Laver manufacturing apparatus and method

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a laver manufacturing apparatus and method in which water laver stored in a constant-level control water tank is supplied to a water laver supply pump at a constant flow rate and the water laver supply pump constantly maintains a pump pressure and inputs the water laver into an automated molding process of a laver molding device, and thus dried rolled laver sheets having a uniform thickness can be produced.

Description

Seaweed manufacturing apparatus and method

[0001] Cross-citation with related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of priority based on Korean Patent Application No. 10-2024-0173202 filed November 28, 2024 and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2025-0178151 filed November 21, 2025, and all contents disclosed in the documents of said Korean patent applications are incorporated herein as part of this specification.

[0003] Technology field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and method for producing seaweed with a uniform sheet thickness.

[0005]

[0006] Generally, there are about 140 species of perennial laver, which are red algae belonging to the family Ulvaceae, distributed worldwide. About 20 species grow naturally in Korea, and among domestically farmed varieties, *Pterocarya radiata* accounts for the largest share at 70%. Laver grows attached to the sea like moss, or in Korea, it is mainly farmed along the southwestern coast, and it is widely consumed after being harvested and processed.

[0007] Although an existing method for manufacturing dried rolled seaweed has been developed (Korean Patent Application No. 10-2022-0143155), there were difficulties in having to adjust many additional requirements to produce dried seaweed of uniform thickness.

[0008] If the thickness of the seaweed sheet is thick, the drying time increases, and the operating time of the drying device to generate drying heat also increases, leading to increased manufacturing costs. If the thickness of the seaweed sheet is thin, the marketability decreases due to shrinkage or cracking of the seaweed caused by over-drying. Since such thickness variations result in reduced marketability, it is necessary to develop equipment to easily manufacture dried seaweed of uniform thickness.

[0009]

[0010] The objective of the present disclosure is to provide a seaweed manufacturing apparatus and method capable of producing a dried rolled seaweed sheet with uniform thickness by supplying water seaweed stored in a constant water level control tank to a water seaweed supply pump at a constant flow rate, and by the water seaweed supply pump maintaining a constant pump pressure and feeding it into an automated forming process of a seaweed forming apparatus.

[0011] The technical problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other unmentioned purposes and advantages of the present disclosure may be understood from the following description and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it will be readily apparent that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be realized by the means and combinations thereof set forth in the claims.

[0012]

[0013] The present disclosure supplies water seaweed stored in a water level control tank to a water seaweed supply pump at a constant flow rate, and the water seaweed supply pump can feed the water seaweed into a seaweed forming device by maintaining the pump pressure at a constant level.

[0014] The present disclosure provides a seaweed manufacturing apparatus comprising: a seaweed supply tank for storing seaweed; a water tank supply pump for receiving a constant flow rate of seaweed supplied from the seaweed supply tank; a constant level control water tank for receiving a constant flow rate of seaweed from the water tank supply pump; and a seaweed supply pump for receiving a constant flow rate of seaweed from the constant level control water tank and supplying it to a seaweed molding device.

[0015] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water level control tank comprises two first tanks and a second tank separated by a partition, and water seaweed stored in the water seaweed supply tank can be supplied to the first tank by the water tank supply pump.

[0016] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the constant water level control tank may include a seaweed return unit for returning seaweed that has overflowed into the second tank to the seaweed supply tank when the seaweed level of the first tank exceeds the maximum water level. The term "maximum water level" in the present disclosure means that the seaweed level of the first tank is the height of the partition wall.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, after the first water tank of the constant water level control tank reaches the initial full water level, the water level of the constant water level control tank is maintained at a constant full water level, so that a constant flow rate of steam can be supplied from the first water tank of the constant water level control tank to the steam supply pump.

[0018] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the water seaweed return unit may be connected between the water level control tank and the water seaweed supply tank.

[0019] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a first connecting pipe may be connected between the water tank supply pump and the water level control tank.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a second connecting part may be connected between the water level control tank and the steam supply pump.

[0021] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the flow rate of water seaweed supplied by the water tank supply pump may be relatively larger than the flow rate of water seaweed discharged from the water seaweed supply pump.

[0022]

[0023] According to the seaweed manufacturing apparatus and method of the present disclosure having the configuration described above, by supplying water seaweed stored in a water level control tank to the conveyor section of a seaweed forming device at a constant flow rate and pressure, and maintaining a constant flow rate of the supplied water seaweed, the effect of manufacturing water seaweed of uniform thickness can be obtained.

[0024]

[0025] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a seaweed manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the working steps of a seaweed manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a water level control tank of a seaweed manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028]

[0029] Some embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the exemplary drawings. It should be noted that in assigning reference numerals to the components of the drawings, the same components are given the same reference numeral whenever possible, even if they are shown in different drawings. Furthermore, in describing the embodiments of the present disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of related known components or functions would hinder understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, such detailed description is omitted.

[0030] Additionally, in describing the components of the embodiments of the present disclosure, terms such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b), etc., may be used. These terms are intended only to distinguish the components from other components, and the nature, order, or sequence of the components is not limited by the terms. Where it is stated that a component is "connected," "coupled," or "joined" to another component, it should be understood that the component may be directly connected or joined to the other component, but that another component may also be "connected," "coupled," or "joined" between each component.

[0031] Hereinafter, a seaweed manufacturing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0032] FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a seaweed manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the working steps of a seaweed manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a water level control tank of a seaweed manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Referring to the attached drawings, a seaweed manufacturing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a quantitative supply device (100) for supplying a quantitative amount of wet seaweed to a seaweed molding device (200) and a seaweed molding device (200) for molding seaweed.

[0034] The term "water seaweed" in the present disclosure refers to water containing raw seaweed. Specifically, the water seaweed of the present disclosure may be water mixed with raw seaweed cut into a certain size.

[0035] The quantitative supply device (100) may include a water supply tank (10), a water tank supply pump (20), a water level control tank (30), and a water supply pump (40).

[0036] The seaweed supply tank (10) may be a tank for storing seaweed.

[0037] The water in the water supply tank (10) can be seawater to maintain the quality of the water seaweed, but is not limited to this, and fresh water or tap water can also be used. At this time, the concentration of raw seaweed in water can be 3-45 g / ℓ.

[0038] The seaweed of the present disclosure may be seaweed that has undergone a pretreatment step. In the present disclosure, the pretreatment step may include one or more steps selected from the group consisting of a sorting step for removing foreign matter contained in the harvested raw seaweed, a dehydration step for lowering the moisture content in the raw seaweed, a cutting step for cutting the raw seaweed so that it is easy to form the raw seaweed into a raw seaweed sheet, an aging step for aging the raw seaweed, and a dilution step for adding water to the raw seaweed and mixing.

[0039] The above cutting step can be performed using a mixer.

[0040] The above dilution step can ensure that the raw seaweed is well dispersed when loaded onto the mesh belt. For example, the dilution step can be performed simultaneously with the cutting step by adding brine during the cutting step of the raw seaweed.

[0041] The ratio of the above salt solution may be 1:0.5 - 2. For example, the ratio of the above salt solution can be adjusted by adding water during the cutting step.

[0042] The seaweed of the present disclosure can be stored in a seaweed supply tank (10).

[0043] The water tank supply pump (20) can receive a constant flow rate of water supplied from the water seaweed supply tank (10) and a mixture of raw seaweed and water seaweed, and supply it to the water level control tank (30).

[0044] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the water level control tank (30) can be separated into two first tanks (31) and second tanks (32) by a partition, and the first tank (31) can be supplied with water seaweed stored in the water seaweed supply tank (10) by a water tank supply pump (20).

[0045] The water level of the seaweed in the seaweed supply tank (10) supplied to the first tank (31) by the water tank supply pump (20) can rise according to the height of the water stored in the seaweed supply tank (10). After the first tank (31) of the water level control tank (30) reaches the initial full water level, a constant flow rate of seaweed can be supplied from the water level control tank (30) to the seaweed supply pump (40) at a constant water level pressure of the seaweed stored in the first tank (31), that is, at the pressure of the full water level.

[0046] The water seaweed supply pump (40) can supply a constant flow of water seaweed from the water level control tank (30) to the seaweed forming device (200).

[0047] In order to supply water from the water tank supply pump (20) to the water level control tank (30), a tubular first connecting part (25) may be connected between the water tank supply pump (20) and the water level control tank (30).

[0048] Additionally, in order to supply a constant flow of steam from the constant level control tank (30) to the steam supply pump (40), a tubular second connecting part (45) may be connected between the constant level control tank (30) and the steam supply pump (40).

[0049] At this time, the flow rate of water supplied from the water tank supply pump (20) may be relatively larger than the flow rate of water discharged from the water supply pump (40). This is because the flow rate of water supplied to the constant water level control tank (30) must be relatively larger than the flow rate of water discharged from the constant water level control tank (30) so that the constant water level control tank (30) can always discharge water to the water supply pump (40) at a constant pressure while in a full water level state.

[0050] The water level control tank (30) maintains the water level of the seaweed stored inside the first tank (31) at a constant full water level, and any excess seaweed can overflow into the second tank (32) and be returned to the seaweed supply tank (10).

[0051] At this time, a tubular seaweed return section (35) can be connected between the water level control tank (30) and the seaweed supply tank (10).

[0052] The water level control tank (30) may be provided at a higher position than the seaweed supply tank (10). This may be so that when the water level of the seaweed in the first tank (31) located in the water level control tank (30) reaches the maximum water level, it is returned to the seaweed supply tank (10) by its own weight through the second tank (32).

[0053] The material of the water level control tank (30) may be made of SUS material, and is not limited to or restricted as long as it is a material that is water-cleanable, has excellent corrosion resistance, and does not generate foreign matter.

[0054] The seaweed forming device (200) may include a conveyor section in which wet seaweed is sequentially placed on a mesh belt to continuously form a seaweed sheet. At this time, the movement speed of the mesh belt of the conveyor section may be 0.1-20 m / min.

[0055] The wet seaweed moving along the conveyor undergoes a dewatering process, and the mesh belt and seaweed sheet can be compressed. At this time, the vacuum level can be adjusted to 120-170 mbar.

[0056] The compressed seaweed sheet can be dried by hot air through a dryer. The temperature, humidity, and air volume of the hot air can be controlled. The final moisture content of the dried seaweed can be 3-20%.

[0057] Meanwhile, the following experiment was conducted to verify the effect of the constant pressure control tank (30) that maintains constant pressure on the water.

[0058] After supplying 1,000 liters of water to the seaweed supply tank (10), the seaweed concentration is adjusted to 7.5 g / ℓ. The supply pump flow rate is set to 5ℓ / min, and the time it takes for the water level to drop from 1,000 liters to 800 liters is recorded. Then, the time it takes for the water level to drop from 500 liters to 300 liters is recorded. A constant water level control tank (30) is installed, and the above experimental process is repeated in the same way.

[0059]

[0060] Changes in water level of fresh seaweed supply tank Installation of water level control tank After installation Water level 1,000 liters → 800 liters 30 minutes 38 seconds 18 minutes 11 seconds Water level 500 liters → 300 liters 44 minutes 33 seconds 18 minutes 11 seconds

[0061]

[0062] As a result of the experiment, it was confirmed that before the installation of the water level control tank (30), the time difference due to the change in water level of the seaweed supply tank (10) was about 1.5 times, and the water level of the tank of the seaweed molding device (200) was lower when the water level of the seaweed supply tank (10) was low compared to when the water level was high.

[0063] On the other hand, after the installation of the water level control tank (30), it can be confirmed that the time taken for the water level change of the seaweed supply tank (10) is reduced and the rate of water level change is maintained at a constant level.

[0064] For example, before the installation of the water level control tank (30), it was confirmed that the time for the change in water level was delayed, with the water level of the seaweed supply tank (10) decreasing from 1,000 liters to 800 liters and the time for the change in water level decreasing from 500 liters to 300 liters being 30 minutes and 38 seconds and 44 minutes and 33 seconds, respectively.

[0065] After installing the water level control tank (30), it was confirmed that the water level change rate was maintained at a constant rate of 18 minutes and 11 seconds for both the time taken for the water level change when the water level of the seaweed supply tank (10) was reduced from 1,000 liters to 800 liters and when the water level was reduced from 500 liters to 300 liters.

[0066] Before the installation of the constant water level control tank (30), the water level of the tank of the seaweed molding device (200) was uneven, but after the installation of the constant water level control tank (30), it was confirmed that there was no change in the water level of the seaweed supply tank (10), and thus no change in the amount of seaweed supplied to the seaweed molding device (200).

[0067] And to confirm that the thickness uniformity of the dried seaweed is improved, an experiment was conducted to compare the before and after of the installation of the water level control tank (30).

[0068]

[0069] <Before installing the water level control tank>

[0070] 18 kg of raw seaweed was cut into pieces 2 mm to 5 mm in size using a cutter, and the cut raw seaweed was put into a water seaweed supply tank (10) with a capacity of 1000 L along with 1000 L of water and stirred. At this time, the concentration of the water seaweed was 17.68 g / L.

[0071] In a state where water and raw seaweed are uniformly mixed in the water supply tank (10), the water supply pump (40) is used to transfer the water to the water tank of the seaweed molding device (200) at a flow rate of 7 L / min.

[0072] The raw seaweed mixed with water was discharged from the water tank of the seaweed forming device (200) and adhered to the mesh belt of the conveyor section to form a sheet. The formed sheet was 230 mm, which is the same width as the water tank of the seaweed forming device (200). At this time, the speed of the mesh belt was 0.5 m / min.

[0073] Dehydration proceeded as the seaweed sheet passed through a 3-stage high vacuum (50%) box, and the seaweed sheet was adhered to a mesh belt. At this time, the moisture content of the seaweed sheet was 85%.

[0074] The seaweed sheet transferred to the dryer was dried by passing through a first-stage pre-dryer and a second-stage pre-dryer. At this time, the internal temperature of the first-stage pre-dryer was measured at 41℃ and the humidity at 28%, and the internal temperature of the second-stage pre-dryer was measured at 35.4℃ and the humidity at 66%. Also, the speed of the mesh belt during drying was 0.5 m / min, which is the same as the conveyor section of the seaweed forming device (200). The moisture content of the finally dried seaweed was 11.43%.

[0075] The uniformity of the dried laver was calculated by measuring the uniformity density using a uniformity density evaluation method after drying was completed.

[0076] The method for evaluating the uniform density of dried laver involved cutting the dried laver to prepare nine specimens of 60 × 60 mm size, weighing the nine specimens, and comparing the uniform density using the coefficient of variation between the weight data. The coefficient of variation was calculated as follows: Coefficient of variation = Standard deviation / Mean × 100.

[0077] The uniform density evaluation method for dried seaweed involved cutting a sheet of seaweed to 2,000 mm and obtaining three sheets of dried seaweed. The weight of the specimens was measured using the same method as the uniform density evaluation method for dried seaweed, and the average value of the coefficient of variation between the weight data was calculated to compare the uniform density. At this time, as a criterion for judging the uniform density of dried seaweed, it can be determined that the density is more uniform as the coefficient of variation approaches 0.

[0078] Table 2 below shows the results of measuring the above experiment by repeating it three times.

[0079]

[0080] Classification Unit 1st 2nd 3rd Average Standard Deviation g / ㎡ 3.72 10.75 8.96 10.59 Average g / ㎡ 51.65 65.53 65.33 60.84 Coefficient of Variation % 7.21 16.41 13.71 17.41

[0081]

[0082] <After installing the water level control tank>

[0083] 18 kg of raw seaweed was cut into pieces 2 mm to 5 mm in size using a cutter and then added to a raw seaweed supply tank (10) with a capacity of 1000 liters of water and stirred. At this time, the concentration of the raw seaweed was 17.68 g / ℓ. With the water and raw seaweed uniformly stirred in the raw seaweed supply tank (10), the raw seaweed was transferred to the water tank of the seaweed molding device (200) at a flow rate of 7 ℓ / min using a raw seaweed supply pump (40).

[0084] The raw seaweed mixed with water is discharged into the water tank of the seaweed forming device (200) and adheres to the mesh belt to form a seaweed sheet. The formed seaweed sheet is 230 mm, which is the same width as the water tank. At this time, the speed of the mesh belt was 0.5 m / min. The formed seaweed sheet passes through a 3-stage high vacuum (50%) box for dehydration, and the seaweed sheet is adhered to the mesh belt. At this time, the moisture content of the seaweed sheet was 85%.

[0085] The seaweed sheet transferred to the dryer was dried by passing through a first-stage pre-dryer and a second-stage pre-dryer. At this time, the internal temperature of the first-stage pre-dryer was measured at 41.1℃ and the humidity at 40.5%, and the internal temperature of the second-stage pre-dryer was measured at 35.6℃ and the humidity at 60.2%. Also, the speed of the mesh belt during drying was 0.5 m / min, which is the same as the conveyor section of the seaweed forming device (200). The moisture content of the final continuously dried seaweed was 12.48%.

[0086] The uniformity of the dried laver was calculated by measuring the uniformity density using a uniformity density evaluation method after drying was completed.

[0087] Table 3 below shows the results of measuring the above experiment three times.

[0088]

[0089] Classification Unit 1st 2nd 3rd Average Standard Deviation g / ㎡ 4.14 4.14 3.93 4.23 Average g / ㎡ 64.81 62.96 65.74 64.51 Coefficient of Variation % 6.39 6.58 5.98 6.56

[0090]

[0091] The average value of the coefficient of variation, which is the criterion for judging the uniform density of dried seaweed after drying is complete, has converged to 6.56%, which is close to 0, compared to before the installation of the water level control tank (30) (17.41%).

[0092] Therefore, it can be seen that the uniformity of the dried seaweed has improved after the installation of the water level control tank (30).

[0093]

[0094] The foregoing description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only, and those skilled in the art will understand that modifications can be easily made to other specific forms without altering the technical spirit or essential features of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments described above should be understood as illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the claims set forth below, and all modifications or variations derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and equivalent concepts should be interpreted as being included within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A seaweed supply tank for storing seaweed; A water tank supply pump that receives a constant flow rate of seaweed supplied from the above-mentioned seaweed supply tank; A constant-level control tank that receives a constant flow rate of steam from the above-mentioned tank supply pump; and A seaweed manufacturing device comprising a seaweed supply pump that receives a constant flow rate of seaweed from the above-mentioned constant level control tank and supplies it to a seaweed molding device.

2. In Paragraph 1, The above-mentioned water level control tank includes two first tanks and a second tank separated by a partition wall, and A seaweed manufacturing device in which seaweed stored in the seaweed supply tank is supplied to the first water tank by the water tank supply pump.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above-mentioned water level control tank is a seaweed manufacturing device comprising a seaweed return unit for returning seaweed that has overflowed into the second tank to the seaweed supply tank when the seaweed level of the first tank exceeds the maximum water level.

4. In Paragraph 3, The above constant water level control tank is a seaweed manufacturing device in which, after the above first tank reaches the maximum water level, the water level is maintained at the maximum water level, and a constant flow rate of seaweed is supplied from the above first tank of the above constant water level control tank to the above seaweed supply pump.

5. In Paragraph 4, The above-mentioned seaweed return unit is a seaweed manufacturing device connected between the above-mentioned water level control tank and the above-mentioned seaweed supply tank.

6. In Paragraph 1, A seaweed manufacturing device in which a first connection part is connected between the above-mentioned water tank supply pump and the above-mentioned water level control tank.

7. In Paragraph 1, A seaweed manufacturing device in which a second connecting part is connected between the above-mentioned water level control tank and the above-mentioned seaweed supply pump.

8. In Paragraph 1, A seaweed manufacturing device in which the flow rate of water seaweed supplied from the above water tank supply pump is relatively larger than the flow rate of water seaweed discharged from the above water seaweed supply pump.

9. A step of supplying water mixed with raw seaweed and a constant flow rate of water supplied from a water seaweed supply tank using a water tank supply pump to the first tank of a constant level control tank; When the water level of the first water tank exceeds the maximum water level, the step of supplying water from the constant water level control tank to the water supply pump; and A method for manufacturing seaweed comprising the step of supplying a constant flow rate of water seaweed from the above-mentioned water seaweed supply pump to a seaweed molding device.

10. In Paragraph 9, A method for manufacturing seaweed, further comprising the step of returning the seaweed that overflowed into the second tank to the seaweed supply tank when the seaweed level of the first tank exceeds the maximum water level.

11. In Paragraph 9, A method for manufacturing seaweed in which, after the first water tank reaches the maximum water level, the water level is maintained at a constant level, and a constant flow rate of seaweed is supplied from the first water tank of the constant water level control tank to the seaweed supply pump.

12. In Paragraph 9, A method for producing seaweed in which the flow rate of water supplied from the above-mentioned water tank supply pump is relatively larger than the flow rate of water discharged from the above-mentioned water supply pump.

Images