Apparatus for manufacturing food material powder

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for manufacturing a food material powder, the apparatus being characterized by comprising: a blower (10) for supplying hot air, wherein the hot air is supplied to a first grinding unit (30) via a first pipe (20), and the hot air passed through the first grinding unit (30) is further supplied to a second grinding unit (50) via a second pipe (40); a food material input area (70) into which a food material is to be fed; a superheated steam supply unit (60) for supplying superheated steam; a first branch pipe (21) disposed so as to join the first pipe partway along the length of the first pipe and configured to guide the food material fed into the food material input area (70) into the first pipe (20); and a second branch pipe (41) disposed so as to join the second pipe partway along the length of the second pipe and configured to guide the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam supply unit (60) into the second pipe (20).

Description

Food powder manufacturing equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a food powder manufacturing device for manufacturing food powder by pulverizing pieces of vegetables, pieces of fruit, etc.

[0002] The fine pulverizing and drying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Patent No. 5917947) can be used to produce food powder by pulverizing and drying food residues. The fine pulverizing and drying device disclosed in Patent Document 1 pulverizes and dries the raw materials while transporting them with hot air, and can pulverize and dry the food materials in an extremely short time.

[0003] The finely pulverizing and drying apparatus having two pulverizing chambers disclosed in Patent Document 1 as a "second embodiment" is commercially available from Micropowtech Co., Ltd. as "CDM10-550W."

[0004] However, the pulverizing and drying device (CDM10-550W) may not be sufficient in terms of sterilizing ingredients, so special pre-treatments such as blanching, which sterilizes ingredients at high temperatures, must be devised before feeding the ingredients into the device.

[0005] Sterilization of food pieces or powder using superheated steam is known, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 (Patent No. 5215257). In the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2, superheated steam is introduced to sterilize the food while the pulverized food is being stirred and dried in a drying chamber.

[0006] It is believed that a sufficient sterilization effect can be expected from a configuration in which a drying chamber is provided midway along the conveying path, the ingredients are temporarily retained in the drying chamber, and superheated steam is then introduced, as in the configuration of Patent Document 2. However, the above-mentioned fine pulverization and drying device (CDM10-550W) is a device that performs pulverization and drying while the ingredients are being conveyed by hot air, and its greatest advantage is its rapid processing, but providing a drying chamber midway along the conveying path and temporarily retaining the ingredients would impair this advantage.

[0007] Furthermore, Patent Document 3 (JP-B 1-208597) discloses that by using superheated steam as a carrier gas for powdered or granular food materials, the superheated steam is made to perform both the functions of transporting and sterilizing the food materials.

[0008] However, since the above-mentioned fine grinding and drying device (CDM10-550W) is a device that grinds and dries raw materials before grinding and drying while transporting them using hot air, if the hot air (high-temperature air) is replaced with superheated steam, the moisture caused by the superheated steam will encourage the ingredients to aggregate, making it difficult to achieve sufficient grinding and drying of the ingredients (according to verification by the present inventors).

[0009] In addition, Patent Document 4 (JP 2021-1054637 A) also discloses a technology for producing dry powder by drying raw materials (ingredients) with hot air.

[0010] Japanese Patent No. 5917947, Japanese Patent No. 5215257, Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-20859, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2021-105463

[0011] The inventors of the present invention have been conducting extensive research into adding a configuration that can sufficiently sterilize food materials to the above-mentioned fine pulverization and drying device (CDM10-550W).

[0012] Specifically, we connected a pipe for injecting superheated steam to the middle of the conveying path connecting the two grinding chambers, and conducted repeated tests to determine whether or not this would be able to sufficiently sterilize the food ingredients.

[0013] The basic configuration of the present invention is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-096691, from which the present application claims priority.

[0014] Specifically, the food powder manufacturing device of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a blower that supplies hot air, which supplies the hot air to a first crushing section through a first pipe and further supplies the hot air that has passed through the first crushing section to a second crushing section through a second pipe; a food ingredient supply section that supplies food ingredients; a superheated steam supply section that supplies superheated steam; a first branch pipe that is arranged to join the first pipe and is configured to guide food ingredients supplied from the food ingredient supply section into the first pipe; and a second branch pipe that is arranged to join the second pipe and is configured to guide superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam supply section into the second pipe.

[0015] According to the food powder manufacturing device of the present invention, since the food material is brought into contact with the superheated steam after being crushed into a coarse powder (moderately) by the first crushing section, the aggregation of the food material is not excessively promoted, and the subsequent crushing and drying actions by the second crushing section are not significantly adversely affected, while the superheated steam can sufficiently sterilize the food material. Furthermore, by surrounding the food material with the superheated steam, there is also the secondary effect of suppressing oxidation of the food material during the crushing and drying process by the second crushing step.

[0016] According to the results of actual testing by the inventors of the present invention, in the present invention, the amount of superheated steam introduced from the superheated steam supply section into the second pipe via the second branch pipe is preferably 10 kg / h to 40 kg / h, and particularly preferably 30 kg / h to 40 kg / h.

[0017] When a value within this range is adopted, the sterilization effect of the superheated steam on food ingredients can be more effectively achieved.

[0018] Furthermore, according to the results of actual verification by the inventors of the present invention, in the present invention, the temperature of the superheated steam guided from the superheated steam supply section into the second pipe via the second branch pipe is preferably 250°C or higher, and particularly preferably in the range of 300°C±50°C.

[0019] When a value within this range is adopted, the sterilization effect of the superheated steam on food ingredients can be more effectively achieved.

[0020] The food material powder manufacturing device of the present invention preferably further comprises a powder recovery section that separates and recovers the food material powder from the hot air that has passed through the second crushing section. In this case, the sterilization time of the food material powder from contact with the superheated steam in the second branch pipe to recovery by the powder recovery section is preferably less than 2 seconds, and particularly preferably 0.1 seconds or more but less than 1 second.

[0021] Even with such a short sterilization time, the superheated steam can sufficiently sterilize the ingredients, while the overall processing time can be kept short, so deterioration in the nutritional value and aroma of the ingredient powder can be significantly reduced.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the results of actual testing by the inventors of the present invention, it is preferable that the temperature of the hot air in the first crushing section be 80°C to 100°C, and that the temperature in the second crushing section be 80°C to 100°C as well.

[0023] If the temperature of the hot air is below 80°C, the moisture caused by the superheated steam will have a greater effect on promoting aggregation of the ingredients, which may result in insufficient grinding and drying of the ingredients. On the other hand, if the temperature of the hot air is higher than 100°C, the ingredients (color, aroma, nutrients, etc.) will be lost, so the preferred upper limit of the temperature is set to 100°C.

[0024] Furthermore, the food powder manufacturing method of the present invention is a method for manufacturing food powder by crushing food ingredients while transporting the food ingredients using hot air, and includes a first conveying step of transporting the food ingredients to a first crushing section using hot air, a first crushing step of crushing the food ingredients using the first crushing section to process them into coarse powder, a second conveying step of transporting the coarse powder to a second crushing section using hot air, and a second crushing step of further crushing the coarse powder using the second crushing section to process it into finer food powder, and is characterized in that a superheated steam supply step of supplying superheated steam to the coarse powder is carried out during the second conveying step.

[0025] According to the method for producing food powder of the present invention, since the food material is brought into contact with the superheated steam in a state where it has been crushed into a coarse powder (moderately) in the first crushing step, the aggregation of the food material is not excessively promoted, and the crushing and drying actions in the subsequent second crushing step are not significantly adversely affected, while the superheated steam can sufficiently sterilize the food material. Furthermore, by surrounding the food material with the superheated steam, there is also the secondary effect of suppressing oxidation of the food material during the crushing and drying processes in the second crushing step.

[0026] In the foodstuff powder manufacturing method of the present invention, the amount of superheated steam supplied in the superheated steam supplying step is preferably 10 kg / h to 40 kg / h, and particularly preferably 30 kg / h to 40 kg / h.

[0027] In addition, in the food material powder manufacturing method of the present invention, the temperature of the superheated steam supplied in the superheated steam supplying step is preferably 250°C or higher, and particularly preferably in the range of 300°C±50°C.

[0028] The food material powder production method of the present invention preferably further comprises a powder recovery step of recovering the food material powder processed in the second grinding step. In this case, the time from when the coarse powder comes into contact with the superheated steam to when it is processed into the food material powder and recovered in the powder recovery step is preferably less than 2 seconds, and particularly preferably 0.1 seconds or more and less than 1 second.

[0029] In addition, in the food material powder manufacturing method of the present invention, it is preferable that the temperature of the hot air is 80°C to 100°C during the first crushing step, and also 80°C to 100°C during the second crushing step.

[0030] The present invention also provides a food powder obtained by crushing food ingredients during the process of transporting the food ingredients using hot air, the food powder being produced by a food powder production method comprising: a first conveying step of transporting the food ingredients to a first crushing section using hot air; a first crushing step of crushing the food ingredients using the first crushing section to process them into coarse powder; a second conveying step of transporting the coarse powder to a second crushing section using hot air; and a second crushing step of further crushing the coarse powder using the second crushing section to process it into finer food powder, the method comprising: a superheated steam supply step of supplying superheated steam to the coarse powder during the second conveying step.

[0031] According to the food powder manufacturing device of the present invention, since the food material is brought into contact with the superheated steam in a state where it has been moderately crushed by the first crushing section, the food material does not excessively aggregate, and the subsequent crushing and drying actions by the second crushing section are not significantly adversely affected, while the superheated steam can sufficiently sterilize the food material. Furthermore, by surrounding the food material with the superheated steam, there is also the secondary effect of suppressing oxidation of the food material during the crushing and drying processes in the second crushing step.

[0032] According to the method for producing food powder of the present invention, since the food material is brought into contact with the superheated steam in a state where it has been crushed into a coarse powder (moderately) in the first crushing step, the aggregation of the food material is not excessively promoted, and the crushing and drying actions in the subsequent second crushing step are not significantly adversely affected, while the superheated steam can sufficiently sterilize the food material. Furthermore, by surrounding the food material with the superheated steam, there is also the secondary effect of suppressing oxidation of the food material during the crushing and drying processes in the second crushing step.

[0033] 1 is a schematic diagram of a food material powder manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0035] 1 is a schematic diagram of a food powder manufacturing apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The food powder manufacturing apparatus 1 is an apparatus for crushing, drying, and sterilizing moisture-containing food materials to obtain food powder. Currently, the commercialization of food powders made from vegetable and fruit pieces is being considered, but it is also possible to use other agricultural products, marine products, meat, and other raw materials.

[0036] In this specification, the term "powder" refers to a raw material that has been crushed into small pieces. For example, the "powder" has an "equivalent circle diameter" of 1 μm to 1 mm. The "equivalent circle diameter" is a parameter defined as the diameter of a circle having an area equal to the area of ​​an image of the powder (for example, as viewed as a planar image under a microscope).

[0037] As shown in Figure 1, the food powder manufacturing device 1 of this embodiment is equipped with a blower 10 that supplies hot air. The blower 10 supplies the hot air to a first crushing section 30 via a first pipe 20. Furthermore, the blower 10 supplies the hot air that has passed through the first crushing section 30 to a second crushing section 50 via a second pipe 40.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the food powder manufacturing device 1 of this embodiment further includes a food ingredient supply section 70 that supplies food ingredients, and a first branch pipe 21 that is arranged to merge with the first pipe 20 and is configured to guide the food ingredients supplied from the food ingredient supply section 70 into the first pipe 20.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, the food powder manufacturing device 1 of this embodiment further includes a superheated steam supply unit 60 that supplies superheated steam, and a second branch pipe 41 that is arranged to merge with the second pipe 40 and is configured to guide the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam supply unit 60 into the second pipe 40.

[0040] As shown in Figure 1, the food powder manufacturing device 1 of this embodiment further includes a powder recovery section 80 that separates the hot air that has passed through the second crushing section 50 from the food material (food material powder) and recovers the food material (food material powder).

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 1, the food material powder manufacturing device 1 of this embodiment further includes an exhaust fan 90 that sucks in and exhausts the hot air separated by the powder recovery section 80.

[0042] (Blower 10) The hot air supplied from blower 10 dries the surface and outer layer of the raw materials while transporting them. Generally, blower 10 is placed and fixed on the floor, and generates hot air inside blower 10. In addition, blower 10 has an opening that determines the direction of airflow, and the hot air is discharged outside the machine from this opening.

[0043] The blower 10 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the blower included in the above-mentioned fine pulverization drying device (CDM10-550W). Specifically, it is a "TSK82" blower manufactured by Kansai Electric Power Co., Ltd., and has a maximum supply volume of hot air of 24.8 m 3 / min, but in this embodiment, it is used at 30 Hz, that is, the supply volume of hot air is 12.4 m 3 / min.

[0044] In this embodiment, the temperature of the hot air is set to 80°C to 100°C in the first crushing section 30, and also to 80°C to 100°C in the second crushing section 50. By adopting a temperature within this temperature range, the surface and outer layer of the raw materials transported by the hot air are effectively dried, and further, the physiological functions of microorganisms associated with the raw materials can be stopped or eliminated. (The action of stopping or eliminating the physiological functions of microorganisms is generally called "sterilization.") However, because the sterilization effect of hot air may not be sufficient for food ingredients, in this embodiment, sterilization using superheated steam is also used in combination, as described below.

[0045] (First pipe 20, first branch pipe 21, and food ingredient supply unit 70) One end of first pipe 20 is connected to the opening of blower 10, and the other end of first pipe 20 is connected to the inlet opening of first crushing unit 30. First branch pipe 21 joins the first pipe 20 midway. Raw materials (food ingredients) are supplied into first pipe 20 via first branch pipe 21. The raw materials (food ingredients) are efficiently supplied into first pipe 20 by the weight of the raw materials (food ingredients) and negative pressure caused by the high-speed movement of hot air.

[0046] The first pipe 20 and the first branch pipe 21 of this embodiment have the same configuration as the first pipe and the first branch pipe included in the previously described fine pulverization drying apparatus (CDM10-550W). Specifically, the first pipe 20 is disposed horizontally, and the first branch pipe 21 is disposed vertically upward. In terms of size, the first pipe 20 has a diameter of 97.6 mm, a length of 160 cm, and a diameter of 47.8 mm, a length of 35 cm.

[0047] A food material supply unit 70 is connected to the upstream side (opposite side from first pipe 20) of first branch pipe 21. Food material supply unit 70 has a storage unit 71 that stores raw materials (food materials) and a transport unit 72 that transports the raw materials (food materials) stored in storage unit 71 to first branch pipe 21.

[0048] The storage unit 71 is made of a hopper-shaped storage member, and has an opening formed at the end connected to the conveying unit 72. The conveying unit 72 has the function of conveying raw materials (foodstuffs) discharged from the opening of the storage unit 71 to the first branch pipe 21, and is formed by, for example, a cylindrical body 74 that accommodates a screw body 73. In this case, the raw materials discharged from the opening of the storage unit 71 to the conveying unit 72 are conveyed to the first branch pipe 21 as the screw body 73 rotates.

[0049] The size of the raw materials (size of each food piece) put into the storage section 71 is preferably 5 mm or more and 20 mm or less in terms of circular equivalent diameter, and is preferably adjusted to a size of, for example, approximately 10 mm in terms of circular equivalent diameter.

[0050] The food material supply unit 70 of this embodiment (storage unit 71, conveying unit 72, screw body 73 and cylindrical body 74) has the same configuration as the food material supply unit included in the above-mentioned fine pulverization and drying apparatus (CDM10-550W).

[0051] (First crushing section 30) The first crushing section 30 is a machine part responsible for crushing the raw materials (food ingredients), and has an inlet opening to which the other end of the first pipe 20 is connected. The first crushing section 30 crushes the raw materials (food ingredients) transported by the hot air from the blower 10 while drying them with the hot air. The time (crushing processing time) for the raw materials (food ingredients) to pass through the first crushing section 30 is extremely short.

[0052] The size of the raw material after being crushed by the first crushing section 30 (size per coarse food powder) is preferably a circular equivalent diameter of 10 μm or more and 3000 μm or less, more preferably a circular equivalent diameter of 50 μm or more and 200 μm or less, even more preferably a circular equivalent diameter of 75 μm or more and 150 μm or less, even more preferably a circular equivalent diameter of 80 μm or more and 120 μm or less, even more preferably 90 μm or more and 110 μm or less, even more preferably 95 μm or more and 100 μm or less, and most preferably about 100 μm.

[0053] If the size of the coarse powder is too small, it may absorb moisture caused by superheated steam, which will be described later, resulting in insufficient drying and / or pulverization.On the other hand, if the size of the coarse powder is too large, it may not be possible for the sterilizing effect of superheated steam, which will be described later, to penetrate the coarse powder sufficiently.

[0054] In order to adjust the size of the coarse powder, it is necessary to adjust the position of the rotary blades inside the first crushing section 30 .

[0055] The sizes of the coarse powders described above refer to the sizes of the main coarse powders, and coarse powders of sizes other than the above may be included. However, it is preferable that the corresponding coarse powders (main coarse powders) account for 90% or more of the total, and more preferably 95% or more.

[0056] The first pulverizing section 30 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the first pulverizing section included in the above-mentioned fine pulverizing and drying apparatus (CDM10-550W). Specifically, the first pulverizing section 30 is a device part that generates an airflow by the action of an internal rotating rotor and controls pulverization by causing the raw materials to mainly collide with each other using the airflow.

[0057] (Second pipe 40, second branch pipe 41, and superheated steam supply section 60) One end of the second pipe 40 is connected to the outlet opening of the first crushing section 30, and the other end of the second pipe 40 is connected to the inlet opening of the second crushing section 50. A second branch pipe 41 joins the second pipe 40 midway. Superheated steam is supplied into the second pipe 40 via the second branch pipe 41.

[0058] The second tube 40 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the second tube included in the above-mentioned fine pulverization and drying apparatus (CDM10-550W). Specifically, the second tube 40 is arranged in a horizontal plane, and the diameter of the second tube 40 is 97.6 mm, and the length of the second tube 40 is 84 cm.

[0059] The second branch pipe 41 is not included in the above-mentioned fine pulverization drying apparatus (CDM10-550W), but was newly installed by the inventors of the present invention. In this embodiment, it is made of a flexible pipe that can be bent, and has a diameter of 9.4 mm and a length of 165 cm.

[0060] A superheated steam supply unit 60 is connected to the upstream side of the second branch pipe 41 (the opposite side to the second pipe 40). The superheated steam supply unit 60 is connected to, for example, a boiler (not shown) installed in another location in the factory, and controls the flow rate and temperature of steam supplied from the boiler and supplies it to the second branch pipe 41. The superheated steam sterilizes the coarse powder that passes through the second pipe 40 and moves from the first crushing unit 30 to the second crushing unit 50.

[0061] The superheated steam supply unit 60 of this embodiment is a device commercially available from Shinnetsu Kogyo Co., Ltd. under the name "Aqua Steam Heater," and is capable of adjusting the amount of superheated steam supplied into the second pipe 40 via the second branch pipe 41 in a range of 10 kg / h to 40 kg / h. Furthermore, the steam supply unit 60 of this embodiment is capable of adjusting the temperature of the superheated steam supplied into the second pipe 40 via the second branch pipe 41 in a range of 150°C to 500°C.

[0062] (Second crushing section 50) The second crushing section 50 is a machine part responsible for further crushing the coarse powder of raw materials (food ingredients) produced in the first crushing section 30, and has an inlet opening to which the other end of the second pipe 40 is connected. The second crushing section 50 further crushes the raw materials (food ingredients) while drying and sterilizing them by bringing a mixed gas of hot air supplied from the blower 10 and heated steam supplied from the superheated steam supply section 60 into contact with the coarse powder of the raw materials (food ingredients). The time (crushing processing time) for the raw materials (food ingredients) to pass through the second crushing section 50 is extremely short.

[0063] In order to effectively perform sterilization using superheated steam while suppressing deterioration of ingredients due to the heat of the hot air, the sterilization time of the ingredient powder from contact with superheated steam in the second tube 40 until it is further pulverized in the second grinding section 50 and collected by the powder collection section 80 described below is less than 2 seconds, and it is particularly preferable that it be 0.1 seconds or more but less than 1 second.

[0064] The size of the raw material (size per food powder) after being crushed by the second crushing section 50 is preferably 5 μm or more and 100 μm or less in equivalent circle diameter, more preferably 5 μm or more and 50 μm or less in equivalent circle diameter, even more preferably 10 μm or more and 30 μm or less in equivalent circle diameter, even more preferably 10 μm or more and 20 μm or less in equivalent circle diameter, even more preferably 10 μm or more and 17 μm or less, and most preferably 10 μm or more and 15 μm or less.

[0065] If the size of the powder is too small, it will be too light and will fly up, which may make subsequent handling difficult, such as making it difficult to collect it in the powder collection unit 80 described below.On the other hand, if the size of the powder is too large, there is a risk that it will produce an unpleasant texture on the human tongue.

[0066] In order to adjust the size of the powder, it is necessary to adjust the position of the rotary blades inside the second crushing section 50 .

[0067] The powder sizes described above refer to the sizes of the main powders, and powders of sizes other than those specified may be included. However, it is preferable that the corresponding powders (main powders) account for 90% or more of the total, and more preferably 95% or more.

[0068] The second pulverizing section 50 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the second pulverizing section included in the above-mentioned fine pulverizing and drying apparatus (CDM10-550W). Specifically, the second pulverizing section 50 is also a device part that generates an airflow by the action of an internal rotating rotor and controls pulverization by causing the raw materials to mainly collide with each other using the airflow.

[0069] Even if the introduction of superheated steam causes the coarse powder to aggregate, the powder of the desired size and in a dry state can be obtained by the crushing and drying process in the second crushing unit 50 (the moisture content of the powder will be 2% to 10%). In addition, by crushing and drying the coarse powder in the second crushing unit 5 while it is surrounded by superheated steam, there is also the secondary effect of suppressing oxidation of the ingredients.

[0070] (Powder recovery section 80, tapered section 81, powder storage section 82 and connecting pipe 83) One end of the connecting pipe 83 is connected to the outlet opening of the second crushing section 50, and the other end of the connecting pipe 83 is connected to the inlet opening of the powder recovery section 80.

[0071] The connecting pipe 83 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the connecting pipe included in the above-mentioned fine pulverization and drying apparatus (CDM10-550W). In terms of size, the connecting pipe 83 has a diameter of 97.6 mm and a length of 205 cm.

[0072] The powder recovery section 80 is a device part that separates and recovers the food powder from the hot air that has passed through the second crushing section 50, and is a cyclone-type member in this embodiment. More specifically, the powder recovery section 80 in this embodiment has a tapered section 81 that captures the food powder by a cyclone, and a powder storage section 82 that stores the food powder that has fallen along the inner surface of the tapered section 81.

[0073] The powder recovery section 80 (tapered section 81 and powder storage section 82) of this embodiment also has the same configuration as the powder recovery section included in the above-mentioned fine pulverization and drying apparatus (CDM10-550W).

[0074] (Exhaust fan 90 , exhaust section 91 and exhaust duct 92 ) One end of the exhaust duct 92 is connected to the hot air outlet of the tapered section 81 of the powder collection section 80 , and the other end of the exhaust duct 92 is connected to the inlet opening of the exhaust fan 90 .

[0075] An exhaust section 91 of the exhaust fan 90 sucks in and exhausts the hot air separated by the powder recovery section 80. The blower 10 and the exhaust fan 90 work together to move the hot air at high speed.

[0076] The exhaust fan 90 of this embodiment has the same configuration as the fan included in the above-mentioned fine pulverization and drying device (CDM10-550W). Specifically, it is a "Turbo Blower F" manufactured by Muto Electric Co., Ltd., and has an exhaust air volume of 17.4 m 3 / min (used at 60 Hz).

[0077] (Specific Example of Operation) Next, a manufacturing flow of food powder using the powder manufacturing device 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0078] First, raw materials (e.g., vegetable pieces or fruit pieces) are placed in the storage section 71 of the food supply section 70. The placed raw materials are transported to the first branch pipe 21 by the transport section 72.

[0079] The raw materials transported to the first branch pipe 21 are transported to the first crushing section 30 via the first branch pipe 21 and the first pipe 20 by the weight of the raw materials and the negative pressure caused by the high-speed movement of the hot air (step S10 (first transport process)).

[0080] In the first pulverizing section 30, an airflow is generated by the action of the internal rotating rotor, and the raw materials are pulverized by the airflow, mainly by collisions between the raw materials, and processed into coarse powder (step S20 (first pulverizing step)). Simultaneously with the pulverization, the coarse powder is dried by the drying action of hot air.

[0081] The coarse powder processed by the first pulverizing section 30 is transported to the second pipe 40 by the movement of hot air supplied by the blower 10 (and exhausted by the exhaust fan 90) (step S30). The coarse powder is transported from one end to the other end of the second pipe 40 while being further dried by the hot air.

[0082] While the coarse powder is moving through the second pipe 40, the superheated steam supply unit 60 supplies superheated steam to the coarse powder (step S40 (superheated steam supply step)). The coarse powder is effectively sterilized by the superheated steam. The sterilized coarse powder is transported to the second pulverization unit 50 by the movement of hot air supplied by the blower 10 (and exhausted by the exhaust fan 90) (step S50 (second transport step)).

[0083] Here, some of the superheated steam may liquefy when it comes into contact with the relatively low-temperature hot air or coarse powder, causing the coarse powder to agglomerate. However, such agglomerates are transported to the second pulverizing section 50 in an extremely short time along with the hot air movement along with the other coarse powder, and therefore such agglomerates do not grow to an excessively large size (a size that would impair the function of the second pulverizing section 50).

[0084] Subsequently, in the second crushing section 50, an airflow is generated by the action of the internal rotating rotor, and the coarse powder (and the agglomerates as described above) is further crushed by the airflow, mainly by collisions between the coarse powder (and the agglomerates as described above), and processed into a finer food ingredient powder (step S60 (second crushing step)). Simultaneously with the crushing, the powder is further dried by the drying action of the hot air, and further sterilized by the sterilizing action of the superheated steam.

[0085] Thereafter, the food powder produced in the second crushing section 50 is transported to the powder recovery section 80 (step S70) along with the movement of hot air caused by the supply of hot air from the blower 10 (and the exhaust of hot air by the exhaust fan 90), and is recovered in the powder recovery section 80 (step S80).

[0086] (Example) As mentioned above, the amount of hot air supplied by the blower 10 is 12.4 m 3 / min and the temperature of the hot air was 100°C.

[0087] The temperature inside the second pipe 40 was monitored, and after the temperature inside the pipe exceeded 90° C. and became stable, the supply of superheated steam from the superheated steam supply unit 60 was started.

[0088] After the amount and temperature of superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam supply unit 60 became stable near the set values, the supply of ingredients was started.

[0089] As the food material (raw material), 10 kg of "spinach" was selected, which was adjusted to a size of about 10 mm in circle equivalent diameter and then continuously fed into the storage section 71 of the food material supply section 70.

[0090] The food material is transported to the first crushing section 30 via the conveying section 72, etc., where it is crushed into a coarse powder, and as it passes through the second pipe 40 it is exposed to (enveloped in) superheated steam for sterilization, and then crushed further into a finer powder in the second crushing section 50, which is then collected by the powder collection section 80.

[0091] The size of the coarse powder after pulverization by the first pulverization unit 30 was approximately 300 to 600 μm in circle equivalent diameter, and the size of the food material powder after pulverization by the second pulverization unit 50 was approximately 5 to 15 μm in circle equivalent diameter.

[0092] The time it took for the food material to pass through the first crushing section 30 (crushing time in the first crushing section 30) was about 1 second, the time it took for the food material (coarse powder after crushing in the first crushing section 30) to pass through the second pipe 40 was about 0.1 second, the time it took for the food material to pass through the second crushing section 50 (crushing time in the second crushing section 50) was about 1 second, and the time it took for the food material to pass through the connecting pipe 83 and be collected by the powder collection section 80 was about 0.1 second. From the above, it is thought that the sterilization time for the food material powder from when it came into contact with the superheated steam in the second branch pipe 41 until it was further crushed in the second crushing section 50 and collected by the powder collection section 80 was about 1.2 seconds.

[0093] After the food powder was collected, an external organization (Food Microbiology Center Co., Ltd.) analyzed the number of microorganisms (specifically, general viable bacteria and coliform bacteria).

[0094] As a result, it was confirmed that the number of microorganisms was significantly reduced when the supply amount of superheated steam was in the range of 10 kg / h to 40 kg / h and when the temperature of the superheated steam was in the range of 150°C to 500°C, compared to when superheated steam was not supplied (an experimental example carried out under the same conditions except that superheated steam was not supplied).

[0095] In particular, it was confirmed that the number of microorganisms was significantly reduced when the supply rate of superheated steam was in the range of 30 kg / h to 40 kg / h. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that the number of microorganisms was sufficiently reduced when the temperature of superheated steam was 250°C or higher, and that the number of microorganisms was sufficiently reduced while preserving the ingredients (color, aroma, nutrients, etc.) when the temperature was in the range of 300°C ± 50°C. (The supply rate of superheated steam was evaluated in experiments ranging from 10 kg / h to 40 kg / h in 10 kg / h increments, and the temperature of superheated steam was evaluated in experiments ranging from 150°C to 500°C in 50°C increments.)

[0096] If we assume (approximately) that the pressure of the superheated steam when it meets the hot air is 1 atmosphere, then 10 kg / h (300°C) = 166 g / min (300°C) of superheated steam will have a flow rate of 0.0224 m 3(Volume of 1 mole of water at standard conditions) ÷ 18 (1 mole of water is 18 g) × 166 (g / min) × 573 / 273 (temperature correction) = 0.434 m 3 For example, in the case of 30 kg / h (300°C), the flow rate is three times as fast as 1,300 m 3 In this case, the exhaust air volume is 17.4 m 3 / min, so 17.4m 3 / min-1.3m 3 / min = 16.1 m 3 / min is considered to be the amount of hot air (high-temperature air) when it meets the superheated steam.

[0097] (Modifications) In the above-described embodiment, the first pulverizing section 30 and the second pulverizing section 50 employ a configuration in which raw materials are pulverized by colliding with each other using a hot air current (swirling flow), but the present invention is not limited to this configuration and other well-known pulverizers may also be used. For example, well-known pulverizers such as an impact mill, jet mill, or roller mill may be used as the first pulverizing section 30 and / or the second pulverizing section 50.

[0098] In the above-described embodiment, the first pipe 20 is arranged horizontally and the first branch pipe 21 is arranged vertically upward, but this arrangement is not necessarily limited to this. For example, if a separate food material conveying mechanism (not shown) is used in combination, the orientation of the first pipe 20 and / or the first branch pipe 21 can be changed as appropriate.

[0099] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Powder manufacturing apparatus 10 Blower 20 First pipe 21 First branch pipe 30 First pulverizing section 40 Second pipe 41 Second branch pipe 50 Second pulverizing section 60 Superheated steam supply section 70 Food material supply section 71 Storage section 72 Conveying section 73 Screw body 74 Cylindrical body 80 Powder recovery section 81 Tapered section 82 Powder storage section 83 Connecting pipe 90 Exhaust fan 91 Exhaust section 92 Exhaust pipe

Claims

1. A blower for supplying hot air, which supplies the hot air to a first grinding section via a first pipe, and further supplies the hot air that has passed through the first grinding section to a second grinding section via a second pipe, A food supply unit that supplies food ingredients containing moisture, such as vegetable pieces, fruit pieces, seafood pieces, or meat pieces, A superheated steam supply unit that supplies superheated steam, A first branch pipe is positioned to merge with the first pipe midway and is configured to guide the ingredients supplied from the ingredients supply unit into the first pipe, A second branch pipe is positioned to merge with the second pipe midway through its course and is configured to guide the superheated steam supplied from the superheated steam supply unit into the second pipe, A food ingredient powder manufacturing apparatus characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. The amount of superheated steam introduced from the superheated steam supply unit into the second pipe via the second branch pipe is 10 kg / h to 40 kg / h. The food ingredient powder manufacturing apparatus according to feature 1.

3. The temperature of the superheated steam introduced from the superheated steam supply unit into the second pipe via the second branch pipe is 250°C or higher. The food ingredient powder manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The system further includes a powder recovery unit that separates and recovers the food powder from the hot air that has passed through the second crushing unit, The sterilization time of the food powder from the time it comes into contact with the superheated steam in the second branch pipe until it is recovered by the powder recovery unit is less than 2 seconds. The food ingredient powder manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The temperature of the hot air is 80°C to 100°C in the first grinding section and also 80°C to 100°C in the second grinding section. The food ingredient powder manufacturing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A method for producing food powder by crushing food ingredients, such as vegetable pieces, fruit pieces, seafood pieces, or meat pieces, which contain moisture, during the process of transporting them with hot air, A first conveying step in which the ingredients are conveyed to the first crushing section by hot air, A first grinding step involves grinding the ingredients into a coarse powder using the first grinding unit, A second conveying step in which the coarse powder is conveyed to a second grinding section by hot air, A second grinding step is performed in which the coarse powder is further ground by the second grinding unit to process it into a finer food ingredient powder, Equipped with, During the second conveying process, a superheated steam supply process is carried out in which superheated steam is supplied to the coarse powder. A method for producing food ingredient powder characterized by the following features.

7. The amount of superheated steam supplied in the superheated steam supply process is 10 kg / h to 40 kg / h. The method for producing food ingredient powder according to feature 6.

8. The temperature of the superheated steam supplied in the superheated steam supply process is 250°C or higher. The method for producing food ingredient powder according to claim 6 or 7.

9. Powder recovery step for recovering the food ingredient powder processed by the second grinding step. Furthermore, The time from when the coarse powder comes into contact with the superheated steam until it is processed into the food ingredient powder and recovered by the powder recovery process is less than 2 seconds. The method for producing food ingredient powder according to claim 6 or 7.

10. The temperature of the hot air is 80°C to 100°C during the first grinding step and also 80°C to 100°C during the second grinding step. The method for producing food ingredient powder according to claim 6 or 7.