JP4415346B2 - Pressure treatment equipment for live fish, shellfish, etc. - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a pressure treatment apparatus that keeps a fresh state for a long time by extending the survival period after being landed, that is, in a lively fish and shellfish that have been landed.

  In recent years, the trend toward high-quality fish and high-freshness fish has increased, and live and live fish are traded at high prices in the consumer market. The reason for the high price is that it costs money to use live fish transport boats and live fish carriages, and the live fish work is also done early in the morning to meet consumer demand to large consumption areas far from the landing area This increases labor costs.

In general, live fish are transported while being aerated in a water that is about 10 times the amount of fish, resulting in high transportation costs. Moreover, when transporting in large quantities, there is also a time loss at the relay point, which further increases the transport time and the transport cost.
In the case of cultured shrimp, which is a crustacean, put live shrimp in a box-shaped container, and put this container in 2 rows x 3 tiers in a cardboard box. Ice is put inside and maintained at a temperature of 10 ° C. to 15 ° C. to maintain vitality and transport in an anhydrous state. This method is lightweight and can be delivered directly to the consumer, but when transporting to a far away consumer area, the transportation time will inevitably increase, so the prawns will become tired during transportation. In order to recover and recover, vitality needs to be rested for a considerable period (1 to 3 days). In the worst case, the mortality rate increases and the mortality rate increases.
In particular, in the case of crustaceans, the method is to slow the movement by cooling the landed shrimp with cold water once, and as described above, it is packed and shipped with sawdust. Is higher than 28 ° C., and in the process of cooling with cold water, fatigue resulting from stress increases, vitality decreases, and the mortality rate increases. Therefore, the average mortality rate is about 12% in summer and about 3% in winter.

  In addition, frozen fish by freezing and thawing become thawed fish because they thaw, and the value as fresh fish is lost on the market. In addition, as a conventional technique for maintaining freshness, a technique using needle anesthesia is widespread, but it cannot be processed in a large amount, and there is a limit to a process that requires a small amount of water.

  Furthermore, as a conventional technique for maintaining freshness, Patent Document 1 discloses that live fish and crustaceans are stored in a sealed container filled with air or oxygen gas in the absence of water, and live fish stored in the sealed container. In addition, it is disclosed that the crustaceans are stored under a pressure from outside or inside the container and kept under a low temperature zone, and live fish and crustaceans are stored alive for a long time.

Japanese Patent No. 3177032

As described above, when transporting live fish from the landing production area to the consumption area, it is transported with a large amount of water, so the transportation cost becomes high, and when transporting to a distant consumption area, it is inevitable. In addition, since the transportation time is long, live fish are fatigued, lose their vitality, and have a high probability of becoming dead. In other words, live fish are subject to intense exercise and transport stress during fishing, and the amount of lactic acid in the fish's muscles and blood increases and the vitality decreases, resulting in a fatigued state. It decreases and the amount of lactic acid becomes higher. As time passes, there is a problem that fatigue increases, vitality decreases, freshness decreases, and mortality increases.
The same is true for crustaceans, and it takes a long time to transport and then fatigues and the freshness decreases. After a further time, the mortality rate increases, and it is necessary to shorten the transport time while maintaining a low temperature.

  Further, as a technique for maintaining freshness, Patent Document 1 discloses that live fish and crustaceans are placed in an anhydrous container, and the container is pressurized and kept under a low temperature zone to extend the survival time. However, since it is in an anhydrous state, the body surface of live fish and crustaceans may dry out, making it difficult to absorb more oxygen.

The present invention has been made in view of such points, and allows live fish and crustaceans to absorb more air to recover fatigue (vital energy) and prolong survival time. It is an object of the present invention to provide a pressure treatment apparatus such as a kind.

As a means for solving the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a pressure treatment apparatus for live fish, crustaceans and the like according to claim 1, wherein a carry-in / out port for carrying in or out live fish, crustaceans, etc. a pressure tank having a is pumped into the pressurizing tank and communicating the pressurized air compressor for pumping to pressure compressed air into the tank, the pressurizing tank and communicating the pressurizing tank A humidifier for humidifying compressed air; and an air circulation means for uniformly sending compressed air to live fish and crustaceans carried in the pressurized tank at the bottom of the pressurized tank; The means is composed of a differential pressure plate provided with a plurality of holes through which the compressed air passes. The differential pressure plate is placed with live fish and crustaceans packed in a box body having air permeability and is humidified. Facing the nozzle that pumps the compressed air into the pressurized tank The pressurized tank is partitioned by the differential pressure plate into a boxed live fish and shellfish side space and a nozzle side space, and the boxed live fish and shellfish side space and A pressure difference is generated between the nozzle side space and the nozzle side space .
By comprising in this way, in the pressurized tank in which live fish, crustaceans, etc. are carried in, humidified compressed air is pumped and the inside of a pressurized tank will be in the humidified and pressurized environment. .
In addition, the compressed air that has been humidified and pumped into the pressurized tank flows evenly to almost all live fish and shellfish packed in the box.
Furthermore , live fish and crustaceans carried into the pressurized tank take in more oxygen than usual because they are pressurized, and the pressurized tank is humidified so that live fish and crustaceans etc. The gills and body skin will not dry out and oxygen absorption will be further promoted.

According to the invention of the pressure treatment apparatus for live fish, crustaceans and the like described in claim 1, humidified compressed air is pumped into the pressurized tank into which live fish, crustaceans and the like are carried. Since the inside of the pressure tank is maintained at a predetermined humidity and pressure, live fish and crustaceans can take in more oxygen from the gills and body surface in a pressurized and humid atmosphere in the pressurized tank. By maintaining the environment for a certain period of time, muscle cells can hold more oxygen. As a result, the survival time of live fish and crustaceans can be extended and the freshness can be maintained for a long time, so lively live fish and crustaceans can be transported to long-distance consumption areas and lively. It can be provided to consumers in the state.
In addition, compressed air that has been evenly humidified is pumped to the live fish and crustaceans that are packed by the air circulation means that is composed of a differential pressure plate with a plurality of holes through which the compressed air passes. Almost all live fish and crustaceans can absorb more oxygen.
Furthermore, because live fish and crustaceans are under pressurized and humid environments, the gills and body skin do not dry out and oxygen absorption is promoted, so there are more live fish and crustaceans than usual. Oxygen is taken in, the survival time is extended, and lively live fish and shellfish can be provided to consumers.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The landed crustaceans (hereinafter referred to as “car prawns”) are packed in a box 20 shown in FIG. 3 and transported, and the prawns are placed on the bottom plate of the box body 21. It is put together with sawdust on the laid net 22 and closed with a lid 23. A plurality of holes 24 for improving air permeability are formed in the bottom plate and the lid 23 of the box body 21 at predetermined intervals. Therefore, the net 22 is laid on the bottom plate of the box body 21 so as to prevent sawdust from spilling from the holes 24 provided in the bottom plate of the box body 21 and has air permeability.
The boxed shrimp is subjected to a pressure treatment in a pressure treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention described later before transportation, and then transported to a consumption area.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a pressurized processing apparatus 1 such as live fish and crustaceans according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a pressurized tank 3 including a hatch 2 that opens and closes a boxed carrage entrance and exit, An air compressor 4 that communicates with the pressurized tank 3 and pumps compressed air into the pressurized tank 3, and is interposed between the pressurized tank 3 and the air compressor 4. And a humidifier 5 for humidifying the water.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressurized tank 3 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape, and is placed horizontally through a gantry 6. A hatch 2 that opens and closes when the packed car shrimp is carried in and out is provided on the left side of the pressurized tank 3 in FIG. In addition, a nozzle 7 is provided along the inner peripheral surface of the pressurized tank 3 at a position substantially in the center in the longitudinal direction and the short direction, and a pipe 8 communicating with the air compressor 4 is connected to the nozzle 7. ing. The pipe 8 connecting the pressurized tank 3 and the air compressor 4 is provided with a humidifier 5 in the middle thereof, and the pipe 8 between the humidifier 5 and the air compressor 4 is provided with the humidifier 5. On the way, a valve 9 and a pressure setting gauge 10 are attached from the air compressor 4 side. In the present embodiment, the humidifier 5 is disposed between the pressurized tank 3 and the air compressor 4, but the humidifier 5 may be installed near the air inlet of the air compressor 4. .
Further, the hatch 2 side of the pressure tank 3 to the wall on the opposite side, a temperature from the upper gauge 11, the humidity meter 12 is mounted. In addition, the position to which these thermometer 11 and hygrometer 12 are attached is not specifically limited, It attaches suitably to the position which can measure each average value of the temperature in the pressurized tank 3, and humidity. In addition, an automatic pressure regulating valve 13 is attached to the position of the upper portion of the pressurizing tank 3 in the longitudinal direction and the center in the short side direction. It is attached. Furthermore, a window 15 is attached to one side wall of the pressurized tank 3 so that the inside can be seen.
In addition, in this Embodiment, although the pressurized tank 3 is installed horizontally, you may install vertically.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pressure tank 3 has a differential pressure plate that extends in the horizontal direction at a position facing and separated from the nozzle 7 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the bottom of the pressure tank 3. 16 is disposed. A plurality of fine holes 17 are formed in the differential pressure plate 16 at a predetermined interval. As will be described later, the differential pressure plate 16 functions as an air circulating means for evenly sending compressed air to the boxed prawns placed on the differential pressure plate 16.

Next, the pressure treatment method for live fish and crustaceans using the pressure treatment apparatus 1 for live fish and crustaceans according to the embodiment of the present invention is packed in a box according to the current distribution form of the prawns. A case will be described as an example.
First, as described above, several of the landed prawns are put together with sawdust on the net 22 laid on the bottom plate of the box body 21 and closed with the lid 23.
Next, the hatch 2 of the pressurized tank 3 is opened, and a plurality of boxes 20 filled with prawns are carried into the pressurized tank 3 and overlapped on the differential pressure plate 16 provided in the pressurized tank 3. Are lined up. At this time, the plurality of boxes 20 are arranged so as to be directly above the plurality of holes 17 provided in the differential pressure plate 16.
Thereafter, the hatch 2 is closed, and the compressed air that has been humidified is injected into the pressurized tank 3 from the nozzle 7 provided at the bottom of the pressurized tank 3 by simultaneously operating the air compressor 4 and the humidifier 5. . Then, the humidified compressed air passes through the plurality of fine holes 17 provided in the differential pressure plate 16 and flows into the box 20 from the plurality of holes 24 provided in the bottom plate of the box main body 21, and is supplied to the prawns as oxygen. Are supplied evenly, and the compressed air flows from the hole 24 of the lid 23 to the outside of the box 20. At this time, since the compressed air injected from the nozzle 7 passes through the plurality of fine holes 17 provided in the differential pressure plate 16 and flows into the space 30 where the prawns are placed, via the differential pressure plate 16, A pressure difference is generated between the space 31 on the nozzle 7 side and the space 30 where the prawns are placed, and the compressed air flows evenly throughout the space 30 where the prawns are placed. Further, since the hole 17 of the differential pressure plate 16 is arranged only directly below the box 20 packed with car shrimp, the compressed air that has reached the upper surface of the differential pressure plate 16 from the hole 17 It efficiently flows into the box 20 from the hole 24 without short path around.

When the pressure in the pressurized tank 3 becomes equal to or higher than the set pressure, the automatic pressure adjustment valve 13 is activated and the set pressure is maintained for a predetermined time. The humidity in the pressurized tank 3 can be confirmed by a hygrometer 12 attached to the pressurized tank 3. On the other hand, in order to supply oxygen corresponding to the respiration rate of seafood during the pressurization process, the required air amount is set by the attached air flow meter 25, and the air discharge valve 26 is automatically opened and discharged. Fresh air is supplied from the air compressor 4 to the discharged air.
After the pressurization process is completed, the pressure reducing valve 14 is opened and deaerated, and the pressure tank 3 is returned to atmospheric pressure. Then, the hatch 2 is opened and a box 20 containing pressurized shrimp is taken out and transported to a consumption place in a cold storage state.

In addition, as described above, the shrimp is carried into the pressurized tank 3 as the pressure treatment condition of the present invention, the pressure in the pressurized tank 3 is set to 4.5 atm (absolute pressure), and the humidity is set to 90%. And the pressurization process was performed for the process time as 1.5 hours.
As a result, pressurized shrimp survived about 40 hours after landing, whereas untreated shrimp died about 32 hours after landing, and pressurized shrimp became untreated. It was confirmed that the survival time was extended by about 8 hours.

  Generally, the set pressure is set to a predetermined value between 1 atm to 5 atm (2 atm to 6 atm for absolute pressure) depending on the type of live fish and crustaceans, and the pressurization time is 30 It is preferable that the set humidity is set to a predetermined value between 80% and 100% while being set to a predetermined time between minutes and 3 hours.

Furthermore, the pressure processing apparatus 1 such as live fish and crustaceans according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed at the consumption destination of the transport destination, and the box containing the transported prawns is put in the pressure processing apparatus 1 It is possible to recover the vitality of the prawns that are fatigued during transportation by applying pressure again. As a result, the prawns stored in the sawdust box 20 after landing (temperature 15 ° C., humidity 75%) for 72 hours is 71% with ATP ratio (%) = {ATP / (ATP + ADP + AMP + IMP)} × 100. The decreased vitality increased by 32% by pressure treatment and recovered to 93%. In addition, lactic acid decreased by a maximum of 41%, and a remarkable recovery effect was observed.
Here, ATP: adenosine triphosphate, ADP: adenosine diphosphate, AMP: adenylic acid, IMP: inosinic acid, respectively.

As mentioned above, the pressurized processing apparatus 1 such as live fish and crustaceans according to the embodiment of the present invention carries the pressurized shrimp into the pressurized tank 3 and pressurizes the compressed air in communication with the pressurized tank 3. An air compressor 4 that pumps the pressure into the pressurized tank 3, a humidifier 5 that is interposed between the pressurized tank 3 and the air compressor 4, and humidifies the compressed air from the air compressor 4, and an air compressor 4 is provided with a differential pressure plate 16 extending in the horizontal direction so as to face the nozzle 7 to which the pipe 8 communicating with the pipe 4 is connected, so that in the pressurized tank 3 from the air compressor 4 via the humidifier 5 The humidified compressed air is pumped, and the humidified compressed air passes through the fine holes 17 provided in the differential pressure plate 16 and flows evenly throughout the space 30 where the prawns are placed. The environment is pressurized and humidified at a specified pressure and humidity. By maintaining this environment for a predetermined time, the prawns can maintain their freshness for a long time by supplying sufficient oxygen into the body and extending their survival time without drying the body surface.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a pressure treatment apparatus such as live fish and crustaceans according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of a pressure treatment apparatus such as live fish and crustaceans according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a box in which crustaceans are packed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Pressurization processing device, 3 Pressurization tank, 4 Air compression device, 5 Humidification device, 16 Differential pressure plate (air circulation means), 25 Air flow meter, 26 Air exhaust valve (oxygen supply means)

Claims (1)

A pressurized tank having a loading / unloading port for loading or unloading live fish and crustaceans,
An air compressor for pressurizing by pumping compressed air into the pressurizing tank and communicating the pressurizing tank,
A humidifier that communicates with the pressurized tank and humidifies the compressed air pumped into the pressurized tank ;
The bottom of the pressurized tank is provided with air circulation means for sending compressed air evenly to live fish and crustaceans carried into the pressurized tank,
The air circulation means is composed of a differential pressure plate provided with a plurality of holes through which the compressed air passes,
The differential pressure plate is placed at a position facing a nozzle that feeds humidified compressed air into a pressurized tank, while live fish and crustaceans packed in a box body having air permeability are placed. The pressure tank divides the inside of the pressurized tank into a boxed live fish and shellfish side space and a nozzle side space, and the boxed live fish and shellfish side space and the nozzle side space Pressure treatment apparatus for live fish, crustaceans, etc., characterized by causing a pressure difference between them .

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