Rendering processing device

Abstract

Provided is a rendering processing device capable of processing a large number of livestock animals at a processing site at a time and also capable of easily transporting them on a vehicle.　This rendering processing device comprises: a storage container 2 that has a storage section S which stores livestock animals to be processed; a storage section heating means 13 that heats the storage section S; and an agitating device 12 that has an agitating body 121 which is disposed so as to extend in the horizontal direction in the storage section S and which agitates the livestock animals. The storage container 2 includes: a lower-half container 21 that is on the lower side of a horizontal dividing line L which vertically divides the storage section S and which serves as a boundary; and an upper-half container 22 that is on the upper side of the dividing line L. The upper-half container 22 and the lower-half container 21 are configured to be freely coupled to and decoupled from each other by a fastening member.

Description

Rendering processing device

[0001] The present invention relates to a rendering processing device that heats and decomposes livestock that have died or been culled due to infectious diseases, and particularly to an in-vehicle mobile rendering processing device that can immediately perform decomposition processing at the site of infection occurrence.

[0002] Conventionally, a mobile rendering processing device has been proposed that can immediately perform sterilization disposal on the carcasses of a large number of livestock infected with infectious diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease at the site of infection occurrence (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses an in-vehicle mobile rendering processing device mounted on a trailer chassis with a raw material input hopper, a crusher, a cylindrical storage container (heating and sterilization container), and a lamella pump. Inside the storage container, a screw conveyor is rotatably provided. The infected livestock crushed by the crusher is input into the storage container. Then, the input infected livestock is stirred by the screw conveyor and heated by a heating device in the storage section of the storage container, thereby performing decomposition processing. In the rendering processing device of Patent Document 1, infected livestock can be immediately decomposed at the breeding farm, reducing the labor and cost involved in transporting to the disposal site and excavating the burial hole.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-217629

[0004] However, since the rendering processing device such as that in Patent Document 1 is in-vehicle mobile, it was necessary to be assembled into a size that can travel on ordinary roads. When all the component devices constituting the rendering processing device are mounted on a single trailer, each component device becomes small, resulting in insufficient processing capacity at the site of infection occurrence. Therefore, it is also conceivable to divide the component devices of the rendering processing device into several units and transport them in each unit. In particular, the larger the storage container into which livestock is input and decomposition processing is performed, the more livestock can be processed at one time, which is preferable. However, there was a problem that the storage container mounted on the trailer and its accessories could not be enlarged as desired, especially due to the height direction limit during road travel.

[0005] This invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a rendering processing device that can process a large quantity of livestock at once at a processing site and can also be easily transported by vehicle.

[0006] To solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention disclosed herein is configured as follows. Specifically, the first invention comprises a containment container having a containment section for containing livestock to be processed, a containment section heating means for heating the containment section, and a stirring device having a stirring body arranged to extend horizontally into the containment section and for stirring the livestock, wherein the containment container comprises a lower half container below a horizontal dividing line that divides the containment section vertically and an upper half container above the dividing line, and the upper half container and the lower half container are configured to be freely joined and separated by a fastening member.

[0007] According to the first invention, a container capable of decomposing the organic components of livestock comprises a lower half-container and an upper half-container that divide the container into upper and lower sections. The upper half-container and the lower half-container are configured to be freely connected and separated by fastening members. This allows the container to be transported in two separate halves, upper and lower, even if the overall dimensions of the container are too large to fit on a vehicle when transporting the rendering processing device to the processing site. This makes it easy to transport a large container. Furthermore, since the upper half-container and the lower half-container are configured to be freely connected and separated by fastening members, assembly work after transporting the rendering processing device to the processing site and removal work after the completion of work can be easily performed. In addition, a large container allows for the processing of a large quantity of livestock at once at the processing site.

[0008] In the second invention, in the first invention, the stirring body is positioned in the lower half of the container so as not to protrude above the dividing line.

[0009] According to the second invention, the agitator placed in the containment section is completely covered on the sides and bottom by the lower half-container during transport by vehicle. This protects the agitator from damage during transport. Furthermore, when the rendering apparatus is returned from the processing site to the storage facility after use, even if the material to be processed is attached to the agitator, it is possible to prevent the attached material from falling onto the area around the lower half-container. This ensures safety during transport.

[0010] In the third invention, in the first or second invention, the housing heating means has a heating jacket for heating the housing, and the heating jacket is provided only on the lower half of the upper half of the container.

[0011] According to the third invention, components such as piping for operating the heating jacket can be concentrated around the lower half of the container. This reduces the amount of work required for connecting and separating the piping in conjunction with connecting and separating the upper and lower half of the container, compared to the case where part of the heating jacket is also provided in the upper half of the container. This makes it easier to assemble the rendering apparatus after it is transported to the processing site and to remove it after the work is completed.

[0012] In the fourth invention, in any one of the first to third inventions, a condensing section is provided for condensing steam generated from livestock heated in the containment section, the condensing section has a plurality of cooling pipes through which cooling water passes, and the cooling pipes are arranged inside the upper half container.

[0013] According to the fourth invention, the organic components of the animal are decomposed by heating and stirring the animal in the lower half of the container, while the vapor generated from the animal is condensed in the upper half of the container. This allows the vapor generated from the animal to be liquefied and processed without being directly released into the atmosphere. Since the condensing unit can be incorporated into the container, it contributes to making the rendering apparatus more compact compared to cases where the condensing unit is provided in a separate housing from the container. This improves the ease of transporting the rendering apparatus.

[0014] In the fifth invention, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, a vacuum pump is provided to reduce the pressure in the containment portion of the containment container, the stirring device is provided with a stirring motor for rotating the stirring body, and the vacuum pump, the stirring motor, and the lower half container are unitized by a plurality of frame parts.

[0015] According to the fifth invention, since fermentation of livestock is carried out under reduced pressure using a vacuum pump, the boiling point can be lowered, accelerating the evaporation of water, and the water can be evaporated at a temperature in which the microorganisms for fermentation are activated. As a result, fermentation and drying can be promoted compared to when there is no reduced pressure. This allows for the decomposition of large quantities of livestock in a short time. Furthermore, since the vacuum pump and the stirring motor of the stirring device are unitized with the lower half-container by multiple frame parts, the vacuum pump, stirring motor, and lower half-container can be moved together when loading and unloading the rendering processing device onto a transport vehicle. This makes it easy to transport the rendering processing device.

[0016] According to the rendering apparatus of the present invention, a large quantity of livestock can be processed at the processing site at once, and transport by vehicle can also be easily carried out.

[0017] Figure 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a rendering apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view showing the housing and surrounding area of ​​the rendering apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a front view showing the housing and surrounding area of ​​the rendering apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the main part of the housing and surrounding area in Figure 3. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining the processing structure in the rendering apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 6 is a plan view showing the lower unit of the rendering apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 7 is a plan view showing the upper unit of the rendering apparatus according to this embodiment. Figure 8 is a diagram showing the rendering apparatus according to this embodiment being transported by trailer, where (a) is a side view showing the upper unit being transported by trailer, and (b) is a side view showing the lower unit being transported by trailer.

[0018] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a rendering apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view showing the housing container 2 and its surroundings in the rendering apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a front view showing the housing container 2 and its surroundings in the rendering apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 4 is a front cross-sectional view of the main parts of the housing container 2 and its surroundings in Figure 3.

[0019] When infectious and malignant diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease, classical swine fever, and avian influenza occur at a livestock farm or other location where livestock A are kept, the infected livestock A are culled at the site of the outbreak (processing site) to prevent the spread of infection. The rendering processing device 1 of this embodiment is used to decompose the carcasses of livestock A that have been culled at the site of the outbreak. The rendering processing device 1 decomposes the organic components of livestock A using microorganisms by heating and stirring the livestock A. The target livestock A can be cattle, pigs, chickens, etc., but the rendering processing device 1 of this embodiment is capable of decomposing large quantities of large cattle in a short period of time. The rendering processing device 1 is normally disassembled into multiple units and stored in a storage facility. When the rendering processing device 1 is used to decompose livestock that have been culled at the site of the outbreak, each unit is transported from the storage facility to the site of the outbreak by a trailer T (see Figure 8).

[0020] Figures 1 to 4 show the rendering apparatus 1 as it would be used at an infection outbreak site. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the rendering apparatus 1 comprises a conveyor section 30, a containment container 2, a stirring device 12, a containment heating means 13, a boiler system 14, a condensing section 15, a vacuum pump 17, a cooling tower 18, and a control device 50. The containment container 2 is shaped so that the horizontal direction is the longitudinal direction.

[0021] As shown in Figure 4, the containment container 2 has a containment section S for containing the animal A to be processed. The containment container 2 disassembles the animal A in the containment section S. As shown in Figures 2 to 4, the containment container 2 is divided into a lower half container 21 below the horizontal dividing line L that divides the containment section S vertically, and an upper half container 22 above the dividing line L. The upper half container 22 and the lower half container 21 are configured to be freely connected and separated by fastening members. The upper half container 22 has an upper peripheral wall portion 221 with a mountain-shaped curved, substantially arc-shaped cross-section, a pair of upper end wall portions 222, 222 that close both longitudinal ends of the upper peripheral wall portion 221, and an upper flange portion 227 provided on the lower end edges of the upper peripheral wall portion 221 and the pair of upper end wall portions 222, 222.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, an input cylinder 223 is provided at the top of the upper half container 22 for introducing livestock A into the containment section S from the outside. The input cylinder 223 extends vertically and connects the outside and inside of the containment container 2. An opening / closing lid mechanism 224 is provided at the upper end of the input cylinder 223. The opening / closing lid mechanism 224 has a lid 224a for opening and closing the upper end opening of the input cylinder 223, and an opening / closing actuator 224b for moving the lid 224a. Above the input cylinder 223 and the lid 224a, a tapered input opening 225 is arranged as shown in Figures 1 to 3. In this embodiment, two input cylinders 223, two opening / closing lid mechanisms 224, and two tapered input openings 225 are provided side by side in the longitudinal direction of the containment container 2. The input cylinder 223 and the tapered input opening 225 are sized to allow an entire cow to pass through. Furthermore, the upper peripheral wall portion 221 of the upper half container 22 is provided with a plurality of inspection openings 226 at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the upper half container 22.

[0023] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, an upper equipment 20 is attached to the upper half container 22. The upper equipment 20 has a handrail section 201 and a stair section 202. The upper equipment 20 is provided for inspecting the tapered input opening section 225 and the opening / closing lid mechanism 224.

[0024] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the lower half container 21 has a lower peripheral wall portion 211 with a substantially U-shaped cross-section, a pair of lower end wall portions 212, 212 that close both longitudinal ends of the lower peripheral wall portion 211, and a lower flange portion 215 provided on the upper end edges of the lower peripheral wall portion 211 and the pair of lower end wall portions 212, 212. The lower peripheral wall portion 211 has a curved plate portion 211b with a semi-circular cross-section and a flat plate portion 211a extending upward from the upper end of the curved plate portion 211b. As shown in Figure 2, a second product discharge port 214 is provided on one of the lower end wall portions 212 of the lower half container 21. In addition, a first product discharge port 213 is provided at the lower part of the lower half container 21 near the second product discharge port 214.

[0025] The conveyor section 30 consists of a belt conveyor. Two conveyor sections 30 are arranged. As shown in Figure 1, each conveyor section 30 is arranged so as to extend in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the containment container 2 when viewed from above. The starting end of the conveyor section 30 is at a height close to the ground. The ending end of the conveyor section 30 is located above the tapered input rear section 225, as shown in Figure 3. In other words, the conveyor section 30 is arranged at an incline. The animals A to be processed, transported by a transport vehicle V such as a forklift, are placed on the starting end of the conveyor section 30. The conveyor 30 transports the animals A from the starting end to the ending end and drops them into the tapered input opening section 225. The lid 224a of the opening / closing lid mechanism 224 is opened before the animals A are transported to the end end of the conveyor 30. The animals A that have fallen into the tapered input opening section 225 are transported through the input cylinder section 223 and contained in the containment section S.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the stirring device 12 includes a stirring body 121 located in the housing section S, a stirring motor 123 for rotating the stirring body 121, and a reduction gear 122 provided between the stirring body 121 and the stirring motor 123. The stirring body 121 stirs the livestock A housed in the housing section S. The stirring body 121 is arranged to extend horizontally along the longitudinal direction of the housing container 2 (see Figure 5). The stirring body 121 has a stirring shaft 121a and a plurality of stirring blades 121b. The stirring blades 121b are attached to the stirring shaft 121a at predetermined intervals in the axial direction of the stirring shaft 121a and extending radially from the stirring shaft 121a. Both ends of the stirring shaft 121a are rotatably supported by a pair of lower end walls 212, 212 of the lower half container 21. As shown in Figure 4, the stirring body 121 is positioned in the lower half of the container 21 so as not to extend above the dividing line L.

[0027] As shown in Figure 4, the housing heating means 13 has a heating jacket 131 for heating the housing S. The heating jacket 131 is provided only on the lower half of the lower half of the housing 21, of the upper half of the housing 22. The heating jacket 131 has a jacket peripheral wall portion 131a that is positioned to cover the lower peripheral wall portion 211 of the lower half of the housing 21. The heating jacket 131 heats the lower peripheral wall portion 211 by filling the space between the lower peripheral wall portion 211 and the jacket peripheral wall portion 131a with high-temperature heating steam. As the lower peripheral wall portion 211 is heated, the housing S is heated. As a result, heat is supplied to the livestock A in the housing S. A steam supply pipe 132 is connected to the wall surface on one longitudinal end of the heating jacket 131 at the top of the heating jacket 131. Heating steam is supplied into the heating jacket 131 through this steam supply pipe 132. Furthermore, a drain pipe 133 is connected to the lower end of the heating jacket 131. The drain pipe 133 discharges the condensed water generated from the condensation of heating steam from the heating jacket 131.

[0028] As shown in Figure 1, the boiler system 14 is located near the containment vessel 2. The boiler system 14 is provided to supply heating steam to the heating jacket 13. The boiler system 14 consists of several related pieces of equipment. Specifically, the boiler system 14 consists of a once-through boiler 141, a water softener 142, a chemical injector 143, a drain recovery device 144, an oil tank 145, etc. The boiler system 14 sends heating steam to the heating jacket 131 using the steam supply pipe 132. The heating steam condenses into condensate through heat exchange within the heating jacket 131. The condensate is returned to the boiler system 14 using the drain pipe 133.

[0029] The condensing section 15 is provided to condense the steam generated from the livestock A heated in the containment section S. As shown in Figure 4, the condensing section 15 has a plurality of cooling pipes 152 through which cooling water passes. The cooling pipes 152 are arranged inside the upper half container 22. Note that the position in which the cooling pipes 152 are arranged is not limited to the position shown in Figure 4. In Figure 4, the cooling pipes 152 are arranged only on the left side when the upper half container 22 is viewed from the longitudinal direction in the containment section S (arranged on the left side in the figure). In other words, the cooling pipes 152 are arranged above the agitator 121 and to the left of the agitator shaft 121a when the upper half container 22 is viewed from the longitudinal direction in the containment section S. The position in which the cooling pipes 152 are arranged is not limited to this position. For example, they may be arranged above the agitator 121 and on both the left and right sides in the figure with respect to the agitator shaft 121a.

[0030] The vacuum pump 17 is provided to ferment the animal A in a reduced-pressure environment within the containment section S of the containment container 2. By fermenting the animal A while heating under reduced pressure, the boiling point is lowered, accelerating the evaporation of water and allowing the water to evaporate at a temperature at which the microorganisms necessary for fermentation are activated.

[0031] In the rendering processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the upper half container 22, the opening / closing lid mechanism 224, and the tapered inlet 225 are unitized as the upper unit U2. The vacuum pump 17, the stirring motor 123, the lower half container 21, and the control device 50 are interconnected by a plurality of frame sections 19 and unitized as the lower unit U1. The frame section 19 includes a base frame 191 that supports the containment container 2 and the control device 50, a roughly rectangular outer frame 192, a support column frame 193 provided between the outer frame frames 192, and a support frame 194 positioned vertically between the base frame 191 and the reduction gear 122 and stirring motor 123.

[0032] The lower unit U1, the upper unit U2, and the upper equipment 20 are raised by a plurality of support columns 40. This raising allows container C to be placed below the first product discharge port 213 and the second product discharge port 214. Container C is a container for holding the detoxified and volume-reduced product after the fermentation and drying decomposition treatment of livestock A is complete. Container C can be replaced and transported by transport vehicle V. A load cell 41 may be provided between the base frame 191 of the lower unit U1 and the upper end of the support column 40. With this configuration, the livestock A to be processed can be weighed.

[0033] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the processing structure in the rendering apparatus 1 according to this embodiment. The functions of the condensing unit 15 and the cooling tower 18, and the piping configuration related to the vacuum pump 17 and boiler system 14 will be explained in more detail with reference to Figures 1, 2, 4, and 5.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the condensing section 15 has a plurality of cooling pipes 152 extending in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) of the containment container 2, heads 151a and 151b provided at both ends of the cooling pipes 152, an inlet connecting pipe 153, an outlet connecting pipe 154, and a U-turn pipe 155. The ends of the plurality of cooling pipes 152 are supported together by the heads 151a and 151b. The plurality of cooling pipes 152 and the heads 151a and 151b at both ends are provided in two groups. The two groups are connected by the U-turn pipe 155 so that the direction of cooling water flow is in opposite directions. The U-turn pipe 155 connects the heads 151a, 151a of one of the two groups. Of the other heads 151b, 151b of the two groups, the inlet connecting pipe 153 is connected to one and the outlet connecting pipe 154 is connected to the other. The U-turn pipe 155 is provided so as to partially protrude outward from one of the upper end walls 222, 222 at both longitudinal ends of the upper half container 22. The inlet connecting pipe 153 and the outlet connecting pipe 154 are also provided so as to partially protrude outward from the other upper end wall 222 at both longitudinal ends of the upper half container 22. The inlet connecting pipe 153 and the outlet connecting pipe 154 protrude toward the side where the reduction gear 122 and the stirring motor 123 of the stirring device 12 are located.

[0035] As shown in Figure 4, the cooling pipe 152 of the condensing section 15 is positioned off-center to one side when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the upper half container 22. The cooling pipe 152 is positioned laterally to the input cylinder 223 so as not to interfere with the input cylinder 223. Therefore, livestock A introduced from above the input cylinder 223 is configured to fall towards the lower half container 21 without hitting the cooling pipe 152 after passing through the input cylinder 223. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the cooling pipe 152 is supported by a plurality of pipe support members 158 provided at predetermined intervals in the longitudinal direction of the upper half container 22. As shown in Figure 4, the pipe support members 158 are fixed between the inner surface of the upper peripheral wall 221 and the inner curved member 157. The inner curved member 157 is a member that extends in the longitudinal direction of the upper half container 22 while maintaining a constant distance from the upper peripheral wall 22 on the inside of the upper peripheral wall 22. The inner curved member 157 is positioned laterally to the input cylinder 223 so as not to interfere with the input cylinder 223. As mentioned above, the cooling pipes 152 of the condensing section 15 are not limited to being positioned biased to one side, but may be positioned on both the left and right sides when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the upper half container 22. In this case, the inner curved member 157 is also positioned on both the left and right sides.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, low-temperature cooling water from the cooling tower 18 is supplied to the inlet connection pipe 153 of the condensing section 15. The cooling water, which has become hot through heat exchange with the steam generated from the livestock A in the containment section S, flows out through the outlet connection pipe 154 and is returned to the cooling tower 18. The inlet connection pipe 153 and the cooling tower 18 are connected by an outer supply pipe 161a, an internal unit supply pipe 161b, and an intermediate supply pipe 161c. The outlet connection pipe 154 and the cooling tower 18 are connected by an outer return pipe 162a, an internal unit return pipe 162b, and an intermediate return pipe 162c.

[0037] The external supply pipe 161a and external return pipe 162a are positioned between the cooling tower 18, which is located outside the lower unit U1, and the lower unit U1. A cooling water pump 16 is provided in the middle of the external supply pipe 161a. The internal supply pipe 161b and internal return pipe 162b are attached to the frame section 19 as part of the lower unit U1. In addition, the intermediate supply pipe 161c and intermediate return pipe 162c are provided to relay the inlet connection pipe 153 and outlet connection pipe 154 located in the upper unit U2, and the internal supply pipe 161b and internal return pipe 162b located in the lower unit U1.

[0038] As shown in Figure 5, the cooling tower 18 includes a water receiving tank 181, a pumping pump 182, a nozzle 183, a flow section 184, and a fan 185. Cooling water discharged from the condensing section 15 flows into the water receiving tank 181. The pumping pump 182 draws the cooling water up from the water receiving tank 181. The nozzle 183 sprays the drawn-up cooling water towards the flow section 184. The fan 185 blows air towards the flow section 184 as the cooling water flows down it. The temperature of the cooling water decreases due to the air blown from the fan 185. After flowing down the flow section 184, the cooling water flows back into the water receiving tank 181. The cooling water cooled in the cooling tower 18 is supplied by the cooling water pump 16. The cooling water is circulated between the condensing section 15 and the cooling tower 18.

[0039] The steam generated from the livestock A by heating is condensed into water by heat exchange with the cooling water flowing through the cooling pipe 152 of the condensing section 15. As shown in Figures 2, 4, and 5, the water generated by this condensation is discharged from the suction side pipe 171. The suction side pipe 171 has a horizontal section 171a and a vertical section 171b. As shown in Figure 4, the horizontal section 171a is provided in pairs on the left and right sides on the outside of the lower peripheral wall 211 of the lower half container 21 when viewed from the longitudinal direction of the containment container 2. As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the horizontal section 171a is positioned below the lower flange 215 of the lower half container 21 and extends in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction) of the containment container 2. Here, if the cooling pipe 152 and the inner curved member 157 of the condensing section 15 are arranged on both the left and right sides, the suction side pipe 171 is also arranged on both the left and right sides to drain the water generated by condensation. The inner curved member 157 has the function of guiding the condensed water to the suction side pipe 171 (opening of the vertical section 171b). The inner curved member 157 also has the function of preventing the condensed water from falling onto the livestock A being processed. Therefore, the water that condenses near the surface of the cooling pipe 152 of the condensation section 15 falls onto the inner curved member 157 and flows downward along the inner curved member 157, being guided to the suction side pipe 171 (opening of the vertical section 171b). It is preferable that the inner curved member 157 has heat insulating properties. For example, the inner curved member 157 can have a cross-sectional structure in which a heat insulating material is sandwiched between two curved metal plates. The inner curved member 157 has a surface (first surface) facing the cooling pipe 152 of the condensation section 15 that is cooled and becomes cold. Because the inner curved member 157 has heat insulating properties, the surface opposite to the surface facing the cooling pipe 152 (first surface), that is, the surface facing the agitator 121 and the livestock A being processed (second surface), does not easily become cold. As a result, it is possible to suppress the condensation of water on the second surface and prevent the condensed water from falling onto the livestock A being processed.

[0040] Multiple vertical sections 171b are provided at predetermined intervals in the direction in which the horizontal section 171a extends. The vertical sections 171b extend vertically from the horizontal section 171a and are connected to the lower flange section 215 from below. Multiple openings for the vertical sections 171b are provided on the upper surface of the lower flange section 215 (see Figure 6). The lower flange section 215 of the lower half container 21 and the upper flange section 227 of the upper half container 22 are fastened together by fastening members, but the openings for the vertical sections 171b are positioned to open into the housing section S. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 4, the distance between the two lower edges of the upper peripheral wall section 221 of the upper half container 22 is set to be greater than the distance between the two upper edges of the lower peripheral wall section 211 of the lower half container 21. The width of the lower flange portion 215 at the upper edge of the lower peripheral wall portion 211 is the same as the width of the upper flange portion 227 at the lower edge of the upper peripheral wall portion 221, but a portion of the upper flange portion 227 protrudes toward the housing portion S at the lower edge of the upper peripheral wall portion 221.

[0041] The upper flange portion 227 is provided with multiple communication holes so as to communicate with the opening of the vertical portion 171b of the suction pipe 171 when fastened with the lower flange portion 215. In addition, to prevent air from the housing portion S from leaking to the outside of the housing container 2 when the upper flange portion 227 and the lower flange portion 215 are fastened together, double rectangular annular seal portions 216a and 216b are positioned between the upper and lower flange portions 227 and 215. The open end of the vertical portion 171b is positioned between the inner seal portion 216a and the outer seal portion 216b.

[0042] One end of the suction pipe 171 is an opening in the vertical section 171b. The other end of the suction pipe 171 is connected to a vacuum pump 17, as shown in Figure 5. The vacuum pump 17 reduces the pressure in the housing section S and sucks up condensed water from the steam of the livestock A. This condensed water is sucked up through the opening in the vertical section 171b. The opening in the vertical section 171b is located higher than the upper end of the agitator 121 in the housing section S. This prevents the condensed water from falling onto the livestock A housed in the lower part of the housing section S. Therefore, the heating of the livestock A is not hindered by the condensed water. The configuration for discharging the condensed water is not limited to the configuration described above, which provides an opening in the vertical section 171b via the lower flange section 215 and the upper flange section 227. For example, a receiving member for receiving the condensed water may be provided separately in the housing section S. The receiving member may be a trough-shaped member extending in the longitudinal direction of the upper half-container 22. The inner curved member 157 should be configured to guide the condensed water to the receiving member. The condensed water received by the receiving member may be collected in one place by the receiving member and then sucked out by the suction side pipe 171. The trough-shaped receiving member may be tilted in the longitudinal direction of the upper half container 22 to collect the condensed water in one place. Alternatively, multiple outlets may be installed so that condensed water can be sucked out from multiple locations on the receiving member.

[0043] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the vacuum pump 17 is connected to the cooling tower 18 by a discharge pipe 172. This allows the condensed water from the steam of the livestock A to be guided to the water receiving tank 181 of the cooling tower 18.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 5, one end of the steam supply pipe 132 of the accommodation part heating means 13 is connected to the upper part of the heating jacket 131. The other end of the steam supply pipe 132 is disposed near the outer edge part of the lower unit U1. Also, one end of the drain pipe 133 of the accommodation part heating means 13 is connected to the lower end part of the heating jacket 131. The other end of the drain pipe 133 is disposed near the outer edge part of the lower unit U1. The other end of the steam supply pipe 132 is connected to the supply pipe 14a of the boiler system 14. Also, the other end of the drain pipe 133 is connected to the return pipe 14b of the boiler system 14.

[0045] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the lower unit U1 of the rendering processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the upper unit U2 of the rendering processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 8 is a view showing a state when the rendering processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is transported by the trailer T, (a) is a side view showing a state when the upper unit U2 is transported by the trailer T, and (b) is a side view showing a state when the lower unit U1 is transported by the trailer T. The rendering processing apparatus 1 can separately transport the lower unit U1 shown in FIG. 6 and the upper unit U2 shown in FIG. 7 to the infection occurrence site by the trailer T shown in FIG. 8. The lower unit U1 includes a lower half container 21, a stirring device 12, a heating jacket 131, a vacuum pump 17, a control device 50, and a frame part 19. In FIG. 6, the stirring body 121 is drawn omitting it. As shown in FIG. 8(b), the lower unit U1 is in a state of being mounted on the trailer T so that other devices do not substantially protrude from the rectangular parallelepiped outer frame 192. In particular, in the height direction, there is no device that protrudes upward from the outer frame 192. The upper end of the lower half container 21 is located below the upper end of the outer frame 192. Thereby, the lower unit U1 clears the limitation of the height direction dimension during road travel by the trailer T. Of course, the lower unit U1 also clears the limitation of the vehicle width direction dimension and the limitation of the front-rear direction dimension during road travel by the trailer T.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 7, the upper unit U2 includes an upper half-container 22, a tapered input port 225, an opening / closing lid mechanism 224, and a condensing section 15. As shown in Figure 8(a), when mounted on the trailer T, the upper unit U2 has a height dimension similar to that of the lower unit U1. However, the upper unit U2 has an opening / closing actuator 224b that partially protrudes beyond the width of the trailer T when mounted on the trailer T. Therefore, as shown in Figure 7, the opening / closing actuator 224b is removed and mounted on the trailer T. As a result, the upper unit U2 clears the height, width, and front-to-rear dimension limitations when the trailer T is traveling on the road.

[0047] The upper unit U2 and the lower unit U1 are transported from the storage location to the infection site (treatment site) mounted on a trailer T, as shown in Figures 8(a) and 8(b), respectively. Other components of the rendering processing device 1, such as the cooling tower 18, cooling water pump 16, boiler system 14, conveyor section 30, and upper equipment 20, are also transported separately by vehicle. Upon arrival at the infection site, the components are assembled to complete the rendering processing device 1. At the infection site, the upper unit U2 and the lower unit U1 are assembled, and at that time, the lower flange portion 215 of the lower half container 21 and the upper flange portion 227 of the upper half container 22 are fastened together by fastening members, thereby joining the upper half container 22 and the lower half container 21. As a result, a container 2 with a height that exceeds the height dimension limit when traveling on the road while mounted on the trailer T is created at the infection site.

[0048] As described above, the rendering processing device 1 according to the above embodiment includes a storage container 2 having a storage unit S for storing the livestock A to be processed, a storage unit heating means 13 for heating the storage unit S, and a stirring device 12 having a stirring body 121 disposed so as to extend in the horizontal direction in the storage unit S and stir the livestock A. The storage container 2 includes a lower half container 21 below the division line L and an upper half container 22 above the division line L with a horizontal division line L that divides the storage unit S vertically as a boundary. The upper half container 22 and the lower half container 21 are configured to be able to be freely coupled and separated by a fastening member.

[0049] According to the above configuration, when transporting the rendering processing device 1 on a vehicle to the processing site, even if the overall dimensions of the storage container 2 are too large to be mounted on the vehicle, the storage container 2 can be divided into the upper half container 22 and the lower half container 21 and transported separately. Thereby, the large storage container 2 can be easily transported. In addition, since the upper half container 22 and the lower half container 21 are configured to be able to be freely coupled and separated by a fastening member, the assembly work after transporting the rendering processing device 1 to the processing site and the removal work after the work is completed can be easily performed. Also, at the processing site, a large amount of livestock A can be processed at one time with the large storage container 2.

[0050] In the above embodiment, the stirring body 121 is disposed in the lower half container 21 so as not to protrude above the division line L.

[0051] According to the above configuration, it is possible to protect the stirring body 121 from being damaged during transportation. Also, after using the rendering processing device 1 at the processing site and returning from the processing site to the storage site, even if the processing object adheres to the stirring body 121, it is possible to prevent the adherent from falling around the lower half container 21. Thereby, the safety during transportation can be ensured.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the storage unit heating means 13 has a heating jacket 131 for heating the storage unit S. The heating jacket 131 is provided only on the lower half container 21 of the upper half container 22 and the lower half container 21.

[0053] According to the above configuration, the steam supply pipes 132 and drain pipes 133 for operating the heating jacket 131 can be concentrated around the lower half-container 21. This reduces the amount of work required for connecting and separating the pipes in conjunction with connecting and separating the upper half-container 22 and the lower half-container 21, compared to the case where part of the heating jacket is also provided on the upper half-container 22. This makes it easier to assemble the rendering processing apparatus 1 after it is transported to the processing site and to remove it after the work is completed.

[0054] In the above embodiment, the rendering apparatus 1 includes a condensation unit 15 for condensing steam generated from livestock A heated in the containment unit S. The condensation unit 15 has a plurality of cooling pipes 152 through which cooling water passes. The cooling pipes 152 are located inside the upper half container 22.

[0055] According to the above configuration, the animal A is heated and stirred in the lower half-container 21 to decompose its organic components, while the vapor generated from the animal A is condensed in the upper half-container 22. This allows the vapor generated from the animal A to be liquefied and processed without being directly released into the atmosphere. Since the condensing unit 15 can be incorporated into the containment container 2, the rendering processing apparatus 1 can be made more compact compared to the case where the condensing unit is provided in a separate housing from the containment container 2. This improves the ease of transporting the rendering processing apparatus 1.

[0056] In the above embodiment, the rendering apparatus 1 includes a vacuum pump 17 for reducing the pressure in the housing section S of the housing container 2. The stirring device 12 includes a stirring motor 123 for rotating the stirring body 121. The vacuum pump 17, the stirring motor 123, and the lower half-container 21 are unitized as a lower unit U1 by a plurality of frame sections 19.

[0057] With the above configuration, the vacuum pump 17 allows fermentation of livestock A under reduced pressure while heating, thereby lowering the boiling point and accelerating the evaporation of water, and allowing the water to evaporate at a temperature at which microorganisms for fermentation are activated. As a result, fermentation and drying can be accelerated compared to when there is no reduced pressure. This allows a large amount of livestock A to be decomposed in a short time. Furthermore, since the vacuum pump 17 and the stirring motor 123 of the stirring device 12 are unitized with the lower half container 21 by multiple frame parts 19, the vacuum pump 17, stirring motor 123, and lower half container 21 can be moved together when loading and unloading the rendering processing device 1 onto the trailer T for transport. This makes it easy to transport the rendering processing device.

[0058] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is not construed solely by the embodiments described above, but is defined by the claims. Furthermore, the technical scope of the present invention includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of equivalents to the claims. Industrial application fields

[0059] The present invention is applicable to a rendering apparatus that heats and decomposes livestock that have died or been culled due to infectious diseases.

[0060] 1 Rendering processing apparatus 2 Containing container 12 Agitator 13 Containing section heating means 15 Condensing section 17 Vacuum pump 19 Frame section 21 Lower half container 22 Upper half container 121 Agitator 123 Agitator motor 131 Heating jacket 152 Cooling pipe A Livestock L Dividing line S Containing section U1 Lower unit U2 Upper unit

Claims

1. A rendering apparatus comprising: a container having a containment section for containing livestock to be processed; a heating means for the containment section for heating the containment section; and a stirring device having a stirring body arranged to extend horizontally into the containment section and for stirring the livestock, wherein the containment container comprises a lower half container below a horizontal dividing line that divides the containment section vertically, and an upper half container above the dividing line, and the upper half container and the lower half container are configured to be freely joined and separated by fastening members.

2. The rendering apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the stirring body is positioned in the lower half of the container so as not to protrude above the dividing line.

3. The rendering apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the heating means for the containment section has a heating jacket for heating the containment section, and the heating jacket is provided only on the lower half of the upper half of the container.

4. A rendering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, comprising a condensing section for condensing steam generated from livestock heated in the containment section, wherein the condensing section has a plurality of cooling pipes through which cooling water passes, and the cooling pipes are arranged inside the upper half container.

5. The rendering apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a vacuum pump for reducing the pressure in the containment portion of the containment container, the stirring device comprises a stirring motor for rotating the stirring body, and the vacuum pump, the stirring motor, and the lower half container are unitized by a plurality of frame parts.

Images