JP6530266B2 - Intake and exhaust control method, intake and exhaust control mechanism and surge tank - Google Patents

Description

  Intake air into the surge tank through a vent pipe having a sterilization filter so that the pressure inside the surge tank for storing the liquid in a sterile state becomes a predetermined target value, and from the surge tank The present invention relates to a suction control method, a suction control mechanism, and a surge tank for discharging air.

Containerized liquid products, such as dairy products and soft drinks, are manufactured by an aseptic filling system.
The aseptic filling system comprises a preparation device for preparing plural kinds of raw materials of liquid products in a desired ratio, a sterilizer for sterilizing the prepared liquid by an ultra-high temperature heat treatment method, etc., and a sterile state of the sterilized liquid An aseptic surge tank which is temporarily stored, and a filling device which fills the container with the liquid once stored in a predetermined filling amount.

An aseptic surge tank (hereinafter referred to as "surge tank") is used for sterilization or temporary storage after sterilization before filling the liquid container.
The surge tank is cleaned with CIP (Cleaning in Place) or SIP (Sterilization in Place; Stationary Sterilization), and then the sterility air passing through the bacteria removal filter is constantly used to maintain the sterility inside the surge tank. The structure is not affected by external fungal effects by supplying internal pressure to the

In addition, CIP is performed by flowing the washing | cleaning liquid which added the alkaline chemical | medical agent or the acidic chemical | medical agent to each apparatus or liquid supply pipe | tube, for example. As a result, the residue or the like of the liquid product adhering to each device or liquid supply pipe is removed.
The SIP is performed by flowing steam, hot water or the like to each of the devices cleaned by the CIP and a liquid supply pipe. Thereby, each device and the liquid supply pipe are sterilized and put into a sterile state.

The surge tank is connected to an aseptic air suction / discharge mechanism equipped with a sterilization filter.
The air intake / exhaust mechanism sucks air into the surge tank when the air pressure inside the surge tank decreases, and exhausts the air from the surge tank when the air pressure inside the surge tank rises, and the air pressure inside the surge tank is positive. It is configured to maintain the pressure state. (See paragraph [0017] of Patent Document 1).

JP, 2010-42833, A

By the way, when the temperature of the liquid stored in the surge tank is high, the water vapor in the gas layer inside the surge tank is cooled on the inner wall of the surge tank and the surface of the supply tube of the aseptic air, so that condensation easily occurs.
In particular, condensation on the surface of the sterilization filter may cause clogging, which may interfere with normal intake and exhaust. In this case, the entire operation of the aseptic filling system needs to be stopped to remove clogging of the sterilizing filter.
In order to reduce such a risk, it is necessary to cool the liquid before it is stored in the surge tank, and waste equipment and cost are required to avoid clogging of the sterilizing filter. I will.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an intake / discharge control method, an intake / discharge control mechanism, and a surge tank that can appropriately absorb and discharge sterile air regardless of the temperature of the liquid stored in the surge tank.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the feature of the suction and discharge control method according to the present invention is to have a sterilizing filter so that the pressure inside the surge tank for storing the liquid in a sterile condition becomes a predetermined target value. A suction control method for drawing air into the surge tank and exhausting air from the surge tank via a trachea, wherein the measurement step of measuring the air pressure, the measured value obtained in the measurement step and the measurement value are obtained. In the determination step of comparing target values and determining that the measured value is lower or higher than the target value, and in the determining step, if it is determined that the measured value is lower than the target value, the air may be discharged to the surge tank. And an exhausting step of exhausting air from the surge tank when it is determined in the determining step that the measured value is higher than the target value. Before performing said pumping step, in that it comprises a pre-intake step of temporarily intake air into the surge tank.

Purge condensation on the surface of the bacteria removal filter by performing pre-intake in which air is once taken in before air exhaust when the measured value of the air pressure inside the surge tank is higher than a predetermined target value and exhaust is required. Can. Elimination of clogging of the sterilization filter enables smooth exhaust after that.
Since the possibility of clogging of the bacteria removal filter is eliminated, it is not necessary to control the temperature of the liquid stored in the surge tank only to avoid clogging of the bacteria removal filter.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the pre-inspiration step ends after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  By managing the end timing of the pre-intake based on the intake time of the aseptic air, it is possible to ensure the purge of the bacteria removal filter. In addition, it becomes easy to grasp the start time of the exhaust after the pre-intake.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the pre-inspiration step ends when the current value of the measured value exceeds the target value or the value of the measured value at the start of the pre-intake step by a predetermined amount.

  By managing the end timing of the pre-intake based on the pressure inside the surge tank, it is possible to avoid an abnormal pressure rise inside the surge tank due to the pre-intake.

  In the present invention, in the determination step, when the measured value is equal to or higher than a target upper limit value set higher than the target value, it is determined that the measured value is higher than the target value, and the measured value is the same. It is preferable to determine that the measured value is lower than the target value when it is equal to or less than the target lower limit value set lower than the target value.

  The intake and exhaust of the sterile air is performed only when the measured value of the air pressure deviates from the range between the target upper limit and the target lower limit set above and below the predetermined target value. Chattering is prevented.

  A feature of the suction and discharge control mechanism according to the present invention is a suction and discharge mechanism connected via an air pipe having a sterilization filter so that the pressure inside the surge tank for storing the liquid in a sterile state becomes a predetermined target value. An intake control for drawing air into the surge tank and an exhaust control for discharging the air from the surge tank, the measurement of the air pressure measured by the pressure measurement mechanism installed in the surge tank A determination unit that compares a value with the target value and determines that the measured value is lower or higher than the target value, and the intake unit determines that the measured value is lower than the target value; And an intake / discharge control unit that executes the exhaust control when the determination unit determines that the measured value is higher than the target value, and the intake / discharge control unit controls the exhaust mechanism to perform the exhaust control. Once the surge tank prior to controlling lies in executing the pre-air intake control to the intake air.

Purge condensation on the surface of the bacteria removal filter by performing pre-intake in which air is once taken in before air exhaust when the measured value of the air pressure inside the surge tank is higher than a predetermined target value and exhaust is required. Can. Elimination of clogging of the sterilization filter enables smooth exhaust after that.
Since the possibility of clogging of the bacteria removal filter is eliminated, it is not necessary to control the temperature of the liquid stored in the surge tank only to avoid clogging of the bacteria removal filter.

  In the present invention, it is preferable that the intake and discharge control unit ends the pre-intake control after a predetermined time has elapsed after the start of the execution of the pre-intake control.

  By managing the end timing of the pre-intake based on the intake time of the aseptic air, it is possible to ensure the purge of the bacteria removal filter. In addition, it becomes easy to grasp the start time of the exhaust after the pre-intake.

  In the present invention, after the start of execution of the pre-intake control, the intake and discharge control unit determines that the current value of the measured value is a predetermined amount from the target value or the value at the start of execution of the pre-intake control of the measured value. If it exceeds, it is preferable to end the pre-intake control.

  By managing the end timing of the pre-intake based on the pressure inside the surge tank, it is possible to avoid an abnormal pressure rise inside the surge tank due to the pre-intake.

  In the present invention, the determination unit determines that the measured value is higher than the target value when the measured value is equal to or higher than a target upper limit value set higher than the target value, and the measured value is the target. It is preferable to judge that the measured value is lower than the target value when it is not more than the target lower limit value set lower than the value.

  The intake and exhaust of the sterile air is performed only when the measured value of the air pressure deviates from the range between the target upper limit and the target lower limit set above and below the predetermined target value. Chattering is prevented.

  A feature of the surge tank according to the present invention is that it includes an intake / discharge control mechanism having any of the features described above. The suction and discharge control mechanism can appropriately suck and discharge the sterile air regardless of the temperature of the stored liquid.

Explanatory view of the surge tank, suction and discharge mechanism, and suction and discharge control mechanism Flow chart of suction and discharge control method

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
The surge tank 10, the suction and discharge mechanism 20, and the suction and discharge control mechanism 30 are shown in FIG.

  The surge tank 10 is preferably provided between the sterilizer 1 and the filling device 2 in a sterile filling system, preferably in a container-filled liquid product such as dairy products or soft drinks, and sterilized or sterilized before filling the container with the liquid It is used for temporary storage after treatment.

The top surface of the surge tank 10 is provided with an inspection port, a footing and a guard fence (not shown), and the side face is provided with a ladder (not shown) for climbing on the footing.
The bottom of the surge tank 10 is provided with legs (not shown) for supporting itself.

  The surge tank 10 includes a stirrer (not shown) for stirring the liquid stored therein, a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of the liquid stored therein, a water level sensor 11 for detecting the water level, and an internal pressure A pressure sensor 12 is provided to detect Steam is always supplied to the rotating part of the stirrer and sealed under positive pressure.

A suction / discharge mechanism 20 is connected to the surge tank 10 via a vent pipe 23.
The suction and discharge mechanism 20 includes a sterilizing filter 21 and a blower 22 and supplies sterile air so that the pressure inside the surge tank 10 becomes a pressure slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure.

  The pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the surge tank 10 due to pressure reduction inside the surge tank 10 after CIP, pressure reduction due to cooling after CIP, expansion at the start of CIP, etc. It is also used to protect the surge tank 10 by letting sterile air in and out when the set pressure is exceeded.

The sterilization filter 21 is configured by supporting a microfilter constituted by a porous membrane having a uniform pore diameter consisting of a single substance of PTFE (fluororesin) as a filter medium by a main body frame manufactured by SUS 304 or the like. .
The pore size of the microfilter is about 0.2 μm or less, and microorganisms in the air to be sent to the surge tank 10 can be filtered. In addition, since the microfilter is hydrophobic, it repels water and only gas passes.

The suction and discharge control mechanism 30 controls the suction and discharge mechanism 20 so that the sterile air of the gas layer in the surge tank 10 is removed, for example, when the disinfected liquid flows from the sterilizer 1 into the surge tank 10 and the water level inside the surge tank 10 rises. The exhaust control to exhaust the air is executed, and when the water level inside drops, etc., the intake control to make the surge tank 10 suck the sterile air from the outside to the suction and discharge mechanism 20 is executed, and the air pressure inside the surge tank 10 is predetermined. it is intended to maintain the target value P _S.

The suction and discharge control mechanism 30 includes a determination unit 31 and a suction and discharge control unit 32.
The determination unit 31 compares the measured value P _{C of the} atmospheric pressure detected by the pressure sensor 12 as a pressure measurement mechanism installed in the surge tank 10 with the target value P _S, and the measured value P _C is greater than the target value P _S It is configured to determine low or high.

The determination unit 31 determines that the measured value P _C is higher than the target value P _S when the measured value P _C is equal to or higher than the target upper limit value P _{H set} higher than the target value P _S , and the measured value P _C is when the target value is less than or equal to P set target lower limit value lower than _S P _L, the measured value P _C is configured to determine a lower than the target value P _S.

If the determination unit 31 determines that the measured value P _C is lower than the target value P _S , the intake / discharge control unit 32 executes intake control, and the determination unit 31 determines that the measured value P _C is higher than the target value P _S If so, it is configured to perform exhaust control.

  Furthermore, the intake / exhaust control unit 32 is configured to execute pre-intake control that causes the surge tank 10 to temporarily intake air before exhaust control of the intake / discharge mechanism 20 is performed.

  Pre-intake control supplies pressurized sterile air into the surge tank 10. At this time, condensation on the surface of the sterilization filter 21 is purged.

In addition, after the start of execution of the pre-intake control, it is configured to end the pre-intake control when a predetermined time has elapsed, for example, 10 seconds.
Further, the intake control unit 32, after the execution start of the pre-intake control, the current value of the measured value P _C is the than the target value P _S or the value of the execution start time of the pre-intake control measurements P _C exceeds a predetermined amount It may be configured to end pre-intake control.

The above-described suction and discharge control mechanism 30 suitably executes the suction and discharge control method according to the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 2, the suction control mechanism 30 measures the pressure inside the surge tank 10 constantly detected by the pressure sensor 12 constantly or at predetermined time intervals (step S1).

The determination unit 31 compares the measured value P _C obtained in step S1 with the target value P _S to determine whether the measured value P _C is lower or higher than the target value P _S (step S2).

If it is determined in step S2 that the measured value P _C is equal to or more than the target upper limit P _H , it is determined that the measured value P _C is higher than the target value P _S (step S2; YES), and aseptic air is once taken into the surge tank 10 (step S3).

  When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of execution of step S3 (step S4; YES), pre-inspiration is ended (step S5).

Thereafter, exhaust of sterile air from the surge tank 10 is started (step S6).
After the exhaust is started, the air pressure inside the surge tank 10 constantly detected by the pressure sensor 12 is measured (step S7), and the measured value P _C obtained in step S7 is compared with the target value P _S to measure If the value P _C is equal to or less than the target lower limit value P _L , it is determined that the value P _C is lower than the target value P _S (step S8; YES), and the exhaust is completed (step S9).

If the measured value P _C is not the target upper limit P _H or more (step S 2; NO), and the measured value P _C is less than the target lower limit P _L , it is determined to be lower than the target value P _S (step S 10; YES), aseptic air is sucked into the surge tank 10 (step S11).

After intake is started, the pressure inside the surge tank 10 constantly measured by the pressure sensor 12 is measured (step S12), and the measured value P _C obtained in step S12 is compared with the target value P _S to measure If the value P _C becomes equal to or more than the target value P _S (step S13; YES), the intake is ended (step S14).

Incidentally, step S5, the current value of the measured values P _C may be terminated to exceed a predetermined amount than the starting value of the target value P _S or measurements P _C in step S5.

As described above, in the aseptic filling system containers liquid product, the liquid prior to filling the container so that the internal air pressure of the surge tank 10 for storing under sterile conditions reaches a predetermined target value P _S, Air is taken into the surge tank 10 through the ventilation pipe 23 having the sterilization filter 21, and the air is exhausted from the surge tank 10.

  The embodiments described above are all examples of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited by the description, and the specific configuration of each part can be appropriately modified and designed within the range where the effects of the present invention can be exhibited. is there.

10: Surge tank 11: Water level sensor 12: Pressure sensor (pressure measurement mechanism)
20: suction and discharge mechanism 21: bacteria removal filter 23: ventilation tube 30: suction and discharge control mechanism 31: judgment unit 32: suction and discharge control unit PC: measured value PH: target upper limit PL: target lower limit PS: target value S1: step (measurement (measurement) Step)
S2: Step (decision step)
S3: Step (pre-intake step)
S4: step (clocking step)
S5: Step (pre-intake end step)
S6: Step (Exhaust step)
S7: Step (measurement step)
S8: Step (decision step)
S9: Step (Exhaust end step)
S10: Step (decision step)
S11: Step (Intake step)
S12: step (measurement step)
S13: Step (decision step)
S14: Step (Intake end step)

Claims (9)

Intake air into the surge tank through a vent pipe having a sterilization filter so that the pressure inside the surge tank for storing the liquid in a sterile state becomes a predetermined target value, and from the surge tank An intake and exhaust control method for exhausting air
Measuring the air pressure;
A determination step of comparing the measured value obtained in the measuring step with the target value and determining that the measured value is lower or higher than the target value;
An intake step of drawing air into the surge tank when it is determined in the determination step that the measured value is lower than the target value;
And an exhausting step of exhausting air from the surge tank when it is determined that the measured value is higher than the target value in the determining step.
A method according to claim 1, further comprising a pre-intake step of temporarily drawing air into said surge tank before performing said exhaust step.   The method according to claim 1, wherein the pre-inspiration step ends when a predetermined time has elapsed.   The pre-inspiration step ends when the current value of the measured value exceeds the target value or the value of the measured value at the start of the pre-intake step by a predetermined amount. Control method of suction and discharge. In the determination step,
When the measured value is equal to or higher than a target upper limit value set higher than the target value, it is determined that the measured value is higher than the target value,
The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measured value is determined to be lower than the target value when the measured value is equal to or less than a target lower limit value set lower than the target value. Suction and discharge control method. Air is drawn into the surge tank by a suction / discharge mechanism connected via a vent pipe having a sterilizing filter so that the internal pressure of the surge tank for storing the liquid in a sterile state becomes a predetermined target value. An intake and exhaust control mechanism for performing intake control and exhaust control for exhausting air from the surge tank, wherein
A determination unit that compares the measured value of the air pressure measured by the pressure measurement mechanism installed in the surge tank with the target value and determines that the measured value is lower or higher than the target value;
When the determination unit determines that the measured value is lower than the target value, the intake control is performed, and when the determination unit determines that the measured value is higher than the target value, the exhaust control is performed. Equipped with a suction and discharge control unit,
The intake / discharge control unit executes pre-intake control for causing the surge tank to temporarily intake air before the exhaust control is performed by the intake / discharge control unit.   The intake / exhaust control mechanism according to claim 5, wherein the intake / exhaust control unit ends the pre-intake control when a predetermined time elapses after the start of the execution of the pre-intake control.   The intake / exhaust control unit, when starting the execution of the pre-intake control, when the current value of the measured value exceeds the target value or the value of the measured value at the start of the execution of the pre-intake control, the pre-intake control The control system according to claim 5, wherein the control is terminated. The judgment unit
When the measured value is equal to or higher than a target upper limit value set higher than the target value, it is determined that the measured value is higher than the target value,
The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein when the measured value is equal to or less than a target lower limit set lower than the target value, the measured value is determined to be lower than the target value. Suction and discharge control mechanism.   A surge tank comprising the suction and discharge control mechanism according to any one of claims 5 to 8.

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