JP6164957B2 - Steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for high-pressure fluid circuit and sterilization apparatus using the valve - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention is a steam sterilization automatic on / off valve used to perform sterilization under appropriate conditions for the purpose of maintaining high pressure fluid circuits such as atomizers and meeting GMP standards in the food and pharmaceutical industry, The present invention relates to a sterilizer equipped with the valve.

  Conventionally, sterilization conditions of a general high pressure steam sterilization method are 115 to 118 ° C., 30 minutes, 121 to 124 ° C., 15 minutes, etc. (from the Japanese Pharmacopoeia). (1) Disassemble the device and sterilize the parts after disassembly, or (2) Sterilize by contacting a gas or liquid sterilant with the inner surface of the part that requires sterilization without disassembling the device. The system (SIP (Sterilization-in-Place): stationary sterilization) was adopted.

  However, (1) In the method of sterilizing the parts after decomposition, there is a possibility that the bacteria may be touched at the stage of assembly after sterilization. (2) Also, in the SIP (stationary sterilization) system, the flow path is sterilized by supplying steam to the place where sterilization is required (in the flow path of the device). As a result, when the vapor comes into contact with the flow path, the vapor is condensed (liquefied) and is difficult to be discharged to the outside, and the supplied vapor is not discharged and stays inside the flow path. In addition, (3) there is a problem that it is necessary to satisfy sterilization conditions such as appropriate temperature and time in any part of the flow path for steam sterilization.

  On the other hand, the present applicant has proposed a wet atomization apparatus (see Patent Document 1) provided with steam sterilization means capable of managing a sterilized state. In the wet atomization apparatus equipped with this steam sterilization means, it is possible to effectively perform sterilization by suppressing condensation and retention of steam in the internal space of the flow path, and by periodically measuring the sterilization conditions. However, it has been disclosed that the sterilization state can be managed effectively, but steam can be manually injected to sterilize the wetted circuit.

  In addition, a powder sterilization apparatus capable of stationary cleaning that continuously sterilizes a granular material such as food using high-pressure superheated steam is disclosed (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2013-42814 A JP 2011-78493 A

  Patent Document 1 proposes a device that requires a high-pressure injection circuit and can also pass steam into the circuit. However, there has been no automatic valve that can maintain a high-pressure fluid circuit and that automatically turns on and off sterilization vapor outside the high-pressure fluid circuit. For this reason, there is no device capable of steam sterilizing the circuit in a higher pressure state (steam can be passed through the high pressure circuit) in a state where there are few pharmaceutical manufacturing apparatuses that perform high pressure processing.

  In pharmaceutical production equipment, steam sterilization is indispensable, especially for injections, and it may be allowed to open and close the valve manually when passing steam. It is not done.

  Patent Document 2 is not supposed to be applied to a high-pressure fluid circuit. In particular, when forming a high-pressure fluid circuit, it is difficult to seal a high-pressure state. Furthermore, it is complicated to provide a steam inflow / outlet switching function for the valve and perform it automatically by air drive or the like. A mechanism is required.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, the present invention develops a valve that can switch between high-pressure processing and automatic steam sterilization processing, and supplies and discharges steam into and out of the flow path automatically and effectively. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam sterilization automatic on / off valve device for a high-pressure fluid circuit that can be used in the same manner, and a sterilizer using this valve.

A steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for a high-pressure fluid circuit according to the invention described in claim 1 includes a stepped piston having a large-diameter piston portion and a small-diameter piston portion formed thereon.
A stepped cylinder having a large diameter cylinder portion into which the large diameter piston portion of the stepped piston is slidably inserted and a small diameter cylinder portion into which the small diameter piston portion is slidably inserted;
Piston reciprocating means for reciprocating a stepped piston inserted into the stepped cylinder,
At the upper end of the small diameter cylinder portion, there is a communication hole communicating with a flow path from a high pressure fluid circuit of 100 to 245 MPa ,
When the stepped piston slides in the direction of the small-diameter piston portion, the communication hole is closed, and when the stepped piston slides in the direction of the large-diameter piston portion, a closing piece that opens the communication hole is the small-diameter piston. Formed on the part ,
The piston reciprocating means is
A pressing spring that presses the stepped piston toward the small-diameter piston portion;
First fluid supply means for supplying fluid to the lower cylinder space of the large-diameter piston portion in the large-diameter cylinder portion and pressing the stepped piston toward the small-diameter piston portion;
A second fluid supply means for supplying fluid to the upper cylinder space of the large-diameter piston portion in the large-diameter cylinder portion and pressing the stepped piston toward the large-diameter piston portion;
Switching means for switching between the first fluid supply means and the second fluid supply means,
The pressing force by the first fluid supply means and the pressing spring is not less than the pressing force by the fluid pressure in the high-pressure fluid circuit;
The pressing force by the second fluid supply means is larger than the pressing force by the pressing spring .

A sterilization apparatus using the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for high pressure fluid circuit according to the invention described in claim 2 is a sterilization apparatus using the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for high pressure fluid circuit according to claim 1 ,
A pressure intensifier that pressurizes the raw material at 100 to 245 MPa ;
A first flow path for supplying the raw material from the supply port for charging the raw material to the inside of the housing of the pressure intensifier;
A second flow path through which pressurized raw material flows from inside the housing of the pressure intensifier;
A steam supply device for blowing steam into the first flow path, the second flow path or the housing;
The steam sterilization automatic on / off valve device that is connected to the second flow path or the inside of the housing of the pressure intensifier and adjusts the discharge amount of steam is provided.

  The present invention relates to a steam sterilization automatic on / off valve device for a high-pressure fluid circuit capable of effectively performing sterilization by automatically and stably supplying and discharging steam into and from a flow path, and a atomization device using the same. There is an effect that can be obtained.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of one Example of the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for high pressure fluid circuits of this invention, and shows the interruption | blocking state with the high pressure fluid circuit at the time of a high pressure process. It is explanatory drawing which shows the operation | movement at the time of steam sterilization of the valve | bulb of FIG. It is a diagram which shows the relationship between the return force of a piston, and a press spring force. It is a schematic piping diagram of the wet atomization apparatus which incorporated the valve | bulb when an air pressure is 0.4 Mpa in the steam sterilization path | route. It is a schematic piping diagram at the time of steam sterilization of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a high-pressure injection pressure waveform at the time of high-pressure processing in the high-pressure injection type atomizer shown in FIG. 4. It is a diagram which shows the temperature transition of the inlet temperature of the pressure booster 43 at the time of steam sterilization in the high pressure injection type atomizer shown in FIG. 4, and the high pressure cylinder steam drain port.

  In the present invention, a stepped piston having a large-diameter piston portion and a small-diameter piston portion formed thereon, and a large-diameter cylinder portion into which the large-diameter piston portion of the stepped piston is slidably inserted. And a stepped cylinder having a small diameter cylinder portion into which the small diameter piston portion is slidably inserted, and a piston reciprocating means for reciprocating the stepped piston inserted into the stepped cylinder, At the upper end of the small diameter cylinder part, there is a communication hole communicating with the flow path from the high pressure fluid circuit, and when the stepped piston slides in the direction of the small diameter piston part, the communication hole is closed. A closing piece that opens the communication hole when sliding in the direction of the large-diameter piston portion is formed on the small-diameter piston portion. Thereby, sterilization can be effectively performed by supplying and discharging | emitting vapor | steam in a flow path automatically and stably.

  More specifically, the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for a high pressure fluid circuit according to the present invention constitutes a part of a high pressure fluid circuit of, for example, 200 MPa or more, and passes steam at 121 ° C. in order to perform steam sterilization automatically. This is an on / off valve that automatically switches the steam supply path. In a high-pressure injection atomizer that forms a high-pressure fluid circuit of 200 MPa or more, steam sterilization can be performed automatically instead of manual switching, so that the wetted circuit that maintains the high-pressure state of the device in the assembled state can be steam sterilized, SIP (non-decomposition stationary sterilization) on the device target has become possible.

  As the stepped piston in the present invention, any stepped piston may be used as long as it has a large diameter piston portion and a small diameter piston portion. In addition, as the stepped cylinder in the present invention, a large diameter piston portion and a small diameter piston portion are provided inside each cylinder. What is necessary is just to be inserted so that sliding is possible. By transmitting the pressure applied to the large-diameter piston portion in the large-diameter cylinder portion to the small-diameter piston portion, the small pressure in the large-diameter piston portion in the large-diameter cylinder portion eventually becomes a large force applied to the closing piece.

  In the small-diameter cylinder portion of the present invention, the communication channel with the high-pressure fluid circuit is securely closed during high-pressure processing, and the steam is supplied to or discharged from the channel of the high-pressure fluid circuit during steam sterilization. The path only needs to be formed. Specifically, when the stepped piston slides in the direction of the small diameter piston portion, the communication hole communicating with the high pressure fluid circuit formed at a position facing the small diameter cylinder portion is closed, What is necessary is just to equip the small diameter piston part side in a small diameter cylinder part with the obstruction | occlusion piece which open | releases the said communicating hole when a stepped piston slides in the large diameter piston part direction.

  The piston reciprocating means in the present invention may be any means that reciprocates the stepped piston inserted into the stepped cylinder. For example, liquid that does not decrease in volume or gas that causes a decrease in volume is supplied to the stepped part side or the other end side in the large diameter cylinder part, and the stepped piston is slid toward the large diameter piston part or the small diameter piston part. Anything can be used. As the liquid, hydraulic oil can be used as in the case of hydraulic drive. However, it is preferable to operate with a gas such as air in consideration of an accident of contamination of impurities when hydraulically driven in the production of foods and pharmaceuticals.

Specifically, the piston reciprocating means supplies a fluid to the lower cylinder space of the large-diameter piston portion in the large-diameter cylinder portion by pressing the stepped piston in the direction of the small-diameter piston portion and the stepped piston. First fluid supply means for pressing in the direction of the small diameter piston portion, and second fluid supply means for supplying fluid to the upper cylinder space of the large diameter piston portion in the large diameter cylinder portion and pressing the stepped piston in the direction of the large diameter piston portion. And a switching means for switching between the first fluid supply means and the second fluid supply means, and more specifically, a high-pressure fluid circuit in which a pressing force by the first fluid supply means and the pressing spring is 100 to 245 MPa. Since it is more than the pressing force by the fluid pressure inside, the communication hole is closed through the closing piece.

  Accordingly, the stepped piston can be reciprocated by supplying the fluid, and by supplying the fluid with a small pressure, the blocking piece is pressed against the communication hole communicating with the high-pressure fluid circuit with a large pressure. can do. For example, even if the air drive is 0.4 MPa, the communication hole communicated with the high-pressure fluid circuit of 200 MPa or more can be closed. In addition, about air drive, although 0.4 MPa was illustrated, it can change in the range of 0.2-0.6 MPa, and other various conditions are also changed according to this air drive pressure.

  The material used in the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for the high-pressure fluid circuit of the present invention is such that at least the closing piece itself can withstand the formation of the flow path of the high-pressure fluid circuit. It is sufficient that the piston or the like can withstand the pressure of the high-pressure fluid circuit, and in addition, any material that can withstand the pressure and temperature of steam sterilization may be used. If the cylinder, piston or the like is made of metal, it can withstand the pressure of the high-pressure fluid circuit and withstand the pressure and temperature of steam sterilization. For example, high-strength stainless steel, high-strength aluminum, or the like can be used.

  As specific valves shown in the embodiments described later, a 270 MPa pressure-resistant high-pressure seal and a high-pressure fluid to which an impact pressure assumed to be 1.5 times that of the high-pressure fluid is sealed, and miniaturization as much as possible is incorporated. As a sealing material disposed around the piston so as to be in contact with the cylinder wall using an optimum piston diameter and spring force to achieve, any material that can withstand a steam temperature of 121 ° C. to 140 ° C. may be used. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fluororubber or the like was used.

  In addition, a fluid to which high pressure including impact was applied was sealed with an air driving pressure and a spring, a flow path for passing steam was provided in the valve, and the minimum piston diameter for sealing high pressure was used. Specifically, the piston diameter was 94 to 127 mm, and the spring assist force was 10 to 2600 N. In the above description, the pressure-resistant high-pressure seal of 270 MPa and the high-pressure fluid to which the impact pressure assumed to be 1.5 times are applied are sealed. However, the high-pressure fluid to which the impact pressure assumed to be 1.4 to 2 times is applied is sealed. It is also designed to do this.

  The sterilization apparatus of the present invention only needs to use the above-described steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for a high-pressure fluid circuit. Specifically, a pressure booster that pressurizes the raw material, a first flow path for supplying the raw material from the supply port for charging the raw material to the inside of the housing of the pressure booster, and a pressure from the inside of the housing of the pressure booster. A second flow path through which the raw material flows, a steam supply device that blows steam into the first flow path, the second flow path or the housing, and the second flow path or the pressure booster housing, The steam sterilization automatic on / off valve device for adjusting the discharge amount of steam. Thereby, sterilization can be effectively performed by supplying and discharging | emitting vapor | steam in a flow path automatically and stably. Specific examples of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention include a wet atomization apparatus.

1. Diagram 1 of a high pressure fluid circuit for steam sterilization automatic on-off valve is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of an embodiment of a high-pressure fluid circuit for steam sterilization automatic on-off valve of the present invention, cut-off state between the high pressure fluid circuit of the high-pressure treatment Indicates. FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the operation of the valve of FIG. 1 during steam sterilization.

  The steam sterilization automatic on / off valve 10 for a high-pressure fluid circuit according to this embodiment includes a stepped piston 11 having a large-diameter piston portion 12 and a small-diameter piston portion 13, and a large-diameter piston portion 12 of the stepped piston 11 sliding inside. And a stepped cylinder 16 having a small diameter cylinder portion 15 into which a large diameter cylinder portion 14 and a small diameter piston portion 13 are slidably inserted. Grooves are formed around the side walls of the large-diameter piston portion 12 and the small-diameter piston portion 13, and a fluororubber seal material 23 is disposed so as to contact the cylinder wall.

  As piston reciprocating means for reciprocating the stepped piston 11 inserted into the stepped cylinder 16, a pressing spring 17 that presses the stepped piston 11 toward the small diameter piston portion 13 and a large diameter in the large diameter cylinder portion 14. A first air supply port 18 that supplies fluid to the lower cylinder space of the piston portion 12 to press the stepped piston 11 toward the small-diameter piston portion 13, and an upper cylinder of the large-diameter piston portion 12 in the large-diameter cylinder portion 14 The air supplied to the space is switched to the second air supply port 19 that presses the stepped piston 11 toward the large-diameter piston portion 12, and the air supplied to the first air supply port 18 and the second air supply port 19 is switched. Air switching means 20.

  The small-diameter cylinder portion 15 has a communication hole 31 that communicates with a flow path that branches from the high-pressure fluid circuit 30 formed at a position facing the small-diameter cylinder portion 15 when the stepped piston 11 slides in the direction of the small-diameter piston portion 13. A closing piece 21 is formed on the small-diameter piston portion 13 to open the communication hole 31 when the stepped piston 11 slides in the direction of the large-diameter piston portion 12. When the communication hole 31 is opened, the small-diameter cylinder portion 15 communicates with the inside of the high-pressure fluid circuit 30, and water vapor and / or drain filled in the high-pressure fluid circuit 30 is discharged from the steam exhaust drain port 22.

In the case of the present embodiment, a pressure-resistant high-pressure seal in a high-pressure process of 270 MPa and a high-pressure fluid to which an impact pressure assumed 1.5 times that is applied are sealed, and the miniaturization as much as possible is incorporated. Therefore, the optimum piston diameter and spring force were selected. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the return force of the internal piston and the pressing spring force when the air pressure is 0.4 MPa. Note that the piston returning force by the air in the Example ^{F3 (= (πD 2/4} -πd 2/4) × a (a: air pressure, D: large-diameter piston section diameter, d: diameter piston portion diameter)), air the piston pressing force of ^{F1 (= πD 2/4 ×} a), the instantaneous impact assumed reaction force (F5 = withstand design pressure × 1.5), defining respectively F2 (= F5-F1).

  As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the withstand pressure design pressure was 270 MPa. Therefore, the assumed instantaneous impact reaction force of 1.5 times is: F5 = 5,085 (N), the piston pressing force by air is: F1 (N), and the necessary spring assist force is: F2 (N) = F5 -F1, and the relationship between the piston return force by air and F3 (N) was determined. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the design condition is F2 <F3, and when the optimum region for reducing the piston diameter D is selected, the region of the piston diameter D is 94 to 127 mm as the region where the piston can be reduced. Is obtained. In this example, a steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for high-pressure fluid circuit with D = 110 mm was used. In this embodiment, the air pressure is 0.4 MPa and the pressure resistance design pressure is 270 MPa. However, when these design pressures are changed, the values of F1, F2, F3, and F5 are changed to change the piston diameter D. Needless to say, it will change.

The specific operation of the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for the high-pressure fluid circuit of the present embodiment is as follows.
(1) During the high-pressure treatment, 0.4 MPa air is supplied from the first air supply port 18.
(2) The stepped piston 11 is pushed up in the direction of the small diameter piston portion 13 by the force F1 caused by the air pressing pressure and the pressing force F2 of the pressing spring 17.
(3) The pin-shaped closing piece 21 attached to the end of the stepped piston 11 closes the communication hole 31 with the high-pressure fluid circuit 30 and seals the normal pressure 245 MPa (the service pressure 270 MPa).

That is, the closing piece 21 is fixed to the stepped piston 11, and the tapered seal portion at the tip of the closing piece 21 is formed so as to match the opening tapered portion of the branch flow channel drilled in the wall surface of the high-pressure fluid circuit 30. ing. In this case, since the area of the large-diameter piston portion 12 of the stepped piston 11 is 9499 mm ² , the stepped piston 11 of the piston has a force (F1) of 3800 N (= 0.4 × 9499) by air 0.4 MPa. It is pushed up in the direction of the small-diameter piston portion 13. Further, since the pressing force (F2) of the pressing spring 17 in this case is 1285N, it is pressed to the piston tip side with a total force of 5085N (F5). On the other hand, in the case of high-pressure treatment, since the diameter of the communication hole of the 270 MPa raw material is 12.56 mm ^2, it is pressed with 3392N (= 270 × 12.56).

(4) At the time of steam sterilization, air is supplied from the second air supply port 19 to overcome the pressing force of the pressing spring 17 and press the stepped piston 11 toward the large-diameter piston portion 12. The blocking piece 21 is separated from the pressure booster 43, and the communication hole 31 is opened. In this case, the area of the stepped portion of the stepped piston 11 to which air is supplied is the area (9499-707 mm ² ) excluding the area of the small diameter piston portion from the large diameter piston portion area. The stepped piston 11 is pushed down toward the large-diameter piston portion 12 with a force (F3) of 3517N (= 0.4 × (9499-707)). In this case, since the pressing force (F2) of the pressing spring 17 is 1285N, the stepped piston 11 is pressed in the direction of the large-diameter piston portion 12 and the communication hole 31 is opened.

(5) While maintaining this state, steam at 121 ° C. flows through the flow path, and the steam is discharged from the steam exhaust drain port 22 through the steam outlet.
(6) After the steam sterilization at 121 ° C. for 15 minutes or 115 ° C. for 30 minutes is finished, the steam supply is stopped, air is supplied again from the first air supply port 18, high pressure sealing is performed, Seal 245 MPa. Thereby, stationary sterilization (SIP) of a high-pressure apparatus is attained.

2. Steam Sterilization of High Pressure Injection Atomizer FIG. 4 is a schematic piping diagram of a wet atomizer incorporating the valve of FIG. 1 in a steam sterilization route. FIG. 5 is a schematic piping diagram during steam sterilization of the wet atomization apparatus of FIG. Each figure shows a high-pressure injection type atomization apparatus (trade name “Starburst HJP-25008SIP”: manufactured by Sugino Machine Co., Ltd.) and a raw material high-pressure treatment circuit and a steam sterilization circuit. As shown in FIG. 4, the raw material high-pressure processing circuit switches the flow path with a three-way valve 42 in the circuit, and supplies the raw material as indicated by the black arrow in the figure. That is, the raw material is supplied from the supply port 40, passes through the first flow path 41, and is supplied into the pressure booster 43 for increasing the pressure of the raw material.

  The raw material is pushed out at a high pressure by the pressure intensifier 43 and supplied to the chamber 45 which is a crushing chamber through the high-pressure second flow path 44 at a high pressure, and the injection nozzle (hole diameter is φ0.1 to. 5 mm) 49, high pressure injection is performed, and the raw material is atomized and emulsified. The pulverized raw material is stored in the storage tank 47 through the third flow path 46. In addition, since the raw material temperature at the time of high-pressure injection rises in the pulverized raw material, the raw material is cooled by the coiled heat exchanger 48 after passing through the chamber.

  When steam sterilization SIP is performed without disassembling the circuit or component of the high-pressure jet atomizer, the flow of the flow path is as shown in FIG. Specifically, the flow path is switched by the three-way valve 42 in the circuit, and the flow is indicated by the white arrow in the figure. That is, the first flow path from the supply port 40 to which the steam supply device 50 is connected to the inside of the pressure booster 43 is branched from the first flow path before the three-way valve 42, and a part of the third flow path 46 is heated. A branch path 46 b is formed that is supplied in the reverse direction to the low pressure side of the chamber 45 via the exchanger 48. In order to discharge (drain) the condensed water in the flow path, immediately after the steam inlet, the pressure regulating valves 51, 52 respectively installed on the pressure intensifier, the plunger sterilization flow path outlet, the chamber high pressure inlet side, and the chamber low pressure outlet side, 53, 54 and 55 are utilized.

  Further, temperature sensors 61, 62, 63, and 64 were provided on the first flow path, the plunger sterilization flow path outlet, the chamber high pressure inlet side, and the chamber low pressure outlet side. Thereby, it can confirm that the inside of each flow path is maintaining 121 degreeC. A thermocouple thermometer was attached to each drain discharge port (pressure regulating valve) to measure the temperature. In SIP, if the temperature at the time of discharge of the flow path is 121 ° C., the temperature in the flow path connected to the discharge port is higher than that of the discharge port, so measurement was performed based on the temperature of the discharge port. . Therefore, the discharge ports immediately before and immediately after the pulverization chamber are the most important, but in order to ensure the sterilization conditions in all the flow paths, temperature detection means are arranged at other locations.

  Further, steam is supplied from the steam supply device 50 connected to the supply port 40, passes through the first flow path 41, and sends the steam into the pressure intensifier 43. On the way, steam is also branched into the first branch flow path 41b for plunger sterilization, and the plunger is steam sterilized in the region that has come out of the high-pressure seal portion. Further, in order to allow the steam to completely reach the inside of the pressure booster 43, the steam passes through the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve 10a for the high-pressure fluid circuit through the flow path branched from the housing of the pressure booster 43, and the pressure regulating valve 52 Will be automatically discharged through.

  The steam in the first flow path 41 passes through the second flow path 44 which is a high pressure flow path, passes through the high pressure fluid circuit steam sterilization automatic on / off valve 10b on the high pressure inlet side of the chamber 45, and is discharged through the pressure adjustment valve 54. Is done. An automatic on / off valve 10c is also arranged on the low pressure side of the chamber 45, and this on / off valve may be used for the high pressure fluid shown in FIGS. On the other hand, the steam branched by the three-way valve 42 in the middle of the first flow path 41 flows into the low pressure outlet side of the chamber 45 through the coiled heat exchanger 48 of the third flow path 46 and is immediately pressure-regulated. While being discharged in the 55 direction, it passes through the other injection nozzle 49 and is discharged from the high pressure fluid circuit steam sterilization automatic on / off valve 10b.

  It is impossible to directly sterilize the high pressure seal portion for reciprocating motion of the pressure booster 43, which is a high pressure generating mechanism, because there is no gap between the plunger and the high pressure packing. Therefore, by using the movement of the reciprocating plunger, the portion of the plunger that has come out of the seal portion within the operating range is steam sterilized.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the use of the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for a high pressure fluid circuit as steam and / or drain removal has been disclosed, but there are cases where it is applied to a steam supply point to the high pressure fluid circuit. As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 5, this may be arranged so as to branch from the steam supply device 50 and supply steam into a circuit between the chamber 45 and the heat exchanger 48.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, sterilization is performed by bringing the vapor from the first branch flow path 41 b branched from the first flow path 41 through the closing valve 58 into contact with the plunger of the part that has been removed. A high-pressure generator that can be used in the range of 100 to 245 MPa usually uses a low-pressure hydraulic pressure as the primary-side generated pressure, and the pressure on the secondary side is increased to 100 to 245 MPa with a pressure booster that uses the Pascal principle. In this structure, an edge cutting space is provided between the primary side hydraulic pressure and the secondary side raw material so that the oil and the raw material do not contact each other. Sterilization was made possible by bringing steam into contact with the plunger in the space that was removed from the high-pressure seal.

  In addition, as a packing material used for a high-pressure seal capable of withstanding 100 to 245 MPa, a cemented carbide polyethylene in which wear resistance is emphasized in consideration of a long run is generally used. However, its heat resistance is as low as 100 ° C. or less and cannot withstand steam sterilization. For this reason, the packing material used for the conventional high pressure seal of 100 to 245 MPa was changed to a material having heat resistance. In general, high molecular weight polyethylene seals are used for high-pressure seals in consideration of long run (wear resistance). However, long run is not important because the packing is frequently changed when using drugs and foods that require steam sterilization. However, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) having heat resistance was used. The heat resistance of PTFE is 180 ° C. Needless to say, a material satisfying both pressure resistance and heat resistance can be used even with a material such as fluororubber (heat resistant 140 ° C.) other than polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

  Furthermore, each channel was provided with a descending gradient of 1/100 or more so that the raw material channels (that is, steam sterilization channels) flow from top to bottom. Further, a drain port is provided at a location where a downward gradient cannot be provided. In addition, it was decided to prevent stagnation in the flow path by allowing the raw material or steam condensed water to flow out when the drain port (pressure regulating valve) was opened at various places. A heat resistant 200 ° C. diaphragm type pressure gauge was used as a pressure sensor for displaying the supply pressure of the raw material and the pressure during high-pressure processing.

  As a normal operation of the high-pressure jet atomization apparatus of the present embodiment, the high-pressure fluid circuit steam sterilization automatic on / off valves 10a and 10b are placed in a high-pressure sealed state and then operated at a normal pressure of 245 MPa. At this time, confirm that there is no leakage from the high-pressure seal of the valve. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a high-pressure spray pressure waveform during high-pressure processing in the high-pressure spray atomizer shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, it was confirmed that the injection pressure of the high-pressure injection type atomizer of the present example was maintained at 245 MPa, and the material was atomized.

  As the steam sterilization operation, the atomization apparatus is stopped, and the steam sterilization automatic on / off valves 10a and 10b for the high-pressure fluid circuit are automatically switched to the steam passage state. Steam of 121 ° C. is passed through the flow path, and the steam is discharged from the steam exhaust drain port 22 of the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for high pressure fluid circuit 10a, 10b. As a regulation of steam sterilization, the high-pressure fluid circuit is kept at 121 ° C. for 30 minutes. Confirm that there is no steam leakage. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the temperature transition of the inlet temperature of the pressure booster 43 and the temperature of the high pressure cylinder steam drain port during steam sterilization in the high pressure injection atomizer shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, it was confirmed that the sample was held at 121 ° C. for 30 minutes at any location.

  As a normal operation of the high-pressure injection atomization apparatus again, the steam sterilization is stopped, the high-pressure fluid circuit steam sterilization automatic on / off valves 10a and 10b are again put into a high-pressure sealed state, and the starburst is operated at a high pressure at a normal pressure of 245 MPa. . At that time, confirm that there is no leakage from the high-pressure seal of the valve.

10, 10a, 10b ... steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for high pressure fluid circuit,
11: Stepped piston,
12 ... large diameter piston part,
13 ... small diameter piston part,
14: Large diameter cylinder,
15 ... small diameter cylinder,
16 ... cylinder with steps,
17… Pressing spring,
18 ... 1st air supply port,
19 ... second air supply port,
20 ... air switching means,
21 ... Occlusion piece,
22 ... steam exhaust drain port,
23 ... sealing material,
30 ... high pressure fluid circuit,
31 ... communication hole,
40 ... (raw material or steam) supply port,
41 ... 1st flow path,
42 ... three-way valve,
43 ... booster,
44 ... the second flow path,
45 ... chamber,
46 ... the third flow path,
47 ... storage tank,
48 ... heat exchanger,
49 ... injection nozzle,
50 ... steam supply device,
51, 52, 53, 54, 55 ... pressure regulating valve,
58 ... block valve,
61, 62, 63, 64 ... temperature sensor,

Claims (2)

A stepped piston having a large-diameter piston portion and a small-diameter piston portion formed thereon;
A stepped cylinder having a large diameter cylinder portion into which the large diameter piston portion of the stepped piston is slidably inserted and a small diameter cylinder portion into which the small diameter piston portion is slidably inserted;
Piston reciprocating means for reciprocating a stepped piston inserted into the stepped cylinder,
At the upper end of the small diameter cylinder portion, there is a communication hole communicating with a flow path from a high pressure fluid circuit of 100 to 245 MPa ,
When the stepped piston slides in the direction of the small-diameter piston portion, the communication hole is closed, and when the stepped piston slides in the direction of the large-diameter piston portion, a closing piece that opens the communication hole is the small-diameter piston. Formed on the part ,
The piston reciprocating means is
A pressing spring that presses the stepped piston toward the small-diameter piston portion;
First fluid supply means for supplying fluid to the lower cylinder space of the large-diameter piston portion in the large-diameter cylinder portion and pressing the stepped piston toward the small-diameter piston portion;
A second fluid supply means for supplying fluid to the upper cylinder space of the large-diameter piston portion in the large-diameter cylinder portion and pressing the stepped piston toward the large-diameter piston portion;
Switching means for switching between the first fluid supply means and the second fluid supply means,
The pressing force by the first fluid supply means and the pressing spring is not less than the pressing force by the fluid pressure in the high-pressure fluid circuit;
A steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for a high-pressure fluid circuit , wherein the pressing force by the second fluid supply means is larger than the pressing force by the pressing spring . A sterilization apparatus using the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve for high-pressure fluid circuit according to claim 1 ,
A pressure intensifier that pressurizes the raw material at 100 to 245 MPa ;
A first flow path for supplying the raw material from the supply port for charging the raw material to the inside of the housing of the pressure intensifier;
A second flow path through which pressurized raw material flows from inside the housing of the pressure intensifier;
A steam supply device for blowing steam into the first flow path, the second flow path or the housing;
A sterilization apparatus comprising: the steam sterilization automatic on / off valve device which is connected to the second flow path or the inside of the pressure intensifier housing and adjusts a discharge amount of steam.

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