JP2018071706A - Liquid feed system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid feed system capable of feeding a liquid to be processed remaining in a pipeline between filter devices.SOLUTION: A liquid feed system includes: a first valve 51 provided at a second pipeline 32 for connecting a secondary side 14 of a first filter device 10 and a primary side 23 of a second filter device 20; a second valve 52 provided at a second exhaust pipe 42 of a gas exhausted from the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20; gas supply means 60 for pressure feeding sterile air to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20; and a control device. The control device supplies the sterile air from the primary side 23 of the second filter device to the second pipeline 32 by closing the first valve 51 and supplying the gas to the gas supply means 60, and after elapse of predetermined time, it opens the second valve 52.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid feeding system capable of feeding a liquid to be processed remaining in a pipe between filter devices.

  In plants that process liquid products such as drinking water and liquid pharmaceuticals such as injections and eye drops, liquid raw materials and liquids to be treated such as prepared liquid products are stored in tanks. Compressed air is sent to other tanks and filling machines via piping. When compressed air is supplied and pressure-fed, the liquid to be treated may remain in the pipe after the production is finished. In such a case, the liquid to be treated remaining in the pipe is usually sent to a downstream tank or the like by sending compressed air from the upstream to the pipe (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Such a method of discharging the liquid to be processed remaining by the compressed air has a problem when a filter device is installed in the pipe. Specifically, when the liquid to be processed is filtered through a filter used in the filter device, the filter is impregnated with moisture. This water makes it difficult for the compressed air to pass through the filter, making it difficult to pump the compressed air from the upstream side of the filter.

  Therefore, a liquid feeding method has been proposed in which the flow rate of compressed air is controlled by adjusting the opening of a valve provided upstream of the filter device, thereby feeding the liquid to be processed remaining in the pipe. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).

  However, in the conventional liquid feeding method, it is difficult to feed the liquid to be processed remaining between the filter devices in a pipe provided with a plurality of filter devices. For example, in a pipe provided with a plurality of two filter devices, when sending compressed air toward the upstream filter device, a considerable pressure is required to allow the remaining liquid to be processed to pass through the two filter devices. I have to hang it. In this case, the filter may be damaged by pressure.

  In particular, when a liquid medicine is handled as the liquid to be treated, it is required that the filter has no change before the production of the medicine and after the liquid feeding process of the remaining liquid. If the filter breaks due to the residual liquid feeding process, the medicines manufactured so far must be discarded, and a great loss is incurred.

  Further, in the method of feeding compressed air between two filter devices, a separate pipe for feeding compressed air into the pipe between the two filter devices is required. That is, it is necessary to provide an air supply pipe other than the pipe through which the liquid to be treated flows. In particular, when a liquid medicine is handled as the liquid to be treated, it is necessary to ensure that the air supply pipe is aseptic. Therefore, the apparatus configuration for cleaning and sterilizing the air supply pipe is complicated.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-40092 Japanese Patent No. 5205158

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a liquid feeding system capable of feeding a liquid to be processed remaining in a pipe between filter devices.

  A first aspect for achieving the above object is the first filter device and the second filter device in which the liquid to be processed is supplied from the primary side and the liquid to be processed filtered by the filter is fed from the secondary side, A pressurizing means capable of supplying a gas for pressurizing the inside of a pipe connecting the secondary side of the first filter device and the primary side of the second filter device; and from the primary side of the second filter device A first valve provided in an exhaust pipe for the gas to be discharged; and a controller for controlling the pressurizing unit and the first valve. The control unit includes a second filter in the pressurizing unit. In the liquid feeding system, gas is supplied into the pipe from the primary side of the apparatus, and the first valve is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the first aspect, a gas for pressurizing the piping between the two first filter devices and the second filter device is supplied. Then, by discharging the gas from the first valve to the outside, the remaining liquid to be processed can be sent from the pipe to the second filter device by the flow of the gas. According to such a liquid feeding system, it is possible to efficiently recover the liquid to be processed between the two first filter devices and the second filter device without impairing the liquid to be processed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the liquid feeding system according to the first aspect, the pressurizing unit connects the secondary side of the first filter device and the primary side of the second filter device. And a second gas supply means for pumping gas to the primary side of the second filter device, and the control device closes the second valve, and the second gas supply means. By supplying the gas to the pipe, the gas is supplied from the primary side of the second filter device to the pipe, and the first valve is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the second aspect, air for pumping the liquid to be processed remaining in the pipe between the two first filter devices and the second filter device is sent from the primary side of the second filter device to the pipe. By discharging the air from the first valve to the outside, the remaining liquid to be processed can be sent from the pipe to the second filter device by the flow of the air exhaust. Thus, according to the liquid feeding system, the liquid to be treated can be collected without remaining between the two first filter devices and the second filter device.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the liquid feeding system described in the first aspect, the pressurizing unit includes a first gas supply unit that pumps a gas to a primary side of the first filter device, and the second unit. Second gas supply means for pumping gas to the primary side of the filter device, and the control device is configured such that the gas supplied from the first gas supply means is more than the gas supplied from the second gas supply means. In the liquid feeding system, gas is supplied to the first gas supply unit and the second gas supply unit so that the pressure becomes higher, and the first valve is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In a 3rd aspect, a 1st gas supply means and a 2nd gas supply means are used as a pressurization means to supply the gas for pressurizing piping between the 2nd 1st filter apparatus and 2nd filter apparatus. The piping is pressurized with these pressure differences, and the remaining liquid to be processed can be sent from the piping to the second filter device.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid feeding system according to the first aspect, the pressurizing unit includes a first gas supply unit that pumps a gas to a primary side of the first filter device, and the control The apparatus is a liquid feeding system characterized in that the first gas supply means supplies gas while the first valve is closed, and the first valve is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  In the fourth aspect, the gas flowing through the pipe can be supplied to the downstream side with an agitation by the opening / closing operation of the first valve. Thereby, the liquid to be processed remaining in the pipe can be more effectively pushed out to the primary side of the second filter device.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid delivery system according to the first aspect, the pressurizing unit connects the secondary side of the first filter device and the primary side of the second filter device. And a tank communicating with the pipe on the downstream side of the second valve, and the control device includes a liquid to be treated in the first filter device and the second filter device. Before supplying the cleaning gas, a cleaning gas for cleaning the piping is supplied to the piping, and the cleaning gas is stored in the tank so that the liquid to be processed to the first filter device and the second filter device is stored. After the supply is completed, the first valve is opened, the second valve is closed, and the gas stored in the tank is supplied to the pipe.

  In the fifth aspect, a cleaning gas used in SIP or the like is stored in a tank, and after the liquid is supplied, a cleaning fluid is supplied from the tank to the pipe so that the liquid to be processed remaining in the pipe is removed from the second filter device. Can be extruded to the primary side. Further, a cleaning gas such as SIP can be effectively used.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid feeding system according to the third or fourth aspect, the pressure of the gas supplied by the first gas supply means is the pressure of the first filter device depending on the liquid to be processed. It is in the liquid feeding system characterized by being below the pressure which a filter receives.

  In the sixth aspect, the filter can be prevented from being damaged by the gas pressure.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the liquid feeding system described in the second or third aspect, the pressure of the gas supplied by the second gas supply means is determined by the liquid to be processed by the liquid to be processed. It is in the liquid feeding system characterized by being below the pressure which a filter receives.

  In the seventh aspect, the filter can be prevented from being damaged by the gas pressure.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the liquid delivery system according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the gas is heat-sterilized sterile air, and the liquid to be treated is a chemical solution. It is in the liquid feeding system characterized by this.

  In the eighth aspect, since the chemical liquid is particularly expensive, the economic effect due to the chemical liquid remaining in the piping is remarkable.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the liquid feeding system which can send the to-be-processed liquid which remained to piping between filter apparatuses is provided.

It is a schematic block diagram of a liquid feeding system. It is a schematic block diagram of a 1st filter apparatus and a 2nd filter apparatus. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system at the time of liquid feeding. It is the schematic of a liquid feeding system in the state where a chemical | medical solution remains. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the remaining chemical | medical solution. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the remaining chemical | medical solution. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the remaining chemical | medical solution. It is a schematic block diagram of the liquid feeding system which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the residual chemical | medical solution which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the residual chemical | medical solution which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the liquid feeding system which concerns on Embodiment 3. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the residual chemical | medical solution which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the residual chemical | medical solution which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the liquid feeding system which concerns on Embodiment 4. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the residual chemical | medical solution concerning Embodiment 4. It is the schematic of the liquid feeding system which shows the operation | movement which discharges the residual chemical | medical solution concerning Embodiment 4.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid feeding system according to the present embodiment. The liquid feeding system 1 according to the present embodiment is a part of a plant that manufactures a liquid medicine (hereinafter referred to as chemical liquid) as an example of a liquid to be processed. The liquid feeding system 1 includes a preparation tank 2 and a storage tank 3, and pumps the chemical liquid prepared in the preparation tank 2 to the storage tank 3.

  Specifically, the liquid feeding system 1 includes a first filter device 10 and a second filter device 20, a pressurizing unit, a first valve 51, and a control device that controls each device. A liquid feeding pipe 30 for connecting the storage tank 3 is provided. The liquid feeding pipe 30 includes a first pipe 31 that connects the preparation tank 2 and the first filter device 10, a second pipe 32 that connects the first filter device 10 and the second filter device 20, and a second filter device 20. And a third pipe 33 connecting the storage tank 3. The second pipe 32 corresponds to a pipe connecting the first filter device and the second filter device described in the claims.

  Each of the first filter device 10 and the second filter device 20 is a filter device including a filter that filters a general liquid. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of the first filter device and the second filter device.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the first filter device 10 includes a box-shaped casing unit 11 and a filter 12 provided in the internal space of the casing unit 11. A first pipe 31 is connected to the side surface of the casing 11, and a second pipe 32 is connected to the bottom of the casing 11. A first exhaust pipe 41 is connected to the upper part of the first filter device 10. The first exhaust pipe 41 is used for venting air inside the first filter device 10.

  The filter 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and divides the inside of the housing portion 11 into two. The outside of the filter 12, that is, the inside of the housing 11 and the outside of the filter 12 is a primary side 13. The inside of the filter 12 is a secondary side 14. A first pipe 31 communicates with the primary side 13 of the filter 12, and a second pipe 32 communicates with the secondary side 14 of the filter 12.

  With such a configuration, the chemical solution is sent from the first pipe 31 to the primary side 13 of the first filter device 10, passes through the filter 12, and is sent to the second pipe 32.

  As shown in FIG. 2B, the second filter device 20 includes a box-shaped housing part 21 and a filter 22 provided in the internal space of the housing part 21. A second pipe 32 is connected to the side surface of the casing unit 21, and a third pipe 33 is connected to the bottom surface of the casing unit 21. A second exhaust pipe 42 is connected to the upper part of the second filter device 20. The second exhaust pipe 42 is used for venting air inside the second filter device 20.

  The filter 22 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and divides the inside of the housing portion 21 into two. The outside of the filter 22, that is, the inside of the housing portion 21 and the outside of the filter 22 is a primary side 23. The inside of the filter 22 is a secondary side 24. A second pipe 32 communicates with the primary side 23 of the filter 22, and a third pipe 33 communicates with the secondary side 24 of the filter 22.

  With such a configuration, the chemical solution is sent from the second pipe 32 to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20, passes through the filter 22, and is sent to the third pipe 33.

  The pressurizing means can supply a gas for pressurizing the inside of the pipe 32 connecting the secondary side 14 of the first filter device 10 and the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20. In the present embodiment, the pressurizing means includes a gas supply means 60 (corresponding to a second gas supply means in claims) and a second valve 52.

  The gas supply means 60 is connected to a pipe branched from the second exhaust pipe 42 and pumps the gas to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20. The gas supply means 60 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply pressurized gas. In the present embodiment, the gas supply means 60 supplies heat-sterilized aseptic air as a gas. Specifically, the gas supply means 60 includes a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes air taken from outside to produce aseptic air, a pump that pressurizes aseptic air to a predetermined pressure, a pressure valve that adjusts the pressure, and the like. .

  Since the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20 communicates with the second pipe 32, the gas supply means 60 can supply aseptic air from the primary side 23 to the second pipe 32.

  The second valve 52 is provided in the second pipe 32. The second valve 52 is provided in a portion along the vertical direction of the second pipe 32. The first valve 51 is provided in the second exhaust pipe 42. The second exhaust pipe 42 is a flow path for venting the second filter device 20. In this embodiment, the second exhaust pipe 42 is a flow for discharging the sterilized air supplied to the second filter device 20 by the gas supply means 60. Also used as a road.

  Although not particularly illustrated, the liquid feeding system 1 includes a control device (not shown) such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) that controls the liquid feeding process of the liquid feeding system 1. The control device can control the opening and closing of the first valve 51 and the second valve 52 and supplying or stopping the gas to the gas supply means 60.

  The preparation tank 2 is a tank for adjusting a chemical solution. Although not particularly illustrated, the preparation tank 2 is provided with an inlet for supplying a raw material of the chemical liquid to be manufactured and an outlet for discharging the manufactured chemical liquid, and can be opened and closed by a control signal from the control device. . The preparation tank 2 is connected to a compressed air supply device (not shown) for supplying compressed air therein. The compressed air supply device supplies air to the preparation tank 2 at a pressure specified by control from the control device. Thereby, a chemical | medical solution can be sent from the preparation tank 2 to the piping 30 for liquid feeding.

  The storage tank 3 is a tank that stores the chemical liquid that has been pressure-fed from the preparation tank 2 through the liquid supply pipe 30. Although not particularly shown, the storage tank 3 is provided with an inlet for feeding the pumped chemical and an outlet for discharging the chemical, and can be opened and closed by control from the control device. In addition, the storage tank 3 is connected to a filling machine that fills the container with the chemical liquid, and the chemical liquid can be discharged from the discharge port of the filling machine and supplied to the filling machine.

  The operation of the liquid feeding system having the above-described configuration will be described. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the liquid feeding system 1 in a state where the chemical liquid is being fed from the preparation tank 2 to the storage tank 3. In addition, the mesh-shaped hatch of FIG. 3 represents the chemical | medical solution. In addition, a state where the first valve 51 and the second valve 52 are opened is represented by white, and a state where the first valve 51 and the second valve 52 are closed is represented by black. The same applies to the subsequent drawings.

  At the time of liquid feeding, the control device opens the second valve 52 and supplies compressed air to the preparation tank 2. Further, the space between the first filter device 10 and the first exhaust pipe 41 is closed, and the space between the second filter device 20 and the second exhaust pipe 42 is closed.

  By such control, the chemical solution is pressure-fed from the preparation tank 2 to the storage tank 3 through the liquid-feeding pipe 30. Since the chemical solution is filtered through the first filter device 10 and the second filter device 20, the chemical solution is sterilized and stored in the storage tank 3.

  FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the liquid feeding system 1 in a state where the preparation tank 2 is empty and the chemical liquid remains in the liquid feeding pipe 30. The preparation tank 2 is emptied by the compressed air for sending the chemical solution from the preparation tank 2. Also in the 1st piping 31, since the liquid is sent with the compressed air, the chemical | medical solution does not remain.

  The space between the first filter device 10 and the first exhaust pipe 41 is open, and the compressed air is discharged from the primary side 13 of the first filter device 10 to the outside through the first exhaust pipe 41. Since the pressure by the compressed air does not reach the downstream side of the first filter device 10, that is, the horizontal portion of the second pipe 32, the chemical solution remains.

  FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 are schematic views of a liquid feeding system showing an operation for discharging the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32. The arrows in FIGS. 5 to 7 represent the flow of sterile air. As shown in FIG. 5, the control device closes the second valve 52 after detecting that the preparation tank 2 is empty. Then, the gas supply means 60 is supplied with aseptic air to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20.

  The aseptic air supplied to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20 is filled in the second pipe 32 communicating with the primary side 23. The pressure of the sterilized air is preferably a positive pressure, and is preferably equal to or lower than the pressure that the filter 22 receives from the liquid to be treated during liquid feeding. By using such an aseptic pressure, it is possible to avoid the filter 22 from being damaged.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6, the control device opens the first valve 51 after a predetermined time. If the 1st valve | bulb 51 is open | released, since the inside of the primary side 23 of the 2nd piping 32 and the 2nd filter apparatus 20 will be connected outside, those aseptic air inside those will be discharged | emitted outside.

  The predetermined time from the start of the supply of aseptic air from the gas supply means 60 to the opening of the first valve 51 is a time sufficient to fill the second pipe 32 with aseptic air.

  Thus, the sterilized air pressurized to the 2nd piping 32 is introduce | transduced (FIG. 5), and aseptic air is discharged | emitted after that (FIG. 6). The liquid feeding system 1 according to the present embodiment forms a flow in which such aseptic air reciprocates through the second pipe 32, so that the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32 is removed from the second filter device 20 as a primary. Can be extruded to side 23.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 7, the control device closes the first valve 51. Thereby, positive pressure sterile air is supplied to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20 again. Due to the pressure of the aseptic air, the chemical liquid passes through the filter 22 and is pumped to the storage tank 3 via the third pipe 33.

  The introduction of sterile air shown in FIG. 5, the discharge of sterile air shown in FIG. 6, and the pumping of the chemical solution shown in FIG. 7 to the third pipe 33 may be repeated a plurality of times. Thereby, the chemical | medical solution which remained in the 2nd piping 32 can be sent to the 2nd filter apparatus 20 more reliably.

  In the liquid feeding system 1 described above, aseptic air for pumping the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32 between the two first filter devices 10 and the second filter device 20 is used as the primary of the second filter device 20. It feeds into the 2nd piping 32 from the side 23 (refer FIG. 5). Then, by discharging the sterilized air from the first valve 51 to the outside, the remaining chemical liquid can be sent from the second pipe 32 to the second filter device 20 by the flow of the sterilized air exhaust (see FIG. 6). ).

  As described above, according to the liquid feeding system 1, the chemical liquid can be collected in the storage tank 3 without remaining between the two first filter devices 10 and the second filter device 20. The chemical solution can be produced efficiently.

  Furthermore, according to the liquid feeding system 1 of the present embodiment, since sterile air is not sent from the upstream side of the first filter device 10, it is not necessary to apply a high pressure that allows aseptic air to pass through the filter 12. Thereby, damage to the filter 12 can be avoided by the pressure of aseptic air. Of course, the filter 22 of the second filter device 20 can also be prevented from being damaged.

  In particular, in this embodiment, a liquid chemical liquid filter 12 and a filter 22 (collectively referred to as a filter 22 or the like) are used as liquids to be processed. Since damage to the filter 22 and the like can be avoided, it can be ensured that there is no change in the filter 22 and the like before the chemical liquid is manufactured and after the residual liquid is fed. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the pharmaceutical product manufactured so far has to be discarded due to the filter 22 and the like being damaged by the residual liquid feeding process.

  Further, aseptic air is not directly fed into the second pipe 32 but is fed through the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20. Thereby, at the time of liquid feeding, the second exhaust pipe 42 for feeding sterile air is separated from the second pipe 32 through which the chemical liquid passes and the inside of the second filter device 20. Therefore, an apparatus configuration for ensuring that the second exhaust pipe 42 is sterile is not necessary, and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, when sending aseptic air directly into the 2nd piping 32, you have to provide piping for air supply separately. In this case, in order to ensure that the air supply pipe is aseptic, an apparatus configuration for cleaning and sterilizing the air supply pipe is required, the configuration of the liquid supply system 1 becomes complicated, and the cost increases. .

<Embodiment 2>
In the first embodiment, the second valve 52 is closed and aseptic air (gas) is supplied from the gas supply means 60 to pressurize the second pipe 32 and then the first valve 51 is opened to Although an exhaust flow is generated, the present invention is not limited to such a mode.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid feeding system according to the present embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as Embodiment 1, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the liquid feeding system 1 of the present embodiment, the second valve 52 is not provided in the second pipe 32. Moreover, the 1st gas supply means 70 which supplies gas to the primary side of the 1st filter apparatus 10 is provided. The pressurizing means of the present embodiment is a first gas supply means 70 and a second gas supply means 60.

  Since the second gas supply unit 60 is the same as the gas supply unit 60 of the first embodiment, a duplicate description is omitted. The first gas supply means 70 is the same as the second gas supply means. That is, the first gas supply means 70 pumps the gas to the primary side 13 of the first filter device 10. The first gas supply means 70 is not particularly limited as long as it can supply pressurized gas. In this embodiment, the 1st gas supply means 70 supplies the aseptic air sterilized by heating as gas. For example, the first gas supply means 70 includes a sterilizer that heats and sterilizes air taken from outside to produce aseptic air, a pump that pressurizes aseptic air to a predetermined pressure, a pressure valve that adjusts the pressure, and the like.

  In addition, although the 1st gas supply means 70 supplies gas to the 1st filter apparatus 10 from the 1st exhaust pipe 41, it is not limited to this. For example, a device that supplies compressed air for feeding a chemical solution to the preparation tank 2 may be used as the first gas supply means 70. That is, the first gas supply means 70 may be configured to supply air from the preparation tank 2 to the primary side 13 of the first filter device 10.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are schematic views of a liquid feeding system showing an operation for discharging the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32. The arrows in FIGS. 9 and 10 represent the flow of sterile air. Moreover, illustration of the 1st filter apparatus 10 is abbreviate | omitted in these figures.

  As shown in FIG. 9, after detecting that the preparation tank 2 is empty, the control device causes the second gas supply means 60 to supply sterile air to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20. On the other hand, aseptic air is supplied to the primary side 13 of the first filter device 10 by the first gas supply means 70. At this time, the pressure of the sterilized air from the first gas supply unit 70 is set to be higher than the pressure of the sterilized air from the second gas supply unit 60.

  The pressure is adjusted in this way, and aseptic air is supplied to the first gas supply means 70 and the second gas supply means 60. Thereby, the gas supplied from the 2nd gas supply means 60 reaches the 1st filter apparatus 10, and does not escape further upstream from there. Therefore, the sterile air supplied from the second gas supply means 60 is suppressed from pushing back the chemical solution remaining in the second pipe 32 upstream.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the control device opens the first valve 51 after a predetermined time. If the 1st valve | bulb 51 is open | released, since the inside of the primary side 23 of the 2nd piping 32 and the 2nd filter apparatus 20 will be connected outside, those aseptic air inside those will be discharged | emitted outside.

  The predetermined time from the start of the supply of sterile air from the first gas supply means 70 and the second gas supply means 60 to the opening of the first valve 51 is sufficient to fill the second pipe 32 with sterile air. Time.

  In this way, the pressurized sterile air is introduced into the second pipe 32 (FIG. 9), and then the sterile air is discharged (FIG. 10). The liquid feeding system 1 of the present embodiment can push out the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32 to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20 by forming such a flow of aseptic air.

  After that, although not particularly shown, the control device closes the first valve 51. Thereby, positive pressure sterile air is supplied to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20 again. Due to the pressure of the aseptic air, the chemical liquid passes through the filter 22 and is pumped to the storage tank 3 via the third pipe 33.

<Embodiment 3>
In the first embodiment, aseptic air (gas) is supplied from the second gas supply means 60, but aseptic air may be supplied only from the first gas supply means 70.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid feeding system according to the present embodiment. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as Embodiment 1, 2, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in the figure, in the liquid feeding system 1 of the present embodiment, the second valve 52 is not provided in the second pipe 32. Further, the second gas supply means 60 is not provided in the second exhaust pipe 42. Moreover, the 1st gas supply means 70 which supplies gas to the primary side of the 1st filter apparatus 10 is provided. The pressurizing means of this embodiment is composed of a first gas supply means 70.

  12 and 13 are schematic views of a liquid feeding system showing an operation of discharging the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32. FIG. The arrows in FIGS. 12 and 13 represent the flow of sterile air. Moreover, illustration of the 1st filter apparatus 10 is abbreviate | omitted in these figures.

  As shown in FIG. 12, after detecting that the preparation tank 2 is empty, the control device causes the first gas supply means 70 to supply sterile air to the primary side 13 of the first filter device 10. The control device keeps the first valve 51 closed.

  Thus, even if aseptic air is supplied from the first gas supply means 70 with the first valve 51 closed, the primary side 23 of the second pipe 32 and the second filter device 20 is a closed space. The flow is not so big.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 13, the control device opens the first valve 51 after a predetermined time. When the first valve 51 is opened, the second pipe 32 and the inside of the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20 communicate with the outside, so that the sterilized air inside them is faster than in the state of FIG. It is discharged outside.

  The predetermined time from the start of the supply of sterile air from the first gas supply means 70 to the opening of the first valve 51 is a time sufficient for filling the second pipe 32 with sterile air. The pressure of the sterile air supplied from the first gas supply means 70 is preferably set to a pressure that does not hinder the filter 12 of the first filter device 10. For example, it is preferable to supply sterile air at a pressure equal to or lower than the pressure received by the filter 12 from the chemical solution during liquid feeding.

  The sterilized air thus pressurized into the second pipe 32 is introduced at a relatively low speed (FIG. 12), and then the sterilized air is discharged at a higher speed (FIG. 13). Such an operation may be repeated any number of times. The liquid feeding system 1 according to the present embodiment can supply the aseptic air flowing through the second pipe 32 to the downstream side, with the first valve 51 being opened and closed. Thereby, the chemical | medical solution which remained in the 2nd piping 32 can be pushed out to the primary side 23 of the 2nd filter apparatus 20 more effectively.

  Since the liquid feeding system 1 of the present embodiment can push out the chemical liquid by gradually opening and closing the flow of the sterilized air by opening and closing the first valve 51, the sterilized air supplied from the primary side 13 of the first filter device 10 is There is no need for excessive pressure. Conventionally, strong pressure must be applied to pass through the filter 12, but in the present invention, even if sterile air is supplied from the primary side 13 at such a pressure that does not damage the filter 12, the chemical solution in the second pipe 32 is used. Can be sufficiently pushed out to the second filter device 20.

  Although not particularly illustrated, when the control device closes the first valve 51, the chemical solution pumped to the primary side of the second filter device 20 passes through the filter 22 due to the pressure of sterile air and passes through the third pipe 33. Then, it is pumped to the storage tank 3.

<Embodiment 4>
In Embodiments 1 to 3, aseptic air (gas) is supplied from the first gas supply means 70 or the second gas supply means 60, but is not limited to such an aspect, and is used for cleaning the liquid feeding system 1. Depending on the cleaning fluid to be used, the remaining liquid in the second pipe 32 may be used for pressure feeding.

  FIG. 14 is a schematic configuration diagram of a liquid feeding system according to the present embodiment. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are schematic views of a liquid feeding system showing an operation for discharging the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same thing as Embodiment 1-3, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 14, in the liquid delivery system 1 of the present embodiment, a tank 4 for storing a cleaning fluid is connected to the second pipe 32. A third valve 53 is provided between the tank 4 and the second pipe 32. The third valve 53 can be controlled to open and close by a control device. The pressurizing means of the present embodiment is composed of the second valve 52 and the tank 4 communicating with the pipe 32.

  Although not particularly shown, the liquid feeding system 1 is provided with a cleaning means for supplying a cleaning fluid. As the cleaning means, cleaning fluid for performing cleaning in place (CIP) and stationary sterilization (Sterilizing In Place; SIP) is used as a preparation tank 2 and a first filter constituting the liquid feeding system 1. It consists of devices that can be supplied to various devices such as the device 10, the second filter device 20, the piping 30, and the storage tank 3. By such a cleaning means, various devices are cleaned by CIP with a cleaning solution, and various devices are sterilized and dried by SIP.

  In such SIP, the control device opens the third valve 53 and sends high-temperature and high-pressure steam into the tank 4. When a sufficient time has elapsed for the tank 4 to be filled as described above, the third valve 53 is closed. As a result, aseptic air is stored in the tank 4. And after completion | finish of SIP, although not shown in figure, a control apparatus pressure-feeds a chemical | medical solution from the preparation tank 2 to the storage tank 3. FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the control device detects that the preparation tank 2 is empty, and then closes the first valve 51 and the second valve 52.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 16, the control device opens the first valve 51 and the third valve 53. When the third valve 53 is opened, the steam stored in the tank 4 is sent to the second pipe 32. With the flow of this vapor, the liquid feeding system 1 of the present embodiment can push out the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32 to the primary side 23 of the second filter device 20.

  As described above, the liquid feeding system 1 according to the present embodiment can effectively use the cleaning gas used in the SIP and push out the chemical liquid remaining in the second pipe 32 to the second filter device 20. Conventionally, the cleaning gas used in the SIP has not been used for the pumping of the remaining chemical solution, but in the present invention, such a cleaning gas can be effectively used.

  In FIG. 15 and FIG. 16, the tank 4 is connected near the center of the second pipe 32 for the sake of space, but is preferably connected upstream of the second pipe 32.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and addition, omission, replacement, etc., of a configuration is possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. And other changes are possible.

  The liquid feeding system 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments sends the chemical solution from the preparation tank 2 to the storage tank 3. However, the devices installed on the upstream side of the first filter device 10 and the downstream side of the second filter device 20 are not limited to the preparation tank 2 and the storage tank 3, and the liquid to be processed is supplied via the liquid feeding pipe 30. Any device can be used as long as it is a device for feeding liquid.

  Although the liquid feeding system 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1-Embodiment 4 sent the chemical | medical solution as a to-be-processed liquid, it is not limited to this, It is applicable when sending arbitrary to-be-processed liquids. Moreover, although the liquid supply system 1 which concerns on Embodiment 1 supplied the aseptic air to the gas supply means 60, it is not limited to this. Any gas that can pump the remaining liquid to be processed may be used.

  In the liquid feeding system 1 according to the first to fourth embodiments, the second pipe 32 is substantially horizontal, but is not limited thereto. For example, the second pipe 32 may be inclined so as to descend toward the second filter device 20. By setting it as such 2nd piping 32, the chemical | medical solution which remained can be sent to the 2nd filter apparatus 20 more reliably.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Liquid feeding system, 10 ... 1st filter apparatus, 12, 22 ... Filter, 13, 23 ... Primary side, 14, 24 ... Secondary side, 20 ... 2nd filter apparatus, 30 ... Pipe for liquid feeding, 31 ... 1st piping, 32 ... 2nd piping, 33 ... 3rd piping, 41 ... 1st exhaust pipe, 42 ... 2nd exhaust pipe, 51 ... 1st valve, 52 ... 2nd valve, 60 ... gas supply means (2nd Gas supply means), 70 ... first gas supply means

Claims (8)

A first filter device and a second filter device which are supplied with liquid to be processed from the primary side and send the liquid to be processed filtered by the filter from the secondary side;
Pressurizing means capable of supplying a gas for pressurizing the inside of a pipe connecting the secondary side of the first filter device and the primary side of the second filter device;
A first valve provided in an exhaust pipe of gas discharged from the primary side of the second filter device;
A controller for controlling the pressurizing means and the first valve;
The controller is
Let the pressurizing means supply gas into the pipe from the primary side of the second filter device;
The liquid feeding system, wherein the first valve is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed. In the liquid feeding system described in claim 1,
The pressurizing means is
A second valve provided in a pipe connecting the secondary side of the first filter device and the primary side of the second filter device;
A second gas supply means for pumping gas to the primary side of the second filter device,
The controller is
By closing the second valve and supplying gas to the second gas supply means, gas is supplied from the primary side of the second filter device to the pipe,
The liquid feeding system, wherein the first valve is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed. In the liquid feeding system described in claim 1,
The pressurizing means is
First gas supply means for pumping gas to the primary side of the first filter device;
A second gas supply means for pumping gas to the primary side of the second filter device,
The controller is
Gas is supplied to the first gas supply means and the second gas supply means so that the gas supplied from the first gas supply means has a higher pressure than the gas supplied from the second gas supply means. Let
The liquid feeding system, wherein the first valve is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed. In the liquid feeding system described in claim 1,
The pressurizing means is
Comprising first gas supply means for pumping gas to the primary side of the first filter device;
The controller is
With the first valve closed, gas is supplied to the first gas supply means,
The liquid feeding system, wherein the first valve is opened after a predetermined time has elapsed. In the liquid feeding system described in claim 1,
The pressurizing means is
A second valve provided in a pipe connecting the secondary side of the first filter device and the primary side of the second filter device;
A tank communicating with the pipe on the downstream side of the second valve,
The controller is
Before supplying the liquid to be processed to the first filter device and the second filter device, the cleaning gas for cleaning the piping is supplied to the piping, and the cleaning gas is stored in the tank,
After the supply of the liquid to be processed to the first filter device and the second filter device is finished, the first valve is opened, the second valve is closed, and the gas stored in the tank is supplied to the pipe A liquid feeding system characterized by being supplied to In the liquid feeding system according to claim 3 or claim 4,
The liquid feeding system, wherein the pressure of the gas supplied by the first gas supply means is equal to or lower than the pressure received by the filter of the first filter device by the liquid to be processed. In the liquid feeding system according to claim 2 or claim 3,
The liquid feeding system, wherein the pressure of the gas supplied by the second gas supply means is equal to or lower than the pressure received by the filter of the second filter device by the liquid to be processed. In the liquid feeding system as described in any one of Claims 1-7,
The gas is heat-sterilized sterile air;
The liquid to be treated is a chemical solution.

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