JP3738440B2 - Bubble generator - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a bubble generator, and more particularly to a bubble generator that generates fine bubbles.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In a bubble generating device, generally, a liquid in which air is dissolved by being pressurized to a high pressure by a pressurizing means is passed through a flow path formed in an orifice shape, and then discharged into a tank containing the liquid, or venturi. The liquid passes through a discharge part having an orifice-shaped flow path or a venturi-like jet outlet by a method such as jetting into a tank containing liquid from a discharge part having a jet outlet. Bubbles are formed by sudden pressure reduction.
[0003]
By the way, the bubble generating device is used by being incorporated in various devices utilizing the action of bubbles, such as a bathtub, an aeration tank, and a water treatment device. However, in order to obtain the action of bubbles efficiently, the bubbles are contained in the tank. It needs to be well distributed in the contained liquid. For this reason, in order to lengthen the residence time in the liquid, it is necessary to generate as fine bubbles as possible or to generate a larger amount of bubbles. However, it is difficult to generate fine bubbles such as several μm to several tens of μm only by a pressure reducing action such as a discharge portion having a flow path formed in an orifice shape or a venturi-like jet outlet, It is also difficult to increase the amount of bubbles generated. Therefore, in order to generate finer bubbles and increase the amount of generated bubbles, conventionally, a complicated bubble generating device such as a configuration including a mechanical decompression unit or a configuration including a plurality of decompression chambers and orifices has been used. Formed and used. Therefore, there has been a demand for a bubble generating device that can make the bubbles sufficiently spread in the liquid contained in the tank with a simple configuration.
[0004]
On the other hand, the inventors of the present application, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-190439, are provided in a tank that stores liquid, a liquid channel that discharges liquid into the tank, and the liquid channel. Liquid supply means, gas supply means provided in the liquid flow path for supplying gas into the liquid, line mixer provided at the outlet side end of the liquid flow path for generating bubbles in the liquid, and this line A bubble generating device having a collision means for colliding liquid discharged from a mixer into a tank is proposed.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, even in the bubble generating apparatus proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-190439, a compressed air cylinder, a compressor, or the like is used as a gas supply means for supplying gas into the liquid in the liquid flow path at a constant pressure. Since it may be necessary, and because collision means are also required, installation and design of the gas generator may be limited, so there is no need for compressed air cylinders, compressors, collision means, etc. There is a demand for a bubble generating device that simplifies the above.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to simplify the configuration of a bubble generating device.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The bubble generating device of the present invention includes a liquid channel through which a liquid flows, a liquid feeding unit provided in the liquid channel, and an upstream side of the liquid flow direction with respect to the liquid feeding unit. A gas flow path that communicates with the liquid flow path portion and supplies gas into the liquid; a valve provided in the gas flow path for controlling the flow of the gas in the gas flow path; Pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the downstream portion of the liquid flow with respect to the liquid means, and a discharge section provided at the outlet side end of the liquid flow path for generating bubbles in the liquid. Thus, when the liquid feeding means is driven, the valve opens when the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means reaches the first set pressure, and the second pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is lower than the first set pressure. The above-mentioned problem is solved by adopting a configuration that closes when the set pressure becomes.
[0008]
Further, a tank for storing the liquid, a liquid flow path for discharging the liquid into the tank, a liquid feeding means provided in the liquid flow path, and a liquid flow direction with respect to the liquid feeding means. A gas flow path that communicates with a portion of the upstream liquid flow path to supply gas into the liquid, a valve that is provided in the gas flow path and controls the flow of gas in the gas flow path, and a liquid Pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the downstream portion of the liquid flow with respect to the liquid flow means relative to the flow path, and a discharge section for generating bubbles in the liquid provided at the outlet side end of the liquid flow path When the liquid feeding means is driven, the valve opens when the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means reaches the first set pressure, and the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is the first set pressure. When the second set pressure is lower than that, the structure is closed.
[0009]
With such a configuration, when the pressure in the portion downstream of the liquid flow with respect to the liquid flow means of the liquid flow path becomes the first set pressure, the electromagnetic valve opens and the gas flows in the liquid flow path. By mixing in the liquid, the pressure in the portion on the downstream side with respect to the flow of the liquid is lower than the liquid feeding means of the liquid flow path. When the pressure in the downstream portion of the liquid flow path with respect to the liquid flow from the liquid flow means drops and the pressure detected by the pressure detection means reaches the second set pressure, the electromagnetic valve is closed, The pressure in the portion on the downstream side with respect to the flow of liquid from the liquid feeding means is increased. Thus, by raising the liquid mixed with gas to a predetermined pressure, fine bubbles can be generated at the discharge section. Accordingly, since the bubbles generated in the discharge section can be made fine without a compressed air cylinder, a compressor, a collision means, etc., the configuration of the bubble generating device can be simplified.
[0010]
Further, if the delay means for delaying the opening of the valve for a preset time when the pressure detected by the pressure detection means reaches the first set pressure, the liquid mixed with the gas is set to a predetermined pressure. It is preferable because the ability to generate fine bubbles can be improved.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a bubble generator to which the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a bubble generating apparatus to which the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a bubble generating device to which the present invention is applied is attached to a bathtub. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the operation of the bubble generating apparatus to which the present invention is applied and the pressure fluctuation in the portion downstream of the pump of the liquid conduit. In this embodiment, the bubble generating device is described as an example attached to a bathtub. However, the bubble generating device of the present invention is a live fish tank, aquaculture, hydroponics, freshwater or seawater purification treatment, sludge It can be used for various applications that use fine bubbles, such as floating treatment, aerobic bacteria treatment, and cleaning applications. Also, bubble generation devices that are attached to existing bathtubs, treatment tanks, water tanks, etc. Various configurations such as devices can be made.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the bubble generating device 1 of the present embodiment includes a circulation pipe 3 serving as a liquid flow path, an inflow portion 5 provided at one end of the circulation pipe 3, and a discharge portion provided at the other end. 7, an inflow flow rate adjusting valve 9 provided in order from the upstream side with respect to the flow of hot water in the circulation line 3 in the circulation line 3 between the inflow part 5 and the discharge part 7, a pump serving as a liquid feeding means 11, a pressure gauge 13, a pressure sensor 15 serving as a pressure detection means, a discharge flow rate adjustment valve 17, and a gas pipe serving as a gas flow path communicating with a portion between the inflow flow rate adjustment valve 9 of the circulation pipe 3 and the pump 11. 19, an electromagnetic valve 21 provided in the gas pipe 19, and an operation panel 23 serving as a control means for controlling the operation and operation of the bubble generating device 1.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 2, the inflow portion 5 is attached to the bottom of the bathtub 25, for example, and the discharge portion 7 of the circulation pipe 3 discharges hot water toward the bottom surface of the bathtub 25 on the inner side wall of the bathtub 25. It is attached. Therefore, the hot water 27 flowing in from the inflow portion 5 provided at the inlet side end of the circulation pipe 3 is provided at the outlet side end of the circulation flow channel 3 and discharged from the discharge portion 7 into the bathtub 25. Thus, the circulation pipe line 3 becomes a flow path for circulating the hot water 27 accommodated in the bathtub 25.
[0014]
The discharge part 7 of this embodiment is formed with gas-liquid mixers, such as a static mixer which is a line mixer which does not have a drive means, for example. In the bubble generation device 1 of the present embodiment, the discharge unit 7 is formed by a gas-liquid mixer such as a static mixer. However, in the bubble generation device to which the present invention is applied, the gas-liquid mixer is not used for the discharge unit 7. Even if it is formed by a nozzle having a flow path formed in an orifice shape, a venturi-like jet outlet, or the like, fine bubbles can be generated. That is, in the bubble generating device to which the present invention is applied, it is not necessary to use the discharge portion 7 formed by a gas-liquid mixer for generating bubbles, and has a flow path formed in an orifice shape, a venturi-shaped jet outlet, and the like. Even if the discharge unit is used, bubbles can be generated without using a compressed air cylinder or a compressor.
[0015]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the inflow flow rate adjusting valve 9 is a valve for adjusting the flow rate of the hot water 27 flowing into the pump 11. As the pump 11, various pumps having various configurations can be used as long as the required discharge flow rate, pressure, lift, and the like can be ensured and liquid can be fed even in a gas mixed state. In addition, as the pump 11 of this embodiment, the hot water 27 is supplied into the circulation line 3 at a desired flow rate, for example, 10 L / min. A pump that can be passed at a flow rate of about the above, and that has the ability to pressurize the portion of the circulation line 3 downstream of the pump 11 to a pressure higher than a desired pressure, for example, about 0.6 MPa or higher. Is used. Such a pump 11 is electrically connected to a circuit or the like serving as control means in the operation panel 23 via a wiring 51.
[0016]
The pressure gauge 13 is for visually confirming the pressure in the portion of the circulation line 3 downstream of the pump 11. In this embodiment, the pressure sensor 15 is composed of a pressure switch that switches between transmission and stop of a signal with two preset pressures, and is electrically connected to a circuit or the like serving as control means in the operation panel 23 via the wiring 51. Has been. Note that the pressure sensor 15 of the present embodiment is turned on when the pressure rises and reaches a preset first set pressure P1, for example, about 0.6 MPa, and sends a signal, and the pressure drops and is preset. When the pressure reaches the second set pressure P2, for example, about 0.5 MPa, it is turned off to stop signal transmission.
[0017]
The discharge flow rate adjustment valve 17 is a valve for adjusting the discharge flow rate of the hot water 27 from the discharge part 7 and adjusts the maximum pressure in the downstream portion of the circulation line 3 from the pump 11. For example, the maximum pressure is adjusted to about 0.6 MPa. One end of the gas pipe 19 is opened to the air, and the other end is connected to a portion of the circulation pipe 3 between the inflow rate adjusting valve 9 and the pump 11. The electromagnetic valve 21 provided in the gas pipe line 19 performs two opening / closing operations in response to a signal from the operation panel 23, and is electrically connected to a circuit serving as a control means in the operation panel 23 through the wiring 51. It is connected to the.
[0018]
The operation panel 23 contains a circuit that serves as a control means together with operation switches, and the circuit that serves as the control means includes an electromagnetic valve 21 provided in the gas pipe 19 in response to a signal from the pressure sensor 15. Open and close. That is, when the pressure sensor 15 is turned on and a signal is transmitted, the control means transmits a signal to the electromagnetic valve 21 to open the electromagnetic valve 21, and when the pressure sensor 15 is turned off and the transmission of the signal is stopped, the control means is electromagnetic. Transmission of the signal to the valve 21 is stopped and the electromagnetic valve 21 is closed. Further, the circuit serving as the control means in the operation panel 23 includes a delay circuit. When the pressure sensor 15 is turned on and a signal is transmitted, the signal transmission to the electromagnetic valve 21 is delayed for a preset time. That is, the electromagnetic valve 21 is opened after a delay of a set time after the pressure sensor 15 is turned on and a signal is transmitted by the delay circuit.
[0019]
The operation of the bubble generating apparatus having such a configuration and the features of the present invention will be described. In the bubble generating device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, when the operation start command switch in the operation panel 23 is turned on, the pump 11 starts to drive, and the hot water 27 in the bathtub 25 flows into the inflow portion. 5 flows into the circulation line 3 and the hot water 27 is discharged from the discharge portion 7 into the bathtub 25 and the hot water 27 starts to circulate. At this time, since the solenoid valve 21 is closed, the pressure in the portion downstream of the pump 11 in the circulation line 3 by the hot water 27 discharged from the pump 11 is the maximum pressure adjusted by the discharge flow rate adjusting valve 17. The pressure rises toward the first set pressure P1.
[0020]
As shown in FIG. 3, the pressure in the portion of the circulation line 3 downstream of the pump 11 reaches the first set pressure P <b> 1 after elapse of time t <b> 1 from the start of operation, for example, about several seconds to several tens of seconds. Then, the pressure sensor 15 is turned on and a signal is transmitted. The control means in the operation panel 23 that has received the signal causes the electromagnetic valve 21 to pass after, for example, several seconds to several tens of seconds after the elapse of a preset time t2 from the start of receiving the signal from the pressure sensor 15 by the delay circuit. A signal is transmitted and the solenoid valve 21 is opened. During this time, the pressure is maintained at the first set pressure P1.
[0021]
When the electromagnetic valve 21 is opened, air is sucked into the circulation line 3 from the open end of the gas line 19 through the gas line 19, and air is mixed into the hot water 27 flowing through the circulation line 3. . When air is mixed into the hot water 27 flowing through the circulation pipe 3, the pressure in the downstream portion of the circulation pipe 3 from the pump 11 is reduced. Since the pressure sensor 15 stops transmitting the signal when the pressure in the downstream side of the pump 11 of the circulation line 3 decreases to the second set pressure, the control means in the operation panel 23 is operated by the electromagnetic valve 21. Is stopped, and the solenoid valve 21 is closed.
[0022]
When the solenoid valve 21 is closed, air is no longer mixed into the hot water 27 flowing through the circulation line 3, so that the pressure in the portion on the downstream side of the pump 11 of the circulation line 3 rises again. Fine bubbles are generated by the discharge of hot water 27 from the discharge portion 7 while the pressure is increased and the first set pressure P <b> 1 is maintained, and the fine bubbles are discharged into the bathtub 25. When the pressure in the portion of the circulation line 3 downstream of the pump 11 rises again and reaches the first set pressure P1, when the set time t2 elapses, the electromagnetic valve 21 opens and flows through the circulation line 3. The air in the hot water 27 is mixed again, and the pressure in the downstream portion of the circulation line 3 with respect to the pump 11 decreases. By repeating this operation, an air mixing process for mixing air into the hot water 27 flowing through the circulation pipe 3 and a microbubble generating process for generating microbubbles are repeated. In the microbubble generating process, for example, several Fine bubbles such as μm to several tens μm can be generated and discharged into the hot water 27 in the bathtub 25.
[0023]
It should be noted that the time t4 required to increase the pressure in the portion downstream of the pump 11 of the circulation line 3 from the second set pressure to the first set pressure, and the circulation line 3 from the first set pressure to the second set pressure. The time t3 required for the pressure drop in the downstream portion of the pump 11 is about several seconds to several tens of seconds. Therefore, fine bubbles are discharged into the hot water 27 in the bathtub 25 at intervals of several seconds to several tens of seconds. However, fine bubbles such as several μm to several tens of μm, for example, are discharged from the discharge section 7 into the hot water 27, and such fine bubbles are slow in the rising speed of the fine bubbles in the hot water 27. In a bathtub of about 600 mm, it stays in the hot water 27 for about 3 to 5 minutes. For this reason, if bubbles are intermittently discharged from the discharge section 7 into the hot water 27 at intervals of about 1 minute or less, a state in which a sufficient amount of fine bubbles stays in the hot water 27 in the bathtub 25 can be maintained. . Therefore, almost the entire hot water 27 in the bathtub 25 can be made white as if it was emulsified with fine bubbles.
[0024]
As described above, in the bubble generating device 1 of the present embodiment, the electromagnetic valve 21 is opened when the pressure in the downstream portion with respect to the flow of the hot water 27 with respect to the flow of the pump 11 in the circulation line 3 becomes the first set pressure P1. By mixing air into the hot water 27 in the circulation line 3, the pressure in the downstream portion of the flow of the hot water 27 from the pump 11 in the circulation line 3 is reduced. When the pressure decreases and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 15 reaches the second set pressure P2, the solenoid valve 21 is closed and mixing of air into the hot water 27 in the circulation line 3 is stopped. Then, by stopping the mixing of air into the hot water 27 in the circulation pipe 3, the pressure in the downstream side of the flow of the hot water 27 with respect to the flow of the hot water 27 from the pump 11 in the circulation pipe 3 is increased. Bubbles can be generated. Therefore, unlike the conventional bubble generating device, fine bubbles can be generated at the discharge section without a compressed air cylinder, a compressor, or a collision means, so that the configuration of the bubble generating device can be simplified.
[0025]
Furthermore, since the configuration is simplified, the cost of the bubble generating device can be reduced, and the restrictions on the installation and design of the bubble generating device can be reduced.
[0026]
In addition, it has been confirmed by the inventors of the present application that the bubble generating device 1 of the present embodiment can increase the concentration of fine bubbles and improve the ability to generate fine bubbles as compared with the conventional bubble generating device.
[0027]
Further, in the bubble generating device 1 of the present embodiment, one discharge unit 7 is connected to one pump 11, but in the bubble generating device to which the present invention is applied, one pump 11 is connected. A plurality of discharge portions 7 can be connected and used. For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a bubble generating device 53 in which two are connected to one pump can be provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the bubble generating device 53 has two circulation conduits 3a and 3b connected between the two inflow portions 5a and 5b and the two discharge portions 7a and 7b. The two circulation pipes 3a and 3b are joined to one circulation pipe 3 at a portion where the pump 11 is provided, and a pressure downstream of the circulation pipe 3 with respect to the pump 11 has a pressure. A total 13 and a pressure sensor 15 are sequentially provided.
[0028]
Inflow flow rate regulating valves 9a and 9b are provided on the upstream side of the pumps 11 of the two circulation lines 3a and 3b on the downstream side of the pumps 11 of the two circulation lines 3a and 3b. Discharge amount adjusting valves 17a and 17b are provided in the portion. One gas line 19 provided with an electromagnetic valve 21 is connected to a part of the circulation line 3 upstream of the pump 11, for example, a merged part of the two circulation lines 3 a and 3 b. For example, in the case where fine bubbles are generated in the hot water 27 or the like in two separate bathtubs 25a and 25b, if the bubble generating device 53 to which the present invention is applied, the two separate bathtubs 25a and 25b with one pump 11 are used. Fine bubbles can be generated in the inner hot water 27 and the like.
[0029]
Furthermore, in the bubble generating device 1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, after a predetermined time has elapsed since the pressure in the downstream portion of the circulation line 3 from the pump 11 reaches the first set pressure, By opening the electromagnetic valve 21 provided in the gas pipe 19, a period of time during which the pressure in the portion on the downstream side of the pump 11 of the circulation pipe 3 is maintained at substantially the first set pressure is provided. However, as shown in FIG. 6, there is no time during which the pressure in the portion downstream of the circulation pipe 3 from the pump 11 is maintained at the first set pressure, and the downstream of the circulation pipe 3 of the pump 11. The solenoid valve 21 can be opened when the pressure in the side portion reaches the first set pressure. However, as in the present embodiment, the time in which the pressure in the portion on the downstream side of the pump 11 of the circulation line 3 is maintained at the first set pressure is provided, while the other can increase the concentration of fine bubbles and The ability to generate bubbles can be improved.
[0030]
Further, in this embodiment, the pressure sensor 15 which is a pressure switch that switches between transmission and stop of a signal with two preset pressures is used as the pressure detection means. However, as the pressure detection means, the circulation line 3 is used. If the internal pressure can be detected, various pressure detecting means can be used. Further, various configurations such as providing two pressure switches in the circulation line 3 including a pressure switch for transmitting a signal at the first set pressure P1 and another pressure switch for transmitting a signal at the second set pressure P2. it can.
[0031]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the configuration of the bubble generating device can be simplified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an embodiment of a bubble generating apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a state in which a bubble generating device to which the present invention is applied is attached to a bathtub.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an operation of an embodiment of a bubble generating apparatus to which the present invention is applied and a pressure fluctuation in a portion on the downstream side of the pump of the liquid conduit.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a modified example of the bubble generating apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which a modified example of the bubble generating device to which the present invention is applied is attached to a bathtub.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the operation of a modified example of the bubble generating apparatus to which the present invention is applied and the pressure fluctuation in the portion on the downstream side of the pump of the liquid conduit.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bubble generator 3 Circulation flow path 5 Inflow part 7 Discharge part 11 Pump 15 Pressure sensor 21 Electromagnetic valve 25 Bathtub 27 Hot water

Claims (3)

A liquid channel through which the liquid flows, a liquid feeding unit provided in the liquid channel, and a portion of the liquid channel upstream of the liquid feeding unit with respect to the liquid flow direction A gas flow path for supplying a gas into the liquid in communication with the gas, a valve provided in the gas flow path for controlling the flow of the gas in the gas flow path, and the liquid feeding means of the liquid flow path Pressure detecting means for detecting the pressure in the downstream portion with respect to the flow of the liquid, and a discharge portion that is provided at an outlet side end portion of the liquid flow path and generates bubbles in the liquid. And
When the liquid feeding means is driven, the valve opens when the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means reaches the first set pressure, and the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is higher than the first set pressure. A bubble generating device that closes when the second set pressure is low. A tank for storing the liquid, a liquid flow path for discharging the liquid into the tank, a liquid feeding means for the liquid provided in the liquid flow path, and a direction of the liquid flow from the liquid feeding means. On the other hand , a gas flow path that communicates with the portion of the liquid flow path on the upstream side and supplies a gas into the liquid, and a valve that is provided in the gas flow path and controls the flow of the gas in the gas flow path A pressure detection means for detecting a pressure in a portion downstream of the liquid flow with respect to the liquid flow with respect to the liquid flow means, and an outlet side end portion of the flow path. And a discharge part for generating bubbles,
When the liquid feeding means is driven, the valve opens when the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means reaches the first set pressure, and the pressure detected by the pressure detecting means is higher than the first set pressure. A bubble generating device that closes when the second set pressure is low.   3. The bubble generation according to claim 1, further comprising delay means for delaying the opening of the valve for a preset time when the pressure detected by the pressure detection means reaches a first set pressure. apparatus.

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