JP2012220074A - Dissolving device, and water heater including the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact and reduced running cost dissolving device capable of supplying an inorganic compound or the like without requiring any electric circuit.SOLUTION: The dissolving device includes: a storage means 12 for storing an inorganic compound 11 which is a powdery or granular compound or a mixture of powdery and granular compounds; and an opening/closing means 50 for supplying/stopping hot water to the inorganic compound 11. Here, the opening/closing means 50 is arranged on the upstream side of the inorganic compound 11 integrally with the storage means 12. The dissolving device can also improve the durability of the opening/closing means 50 and achieve the compactness and cost reduction of the whole device.

Description

  The present invention relates to a dissolution apparatus that dissolves inorganic compounds and the like.

  Conventionally, this type of apparatus dissolves a material containing a target component in water by electrolysis, and supplies the dissolved water to a target circuit (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 shows a conventional hot water supply apparatus described in Patent Document 1. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, it is composed of a zinc anode 1, a cathode 2, a casing 5, and a DC power source 9.

JP 2004-190882 A

  However, in the above-described conventional configuration, the method of dissolving the target component (zinc anode 1) in water is based on the principle of electrolysis, and therefore, the DC power source 9 and insulation for preventing leakage to water flowing in the circuit. A circuit (not shown) is required. Therefore, along with the increase in the size and cost of the apparatus, the DC power supply 9 requires power, so that the amount of power consumption increases.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide a dissolution apparatus that supplies an inorganic compound or the like that does not require an electric circuit, is compact, and has low operation costs.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the dissolution apparatus of the present invention includes a storage means for storing an inorganic compound which is a powder or granule, or a mixture of a powder and a granule, and hot water to the inorganic compound. Open / close means for supplying / stopping, and the open / close means is disposed upstream of the inorganic compound and integrally with the storage means.

  As a result, even when the inorganic compound, which is in the form of powder or granules, or a mixture of powder and granules, flows out of the storage means, the opening / closing means is arranged on the upstream side of the inorganic compound. The inorganic compound does not enter, and the durability of the opening / closing means can be improved.

  In addition, since the power supply circuit and the insulation circuit which have been required so far can be reduced, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size and cost, and the power consumption can be suppressed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the melt | dissolution apparatus which supplies the inorganic compound etc. which implement | achieved size reduction, cost reduction, and also suppression of the power consumption can be provided.

Configuration diagram of dissolution apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention Detailed view of dissolution apparatus in Embodiment 1 of the present invention The figure which shows the relationship between the inorganic compound of the dissolution apparatus in Embodiment 1 of this invention, and a filtration means (A) Configuration diagram of filtering means in Embodiment 1 of the present invention (b) Configuration diagram of other filtering means (c) Configuration diagram of other filtering means The block diagram of the hot-water supply apparatus in Embodiment 2 of this invention Configuration diagram of dissolution apparatus in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Configuration diagram of conventional hot water supply equipment

  1st invention is equipped with the storage means to accommodate the inorganic compound which is a powder form or a granular form, or a mixture of a powder form and a granular form, and the opening-and-closing means to supply and stop the hot water to the said inorganic compound The melting device is characterized in that the opening / closing means is disposed upstream of the inorganic compound and integrally with the storage means.

  As a result, even when the inorganic compound, which is in the form of powder or granules, or a mixture of powder and granules, flows out of the storage means, the opening / closing means is arranged on the upstream side of the inorganic compound. The inorganic compound does not enter, and the durability of the opening / closing means can be improved.

  In addition, since the power supply circuit and the insulation circuit which have been required so far can be reduced, the entire apparatus can be reduced in size and cost, and the power consumption can be suppressed.

  2nd invention is provided with the bathtub water pouring circuit which supplies hot water to a bathtub, and the bathtub water pouring valve which opens and closes the said bath water pouring circuit, The melting apparatus of said 1st invention is the said bath water. In the hot water supply circuit, the hot water supply device is provided on the downstream side of the bathtub water pouring valve.

  Thereby, since the melting apparatus is not affected by the water hammer phenomenon (water pressure increase in the bathtub water pouring circuit or the like) that occurs when hot water to the bathtub is stopped, the pressure resistance structure of the melting apparatus can be simplified. Furthermore, since the water flow of the hot water to the bathtub is used, the water in which the inorganic compound is dissolved can be supplied to the bathtub at the same time as the hot water, thereby improving convenience.

  3rd invention is equipped with the bathtub water pouring circuit which supplies hot water to a bathtub, and the bathtub water pouring valve which opens and closes the said bath water pouring circuit, The equivalent diameter of the storage means of the said 1st invention, A hot water supply device that is larger than the equivalent diameter of the bath water pouring circuit, reducing the increase in pressure loss that occurs when water passes through the inorganic compound storage container, and completes the hot water filling to the bathtub quickly. can do.

  A fourth invention is a hot water supply apparatus characterized in that the melting apparatus of the first invention is disposed in a main body housing, and even from a hot water storage tank, a power circuit, etc. Since the atmosphere in the housing is always heated by heat radiation, heat insulation such as prevention of freezing of the melting apparatus is simplified or unnecessary.

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

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

  In FIG. 1, the inorganic compound 11 is in the form of powder, granules, or a mixture of powder and granules, and is stored in the inorganic compound storage container 12. The said inorganic compound storage container 12 is made into the shape expanded in substantially mortar shape toward the water flow direction.

The inorganic compound 11 is soluble in water. The inorganic compound 11 in FIG. 1 is in the form of granules having different diameters, and when this is configured to be multilayered, a porous space is formed in the inorganic compound storage container 12. The filtering means 13 has a plurality of small holes and is stored in the end portion of the inorganic compound storage container 12.

  The inorganic compound storage container 12 and the filtering means 13 are communicated with each other, and the inorganic compound storage container 12 is configured to be upstream of the filtering means 13. The bypass circuit opening / closing means 50 is provided integrally with the inorganic compound storage container 12 on the upstream side of the inorganic compound 11 on the bypass circuit 15 branched from the bathtub water pouring circuit 39 and on the upper side of the inorganic compound storage container 12. The melting device 16 is configured.

  About the hot water supply apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  The water flowing into the inorganic compound storage container 12 through the internal water conduit 14 passes through a porous space formed in the inorganic compound storage container 12 as an ascending water flow opposed to the direction of gravity.

  When the flow rate of the ascending water flow is constant, the inorganic compound 11 is in a granular form having different diameters, so that the flow rate is increased by the ascending water flow in a state of being distributed from the largest to the smallest in diameter from the bottom. Fluidized with running water by water pressure according to

  Since the inorganic compound storage container 12 has a generally mortar-shaped shape along the water flow direction, the flow velocity increases in the upstream in the inorganic compound storage container 12 and decreases in the water flow direction. Can be configured.

  On the other hand, the distribution of the granule diameter is affected by gravity according to the mass, and the larger the granule diameter, the more upstream. From this, it becomes possible to make the water flow rate act in proportion to the size of the granule diameter, and a uniform and efficient fluidization phenomenon becomes possible regardless of the size of the granule diameter of the inorganic compound 11.

  Since water has viscosity, a velocity boundary layer is generated in the region from the surface of the inorganic compound 11 to the vicinity of the surface when passing through the porous space of flowing water and fluidized granules. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the state of the velocity boundary layer.

  The flow velocity in the velocity boundary layer near the surface of the inorganic compound 11 is small, and the flow velocity passing through the center of the porous space has a large distribution. Since the inorganic compound 11 is soluble in water, 11 surface molecules near the surface of the inorganic compound 11 are dissolved in water near the surface, and the dissolution concentration of water increases. Since the water near the surface has a low flow rate, the dissolved concentration has a high value.

  On the other hand, the dissolved concentration of water flowing in the center of the porous space having a high flow rate is low. At this time, if there is a difference in the concentration of the inorganic compound dissolved in water, the lower substance moves from the higher one according to the concentration difference (Fick's law), so the inorganic compound dissolved in the water near the surface Move to low center water.

  By utilizing the principle of substance diffusion while increasing the concentration difference between the vicinity of the surface of the inorganic compound 11 and the flowing water in the center of the porous space having a large flow velocity due to the stirring effect due to the fluidization phenomenon, the inorganic compound 11 is It can be dissolved in water in the porous space more efficiently.

  The filtering means 13 prevents the granules of the inorganic compound 11 from flowing out of the inorganic compound storage container 12 due to the water flow in the inorganic compound storage container 12.

Since the bypass circuit opening / closing means 50 normally supplies hot water to the bathtub, it dissolves so that it opens when hot water flows into the bathtub water pouring circuit 39 and closes when the hot water flow of the bathtub water pouring circuit 39 stops. Although the operation of the device 16 is controlled, the operation of the melting device 16 operates on the premise of the flow of hot water.

  Therefore, even if hot water does not flow in the bathtub water pouring circuit 39, there is no problem even if the power is turned on and opened. When the outside air temperature is low, such as in winter, water remaining in the inorganic compound storage container 12 may freeze and damage the inorganic compound storage container 12.

  In such a case, since the inorganic compound storage container 12 is integrated with, for example, a bypass circuit opening / closing means 50 that is a solenoid valve, the inorganic compound storage container 12 is caused by the heat generated by the coil when a current is applied to the coil of the solenoid valve. Keeps warm and can prevent freezing.

  The bypass circuit opening / closing means 50 is configured on the upstream side of the inorganic compound 11 so that the bypass circuit 15 is closed when the valve body 51 and the valve seat surface 52 come into contact with each other.

  Since the inorganic compound 11 is a powder, a granule, or a mixture of a powder and a granule, those having a particle size smaller than the filtration accuracy of the filtration means 13 may flow out through the filtration means 13. There is.

  However, even when it has flowed out, the bypass circuit opening / closing means 50 is disposed upstream of the inorganic compound 11, so that, for example, a powdery inorganic material is provided between the valve body 51 and the valve seat surface 52 of the bypass circuit opening / closing means 50. The adverse effect on the valve body 51 and the valve seat surface 52 due to the remaining of the compound can be completely prevented.

  As a result, the reliability of the dissolution apparatus can be maintained for a longer period of time, with a more stable, uniform and efficient agitation effect due to fluidization phenomenon, and a substance with a difference in dissolution concentration between water and inorganic compounds. It is possible to dissolve inorganic compounds in water more efficiently by the principle of material diffusion (Fick's law). Therefore, convenience and serviceability for the user can be stably supplied for a long time.

  In addition, since the power supply circuit and the insulation circuit that have been required so far can be reduced, it is possible to provide a hot water supply apparatus that is compact, low-cost, and further reduces power consumption.

  In addition, when the inorganic compound is a zinc compound containing zinc (such as zinc oxide or zinc carbonate), the following effects can be obtained. Zinc is one of the essential elements of humans with relatively large demands, and is easily deficient when supplied from a normal diet. It is an element added to foods for the purpose of enhancing nutrition.

  On the other hand, the nutrition enhancement by percutaneous absorption can be performed during bathing by supplying water in which zinc is dissolved in the bathtub.

  FIG. 3 is an example showing the relationship between the dimensions of the inorganic compound 11 and the filtering means 13 of the dissolving apparatus. In FIG. 3, the filtering means 13 is composed of a plurality of small holes 13a, 13b, 13c having different diameters.

  FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of the filtering means 13. (A) forms a square-shaped small hole with a linear fiber. (B) is a plate having a predetermined thickness and small holes having a plurality of types of diameters. (C) forms a porous space by using a granular non-dissolving material as a multilayer.

In any case, when the granules of the inorganic compound 11 are about to flow out of the inorganic compound storage container 12 due to the water flow in the inorganic compound storage container 12, this is prevented, but the configuration and shape are not limited thereto.

  The dissolution concentration flowing out of the dissolution apparatus 16 is determined by the flow rate of water passing through the inorganic compound storage container 12, the surface area of the inorganic compound 11 in contact with water, and the like. When the dissolution concentration of the dissolution apparatus 16 is set to a predetermined value, the total surface area of the inorganic compound 11 needs to be within a certain range, so the particle size of the inorganic compound 11 stored in the inorganic compound storage container 12 of FIG. It is necessary to use the one selected for the size within the range.

  Since the selection causes a cost increase, among the inorganic compounds 11 having a plurality of diameters, the diameter D2 of the small hole 13a of the filtering means 13 is D2 <with respect to the maximum particle diameter D1 of the inorganic compound 11. In the case of D1, the following effects can be obtained.

  The inorganic compound 11 having a particle size less than D2 flows out from the small holes 13a, 13b, and 13c. In the initial stage of use, those having a small particle size flow out of the melting device 16, but after a predetermined time has passed, the inorganic compound 11 having a particle size of D2 or more continues to be stored in the inorganic compound storage container 12.

  When this state is formed, it is equivalent to selecting the particle size of the inorganic compound 11 to a size within a certain range. Therefore, even if the inorganic compound 11 in which the sizes are mixed is used, the target concentration is dissolved in water.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of a hot water supply apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 5, a heat pump unit 21 is configured by connecting a compressor 22, a hot water supply heat exchanger 23, a decompression unit 24, and an evaporator 25 in an annular manner in order by a refrigerant circuit 26. Water is stored in a hot water storage tank 28 of the hot water storage unit 27, and a hot water discharge circuit 30 is a circuit that connects the hot water storage tank 28, a hot water supply pump 29, a hot water supply heat exchanger 23, and a hot water storage tank 28 in this order. The bathtub water heating circuit 35 is a circuit that connects the hot water storage tank 28, the bath heat exchanger 33, the bathtub water heating pump 34, and the hot water storage tank 28 in order, and the bathtub 42 is connected to the other circuit of the bath heat exchanger 33. ing.

  The bathtub water circulation circuit 41 is a circuit which connects the bathtub 42, the bathtub water pump 40 which conveys bathtub water, and the bath heat exchanger 33 in order. The bathtub water pouring circuit 39 is a circuit for pouring the water in the hot water storage tank 28 to the bathtub 42 via the bathtub water circulation circuit 41.

  In this circuit, a bath water mixing valve 36 for mixing hot water in the hot water storage tank 28 and tap water, temperature detecting means 37 for detecting the temperature of the pouring water, and bath water pouring for opening and closing the bath water pouring circuit 39. The hot water valve 38 is provided in order. The melting device 16 was provided in the bathtub water pouring circuit 39 on the downstream side of the bathtub water pouring valve 38 so as to be housed in the housing of the main body.

  The operation of heating the water stored in the hot water storage tank 28 by the heat pump unit 21 is as follows. The water in the hot water storage tank 28 is conveyed to the hot water supply heat exchanger 23 by the hot water supply water pump 29 and heated by the heat pump cycle operation. The hot water supply pump 29 controls the flow rate of the hot water supply circuit 30 so that the temperature of the hot water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 23 becomes a predetermined temperature.

  The filling of the bathtub 42 and the heating of the bathtub water are as follows. The bath water mixing valve 36 of the bath water pouring circuit 39 has a hot water and tap water so that the pouring temperature detected by the temperature detecting means 37 becomes a temperature preset by a remote controller or the like (not shown). Adjust the mixing ratio.

  The bathtub water having a predetermined temperature flows out into the bathtub 42 through the bathtub water pouring circuit 39 and the bathtub water circulation circuit 41 in this order. On the other hand, when the bathtub water in the bathtub 42 is heated, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 28 is conveyed to the bath heat exchanger 33 by the bathtub water heating pump 34, and the bathtub water conveyed from the bathtub water pump 18. Heat. Hot-water supply water whose temperature has been lowered by heating the bath water in the bath heat exchanger 33 flows into the interior from the lower part of the hot water storage tank 28.

  About the hot water supply apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  When the user hot waters the bathtub 42, the remote controller or the like performs a hot water operation instruction operation. After the remote control operation, when the water adjusted by the bathtub water mixing valve 36 at a preset temperature controls the bathtub water pouring valve 38 from closed to open, it passes through the melting device 16 and the bathtub water circulation circuit 41. It flows out into the bathtub 42. When the water passes through the dissolving device 16, the inorganic compound dissolves in the water, so that the water in which the inorganic compound 11 is dissolved flows into the bathtub 42 simultaneously with the hot water operation in the bathtub 42.

  Although the melting device 16 is on the downstream side of the bathtub water pouring valve 38, when the bathtub water pouring valve 38 is controlled from opening to closing, a water hammer phenomenon occurs and is provided in the upstream circuit. The bathtub water mixing valve 36, the hot water storage tank 28, etc. give a water pressure load higher than the water pressure. By providing on the downstream side, the hydraulic load on the melting device 16 is not applied.

  As mentioned above, in this Embodiment, it was set as the hot-water supply apparatus provided with the bathtub water-pouring circuit and the bathtub water-pouring valve, and equipped with the bathtub water-pouring circuit in order of the bathtub water-pouring valve and the melting apparatus. Thereby, since the melting device is not affected by the water hammer phenomenon (water pressure increase in the bathtub water pouring circuit or the like) that occurs when hot water to the bathtub is stopped, the pressure resistance structure of the melting device can be simplified. Furthermore, since the water flow of the hot water to the bathtub is used, the water in which the inorganic compound is dissolved can be supplied to the bathtub at the same time as the hot water, thereby improving convenience.

  In the present invention, the melting device 16 is housed in the main body housing of the water heater and serves as a bathtub water pouring circuit 39. However, even if provided in the bathtub water circulation circuit 41, water in which the inorganic compound 11 is dissolved is supplied to the bathtub 42. I can do it. Although it is possible to provide in the bathtub water circulation circuit 41 outside the main body casing, the atmospheric temperature inside the main body casing is reduced by heat radiation from the hot water storage tank 28 even at a low outside temperature. Is always heated, so that heat insulation such as prevention of freezing of the melting device 16 is unnecessary or simplified.

  Further, when the hot water heater is a hot water storage type hot water heater, high temperature hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank, so that the equipment can be sterilized and sterilized by supplying the hot water to the compound dissolving apparatus. Further, since the residual chlorine dissolved in the water is reduced during storage, the main body is not a corrosion-resistant material, and inexpensive general-purpose parts can be used.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 6 shows a structural diagram of a melting apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, the inlet and outlet of the melting device 16 are connected to a bathtub water pouring circuit 39. When the equivalent diameter d1 of the inorganic compound storage container 12 that stores the inorganic compound 11 and the equivalent diameter d2 of the bathtub water pouring circuit 39 are set, the sizes are determined so as to satisfy d1> d2 in FIG.

  About the hot water supply apparatus comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. Since the inorganic compound storage container 12 storing the inorganic compound 11 and the filtering means 13 are provided, a pressure loss occurs when water passes through the dissolving device 16. When pressure loss occurs, the flow rate of water supplied to the bathtub 42 decreases.

  Here, assuming that the equivalent diameter d1 of the inorganic compound storage container 12 is such that d1> d2 with respect to the equivalent diameter d2 of the bathtub water pouring circuit 39, the average flow velocity u1 of the inorganic compound storage container 12 is the bath water. It becomes smaller than the average flow velocity u2 of the pouring circuit 39. Since the pressure loss of the fluid in the water circuit is proportional to the square of the average flow velocity of the fluid, an increase in the pressure loss when passing through the dissolving device 16 can be reduced.

  As mentioned above, in this Embodiment, the pressure by the water flow which passes an inorganic compound is made larger by making the equivalent diameter of an inorganic compound storage container larger than the equivalent diameter of the bathtub water pouring circuit which connects a dissolving device. Loss can be reduced and the hot water filling time for the bathtub can be completed quickly.

  As described above, the melting apparatus according to the present invention leads to downsizing, cost reduction, and improvement of operation efficiency, and can be used for a hot water storage hot water heater as well as a gas heat source hot water heater.

11 Inorganic compound 12 Inorganic compound storage container (storage means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 Filtration means 14 Internal water pipe 15 Bypass circuit 16 Melting apparatus 21 Heat pump unit 27 Hot water storage unit 28 Hot water storage tank 36 Bath water mixing valve 37 Temperature detection means 38 Bath water pouring valve 39 Bath water pouring circuit 42 Bath 50 50 Bypass circuit opening / closing means

Claims (4)

A storage means for storing an inorganic compound which is a powder or granule, or a mixture of a powder and a granule, and an opening / closing means for supplying / stopping hot water to the inorganic compound, the opening / closing means, A dissolving apparatus characterized by being arranged upstream of the inorganic compound and integrally with the storage means. A bathtub water pouring circuit for supplying hot water to the bathtub, and a bathtub water pouring valve for opening and closing the bathtub water pouring circuit, and the melting device according to claim 1 in the bathtub water pouring circuit, A hot water supply apparatus, which is disposed downstream of the bathtub water pouring valve. A bathtub water pouring circuit for supplying hot water to the bathtub and a bathtub water pouring valve for opening and closing the bathtub water pouring circuit are provided, and the bathtub water pouring bath has an equivalent diameter of the storage means according to claim 1. A hot water supply apparatus characterized by being larger than the equivalent diameter of the circuit. A hot water supply apparatus, wherein the melting apparatus according to claim 1 is disposed in a main body casing.