JP2003220386A - Water softener and method for controlling regeneration of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to early find a salt water concentration insufficiency causing poor regeneration and a sudden hardness leakage so as to give an alarm, to reliably and exactly perform the regeneration of the ion exchange resin, and to continuously feed the treated water over 24 hours or longer. <P>SOLUTION: The water softener is provided with a treated water flow rate measurement means 9 that measures the flow rate of treated water having been passed through a resin cylinder 2 packed with an ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detection means 11 that detects the concentration of the salt water during regeneration. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water softening device for ion-exchange treatment of raw water containing hardness into soft water and a method for controlling regeneration of the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, it is necessary to prevent the scale from adhering to the cooling water heating equipment such as boilers, water heaters, coolers, etc. A device for removing water is connected, and among them, an automatic regenerating type water softening device of a method of removing hardness by using an ion exchange resin is widely used. This type of water softening device uses Na ⁺ type ion exchange resin and replaces metal cations such as Ca ²⁺ or Mg ²⁺ among hardness components contained in water with Na ⁺ to remove hardness. Is. When the ion exchange resin is replaced with cations and becomes saturated and loses the ability to remove hardness, the ion exchange resin is reacted with salt water to perform a regeneration operation to regenerate the ability.

Generally, in order to carry out the regeneration operation efficiently, the saturation degree of the ion exchange resin is detected, and the required minimum amount of salt water for regeneration is supplied according to the state, or the saturation degree is adjusted. Therefore, it is desirable to control the reproduction at an appropriate timing. As a conventional regeneration control method, when the water softening device is installed, the hardness of the feed water at that location is measured in advance, and based on the measured value, a predetermined volume of the ion exchange resin that can be treated is sampled. Water volume (ie
There is a flow rate regeneration method in which the amount of water that can be softened by the ion exchange resin before the regeneration operation is calculated), and the regeneration operation is performed when the amount of supplied water reaches the calculated amount of sampled water. .

By the way, generally, the water softening device is designed to exhibit 100% processing capacity when it is regenerated by using saturated salt water. The amount of water sampled is calculated.
However, in regenerating the water softener, the salt water concentration may become lower than the saturated salt water concentration due to mismanagement of replenishment of the regenerated salt, in which case regeneration failure will occur and the processing capacity will decrease, resulting in Hardness leakage occurs before the amount of water flow reaches the calculated amount of sampled water. Further, since the ion exchange resin used in the water softening device may deteriorate with time, in this case as well, the processing capacity decreases, and similarly hardness leakage occurs.

Further, in equipment for cooling and heating equipment in which the water softening device is incorporated, continuous operation is performed for 24 hours or more. In response to this, the water softening device is also operated 24 times.
It is necessary to continuously supply treated water over a period of time. However, as described above, the water softening device needs to perform the regeneration operation, and there is a problem that the treated water cannot be supplied during the regeneration operation.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problems to be solved by the present invention include early detection and notification of insufficient salt water concentration and unexpected hardness leak that cause defective regeneration, as well as regeneration of the ion exchange resin. It is necessary to perform the treatment reliably and accurately, and further, to continuously supply the treated water for 24 hours or more.

[0007]

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and the invention according to claim 1 is to change the flow rate of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder filled with the ion exchange resin. It is characterized in that it is provided with a treated water amount measuring means for measuring and a salt water concentration detecting means for detecting a salt water concentration at the time of regeneration.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the treated water amount measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder filled with the ion exchange resin, and the salt water concentration detecting means for detecting the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration. Multiple water softeners equipped with are installed in parallel,
The feature is that the water-flowing operation and the regenerating operation of each of these water softening devices are switchably connected.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a treated water amount measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder filled with the ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detecting means for detecting the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration. A hardness leak detecting means for measuring the hardness of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder and detecting the hardness leak is provided.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a treated water amount measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder filled with the ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detecting means for detecting the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration. , A plurality of water softening devices equipped with a hardness leak detecting means for measuring the hardness of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder and detecting the hardness leak are installed in parallel, and the water passing operation of each of these water softening devices is performed. , It is characterized in that the regeneration operation is switchably connected.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, a branch portion for branching the supply water to each water softening device is provided in a water supply line to each water softening device, and the treated water from each water softening device is joined. It is characterized in that a merging means for causing the effluent is provided and a treated water line is connected to the merging means.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that the hardness leak detecting means is provided on the downstream side of the joining means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a single salt water tank is provided, and the salt water tank and each of the water softening devices are switchably connected to each other through switching means provided in the salt water line, and the switching means is provided. The salt water concentration detecting means is provided on the upstream side of the above.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a treated water amount measuring means for measuring the flow rate of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder filled with the ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detecting means for detecting the concentration of the salt water at the time of regeneration. A method for controlling the regeneration of a water softening device comprising: presetting a set value of the hardness removal amount until the next regeneration based on the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration, and measuring the hardness of the water supplied to the water softening device in advance. The raw water hardness obtained by
Based on the treated water amount measured by the treated water amount measuring means, an integrated value of the hardness removal amount is obtained with time, and when the integrated value reaches the set value, the regeneration operation of the water softening device is started. It has a feature.

The invention according to claim 9 is the regeneration control method for a water softening device according to claim 2, wherein the set value of the hardness removal amount until the next regeneration is preset based on the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration. Then, the raw water hardness obtained by previously measuring the hardness of the water supplied to the water softening device, and the integrated value of the amount of hardness removed over time based on the amount of treated water measured by the treated water amount measuring means, When the integrated value reaches the set value, the water softening device in the water passing operation is switched to the regenerating operation, and the water softening device in the water waiting state is switched to the water passing operation.

The invention according to claim 10 is the method for controlling regeneration of the water softening device according to claim 3, wherein the hardness of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder is measured and hardness leakage is detected. The water softening device is shifted to a regenerating operation.

The invention according to claim 11 is the method for controlling regeneration of the water softening device according to any one of claims 4 and 6, wherein the hardness of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder is measured. However, when the hardness leak is detected, the water softening device in the water passing operation is switched to the regenerating operation, and the water softening device in the water waiting state is switched to the water passing operation.

The invention described in claim 12 is the invention according to claim 3,
The method for controlling regeneration of a water softening device according to any one of 4 and 6, wherein when the salt water concentration during regeneration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value necessary for performing predetermined regeneration, the hardness removal amount is integrated. When the value exceeds the set value and hardness leak is detected, the regeneration operation is started, and when the salt water concentration during regeneration is less than the predetermined value, the regeneration operation is started when hardness leak is detected. It has a feature.

Further, the invention according to claim 13 is the method for controlling regeneration of the water softening device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein the salt water concentration during regeneration is less than the predetermined value. It is characterized by performing a notification operation.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described. This invention comprises means for measuring the flow rate of treated water after passing through a resin cylinder filled with an ion exchange resin, and means for detecting the concentration of salt water at the time of regeneration. It can be implemented in a water softener having a configuration provided with a controller for controlling the regeneration operation of the water softener.

The basic structure of the water softening device comprises a resin cylinder filled with an ion exchange resin and a control valve. To this control valve, a water supply line for supplying water to the resin cylinder and a treated water line for supplying the treated water subjected to the water softening treatment to the equipment using the water softener are connected. Further, a salt water tank and a drain line are connected to the control valve via a salt water line. Further, the treated water line is provided with a treated water amount measuring means and a hardness leak detecting means, respectively, and the salt water line is provided with a salt water concentration detecting means. Here, the salt water concentration detecting means may be provided not only in the salt water line but also in the salt water tank or the drain line.

As a measure for continuously supplying treated water for 24 hours, there is a form in which a plurality of water softening devices are installed in parallel. As a basic configuration in this case, a plurality of water softeners each including the control valve, the treated water amount measuring means, the salt water concentration detecting means, etc. are installed in parallel. These water softeners are switchably connected so that they can independently perform water passage operation, regeneration operation, and the like. That is, between the water supply line and the treated water line, a plurality of independent water softeners each having a water softening treatment function are connected in parallel so as to be switchable. Therefore, each of the water softeners can be switched to a water-flowing state, a regenerating state, a standby state, etc., so that the treated water can be continuously supplied for 24 hours or more.

In addition, in a configuration in which a plurality of water softeners are installed in parallel, common equipments among the equipments constituting the water softeners are connected so as to be common.

That is, in the treated water amount measuring means, first, the treated water line is provided with a treated water confluence means from each of the water softening devices, and the treated water amount measuring means is disposed downstream of the confluence means. It has a structure. This allows
The amount of treated water during the water-flowing operation of each water softening device can be individually detected by one measuring means.

Next, in the salt water concentration detecting means, a single salt water tank is connected to each of the water softeners via a salt water line, and the salt water to the water softeners is connected to the salt water line. And a switching means for switching and supplying each of them, and one salt water line is provided on the upstream side of the switching means. Thereby, the concentration of salt water at the time of regeneration of each water softening device can be individually detected by one detecting means. Here, the salt water concentration detecting means may be provided not only in the salt water line but also in the salt water tank. That is, the structure may be provided not only in the salt water line but also in the salt water tank as long as it is located upstream of the switching means. Furthermore, in the salt water concentration detecting means, the drain line may be provided with a confluence portion for the drains from the respective water softeners, and one may be provided downstream of the confluence portion. Thereby, the concentration of salt water at the time of regeneration of each water softening device can be individually detected by one detecting means.

Further, in a configuration in which a plurality of water softening devices are installed in parallel, a hardness leak detecting means for measuring the hardness of the treated water and detecting the hardness leak can be provided. In this case, the hardness leak detecting means may be provided individually on each treated water line of each water softening device or may be provided on the downstream side of the joining means.
According to the latter configuration, the hardness leak during the water-passing operation of each water softening device can be individually detected by one detecting means.

Now, a method for controlling the regeneration of the water softening device having the above construction will be described. First, the regeneration control method in the present invention obtains the set value of the hardness removal amount until the next regeneration from the preset amount of salt water and the concentration of salt water at the time of regeneration, and measures the hardness of the water supplied to the water softening device in advance. The raw water hardness obtained by the above, and the integrated value of the amount of hardness removed over time from the amount of treated water measured by the softened treated water amount measuring means, when the integrated value is equal to the set value, soft water The regeneration operation of the chemical conversion device is started. That is, the regeneration operation is started by the exchange capacity of the ion-exchange resin filled in the resin tube of the water softening device (after regeneration, the degree of regeneration is determined by the concentration of salt water at the time of regeneration. Is uniformly determined) and the integrated value of the hardness removal amount by the raw water hardness and the treated water amount measured by the treated water amount measuring means (that is, the exchange amount of the ion exchange resin subjected to the ion exchange) becomes substantially equal. When this happens, the controller is notified and the regeneration operation is started.

Further, in the constitution in which the hardness leak detecting means is provided in the treated water line, when the treatment limit is exceeded earlier than expected due to deterioration of the ion exchange resin and the hardness leaks, the hardness also becomes high. The detection means detects this and notifies the controller to start the regeneration operation.

Next, when the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value necessary for performing the predetermined regeneration, that is, when the salt water concentration is within an appropriate range, the raw water hardness and the treated water amount measuring means are used. When the integrated value of the hardness removal amount by the treated water amount exceeds the set value of the hardness removal amount until the next regeneration and the hardness leakage is detected by the hardness leakage detection means, the controller is notified and the reproduction is performed. It starts operation. As a result, the exchange capacity of the ion-exchange resin after regeneration can be maximized and the maximum amount of sampled water can be obtained. When the salt water concentration during regeneration is less than the predetermined value, that is, when the salt water concentration is out of the appropriate range, regardless of the integrated value of the hardness removal amount, when the hardness leak is detected, the controller is notified. A notification is sent to start the regenerating operation.

Further, when the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration, which is measured by the salt water concentration measuring means, is less than the predetermined value, a notification operation is performed in the controller.

As described above, according to the present invention, the insufficient salt water concentration and the unexpected hardness leak that cause defective regeneration are detected and reported early, and the ion exchange resin can be regenerated reliably and accurately. It is possible to continuously supply the treated water for 24 hours or more.

[0032]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The present invention is preferably implemented in a water softening device to be installed in cold heat equipment, particularly equipment in which it is desirable that the water supplied to the cold heat equipment is softened (hereinafter referred to as "equipment using soft water"). be able to.

First, FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a water softening device 1 according to the present invention includes a resin cylinder 2 filled with Na ⁺ type ion exchange resin (not shown) and a control valve 3. A water supply line 4 for supplying water to the resin cylinder 2 and a treated water line 5 for supplying treated water from the resin cylinder 2 to an apparatus using soft water (not shown) are connected to the control valve 3. A salt water tank 6 that stores salt water for regenerating the ion exchange resin is connected to the control valve 3 via a salt water line 7. Further, the control valve 3 is connected to a drain line 8 for discharging wastewater and the like at the time of regeneration.

Further, the treated water line 5 is provided with a treated water amount measuring means 9 for measuring the flow rate of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder 2. That is, the treated water amount measuring means 9 measures the flow rate of soft water used by the soft water using device. Then, in the treated water line 5, a hardness leakage detecting means 1 for measuring the hardness of the treated water and detecting the presence or absence of hardness leakage.
0 is provided.

The salt water line 7 connected to the salt water tank 6 is provided with salt water concentration detecting means 11 for detecting the concentration of salt water at the time of regeneration. This salt water concentration detecting means 1
1 is a device for accurately measuring the concentration of salt water used for regeneration. Since the electric conductivity of salt water differs depending on its concentration, the concentration of salt water can be detected by measuring the electric conductivity. This concentration detection includes a method of measuring the refractive index of salt water in addition to the measurement of electric conductivity. Further, as the concentration sensor, there is an ultrasonic sensor or the like. Here, it is also suitable to provide the salt water concentration detecting means 11 in the salt water tank 6 depending on the implementation.

The control valve 3, the treated water amount measuring means 9, the hardness leak detecting means 10 and the salt water concentration detecting means 11 are connected to a controller 13 via signal lines 12, 12 ,. ing.

The controller 13 is provided with an alarm device 14 for notifying the hardness leak to the outside. And the controller 13
Has a function of controlling the operation of the control valve 3 according to a preset program. For example, the regenerating operation of the water softening device 1 includes a backwashing process, a salt water regenerating process, a water washing process, a water replenishing process, and the like, and each of these processes is performed by controlling the control valve 3. Further, the controller 13 has a function of performing backup control when detecting hardness leak.

The regeneration control method of the water softening device having the above-mentioned structure is for efficiently controlling the regeneration start time of the ion exchange resin when the salt water concentration fluctuates due to mismanagement of replenishment of the regenerated salt. Therefore, first, the salt water concentration is calculated from the detection value of the salt water concentration detection means 11 at the time of the previous regeneration, and the degree of regeneration of the ion exchange resin is determined based on the calculated salt water concentration and a preset amount of salt water. Based on this determination result, the set value of the hardness removal amount that can remove the hardness before the next reproduction is obtained.

Then, based on the raw water hardness obtained by previously measuring the hardness of the water supplied to the water softening device 1 and the treated water amount measured by the treated water amount measuring means 9, the hardness removal amount of the passing water is determined. Calculate the integrated value over time. Then, when the integrated value becomes equal to the set value, the water flow operation is stopped and the regeneration operation is started. That is,
The regeneration start time of the ion exchange resin is controlled based on the set value and the integrated value.

That is, when the salt water concentration is low, the hardness removal amount is set to a small amount, so that the regeneration cycle, that is, the time until the next regeneration operation is relatively short. On the contrary, the regeneration cycle when the salt water concentration is high is relatively long. Therefore, according to this regeneration control method, the regeneration cycle of the ion exchange resin can be specified in accordance with the salt water concentration.

On the other hand, regarding the regenerating operation, the regenerating operation is started when the exchange capacity of the ion exchange resin is lost, that is, when the set value and the integrated value become equal to each other. It becomes possible to recycle the waste water and eliminate the waste of salt water. That is, it is possible to eliminate the start of regeneration when the remaining capacity of the ion exchange resin remains, and waste of salt water is eliminated.

Furthermore, the hardness leak detecting means 10 is a backup control means when the supply water is being softened, and a hardness leak signal from the hardness leak detecting means 10 to the controller 13. When output, the controller 13
It is judged that the ion exchange resin is deteriorated, and the alarm device 14
A warning is issued to notify the hardness leak, and the water softening device 1 is shifted to a regenerating operation.

A modification of the first embodiment will be described. When the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value necessary for performing a predetermined regeneration, that is, when regenerating at a salt water concentration within an appropriate range, it depends on the raw water hardness and the treated water amount measured by the treated water amount measuring means 9. The integrated value of the hardness removal amount exceeds the set value of the hardness removal amount until the next reproduction,
In addition, it is also suitable, depending on the implementation, to notify the controller 13 to start the regeneration operation when the hardness leak detecting means 10 detects the hardness leak. As a result, the exchange capacity of the ion-exchange resin after regeneration can be maximized and the maximum amount of sampled water can be obtained. Further, when the salt water concentration during regeneration is less than the predetermined value, that is, when the salt water concentration is outside the proper range, regardless of the integrated value of the hardness removal amount, when the hardness leak is detected, the controller It is also suitable to notify 13 to start the regeneration operation depending on the implementation.

Next, when the salt water concentration during regeneration measured by the salt water concentration measuring means 11 is less than the predetermined value,
A signal is output from the controller 13 to the alarm device 14 to perform a notification operation.

As described above, according to this first embodiment,
Insufficient salt water concentration and unexpected hardness leak that cause defective regeneration can be detected and reported early, and the ion exchange resin can be reliably and accurately regenerated.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 2 showing the second embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 2 shows an embodiment corresponding to the case where continuous treatment of the treated water by the water softening device for 24 hours or more is required. Two water softening devices 1 are installed in parallel. FIG. Further, in FIG. 2, among the members constituting the water softening device 1, the members that can be shared are illustrated as being shared.

In FIG. 2, the first water softening device 15 and the second water softening device 16 are installed in parallel between the water supply line 4 and the treated water line 5, and each of them independently passes water. It is connected so that it can be in an operating state (water softening treatment operation) and a regeneration operating state.

First, the inlet side of the supply water in both the water softeners 15 and 16 will be described. The both water softeners 15 and 16 and the water supply line 4 are the first water supply line branched from the water supply line 4. 17 and second water supply line 1
8 are connected to each other. The water supply line 4 and the two water supply lines 17 and 18 are connected at a branch portion 19.

Next, the outlet side of the treated water in both the water softeners 15 and 16 will be described. The first treated water line 20 of the first water softener 15 and the second treated water of the second water softener 16 will be described. The water line 21 is joined via a joining means 22 such as a three-way valve, and the joining means 22 is connected to the treated water line 5. By the switching operation of the merging means 22, either one of the both treated water lines 20 and 21 and the treated water line 5 communicate with each other. The treated water amount measuring means 9 and the hardness leak detecting means 10 are provided on the downstream side of the confluence means 22 (that is, the treated water line 5). Accordingly, the flow rate and the hardness leakage during the water-passing operation when the water softening device 15 and the water softening device 16 are alternately operated can be individually detected by one detecting means.

Here, the treated water amount measuring means 9 may be provided in each of the both treated water lines 20, 21, that is, the treated water amount measuring means 9 may be provided in each of the both water softening devices 15, 16. , Suitable for the implementation.

Further, the hardness / leakage detecting means 10 may be provided in each of the treated water lines 20, 21, that is, the hardness / leakage detecting means 10 may be provided in both the water softening devices 1.
It is also suitable to provide each of 5 and 16 depending on the implementation.

Further, the salt water concentration detecting means 11 will be described. The salt water concentration detecting means 11 is provided in the salt water line 7 connecting the salt water tank 6 and the both water softening devices 15, 16 respectively. As a specific example of the second embodiment, a structure in which one salt water tank 6 is provided will be described. The salt water line 7
Is the downstream side of the water softening device 15, 16
On the side close to the first salt water line 24 via a switching means 23 such as a three-way valve, a first salt water line 24 and a second salt water line 25, and the first salt water line 24 is connected to the control valve 3 of the first water softening device 15. And the second salt water line 25 is connected to the control valve 3 of the second water softening device 16. Further, one salt water concentration detecting means 11 is provided in the salt water line 7 on the upstream side of the switching means 23. Therefore, by switching the switching means 23, the salt water in the salt water tank 6 can be supplied to either of the water softeners 15 and 16.

With this arrangement, the concentration of salt water at the time of regenerating both the water softening devices 15 and 16 can be individually detected by providing only one salt water concentration detecting means 11. Here, it is also suitable to provide the salt water concentration detecting means 11 in each of the salt water lines 24 and 25 depending on the implementation.

Here, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. First, the regeneration control of each of the water softeners 15 and 16 is the same as the regeneration control of the first embodiment, and the integrated value of any of the water softeners in the water-flowing operation state is the set value. When it reaches, the regeneration operation of the water softening device is started.

For example, a case will be described in which the first water softening device 15 is in the water flow operating state and the second water softening device 16 is in the standby state after the regeneration operation is completed.

In this state, the first water softener 1
5 communicates with the water supply line 4 through the first water supply line 17, and also communicates with the treated water line 5 through the first treated water line 20 to supply treated water to the equipment using soft water. We are supplying. Then, the first water softening device 1
5 communicates with the salt water tank 6 via the salt water line 7 and the first salt water line 24.

On the other hand, since the second water softening device 16 is in the standby state, it communicates with the water supply line 4 through the second water supply line 18, but the merging means 22 and the switching means 23 are connected. By the action, the communication between the treated water line 5 and the salt water line 7 is blocked.

When the water-passing operation of the first water softening device 15 is continuing, the controller 13 measures the hardness of the water supplied to the first water softening device 15 in advance to obtain the raw water. An integrated value of the hardness removal amount of the first water softening device 15 is calculated over time from the hardness and the treated water amount measured by the treated water amount measuring means 9. Then, the first water softening device 1
When the integrated value of 5 reaches the set value, the controller 13 switches the water passing operation of the first water softening device 15 to a regenerating operation, and the second water softening device 16 in the water waiting state. Control to switch to water flow operation. This switching control will be described in detail.

First, the water passage operation of the first water softening device 15 is stopped and the regeneration operation is started. That is, the merging means 22 is switched to cut off the communication between the first treated water line 20 and the treated water line 5 of the first water softening device 15. Then, salt water is introduced into the resin cylinder 2 from the salt water tank 6 through the salt water line 7 and the first salt water line 24 to regenerate the ion exchange resin.

At the same time, the merging means 22 is switched to connect the second treated water line 21 of the second water softening device 16 and the treated water line 5 to each other, and the treated water is used as the soft water using equipment. Supply to. As a result, the first water softening device 15 is brought into the regeneration operation state and the second water softening device 16 is brought into the water flow operation state.

Next, when the integrated value of the second water softening device 16 reaches the set value, the water passage operation of the second water softening device 16 is stopped and the regeneration operation is started, as in the above. On the other hand, the water-passing operation of the first water softening device 15, which is in a standby state after the regeneration operation is completed, is started. Hereinafter, such control is repeated to repeat both the water softening devices 15 and 16
Is alternately switched to the water-passing operation and the regenerating operation, which makes it possible to continuously supply the treated water for 24 hours or more.

The regeneration operation of both the water softening devices 15 and 16 will be briefly described below.
Similar to the normal regenerating operation, it includes a backwashing process, a salt water regenerating process, a water washing process, a water refilling process, etc. Each of these processes controls the control valves 3 of the water softening devices 15 and 16. The above is done individually.

Therefore, in this second embodiment,
At the time when each of the steps is completed, the controller 13 switches the switching means 23, and the control valve 3 and the salt water line 7 of the water softening device in the water-passing operation state.
Connect and. That is, the water softening device in the water-flowing operation state has the salt water line 7 at the initial stage of water flow.
However, they are in a communication state at the time when the respective steps of the other water softening device are completed, that is, at the time when the water replenishing step for the salt water tank 6 is completed.
Then, the other water softening device is in a standby state in preparation for the next water passage operation.

Further, in each of the water softeners 15 and 16, the controller 13 determines the salt water concentration of the water softener in the standby state based on the detection value from the salt water concentration detecting means 11. Calculated, the degree of regeneration of the ion-exchange resin is determined by the calculated salt water concentration and the amount of salt water set in advance, based on this determination result,
The hardness removal amount that can be removed by the next reproduction is calculated. Then, the hardness removal amount until the next reproduction is set based on the calculated value.

On the other hand, when the two water softening devices 15 and 16 are installed in parallel, the hardness leak detecting means 10 is used.
Is a backup control means when softening the supply water, and when the hardness leak detection means 10 outputs a hardness leak signal to the controller 13,
No. 3 judges that the ion exchange resin is deteriorated, etc., and issues an alarm from the alarm device 14 to report hardness leakage, and
Control is performed to switch the water softener during water flow operation to regeneration operation and to switch the water softener during water flow standby mode to water flow operation.

As described above, according to this second embodiment,
Similar to the first embodiment, the lack of salt water concentration and unexpected hardness leak that cause poor regeneration can be detected and reported early, and the ion exchange resin can be regenerated reliably and accurately. In addition to eliminating waste, it is possible to continuously supply treated water to the equipment using soft water for 24 hours or more.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3 showing the third embodiment, the same members as those in the first embodiment and the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment for coping with the case where continuous treatment of the treated water by the water softening device for 24 hours or more is required. Three water softening devices 1 are installed in parallel. It is explanatory drawing of a case. Further, also in FIG. 3, among the members forming the water softening device 1, the commonizable members are illustrated as being common.

In FIG. 3, the third water softening device 26, the fourth water softening device 27, and the fifth water softening device 28 are installed in parallel between the water supply line 4 and the treated water line 5. , Which are independently connected to each other so that they can be in a water-flowing operation state (water softening treatment operation) and a regeneration operation state.

First, each of the water softening devices 26, 27, 28
The inlet side of the supply water will be described. The water softening devices 26, 27, 28 and the water supply line 4 are the third water supply line 29, the fourth water supply line 30, and the fifth water supply line branched from the water supply line 4. Each of them is connected via a line 31. The water supply line 4 and the water supply lines 29, 30, 31 are connected at the branching section 19.

Next, each water softening device 26, 27, 2
Explaining the outlet side of the treated water in No. 8, the third treated water line 32 of the third water softening device 26, the fourth treated water line 33 of the fourth water softening device 27, and the fifth treated water device 28 of the fifth water softening device 28. The five treated water lines 34 join together via a joining means 35 such as a four-way valve, and the joining means 35 and the treated water line 5 are connected to each other. This merging means 3
By the switching operation of 5, the treated water lines 32, 33,
Any one of 34 and the treated water line 5 communicate with each other. Further, the treated water amount measuring means 9 and the hardness leak detecting means 10 are respectively provided on the downstream side of the merging means 35 (that is, the treated water line 5). Accordingly, the flow rate and the hardness leakage during the water-passing operation when the water softening devices 26, 27, and 28 are sequentially operated can be individually detected by the respective one detecting means.

Here, the treated water amount measuring means 9 may be provided in each of the treated water lines 32, 33, 34, that is, the treated water amount measuring means 9 may be provided in each of the water softening devices 26, 27, 28. Can also be installed in
It is suitable depending on the implementation.

The hardness leak detecting means 10 may be provided in each of the treated water lines 32, 33, 34, that is, the hardness leak detecting means 10 may be provided in each of the water softening devices 26, 27, 28. Providing each of them is also suitable depending on the implementation.

Further, the salt water concentration detecting means 11 will be described. Since the salt water concentration detecting means 11 is provided in the salt water line 7 connected to the salt water tank 6 as described above, Description will be made assuming that one tank 6 is provided. The salt water line 7 is
A third salt water line 37 via a switching means 36 such as a four-way valve,
It branches into a fourth salt water line 38 and a fifth salt water line 39, and the third salt water line 37 is connected to the third water softener 2
6, the fourth salt water line 38 is connected to the control valve 3 of the fourth water softener 27, and the fifth salt water line 39 is
It is connected to the control valve 3 of the fifth water softening device 28. Therefore, the salt water in the salt water tank 6 is switched by the switching operation of the switching means 36 to the water softening device 2
6, 27, or 28 is supplied.

As a result, by only providing one of the salt water concentration detecting means 11, each of the water softening devices 26, 27, 28.
The concentration of salt water at the time of regeneration can be detected individually. Here, each of the water softening devices 26,
It is also suitable, depending on the implementation, to provide the salt water tanks 6 and 27 and provide the salt water concentration detecting means 11 to the salt water lines 7 of the salt water tanks 6 respectively.

Here, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. Regeneration control of each of the water softening devices 26, 27, 28 is the same as the regeneration control of the first embodiment and the second embodiment. First of all, it is in the water flow operating state 1
When the integrated value of the th water softener reaches the set value, the water softener shifts to the regeneration operation. Next, of the remaining two water softening devices, the second water softening device that has been in the standby state after the regeneration operation is completed first is transferred to the water-flowing operating state. Then, the third other water softening device is placed in a standby state. Such three rotations will be specifically described. For example, the third water softening device 26 is in a water-flowing operation state, the fourth water softening device 27 is in a standby state where the regeneration operation is completed first, and the fifth water softening device 28 is in a regeneration operation state. The case will be described.

In this state, the third water softener 2
Reference numeral 6 communicates with the water supply line 4 through the third water supply line 29, and also communicates with the treated water line 5 through the third treated water line 32 to supply treated water to the equipment using soft water. We are supplying. The communication between the third water softening device 26 and the salt water line 7 is blocked by the action of the switching means 36 because the fifth water softening device 28 is in the regeneration operation.

The fourth water softening device 27 communicates with the water supply line 4 through the fourth water supply line 30, but is in a standby state, so that the merging means 35 and the switching means 36 are connected. By the action, the communication between the treated water line 5 and the salt water line 7 is blocked.

Further, although the fifth water softening device 28 is in communication with the water supply line 4 through the fifth water supply line 31, it is in a regenerating operation, and therefore, by the action of the merging means 35. Communication with the treated water line 5 is cut off. Further, the fifth water softening device 28 communicates with the salt water tank 6 via the salt water line 7, the switching means 36, and the fifth salt water line 39.

When the water-passing operation of the third water softening device 26 is continuing, the controller 13 measures the hardness of the water supplied to the third water softening device 26 in advance to obtain the raw water. Based on the hardness and the treated water amount measured by the treated water amount measuring means 9, an integrated value of the hardness removal amount of the third water softening device 26 is calculated over time. Then, when the integrated value of the third water softener 26 reaches the set value, the controller 13 controls to switch the operation of the three water softeners. This switching control will be described in detail.

First, the controller 13 controls the merging means 3
5 is switched to stop the water flow operation from the third water softening device 26 to the treated water line 5.

At the same time, the merging means 35 is switched to connect the fourth treated water line 33 and the treated water line 5 of the fourth water softening device 27 in the standby state to each other, and (4) The treated water is supplied from the water softening device 27 to the equipment using soft water.

Next, since the salt water tank 6 is shared in the regeneration operation in this embodiment, only one tank can be operated until the time required for the regeneration operation elapses. Therefore, the regeneration operation of the third water softening device 26 waits until the regeneration operation of the fifth water softening device 28 ends. However, if the regeneration operation of the fifth water softening device 28 is completed, it is possible to immediately shift to the regeneration operation.

Then, when the regeneration operation of the fifth water softening device 28 is completed and the fifth water softening device 28 enters the standby state, the regeneration operation of the third water softening device 26 is started and the switching means 36. To switch the third salt water line 37.
The salt water is introduced into the resin tube 2 of the third water softening device 26 by connecting the salt water to the salt water line 7.

As a result, the third water softening device 26 is brought into the regenerating operation state, the fourth water softening device 27 is brought into the water passing state, and the fifth water softening device 28 is in the first standby state. It becomes a water softening device. Then, the third water softening device 26 becomes the second water softening device in the standby state when the time required for the regeneration operation has elapsed and the regeneration operation has ended.

When the integrated value of the fourth water softening device 27 reaches the set value, the water passing operation of the fourth water softening device 27 is stopped and the regenerating operation is started, as described above. Further, the water passing operation of the fifth water softening device 28 which has been in the first standby state is started. Then, the third water softener 26 in the second standby state is used as the first water softener in the standby state. Further, the fourth water softener 27 also becomes the second water softener in the standby state when the time required for the regeneration operation has elapsed and the regeneration operation is completed. Hereinafter, by repeating such control, each of the water softening devices 26, 27, 28 is rotated to shift to a water-passing operation state, a regeneration operation state, and a standby state, and continuously supply treated water for 24 hours or more. Is possible.

By the way, each of the water softening devices 26, 27,
The regenerating operation of No. 28 will be briefly described. This regenerating operation is similar to the regenerating operation that is normally performed, as in the description of the second embodiment.
It includes a water washing step, a water refilling step, etc., and these steps are individually performed by the control of the control valves 3 of the water softening devices 26, 27, 28.

Therefore, in this third embodiment,
The controller 13 switches the switching means 36 to connect the control valve 3 of the water softening device in the regenerating operation state with the salt water line 7. Then, the water softening device that has completed the regeneration operation enters a standby state in preparation for the next water passage operation. After confirming that the water softener during regeneration is completed, the control valve 3 and the salt water line 7 are brought into communication with each other.

Further, each water softening device 26, 27, 2
In the case of No. 8, the controller 13 calculates the salt water concentration of the water softening device in the standby state based on the detection value from the salt water concentration detection means 11, and the calculated salt water concentration and the preset value. The degree of regeneration of the ion exchange resin is determined based on the amount of salt water that is stored, and the hardness removal amount that can be removed by the next regeneration is calculated based on the determination result. Then, the hardness removal amount until the next reproduction is set based on the calculated value.

On the other hand, each water softening device 26, 27, 28
In the case where three units are installed in parallel, the hardness leak detecting means 10 is a backup control means when the supply water is being softened, and the hardness leak detecting means 10 outputs the hardness leak signal. When output to the controller 13, the controller 13 determines that the ion exchange resin is deteriorated, issues an alarm from the alarm device 14 to report hardness leak, and softens the water flow operation state. While switching the device to regenerating operation, the first softening device on standby was switched to water passing operation, and the second softening device on standby after regenerating operation was changed to the first softening device in standby state. When the time required for the regenerating operation of the water softening device switched to the regenerating operation has elapsed and the regenerating operation has ended, control is performed to set the water softening device in the second standby state.

As described above, according to this third embodiment,
It is possible to continuously supply the treated water for 24 hours or more. Further, unlike the case where two water softening devices are installed, since there is always one water softening device in a standby state, it is possible to reliably supply treated water for 24 hours or more without stopping water flow.

[0093]

As described above, according to the present invention, an insufficient salt water concentration and an unexpected hardness leak, which cause defective regeneration, can be detected and reported early, and the ion exchange resin can be reliably regenerated. It is possible to supply water softening continuously for 24 hours or more by accurately performing the operation and by installing a plurality of water softening devices in parallel.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view schematically showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Water softener 2 resin cylinder 4 water supply line 5 treated water line 6 salt water tank 7 salt water line 9 Measured amount of treated water 10 Hardness leak detection means 11 Salt water concentration detection means 19 branches 22 Means of merging 23 Switching means 35 Confluence means 36 switching means

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Katsufumi Isshiki             7 Horie-cho, Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture Miura Industrial Co., Ltd.             In the company F-term (reference) 4D025 AA02 AB19 BA08 BB07 BB10                       BB19 CA01 CA02 CA05 CA06                       CA10

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A treated water amount measuring means 9 for measuring a flow rate of treated water after passing through a resin cylinder 2 filled with an ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detecting means 11 for detecting a salt water concentration at the time of regeneration. A water softening device. 2. Soft water comprising a treated water amount measuring means 9 for measuring a flow rate of treated water after passing through a resin cylinder 2 filled with an ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detecting means 11 for detecting a salt water concentration at the time of regeneration. A water softening device, wherein a plurality of water softening devices 1 are installed in parallel, and the water passing operation and the regenerating operation of each of these water softening devices 1 are switchably connected. 3. A treated water amount measuring means 9 for measuring a flow rate of treated water after passing through a resin cylinder 2 filled with an ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detecting means 11 for detecting a salt water concentration during regeneration.
A water softening device comprising: a hardness leak detecting means (10) for measuring hardness of treated water after passing through the resin cylinder (2) and detecting hardness leak. 4. A treated water amount measuring means 9 for measuring a flow rate of treated water after passing through a resin cylinder 2 filled with an ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detecting means 11 for detecting a salt water concentration at the time of regeneration.
A plurality of water softening devices 1 each having a hardness leak detecting means 10 for measuring the hardness of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder 2 and detecting the hardness leak are installed in parallel. A water softening device characterized in that it is connected so that water flow operation and regeneration operation can be switched. 5. A water supply line 4 to each water softening device 1 is provided with a branch portion 19 for branching the water supplied to each water softening device 1, and a confluence that joins the treated water from each water softening device 1. Means 22 and 35 are provided and this merging means 2
The treated water line 5 is connected to 2, 35, The water softening device according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that. 6. The water softening device according to claim 4, wherein the hardness leak detecting means 10 is provided on the downstream side of the merging means 22 and 35. 7. A single salt water tank 6 is provided, and the salt water tank 6 and each of the water softening devices 1 are switchably connected to each other via switching means 23 and 36 provided in the salt water line 7. 23. The salt water concentration detecting means 11 is provided on the upstream side of 23, 36.
5. The water softening device according to any one of 5 and 6. 8. Soft water comprising a treated water amount measuring means 9 for measuring the flow rate of treated water after passing through a resin cylinder 2 filled with an ion exchange resin, and a salt water concentration detecting means 11 for detecting the concentration of salt water at the time of regeneration. A method for controlling regeneration of the water softening device 1, wherein a set value of the hardness removal amount until the next regeneration is set in advance based on the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration, and the hardness of the water supplied to the water softening device 1 is measured in advance. Based on the obtained raw water hardness and the treated water amount measured by the treated water amount measuring means 9, an integrated value of the hardness removal amount is obtained over time, and when the integrated value reaches the set value, the water softening device 1 A method for controlling regeneration of a water softening device, characterized in that the regeneration operation of (1) is started. 9. The method for controlling regeneration of a water softener according to claim 2, wherein a set value of the hardness removal amount until the next regeneration is preset based on the salt water concentration at the time of regeneration, and the water softener 1 Based on the raw water hardness obtained by previously measuring the hardness of the supply water to the water and the treated water amount measured by the treated water amount measuring means 9, an integrated value of the hardness removal amount is obtained with time, and the integrated value is set to the above-mentioned value. When the value is reached, the water softening device 1 during water flow operation is switched to the regenerating operation, and at the same time, control is performed to switch the water softening device 1 during water flow standby to the water flowing operation. Control method. 10. The method for controlling regeneration of a water softener according to claim 3, wherein the hardness of the treated water after passing through the resin cylinder 2 is measured, and when a hardness leak is detected, the water softener 1 A method for controlling regeneration of a water softening device, characterized in that the regeneration control is performed. 11. The invention according to claim 4 or claim 1.
The method for controlling regeneration of the water softening device according to item 1, wherein the hardness of the treated water after passing through the resin tube 2 is measured, and when leaking hardness is detected, the water softening device 1 during water flowing is regenerated. A method for controlling regeneration of a water softening device, characterized in that the water softening device 1 in standby for water flow is controlled to switch to water-passing operation. 12. The method for controlling regeneration of a water softening device according to claim 3, wherein the salt water concentration during regeneration is not less than a predetermined value necessary for performing a predetermined regeneration. When, the integrated value of the hardness removal amount exceeds the set value and hardness leakage is detected, the regeneration operation is started, and when the salt water concentration during regeneration is less than the predetermined value, hardness leakage is detected. A regeneration control method for a water softening device, which is characterized in that the regeneration operation is started at the time. 13. A method for controlling regeneration of a water softening device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a notification operation is performed when the salt water concentration during regeneration is less than the predetermined value. Regeneration control method for water softening device.