JP2007174948A - Apparatus for producing enzyme water - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus for producing enzyme water, which is equipped with an activation tank for activating an enzyme, an enzyme liquid supply means for supplying an enzyme liquid to the activation tank, a water supply means for supplying water for diluting the enzyme liquid to the activation tank, a heat insulation means for keeping the diluted enzyme liquid in the activation tank warm in a fixed temperature range so as to convert the enzyme liquid into enzyme water of activated enzyme and a discharge means for discharging the obtained enzyme water from the activation tank and easily increases the yield of the activated enzyme. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus for producing enzyme water is equipped with a preheating water tank 2 for preheating water for dilution and water supply means 10 and 12 for supplying warm water obtained by the preheating water tank 2 to the activation tank 3. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention comprises an activation tank for activating an enzyme, an enzyme liquid supply means for supplying an enzyme liquid to the activation tank, a water supply means for supplying water for diluting the enzyme liquid to the activation tank, A heat retaining means for turning the diluted enzyme solution in the activation tank into enzyme water by keeping it in a certain temperature range, and a discharge means for discharging the obtained enzyme water from the activation tank. The present invention relates to an enzyme water production apparatus.

  As this type of enzyme water production apparatus, there is Patent Document 1 shown below as prior art document information related to the present invention. The enzyme water production apparatus described in Patent Document 1 includes an activation tank that activates a microbial enzyme, an enzyme solution supply means (formulation supply pipe) that supplies an enzyme solution (liquid microorganism) to the activation tank, It is equipped with water supply means (water supply pipe) for supplying water for diluting the enzyme solution to the activation tank and a heater (heat insulation means) arranged in the activation tank, so that the microbial enzyme contained in the enzyme solution is activated. Enzymatic water containing a large amount of microbial enzymes activated by heat retention can be produced. The obtained enzyme water can be used for decomposing organic substances accumulated in the trap by putting it in a grease trap of the kitchen. In addition, as a detection device for detecting the liquid level in the activation tank, a plurality of types of sensor units having different detection levels are prepared. From these, a sensor unit suitable for the desired generation amount is appropriately selected. It is possible to change the production amount of activated microbial enzyme water in various ways.

JP 2004-242673 A (paragraph numbers 0007, 0025 to 0029, FIGS. 5 and 6)

  However, in the enzyme water production apparatus described in Patent Document 1, in order to increase the enzyme water production rate, a procedure in which a solution obtained by diluting an enzyme solution with water to a predetermined concentration is heated and kept at 35 to 40 ° C. I had to take it. However, the microbial enzyme activated by dilution with water and incubation for a predetermined time has a property of dying when it encounters a temperature exceeding 40 ° C., and tap water at around 20 ° C. is heated to 35-40 ° C. In order to achieve this, since the surface of the heater reaches around 60 ° C., the microbial enzyme was killed in the very vicinity of the heater, and as a result, it was difficult to sufficiently increase the yield of the activated enzyme.

  Then, the objective of this invention is providing the enzyme water manufacturing apparatus which can raise the yield of an activating enzyme more easily in view of the fault which the enzyme water manufacturing apparatus by the prior art illustrated above has.

A first characteristic configuration of the present invention includes an activation tank for activating an enzyme, an enzyme liquid supply means for supplying an enzyme liquid to the activation tank, and water for diluting the enzyme liquid in the activation tank. Water supply means for supplying, heat retaining means for diverting the enzyme solution diluted in the activation tank to an enzyme water activated by keeping the enzyme solution in a certain temperature range, and the obtained enzyme water An apparatus for producing enzyme water comprising a discharging means for discharging from the activation tank,
A preheating water tank for preheating the dilution water is provided, and the water supply means includes water supply means for supplying warm water obtained in the preheating water tank to the activation tank.

  Therefore, in the enzyme water production apparatus according to the first characteristic configuration of the present invention, water for dilution that does not yet contain the enzyme solution is preheated to 35 to 40 ° C. suitable for activation in the preheated water tank, and the preheated water is After the enzyme solution is added to the activation tank by the water supply means and the enzyme solution diluted to a predetermined concentration is prepared and kept warm for a predetermined time, the target enzyme water is obtained. Therefore, when water containing no enzyme solution is heated to a predetermined temperature, the temperature of the heating means such as a heater can be quickly raised to the target water temperature without considering the effect on the enzyme. Production capacity is increased. In addition, in this activation tank, reheating to increase the temperature is not necessary for the hot water supplied from the preheated water tank, and it is only necessary to keep the heat by the heat retaining means, so this warming was temporarily immersed in the liquid in the activation tank. Even when using a heater, the surface temperature of the heater can be set lower than when heating is required to increase the temperature as in the conventional configuration. As a result, the microbial enzyme is killed by heat. Is effectively suppressed, the yield of the activated enzyme can be further increased, and the heater installed in the activation tank may have a small capacity. Furthermore, when the enzyme water is being generated in the activation tank, the preheating water tank can be used to preheat dilution water for the next batch in parallel, thereby improving the production efficiency of the enzyme water. .

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the water supply means includes a pump interposed in a pipe extending from the preheating water tank to the activation tank.

  With this configuration, water can be sent without setting the preheating water tank at a higher level than the activation tank, so the preheating water tank is arranged at the same height level as the activation tank, the preheating water tank Can be implemented in a free configuration, such as a configuration in a separate room remote from the activation tank. In addition, since the water preheated in the preheating water tank is forcibly sent to the activation tank by the pump, the time required for water supply can be shortened.

  According to another characteristic configuration of the present invention, an auxiliary pipe extending from an extraction position below the liquid level of the activation tank is connected to a part of the pipe, and the pump removes the liquid in the activation tank. It is in the point which comprises the circulation path | route which extracts from auxiliary piping and returns to the position spaced apart from the said extraction position of the said activation tank through the said piping.

  In this configuration, the pump that constitutes the circulation path re-feeds the liquid extracted at a specific position in the activation liquid tank to another position away from the specific position in the activation liquid tank. In the liquid stored in the liquid tank, the temperature and the concentration of microbial enzyme are positively uniformed. As a result, the production efficiency of enzyme water or the quality of the obtained enzyme water can be improved. .

  In another characteristic configuration of the present invention, the pump functions as a discharge pump that forcibly discharges the enzyme water obtained in the activation tank.

  With this configuration, the enzyme water obtained in the activation tank can be quickly discharged by the discharge pump, so that the process for generating the enzyme water for the next batch can be started immediately. Can be increased. Moreover, if it is this structure, the obtained enzyme water is not only the enzyme water container arrange | positioned in the liquid level lower than an activation liquid tank, but the same liquid level or activation liquid tank as an activation liquid tank Even an enzyme water container placed at a higher liquid level can be sent out.

  Another characteristic configuration of the present invention is that the heat retaining means includes a heat insulating layer interposed on an outer wall constituting the activation tank.

  In this configuration, the warm water for dilution sent from the preheated water tank to the activation tank by the water supply means is included in the activation solution surrounded by the heat insulating layer in the state in which the enzyme liquid supplied by the enzyme liquid supply means is included. It is possible to obtain the target enzyme water by keeping the temperature in the tank without using a heater for keeping warm. Therefore, the structure of the enzyme water production apparatus can be simplified and the running cost can be reduced.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an apparatus for producing enzyme water according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the enzyme water production apparatus 1 includes a preheating water tank 2 having a rod-like main heater 4a, an activation tank 3 having a rod-like auxiliary heater 4b, and a preparation bottle 5 containing a liquid enzyme preparation. , A liquid supply line 6 for injecting an enzyme preparation (an example of an enzyme solution) in the preparation bottle 5 into the activation tank 3, a liquid supply pump 7, and a water supply line for supplying dilution water into the preheating water tank 2. 8 is provided. A metering valve 9 for controlling the opening / closing operation of the water supply pipe 8 and the water supply speed is interposed in a part of the water supply pipe 8.

As the liquid supply pump 7, a solenoid-driven metering pump or the like that can supply a set amount of liquid in a pulse shape can be used.
The heaters 4 a and 4 b are horizontally installed at positions slightly above the bottoms of the preheating water tank 2 and the activation tank 3. The heaters 4a and 4b are made of a ceramic heater having high corrosion resistance, and a gap of several centimeters is provided between the heaters 4a and 4b and the bottom of each tank.
The enzyme preparation is a mixed concentrated liquid in which dormant microorganisms and enzymes are deactivated. In addition, as dormant microorganisms used in enzyme preparations, Bacillus saptiris, Bacillus coagulans, Aspergillus flavus oryzae, Saccharomyces cereviche, etc. that are commonly used for the production of various fermented foods and mold control Is possible.

Between the bottom part of the preheating water tank 2 and the first position 3 a of the bottom part of the activation tank 3, a water supply pipe 10 (for supplying water and water) for forcibly sending the hot water obtained in the preheating water tank 2 to the activation tank 3. An example of water supply means) is extended, and a water supply pump 12 (an example of water supply means and water supply means) is interposed in the middle of the water supply pipe 10.
Further, from the second position 3b (an example of a position below the liquid surface) at the bottom of the activation tank 3, an auxiliary pipe 14 connected to a part of the preheating water tank 2 side from the water supply pump 12 of the water supply pipe 10 extends. ing. The auxiliary pipe 14 is connected to the water supply pipe 10 via an electromagnetic first three-way valve V1. Further, a discharge pipe 16 for discharging the enzyme water generated in the activation tank 3 is connected to the downstream side of the water supply pump 12 on the water supply pipe 10 via an electromagnetic second three-way valve V2. .
Behind the preparation bottle 5, the metering pump 7, metering valve 9, water pump 12, and first and second three-way valves V 1, V 2 are driven and controlled, and the water stored in the preheating water tank 2 The heater 4a is driven and controlled using an output signal from a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature of the liquid, and further, from a temperature sensor (not shown) that measures the temperature of the liquid stored in the activation liquid tank 3 A control board (not shown) for controlling the drive of the heater 4b using the output signal is arranged.

Here, in the water supply pipe 10, the first pipe portion 10a is connected from the preheating water tank 2 to the first three-way valve V1, the second pipe portion 10b is connected from the first three-way valve V1 to the water supply pump 12, and the water supply pump 12 is connected to the second three-way direction. The parts up to the valve V2 are designated as the third pipe part 10c, and the parts from the second three-way valve V2 to the activation tank 3 are designated as the fourth pipe part 10d.
The first three-way valve V1 communicates the auxiliary pipe 14 and the second pipe part 10b, and has a first posture (FIG. 1) that blocks the first pipe part 10a from the auxiliary pipe 14 and the second pipe part 10b, and The 1st pipe part 10a and the 2nd pipe part 10b are connected, It is comprised so that switching is possible between the 2nd attitude | positions (FIG. 2) which interrupts the auxiliary piping 14 from the 1st pipe part 10a and the 2nd pipe part 10b. .
The second three-way valve V2 communicates the third pipe portion 10c and the fourth pipe portion 10d, and has a first posture (FIG. 1) that blocks the discharge conduit 16 from the third pipe portion 10c and the fourth pipe portion 10d. ), And the third pipe portion 10c and the discharge pipe line 16 can be communicated, and the fourth pipe part 10d can be switched between the second pipe position (FIG. 4) that blocks the third pipe part 10c and the discharge pipe line 16 from each other. It is configured.

When the operation is started from the initial state where no liquid is stored in the preheating water tank 2 and the activation tank 3, first, as shown in FIG. 1, the first three-way valve V1 is set to the first posture, and the second three-way A predetermined amount of water is stored in the preheating water tank 2 by keeping the valve V2 in the first posture and fully opening the metering valve 9. At this time, the power source of the main heater 4a can be switched on when the entire main heater 4a is immersed. The preheating water tank 2 is provided with a float sensor (not shown) for detecting the liquid level. When the liquid level of the water supplied through the metering valve 9 reaches a predetermined liquid level, the metering valve 9 is used. Is closed.
When the water in the preheating water tank 2 reaches 40 ° C. due to the heating of the main heater 4a, the preheating is performed by switching the first three-way valve V1 to the second posture and simultaneously driving the water pump 12 as shown in FIG. All the hot water in the water tank 2 is fed into the activation tank 3. However, before water supply to the activation tank 3 is stopped in a state where the minimum amount of warm water in which the entire main heater 4a is immersed is left in the preheated water tank 2, new water supply from the water supply pipe 8 is performed. The heating by the main heater 4a for the next batch may be started.

  After the warm water in the preheating water tank 2 is sufficiently fed into the activation tank 3, as shown in FIG. 3, when the first three-way valve V1 is returned to the first posture and the water pump 12 is operated, a circulation path is formed. The liquid in the activation tank 3 is extracted from the first position 3a at the bottom of the activation tank 3, and from the second position 3b at the bottom of the activation tank 3 through a part of the auxiliary pipe 14 and the water supply pipe 10. Circulation operation to return to the activation tank 3 is started. In this circulation operation, the temperature and the concentration of the microbial enzyme are positively homogenized in the liquid stored in the activation liquid tank 3, and as a result, the production efficiency of the enzyme water is increased, or the quality of the obtained enzyme water is increased. It works to raise. Simultaneously with the start of this circulation operation, an enzyme preparation of an amount suitable for the amount of hot water is injected from the preparation bottle 5 into the activation tank 3 through the supply line 6 and the supply pump 7. After the injection of the enzyme preparation, the auxiliary heater 4b is appropriately turned on and off so that the liquid in the activation tank 3 does not deviate from the temperature range of 35 to 40 ° C. In this case, since the surface temperature of the auxiliary heater 4b is intended to keep warm water, it can be set lower than the surface temperature of the main heater 4a used for generating warm water in the preheating water tank 2.

When the enzyme preparation is diluted with warm water and kept at 35 to 40 ° C., the microbial enzyme activation process is automatically started. In general, an enzyme water having an appropriate concentration can be obtained in a heat retention period of about 20 to 30 minutes.
Next, as shown in FIG. 4, when the second three-way valve V <b> 2 is switched to the second position while the first three-way valve V <b> 1 is maintained in the first position, the enzyme water in the activation tank 3 is supplied to the water supply pump 12. Is forcibly extracted from the auxiliary pipe 14 and discharged to the lower poly tank 50 or the like.

The enzyme water collected in the plastic tank 50 or the like is used in a form of being sprayed on the floor of a kitchen such as a restaurant. The sprayed enzyme water flows into the grease trap and stops at the grease strap to decompose the organic matter therein. At the same time, the sprayed enzyme water resolves oil and the like adhering to the surface of the floor to eliminate sliminess and prevents the drainage pipe reaching the grease trap from being clogged.
Subsequently, when the production of the enzyme water is continued, the above-described operation of sending all the warm water in the preheating water tank 2 to the activation tank 3 with the water pump 12 is completed, and the first three-way valve V1 is set to the first posture. At the time of switching, water for producing the next batch of enzyme water can be immediately stored in the preheating water tank 2, and heating by the main heater 4a can be started.

[Another embodiment]
<1> The enzyme water production apparatus 51 shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 can discharge the enzyme water generated in the activation tank by its own weight, so that only one flow path switching valve is required. It has become a structure.
Between the bottom part of the preheating water tank 42 and the first position 43 a of the bottom part of the activation tank 43, a water supply pipe 20 (for supplying water and water) for forcibly sending the hot water obtained in the preheating water tank 42 to the activation tank 43. An example of water supply means) is extended, an electromagnetic four-way valve V is interposed in the middle of the water supply pipe 20, and between the four-way valve V and the activation tank 43, a water supply pump 32 (water supply means and An example of water supply means) is provided.
An auxiliary pipe 24 connected to the four-way valve V extends from a second position 43b (an example of a position below the liquid level) at the bottom of the activation tank 43. Further, a discharge pipe 26 for discharging the enzyme water generated in the activation tank 43 is connected to the auxiliary pipe 24 through the four-way valve V so as to communicate therewith.

Here, in the water supply pipe 20, the preheated water tank 42 to the four-way valve V are named the first pipe part 20a, and the four-way valve V to the water supply pump 32 are named the second pipe part 20b.
Four pipes, that is, a first pipe portion 20 a of the water supply pipe 20, a second pipe portion 20 b of the water supply pipe 20, an auxiliary pipe 24, and a discharge pipe 26 are connected to the four-way valve V. The four-way valve V has a first posture (FIG. 6) in which only the first pipe part 20a of the water supply pipe 20 and the second pipe part 20b of the water supply pipe 20 communicate with each other among these four pipes. Switchable between a second posture (FIG. 5) in which only the second pipe portion 20b and the auxiliary pipe 24 are communicated, and a third posture (FIG. 8) in which only the auxiliary pipe 24 and the discharge pipe 26 are communicated. It is configured.

When the operation is started from the initial state where no liquid is stored in the preheating water tank 42 and the activation tank 43, first, as shown in FIG. Is fully opened, a predetermined amount of water is stored in the preheating water tank 42. At this time, the power source of the main heater 4a can be switched on when the entire main heater 4a is immersed. The preheating water tank 42 is provided with a float sensor (not shown) for detecting the liquid level, and when the liquid level of water supplied through the metering valve 9 reaches a predetermined liquid level, the metering valve 9 is used. Is closed.
When the water in the preheating water tank 42 reaches a temperature range of 35 to 40 ° C. due to the heating of the main heater 4a, the four-way valve V is switched to the first posture as shown in FIG. 6 and the water pump 32 is driven at the same time. Then, all or most of the hot water in the preheating water tank 42 is sent to the activation tank 43.

  After a sufficient amount of warm water in the preheating water tank 42 is sent to the activation tank 43, the circulation path is formed when the four-way valve V is returned to the second posture and the water supply pump 32 is operated as shown in FIG. The liquid in the activation tank 43 is extracted from the second position 43b of the bottom, and the first of the bottom of the activation tank 43 separated from the second position 43b through the auxiliary pipe 24 and a part of the water supply pipe 20 is used. Circulation operation to return the position 43a into the activation tank 43 is started. In this circulation operation, the temperature and the concentration of the microbial enzyme are positively homogenized in the liquid stored in the activation liquid tank 3, and as a result, the production efficiency of the enzyme water is increased, or the quality of the obtained enzyme water is increased. It works to raise. Simultaneously with the start of this circulation operation, an enzyme preparation of an amount suitable for the amount of hot water is injected from the preparation bottle 5 into the activation tank 43 via the supply line 6 and the supply pump 7. After the injection of the enzyme preparation, the auxiliary heater 4b is appropriately turned on and off so that the liquid in the activation tank 43 does not deviate from the temperature range of 35 to 40 ° C. In this case, since the surface temperature of the auxiliary heater 4b is intended to keep warm water, it can be set to a temperature lower than the surface temperature of the main heater 4a used when the warm water is generated in the preheating water tank 2. In addition, injection | pouring of the enzyme formulation to the activation tank 43 may be started simultaneously with the start of water supply to the activation tank 43 of the warm water in the preheating water tank 42.

When the enzyme preparation is diluted with warm water and kept at 35 to 40 ° C., the microbial enzyme activation process is automatically started. In general, an enzyme water having an appropriate concentration can be obtained in a heat retention period of about 20 to 30 minutes.
Next, as shown in FIG. 8, when the four-way valve V is switched to the third posture, the enzyme water in the activation tank 43 is extracted by its own weight from the auxiliary pipe 24 and discharged to the lower poly tank 50 or the like. .
When the production of the enzyme water is continued, the above-described operation for sending all the hot water obtained in the preheating water tank 42 to the activation tank 43 by the water pump 32 is completed, and the four-way valve V is set to the second posture. At this point, water for producing the next batch of enzyme water can be stored in the preheating water tank 42 and heating by the main heater 4a can be started.

<2> The three-way valves V1 and V2 and the four-way valve V described above are electromagnetic types driven by a rotary solenoid or the like, but may be manually rotated cocks. Further, a sliding valve driven by a solenoid or the like instead of a rotary type may be used.

<3> The enzyme water production apparatus 51 of FIG. 9 includes an activation tank 53 provided with a main heater 4a, and a preheating water tank 52 disposed above the activation tank 53. When the water stored in the preheated water tank 52 via the metering valve 9 becomes warm water having an appropriate temperature, the drain valve Va (an example of a water supply means) installed at the bottom of the preheated water tank 52 is opened, so that water for dilution is used. The entire obtained warm water can be fed to the lower activation tank 53 by gravity. In addition, simultaneously with the supply of warm water from the preheating water tank 52 to the activation tank 53, an enzyme solution in an amount suitable for the amount of warm water is injected from the preparation bottle 5 into the activation tank 53 by the feed pump 7, thereby Efficient mixing with water for dilution. After the injection of the enzyme preparation, the auxiliary heater 4b of the activation tank 53 is appropriately turned on and off so that the liquid in the activation tank 3 does not deviate from the temperature range of 35 to 40 ° C. Since an enzyme water having an appropriate concentration can be obtained in a heat retention period of about 20 to 30 minutes, the enzyme water is gravitated to the lower poly tank 50 or the like by opening the drain valve Vb installed at the bottom of the activation tank 3. Supplied in.

<4> The side wall constituting the activation tank can be a heat insulating side wall in which a heat insulating layer (heat insulating means) is interposed in the intermediate layer or the like. In this case, the target enzyme water is obtained by keeping the temperature at 35 to 40 ° C. suitable for activation for a predetermined period without driving the heat retaining heater in the activation tank or without providing the heat retaining heater. be able to.

Schematic configuration diagram of enzyme water production equipment (warm water production process) Schematic configuration diagram of the enzyme water production apparatus (water supply process) of FIG. Schematic configuration diagram of the enzyme water production apparatus (circulation heat retention process) of FIG. Schematic configuration diagram of the enzyme water production apparatus (enzyme water discharge step) in FIG. Schematic configuration diagram of an enzyme water production apparatus (warm water production step) according to another embodiment Schematic configuration diagram of the enzyme water production apparatus (water supply process) of FIG. Schematic configuration diagram of the enzyme water production apparatus (circulation heat retention process) in FIG. Schematic configuration diagram of the enzyme water production apparatus (enzyme water discharge step) in FIG. Furthermore, the schematic block diagram of the enzyme water manufacturing apparatus by another embodiment

Explanation of symbols

V1 first three-way valve (water supply means)
V2 Second three-way valve V Four-way valve (water supply means)
Va drain valve (water supply means)
Vb Drainage valve 1 Enzymatic water production device 2 Preheating water tank 3 Activation tank 4a Main heater 4b Auxiliary heater 5 Formulation bottle 6 Liquid supply line 7 Liquid supply pump 8 Water supply line 9 Metering valve 10 Water supply line (water supply means)
12 Water supply pump (water supply means)
14 Auxiliary pipe 16 Discharge pipe 20 Water supply pipe (water supply means)
24 Auxiliary pipe 26 Discharge pipe 32 Water supply pump (water supply means and water supply means)
42 Preheating water tank 43 Activation tank 50 Poly tank 51 Enzymatic water production apparatus 52 Preheating water tank 53 Activation tank

Claims (5)

An activation tank for activating the enzyme, an enzyme liquid supply means for supplying an enzyme liquid to the activation tank, a water supply means for supplying water for diluting the enzyme liquid to the activation tank, and the activation tank Insulating means for keeping the diluted enzyme solution in a certain temperature range to be converted into enzyme water activated by the enzyme, and discharging means for discharging the obtained enzyme water from the activation tank An enzyme water production apparatus comprising:
An apparatus for producing enzymatic water, comprising a preheating water tank for preheating the dilution water, wherein the water supply means comprises water supply means for supplying warm water obtained in the preheating water tank to the activation tank.   The apparatus for producing enzyme water according to claim 1, wherein the water supply means has a pump interposed in a pipe extending from the preheating water tank to the activation tank.   An auxiliary pipe extending from an extraction position below the liquid level of the activation tank is connected to a part of the pipe, and the pump extracts the liquid in the activation tank from the auxiliary pipe, The apparatus for producing enzyme water according to claim 2, wherein a circulation path is configured to return to a position separated from the extraction position of the activation tank.   The enzyme water production apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pump functions as a discharge pump that forcibly discharges the enzyme water obtained in the activation tank.   The enzyme water production apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heat retaining means includes a heat insulating layer interposed on an outer wall constituting the activation tank.

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