JP2023042419A - water treatment system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water treatment system capable of controlling water quality based on an accurate water quality measurement result in a measurement area.SOLUTION: A water treatment system includes: a transmitter which moves in a water tank; a receiver which receives signals from the transmitter; a control part connected to the receiver; and a facility apparatus which adjusts the water quality in the water tank. The transmitter sends a measurement result obtained by measuring the water quality in the water tank to the receiver, and the control part controls the facility apparatus based on the measurement result received by the receiver.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to water treatment systems.

Conventional water quality sensors capable of continuous measurement are premised on measuring water quality at a fixed point, and cannot continuously detect changes in water quality in the entire treatment system. It is conceivable that the measured value at the representative point where the water quality sensor is installed may differ from the measured value at other locations, making it difficult to accurately measure the water quality of the entire treatment system. Therefore, there is a high possibility that the amount of chemical injection and the amount of aeration air, which are controlled using the measured water quality as an index, cannot be precisely controlled.

Further, in the conventional water quality measuring apparatus, water as a sample is sucked up from a water sampling nozzle by a pump and led to a water tank having a detector element. That is, unlike the water quality measurement point, the water quality cannot be accurately measured at the water sampling point due to the passage of time from water sampling to measurement and the remaining impurities from the previous water sampling.

Furthermore, the water sampling nozzle is limited to the direction of movement in the water perpendicular to the surface of the water, and the water quality measurement area is limited. That is, there is a problem that the water quality of the entire measurement area cannot be measured and the water quality cannot be measured accurately.

JP-A-8-145982

Provided is a water treatment system capable of controlling water quality based on accurate water quality measurement results within a measurement area.

The water treatment system according to this embodiment includes a transmitter that moves in a water tank, a receiver that receives a signal from the transmitter, a control unit that is connected to the receiver, and a water quality control unit that adjusts the water quality in the water tank. Equipment is provided, wherein the transmitter transmits a measurement result of measuring water quality in the water tank to a receiver, and the control unit controls the equipment based on the measurement result received by the receiver. do.

1 is a front view schematically showing a water treatment system according to one embodiment; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a transmitter according to one embodiment; FIG. A side view showing the inside of a transmitter according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing an introduction section, a reagent section, a detection section, and a waste liquid recovery section according to one embodiment;

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. This embodiment does not limit the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a front view schematically showing a water treatment system according to one embodiment. The water treatment system 1 according to this embodiment can be used, for example, in water treatment facilities such as water and sewage treatment plants, and water storage facilities such as dams.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water treatment system 1 includes a transmitter 20 that moves within a water tank 10, a receiver 30 that receives a signal from the transmitter 20, a controller 40 connected to the receiver 30, and equipment 50 for adjusting the water quality in the water tank 10 . The transmitter 20 transmits to the receiver 30 the result of measuring the water quality in the water tank 10 . The control unit 40 controls the equipment 50 based on the measurement results received by the receiver 30 .

The water tank 10 contains treated water. The water tank 10 may have any shape as long as it can accommodate treated water. In the example shown in FIG. 1, the water tank 10 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape as a whole. The width (horizontal direction of the paper surface) and the depth (direction perpendicular to the paper surface) of the water tank 10 may be 1 m or more and 10 m or less. The depth of the water tank 10 may be, for example, 1 m or more and 10 m or less, and may be, for example, about 5 m. The water tank 10 is open upward. A transmitter 20 can be put into the water tank 10 from above.

In this specification, "treated water" means water to be treated by the water treatment system 1 and serves as a sample. Examples of treated water include tap water and sewage.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the water surface extending in the width direction and the depth direction is a horizontal surface. The depth direction (vertical direction on the paper surface) means the vertical direction.

The treated water in the water tank 10 flows in the width direction as indicated by the arrows in FIG. The width direction in FIG. 1 is the flow direction DA of the treated water. One side SA1 in the flow direction DA is downstream. The other side SA2 in the flow direction DA is the upstream side. The water tank 10 may be connected to another water tank on the upstream side or the downstream side. In the water tank 10, treated water may flow into the other side SA2 from another water tank or water source.

The transmitter 20 measures the water quality of the treated water contained in the water tank 10 and transmits the result. As indicated by the dashed arrow in FIG. 1, the transmitter 20 transmits the water quality measurement result of the treated water to the receiver 30 . In the illustrated example, the transmitter 20 has, as a signal source, a light emitting device 24 that emits an optical signal, as will be described later in detail, but is not limited to this. The transmitter 20 can also include, as a signal source, an element that emits a signal wave such as an electromagnetic wave such as a millimeter wave radar or a sound wave. As shown in FIG. 1, transmitter 20 may transmit water quality measurements to multiple receivers 30 .

The transmitter 20 moves within the water tank 10 . In the example shown in FIG. 1, the transmitter 20 can move with the treated water in the water tank 10 in flow direction DA. In other words, the transmitter 20 introduced from the upstream side of the water tank 10 (the other side SA2 in the flow direction DA) moves to the downstream side of the water tank 10 (the one side SA1 in the flow direction DA) due to the flow in the water tank 10. may

The transmitter 20 includes a moving device 21 for moving within the water tank 10, a power supply device 22 for driving the moving device 21, a measuring device 23 for measuring the water quality in the water tank 10, and a light emitting device 24 for emitting an optical signal. , a cleaning device 25 for cleaning the measuring device 23, and a recording device 26 for recording the water quality measurement results. In the example shown in FIG. 2, the moving device 21 and part of the light emitting device 24 can be observed from the outside.

The moving device 21 moves the transmitter 20 to a predetermined position within the water tank 10 . In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the transmitter 20 can be moved within the aquarium 10 by means of the movement device 21 regardless of the flow direction DA occurring within the aquarium 10 . The transmitter 20 can be moved in the aquarium 10 by means of a movement device 21, for example in the direction opposite to the direction of flow DA, ie from downstream to upstream. The transmitter 20 can be moved in the water tank 10 also in the depth direction by the moving device 21 . The transmitter 20 can be moved in the water tank 10 also in the width direction and the depth direction by the moving device 21 . That is, the transmitter 20 may float on the surface of the treated water, or may move while submerged in the treated water. The displacement device 21 may be a screw, for example as shown in FIG. The transmitter 20 may move within the water tank 10 by driving the moving device 21 by itself. Alternatively, the transmitter 20 may move within the water tank 10 by remotely operating the moving device 21 from outside the water tank 10 .

The power supply device 22 is provided inside the transmitter 20 . The power supply device 22 is electrically connected to the mobile device 21 . The power supply device 22 drives the mobile device 21 . The power supply device 22 may also be electrically connected to a measuring device 23, a light emitting device 24, a cleaning device 25, and a recording device 26, which will be described later, as shown in FIG. In this case, the power supply device 22 may drive the measuring device 23 , the light emitting device 24 , the cleaning device 25 and the recording device 26 . A rechargeable lithium-ion battery or the like is exemplified as the power supply device 22 .

The measuring device 23 may be a sheet-like member. The measuring device 23 may be provided inside the transmitter 20 and connected to the outside of the transmitter 20 . Alternatively, the measuring device 23 may be exposed outside the transmitter 20 . The measuring device 23 measures the water quality of treated water entering from the outside of the transmitter 20 .

A microdevice may be used as the measuring device 23 . Specifically, the measuring device 23 may have a pumping mechanism such as a micropump (not shown) to facilitate entry of the treated water. By using a microdevice as the measuring device 23, the measuring device 23 can measure water quality with a small amount of treated water. Also, by using a microdevice, the measuring device 23 can be miniaturized.

The measuring device 23 may be divided into a plurality of measuring units 23a. In the illustrated example, the measuring device 23 includes 16 measuring units 23a. The water quality indexes of treated water measured by the plurality of measurement units 23a may be the same or different. Water temperature, dissolved oxygen concentration, residual chlorine concentration, pH (pH), turbidity and the like are exemplified as the water quality index of the treated water measured by the measurement unit 23a. The measurement times of the water quality index by the plurality of measurement units 23a may be the same or different. The measurement unit 23a may measure the water quality index multiple times after the transmitter 20 is put into the water tank 10 and before it is recovered. The measurement unit 23a will be described in detail below.

As shown in FIG. 4, the measurement unit 23a includes an introduction part 231 for introducing treated water, a reagent part 232 for storing a reagent that reacts with the treated water, a detection part 233 for detecting the water quality index of the treated water, and a waste liquid recovery unit 234 that recovers the waste liquid after detection. The introduction section 231, the reagent section 232, the detection section 233, and the waste liquid recovery section 234 are fluidly connected to each other.

A first flow path 235 extends from the introduction portion 231 . A second channel 236 extends from the reagent section 232 . The first flow path 235 and the second flow path 236 join at a junction 238 . The confluence portion 238 and the waste liquid recovery portion 234 are connected by a third channel 237 . The detector 233 is provided in the middle of the third flow path 237 . The first flow path 235, the second flow path 236, and the third flow path 237 have a Y shape in plan view.

The introduction part 231 introduces treated water and feeds it into the first channel 235 . This introduction part 231 may be, for example, a valve. The introduction part 231 may introduce the treated water by, for example, capillary action.

The reagent section 232 stores a reagent that reacts with the treated water and feeds it into the second channel 236 . The reagent mixes with the treated water that enters from the introduction part 231 . Thereby, a mixture of the treated water and the reagent is obtained. If the detection of the water quality index does not require a reagent, the reagent section 232 may not be provided in the measurement unit 23a. Examples of reagents include distilled water and DPD reagents. The amount of reagent stored in the reagent section 232 may be, for example, 5 mL (milliliter) or more and 10 mL (milliliter) or less.

The detection unit 233 detects a water quality index from the treated water or a mixture of the treated water and the reagent. The detector 233 may be, for example, a metal electrode.

The waste liquid recovery unit 234 recovers the waste liquid after detecting the water quality index. If waste liquid recovery is not required, the waste liquid recovery section 234 may not be provided in the measurement unit 23a. In particular, if the detection of the water quality index does not require a reagent, the waste liquid recovery unit 234 may not be provided.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the treated water existing around the transmitter 20 put into the water tank 10 is sent from the introduction part 231 to the confluence part 238 via the first flow path 235 . On the other hand, the reagent is sent from the reagent section 232 to the confluence section 238 via the second channel 236 . The treated water from the introduction part 231 and the reagent from the reagent part 232 join at the junction part 238 and are sent to the third channel 237 side. In the detection unit 233 located in the third channel 237, the treated water reacts with the reagent, and the water quality index is measured. This measured water quality index is sent to the light emitting device 24 side. After that, the treated water and the reagent for which the measurement has been completed are sent from the third channel 237 to the waste liquid recovery section 234 .

When the treated water is not introduced from the introduction part 231, the treated water existing around the transmitter 20 introduced into the water tank 10 does not enter the reagent part 232, the detection part 233, and the waste liquid recovery part 234.

The light emitting device 24 is provided inside the transmitter 20 . The light emitting device 24 emits an optical signal based on the result of water quality measurement by the measuring device 23 . The optical signal may include, for example, the position of the transmitter 20 and the water quality index of the treated water from the measuring device 23, and the like. Optical signals emitted from light emitting device 24 may be received by receiver 30 . In FIG. 1, the optical signal from transmitter 20 received by receiver 30 is indicated by a dashed arrow. Examples of the light emitting device 24 include a light emitting diode and a laser light source.

Light emitting device 24 preferably includes, among other things, a blue light emitting diode. The intensity of the light emitted from the blue light-emitting diode is difficult to attenuate even when the light travels through the treated water. This allows the receiver 30 to receive more accurate water quality measurement results. Therefore, according to such a specific example, the water treatment system 1 can control the water quality in the water tank 10 based on more accurate water quality measurement results.

The cleaning device 25 is provided inside the transmitter 20 . The cleaning device 25 cleans the measuring device 23 . A cleaning device 25 may clean the measuring device 23, for example with distilled water. The cleaned measuring device 23 can accurately and continuously measure water quality. Therefore, according to such a specific example, the water treatment system 1 can use the transmitter 20 more efficiently from the time it is put into the water tank 10 until it is collected.

A recording device 26 is provided inside the transmitter 20 . The recording device 26 stores the water quality measurement results. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the recording device 26 is electrically connected with the measuring device 23, in particular with the detection part 233 of each measuring unit 23a. Thereby, the recording device 26 can store the water quality index detected by the detection unit 233 . As the recording device 26, recording media such as RAM (Random Access Memory) and ROM (Read Only Memory) may be used.

An AUV (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle), an underwater drone, and the like are exemplified as the transmitter 20 having the configuration described above. However, the transmitter 20 is not limited to this, and a robot that acts passively without human intervention or a robot that is manually remotely controlled can be used as the transmitter 20 .

As shown in FIG. 1, the receiver 30 floats on the treated water within the water tank 10 . Receiver 30 receives the signal from transmitter 20 . Various sensors for detecting waves such as electromagnetic waves and sound waves can be used as the receiver 30 . In the illustrated example, receiver 30 receives the optical signal emitted from light emitting device 24 of transmitter 20 . In other words, the optical signal received by receiver 30 is emitted from light emitting device 24 and impinges on receiver 30 . Receiver 30 may, for example, detect the intensity of the optical signal emitted from transmitter 20 . The receiver 30 receives optical signals based on, for example, the location of the transmitter 20 and water quality measurements. Receiver 30 may detect the direction in which the optical signal is incident. The water treatment system 1 may have multiple receivers 30 or may have a single receiver 30 . In the example shown in FIG. 1 , one receiver 30 is provided upstream and one downstream of the water tank 10 . The position of the receiver 30 on the water surface in the width direction may be fixed or movable. The position of the receiver 30 on the water surface in the depth direction may be fixed or movable. Receiver 30 may be built into hopper 60 . Receiver 30 may be built into screen 70 .

As shown in FIG. 1, controller 40 is electrically connected to receiver 30 . The receiver 30 transfers the reception result to the control section 40 through an electrical connection with the control section 40 . The control unit 40 controls the equipment 50 based on the reception result received by the receiver 30 . More specifically, the control unit 40 compares the reception result received by the receiver 30 with the target value stored in the control unit 40 to determine the operation of the equipment 50 . The control unit 40 may include a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). The control unit 40 may further include memory such as ROM and RAM. The control unit 40 may control the equipment 50 by executing a program recorded in the memory.

Equipment 50 adjusts the water quality in water tank 10 . Examples of equipment 50 include valves and pumps connected to other water tanks, blowers, and the like. As shown in FIG. 1 , equipment 50 is electrically connected to control unit 40 . A plurality of equipment 50 may be electrically connected to the controller 40 . The control unit 40 may control the plurality of equipment 50 separately. The control unit 40 transfers signals for operating and stopping the operation of the equipment 50 to the equipment 50 through electrical connection with the equipment 50 . The equipment 50 adjusts the water quality in the water tank 10 based on the signal transferred from the control unit 40 . Examples of control items for the equipment 50 by the control unit 40 include a target opening degree of a valve, the number of operating pumps and a target rotation speed, and a target air volume of a blower. In the present embodiment, the amount of chemicals injected into the treated water by the equipment 50, the amount of aeration air for the treated water, and the like are adjusted by the controller 40. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the water treatment system 1 may further include a hopper 60 on the upstream side of the water tank 10 (the other side SA2 in the flow direction DA). The hopper 60 throws the transmitter 20 into the water tank 10 . The hopper 60 is positioned above the water surface. The hopper 60 may be made of metal such as stainless steel.

Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, the water treatment system 1 may further include a screen 70 on the downstream side of the water tank 10 (one side SA1 in the flow direction DA). The screen 70 collects the transmitter 20 in the water tank 10 from the water tank 10 . The lower end of the screen 70 is positioned below the water surface. The upper end of the screen 70 is positioned above the water surface. Screen 70 may be a conveyor, for example, as shown in FIG. The screen 70 moves the transmitter 20 on the conveyor from inside the water tank 10 to outside the water tank 10 as the conveyor moves.

Next, the operation of this embodiment having such a configuration will be described.

First, the transmitter 20 prepared in advance is put into the water tank 10 . The transmitter 20 may be manually put into the water tank 10, for example.

In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the water treatment system 1 has a hopper 60 that dumps the transmitter 20 into the water tank 10 . According to such a specific example, the transmitter 20 can be easily thrown into the water tank 10 via the hopper 60 .

The transmitter 20 put into the water tank 10 measures the water quality of the treated water contained in the water tank 10 . The transmitter 20 measures the water quality of the treated water while moving within the water tank 10 . In the example shown in FIG. 1, the transmitter 20 measures the water quality of the treated water while moving in the flow direction DA of the treated water.

By the way, in a conventional water treatment system, a water quality sensor capable of continuous measurement observes water quality at a fixed point. It is difficult for such a water quality sensor to continuously detect changes in the water quality of the entire water treatment system. Moreover, in the conventional water treatment system, the sampling point of the treated water is different from the water quality measurement point. The water quality of treated water may change with the passage of time from collection to measurement. Therefore, there is a problem that equipment cannot be accurately controlled using the measured water quality as an index.

On the other hand, the water treatment system 1 in this embodiment has a transmitter 20 that moves inside the water tank 10 . The transmitter 20 transmits to the receiver 30 the result of measuring the water quality in the water tank 10 . That is, the transmitter 20 can measure the water quality of the treated water while moving inside the water tank 10 . As a result, the receiver 30 can receive accurate water quality measurement results in the water tank 10 that change according to position and time. Then, the control unit 40 in the water treatment system 1 according to this embodiment controls the equipment 50 based on the measurement results received by the receiver 30 . As a result, the water treatment system 1 according to this embodiment can control water quality based on accurate water quality measurement results.

In this embodiment, the transmitter 20 has a moving device 21 for moving within the water tank 10 and a power supply device 22 for driving the moving device 21 . The transmitter 20 may move in the width direction, the depth direction, and the depth direction within the water tank 10 . Accordingly, the transmitter 20 can measure the water quality at any point in the water tank 10 regardless of the presence or absence of flow in the treated water and the direction of flow. The transmitter 20 can accurately measure the water quality of the entire treated water, which is the measurement area. As a result, the water treatment system 1 can control water quality based on more accurate water quality measurement results.

In this embodiment, the transmitter 20 includes an introduction portion 231 for introducing treated water, a reagent portion 232 for storing a reagent to be reacted with the treated water, a detection portion 233 for detecting a water quality index, and a waste liquid collected after detection. It has a measurement unit 23a including a waste liquid recovery section 234 that This allows the transmitter 20 to measure indicators that require reagents. In addition, the transmitter 20 can suppress contamination of treated water by waste liquid after measurement.

In this embodiment, the transmitter 20 has a light emitting device 24 that emits an optical signal based on the water quality measurement results in the water tank 10 . According to such embodiments, the time it takes for the water quality measurements emitted by the transmitter 20 to be received by the receiver 30 is reduced. Thereby, the control unit 40 can quickly detect the water quality change in the water tank 10 . As a result, the water treatment system 1 can control water quality based on more accurate water quality measurement results.

In this embodiment, a plurality of receivers 30 are provided. More specifically, one receiver 30 is provided on each of the upstream side and the downstream side of the water tank 10 . According to such an embodiment, each receiver 30 separately receives the signal emitted by transmitter 20 . Thereby, the reliability of the water quality measurement result by the transmitter 20 is improved. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, in the signals received separately, the incident directions of the signals emitted from the transmitters 20 are different between the receivers 30 . Thereby, the controller 40 can also estimate the position of the transmitter 20 based on the incident direction of the signal detected by each receiver 30 . Therefore, the water treatment system 1 can control water quality based on more accurate water quality measurement results.

After the water quality measurement is completed, the transmitter 20 is recovered outside the water tank 10 . The transmitter 20 may be manually retrieved out of the water tank 10, for example.

Alternatively, the transmitter 20 may be collected outside the aquarium 10 by a screen 70, as shown in FIG. According to such a specific example, the transmitter 20 can be recovered without touching the transmitter 20 in the water tank 10 . As a result, the transmitter 20 can be easily recovered regardless of the quality of the treated water.

From the collected transmitter 20 , the waste liquid collected in the transmitter 20 by the waste liquid collection unit 234 is discharged to the outside of the transmitter 20 . As a result, the measurement unit 23a including the waste liquid recovery section 234 can repeatedly measure the water quality.

While several embodiments have been described, these embodiments are provided by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as the scope of the invention described in the claims and equivalents thereof.

Reference Signs List 1 water treatment system 10 water tank 20 transmitter 21 moving device 22 power supply device 23 measuring device 23a measuring unit 24 Light emitting device 25 Washing device 26 Recording device 30 Receiver 40 Control unit 50 Equipment 60 Hopper 70 screen, 231 introduction section, 232 reagent section, 233 detection section, 234 waste liquid recovery section, 235 first flow path, 236 second flow path, 237 ... third flow path, 238 ... confluence, DA ... flow direction, SA1 ... one side, SA2 ... other side

Claims (7)

a transmitter that moves in the water tank;
a receiver for receiving signals from the transmitter;
a controller connected to the receiver;
Equipped with equipment for adjusting the water quality in the water tank,
The transmitter transmits a measurement result of measuring the water quality in the water tank to the receiver,
The water treatment system, wherein the controller controls the equipment based on the measurement result received by the receiver. 2. The water treatment system according to claim 1, wherein said transmitter comprises a moving device for moving within said aquarium and a power supply for driving said moving device. The transmitter includes an introduction part for introducing treated water in the water tank, a reagent part for storing a reagent to be reacted with the treated water, and a water quality from the treated water or a mixture of the treated water and the reagent. 3. The water treatment system according to claim 1, comprising a detection unit that detects the index, and a waste liquid recovery unit that recovers the waste liquid after detection. The water treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said transmitter has a light emitting device that emits an optical signal based on said measurement result. 5. The water treatment system of Claim 4, wherein the light emitting device comprises a blue light emitting diode. The water treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a hopper for throwing the transmitter into the water tank. The water treatment system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a screen for collecting the transmitter in the water tank from the water tank.

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