JP2002011473A - Water treatment device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water treatment device with which leak of water to be treated flowing in an electrolytic cell can be prevented. SOLUTION: A water-discharge channel is provided in the electrolytic cell. Thereby, excess water to be treated is discharged to the outside when the water level in the electrolytic cell becomes higher than the prescribed water level due to an accident of a water level control means.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to various types of water tanks, from large water tanks such as pools and bathtubs to small water tanks such as water tanks arranged on the roof of buildings and bathtubs for general households. The present invention relates to a novel water treatment apparatus capable of sterilizing treated water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, pools installed indoors and outdoors, or bathtubs in inns and public baths are regularly maintained in order to maintain the quality of the water.
It is necessary to throw in an aqueous solution of high-grade salmon powder) or sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO) for sterilization. In the past, however, this work was done manually by employees of pools and baths, and since aqueous solutions of khaki and sodium hypochlorite were irritating, especially when throwing in during business hours, You have to be careful with your work,
There is a problem that it takes a lot of labor to perform the processing.

[0003] In particular, since khaki is a solid powder,
After injection, it takes time to dissolve and make the concentration uniform,
During that time, there was a problem that the pool and bathtub could not be used. In addition, in the case of a water tub placed on the roof of a building or a bath tub for ordinary households, the current state of the art only depends on the sterilizing power of chlorine ions contained in tap water, especially in the case of a water tub. One of the social problems is that the water quality deteriorates due to the propagation of algae inside.

[0004] In addition, in the case of a general home tub, it seems that there is usually no problem in terms of water quality because water is replaced approximately every one to two days. Since cleaning cannot be performed frequently, various bacteria and fungi easily propagate, and there is a concern that the water quality may deteriorate.

An object of the present invention is to provide a novel water treatment apparatus capable of easily and efficiently sterilizing the water to be treated stored in the various water tanks as described above.

[0006]

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention has invented a water treatment apparatus for guiding the water to be treated stored in each of the above-mentioned water tanks to an electrolytic tank and sterilizing the water by an electrochemical reaction. In the water treatment apparatus according to the present invention, the water to be treated is supplied to the electrolytic cell having the electrodes, and the water to be treated is subjected to an electrochemical reaction (so-called electrolysis). Hypochlorite ions, chlorine gas, HCIO, and the like are generated by the applied electrochemical reaction, and these are dissolved in the water to be treated, whereby the water to be treated is sterilized.

In such a water treatment apparatus that uses an electrolytic cell to sterilize by an electrochemical reaction, the water level in the water tank is controlled by a float switch or the like in order to control the level of the water to be treated in the electrolytic cell within a certain range. Utilization is used to detect and adjust the flow rate of the water to be treated into the electrolytic cell.

However, if the float switch breaks down or the control device malfunctions, the water level in the electrolytic cell cannot be controlled within a certain range, and the water to be treated overflows from the electrolytic cell.

[0009] If the water to be treated leaks, there is a risk of short-circuit and electric leakage. In particular, since the water to be treated contains a high concentration of a chlorine-containing compound, there is a concern about corrosion, and it is necessary to provide a water treatment apparatus that can solve such a problem.
An object of the present invention is to solve the problems described above and to provide a novel water treatment apparatus that can perform sterilization safely and favorably.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a water tank for storing water to be treated, and an electrolytic tank for sterilizing the water to be treated introduced from the water tank by an electrochemical reaction. A water treatment path for introducing the water to be treated from the water tank to the electrolytic tank, and for returning the water to the water tank after sterilization;
A water treatment apparatus comprising: a water level control unit configured to detect a water level of the water to be treated in the electrolytic cell, adjust an inflow amount of the water to be treated into the electrolytic cell, and maintain a water level of the electrolytic cell at a predetermined water level. An electrolyzer is a water treatment apparatus characterized by having a drainage path for discharging excess treated water to the outside when the water level in the electrolyzer exceeds the predetermined water level due to failure of the water level control means. is there.

The invention according to claim 2 is a water tank for storing the water to be treated, an electrolytic tank for sterilizing the water to be treated introduced from the water tank by an electrochemical reaction, and introducing the water to be treated from the water tank to the electrolytic tank. And a water treatment path having a water treatment path for returning to the water tank after the sterilization treatment, wherein the electrolytic cell comprises:
A water treatment apparatus characterized by having a drainage path for discharging excess treated water to the outside when the water level in the electrolytic cell exceeds a predetermined water level.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the water treatment apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the drainage path is provided so that only excess water exceeding a predetermined water level flows out and gas in the upper part of the electrolytic cell does not leak. U whose end is open in the water to be treated in the electrolytic cell
A water treatment apparatus comprising a path bent in a letter shape.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the water treatment apparatus according to the third aspect, the top of the inverted U-shaped portion of the drainage path is located slightly above the upper end opening of the electrolytic cell. Processing device.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the water treatment apparatus according to the third aspect, at least an inner surface of the pipe constituting the drainage path, which is in contact with the water to be treated, is treated with respect to a chlorine-containing compound generated by an electrochemical reaction. A water treatment apparatus formed of a material having corrosion resistance.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the water treatment apparatus according to the third aspect, further comprising an overflow detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of the water to be treated, which overflows through the drainage path, based on a signal from the overflow detecting means. A water treatment apparatus that performs an alerting operation when an overflow of water to be treated is detected. According to the configuration of claim 1 or 2, even when the level of the water to be treated in the electrolytic cell cannot be maintained at the predetermined level due to a failure of the float switch, the water to be treated exceeding the predetermined level is transferred to the drainage path. It overflows and is sent to the drain port. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the risk of a short circuit or a short circuit due to overflowing water to be treated.

Further, as described in claim 3, the drainage path is bent into an inverted U-shape and one end is opened into the water to be treated in the electrolytic cell, so that one end of the drainage path is always covered. Since it is closed with treated water, hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis does not leak to the drainage passage. Thus, there is no possibility that the gas undesirably flows into the drain port through the drain passage, so that the safety can be further improved.

Further, according to the structure of the fourth aspect, the top of the inverted U-shaped portion of the drainage path is located above the upper end opening of the electrolytic cell, whereby overflow water does not cause a siphon action. Therefore, only the surplus water exceeding the predetermined water level can be drained, and it is possible to prevent an undesirably large amount of water to be discharged by the siphon action.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, at least the inner surface of the pipe constituting the drainage path, which is in contact with the water to be treated, is formed of a material having corrosion resistance to chlorine-containing compounds generated by an electrochemical reaction. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the corrosion of these members and to provide a water treatment apparatus that is less likely to leak water.

Further, according to the configuration of claim 6, when the water to be treated overflows through the drainage path, it is notified by a buzzer or the like. By confirming the notification operation, the user becomes aware of a malfunction in the water level control of the electrolytic cell, and can take appropriate measures such as shutting down the device or repairing the faulty part promptly. Damage due to water level control failure can be minimized.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a simplified view showing a structure in which a water treatment apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in a large water tank 2 such as a pool or a bath tub.

As shown in the figure, a large amount of water W to be treated is always circulated in a water tank 2 by a circulation pump 22 incorporating a filter 21 for sand filtration in the direction indicated by a double solid line arrow in the figure. A main circulation path 20 is provided for the water treatment apparatus 1. The water treatment path 10 of the water treatment apparatus 1 is provided with a filter 21 of the main circulation path 20 as shown by a solid-line arrow in the figure.
A gas-liquid separation tank 1 that also functions as an electrolytic cell and has a built-in electrode set 11 composed of a plurality of electrode plates 110 and a filter 12 for removing fine bubbles, branched from a branch point J1 on the further downstream side.
3 and a junction J2 downstream of the branch point J1.
, So that it is connected again to the main circulation path 20. On the way of the water treatment path 10 from the branch point J1 to the gas-liquid separation tank 13, the on-off valve B1, the regulating valve B2 for adjusting the flow rate, the flow meter S1, the solenoid valve B3, and the water to be treated are sequentially filtered. And a filter 14 for removing organic substances and the like.

A pressure gauge S3 for measuring the pressure of the water to be treated is connected between the solenoid valve B3 and the filter 14.

The pressure gauge S3 and the flow meter S1 mainly stop or decrease the supply of the water to be treated from the main circulation path 20 to the water treatment path 10 for some reason.
When the water level in the gas-liquid separation tank 13 drops below a predetermined amount,
It is provided to prevent damage to these members by stopping the operation by stopping the power supply to the electrode set 11 and a delivery pump P1 described later.

In the water treatment path 10, the water to be treated is sent out from the gas-liquid separation tank 13 in order on the way from the gas-liquid separation tank 13 to the junction J 2, so that the water to be treated W is transferred to the water treatment path 10.
A pump P1 for circulation in the inside, a flow meter S4, a check valve B7 for preventing backflow, regulating valves B8 and B9 for adjusting flow rate, and an on-off valve B10 are arranged. A pressure gauge S5 for measuring the pressure of the water to be treated is connected between the gauge S4 and the check valve B7.

The pressure gauge S5 and the flow meter S4 mainly stop or decrease the reflux of the water to be treated from the water treatment path 10 to the main circulation path 20 for some reason.
When the water level in the gas-liquid separation tank 13 rises above a predetermined amount,
The opening / closing valves B1 and B10 are closed to shut off the water treatment path 10 from the main circulation path 20 in order to prevent water from overflowing from the air inlet 131a of the gas-liquid separation tank 13.

The gas-liquid separation tank 13 is, as shown in FIG.
A box-shaped tank body 130 serving as the main body, and the tank body 13
And a large lid 131 which forms the upper surface of the gas-liquid separation tank 13 by closing the upper opening 130c of the gas tank. The inside of the tank body 130 is formed by the filter 12 for removing fine bubbles. Gas-liquid separation areas 130a, 130
It is divided into b.

The two gas-liquid separation areas 130a,
The electrode set 11 composed of a plurality of electrode plates described above is arranged in the gas-liquid separation region 130a on the most upstream side of 130b, and the gas-liquid separation tank 13 also serves as an electrolytic tank for an electrochemical reaction. Have been. Further, an outlet 130d for water to be treated is formed at the bottom of the gas-liquid separation region 130b on the most downstream side, and the water treatment path 1 from this outlet 130d is formed.
The above-mentioned delivery pump P1 is arranged on the pipe 101 forming the latter half of the zero.

On the other hand, in the gas-liquid separation tank 13, above the surface of the water W to be treated in each of the gas-liquid separation regions 130 a and 130 b and above the upper side of the filter 12, A gas flow passage 13a is formed in the gas-liquid separation tank 13 over the gas-liquid separation regions 130a and 130b, as indicated by a dashed line arrow in the drawing.

In the large lid 131, due to the effect of the resistance of the filter 12 on the water flow, the water level becomes lowest as shown in the figure, whereby the most downstream gas-liquid having a sufficient space above the water surface is provided. At a position immediately above the separation region 130b,
An exhaust pipe F2 in which a suction-type blower F1 is disposed in the middle for forcibly discharging gas originating in fine bubbles separated from the water W to be treated by the filter 12 to the outside of the tank is connected. An air inlet 131a for introducing air into the tank instead of the gas discharged to the outside of the tank is formed by the blower F1 just above the gas-liquid separation area 130a on the most upstream side. In addition, a pipe 100 forming the first half of the water treatment path 10 is connected.

A small lid 132 holding the filter 12 is arranged on the large lid 131 so as to be separable from the large lid. The small lid 132 is used when performing maintenance on the filter 12. A seal member (not shown) is provided between the small lid 132 and the large lid,
Sealed so that water and gas to be treated do not leak from the gap.

At a substantially central position of the large lid 131, a float switch SW as a water level control means for controlling the water level in the gas-liquid separation area 130a to a certain range is provided. It is arranged to be inserted into the area 130a.

The float switch SW is provided with a water level detector SW
In the gas-liquid separation region 130a on the most upstream side, which is detected in 1,
By detecting the water level of the water to be treated W and opening and closing the on-off valve B1 and adjusting the flow rate by the regulating valve B2, the inflow of the water to be treated into the tank 13 is adjusted.
The water level of the water W to be treated 0a is controlled to a predetermined water level.

Further, a drain pipe 30 for draining overflowed water to be treated is provided on the most upstream side wall of the gas-liquid separation tank.
Is connected. The drain pipe 30 is bent in an inverted U-shape when viewed from the side. One end 30a is connected to a drain port (not shown), and the other end 30b is a side wall of the gas-liquid separation tank. It is connected to a position submerged in water. Since the other end 30b is always submerged in the water to be treated, it is separated from the water to be treated W and floats in the space above the tank.
This prevents gas or the like originating from the fine bubbles from entering the drain pipe 30.

The drain pipe 30 has a lower apex (A in FIG. 2) on the inner surface of the inverted U-shaped portion located slightly above the water surface at a predetermined water level controlled by the float switch SW, and The separation tank 13 is disposed below the upper end opening 130c. Due to malfunction of the float switch SW, the opening / closing valve B1, and the regulating valve B2, a failure of the control device, and the like, the inflow amount of the water to be treated flowing into the gas-liquid separation tank 13 cannot be adjusted. When the water level of W becomes uncontrollable to the predetermined water level, the water to be treated that flows in beyond the predetermined water level flows into the upper end opening 13 of the gas-liquid separation tank 13.
Before overflowing from 0c, the water overflows to the drain pipe 30 and is discharged to a drain port (not shown).

The upper top (B in FIG. 2) of the inner surface of the inverted U-shaped portion of the drain pipe 30 is provided at the upper end opening 13 of the gas-liquid separation tank 130.
Since it is arranged so as to be located above 0c, the overflow water does not cause a siphon action. Thereby, only the surplus water exceeding the predetermined water level can be drained, and it is possible to prevent an unnecessarily large amount of water to be discharged by the siphon action.

The drain pipe 3 is set so that the amount of overflow water that can be treated by the drain pipe 30 is larger than the maximum flow rate of the water to be treated flowing into the gas-liquid separation tank 13 from the pipe 100.
Even if the cross-sectional area of 0 is increased, the siphon effect can be prevented.

Near the one end 30a of the drain pipe 30, an overflow detecting means 39 for detecting that the water to be treated has overflowed into the drain pipe is provided. As shown in FIG. 3, the overflow detecting means 39 includes, for example, a micro switch 36 and a water receiving plate 37 inserted into the drain pipe 30, and when the water to be treated overflows into the drain pipe 30, When the water receiving plate is pushed down by the inflow pressure of the water to be treated, the micro switch 36 is turned on,
Overflow detection is performed. Reference numeral 38 denotes a seal member that closes a gap between the water receiving plate 37 and the drain pipe.

When the overflow detecting means 39 detects the overflow of the water to be treated, a buzzer (not shown) and a display section are energized to notify the user. The fact that the water to be treated overflows in the drain pipe 30 due to the failure of the water level control could not be easily detected from the outside, but in the present application, when the water to be treated overflows, the buzzer, the display unit, or the like is used. Be informed. By confirming the notification operation, the user becomes aware of a failure in the water level control of the gas-liquid separation tank 13 and can quickly take appropriate measures such as stopping the device or repairing the failed part as soon as possible. Damage caused by a failure in water level control can be minimized.

Although not shown, a tray for leaking water to be treated may be arranged below the gas-liquid separation tank 13.
Even if a leak occurs in the gas-liquid separation tank 13,
The risk of a short circuit or a short circuit due to leaked water to be treated can be minimized.

The electrode plate 110 constituting the electrode set 11 is made of, for example, gold (A) on the entire surface of a titanium (Ti) substrate.
u), a thin film of a noble metal such as platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), or platinum-iridium (Pt-Ir), which is coated by a plating method or a baking treatment, is used.

As the filter 12 for removing fine bubbles and the filter 14 for removing organic substances and the like, nonwoven fabrics made of natural or chemical fibers are used. Among them, particularly as the filter 12 for removing fine bubbles, since the filter 12 is disposed immediately after the electrochemical reaction by the electrode set 11, a chlorine-containing compound such as polypropylene fiber or active oxygen generated by the electrochemical reaction is used. A nonwoven fabric with a fine mesh is preferably used because it is formed of fibers having a sufficient resistance to water and does not easily transmit fine bubbles.

Using the water treatment apparatus 1 having the above-mentioned components,
To sterilize the water W to be treated in the water tank 2, first, the circulation pump 23 is operated as usual, and a large amount of the water to be treated is passed through the main circulation path 20 as shown by a double solid line arrow in FIG. 1. While constantly circulating W, the delivery pump P1 is operated and the on-off valves B1, B10 are opened. Then, a part of the water to be treated W circulating in the main circulation path 20 is mainly changed by the pressure difference between the internal pressure of the main circulation path 20 and the gas-liquid separation tank 13 under atmospheric pressure. First, the flow rate is adjusted through a regulating valve B2, then the flow rate is measured by a flow meter S1, the residual chlorine concentration is measured by a residual chlorine sensor (not shown), and the water pressure is measured by a pressure gauge S3. After that, it is sent to the filter 14 to remove organic substances and the like. The adjustment of the flow rate by the adjustment valve B2 is adjusted according to the measured flow rate of the flow meter S1.

Next, the water to be treated is sent to the gas-liquid separation area 130a on the most upstream side of the gas-liquid separation tank 13, and
0a, the electrode set 11 based on the measurement result of the residual chlorine concentration measured by the residual chlorine sensor (not shown).
After being sterilized by an electrochemical reaction by passing electricity through, fine bubbles are removed by the above-described mechanism while being sent through the filter 12 and sequentially to the downstream gas-liquid separation region 130b. , It looks beautiful and clear.

At this time, the gas removed from the water to be treated and originating from the microbubbles is generated by operating the blower F1.
It is removed from inside the gas-liquid separation tank 13 along with the flow of air flowing to the outside, and is discharged through the exhaust pipe F2 to the outside of the room or an exhaust port (not shown) as shown by the black arrow in the figure.

On the other hand, the water to be treated, from which the sterilization has been completed and from which the fine bubbles have been removed, is operated by the delivery pump P1.
From the gas-liquid separation region 130d on the most downstream side, the gas is sent out of the tank through a delivery port 130d provided at the bottom thereof, and the flow meter S
4. Check valve B7, regulating valves B8, B9, and on-off valve B1
The water is returned to the main circulation path 20 at the junction J2 through the zero, and is returned to the water tank 2.

As shown in FIG. 4, the water treatment apparatus 1 having the above-described components is actually a power supply device 31 for driving the components, a control device (sequencer) 32, a gas-liquid separation tank 13, The breaker 33 and the like are arranged in a cabinet 34 of an appropriate size, and the members, such as pumps, filters, and a pressure gauge, which need to be subjected to regular or irregular maintenance, such as pumps, filters, and pressure gauges, are installed in the cabinet. It is installed in a facility such as a pool in a unitized state, for example, by being placed outside the unit 34.

The cabinet 34 is formed of a box having a maintenance opening on one side, and a horizontal opening door 35 is provided in the maintenance opening. The control device 3 is located at the upper position in the cabinet 34.
2, a breaker 33, a power supply device 31, and instruments and operation switches (not shown) are provided. In the lower position, the gas-liquid separation tank 13 has a door 35 on the side where the filter 12 is disposed. On the side, the side on which the electrodes are arranged is arranged on the back side.

In the gas-liquid separation tank 13, the filter 12 requires maintenance more frequently than the electrode 11, and the filter 12 side of the gas-liquid separation tank 13 is arranged on the door 35 side of the cabinet 24. Thereby, workability in maintenance can be improved.
The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various changes can be made within the scope of the claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a water treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a gas-liquid separation tank, which is a main part of the water treatment apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the overflow detecting means.

FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view in which components of the present invention are arranged in a cabinet.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water treatment apparatus 13 Electrolysis tank (gas-liquid separation tank) 30 Drainage path SW Water level control means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) C02F 1/50 560 C02F 1/50 560F (72) Inventor Kazura Kawamura 2-chome Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka No. 5-5 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tatsuya Hirota 2-5-5 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi-shi, Osaka F-term in Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. 4D061 DA07 DB01 DB09 EA02 EB01 EB37 EB39 FA03 FA13 GA04 GC02

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A water tank for storing the water to be treated, an electrolytic tank for sterilizing the water to be treated introduced from the water tank by an electrochemical reaction, and introducing the water to be treated from the water tank into the electrolytic tank and performing a sterilization treatment. A water treatment path to be returned to the water tank later, and a water level control means for detecting the level of the water to be treated in the electrolytic cell and adjusting the inflow amount of the water to be treated into the electrolytic cell to keep the water level of the electrolytic cell at a predetermined level Wherein the electrolytic cell has a drainage path for discharging excess treated water to the outside when the water level in the electrolytic cell exceeds the predetermined water level due to a failure in water level control means. A water treatment apparatus, characterized in that: 2. A water tank for storing the water to be treated, an electrolytic tank for sterilizing the water to be treated introduced from the water tank by an electrochemical reaction, and introducing the water to be treated into the electrolytic tank from the water tank and performing a sterilization treatment. In a water treatment apparatus provided with a water treatment path for returning to a water tank later, the electrolytic tank has a drainage path for discharging excess treated water to the outside when the water level in the electrolytic tank exceeds a predetermined water level. A water treatment apparatus, characterized in that: 3. An inverted U-shaped drain passage having one end opened in the water to be treated in the electrolytic cell so that only excess water exceeding a predetermined water level flows out and gas in the upper part of the electrolytic cell does not leak. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a path bent in a mold. 4. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the top of the inverted U-shaped portion of the drainage path is located slightly above an upper end opening of the electrolytic cell. 5. The pipe according to claim 1, wherein at least an inner surface of said pipe which is in contact with the water to be treated is made of a material having corrosion resistance to chlorine-containing compounds generated by an electrochemical reaction. 4. The water treatment device according to 3. 6. An overflow detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water to be treated overflowing through the drainage path, and performing a notification operation when an overflow of the water to be treated is detected based on a signal from the overflow detecting means. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein