JP2736578B2 - Food salt water treatment equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a food salt water treatment apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A food salt water treatment apparatus is to be processed into a treatment liquid comprising a predetermined concentration of salt water suitable for various foods such as fresh fish, meat, fruits, vegetables, etc., for example, a treatment liquid comprising a predetermined concentration of sodium chloride aqueous solution. The above-mentioned food is immersed at a predetermined temperature for a predetermined time to maintain the freshness for a long time. Further, in such a salt water treatment apparatus, there is a possibility that various bacteria may be mixed into the treatment liquid or the treatment liquid may be contaminated during the salt water treatment of various foods and bacteria may proliferate. 139694, Shokai 5
JP-A-9-6494, JP-A-63-178488, and the like show a salt water treatment apparatus provided with a means for sterilizing a treatment liquid. In these salt water treatment apparatuses, ultraviolet rays, ozone, and the like are used as means for sterilizing the treatment liquid.

[0003]

It is well known that ozone has a bactericidal activity. However, in order to sufficiently exert the bactericidal effect of ozone, it is necessary to introduce ozone into the processing solution. It is necessary to dissolve it in a concentration, and for this reason, a gas containing a high concentration of ozone is supplied into the processing liquid and dissolved while stirring. Therefore, the processing liquid foams due to contaminants such as proteins and fats therein, and the foam adheres to and contaminates the processed food, the processing tank, and other components. Further, since the amount of ozone dissolved in the processing solution is lower than the amount of ozone supplied into the processing solution, a large amount of ozone is released into the air, which may impair the health of workers.
If the supply amount of ozone into the processing liquid is reduced in order to solve these problems, there arises a problem that the sterilization effect of ozone is greatly reduced.

[0004] In the means using ultraviolet light,
Ultraviolet rays have a considerably lower sterilizing power compared to ozone, so the sterilizing effect of the processing liquid can not be expected so much, and it is difficult to sterilize the entire processing liquid because only the part through which ultraviolet rays pass is sterilized, It is impossible to sterilize the entire treatment liquid in a short time. It is also conceivable to use a chlorine-based disinfectant, but in such a method, it is difficult to control the concentration because a method of diluting the undiluted solution of the disinfectant is used. Since it is consumed, the sterilization effect cannot be maintained in the treatment liquid itself. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to address these problems.

[0005]

According to the present invention, there is provided a food salt water treatment apparatus, comprising: a treatment tank for accommodating a treatment liquid composed of salt water having a predetermined concentration; a salt water accommodation tank for accommodating salt water supplied to the treatment tank; An electrolytic tank disposed in a supply line for supplying the salt water of the salt water storage tank to the treatment tank and electrolyzing the salt water supplied between the anode and the cathode to generate sodium hypochlorite. It is assumed that.

[0006] Further, a food processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a processing tank for storing a processing solution composed of salt water having a predetermined concentration, a salt water storage tank for storing salt water supplied to the processing tank, and a salt water storage tank. An electrolytic tank is provided in a supply system for supplying salt water to the treatment tank and electrolyzes the salt water supplied between the anode and the cathode to generate hypochlorous acid.

In these salt water treatment apparatuses, it is preferable that the salt concentration of the salt water in the salt water storage tank is the same as the salt concentration of the treatment liquid composed of a predetermined concentration of salt water in the treatment tank. An aqueous sodium chloride solution is preferred. Furthermore, it is preferable that the treatment tank is provided with a cooling means for cooling the treatment liquid, and is capable of performing cold salt water treatment.

[0008]

In the apparatus for treating salt water of food having such a constitution, the salt water is supplied from the salt water storage tank into the treatment tank, and the treatment liquid comprising a predetermined concentration of salt water is accommodated in the treatment tank. In addition, when the treatment liquid is reduced, the salt water can be supplied to the treatment tank from the salt water storage tank and supplemented each time. Also, since sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid have a bactericidal action and can dissolve a sufficient amount in salt water, the electrolytic tank is operated when supplying salt water from the salt water storage tank to the treatment tank. When the salt water flowing through the supply system is electrolyzed, sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid is generated in the salt water, supplied to the treatment tank together with the salt water, and easily dissolved in the treatment liquid.

For this reason, when the concentration of sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid in the treatment liquid falls below a predetermined concentration, for example, by operating the electrolytic cell to electrolyze the salt water, the treatment liquid can be treated. The bactericidal action caused by sodium hypochlorite or hypochlorous acid can be maintained, and germs in the treatment liquid can be sterilized. In this case, ozone, ultraviolet rays, other germicides, etc. are not used to sterilize the processing liquid. Therefore, according to the salt water treatment apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate problems such as contamination of food and equipment due to the use of ozone, influence on health of workers, sterilization effect, and the like. The problem of the bactericidal effect resulting from the use of the bactericide, the germicidal effect resulting from the use of the bactericide, and the problem of controlling the concentration of the bactericide can be solved.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a salt water treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The salt water treatment device 10 includes a treatment tank 11,
The apparatus includes a first salt water supply unit 12 and an electrolytic cell 13, and further includes a treated water cooling unit 14, a second salt water supply unit 15, and a control unit 16.

The inside of the processing tank 11 is divided into a processing chamber 11b and a cooling chamber 11c by a partition wall 11a. Is provided with a circulation pump 11e. The cooling means 11 is provided in the cooling chamber 11c of the processing tank 11.
4 is provided with a cooler 14a. Cooler 1
4a includes a compressor 14b, and cools the processing liquid in the cooling chamber 11c by circulating the refrigerant to the cooler 14a via the circulation path 14c. The circulation pump 11
e drives the processing liquid in the cooling chamber 11c to the processing chamber 11b.
And the processing solution in the processing chamber 11b flows into the partition 11a.
The liquid flows over the cooling chamber 11c, and is uniformly cooled.

The first salt water supply means 12 includes a salt water storage tank 12
a, a supply pump 12c disposed in a communication pipe 12b that connects the salt water storage tank 12a and the electrolytic tank 13, and an electromagnetic on-off valve 1
2d (first on-off valve) is provided. A third concentration sensor 16f and a float switch 12f constituting the control means 16 are disposed in the salt water storage tank 12a, and a water supply pipe 17a faces above the third concentration sensor 16f. The third concentration sensor 16f has a function of detecting the concentration of sodium chloride in the salt water storage tank 12a. In the first salt water supply means 12, the supply pump 12c is driven and the first on-off valve 12d is opened, whereby the aqueous sodium chloride solution in the salt water storage tank 12a is supplied to the electrolytic tank 13.

The electrolytic cell 13 has an anode 13a and a cathode 13b in a casing, and a space for the aqueous solution of sodium chloride is formed between the electrodes 13a and 13b. Electrolyzer 1
In 3, when a voltage is applied between the electrodes 13a and 13b, the sodium chloride aqueous solution flowing through the passage is electrolyzed to generate sodium hypochlorite. The generated sodium hypochlorite flows out of the casing together with the aqueous sodium chloride solution and is supplied to the treatment tank 11.

The second salt water supply means 15 includes a second salt water storage tank 15a for storing an aqueous solution of sodium chloride, a first supply line 1
5b and the second supply pipe 15c are provided with electromagnetic on-off valves 15d and 15e, respectively. The second salt water storage tank 15 stores a sodium chloride aqueous solution having a higher concentration than the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a, and when the second on-off valve 15d is opened, the salt water in the second salt water storage tank 15a is opened. Is supplied to the first salt water storage tank 12a and the third on-off valve 15
When e is opened, the salt water in the second salt water storage tank 15a is supplied to the processing tank 11.

The control means 16 includes first, second and third controllers 16a, 16b and 16c, and a first concentration sensor 16d for detecting the concentration of sodium hypochlorite;
There are provided second and third concentration sensors 16e and 16f for detecting the concentration of sodium chloride. First density sensor 16
d is disposed in the processing tank 11 and detects the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the processing liquid in the processing tank 11 and outputs a concentration detection signal to the first controller 16a. First controller 1
In 6a, when the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid is lower than a predetermined value, the supply pump 12c is driven based on the concentration detection signal, the first opening / closing valve 12d is opened, and A predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes 13a and 13b.

As a result, the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is supplied into the electrolytic tank 13, and the salt water undergoes electrolysis while flowing in the electrolytic tank 13 to generate sodium hypochlorite. The generated sodium hypochlorite is supplied to the treatment tank 11 together with the salt water, and the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid is adjusted to a predetermined value. When the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the processing liquid is adjusted to a predetermined value, the first controller 16a stops driving the supply pump 12c based on the concentration detection signal from the first concentration sensor 16d and sets the first on-off valve. 12d is closed, and the supply of the salt water and sodium hypochlorite to the treatment tank 11 is stopped.

The second concentration sensor 16e is disposed in the processing tank 11, detects the concentration of sodium chloride in the processing solution in the processing tank 11, and outputs a concentration detection signal to the second controller 16.
b. The second controller 16b opens the third on-off valve 15e based on the concentration detection signal when the concentration of sodium chloride in the treatment liquid is lower than a predetermined value, and treats the high concentration salt water in the second salt water storage tank 15a. Supply to tank 11. As a result, the concentration of sodium chloride in the processing solution is adjusted to a predetermined value, and the second controller 16b controls the third on-off valve 15 based on the detection signal from the second concentration sensor 16e.
e, and the supply of the salt water to the processing tank 11 is stopped.

The third concentration sensor 16f is connected to the first salt water storage tank 1.
2a, which detects the concentration of sodium chloride in the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a and outputs a concentration detection signal to the third controller 16c. First salt water storage tank 12
In a, when the salt water level is lowered by the supply of the salt water to the treatment tank 11, the float switch 12f is operated,
The fourth on-off valve 17b interposed in the water supply pipe line 17a is opened to supply water to the first salt water storage tank 12a. In the third controller 16c, the first salt water storage tank 12a
When the concentration of sodium chloride in the salt water is lower than a predetermined value, the second on-off valve 15d is opened based on the concentration detection signal from the third concentration sensor 16f, and the second salt water storage tank 15 is opened.
The high-concentration salt water of a is supplied to the first salt water storage tank 12a.

Therefore, the concentration of sodium chloride in the salt water is adjusted to a predetermined value, and the third controller 16c closes the second on-off valve 15d based on the concentration detection signal from the third concentration sensor 16f, and the first controller 16c closes the first valve. The supply of the salt water to the salt water storage tank 12a is stopped. At the same time, the float switch 12f operates to close the fourth on-off valve 17b and stop water supply. Thus, in the first saltwater storage tank 12a, the sodium chloride concentration and the saltwater level of the saltwater are always adjusted to predetermined values. The concentration of sodium chloride in the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is set to be substantially the same as the concentration of sodium chloride in the treatment liquid.

In the food salt water treatment apparatus 10 configured as described above, the salt water is supplied from the first salt water storage tank 12a of the first salt water supply means 12 to the treatment tank 11 through the electrolytic tank 13, and the salt water having a predetermined concentration is supplied. A processing solution containing sodium is contained in the processing tank 11. During this time, a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes 13a and 13b in the electrolytic cell 13 to generate sodium hypochlorite, and the treatment tank 11 is added together with the salt water.
And a processing solution containing a predetermined concentration of sodium hypochlorite and a predetermined concentration of sodium chloride is generated in the processing tank 11. The processing liquid in the processing tank 11 is cooled to a predetermined temperature by the driving of the cooling means 14 so that the selected food can be treated with salt water.

The selected food is immersed in such a processing tank 11 for a predetermined time to be subjected to a salt water treatment, and if necessary, to a cold water treatment and stored in a predetermined storage place. If germs are generated in the treated water during the salt water treatment, the germs are sterilized by the bactericidal action of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid, thereby preventing the germs from propagating in the treatment liquid. Further, when the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid decreases due to this sterilization, the first controller 16a drives the supply pump 12c based on the concentration detection signal from the first concentration sensor 16d, One on-off valve 12d is opened, and a voltage of a predetermined pressure is applied between both electrodes 13a and 13b of the electrolytic cell 13.

For this reason, the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is supplied to the electrolytic tank 13, and the supplied salt water is electrolyzed to generate sodium hypochlorite in the salt water. Sodium chlorite is supplied to the treatment tank 11 together with the salt water, and the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid is adjusted to a predetermined concentration to always maintain the sterilizing action. During this time, in the first salt water supply means 12, the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is maintained at a predetermined water level by the action of the float switch 12f, the third concentration sensor 16f, the third controller 16c, and the like. The concentration is maintained at the concentration of sodium chloride in the processing solution.
In addition, when sodium hypochlorite is generated by the electrolysis of salt water, sodium chloride in the salt water is consumed, but the consumption amount is extremely small, so that sodium hypochlorite supplied to the treatment tank 11 is contained. The concentration of sodium chloride in the salt water is substantially the same as the concentration of sodium chloride in the treatment liquid.

In the treatment of food with salt water, the processing liquid is rapidly cooled with ice, or when the food to be processed is frozen, the processing liquid is diluted by melting of the ice, and water is removed from the food to be processed. Leaching may dilute the treatment liquid. When this state occurs, the second controller 1
6b opens the third on-off valve 15e based on the detection signal from the second concentration sensor 16e, and supplies the salt water containing high concentration sodium chloride into the second salt water storage tank 15a to the treatment tank 11 to perform the treatment. The concentration of sodium chloride in the solution is adjusted to a predetermined concentration.

As described above, in the salt water treatment apparatus 10, the salt water is supplied from the first salt water storage tank 12 a into the processing tank 11, and the processing liquid composed of the salt water having a predetermined concentration is stored in the processing tank 11. When the processing solution is reduced, the first salt water storage tank 12a and the processing tank 11
Can be supplemented by supplying salt water. Also, since sodium hypochlorite has a bactericidal action and can dissolve a sufficient amount in salt water, the first salt water storage tank 1
When the salt water is supplied from 2a to the treatment tank 11, a voltage is applied between the two electrodes 13a and 13b of the electrolytic tank 13 so that the supplied salt water can be electrolyzed. And treatment tank 1 with salt water
1 can be supplied.

For this reason, when the concentration of sodium hypochlorite in the treatment liquid falls below a predetermined concentration, for example, by operating the electrolytic cell 13 to electrolyze the salt water, the treatment liquid becomes hypochlorous acid. The bactericidal action caused by sodium can be always maintained, and germs in the processing solution can be constantly and effectively sterilized. In this case, ozone, ultraviolet rays, other disinfectants, etc. are not used to sterilize the processing solution, so that the use of ozone contaminates food and equipment, the effect on the health of workers, Problems such as a bactericidal effect can be solved, and problems such as a bactericidal effect due to the use of ultraviolet rays, a bactericidal effect due to the use of a bactericide, and a concentration control of a bactericide can be solved.

In the salt water treatment apparatus 10,
Since the means for detecting and adjusting the sodium hypochlorite concentration in the processing liquid in the processing tank 11 is employed, the sodium hypochlorite concentration in the processing liquid is always automatically adjusted to a predetermined concentration. Can be adjusted. Further, the concentration of sodium chloride in the salt water in the first salt water storage tank 12a is determined by the treatment tank 11
Since the concentration is set to be the same as the concentration of sodium chloride in the processing solution, there is an advantage that the concentration of sodium chloride in the processing solution does not change when sodium hypochlorite is supplied to the processing solution.

FIG. 2 shows a salt water treatment apparatus 20 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The salt water treatment apparatus 20 includes a treatment tank 21, a first salt water supply unit 22, and an electrolytic tank 23, and also includes a treated water cooling unit 24, a second salt water supply unit 25, and a control unit 26. In these, the treatment tank 21, the first salt water supply means 22, the treated water cooling means 24, the second salt water supply means 25, and the control means 26 are the same as those of the salt water treatment apparatus 10 of the first embodiment, and the electrolytic cell 23
Is different from the electrolytic cell 13 of the salt water treatment apparatus 10, and due to this, the composition of the treatment liquid is different.

The electrolytic cell 23 has a diaphragm 23c between the anode 23a and the cathode 23b in the casing, and the casing is partitioned into an anode chamber 23d and a cathode 23e by the diaphragm 23c. In the electrolytic cell 23, the salt water from the first salt water storage tank 22a is separately supplied to the two chambers 23d and 23e, and the salt water supplied to the two chambers 23d and 23e is applied to the electrodes 23a and 23b. And hypochlorous acid is generated in the anode chamber 23d. The generated hypochlorous acid is supplied to the treatment tank 21 together with the salt water. Therefore, the processing liquid in the processing tank 21 is a salt water containing a predetermined concentration of hypochlorous acid and sodium chloride, and in such a processing liquid, hypochlorous acid performs a sterilizing action.

The other structure, operation and effect of the salt water treatment apparatus 20 are the same as those of the salt water treatment apparatus 10 of the first embodiment. Similar reference numerals are assigned to the series, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a salt water treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a salt water treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

10, 20 ... salt water treatment device, 11, 21 ... treatment tank, 1
2, 22: first salt water supply means, 12a, 22a: first salt water storage tank, 13, 23: electrolytic tank, 13a, 13b, 23
a, 23b ... electrode, 23c ... diaphragm, 14, 24 ... treated water cooling means, 15, 25 ... second salt water supply means, 15a, 2
5a ... second salt water storage tank, 16, 26 ... control means.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A processing tank for storing a processing solution composed of salt water having a predetermined concentration, a salt water storing tank for storing salt water to be supplied to the processing tank, and a supply system for supplying the salt water in the salt water storing tank to the processing tank. An electrolytic cell disposed on a road to electrolyze salt water supplied between an anode and a cathode to generate sodium hypochlorite. 2. A processing tank for storing a processing solution composed of salt water having a predetermined concentration, a salt water storing tank for storing salt water to be supplied to the processing tank, and a supply system for supplying the salt water in the salt water storing tank to the processing tank. An electrolyzer for producing hypochlorous acid by electrolyzing salt water supplied between an anode and a cathode, the apparatus being disposed on a road, and comprising an electrolytic tank. 3. The apparatus for treating salt water of food according to claim 1, wherein the salt concentration of the salt water in the salt water storage tank is the same as the salt concentration of the treatment liquid having a predetermined concentration in the treatment tank. 4. The apparatus for treating salt water of food according to claim 1, wherein said treatment tank is provided with cooling means for cooling the treatment liquid.