Abstract: Solid biomass having a moisture content in a range of 30 to 95 mass % is brought into contact with ammonia gas at a pressure in a range of 0.5 to 4 MPa and held at 50 to 200 degrees C. Subsequently, the solid biomass is rapidly decompressed to be blasted. The ammonia gas evaporated by decompression is recovered and recycled. The ammonia gas can be brought into contact with the entire solid biomass evenly and in a short time. Since absorption heat of the ammonia gas is generated, energy consumption required for additional heating can be reduced.

Abstract: A volume measuring apparatus is provided with: an acoustic tube whose one end is communicated with a container in which an object to be measured is contained; another container communicated with the other end of the acoustic tube; a partition chamber which defines a sealed space disposed adjacent to the another container and which includes a partition plate for dividing the sealed space and an inner space of the another container; and an electromotive-type speaker which is disposed in the sealed space and whose acoustic wave output surface is disposed opposite to the partition plate. A processing device obtains a volume of the object to be measured, on the basis of an acoustic signal associated with an acoustic wave outputted into the another container via the partition plate from the acoustic wave output surface.

Abstract: A volume measuring apparatus is provided with: an acoustic tube whose one end is communicated with a container in which an object to be measured is contained; another container communicated with the other end of the acoustic tube; a partition chamber which defines a sealed space disposed adjacent to the another container and which includes a partition plate for dividing the sealed space and an inner space of the another container; and an electromotive-type speaker which is disposed in the sealed space and whose acoustic wave output surface is disposed opposite to the partition plate. A processing device obtains a volume of the object to be measured, on the basis of an acoustic signal associated with an acoustic wave outputted into the another container via the partition plate from the acoustic wave output surface.

Abstract: A baking apparatus and a method for quickly providing freshly baked bread by reducing time required for baking. In bread-making operations, reducing baking time by using a dough-surface heating unit together with an dough-interior heating unit and then subjecting the baked bread to reduced pressure for lowering moisture content at the dough interior.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a sheet of dough, wherein powdered materials, including flour, yeast, sugar, and fats and oils, for making bread, are mixed with particles of ice, such that the particles of ice do not melt, to make them into a dough mixture. The dough mixture is formed into a continuous belt-like dough mixture having a uniform width and thickness such that the particles of ice do not melt, and then the particles of ice are melted to make the belt-like dough mixture hydrated. Finally continuous hydrated belt-like dough mixture is stretched so that a continuous sheet of dough having a gluten network is provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a sheet of dough, wherein powdered materials, including flour, yeast, sugar, and fats and oils, for making bread, are mixed with particles of ice, such that the particles of ice do not melt, to make them into a dough mixture. The dough mixture is formed into a continuous belt-like dough mixture having a uniform width and thickness such that the particles of ice do not melt, and then the particles of ice are melted to make the belt-like dough mixture hydrated. Finally continuous hydrated belt-like dough mixture is stretched so that a continuous sheet of dough having a gluten network is provided.