VACUUM DRYING APPARATUS AND VACUUM DRYING METHOD

• Main Authors: MORIKAWA, Takuya, HANAMOTO, Takashi, TAKADA, Norihisa, YOSHIMOTO, Tsuyoshi, OHINATA, Yoichi, MIURA, Makoto
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 28.11.2019
• Subjects: BLASTING; DRYING; DRYING SOLID MATERIALS OR OBJECTS BY REMOVING LIQUID THEREFROM; HEATING; LIGHTING; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; WEAPONS

A vacuum drying apparatus includes a chamber, a steam supply line, an evacuation line, a circulation line, and a pressurizing and heating unit. The chamber includes an inlet, an outlet, and a treatment space capable of accommodating food. The steam supply line is connected to the inlet and is configured to be capable of supplying steam into the treatment space. The evacuation line is connected to the outlet and is configured to be capable of evacuating the treatment space. The circulation line is provided outside the chamber and causes steam to circulate from the outlet to the inlet. The pressurizing and heating unit is provided in the circulation line. The pressurizing and heating unit includes a pressurizer which includes a first pump and a flow channel diameter restrictor and pressurizes the steam, a heater which is provided between the first pump and the flow channel diameter restrictor and heats steam pressurized by the pressurizer, and a controller that controls at least one of the first pump or the flow channel diameter restrictor in accordance with a pressure of the heater.