JP2017124376A - Separation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a separation device which separates clathrate from a clathrate containing liquid in a short time at low costs.SOLUTION: A separation device 120 separates clathrate from a clathrate containing liquid containing the clathrate and includes: a storage tank 210 for storing the clathrate containing liquid; supply means 220 which introduces the clathrate containing liquid into the storage tank 210 through an introduction port 212a provided at the storage tank 210 and discharges the liquid from the storage tank 210 through a discharge port 212b provided at a position of the storage tank 210 which is located above the introduction port 212a; a filter part 230 which is disposed between the introduction port 212a and the discharge port 212b in the storage tank 210 and captures the clathrate in the clathrate containing liquid when the clathrate containing liquid passes therethrough; and vibration application means 240 which applies vibration to the filter part 230.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a separation apparatus for separating a clathrate from a clathrate-containing liquid containing a clathrate.

  Among the clathrates, clathrate hydrate is a crystal in which molecules other than water molecules are included in a clathrate structure (a cage structure) formed by hydrogen bonding between water molecules. Water molecules that form a cage structure in clathrate hydrate are called host molecules, and molecules that are included (encapsulated) are called guest substances (guest molecules). Among such clathrate hydrates, those enclosing gas as a guest substance are called gas hydrates, and for example, methane hydrate, carbon dioxide hydrate, ozone hydrate and the like are known. Gas hydrate is attracting attention as a substance having a high gas occluding property because it can occupy a guest substance 120 times or more of its own volume.

  As a manufacturing technique of such a gas hydrate, a source gas containing a guest substance and water are mixed after being pressurized to a predetermined pressure, and the guest substance in the source gas is dissolved in water to dissolve the guest substance. A technique for generating gas hydrate by cooling water to a predetermined temperature has been developed (for example, Patent Document 1).

  Since the clathrate such as gas hydrate thus generated is mixed with the liquid, it is necessary to separate the clathrate from the liquid. As a clathrate separation technique, a sedimentation separator, a centrifugal separator, and a hydrocyclone separator are used.

JP 2002-356665 A

  In the clathrate production reaction, when the reaction rate is increased, the particle size of the produced clathrate becomes smaller. In other words, in order to increase the reaction rate, it is necessary to increase the contact area between the guest substance (gas) and the host molecule (liquid) (the surface area of the gas (bubbles) in the liquid). In order to achieve this, the particle size of the gas is reduced. Therefore, when producing a clathrate, a clathrate having a small particle size is generated.

  Here, when the clathrate is separated by the sedimentation separator, it takes a long time to separate the clathrate having a relatively small particle size from the clathrate-containing liquid. In addition, since a long time is required for separation, it is necessary to increase the distance in the vertical direction of the sedimentation separator, resulting in a problem that the sedimentation separator itself becomes large and the cost of the sedimentation separator increases.

  In addition, when a centrifuge is used, the cost of the separator itself is increased, and when the centrifugal force is small (when the rotation speed is low), it takes a long time to separate a clathrate having a relatively small particle size. It becomes. Further, when the centrifugal force is increased (when the rotational speed is increased), the power consumption increases and the running cost increases.

  Then, in view of such a subject, this invention aims at providing the separation apparatus which can isolate | separate a clathrate from a clathrate containing liquid for a short time and low cost.

  In order to solve the above problems, a separation apparatus according to the present invention is a separation apparatus that separates a clathrate from a clathrate-containing liquid containing a clathrate, and a storage tank that contains the clathrate-containing liquid; A supply means for introducing the clathrate-containing liquid into the storage tank through the provided inlet and for discharging the liquid from the storage tank through the discharge port provided above the inlet in the storage tank; Provided with a filter part that captures the clathrate in the clathrate-containing liquid when the clathrate-containing liquid passes, and a vibration imparting means that imparts vibration to the filter part. It is characterized by that.

  The vibration applying means is arranged outside the storage tank and physically connects the vibration generator that generates vibration, the vibration generator and the filter unit, and the vibration generated by the vibration generator is filtered. It is good also as including a transmission part which transmits to.

  Further, the vibration applying means may include an ultrasonic oscillator that oscillates in the clathrate-containing liquid and is disposed above the filter unit.

  The vibration applying means may further include a receiving plate that is provided on the outlet side of the filter unit and receives ultrasonic waves oscillated by an ultrasonic oscillator.

  Moreover, it is good also as providing the vibration control part which starts the provision of the vibration by a vibration provision means, when the difference of the water pressure above the filter part and the water pressure below is more than a predetermined threshold value.

  The class rate may be a hydrate.

  The clathrate may be ozone hydrate.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to separate the clathrate from the clathrate-containing liquid in a short time and at a low cost.

It is a figure for demonstrating the schematic structure of a clathrate manufacturing system. It is a figure explaining the specific structure of a separation apparatus. It is a figure explaining the specific structure of the separation apparatus concerning a modification.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The dimensions, materials, and other specific numerical values shown in the embodiments are merely examples for facilitating the understanding of the invention, and do not limit the present invention unless otherwise specified. In the present specification and drawings, elements having substantially the same function and configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated. To do.

(Clath rate manufacturing system 100)
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a schematic configuration of a clathrate manufacturing system 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the clathrate manufacturing system 100 includes a clathrate manufacturing apparatus 110 and a separation apparatus 120. Here, an explanation will be given by taking ozone hydrate as an example of the clathrate.

  The clathrate production apparatus 110 produces ozone hydrate by mixing ozone and water as guest materials under a predetermined pressure and a predetermined temperature environment. More specifically, the clathrate production apparatus 110 produces a mixed liquid of ozone hydrate and water (hereinafter referred to as “clathrate-containing liquid”). In addition, since manufacture of ozone hydrate itself can utilize various existing techniques, detailed description is omitted here.

  The clathrate-containing liquid thus produced is sent to the separation device 120, where it is separated into a clathrate (ozone hydrate) and a separation liquid (water). The ozone hydrate separated by the separation device 120 is sent to the supply destination, and the separated liquid is returned to the clathrate production device 110 and reused. Hereinafter, a specific configuration of the separation device 120 will be described in detail.

(Separator 120)
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the separation device 120. In FIG. 2, the flow of liquid is indicated by white arrows, the flow of solid and gas is indicated by solid arrows, and the flow of signals is indicated by broken arrows. The ozone hydrate is indicated by a black circle. As shown in FIG. 2, the separation device 120 includes a storage tank 210, a supply unit 220, a filter unit 230, a vibration applying unit 240, a differential pressure gauge 250, a vibration control unit 260, and a clathrate pump 270. Consists of including.

  The storage tank 210 is a tank that stores the clathrate-containing liquid, and includes a main body part 212, a lid part 214, and a sealing material 216 (packing). The main body portion 212 is a tank having an upper surface opened, and the opening of the upper surface is closed by the lid portion 214 via the sealing material 216, whereby the inside of the storage tank 210 (main body portion 212) is hermetically sealed. In addition, an inlet 212a is provided on the side surface of the main body 212, and the clathrate-containing liquid is introduced into the main body 212 through the inlet 212a by the supply means 220 described later. In addition, a discharge port 212 b is provided above the introduction port 212 a on the side surface of the main body 212. Therefore, the liquid level in the storage tank 210 is the position of the discharge port 212b.

Further, a gas outlet 212c is provided above the discharge port 212b on the side surface of the main body 212, and a gas outlet pipe is connected to the gas outlet 212c. A valve 218 is provided. Therefore, unreacted gas flowing into the storage tank 210 (unreacted gas contained in the clathrate-containing liquid, for example, ozone (O ₃ ), oxygen (O ₂ ), carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ), white circles in FIG. Is discharged outside through the gas vent 212c.

  The supply means 220 is composed of a pump provided on a pipe connected to the discharge port 212b. The clathrate-containing liquid is introduced into the main body 212 (the storage tank 210) through the introduction port 212a, and the discharge port 212b. Then, the separation liquid (liquid) is discharged from the main body 212. The introduction rate of the clathrate-containing liquid by the supply means 220 (separation liquid discharge speed) is set to such an extent that ozone hydrate having a predetermined first particle size or more can be settled and separated in the main body 212. Therefore, ozone hydrate having a predetermined first particle size or more settles to the bottom of the main body 212, and ozone hydrate having a particle size less than the predetermined first particle becomes an upward flow together with water toward the discharge port 212b. It will flow.

  The filter unit 230 is disposed between the introduction port 212a and the discharge port 212b in the main body unit 212, and captures ozone hydrate in the clathrate-containing liquid when the clathrate-containing liquid passes. In the present embodiment, the clathrate-containing liquid flows across the filter unit 230 from vertically downward to vertically upward, so that ozone hydrate is trapped on the lower surface of the filter unit 230. In addition, the hole diameter (opening) formed in the filter part 230 is set to the predetermined 2nd diameter less than a 1st particle size. Therefore, ozone hydrate having a particle diameter greater than or equal to the second diameter is captured on the lower surface of the filter unit 230. In addition, the filter unit 230 destroys bubbles floating in the clathrate-containing liquid, peels off ozone hydrate crystals adhering to the surface of the bubbles, and captures them on the lower surface of the filter unit 230.

  The trapped ozone hydrate (crystal) aggregates on the lower surface of the filter unit 230 to increase the particle size, and partly settles.

  The vibration applying unit 240 applies vibration to the filter unit 230 in accordance with a control command from a vibration control unit 260 described later. In the present embodiment, the vibration applying unit 240 includes a vibration generator 242 and a transmission unit 244.

  The vibration generator 242 is placed on the lid 214 and generates vibration. One end of the transmission unit 244 is physically connected to the lower surface of the lid 214 and the other end is physically connected to the filter unit 230 (the vibration generator 242 and the filter unit 230 are connected via the lid 214). The vibration generated by the vibration generator 242 is transmitted to the filter unit 230. Here, since the sealing material 216 (isolator) is interposed between the lid portion 214 and the main body portion 212 in order to prevent the vibration generated by the vibration generator 242 from being transmitted to the main body portion 212, Therefore, vibration is efficiently transmitted to the filter unit 230.

  With the configuration including the vibration applying unit 240, the filter unit 230 itself can be vibrated, and the ozone hydrate captured by the filter unit 230 can be separated from the filter unit 230. Thereby, ozone hydrate can be settled on the bottom surface of the main body 212.

  The differential pressure gauge 250 measures the difference between the water pressure above the filter unit 230 and the water pressure below the filter unit 230.

  The vibration control unit 260 is composed of a semiconductor integrated circuit including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads a program and parameters for operating the CPU itself from a ROM (Read Only Memory), and serves as a work area. The vibration applying means 240 is controlled in cooperation with a RAM (Random Access Memory) and other electronic circuits. In the present embodiment, when the differential pressure measured by the differential pressure gauge 250 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold, the vibration control unit 260 drives the vibration generator 242 to start applying vibration, and the predetermined pressure less than the first threshold is reached. When it becomes less than the second threshold, the vibration generator 242 is stopped to stop applying vibration.

  With the configuration including the vibration control unit 260, it is possible to prevent clogging of the filter unit 230 while suppressing consumption of driving energy (for example, electric power) of the vibration generator 242.

  The clathrate pump 270 is composed of, for example, a screw feeder, and extracts ozone hydrate precipitated and separated in the main body 212 from a bottom opening 212d formed on the bottom surface of the main body 212 and sends it to a supply destination. In the present embodiment, the clathrate pump 270 includes a cylindrical portion 272 connected to the bottom opening 212d, a screw portion 274 that is disposed in the cylindrical portion 272 and pushes out ozone hydrate, and a motor 276 that rotates the screw portion 274. Consists of including.

  Therefore, when the accumulated amount of ozone hydrate in the main body 212 measured by an unillustrated ozone hydrate level meter exceeds a predetermined value, the valves 272a and 272b connected to the cylindrical portion 272 are opened and the motor 276 is opened. Rotates the screw part 274. If it does so, ozone hydrate will be sent out from the supply pipe | tube 278a connected to the edge part opening of the cylinder part 272. FIG. In addition, the water collected in the cylinder part 272 will be discharged | emitted outside through the piping 278b connected to the opening formed in the bottom part of the cylinder part 272.

  As described above, according to the separation device 120 according to the present embodiment, in addition to sedimentation separation, only the clathrate-containing liquid containing ozone hydrate having a small particle diameter is allowed to pass through the filter unit 230 for sedimentation separation. It is possible to separate a small particle size ozone hydrate which requires time. Further, the ozone hydrate captured by the filter unit 230 can be agglomerated, and the vibration applying means 240 separates and agglomerates the agglomerated ozone hydrate, thereby reducing the time required for sedimentation separation. It becomes possible. Thereby, the storage tank 210 can be reduced in size.

  In a conventional centrifuge, ozone in ozone hydrate may be attenuated by the centrifugal force, or ozone hydrate itself may be destroyed. Also in the conventional hydrocyclone separator, if the centrifugal force is strong like the centrifuge, ozone hydrate is decomposed and ozone is attenuated.

  However, in the separation device 120 according to the present embodiment, since the force exceeding the gravity is not applied to the ozone hydrate, the ozone in the ozone hydrate is attenuated as compared with the conventional centrifugal separator and the hydrocyclone separator. Can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to improve the recovery rate of ozone hydrate while preventing deterioration of the quality of the separated ozone hydrate.

  In addition, the cost of the apparatus itself is lower and the cost required for driving energy is lower than that of a conventional centrifugal separator or hydrocyclone separator, so that the initial cost and running cost can be reduced.

(Modification)
In the separation device 120 described above, the vibration applying unit 240 including the vibration generator 242 and the transmission unit 244 has been described as an example. However, the configuration of the vibration applying unit is not limited as long as it can apply vibration to the filter unit 230.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a specific configuration of the separation device 320 according to the modification. In FIG. 3, the liquid flow is indicated by white arrows, the solid and gas flows are indicated by solid arrows, and the signal flow is indicated by broken arrows. The ozone hydrate is indicated by a black circle. As shown in FIG. 3, the separation device 320 includes a storage tank 210, a supply unit 220, a filter unit 230, a vibration applying unit 340, a differential pressure gauge 250, a vibration control unit 260, and a clathrate pump 270. Consists of including. In addition, about the structure substantially equal to the said separation apparatus 120, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted, and here the vibration provision means 340 from which a structure differs is explained in full detail.

  In the present embodiment, the vibration applying unit 340 includes an ultrasonic oscillator 342 and a receiving plate 344.

  The ultrasonic oscillator 342 is disposed in the clathrate-containing liquid and above the filter unit 230, and oscillates ultrasonic waves toward the filter unit 230.

  The receiving plate 344 is provided on the upper surface (on the discharge port 212b side) of the filter unit 230, and receives the ultrasonic waves oscillated by the ultrasonic oscillator 342. As a result, the receiving plate 344 vibrates, and this vibration is transmitted (applied) to the filter unit 230.

  With the configuration including the vibration applying unit 340, the filter unit 230 itself can be vibrated, and the ozone hydrate captured by the filter unit 230 can be separated from the filter unit 230. Thereby, ozone hydrate can be settled on the bottom surface of the main body 212.

  As mentioned above, although preferred embodiment of this invention was described referring an accompanying drawing, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention is not limited to this embodiment. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the claims, and these are naturally within the technical scope of the present invention. Is done.

  For example, in the above embodiment and the modification, the ozone hydrate has been described as an example of the clathrate separated by the separation devices 120 and 320. However, the separation devices 120 and 320 can also separate other clathrate from the clathrate containing liquid. For example, a hydrate using a substance that attenuates similarly to ozone as a guest substance and a clathrate using a substance that attenuates as a guest substance can be used.

  In the above modification, the configuration in which the vibration applying unit 340 includes the receiving plate 344 has been described as an example. However, the vibration applying unit may not include a receiving plate.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used for a separation device that separates clathrate from a clathrate-containing liquid containing clathrate.

120 Separation device 210 Storage tank 212a Inlet port 212b Discharge port 220 Supply unit 230 Filter unit 240 Vibration applying unit 242 Vibration generator 244 Transmission unit 260 Vibration control unit 320 Separating device 340 Vibration applying unit 342 Ultrasonic oscillator 344 Receiver plate

Claims (7)

A separator for separating the clathrate from the clathrate-containing liquid containing the clathrate,
A storage tank for storing the clathrate-containing liquid;
The clathrate-containing liquid is introduced into the storage tank through the introduction port provided in the storage tank, and the liquid is supplied from the storage tank through the discharge port provided above the introduction port in the storage tank. A supply means for discharging;
A filter unit that is disposed between the inlet and the outlet in the storage tank and captures the clathrate in the clathrate-containing liquid when the clathrate-containing liquid passes;
Vibration applying means for applying vibration to the filter unit;
A separation device comprising: The vibration applying means includes
A vibration generator disposed outside the storage tank and generating vibration;
A transmission unit that physically connects the vibration generator and the filter unit and transmits the vibration generated by the vibration generator to the filter unit;
The separator according to claim 1, comprising: The vibration applying means includes
The separation apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an ultrasonic oscillator that oscillates in the clathrate-containing liquid and is disposed above the filter unit.   The said vibration provision means is provided in the said discharge port side in the said filter part, and is further comprised including the receiving plate which receives the ultrasonic wave oscillated by the said ultrasonic oscillator. Separation equipment.   5. The vibration control unit according to claim 1, further comprising: a vibration control unit that starts applying vibration by the vibration applying unit when a difference between the water pressure above and below the filter unit exceeds a predetermined threshold value. The separation apparatus according to claim 1.   The separation apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the clathrate is a hydrate.   The separation apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the clathrate is ozone hydrate.

Images