it is inevitable that thermal deformation occurs in the container body during operation. Specifically, for example, a horizontal cylindrical container with a total length of several meters to several tens of meters and a diameter of several tens of centimeters to several meters is subjected to a retort sterilization process in which the internal temperature is maintained at about 120°C and about 2.2 atmospheres for about 4 minutes or more. In such a case, thermal strain in the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction (axial direction) of the body cannot be avoided.

[0003] The influence of such thermal strain does not directly cause inconveniences regarded as problems in terms of the function of the device, but actually, there are reports of cases where problems occur at the fixing parts of the support members for installing the container. That is, the currently widely adopted method is to provide a leg unit on the installation base of the device in a raised state, and on the upper part of the leg body portion constituting this, a contact plate curved in an arc shape along the outer peripheral shape of the container body is provided, and this contact plate and the container body are directly fixed by welding (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3).

[0004] However, in such a direct fixing method, while the leg unit is fixed on the foundation, the container body has deformation due to thermal expansion, so cracks may occur at the welded and fixed parts on the container body due to repeated fatigue, which has been a problem.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

[0006] This invention was made to solve such problems, and its technical objective was to develop a support structure for a high-temperature pressure vessel that re-examines the fixing relationship between the vessel body and the support leg unit, and that can tolerate thermal distortion (thermal expansion) of the vessel body at the fixing portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In other words, the support structure for a high-temperature pressure vessel according to claim 1 is, A support structure using a support leg unit for installing a high-temperature pressure vessel that maintains a high-temperature and high-pressure atmosphere inside, The aforementioned support leg unit is provided with a backing plate at the upper part of the leg body that supports the outer circumference of the lower part of the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel in a non-fixed state, On the other hand, the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel is provided with a retaining bracket that holds the end of the backing plate in a loosely fitted state. The retaining bracket is provided with a retaining notch for accommodating the end of the backing plate and fixing parts provided at both ends of the retaining notch, and the retaining bracket is welded and fixed to the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel at these fixing parts.

[0008] Furthermore, the support structure for the high-temperature pressure vessel described in claim 2 is, in addition to the requirements described in claim 1, The present invention is characterized by having a loose fitting positioning structure between the backing plate and the retaining bracket, comprising a pin and a receiving hole.

[0009] Furthermore, the support structure for the high-temperature pressure vessel described in claim 3 is, in addition to the requirements of claim 1 or 2, The aforementioned high-temperature pressure vessel is characterized in that the shell is provided with a backing plate holding bracket that absorbs thermal expansion occurring in the longitudinal direction of the shell. The aforementioned problems are then solved by means of the configurations described in each of these claims. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] First, according to the invention described in claim 1, the retaining bracket is directly welded to the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel, and the fixing portions on both sides of the retaining bracket are welded to the high-temperature pressure vessel while the end of the backing plate of the support leg unit is loosely fitted into the retaining notch. Therefore, the support leg unit (backing plate) that supports the high-temperature pressure vessel is not directly welded (fixed) to the high-temperature pressure vessel. Furthermore, the fixing portion of the retaining bracket, which is welded to the high-temperature pressure vessel, undergoes thermal deformation through the high-temperature pressure vessel, for example, by expanding somewhat in the circumferential direction. However, this thermal deformation can be absorbed and tolerated by the retaining notch, which holds the end of the backing plate in a loosely fitted state.

[0011] Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 2, in the process of welding the retaining bracket to the body of a high-temperature pressure vessel, it is easier to determine the position of the retaining bracket, that is, the mounting position in which the end of the backing plate of the support leg unit is loosely fitted at the retaining notch, and the welding and fixing of the retaining bracket can be performed efficiently.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the invention described in claim 3, the high-temperature pressure vessel is provided with a backing plate holding bracket that absorbs thermal expansion occurring in the longitudinal direction of the vessel. Therefore, even if the high-temperature pressure vessel experiences thermal strain in the longitudinal direction (axial direction) when subjected to high temperature and pressure, and undergoes thermal deformation in that direction, this can be absorbed and tolerated. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] This figure shows a side view (a) of a support leg unit to which the support structure of the present invention (support structure for a high-temperature pressure vessel) is applied together with a high-temperature pressure vessel, as well as an enlarged front view (b) and a perspective view (c) taken from direction I in this figure (a). [Figure 2] The same as above, a front view (a) and a partially enlarged side view (b). [Figure 3] A perspective view of the leg unit viewed from below the high-temperature pressure vessel.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The present invention is as shown in the following examples, but it is also possible to make appropriate changes within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention with respect to these examples.

Example

[0015] Hereinafter, prior to the support structure (hereinafter simply referred to as support structure S) of the high-temperature pressure vessel according to the present invention, the high-temperature pressure vessel M to which the present invention can be applied will be schematically described. The high-temperature pressure vessel M is a vessel that has a high-temperature and high-pressure state inside and processes a workpiece such as food stored therein, and examples of the processing include sterilization treatment. More specifically, for example, a beverage can filled with a beverage such as coffee is required to be retort sterilized by the Food Hygiene Law. Usually, the sterilization method is to enclose a beverage can filled with a beverage and having its opening (drinking mouth of the can) sealed in a high-temperature pressure vessel M serving as a pressure sterilization kettle for an appropriate time, and then heat and pressurize it for sterilization treatment. As described above, since the high-temperature pressure vessel M is exposed to high temperature and high pressure during operation, thermal strain occurs in the body portion, and the occurrence of thermal deformation in the circumferential direction and the body longitudinal direction (axial direction) cannot be avoided. A major feature of the support structure S of the present invention is that it can absorb and tolerate such thermal deformation.

[0016] Hereinafter, the support structure S of the present invention will be described. The support structure S is a structure for installing the high-temperature pressure vessel M at an appropriate height, and the support leg unit 1 is used as the support member. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 as an example, the support leg unit 1 is formed by fixing a backing plate 11 on the upper part of a leg main body 10 composed of appropriately combined plate materials. Directly, this backing plate 11 receives the high-temperature pressure vessel M. That is, the backing plate 11 supports the lower part of the body (outer periphery of the lower part of the body) of the high-temperature pressure vessel M in a non-fixed state (non-welded state), and the non-fixing is for absorbing and tolerating thermal deformation accompanying thermal strain.

[0017] Hereinafter, the leg main body 10 will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 above for example, the leg main body 10 first has a base plate 101 installed on the base surface as a base, and side support plates 102 erected from both ends thereof. A cross support plate 103 is provided so as to connect substantially the center of this pair of side support plates 102, and further includes a pair of front and rear center reinforcement plates 104 provided so as to intersect the cross support plate 103 at substantially the center of the side support plates 102. Then, the joint portions of each member of the base plate 101, side support plates 102, cross support plate 103, and center reinforcement plate 104 are appropriately welded and three-dimensionally formed. Further, the backing plate 11 is welded and fixed to the upper parts of these three-dimensionally formed side support plates 102, cross support plate 103, and center reinforcement plates 104. Here, in this embodiment, oval-shaped cutouts are provided on the left and right of the cross support plate 103 within a range that does not cause strength reduction. In general, since the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M is formed in a cylindrical shape, the working surface of the backing plate 11 for receiving the high-temperature pressure vessel M is formed in a curved surface shape having a substantially constant width dimension (front-rear length).

[0018] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 above as an example, a holding bracket 2 for holding the circumferential end portion of the backing plate 11 in a loose-fitting state is provided on the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M. The retaining bracket 2 is formed as a plate member having a planar projection shape that can be described as a flattened U-shape, and the end of the backing plate 11 is loosely fitted into the U-shaped recess, which is designated as the retaining notch 21. The ends of this retaining notch 21 are welded and fixed to the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M, which are designated as the fixing parts 22. With this configuration, even if the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M experiences thermal distortion at high temperatures and pressures, and the fixing portion 22 of the retaining bracket 2, which is welded to it, undergoes some thermal deformation (thermal expansion) in the circumferential direction, the retaining notch 21 holds the end of the backing plate 11 in a loosely fitted state, thus absorbing and tolerating the circumferential thermal deformation of the retaining bracket 2 (fixing portion 22). In other words, even if the fixing portion 22 deforms (expands) slightly in the circumferential direction due to thermal deformation, this circumferential deformation is absorbed and tolerated by the loosely fitted state of the retaining notch 21.

[0019] Although the above explanation uses terms like thermal strain and thermal deformation, generally speaking, while the high-temperature pressure vessel M undergoes sterilization, i.e., under high temperature and high pressure conditions, it undergoes thermal deformation that causes it to expand slightly in the circumferential direction. However, after the sterilization is completed, i.e., when it returns to room temperature, the thermal strain is removed, and the high-temperature pressure vessel M returns to its original state. Therefore, the clearance between the width dimension of the retaining bracket 2 and the dimension of the retaining notch 21 (receiving length) is set to a relatively small clearance. Furthermore, the structure in which the circumferential end of the backing plate 11 is held in a loosely fitted state by the retaining notch 21 mainly absorbs and tolerates thermal deformation in the circumferential direction, as described above. However, since the fixing portion 22 of the retaining bracket 2 can also undergo thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction of the body, the retaining structure by the retaining notch 21 also absorbs and tolerates thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction of the body.

[0020] In this embodiment, as an example, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 above, a pin 12 is provided protruding outward (so-called normal direction) from the outer circumference of the backing plate 11, and a receiving hole block 23 having a receiving hole 23h that fits onto the pin 12 is provided on the retaining bracket 2. When welding the retaining bracket 2 to the outside of the high-temperature pressure vessel M, the pin 12 is inserted into the receiving hole 23h to position the retaining bracket 2. The fitting of the pin 12 and the receiving hole 23h is not merely for positioning the welding location, but is a structure that allows the circumferential end of the backing plate 11 to be held in a loosely fitted state, and is therefore referred to as the loosely fitted positioning structure S1. Conversely, since the loosely fitted positioning structure S1 is a positioning structure that enables the loosely fitted state described above, the diameter of the receiving hole 23h is determined considering the loose fit of the circumferential end of the backing plate 11, that is, the thermal strain (thermal deformation) of the high-temperature pressure vessel M.

[0021] Furthermore, as described above, the high-temperature pressure vessel M experiences thermal strain not only in the circumferential direction but also in the longitudinal direction of the shell when subjected to high temperature and pressure, resulting in thermal deformation in two directions. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a backing plate holding bracket 3 on the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 as an example, which can absorb thermal deformation occurring in the longitudinal direction of the body. This backing plate holding bracket 3 is formed as a plate member (piece) with a side projection shape that is L-shaped or key-shaped, and a pair is provided front and back at the center of the backing plate 11 (center in the left-right direction). In this embodiment, the backing plate holding bracket 3 is installed with a slight offset between its left and right positions in the front and back directions. The mounting state of the backing plate retaining bracket 3 is such that, when viewed from above, a pair of front and rear backing plate retaining brackets 3 are welded and fixed to the backing plate 11, sandwiching it from the longitudinal direction of the vessel. Of course, the clamping dimension by the front and rear backing plate retaining brackets 3 is formed to be larger than the width dimension (front-to-back length) of the backing plate 11. This ensures that even if the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M experiences thermal distortion and the backing plate retaining bracket 3 undergoes thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction of the vessel, this thermal deformation is absorbed and tolerated by the clamping state described above. In other words, even if the high-temperature pressure vessel M undergoes some thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction of the vessel under high temperature and pressure, the front and rear backing plate retaining brackets 3 are configured not to interfere with the backing plate 11.

[0022] The support structure S of the present invention (support structure S for a high-temperature pressure vessel) has the basic configuration described above. Below, we will describe a retort sterilization process using a high-temperature pressure vessel M to which this support structure S is applied, and at the same time, we will describe the operation of the support structure S. (1) Containment of the materials to be processed and retort sterilization treatment First, the objects to be processed, such as beverage cans filled with coffee or other beverages, are placed inside a high-temperature pressure vessel M. After containment, the lid of the high-temperature pressure vessel M is sealed, and the inside of the vessel is maintained in a high-temperature, high-pressure state. For example, it is kept at approximately 120°C for approximately 4 minutes or more to perform retort sterilization. During retort sterilization, the high-temperature pressure vessel M is exposed to high temperature and high pressure, causing thermal strain in the circumferential and longitudinal (axial) directions of the body, resulting in thermal deformation (thermal expansion). The present invention employs a support structure that can absorb and tolerate such thermal deformation, which will be explained below in terms of the circumferential direction and the longitudinal direction of the body.

[0023] (2) Regarding thermal deformation mainly in the circumferential direction As described above, the high-temperature pressure vessel M is supported so as to be placed in an unfixed state on the backing plate 11 of the support leg unit 1. Here, the circumferential end of the arc-shaped backing plate 11 is held in a loosely fitted state in the retaining notch 21 of the retaining bracket 2, and the retaining bracket 2 itself is welded and fixed to the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M by fixing parts 22 located on both sides of the retaining notch 21 (see Figure 3). Therefore, if the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M undergoes thermal deformation in the circumferential direction, the welded-fixed retaining bracket 2 will also undergo thermal deformation in the circumferential direction as a result (see arrow in Figure 3). However, as described above, the circumferential end of the backing plate 11 is held in a loosely fitted state with respect to the retaining notch 21 of the retaining bracket 2, and this loose fit absorbs and allows for circumferential thermal deformation in the retaining bracket 2. Of course, even in a state of thermal deformation, the loose fit (engagement) between the circumferential end of the backing plate 11 and the retaining notch 21 of the retaining bracket 2 is maintained. Furthermore, since the welding required to fix the retaining bracket 2 to the high-temperature pressure vessel M is limited to a short section (fixing portion 22), cracks are less likely to occur at this welded area. In the above explanation, it was stated that circumferential thermal deformation is absorbed and tolerated by the retaining notch 21 of the retaining bracket 2. However, the retaining notch 21 does not only absorb and tolerate circumferential thermal deformation, but also absorbs and tolerates thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction of the body at that part.

[0024] (3) Regarding thermal deformation mainly in the longitudinal direction of the body Furthermore, as described above, a backing plate holding bracket 3 capable of absorbing thermal deformation occurring in the longitudinal direction of the shell is welded and fixed to the outer circumference of the lower part of the shell of the high-temperature pressure vessel M (see Figure 3). This backing plate holding bracket 3 is formed as a plate member (piece) with a side projection general shape that is L-shaped or key-shaped, and a pair of front and rear brackets are provided at the central part (the central part in the left-right direction) of the backing plate 11. In this configuration, the mounting of the backing plate retaining bracket 3 is such that, when viewed from above, a pair of front and rear backing plate retaining brackets 3 are welded to the backing plate 11, sandwiching it from the longitudinal direction of the vessel body. Therefore, if the vessel body of the high-temperature pressure vessel M undergoes thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction, the backing plate retaining bracket 3 welded to the vessel body will also undergo thermal deformation in the longitudinal direction (see arrows in Figures 1(c) and 3). In this embodiment, since the pair of front and rear backing plate retaining brackets 3 are mounted to sandwich the backing plate 11 from the longitudinal direction of the vessel body, this sandwiching state absorbs and allows for thermal deformation of the backing plate retaining bracket 3 in the longitudinal direction of the vessel body. Of course, even in a state of thermal deformation, the sandwiching state (engagement state) of the backing plate 11 by the backing plate retaining bracket 3 is maintained. Furthermore, the welding required to fix the backing plate holding bracket 3 to the high-temperature pressure vessel M is limited to only a portion of the material, and the welding area is short, making it less likely for cracks to form at the welded area.

[0025] (4) After retort sterilization After this high-temperature, high-pressure retort sterilization is complete, the processed material is removed from the high-temperature pressure vessel M and subjected to processes such as boxing and storage as appropriate in preparation for shipment. If no subsequent retort sterilization process is performed, the high-temperature pressure vessel M, after retort sterilization, will be released from its high-temperature and high-pressure state and return to room temperature, removing the thermal strain and deformation that occurred during the retort sterilization process (returning to its initial state).

[0026] [Other examples] While the present invention is based on the embodiments described above as one basic technical concept, the following further modifications are conceivable. First, in the basic embodiment described above, a retort vessel was used as an example of a high-temperature pressure vessel M, and a configuration in which it is supported by the support structure S of the present invention was explained. However, various other devices where thermal distortion is a problem can also be applied as objects to be supported. Specifically, boilers and the like can be supported by the support structure S of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0027] M High-temperature pressure vessel S Support structure S1 Loose Fitting Positioning Structure 1. Support Leg Unit 2 Retaining brackets 3. Retaining bracket for backing plate 10 Script body part 11 backing plate 12 pins 21 Retaining notch 22 Fixed part 23 Receiving hole block 23h receiving hole 101 Base plate 102 Side support plate 103 Cross support plate 104 Center reinforcement plate

Claims

1. A support structure using a support leg unit for installing a high-temperature pressure vessel that maintains a high-temperature and high-pressure atmosphere inside, The aforementioned support leg unit is provided with a backing plate at the upper part of the leg body that supports the outer circumference of the lower part of the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel in a non-fixed state, On the other hand, the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel is provided with a retaining bracket that holds the end of the backing plate in a loosely fitted state, the retaining bracket is provided with a retaining notch for accommodating the end of the backing plate, and fixing parts provided at both ends of the retaining notch, and the retaining bracket is welded and fixed to the body of the high-temperature pressure vessel at these fixing parts, characterized in that the support structure for a high-temperature pressure vessel.

2. The support structure for a high-temperature pressure vessel according to claim 1, characterized in that it has a loose fitting positioning structure between the backing plate and the retaining bracket, comprising a pin and a receiving hole.

3. The support structure for a high-temperature pressure vessel according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shell of the high-temperature pressure vessel is provided with a backing plate holding bracket that absorbs thermal expansion occurring in the longitudinal direction of the shell.

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