JP2795169B2 - Method for detecting salt water supply and rehydration in salt water tank of water softener - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a regeneration control method for a water softener for softening raw water containing a hardness component, and more particularly, to an amount of salt water used for regeneration and a method for replenishing raw water thereafter. a rehydration water, methods and brine detection regardless residual amount of the entered reproduction salt in brine tank
Those concerning the method of insufficient density determination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a water softener obtains softened water by removing hardness contained in raw water.
Generally, an ion exchange resin is used. In such a water softener, the total removal amount of the hardness is determined by the type and amount of the ion exchange resin (generally, this amount is referred to as resin capacity), and the resin capacity becomes saturated. Before the hardness can no longer be removed, salt water is applied to recover the resin capacity (generally referred to as regeneration).

In recent years, automatic water softeners configured to alternately repeat the water softening treatment of the raw water and the regeneration treatment of the ion exchange resin as described above have been frequently used. In, a processing container containing an ion exchange resin, a control valve for automatically switching the flow path for water softening treatment and regeneration treatment, and a salt water tank for storing salt water for regenerating the ion exchange resin ing. At the time of regeneration, the control valve switches the connection to the flow path at the time of regeneration, thereby introducing the salt water for regeneration from the salt water tank into the treatment vessel, and then producing the salt water to be used for the next regeneration. Raw water is supplied up to a predetermined water level in the tank (refilling), and a large amount of salt for regeneration is dissolved by dissolving a large amount of regenerated salt in advance to produce a salt solution having a high concentration close to the saturation concentration.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional water softener, a predetermined amount of the salt water is allowed to act on the resin on the assumption that the salt water used for regeneration has a substantially saturated concentration. I have. Regarding the control of the amount of introduction and replacement of salt water, generally, the upper limit position of the water level in the salt water tank for regeneration is controlled by a float valve, and the lower limit position of the water level is controlled by a salt water inlet. The above two points are performed by providing a float switch or an electrode type water level detector, and the other is performed by providing the upper limit position by a float valve and the lower limit position by providing the water level detector.

As described above, in the case where the amount of salt water introduced and the amount of water replenishment are controlled only by the water level difference in the salt water tank, the total amount of the salt water changes depending on the residual amount of the regenerating salt which is supplied in a large amount in advance. Particularly, in a salt water tank in a water softener of a general type, an inner upper portion of the salt water tank is partitioned by a partition member that does not hinder the flow of water, and a large amount of regeneration salt (generally, an appropriate size) is formed on the partition member. Is supplied, and at the time of rehydration of the raw water after the regeneration of the ion exchange resin, the water is replenished to a specified position above the partition member to dissolve in the raw water, and a predetermined concentration, that is, It is configured to generate a high concentration of salt water close to the saturation concentration. Therefore, below the partition member, the amount of salt water can be detected based on the water level difference, but above the partition member, the cross-sectional area of the salt water tank is limited by the residual situation of the salt for regeneration, Since the amount of the regenerating salt decreases due to the repetition of the regenerating, a large error occurs in the detection of the water amount based on the water level as described above. Then, when the salt water is introduced into the processing vessel to regenerate the capacity of the ion-exchange resin, the amount of salt water is insufficient and the regeneration of the resin capacity ends incompletely, or the amount of salt water becomes excessive and waste of salt is caused. Invite. In particular, when the regeneration of the resin capacity is incomplete due to an insufficient amount of salt water, the resin capacity is saturated by the next regeneration operation, and the hardness in the raw water leaks to the treated water side.

[0006] Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that the amount of salt water used for regenerating the ion exchange resin and the amount of water replenishment supplied thereafter in the salt water tank containing the salt water for regenerating the ion exchange resin are described. Is reliably detected with a simple configuration, thereby ensuring reliable regeneration and preventing waste of salt. Another problem is that it is possible to judge the lack of salt water concentration.
It is to make it.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has a processing vessel containing an ion-exchange resin, in which a partition member which does not hinder the flow of water is disposed at an upper portion inside the processing vessel. The salt water tank is connected, and when the capacity of the ion exchange resin is regenerated, the salt water for capacity regeneration is supplied to the processing vessel to a position below the partition member of the salt water tank,
By replenishing the raw water to a position above the partition member, the salt for regeneration supplied to the upper surface of the partition member is dissolved to obtain a predetermined concentration of salt water for the next regeneration. By detecting a change in the salt water pressure at a position below the low water position of the fluctuation of the water level, the water level in the salt water tank is monitored based on the change in the salt water pressure, and the change in the water level and the salt water tank (13) From the shape of the above, the change water amount per unit time when the water level changes at a position below the partition member is determined, and based on the change water amount per unit time, the change water amount below the partition member and the partition member A method for detecting the amount of salt water supplied and the amount of water replenishment in a salt water tank of a water softener characterized by obtaining an upper changing water amount and obtaining a total changing amount of the water amount by summing these water amounts. Is the law.

A second feature of the present invention is that a separate water level detecting means detects that the salt water level in the salt water tank has reached the position of the partition wall member. And a method for detecting the amount of water replenishment. Furthermore, the processing volume containing the ion exchange resin
The partition that does not hinder the flow of water inside the upper part of the vessel
Connect the salt water tank where the materials are placed, and
At the time of power regeneration, a position below the partition member of the salt water tank
After supplying salt water for capacity regeneration to the treatment vessel until
By replenishing the raw water to a position above the partition wall member,
To dissolve the regeneration salt supplied to the upper surface of the partition member,
System of water softener to obtain salt water of predetermined concentration for multiple regeneration
Control of the salt water level in the salt water tank
To detect a change in salt water pressure below the ground position
By this, the salt water tank
Monitor the water level, and after the refilling, the detected pressure reaches the set pressure.
If not, it is determined that the salt water concentration is insufficient.
A third feature is that the device has a setting means .

[0009]

According to the salt water supply amount and the rehydration amount detection method of the present invention, the water level in the salt water tank (13) is monitored based on the change in the salt water pressure in the salt water tank (13). From the shape of the salt water tank (13), the water level is determined by the partition member (1
5) Calculate the amount of water change per unit time when changing at a lower position. Then, based on the change amount of water per unit time, a change amount of water below the partition member (15) and a change amount of water above the partition member (15) are obtained, and the total amount of water is obtained by summing these amounts of water. The amount of change, i.e., the amount of salt water supplied and the amount of water replenishment in the salt water tank (13),
(15) Regardless of the amount of the regenerating salt (16) remaining above, the actual amount of supplied salt water and the amount of rehydration are determined. Further, the partition member
The water level corresponding to the position (15) is detected by an arithmetic process based on the above-mentioned pressure change and is also directly detected by an appropriate detecting means.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a configuration of a water softener to which a method of detecting a supply amount of salt water and a rehydration amount according to the present invention is applied, and a configuration related to a normal water softening operation of the water softener is omitted. Only the basic configuration necessary for describing the invention is illustrated. Also, FIG.
4 is a diagram showing a relationship between elapsed time and salt water pressure for explaining a principle of detecting a salt water supply amount and a water replenishment amount in the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a water softener (10) comprises a processing vessel (11) containing an ion exchange resin, and a control valve (12) for switching the water softening operation and the regeneration operation of the water softener (10). ), A salt water tank (13) storing salt water for regeneration,
A control device (17) for switching the control valve to a predetermined operation state by a signal from various detectors or a built-in timer as described later.

In this embodiment, the control valve (12) is mounted on the upper part of the processing vessel (11), and the control device (17) controls each flow path inside the water softener (10) and the water softener (10). ), A raw water line (1) for supplying raw water to a water softener, a treated water line (2) for supplying a treated liquid after water softening to a subsequent demand point, and a salt water. Tank (1
The water softener is extended from 3) and selectively switches between a salt water line (14) for introducing and replenishing salt water and a drain discharge line (3) for draining water from the processing vessel during regeneration.
It is configured to switch between the water softening treatment operation and the regeneration operation of (10).

The salt water tank (13) is internally partitioned by a partition member (15) capable of holding a salt for regeneration (16) without obstructing the flow of water such as a net or a perforated plate. Element
(15) A regenerating salt (generally a lump having an appropriate size) (16) is supplied on (15). The regenerating salt (16) supplied in a state of being held on the partition member (15) is supplied with raw water via the salt water line (14) after regeneration of the ion-exchange resin. 15) By replenishing the water to a higher water level (hereinafter referred to as a high water level), it is dissolved in the raw water to produce a high concentration of salt water having a specified concentration, that is, a saturated concentration as described above. Further, the salt water supply during regeneration is performed to a water level below the partition member (15) (hereinafter, referred to as a low water position).
The ion exchange resin in the processing vessel (11) is regenerated.

As is well known, the control device (17) includes various detectors, for example, a flow rate detector for detecting a flow rate of raw water (or treated water) and a flow rate detector for detecting a supply pressure of raw water. The operating condition of the water softener is grasped from various detectors such as a raw water supply pressure detector, and the control valve (12) is switched to a predetermined operation state (switching between water softening treatment and regeneration operation, etc.) and a built-in timer Control is performed so as to maintain various operation states of the water softener (the above-described water softening processing and a washing operation by introducing raw water during the regeneration operation) for a predetermined time based on the set values in (not shown).

In the present invention, the salt water tank (1
3) The amount of water change per unit time when the water level in the container changes at a position below the partition member (15) is determined, and the amount of change water above the partition member (15) is determined based on the amount of change water per unit time. And the amount of change water below the partition member (15) is determined, and by summing these water amounts, the partition member (15)
Since the total amount of change in the amount of water regardless of the amount of the regenerating salt (16) remaining on the top, i.e., the amount of salt water supplied and the amount of water supplemented in the salt water tank, is calculated, the water level in the salt water tank (13) is determined. Water level detecting means (21) for detecting the water level, and an arithmetic processing unit (2
0).

In this embodiment, the water level detecting means (21) uses a pressure detector. This pressure detector (hereinafter referred to as a salt water pressure detector) (21) is provided in a salt water tank ( By detecting a change in the salt water pressure in the salt water tank 13), the water level in the salt water tank (13) is detected based on the change in the salt water pressure. That is, the salt water pressure detector (21)
Change in water level due to supply of salt water from the salt water tank (13) to the processing vessel (11), change in water level due to refilling of raw water into the salt water tank (13), change in specific gravity due to dissolution of regenerated salt in the salt water tank after refilling The change in the water level is detected as a change in the liquid pressure from the salt water level in the salt water tank (13) to the salt water pressure detecting device (21), and the detected value is output to the arithmetic processing device (20), and the arithmetic processing device ( In step 20), a change in water level is detected by performing a calculation process described later. The salt water pressure detector (21) is mounted near the bottom of the salt water tank (13).
The water level after the supply of the salt water into the processing vessel (11), that is, the water level may be lower than the low water level, and preferably the salt water pressure detector (21) so that the pressure of the salt water can always be reliably detected.
It is preferable that the pressure detection portion is always at a position where it is submerged in salt water.

In the arithmetic processing unit (20), the content of the arithmetic processing for obtaining the level of the salt water in the salt water tank (13) based on the change in the salt water pressure detected by the salt water pressure detector (21), the amount of the supplied salt water, and The details of the calculation processing for obtaining the water replenishment amount will be described below with reference to FIG. First, in a state where the supply of the salt water from the salt water tank (13) into the treatment vessel (11) is completed and the operation is shifted to the water replenishment operation by the operation of the control valve (12) (region A in the figure), the raw water is supplied to the salt water line. A predetermined amount is supplied into the salt water tank (13) via (14), and the water level of the salt water rises from a low water level according to the supplied amount, and the detected pressure value also increases from a with the rise of the water level. To go. The salt water concentration in the salt water tank immediately after the start of the water refilling is a specified concentration close to the saturated concentration as described above, and the specific gravity of the raw water supplied as the water refill and the pressure change corresponding to the rise in the water level from the specified concentration. Therefore, the rising water level is detected based on the pressure change.

In this way, the arithmetic processing unit (20) monitors the change in the water level, and when the detected pressure value of the salt water pressure detector (21) reaches b, the water level reaches the position of the partition wall member (15). Judge. Then, based on the time from the start of water refilling to the position of the partition wall member (15) from the low water level position, based on the shape of the salt water tank (13), the partition wall member (15) from the low water level position Find the water replenishment amount to the position and the water replenishment amount per unit time. In calculating the amount of water replenishment per unit time at this time, the required required time as a reference uses the time from the start of water refilling to the position of the partition wall member (15), and the water level between Even if a suitable range is selected in a changing state, and the water level change time within this range is measured and calculated, an appropriate time range is determined, and the water level change amount within the time range is determined. It is also possible to calculate. In addition, the amount of salt water remaining in the salt water tank (or the water level from the bottom of the salt water tank to the low water level position), the low water level position and the partition member (15)
And the constants relating to the shape of the salt water tank (that is, the cross-sectional area and the relationship between the water level and the cross-sectional area) are determined in advance by design or by experiment and set in the arithmetic processing unit (20). The detected pressure b may be set in the arithmetic processing unit (20) in advance by design or experiment.

Thereafter, water replenishment is further performed. Based on the elapsed time at this time and the amount of water replenishment per unit time, the partition member (1) is refilled.
The water replenishment amount from the position 5) is obtained, and the water replenishment amount from the low water level position to the position of the partition wall member (15) is summed to obtain a total water replenishment amount. At the time when the total rehydration amount reaches a predetermined value, the arithmetic processing unit (20)
A control signal is output to 7), and the control device (17) controls the control valve (12) to stop the water refilling operation. Here, the water level at the time when the total rehydration amount reaches a predetermined value is defined as a high water level, and in this state, the detected pressure value of the salt water pressure detector (21) is c as shown in FIG. Has become. At this time, the time required for water replenishment is short, and the water replenishment time after the water level exceeds the partition wall member (15), that is, when the water reaches the regenerating salt, is even shorter. Therefore, the total amount of water replenishment can be detected extremely accurately by the above-described arithmetic processing. In this calculation process, the value of the detected pressure value c is in a range, for example,
The water level after refilling is higher than the bulkhead member (15) and the salt water tank (13)
A range that is lower than the opening may be obtained in advance by design or by experiment and set in the arithmetic processing unit (20).

Next, in a state in which the supply (refilling) of the raw water into the salt water tank (13) has been completed and the state has shifted to the standby state until the next regeneration (region B in the figure), the salt water tank (13) The salt water in a diluted state therein dissolves a large amount of the regenerating salt (16) previously supplied onto the partition member (15) and increases its specific gravity, so that the detected pressure value increases from c to d. At this time, the dissolution of the salt for regeneration (16) is performed at room temperature and is allowed to stand still, so it is performed slowly, and the concentration of the salt water gradually increases to a concentration corresponding to the saturation concentration. Once reached, there is little change thereafter. Accordingly, the detected pressure value immediately after the completion of the water refilling gradually increases, and when the pressure reaches the pressure d, it can be detected that the salt water has reached the predetermined salt solution concentration. In this area B,
If the detected pressure does not reach the pressure d by the start of the next regeneration, it is determined that the salt water concentration is lower than the specified concentration. In this case, the arithmetic processing unit (20) issues a control signal to the control valve (12) so as not to shift to the regeneration operation, and also issues a warning to notify the salt water concentration shortage by a well-known notifying means. Is preferred. Note that the amount of the regenerating salt that is dissolved after the completion of the water replenishment during the arithmetic processing may be set in the arithmetic processing device (20) in advance by design or by experiment. Further, the detection pressure d
Also, the range, for example, the salt concentration after salt dissolution is above a certain concentration sufficient for regeneration, the water level is salt water tank (13)
A range that is lower than the opening may be obtained in advance by design or by experiment and set in the arithmetic processing unit (20). Thereafter, since the salt water in the salt water tank (13) has a substantially saturated concentration, there is almost no change in the specific gravity of the salt water, that is, there is no change in the detected pressure value.

In the state where the water softener (10) shifts to the regeneration operation by the action of the control valve (12) (region C in the figure), the salt water in the salt water tank (13) is passed through the salt water line (14). The water level in the salt water tank (13) is lowered from the high water level according to the supply amount of the salt water, and the salt water pressure detector (21 )
Is also decreased from d, and when the detected pressure value of the salt water pressure detector (21) reaches e, the salt water tank (13)
It is determined that the water level inside reaches the position of the partition member (15), and the time until the water level reaches the position of the partition member (15) from the high water level position is calculated. Incidentally, the detected pressure of the salt water pressure detector (21) at the time of supplying the salt water corresponds to a change in the water level of the substantially saturated concentration of the salt water, and the detected pressure of the salt water pressure detector (21) at the time of the water supplementation is: This corresponds to a change in water level while diluting substantially saturated salt water remaining in the salt water tank with raw water. Therefore, the partition member
The detected pressure value corresponding to the position (15) differs depending on the concentration difference between the rehydration and the supply of the salt water, but the amount of the salt water remaining in the salt water tank before the start of the rehydration (or the bottom of the salt water tank). From the water level to the low water level), the distance between the low water level and the bulkhead member (15), and the constants related to the shape of the salt water tank (ie, the cross-sectional area and the relationship between the water level and the cross-sectional area). However, the value of the pressure e may be set in advance in the arithmetic processing unit (20) by design or by experiment.

Thereafter, the salt water is further supplied. At this time, the amount of change in the water level per unit time is calculated in a state where the water level has changed after the water level has fallen below the partition member (15). An appropriate range is selected, and a change in the water level within this range is measured and calculated, or an appropriate time range is determined, and based on the amount of change in the water level within the time range, the salt water tank ( Determined from the shape of 13). Then, based on the amount of change in the water level per unit time, from the time from when the supply of the salt water is started to when the salt water reaches the position of the partition member (15), the portion of the salt water supplied above the partition member (15) is supplied. The amount of the salt water supply from the position of the partition member (15) is determined from the elapsed time after reaching the position of the partition member (15) and the amount of water replenishment per unit time, and the amount of water and the amount Partition member (1
The amount of water up to position 5) is summed to obtain the total salt water supply.
Then, at the point in time when the total amount of supplied salt water reaches a predetermined value, the arithmetic processing device (20) outputs a control signal to the control device (17), and the control device (17) stops the salt water supply operation. Therefore, the control valve (12) is controlled. here,
The water level at the time when the total amount of the supplied salt water reaches a predetermined value is defined as a low water position. In this state, the detected pressure value of the salt water pressure detector (21) becomes a ′ as shown in FIG. ing.

As described above, according to the present invention, regardless of the amount of the regenerating salt charged on the partition member (15), the amount of salt water supplied and the amount of rehydration water can be reliably detected. The required salt water can be supplied and the required rehydration amount can be introduced. Therefore, according to the present invention, the salt water is treated in the treatment container (11).
When regenerating the capacity of ion-exchange resin by introducing it into the tank, the amount of salt water is insufficient and the regeneration of the resin capacity ends incompletely.
This is an effective means of preventing excessive salt water from causing waste of salt.If resin capacity regeneration is incomplete due to insufficient salt water, the hardness of raw water leaks to the treated water side. And an alarm may be issued in advance.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment according to the present invention. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that the water level corresponding to the partition member (15) is obtained by arithmetic processing, whereas the partition member for detecting the water level corresponding to the partition member (15) is used. The water level detector (22) is provided in the salt water tank (13) to directly detect the water level.
Therefore, in this case, the arithmetic processing of the water level by the arithmetic processing unit (20) only needs to perform the high water level position and the low water level value. Further, by the detection signal of the water level corresponding to the partition member (15) by the partition member water level detector (22), the salt water pressure detector
The water level obtained by the arithmetic processing may be calibrated based on (21) .In this case, the calibration of the water level detection function using the salt water pressure detector (21) is automatically performed, so that more accurate It is possible to detect the amount of salt water supplied and the amount of water replenishment.
Incidentally, as the partition member water level detector (22), for example,
A well-known water level detector such as a float switch that emits a detection signal when a predetermined water level is reached, an electrode type water level detection end, or the like can be used. To the water level corresponding to the partition member (15).

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the arithmetic processing unit (20) according to the present invention includes a control unit (17) for controlling the control valve (12) of the water softener (10). Are provided separately, but may be integrated into the control device (17).

[0026]

The present invention has the above configuration,
Since the supply amount of salt water used for regenerating the ion exchange resin and the replenishment amount supplied thereafter can be reliably grasped with a simple configuration, the supply amount of the salt water when regenerating the capacity of the ion exchange resin can be determined. This is an effective means of detecting excess or deficiency. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to surely prevent the regeneration of the water softener from occurring, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the hardness from leaking to the downstream side, and to control the regeneration of the water softener with high safety. It is possible to stably supply soft water to the downstream side, and since it is possible to reliably grasp the amount of salt water supplied and the amount of water replenishment, there is no need to make unnecessary large amounts of salt water, and Waste of the salt for regeneration can also be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a principle of detecting a salt water supply amount and a water replenishment amount according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a drawing for explaining a configuration of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (10) Water softener (11) Treatment vessel (13) Salt water tank (14) Salt water line (15) Partition wall member (16) Salt for regeneration (20) Arithmetic processor (21) Salt water pressure detector (22) Partition member water level Detector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B01J 49/00 C02F 1/42

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A processing container (11) containing an ion exchange resin.
A partition member that does not impede the flow of water
The salt water tank (13) in which the (15) is arranged is connected, and when the capacity of the ion exchange resin is regenerated, the partition member (1
5) Processing vessel (11) with salt water for capacity regeneration to a position below
After being supplied to the partition wall member (15), the raw water is replenished to a position above the partition wall member (15), thereby dissolving the regeneration salt (16) supplied to the upper surface of the partition wall member (15), and dissolving the salt for the next regeneration. In the regeneration control method of the water softener that obtains the salt water of the predetermined concentration, by detecting the change in the salt water pressure at a position below the low water level of the fluctuation of the salt water level in the salt water tank (13), the change in the salt water pressure is detected. The water level in the salt water tank (13) is monitored based on the change in the water level and the shape of the salt water tank (13), and the water level changes per unit time when the water level changes at a position below the partition member (15). Determine the amount of change water, determine the amount of change water above the partition member (15) and the amount of change water below the partition member (15) based on the amount of change water per unit time,
By summing up these water amounts, the total change amount of the water amount is obtained , and the salt water supply amount and the water replenishment amount in the salt water tank (13) are calculated.
A regeneration control method for a water softener, comprising: detecting the water content. 2. The soft water according to claim 1, wherein a separate water level detecting means detects that the salt water level in the salt water tank has reached the position of the partition member. Regeneration control method of vessel. 3. A processing container (11) containing an ion exchange resin.
A partition member that does not impede the flow of water
Connect the salt water tank (13) with (15)
When the capacity of fat is regenerated, the partition member (1
5) Processing vessel (11) with salt water for capacity regeneration to a position below
To the position above this partition member (15).
Supply water to the upper surface of the partition wall member (15) by supplementing water
The regenerated salt (16) is dissolved and
A method for controlling regeneration of a water softener to obtain a salt water having a concentration
Lower than the low water level of the fluctuation of the salt water level in the tank (13)
The salt water pressure change is detected by the
Monitors the water level in the salt water tank (13) based on changes in pressure
When the detected pressure does not reach the set pressure after rehydration
Equipped with a means for determining that the concentration of salt water is insufficient.
A method for controlling regeneration of a water softener, characterized in that: