Food material washing system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a food ingredient washing system, comprising a plurality of sterilization tanks into which food ingredients requiring washing are introduced, a washing water production unit that generates washing water in which a free residual chlorine concentrate is diluted in water, a washing water supply unit that supplies the washing water from the washing water production unit to each of the sterilization tanks, a flow rate control unit that controls the flow rate of the washing water supplied to the sterilization tanks, and a free residual chlorine measuring unit that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water and transmits the measurement result to the flow rate control unit.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a food washing system, and more specifically, to a food washing system that detects the concentration of free residual chlorine supplied to a washing tank in real time during a food sterilization process and controls the concentration so that the concentration of free residual chlorine can be maintained at a constant level. Background Technology

[0002] Generally, chlorine-based agents (such as hypochlorous acid and sodium hypochlorite) are applied in processes at a legal standard of 200 ppm. However, their sterilizing power is limited, and due to wastewater treatment issues, separate wastewater treatment facilities are required in areas outside of industrial complexes, which significantly restricts the operation of food factories.

[0003] Therefore, "pure chlorine dioxide," which leaves no carcinogenic residue after reacting with organic matter, is being applied in drinking water treatment, food sterilization, agriculture and livestock, hospital sterilization, wastewater treatment, and the pulp and paper industry.

[0004] This chlorine dioxide (ClO2) has the advantage of having a bactericidal power more than 25 times higher than that of oxygen-based or chlorine-based disinfectants, maintaining excellent bactericidal power even with changes in water pH, and not having resistance to bacteria, but it is difficult to handle due to its physical characteristic of existing as a gas at room temperature.

[0005] Accordingly, sodium hypochlorite can be diluted in water for disinfection purposes. By using diluted sodium hypochlorite as washing water, bacteria and viruses in the water can be removed, and a certain concentration of residual chlorine remains after disinfection, preventing secondary contamination.

[0006] The conventional technology of a food washing device using such free residual chlorine is explained with reference to Fig. 1.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional food washing device. Referring to the drawing, the conventional food washing device fills a sterilization tank (10) with water through a water supply pipe (30), and then a worker adds a free residual chlorine concentrate (40) to the water in the sterilization tank (10) and stirs it to create washing water (50). Once washing water (50) is created in the sterilization tank (10), food ingredients are introduced into the sterilization tank (10), and the worker washes the food ingredients.

[0008] At this time, before or during washing the food ingredients, the worker measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the wash water to verify whether the concentration is within the legal standards.

[0009] In this way, to measure the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water (50) filled in the sterilization tank (10), the operator immerses litmus paper in the washing water (50) to determine the color change of the litmus paper or adds a reagent to the washing water sample to determine the color change, thereby estimating the concentration of free residual chlorine. Depending on the color change of the litmus paper or the reagent, if the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water (50) is low, the operator adds more free residual chlorine concentrate (40) to the washing tank (10) to adjust the concentration to an appropriate level.

[0010] However, conventional food washing devices as described above have a problem in that they cannot precisely control the concentration of free residual chlorine because they control the concentration of free residual chlorine based on the operator's experience and the color change of litmus paper or reagents.

[0011] To elaborate, during the food washing process, some of the wash water from the sterilization tank is scattered to the outside, or the washed food ingredients are expelled while still saturated with wash water. Consequently, the wash water in the sterilization tank is lost, and to compensate for this loss, additional water and concentrated free residual chlorine solution are supplied to the tank before the concentration of free residual chlorine is measured.

[0012] As such, there are difficulties in precisely managing the concentration because water and free residual chlorine concentrate must be frequently added to the sterilization tank due to the loss of washing water, and the concentration must be measured by an operator using litmus paper or a reagent color change. Furthermore, there is the inconvenience of having to measure the concentration frequently, which makes it difficult to automate the washing process and leads to a problem of reduced productivity due to the long time required for the washing process. Prior art literature

[0013] (Patent Document 0001) KR 10-2107229 B (2015.07.20) The problem to be solved

[0014] The present invention aims to solve the aforementioned problems by providing a food material washing system that detects the concentration of free residual chlorine in washing water supplied to a washing tank in real time during a food material sterilization process and controls this concentration so that the concentration of free residual chlorine can be maintained at a constant level. means of solving the problem

[0015] The technical concept of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned purpose is achieved by a food material washing system characterized by comprising: a plurality of sterilization tanks into which food materials requiring washing are introduced; a washing water production unit that generates washing water in which a free residual chlorine concentrate is diluted in water; a washing water supply unit that supplies the washing water from the washing water production unit to each of the sterilization tanks; a flow rate control unit that controls the flow rate of the washing water supplied to the sterilization tanks; and a free residual chlorine measuring unit that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water and transmits the measurement result to the flow rate control unit.

[0016] Here, it is preferable that the washing water manufacturing unit includes a stock solution storage tank for storing a free residual chlorine stock solution and a washing water dilution tank that receives and stores water and receives the free residual chlorine stock solution from the stock solution storage tank and mixes it with water to dilute it to a certain concentration.

[0017] In addition, it is preferable that the washing water manufacturing unit is provided with a dilution tank measuring unit that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water of the washing water dilution tank.

[0018] In addition, it is preferable that the washing water manufacturing unit is provided with a dilution control unit that controls the ratio of water supplied to the washing water dilution tank and the free residual chlorine concentrate according to the result measured by the dilution tank measuring unit.

[0019] In addition, it is preferable that the washing water manufacturing unit be provided with a temporary storage tank that receives and temporarily stores washing water from the washing water dilution tank before supplying the washing water to the sterilization tank.

[0020] In addition, it is preferable that the sterilization tank includes a sterilization tank measuring unit that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water supplied through the flow control unit.

[0021] In addition, it is preferable that the sterilization tank be equipped with a plurality of spray nozzles on its upper portion that spray washing water supplied through the washing water supply unit toward the sterilization tank.

[0022] In addition, it is preferable that the above-mentioned sterilization tank be equipped with a bubble generator on its inner bottom that generates foam in the washing water.

[0023] In addition, it is preferable to further include a vision sensor installed on the upper part of the sterilization tank, an image recognition unit that determines the type and size of food ingredients from the image of the vision sensor, and a concentration control unit that controls a washing water production unit to adjust the concentration of free residual chlorine according to the determination result of the image recognition unit.

[0024] In addition, it is desirable for the concentration control unit to calculate the target range of free residual chlorine concentration based on the type and size of the food ingredients by comparing it with a pre-stored database.

[0025] In addition, it is desirable that the vision sensors be installed at the respective locations where food ingredients are input and output in the sterilization tank to capture the state before and after the input of the food ingredients. Effects of the invention

[0026] According to the food material washing system of the present invention, the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water of the washing water production unit and the sterilization tank is measured in real time, and based on the measured result, the amount of free residual chlorine concentrate added to the washing water dilution tank is adjusted, or the washing water with a concentration adjusted in the washing water dilution tank is supplied to the sterilization tank, thereby allowing the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water of the sterilization tank to be controlled in real time, thus automating the washing process and precisely controlling the concentration of free residual chlorine, thereby improving the productivity of the washing process.

[0027] In addition, since the washing concentration of the present invention is automatically changed according to the type and condition of the food ingredients, it is possible to wash various food ingredients such as cabbage, radish, and apple on the same line while maintaining sterilization power without damaging quality and reducing the amount of disinfectant used. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional food washing device. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a food ingredient washing system according to the present invention. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the washing water production unit of the food ingredient washing system according to the present invention. Figure 4 is a drawing showing the washing water supply unit and the sterilization tank of the food ingredient washing system according to the present invention. FIG. 5 is a drawing showing another embodiment of a sterilization tank among the food washing systems according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the state in which a vision sensor is installed in a food washing system according to the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] Terms and words used in this specification and claims should not be interpreted as being limited to their ordinary or dictionary meanings, but should be interpreted in a meaning and concept consistent with the technical spirit of the invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the terms to best describe their invention.

[0030] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a drawing showing a food washing system according to the present invention. Referring to the drawing, the food washing system of the present invention comprises a plurality of sterilization tanks (100) into which food ingredients requiring washing are introduced, a washing water production unit (200) that generates washing water in which a free residual chlorine concentrate is diluted in water, a washing water supply unit (300) that supplies the washing water from the washing water production unit (200) to each of the sterilization tanks (100), a flow rate control unit (400) that controls the flow rate of the washing water supplied to the sterilization tanks (100), and a free residual chlorine measurement unit that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water and transmits the measurement result to the flow rate control unit (400).

[0032] At this time, the free residual chlorine measuring unit includes a dilution tank measuring unit (260) and a sterilization tank measuring unit (500) so as to measure the concentration of free residual chlorine in real time for the washing water supplied to the sterilization tank (100) during the process of manufacturing washing water in the washing water manufacturing unit (200).

[0033] To elaborate, the sterilization tank (100) is filled with washing water so that food ingredients (e.g., vegetables, fruits, etc.) to be washed can be washed. Depending on the washing factory, a number of sterilization tanks (100) may be formed in the form of a line, or food ingredients may be fed into the sterilization tank (100) via a conveyor and discharged when washing is completed.

[0034] In this way, the sterilization tank (100) for washing food ingredients is filled with washing water having a concentration of free residual chlorine in accordance with the HACCP food safety management standards. To this end, a washing water manufacturing unit (200) is provided to generate washing water in which a free residual chlorine concentrate is diluted in water. This is explained with reference to FIG. 3.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the washing water production unit of the food ingredient washing system according to the present invention.

[0036] Referring to the drawing, the washing water manufacturing unit (200) is composed of a liquid storage tank (210) that stores a liquid free residual chlorine solution such as hypochlorous acid or sodium hypochlorite, and a washing water dilution tank (220) that receives and stores water and dilutes the liquid free residual chlorine solution from the liquid storage tank (210) by mixing it with water to a certain concentration.

[0037] The raw material storage tank (210) and the washing water dilution tank (220) are connected by a raw material supply pipe (260), and a metering pump (212) is installed in this raw material supply pipe to supply a set amount of the raw material with free residual chlorine from the raw material storage tank (210) to the washing water dilution tank (220).

[0038] Additionally, the washing water dilution tank (220) is connected to a dilution supply pipe (221) branched from the main water supply pipe (110) through which water flows, and a solenoid valve (222) is installed in the dilution supply pipe (221) to control the supply of water from the main water supply pipe (110) to the washing water dilution tank (220).

[0039] Additionally, the washing water dilution tank (220) is equipped with a level switch (223) for controlling the level of the washing water, a circulation pipe (224) for circulating the washing water within the washing water dilution tank (220), and a circulation pump (225). When the washing water in the washing water dilution tank (220) drops below a set level, the circulation pump (225) operates, and at the same time, water and free residual chlorine concentrate are supplied from the dilution water supply pipe (221) and the concentrate supply pipe (211), respectively, and stirred.

[0040] Additionally, the washing water manufacturing unit (200) is provided with a dilution tank measuring unit (260) for measuring the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water of the washing water dilution tank (220). The dilution tank measuring unit (260) is provided with a sampling measuring sensor (261) for measuring the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water contained in the washing water dilution tank (220) using an electrode diamond.

[0041] Here, the sampling measurement sensor (261) and the sterilization tank measurement sensor (510) described below can stably measure the concentration of free residual chlorine with high durability and a wide potential by imparting conductivity to diamond, which is an insulator.

[0042] In other words, conventional glass residual chlorine measurement sensors are processed using Pt electrodes, bead polishing, and electrolytic polishing, making it impossible to measure hypochlorous acid (CHIO) at the Pt electrode and difficult to maintain. In contrast, the sampling measurement sensor (261) and sterilization tank measurement sensor (510) used in the present invention impart conductivity to diamond, which is an insulator, thereby making it easy to miniaturize and maintain. Furthermore, it can measure both hypochlorous acid (HCIO) and chlorine oxide (CIO-), resulting in a wide measurement range and high durability.

[0043] Meanwhile, the washing water dilution tank (220) and the sampling measurement sensor (261) are connected by a sampling pipe (262), and a sampling pump (263) is installed in the sampling pipe (262) to supply washing water from the washing water dilution tank (220) to the sampling measurement sensor (261).

[0044] And, the washing water manufacturing unit (200) is electrically connected to a dilution control unit (250) that controls the ratio of water supplied to the washing water dilution tank (220) and the free residual chlorine concentrate according to the result measured by the dilution tank measuring unit (260).

[0045] This dilution control unit (250) controls the operation of the metering pump (212), the solenoid valve (222) of the dilution water supply pipe (221), and the circulation pump (225) described above according to the free residual chlorine concentration of the washing water measured by the sampling measurement sensor (261) of the dilution tank measurement unit (260), thereby manufacturing the washing water of the washing water dilution tank (220) to a set free residual chlorine concentration.

[0046] And, the washing water manufacturing unit (200) is provided with a temporary storage tank (230) that receives washing water from the washing water dilution tank (220) and stores it temporarily before supplying washing water to the sterilization tank (100).

[0047] This temporary storage tank (230) is connected to the washing water dilution tank (220) by an outlet pipe (271), and an outlet pump (272) is installed in the outlet pipe (271) to control the supply of washing water to the temporary storage tank (230).

[0048] Meanwhile, the washing water produced in the washing water production unit (200) is supplied to the sterilization tank (100) by the washing water supply unit (300). This is explained with reference to FIG. 4.

[0049] Figure 4 is a drawing showing the washing water supply unit and the sterilization tank of the food ingredient washing system according to the present invention.

[0050] Referring to the drawing, the washing water supply unit (300) is for supplying water and washing water supplied from the main water supply pipe (110) and the temporary storage tank (230) to the sterilization tank (100). The main water supply pipe (110) is connected to each of the sterilization tanks (100), and the temporary storage tank (230) and each sterilization tank (100) are connected to the supply pipe (330).

[0051] At this time, the main water supply pipe (110) and the supply pipe (330) are each equipped with a proportional control valve (310) and a flow meter (320), and each proportional control valve (310) is electrically connected to a flow control unit (400) that controls the flow rate of the washing water supplied to the sterilization tank (100) to control the supply of water and washing water supplied to the sterilization tank (100).

[0052] In addition, each sterilization tank (100) is provided with a sterilization tank measuring unit (500) that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water and transmits the measurement result to a flow rate control unit (400).

[0053] This sterilization tank measuring unit (500) is provided with a sterilization tank measuring sensor (510) that measures the concentration of residual chlorine in the washing water contained in the sterilization tank (100) using an electrode diamond.

[0054] In addition, the sterilization tank (100) and the sterilization tank measurement sensor (510) are connected by a measurement pipe (520), and a measurement pump (530) is installed in the measurement pipe (520) to supply the washing water of the sterilization tank (100) to the sterilization tank measurement sensor (510).

[0055] The food material washing system of the present invention, having the above configuration, measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water of the washing water manufacturing unit (200) and the sterilization tank (100) in real time, and according to the measured result, adjusts the amount of free residual chlorine concentrate supplied to the washing water dilution tank (220) or supplies washing water with a concentration adjusted in the washing water dilution tank (220) to the sterilization tank (100), thereby allowing the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water of the sterilization tank (100) to be controlled in real time, thus automating the washing process and precisely controlling the concentration of free residual chlorine, thereby improving the productivity of the washing process.

[0056] Meanwhile, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but can be implemented with modifications and variations within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the invention, and such modifications and variations should also be considered to fall within the technical concept of the present invention.

[0057] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a sterilization tank (100) that receives washing water may be equipped with a plurality of spray nozzles (600) that spray washing water supplied through a washing water supply unit (300) toward the sterilization tank (100).

[0058] That is, the spray nozzle (600) is installed in the supply pipe (330) connecting the temporary storage tank (230) and the sterilization tank (100), and the supply pipe (330) is installed at the top of the sterilization tank (100), so that the washing water supplied through the supply pipe (330) is sprayed from the spray nozzle (600) toward the food ingredients introduced into the sterilization tank (100).

[0059] In this way, as the washing water is sprayed directly onto the food material through the spray nozzle (600), the amount of washing water used can be reduced, and surface contamination of the food material can be easily removed by the spray pressure of the washing water.

[0060] Additionally, the sterilization tank (100) may be equipped with a bubble generator (700) that generates foam in the washing water on its inner bottom. When the bubble generator (700) is installed in the sterilization tank (100) as described above, the washing water contained in the sterilization tank is naturally agitated by the bubbles, and at the same time, the foam strikes the surface of the food ingredients contained in the washing water, thereby easily removing surface contamination of the food ingredients.

[0061] Meanwhile, the present invention automatically changes the concentration of the washing water according to the type and size of the food ingredients introduced into the sterilization tank (100), thereby allowing various food ingredients to be washed on the same line while maintaining sterilization power without damaging quality and reducing the amount of sterilizing agent used. This is explained with reference to FIG. 6.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the state in which a vision sensor is installed in a food ingredient washing system according to the present invention. Referring to the drawing, the present invention is provided with a concentration control unit (800) that determines the type and size of food ingredients introduced into a sterilization tank (100) and controls the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water supplied to the sterilization tank (100).

[0063] The concentration control unit (800) is composed of a vision sensor (810) installed on the upper part of the sterilization tank (100) and an image recognition unit (820) electrically connected to the vision sensor (810) to determine the type and size of food ingredients from the image of the vision sensor (810), and controls the dilution control unit (250) and the flow rate control unit (400) of the washing water production unit (200) according to the determination result of the image recognition unit (820).

[0064] That is, the vision sensor (810) is installed at the top of the food material input conveyor line in the upper part of the sterilization tank (100) to capture an image of the external appearance of the food material (cabbage, radish, apple, etc.) being input into the sterilization tank (100). This vision sensor (810) is installed at the positions where the food material is input and discharged in the sterilization tank (100), so that it can capture the state before and after the food material is input.

[0065] And, the image recognition unit (820) analyzes the image input from the vision sensor (810) to determine the type, size, and surface contamination status of the food ingredients. This image recognition unit (820) can distinguish different types of food ingredients such as cabbage, radish, apple, carrot, potato, and tomato by utilizing a deep learning-based image classification algorithm, and can evaluate the degree of contamination by analyzing the size (volume, weight estimation), surface color, and texture of the food ingredients.

[0066] Thus, based on the judgment result of the image recognition unit (820), the concentration control unit (800) determines the target free residual chlorine concentration range required for washing. For example, leafy vegetables such as cabbage require a relatively high concentration (e.g., 80~120 ppm) because they have a large surface area and a lot of fine foreign matter, and fruits such as apples require a relatively low concentration (e.g., 30~50 ppm) because they have a hard surface.

[0067] At this time, the concentration control unit (800) can calculate the target range of free residual chlorine concentration based on the type and size of the food ingredients by comparing it with a database (DB) that has been stored in advance, and the concentration control unit (800) retrieves the optimal concentration range stored in this standard database and transmits a control signal to the dilution control unit (250) and the flow rate control unit (400) of the washing water production unit (200).

[0068] That is, when the food ingredients move to the sterilization tank (100) input position via the conveyor line, the vision sensor (810) captures them, and the image recognition unit (810) analyzes the captured image to determine whether the food ingredients are cabbage, radish, apple, etc.

[0069] And, the concentration control unit (800) determines the target concentration according to the identified type and size of the food ingredients, and adjusts the ratio of the water supplied to the washing water dilution tank (220) and the free residual chlorine concentrate through the dilution control unit (250).

[0070] At the same time, optimal washing conditions are maintained by controlling the flow rate of washing water supplied to the sterilization tank (100) through the flow rate control unit (400), and the actual concentration of the sterilization tank measured by the actual bacteria tank measuring unit (500) is checked to see if it matches the target concentration range, and if necessary, the concentration control unit readjusts it in real time.

[0071] In this way, when a concentration control unit (800) is provided to determine the type and size of food ingredients introduced into the sterilization tank (100) and to control the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water supplied to the sterilization tank (100), uniformity of washing quality can be ensured and the amount of washing agent used can be minimized even when washing various food ingredients in the same line. Explanation of the symbols

[0072] 100 : Sterilization tank 110 : Main water supply pipe 200 : Washing water manufacturing unit 210 : Raw material storage tank 212: Metering pump 220: Wash water dilution tank 221 : Dilution supply pipe 222 : Solenoid valve 223 : Level switch 224 : Circulation piping 225 : Circulation pump 230 : Temporary storage tank 250: Dilution control unit 260: Dilution tank measuring unit 261: Sampling measurement sensor 262: Sampling piping 263 : Sampling pump 270 : Temporary storage tank 300: Washing water supply unit 310: Proportional control valve 320 : Flow meter 400 : Flow control unit 500 : Sterilization tank measuring unit 510 : Sterilization tank measuring sensor 520 : Measuring piping 530 : Measuring pump 600 : Spray nozzle 700 : Bubble generator 800: Concentration control unit 810: Vision sensor 820 : Image recognition unit

Claims

Claim 1 A plurality of sterilization tanks into which food ingredients requiring washing are introduced; a washing water production unit that generates washing water in which a free residual chlorine concentrate is diluted in water; a washing water supply unit that supplies the washing water from the washing water production unit to each of the sterilization tanks; a flow rate control unit that controls the flow rate of the washing water supplied to the sterilization tanks; and a free residual chlorine measuring unit that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water and transmits the measurement result to the flow rate control unit; and a vision sensor installed above the sterilization tanks; and an image recognition unit that determines the type and size of the food ingredients from the image of the vision sensor. The system further includes a concentration control unit that controls a wash water production unit and a flow rate control unit to adjust the free residual chlorine concentration according to the determination result of the image recognition unit; wherein the concentration control unit calculates the target range of the free residual chlorine concentration by comparing it with a database stored in advance according to the type and size of the food material; wherein the sterilization tank is equipped with a bubble generator that creates foam in the wash water on its inner bottom, and the vision sensor is installed at the respective locations where food material is input and output in the sterilization tank to capture the state before and after the input of the food material; and wherein the wash water production unit comprises: a raw material storage tank that stores the free residual chlorine raw material; and a wash water dilution tank that receives and stores water, receives the free residual chlorine raw material from the raw material storage tank, and dilutes it to a certain concentration by stirring it with water. A food ingredient washing system comprising: a dilution tank measuring unit for measuring the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water of the washing water dilution tank; wherein the dilution tank measuring unit is characterized by having a sampling measuring sensor installed that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water contained in the washing water dilution tank using an electrode diamond. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 A food ingredient washing system according to claim 1, wherein the washing water manufacturing unit is provided with a dilution control unit that controls the ratio of water supplied to the washing water dilution tank and the free residual chlorine concentrate according to the result measured by the dilution tank measuring unit. Claim 5 A food ingredient washing system according to claim 1, wherein the washing water manufacturing unit is provided with a temporary storage tank that receives and temporarily stores washing water from the washing water dilution tank before supplying the washing water to the sterilization tank. Claim 6 A food ingredient washing system according to claim 1, wherein the sterilization tank comprises a sterilization tank measuring unit that measures the concentration of free residual chlorine in the washing water supplied through the flow rate control unit. Claim 7 A food ingredient washing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sterilization tank is equipped with a plurality of spray nozzles on its upper portion that spray washing water supplied through the washing water supply unit toward the sterilization tank.

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