JP2021178297A - Pharmaceutical water production system and its sterilization method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a pharmaceutical water production system and its sterilization method capable of efficiently obtaining heated water at a desired temperature, with good thermal efficiency, heating of raw water, and reduced heat load on the water treatment equipment during sterilization inside the system.SOLUTION: A pharmaceutical water production system 1 includes a raw water tank 2 which contains raw water, a water treatment device 4 that removes impurities contained in the raw water supplied from the raw water tank 2, a heat exchanger 3 that is placed in the first stage of the water treatment device 4 and can heat the raw water, and a first circulation piping L3 that circulates part of the heated water heated in the heat exchanger 3 from the heat exchanger 3 to the water treatment device 4 to the raw water tank 2 by branching from the supply piping L1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a pharmaceutical water production system and a sterilization method thereof, which comprises a heating means capable of efficiently heating raw water to obtain heated water for sterilization in order to heat sterilize the pharmaceutical water production system.

For medicinal water (for example, purified water, sterile purified water, water for injection) used for manufacturing pharmaceuticals, for example, tap water or the like is used as raw water, which is used as a water treatment device such as a reverse osmosis membrane device or an electric deionization device. It is manufactured by a purification process that removes impurities from the raw water by passing water through the water. Pharmaceutical water is required to have a predetermined water quality by the pharmacopoeia of each country, and daily or regular water quality management is required.

In the production of such medicinal water, the inside of the production apparatus is sterilized periodically before and after the production, and usually, the sterilization treatment is, for example, 60 ° C. or higher. Such heated water is passed through the inside of the manufacturing apparatus for a predetermined time. Then, after the sterilization treatment is performed in this way, the medicinal water is produced, and the temperature of the raw water in the production of the medicinal water is usually about room temperature (25 ° C.).

As a medicinal water production device capable of sterilization treatment in this way, for example, a reverse osmosis membrane device and an electroregenerative pure water production device are provided in this order, and the raw water is once treated by these devices and stored as treated raw water. It has a device (for example, see Patent Document 1) that enables sterilization by circulating the treated raw water in the system while heating it, a reverse osmosis membrane device, and an electric deionization device. A device that enables sterilization by allowing concentrated water from a osmosis membrane device, concentrated water from an electric deionization device, desalted water, etc. to be circulated to a raw water tank (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 to 3), an ultraviolet sterilization device, and reverse osmosis. It has a osmosis membrane device and an electrodeionization device, can produce medicinal water without using an activated coal tower or a photocatalyst, and can circulate the concentrated water of the heated reverse osmosis membrane device at the time of sterilization (for example, patent). (Refer to Document 4), an apparatus having a polymer membrane filtration device for filtering the water to be treated obtained by a combination of reverse osmosis membrane treatment and ion exchange treatment (see, for example, Patent Document 5) and the like are known.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-74109 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-147880 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-107617 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-19822 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-25456

In order to sterilize the entire system for producing purified water for pharmaceuticals, the temperature of the water passing through the entire system is raised to a temperature higher than the desired temperature required for sterilization, and then further sterilization is required. It is necessary to maintain the temperature above the desired temperature for a predetermined period of time.
When raw water is used as sterilizing water, the heat capacity is large and it is difficult to raise the temperature because the amount of water contained in the raw water tank that sends the raw water to the water treatment device is large compared to the water that is passed through the water treatment device. ..

Further, as in Patent Documents 1 to 5, in the step of sterilizing the inside of the manufacturing apparatus, the raw water is heated and passed through the water treatment apparatus, and the permeated water or concentrated water obtained at the time of passing the water is circulated to the raw water tank. In this case, since water is passed through these water treatment devices, the temperature of the heated raw water drops, and it takes time to heat the heated water to be circulated during sterilization to a predetermined temperature. Further, in this case, since the piping path through which the heated water circulates to the raw water tank becomes relatively long, the temperature may decrease in that respect as well.

Therefore, the time required to reach the desired temperature is significantly shorter for the water passed through the water treatment device than for the water contained in the raw water tank.
Only for this difference time, the water treatment apparatus will be further heated from the desired temperature. In addition, heated water having a desired temperature or higher will be passed over a predetermined time. That is, an extra heat load is applied to the water treatment device.
In addition, extra energy is consumed due to the extra heat load. Since the time required for raising the temperature itself becomes long, there is also a problem that the time required for completing the sterilization treatment and restarting the production of purified water also becomes long.

Therefore, since the thermal efficiency by heating does not improve more than a certain level, sufficient energy saving cannot be achieved.

On the other hand, in sterilization in such a medicinal water production device, the heated water used for the sterilization does not increase the heat load of the water treatment device (heated water that has been rapidly heated does not flow into the water treatment device). You also need to be careful. Therefore, the rate of temperature rise of the raw water during the sterilization treatment is preferably, for example, 1 to 10 ° C./min.

In this regard, when the water is circulated in the subsequent stage of the water treatment device as in Patent Documents 1 to 5, the set value in the heat exchanger is higher than the target temperature in the raw water tank in consideration of the temperature decrease as described above. It needs to be raised and heated excessively. Therefore, the heat load on the water treatment device becomes large, and there is a possibility that the function is deteriorated.
There is also a sterilization method in which a heater is installed in the tank and water is passed through the water treatment device while heating, but in this case, the part of the heater in the tank may cause problems such as bacterial growth. There is a problem that there is.

Therefore, according to the present invention, in the pharmaceutical water production system, when sterilizing the inside thereof, the raw water is heated with good thermal efficiency, the heat load of the water treatment device is suppressed, and the heated water at a desired temperature is efficiently obtained. It is an object of the present invention to provide a medicinal water production system capable of sterilizing the system and a method for sterilizing the system.

The pharmaceutical water production system of the present invention includes a raw water tank for accommodating raw water, a reverse osmosis membrane device, an electrodeionization device, an activated charcoal adsorbing device, and an extraordinary device capable of removing impurities contained in the raw water supplied from the raw water tank. A water treatment device having at least one selected from a filter membrane device, an ultraviolet sterilizer, and a mixed-bed ion exchange device, and heat that is arranged in front of the water treatment device and can heat the raw water supplied from the raw water tank. The exchanger and the first circulation pipe that branches a part of the heated water heated by the heat exchanger from the supply pipe connected from the heat exchanger to the water treatment device and circulates it to the raw water tank. It is characterized by having.

The method for sterilizing the pharmaceutical water production system of the present invention includes a raw water tank for accommodating raw water and a back-penetration membrane device, an electrodeionization device, and an activated charcoal adsorption device capable of removing impurities contained in the raw water sent from the raw water tank. A water treatment device having at least one selected from an ultrafiltration membrane device, an ultraviolet sterilization device, and a mixed bed type ion exchange device, and the raw water arranged in front of the water treatment device and supplied from the raw water tank. A first heat exchanger that can be heated and a part of the heated water heated by the heat exchanger are branched from a supply pipe connected from the heat exchanger to the water treatment device and circulated to the raw water tank. In a medicinal water production system having a circulation pipe, raw water sent from the raw water tank is heated by a heat exchanger to obtain heated water, and the heated water is supplied to the water treatment apparatus and the heated water is supplied. It is characterized in that a part thereof is branched to the first circulation pipe and circulated in the raw water tank.

According to the pharmaceutical water production system of the present invention and the sterilization method thereof, the thermal efficiency when the raw water is used as heated water during the sterilization treatment is good, the sterilization treatment time can be shortened, and the function of the water treatment device is deteriorated. It is possible to perform sterilization treatment without causing it.

It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the pharmaceutical water production system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the sterilization method using the pharmaceutical water production system of FIG. It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the pharmaceutical water production system which is a modification of this invention. It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the pharmaceutical water production system used in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which showed the schematic structure of the pharmaceutical water production system used in the comparative example of this invention. It is a figure which showed the time-dependent change of the heated water temperature in the raw water tank outlet and the heat exchanger outlet in the Example of this invention. It is a figure which showed the time-dependent change of the heated water temperature at the outlet of a raw water tank and the outlet of a heat exchanger in the comparative example of this invention.

Hereinafter, the pharmaceutical water production system according to the embodiment of the present invention and the sterilization method of the system will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

[Pharmaceutical water production system]
As shown in FIG. 1, the pharmaceutical water production system 1 of the present embodiment includes a raw water tank 2, a heat exchanger 3, a water treatment device 4, and a pump 5.

The raw water tank 2 is a tank for accommodating raw water for producing medicinal water. The raw water contained here can be used for producing medicinal water or for obtaining heated water for sterilization. The raw water used here is the same as the raw water conventionally used for producing medicinal water, for example, city water, well water, industrial water, etc. Examples thereof include pretreated water obtained by pretreatment with a multi-layer filter, a microfiltration membrane (MF), a reverse osmosis membrane, an ion exchange device, or the like.

The heat exchanger 3 is a device for adjusting the temperature of raw water or the like, and is mainly used during sterilization. When producing medicinal water, the temperature of the raw water is usually set to about 25 ° C., but if temperature adjustment is not required, heat exchange by the heat exchanger 3 may not be necessary. The heat exchanger 3 is used to heat the raw water or the treated water to a desired temperature during sterilization. As the heat exchanger 3, a known heat exchanger can be used without particular limitation.

The water treatment device 4 is a device for removing impurities contained in raw water and purifying the water when producing medicinal water to obtain treated water having a predetermined water quality. Examples of the water treatment device 4 include a reverse osmosis membrane device (RO), an electric deionization device (EDI), an activated carbon adsorption device (AC), an ultrafiltration membrane device (UF), and an ultraviolet sterilizer (UV). Known devices such as a mixed bed ion exchange device (MB) can be mentioned.

The water treatment device 4 may have one or more devices as described above, and it is preferable to use two or more in combination. As an example of combining two or more processing devices, a processing device in which a reverse osmosis membrane device (RO) and an electric deionization device (EDI) are arranged in the subsequent stage is more preferable.

The reverse osmosis membrane device (RO) can be used without particular limitation on a reverse osmosis membrane device known in the art, and is a device for removing organic impurities and salts contained in raw water. The reverse osmosis membrane device can reduce the total amount of organic carbon (TOC), and for example, it is preferable to reduce the TOC to 500 ppb or less.

The electric deionizing device (EDI) is a device capable of removing ions and the like in raw water and reducing the electric conductivity by desalting treatment. Although an ion exchange resin device such as a normal desalination tower can be used, an electric deionization device is preferably used because high-quality treated water can be continuously obtained.

This electric deionizer has, for example, anion exchange membranes and cation exchange membranes alternately arranged between an anode and a cathode, and desalting separated by an anion exchange membrane and a cation exchange membrane. The chambers and the enrichment chambers into which the concentrated water containing the removed ionic components flow in are alternately provided. The electric deionization device has a mixture of an anion exchange resin and a cation exchange resin filled in the desalting chamber, and an electrode for applying a DC voltage.

The pump 5 is a pump for supplying raw water from the raw water tank 2 to the heat exchanger 3, and the raw water supplied here circulates in the medicinal water production system.

Here, in the pharmaceutical water production system 1 of the present embodiment, the heat exchanger 3 and the water treatment device 4 are connected by the supply pipe L1 in this order, and further branched from the supply pipe L1 to the raw water tank 2. A first circulation pipe L3 connected to is provided. The first circulation pipe L3 is a pipe used at the time of sterilization.

The medicinal water production system 1 of the present embodiment has a supply pipe L2 for obtaining treated water as medicinal water from the water treatment device 4 and sending the treated water to a storage tank or a use point.

Further, the medicinal water production system 1 is provided with a second circulation pipe L4 that branches from the supply pipe L2 and is connected to the raw water tank 2.

Further, the pharmaceutical water production system 1 of the present embodiment is provided with valves V0, V1a, V1b, V2a, V2b for regulating and adjusting the flow of raw water and treated water. These operations will be described below together with the description of the sterilization method. The valve V1a is not essential in this embodiment.

[Sterilization method for pharmaceutical water production system]
Next, the sterilization method of the medicated water production system described above will be described. The sterilization method of this medicinal water production system is a method of performing a sterilization treatment in the medicinal water production system at the time of starting up or after continuous use for a certain period of time.

The sterilization method of this medicinal water production system will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, but before the sterilization method is described, the method for producing medicinal water will be briefly described.

<Manufacturing method of medicinal water>
In the production of medicinal water, in the medicinal water production system 1 of the present embodiment, the raw water contained in the raw water tank 2 is supplied from the raw water tank 2 to the water treatment device 4. At this time, the raw water passes through the heat exchanger 3, but the medicinal water is usually produced at a temperature of about room temperature (25 ° C.). .. That is, when the raw water temperature is normal temperature, it is not necessary to exchange heat with the heat exchanger 3.

When the raw water is supplied to the water treatment device 4 through the supply pipe L1, impurities contained in the raw water are removed by the water treatment device 4, and purified treated water (medicinal water) is obtained.

At this time, the second circulation pipe L4 can be used to circulate the treated water in the raw water tank 2, mix it with the stored raw water, and perform the circulation operation in the same manner as described above again. For example, it may be used for the purpose of continuously operating the pharmaceutical water production system 1 even when there is no demand for treated water at the use point described later, or for the purpose of obtaining more purified treated water. The first circulation pipe L3 is not used during the production of medicinal water.

The medicinal water obtained by such a method for producing medicinal water is sent to a storage tank connected to the supply pipe L2 or, for example, purified water to a use point. Alternatively, it is treated with an ultrafiltration membrane (UF) or a distiller, maintained at 80 ° C or higher, and circulated in the circulation system including the tank and the use point, and supplied to the use point as WFI (water for injection). In some cases. After continuing such an operation for producing medicinal water and continuing the production for a predetermined time, the sterilization method described below is performed to keep the inside of the medicinal water production system clean.

The time for continuing the production of medicinal water can be arbitrarily set. Generally, it is sterilized once every 1 day to 6 months, but it is more preferable to sterilize it once every 1 day to 2 months in order to effectively prevent contamination with bacteria and the like. Once a week is even more preferred. If the interval between sterilization treatments is too long, it becomes difficult to effectively prevent the contamination of bacteria and the like. Further, if the interval of the sterilization treatment is too short, it is not possible to take a sufficient time for producing the medicinal water, and the production efficiency is deteriorated.

<Sterilization method>
Next, the sterilization method of the medicinal water production system will be described with reference to FIG. The medicinal water production system 1 shown in FIG. 2 is the same as the medicinal water production system 1 of FIG.

A sufficient amount of raw water is stored in the raw water tank 2, the valve V0 is closed, and the supply of raw water is stopped. This is to suppress a decrease in the temperature of the obtained heated water. Next, the raw water supplied from the raw water tank 2 is heated by the heat exchanger 3 to raise the temperature until it becomes heated water for heat sterilization. This heated water is obtained by gradually heating to a desired temperature while circulating in the pharmaceutical water production system.

In this temperature raising step, the heated water heated by the heat exchanger 3 is supplied to the water treatment device 4 as it is from the supply pipe L1 and the first circulation pipe L3 branched from the supply pipe L1 is circulated. , Separated into heated water circulated in the raw water tank 2.

This is because if a high-temperature heated water is suddenly supplied to the subsequent water treatment device 4 to be heated, the heat load may increase and problems such as deterioration of the function of the device may occur. The unit is supplied to the water treatment device 4 as it is from the supply pipe L1, while the other heated water is first used to heat the raw water to the heated water for heat sterilization in a short time and to obtain good heat energy. It is circulated to the raw water tank 2 by the circulation pipe L3 of.

At this time, it is preferable that the heating rate of the heated water is 1 to 10 ° C./min. This temperature rise can be confirmed, for example, by providing a temperature measuring device at the outlet of the heat exchanger 3 or the raw water tank 2 and measuring the temperature change over time.

By separating the heated water in this way, the temperature of the heated water to be distributed to the water treatment device 4 can be gradually increased, and by circulating to the raw water tank 2, the conventional water treatment device 4 can be used. It is possible to efficiently heat the heated water to a desired temperature by preventing the temperature of the heated water from dropping due to the flow to the water.

Further, this heated water is branched as described above, but when the flow rate of the heated water supplied to the water treatment device 4 is Q1 and the flow rate of the heated water circulated in the raw water tank 2 is Q2, the ratio of these flow rates is set. The flow rate Q1: the flow rate Q2 is preferably 90: 10 to 20:80, and more preferably 50:50 to 25:75. With such a flow rate ratio, it is possible to efficiently raise the temperature of the heated water by the first circulation pipe L3 while supplying the heated water to the water treatment device 4.
If the ratio of the flow rate Q2 is too small, it becomes difficult to efficiently heat the raw water tank 2. If the ratio of the flow rate Q2 is too large, there is a risk that the rate of temperature rise of the water contained in the raw water tank 2 becomes too large. In such a case, the rate of temperature rise of the water sent from the raw water tank 2 to the water treatment device 4 becomes too high.

The flow rates Q1 and Q2 of the branched heated water can be adjusted by setting the respective desired openings in the valve V1a provided in the supply pipe L1 and the valve V1b provided in the first circulation pipe L3. The temperature rising rate described above can be adjusted to a desired range by adjusting the flow rates Q1 and Q2.

Further, the heated water supplied from the supply pipe L1 to the water treatment device 4 passes through the inside of the water treatment device 4 and is sent out from the supply pipe L2. Further, this heated water is circulated to the raw water tank 2 by the second circulation pipe L4.

By adopting such a circulation system, the water temperature of the raw water tank 2 and the water temperature of the water treatment device 4 can be made substantially the same, and the temperature raising process is completed after the heat exchanger outlet temperature reaches the specified temperature (all). The time until the line reaches the specified temperature) can be shortened, the temperature soaking step can be started immediately after the temperature raising step is completed, and the sterilization can be performed in a short time.
The difference between the time it takes for the water supplied to the water treatment device 4 to reach the desired temperature and the time it takes for the water passing through the outlet of the raw water tank 2 to reach the desired temperature after starting the temperature raising step is It is preferably within 10 minutes.
Further, it is preferable that the temperature difference between the water supplied to the water treatment device 4 and the water passing through the outlet of the raw water tank 2 is within 10 ° C.

In this way, the above operation is continued until the heated water reaches the desired temperature, and after the desired temperature is reached, the sterilization treatment (equal temperature) in the pharmaceutical water production system with the heated water is performed for a predetermined time. Step). Here, the temperature of the heated water for sterilization is 60 ° C. or higher, preferably 60 to 90 ° C. Further, as the predetermined time of the sterilization treatment, a time sufficient for the sterilization treatment may be set according to the configuration of the manufacturing system. For example, 30 to 120 minutes at 60 ° C. and 20 to 60 minutes at 80 ° C. It suffices to pass the heated water for a minute.

After reaching a predetermined temperature, in order to carry out the sterilization treatment while maintaining this temperature, it is preferable to circulate the heated water in the second circulation pipe L4.

Further, at this time, the opening degrees of the valves V1a and V1b can be changed to reduce the flow rate Q2 and increase the flow rate Q1. When the opening degree is changed in this way, it is also possible to provide a control means capable of changing the opening degree at a predetermined timing for switching from sterilization (equal temperature) or sterilization (equal temperature) to lowering temperature.

After the sterilization treatment is sufficiently completed, the temperature of the heated water is then lowered. This is a process for producing medicinal water again. In this temperature lowering step, heating by the heat exchanger 3 may be stopped, cold water may be supplied to the heat exchanger 3, or the amount of heating by the heat exchanger 3 may be controlled by a conventionally known method. Further, the valve V0 may be opened to restart the supply of raw water to the raw water tank 2. At this time, it should be noted that the temperature lowering rate is set within a predetermined range so as not to cause a sudden temperature change, similar to the temperature raising rate described in the raw water heating step. The temperature lowering rate is preferably 1 to 10 ° C./min, which is the same as the above-mentioned temperature raising rate.

In this temperature lowering operation, the opening degrees of the valves V1a, V1b, V2a, and V2b may be set as long as the temperature lowering speed is within the above range. For example, the heated water is supplied from the supply pipe L2. While discharging to the outside of the system, a part of it can be circulated to the raw water tank 2 by the second circulation pipe L4 to adjust the temperature lowering rate.

(Modification 1)
Further, the ultrapure water production system 1 can be deformed as shown in FIG. That is, the ultrapure water production system 1 shown in FIG. 3 is a production system having the same configuration as the ultrapure water production system 1 described with reference to FIG. 1, but the supply pipe L1 and the first circulation pipe L3 This is an explanation of an example in which the arrangement relationship is made specific.

In the pharmaceutical water production system 1 shown in FIG. 3, the supply pipe L1 is characterized in that it is arranged so as to pass in the vicinity of the raw water tank 2. That is, the supply pipe L1 is not arranged so that the raw water or the heated water discharged from the heat exchanger 3 is immediately supplied to the water treatment device 4, but the pipe is intentionally passed in the vicinity of the raw water tank 2. The arrangement position of is changed.

At this time, the supply pipe L1 is provided with a first circulation pipe L3 that branches in the middle of the supply pipe L1, but in this modification, the length of the first circulation pipe L3 can be shortened as much as possible. Provide it so that it is short. In FIG. 3, of the supply pipe L1, the part from the heat exchanger 3 to the branch portion is shown as the supply pipe L1a, and the part from the branch portion to the water treatment device 4 is shown as the supply pipe L1b.

By shortening the length of the first circulation pipe L3 in this way, it is possible to reduce the degree of contamination due to the growth of bacteria or the like in the first circulation pipe L3 that is not used during the production of medicinal water. At this time, since the raw water or the heated water is circulated in the supply pipe L1 at the time of producing the medicinal water and at the time of sterilization, it is not necessary to pay special attention to the contamination.

Further, it is preferable that the valve V1b and the raw water tank 2 (most of the first circulation pipe L3) are arranged so that the axis thereof extends in the vertical direction. If it is provided in the vertical direction in this way, the stagnant water in this portion flows out to the raw water tank 2 at the time of manufacturing the medicinal water that does not pass through this pipe, so that the stagnant water does not exist. Therefore, problems such as bacterial growth in stagnant water hardly occur.

The length of the first circulation pipe L3 is preferably shorter than 1/2 of the length of the supply pipe L1a, and more preferably shorter than 1/4. This length has a minimum configuration that must be provided, such as a branch portion, a connection pipe with the raw water tank 2, and a valve V1b, but the shorter it is, the more preferable it is, specifically, 2 m. The following is preferable, and 1 m or less is more preferable. Further, it is common to provide a T-shaped pipe at the portion branching from the supply pipe L1 to the first circulation pipe L3 to branch, but a valve V1b is directly attached between the T-shaped pipe and the raw water tank 2. In this case, the length of the first circulation pipe L3 is substantially the total length of a part of the T-shaped pipe at the branch portion, the valve V1b, and the connection portion protruding from the raw water tank 2. In this configuration, the length of the first circulation pipe L3 is the shortest, which is the most preferable configuration.

Although it is described that the shaft of the first circulation pipe L3 portion preferably extends in the vertical direction, it suffices if the water inside the pipe can flow out to the raw water tank 2, and the shaft coincides with the vertical direction. You don't have to. As long as the above action occurs, the axis of the pipe may be inclined at an angle with respect to the vertical direction. That is, it suffices if the valve V1b is higher than the connection portion of the raw water tank 2.

(Modification 2)
Further, in the ultrapure water production system 1, it is preferable that the portion of the connection portion between the first circulation pipe L3 and the raw water tank 2 for supplying the circulated heated water into the raw water tank 2 is a spray nozzle. .. As the spray nozzle, a known spray nozzle can be used, and a type that can be supplied into the tank while diffusing is preferable. Specifically, as the spray nozzle, a spray ball (KT series) manufactured by Toste Co., Ltd. can be used.

By using the spray nozzle in this way, the heated water circulated by the first circulation pipe L3 can be diffused and supplied into the raw water tank 2 in a shower shape, for example. By doing so, it is possible to improve the heating efficiency during the production of heated water.

The reason why the temperature rise efficiency is improved is that the temperature distribution in the raw water tank is suppressed, so that the temperature rise rate can be stabilized.

Further, the above-mentioned Modification 1 and Modification 2 may be a pharmaceutical water production system having both configurations.

In the description of the sterilization method, the method of heat-treating the raw water from the beginning is described, but before the heating, the raw water once stored in the raw water tank 2 is treated with the raw water at room temperature. 4 may be used, the entire amount of the treated water may be circulated by the second circulation pipe L4, the inside of the raw water tank 2 may be replaced with the treated water by the water treatment device 4, and then the above sterilization method may be performed. .. Further, when the water treatment device 4 is composed of two or more devices, a part of the water treatment device 4 may be subjected to water treatment and circulated to the raw water tank 2.

This is because, for example, when a reverse osmosis membrane device (RO) and an electric deionization device (EDI) are used as the water treatment device 4, the supply pressure of the heated water at the time of passing water is lower than that at the time of producing medicinal water. Therefore, the water quality obtained by passing water through the reverse osmosis membrane device exceeds the water flow standard for the electric deionization device, and it is not preferable to use it as it is for the sterilization treatment of the electric deionization device. It is effective in some cases.

The above circulation may be performed for the purpose of reducing the amount of water contained in the raw water tank 2. That is, for example, when a reverse osmosis membrane device (RO) and an electric deionization device (EDI) are used as the water treatment device 4, the concentrated water of the reverse osmosis membrane device (RO) and the electric deionization device (EDI) during the above circulation. By discharging the concentrated water of EDI) and the electrode water to the outside of the system, it is possible to improve the water quality in the raw water tank 2 and reduce the amount of water.
This is effective when the amount of water contained in the raw water tank 2 is too large and therefore the heat capacity is too large when the valve V0 is closed to start the sterilization process and the supply of raw water is stopped. That is, by reducing the heat capacity of the raw water tank 2 before the temperature rise, the temperature rise in the raw water tank 2 in the temperature rise step can be increased to a desired speed, and the thermal efficiency can be improved.

In the case of substituting with the treated water by the water treatment device 4 in this way, when the water treatment device 4 can obtain concentrated water in addition to the permeated water like a reverse osmosis membrane device or an electric deionization device, the above-mentioned In carrying out the sterilization method, the concentrated water may be circulated in the raw water tank 2.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples.

(Example 1)
The raw water tank 2, the heat exchanger 3, the reverse osmosis membrane device (RO) 41, and the electric deionization device (EDI) 42 shown in FIG. 4 are provided in this order, and the supply pipe L1 and the supply pipe L1 are provided. A medicinal water production system 11 including a first circulation pipe L3 that branches, a supply pipe L2, and a second circulation pipe L4 that branches from the supply pipe L2 was prepared.

Although not shown in the pharmaceutical water production system 11, an ultraviolet irradiation device (UV) is provided between the branch portion of the electric deionization device 42 and the second circulation pipe L4 in the supply pipe L2. Is provided.

Specifically, the following devices were used for the various devices described above.
Heat exchanger: Single tube plate multi-tube heat exchanger (STR65-0.5MR, manufactured by Toyo System Co., Ltd.)
Reverse osmosis membrane device: 9 low-pressure PA type 8-inch modules (SU-720TS, manufactured by Toray Industries, Inc.), water recovery rate 55%, supply water flow rate during production of medicinal water 7.4 m ³ / h
Electric deionizer: 2 E-Cell (MK-3 PHARMHT, manufactured by SUEZ), water recovery rate 90%, supply water flow rate during production of medicinal water 3.7 m ³ / h
Ultraviolet irradiation device: Sterilization type (NPX series, manufactured by Nippon Photo Science Co., Ltd.), irradiation amount 190W

Regarding the medicinal water production system 11, first, city water was supplied to the raw water tank 2 as raw water and stored. The supply of raw water was stopped, and first, sterilization was performed as follows.

The raw water was supplied from the raw water tank 2 to the heat exchanger 3 by the pump 5, and the raw water was heated to obtain heated water. The obtained heated water was sent to the supply pipe L1, and the opening degrees of the valves V1a and the valve V1b were adjusted, respectively, and branched in the supply pipe L1. As for the flow rate of the branched heated water, the flow rate Q1 on the water treatment device side and the flow rate Q2 circulating to the raw water tank 2 through the first circulation pipe L3 were set to flow rate Q1: flow rate Q2 = 35:65.

Further, the heated water circulated to the water treatment apparatus side closed the valve V2a, opened the valve V2b, and circulated the entire amount to the raw water tank 2 by the second circulation pipe L4.

This operation was repeated and continued until the desired sterilization temperature (80 ° C.) was reached. When the desired temperature was reached, the valve V1b was closed, and the sterilization treatment was performed for 30 minutes while circulating the heated water in the second circulation pipe L4.

(Comparative Example 1)
The raw water tank 2, the heat exchanger 3, the reverse osmosis membrane device (RO) 41, and the electric deionization device (EDI) 42 shown in FIG. 5 are provided in this order, and the supply pipe L1 and the supply pipe L2 and from there. A medicinal water production system 51 having a second circulation pipe L4 for branching was prepared.

Although not shown in the pharmaceutical water production system 11, an ultraviolet irradiation device (UV) is provided between the branch portion of the electric deionization device 42 and the second circulation pipe L4 in the supply pipe L2. Is provided. That is, the medicinal water production system 51 is different from the medicinal water production system 11 used in the first embodiment only in that the first circulation pipe L3 is not provided.

Regarding the medicinal water production system 51, first, city water was supplied to the raw water tank 2 as raw water and stored. The supply of raw water was stopped, and first, sterilization was performed as follows.

The raw water was supplied from the raw water tank 2 to the heat exchanger 3 by the pump 5, and the raw water was heated to obtain heated water. The obtained heated water was sent to the supply pipe L1 and circulated to the water treatment device, then the valve V2a was closed, the valve V2b was opened, and the entire amount was circulated to the raw water tank 2 by the second circulation pipe L4. ..

This operation was repeated and continued until the desired sterilization temperature (80 ° C.) was reached. When the desired temperature was reached, the sterilization treatment was performed for 30 minutes while circulating the heated water in the second circulation pipe L4.

In Example 1 and Comparative Example 1, temperature sensors were provided at each of the heat exchanger 3 outlet and the raw water tank 2 outlet during the heat treatment, and the temperature change was measured over time, and the results are shown in Table 1 and FIG. 6 (Example 1) and Table 2 and FIG. 7 (Comparative Example 1) are shown.
Here, the starting point (0 minutes) of the time is the time when the sterilization method is started, in which the raw water is started to be heated by the heat exchanger 3.

It took about 43 minutes in Example 1 and about 43 minutes in Comparative Example 1 to heat the temperature of the heat exchanger 3 outlet to 80 ° C., but the temperature of the raw water tank 2 outlet was raised to 80 ° C. It took about 48 minutes in Example 1 and about 64 minutes in Comparative Example 1 to heat.
That is, the difference between the time required to heat the temperature of the outlet of the heat exchanger 3 to 80 ° C. and the time required to heat the temperature of the outlet of the raw water tank 2 to 80 ° C. is about about 1 in Example 1. It took 5 minutes, and in Comparative Example 1, it took about 16 minutes. That is, it was found that the extra heating time for the water treatment apparatus 4 was suppressed in Example 1 as compared with Comparative Example 1.

Further, when the temperature of the outlet of the raw water tank 2 reached 80 ° C, the temperature of the outlet of the heat exchanger 3 was about 82 ° C in the example and about 92 ° C in the comparative example 1. That is, from this point as well, it was found that, as compared with Comparative Example 1, in Example 1, an unnecessary increase in temperature of the water treatment apparatus 4 was suppressed.

From the above, it was found that the extra heat load on the water treatment apparatus 4 was suppressed in the first embodiment as compared with the first comparative example, and the energy efficiency was improved accordingly. It was also found that the time required for the sterilization process was shortened.

That is, according to the present embodiment, in the heating step of producing heated water, the heated water obtained by the heat exchanger is circulated to the raw water tank in the front stage of the treatment device and the temperature is raised in a shorter time. It can be heated to a desired temperature, and the sterilization treatment can be performed efficiently.

Further, according to the present embodiment, since a part of the heated water obtained by the heat exchanger is passed through the treatment device, the temperature of the heated water passing through the treatment device is gradually increased. It is also possible to prevent functional deterioration without excessively increasing the heat load on the processing device.

1,11,51 ... Medicinal water production system, 2 ... Raw water tank, 3 ... Heat exchanger, 4 ... Water treatment device, 5 ... Pump, L1, L2 ... Supply pipe, L3 ... First circulation pipe, L4 ... 2 circulation pipes, V0, V1a, V1b, V2a, V2b ... valves, 41 ... reverse osmosis membrane device (RO), 42 ... electric deionization device (EDI)

Claims (12)

A raw water tank that houses raw water,
It is selected from a reverse osmosis membrane device, an electrodeionization device, an activated charcoal adsorption device, an ultrafiltration membrane device, an ultraviolet sterilization device, and a mixed bed type ion exchange device that can remove impurities contained in the raw water supplied from the raw water tank. A water treatment device having at least one and
A heat exchanger arranged in front of the water treatment device and capable of heating the raw water supplied from the raw water tank.
A first circulation pipe that branches a part of the heated water heated by the heat exchanger from the supply pipe connected from the heat exchanger to the water treatment device and circulates it to the raw water tank.
A medicated water production system characterized by having. The medicinal water production system according to claim 1, further comprising a second circulation pipe for circulating the heated water obtained by passing the water treatment device to the raw water tank. A valve capable of adjusting the flow rate so that the flow rate ratio (flow rate Q1: flow rate Q2) of the heated water to the flow rate Q1 to the water treatment device and the flow rate Q2 to the raw water tank is 90: 10 to 20:80. The pharmaceutical water production system according to claim 1 or 2. The supply pipe is arranged so as to pass in the vicinity of the raw water tank.
One of claims 1 to 3 in which the length of the first circulation pipe is shorter than 1/2 of the length of the supply pipe from the heat exchanger to the branch portion of the first circulation pipe. The pharmaceutical water production system according to item 1. The pharmaceutical water production system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the length of the first circulation pipe is 2 m or less. The medicinal water production system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the axis of the first circulation pipe is arranged so as to extend in the vertical direction. Further, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a spray nozzle having a spray nozzle for distributing and supplying the circulating heated water in the raw water tank at the connection portion between the first circulation pipe and the raw water tank. The pharmaceutical water production system described. A reverse osmosis membrane device, an electrodeionization device, an activated charcoal adsorption device, an ultrafiltration membrane device, an ultraviolet sterilizer, and a mixture capable of removing impurities contained in the raw water tank containing the raw water and the raw water sent from the raw water tank. A water treatment device having at least one selected from a floor-type ion exchange device, a heat exchanger arranged in front of the water treatment device and capable of heating the raw water supplied from the raw water tank, and the heat exchanger. In a medicinal water production system having a first circulation pipe for branching a part of heated heated water from a supply pipe connected from the heat exchanger to the water treatment device and circulating it to the raw water tank.
The raw water sent from the raw water tank is heated by a heat exchanger to obtain heated water.
A method for sterilizing a pharmaceutical water production system, which comprises supplying the heated water to the water treatment apparatus and branching a part of the heated water to the first circulation pipe to circulate the heated water in the raw water tank. The sterilization method for a pharmaceutical water production system according to claim 8, wherein the heated water that has passed through the water treatment device is circulated to the raw water tank by a second circulation pipe. 8. 9. The method for sterilizing a pharmaceutical water production system according to 9. The length of the first circulation pipe is larger than 1/2 of the length of the pipe that supplies the heated water to the water treatment device from the heat exchanger to the branch portion with the first circulation pipe. The method for sterilizing a pharmaceutical water production system according to any one of the short claims 8 to 10. The method for sterilizing a pharmaceutical water production system according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the circulated heated water is dispersed and supplied into the raw water tank by a spray nozzle.

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