JP3156591B2 - Water purification device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a commercial or domestic water purification apparatus for purifying bath water.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional this type of water purifier, as the manner shown in FIG. 4, bred microorganisms filter medium, there is carried out the purification by the action of the microorganisms (for example, Japanese Open Rights 4-
104,892 ). The water purification device of FIG.
And a circulation path 2 for circulating bath water in the bath 1, a circulation pump 3 for circulating bath water, a filter medium 4 for adhering microorganisms to the surface of the carrier, and a filter medium 4 located in the circulation path 2 and having the filter medium 4 inside. And a cleaning means 6 for cleaning the microorganism filter device 5.
Is a first electromagnetic valve 7 that opens and closes the circulation path 2, a second electromagnetic valve 8 that is located between the microorganism filter device 5 and the first electromagnetic valve 7 and that opens and closes the circulation path 2, and a second electromagnetic valve 8. Control means 9 for controlling the opening and closing of the second electromagnetic valve 8
And a drain 10 for discharging bath water.

In this configuration, when the circulating pump 3 operates, the bath water in the water bath 1 passes through the microorganism filter device 5 as indicated by the solid line arrow, and suspended substances such as general bacteria and dirt in the bath water are removed by microorganisms. Purified by the filter device 5. However, the microorganism filter device 5 is clogged by microorganisms deposited on the filter medium 4. Therefore, in order to remove the microorganisms deposited on the filter medium 4, the first electromagnetic valve 7 is closed, and the second electromagnetic valve 8 is opened and closed intermittently by the control means 9, so that the pressure in the microorganism filter device 5 is intermittently increased. , Whereby the microorganisms deposited on the filter medium 4 are removed. However, the microorganisms that have adhered to the surface of the filter medium 4 and propagated remain. The removed microorganisms are discharged from the drain 10 together with the bath water.

[0004]

However, the conventional water purification apparatus as described above employs a method of purifying microorganisms by propagating microorganisms on a filter medium, and thus has the following problems.

(1) It takes a certain amount of time for microorganisms to propagate on the filter medium, and when using the above device for the first time, it takes a long time to obtain a sufficient purification effect (about one week to 10 days).

(2) In order to keep the microorganisms propagated in the filter medium without killing them and keep the activity constant, it is necessary to constantly maintain a predetermined water temperature, which results in energy loss.

(3) The microorganisms deposited on the filter medium cause clogging of the filter pores formed between the filter media.

(4) Once the filter medium has been washed, it takes time until the ability to remove suspended substances and the ability to decompose organic substances are obtained again.

(5) In the case where a bathing agent is mixed, or where water quality is poor, microorganisms may be killed or the activity may be reduced.

In order to solve these problems, there is a method in which a fine suspended substance is physically filtered by using a fine granular filter medium without using microorganisms. However, a filter bed space for preventing leakage of the granular filter medium is used. However, there is a problem that the suspended solids and the particulate filter medium are clogged, and conversely, if the pore diameter is increased to prevent the clogging, the filter medium leaks out.

[0011] Further, by using the filter medium for a long period of time, the filter medium is worn, and the filter medium becomes smaller than the initial filter medium diameter.
The filter media leaks from the filter bed pore size. And there existed a subject that initial filtration capacity fell by the amount of filter media decreasing.

In addition, there is a problem that suspended substances larger than the pore size formed by the particulate filter medium can be filtered, but suspended substances smaller than those such as bacteria and organic substances cannot be purified.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides an average pore size formed by a granular filter medium as ε,
The average pore diameter of the filter bed for preventing the leakage of the granular filter medium is defined as ε ′, and the ratio R (= ε / ε ′) satisfies 0.27 ≦ R ≦ 0.8.

According to the present invention, since the average pore diameter of the granular filter medium and the filter bed is set in the optimum range, it is possible to prevent clogging of the filter bed with the suspended solids and the filter medium and prevent the filter medium from leaking. . In addition, it is possible to suppress an increase in pressure loss of the filtering means caused by clogging of the filter bed, and it is possible to perform long-term stable purification.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention relates to a filtering means for filtering water to be purified, a particulate filter medium provided inside the filtering means for solid-liquid separation of suspended substances in the water to be purified, and a filter for leakage of the particulate filter medium. And the average pore diameter of the filter bed formed by the granular filter medium is ε, the average pore diameter of the filter bed is ε ′, and the ratio ε / ε ′ is R
Satisfy the condition of 0.27 ≦ R ≦ 0.8.

Then, from the average particle diameter r of the granular filter medium, the average filtration pore diameter ε can be obtained by ε = 0.193 × r by a calculation method based on the geometric arrangement of the particles. 0.27 ≦ R (= ε / ε ′) ≦
When the average filter bed pore diameter ε 'is set to be 0.8,
Since there is no significant change in the flow rate in the filter pore size and the filter bed pore size and no stagnation occurs, local clogging due to suspended matter does not occur. In addition, no leakage of the filter medium from the filter bed gap occurs. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate clogging of the filter medium and the filter bed, and to prevent leakage of the filter medium from the filter bed gap. In addition, since clogging of the filter medium and the filter bed does not occur, there is no abrupt pressure loss inside the filter means, and a stable filtration operation can be performed for a long period of time.

Further, the granular filter medium is constituted by a sintered body mainly composed of Al ₂ O ₃ . And the granular filter medium is
Since it is a sintered body containing Al ₂ O ₃ as a main component, it has a detailed internal structure and is spherical, so that high particle strength can be obtained. Therefore, even if the filter media are rubbed with each other at the time of a normal filtration operation or at the time of washing the filter media, there is almost no abrasion, so that leakage of the filter media from the filter bed space due to the reduction of the filter media particles does not occur. Therefore, it is possible to keep the initial amount of the filtering medium, and to maintain the initial filtering capacity for a long period of time.

In addition, Ag, Cu, Z
An antimicrobial layer containing at least one heavy metal selected from the group consisting of n and Fe is formed.

The heavy metals of the Ag, Cu, Zn, and Fe groups exhibit bactericidal and antibacterial effects. The mechanism of bactericidal antibacterial activity, eluted metal ions is considered to be due to cause metabolic disorder is adsorbed to <br/>蛋white matter of the cell membrane, such as bacteria. Therefore, the bactericidal effect is maximized and high bactericidal performance is obtained, so that high purification performance can be achieved.

The filter bed is made of a synthetic resin hard porous body made of any one of ABS resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene and polypropylene.

The hard porous body made of synthetic resin has high corrosion resistance and can form uniform and accurate pores, so that bath water can uniformly pass through the filter bed without unevenness. This makes it possible to uniformly filter the suspended substance in the bath water over the entire filter medium without unevenness, and to obtain a long-term stable filtration ability.

[0022] Further, on the upstream side of the filtration means, the suspended substance contained in the water to be purified is converted into aluminum, which is a metal ion.
It has an aggregating means for aggregating with an electrolytic substance such as ions .

[0023] Then, human dirt and fine suspended substances such as bacteria generated in the bath water are aggregated by flocculation means to form flocs, and the suspended substance having a particle diameter to be filtered larger than the filter medium gap diameter. By being a lump, it becomes possible to purify fine suspended substances, and the filtration efficiency is increased. As a result, rapid purification can be performed, and bathing can always be performed with clean bath water, so that comfortable bathing can be performed.

The aggregating means comprises an anode for eluting metal ions, a cathode provided opposite to the anode, and a constant current power supply for applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode.

Since the aggregation can be performed electrically, maintenance-free aggregation can be realized. In addition, by controlling the amount of current applied between the electrodes, the amount of metal ions eluted, that is, the degree of aggregation can be adjusted, so that a water purification device with easy aggregation control can be realized. In addition, since the power supply was a constant current power supply, the amount of metal ions eluted was proportional to the current value according to Faraday's law, so that even if the gap between the electrodes changed due to changes in electrical characteristics due to oxidation of the electrode surface and elution, it was stable. Aggregation becomes possible.

In addition, an anode and a cathode of the aggregating means are disposed inside the filtering means, and a back washing means for back-flowing the water to be purified and washing suspended substances deposited on the particulate filter medium is provided. The filter material is configured such that the granular filter medium can contact the surface of the filter.

By operating the backwashing means, it becomes possible to frictionally clean the anode and cathode surfaces. That is, when electrolysis is performed, metal ions are eluted from the anode side, and an oxide film is formed on the anode side by reaction with oxygen components in water due to long-term use. Since this oxide film has a high electric resistance, the current decreases and the elution amount of metal ions decreases. By operating the backwashing means and bringing the particulate filter material into contact with the electrode surface of the aggregating means, an oxide film formed on the anode surface due to friction with the particulate filter material can be peeled off and washed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the amount of metal ions eluted by the oxide film, and it is possible to maintain the initial aggregation ability for a long period of time.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of a water purification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 11 denotes a bathtub, and a return pipe 12 extends from the bathtub 11 to a circulation pump 13 serving as a circulation means.
Connected to The first three-way valve 1 from the circulation pump 13
4, second three-way valve 15, filtration means 16, third three-way valve 17,
The access pipe 18 is provided so as to be connected to the bathtub 11 via a. The granular filter medium 19 is located inside the filter means 16 and is made of a corundum polycrystalline sintered body containing Al ₂ O ₃ as a main component, and its surface is selected from the group consisting of Ag, Cu, Zn, and Fe. An antimicrobial layer containing at least one heavy metal is formed. The filter bed 20 includes the filtering means 16 and the granular filter medium 1.
9 and is provided inside the filtering means 16 and is made of a synthetic resin hard porous body made of any one of ABS resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene, and polypropylene.

Further, as shown in FIG.
Where ε is the average filtration pore diameter formed by the above, ε ′ is the average pore diameter of the filter bed 20, and the ratio ε / ε ′ is R, 0.27 ≦
It is configured to satisfy the condition of R ≦ 0.8.

The aggregating means 21 includes the filtering means 16 and the granular filter medium 1.
9 and provided inside the filtering means 16 for adsorbing fine suspended substances and increasing the size of the suspended substances. A cathode 23 made of stainless steel (here, the tube of the filtering means 16 is also used as a cathode) and a constant current power supply 24 for applying a voltage between the anode 22 and the cathode 23 are provided. Reference numeral 25 denotes a backwashing means for washing the suspended matter deposited on the particulate filter medium 19 by backflow, and includes a cleaning pipe 26 provided between the first three-way valve 14 and the third three-way valve 17, and a particulate filter medium 19. Water discharge pipe 27 for discharging the cleaning water after backwashing
A solenoid valve 28 for adjusting the flow rate of the bathtub water flowing backward, a first three-way valve 14, a second three-way valve 15, a third three-way valve 17, and a valve control means 29 for controlling the opening and closing of the solenoid valve 28. Have been. At the time of backwashing, the valve control means 29 controls the solenoid valve 28 so that the particulate filter medium 19 contacts the anode 22 and the cathode 23.

In the above configuration, the operation of this embodiment will now be described.
The operation will be described. When the circulation pump 13 operates, the water in the bathtub 11 (hereinafter referred to as bathtub water) flows through the return pipe 12, the circulation pump 13, the first three-way valve 14, the second three-way valve 15, and the outgoing pipe 18 into the filtration means 16. Flows into. At this time, the first three-way valve 14 is closed by the valve control means 29 so that bath water does not flow into the washing pipe 26, and the washing water discharge pipe 2
The second three-way valve 15 is closed so that bath water does not flow into 7.

In the bath water, suspended substances such as the stratum corneum and sebum exfoliated from the human body and bacteria that are resident on the skin are mixed.
The solid-liquid separation is performed on the surface of the particulate filter medium 19 in the bath 6, and the separated bathtub water returns to the bathtub 11 via the third three-way valve 17 and the forward pipe 18. During this circulation filtration operation, the granular filter medium 1
9 and the pore diameter ε ′ of the filter bed 20 are shown in FIG.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The horizontal axis of FIG. 3 represents the ratio R = ε / ε ′ between the pore diameters ε and ε ′, the right vertical axis represents the amount of the granular filter medium 19 leaking from the filter bed 20, and the left vertical axis represents the filter bed. 20 indicates the degree of clogging, that is, the pressure loss of the filtering means 16.

According to an experiment, the average pore size ε of the particulate filter medium 19 was obtained.
Is 80 μm, the pore size of the filter bed 20 is 5 μm.
The relationship was set to 0 μm ≦ ε ′ ≦ 500 μm, and the relationship between the leakage amount of the particulate filter medium 19 and the pressure loss of the filtration means 16 was clarified. In addition, the experimental condition shows the value one week after bathing four people per day. The filtration circulation flow rate is 15 L / min, and the temperature of the water to be filtered is 40 ° C.

As a result of this experiment, the pore size of the filter bed 20 was 30
It was found that when the particle size was larger than 0 μm, that is, when R was smaller than 0.27, the granular filter medium 19 leaked from the pore size of the filter bed 20. Further, it was found that the pressure loss of the filtration means 16 as an evaluation scale of the degree of clogging rapidly increased when R exceeded 0.8 in a continuous filtration experiment for one week. That is, in the range of 0.27 ≦ R ≦ 0.8,
There is no leakage of the particulate filter medium 19 from the filter bed 20 and there is no rapid increase in pressure loss of the filtration means 16 due to the filter bed 20 (clogging is unlikely to occur). Thereby, stable filtration performance can be obtained, and the number of times of backwashing for eliminating clogging can be reduced, so that water can be saved.

Further, since the granular filter medium 19 is a sintered body containing Al ₂ O ₃ as a main component, it has a dense internal structure and is spherical, so that high particle strength can be obtained. Therefore, even if the filter media are rubbed with each other at the time of a normal filtration operation, at the time of filter media washing, or the like, there is almost no abrasion, and the initial particle size can be maintained.

Further, from the antibacterial layer of the particulate filter medium 19, Ag,
Heavy metal ions such as Cu are eluted and general bacteria in the bath water are sterilized by a trace effect (oligodynamic action), and the growth of general bacteria is suppressed. That is, the mechanism of the trace action is that heavy metal ions such as Ag and Cu are adsorbed on proteins such as cell membranes of bacteria existing in bath water, causing metabolic disorders, and preventing bacterial growth by antibacterial and bactericidal actions. It is thought to be. Thereby, increase of turbidity, generation of slime and generation of odor due to bacteria are prevented, and good purification performance can be obtained over a long period of time.

The filter bed 20 is made of a synthetic resin porous body and has high corrosion resistance and uniform and accurate pores, so that bathtub water passes through the filter bed 20 uniformly without unevenness. I do. As a result, the suspended substance in the bath water is removed from the particulate filter medium 19.
As a whole, it becomes possible to perform uniform filtration without unevenness.

When the constant current power supply 24 is operated in a state where the bath water is circulated and filtered, a current flows between the anode 22 and the cathode 23 and aluminum ions having a high ionization tendency are eluted and reacted with water. A colloid of aluminum hydroxide is formed. Here, suspended substances such as dirt and general bacteria mixed into the bathtub water due to human bathing are negatively charged, so the colloid of positively electrified aluminum hydroxide acts as a binding medium, binding fine suspended substances together. As a result, an aggregated floc having a large particle diameter is formed. According to experiments, the particle size of suspended substances such as bacteria and organic substances is about 0.7 to 1.0 μm,
When a current of 300 mA was applied between the electrodes to cause aggregation, the particle diameter of the aggregated floc was increased to about 30 μm. Therefore, the filtration efficiency of the particulate filter medium 19 is improved.

Since the aggregating means 21 is of the electrolysis type, the aggregating can be performed electrically, and maintenance-free aggregation can be realized. Furthermore, since the power source 24 is a constant current power source, the elution amount of metal ions is proportional to the current value based on Faraday's law even if the gap between the electrodes changes due to changes in electrical characteristics due to oxidation of the electrode surface and elution, so that Stable aggregation becomes possible.

Further, by using the coagulating means 21 for a long time,
The backwash means 25 is operated to remove the oxide film formed on the anode surface. The valve control means 29 opens the valve so that the bathtub water flows back into the filtering means 16 via the first three-way valve 14, the washing pipe 26, and the third three-way valve 17, and the backflowed bathtub water discharges the washing water. Second three-way valve 1 so that water flows through pipe 27
5 is opened. Further, the bathtub water that has flowed in is filled with the granular filter medium 19.
The flow rate of the bath water flowing backward is adjusted by the solenoid valve 28 so that the bathtub floats and contacts the anode 22. Floating granular filter media 19
Contacts the oxide film formed on the surface of the anode 22, peels off and cleans the oxide film by frictional force. The oxide film has a high electric resistance, the current decreases, and the elution amount of metal ions from the anode 22 decreases. However, it is possible to prevent the metal ion elution amount from decreasing by peeling and washing the oxide film. Becomes

[0042]

As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained according to the water purification apparatus of the present invention.

(1) The average filtration pore diameter formed by the granular filter medium is ε, the average pore diameter of the filter bed is ε ′, and the ratio ε / ε ′.
When R is satisfied, by satisfying the condition of 0.27 ≦ R ≦ 0.8, clogging of the filter bed can be reduced,
It is possible to prevent the filter medium from leaking from the filter bed space. Further, since clogging of the filter medium and the filter bed does not occur, there is no abrupt pressure loss inside the filter means, and a stable filtration operation can be realized for a long period of time. Further, the number of times of backwashing for eliminating clogging is reduced, thereby realizing water saving.

(2) Since the granular filter medium is a sintered body containing Al ₂ O ₃ as a main component, the filter medium hardly wears even if the filter medium is rubbed at the time of washing the filter medium or the like. As a result, no leakage of the filter medium from the pore size of the filter bed occurs. Therefore, the initial amount of the filter medium can be maintained, and the filtration performance can be maintained for a long time.

(3) Ag, Cu, Z
Since the antibacterial layer made of n, Fe, or the like is formed, an increase in turbidity, generation of slime, and generation of odor due to bacterial growth can be reduced.

(4) The filter bed is made of a synthetic resin hard porous body made of any one of ABS resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene, and polypropylene, and has high corrosion resistance and uniform and accurate pores. , So that the bath water uniformly passes through the filter bed without unevenness. Thereby, the suspended solids in the bath water can be uniformly filtered without unevenness over the entirety of the particulate filter medium, thereby realizing a long-term stable filtration ability.

(5) By providing an aggregating means on the upstream side of the filtering means for aggregating suspended substances contained in the water to be purified with an electrolysis substance, it becomes possible to purify fine suspended substances and to improve filtration efficiency. As the water content increases, rapid purification becomes possible, and it is possible to always take a bath with clean bath water.

(6) The aggregating means comprises an anode for eluting metal ions, a cathode disposed opposite to the anode, and a constant current power supply for applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode. Aggregation can be performed electrically, and maintenance-free aggregation can be realized. In addition, the amount of aggregation can be easily controlled by controlling the amount of current flowing between the electrodes. In addition, since the power source is a constant current power source, even if the electrode surface is deteriorated, the amount of metal ions eluted is proportional to the current value, and stable aggregation is realized.

(7) An anode and a cathode of the aggregating means are arranged inside the filtering means, and a backwashing means for backflowing the water to be purified and washing suspended substances deposited on the particulate filter medium is provided. By allowing the particulate filter medium to come into contact with the surface of the cathode, the long-term use of the aggregating means makes it possible to remove and wash the oxide film formed on the anode surface and prevent a decrease in the amount of metal ion eluted. Achieve coagulation ability maintenance.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a water purification device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing a relationship between the granular filter medium and the filter bed.

FIG. 3 is a characteristic diagram showing a relationship between a ratio ε / ε ′ (= R) of the average filter pore diameter ε and the filter bed average pore diameter ε ′, the degree of clogging of the filter bed, and the amount of filter medium leakage.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a conventional water purification device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Bath 13 Circulation pump 14 First three-way valve 15 Second three-way valve 16 Filtration means 17 Third three-way valve 19 Granular filter medium 20 Filter bed 21 Coagulation means 22 Anode 23 Cathode 24 Constant current power supply 25 Backwash means 26 Washing pipe 27 Wash water Discharge pipe 28 Solenoid valve 29 Valve control means

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takemi Oketa 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B01D 35/027 C02F 1 / 463 C02F 1/465

Claims (7)

(57) [Claims] 1. A granular filter medium for filtering suspended substances contained in water to be purified, and a filtering means having a filter bed for preventing leakage of the granular filter medium. ε, wherein the average pore diameter of the filter bed is ε ′ and the ratio ε / ε ′ is R, wherein the water purification device satisfies the condition of 0.27 ≦ R ≦ 0.8. 2. The water purification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the granular filter medium is constituted by a sintered body containing Al ₂ O ₃ as a main component. 3. Ag, Cu, Zn, F
3. The water purification device according to claim 1, wherein an antibacterial layer containing at least one heavy metal selected from the group of e is formed. 4. The water purifier according to claim 1, wherein the filter bed is made of a synthetic resin hard porous body made of at least one of ABS resin, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethylene and polypropylene. 5. The water purification apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an aggregating means for aggregating suspended substances contained in the water to be purified on an upstream side of the filtering means. 6. The aggregating means comprises an anode for eluting metal ions, a cathode provided opposite to the anode, and a constant current power supply for applying a voltage between the anode and the cathode. A water purification device as described in the above. 7. An anode and a cathode of the aggregating means are arranged inside the filtering means, and a backwashing means for backflowing the water to be purified and washing suspended substances deposited on the particulate filter medium is provided. The water purification device according to claim 6, wherein the granular filter medium is configured to be able to contact the surface of the cathode.