JP2014083532A - Water softening apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water softening apparatus capable of executing a stable regenerating treatment by fixing the flow rate, per unit time, of recycled water fed into a water softening treatment tank.SOLUTION: At the time of implementing a regenerating treatment of feeding recycled water into a water softening treatment tank, an operation of feeding, into the water softening treatment tank, recycled water stored within a storage tank is executed by opening a flow-regulating valve at a specified aperture. During the execution of this operation, furthermore, a drainage time demand for the liquid level of the recycled water stored within the storage tank to reach a specified liquid level is acquired (clocking routine). Moreover, the acquired drainage time demand is compared with a standard time set in advance (time comparison routine), and the aperture of the flow-regulating valve is changed depending on the obtained comparison result.

Description

  The present invention relates to a water softening device that softens water supplied from the outside.

  2. Description of the Related Art There is known a water softening device that supplies tap water, well water, or the like to soft water by passing it through a water softening treatment tank packed with a cation exchange resin. Such a water softening device is used, for example, to soften hot water used during bathing. It is said that softening the hot water used during bathing has a cosmetic effect, and furthermore, it is difficult to generate stains (so-called scales) that are formed by hardening calcium and magnesium in the bathroom. It is coming.

  In such a water softening device, when tap water or well water is allowed to pass through and the water softening is continued, the water softening ability of the cation exchange resin gradually decreases, and finally water softening cannot be performed. On the other hand, when the water-softening ability of the cation exchange resin is reduced, when the regeneration treatment is performed to supply salt water (sodium chloride aqueous solution) to the cation exchange resin, calcium ions and magnesium ions captured by the cation exchange resin are performed. Etc. are discharged, and tap water is returned to a state where it can be softened.

  As a water softening device capable of such regeneration treatment, there is a water softening device (water softening device) disclosed in Patent Document 1. In the water softening device disclosed in Patent Document 1, after the regeneration process of supplying salt water to the water softening tank, a cleaning process of supplying tap water, well water, or the like to the water softening tank is performed. That is, by supplying tap water, well water or the like to the water softening tank after the regeneration process, the reclaimed water (salt water) remaining in the water softening tank is pushed out to the drain outlet by the regeneration process. Furthermore, in the water softening device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the flow path through which salt water flows during regeneration processing and the flow path through which tap water, well water, etc. flow during cleaning processing are the same path, so that only in the water softening treatment tank. In addition, residual water (salt water) in the piping path is prevented.

  Here, in Patent Document 1, as the liquid level of the storage tank that stores the reclaimed water (salt water) during the regeneration process decreases, the opening degree of the flow-controllable valve provided between the storage tank and the water softening treatment tank is disclosed. A configuration for increasing the number is disclosed. That is, a configuration is disclosed in which the valve is opened in response to a decrease in the liquid level in the storage tank.

  Specifically, when supplying the reclaimed water (salt water) to the water softening tank using the head pressure of the reclaimed water (salt water) stored in the storage tank, the storage tank is maintained by continuously supplying the reclaimed water (salt water). As the amount of reclaimed water (salt water) stored in the water decreases, the water head pressure also decreases. As the water head pressure decreases, generally, the flow rate per unit time of reclaimed water (salt water) flowing toward the water softening treatment tank also decreases. Therefore, in the water softening device (water softening device) disclosed in Patent Document 1, the valve is opened as the amount of reclaimed water (salt water) stored in the storage tank decreases. As a result, even if a long time has passed since the regeneration process was started and only a small amount of reclaimed water (salt water) is stored in the storage tank, the reclaimed water is not reconstituted in the water softening tank without greatly reducing the flow rate. (Salt water) can be supplied. That is, reclaimed water (salt water) can be supplied to the water softening tank at a constant flow rate regardless of the length of time that has elapsed since the start of the regeneration treatment.

  Thus, when implementing a regeneration process, it is preferable that the flow volume per unit time of the regeneration water (salt water) supplied to a water-softening processing tank is constant. That is, it is preferable that the flow rate of the reclaimed water (salt water) supplied to the water softening tank is constant because the regenerating treatment of the cation exchange resin can be carried out more stably and efficiently.

JP 2010-247098 A

By the way, when the water softening device is operated, in the pipe through which the reclaimed water flows during the regeneration process, it is considered that impurities in the water solidify on the inner peripheral surface of the pipe, so that the diameter of the substantial pipe becomes small. . Thus, if the diameter of a substantial pipe is reduced, the flow rate of reclaimed water during the regeneration process will be affected.
In addition, it is conceivable that air is mixed into the pipe through which the reclaimed water flows, which affects the flow rate of the reclaimed water during the regeneration process.

That is, the flow rate of the reclaimed water during the regeneration process is affected not only by the change in the head pressure of the reclaimed water stored in the storage tank (the force for pushing out the reclaimed water) but also by the change in the state of the piping through which the reclaimed water flows. Therefore, as in the soft water device disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the configuration in which the valve opens as the liquid level of the storage tank decreases (decrease in the force for pushing out the reclaimed water), the flow rate of regenerated water per hour during the regeneration process May not always be constant.
Moreover, in such a structure, while the change of the head pressure of reclaimed water is detected and the opening degree of the valve is adjusted in accordance with the detected value, the reclaimed water supply operation is continuously performed. In other words, in parallel with the regenerative water supply operation that has already been carried out, the water head pressure change is detected and the valve opening is adjusted, and the regenerative water supply operation is performed at an appropriate opening according to the value of the water head pressure change. There is also a problem that control becomes relatively difficult.

  Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the water softening apparatus which can implement | achieve a regeneration process more stably by making constant the flow volume per time of the regeneration water supplied to a water softening processing tank.

  The invention according to claim 1 for solving the above-described problems includes a water softening tank in which a water softening agent is incorporated, a storage tank capable of storing reclaimed water for regenerating the water softening agent, The reclaimed water distribution path that can guide the reclaimed water from the storage tank to the predetermined drainage port via the water softening treatment tank, and the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the reclaimed water distribution path can be adjusted by adjusting the opening degree. An operation for supplying the reclaimed water stored in the storage tank to the water-softening treatment tank with the flow rate adjustment valve opened at a predetermined opening degree. A time measuring process for obtaining a discharge required time, which is a time required for the liquid level in the storage tank to reach a predetermined liquid level from a state where a predetermined amount of reclaimed water is stored in the storage tank, Acquired by timekeeping It compares the reference time and the predetermined and the discharge duration is a water softening device and correcting the opening of the flow regulating valve in accordance with the comparison result.

The water softening device of the present invention performs an operation of supplying the reclaimed water stored in the storage tank to the water softening tank while the flow rate adjustment valve is opened at a predetermined opening. In this operation, the time required for discharging, which is the time required for the liquid level of the reclaimed water stored in the storage tank to reach a predetermined liquid level, is acquired. Further, the obtained required discharge time is compared with a predetermined reference time, and the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve is corrected according to the comparison result.
In this way, according to the configuration in which the required discharge time, which is the time required to supply a predetermined amount of reclaimed water, is obtained and the required discharge time is compared with the reference time, the reclaimed water is supplied at a desired flow rate. It is possible to determine whether or not there is. That is, if the required discharge time is too short with respect to the reference time, it is considered that the flow rate per hour when supplying the reclaimed water to the water softening tank is too large. Moreover, when the discharge required time is too long with respect to the reference time, it is conceivable that the flow rate per hour when supplying the reclaimed water to the water softening treatment tank is too small.
Then, by appropriately correcting the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve according to the result of the comparison between the required discharge time and the reference time, the flow rate per time of reclaimed water when supplying the reclaimed water to the water softening tank is kept constant at a desired flow rate. Can be More specifically, when the flow rate per time of the reclaimed water is too large, correction for narrowing the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve is performed to reduce the flow rate per time of the reclaimed water. When the flow rate per time of reclaimed water is too small, correction for widening the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve is performed to increase the flow rate per time of reclaimed water. That is, in the water softening device of the present invention, by adjusting the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve according to the actual flow rate of reclaimed water per hour, the flow rate per hour of reclaimed water is increased or decreased to an appropriate flow rate. Can do. Thereby, the flow rate per time of reclaimed water can be made constant at a desired flow rate.

  Further, in the water softening device of the present invention, as described above, the discharge required time that is the time required for the liquid level of the reclaimed water stored in the storage tank to reach a predetermined liquid level, and a predetermined reference time Is compared to determine whether or not the supply of reclaimed water is being carried out at a desired flow rate. For this reason, it is not necessary to newly provide a flow sensor or the like for determining whether or not the supply of reclaimed water is performed at a desired flow rate, and the manufacturing cost of the water softening device can be reduced.

  The water softening device of the present invention includes liquid level detection means capable of detecting the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage tank, and the liquid level detection means includes a first liquid level and a liquid level having different heights. Two or more liquid levels including the second liquid level can be detected, and the time required for the discharge is required until the regenerated water stored in the storage tank decreases from the first liquid level to the second liquid level. Time is preferred (claim 2).

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the required discharge time is longer than the reference time by a predetermined time or more, a correction for increasing the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve is performed. Is shorter than the reference time by a predetermined time or more, a correction for reducing the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve is performed, and an increase amount and / or a reduction amount of the flow rate adjustment valve amount is The water softening device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water softening device is preset so as to increase in accordance with a difference between the required discharge time and the reference time.

  In such a configuration, the increase amount and the decrease amount of the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve are set in advance so as to increase in accordance with the magnitude of the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time. As described above, according to the configuration in which the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve is corrected by the predetermined increase amount and reduction amount, it is faster than the configuration in which the increase amount and the reduction amount of the flow rate adjustment valve are appropriately calculated. The opening degree of the flow regulating valve can be corrected. Moreover, the flow rate of the reclaimed water can be adjusted with higher accuracy by correcting the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve with an appropriate increase amount and reduction amount defined based on experiments or the like performed in advance.

  Invention of Claim 4 implements the regeneration process which supplies the said reclaimed water to the said water-softening processing tank, and reproduces | regenerates the said water softening agent, and implements a series of operation | movement including the said regeneration process at least. The water softening device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the timing process and the correction of the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve are performed a plurality of times in the meantime.

  In such a configuration, the time measuring process and the correction of the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve are performed a plurality of times during a series of operations including at least the regeneration process. This makes it possible to make the flow rate of reclaimed water per hour constant at a desired flow rate more reliably.

  In the present invention, by correcting the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve, the flow rate per time of reclaimed water can be increased or decreased so as to be an appropriate flow rate. Thereby, the flow rate per time of reclaimed water can be made constant at a desired flow rate.

It is an operation principle figure showing a water softening device concerning an embodiment of the present invention. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation | movement principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing a water softening process, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation | movement principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing the washing | cleaning process of a strainer, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing the back washing process of a water softener, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing the leak confirmation process with respect to a valve, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation | movement principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing an air venting process, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. FIG. 7 is an operation principle diagram illustrating the flow of water when the air venting process is performed following FIG. 6, and a piping path through which water flows is illustrated in black. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation | movement principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing a reclaimed water supply process, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. FIG. 9 is an operation principle diagram illustrating the flow of water when the reclaimed water supply process is performed, and shows a piping path through which water flows in black. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing a reproduction | regeneration water extrusion washing | cleaning process, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation | movement principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing a 1st additional washing | cleaning process, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. In the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1, it is an operation principle figure which shows the flow of the water at the time of implementing a 2nd additional washing | cleaning process, and the piping path | route through which water flows is shown in black. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the opening degree correction | amendment process which the water softening apparatus of FIG. 1 implements. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically the recycled water distribution route of the water softening apparatus of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows the storage tank of embodiment different from FIG.

  Hereinafter, although the water softening apparatus 1 concerning embodiment of this invention is demonstrated in detail, referring drawings, this invention is not limited to these examples.

  The water softening device 1 is a device for softening water supplied from a water supply source (not shown) such as a water supply or a well and supplying the softened water to the outside.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the water softening device 1 primarily uses a water softener 2 (water softening treatment tank) for reducing the hardness of supplied water and softening water, and water supplied from the outside. It has a storage tank 3 that can be stored, and these are connected by various pipes. That is, the water softening device 1 of the present embodiment is roughly divided and includes various piping systems including an incoming / outgoing water system 5, a regeneration water supply system 6, and a regeneration system 7.

Moreover, the water softening device 1 of this embodiment is provided with the control apparatus 10, and this control apparatus 10 can receive the signal from the various sensors provided in each part of the water softening device 1.
The control device 10 includes a CPU as a calculation means and a non-volatile memory as a storage means, and the calculation means is based on information detected by each sensor and the information detected by each sensor. The calculated information can be stored. And when this control apparatus 10 transmits an operation command to each part of the water softening device 1, the water softening device 1 becomes a structure which can implement various driving | operations.

  The water softener 2 includes a column filled with a cation exchange resin (softening agent) that adsorbs calcium ions, magnesium ions, and the like contained in water. And in this water softener 2, water can be supplied from upper direction over the wide area of internal space by introduce | transducing water into internal space through the upper filter 15 from a water inlet. That is, the hardness of water can be reduced by supplying water from above and passing through a layer of cation exchange resin accommodated and deposited in the water softener 2. Then, the water to be treated (soft water) having reduced hardness is supplied to the outside through the lower filter 16 to supply soft water.

  The storage tank 3 has a structure capable of producing salt water as reclaimed water for regenerating the cation exchange resin by temporarily storing water supplied from the outside. Specifically, the storage tank 3 includes a storage unit 19 for storing water supplied from the outside, and a regenerant placement unit 20 for arranging a lump of salt as a regenerant.

The storage unit 19 is a box formed of an appropriate material such as resin, and is positioned slightly below the water injection port 23 located on the upper end side, the discharge port 24 located on the lower end side, and the water injection port 23. And an overflow outlet 25.
Accordingly, the storage unit 19 can inject water into the internal space through the water injection port 23 located on the upper side. Moreover, the storage part 19 can discharge the liquids, such as salt water produced | generated in internal space, outside via the discharge port 24 located below. Furthermore, the storage unit 19 is configured to be able to discharge the internal liquid to the outside via the overflow discharge port 25 when the internal liquid level has risen unexpectedly for some reason. In other words, by discharging the excessively stored liquid from the overflow outlet 25 located below the water inlet 23 to the outside, the liquid inside the storage portion 19 does not flow backward upstream from the water inlet 23. It has become.

  In addition, a plurality of electrodes 28 (liquid level detection means) are attached to the storage unit 19 so that the liquid level of the liquid stored therein can be detected.

  That is, four rod-shaped electrodes 28 are attached to the storage portion 19, and the attachment positions of the four electrodes 28 are different. Two of them, the ground electrode 28a and the low liquid level detection electrode 28b, are attached to the lower side surface of the reservoir 19 and extend in a laid-down state. On the other hand, the other two medium liquid level detection electrode 28c and high liquid level detection electrode 28d are attached to the top surface which is the upper end side of the reservoir 19 and extend in an upright state.

Here, the lower end of the high liquid level detection electrode 28 d is higher than the lower end of the medium liquid level detection electrode 28 c and is lower than the overflow discharge port 25. Further, the low liquid level detection electrode 28b and the ground electrode 28a are disposed at a position lower than the lower end of the middle liquid level detection electrode 28c. Further, the ground electrode 28a is located at the lowest position among the four electrodes 28, and the low liquid level detection electrode 28b is located at substantially the same height as the ground electrode 28a.
For convenience of drawing, in each drawing, the ground electrode 28a is shown at a position lower than the low liquid level detection electrode 28b.

Then, the ground electrode 28a and the other electrodes 28 (low liquid level detection electrode 28b, middle liquid level detection electrode 28c, high liquid level detection electrode 28d) are energized through the liquid stored in the storage unit 19, thereby storing the liquid. The liquid level of the liquid stored in the part 19 can be detected.
That is, as the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage unit 19 rises, the ground electrode 28a and the low liquid level detection electrode 28b are immersed in the liquid. Then, the ground electrode 28a and the low liquid level detection electrode 28b are energized through a liquid such as drain. Then, by detecting that the ground electrode 28a and the low liquid level detection electrode 28b are energized, the liquid level inside the reservoir 19 has reached the height of the low liquid level detection electrode 28b. Is detected.

  Similarly, when the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage part 19 further rises, the intermediate liquid level detection electrode 28c is immersed in the liquid. Further, when the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage unit 19 further rises from that state, the high liquid level detection electrode 28d is immersed in the liquid. Then, the ground electrode 28a and these electrodes 28 (medium liquid level detection electrode 28c, high liquid level detection electrode 28d) are energized through the liquid, and the liquid level inside the reservoir 19 is set to these electrodes 28 (medium It is detected that the lower end of the liquid level detection electrode 28c and the high liquid level detection electrode 28d) has been reached.

That is, the liquid level in the reservoir 19 is detected by specifying the electrode 28 (the low liquid level detection electrode 28b, the middle liquid level detection electrode 28c, and the high liquid level detection electrode 28d) that is energized with the ground electrode 28a.
Specifically, the liquid level stored in the storage unit 19 is equal to or higher than the lower end height of the high liquid level detection electrode 28d (hereinafter also referred to as the first liquid level), and the lower end of the intermediate liquid level detection electrode 28c. And the liquid level stored in the reservoir 19 is equal to or higher than the height of the lower end of the low liquid level detection electrode 28b (hereinafter also referred to as the third liquid level). Each state can be separately detected.

By the way, the connection part 30 used as the boundary of the storage part 19 and the regeneration agent arrangement | positioning part 20 exists in a position higher than the lower end of the middle liquid level detection electrode 28c, and is in a position lower than the lower end of the high liquid level detection electrode 28d. And the connection part 30 is provided with the filter, and the storage part 19 and the regeneration agent arrangement | positioning part 20 are connected via the filter. Since this filter can pass liquids such as water, the liquid can flow into the regenerant placement unit 20 from the storage unit 19 side. Similarly, liquid can flow into the storage unit 19 from the regenerant placement unit 20 side.
The granular salt lump as the regenerant is configured not to enter the storage unit 19 side from the regenerant placement unit 20.

  From this, when water is stored up to the lower end of the middle liquid level detection electrode 28c of the storage unit 19, the water does not enter the regenerant arrangement unit 20. That is, when water is stored so that the liquid level in the storage unit 19 is substantially the same height as the lower end of the middle liquid level detection electrode 28c, the regenerant disposed in the regenerant disposition unit 20 does not dissolve in water. Become. In other words, the water in which the regenerant is not dissolved can be stored in the storage unit 19 by setting the liquid level of the storage unit 19 to a position lower than the connecting unit 30.

  On the other hand, when water is stored up to the lower end of the high liquid level detection electrode 28d of the storage unit 19 (a position higher than the connecting unit 30), the water enters the regenerant placement unit 20 and the regeneration agent placement unit 20 is regenerated. The agent will dissolve in the water. That is, by storing water up to the lower end of the high liquid level detection electrode 28d of the storage unit 19, it is possible to generate regenerated water that is water in which the regenerant is dissolved and to store regenerated water.

  Next, each piping system of the water softening device 1 will be described in detail.

  The incoming / outgoing water system 5 is a pipe for supplying water to the water softener 2 mainly from an external water supply source (not shown) and supplying the water softened by the water softener 2 to the outside. The incoming / outgoing water system 5 includes an incoming water pipe 32, an outgoing water pipe 33, a bypass pipe 34, and a reverse cleaning drain pipe 35.

  The water intake pipe 32 is a pipe for mainly supplying water supplied from a water supply source (not shown) to the water softener 2.

  The water discharge pipe 33 is a pipe for supplying water softened mainly by the water softener 2 to the outside.

  The bypass pipe 34 is a pipe that connects the water inlet pipe 32 and the water outlet pipe 33 to bypass the water softener 2.

  The reverse cleaning drain pipe 35 is a pipe used when discharging the drainage generated during the regeneration operation of the water softening device 1 to the outside. The drain pipe 51 is branched from a midway portion of the water inlet pipe 32 to be described later. It is connected to the.

In addition, a water inlet valve 38 is provided in the middle portion of the water inlet pipe 32 and in a portion from the water softener 2 rather than a portion connected to the bypass pipe 34.
Further, a water discharge valve 39 is provided in the middle portion of the water discharge pipe 33 and in a portion from the water softener 2 rather than a connection portion with the bypass pipe 34.
Further, a bypass valve 40 is provided in the middle of the bypass pipe 34.
A reverse cleaning drain valve 41 (flow rate adjusting valve) is provided in the middle of the reverse cleaning drain pipe 35.

Each of the water inlet valve 38, the water outlet valve 39, the bypass valve 40, and the backwash drain valve 41 can be switched between an open state and a closed state. More specifically, the water inlet valve 38, the water outlet valve 39, and the bypass valve 40 are electromagnetic valves, and the backwash drain valve 41 is an electric valve. The water inlet valve 38, the water outlet valve 39, and the bypass valve 40 can be switched between an open state and a closed state by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the control device 10. Moreover, the back washing | cleaning drain valve 41 can adjust an opening degree by transmitting / receiving a signal with the control apparatus 10. FIG.
The liquid flowing through the water inlet pipe 32, the water outlet pipe 33, the bypass pipe 34, and the reverse cleaning drain pipe 35 by switching between the open state and the closed state of these valves and adjusting the opening degree of the reverse cleaning drain valve 41. It is possible to control the flow.

  The regeneration water supply system 6 is a pipe for supplying water to the storage tank 3 from an external water supply source (not shown). The regeneration water supply system 6 has a supplementary water pipe 45.

  The water refilling pipe 45 is a pipe that extends from the upstream side of the connection part with the bypass pipe 34 in the middle of the water inlet pipe 32, and extends to the water inlet 23 of the storage tank 3.

  In addition, a water supplement electromagnetic valve 46 is provided in the middle of the water supplement pipe 45. Then, by switching between the open state and the closed state of the water supplement electromagnetic valve 46, it is possible to control the flow of the liquid flowing through the water supplement pipe 45.

The regeneration system 7 is a pipe for supplying the reclaimed water or cleaning water stored in the storage tank 3 to the water softener 2 (the regenerative water supply operation and the pipe cleaning operation will be described in detail later).
The regeneration system 7 includes a regeneration water supply pipe 49, a water softener side pipe 50, and a drain pipe 51.

The reclaimed water supply pipe 49 is a pipe extending from the discharge port 24 of the storage tank 3, and is branched into a water softener side pipe 50 and a drain pipe 51 on the downstream side.
A salt water valve 52 is provided in the middle of the reclaimed water supply pipe 49 and at a position closer to the storage tank 3 than a branch point where the water softener side pipe 50 and the drain pipe 51 branch. More specifically, the salt water valve 52 is an electromagnetic valve, and can switch between the open state and the closed state of the salt water valve 52 by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the control device 10. Then, by switching between the open state and the closed state of the salt water valve 52, it is possible to control the flow of the liquid flowing inside the reclaimed water supply pipe 49.

The water softener side pipe 50 is a pipe continuous with the water discharge pipe 33 through the strainer 53. Here, a pipe extending from the water outlet of the water softener 2 is also connected to the strainer 53. That is, in the water softening device 1 of the present embodiment, the water softener side pipe 50, the water discharge pipe 33, and the pipe extending from the water outlet of the water softener 2 are continuous with the strainer 53 interposed therebetween.
The strainer 53 is similar to a known one, and is a device for removing a solid component of the liquid flowing inside.

  The drain pipe 51 is a pipe connecting the reclaimed water supply pipe 49 and a drain outlet 54 for discharging waste water such as reclaimed water and washing water to the outside of the water softening device 1. That is, the drain pipe 51 is a pipe extending between the recycled water supply pipe 49 and the drain port 54. A forward cleaning drain valve 55 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 51. Specifically, the forward cleaning drain valve 55 is an electromagnetic valve, and can be switched between an open state and a closed state by transmitting and receiving signals to and from the control device 10. And the flow of the liquid which flows through the inside of the drain pipe 51 can be controlled by switching the open state and the closed state of the forward washing drain valve 55.

  Next, various operations that can be performed by the water softening device 1 of the present embodiment will be described in detail.

[Soft water treatment]
The water softening device 1 of the present embodiment performs a water softening process by reducing the hardness of water supplied from the outside to soften the water and supplying the softened water to the outside. In this water softening treatment, as shown in FIG. 2, water supplied from a water supply source (not shown) flows through the water intake pipe 32 and flows into the water softener 2. The water flowing into the water softener 2 passes through the cation exchange resin layer housed and deposited in the water softener 2 and is softened, and passes through the lower filter 16 and the strainer 53 to the drain pipe 33, respectively. Inflow. The softened water passes through the water discharge pipe 33 and is supplied from the water outlet.

[Preliminary processing for playback processing]
If the water softening process is continued in the water softening device 1, the water softening ability of the cation exchange resin built in the water softener 2 gradually decreases, and finally water softening cannot be performed. Therefore, in the water softening device 1 of the present embodiment, a regeneration process (details will be described later) for recovering the water softening ability of the cation exchange resin can be performed. Here, in the water softening apparatus 1 of this embodiment, the preliminary process is implemented prior to this regeneration process. Specifically, the washing process of the strainer 53, the back washing process of the water softener 2, the step of confirming leakage of the valve, and the air venting process are sequentially performed.

[Strainer cleaning process]
In the cleaning process of the strainer 53, as shown in FIG. 3, water is allowed to flow to the strainer 53 through a part of the upstream side of the water inlet pipe 32, the bypass pipe 34, and the water outlet pipe 33. Then, the water that has passed through the strainer 53 is allowed to reach the drain outlet 54 via the water softener side pipe 50 and the drain pipe 51. At this time, the direction in which the water passes through the strainer 53 is opposite to that during the water softening treatment. And the water which passed through the strainer 53 does not pass through the water softener 2. From these things, the solid component collected by the strainer 53 reaches the drain outlet 54 without flowing into the water softener 2.

[Reverse washing process of water softener]
In the reverse cleaning process of the water softener 2, as shown in FIG. 4, water is caused to flow to the water softener 2 through the upstream side portion of the water inlet pipe 32, the bypass pipe 34, and part of the water outlet pipe 33. That is, at the time of water softening treatment, water is allowed to flow from the portion serving as a drain port into the water softener 2. Then, the water is made to flow backward in the water softener 2 to flow water from the portion serving as the water injection port to the water inlet pipe 32 during the water softening treatment, and through the part of the water inlet pipe 32 and the reverse cleaning drain pipe 35, the water outlet. Allow water to reach 54. In this way, the water inside the water softener 2 is made to flow in the opposite direction to that during the water softening treatment, whereby the impurities inside the water softener 2 are discharged from the drain outlet 54.

[Leak check process for valves]
In the confirmation process of leakage to the valve, as shown in FIG. 5, for example, the bypass valve 40 and the salt water valve 52 are opened, and the other valves (water inlet valve 38, water outlet valve 39, backwash drain valve 41, The water replenishing solenoid valve 46 and the forward washing drain valve 55) are closed. In this state, water is supplied from a water supply source (not shown). Then, in a state where the valve functions normally and there is no leakage, the water flowing from the water supply source does not flow to the water softener 2 or the storage tank 3 but is discharged from the water outlet. On the other hand, when a leak occurs in the water inlet valve 38, the water outlet valve 39, the water supplement electromagnetic valve 46, etc., the water flows into the storage tank 3 through the water softener 2 or directly. Then, when water flows into the storage tank 3 and the liquid level in the storage tank 3 rises, an increase in the liquid level is detected by the electrode 28. More specifically, when the liquid level in the storage tank 3 rises and energization is confirmed between the ground electrode 28 a and the low liquid level detection electrode 28 b, the water inlet valve 38, the water outlet valve 39, and the water replenishing electromagnetic valve 46. Judge that there was a leak in the valve. At this time, a notification operation such as sounding a warning sound is performed as necessary to notify that a leak has occurred in any of the valves.

[Air venting process]
The air venting process is a process for efficiently performing the regeneration process (described in detail later) by discharging the air remaining in the flow path from the storage tank 3 to the recycled water supply pipe 49. Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 6, water is stored in the storage tank 3 from a water supply source (not shown) through a part of the water inlet pipe 32 and the auxiliary water pipe 45. Then, after storing until the liquid level in the storage tank 3 is equal to or higher than the second liquid level (higher than the lower end of the middle liquid level detection electrode 28c), the salt water valve 52 and the forward washing drain valve 55 are opened, The water stored in the storage tank 3 is allowed to flow to the drain outlet 54 (see FIG. 7). That is, the water is stored up to a liquid level where the regenerated water is not generated in the storage tank 3, and the process of guiding the water in which the stored regenerant is not dissolved to the drain port 54 is performed. As a result, the air remaining in the flow path from the storage tank 3 to the reclaimed water supply pipe 49 is discharged to the outside.

[Playback processing]
In the regeneration treatment for recovering the water softening ability of the cation exchange resin incorporated in the water softener 2, a regeneration water supply step, a regeneration water extrusion washing step, and an additional washing step are sequentially performed.

[Reclaimed water supply process]
In the reclaimed water supply step, water is supplied to the storage tank 3 to generate reclaimed water, and the regenerated water generated in the storage tank 3 is supplied to a cation exchange resin built in the water softener 2.

  Specifically, first, as shown in FIG. 8, water is stored in the storage tank 3 from a water supply source (not shown) through a part of the water inlet pipe 32 and the auxiliary water pipe 45. Then, the regeneration tank disposed in the regenerant placement unit 20 is allowed to elapse for a predetermined time in a state where the liquid level of the storage tank 3 is equal to or higher than the first liquid level (higher than the lower end of the high liquid level detection electrode 28d). The agent is dissolved in the stored water to generate reclaimed water (eg, salt water having a concentration of about 10 percent).

  Then, after the reclaimed water is generated, the salt water valve 52 is opened, the backwash drain valve 41 is opened at a predetermined opening, and the water softener is utilized using the head pressure of the reclaimed water stored in the storage tank 3. Reclaimed water flows into 2 Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the reclaimed water generated in the storage tank 3 is brought to the inside of the water softener 2 through the reclaimed water supply pipe 49 and the water softener side pipe 50, and the water intake pipe 32 is provided from the water softener 2. , A reverse cleaning drain pipe 35, and a part of the drain pipe 51 to the drain outlet 54. That is, a reclaimed water distribution path for flowing reclaimed water is formed by the reclaimed water supply pipe 49, the water softener side pipe 50, the water softener 2, a part of the water inlet pipe 32, the backwash drain pipe 35, and a part of the drain pipe 51. The reclaimed water stored in the tank 3 is discharged from the drain outlet 54 after passing through the water softener 2.

[Reclaimed water extrusion washing process]
In the reclaimed water extrusion cleaning step, first, water is stored in the storage tank 3 from a water supply source (not shown) through a part of the water inlet pipe 32 and the water refill pipe 45 (see FIG. 6). Specifically, water is stored up to a liquid level (the second liquid level) at which reclaimed water is not generated in the storage tank 3. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10, the salt water valve 52 is opened, the backwash drain valve 41 is opened at a predetermined opening, and the water head pressure stored in the storage tank 3 is used. Water is allowed to flow into the water softener 2. Then, the water that has flowed into the water softener 2 is allowed to flow to the drain outlet 54 through a part of the water inlet pipe 32, the backwash drain pipe 35, and a part of the drain pipe 51. That is, the regenerated water remaining inside the water softener 2 is stirred inside the water softener 2 by flowing water in which the regenerant is not dissolved in the same path (recycled water distribution path shown in FIG. 9) as the reclaimed water supply step. At the same time, the reclaimed water remaining in the route (reclaimed water distribution route) is discharged from the drain port 54 to the outside.

[Additional cleaning process]
In the additional washing step, each part is washed following the reclaimed water extrusion washing step in order to more reliably prevent the reclaimed water from remaining inside the water softener 2 or in the piping. Specifically, by performing the first additional cleaning step and the second additional cleaning step, respectively, water is supplied to the two different paths for cleaning.

  In the first additional cleaning step, as shown in FIG. 11, water is allowed to flow into the water softener 2 through a water intake pipe 32 from a water supply source (not shown), and after passing through the water softener 2, Water flows to the drain outlet 54 through the pipe 50 and the drain pipe 51.

  In the second additional cleaning step, as shown in FIG. 12, a part of the water inlet pipe 32 that is upstream from the connection position with the bypass pipe 34 from the incoming water source (not shown), the bypass pipe 34, Water is caused to flow into the water softener 2 through a part of the water pipe 33. And after letting the water softener 2 pass, it is a part of the water intake pipe 32 and the portion closer to the water softener 2 than the connection position with the reverse cleaning drain pipe 35, the reverse cleaning drain pipe 35, and the drain pipe 51 The water is made to flow to the drain port 54 through. That is, in the second additional cleaning step, the direction in which water passes through the water softener 2 is opposite to that during the water softening treatment.

  By the way, in the water softening device 1 of the present embodiment, the backwash drain valve 41 is opened in order to make the flow rate of the reclaimed water (or wash water) constant during the above regeneration treatment and to regenerate the cation exchange resin efficiently. An opening correction process is performed to correct the degree. The opening correction process, which is a characteristic operation of the present invention, will be described in detail below with reference to FIG.

First, prior to the correction of the opening degree, a time measuring process for acquiring a time (required discharge time) necessary for discharging a certain amount of reclaimed water from the inside of the storage tank 3 is performed.
More specifically, when supplying the reclaimed water to the water softener 2 side in the above-described reclaimed water supply step, the control device 10 determines the time at which the liquid level in the storage tank 3 starts to be the first liquid level. Get as start time. If the liquid level in the storage tank 3 decreases by continuing to supply the reclaimed water and the liquid level in the storage tank 3 becomes the second liquid level, the control device 10 acquires the time when the second liquid level is reached as the end time. To do. Then, the control device 10 calculates the time from the start time and the end time until the liquid level in the storage tank 3 changes from the first liquid level to the second liquid level, and acquires the calculated time as the required discharge time. To do.

Subsequent to the time measurement process, a time comparison process for comparing the required discharge time with a previously calculated reference time is performed.
Here, the reference time is a time required for the operation of discharging a certain amount of reclaimed water from the inside of the storage tank 3, and is an optimal required time determined in advance by an experiment or the like. This reference time is based on the desired flow rate of the reclaimed water (or wash water) in the regeneration process calculated by experiments or the like, that is, the desired flow rate of the reclaimed water (or wash water) flowing through the reclaimed water circulation path (for example, 0.5 L / min). It is prescribed.
As an example of the reference time, for example, the amount of liquid discharged from the storage tank 3 until the liquid level of the storage tank 3 changes from the first liquid level to the second liquid level is XL (see FIG. 14). ) If the desired flow rate of the reclaimed water flowing through the reclaimed water distribution channel is Q1, the reference time T may be defined so as to satisfy the following formula (1).
T = XL / Q1 (1)

  In this case, the amount of liquid discharged from the storage tank 3 to the outside from the first liquid level to the second liquid level is 6 L, and a desirable flow rate of reclaimed water flowing through the reclaimed water circulation path is 0.5 L / min. If so, the reference time is 12 min.

  Then, the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is corrected according to the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time. The correction amount at this time is as shown in Table 1.

More specifically, when the required discharge time is longer by 1 minute than the reference time (in the case of +1 min), the opening is widened by a predetermined amount A (the opening is -A). On the contrary, when the required discharge time is shorter by 1 minute than the reference time (in the case of -1 min), the opening is narrowed by a predetermined amount A (the opening is set as + A). That is, if the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 before correction is S1 and the required discharge time is 1 minute longer than the reference time, the opening degree S2 of the backwash drain valve 41 after correction is expressed by the following equation: The value satisfies (2).
S2 = S1-A (2)
Similarly, if the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time is 2 minutes, the predetermined amount 2A is corrected. If the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time is 3 minutes, the predetermined amount 3A is corrected.

That is, the increase amount and the decrease amount when the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is corrected are increased according to the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time. More specifically, the absolute value of the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time is proportional to the correction amount of the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41. Then, if the required discharge time is longer than the reference time, a correction is made to narrow the opening degree of the reverse cleaning drain valve 41 by a predetermined amount. If the required discharge time is shorter than the reference time, the reverse cleaning drain valve Correction for expanding the opening of 41 by a predetermined amount is performed.
If the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time is greater than the specified value, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred and an error message is displayed on a remote controller (not shown) or a warning sound is emitted. The notification operation is performed.

  In this way, by correcting the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 according to the required discharge time, it becomes possible to make the flow rates of the reclaimed water and the wash water flowing through the reclaimed water circulation path constant. That is, by repeating the correction of the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41, it is possible to achieve a stable state in which the flow rate of the reclaimed water and the wash water flowing through the reclaimed water circulation path is not greatly changed. Thereby, in the water softening apparatus 1 of this embodiment, an efficient regeneration process is attained.

By the way, in the water softening device 1 of this embodiment, when performing a regeneration process, after implementing a regeneration water supply process once, a regeneration water extrusion washing process is implemented 4 times, and also an additional washing process is implemented once. It is operating. Here, the time measurement process, the time comparison process, and the change in the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 may be performed a plurality of times during this series of operations.
Specifically, for example, the first timekeeping process and the first time comparison process are performed in parallel with the reclaimed water supply process, and the first backwash drain valve 41 is performed during the first reclaimed water extrusion washing process. You may change the opening degree. Then, during the second and subsequent regeneration water extrusion cleaning steps, the timekeeping process, the time comparison process, and the opening of the backwash drain valve 41 may be changed a plurality of times again.

  As described above, according to the configuration in which the change of the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 (correction of the opening degree) is performed a plurality of times while the series of operations of the regeneration process is being performed, the series of operations of the regeneration process is performed. Compared to a configuration in which the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is changed only once, it is preferable because the flow rate of the reclaimed water and the wash water flowing through the reclaimed water circulation path can be more reliably made constant.

In addition, after performing a series of operations in a regeneration process including a recycled water supply process, a recycled water extrusion cleaning process, and an additional cleaning process, the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is changed until the next regeneration process is performed. May be.
For example, the timing process is performed in parallel with a series of operations in the first regeneration process, and the time comparison process and the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 are changed before the second regeneration process is started. May be. That is, the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 in the subsequent regeneration process may be changed based on the flow rate of the reclaimed water or the like in the regeneration process performed in advance. However, from the viewpoint of promptly setting the reclaimed water and the wash water flowing through the reclaimed water distribution path to an appropriate flow rate, the first time is compared with the configuration in which the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is changed after the completion of the first regeneration process. A configuration in which the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is changed in parallel with the regeneration process is more preferable.

  By the way, a configuration in which the change in the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 (correction of the opening degree) is performed a plurality of times during the execution of a series of operations including a recycled water supply process, a recycled water extrusion washing process, and an additional washing process, and a series of actions Although the example of the structure which implements a change of an opening degree (correction | amendment of an opening degree) after completion | finish of this was shown, this invention is not limited to this. This series of operations may include each step in the preliminary process for the reproduction process. In other words, the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 may be changed a plurality of times during the execution of a series of operations including the steps in the preliminary process for the regeneration process.

  In the above-described embodiment, the time required until the liquid level in the storage tank 3 changes from the first liquid level to the second liquid level is defined as the required discharge time, and the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is changed. Is not limited to this. For example, the number of electrodes 28 in the storage tank 3 can be increased so that more liquid levels can be detected, and the timing process is performed multiple times before a certain amount of reclaimed water is discharged from the inside of the storage tank 3. May be. More specifically, the time measurement process, the time comparison process, and the change in the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 are each performed several times before a certain amount of reclaimed water is discharged from the inside of the storage tank 3. You may implement. This will be specifically described below with an example.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 15, it is assumed that two electrodes 28 longer than the high liquid level detection electrode 28d and shorter than the middle liquid level detection electrode 28c are added. That is, it is assumed that a first additional electrode 28α that is longer than the high liquid level detection electrode 28d and a second additional electrode 28β that is longer than the first additional electrode 28α and shorter than the middle liquid level detection electrode 28c are added. Then, the liquid level of the storage tank 103 is from the lower end of the high liquid level detection electrode 28d (the same liquid level as the first liquid level) to the lower end of the intermediate liquid level detection electrode 28c (the same liquid level as the second liquid level). Until it decreases, four liquid levels (L1 to L4) can be detected. Therefore, the time until the liquid level in the storage tank 103 becomes the second liquid level L2 from the first liquid level L1, the time until the liquid level L3 from the second liquid level L2 becomes the third liquid level L3. Each of the time from the liquid level L3 to the fourth liquid level L4 is set as the required discharge time, and the opening degree correction process can be executed. In other words, it is possible to execute the opening degree correction processing a plurality of times in parallel with the implementation of the reclaimed water supply step. As described above, the configuration in which the correction of the opening degree is performed a plurality of times during the regeneration water supply process is preferable because the flow rate of the regeneration water flowing through the regeneration water circulation path can be made constant quickly.

  In the above-described embodiment, the correction amount increases by the predetermined amount A every time the difference between the discharge required time and the reference time increases by 1 minute. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the correction amount may be a value determined depending on the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time, and the correction amount may be calculated by calculation every time correction is performed. That is, the correction amount in the correction of the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is a value calculated by adding, subtracting, multiplying, or dividing a predetermined coefficient to the value of the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time. Good. According to this configuration, the change width of the correction amount can be further subdivided, so that the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 can be corrected more accurately.

  Further, the water softening device of the present invention may be configured to store the difference between the required discharge time acquired by the time measurement process and the reference time. According to such a configuration, when the correction for changing the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is performed, it is possible to determine how the flow rate has changed before and after the opening degree change. And it becomes possible to correct the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 according to the result of the prior correction. This will be described in detail below.

  Here, every time the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is corrected, the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time is stored, and the required discharge time and the reference time before the predetermined opening degree correction is performed. Assume that the difference can be compared with the difference between the required discharge time after correcting the predetermined opening and the reference time. In this case, if the correction of the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is appropriate, the required discharge time approaches a reference time which is an ideal time, so the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time before and after the correction is It is assumed to be smaller.

Therefore, if the difference between the required discharge time after performing the opening correction and the reference time is smaller than the difference between the required discharge time before performing the opening correction and the reference time, Therefore, it can be determined that appropriate correction has been performed. In other words, if the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time approaches 0 each time the opening degree is corrected, it can be determined that an appropriate correction is performed.
On the other hand, even if the opening is corrected, the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time is not reduced, and if the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time is still more than a certain value before and after the correction, an appropriate correction is made. It can be judged that is not implemented.

  And when it is judged that appropriate correction | amendment is not implemented, it is possible that the correction amount is not appropriate as the cause. That is, when the opening degree of the backwash drain valve 41 is corrected, there is a possibility that the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time can be reduced by increasing the opening degree or narrowing the opening degree. Therefore, when it is determined that appropriate correction has not been performed in this way, it is preferable that the correction is performed so as to increase more if the opening is increased in the next correction. Further, if the opening degree is narrowed in the next correction, it is preferable to correct so as to become narrower. That is, it is preferable to increase the correction amount in the next correction.

  From the above, the water softening device of the present invention may have the following configuration. That is, the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time may be stored, and the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time before and after correction may be compared to determine whether or not appropriate correction has been performed. When it is determined that appropriate correction has not been performed, the correction amount for the next correction may be increased. Such a configuration is preferable because the degree of opening of the backwash drain valve 41 can be corrected with higher accuracy.

1 Water softener 2 Water softener (water softening tank)
3,103 Storage tank 28 Electrode (water level detection means)
41 Backwash drain valve (flow adjustment valve)
54 Drain outlet

Claims (4)

A water softening tank containing a water softening agent;
A storage tank capable of storing reclaimed water for regenerating the water softening agent;
A reclaimed water distribution path capable of guiding the reclaimed water from the storage tank to a predetermined drain through the water softening treatment tank;
A flow rate adjustment valve capable of adjusting the flow rate of the liquid flowing through the recycled water flow path by adjusting the opening;
An operation of supplying the reclaimed water stored in the storage tank to the water softening tank while the flow rate adjustment valve is opened at a predetermined opening is performed, and a predetermined amount of reclaimed water is supplied to the storage tank during the operation. Is carried out to acquire the time required for discharging, which is the time required for the level of the reclaimed water in the storage tank to reach a predetermined level from the stored state,
The water softening device characterized by comparing the discharge required time acquired by the time measuring process with a predetermined reference time and correcting the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve according to the comparison result. Comprising a liquid level detection means capable of detecting the liquid level of the liquid stored in the storage tank;
The liquid level detecting means is capable of detecting two or more liquid levels including a first liquid level and a second liquid level that are liquid levels having different heights,
2. The water softening device according to claim 1, wherein the required discharge time is a time required for the reclaimed water stored in the storage tank to drop from the first liquid level to the second liquid level. . When the required discharge time is longer than the reference time by a predetermined time or longer, the correction for increasing the opening of the flow rate adjusting valve is performed.
When the required discharge time is shorter than the reference time by a predetermined time or more, the correction for reducing the opening of the flow rate adjustment valve is performed,
The increase amount and / or decrease amount of the opening degree of the flow rate adjusting valve is preset so as to increase in accordance with the difference between the required discharge time and the reference time. The water softening device according to 1 or 2. The regeneration water is supplied to the water softening treatment tank to regenerate the water softening treatment agent,
The timekeeping process and the correction of the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve are performed a plurality of times during a series of operations including at least the regeneration process. Water softener.

Images