System for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt and, more specifically, the system is characterized by comprising: a stirring and evaporation concentration tank for obtaining a solid first mixture by reacting a mixed solution obtained by adding a bamboo carbon powder to a potassium sulfate aqueous solution or sodium sulfate aqueous solution obtained by mixing potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate introduced to the tank and water supplied from the outside; a first supply hopper for storing and supplying the obtained first mixture; a second supply hopper for supplying solar salt for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt; a third supply hopper for supplying potassium chloride for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt; a mixer for manufacturing a second mixture by mixing the first mixture, solar salt, and potassium chloride supplied from the first to third supply hoppers; an electric furnace for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt by heat-treating the manufactured second mixture; a crusher for naturally cooling the manufactured potassium-containing bamboo salt and then recovering and primarily crushing same; a grinder for secondarily grinding the primarily crushed potassium-containing bamboo salt; and a particle size classifier for classifying the secondarily ground potassium-containing bamboo salt according to particle size.

Description

Potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt, and more specifically, to a system for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt that can produce bamboo salt similar to the existing 9-times roasted bamboo salt more quickly and in large quantities through a single high-temperature heat treatment.

[0002] Salt, used as a seasoning to enhance the flavor of food in daily life, is primarily composed of sodium chloride (NaCl), and this sodium chloride is physiologically indispensable to humans.

[0003] Specifically, sodium chloride regulates the osmotic pressure of body fluids in the body, maintains acid-base balance of body fluids as a buffer, constitutes alkaline digestive fluids such as bile, pancreatic juice, or intestinal juice, and chlorine, another component of sodium chloride, constitutes gastric juice.

[0004] As described above, since it acts in close relation to the physiological activity and life maintenance of animals, a lack of salt intake leads to a decrease in appetite in the short term due to insufficient secretion of digestive fluids, and in the long term, general weakness, lethargy, fatigue, and mental instability occur, and if there is a rapid loss of salt in the body, distinct physical and mental functional loss such as dizziness, apathy, and clouded consciousness occurs.

[0005] However, it is known that excessive daily salt intake raises blood pressure and affects insulin signaling, leading to insulin resistance.

[0006] In particular, sodium chloride, the main component of salt, has been identified as a direct causative agent of hypertension and diabetes.

[0007] For this reason, the WHO / ISH recommends that adults limit their daily salt intake to 5 g or less, and the Japanese Society of Hypertension recommends limiting it to 7 g or less in 2000.

[0008] Meanwhile, the salt we consume can be broadly classified into rock salt, refined salt, re-refined salt, and solar salt, and it is known that the mineral content varies depending on the type of salt.

[0009] In other words, rock salt and refined salt, which are primarily consumed by most people worldwide, contain over 99% sodium chloride while having almost no mineral components such as K, Ca, and Mg; however, it was reported that tidal flat solar salt produced in Korea contains about 85% sodium chloride while containing large amounts of mineral components such as K, Ca, and Mg (Lee, Kang-Deok et al. 2008 Korean Society of Food Science and Technology Conference and General Meeting, p. 282, Korean Society of Food Science and Technology, Gwangju, June 18-20, 2008).

[0010] Bamboo salt is produced by burning or melting tidal flat solar salt together with bamboo nine times; it is produced exclusively in Korea and has been widely used since ancient times for therapeutic purposes such as anti-inflammation and anti-diabetes. Recently, scientists have revealed various physiological activities, including antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anticancer properties (Gao TC et al., 9 th International Symposium, pp. 1345-1347, Beijing, China, 2009; Shin HY et al., Immunopharmacol Immunotoxol, 25, p. 377-384, 2003; Yang Ji-sun et al., Journal of Applied Pharmacology, 7, 178-184, 1999).

[0011] As such, bamboo salt is reported to have significantly higher antioxidant function than ordinary foods, and its antioxidant function improves as the number of heat treatments increases, leading to a decrease in ORP (Oxidation-Reduction Potential).

[0012] The existing method of producing bamboo salt involves removing brine from solar salt produced in salt fields on the west coast through a natural drainage method for about 4 years, packing the salt into bamboo tubes, and repeating the process of recovering and crushing it after a heat treatment process about 9 times.

[0013] Due to such inefficient processes, existing bamboo salt products are very expensive and take about 40 days to manufacture.

[0014] In addition, there was a disadvantage in that energy and labor costs were high due to the nine repetitive heat treatment processes, and there was also a problem with significant loss because a considerable amount was wasted as the material did not react after the heat treatment process.

[0015] The potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention was devised to solve the aforementioned problems. First, compared to the existing traditional bamboo salt manufacturing method, the manufacturing time is very short and the manufacturing cost is low as it consists of a single heat treatment process. Furthermore, the system aims to provide a potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system that can obtain bamboo salt with a potassium content controlled as desired, containing an amount of sulfides similar to or greater than that of the existing nine-times roasted bamboo salt, without any loss.

[0016] In addition, another objective is to provide a system for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt that has a higher content of various mineral elements compared to conventional bamboo salt, allows for adjusting the potassium content—which is particularly beneficial for preventing high blood pressure and stroke—to a desired level, and contains a large amount of hydrogen sulfide-producing substances that cause antioxidant activity.

[0017] The objectives of the present invention are not limited to those mentioned above, and may naturally include objectives of the invention that a person skilled in the art can recognize from the description in the detailed description of the invention that follows, even if not explicitly mentioned.

[0018] A potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned objectives, comprises: a stirring and evaporation concentration tank for obtaining a first solid mixture by reacting a mixture in which bamboo carbon powder is additionally added to a potassium sulfate aqueous solution or a sodium sulfate aqueous solution in which the added potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate is mixed with water supplied from the outside; a first supply hopper for storing and supplying the obtained first mixture; a second supply hopper for supplying solar salt for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt; a third supply hopper for supplying potassium chloride for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt; a mixer for preparing a second mixture by mixing the first mixture, solar salt, and potassium chloride supplied from the first to third supply hoppers; an electric furnace for producing potassium-containing bamboo salt by heat-treating the prepared second mixture; a crusher for recovering the prepared potassium-containing bamboo salt after natural cooling and performing primary crushing; and a primary It may include a grinder for secondary grinding of the crushed potassium-containing bamboo salt and a particle size separator for sorting the secondary ground potassium-containing bamboo salt by particle size.

[0019] Preferably, the stirring and evaporation concentration tank is connected to a steam heater for evaporating and concentrating the water contained in the mixture, and the evaporated and condensed water can be stored in a condensate tank connected to the stirring and evaporation concentration tank.

[0020] Preferably, the second mixture can be introduced into the electric furnace in an amount of 70 volume% or less.

[0021] Preferably, the heat treatment reaction can be carried out under a reducing atmosphere in which an inert gas is injected into the electric furnace under vacuum.

[0022] Preferably, the heat treatment reaction can be carried out by heating the internal temperature of the electric furnace from room temperature to 700 to 1,100°C at a constant rate and maintaining it for 1 to 5 hours.

[0023] The potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention has a very short manufacturing time compared to the existing traditional bamboo salt manufacturing method and consists of a single heat treatment process, which is inexpensive to manufacture, and can produce bamboo salt containing an amount of sulfides similar to or greater than that of the existing 9-times roasted bamboo salt, as well as having a potassium content adjusted as desired, without any loss.

[0024] In addition, compared to conventional bamboo salt, it has a high content of various mineral elements, and not only can the potassium content, which is particularly good for preventing high blood pressure and stroke, be adjusted to a desired level, but it also has the excellent effect of being able to produce potassium-containing bamboo salt that contains a large amount of hydrogen sulfide-producing substances that cause antioxidant activity.

[0025] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 is an image of bamboo salt produced through the potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system illustrated in Figure 1.

[0027] The terms used in this invention have been selected to be as widely used as possible; however, in specific cases, terms have been arbitrarily selected by the applicant. In such cases, the meaning should be understood by considering the specific details or usage described in the content for implementing the invention, rather than merely the name of the term.

[0028] Hereinafter, the technical configuration of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings.

[0029] In this regard, FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an image of bamboo salt produced through the potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system shown in FIG. 1.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 1 above, a potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a stirring and evaporation concentration tank (110) for obtaining a first solid mixture by reacting a mixture in which bamboo carbon powder is added to a potassium sulfate aqueous solution or a sodium sulfate aqueous solution in which the added potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate is mixed with water supplied from the outside.

[0031] At this time, water is supplied from a water tank (113) provided outside the stirring and evaporation concentration tank (110) as shown in Fig. 1.

[0032] Meanwhile, the bamboo carbon powder mentioned above is a powder obtained by grinding bamboo charcoal, which is obtained by carbonizing bamboo, into a powder form. Since it acts as a reducing agent in the heat treatment reaction described later, its content can be determined according to the content of potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate, and since it is completely removed by carbon dioxide, there is almost no ash generated when bamboo is carbonized as in conventional technology, so a cleaner bamboo salt can be obtained.

[0033] Meanwhile, in another embodiment of the present invention, other carbon powder, such as powder obtained by crushing charcoal made from wood other than bamboo (pine, oak, etc.), may be used.

[0034] Meanwhile, in the potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention, a steam heater (111) for evaporating and concentrating water contained in a mixture is connected to a stirring and evaporation concentration tank (110), and the evaporated and condensed water is stored in a condensate tank (112) connected to the stirring and evaporation concentration tank (110) as shown in FIG. 1.

[0035] Meanwhile, a potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first supply hopper (120) for storing a obtained solid first mixture and supplying it to a mixer (150) to be described later, a second supply hopper (130) for supplying sun-dried salt for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt, and a third supply hopper (140) for supplying potassium chloride for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt.

[0036] At this time, the first to third supply hoppers (120)(130)(140) are independently provided as shown in FIG. 1 and are fed into the mixer (150) in a predetermined amount through their respective conveying means and mixed.

[0037] Meanwhile, the first to third supply hoppers (120)(130)(140) can be formed in various shapes or forms, so no special limitations are placed thereon.

[0038] Meanwhile, the first mixture, solar salt, and potassium chloride introduced are homogeneously mixed in a mixer (150) to form a second mixture.

[0039] At this time, the reason for homogeneously mixing the first mixture, sun-dried salt, and potassium chloride using a mixer (150) as described above is that if they are not homogeneously mixed, the color of the bamboo salt produced through the heat treatment reaction in the electric furnace (160) described later may not be uniform, and the content of mineral elements may vary depending on the area.

[0040] Meanwhile, the potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an electric furnace (160) for producing potassium-containing bamboo salt by heat-treating a second mixture that has been homogeneously mixed and manufactured.

[0041] At this time, since the electric furnace (160) can be any electric furnace to achieve the purpose of the present invention, no special limitations are placed thereon.

[0042] However, in an embodiment of the present invention, the second mixture is introduced in an amount of 70% or less of the total volume of a crucible container (not shown) equipped with a lid that contains the second mixture and is introduced into an electric furnace (160).

[0043] The reason for limiting the volume percentage in this way is to prevent the second mixture from overflowing out of the crucible during the heat treatment reaction, and covering it is to prevent the components of the second mixture from vaporizing and being discharged to the outside.

[0044] In other words, when chlorides such as solar salt and potassium chloride contained in the second mixture vaporize, chlorine gas may be generated, and chlorine gas is a highly toxic substance to the body, as well as capable of causing corrosion of the equipment.

[0045] Meanwhile, the material of the crucible container is not limited to a material that does not react with the second mixture introduced at high temperatures and is easily separated from the final bamboo salt, but it may be made of a ceramic material comprising one or more selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica, zirconia, and magnesia.

[0046] Meanwhile, the heat treatment reaction according to the embodiment of the present invention is performed under a reducing atmosphere in which an inert gas is injected into the electric furnace (160) in a vacuum state. This is to prevent oxygen in the atmosphere from reacting with the bamboo carbon powder contained in the second mixture and interfering with the heat treatment reaction.

[0047] To this end, the potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention forms a vacuum state through a separately provided vacuum pump.

[0048] Meanwhile, the reduction atmosphere in which the aforementioned inert gas is injected is performed by injecting the inert gas into the electric furnace (160) at a constant rate, and the inert gas according to the embodiment of the present invention is argon or nitrogen.

[0049] Meanwhile, as described above, the reason for introducing an inert gas is to prevent it from reacting with the second mixture introduced into the electric furnace (160) and to allow carbon dioxide (CO2) generated in the heat treatment reaction to flow out.

[0050] In other words, if a vacuum is maintained, carbon dioxide generated during the reduction reaction in the heat treatment process is not emitted, which can interfere with the heat treatment reaction, and by constantly flowing an inert gas, the phenomenon of air being sucked in from the gas outlet can be prevented.

[0051] Meanwhile, the heat treatment reaction process described above can be carried out through various embodiments, but in the embodiment of the present invention, the internal temperature of the electric furnace (160) is heated from room temperature to 700 to 1,100°C at a constant rate and then maintained for 1 to 5 hours to carry out the reaction.

[0052] At this time, the reason for heating the reaction temperature to 700 to 1,100℃ is to form sodium sulfide (Na2S) through a reduction reaction and to ensure it is evenly mixed within the bamboo salt produced by melting solar salt (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl).

[0053] In addition, as described above, if an inert gas is continuously introduced into the electric furnace (160) and the inflow of air from the outside is blocked, a reducing atmosphere is maintained, the heat treatment reaction is maintained smoothly, and there is almost no loss.

[0054] In the heat treatment reaction process described above, the bamboo carbon powder undergoes a reaction in which it combines with oxygen contained in potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate—that is, one or more reactions described in the following reaction equation—and is removed in the form of carbon dioxide.

[0055] [Reaction Equation]

[0056] 2NaCl + K2SO4+ 2C → 2KCl + Na2S + 2CO2(g)↑

[0057] NaCl + Na2SO4+ 2C → NaCl + Na2S + 2CO2(g)↑

[0058] Meanwhile, the reason for maintaining the reaction time for 1 to 5 hours is to ensure that the solar salt (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), and sodium sulfide (Na2S) are sufficiently melted so that they can be mixed uniformly.

[0059] For example, if the reaction time is too short relative to the amount of the second mixture added, cooling begins without the solar salt (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) melting, which may result in uneven composition of the bamboo salt produced.

[0060] Meanwhile, the process of recovering bamboo salt produced in the electric furnace (160) involves naturally cooling the electric furnace (160) while maintaining a reducing atmosphere and no further heat is applied. In particular, during the process of stopping the operation of the electric furnace (160) and waiting for the temperature to naturally cool to room temperature, the molten solar salt (NaCl) and potassium chloride (KCl) can be recrystallized into a combined form of sodium (Na) and potassium (K).

[0061] The potassium-containing bamboo salt produced as described above has an oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) of -340 mV or less, contains 1% to 25% by weight of potassium, and can form a structure in which sodium chloride and potassium chloride are mixed and recrystallized.

[0062] Meanwhile, the potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a crusher (170) for recovering and crushing the manufactured potassium-containing bamboo salt after natural cooling, a crusher (180) for crushing the potassium-containing bamboo salt that has been crushed in the first step, and a particle size sorter (190) for sorting the potassium-containing bamboo salt that has been crushed in the second step according to particle size.

[0063] At this time, the crusher (170), grinder (180), and particle size separator (190) shown in FIG. 1 can be any type of crusher, grinder, and particle size separator, so no special limitations are placed on them.

[0064] Meanwhile, bamboo salt sorted by particle size through the particle size sorter (190) shown in Fig. 1 is distributed to the market after undergoing a separate packaging step.

[0065] As a result, the potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system according to the embodiment of the present invention, through the technical configurations described above, has a very short manufacturing time and consists of a single heat treatment process, making the manufacturing cost low. Furthermore, it can produce bamboo salt containing an amount similar to or greater than that of conventional 9-times roasted bamboo salt, as well as having the potassium content adjusted as desired, without any loss.

[0066] In addition, compared to conventional bamboo salt, it has a high content of various mineral elements, and not only can the potassium content, which is particularly good for preventing high blood pressure and stroke, be adjusted to a desired level, but it also has the excellent effect of being able to produce potassium-containing bamboo salt that contains a large amount of hydrogen sulfide-producing substances that cause antioxidant activity.

[0067] As described above, the present invention has been illustrated and explained with reference to preferred embodiments, but it is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0068] The present invention relates to a system for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt, and more specifically, to a system for manufacturing potassium-containing bamboo salt that can produce bamboo salt similar to the existing 9-times roasted bamboo salt more quickly and in large quantities through a single high-temperature heat treatment, and has industrial applicability.

Claims

1. A stirring and evaporation concentration tank for obtaining a first solid mixture by reacting a mixture in which bamboo carbon powder is additionally added to an aqueous solution of potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate, in which the added potassium sulfate or sodium sulfate is mixed with water supplied from the outside; A first supply hopper for storing and supplying the obtained first mixture; A second supply hopper for supplying solar salt for the production of potassium-containing bamboo salt; A third supply hopper for supplying potassium chloride for the production of potassium-containing bamboo salt; A mixer for preparing a second mixture by mixing the first mixture, solar salt, and potassium chloride supplied from the first to third supply hoppers; An electric furnace for producing potassium-containing bamboo salt by heat-treating the above-mentioned second mixture; A crusher for recovering and primarily crushing the manufactured potassium-containing bamboo salt after natural cooling; A grinder for secondarily grinding the potassium-containing bamboo salt that has been first crushed; and A potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system characterized by including a particle size separator for sorting the secondary crushed potassium-containing bamboo salt by particle size.

2. In Paragraph 1, A potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system characterized in that the stirring and evaporation concentration tank is connected to a steam heater for evaporating and concentrating the water contained in the mixture, and the evaporated and condensed water is stored in a condensate tank connected to the stirring and evaporation concentration tank.

3. In Paragraph 2, A potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system characterized by introducing the above-mentioned second mixture into the above-mentioned electric furnace at a volume of 70% or less.

4. In Paragraph 3, A potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system characterized by the above heat treatment reaction being performed under a reducing atmosphere in which an inert gas is injected into the above electric furnace in a vacuum state.

5. In Paragraph 4, A potassium-containing bamboo salt manufacturing system characterized by the above heat treatment reaction being carried out by heating the internal temperature of the electric furnace from room temperature to 700 to 1,100°C at a constant rate and maintaining it for 1 to 5 hours.

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