JP2009285577A - Water-softening system and hot water supplying system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water-softening system provided with a regeneration agent container which effectively prevents salt bridge and to provide a hot water supplying system having the water-softening system. <P>SOLUTION: A salt basket 52 adopted in a regenerating salt water supplying device constituting the water-softening system has a rugged shape part 112 consisting of protrusion parts 113 and rugged parts 115 extended in the up and down direction on the inner circumferential surface 100. A salt particle charged into the salt basket 52 becomes in a state of abutting on a protruded part 113. Therefore, a contact area between the inner circumferential surface 100 of the salt basket 52 and the salt particle is reduced, a shear force generated between the inner circumferential surface 100 and the salt particle is increased when the salt particle drops by self weight and, thereby, the salt particle smoothly drops downwards. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water softening device capable of softening hot water supplied from the outside, a water softening system including a regenerated liquid supply device, and a hot water supply system, and particularly to a regenerant container provided in the regenerated liquid supply device. It has characteristics.

  Conventionally, hot water supply is performed using water that has passed through a water softener by passing the water through a water softening device in which a cation exchange resin is placed, changing tap water or well water into soft water. And since soft water is good for skin and foaming, the demand for using it in a bath is increasing. Therefore, in order to satisfy such a demand, a water softening system as disclosed in Patent Document 1 below is provided. The water softening device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a cation exchange resin, and is configured to soften hot water by passing water through the cation exchange resin.

  In such a water softening device, when tap water or well water is allowed to pass through and the water softening is continued, the water softening ability of the cation exchange resin gradually decreases, and finally water softening cannot be performed. On the other hand, when the water softening ability of the cation exchange resin is reduced, a regeneration treatment is performed in which salt water (sodium chloride aqueous solution, regenerated solution) prepared by dissolving a salt prepared as a regenerant in water is supplied to the cation exchange resin. If it does, calcium ion, magnesium ion, etc. which were capture | acquired by the cation exchange resin will be discharged | emitted, and it will return to the state which can soften tap water etc.

Therefore, in the water softening system disclosed in the following Patent Document 1, etc., in order to perform the regeneration treatment of the water softening device, it is configured to include a regenerated salt water supply device that can supply salt water to the water softening device. Yes.
JP 2002-39613 A

  Here, the reclaimed salt water supply device employed in the conventional water softening device as described above includes a hollow container body in which salt water is manufactured and stored, and a plurality of regeneration treatments disposed inside the container body. And a regenerant container that can store a batch of salt, and has a configuration in which almost all of the salt water produced by pouring water into the container body is discharged from the container body and used for the regeneration treatment.

  The regenerative salt water supply device having such a structure is provided with a water passing portion capable of passing water on the bottom surface of the regenerant container, and when a predetermined amount of water is injected into the container body, the water passing portion passes through. Water entered the regenerant container, and the dissolved salt became salt water and flowed out from the water passage portion to the container body, and a predetermined amount of salt water could be stored in the container body. In addition, the regenerant container allows the salt stored in the non-immersion area located above the immersion area to spontaneously fall into the immersion area after the salt in the immersion area where water enters during the preparation of the salt water as the regenerating solution is dissolved. By doing so, it was the structure by which salt is continuously replenished to an immersion area | region.

  However, in the conventional water softening device, the inside of the regenerant container may be dried when the regeneration treatment is not performed for a long period of time or when the water softening device is at a high temperature. When the inside of the regenerant container is dried, the wet salt in the regenerant container is easily dried and solidified, and the solidified salt is supported by the side of the regenerant container and does not fall to the bottom immersion area. (Hereafter, this phenomenon is also referred to as “Shiohashi”). When this salt bridge occurs, a cavity is generated in the immersion area of the regenerant container, so that it is not possible to adjust salt water at an appropriate concentration for the regeneration treatment, or there is a poor regeneration of the ion exchange resin provided in the water softening device. There was a problem that could happen.

  Then, this invention aimed at provision of the water softening system provided with the regenerant container which can prevent salt bridge effectively, and the hot water supply system provided with the said water softening system.

  The water softening system of the present invention provided to solve the above-described problems includes an ion exchange resin, a water softening device capable of softening water that has passed through the ion exchange resin, and a granular regenerant. A regenerative liquid supply device capable of supplying a regenerated liquid prepared by dissolving in a predetermined liquid to the ion exchange resin, and the regenerative liquid supply apparatus contains a hollow container body and a regenerant. A regenerant container, and the regenerant container is accommodated in the container body and allows the liquid supplied into the container body to enter and exit. There is a non-immersed area that does not soak into the liquid when supplied into the container body, and at least a portion corresponding to the non-immersed area is provided with a concave-convex shape portion with the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container as a concave-convex shape. The uneven shape is in an undissolved state It is characterized in that it is finer than the particle of a regenerant.

  In the regenerating liquid supply device provided in the water softening system of the present invention, the regenerating agent container employed for containing the regenerating agent has a non-immersed area that is not immersed in the liquid when the regenerating liquid is prepared. Moreover, in this invention, the uneven | corrugated shaped part which made the internal peripheral surface uneven | corrugated shape is provided in the part corresponded to a non-immersion area | region at least. For this reason, in the non-immersion region, the contact area between the inner surface of the regenerant container and the particles of the regenerant is small, and the shear force generated between the inner surface and the regenerant is increased by the weight of the regenerant. . Therefore, in the water softening system of the present invention, the regenerant stored in the regenerant container can easily fall smoothly without being clogged in the non-immersed area, and a regenerated liquid having a desired concentration can be prepared.

  In the water softening system of the present invention described above, the convex / concave shape provided in the concave / convex shape portion is accommodated in the regenerant container, and one convex portion in which the particles of the undissolved regenerant are provided in the concave / convex shape portion. In a state where the tip portion of the regenerant particle is in contact with both the T1 and the other projection T2, and the tip portion of the regenerant particle enters the recess formed between the projections T1 and T2, the gap between the tip portion and the recess is between It is desirable that the gap is formed in a shape (claim 2).

  According to such a configuration, it is possible to prevent the regenerant from fitting into the recess formed between the projections T1 and T2. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to more reliably prevent the regenerant stored in the regenerant container from forming a salt bridge in the non-immersed region.

  In the water softening system of the present invention described above, the regenerative agent has a curved portion curved with a predetermined curvature radius, and the opening width of the concave portion provided in the concavo-convex shape portion is longer than twice the radius of curvature. Small is desirable.

  In such a configuration, the particles of the regenerant accommodated in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container can be prevented from being entirely fitted in the recesses provided in the concavo-convex shape portion. That is, in the case of the above-described configuration, even if a part of the curved portion of the regenerant enters the concave portion, the curved portion is in contact with the convex portion, and the entire curved portion is fitted into the concave portion. It wo n’t end up. Therefore, in the case of the above-described configuration, when the regenerant present below the non-immersion region dissolves along with the preparation of the regenerant, a large shear force is generated between the inner peripheral surface and the regenerant due to the weight of the regenerant. Works. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, the regenerant can smoothly fall without clogging in the non-immersed region in the regenerant container, and the concentration of the regenerated liquid can be prevented from becoming unstable due to the drop of the regenerant. it can.

  Further, the water softening system of the present invention described above includes a circumscribed surface P1 circumscribing the regenerant particles and a circumscribed surface P2 parallel to the circumscribed surface P1 and circumscribing the regenerant particles. When assumed, the opening width of the recess provided in the concavo-convex shape portion may be smaller than the interval between the circumscribed surfaces P1 and P2.

  Even in such a configuration, the particles of the regenerant accommodated in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container are not fitted into the recesses provided in the concavo-convex shape portion but are in contact with the projections. Therefore, when the regenerant present below the non-immersion area dissolves, a large shearing force acts between the inner peripheral surface and the regenerant by the weight of the regenerant, so that the regenerant in the non-immersion area is not clogged. It falls smoothly.

  The water softening system of the present invention described above may have a concavo-convex shape formed by convex portions and / or concave portions formed so as to extend in the vertical direction on the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container. 3).

  According to such a configuration, the regenerant present on the non-immersed region side can be smoothly guided downward by the unevenness formed in the uneven shape portion and dropped.

  In the water softening system of the present invention described above, the cross-sectional area of the non-immersed area may expand as it goes toward the immersion area where the liquid is immersed in the container body by supplying the liquid into the container body. (Claim 4).

  According to such a configuration, the regenerant that falls from the non-immersion region side can be dropped without being caught on the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container.

  Here, when a rectangular regenerator container having an opening shape in the internal space is employed, one long wall surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the opening shape on the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container and the other facing the other wall surface The distance from the long wall surface is shorter than the distance between one short wall surface extending in the short direction of the opening shape and the other short wall surface facing the short wall surface. Therefore, the regenerant stored in the regenerant container tends to be hardened in a bridge shape between the opposed long wall surfaces rather than between the opposed short wall surfaces.

  Based on this knowledge, the water softening system of the present invention described above has a long wall surface in which the opening shape of the internal space of the regenerant container is rectangular, and the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container extends in the longitudinal direction of the opening shape. And a short wall surface extending in the short direction of the opening shape. In such a configuration, it is desirable that an uneven shape is formed on at least the long wall surface of the inner peripheral surface.

  In such a configuration, the shear force acting between the long wall surface and the regenerant can be increased due to the weight of the regenerant, and the regenerant is solidified in a bridge shape between the opposing long wall surfaces. Can be prevented.

  In the water softening system of the present invention described above, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion constituting the concave-convex shape may be any one of a substantially square shape, a substantially triangular shape, and a substantially semicircular shape (Claim 6). In the present invention, the substantially quadrangular shape is a concept including a generally square shape such as a substantially trapezoid in addition to a substantially square shape or a substantially rectangular shape. Further, the substantially equilateral triangle shape is a concept including a generally equilateral triangle, an isosceles triangle, and a substantially right triangle, and those that are generally included in the category of triangles. In addition to the semicircle formed by bisecting a perfect circle, the substantially semicircular shape is a shape formed by bisecting an ellipse having a major axis and a minor axis different in length. It is a concept that includes anything. Furthermore, in the present invention, the above-mentioned substantially quadrangular shape and substantially triangular shape are concepts including those substantially included in the category of a quadrangle or a triangle, such as a chamfered corner portion.

  The hot water supply system of the present invention includes the water softening system of the present invention described above and a hot water supply device, and can supply hot water softened by the water softening system to the hot water supply device (Claim 7). .

  In the hot water supply system of the present invention, since the water softening system described above is adopted, it is possible to prevent the regenerant from solidifying on the non-immersed region side of the regenerant container. Therefore, in the hot water supply system of the present invention, a regenerating liquid having a concentration suitable for regenerating the ion exchange resin provided in the water softening device can be prepared in the regenerating liquid supply device and supplied to the water softening device. Reproduction failure can be prevented.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water softening system provided with the regeneration agent container which can prevent a salt bridge effectively, and the hot water supply system provided with the said water softening system can be provided.

  Next, a hot water supply system 1 and a water softening system 10 embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 8-11 shows the water flow state in the water softening system 10 employ | adopted by this embodiment, the part shown with the continuous line shows that it is a state which can be water-flowed, and 2 points | pieces The part indicated by the chain line indicates that water cannot pass through.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a hot water supply system 1 has a hot water supply device 2 and a water softening system 10, which are connected by a soft water supply pipe 5. The hot water supply device 2 is the same as the conventionally known one, and can heat soft water (hot water) supplied from the water softening system 10 side through the soft water supply pipe 5. In addition, a hot water supply pipe 8 is connected to the hot water supply device 2, and soft water (hot water) heated through the hot water supply pipe 8 can be supplied to an external heat load. Specifically, the soft water (hot water) supplied from the hot water supply device 2 through the hot water supply pipe 8 may be used for hot water supply to a curan or a shower (not shown) or dropped into a bathtub (not shown). it can.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water softening system 10 includes a water softening device 11 and a regenerated salt water supply device 12 (regenerated liquid supply device). The water softening device 11 is a device that softens hot water supplied from the outside. The water softening device 11 includes a column filled with a cation exchange resin that adsorbs calcium ions, magnesium ions, and the like contained in hot water, and decreases the hardness of hot water by introducing hot water supplied from the outside into the column. The hot water can be softened. Moreover, since the cation exchange resin which comprises the water softening apparatus 11 has a limit in adsorption | suction of a calcium ion or magnesium ion, when it is used for a long period of time, the water softening capability will fall. In such a case, a regeneration solution such as salt water is passed through the cation exchange resin to remove calcium ions, magnesium ions, etc. adsorbed on the cation exchange resin, so that the cation exchange resin can be softened. Can be played.

  The regenerated salt water supplier 12 is a device for producing salt water for regenerating the cation exchange resin of the water softening device 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the regenerated salt water supply device 12 includes a hollow container body 50 in which salt water is manufactured and stored, and a salt basket 52 (regeneration agent container) disposed inside the container body 50. .

  The container body 50 is configured by a resin box. The container body 50 has a water injection port 54 on the upper end side, and water can be injected through the water injection port 54. Moreover, the container main body 50 has the discharge port 56 in a lower end side, and can discharge | release salt water etc. which were prepared inside through the said discharge port 56. FIG.

  The salt basket 52 is formed of resin in order to prevent corrosion due to salt water. As shown in FIG. 3, the salt basket 52 is a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped appearance. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the salt basket 52 has an internal space 101 surrounded on all sides by an inner peripheral surface 100, and granular salt (regenerant) can be accommodated in the internal space 101. ing. The top side of the salt basket 52 is opened so that salt can be poured into the internal space 101, and an outward flange portion 102 is formed around the opening. As shown in FIG. 4, a plurality of water passage holes 105 that connect the inside and outside of the salt basket 52 are formed on the bottom surface 103 of the salt basket 52. Further, on the bottom surface 103, an open net or cloth (not shown) having water permeability and a size that allows passage of granular salt is not provided.

  The salt basket 52 has an outer shape smaller than the internal space of the container body 50, and is mounted so that the outward flange portion 102 is placed on a salt basket installation portion (not shown) provided in the container body 50 and is hung. The Therefore, in a state where the salt basket 52 is installed in the container body 50, the bottom surface of the salt basket 52 is at a position spaced apart by a certain distance from the bottom surface where the discharge port 56 is provided. When the salt basket 52 in which salt is introduced into the internal space is set in the container main body 50 and water is poured into the container main body 50, the salt in the salt basket 52 can be dissolved to prepare salt water.

  The salt basket 52 is characterized by an inner peripheral surface 100. Specifically, the salt basket 52 has a lower level than the water level L when water flows from the water passage hole 105 of the bottom surface 103 when a predetermined amount of water is poured into the container body 50 during the preparation of salt water. The region can be classified as the immersion region 110 and the upper region can be classified as the non-immersion region 111. The immersion area 110 is an area where water flows from the bottom surface 103 side when the regenerating solution is prepared, and the non-immersion area 111 is an area where water does not flow. In the salt basket 52, at least the surface shape of the inner peripheral surface 100 of the non-immersed region 111 is an uneven shape. In the present embodiment, the surface shape of the entire inner peripheral surface 100 of the salt basket 52 is uneven in both the immersion region 110 and the non-immersion region 111.

  Of the inner peripheral surface 100, a convex and concave portion (hereinafter also referred to as a concave and convex portion 112) is provided with a large number of convex portions 113 and concave portions 115. The convex portion 113 and the concave portion 115 are formed to extend linearly from the top side of the salt basket 52 toward the bottom surface 103 side. The protrusion 113 protrudes toward the internal space 101 side. Moreover, as shown to Fig.5 (a), the cross-sectional shape of the convex part 113 is made into the rectangle. The convex portions 113 are provided at predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction of the internal space 101. The recess 115 is formed between the protrusions 113 adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction, and is a groove having a substantially “U” cross-sectional shape. Therefore, the opening width w of the concave portion 115 corresponds to the interval between the convex portions 113 and 113 described above. The opening width w of the recess 115 is adjusted to a size that does not allow the granular undissolved salt to fit therein. Further, the length of the concave portion 115 (hereinafter also referred to as a concave bottom portion 115a) to the tip of the convex portion 113 (hereinafter also referred to as depth h) is fitted with granular and undissolved salt. It is adjusted in consideration of the average size of the salt particles.

  Specifically, in the salt put into the salt basket 52 as a regenerant in the present embodiment, a granulated salt molded into a capsule shape as shown in FIG. 7A or a salt shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7 (a), a granulated salt having an intermediate portion in the longitudinal direction bulging outward, an agglomerated salt having an elliptical spherical shape as shown in FIG. 7 (c), and FIG. 7 (d). A spherical granulated salt or the like can be used. 7 (a) and 7 (b) have a capsule shape or an elliptical spherical salt, and the salt having an elliptical cross-sectional shape shown in FIG. 7 (c) has a major axis (length in the longitudinal direction) of 10 mm. The short diameter (length in the short direction) is about 6 mm. In addition, the salt having a spherical particle shape shown in FIG. 7D has a diameter of about 6 to 10 mm. 7 (a) and 7 (b) is a capsule-type salt, and in the elliptical-type salt shown in FIG. 7 (c), the curvature radius of the curved portion formed at both longitudinal ends of the salt particles As shown in FIG. 7D, when the radius of the spherical salt is SR, the opening width w of the concave portion 115 (the interval between the convex portions 113 and 113) and the depth h (the concave portion from the tip of the convex portion 113). 115 is adjusted so as to satisfy the following (Equation 1) and (Equation 2).

  As shown in FIG. 7A, the cross-sectional shape of the capsule-type salt particles has curved portions at both ends in the longitudinal direction, but extends linearly at the middle portion in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, one circumscribed surface P1 circumscribing the capsule-type salt particle as shown in FIG. 7A and another circumscribed surface P2 that is parallel to the circumscribed surface P1 and circumscribed to the salt particle are assumed. In this case, when the minimum value of the interval between the circumscribed surfaces P1 and P2 is the interval A, the interval between the circumscribed surfaces P1 and P2 circumscribing the linearly extending portion in the longitudinal direction in the cross-sectional view is the interval A. It corresponds to. Therefore, in the salt particles having a shape as shown in FIG. 7A, the interval A corresponds to twice the radius SR described above. In addition, in the case of salt particles having a shape that has a protruding portion that protrudes in the short direction of the salt particle in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction when viewed in cross-section as shown in FIG. 7B, the salt particle passes through the top of the protruding portion described above. The interval between the circumscribed surfaces P1 and P2 corresponds to the interval A described above. Therefore, the distance A is larger than the length of twice the radius SR by the amount of the overhang as compared with the case of the capsule-type salt particles as shown in FIG. Similarly, when elliptical salt particles are used, as shown in FIG. 7 (c), circumscribed surfaces P1 and P2 passing through a portion where the ellipse, which is the cross-sectional shape of the salt particles, intersects with the minor axis of the ellipse. The interval between them corresponds to the interval A described above. Therefore, also when the elliptical salt particles as shown in FIG. 7C are adopted, the interval A is larger than twice the radius SR. When spherical particles are used as the salt particles, since the cross-sectional shape is circular as shown in FIG. 7D, the interval between the circumscribed surfaces P1, P2 circumscribed at any position is 2 of the radius SR. Is double. Therefore, when salt particles having a cross-sectional shape as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D are employed, the interval A is twice or more the radius SR described above. Therefore, the opening width w of the recess 115, that is, the interval between the inner wall surfaces of the opposing recess 115 is adjusted to be smaller than the interval A. Further, in the case of long and narrow salt particles such as capsules and elliptical spheres as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7C, when the longitudinal length is B, the opening width w of the recess 115 is , And is adjusted to be smaller than the length B.

Here, as described above, the opening width w of the recess 115 is smaller than the interval A and the length B. Therefore, the salt put in the salt basket 52 does not enter the recess 115 unless the longitudinal direction is oriented in the depth direction of the recess 115. In addition, the size of the recess 115 is such that the amount of penetration I is based on the tip of the projection 113 (see FIG. Adjustment is made so as to be within the range of Equation 3).

  More specifically, the opening width w is larger than the size corresponding to the curved portion of the elongated salt particles or the radius SR of the spherical salt particles described above, but the curved portion at the tip of the elongated salt particles or the entire spherical salt particles. The size is smaller than the size (2SR) that can be fitted. Here, as shown in FIG. 6A, when the opening width w is a size corresponding to twice the radius SR, capsule-type salt particles as shown in FIG. In the case of a spherical salt particle as shown in FIG. 7D, the salt particle can enter the recess 115 until the tip of the salt particle hits the concave bottom portion 115a. However, in this embodiment, since the opening width w of the recess 115 is smaller than twice the radius SR, even the salt particles having the shapes as shown in FIGS. Do not fit.

  7B and 7C, when there is a bulging portion in the middle portion in the longitudinal direction, even if the salt particles try to enter the recess 115 starting from one end in the longitudinal direction. The above-described overhanging portion is caught by the edges of the convex portions 113 and 113. Moreover, as shown in the above (Formula 2), the depth h of the recess 115 is larger than the curvature radius SR of the curved portion at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the salt particles. Therefore, even if the salt particles having the shapes as shown in FIGS. 7B and 7C enter the recess 115 as much as possible, the intrusion amount I is SR, so that the tip of the salt particle and the recess bottom 115a A void is formed between the two. Therefore, when salt particles having the shapes as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D are put into the salt basket, even if the salt particles enter the recess 115, the penetration amount I is less than SR. On the other hand, when the opening width w of the recess 115 is SR, as shown in FIGS. 6 (b) and 6 (c), the front end portion of the salt particles in the longitudinal direction enters the recess 115 very slightly. In this case, the intrusion amount I of the salt particles with respect to the recess 115 is as illustrated in FIG. Therefore, the amount I of salt particles entering the recess 115 is only within the range of (Expression 3) described above. Therefore, in the salt basket 52, there is no problem that the undissolved salt particles put inside are fitted into the recess 115 and fixed.

  Then, the water softening system 10 is demonstrated centering on a flow-path structure using FIG. A water supply pipe 20 and a soft water supply pipe 5 are connected to the water softening device 11. The water supply pipe 20 is connected to the water softening device 11 at one end, and provided with a water inlet 15 that can be connected to an external water supply source at the other end. The water supply pipe 20 is a pipe capable of supplying hot water from the water inlet 15 toward the water softening device 11, and a water supply valve 23 and a pressure reducing valve 24 are attached in the middle. The supply of hot water to the water softening device 11 can be controlled by opening and closing the water supply valve 23. The pressure reducing valve 24 is attached to a position upstream of the water supply valve 23 in the flow direction of the hot water flowing through the water supply pipe 20.

  A drain pipe 21 is connected in the middle of the water supply pipe 20, specifically between the water supply valve 23 and the water softening device 11. The drain pipe 21 is a pipe for discharging waste water generated during the regeneration operation of the water softening device 11 from the water softening device 11. A drain valve 26 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 21.

  The soft water supply pipe 5 is provided with a water softening device 11 at one end and a water outlet 16 that can be connected to the hot water supply device 2 at the other end. The soft water supply pipe 5 is a pipe for supplying hot water softened in the water softening device 11 toward the hot water supply device 2 side, and controls the flow rate of water flowing through the water amount sensor 19 and the soft water supply pipe 5 in the middle. A water sampling control valve 25 is provided.

  The water softening system 10 can introduce hot water from an external water supply source toward the water softening device 11 through the water supply pipe 20 by opening the water supply valve 23 and the water sampling control valve 25. Further, the water softening system 10 can soften the introduced hot water with the water softening device 11 and supply the softened water to the hot water supply device 2 side through the soft water supply pipe 5.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a bypass pipe 30 (bypass passage) is connected between the soft water supply pipe 5 and the water supply pipe 20 described above, and the water softening device 11 is connected using the bypass pipe 30. A bypass flow path can be formed. One end side of the bypass pipe 30 is in the middle of the water supply pipe 20 and is connected to a position between the water supply valve 23 and the pressure reducing valve 24. In addition, the other end side of the bypass pipe 30 is in the middle of the soft water supply pipe 5 and is connected to a position between the water amount sensor 19 and the water sampling control valve 25. In the middle of the bypass pipe 30, a bypass valve 31 and a water amount sensor 32 are provided. Therefore, the water softening system 10 can flow the hot water supplied from the outside via the water supply pipe 20 to the bypass pipe 30 side by opening the bypass valve 31, thereby bypassing the water softening device 11.

  In addition, one end side of the refill water pipe 35 is connected in the middle of the bypass pipe 30, specifically between the bypass valve 31 and the water amount sensor 32. The other end of the refill water pipe 35 is connected to the regenerated salt water supplier 12 side. In addition, a water replenishing valve 36 is provided in the middle of the water replenishing pipe 35, and the regenerated brine supply device 12 supplies water supplied from the outside by opening the water refilling valve 36 through the water supply pipe 20 and the bypass pipe 30. Can be supplied to. Accordingly, the water refilling pipe 35 and the water refilling valve 36 function as water injection means 37 to the regenerated salt water supply device 12.

  The water softening system 10 of the present embodiment includes an outflow prevention valve 60 as a means for preventing salt water from flowing out from the water outlet 16. The outflow prevention valve 60 is attached to a lower position below the soft water supply pipe 5. As shown in FIG. 2, a primary pipe 70 is connected between the outflow prevention valve 60 and the water supply pipe 20. One end of the primary pipe 70 is connected to the outflow prevention valve 60, and the other end is in the middle of the water supply pipe 20 and connected to a position between the water inlet 15 and the pressure reducing valve 24. ing. A secondary pipe 71 is connected between the outflow prevention valve 60 and the soft water supply pipe 5. One end of the secondary pipe 71 is connected to the outflow prevention valve 60, and the other end is in the middle of the soft water supply pipe 5 and is located between the water sampling control valve 25 and the water amount sensor 19. It is connected to the.

  The water softening system 10 described above can perform a water softening operation and a regeneration operation. The water softening operation is an operation method of softening hot water supplied from an external water supply source via the water supply pipe 20 and supplying the softened hot water to the hot water supply apparatus 2 side via the soft water supply pipe 5. . In the regeneration operation, hot water supplied from an external water supply source is made to flow into the regenerated salt water supply device 12 through the water supply pipe 20 and the supplementary water pipe 35 to create salt water, and this salt water is supplied to the water softening device 11. This is an operation method for regenerating the cation exchange resin of the water softening device 11.

  More specifically, when the water softening system 10 performs the water softening operation, the water supply valve 23 and the water sampling control valve 25 are opened as shown in FIG. 8, and the drain valve 26 and the salt water supply valve 27 are also opened. The bypass valve 31 and the water refill valve 36 are closed. In this state, hot water is supplied from the external water supply source to the water softening device 11 through the water supply pipe 20. Thereby, the hot water that has passed through the water softening device 11 is softened and supplied to the hot water supply device 2 via the soft water supply pipe 5.

  When performing the regeneration operation, in the water softening system 10, a series of operations including a water replenishment operation, a medicine feeding operation, an extrusion / washing operation, and a backwashing operation are performed a plurality of times. Specifically, when the water softening system 10 performs a regeneration operation, first, a water refilling operation is performed, and salt water is prepared in the container body 50. That is, when the water replenishing operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 9, the drain valve 26, the salt water supply valve 27, and the bypass valve 31 are closed, and the water sampling control valve 25 and the water replenishing valve 36 are opened. In this state, hot water is supplied from an external water supply source via the water supply pipe 20. Thereby, the hot water supplied from the outside flows into the regenerated salt water supplier 12 from the water supply pipe 20 through the refill water pipe 35. Thereby, the hot water is replenished to the water level L in the container body 50. Moreover, the immersion area | region 110 located in the bottom face 103 side of the salt basket 52 will be in the state immersed in water. Thereby, hot water flows into the salt basket 52 through the water passage hole 105, the salt particles in the immersion region 110 are dissolved, and a salt water (regenerated solution) having a predetermined concentration is prepared.

  When the salt particles in the immersion region 110 are dissolved along with the preparation of the regenerating solution, a force in the dropping direction due to its own weight acts on the salt particles in the non-immersion region 111. Here, as described above, in the present embodiment, the concave and convex portion 112 is provided on the inner peripheral surface 100 of the salt basket 52, and the salt particles are in contact with the convex portion 113. Therefore, in the non-immersed region 111, the contact area between the inner peripheral surface 100 of the salt basket 52 and the salt particles is small, and is large enough for the salt particles to fall between the inner peripheral surface 100 and the salt particles. The shear force acts. Therefore, when the salt particles in the immersion region 110 are dissolved, the salt particles introduced into the non-immersion region 111 side are gradually dropped toward the immersion region 110 side and replenished.

  During the water replenishment operation, the water supply valve 23 is open. Even when the water refilling operation is performed, the water softening device 11 does not completely lose the water softening capability. Therefore, in this state, when a faucet (not shown) is opened and hot water is supplied from the outside, a part of hot water supplied from an external water supply source through the water supply pipe 20 passes through the water softening device 11. The water is softened and supplied to the hot water supply device 2 through the soft water supply pipe 5.

  When salt water is prepared in the container main body 50 as described above, a medicine passing operation is performed. Specifically, when the medicine operation is performed, as shown in FIG. 10, the water supply valve 23, the water sampling control valve 25, and the water supplement valve 36 are closed, while the drain valve 26 and the salt water supply The valve 27 and the bypass valve 31 are opened. Thereby, the salt water prepared for the regenerated salt water supplier 12 is discharged to the outside through the water softening device 11 and the drain pipe 21. The salt water prepared in the regenerated salt water supply device 12 slowly flows toward the water softening device 11 due to gravity. Along with this, calcium ions and magnesium ions adsorbed on the cation exchange resin constituting the water softening device 11 are removed by the salt water. The medicine passing operation is performed until there is no salt water in the regenerated salt water supplier 12.

  During the medicine passing operation, the water supply valve 23 and the water sampling control valve 25 are closed and the bypass valve 31 is opened as shown in FIG. Even if is supplied, this hot water bypasses the water softening device 11 and is supplied to the hot water supply device 2 side. Therefore, hot water supplied from the outside cannot be softened during the medicine passing operation.

  When the medicine feeding operation is completed as described above, the extrusion / cleaning operation is performed. The extrusion / cleaning operation is performed by extruding the bottom portion of the container body 50, the piping and valves connected to the container body 50, the salt remaining in the water softening device 11 and the like to the drain pipe 21 using water from the outside. It is an operation to do. Specifically, water is once poured into the container main body 50 of the regenerated salt water supply device 12 in the same procedure as the above-described water replenishment operation. Here, the regenerated salt water supply device 12 of the present embodiment is disposed such that the bottom surface of the salt basket 52 is above the bottom surface of the container body 50. Therefore, the water injection in the cleaning operation is performed in a range where the water level in the container body 50 is lower than the bottom surface of the salt basket 52 so as not to produce salt water.

  When water is accumulated in the container main body 50, as shown in FIG. 10, the extrusion / cleaning operation is performed with the same flow path configuration as the medicine passing operation. Specifically, the salt water supply valve 27 and the drain valve 26 are opened, and the water supply valve 23, the water sampling control valve 25, and the supplementary water valve 36 are closed. Thereby, the water in the container main body 50 is discharged | emitted through the salt water supply piping 29, the water softening apparatus 11, and the drain pipe 21 from the reproduction | regeneration salt water supply device 12 as shown by the arrow in FIG. As a result, the container body 50, the salt water supply pipe 29, the salt water supply valve 27, the water softening device 11 and the like are cleaned.

  During the extrusion / cleaning operation, tap water or the like cannot be softened in the water softening device 11 as in the above-described medicine passing operation. Therefore, during the extruding / cleaning operation, the bypass valve 31 is opened as in the case of the medicine feeding operation, and hot water bypasses the water softening device 11 from the outside via the water supply pipe 20, and the hot water supply device 2 side. To be supplied.

  When the extrusion / cleaning operation is completed as described above, the backwashing operation is performed. When performing the backwashing operation, the water supply valve 23, the salt water supply valve 27, and the water replenishment valve 36 are closed as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the bypass valve 31, the water sampling control valve 25, and the drain valve 26 are opened. Thereby, the water supplied from the external water supply source to the water supply pipe 20 flows into the water softening device 11 through the bypass pipe 30 and the soft water supply pipe 5. Thereby, the water softening apparatus 11 is wash | cleaned. The water that has passed through the water softening device 11 flows into the drain pipe 21 and is discharged to the outside.

  On the other hand, when the hot water tap (not shown) is opened during the backwashing operation, for example, when water must be supplied to the hot water supply device 2 side, the above medicine passing operation is performed. After passing through the bypass pipe 30 as in the inside, the water is supplied to the hot water supply device 2 side without passing through the water softening device 11.

  As described above, in the regenerated salt water supply device 12 included in the water softening system 10 of the present embodiment, the salt basket 52 is provided with the concavo-convex shape portion 112 on substantially the entire inner peripheral surface 100. Therefore, in the non-immersion area | region 111 in which salt particle | grains are accommodated in the undissolved state, the contact area of the internal peripheral surface 100 and salt particle | grains is small. Therefore, with the dissolution of the salt particles in the immersion region 110, the shear force generated between the inner peripheral surface 100 and the salt due to the salt particles falling from the non-immersion region 111 side toward the immersion region 110 side. Becomes larger. Therefore, in the water softening system 10 of this embodiment, the salt stored in the salt basket 52 is easy to fall smoothly without staying in the non-immersion area | region 111, and salt water of a desired density | concentration can be prepared.

  In addition, as described above, the size of the convex portion 113 and the concave portion 115 constituting the concavo-convex shape portion 112 is sufficiently fine with respect to the size of the salt particles. More specifically, the convex portion 113 and the concave portion 115 are accommodated in both the convex portions 113 and 113 arranged side by side in the concave-convex shape portion 112 and the salt particles in the undissolved state come into contact with the convex portions 113 and 113. Even in a state in which the tip portion of the salt particle has entered the recess 115 formed between the portions 113 and 113, the gap is adjusted so that a gap can be formed between the tip portion of the salt particle and the bottom 115a of the recess 115. ing. Therefore, in the salt basket 52 employed in the present embodiment, even if the salt particles accommodated in the non-immersed region 111 enter the recess 115, the salt particles may bite into the recess 115, There is no problem of sticking. Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, it is possible to smoothly supply the salt particles in the non-immersion region 111 toward the immersion region 110 as the salt particles in the immersion region 110 are dissolved.

  As described above, the opening width w of the recess 115 provided in the salt basket 52 is the circumscribed surface P1 circumscribing the salt particles, and the circumscribed surface parallel to the circumscribed surface P1 and circumscribing the salt particles. It is smaller than the interval A which is the minimum value of the interval with P2. Therefore, the salt particles accommodated in the vicinity of the inner peripheral surface 100 of the salt basket 52 are in contact with the convex portion 113 provided in the concave-convex shape portion 112 and hardly fit into the concave portion 115. Therefore, when it is set as the above-mentioned structure, the salt particle thrown in in the salt basket 52 falls smoothly, without forming a salt bridge in the non-immersion area | region 111. FIG.

  The width of the protrusions 113, 113, that is, the opening width w of the recess 115 is such that the contact area between the salt particles and the inner peripheral surface 100 of the salt basket 52 is S, the weight of the salt particles is M, and the salt particles fall. In addition, when the shearing force required between the salt particles and the inner peripheral surface 100 is F, it is possible to set so as to satisfy S ≦ M / F. If the opening width w is set so as to satisfy such a relationship, salt particles fall smoothly in the salt basket 52 without clogging.

  In the salt basket 52 described above, the size of the concave portion 115 is set to a size that restricts the salt particles from fitting, and the ratio of the width of the protruding portion of the convex portion 113 to the opening width w of the concave portion 115 is appropriately set. By setting, the shearing force generated between the salt particles and the inner peripheral surface 100 can be made large enough to drop the salt particles. By adjusting the size of the convex portion 113 and the concave portion 115 in this manner, salt particles can be prevented from forming a salt bridge in the salt basket 52.

  As described above, the convex portion 113 and the concave portion 115 are each formed to extend in the vertical direction on the inner peripheral surface 100 of the salt basket 52. Therefore, the salt existing on the non-immersion area 111 side can be smoothly guided downward and dropped.

  In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the convex portion 113 and the concave portion 115 are provided from the top side to the bottom surface 103 side of the salt basket 52 is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the convex portion 113 is provided. The recess 115 may be provided at least in the non-immersed region 111 as shown in FIG. Further, although the above-described convex portion 113 and concave portion 115 are formed so as to extend linearly in the vertical direction, the present invention is not limited to this and may be in a range that does not affect the drop of the salt particles. For example, it may be bent in the middle. Moreover, although the convex part 113 and the recessed part 115 shown by the said embodiment were a thing of the shape which followed the up-down direction, this invention is not limited to this, For example, as shown in FIG.12 (b) Moreover, the thing of the shape parted in the middle may be sufficient.

  The salt basket 52 described above has a shape in which the cross-sectional area of the non-immersed region 111 is substantially uniform in the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, as shown in FIG. In part or all of the above, the cross-sectional area of the internal space 101 may be increased from the top side toward the bottom surface 103 side (immersion region 110 side). With such a configuration, it is possible to more reliably prevent a problem that the salt particles falling from above in the non-immersion region 111 are caught in the middle.

  The salt basket 52 described above has a rectangular opening shape and is provided with the concavo-convex shape portion 112 over the entire inner peripheral surface 100, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the inner periphery A part corresponding to the concavo-convex shape part 112 may be provided in only a part of the surface constituting the surface 100. Specifically, a configuration in which the convex portion 113 or the concave portion 115 is provided on any one or a plurality of surfaces constituting the inner peripheral surface 100 may be adopted. Further, like the salt basket 52 described above, the inner peripheral surface 100 is constituted by a pair of long wall surfaces 116 and 116 that extend in the longitudinal direction of the opening shape, and short wall surfaces 117 and 117 that intersect (substantially orthogonal) with respect to this. 14 (a), only the short wall surfaces 117 and 117 are provided with convex portions 113 and concave portions 115, or as shown in FIG. 14 (b), only the long wall surfaces 116 and 116 are provided. It is good also as a structure which provided the convex part 113 and the recessed part 115. FIG.

  In addition, when the opening shape of the salt basket 52 is rectangular as described above, the interval between the long wall surfaces 116 and 116 is shorter than the interval between the short wall surfaces 117 and 117. Therefore, it is assumed that the salt particles are more likely to be solidified in a bridge shape between the long wall surfaces 116 and 116 than between the short wall surfaces 117 and 117. Therefore, in consideration of preventing such a phenomenon, it is preferable to provide the convex portions 113 and the concave portions 115 on the long wall surfaces 116 and 116 as shown in FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the convex portion 113 provided in the concave and convex portion 112 has a substantially rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 5A, but the present invention is limited to this. For example, the cross-sectional shape may be a square shape, or the cross-sectional shape may be a triangular shape or a semicircular shape as shown in FIGS. Moreover, the cross-sectional shape of the convex part 115 may be polygonal shape like the trapezoid shown in FIG.5 (d).

  In the water softening system of the above embodiment, salt is adopted as the regenerant and salt water is adopted as the regenerating liquid supplied to the water softening device 11, but the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. Alternatively, potassium chloride or the like may be used as a regenerating agent, and an aqueous potassium chloride solution may be supplied to the water softening device 11 as a regenerating liquid. Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the example which uses hot water as a liquid for melt | dissolving a regeneration agent was illustrated, this invention is not limited to this, Other liquid is used as a solvent of a regeneration agent. Also good. The “hot water” for dissolving the regenerant may be a room temperature such as tap water or well water, but may be hot water heated by a conventionally known solar panel water heater or the like.

  The salt particles put into the salt basket 52 are not only those having a small flatness curved with the same curvature over the entire circumference, such as conventionally known capsule type, elliptical sphere type, and spherical type, but also like conventionally known tablets. It is also possible to employ a material having a relatively high flatness and a thickness that varies depending on the circumferential direction of the salt particles. When such flat salt particles are employed as a regenerant, the distance between one circumscribed surface P1 circumscribing the salt particles and another circumscribed surface P2 parallel to the circumscribed surface P1 is minimized. It is desirable that the opening width w of the recess 115 be smaller than the interval A between the portions (the portion where the thickness is the thinnest). Further, when the above-described tablet-like salt particles are employed, the above-described radius SR is obtained based on the cross-sectional shape of the surface perpendicular to the circumscribed surfaces P1 and P2, and the opening width of the recess 115 is determined based on the radius SR. It is desirable to set w and depth h.

  As described above, the hot water supply system 1 can supply hot water softened in the water softening system 10 to the hot water supply device 2. Therefore, in the hot water supply system 1, a regenerated liquid having a concentration suitable for regenerating the ion exchange resin provided in the water softening device 11 can be prepared in the regenerated salt water supplier 12 and supplied to the water softening device 11. It is possible to prevent the soft water from being unusable for hot water supply due to the poor regeneration.

  In the said embodiment, although the water softening system 10 and the hot water supply apparatus 2 were connected by the soft water supply piping 5, the hot water supply system 1 which enabled supply of the hot water softened by the water softening system 10 to the hot water supply apparatus 2 was illustrated. The present invention is not limited to this, and the water softening system 10 may branch the soft water supply pipe 5 as well as the hot water supply device 2 and supply soft water to other supply destinations. Further, the water softening system 10 may be used in combination with other devices instead of being combined with the hot water supply device 2 as in the hot water supply system 1 described above, or may be used alone.

It is the schematic diagram which showed the hot water supply system concerning 1st embodiment of this invention. It is the principle of operation which showed the water softening system used for the hot-water supply system shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the salt basket employ | adopted in the water softening unit shown in FIG. It is AA sectional drawing of FIG. (A) is sectional drawing which shows typically the relationship of the magnitude | size of the uneven | corrugated shaped part provided in the salt basket shown in FIG. 2, and the magnitude | size of an uneven | corrugated shaped part and salt particle | grains, (b)-(d) These are sectional drawings which show the modification of the shape of the uneven | corrugated shaped part shown to (a). (A) is sectional drawing which shows typically the relationship between a salt particle and a recessed part in case the opening width w of a recessed part is 2 times the curvature radius SR of the curved part of a salt particle, (b) is the opening width w with a curvature. Sectional drawing which shows typically the relationship between the salt particle in the case of corresponding to the radius SR and a recessed part, (c) is sectional drawing to which a part of (b) was expanded. (A)-(d) is sectional drawing which shows the shape of a salt particle, respectively. It is an operation principle figure in case the water softening system of FIG. 2 performs water softening operation. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram when the water softening system of FIG. 2 performs a water replenishment operation in a regeneration operation. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram when the water softening system of FIG. 2 performs a medicine operation or an extrusion / washing operation in a regeneration operation. FIG. 3 is an operation principle diagram when the water softening system of FIG. 2 performs a backwash operation in a regeneration operation. (A), (b) is sectional drawing which shows the modification of a salt basket, respectively. It is a perspective view which shows another modification of a salt basket. (A), (b) is a top view which shows another modification of a salt basket, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot water supply system 2 Hot water supply apparatus 10 Water softening system 11 Water softening apparatus 12 Reclaimed salt water supply device 50 Container body 52 Salt basket (regeneration agent container)
100 Inner peripheral surface 110 Immersion region 111 Non-immersion region 112 Concave and convex portion 113 Convex portion (T1, T2)
115 concave portion 115a concave bottom portion 116 long wall surface 117 short wall surface

Claims (7)

A water softening device comprising an ion exchange resin and capable of softening water that has passed through the ion exchange resin;
A regenerating liquid supply device capable of supplying a regenerating liquid prepared by dissolving a granular regenerating agent in a predetermined liquid to the ion exchange resin,
The regenerative liquid supply device has a hollow container body and a regenerant container capable of containing a regenerant,
The regenerant container is accommodated in the container body and allows the liquid supplied into the container body to enter and exit, and is immersed in the liquid when the liquid is supplied into the container body during the preparation of the regenerated liquid. Has a non-immersed area,
At least a portion corresponding to the non-immersion region is provided with an uneven shape portion having an uneven shape on the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container,
The water softening system, wherein the uneven shape is finer than particles of the regenerant in an undissolved state.   The concavo-convex shape provided in the concavo-convex shape portion is in contact with both the one convex portion T1 and the other convex portion T2 provided in the concavo-convex shape portion with particles of the undissolved regenerant contained in the regenerant container. And a shape in which a gap is formed between the tip portion and the recess in a state where the tip portion of the regenerant particle enters the recess formed between the projections T1, T2. The water softening system according to claim 1.   3. The water softening system according to claim 1, wherein a concavo-convex shape is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container by convex portions and / or concave portions formed to extend in the vertical direction.   The cross-sectional area of a non-immersion area | region expands as it goes to the immersion area | region side immersed in a liquid by supplying a liquid in a container main body at the time of preparation of a reproduction | regeneration liquid, It is characterized by the above-mentioned. Water softening system. The opening shape of the internal space of the regenerant container is rectangular,
The inner peripheral surface of the regenerant container has a long wall surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the opening shape, and a short wall surface extending in the short direction of the opening shape,
The water softening system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an irregular shape is formed on at least the long wall surface of the inner peripheral surface.   The water softening system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a cross-sectional shape of the convex portion constituting the concavo-convex shape is one of a substantially square shape, a substantially triangular shape, and a substantially semicircular shape. . The water softening system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a hot water supply device,
A hot water supply system capable of supplying hot water softened by the water softening system to the hot water supply apparatus.

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