JP3144731B2 - Water purification device and method of using the same - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purification and sterilization apparatus for purifying and sterilizing raw water such as tap water and groundwater and supplying it as drinking water for general household use and business use, and a method of using the same.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent technical trends regarding sterilization of raw water in this type of water purification system include a device for sterilizing microorganisms such as bacteria by using a hollow fiber membrane module (commercially available product) to suppress the proliferation and control bacteria. There are known an apparatus for sterilizing raw water by electrolysis, and an apparatus for sterilizing with an appropriately generated chlorine.

[0003] Generally, in the case of a water purification device as a water treatment device, hypochlorous acid ( H) contained in raw water such as tap water and groundwater is used.
ClO) of any residual chlorine components, musty odor, trihalomethane
And organic chlorine-based compounds , general bacteria and pigments are adsorbed and removed by passing through adsorbents and sterilizers. With use over time, activated carbon and the adsorbed substance adsorbed on the storage tank wall cause algae, bacteria and microorganisms to propagate, thereby increasing the load on the filter and reducing the life of the device. Since the function of the adsorbent is reduced by the adsorbed substance, the adsorbed substance is desorbed to regenerate the adsorbent, and various sterilization means are incorporated into the device to improve water purification efficiency and to maintain and maintain the device. are doing.

[0004]

However, in the case of a sterilizer using a hollow fiber membrane module, the hollow fiber membrane module is easily clogged with impurities in raw water due to long-term use, and the processing capacity is generally low. The sterilization apparatus using electrolysis has a problem in terms of economy such as power consumption. Further, in the case of a sterilizer using chlorine, it is difficult to control and manage for controlling a suitable chlorine concentration in consideration of safety. As described above, conventionally known sterilization methods have problems to be solved.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a water purification device which can enhance the processing ability of raw water while ensuring the safety as drinking water, and which can save power and is economically advantageous.

[0006]

In order to achieve this object, a water purifying and sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention has a water supply valve in which an adsorption section made of conductive activated carbon formed into a required shape is disposed in a water tank. When the raw water introduced into the water tank is purified and sterilized in the adsorption section and used for use, usually, the raw water flows through the adsorption section or stops by repeating use and non-use, and during regeneration of the adsorption section In a device for draining raw water in a water tank and an adsorption part from a drain valve, at least a part is made of a conductive pipe part which is made of a conductive material and provided with a large number of water holes, and is poured into the center of the adsorption part, and at the time of regeneration, a first electrode and a second electrode voltage as a reproduction-sterilizing mode for sterilizing bacteria and the like in the raw water by heating the adsorption unit Ru is applied, provided the conductive tube portion of the pouring tube during usually raw water A bacteriostatic mode that captures bacteria and suppresses propagation Play a third electrode voltage is applied between the one of the first electrode or the second electrode, and a timer circuit for counting each execution time of the normal and reproduction repeated at regular intervals, the voltage of Te A switching means for switching to a sterilization mode or a sterilization mode, a power supply circuit for applying a voltage corresponding to the regeneration / sterilization mode or the sterilization mode when switched by the switching means, and water supply based on a time-up signal from a timer circuit. A control device for transmitting an operation control signal to each of the valve, the drain valve, and the switching means is provided.

[0007] The method for using the water purification apparatus according to the second aspect is characterized in that when the normal time and the regeneration time are repeated at regular intervals,
Normally, there is a bacteriostatic mode process in which a weak voltage is applied between either the first electrode or the second electrode and the third electrode by the power supply circuit by switching the switching means with a control signal from the control device. . In addition, at the time of reproduction, by the control signal from the control device based on the time-up signal that the sterilization mode process has been completed, the water supply valve is closed to stop the introduction of the raw water into the water tank, and the drain valve is opened to open the water tank and The switching means is switched by a drainage process of discharging raw water in the adsorption unit and a control signal from a control device based on a time-up signal indicating that the drainage process has been completed, and a voltage capable of generating heat in the adsorption unit is supplied to the first electrode by a power supply circuit. And a regeneration / sterilization mode process applied between the second electrodes.

[0008] According to the usage method of the third aspect, a weak DC voltage can be applied in the bacteriostatic mode, and an AC voltage or a DC voltage capable of generating heat in the adsorption section can be applied in the regeneration / sterilization mode.

Further, in the case of the method according to claim 4,
When raw water in use at the time of normal are passed through, it is also possible control for off voltage application bacteriostatic mode.

[0010]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a switching signal is sent from the control device to the switching means, and the first, second and third switching devices are sent.
A voltage is applied between the electrodes selected among the respective electrodes.
By applying a weak voltage to the first electrode and the third electrode (or between the second electrode and the third electrode) at a normal stage,
Bacteria, etc. in raw water are captured by the adsorption section to suppress propagation. At the stage of regeneration, when the adsorption unit is regenerated, the water supply valve is closed and the supply of raw water is stopped by an operation signal from the control device based on the time-up signal, and the drain valve is opened to drain the raw water in the water tank. Next, a voltage is applied between the first electrode and the second electrode to generate heat in the adsorption section, and the adsorption section is regenerated while sterilizing bacteria and the like trapped in the adsorption section in a normal stage .
For this reason, this mode is defined as the regeneration / sterilization mode.
You. By adopting such a voltage application form, power consumption is lower than in a conventional apparatus in which raw water is directly electrolyzed to kill bacteria and the like in the raw water.

According to the usage method of the second and third aspects, when the normal time and the reproduction time are repeated at a constant interval, in the normal sterilization mode process, a weak voltage is applied by the power supply circuit, so that the adsorption is performed. The bacteria are trapped in the raw water and the growth is suppressed. At the time of regeneration, a drainage process is performed as preparation. That is, based on a time-up signal indicating that the sterilization mode process has been completed, the water supply valve is closed to stop the introduction of the raw water into the water tank, and the drain valve is opened to discharge the raw water in the water tank and the adsorption section. When the process is completed, the mode is switched to the regeneration / sterilization mode process by the switching means. In the regeneration / sterilization mode process, a voltage capable of generating heat in the adsorption section is applied by the power supply circuit.

Here, a weak DC voltage is used as an applied voltage in the bacteriostatic mode process, and the surface of a microorganism such as a bacterium generally has a weak anion due to energization of the adsorption portion by the weak DC voltage. Utilizing this characteristic, bacteria and the like are captured by the adsorption section. Regenerate the captured bacteria, etc.
Sterilization is performed by applying a high voltage during the sterilization mode.

[0013] According to the usage method of the third aspect, a weak DC voltage can be applied in the bacteriostatic mode, and an AC voltage or a DC voltage capable of generating heat in the adsorption section can be applied in the regeneration / sterilization mode.

Further, when the raw water is flowing during normal use as in the method of use of the present invention, when water is stopped from the viewpoint that bacteria and the like adhere to the adsorbing portion and the capacity is reduced. It is still less likely that bacteria and the like in the raw water flow and stay in the adsorption section than in the inside. For this reason, the voltage application in the bacteriostatic mode can be turned off only during the passage of water, as long as it is within the range of bacteria and the like allowed. This is a control in consideration of power consumption. However, it is desirable to perform control to capture bacteria and suppress propagation by applying a weak voltage throughout the entire normal process of repeating water passage and water stoppage.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a water purification apparatus and a method for using the same according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water purification apparatus according to an embodiment. The apparatus has a water tank 10 and raw water such as tap water is introduced through a water supply pipe 12 from an inlet 11 provided at a lower part of the tank. The water supply pipe 12 is provided with a water supply valve 13 such as an electromagnetic valve for restricting introduction of raw water.
A drain valve 14 such as a solenoid valve is provided on a drain pipe 14 branched from the middle of the drain pipe. It is possible to drain the raw water in the water tank 10 from the drain pipe 1 4 by switching the line. At the time of drainage, the water supply valve 13 is naturally closed.

In the water tank 10, there is disposed an adsorbing portion 20 which is made of a conductive fibrous activated carbon having a predetermined shape and having a cylindrical shape. Filter members 21 and 22 are fitted on the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the cylindrical shape of the suction portion 20. The suction section 2 is provided between the cylindrical suction section 20 and the water tank 10.
The outer ring passage 16 communicates with the raw water inlet 11 described above. Therefore, the raw water introduced from the inlet 11 is supplied to the outer ring passage 16.
After passing around, it is supplied to the adsorbing section 20 through the filter member 21 on the outer peripheral side and can be contacted.

Further, a cylindrical pouring pipe 23 is provided so as to fit through the center of the adsorbing section 20 so as to fit into the filter member 22 on the inner peripheral side from the inside. The discharge pipe 23 has a part as a conductive tube part 23A formed of, for example, stainless steel or the like, in which a large number of water holes 24 are provided.
A resin tube portion 23B is joined to the conductive tube portion 23A in the axial direction, and the pouring tube 23 is a joint tube of two dissimilar materials. The lower portion of the conductive tube portion 23A is closed at the bottom, so that the purified water that has passed through the adsorbing portion 20 can be introduced through the filter member 22 to the discharge tube 23 through the water hole 24 on the inner peripheral side. is there. A water purification pipe 17 is connected to the upper resin pipe portion 23B, and a water injection cock (not shown) provided at an end of the water purification pipe 17 is provided.
And can be used as drinking water .

The adsorbing portion 20 and the inner and outer peripheral filter members 2
The cylindrical structure composed of 1, 22 is sandwiched between upper and lower ends by first and second donut-shaped disc electrodes 25, 26. A terminal rod 25a is formed from the upper first electrode 25 by a lower cathode. From a certain second electrode 26, terminal rods 26a are respectively led out of the water tank 10 and connected to a power supply circuit 28. Also,
A third electrode 27 is mounted on the outside of the bottomed bottom portion of the conductive tube portion 23A of the pouring tube 23 inserted into the suction portion 20, and the terminal rod 27a of the third electrode 27 also goes out of the water tank 10. The power supply circuit 28 is connected.

The power supply circuit 28 is a circuit capable of switching between alternating current and direct current. In brief, as in the embodiment, the power supply circuit 28 includes both power supplies of a DC power supply 28A and an AC power supply 28B, and is provided, for example, in the circuit. Electromagnetic switch (switching means)
29 switches between applying the AC voltage between the first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26 or applying the DC voltage between the first electrode 25 (or the second electrode 26) and the third electrode 27. It is possible.

As shown in the block diagram of FIG. 2, the apparatus of the present invention is automated by providing a control device 30 such as a microcomputer. The control device 30 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 31, a memory 32 storing a control program, and an I / O port 3 for inputting and outputting to an external device to be controlled.
3 etc. are included. Further, a timer circuit 34 is provided, and a time-up signal of each process of a series of control is transmitted to the control device 30. A control signal based on the time-up signal of the timer circuit 34 is sent from the control device 30 to the water supply valve 13 and the drainage valve 15 as an operation signal. A switching signal is sent from the control device 30 to the changeover switch 29 of the power supply circuit 28 by a time-up signal,
The power supply circuit is one of the DC power supply 28A and the AC power supply 28B, and applies a DC voltage or an AC voltage between selected ones of the first to third electrodes 25 to 26.

An appropriate number of dowel-shaped projections 25b, 26b are respectively provided on the inner surfaces of the upper and lower first and second electrodes 25, 26.
The first and second electrodes 25 and 26 are brought into contact with the attraction portion 20 and the electric conduction thereof are improved by pushing them into the upper and lower end surfaces of the attraction portion 20, and the positioning of the assembly is ensured.

Next, the method of use and operation of the embodiment of the water purification apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the operation flowchart of FIG. 3, the timing chart of FIG. 4, and the characteristic diagram of the correlation between the number of bacteria in the adsorption section and the voltage of FIG. Will be described together.

The operation of the apparatus is controlled by repeating the normal time (1) and the reproduction time (2) at regular intervals.
That is, in the normal time (1), the flow of the raw water occurs during the discharge of the purified water as drinking water, and when the use is stopped, the flow of the raw water stagnates, and the flow of water and the water stop are repeated. This is a process in which the bacteria and the like are captured by the adsorbing section 20 and their proliferation is suppressed. This process is hereinafter referred to as a “bacteriostatic mode” process. On the contrary,
During the regeneration (2), the supply of the raw water is stopped at the stage when the normal time is completed, and the raw water is drained from the water tank 10, and then the regeneration of the adsorption unit 20 is performed while sterilizing bacteria and the like adsorbed on the adsorption unit 20. At the time of regeneration, it consists of this drainage process and " regeneration / sterilization mode" process.

[0025] As shown in the timing chart of now to FIG. 4, until the transition from the normal bacteriostatic mode process time t ₁ at the time of the drainage process at the time of reproduction, then also finished the regeneration and sterilization mode process is carried out for the next sterilization the interval of time between _{t 4.} In the regeneration / sterilization mode process in which the supply of the raw water is stopped at the time of regeneration and the drainage process for draining any raw water stagnant in the water tank 10 and the adsorption unit 20 is t ₂ , and the sterilization is started after the drainage process. time and _{t 3.}

In the flow chart of FIG. 3, at normal time (1), when the apparatus is started, the drain valve 15 is closed by a control signal from the control unit 30, the water supply valve 13 is opened, and tap water as raw water is supplied to the water supply line. Once in the outer ring passage 16 from 12,
It is almost completely introduced into the water tank 10 (step S ₁ ).

The introduced raw water is supplied to the filter member 2 on the outer peripheral side.
After being filtered in step 1, it comes into contact with the activated carbon in the adsorption section 20. Dissolved substances in the raw water, for example, trace organic chlorine compounds, trace organic compounds, musty odor, and the like are adsorbed and removed by contact with the adsorption section 20. The purified water that has been subjected to the purification treatment is the inner peripheral filter member 2.
The water is filtered again at 2 and enters the discharge pipe 23 through a number of water holes 24. The water is used for drinking water from the discharge pipe 23 through the water purification pipe 17. When the user opens the water tap at the end of the water purification pipe 17, the flow of raw water is generated in the water tank 10 at the time of pouring use. On the other hand, the flow of raw water naturally stagnates when the hydrant is closed or when the tub is not used for a long or short time.

The time period during which the passage / stop of the raw water is repeated is set based on past data and experience values, and this period is set as normal time (1).
In the adsorption section 20 in the water tank 10 in the normal state (1), the changeover switch 29 is switched to the circuit by the DC power supply 28A in the power supply circuit 28 by the switching signal from the control device 30. That is, the DC power supply 28A causes the upper first
The third electrode 27 of the dispensing tube 23 to the electrode 25 as a (+) pole (-) to apply a weak DC voltage between the electrodes to pole, weak current is applied to the suction unit 20 (Step S ₂ ). In the embodiment, a structure in which a voltage is applied between the first electrode 25 and the third electrode 27 is employed, but a form in which a voltage is applied between the lower second electrode plate 26 and the third electrode 27 is also possible. is there. The normal time (1) is set as the bacteriostatic mode process,
The reason why a weak DC voltage is applied to 0 is as follows.

That is, by applying a weak DC current to the adsorbing portion 20, which is a conductor, the surface of microorganisms such as bacteria generally has a weak anion so that the adsorbing portion can capture bacteria and the like. At the same time, the growth of bacteria is further suppressed at the adsorbing section 20 during the stagnation of raw water due to nonuse. In particular, the raw water tends to stay in the adsorption unit 20 and promote the growth of bacteria, such as a fold that the user has been away for a long time. Therefore, it is also a measure for suppressing this. The weak DC voltage applied between this fungistatic mode process and the first electrode 25 and the third electrode 27 hereinafter referred to as bacteriostatic voltage E _AC.

The normal bacteriostatic mode process in the present invention is as follows.
This is an area that is being actively studied academically as part of water disinfection. For example, "Iron and steel: Year 76 (199
No. 9), a new sterilization method using ion-exchange membrane electrodialysis (Toshio Sato, lecturer, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Showa Pharmaceutical University, Haruhiko Oya, Professor, Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University) includes chemical sterilization and physics. It is necessary to solve the problems of the conventional sterilization method and to develop a completely new sterilization method in principle.

The basis of the bacteriostatic mode process of the present invention is based on the belief that the surface of microorganisms is anionized in a weakly charged state in the field of bacteriology. It has been confirmed that by passing a DC current of about a degree to the adsorption unit 20, the bacteria in the raw water are captured by the adsorption unit 20, and the bacteria in the raw water can be prevented from flowing out directly into the discharge pipe 23. Moreover, it is possible to sterilize the once captured bacteria by further increasing the voltage. The process for this sterilization is theoretically detailed in the article.

Now, at the normal time (1), the total time due to repeated use of water passage / water stoppage is calculated from the empirical value as a bacteriostatic mode process.
_When set to ₁ , the set time t ₁ can be stored in the memory 32 of the control device 30 in advance. That is, when the control device 30 receives a time-up signal from the timer circuit 34 that has measured the set time t ₁ (step S ₃ ), the control device 30 compares this signal with the data stored in the memory 32 and C
The control unit in the PU 31 performs a determination process, and sends a command signal from the I / O port 33 to the water supply valve 13 and the drain valve 15 to be controlled in order to start the regeneration (2). In response to the operation signal, the water supply valve 13 is closed and the introduction of raw water into the water tank 10 is stopped. In synchronization with this, the drain valve 15 is opened, and the entire raw water remaining in the entire area of the water tank 10 is discharged from the drain pipe 14. Dump. Time of the waste water process is _{t 2} (step _S 4).

In this embodiment, the power supply circuit 28 is not related to the operation of the water supply valve 13 and the drainage valve 15. Both valves can be turned on / off by another power supply in response to a control signal from the control device 30 by using solenoid valves. it can. The operating voltage of both valves is
As shown in the time chart of FIG. 4, the voltage Ev is considerably higher than the sterilization voltage E _AB in the next regeneration / sterilization mode process.
Cost.

The timer circuit 33 counts the end of the drainage time t ₂ , and this time-up signal is sent to the control device 30 (step S ₅ ), and a switching signal is sent from the control device 30 to the changeover switch 29. The AC power supply 28B of the power supply circuit 28 is a closed circuit. An AC voltage is applied between the first electrode 25 and the second electrode 26 by an AC power supply 28B. The AC voltage is higher than bacteriostatic voltage E _AC in the previous bacteriostatic mode, applied by the reproduction-sterilizing mode bacteria or the like trapped in the suction unit 20 in bacteriostatic mode as sterilizing voltage E _AB enough to sterilization by heat The process starts (step S ₆ ). The first electrode 25 in the regeneration / sterilization mode process
And the time for applying the sterilizing voltage _{E AB} between the second electrode 26 is _{t 3.} As a result, an alternating current is caused to flow through the adsorbing section 20 which is a conductor, and the amount of heat flowing out of the adsorbing section 20 per unit time, that is, Joule heat is generated, and bacteria attached to the adsorbing section 20 are sterilized and reduced.

When the regeneration / sterilization mode process is completed after the application time t ₃ has elapsed (step S ₇ ), the normal time (1) described above is repeated until the next sterilization start interval time t ₁ is reached.
Enters the process of the bacteriostatic mode. It is clear from the voltage characteristics in FIG.
As can be seen, the higher the bacteriostatic voltage E _AC is, the higher the adsorption unit
The number of bacteria in 20 is decreasing.

In the method of use in the above-described embodiment, the normal time (1) in which the passage / stop of the raw water is repeated.
In the method, the bacteriostatic voltage _EAC was applied between the first electrode plate 25 and the third electrode plate 27 during the entire process of passing water and stopping water.
As a modification of this embodiment, through the water in the present invention can also control the without the need to apply antibacterial voltage E _AC.

At the time of regeneration (2), when the raw water is drained and the water tank 10 is emptied, the emptying is detected by, for example, a suitable means for detecting the water level, and the detection signal is output. Can be sent to the control device 30 to shift to the regeneration / sterilization mode process of the next step.

[0038]

As described above, in the water purification apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the adsorption portion of the conductive activated carbon disposed in the water tank is selected from three electrodes to increase the voltage from the weak voltage. By applying a voltage stepwise, bacteria and the like captured in the adsorption section by a weak current are heated by the next high voltage current to sterilize it.Conventionally, raw water is directly electrolyzed as in this type of device. Thus, there is an advantage that power consumption is significantly reduced as compared with a device that sterilizes bacteria and the like in raw water. Also,
It is not necessary to increase the size of the entire apparatus in order to increase the processing capacity of raw water, and the apparatus can be made compact.

According to the usage method of the second and third aspects, the control device causes bacteria or the like in the raw water to be trapped in the adsorbing section as a bacteriostatic mode process in normal times by repeating water passage and water stoppage. Suppress breeding and control the bactericidal mode for a certain period of time
A series of controls for sterilizing bacteria and the like adhering to the adsorption section in the regeneration / sterilization mode process at a point in time can be efficiently performed at certain intervals.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water purification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control mode of the water purification apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an operation in the water purification apparatus and the sterilization method of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a time chart of the water purification apparatus and the sterilization method of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic graph showing the correlation between the number of bacteria and the voltage in the water purification apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... water tank, 13 ... water supply valve, 15 ... drain valve, 17 ... water purification pipe, 20 ... activated carbon adsorption part, 23 ... pouring pipe, 23A ... conductive pipe part, 23B ... resin pipe part, 25 ... 1st electrode, 26 ... second
Electrodes, 27: third electrode, 28: power supply circuit, 28A: AC power supply, 28B: DC power supply, 29: changeover switch, 30 ...
Control device.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] Claims 1. An adsorbing portion made of conductive activated carbon formed in a required shape is disposed in a water tank, and raw water introduced into the water tank from a water supply valve is purified and sterilized by the adsorbing portion for use.
In normal times, at least a part of the water purification equipment that drains raw water in the water tank and in the adsorber from the drain valve through the drain valve during regeneration of the adsorber when raw water flows or stops in the adsorber by repeating use and non-use. The pipe is inserted through the center of the adsorption part as a conductive tube part with a large number of water holes made of a conductive material, and the adsorption part is heated during regeneration to sterilize bacteria in raw water
A first electrode and a second electrode voltage as a reproduction-sterilizing mode Ru is applied, the time provided in the conductive pipe of the pouring tube typically as capture and reproduction suppressing system fungi mode bacteria etc. in raw water Voltage is first
A third electrode applied between one of the electrode and the second electrode, a timer circuit that counts each execution time during normal and repetition times that are repeated at regular intervals, and a regeneration / sterilization mode or sterilization mode for the voltage. Switching means for switching to a mode, a power supply circuit for applying a voltage corresponding to a regeneration / sterilization mode or a bacteriostatic mode when switched by the switching means, a water supply valve, a drain valve and switching based on a time-up signal from a timer circuit. And a control device for sending an operation control signal to each of the means. 2. The method of using a water purification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the normal time and the regeneration time are repeated at a constant interval, and the switching means is normally switched by a control signal from the control device.
A sterilization mode process in which a weak voltage is applied between one of the first and second electrodes and the third electrode by a power supply circuit, and a time-up signal indicating that the sterilization mode process has been completed during reproduction. Based on the control signal from the control unit, the water supply valve is closed, the introduction of raw water into the water tank is stopped, and the drain valve is opened to discharge the raw water in the water tank and the adsorption unit. The switching means is switched by a control signal from the control device based on the up signal, and the voltage at which the suction portion can generate heat is changed by the power supply circuit to the first electrode and the second electrode.
Using water purification disinfection device comprising a reproduction and sterilization mode process to be applied between the electrodes, in that it consists of. 3. A weak direct current voltage is bacteriostatic mode, use of the water purification sterilizer according to claim 2, wherein applying a heatable AC or DC voltage of the suction unit is reproduced and sterilization mode. 4. The voltage application in the bacteriostatic mode is turned off when raw water is flowing during normal use.
A method for using the water purification device according to the above.