JPH01117717A - Perishable food storage apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To obtain the above storage apparatus capable of cutting off abnormal occurrence of CO and simultaneously preventing inflow to a storage cabinet, by constituting the apparatus so as to close piping to the storage cabinet by a detector for detecting CO abnormally produced in a combustion furnace and signal from the detector and then sounding emergency alarm. CONSTITUTION:When a solid fuel 19 is fired in a combustion furnace 12, combustion gas is normally converted to CO2 according to the reaction C+O2 CO2. However, when air blowing amount is abnormally reduced by bad operation, etc., of air blower, the fuel 19 is imperfectly fired to afford CO, because O2 feed amount is insufficient. Then when CO concentration in the furnace 12 attains set value or above, CO occurrence signal is sent from the CO detector 48 to input terminal X1 of sequencer 49. Successively, output terminals Y9 and Y10 of the sequencer 49 is turned on ad changeover valves 50 and 51 are closed to completely separate a storage cabinet 1. Thereafter a heater 21 for firing and air blowers 14 and 32 are stopped and a terminal Y11 is turned on to sound a buzzer 52 for emergency alarm.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a fresh produce storage device that allows fresh produce such as vegetables and fruits to be stored for a long period of time at the production site or at the distribution stage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Refrigerated storage is a common means of storing perishables, but in addition to this, a longer term storage method involves changing the air composition within the storage room. It reduces the concentration of oxygen (02) in the storage chamber and releases carbon dioxide (Co2).
) It is known that by increasing the concentration, it is possible to suppress the respiration of fresh foods and also to prevent chemical reactions such as decomposition and oxidation caused by microorganisms.

An example of the above-mentioned conventional fresh food storage device will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 shows the configuration of a conventional fresh food storage device.

In FIG. 4, 1 is a storage such as a pre-fabricated refrigerator for storing perishables, and a compressor 2. Condenser 3. Evaporator 4
．． A cooling device 7 made up of blowers 6, 6 is mounted on the top. The storage 1 includes a carbon dioxide gas generator 8 for filling the interior with carbon dioxide (Co2), and a carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 for adsorbing and removing excess carbon dioxide (CO2) from combustion gas. It is connected. The carbon dioxide gas generator 8 is constructed between an introduction pipe 10 that introduces air in the storage 1 and a connecting pipe 11 that leads the combustion gas generated here to the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9, and connects the combustion furnace 12 and the combustion gas. It is composed of a cooler 13. A blower 14 is installed in the connecting pipe 11 between the cooler 13 and the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9, and guides the air in the storage 1 to the combustion furnace 12 through the introduction pipe 1o.
After the combustion gas generated in step 2 is cooled in a cooler 13, it is guided to the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 through a connecting pipe 11. An outer casing 18 with an air passage 17 formed between it and the inner casing 16 for supplying air, a grate 20 on which solid combustion 19 is placed within the heat insulating pipe 15, and a solid fuel 19 that heats the combustion air. Ignition heater 21 for burning
It is composed of

The solid fuel 19 is made of highly pure carbon and is converted to C+ by combustion.
020N2-+cQ2+N2 Reaction The combustion residue becomes carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2).

On the other hand, the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 is for adsorbing excess carbon dioxide (CO2) in the combustion gas and discharging it outside the storage 1. An inlet pipe 24, 26 and an exhaust pipe 26 are connected to the two adsorbers 22, 23 so that the combustion gas alternately circulates.
, 27, switching pulp 28°29.33.38. Adsorbents 22 and 23 are filled with adsorbents 30 and 31 to adsorb carbon dioxide (Co2), and when the adsorption capacity decreases, a blower 32 switches the outside air to pulp 33 and discharge pipes 26 and 27. Inlet pipe 34.3 connected to
5 to the adsorber 22 or 23, carbon dioxide is desorbed, and the carbon dioxide gas is exhausted from the exhaust pipe 39 through the exhaust pipe 36, 37 connected to the inlet pipe 24 or 26, and the switching pulp 38. ing.

For example, when the adsorber 22 is performing an adsorption action and the adsorber 23 is performing a desorption action, the switching pulps 28 and 29 are set so that the combustion gas flows in the direction in which the combustion gas passes through the inlet pipe 24, adsorber 22, and discharge pipe 26. Furthermore, the switching pulps 33 and 38 are opened in the direction in which outside air flows through the inlet pipe 36, adsorber 23, and discharge pipe 37 by the blower 32, and is exhausted to the atmosphere from the exhaust pipe 39. . The exhaust pipe 40 connects the switching pulp 29 and the storage. 41 and 42 are switching pulps, respectively, a storage 1, a combustion furnace 12, a cooler 13, and a blower 14.
The switching pulps 41 and 42 are connected to each other by a continuous pipe 43. 44 is a controller that controls the air volume of the blower 14, and the air volume is determined by a signal from a gas monitor 46 that detects the gas concentration in the storage 1.

46 is a chamber, which is a container provided in the introduction pipe 1o between the storage 1 and the switching pulp 41, and is connected to the sampling tube 47 of the gas monitor 45.

Regarding the fresh food storage device configured as above, the fourth
The operation will be explained using FIG.

Initially, the atmosphere inside storage 1 was N2 = 79chi, o2 = 21
%, and when the carbon dioxide gas generator 8 is operated, the air inside the warehouse is introduced into the combustion furnace 12 through the introduction pipe 10 by the blower 14, through the chamber 46 and the switching pulp 41,
The solid fuel 19 is heated by the ignition heater 21 and used for combustion. The combustion gas becomes carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrogen (N2) through the reaction C+020N2→CQ2+N2. After being cooled in the cooler 13, it is passed through the connecting pipe 11 to the switching pulp 4.
2. It passes through the blower 14, and further passes through the switching pulp 28 and the introduction pipe 24, and enters the adsorption device 22. Here, carbon dioxide gas (C
O2) is adsorbed by the adsorbent 30, and only nitrogen (N2) passes through the exhaust pipe 26 and the switching pulp 29 to the exhaust pipe 4.
o, it is circulated to the storage 1. After a certain period of time has passed, the switching pulps 28 and 29 are switched so that the adsorber through which combustion gas circulates is switched from 22 to 23.
8. Pass through the introduction pipe 26 and enter the adsorber 23. Here, carbon dioxide (CO2) is again adsorbed by the adsorbent 31, and only nitrogen (N2) passes through the exhaust pipe 27 and the switching pulp 29, and is circulated to the storage 1 through the exhaust pipe 40. After a certain period of time has elapsed again, the adsorbers 22 and 23 are switched, and the combustion gas is alternately circulated. During this time, the adsorber 22. The adsorbents 30 and 31 filled in 23 have reached the limit of their adsorption capacity for carbon dioxide (Co□), and the carbon dioxide (C
02) can no longer be completely adsorbed and is exhausted into the storage 1 through the exhaust pipe 4o, and the carbon dioxide (Co.) concentration within the storage 1 begins to gradually increase.

This is the state of the storage 1, which has a size of 76 d, and has been in operation for about 2 hours since the start of operation. During this time, the oxygen (02) concentration in the storage 1 continues to decrease from the initial 21°. The gas concentration in storage 1 is
Oxygen (0°) ”'s % + carbon dioxide gas (Co2)
= 6ch, and nitrogen (N2) = 90% is set as a predetermined value, the gas monitor 45 performs gas sampling in the chamber 46 to detect that carbon dioxide gas in the storage chamber 1 has increased and reached 6%. When detected by the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9
The blower 32 for desorption is operated, and regeneration of the adsorbent in the adsorber is started. For example, when the adsorber 22 is adsorbing carbon dioxide (Co2) as combustion gas circulates, the adsorber 23 allows outside air to pass through the switching pulp 33, the inlet pipe 36, and the discharge pipe 27 by the blower 32, Air is blown onto the adsorbent 31.
(As a result, carbon dioxide gas (Co2) is released and desorbed and regenerated. This is done alternately at regular intervals, so
The carbon dioxide (Co2) concentration in the storage 1 is maintained at a predetermined value of 6%. On the other hand, the oxygen (O2) concentration continues to decrease because it is being used for combustion during that time, and reaches the predetermined level of 6 after 10 hours, when the gas monitor 46 detects this, the carbon dioxide gas generator 8 The adsorption device 9 is stopped. Now, the inside of storage 1 has a predetermined gas concentration oxygen (02) = es%,
Carbon dioxide (CO2) = 6%, nitrogen (N2) = so%, and storage begins.

It is detected that the oxygen (O2) concentration has reached a predetermined value of 6.

At the same time, the switching pulps 41 and 42 are switched so that the introduction pipe 1o, the connecting pipe 43, and the connecting pipe 11 are communicated with each other. From then on,
By operating the blower 14 at regular intervals and detecting the gas in the chamber 46 with the gas monitor 46, the amount of carbon dioxide (Co2) generated by the respiration of the perishables stored in the storage 1 reaches a predetermined level. %, the carbon dioxide adsorption device 9 operates and absorbs carbon dioxide (C) until a predetermined concentration is reached.
o2) is operated, and the gas in the storage 1 is supplied to the inlet pipe 1o, the switching pulp 41, the connecting pipe 43, the switching pulp 42,
Blower 14, connecting pipe 11, switching pulp 28, introduction pipe 24
is introduced into the adsorber 22, and excess carbon dioxide (C
o2) is adsorbed by the adsorbent 3o, and the discharge pipe 26,
It passes through the switching pulp 29 and the exhaust pipe 4o and circulates to the storage 1. On the other hand, the adsorber 23 is operated by a blower 32 to switch the outside air to the pulp 33, the inlet pipe 35. Carbon dioxide (Co2) is desorbed and regenerated by passing through the exhaust pipe 27 and being blown onto the adsorbent 31. Since this is performed alternately at regular intervals, the carbon dioxide (C02) concentration in the storage 1 returns to the predetermined concentration.

In addition, oxygen (Q
2) becomes less than a predetermined value of 6 inches, outside air is introduced into the storage 1 by the blower 32 and replenished.

The introduction route includes a blower 32, a switching pulp 33, and an introduction pipe 36.
, passes through the exhaust pipe 27, the switching pulp 29, and the exhaust pipe 40,
It is introduced into storage 1.

Next, the operation of ventilating the gas in the storage 1 in order to finish storage and take out the perishables in the storage 1 will be explained.

Ventilation switch (not shown) on control panel (not shown)
By turning ON, the blower 14 is operated, and the gas in the storage 1 is transferred to the inlet pipe 10, the switching pulp 41, the connecting pipe 43, the switching pulp 42, the connecting pipe 11, the switching pulp 28,
It passes through the introduction pipe 26 and the discharge pipe 37 and is released into the atmosphere.

At the same time, outside air is introduced into the storage 1 by the blower 32. The route includes the blower 32, the switching pulp 33, the introduction pipe 34,
They are a discharge pipe 26, a switching pulp 29, and an exhaust pipe 40.

When the gas in the chamber 46 is detected by the gas monitor 46 to indicate that the gas in the storage 1 has become equal to the outside air, the blower 14.32 is stopped and the switching pulp 28 is switched to communicate with the introduction pipe 24. The pulp 33 is switched to communicate with the introduction pipe 34.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above configuration, when incomplete combustion occurs in the combustion furnace 12, carbon monoxide gas Co is generated in addition to carbon dioxide gas, and if the incomplete combustion state continues, Unless the carbon oxide gas exceeds an acceptable level, it will also accumulate in the storage 1. Therefore, when the gas in the storage 1 is also ventilated, there is a problem in that high concentration carbon monoxide gas is released from the outlet (not shown) of the exhaust pipe 37. Additionally, depending on the type of fresh produce, carbon monoxide gas has an adverse effect on storage.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a perishables storage device that detects abnormally generated carbon monoxide gas in a combustion furnace, stops the generation, and issues an emergency alarm.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the perishables storage device of the present invention has the following features:
A carbon monoxide detector detects abnormally generated carbon monoxide in the combustion furnace, and a signal from the carbon monoxide detector activates the pulp that closes the piping to the storage, and then connects the fuel directly to the heater. It is equipped with means for stopping the blower and issuing an emergency alarm.

Function: With this configuration, when carbon monoxide gas is abnormally generated in the combustion furnace and the gas concentration exceeds the set value, this is detected, the pulp piping to the storage is closed, and other devices such as the ignition heater and blower are shut off. The function is stopped and an emergency alarm is issued, stopping the generation of carbon monoxide gas before it reaches a dangerous level.
This will stop the flow into the storage and notify the user with an alarm.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a fresh produce storage device in an embodiment of the present invention. The storage 1, the cooling device 7, the carbon dioxide gas generator 8, the adsorption device 9, the blower 14, and the arrangement of piping therebetween are the same as in the conventional example. 48 is a carbon monoxide detector installed in the combustion furnace 12, and 49 is a switching pulp provided in the inlet pipe 10 to the storage 1 and the exhaust pipe 4o based on the signal from the carbon monoxide detector 48. After activating 50.51, the open flame heater 21 and the blower 14 are stopped, and the buzzer 52 issues an emergency alarm.

Next, the electrical circuit diagram (FIG. 3) of the fresh produce storage device will be explained. 63 is a commercial AC power supply, 46 is a gas monitor, 4
4 is a controller such as an inverter that determines the air volume of the blower 14 based on the signal from the gas monitor. Further, the signal from the gas monitor 46 is also input to the input x2 of the sequencer 49. 2 is a compressor, and 6.6 is a blower, which are connected in parallel via a storage chamber temperature thermostat 64.

48 is a carbon monoxide detector, and its signal is input to the input terminal x1 of the sequencer 49. At the output end of the sequencer 49, an ignition heater 21 is connected to Yl, and a blower 3 is connected to Y2.
2. Switching pulp 28 to Y3, switching pulp 29 to Y4, Y
6 is the switching pulp 33, Y6 is the switching pulp 38, Y7 is the switching pulp 41. Switching pulp 42 for Y8, switching pulp 60 for Y9, switching pulp 61 for Ylo, buzzer 62 for Yll
, Yl2 are connected to an inverter 44.

The operation of the fresh food storage device configured as described above will be described below.

Note that the operations from the time the gas concentration in the storage 1 reaches a predetermined level, 6% oxygen, 6% carbon dioxide, and 90% nitrogen, to the operation to end storage and ventilate the gas in the storage 1, are the same as in the conventional example. It is.

Normally, when burning the solid fuel 19 in the combustion furnace 12, C+
Due to the reaction 02→C02, the combustion gas becomes carbon dioxide gas Co2. However, if the amount of air blown is abnormally reduced due to a malfunction of the blower 14, etc., the amount of oxygen supplied will be insufficient and incomplete combustion will occur, producing carbon monoxide gas. When the carbon monoxide gas concentration in the combustion furnace 12 exceeds the set value, the carbon monoxide detector 4
A carbon monoxide generation signal is sent from 8 to the input terminal x1 of the sequencer 49. Then, the output terminal Y of the sequencer 49
9. Y10 turns ○N, the switching pulps 50 and 51 close, and the storage 1 is completely separated. After that, the ignition heater 21
, stop the blower 14, 32, etc., and turn on the output terminal Y11.
This makes the L emergency alarm buzzer 62 sound.

As described above, according to this embodiment, by providing the carbon monoxide detector 48 that detects carbon monoxide abnormally generated in the combustion furnace 12, when carbon monoxide gas is generated, the pulp is switched to the storage. S.O.

51 is closed and the ignition heater 21 and blower 14.32 are stopped, the generation of carbon monoxide gas can be stopped before the concentration reaches a dangerous level, and the inflow into the storage 1 can be prevented. By sounding the emergency alarm buzzer 62, the user is notified of the occurrence of the emergency chopsticks and is urged to take immediate action. Therefore, it is possible to prevent carbon monoxide gas from accumulating in the storage 1.
When the gas in the storage 1 is ventilated, the problem of high concentration carbon monoxide gas being released from the outlet of the exhaust pipe 37 and the problem of adversely affecting the storage of perishables in the storage 1 do not occur. be.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention provides a storage for storing perishables, a combustion furnace for burning fuel containing carbon to introduce carbon dioxide into the storage, and a combustion furnace for burning the fuel. a blower for circulating air from the storage for use in combustion; an adsorber containing an adsorbent to adsorb excess carbon dioxide gas generated from the combustion furnace; means for detecting the atmosphere and operating each part; A carbon monoxide detector detects abnormally generated carbon monoxide in the furnace, and a signal from the carbon monoxide detector activates a switching pulp that closes the pipe to the storage, and a heater for directly burning the fuel and a blower. This system is equipped with a control means to stop the combustion furnace and issue an emergency alarm.By installing a carbon monoxide detector to detect abnormally generated carbon monoxide in the combustion furnace, when carbon monoxide is generated, the storage By closing the switching pulp and stopping other functions, the generation of carbon monoxide can be stopped before it reaches dangerous levels, preventing it from entering the storage. By sounding the emergency alarm buzzer, the user can be notified of the occurrence of an emergency situation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent carbon monoxide from accumulating in the storage, which eliminates the problem of high concentration of carbon monoxide being released from the outlet of the exhaust pipe when ventilating the gas in the storage There is no problem of adverse effects on the storage of materials.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a fresh food storage device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a diagram of changes in internal gas components due to the same device, Fig. 3 is an electric circuit diagram of the device, and Fig. 4 is a conventional one. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a fresh produce storage device. 1...Storage, 12...Combustion furnace, 14
...Blower, 22,23...Adsorption device,
50.51...Switching pulp, 46...
Chamber, 62...Emergency alarm means (buzzer)
, 48... Carbon monoxide detector, 49...
- Control means (sequencer). Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person 2nd
figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] a storage for storing perishables; a combustion furnace for burning fuel containing carbon to introduce carbon dioxide gas into the storage; and a blower for circulating air from the storage to the combustion furnace for combustion of the fuel; an adsorber containing an adsorbent to adsorb excess carbon dioxide gas emitted from the combustion furnace; a means for detecting the gas atmosphere and operating each part;
A carbon monoxide detector detects carbon monoxide abnormally generated in the combustion furnace, and a signal from the carbon monoxide detector,
A perishables storage device, comprising means for operating a switching valve that closes piping to the storage, stopping the direct fuel heater and the blower, and issuing an emergency alarm.