JP2006346257A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which reduces the using amount of source water over a long period of time. <P>SOLUTION: The washing machine is provided with an oxidizing water supply means for supplying oxidizing water containing an oxidizing agent and a decomposition means for housing a catalyst which modifies and/or decomposes at least a part of a detergent and turning washing water discharged from a washing tub to treated water by bringing it into contact with the catalyst and the oxidizing water containing the oxidizing agent, and the treated water is returned to the washing tub and reused in a rinsing process. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing clothes and the like.

Washing machines for washing dirt such as clothes have been widely used. In the conventional washing machine, the washing water containing the detergent comes into contact with the laundry during the washing process to release the contaminant from the laundry, and the contaminated washing water is once discharged outside the washing machine. Thereafter, water is newly supplied as a rinsing process, and the contaminants and detergent residues adhering to the laundry and the contaminated washing water are washed away.
That is, in the conventional washing machine, since separate source water is used in the washing process and the rinsing process, a large amount of water cannot be avoided.

On the other hand, as a washing machine that reduces the amount of source water used, a washing machine equipped with a filtration tank filled with an absorbent filter material that absorbs contaminants contained in the washing water from the washing tank and filters the previous washing water A machine has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). In the washing machine proposed in Patent Document 1, the amount of source water used is reduced by filtering the water used in the washing process in a filtration tank and circulating it to the rinsing process.
In addition, as the absorption filter material, an inorganic material coated with an organic substance decomposition catalyst is used, and a heating means for heating the absorption filter material is provided in the filter tank, and water from the filter tank is washed after the rinsing process. When discharging to the outside, the absorption means is heated by using the heating means, so that detachment and decomposition of contaminants from the absorption filter medium can be promoted.
JP 2000-84291 A

Here, according to Patent Document 1, the contaminant is converted into carbon dioxide gas or water by the action of the organic matter decomposition catalyst, that is, the contaminant has undergone an oxidative decomposition reaction. When carrying out oxidative decomposition of contaminants, it is necessary for an oxidant to coexist in the reaction system in order to promote oxidative decomposition.
In Patent Document 1, it is considered that oxygen in the air is used as an oxidizing agent. However, in the oxidative decomposition of contaminants in the presence of water disclosed in Patent Document 1, that is, in the wet oxidation reaction, normal pressure is used. Since the solubility of oxygen in water is low, it is considered that the oxidation reaction does not proceed sufficiently in the state where no means for positively introducing the oxidant into the reaction system is provided.

  However, in the washing machine having the conventional configuration as described above, in the filtration tank filled with the absorption filter material, an oxidant that promotes the oxidative decomposition of the contaminants by the organic substance decomposition catalyst coated on the absorption filter material is positively added. No measures were taken to introduce it, and the oxidative degradation rate of the contaminants was not sufficient. As a result, there is a problem that the effect of desorption and regeneration of the absorbent filter material is insufficient, and it is difficult to continuously obtain filtered water having a water quality that can withstand reuse in the washing and rinsing processes. It was.

  Therefore, in order to solve the conventional problems as described above, the present invention recycles the cleaning water used for washing into the rinsing step as treated water purified to a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing step. It aims at providing the washing machine which reduces the usage-amount of water over a long term. Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that improves the effect of removing the detergent from the clothes in the rinsing process by the modification of the detergent.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a washing tub containing at least water and a detergent and a washing tub for storing clothes, a drain installed in the washing tub, and a drain for discharging the washing water. A decomposing means that contains a catalyst for modifying and / or decomposing at least a part thereof, and bringing cleaning water containing a detergent discharged from a drain outlet into contact with the catalyst and oxidized water containing an oxidizing agent to form treated water; The decomposition means comprises oxidation water supply means for supplying oxidation water containing an oxidant to washing water that contacts the catalyst, and a water supply port for supplying treated water to the washing tub.

  According to this structure, the source water used for a latter rinse process can be reduced by removing the detergent in wash water during a washing process. Alternatively, the rinsing process can be carried out without using new source water by reusing the cleaning water used in the washing process as treated water purified to a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing process. The amount of use can be reduced. Further, the detergent from the garment in the rinsing step is reduced by reducing the concentration of the detergent contained in the washing water reused in the rinsing step and / or reducing the adsorptivity to the garment by modifying the detergent. The removal effect is improved.

Furthermore, the washing machine of the present invention has an oxidizing agent removing means for removing the oxidizing agent contained in the treated water in the treated water flow path between the disassembling means and the water supply port.
According to this configuration, the unreacted oxidant is removed from the treated water reused in the rinsing process, and damage and discoloration of clothing stored in the washing tub are prevented.

  In the washing machine of the present invention, the washing water or the treatment water flow path between the drain port and the decomposition means or the treatment water flow path between the decomposition means and the water supply port may be provided. It further has an adsorbing means that is filled with an adsorbent that adsorbs the detergent contained in the treated water and filters the washing water or the treated water.

  According to this configuration, when cleaning water used in the washing process is purified into treated water having a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing process, at least a part of the detergent contained in the washing water or the treated water is removed by the adsorption means. Therefore, purification can be completed in a short time and the quality of the treated water can be further improved. In addition, the amount of the oxidant used can be reduced, and the load on the catalyst can be reduced. Further, in the case of adopting a structure having an adsorption means in the treated water flow path between the decomposition means and the water supply port, unreacted hypohalous acid contained in the wash water discharged from the decomposition means It can be removed by the adsorbing means.

Furthermore, the washing machine of the present invention further includes a detergent discharging means for discharging the detergent adsorbed by the adsorbent from the adsorbent.
According to this configuration, the adsorbent adsorbed by the detergent can be easily regenerated, and the cleaning water purification effect can be obtained for a long time without exchanging the adsorbent.

Furthermore, the washing machine of the present invention has pressure holding means for sealing the adsorbing means, and the detergent discharging means seals the adsorbing means with the pressure holding means in a state where the adsorbent is in contact with water, and the adsorbent is 100%. After heating at a temperature not lower than 250 ° C. and not higher than 250 ° C., the pressure holding means is opened, and the mixture of the detergent and water discharged from the adsorbent is discharged from the adsorbing means.
According to this configuration, the detergent adsorbed on the adsorbent can be efficiently desorbed, and the life of the adsorbent can be further prolonged.

Further, in the washing machine of the present invention, the adsorbing means is installed in the washing water flow path between the drain outlet and the decomposing means, and the washing water flow path between the drain outlet and the adsorbing means, or the decomposing means and the washing means. It has a water storage tank in the flow path of treated water between the treated water discharge port to the outside of the machine, and the decomposition means contains a mixture of detergent and water discharged from the adsorption means, a catalyst, and an oxidizing agent. After making it into treated wastewater by contacting with oxidized water, the treated wastewater is diluted with water stored in a water storage tank and discharged outside the washing machine.
According to this configuration, the amount of source water is reduced by purifying the water used in the washing process to a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing process and reusing it, and is discharged outside the washing machine after washing is completed. By reducing the amount of detergent to be discharged and reducing the load on the wastewater treatment facility, it becomes possible to control the environmental load and drain the water outside the washing machine.

Furthermore, the washing machine of the present invention further includes hypohalous acid as the oxidizing agent, and further includes pH adjusting means for adjusting the pH of the content of the decomposing means to less than 8.
According to this configuration, a large amount of hypohalous acid which is an active species having a strong oxidizing power can be present in the oxidized water, and the action of denaturing and / or decomposing the detergent contained in the washing water can be enhanced. It becomes possible.

Furthermore, in the washing machine of the present invention, the oxidized water supplied by the oxidized water supply means is produced by electrolyzing water containing at least one of chlorine and a halogen salt, and electrolyzed water containing hypohalous acid as an oxidizing agent. It is.
According to this configuration, it is not necessary to hold a dangerous chemical as an oxidizing agent, management of the oxidizing water supply means is simplified, and it can be used even in ordinary households where management of chemical substances is difficult.

Furthermore, in the washing machine of the present invention, the pH of the electrolyzed water supplied to the wash water is in the range of 2-8.
According to this configuration, there are many hypohalous acids having strong oxidizing power in the electrolytic water, and it is possible to enhance the action of denaturing and / or decomposing the detergent contained in the washing water.

Furthermore, the washing machine of the present invention supplies a neutralizing agent for adjusting the pH of the treated water within the range of 5 to 9 to the treated water flow path between the decomposition means and the water supply port. It further has a sum means.
According to this configuration, the treated water discharged from the disassembling means is prevented from damaging clothes in the washing tub and deteriorating the adsorbent filled in the adsorbing means after being returned to the washing tub. Is possible. In addition, safety when a person comes into contact with water returned to the washing tub can be ensured, and a load on wastewater treatment when discharged as wastewater to the outside of the washing machine can be reduced.

Further, the washing machine of the present invention has a decomposition system heating means for heating the catalyst accommodated in the decomposition means.
According to this structure, the modification | denaturation and / or decomposition | disassembly of the detergent which progress in a decomposition | disassembly means are accelerated, and it becomes possible to implement cleaning water purification in a short time.

Furthermore, the washing machine of the present invention uses an inorganic material supporting at least one or more metal compounds as a catalyst for modifying and / or decomposing at least a part of the detergent contained in the wash water.
According to this configuration, the modification and / or decomposition by the oxidation reaction of the detergent contained in the washing water can be advanced in a short time due to the interaction with the hypohalous acid having oxidizing power contained in the electrolytic water. It becomes possible. Further, even in the presence of electrolyzed water containing hypohalous acid, the catalyst is unlikely to deteriorate, and the catalyst life can be extended.

Furthermore, the washing machine of the present invention uses a ruthenium compound as the metal compound.
According to this structure, modification | denaturation and / or decomposition | disassembly by the oxidation reaction of the detergent contained in wash water can be performed more effectively.

  According to the washing machine of the present invention, the washing water used in the washing process is reused as treated water purified to a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing process, thereby rinsing without using new source water. The amount of source water used can be reduced. Furthermore, according to the washing machine of the present invention, the effect of removing the detergent from the clothes in the rinsing process can be improved by the modification of the detergent.

In the washing machine of the present invention, the use of source water is achieved by reusing the washing water containing the detergent used in the washing process as a treated water purified to a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing process. Reduce the amount.
80% of the organic contaminants in the washing water are occupied by the surfactant which is the main component of the detergent. Surfactants used in laundry detergents include anionic surfactants such as fatty acid salts, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) and α-olefin sulfonates (AOS), polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers (AEs). ) And the like. In addition to surfactants, organic compounds such as anti-resorption agents and enzymes are contained in the detergent. By modifying and / or decomposing organic compounds in these detergents, the quality of the treated water can be purified to a quality that can withstand reuse in the rinsing step.

  As a means for modifying and / or decomposing the detergent, an oxidation reaction by the action of a catalyst and an oxidizing agent is used. By activating the oxidizing agent with the catalyst, the modification and / or decomposition reaction of the organic compound in the detergent is accelerated, and the final reaction rate is also improved. As a reaction mechanism, an oxidizing agent activated by a catalyst oxidatively cleaves a carbon-carbon bond or a carbon-hydrogen bond contained in an organic compound in a detergent, and a hydrophilic carboxyl group, hydroxyl group, etc. It is considered that the organic compound in the detergent is finally completely decomposed into carbon dioxide, water and the like through a denaturing process that generates water. In addition, the oxidative modification of the hydrophobic group in the detergent by using an oxidant and a catalyst reduces the hydrophobicity of the detergent, reduces the adsorptive power to clothing, and improves the rinsing effect of reused washing water. Be expected.

  The active components of the catalyst used for oxidative modification and / or oxidative degradation of the detergent in the present invention include manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, iridium, platinum, copper, gold and tungsten, and These metal compounds are mentioned. These metals and their compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these catalytically active components, it is particularly preferable to use ruthenium having a high oxidizing ability of an organic substance containing a detergent and a compound thereof.

These catalytically active components are used in a state of being supported on a known catalyst carrier according to a conventional method. Supports include metal oxides such as alumina, silica, zirconia and titania, composite metal oxides containing these metal oxides (alumina-silica, alumina-silica-zirconia, titania-zirconia, etc.), these metal oxides or Examples thereof include metal oxide-based carriers mainly composed of complex metal oxides and metal carriers such as iron and aluminum.
The shape of the carrier is not particularly limited as long as sufficient contact efficiency can be ensured between the electrolyzed water and the washing water for treatment. For example, a carrier such as a sphere, a pellet, a column, a crushed piece, a powder, and a honeycomb can be used.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1
FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.
The washing machine shown in FIG. 1 includes a washing tub 1, a drain port 2, a pump 3, a decomposition means 5 containing a catalyst 4, a decomposition system heating means 6, a decomposition system heating control means 7, an oxidized water supply means 8, and an oxidant removal. It comprises means 9, a switching valve 10, a water supply port 11, a discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine, and a pipe connecting them. The switching valve 10 has a function of switching the flow path of the treated water discharged from the oxidant removing means 9 to the washing tub 1 and the discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine.

  Examples of the oxidizing agent used for oxidative modification and / or oxidative decomposition in the present invention include ozone, hydrogen peroxide, halous acid, hypohalous acid, permanganate ion, chlorine, dichromate ion, oxygen, Chlorine dioxide, hypochlorite ion, etc. can be used. Examples of the halogen acid include chlorous acid, bromine acid, and iodic acid, and examples of the hypohalous acid include hypochlorous acid, hypobromous acid, and hypoiodous acid. In view of the strong oxidizing power, chlorous acid, bromous acid, hypochlorous acid, and hypobromous acid are preferable. Moreover, the said oxidizing agent may be used independently and may be used in combination of multiple.

The oxidized water supply means 8 may be any device that can supply oxidized water containing an oxidizing agent. Moreover, the oxidized water supply means 8 may include an oxidized water generating means that can generate oxidized water as described above.
Oxidized water containing an oxidant can be generated, for example, by dissolving ozone generated by an ozone generator in water or adding hydrogen peroxide or liquid chlorine stored separately to water. . In addition, sodium chlorite, sodium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite (including highly bleached powder), potassium permanganate, potassium dichromate, etc. are added to water and ionized, and the ionic species are used as oxidizing agents. You may produce | generate the containing oxidized water. Furthermore, hydrochloric acid can be added to sodium chlorite to produce chlorine dioxide, and this chlorine dioxide can be mixed with water to produce oxidized water.

Oxidized water containing these oxidizing agents is generated by diluting a chemical containing an oxidizing agent at a high concentration in water, except that an ozone generator is used. Some of the oxidizing agents as described above need to be handled as first-class dangerous goods, and these need to be handled, for example, by a person having a license for a dangerous goods handler.
Moreover, it is also possible to use the electrolyzed water produced | generated by the electrolyzed water production | generation means as oxidized water containing an oxidizing agent. A configuration in which electrolyzed water is used as oxidized water will be described later.

  When the treated water discharged from the decomposition means 5 is returned to the washing tub 1, if unreacted oxidant remains in the washing water, the fibers constituting the garment may be deteriorated by its oxidizing power, or the color or pattern Therefore, it is preferable to install the oxidant removing means 9 in the flow path of the treated water between the decomposition means 5 and the water supply port 11. The oxidizing agent removing unit 9 is not particularly limited as long as it can remove the unreacted oxidizing agent from the treated water brought into contact with the catalyst 4 and the electrolytic water in the decomposition unit 5. For example, a reducing agent such as sodium thiosulfate that reduces and decomposes the oxidizing agent, activated carbon, an aeration means that volatilizes the oxidizing agent, and the like are conceivable.

  The decomposition system heating means 6 is not particularly limited as long as it can heat the catalyst 4 accommodated in the decomposition means 5. For example, an electric heating means using Joule heat, a combustion means using combustion heat such as gas or petroleum, a heat pump, an induction heating means, etc. can be considered. When using contact heating such as electric heating, it is installed on the inner wall of the suction means 16 or the decomposition means 5, or the piping is coiled like a throwing heater to directly contact the contents of the suction means 16 or the decomposition means 5. It is preferable to increase the heating efficiency.

  The cracking system heating control means 7 measures the temperature of the catalyst 4 accommodated in the cracking means 5 and controls the operation of the cracking system heating means 6 based on the measured temperature data. The structure of the decomposition system heating control means 7 is not particularly limited, but a combination of a thermocouple, a resistance temperature detector, a temperature sensor using a thermistor, etc., a microcomputer, a personal computer, an IC memory, etc., to which a control program is input. Can be realized.

  The operation mechanism of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1 is shown below. First, a washing process of clothes is performed in the washing tub 1 with washing water containing a detergent. After the washing process is completed, the washing water containing the detergent is discharged from the drain port 2 to the disassembling means 5 containing the catalyst 4 by the action of the pump 3. Subsequently, the cleaning water is supplied with oxidizing water containing oxidizing agent from the oxidizing water supply means 8 and is brought into contact with the catalyst 4 and the cleaning water to denature and / or decompose the detergent contained in the cleaning water. Use treated water. At this time, the catalyst 4 is heated by the decomposition system heating means 6. The heating temperature of the catalyst 4 is set to a temperature at which the oxidative modification and / or oxidative decomposition of the detergent contained in the system is sufficiently accelerated. In particular, in the washing machine of the present invention, the heating temperature of the catalyst 4 accommodated in the disassembling means 5 is desirably 100 ° C. or less. Above 100 ° C., equipment such as a pressure vessel corresponding to the pressure increase accompanying evaporation of moisture in the decomposition means 5 is required, which is not preferable from the viewpoint of cost and installation.

The treated water obtained by the purification process is returned to the washing tub 1 via the switching valve 10 switched to the washing tub 1 side after removing the unreacted oxidant by the oxidant removing means 9. Reused in the rinsing process of clothing. This circulation of the wash water may be repeated as appropriate during the rinsing step.
After completion of the rinsing step, the switching valve 10 is switched to the discharge port 12 side to the outside of the washing machine, and the washing water is discharged to the outside of the washing machine via the decomposition means 5 and the oxidant removal means 9. At this time, the oxidizing water may be supplied to the washing water again, and the detergent contained in the washing water to be discharged may be modified and / or decomposed.

  If the water quality of the cleaning water after purification does not reach a level that can be used in the rinsing process, after the cleaning water is discharged to the outside of the washing machine, new source water is added and an additional rinsing process is performed. You may implement. Also in this case, it is possible to obtain a rinsing effect with a small amount of rinsing water by purifying the rinsing water by the decomposition means 5 and returning it to the washing tub 1. In this case, the “level that can withstand use in the rinsing process” means that the concentration of organic substances contained in the cleaning water after purification (which may be considered as an indicator of the concentration of surfactants and contaminants in the detergent) It is about 5% of the concentration in water. The same applies to the following embodiments.

  According to this structure, the source water used for a latter rinse process can be reduced by removing the detergent in wash water during a washing process. Alternatively, the rinsing process can be carried out without using new source water by reusing the cleaning water used in the washing process as treated water purified to a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing process. Can be further reduced. Further, the detergent from the garment in the rinsing step is reduced by reducing the concentration of the detergent contained in the washing water reused in the rinsing step and / or reducing the adsorptivity to the garment by modifying the detergent. The removal effect is improved. As a secondary effect, it can be expected that the rinse water rinse effect is further enhanced as a result of the cleaning water being heated by the decomposition heating means 6.

Embodiment 2
FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the same components as those in FIG.
The washing machine shown in FIG. 2 has a pH detection means 13 and a pH adjustment means 14 in addition to the washing machine shown in FIG. The switching valve 10 has a function of switching the flow path of the treated water discharged from the oxidant removing means 9 to the washing tub 1 and the discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine.

In the present invention, it is preferable that the effect of the oxidizing agent to oxidize the organic compound is as large as possible. For example, when hypochlorous acid or chlorous acid is used as the oxidizing agent, protons dissociate into ions when the pH increases. For example, when hypochlorous acid (HClO), the pH is increased, ClO ^- ends up increasing, oxidizing power of the oxidizing water is reduced. Therefore, when using hypochlorous acid or chlorous acid as an oxidizing agent, the pH of the oxidized water should be less than 8 so that they exist in an acid (charge neutral) state rather than ions. Is preferred. In the case of hypochlorous acid, the presence of the acid is 90% or more, and therefore it is particularly preferable that the pH of the oxidized water is 6.5 or less.

  For this reason, when hypohalous acid is used as the oxidizing agent, the pH of the mixture of the catalyst 4 in the decomposition means 5, the washing water and the oxidizing water is measured by the pH detection means 13, and the pH is adjusted so that the pH is less than 8. A pH adjusting solution is added from the means 14. At this time, the addition of the pH adjusting liquid may be performed manually while observing the value of the pH detecting means 13, or the pH of the mixture of the catalyst 4, the washing water and the oxidizing water becomes a predetermined value less than pH 8. It may be performed automatically. In addition, when performing automatically, it is preferable that the pH detection means 13 and the pH adjustment means 14 are connected as shown in FIG.

  When adjusting the pH, add the pH adjusting solution while measuring the pH of the mixture of the catalyst 4, washing water and oxidizing water in the decomposition means 5 with the pH detection means 13, and confirm that the pH changes from less than 8 to the acidic side. It is preferable to do. The pH detecting means 13 is not particularly limited, but a pH meter using a glass electrode or a semiconductor can be used.

As the pH adjusting means 14, those capable of adjusting the pH of the mixture of the catalyst 4, the washing water and the oxidizing water can be used without any particular limitation. For example, when hypohalous acid is used as the oxidizing agent, the pH adjusting means 14 can be composed of an aqueous solution in which an acid that is a pH adjusting solution is diluted, and a container for containing the aqueous solution. Examples of the pH adjusting solution used to make the pH of the mixture less than 8 include mineral acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, and acids such as organic acids. These may be used as an aqueous solution.
In addition, when installing the washing machine provided with the pH adjusting means 14 in a general household where management of chemical substances is difficult, it is preferable to employ a weak acid such as acetic acid as the pH adjusting liquid. The user can use, for example, a thinned general edible vinegar as the pH adjusting liquid.

  The operation mechanism of the washing machine shown in FIG. 2 when hypohalous acid is used as the oxidizing agent is shown below. The process up to the discharge of the washing water to the decomposition means 5 is the same as in the first embodiment. Subsequently, the oxidized water containing hypohalous acid is supplied from the oxidized water supply means 8 to the wash water discharged to the decomposition means 5 and brought into contact with the catalyst 4 and the wash water. The pH of the mixture of the catalyst 4, the washing water and the oxidizing water in the decomposition means 5 is measured by the pH detection means 13, and if it is 8 or more, the pH adjustment liquid is added from the pH adjustment means 14 to the mixture. In this way, with the pH of the mixture being less than 8, the detergent contained in the wash water is modified and / or decomposed to obtain treated water. At this time, the catalyst 4 is heated by the decomposition system heating means 6.

The treated water obtained by the purification process is returned to the washing tub 1 via the switching valve 10 switched to the washing tub 1 side after removing the unreacted oxidant by the oxidant removing means 9. Reused in the rinsing process of clothing. This circulation of the wash water may be repeated as appropriate during the rinsing step. The subsequent steps are the same as those in the first embodiment.
In addition, before returning treated water to the washing tub 1, you may implement the process of adjusting pH of treated water in the range of 5-9 using the below-mentioned neutralization means.

  According to this configuration, by adjusting the pH of the mixture of the catalyst 4, the washing water and the oxidizing water, many active species having a strong oxidizing power can be present in the mixture, and the detergent contained in the washing water It is possible to enhance the action of denaturing and / or decomposing. As a result, the amount of oxidized water added can be reduced.

Embodiment 3
FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. 3, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
The washing machine shown in FIG. 3 accommodates a washing tub 1, a drain port 2, a pump 3, an adsorption means 16 filled with an adsorbent 15, a detergent discharge means 17 for heating the adsorbent 15, a pressure holding means 18, and a catalyst 4. Decomposing unit 5, decomposing system heating unit 6, decomposing system heating control unit 7, pH detecting unit 13, oxidizing water supply unit 8, neutralizing unit 19, oxidizing agent removing unit 9, switching valve 10, water supply port 11, outside of washing machine It is comprised from the discharge port 12 and the piping which connects these. The switching valve 10 has a function of switching the flow path of the washing water discharged from the disassembling means 5 to the washing tub 1 and the discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine.

  In the present embodiment, the adsorbing means 16 filled with the adsorbent 15 is provided in the flow path of the washing water between the drain port 2 and the decomposition means 5. This adsorption means 16 adsorbs and removes a part of the detergent contained in the washing water before being put into the decomposition means 5 in advance. As a result, the amount of detergent that is denatured and / or decomposed by the decomposing means 5 can be reduced, the cleaning water purification process can be performed in a short time, and the amount of detergent contained in the treated water is also reduced. The quality of treated water reused in the rinsing process is improved. Furthermore, since the amount of the oxidizing agent used is reduced, it contributes to a reduction in running cost.

The adsorbent 15 only needs to adsorb detergents and contaminants contained in the washing water discharged from the washing tub 1 or the decomposition means 5. For example, a porous compound such as activated carbon, silica, alumina, zeolite, clay, titanium oxide can be used.
The detergent discharging means 17 is a means for discharging the detergent adsorbed on the adsorbent 15 from the adsorbent 15. Specifically, means such as desorption or thermal decomposition of the detergent by heating the adsorbent 15 and desorption of the detergent by adding new source water or a solvent capable of dispersing the detergent can be considered. Particularly in the present invention, the detergent is discharged from the adsorbent 15 by utilizing the desorption of the detergent from the adsorbent 15 by heating the adsorbent 15 in contact with water.

The heating means for the adsorbent 15 is not particularly limited as long as it can heat the adsorbent 15 filled in the adsorbing means 16. For example, as with the decomposition system heating means 6, an electric heating means using Joule heat, a combustion means using combustion heat such as gas or petroleum, a heat pump, an induction heating means, and the like are conceivable. Also in the detergent discharging means 17 for heating the adsorbent 15, when contact heating such as electric heating is adopted, it is installed on the inner wall of the adsorbing means 16 or the disassembling means 5, or the piping is coiled like a throwing heater. It is preferable to increase the heating efficiency by directly contacting the contents of the adsorption means 16 or the decomposition means 5. Further, it is more preferable to increase the heating efficiency by using a heat insulating material such as glass wool or rock wool to suppress heat radiation to the surroundings.
The waste heat generated by the detergent discharging means 17 or the washing water discharged from the adsorption means 16 after being heated by the detergent discharging means 17 can be used for heating the decomposition means 5 instead of the decomposition system heating means 6, It is also conceivable that the detergent discharge means 17 also serves as the decomposition heating means 6.

  The heating temperature of the adsorbent 15 is set to a temperature at which the adsorbed detergent is sufficiently desorbed. In particular, in the washing machine of the present invention, the heating temperature is preferably set in the range of 100 ° C. to 250 ° C., particularly over 100 ° C. When the temperature is lower than 100 ° C., the desorption of the detergent from the adsorbent 15 is insufficient. When the temperature exceeds 250 ° C., the components of the detergent and contaminants start to polymerize, and a polymer such as tar tends to be generated. This is because tar-like deposits increase on the inner wall and the adsorbent 15 and the maintainability deteriorates. In particular, when activated carbon is used as the adsorbent 15, it is not preferable at a high temperature of 250 ° C. or higher because a weight reduction accompanying oxidative decomposition may be observed.

  When the heating temperature of the adsorbent 15 exceeds 100 ° C., it is preferable to install a pressure holding means 18 in the adsorbing means 16 in order to prevent evaporation of water held in the adsorbing means 16 by heating. The pressure holding unit 18 only needs to be able to form a closed space so that water vapor, gas, or the like due to heating does not escape to the atmosphere while the adsorbent 15 is heated. For example, the suction means 16 can be realized by installing a valve for sealing the inlet for supplying cleaning water and the outlet for discharging the cleaning water after heating, and closing the valve at least during heating. Of course, the internal pressure rises during heating, but it has pressure resistance so that the inlet and outlet can be kept closed even under that pressure.

  However, it is preferable to arrange a pressure release valve that releases internal steam when the internal pressure rises too much due to abnormal internal gas generation. Of course, this pressure release valve is set to a value smaller than the strength of the adsorbing means 16, for example, 0.5 to 15 MPa or less. It is sufficient that the discharge port is provided with a mechanism capable of discharging the water in the adsorbing means 16 to the outside and controlling opening and closing that can withstand the pressure during heating.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, electrolyzed water containing hypohalous acid as an oxidizing agent is used as the oxidizing water. The oxidizing water supply means 8 in the present embodiment may be any means as long as it electrolyzes water containing chlorine or a halogen salt to generate electrolyzed water and supplies it to cleaning water. The electrolysis may be performed only on tap water containing residual chlorine, but it is preferably performed on water charged with a halogen salt in order to increase oxidizability. The halogen salt may be chloride, bromide, or fluoride. Particularly, a salt containing sodium chloride or potassium chloride is highly recommended because of its high divergence to ions and easy handling.

  The method of generating electrolyzed water is, for example, by applying a DC voltage to two electrode plates in contact with water, and in the vicinity of one cathode in the acidic electrolyzed water obtained near the anode electrode or in the acidic electrolyzed water. The basic electrolyzed water obtained in (1) can be appropriately mixed with the acidic electrolyzed water. At least the electrolyzed water on the anode side contains a large amount of hypohalous acid. The oxidized water supply means 8 in the present embodiment is configured by disposing at least a part of an electrolytic cell that holds water and a pair of electrodes so that at least part of the water is in contact with the held water.

  As a material for the electrode, it is preferable to use a material usually used for an electrolysis reaction, for example, a material having ruthenium, iridium, platinum, palladium, rhodium, tin, or an oxide or ferrite thereof on the surface. For example, the electrode itself may be composed of these substances. Or the surface of the base material of an electrode may be coat | covered with these substances. Ruthenium, iridium, platinum, palladium, rhodium and tin may be metal elements themselves or oxides. Moreover, alloys of these metals are also preferably used. Examples of the alloy include platinum-iridium, ruthenium-tin, and ruthenium-titanium. The metals described above are excellent in corrosion resistance, and are preferable because they exhibit excellent insolubility when used as an anode.

As an electrode for generating chlorine, insolubility, safety of electrolyzed water, and the like are further required, and in particular, an electrode containing palladium, ruthenium, an alloy of platinum and iridium as a main component is preferable. In addition, since the material used as a cathode does not require especially severe insolubility, nickel alloys, such as stainless steel, carbon steel, titanium or a titanium alloy, Hastelloy, and Inconel, can also be used, for example.
The conditions for the electrolysis are, for example, a voltage of 5 to 50 V and a current of 0.5 to 600 A / m ² per electrode surface area. Note that when the current density is higher than 600 A / m ² , the surface of the anode is peeled off or eluted. When the current density is lower than 0.5 A / m ² , the area of the anode tends to be large, and it is difficult to reduce the size.

  In addition, partitioning between the above-mentioned electrodes by separating the anode water and the cathode water separately, adding strongly acidic electrolyzed water using only the anode water or some cathodic water to adjust to the acid electrolyzed water, the diaphragm Either of these can be used to generate weakly acidic electrolyzed water. Ceramic, resin, glass fiber, etc. can be used for this diaphragm. For example, it is possible to use a non-woven fabric made of polyester or glass fiber and made hydrophilic by attaching a resin film having a pore diameter of 0.2 to 200 μm. The electrolytic cell is made of, for example, a resin such as vinyl chloride resin, polypropylene, or polyethylene, and a hard PVC pipe or the like is used for the piping of the electrolytic water.

  This electrolyzed water already contains an oxidizing agent such as hypochlorous acid and hydrogen peroxide. For this reason, since it is not necessary to add an oxidizing agent as a chemical | medical agent, handling becomes easy. Further, the oxidized water supply means 8 in the present embodiment is composed of an electrolytic cell, a pair of electrodes, and the like, and is easy to manage because it only electrolyzes water containing an electrolyte such as a halogen salt. Therefore, it can be used even in ordinary households where management of chemical substances is difficult.

  The concentration of effective halogen containing hypohalous acid, hypohalous acid ion and halogen contained in the electrolyzed water is adjusted to 50 to 50000 ppm. If it is less than 50 ppm, the oxidizing power is insufficient, and if it exceeds 50,000 ppm, the oxidizing power is sufficient, but the corrosion of the decomposition means 5 and the like also increases, which is not preferable.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the pH of this electrolyzed water is less than 8, especially 6.5 or less. This is because, in the same manner as described above, when an acid is included as an oxidizing agent, the oxidizing power is stronger when the acid has a proton, that is, in a charge neutral state. In the case of electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid, if the pH is 6.5 or less, the presence of hypochlorous acid becomes 90% or more, and the oxidizing power of the electrolyzed water can be maintained high.

  For adjusting the pH of the electrolyzed water, the pH adjusting means 14 described above may be used. In addition, when using electrolyzed water generated by mixing anode water and cathode water at a predetermined ratio, the pH of the electrolyzed water can be set to a predetermined value in advance. There is no need to adjust the pH of the electrolyzed water. In this case, it is preferable that the oxidizing water supply means 8 in the present embodiment has means for mixing the anode water and the cathode water.

  When electrolyzed water is used as the oxidized water, the mixture of the catalyst 4, the washing water and the electrolyzed water stored in the decomposing means 5 is added to the acidic electrolyzed water, and the organic accompanying the oxidative decomposition due to the action of the catalyst 4 and the electrolyzed water. Due to acid generation, the pH is often less than 5, and if it is returned to the washing tub 1 as it is, there is a risk of damaging clothing or causing the user to become irritated on the skin. Further, after the rinsing step is completed, it is not preferable to discharge the treated water having an acidity of pH 5 or less to the outside of the washing machine because it may affect the waste water treatment. For this reason, it is preferable to provide the neutralization means 19 in the form connected to the decomposition | disassembly means 5 or the flow path of the treated water between the decomposition | disassembly means 5 and the water supply port 11. FIG.

  The neutralization means 19 is not particularly limited as long as it can neutralize the pH within the range of 5 to 9 by adding a neutralizing agent to the mixture of the electrolyzed water and the washing water after contact with the catalyst 4. For example, the neutralizing means 19 is composed of a neutralizing agent such as sodium thiosulfate, sodium hydroxide, aqueous ammonia, slaked lime, or an aqueous solution in which these are dissolved, and a plastic container for containing the neutralizing agent. can do. Further, among the oxidized water supply means 8 in the present embodiment, when one that can separately generate acidic water and basic water using a diaphragm is used, the pH of the electrolyzed water charged into the decomposition means 5 can be adjusted, and the catalyst Since the basic electrolyzed water can also be produced as a neutralizing agent for neutralization after contact with 4, it is particularly preferable. In addition, when the basic electrolyzed water produced | generated before the contact with the catalyst 4 remains, this can be temporarily hold | maintained and it can also be used as a part of neutralizing agent.

  In the present embodiment, the pH of the treated water in the decomposition unit 5 is measured by the pH detecting unit 13, and a neutralizing agent 19 is added by the neutralizing unit 19 so that the pH of the treated water becomes a predetermined value. At this time, the neutralizing agent may be added manually while the pH of the treated water is measured by the pH detecting means 13 until the pH of the treated water reaches a predetermined value. Alternatively, the amount of the neutralizing agent to be added may be obtained from the amount of the supplied electrolyzed water and the pH of the treated water after contact with the catalyst 4 and the electrolyzed water, and the amount may be automatically added to the treated water. . When the addition is performed automatically, the pH detecting means 13 and the neutralizing means 19 are preferably connected as shown in FIG. At this time, it is preferable to measure the pH of the treated water to confirm that it has become neutral.

  The operation mechanism of the washing machine shown in FIG. 3 is shown below. First, a washing process of clothes is performed in the washing tub 1 with washing water containing a detergent. After completion of the washing process, the washing water containing the detergent is transferred to the adsorption means 16 by the action of the pump 3. The washing water from which the detergent and contaminants are adsorbed and removed by the adsorbent 15 filled in the adsorbing means 16 is subsequently transferred to the decomposing means 5. Electrolyzed water containing hypohalous acid and having a pH in the range of 2 to 8 is supplied from the oxidizing water supply means 8 to this washing water, and brought into contact with the catalyst 4 and the washing water for a predetermined time, and contained in the washing water. The resulting detergent is denatured and / or decomposed into treated water. The treated water thus obtained is removed by the oxidant removing means 9 to remove the unreacted oxidant, and then returned to the washing tub 1 via the switching valve 10 switched to the washing tub 1 side for the rinsing process of clothing. Reused. This circulation of the wash water may be repeated as appropriate during the rinsing step.

  After completion of the rinsing process, the switching valve 10 is switched to the discharge port 12 side to the outside of the washing machine, and the washing water is discharged to the outside of the washing machine via the adsorption means 16, the decomposition means 5 and the oxidant removal means 9. At this time, the pressure holding means 18 is closed in a state where a part of the washing water remains in the adsorption means 16, and the discharge of the washing water is stopped. Subsequently, the adsorbent 15 is heated by the detergent discharging means 17, and the adsorbent 15 is regenerated by desorbing the adsorbed detergent and contaminants to the washing water remaining in the adsorbing means 16. In this configuration, the heating time of the adsorbent 15 is preferably maintained for about 2 minutes to 2 hours after reaching the heating temperature. When the retention time is less than 2 minutes, the desorption of the detergent from the adsorbent 15 is insufficient, whereas when the retention time exceeds 2 hours, the adsorption / desorption reaction between the adsorbent 15 and the detergent reaches equilibrium, and further desorption progresses. I can't expect it.

After the heating is completed, the adsorbent 15 is cooled to 100 ° C. or lower, the pressure holding means 18 is opened, and the washing water containing the detergent and contaminants is discharged to the decomposition means 5, the oxidizing agent removing means 9 and the outside of the washing machine. It discharges outside the washing machine via the switching valve 10 switched to the outlet 12 side.
According to this configuration, when the washing water used in the washing process is purified into treated water having a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing process, at least a part of the detergent contained in the washing water is removed by the adsorption means 16. Therefore, purification can be completed in a short time and the quality of the treated water can be further improved. In addition, the amount of the oxidant used can be reduced and the load on the catalyst 4 can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, a method for desorbing the detergent from the adsorbent 15 using a part of the washing water has been presented. However, after the entire amount of washing water is actually released, the washing tank 1 is used. The source water may be newly supplied to the adsorbing means 16 and the desorption process may be performed.
Further, according to this configuration, by using electrolyzed water as the oxidizing water containing the oxidizing agent, it is not necessary to hold a dangerous chemical as the oxidizing agent, and the management of the oxidizing water supply means 8 is simplified, and the chemical substance is managed. It can be easily used even in ordinary households where it is difficult.
Further, according to this configuration, the washing water discharged from the disassembling means 5 is neutralized by the neutralizing means 19 so that the clothes in the washing tub 1 are damaged after being returned to the washing tub 1 or the adsorbing means. It is possible to prevent the adsorbent 15 filled in 16 from being deteriorated. In addition, safety when a person comes into contact with the water returned to the washing tub 1 is ensured, and even if it is discharged as wastewater, the load on the environment can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the neutralizing means 19 and the pH detecting means 13 are added to the disassembling means 5, but the neutralizing means 19 and the pH detecting means are added to the disassembling means 5 of the washing machine in the other embodiments. A configuration in which 13 is added may be used.
In the present embodiment, the neutralization means 19 for supplying the neutralizing agent to the decomposition means 5 is separately provided. However, instead of the neutralization means 19, an oxidized water supply means 8 for generating electrolyzed water is used. However, the same effect can be obtained even when the basic electrolyzed water is supplied to the decomposition means 5 as a neutralizing agent.

Embodiment 4
FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. 4, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 3 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
The washing machine shown in FIG. 4 includes a washing tub 1, a drain port 2, a pump 3, a decomposition means 5 containing a catalyst 4, a decomposition system heating means 6, a decomposition system heating control means 7, an oxidized water supply means 8, and an adsorbent 15. , A detergent discharge means 17 for heating the adsorbent 15, a pressure holding means 18, a switching valve 10, a water supply port 11, a discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine, and a pipe connecting them. The switching valve 10 has a function of switching the flow path of the washing water discharged from the adsorption means 16 to the washing tub 1 and the discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine.

  In the present embodiment, the adsorbing means 16 filled with the adsorbent 15 is provided in the flow path of the treated water between the decomposition means 5 and the water supply port 11. The adsorption means 16 adsorbs and removes a part of the detergent discharged from the decomposition means 5 and remaining in the treated water before being returned to the washing tub 1. As a result, the quality of the treated water reused in the rinsing process is improved. Further, when activated carbon is used as the adsorbent 15, the activated carbon has a reducing action, so that it is possible to decompose and remove unreacted oxidant remaining in the treated water. As a result, the oxidant removing means 9 can be downsized or omitted.

  The operation mechanism of the washing machine shown in FIG. 4 is shown below. First, a washing process of clothes is performed in the washing tub 1 with washing water containing a detergent. After completion of the washing process, the washing water containing the detergent is transferred to the decomposition means 5 by the action of the pump 3. Here, electrolytic water containing hypohalous acid and having a pH in the range of 2 to 8 is supplied from the oxidizing water supply means 8 and is brought into contact with the catalyst 4 and the washing water to obtain treated water. At this time, the catalyst 4 accommodated in the decomposition unit 5 may be appropriately heated by the decomposition system heating unit 6.

  Subsequently, treated water in which at least a part of the detergent is denatured and / or decomposed by the action of the catalyst 4 and the electrolyzed water is discharged from the decomposition means 5 to the adsorption means 16. At least a part of the denatured and / or decomposed detergent contained in the treated water and contaminants are adsorbed and removed by the adsorbent 15 accommodated in the adsorbing means 16. Thereafter, the treated water is returned to the washing tub 1 via the switching valve 10 and reused in the rinsing process.

The above series of steps may be repeated as appropriate during the rinsing step. And after completion | finish of a rinse process, the switching valve 10 is switched to the discharge port 12 side to the washing machine exterior, and wash water is discharged | emitted outside the washing machine via the decomposition | disassembly means 5 and the adsorption | suction means 16. In addition, after completion | finish of a rinsing process, it is preferable from a viewpoint of prolonging the lifetime of the adsorption agent 15 to implement the process which makes a detergent discharge | release means 17 remove | desorbs a detergent from the adsorbent 15 and to regenerate | regenerate like Embodiment 3.
According to this configuration, since at least a part of the detergent contained in the treated water is removed by the adsorbing means 16, the quality of the treated water can be further improved. When activated carbon is used as the adsorbent 15 and oxidized water or electrolyzed water containing hypohalous acid is used as the oxidant, unreacted hypohalous acid contained in the wash water discharged from the decomposition means 5 is used. It can be removed by the suction means 16.

  In the present embodiment, the decomposition heating means 6 is provided separately from the detergent discharge means 17, but the washing water heated by the detergent discharge means 17 is thrown into the decomposition means 5 without cooling, It is considered that an effect similar to that provided separately by the decomposition heating means 6 can be obtained also by performing heat exchange with the decomposition means 5.

Embodiment 5
FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a washing machine according to Embodiment 5 of the present invention. 5, the same components as those in FIGS. 1 to 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof is omitted.
The washing machine shown in FIG. 5 accommodates a washing tub 1, a drain port 2, a pump 3, an adsorption means 16 filled with an adsorbent 15, a detergent discharge means 17 for heating the adsorbent 15, a pressure holding means 18, and a catalyst 4. Disassembling means 5, oxidized water supply means 8, oxidant removing means 9, switching valve 10, water supply port 11, water storage tank 20, water storage tank valve 21, discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine, and piping connecting them Have. The switching valve 10 has a function of switching the flow path of the washing water discharged from the disassembling means 5 to the washing tub 1 and the discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine.

  The water storage tank 20 stores at least a part of the cleaning water discharged from the washing tub 1 through the drain port 2 at the end of the rinsing process. In the washing water discharged from the adsorbing means 16 after the adsorbent 15 is heated by the detergent discharging means 17, the detergent and contaminants are concentrated several times to several tens of times the concentration in the washing process, and as it is outside the washing machine. When discharged, it imposes a heavy load on the wastewater treatment facility. Therefore, the washing water discharged from the adsorbing means 16 is brought into contact with the catalyst 4 and the oxidizing agent in the decomposition means 5 to denature and / or decompose at least a part of the detergent, and then rinsed in the water storage tank 20. By diluting with washing water after completion of the process and discharging it to the outside of the washing machine, it is possible to achieve both reduction in the amount of source water used and reduction in load on wastewater treatment. In addition, the material which comprises the water storage tank 23 will not be specifically limited if it has durability with respect to washing water. For example, a resin such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or vinyl chloride resin, a highly corrosion-resistant metal such as stainless steel or titanium, or a metal whose inner wall is lined with a corrosion-resistant material such as glass, rubber, or Teflon can be used.

  The operation mechanism of the washing machine shown in FIG. 5 is shown below. First, the washing water purifying process by the adsorption means 16 and the disassembling means from the clothes washing process is the same as in the third embodiment. After the rinsing process is completed, the switching valve 10 is switched to the discharge port 12 side to the outside of the washing machine, and a part of the washing water is adsorbed when the washing water is discharged to the outside of the washing machine via the adsorption means 16 and the decomposition means 5. The pressure holding means 18 and the water tank valve 21 are closed while remaining in the means 16 and the water tank 20. Subsequently, the adsorbent 15 is heated by the detergent discharging means 17, and the adsorbent 15 is regenerated by desorbing the adsorbed detergent and contaminants to the washing water remaining in the adsorbing means 16.

  After the heating is completed, the adsorption means is cooled to 100 ° C. or lower, and then the pressure holding means 18 is opened, and the washing water containing the detergent and contaminants is discharged to the decomposition means 5 containing the catalyst 4. Here, electrolytic water containing hypohalous acid and having a pH in the range of 2 to 8 is supplied from the oxidized water supply means 8 and is brought into contact with the catalyst 4 and the cleaning water for a predetermined time to be contained in the cleaning water. Denature and / or decompose the detergent to obtain treated water. After the elapse of a predetermined time, the wash water after the rinsing process stored in the water storage tank 20 together with the treated water is discharged to the outside of the washing machine through the discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine.

According to this configuration, the amount of source water is reduced by purifying the water used in the washing process to a water quality that can withstand use in the rinsing process and reusing it, and is discharged outside the washing machine after washing is completed. By reducing the amount of detergent to be discharged and reducing the load on the wastewater treatment facility, it becomes possible to control the environmental load and drain the water outside the washing machine.
In the present embodiment, the water storage tank 20 is provided in the treated water flow path between the switching valve 10 and the discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine, but the water storage tank 20 includes the drain port 2 and the disassembling means. There is no particular problem as long as it is installed either in the flow path between the cleaning water 5 and the treatment water flow path between the disassembling means 5 and the discharge port 12 to the outside of the washing machine.

Further, in the present embodiment, the decomposition system heating means 6 and the decomposition system heating control means 7 are not particularly provided, and the catalyst 4 is heated using the residual heat after heating by the detergent discharging means 17, but the decomposition system is used. The heating means 6 and the decomposition system heating control means 7 may be provided separately.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on examples. The following examples are for explaining one embodiment of the present invention, and do not limit the present invention.

Example 1
The effect of reducing the amount of water used by the washing machine shown in FIG. 2 was verified. The verification method is as follows.
The decomposition means 5 is made of SUS304 and has an internal volume of 2 L, and 20 g of a titanium oxide-supported ruthenium catalyst (metal amount: 3%) is accommodated therein as the catalyst 4. The cracking system heating control means 6 is composed of a thermocouple and a microcomputer (not shown) put in the cracking means 5, and the temperature of the catalyst 4 is controlled.
As the oxidized water supply means 8, a polyethylene container containing a sodium hypochlorite aqueous solution (pH 12, effective chlorine concentration: 2000 ppm) as oxidized water was used. As the pH adjusting means 14, a polyethylene container containing hydrochloric acid (pH 2) as a neutralizing agent was used, and hydrochloric acid was appropriately added into the decomposing means 5. Further, granular activated carbon was used as the oxidant removing means 9, and a resin three-way valve was used as the switching valve 10.

  30 L of washing water containing 200 ppm of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium (hereinafter referred to as LAS) as a detergent component was passed through the decomposition means 5 at a flow rate of 4 L / min and returned to the washing tub 1 for 4 hours. Oxidized water was supplied from the oxidized water supply means 8 to the decomposition means 5 at a rate of 15 mL / min, and a neutralizing agent was further added from the pH adjustment means 14 so that the pH of the mixture was 7. The catalyst 4 accommodated in the decomposition means 5 was heated to 80 ° C. by the decomposition system heating means 6. After the decomposition process, the washing water was discharged outside the washing machine.

  In order to confirm the purification effect of the washing water, the total organic carbon concentration (hereinafter referred to as TOC) of the washing water before and after the decomposition step was measured with a TOC meter (TOC-5000A) manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation. In Example 1, since the TOC of the cleaning water after completion of the decomposition process exceeded 5% of the TOC before purification, 25 L of clean water was newly added to the washing tub 1 and an additional rinsing process was performed once. . The additional rinsing water was also passed through the decomposition means 5 at a flow rate of 4 L / min and returned to the washing tub 1 for 1 hour. Oxidized water was supplied from the oxidized water supply means 8 to the decomposition means 5 at a rate of 6 mL / min, and a pH adjusting solution from the pH adjusting means 14 was added so that the pH of the mixture would be 7. The catalyst 4 accommodated in the decomposition means 5 was heated to 80 ° C. by the decomposition system heating means 6. After the decomposition process, the rinse water was discharged outside the washing machine.

  As Comparative Example 1, a washing machine that does not reuse washing water that has been widely used in the past (amount of water used: washing process 30L, rinsing process 25L × 2 times, total 80L), Comparative Example 2 is described in the prior invention. As shown above, the effect of reducing the amount of source water used by a washing machine that purifies and reuses cleaning water using zeolite coated with manganese oxide as an absorption filter material was shown. This also applies to the following embodiments.

  The results of verification are shown in Table 1 (Example 1). Compared with a washing machine that does not reuse washing water (Comparative Example 1), the amount of source water used is reduced by about 20 by performing the decomposition process related to the source water usage reduction effect and the drainage purification effect in the washing machine of the present invention. % Reduction. In the washing machine of the present embodiment, the purification effect of washing water and waste water was hardly reduced even after repeating the verification experiment five times, whereas in the washing machine of Comparative Example 2, the absorption filter material was The detergent was not discharged sufficiently, and the reduction in purification effect with repeated use was significant.

Example 2
The effect of reducing the amount of source water used by the washing machine shown in FIG. 3 was verified. The verification method is as follows.
As the oxidized water supply means 8, an ion washing water manufacturer (MS-W1 manufactured by Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.) is used to electrolyze tap water to which sodium chloride has been added, and the acidic water (pH 2.5, Effective chlorine concentration: 2000 ppm) was used as oxidized water containing an oxidizing agent. As a neutralizing agent, a saturated aqueous solution of slaked lime was used.

  The suction means 16 is made of SUS304 and has an internal volume of 1.5L. As the adsorbent 15, 500 mL of fibrous activated carbon (specific surface area 2000 m2 / g, pore volume 0.75 mL / g, specific gravity about 0.1 g / mL) was used. A band heater was used as the detergent discharge means 17, and the temperature of the adsorbent 15 was controlled by a thermocouple and a microcomputer (not shown) introduced into the adsorption means 16. As the pressure holding means 18, a stainless solenoid valve was used. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  The adsorbing and decomposing step of passing 30 L of washing water containing 200 ppm of LAS as a detergent component through the adsorbing means 16 and the decomposing means 5 at a flow rate of 4 L / min and returning them to the washing tub 1 was continued for 4 hours. Acidic electrolyzed water was added to the decomposition means 5 from the oxidized water supply means 8 at a rate of 1 mL / min. The catalyst 4 accommodated in the decomposition means 5 was heated to 80 ° C. by the decomposition system heating means 6. Further, the slaked lime aqueous solution was added to the treated water discharged from the decomposition means 5 from the neutralization means 19 so that the pH became 5 or less.

After completion of the adsorption decomposition process, the pH of the washing water is adjusted to 7, and then 1 L is left in the adsorption means 16 and discharged outside the washing machine. The pressure holding means 18 is closed, and the adsorbent 15 is removed by the detergent discharge means 17. Heated at 250 ° C. for 1 hour. After cooling the adsorbent 15 to 100 ° C. or lower, the pressure holding means 18 was opened, and the washing water containing the desorbed detergent was discharged outside the washing machine.
In order to confirm the purification effect of the washing water, the TOC of the washing water before and after the completion of the decomposition process and the washing water discharged from the washing machine containing the desorbed detergent were measured.

  The results of verification are shown in Table 1 (Example 2). By performing the adsorption process, a part of the detergent contained in the washing water is removed in advance by the decomposing means 5, and as a result, a smaller amount of oxidant is used than when the adsorption process is not performed (Example 1). It became possible to carry out cleaning water purification. Furthermore, since the TOC of the cleaning water after the decomposition step has reached about 5% before purification, no additional rinsing step is necessary, and the amount of source water used is reduced by about 60% compared to the conventional (Comparative Example 1). I was able to. In addition, about the washing machine in this Embodiment, even if it repeated verification experiment 5 times, the purification effect of washing water hardly fell.

Example 3
The effect of reducing the amount of source water used by the washing machine shown in FIG. 4 was verified. The verification method is as follows.
As the neutralizing agent, basic electrolyzed water (pH 12.5) generated by the oxidized water supplying means 8 was used, and the neutralizing means 19 was not separately provided. The same applies to the fourth embodiment. The amount of fibrous activated carbon that is the adsorbent 15 was 300 mL. Other configurations are as described above.

  The decomposition / adsorption process in which 30 L of washing water containing 200 ppm of LAS as a detergent component was passed through the decomposition means 5 and the adsorption means 16 at a flow rate of 4 L / min and returned to the washing tub 1 was continued for 4 hours. Acidic electrolyzed water was added to the decomposition means 5 from the oxidized water supply means 8 at a rate of 1 mL / min. The catalyst 4 accommodated in the decomposition means 5 was heated to 80 ° C. by the decomposition system heating means 6. Further, the basic electrolyzed water was added to the treated water discharged from the decomposition means 5 from the oxidized water supply means 8 so that the pH was 5 or less.

After completion of the decomposition and adsorption step, the pH of the washing water is adjusted to 7, and 1 L is left in the adsorption means 16 and discharged outside the washing machine. The pressure holding means 18 is closed, and the adsorbent 15 is removed by the detergent discharge means 17. Heated at 250 ° C. for 1 hour. After cooling the adsorbent 15 to 100 ° C. or lower, the pressure holding means 18 was opened, and the washing water containing the desorbed detergent was discharged outside the washing machine.
In order to confirm the purification effect of the washing water, the TOC of the washing water before and after the completion of the decomposition process and the washing water discharged from the washing machine containing the desorbed detergent were measured.

  The verification results are shown in Table 1 (Example 3). After the denaturation / decomposition by the decomposing means 5, the adsorption process by the adsorbing means 16 is carried out, so that the cleaning water can be purified by a smaller amount of the adsorbent 15 compared to the case where the adsorption process is not carried out (Example 1). It became possible to carry out. Furthermore, since the TOC of the cleaning water after the completion of the decomposition process has reached about 5% before purification, no additional rinsing process is required, and the amount of source water used is reduced by about 60% compared to the conventional (Comparative Example 1). I was able to. In addition, about the washing machine in this Embodiment, even if it repeated verification experiment 5 times, the purification effect of washing water hardly fell.

Example 4
The effect of reducing the amount of source water used and the effect of purifying wastewater of the washing machine shown in FIG. 5 was verified. The verification method is as follows. The water storage tank 23 is made of polyethylene and has an internal volume of 25 L. As the water storage tank valve 24, a drain valve for a conventional washing machine is used. Other configurations are as described above.
An adsorption process in which 30 L of washing water containing 200 ppm of LAS as a detergent component was passed through the adsorption means 16 and the decomposition means 5 at a flow rate of 4 L / min and returned to the washing tub 1 was continued for 4 hours. Acidic electrolyzed water was added to the decomposition means 5 from the oxidized water supply means 8 at a rate of 1 mL / min. The catalyst 4 accommodated in the decomposition means 5 was heated to 80 ° C. by the decomposition system heating means 6. Further, the basic electrolyzed water was added to the treated water discharged from the decomposition means 5 from the oxidized water supply means 8 so that the pH was 5 or less.

After completion of the adsorption decomposition process, the pH of the washing water is adjusted to 7, and then 1 L in the adsorption means 16 and 20 L in the water storage tank 20 are discharged outside the washing machine, the pressure holding means 18 is closed, and the detergent is discharged. The adsorbent 15 was heated by means 17 at 250 ° C. for 1 hour. After the adsorbent 15 was cooled to 100 ° C. or lower, the pressure holding means 18 was opened, and the washing water containing the desorbed detergent was discharged to the decomposition means 5. Subsequently, 1 L of acidic electrolyzed water was added from the oxidized water supply means 8 to the decomposition means 5 and contacted for 30 minutes. Thereafter, the treated water obtained was discharged out of the washing machine together with 20 L of water stored in the water storage tank 20.
In order to confirm the purification effect of the washing water, the TOC of the washing water before and after the decomposition step and the washing water discharged to the outside of the washing machine were measured.

  The verification results are shown in Table 1 (Example 4). As shown in Table 1, the TOC in the wastewater discharged to the outside of the washing machine is the washing water (Comparative Example 1) when the adsorption and decomposition steps are not performed at all, and the modification of the detergent desorbed after heating the adsorbent 15 and // It showed a low value compared with the wastewater when not carrying out the decomposition step (Examples 2 and 3), and was able to drain to the outside of the washing machine while suppressing the load on the wastewater treatment. In Comparative Example 2, desorption and decomposition of the detergent from the absorption filter material were insufficient, and regeneration was difficult.

  Table 1 shows the relationship between the source water usage reduction effect and the drainage purification effect in the washing machine of the present invention. Regarding the washing machine according to the present invention, even if the verification experiment was repeated five times, the purification effect of the washing water and the waste water was hardly lowered.

  The washing machine according to the present invention is useful as a washing machine that reduces the amount of source water used. Moreover, it can be applied to a washing machine that improves the effect of removing detergent from clothing in the rinsing process by modification of the detergent. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to a washing machine that suppresses environmental load and drains water outside the washing machine. Further, it can be similarly applied to various cleaning apparatuses that perform cleaning using a detergent.

Cross-sectional schematic diagram of a washing machine in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of the washing machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention Cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of the washing machine in Embodiment 3 of this invention Cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of the washing machine in Embodiment 4 of this invention Cross-sectional structure schematic diagram of the washing machine in Embodiment 5 of this invention

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing tub 2 Drain port 3 Pump 4 Catalyst 5 Decomposition means 6 Decomposition system heating means 7 Decomposition system heating control means 8 Oxidized water supply means 9 Oxidant removal means 10 Switching valve 11 Water supply port 12 Drain port to outside of washing machine 13 pH Detection means 14 pH adjustment means 15 Adsorbent 16 Adsorption means 17 Detergent discharge means 18 Pressure holding means 19 Neutralization means 20 Water storage tank 21 Water storage tank valve

Claims (13)

A washing tub for storing washing water and clothes containing at least water and detergent;
A drain outlet installed in the washing tub and for discharging the washing water;
A catalyst for denaturing and / or decomposing at least a part of the detergent is housed, and the washing water containing the detergent discharged from the drain is brought into contact with the oxidizing water containing an oxidizing agent and the catalyst. Decomposition means to make water,
An oxidizing water supply means for supplying an oxidizing water containing the oxidizing agent to the washing water that contacts the catalyst in the decomposition means, and a water supply port for supplying the treated water to the washing tub. Washing machine.   The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an oxidant removing unit that removes the oxidant contained in the treated water in a flow path of the treated water between the decomposing unit and the water supply port.   The washing water or the treated water contains the washing water channel between the drain port and the decomposing unit, or the treated water channel between the decomposing unit and the water supply port. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising an adsorbing unit that is filled with an adsorbent that adsorbs a detergent and that filters the washing water or the treated water.   The washing machine according to claim 3, further comprising detergent discharging means for discharging the detergent adsorbed by the adsorbent from the adsorbent. Having pressure holding means for sealing the adsorption means;
The detergent discharging means seals the adsorbing means by the pressure holding means in a state where the adsorbent is in contact with water, and heats the adsorbent to 100 ° C. or higher and 250 ° C. or lower, and then opens the pressure holding means. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein a mixture of the detergent and water discharged from the adsorbent is discharged from the adsorbing means. The adsorbing means is installed in a flow path of the washing water between the drain port and the decomposition means,
Further, a water storage tank is provided in the flow path of the wash water between the drain port and the adsorption means, or in the flow path of the treated water between the decomposition means and the discharge port of the treated water to the outside of the washing machine. And
The decomposing means contacts the oxidized water containing the catalyst and the oxidant with the mixture of the detergent and water discharged from the adsorbing means to form treated wastewater, and then treats the treated wastewater into the water storage tank. 6. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the washing machine is diluted using water stored in the washing machine and discharged to the outside of the washing machine.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising pH adjusting means that contains hypohalous acid as the oxidizing agent and adjusts the pH of the content of the decomposing means to less than 8.   The oxidized water supplied by the oxidized water supply means is electrolyzed water produced by electrolyzing water containing at least one of chlorine and a halogen salt and containing hypohalous acid as the oxidizing agent. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7.   The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the pH of the electrolyzed water supplied to the washing water is less than 8.   Neutralizing means for supplying a neutralizing agent for adjusting the pH of the treated water within the range of 5 to 9 to the treated water flow path between the decomposing means and the water supply port; The washing machine according to claim 8 or 9, further comprising:   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising a decomposition heating means for heating the catalyst housed in the decomposition means.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the catalyst includes an inorganic material supporting at least one metal compound of a metal compound.   The washing machine according to claim 12, wherein the metal compound is a ruthenium compound.

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