JP2012206025A - Device for producing ballast water, and method for operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem that although it is necessary to kill or remove microorganism or the like in seawater or fresh water to provide blast water, the complete removal of microorganism is almost impossible even by heating, irradiation of ultraviolet ray, or use of chemicals.SOLUTION: The device for producing ballast water includes: a water supply passage connected to a pump from a seawater inlet port through a raw water switching valve, and to a first return line switching valve from a water outlet of the pump; a filtration passage connected to a second return line switching valve through a fine bubble generation device and a filtration membrane from the first return line switching valve; a water supply line including a water outlet passage connecting from the second return line switching valve to a storage tank; a return line for communication from the second return line switching valve to the first return line switching valve; a supply passage for communication from the storage tank to the raw water switching valve; a drain valve established somewhere between the fine air bubble generation device and the pump; and a drain passage connecting from the drain valve to a water drain end.

Description

  The present invention relates to a ballast water production apparatus that is loaded to stabilize the center of gravity of a ship and a method for operating the ballast water production apparatus.

  The ship is designed in advance so that when the load is loaded, the rudder and the screw have a predetermined depth and can be navigated stably. Therefore, when the load is not loaded, it floats with great buoyancy and does not sink from the water surface until it is in a planned state. If you try to navigate in this state, you will not be able to navigate stably because the rudder will not work or the screw will not sink into the sea and thrust will not be generated.

  For this reason, when the load is not loaded, ballast water is mounted on the ballast tank in order to obtain a predetermined draft state for maintaining a stable posture. Ballast water increases the weight of the ship and sinks it to a stable state. In addition, if fresh water is used for ballast water, it can be used during voyage.

  By the way, for example, when leaving at the departure place with an empty load and loading the luggage at the arrival place, the ballast water is loaded at the departure place and discharged at the arrival place. In this case, the marine organisms and microorganisms of the departure place and their eggs (hereinafter referred to as “microorganisms”) are transported to the arrival place together with the ballast water, and this is discharged. Will be brought in. This causes destruction of marine life ecosystems.

  In addition, the ballast water that contains microorganisms, etc., grows during the voyage and produces a bad odor. This is not a favorable state for the ship itself. Therefore, a technique for removing the microorganisms from the seawater taken in as the ballast water to make the ballast water has been proposed. For example, heat treatment, ultraviolet irradiation treatment, chemical injection treatment, etc. may be performed on the taken water or the like.

  However, in these treatments, microorganisms or the like cannot be completely killed, and the apparatus itself is large-scale, which is practically impossible. In addition, with drugs such as iodine and hypochlorous acid, a large amount of drug is required to completely kill microorganisms, and this time, a large amount of neutralizing agent is required.

  As described above, if the microorganisms and the like in the ballast water remain, they will eventually grow and it is not easy to completely kill them. In response to these problems, microorganisms etc. are removed with a filtration membrane such as microfiltration membrane (MF membrane), ultrafiltration membrane (UF membrane), nanofiltration membrane (NF membrane) or reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane). A method for producing ballast water has been proposed.

  Specific examples of microorganisms include bacteria such as Escherichia coli, and larvae such as daphnia and hydride, but these sizes are generally several μm, and the smallest is about 0.3 μm. Therefore, it can filter all by MF membrane or UF membrane. On the other hand, problems when using these filtration membranes are caused by fouling that deposits on the membrane surface and the permeation flux of the liquid decreases, and clogging that clogs the membrane pores. And performance degradation. Therefore, in the production of ballast water using a filtration membrane, cleaning of the filtration membrane is one of the major problems.

  Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-329300) discloses a method for producing ballast water by passing fresh water through an MF membrane, a UF membrane, or an RO membrane. Referring to FIG. 14, in the manufacturing method of Patent Document 1, the fresh water 120 is sucked by the suction pump 108, passed through the hollow fiber membrane module 105 disposed in the filtration device 101, and filtered to obtain the ballast water 122. Yes. For the cleaning of the hollow fiber membrane module 105, a so-called back-washing pipe 110 and a pump 109 are provided in which the ballast water 122 of the storage tank 106 flows from the downstream side to the upstream side with the filtration membrane interposed therebetween.

  In addition, a distributor 112 and a blower 111 are prepared for applying air bubbles to the surface of the hollow fiber membrane module 105 to separate and remove microorganisms attached to the membrane surface.

  On the other hand, in order to discharge the microorganisms remaining in the filtration membrane as they are or to avoid the possibility of remaining in the pipe, a cleaning method for killing the microorganisms in the filtration membrane has been proposed.

  Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-342626) discloses a method for killing microorganisms and the like in the cleaning water by generating an impact water pressure in the cleaning liquid for cleaning the filtration membrane. This is said to be effective in killing relatively large aquatic organisms and eggs and spores covered with hard shells.

  Patent Document 3 (WO 2007/142068) discloses a method for producing ballast water in which ozone is mixed in a cleaning liquid to kill microorganisms and the like. Referring to FIG. 15, the ballast water purifier 201 sends the ballast water to the filtration membrane 214 with a pump 212 and filters it. Then, a part of the treated water is sucked out by the pump 215, ozone is injected by the ozone injection unit 216, and the treated water mixed with ozone and the treated water not mixed are mixed to obtain ballast water (A).

  On the other hand, in the cleaning of the filter membrane 214, the treated water (B) mixed with ozone is flowed to kill microorganisms and the like, and then backwashing is performed by the pump 217 to discharge dead bodies and the like to the outside of the ship. These processes are performed by operating the valves 213a to 213c.

  By the way, regarding the cleaning of the filtration membrane, there is a method using micro bubbles called micro bubbles or nano bubbles in addition to a method using chemicals. In Patent Document 4, a microbubble generator is disposed on the downstream side of a filtration membrane, and washing water containing microbubbles is passed from the back side of the filtration membrane at the time of backwashing. Has been disclosed (Patent Document 4).

JP 2005-329300 A JP 2005-342626 A WO2007 / 142068 JP 2010-253457 A

  Patent document 1 is disclosing the advantage of using a filtration membrane in order to manufacture ballast water. However, since the filtration membrane is washed only by applying bubbles to the surface of the filtration membrane like backwashing and so-called aeration treatment, the filtered microorganisms and the like are not killed. In addition, since three pumps including the blower are arranged, the scale as a manufacturing apparatus becomes large. Since the ballast water production apparatus is mounted on a ship, it is desired that the scale is as small as possible.

  Moreover, even if Patent Document 2 is an effective method for killing microorganisms or the like, the ballast water manufacturing apparatus has a problem in that water containing microorganisms or the like remains in the piping. Remains. This is because in such a configuration, there is a risk that microorganisms or the like will eventually propagate and emit a decaying odor, or when the ballast water is discharged at the arrival place, the microorganisms at the starting point are also discharged.

  That is, in the ballast water production apparatus, the removal of microorganisms and the like is a major issue in maintaining not only the portion corresponding to the removing means but also the inside of the handling piping in a state free of microorganisms and the like. Since it is necessary to assume that the ballast water producing apparatus is mounted on a ship, it is not preferable for the next use if microorganisms or the like grow in the pipe during navigation. Moreover, it is not preferable that a nasty smell is generated in a ship that is sailing.

  Moreover, patent document 3 becomes a structure which can suppress the residue of microorganisms etc. in piping as much as possible as a ballast water manufacturing apparatus installed in a ship. However, as many as three pumps are necessary, the scale becomes too large for a ballast water production apparatus installed in a limited space in a ship.

  Moreover, although the cleaning method of the filtration membrane using the microbubble of patent document 4 is described using a microbubble for washing | cleaning of a filtration membrane, nothing is considered about the washing | cleaning in piping as a ballast water manufacturing apparatus. .

  The present invention has been conceived in view of the above problems, and the production of ballast water that can clean the filtration membrane with as few as possible the number of driving equipment such as pumps and the least possible residual microorganisms in the piping of the apparatus. An apparatus and an operation method thereof are provided.

More specifically, the ballast water production apparatus of the present invention is
A ballast water production device that produces seawater and produces ballast water,
A water supply path connected to a pump from a seawater intake through a raw water switching valve, and connected to a first return path switching valve from a water outlet of the pump;
A filtration path connected from the first return path switching valve to the second return path switching valve via a fine bubble generating device and a filtration device;
A water supply path including a water discharge path connected from the second return path switching valve to the storage tank;
A return path communicating from the second return path switching valve to the first return switching valve;
A supply path communicating from the storage tank to the raw water switching valve;
A drainage switching valve set between the microbubble generator and the pump;
It has a drainage channel connected from the drainage switching valve to the water discharge end.

In addition to the above configuration, the ballast water production apparatus of the present invention has
A drain valve installed in the drainage channel;
An auxiliary return path connected from the primary side of the filtration membrane of the filtration device to the upstream side of the drain valve may be formed.

In addition to the above configuration, the ballast water production apparatus of the present invention further includes:
A drainage container is disposed in the auxiliary return path.

Moreover, the operation method of the ballast water production apparatus of the present invention is as follows.
A filtration process step of taking raw water and passing the raw water through a filtration membrane with a pump;
A filtration membrane washing treatment step of flowing washing water mixed with fine bubbles from the upstream of the filtration membrane and refluxing it while returning to the upstream side of the filtration membrane,
It has the backwash process process which flows a treated water toward the upstream of the said filtration membrane from the downstream of the said filtration membrane, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

Moreover, the operation method of the ballast water production apparatus of the present invention is the above-described process,
The filtration membrane cleaning treatment step
A part of the washing water mixed with the fine bubbles is returned from the primary side of the filtration membrane to the upstream side of the filtration membrane.

  Moreover, the operating method of the ballast water production apparatus of the present invention is the above-described step, and further includes a primary storage step of storing a part of the washing water.

  In the ballast water production apparatus and the operation method thereof according to the present invention, the filtration membrane to which microorganisms and the like are attached can be washed without using an expensive detergent such as a chemical solution. A manufacturing apparatus can be provided.

  Since the ballast water production apparatus and the operation method of the present invention do not use a suction pump on the secondary side of the filtration membrane and can perform washing and backwashing with only one delivery pump arranged on the primary side of the filtration membrane, The scale is small, and it is suitable as a ballast water production apparatus for ships. In addition, not only the filtration membrane part using the filtration membrane but also the entire pipe can be washed to discharge microorganisms, etc., so that the microorganisms propagate in the pipe during navigation, There is no such thing as an off-flavor.

  In addition, when the auxiliary return path is provided, the deposit can be peeled off from the surface of the filtration membrane and effectively removed.

  In addition, since a drainage container that holds the separated microorganisms without being circulated is provided in the middle of the circulation path used for the filtration membrane cleaning, only the fine bubbles are prevented by preventing the circulation of harmful microorganisms. By circulating, the cleaning effect of the filtration membrane can be enhanced.

The figure which shows the structure of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus 1 of this invention. The figure which shows the flow of the operating method of a ballast water manufacturing apparatus. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of a filtration process. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of an extrusion process. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of a filtration membrane cleaning process. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of a backwash process. The figure which shows the structure of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus 2 of this invention. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of the extrusion process of a ballast water manufacturing apparatus. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of the filtration membrane washing | cleaning process of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus 2. FIG. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of the backwash process process of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus. The figure which shows the structure of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus 3 of this invention. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of a ballast water manufacturing apparatus 3 filtration membrane cleaning process. The figure which shows the valve state and flow path of a ballast water manufacturing apparatus 3 backwash process process. The figure which shows the structure of the processing apparatus of the conventional ballast water. The figure which shows the structure of the processing apparatus of the conventional ballast water.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below, but the following are examples of the embodiments of the present invention, and the following embodiments can be modified without departing from the gist of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the ballast water production apparatus of the present invention. The ballast water production apparatus 1 of the present invention connects a seawater intake port 10, a pump 12, a fine bubble generating device 14, a filtration device 16, a storage tank 18, piping 40 to 52 connecting them, and piping to each other. Valves 30 to 36, a valve, a filtering device 16, a fine bubble generating device 14, a control device 20 for controlling the pump 12, a power supply device (not shown) for driving these, and the like. Throughout this specification, “valve” and “valve” are used for consent.

  The ballast water production apparatus 1 is installed in a ship, but is not limited thereto, and may be installed on land. Accordingly, the overall shape is not particularly determined, and each component may be arbitrarily arranged and only the connection relationship may be maintained.

  The seawater intake 10 may be installed and installed on the bottom surface of the ship, or may be configured by putting a pipe having an open end into the sea when necessary. A pipe extends from the seawater intake 10. A raw water switching valve 30 is disposed immediately downstream of the seawater intake 10. The raw water switching valve 30 is a valve that selects whether to flow seawater (or fresh water) through the entire ballast water production apparatus 1 or to flow treated water that has already been treated as ballast water. Although the raw water switching valve 30 is described as a three-way valve in FIG. 1, a plurality of valves may be combined. Moreover, it is preferable that the raw | natural water switching valve 30 is comprised so that opening and closing can be controlled by the control apparatus 20 mentioned later. The same applies to the other valves.

  A pump 12 is disposed downstream of the raw water switching valve 30. That is, the water inlet of the pump 12 communicates with the raw water switching valve 30. In the ballast water production apparatus 1 of the present invention, it is the only pump. Of course, in practice, a plurality of pumps may be arranged in parallel or in series as a reserve for the processing amount per unit time or an unexpected situation. It is preferable that the pump 12 is also configured so that operation control can be performed by the control device 20. Piping continues from the water outlet of the pump 12 to the first return path switching valve 32, and the pump 12 and the first return path switching valve 32 are in communication. The section from the seawater intake 10 to the first return path switching valve 32 is referred to as a water supply path 40. In addition, the raw water switching valve 30 to the first return path switching valve 32 may be referred to as a water supply path 40. The first return path switching valve 32 is used when circulating wash water or backwashing. Details will be described later.

  A drainage switching valve 34 is connected downstream of the first return path switching valve 32, and the filtration device 16 is disposed downstream thereof. A fine bubble generating device 14 is disposed on the upstream side of the filtering device 16. A second return path switching valve 36 is connected downstream of the filtration device 16. A portion from the first return path switching valve 32 to the second return path switching valve 36 across the filtration device 16 is referred to as a filtration path 42. The drainage switching valve 34 is a switching valve to the drainage channel 44 that discharges liquid from the filtration channel 42 to the outside of the ship. In the drainage channel 44, wash water after washing mainly flows and is discharged from the discharge end 11 to the outside of the ship.

  The fine bubble generating device 14 is a device that mixes bubbles of several nm to several tens of μm in a liquid by a method such as a pressure reduction method or a gas-liquid shear method. Therefore, although not shown, the water supply port from the filtration path 42 and the water outlet to the filtration path 42 are provided. Since the surface of the fine bubbles is hydrophobic, the fine bubbles are adsorbed on the surface of the deposits deposited on the filtration membrane or the pipe and have an effect of peeling the deposits. Moreover, in order to provide stronger sterilizing power, fine bubbles may be produced with hardly soluble ozone.

  The filtration device 16 filters the raw water through the filtration membrane 16m. The filtration membrane does not need to be one type of filtration membrane, and a plurality of grades of filtration membranes may be used in parallel or in series. The type of the filtration membrane 16m is not particularly limited, and any type such as a spiral type, a hollow fiber type, a flat membrane type, and a tube type can be used. As the grade of the filtration membrane 16m, NF (Nano Filtration) membrane, UF (Ultra Filtration) membrane, MF (Micro Filtration) membrane, RO (Reverse Osmosis) membrane (reverse osmosis membrane) and the like can be used. In particular, if the RO membrane is arranged at the rearmost part, fresh water can be obtained from seawater, which is useful for ships that sail on the sea. Further, a prefilter 15 may be disposed in front of the filtration device 16. When the filtration device 16 is referred to, this pre-filter 15 is also included.

  Here, the MF membrane is a microfiltration membrane, and is a membrane having a passage hole size of approximately 0.05 μm to 0.5 μm. The UF membrane is an ultrafiltration membrane, and the size of the passage hole is approximately 2 to 200 nm (fraction molecular weight is about 5000 to 250,000). The NF membrane is a nanofiltration membrane having a passage hole size of approximately 1 to 2 nm and a blocking rate of ions, salts, and the like of about 70% or less (fractional molecular weight of 100 to 5000).

  These membranes are manufactured using polymers such as cellulose acetate, aromatic polyamide, polyvinyl alcohol, polysulfone, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene, polyacrylonitrile, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polytetrafluoroethylene and the like. Also, ceramics can be used.

  A pipe that connects the first return path switching valve 32 and the second return path switching valve 36 without passing through the filtering device 16 is a return path 46. The return path 46 is used when cleaning water containing fine bubbles is circulated or backwashing water is passed. Since the return path 46 also serves as a sealed space between the first return path switching valve 32 and the second return path switching valve 36, a vent or the like may be added to dry the interior when not in use.

  A storage tank 18 is installed downstream of the second return path switching valve 36. The storage tank 18 stores ballast water from which at least microorganisms are excluded. Therefore, the storage tank 18 may be a direct ballast tank. A section from the second return path switching valve 36 to the storage tank 18 is referred to as a water discharge path 48. Further, the water supply path 40, the filtration path 42, and the water discharge path 48 are collectively referred to as a water supply path 50.

  The storage tank 18 is provided with a supply path 52 for fluidly communicating with the raw water switching valve 30. This is a path for supplying the ballast water in the storage tank 18 for cleaning.

  The control device 20 is electrically connected to the pump 12, the raw water switching valve 30, the first return path switching valve 32, the second return path switching valve 36, the drainage switching valve 34, and the fine bubble generator 14. Each connecting line is omitted. These components are controlled by the instruction signal from the control device 20 for operations such as opening / closing of a valve, generation and stop of fine bubbles, and high and low of water supply pressure.

  Next, the operation method of the ballast water production apparatus 1 of the present invention will be described. In addition, the operation | movement flow of the control apparatus 20 of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus 1 of this invention is shown in FIG. When the ballast water production apparatus 1 of the present invention is operated (step S100 in FIG. 2), the raw water switching valve 30 is switched to the seawater intake 10 side, and both the first return path switching valve 32 and the drain switching valve 34 are the water supply path 40. The second return path switching valve 36 allows the filtration path 42 and the water discharge path 48 to communicate with each other. This valve setting (hereinafter referred to as “valve state”) is referred to as “filtration state”. The valve state is set to “filtration state” and the pump 12 is operated. FIG. 3 shows the “filtered state” valve state. In the figure, the direction painted black with the three-way valve is the direction in which water stops. That is, water flows from the white triangle to the white triangle.

  When the pump 12 starts operation, seawater is pumped from the seawater intake 10 and flows through the water supply path 40 via the pump 12. Thereafter, it flows through the filtration path 42 through the first return path switching valve 32 and the drain switching valve 34. Microorganisms and the like are filtered out by the filtration device 16 arranged in the middle of the filtration path 42. The raw water from which microorganisms and the like are removed is stored in the storage tank 18 as ballast water. In addition, when RO membrane is used for the filtration apparatus 16, the ballast water is processed even to fresh water. This is called a filtration process (step S102 in FIG. 2). In FIG. 3, the flow path of the liquid is indicated by a bold line.

  The control device 20 operates the ballast water production apparatus 1 with a flow meter (not shown) installed at the outlet of the water discharge channel 48, a water level meter (not shown) or a clock (not shown) of the storage tank 18, and the like. Monitor the processing time for elapsed time and unit time. Microorganisms and the like are deposited on the surface of the filtration membrane 16m of the filtration device 16, and the permeation flux of the filtration device 16 decreases with time. The control device 20 determines whether to continue the process or to perform the cleaning process by seeing the performance reduction of the filtration device 16.

  This is the determination process represented by step S104 in FIG. Here, “ε” represents a minimum value of the filtration amount per unit time, and is a predetermined value. When the processing amount per unit time becomes smaller than “ε”, the filtration process is once stopped and the filtration membrane 16m is washed (Y branch in step S104). Here, whether or not to move to the cleaning process is determined based on the processing amount per unit time. However, as described above, it may be determined based on the integrated value or time of the processing amount per unit time.

  When it is determined that the cleaning process is to be performed, first, the raw water switching valve 30 is switched to the storage tank 18 side. The drainage switching valve 34, the first return path switching valve 32, and the second return path switching valve 36 are not switched. This valve state is called an “extrusion state”. FIG. 4 shows this state. In FIG. 4, water flows from the white triangle to the white triangle in each valve (the same applies hereinafter). By this valve operation, the water supply path 50 becomes part of a path that circulates through the storage tank 18 and the supply path 52. And if the filtration process process of predetermined time is performed, the inside of the water supply path 50 will become ballast water (process water).

  Since this operation is intended to fill the water supply path 50 with ballast water, it may be circulated for a predetermined time or a predetermined amount. This is because all the seawater in the water channel 40 is processed. When the water supply path 50 can be filled with ballast water, the pump 12 is stopped. The process from when the valve state is changed to the “extrusion state” until the pump 12 is stopped is referred to as an extrusion process (step S106 in FIG. 2).

  Next, the first return path switching valve 32 and the second return path switching valve 36 cause the return path 46 and the filtration path 42 to communicate with each other. This valve state is called “circulation state”. FIG. 5 shows this state. The “circulation state” is a path in which the filtration path 42 and the return path 46 are closed. Next, the microbubble generator 14 is started. Fine bubbles are generated from the fine bubble generator 14 and circulate in a closed path formed in the filtration path 42 and the return path 46.

  At this time, microorganisms and the like deposited on the surface of the filtration membrane 16m of the filtration device 16 are peeled off from the surface of the filtration membrane 16m. At this time, ballast water mixed with fine bubbles (referred to as “washing water”) circulates through the filtration path 42 and the return path 46, and therefore, these paths are also washed. This washing is also performed for a predetermined time. The period in which the valve state is set to the “circulation state” and the microbubble generator 14 is driven is referred to as a filtration membrane cleaning process (step S108 in FIG. 2).

  Next, the raw water switching valve 30 connects the supply path 52 and the water supply path 40, the first return path switching valve 32 connects the water supply path 40 and the return path 46, and the second return path switching valve 36 connects the return path 46 and the filtration path. 42 and the drainage switching valve 34 connects the filtration path 42 and the drainage path 44 on the filtration device 16 side. This valve state is called “backwash state”. FIG. 6 shows this state. Then, the pump 12 is started. Then, the ballast water (treated water) in the storage tank 18 flows into the water supply path 40 via the raw water switching valve 30, flows back through the return path 46 from the first return path switching valve 32, and the second return path switching valve 36. To the downstream side of the filtration device 16.

  That is, ballast water (treated water) flows from the downstream side of the filtration device 16 toward the upstream side, and the membrane 16m is back-washed. Microorganisms and the like peeled off from the surface of the filtration membrane 16m are discharged outside the ship through the drainage switching valve 34 and the drainage channel 44 by backwashing. This back washing may be performed for a predetermined amount or for a predetermined time because the washing water in the filtration path 42 may be pushed out together with microorganisms. The operation in which the valve state is set to the “backwash state” and the ballast water is caused to flow by the pump 12 is referred to as a backwash process step (step S110 in FIG. 2).

  The cleaning process means that the extrusion process (FIG. 2, step S106), the filtration membrane cleaning process (FIG. 2, step S108), and the backwash process (FIG. 2, step S110) are performed in this order. In this washing step, microorganisms and the like in the filtration membrane 16m of the filtration device 16 are removed. Microorganisms and the like are also removed from the piping of the ballast water production apparatus 1. Then, it is determined whether or not the ballast water is sufficiently produced (step S112 in FIG. 2). When the production of ballast water is continued (N branch in step S112 in FIG. 2), the valve state is set to “filtered state” ( 3) and the pump is driven (step S102 in FIG. 2). Alternatively, when the production of the ballast water is finished (Y branch in step S112 in FIG. 2), a post-processing step such as leakage of water in the pipe is performed (step S114 in FIG. 2), and the operation is finished (FIG. 2). Step S116).

  The control device 20 can perform all the operations of switching the valves and starting and stopping the fine bubble generating device 14 and the pump 12, and ballast water that does not contain microorganisms or the like can be obtained by a simple operation. In addition, since these operations are performed by the control device 20, by adding an automatic detection device for microorganisms or the like in the outlet channel 48, when there is an abnormality in the filtration device 16 or the like, microorganisms or the like are contained in the ballast water. If it occurs, production can be stopped immediately.

  The ballast water production apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment can perform steps necessary for the filtration device 16 such as filtration, washing, and backwashing with one pump 12 installed on the primary side of the filtration membrane. Moreover, since the microorganisms etc. do not remain in piping, the washing | cleaning process in this invention can obtain the ballast water which microorganisms etc. do not exist stably.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The ballast water production apparatus 2 shown in FIG. 7 is different from the ballast water production apparatus 1 of FIG. 1 in that an auxiliary return path 54 from the primary side of the filtration membrane 16m to the drainage channel 44, a temporary side of the filtration membrane 16m, and an auxiliary return path 54 are provided. The auxiliary return path valve 37 is opened and closed, and the drain valve 38 is added downstream from the point where the auxiliary return path 54 is joined to the drain path 44. The opening and closing of both the auxiliary return path valve 37 and the drain valve 38 are controlled by the control device 20. Therefore, by closing the auxiliary return path valve 37, as in the ballast water production apparatus 1 of the first embodiment, the ballast water is pumped up in the water supply path 50 and the filtration process for pumping seawater and passing the filtration apparatus 16 to generate treated water. The extrusion process step filled with can be performed.

  In addition, the valve state of the “filtration state” in the present embodiment is specifically switched from the raw water switching valve 30 to the seawater intake 10 side, and both the first return path switching valve 32 and the drain switching valve 34 are the water supply path 40. The second return path switching valve 36 connects the filtration path 42 and the water discharge path 48, and the auxiliary return path valve 37 is closed. This valve state is referred to as a “second filtration state”.

  FIG. 8 shows the valve state and the flow path during the extrusion process. Specifically, the raw water switching valve 30 is switched from the “second filtration state” to the storage tank 18 side. The drainage switching valve 34, the first return path switching valve 32, and the second return path switching valve 36 are not switched. The “extrusion state” in the present embodiment is referred to as a “second extrusion state”. In addition, although the flow path by a valve and piping increased, the basic driving | operation method is the same as the case of Embodiment 1. FIG. Therefore, the operation method is the same as the operation flow shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, the flow paths in the filtration membrane cleaning process (step S108 in FIG. 2) and the backwashing process (step S110 in FIG. 2) are slightly different. First, although it is a filtration membrane washing | cleaning process process, in the case of Embodiment 1, the opening and closing of the auxiliary return path | route valve 37 is added. Specifically, the first return path switching valve 32 and the second return path switching valve 36 cause the return path 46 and the filtration path 42 to communicate with each other, the auxiliary return path valve 37 is opened, and the drain valve 38 is closed. This valve state is referred to as a “second circulation state”. FIG. 9 shows the valve state and the flow path at this time.

  A specific operation method goes to the “second circulation state” (FIG. 9) through the “second extrusion state” (FIG. 8), and starts the microbubble generator 14. Here, after the generated fine bubbles collide with the filtration membrane 16m, the fine bubbles flow along the filtration membrane 16m, and a route (auxiliary return route 54 and drainage channel 44) reaching the upstream side of the fine bubble generator 14 is formed. (See FIG. 8). Here, the drainage switching valve 34 is controlled to pass in all three directions. That is, in Embodiment 1, the deposits are peeled off when the washing water passes through the filtration membrane 16m. However, the ballast water production apparatus 2 of the present embodiment has a flow path that flows along the filtration membrane 16m. As a result, the peel force is further increased.

  Referring to FIG. 10, when the filtration membrane cleaning process is completed, the pump 12 is started with the valve state set to the “second backwash state”. Specifically, in the “second backwash state”, the raw water switching valve 30 connects the supply path 52 and the water supply path 40, the first return path switching valve 32 connects the water supply path 40 and the return path 46, and the second The return path switching valve 36 connects the return path 46 and the filtration path 42, the drainage switching valve 34 connects the filtration path 42 and the drainage path 44 on the filtration device 16 side, and the auxiliary return path valve 37 and the drainage valve 38 open. By this valve operation, the treated water backwashes the filtration membrane 16m, and all the deposits remaining in the auxiliary return path 54 and deposits remaining in the filtration path 42 can be discharged out of the ship.

  As described above, the ballast water production apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is provided with the auxiliary return path 54 that communicates from the primary side of the filtration membrane 16m to the drainage channel 44. Therefore, the flow of the washing water on the surface of the filtration membrane 16m A path can be made and the deposits on the surface of the filtration membrane 16m can be more effectively peeled off.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the ballast water production apparatus 3 of the present embodiment. In the ballast water production apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, the drainage container 22 is added in the middle of the auxiliary return path 54 of the ballast water production apparatus 2 shown in the second embodiment. Since this is used in the filtration membrane cleaning process (step S108 in FIG. 2), the filtration membrane cleaning process will be described. In addition, the valve state of a filtration process and an extrusion process is the same as the ballast water manufacturing apparatus 2 shown in Embodiment 2. Further, the operation method flow is the same as in the first embodiment, as in the second embodiment.

  Referring to FIG. 12, in the filtration membrane cleaning process, the valve state is set to “third circulation state”. Specifically, the first return path switching valve 32 and the second return path switching valve 36 connect the return path 46 and the filtration path 42, the auxiliary return path valve 37 is opened, and the drainage switching valve 34 is connected between the filtration paths 42. To communicate. Then, the microbubble generator 14 is driven. Wash water containing fine bubbles can flow to the auxiliary return path 54 along the surface of the filtration membrane 16m by the flow circulating in the return path 46 and the auxiliary return path 54 connected to the primary side of the filtration membrane 16m. .

  The washing water that has flowed toward the auxiliary return path 54 has a large amount of deposits that have separated from the surface of the filtration membrane 16m. Therefore, the cleaning water flowing through the auxiliary return path 54 is temporarily stored in the drainage container 22 in the cleaning process. This is called a primary storage process. In this way, there is no flow that circulates from the auxiliary return path 54 via the drainage path 44, but deposits on the surface of the filtration membrane 16 m are not present in the circulation path formed by the return path 46 and the filtration path 42. There is an effect. This makes it possible to produce ballast water free from microorganisms.

  In FIG. 13, the valve state and flow path of the backwash process in this Embodiment are shown. The valve state in the present embodiment is referred to as a “third backwash state”. Specifically, the raw water switching valve 30 connects the supply path 52 and the water supply path 40, the first return path switching valve 32 connects the water supply path 40 and the return path 46, and the second return path switching valve 36 is connected to the return path 46. The filtration path 42 is connected, the drain switching valve 34 connects the filtration path 42 and the drain path 44, and the auxiliary return path valve 37 and the drain valve 38 are both opened.

  By doing in this way, the water after washing | cleaning the filtration apparatus 16 stored not only in piping but the drainage container 22 can be pushed out of a ship with ballast water, and both filtration apparatus 16, piping, and the drainage container 22 are microorganisms. It can be in a state where there is no etc.

  The ballast water production apparatus and the operation method thereof of the present invention can be suitably used for the production of ballast water. However, since raw water is not particularly limited to seawater or fresh water obtained in a natural state, the apparatus widely purifies water. Can be suitably used.

1, 2, 3 Ballast water production device 10 Seawater intake 11 Discharge end 12 Pump 14 Fine bubble generator 16 Filtration device 18 Storage tank 20 Control device 22 Drainage container 30 Raw water switching valve 32 First return path switching valve 34 Drainage switching valve 36 Second return path switching valve 37 Auxiliary return path valve 38 Drain valve 40 Water supply path 42 Filtration path 44 Drainage path 46 Return path 48 Drainage path 50 Water supply path 52 Supply path 54 Auxiliary return path

Claims (6)

A ballast water production device that produces seawater and produces ballast water,
A water supply path connected to a pump from a seawater intake through a raw water switching valve, and connected to a first return path switching valve from a water outlet of the pump;
A filtration path connected from the first return path switching valve to the second return path switching valve via a fine bubble generating device and a filtration device;
A water supply path including a water discharge path connected from the second return path switching valve to the storage tank;
A return path communicating from the second return path switching valve to the first return switching valve;
A supply path communicating from the storage tank to the raw water switching valve;
A drainage switching valve set between the microbubble generator and the pump;
A ballast water production apparatus having a drainage channel connected from the drainage switching valve to a water discharge end. A drain valve installed in the drainage channel;
The ballast water production apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an auxiliary return path connected to the upstream side of the drain valve from the primary side of the filtration membrane of the filtration apparatus is formed. The ballast water production apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a drainage container is disposed in the auxiliary return path. A filtration process step of taking raw water and passing the raw water through a filtration membrane with a pump;
A filtration membrane washing treatment step of flowing washing water mixed with fine bubbles from the upstream of the filtration membrane and refluxing it while returning to the upstream side of the filtration membrane,
The operation method of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus which has the backwash process process which flows a treated water toward the upstream of the said filtration membrane from the downstream of the said filtration membrane. The filtration membrane cleaning treatment step
The operation method of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising a step of returning a part of the washing water mixed with the fine bubbles from the primary side of the filtration membrane to the upstream side of the filtration membrane. The operation method of the ballast water manufacturing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a primary storage step of storing a part of the washing water.