JP2017163954A - Storage cabinet and storage method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to store storage objects such as fresh foods and plants for a long period of time while maintaining freshness.
A storage according to the present embodiment includes a storage room in which an object to be stored is stored, an oxygen reduction device for reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage room, and acidic water containing hypochlorous acid into the storage room. A spraying device for spraying. Further, the storage method according to the present embodiment includes a step of measuring the humidity of the storage room, a step of spraying acidic water containing hypochlorous acid into the storage room when the humidity is equal to or lower than a threshold value, and spraying acidic water. And a step of reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage chamber.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a storage and a storage method.

  In a storage such as a refrigerator or a container, by reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage, generation of fungi and molds can be suppressed, and food and the like can be stored for a long period of time. In order to reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage, it is conceivable to replace the air in the storage with an inert gas such as argon gas or nitrogen gas. Moreover, the oxygen concentration in the storage can also be reduced by lowering the degree of vacuum in the storage or electrochemically decomposing oxygen. In addition, when food such as vegetables is stored for a long time in the storage, it is also effective to sterilize the food before storage.

  In recent years, bactericidal action and disinfection action against viruses and fungi of hypochlorous acid water have attracted attention. Hypochlorous acid has an effect of inactivating viruses such as Norovirus and influenza virus, and fungi such as Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus anthracis, and Salmonella. Then, the utilization method of this kind of acidic water is examined.

JP2012-11332A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 08-239786

  This invention is made | formed under the above-mentioned situation, and makes it a subject to store fresh food, a plant, etc. for a long time, maintaining freshness.

  In order to solve the above problems, the storage according to the present embodiment includes hypochlorous acid in a storage room in which a storage object is stored, an oxygen reduction device that reduces the oxygen concentration in the storage room, and the storage room. A spraying device for spraying acidic water.

It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the storage which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of an oxygen reduction apparatus. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a spraying apparatus. It is a block diagram of a control apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows a series of processes which CPU of a control apparatus performs. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the oxygen reduction apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows a series of processes which CPU of a control apparatus performs. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of the storage which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

<< First Embodiment >>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the embodiment, an orthogonal coordinate system including an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis that are orthogonal to each other is appropriately used.

"Device configuration"
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a storage 10 according to the present embodiment. The storage 10 is a storage for storing fruits and vegetables. The storage 10 includes a storage chamber 11, an oxygen reduction device 20 and a spray device 30 provided in the storage chamber 11, and a control device 100 that controls the oxygen reduction device 20 and the spray device 30.

  The storage chamber 11 is, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped or cubic airtight container in which a space 11a is formed. The space 11a inside the storage chamber 11 is thermally insulated from the outside. The storage room 11 is provided with a door 12. By opening the door 12, the storage object can be carried into and out of the storage room 11.

《Oxygen reduction device》
The oxygen reduction device 20 is a device for removing oxygen from the air in the storage chamber 11. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the oxygen reduction device 20 attached to the storage chamber 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the oxygen reduction device 20 includes a pair of electrodes 21 and 22, an electrolyte membrane 23, current collector plates 24 and 25, a water supply plate 26, a water supply device 27, and a DC power supply 29.

  The electrode 21 is made of a material containing, for example, a platinum catalyst, ruthenium oxide, or iridium oxide, and functions as an anode. For the electrode 21, a titanium base material can be used as a support.

  The electrode 22 is made of, for example, a material containing a platinum catalyst and functions as a cathode. A titanium base material can also be used for the electrode 22 as a support.

The electrolyte membrane 23 is an acidic solid polymer electrolyte membrane having conductivity with respect to protons (H ⁺ ). For example, Nafion (registered trademark) can be used as the acidic solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The electrodes 21 and 22 are fixed while facing each other through the electrolyte membrane 23.

  The current collector plate 24 is a member used for electrically connecting the DC power supply 29 and the electrode 21. The current collector plate 24 is a plate-like or mesh-like member made of, for example, aluminum having a low electric resistance and provided with a number of openings. The current collector plate 24 is disposed so as to contact the entire + Y side surface of the electrode 21.

  The current collecting plate 25 is a member used for electrically connecting the DC power source 29 and the electrode 22. The current collector plate 25 also has the same configuration as the current collector plate 24.

  The water supply plate 26 is disposed in contact with the current collector plate 24. The water supply plate 26 is made of a porous material such as ceramic and absorbs and holds water. The water held by the water supply plate 26 is supplied to the current collector plate 24 and the electrode 21.

  The water supply device 27 is connected to, for example, a water pipe and has a water storage tank in which water is stored. The water supply device 27 supplies water to the water supply plate 26 via the pipe line 28. Thereby, the water supply plate 26 is maintained in a state where water is constantly held.

  The DC power supply 29 includes an AC / DC converter that converts an AC voltage from a commercial power supply into a DC voltage. The DC power supply 29 applies a voltage between the current collecting plates 24 and 25 so that the current collecting plate 24 is positive and the current collecting plate 25 is negative. Thereby, the electrode 21 functions as an anode and the electrode 22 functions as a cathode. In the oxygen reduction device 20, for example, a voltage of about 1 to 2 V is applied between the electrodes 21 and 22 by the DC power supply 29.

  The oxygen reduction device 20 configured as described above is supported in a state in which the current collector plate 25 of the electrode 22 is exposed to the space 11 a from the opening 11 b provided in the storage chamber 11. For this reason, the surfaces of the electrode 22 and the current collector plate 25 are in contact with the air in the space 11a.

In the oxygen reduction device 20, when a voltage is applied to the electrodes 21 and 22 by the DC power supply 29, the water from the water supply device 27 (as shown in the following equation (1)) on the electrode 21 side as the anode ( A reaction occurs in which H ₂ O) is electrolyzed to generate protons (H ⁺ ) and oxygen (O ₂ ).

2H ₂ O → 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ + O ₂ (1)

On the other hand, on the electrode 22 side as a cathode, as shown in the following formula (2), protons (H ⁺ ) that have passed through the electrolyte membrane 23 and oxygen (O ₂ ) in the air in the storage chamber 11 are combined. A reaction occurs to produce water (H ₂ O).

O ₂ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻ → 2H ₂ O (2)

  Due to the reaction of the above formula (2), in the storage chamber 11, oxygen in the air is consumed, the oxygen concentration decreases, and the humidity increases. Accordingly, the fruits and vegetables stored in the storage room 11 are placed in a high humidity and low oxygen environment. As a result, the oxidation and drying of the fruits and vegetables can be prevented, and the fruits and vegetables can be stored with good freshness.

《Spraying device》
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of the spray device 30. The spray device 30 is a device that generates acidic water containing hypochlorous acid and sprays the generated acidic water into the storage chamber 11.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the spray device 30 includes an electrolytic cell 31, a salt water tank 32, a circulation pump 51, a pressure adjustment valve 52, a DC power supply 53, and a spray unit 61.

The electrolytic cell 31 is a container made of resin, stainless steel, or the like. The inside of the electrolytic cell 31 is divided into an intermediate chamber S1, an anode chamber S2, and a cathode chamber S3 by a set of ion exchange membranes 41 and 42. Ion exchange membrane 41 is, for example, chloride ion Cl ^- is an anion exchange membrane having a property of passing anions such. The ion exchange membrane 42 is a cation exchange membrane having a property of allowing cations such as sodium ion Na ⁺ to pass therethrough.

  As the anion exchange membrane, Neoceptor (registered trademark) manufactured by Astom, Selemion (registered trademark) manufactured by AGC Engineering, or the like can be used. As the cation exchange membrane, for example, NAFION (registered trademark) 112, 115, 117 of EI DuPont, Flemion (registered trademark) of Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., ACIPLEX (registered trademark) of Asahi Kasei Co., Ltd., or the like can be used. .

  A porous membrane can also be used in place of both or one of the ion exchange membranes 41 and 42. As the porous membrane, it is possible to use an organic microporous membrane obtained by forming micropores on a chemically stable organic polymer material thin film such as polyolefin or a fluorine compound, or an inorganic oxide porous membrane. it can. Various inorganic oxides can be used. For example, titanium oxide, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide, niobium oxide, tantalum oxide, or nickel oxide can be used. In particular, it is preferable to use titanium oxide, silicon oxide, or aluminum oxide. As other porous membranes, a porous polymer having a halogenated polymer such as chlorine or fluorine can be used.

  The intermediate chamber S1 is a space sandwiched between the two ion exchange membranes 41 and 42. The intermediate chamber S1 is filled with water containing sodium chloride (NaCl) as an electrolyte. The intermediate chamber S1 communicates with the external space via a water supply port 311 and a drain port 312 provided in the electrolytic cell 31.

  The anode chamber S2 is a space adjacent to the intermediate chamber S1 through the ion exchange membrane 41. An electrode 43 for generating acidic water is disposed in the anode chamber S2. The anode chamber S2 communicates with the external space through a water supply port 313 and a drain port 314 provided in the electrolytic cell 31.

  The cathode chamber S3 is a space adjacent to the intermediate chamber S1 through the ion exchange membrane 42. In the cathode chamber S3, an electrode 44 for generating alkaline water is disposed. The cathode chamber S3 communicates with the external space through a water supply port 315 and a drain port 316 provided in the electrolytic cell 31.

  The electrode 43 serving as the anode is made of, for example, titanium (Ti), stainless steel (SUS), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), aluminum (Al), or an alloy thereof. The electrode 43 is shaped into a rectangular plate shape, and a plurality of through holes are formed to increase the surface area. For example, a noble metal catalyst such as platinum (Pt) or an oxide catalyst such as iridium oxide is attached to the surface of the electrode 43. The electrode 44 serving as the cathode is configured similarly to the electrode 43.

  Raw water is supplied from the water supply ports 313 and 315 to the anode chamber S2 and the cathode chamber S3. As raw water, tap water, well water, etc. can be used, for example. The raw water supplied to the anode chamber S2 and the cathode chamber S3 is preferably soft water with reduced alkali components from the viewpoint of preventing the deposition of scales mainly composed of calcium carbonate. This type of soft water can be generated, for example, by using a water softener using an ion exchange resin.

  The salt water tank 32 is a tank that stores salt water. The salt water tank 32 is provided with an outlet 321 and an inlet 322 for circulating salt water between the electrolytic tank 31.

As salt water, for example, salt water generated by adding sodium chloride (NaCl) as an electrolyte to water (H ₂ O), or by adding salt such as potassium chloride (KCl) containing chlorine to water. The resulting brine is used. The concentration of the salt water is not particularly limited, but considering the stability during electrolysis, it is preferable that the concentration is somewhat high. By using saturated sodium chloride as the salt water, it becomes easy to maintain a constant salt water concentration.

  The pressure adjustment valve 52 is provided in a pipe line laid across the inlet 322 of the salt water tank 32 and the drain outlet 312 of the intermediate chamber S1.

  The circulation pump 51 is provided in a pipe line laid across the outlet 321 of the salt water tank 32 and the water supply port 311 of the intermediate chamber S1. The circulation pump 51 supplies the salt water from the salt water tank 32 to the intermediate chamber S <b> 1 of the electrolytic bath 31. Thereby, the salt water circulates between the intermediate chamber S <b> 1 of the electrolytic bath 31 and the salt water tank 32. By adjusting the amount of salt water returning from the intermediate chamber S1 to the salt water tank 32 by the pressure adjusting valve 52, the amount of salt water supplied to the intermediate chamber S1 is maintained constant.

  The DC power supply 53 applies a voltage to the electrode 43 and the electrode 44. In the storage 10, a voltage is applied to each of the electrodes 43 and 44 so that the electrode 43 is an anode and the electrode 44 is a cathode.

  The spray unit 61 has a water tank in which acidic water containing hypochlorous acid is stored, a piezoelectric ceramic vibrator for applying vibration to the acidic water in the water tank, a fan, and the like. The spray unit 61 generates fine water droplets from the acidic water and injects them into the storage chamber 11.

  Next, operation | movement of the spraying apparatus 30 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. In the spraying device 30, when the circulation pump 51 is operated, the salt water in the salt water tank 32 is supplied to the intermediate chamber S <b> 1 of the electrolytic cell 31. When a certain amount of salt water is stored in the intermediate chamber S 1, the salt water from the intermediate chamber S 1 returns to the salt water tank 32 via the pressure adjustment valve 52. Thereby, salt water circulates between intermediate room S1 and salt water tank 32, and intermediate room S1 will be in the state where salt water of fixed concentration was stored.

Raw water is supplied to the anode chamber S2 and the cathode chamber S3 at a predetermined flow rate. When raw water is supplied to the anode chamber S2 and the cathode chamber S3, a voltage is applied to the electrodes 43 and 44 by the DC power source 53. Thereby, from the intermediate chamber S1 between the electrode 43 and the electrode 44, the chloride ion Cl ⁻ in the salt water passes through the ion exchange membrane 41 and moves to the anode chamber S2. The chloride ion Cl ^{− that} has moved to the anode chamber S2 is oxidized and reacts with water (H ₂ O) in the anode chamber S2. Thereby, as shown in the following formula (3), in the anode chamber S2, acidic water containing hypochlorous acid and hydrochloric acid and exhibiting acidity is generated.

2Cl ⁻ + H ₂ 0 → HClO + HCl + 2e ⁻ (3)

From the intermediate chamber S1, sodium ions Na ⁺ pass through the ion exchange membrane 42 and move to the cathode chamber S3. The sodium ions Na ⁺ that have moved to the cathode chamber S3 react with the hydroxide ions OH ^{− in the} cathode chamber S3. Thereby, sodium hydroxide is produced. In the cathode chamber S3, hydrogen ions H ⁺ which are counter ions of the hydroxide ions OH ⁻ are reduced to generate hydrogen gas. As shown in the following formula (4), in the cathode chamber S3, alkaline water containing sodium hydroxide and exhibiting alkalinity and hydrogen gas are generated.

2Na ⁺ + 2e ⁻ + 2H ₂ 0 → 2NaOH + H ₂ (4)

  The acidic water generated in the anode chamber S2 is supplied to the spray unit 61 from the drainage port 314 leading to the anode chamber S2. Then, the spray unit 61 sprays the inside of the storage chamber 11. Thereby, acidic water is sprayed on the fruits and vegetables etc. which are stored in the storage room 11.

  In addition, the alkaline water generated in the cathode chamber S3 is drained from a drain port 316 that leads to the cathode chamber S3.

"Control device"
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control device 100. As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 100a, a main storage unit 100b, an auxiliary storage unit 100c, an input unit 100d, a display unit 100e, an interface unit 100f, and a system that connects the above-described units. A computer having a bus 100g.

  The CPU 100a reads and executes the program stored in the auxiliary storage unit 100c. The CPU 100a controls the oxygen reduction device 20 and the spray device 30 in an integrated manner.

  The main storage unit 100b has a volatile memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). The main storage unit 100b is used as a work area for the CPU 100a.

  The auxiliary storage unit 100c includes a nonvolatile memory such as a semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage unit 100c stores programs executed by the CPU 100a, various parameters, and the like.

  The input unit 100d includes a switch, a push button, and the like for receiving an instruction from the user. The user instruction is input via the input unit 100d and is notified to the CPU 100a via the system bus 100g.

  The display unit 100e includes a display unit such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The display unit 100e displays, for example, the status of the storage 10 or the like.

  The interface unit 100f includes a LAN interface, a serial interface, a parallel interface, and the like. The oxygen reduction device 20, the spray device 30, and the like are connected to the control device 100 via the interface unit 100f. Further, a humidity sensor HS for detecting the humidity of the storage room 11 and an oxygen concentration sensor OXS for detecting the oxygen concentration are connected to the control device 100 via the interface unit 100f. The CPU 100a monitors the humidity and oxygen concentration of the storage room 11 using the humidity sensor HS and the oxygen concentration sensor OXS.

《Storage operation》
Next, operation | movement of the storage 10 comprised as mentioned above is demonstrated. When the power source of the storage 10 is turned on and the oxygen reduction device 20, the spray device 30, and the control device 100 are started up, the CPU 100a of the control device 100 reads and executes the program from the auxiliary storage unit 100c. Thereby, control of the oxygen reduction apparatus 20 and the spraying apparatus 30 by CPU100a is implement | achieved. Hereinafter, the operation of the CPU 100a will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a series of processing executed by the CPU 100a of the control device 100. As shown in FIG. 5, the CPU 100a first determines whether or not the humidity of the storage room 11 monitored using the humidity sensor HS is equal to or lower than a threshold value Th1 (step S101). When the CPU 100a determines that the humidity in the storage chamber 11 is equal to or lower than the threshold Th1 (step S101: Yes), the CPU 100a operates the spray device 30 (step S102). When the spraying device 30 is operated, acidic water is sprayed into the storage chamber 11. Thereby, sterilization, deodorization, etc. with respect to the fruits and vegetables etc. which are stored in the storage room 11 are performed. Further, the humidity inside the storage chamber 11 rises as the acidic water is sprayed by the spray device 30.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 100a determines that the humidity in the storage chamber 11 is greater than the threshold Th1 (step S101: No), the CPU 100a stops the spraying device 30 (step S103). Thereby, sterilization, deodorization, etc. with respect to the fruits and vegetables etc. which are stored in the storage room 11 are stopped. In addition, CPU100a continues the stop of the spraying apparatus 30, when the spraying apparatus 30 has stopped.

  When the spraying device 30 is stopped, the CPU 100a determines whether or not the oxygen concentration in the storage chamber 11 monitored using the oxygen concentration sensor OXS is equal to or higher than the threshold Th2 (step S104). When the CPU 100a determines that the oxygen concentration in the storage chamber 11 is equal to or higher than the threshold Th2 (step S104: Yes), the CPU 100a operates the oxygen reduction device 20 (step S105). When the oxygen reduction device 20 is operated, as shown in FIG. 2, an oxygen reduction reaction occurs between the electrode 22 as a cathode and the current collector plate 25 and the air in the storage chamber 11. Thereby, oxygen in the storage chamber 11 is consumed. At the same time, water is generated on the surfaces of the electrode 22 and the current collector plate 25 exposed to the space 11 a of the storage chamber 11. Therefore, in the storage chamber 11, the oxygen concentration in the air decreases and the humidity increases due to the generated water. As a result, the oxidation and drying of the fruits and vegetables are suppressed, and the fruits and vegetables can be stored with good freshness.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 100a determines that the oxygen concentration in the storage chamber 11 is less than the threshold Th2 (step S104: No), the oxygen reduction device 20 is stopped (step S106). In addition, CPU100a continues the stop of the oxygen reduction apparatus 20, when the oxygen reduction apparatus 20 has stopped.

  When the oxygen reduction device 20 is stopped, the CPU 100a returns to step S101, and thereafter repeatedly executes the processes of steps S101 to S106.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the oxygen reduction device 20 for reducing the oxygen concentration of the air in the storage chamber 11 and the sterilization, disinfection, and deodorization of the storage object such as fruits and vegetables stored in the storage chamber 11 And a spraying device 30 for performing the above. For this reason, the fruits and vegetables stored in the storage room 11 can be sterilized in advance, and the storage room 11 can be in a low oxygen high humidity environment. Therefore, it becomes possible to store a storage object such as fruits and vegetables for a long time while maintaining freshness.

  Disinfection and sterilization using acidic water containing hypochlorous acid is preferably performed when the humidity of the storage chamber 11 is low, and when the humidity of the storage chamber 11 is high, the effective concentration of hypochlorous acid It is recognized that the disinfection / sterilization effect decreases.

  In this embodiment, only when the humidity of the storage chamber 11 is equal to or lower than the threshold Th1 (step S101: Yes), the spray device 30 is operated (step S102), and acidic water containing hypochlorous acid is stored in the storage chamber 11. Sprayed into the internal space 11a. Therefore, before the humidity of the storage chamber 11 increases due to the operation of the oxygen reduction device 20, the inside of the storage chamber 11 and the fruits and vegetables as storage objects can be sterilized, sterilized, and deodorized effectively. . As a result, storage objects such as fruits and vegetables can be stored for a long time while maintaining freshness.

Example 1
Hereinafter, examples that support the effects of the present embodiment will be described. In Example 1, a storage having a configuration equivalent to the storage 10 shown in FIG. 1 was prepared. Then, strawberries, spinach, cut radishes, beef, tuna fillets and fresh flowers as storage objects were stored in the storage room. And the lifetime of each storage object was sampled. The lifetime of each storage object is determined based on the color difference of the surface of the storage object. Here, the life of the storage object is defined as the difference ΔE between the color of the surface of the storage object when stored and the color of the surface of the storage object after storage becomes 1.5 or more.

  In Example 1, the spray device was operated when the humidity immediately after storing the storage object was lower than the threshold value Th1, and acidic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 50 ppm was sprayed into the storage room. Thereafter, the oxygen reduction device was operated to reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage room and increase the humidity. The life of the object to be stored in this environment was set to 1 as a reference value.

<< Comparative Example 1 >>
In Comparative Example 1, the oxygen reduction device was operated immediately after storing the object to be stored, the oxygen concentration in the storage room was lowered, and the humidity was increased more than the threshold value Th1. Thereafter, the spray device was operated to spray acidic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 50 ppm into the storage room. The lifetime of the storage object in this environment was shorter than that of the storage object in Comparative Example 1.

  Table 1 below shows the results in Example 1 and the results in Comparative Example 1. As shown in Table 1, the lifetimes of strawberry, spinach, cut radish, beef, tuna fillet, and fresh flowers in Comparative Example 1 were shortened to about 30% of the lifetime in Example 1. From this result, it is understood that the storage object can be stored for a long time by using the storage 10 according to the present embodiment.

<< Second Embodiment >>
Next, the storage 10 according to the second embodiment will be described. About the structure same or equivalent to the storage 10 which concerns on 1st Embodiment, while using an equivalent code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified. The storage 10 according to this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment in that the electrolyte membrane used in the oxygen reduction device is a basic solid polymer electrolyte membrane having conductivity with respect to hydroxyl ions (OH ⁻ ). It is different from the storage 10 concerned.

《Oxygen reduction device》
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the oxygen reduction device 200. As shown in FIG. 6, the oxygen reduction device 200 includes a pair of electrodes 21 and 22, an electrolyte membrane 230, current collector plates 24 and 25, a water supply plate 26, a water supply device 27, and a DC power supply 29.

The electrolyte membrane 230 is a basic solid polymer electrolyte membrane having conductivity with respect to hydroxyl ions (OH ⁻ ). As the basic solid polymer electrolyte membrane having hydroxyl ion conductivity, for example, an exchange membrane A201 made by Tokuyama can be used. The electrodes 21 and 22 are fixed while facing each other through the electrolyte membrane 230.

In the oxygen reduction device 200, when a voltage is applied to the electrode 21 and the electrode 22 by the DC power supply 29, on the electrode 22 side as the cathode, as shown in the following formula (5), A reaction occurs in which hydroxyl ions (OH ⁻ ) are generated from oxygen (O ₂ ) and water (H ₂ O).

O ₂ + 2H ₂ O + 4e ⁻ → 2OH ⁻ (5)

On the other hand, on the electrode 21 side as an anode, oxygen (O ₂ ) and water (H ₂ O) are generated from hydroxyl ions (OH ⁻ ) that have passed through the electrolyte membrane 230 as shown in the following formula (6). Such a reaction occurs.

4OH ⁻ → O ₂ + 2H ₂ O + 4e ⁻ (6)

  Oxygen and water in the air in the storage chamber 11 are consumed by the reaction of the above formula (5), and the oxygen concentration and humidity in the space 11a are reduced. Accordingly, the fruits and vegetables stored in the storage room 11 are placed in a low humidity and low oxygen environment.

《Storage operation》
Next, operation | movement of the storage 10 provided with the oxygen reduction apparatus 200 mentioned above is demonstrated. When the power source of the storage 10 is turned on and the oxygen reduction device 200, the spray device 30, and the control device 100 are started up, the CPU 100a of the control device 100 reads and executes the program from the auxiliary storage unit 100c. Thereby, control of the oxygen reduction apparatus 200 and the spraying apparatus 30 by CPU100a of the control apparatus 100 is implement | achieved. Hereinafter, the operation of the CPU 100a will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a series of processing executed by the CPU 100a of the control device 100. As shown in FIG. 7, the CPU 100a first operates the oxygen reduction device 200 (step S201). When the oxygen reduction device 200 is operated, as shown in FIG. 6, an oxygen reduction reaction occurs between the electrode 22 as a cathode and the current collector plate 25 and the air in the storage chamber 11. Thereby, oxygen and water in the storage chamber 11 are consumed. Therefore, in the storage chamber 11, the oxygen concentration in the air decreases and the humidity decreases. As a result, the oxidation of fruits and vegetables is suppressed.

  When the oxygen reduction device 200 is operated, the CPU 100a determines whether or not the oxygen concentration in the storage chamber 11 monitored using the oxygen concentration sensor OXS is equal to or less than the threshold value Th3 (step S202). When the CPU 100a determines that the oxygen concentration in the storage chamber 11 is equal to or lower than the threshold Th3 (step S202: Yes), whether or not the humidity in the storage chamber 11 monitored using the humidity sensor HS is equal to or lower than the threshold Th4. Is determined (step S203).

  When the CPU 100a determines that the humidity in the storage room 11 is equal to or lower than the threshold Th4 (step S203: Yes), the CPU 100a operates the spray device 30 (step S204). When the spraying device 30 is operated, acidic water is sprayed into the storage chamber 11. Thereby, the sterilization and deodorization with respect to the fruits and vegetables etc. which are stored in the storage room 11 are performed. The humidity in the storage chamber 11 increases as the acidic water is sprayed by the spray device 30. As a result, the drying of the fruits and vegetables is suppressed, and the fruits and vegetables can be stored with good freshness.

  On the other hand, when the CPU 100a determines that the humidity in the storage chamber 11 is greater than the threshold Th4 (step S203: No), the spray device 30 is stopped (step S205). Thereby, sterilization and deodorization with respect to the fruits and vegetables etc. which are stored in the storage room 11 are stopped. In addition, CPU100a continues the stop of the spraying apparatus 30, when the spraying apparatus 30 has stopped.

  When the spraying device 30 is stopped, the CPU 100a returns to step S201, and thereafter repeatedly executes the processes of steps S201 to S205.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, when the oxygen reduction device 200 is operated and the humidity of the storage chamber 11 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold Th4 (step S203: Yes), the spray device 30 is operated (step S204). Then, acidic water containing hypochlorous acid is sprayed into the space 11 a inside the storage chamber 11. Thereby, disinfection, disinfection, and deodorization of the inside of the storage room 11 and the fruits and vegetables etc. as a storage object can be performed effectively. At the same time, the humidity inside the storage chamber 11 can be increased. As a result, storage objects such as fruits and vegetables can be stored for a long time while maintaining freshness.

Example 2
Hereinafter, examples that support the effects of the present embodiment will be described. In Example 2, a storage provided with the oxygen reduction device 200 shown in FIG. 6 was prepared. Then, strawberries, spinach, cut radishes, beef, tuna fillets and fresh flowers as storage objects were stored in the storage room. And the lifetime of each storage object was sampled.

  In Example 2, the object to be stored was stored, and the oxygen reduction device was first operated to reduce the oxygen concentration and humidity in the storage room. After that, after the humidity dropped below the threshold Th4, the spraying device was operated to spray acidic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 50 ppm into the storage room.

<< Comparative Example 2 >>
In Comparative Example 2, after storing the object to be stored, the spraying device was operated to spray acidic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 50 ppm into the interior of the storage room. Then, the oxygen reduction device was operated to reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage room to the threshold value Th3 or lower and the humidity to the threshold value Th4 or lower.

  The following Table 2 is a table showing the results in Example 2 and the results in Comparative Example 2. As shown in Table 2, the lifetimes of strawberry, spinach, cut radish, beef, tuna fillet, and fresh flowers in Comparative Example 2 were shortened to about 20 to 30% of the lifetime in Example 1. On the other hand, the lifetime of the strawberry, spinach, cut radish, beef, tuna fillet, and fresh flowers in Example 2 was maintained at about 85 to 100% of the lifetime in Example 1. From this result, it is understood that the storage object can be stored for a long time by using the storage 10 according to the present embodiment.

<< Third Embodiment >>
Next, the storage 10 according to the third embodiment will be described. About the structure same or equivalent to the storage 10 which concerns on the said embodiment, while using an equivalent code | symbol, the description is abbreviate | omitted or simplified. As shown in FIG. 8, the storage 10 according to the present embodiment is different from the storage 10 according to the above-described embodiment in that it includes a decompression pump 300 that replaces the oxygen reduction devices 20 and 200.

  The decompression pump 300 is a pump for exhausting air from the space 11 a of the storage chamber 11 to the outside. When the decompression pump 300 is operated, the oxygen concentration and humidity in the storage chamber 11 are reduced as in the operation of the oxygen reduction device 200 according to the second embodiment. Therefore, the control device 100 first operates the decompression pump 300, and then performs the processing of steps S202 to S205 shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  In this case as well, it is possible to effectively disinfect and sterilize and deodorize the inside of the storage chamber 11 and fruits and vegetables as storage objects, and increase the humidity of the storage chamber 11. As a result, storage objects such as fruits and vegetables can be stored for a long time while maintaining freshness.

Example 3
Hereinafter, examples that support the effects of the present embodiment will be described. In Example 3, the storage provided with the pressure reduction pump 300 shown by FIG. 8 was prepared. Then, strawberries, spinach, cut radishes, beef, tuna fillets and fresh flowers as storage objects were stored in the storage room. And the lifetime of each storage object was sampled.

  In Example 3, the object to be stored was stored, and the decompression pump was first operated to reduce the oxygen concentration and humidity in the storage room. After that, after the humidity dropped below the threshold Th4, the spraying device was operated to spray acidic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 50 ppm into the storage room.

<< Comparative Example 3 >>
In Comparative Example 3, after storing the object to be stored, the spraying device was operated to spray acidic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 50 ppm into the interior of the storage room. Then, the decompression pump was operated to reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage room to the threshold value Th3 or lower and the humidity to the threshold value Th4 or lower.

<< Comparative Example 4 >>
In Comparative Example 4, after storing the object to be stored, the spray device was operated to spray acidic water having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 50 ppm into the interior of the storage room. Thereafter, the decompression pump was kept stopped.

  The following Table 3 is a table showing the results of Example 3 and the results of Comparative Examples 3 and 4 in a comparable manner. As shown in Table 3, the lifetimes of strawberry, spinach, cut radish, beef, tuna fillet and fresh flowers in Comparative Example 3 were shortened to about 20% of the lifetime in Example 1. On the other hand, the lifetimes of strawberries, spinach, cut radishes, beef, tuna fillets and fresh flowers in Example 3 maintained about 50 to 70% of the lifetimes in Example 1. From this result, it is understood that the storage object can be stored for a long time by using the storage 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Moreover, the lifespan of the strawberry, spinach, cut radish, beef, tuna fillet, and fresh flowers in Comparative Example 4 was shortened to about 10% of the lifespan in Example 1. Although this result has some differences, it can be said that it is substantially equivalent to the result in Comparative Examples 1-3. Therefore, it is understood that the storage 10 includes the decompression pump 300 and the spray device 30 and it is important to appropriately control the timing of operating the spray device 30.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, storage objects such as fruits and vegetables can be stored for a long time while maintaining freshness.

  Although the embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. For example, in the first embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the control device 100 activates the spray device 30 when the humidity is equal to or lower than the threshold Th1 (step S101: Yes). However, when the electrolyte membrane 23 of the oxygen reduction device 20 is an acidic solid polymer electrolyte membrane, the humidity of the storage chamber 11 usually increases when the oxygen reduction device 20 is activated. Therefore, the humidity of the storage chamber 11 is the lowest before the oxygen reduction device 20 is activated. Therefore, regardless of the humidity of the storage chamber 11, the control device 100 may first start the spray device 30 to spray acidic water on the storage chamber 11 and then start the oxygen reduction device 20.

  As described above, disinfection and sterilization using acidic water containing hypochlorous acid is preferably performed when the humidity of the storage chamber 11 is low, and when the humidity of the storage chamber 11 is high, hypoxia. The effective concentration of chloric acid does not increase, and the disinfection / sterilization effect decreases. Therefore, when the electrolyte membrane 23 of the oxygen reduction device 20 is an acidic solid polymer electrolyte membrane, the oxygen reduction device 20 is activated after the spray device 30 is activated and the acidic water is sprayed on the storage chamber 11. This makes it possible to effectively disinfect, sterilize and deodorize the storage object.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device 100 first activates the oxygen reduction device 200 (step S201), and when the humidity of the storage chamber 11 becomes equal to or lower than the threshold Th4 ( Step S203: Yes), the spraying device 30 was activated to spray the acidic water into the storage chamber 11. However, when the electrolyte membrane 230 of the oxygen reduction device 200 is a basic solid polymer electrolyte membrane, when the oxygen reduction device 200 is activated, the humidity of the storage chamber 11 usually decreases. And when predetermined time passes, the humidity of the storage room 11 will become threshold value Th4 or less. Therefore, the control device 100 activates the spray device 30 and activates the acidic water regardless of the humidity of the storage chamber 11 after a certain time has elapsed since the activation of the oxygen reduction device 200 regardless of the humidity of the storage chamber 11. May be sprayed onto the storage chamber 11. This makes it possible to effectively disinfect, sterilize, and deodorize the storage object.

  Note that the time T from the activation of the oxygen reduction device 200 to the activation of the spray device 30 can be defined according to the size of the storage chamber 11, the rating of the oxygen reduction device 200, and the like. For example, it is conceivable that the time T is lengthened as the capacity of the storage chamber 11 is large, or the time T is shortened as the rating of the oxygen reduction device 200 is large.

  In the said embodiment, the case where the spraying apparatus 30 was equipped with the three-chamber type electrolytic vessel 31 was shown by FIG. However, the electrolytic cell 31 may be a two-chamber type electrolytic cell. Moreover, electrolyzed water is good also as spraying to the storage chamber 11 with the spraying apparatus 30 what was produced | generated with the other apparatus. In short, the spray device 30 may be configured to spray hypochlorous acid water onto the storage chamber 11.

  In the first embodiment, when the spray device 30 is activated and then it is determined that the humidity in the storage chamber 11 is greater than the threshold Th1 (No at Step S101), the spray device 30 is stopped (Step S101). S103). Not limited to this, the spraying device 30 may be stopped when a certain time has elapsed since the spraying device 30 was started. In addition, when it is determined that the oxygen concentration in the storage chamber 11 is less than the threshold Th2 after the oxygen reduction device 20 is started (step S104: No), the oxygen reduction device 20 is stopped (step S106). . However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the oxygen reduction device 20 may be stopped when a certain time has elapsed since the oxygen reduction device 20 was started.

  Moreover, in the said 2nd Embodiment, when starting the spraying apparatus 30, when it is judged that the humidity of the storage chamber 11 is larger than threshold value Th4 (step S203: No), it decided to stop the spraying apparatus 30. (Step S205). Not limited to this, the spraying device 30 may be stopped when a certain time has elapsed after the spraying device 30 is activated.

  The time from when the oxygen reducing device 20 and the spraying device 30 are started to when they are stopped can be defined according to the size of the storage chamber 11, the rating of the oxygen reducing device 20, and the like.

  In the said embodiment, it decided to drive the oxygen reduction apparatus 20 and the spraying apparatus 30 based on the comparison result of the detection result of a humidity sensor and an oxygen concentration sensor, and a threshold value. Not limited to this, the operation pattern of the oxygen reduction device 20 and the spray device 30 may be defined using time as a parameter.

  For example, in the storage 10 according to the first embodiment, first, when the time T1 elapses after the spraying device 30 is activated, this is stopped, and then when the time T2 elapses after the oxygen reduction device 20 is activated, this is stopped. As such, the oxygen reduction device 20 and the spray device 30 may be operated. Moreover, it is good also as operating the oxygen reduction apparatus 20 and the spraying apparatus 30 alternately for every predetermined time. In the storage 10 according to the second embodiment, the spray device 30 may be operated at a predetermined time interval after the time T3 has elapsed since the oxygen reduction device 20 was started.

  As described above, by operating the oxygen reduction device 20 and the spray device 30 with time as a parameter, a humidity sensor and an oxygen concentration sensor become unnecessary, and the manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced. Alternatively, the start time and stop time of the oxygen reduction device 20 and the spray device 30 may be set in advance, and the oxygen reduction device 20 and the spray device 30 may be started or stopped at the set time. It is conceivable that the operating time and start timing of each device are defined from experience values such as the usage record of the storage 10 and design values.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, these embodiment is shown as an example and is not intending limiting the range of invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Storage 11 Storage room 11a Space 11b Opening 12 Door 20,200 Oxygen reduction device 21,22 Electrode 23,230 Electrolyte membrane 24,25 Current collecting plate 26 Water supply plate 27 Water supply device 28 Pipe line 29 DC power supply 30 Spraying device 31 Electrolysis Tank 32 Salt water tank 41, 42 Ion exchange membrane 43, 44 Electrode 51 Circulation pump 52 Pressure adjustment valve 53 DC power supply 61 Spray unit 100 Controller 100a CPU
100b Main storage unit 100c Auxiliary storage unit 100d Input unit 100e Display unit 100f Interface unit 100g System bus 300 Pressure reducing pump 311, 313, 315 Water supply port 312, 314, 316 Drainage port 321 Outflow port 322 Inflow port HS Humidity sensor OXS Oxygen concentration sensor S1 Intermediate chamber S2 Anode chamber S3 Cathode chamber

Claims (15)

A storage room for storing storage objects;
An oxygen reduction device for reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage room;
A spraying device for spraying acidic water containing hypochlorous acid into the storage room;
A vault with The oxygen reduction device includes:
An anode electrode;
An electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the storage chamber;
The electrolyte membrane; a cathode electrode disposed between the storage chambers;
A power source for applying a voltage to the anode electrode and the cathode electrode;
The storage of Claim 1 provided with.   The storage according to claim 2, wherein the electrolyte membrane is an acidic solid polymer electrolyte membrane.   The storage according to claim 2, wherein the electrolyte membrane is a basic solid polymer electrolyte membrane.   The storage according to claim 1, wherein the oxygen reduction device is a decompression pump that discharges air in the storage chamber. A control device for controlling the oxygen reduction device and the spray device;
The said control apparatus is a storage as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5 which drives the said spraying apparatus, when the humidity of the said storage chamber is below a threshold value. A control device for controlling the oxygen reduction device and the spray device;
The said control apparatus is a storage of Claim 4 or 5 which operates the said spraying apparatus when the humidity of the said storage chamber becomes below a threshold value by operating the said oxygen reduction apparatus. A control device for controlling the oxygen reduction device and the spray device;
The said control apparatus is the storage of Claim 4 or 5 which operates the said spraying apparatus, when the oxygen concentration of the said storage chamber becomes below a threshold value by operating the said oxygen reduction apparatus. A control device for controlling the oxygen reduction device and the spray device;
The said control apparatus is a storage of Claim 3 which starts the said oxygen reduction apparatus after starting the said spraying apparatus. A control device for controlling the oxygen reduction device and the spray device;
The said control apparatus is a storage of Claim 4 which starts the said spraying apparatus after starting the said oxygen reduction apparatus. A process of measuring the humidity of the storage room where the storage object is stored;
A step of spraying acidic water containing hypochlorous acid into the storage chamber when the humidity is not more than a threshold;
Reducing the oxygen concentration of the storage chamber after spraying the acidic water;
Including storage methods. Reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage room where the objects to be stored are stored;
Spraying acidic water containing hypochlorous acid into the storage chamber when the humidity of the storage chamber becomes a threshold value or less due to a decrease in the oxygen concentration;
Including storage methods. Reducing the oxygen concentration in the storage room where the objects to be stored are stored;
Spraying acidic water containing hypochlorous acid into the storage room when the oxygen concentration is below a threshold;
Including storage methods. A first step of spraying acidic water containing hypochlorous acid into a storage room in which a storage object is stored;
After the first step, a second step of starting an oxygen reduction device including an acidic solid polymer electrolyte membrane to reduce the oxygen concentration in the storage room;
Including storage methods. A first step of activating an oxygen reduction device including a basic solid polymer electrolyte membrane to reduce the oxygen concentration in a storage room in which an object to be stored is stored;
A second step of spraying acidic water containing hypochlorous acid into the storage chamber after the first step;
Including storage methods.

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