JPH1094775A - Organic material processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] An object of the present invention is to provide an organic material processing apparatus capable of controlling the moisture content of a carrier in a processing tank according to a use period, and maintaining a stable processing at all times with a simple configuration. . A stirrer for stirring a carrier in a processing tank.
And a sensor 44 for detecting the moisture content of the carrier 2, and a timer 53 for measuring an integrated time from the start of use of the carrier 2,
An organic substance processing device that controls the stirring body 23 based on the outputs of the timer 53 and the sensor 44.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an organic substance processing apparatus for treating organic substances such as kitchen garbage with microorganisms.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-185508 (B09B 3/0
As shown in (0), a humidity detecting means for detecting the humidity in the processing tank is provided, and the blower and the air supply means are controlled based on the detection result of the humidity detecting means to maintain the inside of the processing tank at a constant humidity. In addition, there is known an organic substance processing apparatus for decomposing organic substances such as kitchen waste by aerobic microorganisms cultured on a carrier.

[0003] However, this type of organic matter treatment apparatus is not used even if the carrier in the treatment tank has the same moisture content because the carrier becomes paste-like due to secretions from microorganisms as the use continues. With the continuation, the viscosity of the carrier increases, the carrier becomes clumpy, and the inside of the clump becomes anaerobic, whereby the activity of aerobic microorganisms is reduced and the processing ability of organic substances is reduced, and there is a disadvantage that malodor is generated. .

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and has as its object to provide an organic substance processing apparatus capable of constantly maintaining a stable processing.

[0005]

A first means for solving the above problems is a processing tank which accommodates a carrier and decomposes organic substances, and is disposed in the processing tank, and is provided in the processing tank. A stirrer that stirs the stored carrier and organic matter, a sensor that detects the moisture content of the carrier in the processing tank, a timer that measures an accumulated time from the start of use of the carrier, and an output of the timer and the sensor. And a control unit for controlling the stirring body.

[0006] A second means for solving the above problems is as follows.
A processing tank that stores the carrier and performs a decomposition treatment of organic substances, a heating unit that heats the processing tank, a sensor that detects the moisture content of the carrier in the processing tank, and measures an accumulated time from the start of use of the carrier. And a control unit for controlling the heating means based on the outputs of the timer and the sensor.

[0007] A third means for solving the above problems is as follows.
A processing tank that stores the carrier and decomposes organic substances, a fan that exhausts air in the processing tank to the outside of the processing tank, a sensor that detects the moisture content of the carrier in the processing tank, and the use of the carrier is started. And a control unit for controlling the fan based on the outputs of the timer and the sensor.

[0008] In the first to third means for solving the above-mentioned problems, it is preferable that the control unit controls the moisture content of the carrier so as to decrease with the lapse of time from the start of use of the carrier.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a treatment tank having an upper surface opening for accommodating a carrier 2 made of wood chips such as sawdust and activated carbon, and having a bottom having a wall having a substantially semicircular cross section and a side wall surrounding the substantially semicircular wall. doing.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a planar heater which is mounted on the outer surface of the processing tank 1 corresponding to the position where the organic matter is deposited in the processing tank 1 and faces an air flow path which will be described later. The thermistor (not shown) controls the organic matter such as kitchen waste and the carrier 2 placed in the treatment tank 1 so as to maintain the organic matter at 35 to 60 degrees Celsius.

Reference numeral 4 denotes an opening formed at the lowermost portion of the bottom surface of the processing tank 1 and has an opening edge extending downward. Reference numeral 5 denotes a suction port provided on a side surface of the processing tank 1 in the vicinity of a discharge tube 12 described later, and an air inlet 8 described later through an air flow path formed between an outer surface of the processing tank 1 and a body case described later. Communicating.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a lower case made of a synthetic resin, on which the processing tank 1 is placed, and which constitutes a main body case with an upper case 38 to be described later. Reference numerals 7 denote legs formed on both sides of the lower case 6. The legs 7 form an interval between the bottom surface of the lower case 6 and the installation surface. The corresponding position is open. 8
Denotes an air inlet formed on the back side of the lower case 6.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a metal reinforcing plate mounted on one side surface of the processing tank 1. The upper end of the metal reinforcing plate is screwed to the upper surface of the processing tank 1, and the lower end is screwed to the lower case 6. The lower case 6 is fixed.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a processing tank 1 above the rear wall of the processing tank 1.
The suction tube 11 and the discharge tube 12 communicating with the processing tank 1 extend downward at both ends of the recess 10. The discharge tube 12 is divided into front and rear portions by a rear wall of the processing tank 1, and a portion forward of the rear wall communicates with the inside of the processing tank 1 to form a part of a circulation path described later, and a rear portion of the rear wall is formed. In addition, it communicates with an exhaust port 14 formed in the lower case 6 through an exhaust path 13 formed on the back of the processing tank 1.

Reference numeral 15 denotes a substrate storage case which covers the upper part of the recess 10 in a state where a space is formed between itself and the bottom surface of the recess 10 and is screwed to the recess 10. And a control board 17 on which a control circuit 16 for controlling the stirring body 23 is mounted, and is processed by a space between the recess 10 and the substrate storage case 17 and a front part of the intake cylinder 11 and the discharge cylinder 12. Tank 1
It forms a circulation path for circulating the air inside.

Reference numeral 18 denotes a fan mounted on the discharge tube 12.
By driving the fan 18, air in the processing tank 1 is sucked from the suction tube 11 and discharged from the discharge tube 12 through the space between the recess 10 and the substrate storage case 17. Since the treatment tank 1 is divided into front and rear by the rear wall, the intake cylinder 11
The air sucked from is circulated in the processing tank 1 through the circulation path, and a part of this air is exhausted from the rear part of the discharge tube 12 to the outside through the exhaust path 14 through the exhaust path 13.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a concave portion which is formed adjacent to the suction cylinder 11 in the upper part of the processing tank 1 and has a motor 20 disposed therein. The electric motor 20 is configured to decelerate the rotation of the electric motor 20 by the deceleration mechanism section 21 and rotationally drive a stirrer 23 described later (in the present embodiment, about 2 minutes every 30 minutes). Reference numeral 22 denotes a cover made of a synthetic resin that covers the speed reduction mechanism 21, supports a shaft of a gear of the speed reduction mechanism 21, and suppresses sound leakage from the speed reduction mechanism 21.

Reference numeral 23 denotes a stirring member rotatably disposed in the processing tank 1. The stirring member 23 penetrates both side surfaces of the processing tank 1 and is rotatably supported by bearings 24. And a plurality of stirring blades 26 to be fixed.

Reference numeral 27 denotes a guide member made of synthetic resin fixed to the lower case 6, and is formed in a substantially L-shape. Reference numeral 28 denotes a first guide portion formed between the guide member 27 and the four edges of the opening of the processing tank 1 and sandwiches a side edge of a shutter 30 described later. Reference numeral 29 denotes a second guide portion formed on the guide member 27, which supports a flange portion 37 of a container 36 described later.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a shutter slidably mounted on the first guide portion 28 and closing the opening 4 on the bottom surface of the processing tank 1 so as to be openable and closable. -Shaped closing body 31 and handle made of synthetic resin
32. Reference numeral 33 denotes a storage portion formed in the handle 32, in which a magnet 34 is stored.

Reference numeral 35 denotes a reed switch provided in the lower case 6, which is turned on and off by the magnetic force of the magnet 34, pulls out the shutter 30 in the forward direction, and opens the motor 4 when the opening 4 at the bottom of the processing tank 1 is opened. At the same time, the timer 20 is stopped, and a timer 53 described later is reset.

Reference numeral 36 denotes a processing tank 1 by the second guide portion 29.
Of the carrier 2 when the carrier 2 is replaced
Is a transparent synthetic resin container having a flange 37 on the periphery. The container 36 lowers the central portion of the front flange 37 downward so that the handle 32 of the shutter 30 does not come into contact when the container 36 is pulled out.

Numeral 38 denotes an upper case made of a synthetic resin which covers the processing tank 1. The lower side of the both sides and the lower part of the rear surface are screw-fixed to the lower case 6, and the lower case 6 and the upper case 38 constitute a main body case. It has become. Reference numeral 39 denotes a charging opening formed on the upper surface of the upper case 38, and the opening edge extends into the processing tank 1.

Numeral 40 is a lid swingably supported on the upper surface of the upper case 38 so as to open and close the opening 39. 41 is a seal provided on the lid 40,
The upper case 38 comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the charging opening 39 on the top surface, and the offensive odor in the processing tank 1 leaks to the outside through the charging opening 39, and the charging opening 39
Insects are prevented from entering the processing tank 1 through the pit 39.

Reference numeral 42 denotes a display portion formed on the upper surface of the upper case 38 for displaying the operating state of the electric motor 20, the fan 18 and the like. The operating state can be checked while the body 40 is closed.

Reference numeral 44 denotes a sensor mounted on the stirring shaft 25 for detecting the moisture content of the carrier 2 and the organic substance. The sensor 44 has a built-in heating element and a temperature detection sensor. And the temperature reached by the organic substance is detected to detect the moisture content of the carrier 2 and the organic substance.

The sensor 44 is disposed on the rotation trajectory of the stirring blade 26 on the rear side in the rotation direction of the stirring blade 26. 45,
Reference numeral 46 denotes first and second sliding terminals of a sensor 44 provided at the end of the stirring shaft 25, and 47 denotes fixed terminal portions provided on the side surface of the processing tank 1 and the first and second sliding terminals 45. , 46 have first and second fixed terminals 48, 49 with which they slide, respectively, and a spring 51 for urging the terminal block 50 toward the first and second sliding terminals 45, 46. On the terminal block 50, an insulating plate 52 provided between the first fixed terminal 48 and the second fixed terminal 49 is provided.

The carrier 2 before use has hardly any aerobic microorganisms attached thereto, and the aerobic microorganisms attached to the organic matter put into the treatment tank 1 are cultured on the carrier 2 to treat the organic matter. Has become. Therefore, in the early stage of use, only a small amount of aerobic microorganisms are present in the carrier 2, and in order to rapidly grow the aerobic microorganisms, the moisture content of the carrier 2 must be adjusted to the optimum condition for the growth of the aerobic microorganisms. (In the present embodiment, it is preferable to maintain the water content at about 60%).

However, the aerobic microorganisms release secretions as they decompose organic substances, and the secretions increase the viscosity of the carrier 2, causing the carrier 2 to clump and form a bulk.
Since the water absorbing and releasing action of the carrier 2 is reduced by secretions and the like attached to the carrier, the inside of the mass becomes anaerobic, the activity of aerobic microorganisms is reduced, and the processing capacity of organic substances is reduced.
However, there is a problem that the life is extended.

Since the amount of secretions is related to the amount and activation state of the aerobic microorganisms, when the amount of the aerobic microorganisms increases to a predetermined amount, the growth of the aerobic microorganisms is suppressed and the amount of secretions is increased. If the carrier 2 is prevented from being released and the carrier 2 is prevented from being aggregated, the life of the carrier 2 can be extended.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, in the initial stage of use, the moisture content of the carrier 2 is set to 60% to promote the growth of aerobic microorganisms. Once the aerobic microorganisms grow to a predetermined amount in the treatment tank 1, the moisture content is gradually reduced to suppress the growth of the aerobic microorganisms, suppress the release of secretions, and prevent the organic matter processing ability from decreasing. Then, the moisture content of the carrier 2 after about 3 months from the start of use, which is an indication of the replacement time of the carrier 2, is set to a slightly dry state of about 30%,
The work of discharging the carrier 2 is improved.

When the moisture content of the carrier 2 is 30%, the activity of the aerobic microorganisms is reduced, and some aerobic microorganisms are in the form of spores. Microorganisms are activated and decompose organic matter. Since it is activated in a very short time from the state of spores,
Reducing the moisture content to 30% does not have a significant adverse effect on organic matter processing capacity.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of control according to the present embodiment. Reference numeral 53 denotes a timer for measuring the accumulated time from the start of use of the organic substance processing apparatus, and has a backup power supply 54 that can measure the timer 53 even at the time of a power failure or the like. The control circuit 16 controls the agitator 23, the fan 18, and the planar heater 3 based on data input from the timer 53 and the sensor 44.

Then, the lid 40 is opened, and organic matter such as kitchen waste is charged into the processing tank 1 through the charging opening 39, and the lid 40 is closed. The detection means (not shown) detects the closing of the lid 40, and the control circuit 16 energizes the electric motor 20, the planar heater 3 and the fan 18 based on the output.

When the electric motor 20 and the planar heater 3 are energized, the stirrer 23 rotates to mix the carrier 2 and the organic matter, and the temperature in the processing tank 1 is adjusted to an optimum range for activating aerobic microorganisms and the like. While maintaining, organic substances are decomposed into carbon dioxide and water by aerobic microorganisms or the like cultured on the carrier 2, and composted.

Further, the energization of the fan 18 causes the processing tank 1
The air inside is circulated through a circulation path to evaporate the water generated by the decomposition of organic substances, maintain the water content of the carrier 2 in an optimum range for activating the aerobic microorganisms, and activate the aerobic microorganisms. Supply the necessary oxygen.

A part of the air circulating in the processing tank 1 is exhausted from the rear part of the discharge tube 12 to the outside of the main body case through the exhaust path 13 and the exhaust port 14, and the air in the processing tank 1 is in a humid state. And improving the water removal efficiency in the treatment tank 1 while activating the aerobic microorganisms and improving the organic matter treatment capacity.

As the air in the processing tank 1 is exhausted to the outside, outside air is taken into the main body case through an intake port 8 formed in the lower case 6, and the suction port 5 formed in the side of the processing tank 1 is formed.
The air taken into the main body case is heated by the planar heater 3 and is mixed with the air circulating in the processing tank 1, so that the outside air temperature in winter or the like is low. Even at this time, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the organic substance processing capacity without significantly lowering the temperature in the processing tank 1.

However, the moisture content of the carrier 2 may vary depending on the type and amount of the organic substance to be charged into the treatment tank 1 or the period of use.
There is a case where the processing efficiency is reduced because the organic substance is out of the range in which it can be satisfactorily processed.

The control for solving this problem and always maintaining the moisture content of the carrier 2 in a state where the organic matter can be satisfactorily processed will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

At the start time, the apparatus is operated in a normal state in which the number of times of stirring of the stirrer 23, the set temperature of the sheet heater 3 and the number of revolutions of the fan 18 are set in advance. Then, in step S1, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous detection, in this embodiment, 24 hours have elapsed. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the stirring body 23 is agitated in step S2 and the carrier 2 is removed. Make the moisture content more accurately measured.

In step S3, the accumulated time from the start of use of the carrier 2 measured by the timer 53 is input to the control circuit 16. Subsequently, in step S4, the sensor 44 detects the moisture content of the carrier 2 and inputs it to the control circuit 16. Then, in step S5, a reference moisture percentage in the use period is calculated from the data input in step S3,
It is compared with the moisture content input in step S4. In the present embodiment, the range of the reference moisture percentage is set to 10% of the reference value as shown in FIG.

If it is determined in step S5 that the moisture content input in step S4 falls within the reference moisture content range, it is determined that good processing is being performed, and normal operation is continued.

If it is determined in step S5 that the moisture content input in step S4 does not fall within the range of the reference moisture content, the size of the reference moisture content is determined in step S6.

If it is determined in step S6 that the moisture content is smaller than the reference moisture content, it is determined that the moisture content of the carrier 2 is low and slightly dry, and in step S7 the number of agitation of the agitator 23 is reduced, and The set temperature of 3 is lowered and the operation of the fan 18 is weakened. In step S8, this operation state is continued for a predetermined time, in this embodiment, for 12 hours to suppress the drying in the processing tank 1, and after the predetermined time elapses,
In step S9, the operation returns to the normal operation.

If it is determined in step S6 that the moisture content is larger than the reference moisture content, it is determined that the moisture content of the carrier 2 is high, and in step S10 the number of times of stirring of the agitator 23 is increased. Raise the set temperature of
The operation of the fan 18 is increased.

In step S11, this operation state is continued for a predetermined time, in this embodiment, for 12 hours to promote drying in the processing tank 1, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation is returned to the normal operation in S12. Then, in step S13, 1 is added to N whose initial value is set to 0, and it is determined in step S14 whether N has become 3 or not. If N is not 3, the process proceeds to step S1, and if N is 3, that is, if the state of high moisture content is continued for 3 days, an alarm is issued in step S15 to prohibit the introduction of organic substances.

When the life of the carrier 2 has expired, the shutter 30 is pulled out forward, and the carrier 2 is discharged from the opening 4. When the discharge of the carrier 2 that has reached the end of its life is completed and the shutter 30 is set again, the timer 53 starts measuring the accumulated time from the start of using the new carrier 2.

In this embodiment, the timer 53 and the sensor
The stirrer 23, the planar heater 3 and the fan 18 are simultaneously controlled based on the output of the control unit 44, but may be configured to control only one of them.

[0051]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the agitator can be controlled based on the outputs of the timer and the sensor to maintain the moisture content of the carrier in the treatment tank in a good state. It is possible to prevent the organic matter treatment efficiency from being reduced due to the formation of lumps.

According to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, the heater can be controlled based on the output of the timer and the sensor to maintain the moisture content of the carrier in the processing tank in a good state, so that the carrier is It is possible to prevent the organic matter treatment efficiency from being reduced due to agglomeration.

According to the configuration of claim 3 of the present invention, the fan can be controlled based on the outputs of the timer and the sensor to maintain the moisture content of the carrier in the processing tank in a good state. This has the effect of preventing a decrease in the efficiency of treating organic substances due to the formation of the organic compound.

According to the structure of the fourth aspect of the present invention, the moisture content of the carrier in the treatment tank can be maintained in a good state according to the use period, so that the efficiency of the organic matter treatment is reduced due to the carrier being in a lump. And the like can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view as viewed from another direction.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the same.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a main part of the shutter.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a main part of the sensor.

FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram of the same moisture content control.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the circuit.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the same moisture content control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Processing tank 2 Carrier 16 Control unit 23 Stirrer 44 Sensor 53 Timer

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A processing tank for storing a carrier and decomposing organic substances, a stirrer disposed in the processing tank and stirring the carrier and the organic substances stored in the processing tank, An organic substance processing apparatus comprising: a sensor for detecting a moisture content of a carrier; a timer for measuring an integrated time from the start of use of the carrier; and a control unit for controlling a stirring body based on outputs of the timer and the sensor. 2. A processing tank for storing a carrier and decomposing organic substances, a heating means for heating the processing tank, a sensor for detecting a moisture content of the carrier in the processing tank, An organic substance processing apparatus, comprising: a timer for measuring an integration time of the above; and a control unit for controlling a heating unit based on outputs of the timer and a sensor. 3. A processing tank containing a carrier for decomposing organic substances, a fan for exhausting air in the processing tank to the outside of the processing tank, a sensor for detecting a moisture content of the carrier in the processing tank,
An organic substance processing apparatus comprising: a timer for measuring an accumulated time from the start of use of the carrier; and a control unit for controlling a fan based on outputs of the timer and a sensor. 4. The organic matter processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the moisture content of the carrier so as to decrease as time passes from the start of use of the carrier.