JP2009018222A - Separation column and suspended matter separator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separation column and a suspended matter separator efficiently separating suspended matter dispersed in a solvent. <P>SOLUTION: The separation column 20 separates the suspended matter dispersed in the solvent and having smaller specific gravity than the solvent from the solvent. The separation column 20 is provided with an inner pipe 22 including an inlet port 24, and an outer pipe 30 including an outlet port 32 and containing the inner pipe 22. The inner pipe 22 runs the solvent introduced through the inlet port 24 and containing the suspended matter as a swirling flow thereinside. The inner pipe 22 further includes a communication port 26 communicated with the outer pipe 30 and leading the solvent flowing as the swirling flow to the outer pipe 30. The outer pipe 30 stores the solvent flowing from the inner pipe 22 and leads to the outside through the outlet port 32. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention generally relates to a separation column and a suspended substance separation device, and more specifically, a separation column and a suspended substance that separates a suspended substance dispersed in a solvent and having a specific gravity smaller than that of the solvent. The present invention relates to a separation device.

  In general, when two liquids are mixed, the interface of the mixture has an action of chemical potential, and a phenomenon occurs in which a substance is adsorbed by the surface tension and concentration gradient of the interface. When gas is mixed, three types of gas and two liquids are mixed. However, an effect of adsorbing a substance is generated at the interface between the gas and the liquid by the same phenomenon as described above.

As for a conventional suspended substance separation device, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-38173 discloses an oil-water separation device for the purpose of oil-water separation of water containing oil having low hydrophobicity up to a drainage standard. (Patent Document 1). In the oil-water separator disclosed in Patent Document 1, magnesium chloride, calcium chloride, or the like is added to the liquid to be treated to generate fine bubbles. Suspended suspended matters and oil in the liquid to be treated are attached to the fine bubbles, and the attached suspended suspended matters and oil are floated together with the bubbles and separated on the water surface.
JP 2007-38173 A

  As disclosed in Patent Document 1 described above, when separating a suspended substance dispersed in a solvent, there is a method in which the suspended substance is attached to bubbles and floated together with the bubbles. In such a separation device, when the bubbles are small and large in terms of the same gas volume, the surface area, that is, the gas-liquid interface area can be increased in the case of small bubbles. However, the buoyancy is reduced and it takes time to separate suspended substances in water. On the other hand, when the bubbles are large, the total gas-liquid interface area is small. Further, the rising speed becomes too high, and the bubbles immediately rise to the surface of the water, so that the attachment efficiency of the suspended substance is lowered.

  Moreover, in the conventional separation apparatus, the suspended substance is separated only by floating separation using bubbles, and the separation efficiency of the suspended substance is not necessarily sufficient.

  In the conventional separation apparatus, separation is performed in a water tank. For this reason, for example, when there is laundry in the water tub (in the laundry tub) as in a washing machine, the water surface is not stationary due to the stirring of the laundry, so that the separated suspension is mixed into the water. There is a risk of re-contamination of the laundry by adhering to the laundry. For this reason, floating separation cannot be performed in the water tank, and it is necessary to remove suspended substances in the piping system, that is, remove suspended substances in-line.

  Further, there is a separation method using a difference in centrifugal force due to a difference in specific gravity. However, in the case of a fine suspended substance, the fluid viscosity effect becomes large, and the separation efficiency of the suspended substance is not necessarily sufficient. Even in the case of fine bubbles having a large specific gravity difference, it cannot be said that the separation efficiency of suspended substances is necessarily sufficient.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a separation column and a suspended substance separation device that can efficiently separate suspended substances dispersed in a solvent.

  The separation column according to the present invention is a separation column for separating suspended substances dispersed in a solvent and having a specific gravity smaller than that of the solvent from the solvent. The separation tower includes an inner pipe including an inlet and an outer pipe including an outlet and accommodating the inner pipe. The inner tube allows a solvent containing suspended solids introduced through the inlet to flow as a swirl flow therein. The inner pipe further includes a communication port that communicates with the outer pipe and guides the solvent flowing as a swirling flow to the outer pipe. The outer pipe stores the solvent flowing in from the inner pipe and leads it to the outside through the outlet.

  According to the separation tower configured as described above, the suspended matter dispersed in the solvent is separated from the solvent by leaving the suspended substance in the separation tower and discharging the solvent to the outside of the separation tower. At this time, since the separation is performed by a two-stage process of centrifugal separation in the inner tube and levitation separation in the outer tube, the suspended substance can be separated efficiently.

  The suspended substance means a different kind of substance from the solvent dispersed in the solvent, and may be a liquid or a solid.

  Preferably, the inner tube includes a cylindrical portion in which a swirling flow of the solvent is formed, and a first end portion that closes one end of the cylindrical portion. The introduction port is provided in the cylindrical portion and is disposed within a distance corresponding to the inner diameter of the cylindrical portion at the first end portion from the first end portion. According to the separation tower configured as described above, the solvent introduced into the inner pipe through the inlet can be rectified by the first end, and a larger swirling flow can be formed inside the inner pipe. Thereby, centrifugation in an inner tube can be performed efficiently.

  Preferably, the introduction port is disposed so as to contact the first end. According to the separation tower configured as described above, the rectification effect by the first end can be maximized, and the centrifugal separation in the inner tube can be performed more efficiently.

  Preferably, the inner tube includes a cylindrical portion where a swirling flow of the solvent is formed, a first end portion that closes one end of the cylindrical portion, and a second end portion that closes the other end of the cylindrical portion. The introduction port is provided in a cylindrical portion located in the vicinity of the first end portion. The communication port is provided in the second end portion or the cylindrical portion located in the vicinity of the second end portion. According to the separation tower configured as described above, the introduction opening and the communication opening are sufficiently separated to form a larger swirling flow inside the inner pipe, and at the same time, the separation tower can be configured compactly.

  Preferably, the communication port is provided in the cylindrical portion so as to be in contact with the second end portion. According to the separation tower configured as described above, when the communication port is provided in the cylindrical portion, the introduction port and the communication port are separated as much as possible to form a larger swirling flow inside the inner pipe. Can do.

  Preferably, the inner tube includes a cylindrical portion in which a swirl flow of the solvent is formed, and an end portion that closes an end of the cylindrical portion. The outer tube includes a wall portion that forms a space for storing the solvent. The inner tube and the outer tube are arranged so that the end portion and the wall portion overlap each other. According to the separation tower thus configured, the separation tower can be configured in a compact manner.

  Preferably, the inner tube includes a protruding portion that protrudes to the outside of the outer tube. The introduction port is provided in the protruding portion. According to the separation tower configured as described above, when introducing the solvent into the inner tube through the inlet, it is not necessary to pass the solvent from the outside to the inside of the outer tube. For this reason, a separation tower can be made into a simple structure.

  Preferably, the communication port and the outlet port are provided at positions shifted from each other when viewed from above. The cross-sectional area of the communication port is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the introduction port. According to the separation tower thus configured, the flow rate of the solvent flowing out from the communication port is further reduced. Thereby, the spread of the solvent guided from the communication port to the outer tube in the outer tube can be suppressed, and the solvent containing the suspended solids can hardly reach the outlet port. As a result, a large amount of suspended matter remains in the separation tower, and the separation efficiency can be improved.

  Further preferably, the inner tube includes a cylindrical portion in which a swirling flow of the solvent is formed. The cylindrical portion has a tapered shape whose inner diameter changes along the tube axis direction. The introduction port is formed in a cylindrical portion located on the small diameter side of the tapered shape. According to the separation tower configured as described above, a solvent flow from the large-diameter side of the tapered shape toward the small-diameter side is generated along the slope due to the centrifugal force of the inner surface of the inner tube. This increases the distance through which the solvent flows in the inner tube, increases the chance that the suspended material collides with and merges with other suspended material, and increases the size of the suspended material mass. Thereby, the efficiency of separation of suspended solids by centrifugation can be improved. In addition, since the suspended substance collects on the small diameter side of the tapered shape, the suspended substance is difficult to flow out from the communication port. Thereby, many suspended solids remain in the separation tower, and the separation efficiency can be improved.

  Preferably, the communication port is provided at the highest position of the inner pipe. According to the separation tower configured in this way, the amount of suspended matter discharged from the outlet can be reduced by increasing the distance between the communication port and the outlet.

  Preferably, the depth of the solvent stored in the outer tube is shallower at a position immediately below the communication port than at a position immediately above the outlet. According to the separation tower configured as described above, the depth at which the solvent flowing out from the communication port enters the solvent stored in the outer tube can be reduced. Thereby, diffusion of the suspended substance in the outer tube can be suppressed, and the amount of suspended substance discharged from the outlet can be reduced.

  Preferably, the inner tube is configured such that the tube shaft at the position where the introduction port is provided is higher than the tube shaft at the position where the communication port is provided. The tube axis means the central axis of the tube cross section of the inner tube. According to the separation tower configured as described above, suspended substances having a small specific gravity are collected on the inlet side, so that it is difficult for the suspended substances to flow out of the communication port. Thereby, many suspended solids remain in the separation tower, and the separation efficiency can be improved.

  Preferably, the outer tube includes a gas discharge port for discharging gas from the inside of the outer tube to the outside. The separation tower further includes a control valve that is provided at the gas discharge port and controls the discharge of the gas. According to the separation tower configured as described above, when gas is mixed in the solvent, the water level of the solvent in the outer tube is lowered, and there is a possibility that the suspended substance flows out through the outlet. On the other hand, the water level of the solvent in the outer tube can be adjusted to an appropriate height by providing a gas discharge port in the outer tube and controlling the gas discharge by the control valve.

  Preferably, the gas discharge port is formed at the highest position of the outer tube. According to the separation tower configured as described above, it is possible to prevent the suspended matter from being discharged through the gas discharge port even when the water level of the solvent in the outer tube becomes high.

  Preferably, the separation tower further includes a water level sensor that is provided in the outer pipe and detects the water level of the solvent stored in the outer pipe. According to the separation tower thus configured, the control valve can be controlled based on the water level of the solvent detected by the water level sensor.

  Further preferably, the inner pipe includes a liquid discharge port for discharging liquid from the inside of the inner pipe to the outside. The separation tower further includes a first liquid on-off valve that opens and closes the liquid outlet. According to the separation tower configured as described above, the liquid remaining in the inner pipe can be discharged from the separation tower by opening the first liquid on-off valve.

  Preferably, the separation tower further includes a pipe that connects the liquid discharge port and the outlet, and a second liquid on-off valve that is disposed in the pipe and opens and closes between the liquid outlet and the outlet. According to the separation tower configured as described above, the liquid remaining in the outer pipe can be discharged from the separation tower by opening the second liquid on-off valve.

  Preferably, the inner tube and the outer tube have a cylindrical shape. The inner tube and the outer tube are composed of a lid part that closes the cylindrical end and a base part that is combined with the lid part. According to the separation tower configured as described above, when the base component is produced as a molded product, the mold for molding the base component can be removed from the position where the lid component is combined. For this reason, it becomes possible to integrally mold the base part, and the mass productivity of the separation tower can be improved.

  Preferably, the base part is formed with a communication port having a shape in which a part of the periphery is opened. Part of it is closed by a lid part combined with a base part. According to the separation tower configured as described above, when the base part is manufactured as a molded product, the mold for forming the communication port can be pulled out through a part. For this reason, since a communicating port can be shape | molded with a type | mold, the mass productivity of a separation tower can further be improved.

  Further, preferably, the width of the communication port becomes smaller as it approaches the introduction port. According to the separation tower configured as described above, the step of pulling out the mold for forming the communication port through a part can be easily performed.

  A suspended substance separation device according to the present invention includes a separation tower according to any one of the above, a pressurization device connected to the inlet and supplying a solvent to the inner tube, and bubbles in the solvent supplied to the inner tube. A bubble generating device to be mixed. According to the suspended substance separation apparatus configured as described above, the adsorption separation by the bubbles is performed in two steps, that is, the centrifugal separation in the inner tube and the levitation separation in the outer tube. It can be separated efficiently.

  Preferably, the bubble generating device generates bubbles such that bubbles having a diameter of 10 μm or more and 500 μm or less occupy 80% or more of the whole. According to the suspended substance separation apparatus configured as described above, by setting the diameter of the bubbles to 500 μm or less, it is possible to increase the number of bubbles and sufficiently ensure the surface area of the bubbles that adsorb the suspended substance. In addition, by setting the diameter of the bubbles to 10 μm or more, it is possible to prevent the buoyancy of the bubbles from becoming too small, and to ensure the separation speed above a certain level.

  Also preferably, the separation tower is disposed on a route of the piping system. According to the suspended substance separation apparatus configured as described above, even when the separation tower is arranged in the piping system, the two steps of the centrifugal separation and the flotation separation using the adsorption separation by bubbles are sufficient. Separation efficiency can be achieved.

  Preferably, the piping system is a closed circulation system. According to the suspended substance separation apparatus configured in this manner, for example, liquid purification or the like can be performed efficiently in a short time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a separation tower and a suspended substance separation apparatus that can efficiently separate suspended substances dispersed in a solvent.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings referred to below, the same or corresponding members are denoted by the same reference numerals.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a suspended substance separation apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the suspended solid separation device 10 includes a separation tower 20, a bubble generation device 12, and a pump 14 as a pressurization device, which are provided on a path of a pipe 16.

  Typically, water as a solvent in which oil as a suspended substance is dispersed (hereinafter, a solvent in which a suspended substance is dispersed is referred to as a suspension) flows through the pipe 16. Oil has a specific gravity less than water. The separation tower 20 separates water and oil. The suspension separated according to the present invention is not limited to a suspension composed of water and oil, and can be changed as appropriate. The suspension may be a combination of a liquid and a solid. As an example, purification of a liquid containing alumina, gold sand or the like used as an abrasive may be mentioned. In this case, the present invention can be used to discharge polishing wastewater in consideration of the environment.

  The pipe 16 is configured as a closed system inline. The suspension flows through the pipe 16 by driving the pump 14. The pressurizing device for circulating the suspension is not limited to a pump, and may be a device using a water level difference, for example. The bubble generation device 12 mixes bubbles in the suspension supplied to the separation tower 20.

  FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the separation tower in FIG. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the separation tower along the line III-III in FIG. Subsequently, the separation tower 20 in FIG. 1 will be described in detail.

  With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, separation tower 20 in the present embodiment includes an inner tube 22 and an outer tube 30. The inner tube 22 and the outer tube 30 have a cylindrical shape with both ends closed. The inner tube 22 and the outer tube 30 have a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The outer tube 30 is not limited to the shape shown in the figure, and may be a rectangular parallelepiped housing, for example. The separation tower 20 has a double tube structure in which the inner tube 22 is accommodated in the outer tube 30. In the present invention, the entire inner tube 22 may not be provided in a form that is completely contained in the outer tube 30.

  The inner tube 22 includes an introduction port 24. The introduction port 24 penetrates the outer pipe 30 from the pipe 16 and is connected to the inner pipe 22. The inner tube 22 has a cylindrical portion 22s having a cylindrical shape, an end 22m as a first end that closes one end of the cylindrical portion 22s, and an end 22n as a second end that closes the other end of the cylindrical portion 22s. Including. The introduction port 24 is connected to the cylindrical portion 22s. The introduction port 24 has a substantially circular cross-sectional shape. The introduction port 24 may have a cross-sectional shape such as a rectangle, an ellipse, a semi-ellipse, and a semi-circle.

  The inner tube 22 includes a communication port 26. The communication port 26 is formed in the cylindrical portion 22s. The communication port 26 communicates between the inner tube 22 and the outer tube 30. The outer tube 30 includes a lead-out port 32. The outlet 32 is connected to the pipe 16.

  When the pump 14 is driven, a suspension composed of water and oil is introduced into the inner tube 22 through the introduction port 24. The suspension becomes a swirl flow inside the inner tube 22. That is, the suspension introduced into the inner tube 22 from the cylindrical portion 22s which is the outer periphery of the inner tube 22 flows while rotating along the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22s. At this time, since the specific gravity of the oil is smaller than the specific gravity of water, the oil having a smaller specific gravity gathers inside the inner space of the inner tube 22, and the water having a larger specific gravity is outside the inner space of the inner tube 22. To gather. In the inner space of the inner tube 22, the suspension flow is stagnant on the inner peripheral side where the oil collects, and on the outer peripheral side, the inner tube 22 turns from the introduction port 24 while turning in the circumferential direction along the inner peripheral surface. A suspension flow is formed that proceeds in the direction of the tube axis of the inner tube 22 toward the communication port 26.

  As a result, in the inner tube 22, the suspension is separated into water and oil by centrifugal separation as the first separation using centrifugal force. Specifically, the oil remains in the inner pipe 22, and a suspension with a larger proportion of water flows out to the outer pipe 30 through the communication port 26.

  The parameters having a great influence on the centrifugal separation include the inner diameter of the inner tube 22, the inflow speed of the suspension introduced into the inner tube 22 through the introduction port 24, the length of the inner tube 22 in the tube axis direction, and the like. Can be mentioned. When the inner diameter of the inner tube 22 is smaller, the inflow speed of the suspension is larger, the length of the inner tube 22 is longer, and the suspended substance is particles, the larger the particle diameter of the suspended substance, the more the separation is promoted. It is easy to collect suspended solids in the central portion of the inner tube 22 in the radial direction.

  In general, a sufficient length of the inner tube 22 is necessary for a swirling flow to develop (a state in which a vortex is regularly formed near the rotation center of the swirling flow). When the length of the inner tube 22 is short, the suspension flows out through the communication port 26 before the swirl flow is sufficiently developed, so that the suspended substance cannot be sufficiently collected in the inner tube 22. For example, when the length of the inner tube 22 is insufficient and the suspension introduced from the introduction port 24 makes one rotation and reaches the communication port 26, it is virtually impossible to centrifuge the suspended substance. is there.

  In the present embodiment, the separation port 20 is configured in a compact manner, and the introduction port 24 is positioned in the vicinity of the end portion 22m in order to ensure a sufficiently large distance between the introduction port 24 and the communication port 26. The communication port 26 is provided in the cylindrical portion 22s located in the vicinity of the end portion 22n.

  More preferably, the communication port 26 is provided in contact with the end 22n. The communication port 26 may be provided at the end 22n. When the communication port 26 is provided at the end 22n, the communication port 26 is preferably provided in contact with the cylindrical portion 22s. With such a configuration, the communication port 26 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the inner tube 22. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the oil collected on the inner peripheral side of the inner pipe 22 from flowing out from the communication port 26.

  4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a range surrounded by a two-dot chain line IV in FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a first modification of the separation tower in FIG. Referring to FIG. 4, introduction port 24 is disposed within a distance corresponding to inner diameter D of cylindrical portion 22s at end 22m from end 22m (b ≦ D). Referring to FIG. 5, more preferably, introduction port 24 is arranged so as to contact end 22m.

  Usually, when a liquid is ejected into a free space filled with the liquid, the momentum of the liquid is diffused. When a swirl flow is generated inside the inner tube 22, a flow in the diffusing direction is unnecessary, and a flow in the circumferential direction is necessary. On the other hand, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the introduction port 24 is arranged in the vicinity of the end 22m. With such a configuration, it is possible to rectify the flow of the suspension that is ejected from the introduction port 24 and is to be diffused by the end 22m. That is, since a circumferential flow is mainly generated by the end 22m, a strong swirling flow can be generated inside the inner tube 22.

  FIG. 6 is a side view showing a second modification of the separation tower in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, in this modification, the cylindrical portion 22 s has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter d changes along the tube axis direction. The cylindrical portion 22s has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter d changes at a constant rate along the tube axis direction. The introduction port 24 is disposed on the small diameter side of the tapered shape of the cylindrical portion 22s. The communication port 26 is arranged on the large diameter side of the tapered shape of the cylindrical portion 22s.

  With such a configuration, the centrifugal force of the swirling flow along the slope of the inner peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 22s acts on the suspension introduced into the inner tube 22 through the inlet 24. The suspension tends to go from the large-diameter side of the tapered shape to the small-diameter side, and as a result, the distance that the suspension flows in the inner tube 22 increases. In this case, the opportunity for oil to collide and coalesce inside the inner tube 22 increases, and the size of the oil mass increases. For this reason, the efficiency of the separation of the suspension by centrifugation can be improved. Further, since oil as a suspended substance is collected on the tapered small diameter side opposite to the communication port 26, the oil is difficult to flow out from the communication port 26.

  Referring to FIG. 2, the suspension flowing out from communication port 26 collides with the inner wall of outer tube 30 facing communication port 26, or is stored in outer tube 30 without reaching the inner wall of outer tube 4. Falling toward the liquid. The oil in the suspension that has entered the liquid from the liquid level in the outer tube 30 rises to the liquid level because of its low specific gravity. As a result, in the outer tube 30, the suspension is separated into water and oil by floating separation as the second separation. The oil gathers near the liquid level of the liquid stored in the outer tube 30, and the suspension from which the oil has been removed is discharged from the separation tower 20 through the outlet 32.

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the inner tube along line VII-VII in FIG. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7, the communication port 26 and the outlet port 32 are provided at positions shifted from each other when viewed from above. The cross-sectional area of the communication port 26 is greater than or equal to the cross-sectional area of the introduction port 24. With such a configuration, it is possible to reduce the flow rate of the suspension flowing out (blowing up) from the communication port 26. In this case, even if the suspension flowing out from the communication port 26 reaches the inner wall of the outer tube 30, the suspension can be prevented from diffusing on the inner wall of the outer tube 30. Thereby, the distance between the diffusion region of the suspension and the outlet 32 can be set longer, and the amount of oil discharged from the outlet 32 can be reduced.

  When the flow rate of the suspension flowing out from the communication port 26 is further reduced, even if the suspension is blown up from the communication port 26, it almost falls on the liquid surface in the outer tube 30 without hitting the inner wall of the outer tube 30. . In this case, since the potential height of the suspension can be reduced by reducing the drop height of the suspension, diffusion of the suspension can be more effectively suppressed.

  The communication port 26 is provided at the highest position of the inner tube 22. The outlet 32 is provided at the lowest position of the outer tube 30. The outlet 32 is disposed below the inlet 24. With such a configuration, a sufficient distance can be ensured between the position where the suspension flowing out from the communication port 26 lands in the outer tube 30 and the outlet 32. Thereby, the amount of oil discharged from the outlet 32 can be reduced.

  With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, bubbles are mixed into the suspension by the bubble generator 12. When a gas is mixed, the difference between the surface tension of the suspended material and the surface tension of the solvent at the interface between the gas and the liquid is the difference between the surface tension of the suspended material and the solvent It becomes larger than the difference with the surface tension. In addition, a change in the concentration of suspended solids occurs at the interface when considered microscopically.

  This surface tension difference and concentration difference (change) are the main driving forces, and substances in the vicinity of the gas are adsorbed. Therefore, when a gas (bubble) having a large adsorption force is used, suspended substances close to the molecular level can be adsorbed to the bubble and separated. In addition, since the specific gravity of the bubbles is usually about 1/1000 compared to the specific gravity of the liquid, it is easy to perform centrifugation due to the specific gravity difference.

  Any method of mixing bubbles may be used, and examples thereof include a swirling bubble generator, a venturi tube, and introduction of compressed pressurized air. In the swirling bubble generator, the swirling center is set to a negative pressure by swirling the liquid. By introducing the gas there, the gas is pulverized at the outlet for discharging the gas-liquid mixed fluid to generate fine bubbles. When a Venturi tube is used, if the flow velocity in the Venturi tube is increased, a negative pressure is generated at a place where the cross-sectional area is small (a place where the flow velocity is fast) from Bernoulli's theorem. As a result, the suspension is used as a gas-liquid mixed fluid, and the speed of sound is reduced (the speed of sound of the gas-liquid mixed fluid decreases to a level of several tens of meters). Further, in the wake, the pipe is configured to gradually increase the flow path cross-sectional area like a Laval pipe, so that the flow exceeds the speed of sound and a shock wave is generated in the flow. Since the gas collides with the shock wave beyond the speed of sound, the gas is subdivided and fine bubbles are generated.

  The bubbles mixed in the suspension are preferably fine bubbles generated by a fine bubble generator. In this case, even if the volume is the same, the surface area of the bubbles can be remarkably increased, so that efficient separation can be performed. Specifically, the bubble generating device 12 generates bubbles such that bubbles having a diameter of 10 μm or more and 500 μm or less occupy 80% or more of the whole. The measurement of the diameter of the bubbles is performed, for example, by measuring the bubbles in the water tank with a fine particle measuring device (manufactured by Oxford Lasers) using a CCD camera.

  When a large amount of bubbles flow into the separation tower 20, bubbles that break up in the outer tube 30 increase. In this case, since the liquid level is lowered and the outlet 32 is close to the liquid level, the oil separated near the liquid level may leak out to the outside through the outlet 32.

  In contrast, in the present embodiment, the outer tube 30 is provided with a gas discharge port 34. The gas discharge port 34 is provided with a flow rate adjustment valve 36 as a control valve. When the water level drops inside the outer pipe 30, the flow rate adjustment valve 36 is opened before the oil is discharged from the outlet 32. At this time, since the inside of the outer tube 30 is pressurized by the pump 14 as a pressurizing device, the gas is discharged to the outside of the outer tube 30 through the gas discharge port 34, and the water level can be restored. It is also possible to maintain a constant water level by setting the flow rate adjustment valve 36 to an appropriate opening degree. Specifically, a constant water level is maintained by discharging the volume of the gas that breaks and increases in the outer pipe 30 from the flow regulating valve 36.

  Preferably, the gas outlet 34 is formed at the highest position of the outer tube 30. With such a configuration, even when the water level in the outer tube 30 becomes high, it is possible to suppress oil that is a suspended substance from flowing out through the gas discharge port 34.

  As an alternative to the flow rate adjustment valve 36, an on-off valve may be used. That is, the water level sensor 38 is provided at a predetermined position of the inner pipe 22, and the flow rate adjustment valve 36 or the on-off valve is controlled to open when the water level becomes lower than a certain water level. As a result, it is possible to keep the water level constant while suppressing the outflow of oil from the gas outlet 34.

  In the present embodiment, the case where gas is actively mixed using the bubble generating device 12 has been described. However, depending on the piping system, when gas is naturally mixed from the pressurizing device (for example, the air of the pump) It may be caused by biting or a free vortex at the outlet of the water tank). Even in such a case, the installation of the gas outlet 34 is effective.

  When the suspension containing bubbles is blown up from the communication port 26 and collides with the inner wall of the outer tube 30, some bubbles may break up due to the dynamic pressure that is blown up. By promoting the bubble breakage, it is possible to prevent the bubbles having adsorbed oil from being discharged from the outlet 32 without being floated and separated by the outer tube 30. Therefore, by providing a protrusion at the site of the outer tube 30 where the suspension collides or by roughening the surface roughness, it is possible to promote this bubble breakage and improve the separation efficiency.

  In the above description, the case where the separation tower 20 is horizontally installed (installed so that the cylindrical portion of the separation tower 20 extends in a direction perpendicular to the gravity) has been described, but the vertical installation (the cylindrical portion of the separation tower 20 is gravity-induced). However, the separation effect can be improved as compared with the case where the inner tube 22 is constituted only by centrifugation (single tube).

  FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a third modification of the separation tower in FIG. Referring to FIG. 8, in the present modification, the depth of the suspension stored in outer tube 30 is shallower at the position directly below communication port 26 than at the position immediately above outlet 32 (H2 < H1). Preferably, the angle α formed between the tube axis 22p of the inner tube 22 on the side having the communication port 26 and the horizontal direction is a value of 0 ° to 45 °. With this configuration, the suspension depth at the portion where the suspension flowing out from the communication port 26 falls into the liquid in the outer tube 30 can be reduced, so that the suspension that enters the liquid in the outer tube 30 can be reduced. Depth can be suppressed. As a result, bubbles that have adsorbed oil can easily float on the water surface, and the amount of oil discharged from the outlet 32 can be reduced. Further, the separation efficiency is better when the distance between the outlet 32 and the communication port 26 is increased.

  FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a fourth modification of the separation tower in FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, in this modification, the inner tube 22 is configured such that the tube shaft 22q at the position where the introduction port 24 is provided is higher than the tube shaft 22p at the position where the communication port 26 is provided. The Preferably, the angle β formed by the horizontal direction with the tube axis 22p on the side having the communication port 26 is a value of 0 ° or more and 10 ° or less. With such a configuration, bubbles are easily gathered uniformly in the vicinity of the inlet 24. Thereby, it becomes easy to capture fine bubbles and the like flowing from the introduction port 24, and the separation performance of the separation tower 20 can be improved.

  In the figure, only the inner tube 22 is provided to be inclined, but the entire separation tower 20 may be provided to be inclined.

  The separation tower according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is a separation tower 20 that separates oil as a suspended substance having a specific gravity smaller than that of water dispersed in water as a solvent. The separation tower 20 includes an inner tube 22 including an inlet 24 and an outer tube 30 including an outlet 32 and accommodating the inner tube 22. The inner tube 22 causes a suspension as water containing oil introduced through the introduction port 24 to flow as a swirl flow therein. The inner tube 22 further includes a communication port 26 that communicates with the outer tube 30 and guides the suspension flowing as a swirling flow to the outer tube 30. The outer tube 30 stores the suspension flowing in from the inner tube 22 and guides it to the outside through the outlet 32.

  The suspended substance separation device 10 is connected to a separation tower 20, an introduction port 24, a pump 14 as a pressurizing device that supplies a suspension to the inner tube 22, and bubbles in the suspension supplied to the inner tube 22. And a bubble generating device 12 for mixing the water.

  According to the separation tower 20 and the suspended substance separation device 10 configured as described above, a two-stage separation process of centrifugal separation and flotation separation is performed by the double tube structure of the inner tube 22 and the outer tube 30. . For this reason, the suspension can be separated efficiently.

  In this Embodiment which has arrange | positioned the separation tower 20 on the path | route of the piping 16 comprised as in-line, a free interface (water surface) can be produced | generated in the double pipe | tube with the pump pressure in the piping path | route. For this reason, bubbles can be trapped at this free interface, and trapping utilizing centrifugal force of swirling flow can also be performed. Separation tower 20 and suspended substance separation apparatus 10 in the present embodiment are particularly effectively applied to the use of separating oil after washing in a dishwasher and hydrophobic soil in washing water from water.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a separation tower according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The separation tower in the present embodiment has basically the same structure as the separation tower 20 in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, description is not repeated about the overlapping structure. Further, a case where bubbles are not mixed will be described. However, when bubbles are mixed, a gas discharge port, a flow rate adjusting valve or an on-off valve, and a water level sensor can be similarly incorporated.

  Referring to FIG. 10, outer tube 30 includes a cylindrical portion 30s having a cylindrical shape, and an end portion 30m and an end portion 30n as wall portions closing both ends of cylindrical portion 30s. In the separation tower 120 in the present embodiment, the inner tube 22 and the outer tube 30 are configured such that the end 30m and the end 22m overlap, and the end 30n and the end 22n overlap. The end 30m and the end 22m extend in the same plane, and the end 30n and the end 22n extend in the same plane. With such a configuration, the separation tower 120 can be configured more compactly while ensuring a sufficient distance between the introduction port 24 and the communication port 26 to generate a large swirling flow.

  With the separation tower 120 according to the second embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the same effects as those described in the first embodiment can be obtained.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a separation tower according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Compared with the separation column 20 in the first embodiment, the separation column in the present embodiment basically has the same structure. Hereinafter, description is not repeated about the overlapping structure. Further, a case where bubbles are not mixed will be described. However, when bubbles are mixed, a gas discharge port, a flow rate adjusting valve or an on-off valve, and a water level sensor can be similarly incorporated.

  Referring to FIG. 11, in separation tower 220 in the present embodiment, inner tube 22 includes protruding portion 23. The inner tube 22 is provided such that the protruding portion 23 protrudes outside the outer tube 30. The protruding portion 23 is disposed outside the outer tube 30, and the other portion of the inner tube 22 excluding the protruding portion 23 is disposed inside the outer tube 30. The introduction port 24 is provided in the protruding portion 23. With such a configuration, the introduction port 24 can be provided in the external space of the outer tube 30. Thereby, when processing the inlet 24, it is not necessary to provide a hole through the inlet 24 in the outer tube 30, so that the separation tower can have a simple configuration. Further, it becomes easy to seal the connecting portion between the introduction port 24 and the inner tube 22, and the workability can be remarkably improved.

  FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view showing the piping structure of the separation tower in FIG. Referring to FIG. 12, the inner pipe 22 is provided with a drain port 42 as a liquid discharge port. The drain port 42 discharges the suspension from the inside of the inner tube 22 to the outside. The drain port 42 is connected to the protruding portion 23. The drain port 42 is provided at the lowest position of the inner pipe 22. The separation tower 220 includes a drain valve 44 as a first liquid on-off valve that opens and closes the drain port 42. The separation tower 220 includes a pipe 46. The pipe 46 connects the drain outlet 42 and the outlet 32. The separation tower 20 includes a stop valve 48 as a second liquid on-off valve. The stop valve 48 is disposed in the pipe 46. The stop valve 48 opens and closes between the drain port 42 and the outlet port 32.

  In the present embodiment, both the drain valve 44 and the stop valve 48 are closed when the suspension is separated. When draining after the separation of the suspension is completed, both the drain valve 44 and the stop valve 48 are opened. Thereby, the suspension remaining in the inner pipe 22 is discharged from the separation tower 220 through the drain outlet 42, and the suspension remaining in the outer pipe 30 is discharged from the separation tower 220 through the outlet 32 and the pipe 46.

  FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the piping structure of the separation tower in FIG. Referring to FIG. 13, in the present modification, drain hole 52 is formed in inner tube 22. The drain hole 52 allows the inner tube 22 and the outer tube 30 to communicate with each other. The drain hole 52 is formed at the lowest position of the inner pipe 22. The drain hole 52 has a smaller cross-sectional area than the communication port 26 not shown. In this modification, the drain port 42 and the drain valve 44 in FIG. 12 are not provided. The separation tower 220 includes a drain pipe 54 and a drain valve 58. The drain pipe 54 is connected to the outlet 32. The drain valve 58 is disposed on the path of the drain pipe 54.

  During the separation of the suspension, the suspension flows out from the communication port 26 having a larger cross-sectional area with less pressure resistance. When draining, the drain valve 58 is opened. At this time, since the pump 14 as the pressurizing device is stopped, the suspension flows out from the drain hole 52 to the outer pipe 30 due to the water level in the inner pipe 22 and is further drained through the drain pipe 54.

  In the present embodiment, the case where the drain hole 52 is applied to the separation tower 220 in FIG. 11 has been described, but the same effect can be obtained even if the drain hole 52 is provided in the separation tower described in other embodiments. Obtainable.

  According to the separation tower 220 according to the third embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the effects described in the first embodiment can be similarly obtained.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a separation tower according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the separation tower along the line XV-XV in FIG. Compared with the separation tower in the first embodiment, the separation tower in the present embodiment has basically the same structure. Hereinafter, description is not repeated about the overlapping structure.

  Referring to FIGS. 14 and 15, separation tower 320 in the present embodiment is composed of two parts, a lid part 64 and a base part 62. The lid part 64 closes the cylindrical ends of the inner tube 22 and the outer tube 30. The base part 62 has a cylindrical shape of the inner pipe 22 and the outer pipe 30 and is combined with the lid part 64. The base part 62 has a double pipe structure with one end opened. A communication port 26 is formed in the base part 62.

  When the separation tower 320 is manufactured, for example, the base part 62 other than the lid part 64 is integrally molded with a mold. The mold is extracted from the position where the lid part 64 is combined. Thereafter, the resin is melted with a heated iron or the like to perform additional processing, and the communication port 26 is formed. Through such a process, the separation tower 320 can be manufactured using a mold, and productivity can be improved.

  FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the separation tower along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. Referring to FIG. 16, the base part 62 includes an end face 62g to which the lid part 64 is joined. The end face 62g is disposed at the opening end of the base part 62. The communication port 26 has a shape in which a part of the periphery is opened at the end face 62g. The communication port 26 has a shape recessed from the end face 62g. The communication port 26 has a width c that decreases as it approaches an introduction port 24 (not shown). The communication port 26 has a width c that decreases as the distance from the end face 62g increases. The communication port 26 is formed in a closed shape by a base part 62 and a lid part 64 or a packing interposed between the lid part 64 and the base part 62.

  With such a configuration, since the communication port 26 is also integrally formed with a mold, productivity can be further improved.

  According to the separation tower 320 in the fourth embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the effect described in the first embodiment can be obtained in the same manner.

  The embodiment disclosed this time should be considered as illustrative in all points and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

It is a figure which represents typically the suspended solids separation apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the separation tower in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the separation tower along the III-III line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which expands and shows the range enclosed with the dashed-two dotted line IV in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the 1st modification of the separation tower in FIG. It is a side view which shows the 2nd modification of the separation tower in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the inner tube | pipe along the VII-VII line in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the 3rd modification of the separation tower in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the 4th modification of the separation tower in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the separation tower in Embodiment 2 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the separation tower in Embodiment 3 of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the piping structure of the separation tower in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the piping structure of the separation tower in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the separation tower in Embodiment 4 of this invention. It is sectional drawing of the separation tower along the XV-XV line | wire in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the separation tower along the XVI-XVI line in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Suspended substance separator, 12 Bubble generator, 14 Pump, 20, 120, 220, 320 Separation tower, 22 Inner pipe, 22m, 22n, 30m, 30n End part, 22p, 22q Tube axis, 22s, 30s Tube part , 23 Projection portion, 24 Inlet port, 26 Communication port, 30 Outer tube, 32 Outlet port, 34 Gas outlet port, 36 Flow rate adjustment valve, 38 Water level sensor, 42 Drain port, 44 Drain valve, 46 Piping, 48 Stop valve, 52 drainage holes, 62 base parts, 64 lid parts.

Claims (24)

A separation column for separating suspended substances dispersed in a solvent and having a specific gravity smaller than that of the solvent from the solvent,
An inner pipe including an introduction port;
Including an outlet, and an outer tube for accommodating the inner tube,
The inner pipe flows a solvent containing suspended solids introduced through the introduction port as a swirl flow therein,
The inner pipe further includes a communication port that communicates with the outer pipe and guides the solvent flowing as a swirling flow to the outer pipe.
The outer tube is a separation tower for storing the solvent flowing in from the inner tube and leading out to the outside through the outlet. The inner pipe includes a cylindrical portion in which a swirling flow of solvent is formed, and a first end portion that closes one end of the cylindrical portion,
2. The separation tower according to claim 1, wherein the introduction port is provided in the cylindrical portion and is disposed within a distance corresponding to an inner diameter of the cylindrical portion at the first end portion from the first end portion.   The separation tower according to claim 2, wherein the introduction port is disposed so as to be in contact with the first end portion. The inner tube includes a cylindrical portion in which a swirling flow of the solvent is formed, a first end that closes one end of the cylindrical portion, and a second end that closes the other end of the cylindrical portion,
The introduction port is provided in the cylindrical portion located in the vicinity of the first end portion,
The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the communication port is provided in the second end portion or the cylindrical portion located in the vicinity of the second end portion.   The separation tower according to claim 4, wherein the communication port is provided in the cylindrical portion so as to be in contact with the second end portion. The inner pipe includes a cylindrical portion in which a swirling flow of a solvent is formed, and an end portion that closes an end of the cylindrical portion,
The outer tube includes a wall portion that forms a space for storing a solvent,
The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the inner pipe and the outer pipe are arranged so that the end portion and the wall portion overlap each other. The inner pipe includes a protruding portion that protrudes to the outside of the outer pipe,
The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the introduction port is provided in the protruding portion. The communication port and the outlet port are provided at positions shifted from each other when viewed from above,
The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a cross-sectional area of the communication port is equal to or larger than a cross-sectional area of the introduction port. The inner pipe includes a cylindrical portion in which a swirling flow of solvent is formed,
The cylindrical portion has a tapered shape in which the inner diameter changes along the tube axis direction,
The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the introduction port is formed in the cylindrical portion located on a small diameter side of the tapered shape.   The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the communication port is provided at a highest position of the inner pipe.   The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the depth of the solvent stored in the outer pipe is shallower at a position directly below the communication port than at a position immediately above the outlet port.   The said inner pipe | tube is comprised so that the pipe shaft of the position in which the said inlet is provided becomes higher than the pipe axis of the position in which the said communication port is provided. Separation tower. The outer pipe includes a gas discharge port for discharging gas from the inside of the outer pipe to the outside,
The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a control valve provided at the gas discharge port and configured to control gas discharge.   The separation tower according to claim 13, wherein the gas discharge port is formed at a highest position of the outer pipe.   The separation tower according to claim 13 or 14, further comprising a water level sensor provided in the outer pipe and detecting a water level of a solvent stored in the outer pipe. The inner pipe includes a liquid discharge port for discharging liquid from the inside of the inner pipe to the outside,
The separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a first liquid on-off valve that opens and closes the liquid discharge port. A pipe connecting the liquid outlet and the outlet;
The separation tower according to claim 16, further comprising a second liquid on-off valve that is disposed in the pipe and opens and closes between the liquid discharge port and the outlet port. The inner tube and the outer tube have a cylindrical shape,
18. The separation tower according to claim 1, wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are configured by a lid part that closes the cylindrical end portion and a base part that is combined with the lid part. . The base part is formed with the communication port in a form in which a part of the periphery is opened,
19. Separation tower according to claim 18, wherein the part is closed by the lid part combined with the base part.   The separation tower according to claim 19, wherein a width of the communication port becomes smaller as approaching the introduction port. A separation tower according to any one of claims 1 to 20,
A pressure device connected to the inlet and supplying a solvent to the inner tube;
A suspended substance separation device comprising: a bubble generating device for mixing bubbles in a solvent supplied to the inner tube.   The suspended-bubble separator according to claim 21, wherein the bubble generating device generates bubbles such that bubbles having a diameter of 10 µm to 500 µm occupy 80% or more of the total.   The suspended substance separation device according to claim 21 or 22, wherein the separation tower is disposed on a route of a piping system.   The suspended substance separation device according to claim 23, wherein the piping system is a closed circulation system.

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