JP2000061447A - Water quality control system and water quality monitor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize lower cost, a reduced quantity of waste fluid, storage of harmful waste fluid, and water examination by a reagent by providing both the supplier side water conduit pipe the consumer side water conduit each with plural water quality monitors, transmitting the measured results of the water quality monitors to a central control center, and subjecting a state of water quality of the whole water supply system to overall control. SOLUTION: Raw water of rivers, lakes and marshes, wells, and the like is purified to water quality good for drinking by a water purification facility 1 and is sent to a water supply facility 2. And the raw water is passed through a water supplier side end pipeline 6 and a consumer side pipeline 7 from the water supply facility 2 via a main pipeline 4 and a water supply system pipeline 5 and reaches consumers. Here, supplier side water quality monitors 8a each are provided on the main pipeline 4, the water supply system pipeline 5, the supplier side end pipeline 6, and the like. On the other hand, consumer side water quality monitors 8b each are fitted to the consumer side pipeline 7 and in the vicinity of a reservoir 10 of an apartment house 9 or a water meter of a single house 11. And output of the water quality monitors 8a, 8b is sent to a central control center 3 to subject it to data processing and to control operating conditions of the facilities 1, 2 so that water quality is made proper.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water quality control system and a water quality meter, and more particularly to a water quality control system suitable for water quality control of an entire water distribution network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of water quality management system, there is an automatic water quality measuring system in Tokyo, for example, and the system and the water quality meter used at that time are described on page 649 of “Measurement and Control” Vol. Specifications are introduced.

In this water quality management system, a water quality meter is installed for each system of the operator side piping network, and the distribution water quality for each system is continuously measured and a signal is periodically transmitted to the center by a telemeter. ing.

Further, as the water quality measurement of the distribution water on the consumer side, water quality measurement by manual analysis or off-line measurement by a portable water quality meter has been performed.

[0005]

In such a conventional system, since the water quality meter is arranged for each distribution system of the operator side, the number of installations is small and the average water quality of the supply water for each system can be grasped. On the other hand, it has an advantage, but it has a drawback that the quality of water used by consumers cannot be grasped.

For this reason, it is desirable to continuously and automatically measure the water quality at as many points as possible on the customer side water distribution pipe, monitor the value, and grasp the water quality condition in the water distribution pipe network. However, the reason why this was not possible was as follows.

(1) Since the unit price of the water quality meter and the installation work cost are high, the number of units to be deployed is limited.

(2) The water quality meter is large (eg 1.0 m × 0.8)
mx 1.8 m, "Measurement and control" Vol.33 (issued in 1994, described on page 650)), installation location is limited.

(3) Maintenance was troublesome.

On the other hand, manual analysis and measurement of the water quality of a distributed water meter by a portable water quality meter take time until results are obtained, and continuous water quality data cannot be obtained, so it is not suitable for a water quality meter of a management system. It was enough. Furthermore, if manual analysis and off-line measurement are adopted for water quality analysis using a reagent and this is automated, a problem of waste liquid treatment in which the reagent is mixed occurs.

The present invention provides a water quality management system which is low in main unit cost, installation work cost, has a small amount of waste liquid, can store harmful waste liquid for a certain period, and can carry out water quality inspection using a reagent. To aim.

It is another object of the present invention to obtain a water quality meter which can be made compact and can be stored in the lower part of a water meter box or a sink so that safety can be ensured and maintenance is easy.

Furthermore, the present invention enables continuous automatic online measurement having functions such as automatic sampling, automatic reagent mixing / reaction mechanism, automatic calibration, automatic cleaning, automatic data transmission, operation sequence switching, and dead water elimination. The purpose is to obtain a good water quality meter.

It is another object of the present invention to obtain a water quality management system capable of comprehensively managing the water quality in the entire distribution pipeline.

[0015]

The first feature of the present invention for achieving the above object is to provide a water purification facility for purifying the water quality of raw water, and the purified water obtained at the water purification facility to a consumer through a water distribution pipe. The water supply facility to supply, the water quality meter provided at a plurality of locations to measure the water quality of the water distribution pipe connected to the water distribution facility, and the operation of the water purification facility and the water distribution facility based on the measurement result of the water quality meter. In a water quality management system having a central management center for controlling, a plurality of the water quality meters are provided on both the distribution pipe on the business side and the distribution pipe on the consumer side of the distribution pipe,
In the water quality management system, the measurement result of the water quality meter is transmitted to the central management center, and the central management center comprehensively manages the water quality condition of the entire water distribution system.

Preferably, the measurement item or measurement frequency of the water quality meter is set by a command from the central management center. In addition, a dead water removing mechanism is provided at the inlet of the water quality meter. Furthermore, the water distribution pipe has an integrated flow meter, the integrated flow rate of the integrated flow meter is sent to the water quality meter,
The integrated flow rate is transmitted to the central management center together with the water quality measurement result of the water quality meter.

A second feature of the present invention is to include a measuring unit, a communication unit, and a control unit, the measuring unit having a sensor unit, a fluid drive system, and an interface unit, and the interface unit having the sensor. A water quality meter integrally formed with a plurality of flow paths for introducing sample water into the section and discharging waste liquid from the sensor section.

Preferably, the interface system is integrally formed with the fluid system of the sensor unit.

A third feature of the present invention is to provide a measuring section having a storage section, a fluid drive system and a sensor section, a communication section, a control section, a waste liquid processing section and a power supply section, and the measuring section is a sensor section. And between a sensor part in a broad sense in which at least a part of the fluid drive system is integrally formed, and a part related to the other fluid,
A plurality of sensors having a function of supporting the sensor unit in the broad sense and for introducing sample water, a reagent, a cleaning liquid, a calibration liquid, and the like into the sensor unit in the broad sense and discharging waste liquid from the sensor unit in the broad sense. It is in a water quality meter that is connected via an interface part in which the flow path is integrally formed.

It is preferable to have a waste liquid tank for storing the waste liquid. Moreover, the unit is equipped with a measuring unit, a communication unit, a control unit, a waste liquid processing unit, and a power supply unit, which enables replacement and maintenance of each unit. Furthermore, the measurement unit has a sensor unit, a storage system, and an interface unit, and at least the storage unit, the sensor unit, and the interface unit are independent as a small unit,
It is possible to replace and maintain each unit.

The fourth feature of the present invention is to provide a sample water flow path,
The water quality meter has a sensor unit including a light source and a detector, and the flow path is a water quality meter that also serves as an optical path from the light source to the detector.

In the water quality meter, a film of a photocatalytic material is formed inside the flow path.

Preferably, a filph for selecting a wavelength range suitable for measuring absorbance is installed between the flow path and the detector. The flow path is formed by etching silicon. Further, the photocatalytic material is titanium dioxide. In addition, the channel is provided with a reflective film. Further, it has a reflection film shorter than the flow path, and allows light to be incident between the flow path and the reflection film by utilizing refraction of light.

The fifth feature of the present invention is to provide a flow path, a light source,
In a water quality meter that has a photodetector, a reagent, and a cleaning liquid or a calibration liquid, mixes the reagent and sample water to form a test liquid, and measures the water quality of the sample water liquid from its absorbance, in the flow path The water quality meter has a drainage port, an optical path, a reagent inlet, and a sample water inlet in this order from the downstream side, and the cleaning liquid inlet or the calibration liquid inlet is arranged in the upstream portion.

Preferably, at the time of measurement, the test liquid in which the reagent is mixed with the sample water is allowed to flow at least from the reagent introduction port in a volume larger than the volume of the flow path serving as the optical path before starting the measurement. In addition, the channel is filled with the filling liquid from the end of measurement to the next measurement.

[0026]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a water quality management system and a water quality meter of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In each figure, the same reference numerals indicate the same or equivalent parts, and duplicate explanations are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the water quality management system of the present invention. In Figure 1, rivers, lakes,
Raw water from wells and the like is purified by the water purification facility 1 into water quality suitable for drinking and then sent to the water distribution facility 2. Raw water is water distribution facility 2
From the main pipe 4, the water distribution system pipe 5, the water supplier side end pipe 6, and the consumer side pipe 7 to the demand demand. The operator side water quality meter 8a is, for example, the main pipe 4, the water distribution system pipe 5,
It is installed in the terminal pipe 6 on the business side. The consumer-side water quality meter 8b is attached to the consumer-side pipe 7, and is installed, for example, at the entrance of the water tank 10 of the housing complex 9 or near the water meter of the detached house 11. Of course, it may be installed near the entrance of each home of the housing complex 9 or at the water tank entrance of the detached house 11. The outputs of the water quality meters 8a, 8b are sent to the central management center 3 via media such as wireless, wired, satellite, etc., where necessary data processing is performed to ensure that the water quality is appropriate. Operating conditions are controlled. If the water quality meters 8a and 8b are installed at a position close to the consumer, for example, in the business end pipe 6 and the consumer side pipe 7, there is an advantage that the water quality closer to the water quality actually used by the consumer can be managed. By attaching the water quality meter 8a to the Moron main pipe 4 and the water distribution system pipe 5, the water quality of the entire piping system can be grasped and managed more accurately.

FIG. 2 is a basic configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the water quality meter of the present invention used in such a water quality management system. In FIG. 2, tap water enters the water quality meter 8 via the introduction pipe 22 branched from the water distribution pipe 21. The water distribution pipe 21 corresponds to the main pipe 4, the water distribution system pipe 5, the operator side end pipe 6 and the consumer side pipe 7 in FIG. At the entrance of the water quality meter 8, a dead water removal mechanism for the introduced water, for example, a branch 23 and a valve 24 are installed so that a part of the water introduced automatically or by a command from the central control sensor is constantly discharged as necessary. As a result, it is possible to prevent water from remaining in the water distribution pipe 21 and the introduction pipe 22 and prevent deterioration of inspection accuracy. After that, a backflow prevention mechanism, for example, an edge cut portion (check valve) 25 is installed to prevent water contaminated in the water quality meter 8 from flowing back to the water distribution pipe 21. The water quality meter 8 includes a communication unit 26, a storage unit 27, and a control unit 2.
8, a measuring unit 29, a power supply unit 30, a waste liquid processing unit 31 and the like are provided as a unit, and each unit has a structure that can be independently separated. The storage unit 27 includes a data storage unit 32 that stores measurement data and an operation sequence storage unit 33 that stores a measurement operation. The measurement unit 29 includes a plurality of sensors 34 and 35, and an interface unit (a pipe that holds the sensors 34 and 35 and connects the sensors 34 and 35 to a fluid drive system (including pumps and valves) 37). 36), the fluid drive system 37 and the storage system 3
8 and. This storage system 38 is used for the reagent tank 3
9, a cleaning liquid tank 40, and a calibration liquid tank 41 are provided.

The water (sample water) exiting the check valve 25 passes through the interface section 36 by the fluid drive system 37 and the sensor 3
4 and 35, after measuring the water quality such as residual chlorine concentration, chromaticity, and turbidity, the waste liquid treatment unit 31 is passed through the interface unit 36 again.
To The fluid drive system 37 operates so that the reagent is mixed with the sample water according to the measurement item, and the channel is washed with the washing liquid before or after the measurement. Further, if necessary, the measurement accuracy can be improved by comparing the measurement result of the calibration liquid with the measurement result of (reagent + sample water). The sample water mixed with the reagent after the measurement is separated into a hazardous waste liquid containing a substance such as a reagent, which is harmful to the environment such as humans, livestock, fish, and plants, and a harmless waste liquid not containing them, and the waste liquid treatment section 31. Sent to the waste liquid treatment section 3 as it is.
It is stored in one waste liquid tank 42. The water quality measurement result is temporarily stored in the data storage unit 32 in the storage unit 27 and is wirelessly transmitted from the antenna 261 of the communication unit 26 to the central management center 3. These series of operations are stored in the operation sequence storage unit 33 and are executed via the control unit 28.

Here, this operation sequence is performed by the water quality meter 8
It is possible to store it in advance at the time of installation, but it is also possible to rewrite the operation sequence from the central management center 3 via the communication unit 26 as needed. The power supply unit 30 is composed of a power generation unit 43 and a storage battery 44, and the power generation unit 43 is a small hydraulic power generation device that generates electricity by the water flow branched from the branch 23. First in FIGS. 1 and 2
The embodiment has the following effects.

(1) Since the hazardous waste liquid mixed with the reagents and the like is stored in the waste liquid tank 42 of the waste liquid processing section 31, it can be made environmentally friendly.

(2) Fine control of water quality is possible by switching the measurement operation sequence such as increasing the measurement frequency of the item that needs the most monitoring depending on the state of water quality by a command from the central management center 3.

(3) The information on each measuring point of the water quality meters 8a and 8b installed on the operator side end pipe 6 and the consumer side pipe 7 can be integrated to obtain information on abnormal points in the water distribution network. .

(4) Each part of the water quality meter 8 is unitized,
Maintenance is easy because it can be physically handled as one unit.

FIGS. 3 to 8 are configuration diagrams of a first embodiment of the residual chlorine sensor of the present invention used in the water quality meter of FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing an interface part mounting state of the residual chlorine sensor of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a view of the optical system and fluid system of the sensor of FIG. 3 from above, and FIG. 5 is a mixer part of the sensor of FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sample water inlet of the sensor of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the flow path portion having the reflective film of the sensor of FIG. FIG. 8 is a sectional view for explaining the operation of the reagent introducing port of the sensor shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the residual chlorine sensor 527 includes a sensor fluid system 503, a sensor optical system 502, a light source driver 501, and a signal processing section 504. The residual chlorine sensor 527 is arranged on the interface unit 505.

The light source driver 501 is a light source such as LE.
D506 is pulsed.

The sensor optical system 502 includes a light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as LED) 506, photodiodes (hereinafter referred to as PD) 507 and 508, filters 509 and 510.
Is molded with resin 511, and the sensor fluid system 503
It is installed on the upper part of.

The LED 506 has an emission peak near a wavelength of 430 nm and also emits a wavelength component of 400 nm or less. For example, a blue LED manufactured by Cree Reseaerch. In addition, the LED506 is cheaper than a lamp and can emit pulsed light, so it can generate enough light intensity for titanium dioxide activation with a long life. There are various advantages that the values are possible. The filters 509 and 510 have a characteristic of transmitting a wavelength component necessary for measurement, for example, light having a wavelength of about 430 nm in residual chlorine concentration measurement using orthotolidine as a reagent. Since the LED 506 also emits light to the rear, the output can be monitored by the filter 509 and the PD 507, and this can be used to correct the light emission power fluctuation. By using the filter 509, the power fluctuation of the wavelength related to the measurement can be monitored, and the correction accuracy of the power fluctuation is improved as compared with the case without the filter. If the accuracy is not so high, the filter 509 may not be used.

As shown in FIG. 4, the fluid system 503 is constituted by vertically combining a silicon wafer 513 and a glass 514. The silicon wafer 513 is formed by selectively engraving a flow path 512, which serves as a flow path and cell for the liquid under test, on the upper surface thereof by etching using a semiconductor process. The flow channel 512 communicates with an inlet port side flow channel portion 512a extending in the longitudinal direction of the silicon wafer 571 and an end portion of the inlet port side flow channel portion 512a, and is adjacent to each other and has substantially the same length. It has an extending measurement flow path portion 512b, and a detection portion 512c that communicates with the other end of the measurement flow path portion 512b and that is adjacent and extends substantially in parallel. In this way, the introduction-side flow path portion 512a and the measurement flow path portion 512b are provided adjacent to each other and substantially parallel to each other, whereby the flow path 512 can be compactly formed on the silicon wafer 571. In such a sensor, since the flow channel 512 is formed by processing the silicon wafer 513 by etching, the flow channel 512 can be made extremely small. This makes it possible to reduce the required amount of sample water and the amount of drainage, and as a result, it is possible to store the harmful waste liquid in the water quality meter 8 in a small space. The glass 514 is provided so as to seal the upper surface of the flow path 512. or,
As shown in FIG. 4, the silicon wafer 513 is also a reagent inlet for introducing a reagent, for example, an orthotolidine solution and mixing with the sample water by the same etching from the back surface, that is, a mixer 517 and a sample water for introducing the sample water. The inlet port 518, the cleaning liquid inlet port 519 for introducing a cleaning liquid, for example, a dilute hydrochloric acid solution, the calibration liquid inlet port 520 for introducing a calibration liquid, for example, pure water, and the outlet port 521 are the flow channels 512.
It is processed to communicate with. Calibration liquid inlet 52
0, the cleaning liquid inlet 519, the sample water inlet 518, the mixer 517, and the outlet 521 are arranged in this order from the upstream side to the downstream side of the flow path 512. Therefore, the flow path from the sample water inlet 518 to the discharge port 521 can be completely washed with the cleaning liquid, and the cleaning liquid can be washed out with the calibration liquid. Can be completely cleaned, and the effects of the cleaning can be avoided.

As shown in FIG. 5, the mixer 517 has a large number of minute openings 521 opened at the bottom of the silicon wafer 513.
And is in communication with the reagent introducing flow path of the interface unit 505.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sample water inlet 518 is
The silicon wafer 513 is formed so as to open at the bottom thereof and communicates with the interface section 505 and the sample water introducing passage.
The cleaning liquid inlet 519 and the calibration liquid inlet 520 have the same structure. As shown in FIG. 7, the reflection film 5 is formed on the portion of the glass 514 that is in contact with the measurement flow path portion 512b.
15 are given. As shown in FIG. 7, the width of the reflective film 515 is larger than the width of the flow channel 512 so that the upper portion of the flow channel 512 is completely covered. As a result, light passing through the flow path 512 can be prevented from escaping upward through the glass, and the SN ratio of the output signal can be improved by improving the light utilization efficiency and removing stray light. The glass of the portion to which the reflection film 515 is attached is previously etched so that the reflection film 515 does not protrude from the glass surface. This allows the silicon wafer 512 and the glass 514 to be bonded by anodic bonding. It is also possible to make the width of the reflective film 515 larger than the width of the bottom surface of the flow channel and smaller than the width of the upper surface. In this case, it is possible to save the labor of etching the glass. As shown in FIG. 4, the reflection film 515 is provided to be slightly shorter than the measurement flow path portion 512b used for the absorbance measurement. The reflective films 5 on both ends of the measurement flow path portion 512b
The portion without 15 is connected to the light inlet 512d and the light outlet 512.
Light is taken in and out of the measurement flow path portion 512b by utilizing it as e. This introduction of light causes the light emitted from the LED 506 to pass through the glass 5
Using the refraction of 14, the light is guided directly to the measurement flow path section 512b.
Therefore, the lower surface of the tip of the LED 506 is cut diagonally,
It is set on glass 514. Thereby, the measurement flow path unit 5
The light utilization efficiency can be increased as compared with the case where the light is introduced by utilizing the reflection at the end slopes of 12. In this example, the LED output light was directly introduced into the flow path by utilizing the refraction of light, but for this reason, the tip of the LED was cut obliquely.
This can also be substituted by using an entrance prism, which is often used in the field of optical waveguides. Further, it is possible to guide the light to the channel by once reflecting it by utilizing the inclination 12f of the channel. In this case, it is easy to fix the LED without the above-mentioned device. In addition, a film of a photocatalytic material, for example, a titanium oxide film 516 is attached to at least a part of the measurement flow path portion 512b of the silicon wafer 513 on the flow path side. The titanium oxide film 516 may be attached to at least a part of the reflective film 515 on the flow path side. As a result, the titanium oxide film 516 and the cleaning effect by the action of the ultraviolet light automatically purify the stains on the part directly exposed to the light. When light propagates through a narrow passage, this effect is great because it propagates while being reflected by the wall many times. In this embodiment, since the titanium oxide film 516 is provided on the entire measurement flow path portion 512b, the cleaning effect is higher. Since the filter 510 is installed between the PD 508 and the flow path 512, the light passing through the flow path contains a component having a wavelength of 400 nm or less regardless of which wavelength of light is used for sensing.

The signal processing unit 504 includes two AC amplifiers 52.
2, 523, a subtractor 524, a filter 525, and a divider 526. The first AC amplifier 522 is a filter
The emission power at the measurement wavelength of the LED 506 detected by the 509 and the PD 507 is AC amplified. The second AC amplifier 523 amplifies the intensity of light transmitted through the liquid under measurement. Here, the gains of the AC amplifiers 522 and 523 become equal when the calibration liquid and the reagent are introduced into the flow path 512 at the same ratio when the residual salt concentration is measured so that the output of the subtractor 524 becomes zero. Adjust it. Flow-through light output and LED50
By AC-amplifying the rear output of No. 6 by the AC amplifiers 523 and 522 and taking the difference between them, even a minute change in the transmitted light intensity can be measured by amplifying only the change. Therefore,
When performing DA conversion after this, an AD converter with a small number of bits can be used. Also, since it is AC amplification, the measured value does not drift. Even if the power of the LED 506 fluctuates, the fluctuation does not directly lead to the measurement error, so that the measurement accuracy is improved. Further, when the output of the subtractor 524 is divided by the output of the filter 525 using the divider 526, the fluctuation of the LED power can be corrected. At this time, the filter 525 may be replaced with one having an output proportional to the amplitude of the AC amplifier 522.

The interface section 505 is a piping system made by a three-dimensional stereolithography method using a photocurable resin,
It has a function of guiding the sample water, the reagent, the cleaning liquid, and the calibration liquid to the flow channel and guiding the drainage liquid from the flow channel, and at the same time, has a function of holding the sensor unit.

The sensor 5 of the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 to 7.
Reference numeral 27 denotes a water to be measured in which the light emitted from the LED 506 is passed through the solution in the flow path 512, an appropriate wavelength band is selected by the filter 510 according to the measurement item and the reagent, and the reagent and the sample water are mixed. Absorbance is measured. At this time, if there is a residual liquid component in the flow channel 512, a measurement error will occur, and therefore the measured water is flowed in an amount larger than the volume of the flow channel 512. As a result, residual components can be discharged and highly accurate measurement can be performed.

After the measurement, the flow path 5 is filled with the calibration liquid as the filling liquid.
Introduced in 12. Further, the dirt on the flow path 512 is regularly cleaned with a cleaning liquid. Before the filling operation with the calibration solution or the cleaning operation with the cleaning solution, the reagents, sample water, and the cleaning solution (in the case other than the cleaning operation) are slightly back-flowed. As a result, it is possible to prevent the reagent or the like from being sucked out and having an adverse effect when the calibration liquid or the cleaning liquid flows in. That is, to explain with an example of a reagent, when a liquid such as a cleaning liquid or a calibration liquid flows through the flow channel 512 as shown in FIG. 8, the reagent will flow in the flow channel as shown in FIG. It is sucked out by 512. Therefore, if the reagent is backflowed in advance as shown in (b), it is possible to prevent the reagent from being sucked into the flow channel 512 as shown in (c). The O-ring 505a is interposed between the silicon wafer 513 and the interface section 505 to keep the reagent inlet port airtight.

It is also possible to use a filling-only liquid for filling the channel 512. In this case, a filling liquid introduction port is newly required, but the liquid quality can be optimized for filling. Further, if the sample water is not very dirty or turbid, the sample water may be used as a filling liquid. In this case, it is not necessary to store the filling liquid.

Highly accurate measurement is possible by comparing the results of the absorbance measurement using the sample water and the absorbance measurement using the calibration liquid.

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a flow path portion having a reflection film of another embodiment of the sensor of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the reflection film 515a has a width wider than the width of the flow path 512, and an adhesive such as an anaerobic UV cure is applied between the bottom surface of the unetched glass 514 and the silicon wafer 513. It is joined using a mold adhesive 528.

FIG. 10 is an overall configuration diagram of the chromaticity sensor of the present invention used in the water quality meter of FIG. With this chromaticity sensor, chromaticity is measured by absorption measurement of a wavelength component of 400 nm or less. The filters 609 and 610 have a function of transmitting only the ultraviolet component. In this example, the monitor PD (LED in FIG. 3 is
The output of 607 (equivalent to 507) is fed back to the LED driver 601 via the AC amplifier 622 and the filter 625 to stabilize the light emission output of the LED 506. Of course, it is possible to use this structure for the residual chlorine sensor or the structure of the residual chlorine sensor for the chromaticity sensor.

FIG. 11 is a layout diagram of the interface section and each sensor in the second embodiment of the water quality meter of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the chromaticity sensor 91, the turbidity sensor 9, and the residual chlorine sensor 93 are installed on one interface section 36c. Here, the turbidity sensor 92
Has a structure almost the same as that of a chromaticity sensor, for example, the wavelength of light emitted from the LED of the light source includes 660 nm, and the light before and after that wavelength is selected by the filter in front of the light receiving PD It is different from the sensor 91. The interface part 36c includes the sample water flow paths 95, 96, 97 and the waste liquid flow path 1.
00, 101, 102, the cleaning liquid flow path 98, and the reagent flow path 99 are integrally configured. in this way,
The interface section 36c has a plurality of pipe flow paths 95-10.
Since the two are integrally configured and have the function of supporting the sensors 91 to 93, the water quality meter itself is small and can be installed in a water box.
For example, a microfabrication technique (a processing technique mainly used for etching in a semiconductor manufacturing technique, and a microstructure is manufactured using oxidation, vapor deposition, sputtering, CVD, spin coating, laser processing, SOR, anodic bonding, etc. Technology), it is easy to fabricate the flow path of the sensor part with a width of 1 mm, a depth of 0.3 mm and a length of 20 mm. This volume is 1 × 0.3 × 20 = 6mm3 = 0.006cm
It becomes 3. In addition, if the sample water flow path and waste liquid flow path of the interface section were made by the three-dimensional stereolithography method and two pieces with a diameter of 1 mm and a length of 100 mm were made in consideration of the connection with other parts, the volume would be 3. 14 x 0.5 x 0.5 x 10
It becomes 0 × 2 = 157 mm3 = 0.157 cm3. When measured at the rate of once per hour, the amount of the waste liquid is January (0.157+
0.0006) x 24 x 30 = 117 cm3. In reality, the amount of waste liquid increases due to cleaning and calibration operations, but the size of the waste liquid tank that can be installed in the water box is assumed to be 200 cm3.
Then, it is possible to store the waste liquid tank for one month. If the harmful waste liquid generated in one measurement is within the above range, it is possible to evaporate the water and leave only the harmful substance in the tank by making the waste liquid tank open. Further, the amount of this waste liquid becomes almost 1/4 when the diameter of the flow path of the interface section is set to 0.5 mm. This allows continuous measurements for several months without maintenance (hazardous waste liquid treatment). Also, depending on the location of the water quality meter, it is easy to install a waste liquid tank of 1000 cm3 in a manhole or under the floor of a home, for example. In this case, long-term maintenance is unnecessary. On the other hand, the amount of waste liquid by the conventional manual analysis method is 100 cm3 when a 100 mL colorimetric tube is used.
Then, if it were automated as it was, the tank would be full after only two measurements. Even with a 10 mL colorimetric tube, only 20 measurements are possible. In this example, there is a possibility that the reagent mixed with the waste liquid for measuring the residual chlorine concentration may be harmful.

FIG. 12 is a constitutional view showing another embodiment of the fluid system and the optical system portion of the sensor of the present invention. In this embodiment, in addition to the LED 706, a plurality of LEDs 7 are used as the second light source.
Have twenty. The LED 720 emits an ultraviolet light component having a wavelength of 400 nm or less. The reflection film 715 transmits the ultraviolet light component, but reflects the wavelength component required for water quality measurement. The LED 720 installed on the flow path 712 facilitates the activation of titanium by illuminating the titanium dioxide film 716 from the vertical direction through the reflection film 715. Further, by installing a plurality of LEDs, it is possible to activate titanium more quickly.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the measuring section of the water quality meter of the present invention. In the measurement unit 29a, the sensor 110 in a broad sense includes optical systems 111 and 112 and a sensor fluid system 113a. The sensor fluid system 113a is shown in FIG.
The sensor fluid system in FIG. 2 and the functions of the fluid drive system such as the pump and the valve in FIG. 2 are integrated by using a microfabrication technique. In this case, the interface section 36d supports the sensor 110 in the broad sense, and connects the sensor 110 in the broad sense and the other fluid-related portions. Since the volume of the fluid drive system is reduced, the amount of waste liquid is reduced and the power consumption is reduced due to the reduction of the drive system, so that the power supply unit can be downsized and the water quality meter as a whole can be further reduced. Depending on the power consumption, a power storage unit such as a storage battery or only the battery can be driven as a power source.

FIG. 14 is a constitutional view showing still another embodiment of the measuring section of the water quality meter of the present invention. In the measuring unit 29b,
The sensor 110b in a broad sense is composed of optical systems 111 and 112 and a sensor fluid system 113b. The sensor fluid system 113b performs a part of the functions of the sensor fluid system and the fluid drive system such as a pump and a valve in FIGS. It is integrated using the technology of. In this case, the interface section 36e supports the sensor 110b in the broad sense, and connects the sensor 110b in the broad sense and the other fluid-related portions. There is an advantage that the miniaturization of the whole can be expected to some extent by the microfabrication, and the manufacturing process is simplified as compared with the case where all the fluid drive systems are manufactured by using the microfabrication technology.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the water quality meter of the present invention. Install the total flow meter 201 in the water distribution pipe 21,
The integrated flow rate reading before a fixed time is compared with the current integrated flow rate reading, and when the flow rate is insufficient, the valve 24 is set to the control unit 28.
Operate with the signal from b and forcibly remove dead water. The determination condition is stored in the operation sequence storage unit 33. By doing this, it is possible to obtain accurate data on the water quality in the vicinity of the customer who installed the water quality meter 8 regardless of the water usage status of the customer, and there is no waste of constantly dripping water to eliminate dead water. Absent. Further, it is also conceivable that the reading of the integrated flow meter 201 is sent to the central management center together with the measurement data without performing such dead water removal. In this case, the validity of the water quality measurement value and the flow rate can be comprehensively cut off. Here, the water quality meter 8 may be attached to the company side pipe.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the water quality meter of the present invention is attached to a company side pipe in a manhole. 120 is a manhole cover, 121 is an optical fiber network, 121 is a relay section, 125 is a water supply pipe, 8 is a water quality meter, and 124 is an optical fiber for data communication. In this case, it is possible to transmit the measurement data using the optical fiber rope 121 in the manhole.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram of an example in which the water quality meter of the present invention is installed in a water box on the consumer side. The structure is such that power is supplied by the lid of the water box (solar panel 134). 130 is a water supply pipe, 8 is a water quality meter, 132 is a water stopcock, 133 is an integrated flow meter, 135, 136, 137,
Reference numeral 138 is an electrode. Since the antenna 131 is stretched inside the box and is not exposed to the outside, there is no risk of accidental disconnection. In addition, the branch for introduction to the water quality meter is in front of the integrated flow meter, and installing this water quality meter does not increase the burden on the user, so it is easy to install. further,
Power is supplied from the solar panel to the electrodes 135 and 136 provided inside the solar panel and the electrodes 135 and 1 of the water quality measuring unit.
Since it is performed through electrodes 137 and 138 provided at positions facing 36, the solar panel can be freely opened and closed without fear of disconnection. Especially when the solar panel 134 is circular, if the electrodes 135 and 136 are provided on concentric circles centered on the center of the circle, power can be supplied regardless of the orientation of the panel.

FIG. 18 is a constitutional view of still another embodiment of the water quality meter of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the water quality meter includes a plurality of sensors for the same measurement item, and the measurement unit 210 includes sensors 211, 213 for different measurement items and preliminary sensors 212, 214 for each. When an abnormality is indicated, the control unit 28c causes the spare sensor 212,
It is possible to switch to 214 and continue the measurement, and even if the sensors 211 and 213 fail, the standby sensor 21
Reliable data is obtained because the measurement is not interrupted using 2,214.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing a method of collecting data of the water quality meter of the present invention. The data measured by the water quality meters 252 and 255 are wirelessly recorded by the handy terminal 258. According to this method, reliable data can be obtained even in areas where radio wave conditions are poor. In this case, it is particularly effective to temporarily store the measurement result at the determined time in the data storage unit. Of course, it is also possible to collect data by directly connecting the handy terminal 258 and the data storage unit of the water quality meter without using radio.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the interface section of the water quality meter of the present invention. This water quality meter is manufactured by a three-dimensional modeling method by integrating a fluid system of a sensor unit and an interface unit. That is, the conductivity sensor is installed in the sample water passage of the interface unit 800 with the electrodes 801 and
It is configured by attaching 802.

As another method of manufacturing the fluid system of the sensor, anaerobic ultraviolet effect type adhesion is performed by stacking plates made of thin glass, plastic, metal or the like having a shape in which the pipeline to be manufactured is sliced. It is also possible to manufacture by adhering with an agent. 21A and 21B are sectional views showing still another embodiment of the interface section of the water quality meter of the present invention, wherein FIG. 21A is a transverse sectional view and FIG. 21B is a longitudinal sectional view. The conductivity sensor is configured by attaching electrodes 813 and 814 to the space formed by the lower plate 810, the spacer 811, and the cover 812.
815 is an interface unit.

[0062]

According to the water quality management system and the water quality meter of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) Since the water quality meter is downsized, the cost of the main body and the cost of installation work are reduced, and the amount of waste liquid is reduced. By reducing the amount of waste liquid, it becomes possible to store the hazardous waste liquid for a certain period of time, so that water quality inspection using reagents can be performed. A large cost reduction is possible by mass production using the microfabrication technology to which the silicon semiconductor process technology is applied.

(2) Since the water quality meter is downsized so that it can be stored under the water meter box or sink, safety can be ensured. Maintenance of the water quality meter can be facilitated by making each part into a unit.

(3) The water quality meter has functions such as automatic sampling, automatic reagent mixing / reaction mechanism, automatic calibration, automatic cleaning (including photocatalyst), automatic data transmission, operation sequence switching, and dead water elimination. Therefore, continuous automatic online measurement is possible.

(4) Since the water quality meter, which is low in cost, safe and easy to maintain, is small enough to be installed in the water meter box of the user or the storage box under the sink, mass deployment is possible,
In the water distribution system, it is possible to carry out comprehensive comprehensive water quality management for the entire distribution pipeline.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water quality management system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the water quality meter of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a sensor used in the water quality meter of the present invention.

4 is a plan view of the fluid system of the sensor of FIG.

5 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the mixer section of the sensor of FIG.

6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a sample water inlet of the sensor of FIG.

7 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a reflective film portion of the sensor of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view for explaining the operation of the reagent introducing port of the sensor shown in FIG.

9 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a reflective film portion of another embodiment of the sensor of FIG.

10 is a configuration diagram of a chromaticity sensor of the present invention used in the water quality meter of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a layout configuration diagram of an interface unit and each sensor in another embodiment of the water quality meter of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an optical system portion of another embodiment of the sensor of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram showing another embodiment of the measuring unit of the water quality meter of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a constitutional view showing still another embodiment of the measuring unit of the water quality meter of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the water quality meter of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of installation of the water quality meter of the present invention in a manhole.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of installation of the water quality meter of the present invention in a water box.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram of still another embodiment of the water quality meter of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a method of collecting data of the water quality meter of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the interface section of the water quality meter of the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the interface section of the water quality meter of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Water purification facility, 2 ... Water distribution facility, 3 ... Management center, 4 ... Water distribution main pipe, 5 ... Water distribution system pipe, 6 ... Water supply company side water pipe,
7 ... Customer side water pipe, 8 ... Water quality meter, 8a ... Supplier side water quality meter, 8b ... Customer side water quality meter, 9 ... Water meter, 24 ... Valve, 26 ... Communication section, 27 ... Storage section, 28, 28b , 2
8c ... Control part, 29 ... Measuring part, 30 ... Power supply part, 31 ... Waste liquid processing part, 34, 35 ... Sensor, 36, 36a, 36
b, 36c, 36d, 36e ... Interface unit, 37
... fluid drive system, 38 ... storage system, 42 ... waste liquid tank, 43
... Power generation unit, 44 ... Power storage unit, 91 ... Chromaticity sensor, 92 ... Turbidity sensor, 93 ... Residual chlorine sensor, 110, 110b ...
Broadly defined sensor, 124 ... Optical fiber, 133 ... Integrating flow meter, 134 ... Solar panel, 135, 136, 137,
138 ... Electrode, 201 ... Integrating flowmeter, 210 ... Measuring unit,
211, 213 ... Sensor, 212, 214 ... Preliminary sensor, 250 ... Supplier side water pipe, 251 ... Customer side water pipe,
252 ... Water quality meter, 253 ... Manhole, 255 ... Water quality meter, 256 ... Water box, 258 ... Handy terminal, 501 ... LED driver, 502 ... Optical system, 503
... Fluid system, 504 ... Signal processing part, 505 ... Interface part, 506 ... LED, 507, 508 ... PD, 50
9, 510 ... Filter, 512 ... Flow path, 513 ... Silicon wafer, 514 ... Glass, 515, 515a ... Reflective film, 516 ... Titanium dioxide, 517 ... Mixer, 518 ...
Sample water inlet port 519 ... Washing liquid inlet port, 520 ... Calibration liquid inlet port, 521 ... Outlet port, 522, 523 ... AC amplifier, 524 ... Subtractor, 525 ... Subtractor, 601 ... LE
D driver, 622, 623 ... AC amplifier, 624 ... Subtractor, 706 ... LED, 715 ... Reflective film, 716 ... Titanium dioxide, 720 ... LED.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Ryo Miyake             502 Kintatemachi, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Japan             Tate Seisakusho Mechanical Research Center (72) Inventor Masatoshi Kanamaru             502 Kintatemachi, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Japan             Tate Seisakusho Mechanical Research Center (72) Inventor Masao Fukunaga             882 Ichimo, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Stock Association             Hitachi, Ltd., Measuring Instruments Division (72) Inventor Tamio Ishihara             882 Ichimo, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Stock Association             Hitachi, Ltd., Measuring Instruments Division (72) Inventor Victory Yamada             882 Ichimo, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Stock Association             Hitachi, Ltd., Measuring Instruments Division (72) Inventor Takao Terayama             882 Ichimo, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Stock Association             Hitachi, Ltd., Measuring Instruments Division (72) Inventor Koji Saito             882 Ichimo, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Stock Association             Hitachi, Ltd., Measuring Instruments Division

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. A water purification facility that purifies the quality of raw water, a water distribution facility that supplies the purified water obtained at the water purification facility to a customer through a water distribution pipe, and the water quality of a water distribution pipe connected to the water distribution facility is measured. In a water quality management system having a water quality meter provided at a plurality of locations and a central management center that controls the operation of the water purification facility and the water distribution facility based on the measurement result of the water quality meter, the operator side of the water distribution pipe A plurality of water quality meters are provided on both the water distribution pipe and the water distribution pipe on the customer side, and the measurement results of the water quality meter are transmitted to the central management center, and the central management center comprehensively manages the water quality condition of the entire distribution system. A characteristic water quality management system. 2. The water quality management system according to claim 1, wherein the measurement item or the measurement frequency of the water quality meter is set by a command from the central management center. 3. The water quality management system according to claim 1, wherein a dead water removing mechanism is provided at the inlet of the water quality meter. 4. An integrated flow meter is provided in the water distribution pipe, the integrated flow rate of the integrated flow meter is sent to the water quality meter, and the integrated flow rate is transmitted to a central management center together with the water quality measurement result of the water quality meter. The water management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. 5. A measuring unit, a communication unit, and a control unit, wherein the measuring unit has a sensor unit, a fluid drive system, and an interface unit, and the interface unit introduces sample water into the sensor unit. A water quality meter characterized by integrally forming a plurality of flow paths for discharging waste liquid from the sensor section. 6. The water quality meter according to claim 5, wherein a fluid system of a sensor unit is integrally formed with the interface unit. 7. A measuring unit including a storage unit, a fluid drive system, and a sensor unit, a communication unit, a control unit, a waste liquid processing unit, and a power supply unit,
The measurement unit has a function of supporting the sensor unit in a broad sense between a sensor unit in a broad sense in which at least a part of the sensor unit and the fluid drive system are integrally formed, and a portion related to the other fluid. The sensor part in the broad sense has a sample water,
A water quality meter characterized in that a reagent, a cleaning liquid, a calibration liquid, etc. are introduced, and a plurality of flow paths for discharging waste liquid from the sensor part in the broad sense are connected via an interface part integrally formed. 8. A water quality meter according to claim 5, further comprising a waste liquid tank for storing the waste liquid. 9. A unitized measuring unit, communication unit, control unit, waste liquid processing unit, and power supply unit, and replacement and maintenance of each unit are possible. Water quality meter described in crab. 10. The measuring section has a sensor section, a storage system, and an interface section, and at least the storage section, the sensor section,
10. The water quality meter according to claim 9, wherein the interface section is independent as a small unit, and each unit can be replaced and maintained. 11. A water quality meter comprising a sensor section having a sample water flow path, a light source, and a detector, wherein the flow path also serves as an optical path from the light source to the detector. . 12. The water quality meter according to claim 1, wherein a film of a photocatalytic material is formed inside the flow path. 13. The water quality meter according to claim 11, wherein a filter for selecting a wavelength range suitable for measuring absorbance is installed between the flow path and the detector. 14. The water quality meter according to claim 5, wherein the flow path is formed by etching silicon. 15. The water quality meter according to claim 12, wherein the photocatalytic material is titanium dioxide. 16. The water quality meter according to claim 11, wherein the flow path is provided with a reflective film. 17. The water quality meter according to claim 16, wherein the water quality meter has a reflection film shorter than the flow channel, and light is incident from between the flow channel and the reflection film by utilizing refraction of the light. 18. A flow path, a light source, a photodetector, a reagent,
In a water quality meter having a cleaning solution or a calibration solution, measuring the water quality of the sample water solution from the absorbance by mixing the reagent and the sample water to form a solution under test, in the flow path, a drain port in order from the downstream side, A water quality meter characterized in that it has a portion to be an optical path, a reagent introduction port, and a sample water introduction port, and a cleaning liquid introduction port or a calibration liquid introduction port is arranged in the upstream portion. 19. The measurement is started after the test liquid in which a reagent is mixed with a sample water at the time of measurement is caused to flow at least in a volume larger than the volume of a flow path serving as an optical path from the reagent introduction port. Water quality meter. 20. The filling liquid fills the flow path from the end of measurement to the next measurement.
Alternatively, the water quality meter according to 19.