JP2003053169A - Carbonated water manufacturing apparatus and carbonic acid gas dissolving method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an apparatus and a carbonic acid gas dissolving method which allow low-cost production and, moreover, manufacture massive carbonated hot water with a stable dissolving efficiency. SOLUTION: This carbonated water manufacturing apparatus is provided with water passages which are branched in a plurality and respectively have carbonic acid gas dissolving elements 1, a carbonic acid gas addition ports 2 which are disposed on the upstream of the carbonic acid gas dissolving elements 1 and a confluence part 5 which allows the water passages to flow together. Therein, even when the treating quantity of water is varied, the number of water passages to be used is increased or decreased, thereby, the quantity of water flowing through each water passage can be kept within a specified range and, therefore, the dissolving efficiency can be maintained in a high level.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for efficiently producing carbonated water with a simple structure and a method for dissolving carbon dioxide gas.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Vasodilatory effects when bathed in hot water containing carbon dioxide gas such as carbonated spring and hot bath effects such as difficulty in cooling with hot water are generally well known, and agents and devices that can easily obtain carbonated water for bathing. Is commercially available. In addition, several hundreds in recent years
The therapeutic effect at high concentration of about ppm to 1000 ppm is being proved.

[0003] In order to obtain carbonated hot water containing such carbon dioxide gas, a method of dissolving carbon dioxide gas in a bath water using a hollow fiber membrane module containing a plurality of hollow fiber membranes open at both ends is known. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-279158 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-238928 disclose a device for directly blowing carbon dioxide into a pipe having a throttle to dissolve carbon dioxide in water.

[0004]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-27915
Although the method using the hollow fiber membrane module described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 8 can obtain high-concentration carbonated water,
Costs tended to be high. In addition, JP-A-5-238
In the case of the device for blowing carbon dioxide gas directly into a pipe having a restriction, which is described in Japanese Patent No. 928, since a single pipe having a restriction is used, the water pressure loss is high and it is difficult to obtain a large amount of carbonated hot water. In addition, there was a problem that the carbon dioxide gas dissolution efficiency also fluctuates greatly due to fluctuations in the flow rate of water. The present invention provides an apparatus and a carbon dioxide gas dissolution method that can be produced at low cost and that can produce a large amount of hot carbonated water with stable dissolution efficiency.

[0005]

That is, the first gist of the present invention is to divide into a plurality of water channels, each of which has a water channel having a carbon dioxide dissolving element which is disposed in the water channel and generates turbulence in the water flow, A carbonated water production apparatus comprising a carbon dioxide gas addition port provided upstream of the carbon dioxide gas dissolving element, and a confluent part for converging the water flow path. Further, it is preferable to provide a means for shutting off the branched water flow passage, because the number of the branched water flow passages can be changed according to the fluctuation of the flow rate to be treated. Further, when water is passed through each of the branched water channels at 2 L / min to 4 L / min,
The differential pressure from the junction of the water channel to the junction is 30 kPa-1
When it is 00 kPa, carbon dioxide gas can be efficiently dissolved, which is preferable.

[0006] A second gist of the present invention is to provide a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element, which is disposed in the water flow passage and generates turbulence in the water flow, in the water passage branched into a plurality of water passages, and the water flow passage upstream of the carbon dioxide dissolving element is provided. Carbon dioxide gas is added to the solution, the carbon dioxide gas is dissolved in water by a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element, and then a plurality of water streams are combined into one. In addition, if the number of water channels that flow water is changed by opening and closing multiple branched water channels according to the amount of water to be treated and the amount of water flow flowing through the branched water channels is kept within a certain range, the flow rate will fluctuate. Even so, it is preferable because the efficiency of dissolving carbon dioxide gas can be kept high. Water flow through the branched water flow path is 2 L / min to 4 L / mi
It is preferable that it is n and the differential pressure from the branched portion of the water flow passage to the confluence portion of the branched water flow passage is 30 kPa to 100 kPa because the dissolution efficiency of carbon dioxide gas can be improved. Further, it is economically preferable that the dissolution efficiency of carbon dioxide is 70% or more. Further, it is preferable that the carbon dioxide gas concentration of the generated carbonated water is 300 ppm to 1300 ppm, and that the temperature of the water flowing through the water flow channel is 30 ° C. to 50 ° C. because the carbonated water has a high effect.

[0007]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A carbon dioxide gas dissolving apparatus and a carbon dioxide gas dissolving method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a carbon dioxide gas dissolving apparatus according to the present invention, in which a solid arrow indicates a flow of water and a broken arrow indicates a flow of gas. In the example of FIG. 1, the water flow path is branched from the branching section 4 into four water flow paths, and each water flow path is provided with a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element 1 and a carbon dioxide gas addition port 2. The respective water flow paths merge again at the merging portion 5.

[0008] Here, the carbon dioxide gas dissolving element 1 is a member arranged in the water flow path to generate turbulence in the water flow,
It is an element that accelerates the dissolution of carbon dioxide gas by making bubbles of carbon dioxide gas added into water due to turbulence of the water flow and stirring. As more specific examples, there may be mentioned orifices, meshes, slits, etc. provided in the flow path, and a mixer composed of lattice-shaped members, protrusions and the like.

[0009] The form of branching of the water flow path is, for example, a block-shaped manifold member such as a column or a prism provided with a plurality of communication ports,
An integrated shape in which a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element is arranged at each communication port, a shape in which one independent flow path in which a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element is arranged is connected in parallel with a pipe such as a tube branched into a plurality of pipes, Etc. are possible. When connecting in parallel with a pipe such as a tube that is branched into a plurality of tubes, the branched water flow paths may be bundled into one and integrated. Further, if the shape of each branch water channel is a polygon such as a rectangle, the branch parts can be efficiently bundled when they are bundled together. In addition, the water flow path may be branched once, and the branched water flow path may be further branched to perform multi-step branching.

[0010] When each of the branched water flow paths is provided with the blocking means 3 that blocks the water flow path, the carbon dioxide gas can be dissolved without reducing the efficiency in accordance with the change in the water amount. Figure 2
Is a graph showing the relationship between the flow rate and the carbon dioxide gas dissolution efficiency,
The broken line is a line showing the relationship between the water flow rate flowing through the carbon dioxide gas dissolution element provided in one water flow path and the dissolution efficiency.When the flow rate becomes low, the disturbance of the flow generated by the carbon dioxide gas dissolution element decreases and the dissolution Efficiency is reduced.

[0011] The solid line indicates that as the flow rate decreases, the on-off valve provided in the water flow path is closed to reduce the water flow path used, and the flow rate flowing into one carbon dioxide gas dissolving element is adjusted to be constant. Is a line showing the relationship between the water flow rate and the dissolution efficiency in the case of
Carbon dioxide dissolution efficiency is stable at a high position. That is, it is possible to maintain high dissolution efficiency by dividing the water flow path into n lines, shutting off the water flow path sequentially whenever the water flow rate decreases by a certain amount, and making the amount of water flowing in one water flow path constant. Has become. At this time, along with the decrease in the water flow rate, it is necessary to reduce the carbon dioxide gas flow rate, but a simple method is to reduce the carbon dioxide gas supply pressure with a pressure control valve. Further, it is possible to appropriately select such as using a control means so as to detect the flow rate and automatically adjust the gas pressure.

[0012] As the shut-off means 3, for example, a method of opening and closing by attaching an opening / closing valve such as a ball valve to each flow path, and when a plurality of flow paths are integrated, a slide or a shutter is provided at the end thereof. A method of attaching a sealing member, etc., and sliding the sealing member to block the flow path can be cited. As a method of sliding the sealing member, for example, by disposing a plurality of blade-shaped shield plates at the ends and moving the blades as necessary to close the flow path, or by stretching a roll-shaped shield plate. , A method of closing the flow path, etc., specifically, those having a structure such as a shutter of a camera or a structure that makes a fan-like movement, or a structure such as a shutter attached to the entrance of a warehouse, a garage, etc. You can name things.

[0013] The gas addition port may be provided in each of the divided water channels as long as it is located upstream of the carbon dioxide dissolving element, or may be added before dividing the water channel. It is also possible to add a plurality of gases such as carbon dioxide gas and oxygen together, and in that case, piping may be added so that each gas is added to each branching portion.

Carbon dioxide addition port 2 for adding carbon dioxide to the water flow path
Regarding, it is preferable that a check valve is attached so that water does not flow back into the gas flow path. For example, the check valve has a shape like a rubber attached to a tire tube of a bicycle, and is generally called a duck bill. Things etc. can be used.

[0015] The flow rate of each water flowing through the branched water flow path is preferably 2 L / min to 4 L / min. When a large amount of treatment is required, if the flow rate is 2 L / min or less, the number of branches in the flow path increases, leading to an increase in the size and cost of the device. Loss becomes high and it becomes difficult to transfer liquid.

[0016] The higher the pressure, the more efficiently carbon dioxide can be dissolved in water, but if the pressure is too high, it becomes difficult to deliver the liquid. Therefore, carbonated water can be preferably obtained by adjusting the shape of the carbon dioxide gas dissolving element, the shape of the pipes, the diameter, etc. so that the pressure difference from the branching portion to the merging portion of the water flow path is 30 kPa to 100 kPa. Therefore, it is preferable.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing an outline of piping using an orifice for a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element. It is possible to adjust the carbon dioxide gas dissolution efficiency and the carbon dioxide gas concentration in water by changing the diameter of the opening 6 of the orifice and adjusting the throttling ratio (the ratio of the area of the protrusion of the orifice that blocks the pipe cross-sectional area). it can. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the throttle ratio, the carbon dioxide concentration, and the water pressure loss when the orifice having a length of 3 mm in the flow direction is provided in a pipe having a diameter of 10 mm and the orifice throttle ratio is changed. It is the figure which respectively showed the relationship between the draw ratio, the carbon dioxide gas dissolution efficiency, and the water pressure loss. The opening diameter and the reduction ratio were adjusted as shown in Table 1. The flow rate of water passed through each of the branched water flow paths was 2.7 L / min, and the carbon dioxide gas flow rates were 0.8 L / min and 1.5 L / min. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG.
By narrowing 7% to 95%, the differential pressure from the branch portion of the water flow passage to the confluence portion of the branched water flow passage can be set to 30 kPa to 100 kPa.

[0018]

[Table 1]

The length of the orifice in the flow direction is preferably thin, and is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 5 mm. 0.
If it is 1 mm or less, the orifice may be damaged by water pressure, and if it is 5 mm or more, pressure loss increases more than necessary, which is not preferable.

[0020] By setting the carbon dioxide gas dissolution efficiency to 70% or more, the amount of carbon dioxide gas diffused into the atmosphere can be suppressed,
Even if the carbon dioxide gas source such as a gas cylinder is small, it is possible to reduce the time and effort for exchanging the carbon dioxide gas source.

[0021] The flow rate of water passing through each of the branched flow paths is
It is preferable to make them substantially equal. For example, a method of arranging a constant flow valve using an elastic body such as rubber or a spring in each branched water channel, or a method of merging again after the water channel is branched There is a method of equalizing the pressure loss by aligning the lengths and inner diameters of the respective water flow paths up to, and the like, and it can be appropriately selected. Further, due to the arrangement of the carbon dioxide gas addition section in the device, for example, when the water flow path length cannot be made uniform, the diameter of the carbon dioxide gas dissolving element is adjusted to substantially reduce the water pressure loss. It is possible to make them equal.

[0022] As for the total amount of treated water, since the carbonated water is a partial bath such as a whole body bath or a foot bath, the time for which it is stored in a container such as a bathtub is short, and the shower head is also suitable when used in a shower bath or the like. Since it is discharged from 2 L / min to 2
The range of 0 L / min is preferable, and 5 L / min to 15 L
/ Min is more preferable. At this time, the number of branched water channels is preferably 2 to 10.

[0023] The carbon dioxide concentration is "The effects".
of external CO2 applicati
on on human skin microcir
Citation invested by l
aser Doppler flowmetry. In
t J Microcirc: Clin Exp 4: 3
43-350 (1985) ", the carbon dioxide concentration is 300p
As described in the description that it has an effect of increasing blood flow from about pm or more, it is preferably 300 ppm or more.

On the other hand, the saturated solubility of carbon dioxide at 40 ° C. is 1
It is about 300 ppm, and even if carbon dioxide gas is added at a concentration higher than this concentration, the dissolution efficiency decreases and undissolved gas is ejected from the discharge port, which is not preferable. Furthermore, when the concentration of carbon dioxide gas is 700 ppm or more, the pH of the carbonated water becomes 5 or less, which may deteriorate members with low acid resistance such as metals in places of use such as bathrooms and washrooms.
It is more preferable to set the carbon dioxide concentration to 300 ppm to 700 ppm.

[0025] When the water temperature is increased after the gas is added, the once dissolved gas is re-foamed and the gas concentration in water is reduced, which is not preferable. For this reason, it is preferable that the temperature of the water flowing through the water flow path is adjusted in advance from 30 ° C to 50 ° C. If the water temperature is 30 ° C or higher, there is generally no discomfort when touching the skin such as a whole body bath, foot bath or shower bath, and 50 if not used immediately after addition of carbon dioxide.
It is also possible to add carbon dioxide at a temperature of about ° C and cool it at the time of use to adjust the temperature appropriately. A more preferable temperature range is from 35 ° C to 40 ° C around the body temperature.

[0026] As a method of adjusting the carbon dioxide concentration, a method of adjusting the carbon dioxide supply pressure with a pressure adjusting device such as a regulator for the supply pressure of carbon dioxide, or a carbon dioxide supply amount depending on the opening / closing amount of the carbon dioxide flow passage with a needle valve or the like A method for adjusting the carbon dioxide gas flow rate adjusting member, a method for arranging a sintered body or the like of a metal or a resin having a fine communication port in the flow path, and causing the sintered body or the like to function as a pressure loss member, etc. it can. It is also possible to use these methods in combination as appropriate.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described based on Examples. <Example 1> In a pipe having a diameter of 10 mm, an opening diameter of 3 mm,
An orifice with a reduction rate of 91% is provided, and as shown in FIG.
This is connected in parallel, and the total of 4 pieces of water with a water temperature of 40 ° C is 10L.
/ L / min, carbon dioxide gas 0.8L / in each pipe
added at min. As a result, water pressure loss is 45 kPa
Thus, hot carbonated water having a dissolution efficiency of 80% and a carbon dioxide gas concentration of 500 ppm could be obtained.

<Example 2> Of the four parallel pipes of the apparatus used in Example 1, two channels were closed and the total flow rate of water was 5 L.
/ Min to pass water. As a result, the water pressure loss is 45k.
Carbonated hot water having a dissolution efficiency of 80% and a carbon dioxide gas concentration of 500 ppm could be obtained at Pa.

<Example 3> In the apparatus used in Example 1, a shower head was attached downstream of the flow passage merging portion of the parallel piping,
Hot water of 40 ° C was supplied at a rate of 10 L / min using a domestic water heater, and carbon dioxide was added to each of the pipes at a rate of 0.8 L / min. At this time, the water pressure loss was 100 kPa.
Thus, hot carbonated water having a dissolution efficiency of 80% and a carbon dioxide gas concentration of 500 ppm could be obtained.

<Comparative Example 1> A shower head is attached to one pipe having a diameter of 10 mm provided with an orifice having an opening diameter of 3 mm and a reduction rate of 91%, and carbon dioxide gas is added at 3.2 L / min while supplying hot water for home use. Although hot water of 40 ° C. was supplied from the vessel, the water supply pressure increased only to 200 kPa, so that the discharge amount of water from the shower was only 5 L / min. At this time, the dissolution efficiency was 50% and the carbon dioxide gas concentration was 630 ppm.

<Comparative Example 2> A pipe having a diameter of 10 mm and an orifice having a diameter of 5 mm and an orifice having a drawing rate of 75% was provided with a water temperature of 4 mm.
Pour water at 0 ° C at 10 L / min to give 3.2 L of carbon dioxide gas.
/ Min. At this time, the water pressure loss is 70 kPa
The carbon dioxide concentration of the obtained warm carbonated water is 300 ppm,
The dissolution efficiency was 50%.

<Comparative Example 3> A shower head is attached after the pipe of Comparative Example 2, and hot water at 40 ° C is supplied from a household water heater at 10 ° C.
When the hot water was supplied at L / min, the dissolution efficiency was low and undissolved carbon dioxide gas bubbles were blown out from the shower port, making it impossible to continuously discharge water.

[0033]

According to the method and apparatus for dissolving carbon dioxide gas of the present invention, a large amount of gas-added water with a low pressure loss can be obtained with a simple structure in which a flow channel is branched and a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element is provided in each. It can be manufactured efficiently and can be comfortably used for storing water in bathtubs such as whole body baths and foot baths, or for showering with carbonated hot water. Furthermore, stable dissolution efficiency can be maintained even if the water flow rate changes due to changes in the water supply pressure. Also, the device is small and can be manufactured at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a gas addition method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a relationship between a water flow rate and a carbon dioxide gas dissolution efficiency.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing an example of a pipe having a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a drawing ratio and a carbon dioxide concentration.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a drawing ratio and a carbon dioxide gas dissolution efficiency.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Carbon dioxide gas dissolution element 2 Carbon dioxide gas addition port 3 Means for blocking the water flow path 4 branches 5 Confluence section 6 openings

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F term (reference) 4C094 BB14 BC11 DD06 DD14 EE01                       EE20 EE34 FF01 FF02 FF05                       FF09 FF11 GG03 GG06                 4G035 AA05 AB26 AC26 AE13                 4G075 AA02 AA03 BB03 BD01 BD13                       BD22 DA02 DA12 DA18 EB21                       EC01 EC06

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A water channel having a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element which is disposed in the water channel and generates turbulence in the water flow, and a carbon dioxide gas addition port provided upstream of the carbon dioxide gas dissolving element. An apparatus for producing carbonated water, comprising: and a confluence part for converging the water flow path. 2. The carbonated water producing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for blocking the water flow path. 3. 2 L / min to 4 L in each of the water flow paths
When water is passed at a flow rate of / min, the pressure difference between the branch and the junction is 3
The apparatus for producing carbonated water according to claim 1 or 2, which has a pressure of 0 kPa to 100 kPa. 4. A carbon dioxide gas dissolving element, which is disposed in the water passage and generates turbulence in the water flow, is provided in the plurality of branched water passages, and carbon dioxide gas is added to the water passage upstream of the carbon dioxide dissolving element. A method for dissolving carbon dioxide gas, comprising dissolving carbon dioxide gas in water with a carbon dioxide gas dissolving element, and then joining a plurality of water streams into one. 5. The number of water flow passages that open and close a plurality of branched water flow passages is changed according to the amount of water to be treated, and the amount of water flow flowing through the branched water flow passages is maintained within a certain range. 4. The method for dissolving carbon dioxide described in 4. 6. The water flow flowing through the branched water flow path is 2 L /
The carbon dioxide gas dissolution method according to claim 5, wherein the carbon dioxide gas is from 4 to 4 L / min. 7. The method for dissolving carbon dioxide gas according to claim 4, wherein the differential pressure from the branched portion of the water flow path to the confluent portion is 30 kPa to 100 kPa. 8. The carbon dioxide gas dissolution method according to claim 4, wherein the carbon dioxide gas dissolution efficiency is 70% or more. 9. The carbon dioxide concentration of the generated carbonated water is 30.
It is 0 ppm-1300 ppm, The carbon dioxide dissolution method in any one of Claims 4-8. 10. The method for dissolving carbon dioxide according to claim 4, wherein the temperature of the water flowing through the water flow path is 30 ° C. to 50 ° C.