JP2011127825A - Water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water heater that prevents a water treatment device adsorbing dissolved components of water from freezing. <P>SOLUTION: The water heater includes: the water treatment device 5 having ion exchangers (20 and 21) which adsorb ions dissolved in water, an ion exchange membrane which dissociates water to desorb ions adsorbed on the ion exchangers (20 and 21), at least two electrodes 19 which apply a voltage to the ion exchange membrane, and a voltage controller for supplying the voltage to the electrodes 19; a hot water-storage tank 1 for storing hot water; and an antifreezing unit 6 for preventing water in the water treatment device 5 from freezing. Thus, the water heater preventing the water in the water treatment device from freezing and having high usability can be provided, even if the water heater is left in a cold district during night. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a water heater provided with a water treatment device that removes ions dissolved in water.

  Conventionally, this type of water heater has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2 (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

A pair of electrodes 22 and 23 for performing electrodialysis, a cation exchange membrane 24, and an anion exchange membrane 25 are provided, and a voltage is applied so that the electrode 22 is a cathode and the electrode 23 is an anode. Anion exchange resin 26 for exchanging Cl ⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ ions with OH ⁻ ions, cation exchange resin 27 for exchanging Mg ²⁺ and Ca ²⁺ ions with H ⁺ ions, and Mg not adsorbed on cation exchange resin 27 ^A discharge port 28 through which water condensed with ²⁺ and Ca ²⁺ can be discharged, and a diaphragm 29 through which ions dividing the inside of the cell can pass are arranged.

  The operation of the above configuration will be described. When water softening is performed, ion exchange by the ion exchange resins 26 and 27 and electrodialysis by electrodialysis means are performed simultaneously. The bath water w is sucked from the water inlet 30 by the circulation pump 31 and is divided into the flow paths 32, 33, and 34.

First, softening by ion exchange will be described. The bathtub water w divided into the flow path 33 is divided into the dilution chambers 35 and 36 partitioned by the diaphragm 29 in the cell. The dilution chamber 36 is filled with a cation exchange resin 27, and Ca ²⁺ and Mg ²⁺ which are hardness components in the bath water w are ion-exchanged to H ⁺ by the cation exchange resin 27. The dilution chamber 35 is filled with an anion exchange resin 26, and Cl ⁻ and NO ₃ ⁻ ions, which are anions in the bath water w, are ion-exchanged to OH ⁻ and pass through a net 37 that does not allow the resin to flow out. Then, the bath water w that merges through the switching valve 38 and the switching valve 39 and is ion-exchanged is returned to the bathtub 40 from the discharge port 41.

Next, softening by electrodialysis will be described. Ca ²⁺ and Mg ^2+, which are hardness components in the bath water w, move to the concentration chamber 42 by electrodialysis force through the cation exchange membrane 24, and are discharged from the discharge port 28 through the switching valve 43. Further, anions such as Cl ⁻ , HClO ₃ ⁻ and SO ₄ ^{2− in} the bath water w move to the concentration chamber 44 through the anion exchange membrane 25 and pass through the switching valve 45. It is discharged from the discharge port 28.

JP 2001-340863 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, there is no measure for preventing freezing of the cell for removing ions, and there is a possibility that the water in the cell freezes and expands when left in a cold region at night.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hot water heater that prevents freezing of water in a water treatment device even when left in a cold region at night, and has high usability.

  In order to solve the conventional problems, the water heater of the present invention includes an ion exchanger that adsorbs ions dissolved in water, and ion exchange that dissociates water and desorbs ions adsorbed on the ion exchanger. A water treatment device having a membrane, at least two electrodes for applying a voltage to the ion exchange membrane, voltage control means for supplying a voltage to the electrodes, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, and freezing of water in the water treatment device And a freezing prevention means that prevents water freezing in a water treatment apparatus even when left in a cold region at night, and a highly usable water heater can be provided.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, even when left at night in a cold region etc., the freezing of the water in a water treatment apparatus can be prevented, and a hot water heater with high usability can be provided.

Configuration diagram of a water heater in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Configuration of a conventional water heater

  The first invention is an ion exchanger that adsorbs ions dissolved in water, an ion exchange membrane that dissociates water and desorbs ions adsorbed on the ion exchanger, and applies a voltage to the ion exchange membrane. A hot water supply comprising at least two electrodes, a water treatment device having a voltage control means for supplying a voltage to the electrodes, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, and a freeze prevention means for preventing freezing of water in the water treatment device Even when left in a cold region at night, the water in the water treatment apparatus can be prevented from freezing and a hot water heater with high usability can be provided.

  The second invention is characterized in that the freeze prevention means is configured to transfer the heat of the hot water storage tank to the water in the water treatment apparatus, and efficiently utilizes the heat of the water heater. In addition, since a special heating means for heating the water treatment apparatus is not required, a hot water heater having a simple configuration, high reliability, and high usability can be provided.

  A third invention is characterized in that the hot water storage tank and the water treatment device are surrounded by a heat insulating material, and the water in the water treatment device is efficiently raised without releasing the heat of the hot water storage tank to the outside. A hot water heater that can be heated, has a simple configuration, is highly reliable, and has high usability can be provided.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided drainage means for discharging water in the water treatment apparatus, and by preventing the freezing in the water treatment by discharging the water in the water treatment apparatus. Freezing can be prevented by flowing water in the water treatment apparatus.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the water treatment apparatus includes a water sampling process for adsorbing ions dissolved in water and a regeneration process for desorbing the adsorbed ions. The treated water from which ions in the water have been removed does not contain water electrolysis gas, and the gas is introduced into the flow path leading the treated water. There is no fear of accumulating.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the water treatment apparatus includes an operation step of a water collection step for adsorbing ions dissolved in water and a regeneration step for desorbing the adsorbed ions. It is characterized in that a voltage higher than the voltage is applied. Water is dissociated to generate H ⁺ ions and OH ⁻ ions, and an ion exchanger that adsorbs ions in water can be regenerated.

The seventh invention relates to an ion exchanger that adsorbs ions dissolved in water, and an ion that dissociates water by disposing the ion exchangers having different polarities on both sides and desorbs the ions adsorbed on the ion exchanger. A hot water in the hot water storage tank, comprising: an exchange membrane; at least two electrodes for applying a voltage to the ion exchange membrane; a water treatment device having a voltage control means for supplying a voltage to the electrodes; and a hot water storage tank for storing hot water. Is provided with an anti-freezing channel for supplying water into the water treatment device, and has a freezing prevention channel for supplying hot water in the hot water storage tank to the water treatment device, and the water treatment device is heated to heat the water By preventing freezing of the water in the treatment apparatus, the temperature of the water treatment apparatus having a lowered temperature can be quickly raised.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the water treatment apparatus includes an operation step of a water sampling step for adsorbing ions dissolved in water and a regeneration step for desorbing the adsorbed ions, and in the regeneration step, hot water in a hot water storage tank is provided. Is supplied to the water treatment device through the antifreezing channel, and the antifreezing means supplies hot water in the hot water storage tank through the antifreezing channel during the regeneration process of the water treatment device. Therefore, the water temperature can be increased when the water is dissociated and the ions adsorbed on the ion exchanger of the water treatment device are desorbed, so that the water dissociation occurs actively and the water treatment device can be efficiently regenerated. It can be carried out.

  The ninth invention is characterized by the provision of temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the water in the water treatment apparatus, which reliably detects the possibility of freezing of the water in the water treatment apparatus and eliminates unnecessary operations. The running cost can be reduced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a hot water storage tank 1 for storing water and manufactured hot water is connected by a raw water flow path 2 to a raw water line supplied from a water source such as tap water, industrial water, or groundwater. The raw water flow path 2 is branched into a tank flow path 3 that leads to the hot water storage tank 1 and a water supply flow path 4. The water treatment device 5 is disposed close to the upper portion of the hot water storage tank 1, and the hot water storage tank 1 and the water treatment device 5 are connected to each other by a freeze prevention means 6 so that heat can be transferred. The temperature of the processing apparatus 5 is detected.

  The hot water storage tank 1 and the water treatment device 5 are covered with a heat insulating material 8 and are thermally insulated from the outside air (outside). The water in the hot water storage tank 1 is pumped by the pump 10 through the treated water flow path 9, passes through the water sampling regeneration switching valve 11, the water treatment device 5, the drainage switching valve (drainage means) 12, and is heated by the heat AC path 13 to heat means (heat (Exchanger) 14. Hot water generated by the heating means 14 is sent to the hot water storage tank 1 through the hot water storage passage 15 and stored. Hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is sent through the hot water supply passage 16 and mixed with the water in the water supply passage 4 to discharge hot water.

  On the other hand, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 passes through the regeneration flow path (freezing prevention flow path) 17, is switched by the water sampling regeneration switching valve 11, is guided to the treated water flow path 9, is treated by the water treatment device 5, and then is switched to drainage. It is switched to the drainage flow path 18 by the valve 12 and discharged from the water heater.

  The configuration of the water treatment device 5 will be described in more detail. The water treatment device 5 includes a pair of opposing electrodes 19a and 19b, a cation exchanger 20 that adsorbs cations dissolved in water, and an anion exchanger 21 that adsorbs anions dissolved in water. Are composed of ion-exchange membranes that are bonded so that the polarities are different on the front and back sides. A plurality of ion exchange membranes are laminated between the electrodes 19, and the ion exchange membranes are laminated on a plane between the flat electrodes 19 facing each other.

In addition, you may laminate | stack an ion-exchange film | membrane concentrically or spirally between the concentric cylindrical opposing electrodes 19 from which a radius differs. The ion exchanger has a polymer or copolymer polymer of styrene or divinylbenzene as a basic skeleton, and the cation exchanger 20 has a sulfo group or a carboxyl group such as acrylic acid or methacrylic acid introduced therein, and an anion exchanger 21. Has introduced a quaternary ammonium group or a primary to tertiary amino group.

  When forming the ion exchanger on the ion exchange membrane, the formability of the membrane can be improved by kneading and dispersing the ion exchanger in a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene. Ion exchange membranes with ion exchangers bonded to each other so that their polarities are different are called bipolar membranes. When voltage is applied, dissociation of water is promoted at the interface of the ion exchanger, and water is dissociated at a low voltage. be able to.

  The operation and action of the water heater configured as described above will be described below.

  Usually, the hot water storage tank 1 is filled with hot water and water, and the water pressure of the raw water line is applied. When the hot water is discharged from the water heater, the water in the water supply passage 4 and the hot water in the hot water supply passage 16 pushed out from the hot water storage tank 1 by flowing into the hot water storage tank through the tank passage 3 are at an arbitrary temperature. Mix and pour out.

  Since the operation of the water treatment device 5 is different between a water sampling operation in which ions dissolved in water are adsorbed by the ion exchanger and a regeneration operation in which ions adsorbed in the ion exchanger are desorbed, first, the water treatment A water sampling operation in which the apparatus 5 adsorbs ions in water with an ion exchanger will be described.

  During the water sampling operation in which the water treatment device 5 adsorbs ions dissolved in the water, the pump 10 is driven, the water in the hot water storage tank 1 is sucked through the treated water flow path 9, and the water sampling regeneration switching valve 11 is set. Pass through to the water treatment device 5 by pressure. The water treated by the water treatment device 5 is switched to the thermal AC path 13 by the drainage switching valve 12 and sent to the heating means 14.

  In the water treatment device 5, ions such as cations Ca, Mg, Na, Mn, and Fe dissolved in water are converted into hydrogen ions by the cation exchanger 20, and anions Cl, carbonic acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, etc. dissolved in water. These ions are ion-exchanged to hydroxide ions by the anion exchanger 21, thereby adsorbing various ions dissolved in water to the ion exchanger. When the ion exchanger adsorbs ions, a voltage is applied so that the electrode 19a on the cation exchanger 20 side of the ion exchange membrane serves as an anode and the electrode 19b on the anion exchanger 21 side serves as a cathode. Since the ions in 5 move to the ion exchanger, the ion adsorption rate of the ion exchanger can be increased.

  At that time, since the theoretical decomposition voltage of water in which water molecules are electrolyzed to generate hydrogen molecules and oxygen molecules is 1.226 V, hydrogen gas and oxygen gas are generated by applying a voltage lower than the water decomposition voltage. Without being carried out, ions dissolved in water can be efficiently adsorbed by the ion exchanger. By adsorbing ions dissolved in water by the water treatment device 5, when the heating means 14 raises the temperature, the heating means are clogged or the heating efficiency is lowered due to precipitation of hardness components of Ca and Mg, anions It is possible to prevent the corrosion caused by the corrosion.

  In addition, when water with a non-uniform pH is treated, various anions can be converted to hydroxide ions when acidic, and neutral ions can be brought close to neutral water by ion-exchanging various cations to hydrogen ions. The water treated by the water treatment device 5 can prevent corrosion due to pH. Further, by applying a voltage lower than the decomposition voltage of water, the treated water does not contain the decomposition gas of water, and even when heated by the heating means 14 and the solubility of the gas is reduced, Is not generated and does not accumulate in the hot water storage tank 1 and the flow path.

Note that when the water treatment device 5 adsorbs ions dissolved in water, it is not necessary to apply a voltage between the electrodes 19. The effect of the ion exchanger adsorbing ions dissolved in water remains the same, and the effect of not containing the decomposition gas of water in the treated water remains the same.

  Water from which various ions dissolved in water are removed is called soft water, and the water heater of the present invention can supply soft water. Since it is difficult, cleaning becomes easier, and the cleaning power can be improved when used for washing.

  Next, the operation and action of the regeneration operation in which the water treatment device 5 desorbs ions adsorbed on the ion exchanger will be described.

  In the regeneration operation in which the ion exchanger desorbs ions, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 is guided to the water treatment device 5 through the regeneration flow path 17 by switching the water sampling regeneration switching valve 11 and the drain switching valve 12 to drain the water. It is discharged from the water heater through the flow path 18. In the water treatment device 5, a voltage is applied so that the electrode 19a on the cation exchanger 20 side of the ion exchange membrane serves as a cathode and the electrode 19b on the anion exchanger 21 side serves as an anode.

  Since the theoretical dissociation voltage of water at which water molecules dissociate into hydrogen ions and hydroxide ions is 0.828 V, the cation exchanger 20 and the anion exchange of the ion exchange membrane are applied by applying a voltage higher than the water dissociation voltage. The water is dissociated at the interface of the body 21, exchanged with ions adsorbed on the ion exchanger, and desorbed to regenerate the ion exchanger. In addition, by making the applied voltage when the ion exchanger desorbs ions less than the water decomposition voltage, the reclaimed water of the water treatment apparatus does not contain water decomposition gas, so it can be discharged from the water heater. It is possible to prevent the dissolved gas from growing in the drainage flow path 17 and becoming bubbles.

  Note that a voltage higher than the water decomposition voltage may be applied between the electrodes 19 during the regeneration operation. Water is actively dissociated at the interface between the cation exchanger 20 and the anion exchanger 21, and the ion exchanger can be sufficiently regenerated in a short time. Further, the water used for the regeneration is quickly discharged from the water treatment device 5 through the drainage flow path 18 to the outside of the system, and therefore does not accumulate in the hot water storage tank 1 and the flow path.

  Next, the freeze prevention means 6 that is a feature of the present invention will be described in detail. The freeze prevention means 6 prevents this even when there is a possibility that the water in the water treatment device 5 may freeze at night in a cold region or in a very cold region. The hot water storage tank 1 is filled with hot water and water, with hot water on the upper side and low temperature water on the lower side. The freeze prevention means 6 transmits the heat of the hot water above the tank to the water treatment device 5, and can use metals such as brass, aluminum, copper, stainless steel, and steel with high thermal conductivity.

  Even if the resin housing forming the water treatment device 5 is used as the antifreezing means 6 and placed in contact with the hot water storage tank 1, the effect of preventing freezing is still obtained. The temperature detection means 7 detects the temperature in the water treatment device 5, and when the risk of freezing is detected, hot water is generated by the water sampling operation and water is caused to flow by the regeneration operation. During the regeneration operation, the temperature of the water treatment device 5 can be quickly raised by introducing the hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 to the water treatment device 5 through the regeneration flow path 17. Moreover, since hot water can be used for the regeneration of the water treatment device 5, the dissociation of water occurs actively and the regeneration efficiency is improved, so that the regeneration can be sufficiently performed with low power and in a short time.

  The temperature detection means 7 is preferably installed on the freeze prevention means 6 that thermally connects the hot water storage tank 1 and the water treatment device 5 so that the temperature above the hot water storage tank 1 can also be measured. When the temperature detecting means 7 detects a low temperature, it can be seen that the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank 1 has decreased, so that a boiling operation can be started to prevent hot water from running out. In addition, even if the temperature detection means 7 is installed on the treated water flow path 9, the thermal alternating current path 13, and the drainage flow path 17, the effect of detecting the possibility of freezing of the water treatment device 5 remains unchanged.

  By covering the hot water storage tank 1 and the water treatment means 5 integrally with the heat insulating material 8, unnecessary heat dissipation can be prevented. The heat insulating material 8 is not particularly limited as long as it can achieve the purpose of thermally shutting off the hot water storage tank 1 and the water treatment device 5 from the outside. Foamed resin such as urethane and polystyrene, fiber-based heat insulating material such as glass wool and cellulose, A vacuum heat insulating material etc. can be used individually or in combination.

  In the present embodiment, the heating means 14 of the water heater is a heat pump type, but the heating means is not limited and can be freely selected such as a gas heating type or an electric heating type.

  A three-way valve is used for the water sampling / regeneration switching valve 12 for switching between the treated water channel 9 and the regeneration channel 17 and the drain switching valve 12 for switching between the thermal AC channel 13 and the drain channel 18. It is not limited to a valve, and it is only necessary that the flow path can be switched by combining a plurality of two-way solenoid valves that open and close the flow path.

  As described above, the water heater of the present invention can adsorb ions dissolved in water with an ion exchanger, and can dissociate water by applying a voltage to desorb the adsorbed ions to regenerate the ion exchanger. it can. By performing adsorption / desorption operation alternately, the user can use the treated water from which ions have been continuously removed without maintenance, and even if hot water is produced over time, it is bad for the equipment. Since the influence can be reduced, the reliability and life of the hot water heater can be improved, and further, it can be applied to raw water that is harsh in equipment such as high hardness areas and well water.

  Furthermore, the reliability and life of the water heater can be ensured even in a cold district or at night, where there is a risk of freezing.

  As described above, the water treatment device according to the present invention and the water heater provided with the water treatment device can adsorb and remove dissolved ions of raw water, and are safe without being restricted to household use and industrial use. It can be applied to a water treatment system that uses treated water.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hot water storage tank 5 Water treatment device 6 Freezing prevention means 7 Temperature detection means 8 Heat insulation material 12 Drain switch valve (drainage means)
14 Heating means 17 Regeneration channel (freezing prevention channel)
19 Electrode 20 Cation Exchanger 21 Anion Exchanger

Claims (9)

An ion exchanger that adsorbs ions dissolved in water, an ion exchange membrane that dissociates water and desorbs ions adsorbed on the ion exchanger, at least two electrodes that apply a voltage to the ion exchange membrane, A water heater comprising a water treatment device having a voltage control means for supplying a voltage to an electrode, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, and a freeze prevention means for preventing freezing of water in the water treatment device. The hot water heater according to claim 1, wherein the freeze prevention means is configured to transfer heat of the hot water storage tank to water in the water treatment apparatus. The hot water supply device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hot water storage tank and the water treatment device are surrounded by a heat insulating material. The hot water supply apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a drainage means for discharging water in the water treatment apparatus. The water treatment apparatus includes an operation process of a water sampling process for adsorbing ions dissolved in water and a regeneration process for desorbing the adsorbed ions. In the water sampling process, the voltage between the electrodes is less than the decomposition voltage of water. The water heater according to claim 4, wherein the water heater is applied. The water treatment apparatus includes an operation process of a water sampling process for adsorbing ions dissolved in water and a regeneration process for desorbing the adsorbed ions, and in the regeneration process, a voltage higher than the water dissociation voltage is applied between the electrodes. The water heater according to claim 4, wherein the water heater is configured as described above. An ion exchanger that adsorbs ions dissolved in water, an ion exchange membrane that disposes the ions adsorbed on the ion exchanger by dissociating water by disposing the ion exchangers having different polarities on the front and back, and the ion exchange A water treatment device having at least two electrodes for applying a voltage to the membrane, a voltage control means for supplying a voltage to the electrodes, and a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank is stored in the water treatment device Hot water heater with anti-freezing flow path to supply to. The water treatment apparatus includes a water sampling process for adsorbing ions dissolved in water, and an operation process of a regeneration process for desorbing the adsorbed ions. The hot water supply device according to claim 7, wherein the hot water supply device is supplied into the water treatment device. The water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of water in the water treatment apparatus.