PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform a condensate water-discharging operation while a time period required for performing a vacuum cooling operation is prevented from becoming substantially increased, even in the case that it becomes necessary to discharge condensate water from a drain tank during a vacuum cooling operation.SOLUTION: A vacuum cooling device of the invention includes: a processing tank 2 for storing an object to be cooled a vacuum generating device 1 connected to the processing tank by a vacuum pipe 9 a heat exchanger 4 for cooling gas in the middle of the vacuum pipe 9 and a drain tank 6 for storing condensate water generated at the heat exchanger. There are provided a vacuum pipe shut-off valve 12 for shutting-off between the processing tank 2 and the heat exchanger 4 and a feed valve 10 for feeding gas into between the vacuum pipe shut-off valve 12 and the heat exchanger 4. The feed valve 10 is opened under a state in which the vacuum pipe shut-off valve 12 is closed to feed air and to discharge condensate water, and pressures within the heat exchanger 4 and the drain tank 6 are reduced after discharging condensate water, then the vacuum pipe shut-off valve 12 is opened.COPYRIGHT: (C)2015,JPO&INPIT【課題】真空冷却運転の途中でドレンタンクからドレンを排出することが必要になった場合にも、真空冷却に要する時間が大幅に大きくなることを防止しつつドレンの排出を行う。【解決手段】被冷却物を収容する処理槽2、処理槽とは真空配管9によって接続している真空発生装置1、真空配管9の途中で気体を冷却する熱交換器4、熱交換器で発生したドレンをためておくドレンタンク6を持った真空冷却装置において、処理槽2と熱交換器4の間を遮断する真空配管遮断弁12、真空配管遮蔽弁12と熱交換器4の間へ気体を導入する給気弁10を設けておき、真空配管遮蔽弁12を閉じた状態で前記給気弁10を開くことで空気を導入してドレンの排出を行い、ドレン排出後に熱交換器4及びドレンタンク6内の減圧を行って真空配管遮蔽弁12を開く。【選択図】図1
