JP3861533B2 - Water softener - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water softening device that softens hard water, and in particular, can make soft water at low cost by making maximum use of the capacity of a water softener, and reliably prevent leakage of hardness components. The present invention relates to an improved water softener.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Generally, a water softener includes a water softener filled with an ion exchange resin in a container, a regeneration unit including a salt dissolution tank for generating salt water for regenerating the water softener, and raw water to the water softener ( (Hard water) and a control device that controls the flow of salt water, and a water softening process that passes raw water through the water softener, and an ion exchange resin in the water softener that passes the salt water through the water softener The operation is performed so as to alternately perform the process of regenerating.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the conventional water softener, there is a problem of the leakage of the hardness component into the treated water due to the following usage pattern or configuration factors.
[0004]
(1) Generally, a water softener is rarely used in continuous operation, and in many cases is used in intermittent operation. When restarting the intermittent operation, the hardness component deviated from the ion exchange resin during the device stoppage period. Leaks into the treated water. In the deionized water device, the low-quality treated water at the start of operation is configured not to flow out as treated water by discarding or circulating treatment, but in the soft water device, in order to reduce the device cost, Since the function is not provided, there is a problem of hardness component leakage at the time of restarting operation.
[0005]
{Circle around (2)} When the ion exchange resin of the water softener is regenerated with saline, regeneration failure occurs due to various factors such as fluctuations in water pressure and salt bridges, and there is a problem of hardness component leakage due to this regeneration failure. For this reason, in boiler water softeners that cannot be tolerated even with a small amount of hardness component leakage, a plurality of water softeners are installed in parallel or in series to prevent hardness component leakage due to poor regeneration. Although providing a plurality of water softeners in this way, the cost of the apparatus increases. For this reason, in reality, a certain degree of hardness component leakage is accepted, and a large amount of chemical cost is applied to prevent adhesion of scale due to the hardness component leaked by chemical treatment.
[0006]
The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and makes it possible to produce soft water at a low cost by making the best use of the capacity of the water softener, and to prevent the leakage of hardness components with certainty. The purpose is to provide.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The water softener of the present invention includes a water softener, a regeneration unit for supplying a regeneration liquid to the water softener for regeneration, a soft water production operation for passing raw water through the water softener, and a regeneration operation for regenerating the water softener. A soft water device having a control device for switching between the soft water device and a soft water device for taking out soft water from the water softener through a non-regeneration type polisher, the means for measuring the amount of water flowing into the non-regeneration type polisher, and the soft water device A soft water management device having means for measuring the hardness of the treated water of the vessel, and a computing unit to which the measured value of the amount of water flowing into the non-regeneration type polisher and the measured value of the hardness of the treated water are input, and the soft water management An information management device that displays information from the device, and the computing unit transmits a hardness component leak signal to the control device when the hardness component is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and inputs the treated water Hardness and non-regenerative By calculating the amount of hardness component adsorbed by the non-regenerative type polisher from the measured value of the amount of water flowing into the polisher, and comparing this calculation result with the ion exchange capacity of the ion exchange resin in the non-regenerative type polisher, Obtaining the replacement time of the regenerative polisher, and transmitting information on the calculated replacement time of the non-regenerative polisher to the information management device, the information management device displaying the information on the exchange time of the transmitted non-regenerative polisher, The control device regenerates the water softener based on the hardness leak signal .
[0008]
In the water softener of the present invention, since the hardness component leaked from the water softener can be removed by the non-regenerative polisher (non-regenerative cation exchange device), the leakage of the hardness component into the treated water is surely prevented. be able to. In addition, non-regenerative polishers are relatively inexpensive, and the softening of raw water is mainly performed in water softeners, and non-regenerative polishers are loaded only when hardness components leak from the water softener. , Do not need to be replaced frequently. For this reason, even if a non-regeneration type polisher is provided, the increase in water treatment cost is small.
[0012]
Water softener according to claim 2, the information management apparatus, display means have a signal processing means and memory means, time to replace the non-regenerative polisher via a public line or dedicated line to the information management apparatus from the water softener management device those having a means to inform the non-regenerative exchange polisher automatically notified of information such as replacement timing replacement skilled in the art of non-regenerative polisher, smoothly perform the management.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0014]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a water softener, which has an inflow control unit 1A having a plurality of switching valves. 2 is a regeneration unit that dissolves and stores salt in water to regenerate the ion exchange resin of the water softener 1, 3 is a control device that controls the water softener 1, the regeneration unit 2, and the control unit 1A, and 4 is soft water. It is a non-regeneration type polisher (non-regeneration type cation exchange device) into which treated water of the vessel 1 flows. This non-regenerative polisher has a cation exchange resin inside. This non-regeneration type polisher does not perform regeneration by passing a regeneration solution. 5 is a flow meter for measuring the amount of water flowing into the non-regenerative polisher 4, 6 is a soft water management device for measuring the hardness of treated water, and 7 is notified of the replacement time of the non-regenerative polisher 4 from the soft water management device 6. It is an information management device.
[0015]
In this water softener, raw water such as well water, city water, and industrial water flows from the raw water inflow pipe 11 into the water softener 1 via the inflow control unit 1A and the pipe 12 of the water softener 1, and enters the water softener 1. The hardness component is removed by the filled ion exchange resin. The soft water treated by the water softener 1 is passed through the non-regenerative polisher 4 through the pipe 13, the inflow control unit 1A, and the pipe 14, and is then sent to the place where the soft water is used.
[0016]
According to such a water softener, the hardness component that is eluted from the ion exchange resin at the start of operation of the water softener 1 or the hardness component that leaks into the treated water due to the poor regeneration of the ion exchange resin is removed. Therefore, the leakage of the hardness component to the treated water can be reliably prevented.
[0017]
Further, a part of the water treated by the water softener 1 and flowing through the pipe 14 is collected from the pipe 16 to the soft water management device 6, and in this soft water management device 6, the hardness is measured by an ion sensor or the like. A determination is made whether there is a leak. Of the water sampled by the soft water management device 6, excess water is returned from the pipe 17 to the pipe 14. Specifically, a part of the water flowing through the pipe 14 branches from the pipe 14 to the pipe 16, and is returned to the pipe 14 through the three types of water sampling valves 6 a and the pipe 17. In the water sampling valve 6a, a part of the water flowing through the pipes 16 and 17 is collected and sent to the hardness sensor 6b as test water to measure the hardness component concentration. The water in contact with the hardness sensor 6b is discharged from the pipe 18 as measurement waste water. The signal from the hardness sensor 6b is input to the calculator 6c. A flow rate signal from the flow meter 5 is also input to the computing unit 6c. Based on the flow rate, the hardness component concentration, and the capacity of the water softener 1 input in advance, the water sampling valve 6a collects the hardness. The frequency of sending to the sensor 6b is determined. The computing unit 6c controls the water sampling valve 6a according to the determination data. Thereby, it is prevented that sample water is collected excessively, and only the necessary minimum water softener treated water is collected as sample water.
[0018]
The computing unit 6c sends a hardness component leak signal to the control device 3 when the hardness component becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The calculator 6c continuously transmits the water amount and hardness data signal to the information management device 7.
[0019]
When the soft water management device 6 detects a hardness leak from the water softener 1 and the soft water management device 6 transmits a hardness component leak signal to the control device 3, the control device 3 controls the inflow control unit 1A and the regeneration unit 2. Thus, the ion exchange resin in the water softener 1 is regenerated with saline.
[0020]
This reproduction is performed as follows. First, contaminants accumulated on the surface of the ion exchange resin of the water softener 1 are discharged to the drain pipe 19 by backwashing the raw water, and then the saturated saline solution is fed into the water softener 1 together with the raw water from the saline tank built in the regeneration unit 2. The hardness component is separated by introducing and contacting with the ion exchange resin of the water softener 1, and the regenerated waste water is discharged from the drain pipe 19. Furthermore, as an extrusion process, the raw water is passed through, the salt water remaining in the water softener 1, the pipes 12, 13 and the inflow control unit 1 </ b> A is pushed out and discharged from the drain pipe 19. Then, it returns to the soft water manufacturing operation which distribute | circulates raw | natural water in order of the piping 12, the water softener 1, and the piping 13. In FIG.
[0021]
In this water softener, water containing the hardness component flows out from the water softener 1 when the soft water management device 6 detects the leak of the hardness component, but this water is passed through the non-regenerative polisher 4. Since the hardness component leaked by the non-regenerative type polisher 4 is removed and then taken out of the system, only the soft water from which the hardness component has been reliably removed is supplied to the soft water storage tank for storing the treated water of the water softener. It becomes like this. In addition, since the non-regenerative polisher 4 removes the hardness only when the hardness component leaks from the water softener 1, it has a low load and can be used for a long time.
[0022]
Further, in the soft water device of FIG. 1, the treated water flow rate is measured by the flow meter 5, and the leak amount of the hardness component is measured by the soft water management device 6. From these measured values, the non-regenerative polisher 4 The amount of the hardness component adsorbed by the non-regenerative polisher 4 can be calculated, and the calculation result is compared with the ion exchange capacity of the ion exchange resin in the non-regenerative polisher 4 to obtain the replacement time of the non-regenerative polisher 4. Can do.
[0023]
In this water softener, the information on the replacement time of the non-regenerative polisher 4 calculated by the soft water manager 6 is transmitted to the information manager 7 via a public line or a dedicated line.
[0024]
The information management device 7 is preferably provided with display means for displaying information on the replacement time of the non-regenerative polisher 4 transmitted from the soft water management device 6, signal processing means, and storage means. By installing such an information management device 7 in a management place of a maintenance company such as a non-regeneration type polisher exchanger that is away from the installation place of the soft water device, for example, the replacement time of the non-regeneration type polisher is automatically set. The merchant is notified and can be replaced by the merchant before the non-recyclable polisher breaks through. At the same time, in this trader, inventory management, delivery management, quality management, etc. can be performed from the past replacement frequency and the number of replacements.
[0025]
In the present invention, as the soft water management device 6, a part of the soft water (treated water) from the water softener 1 that has been applied for a patent earlier than the applicant of the present invention and the water supply pipe 14 were sorted. In a soft water management apparatus having a measuring means for measuring the quality of soft water, it is preferable to employ a soft water management apparatus (Japanese Patent Application No. 11-225476) having the following configuration.
[0026]
(1) As a means for separating soft water, a secondary pipe branched from the water supply pipe and joined again to the water supply pipe downstream from the branch point, a pump provided in the middle of the secondary pipe, and a discharge of the pump A soft water management device comprising an outlet or a take-out pipe branched from a sub-pipe on the downstream side of the outlet, and configured to supply water taken out from the take-out pipe to the measuring means. With such a soft water management device, a portion of the soft water in the water supply pipe is forced to flow through the sub pipe by the pump, so the soft water can be separated stably regardless of the water pressure in the water supply pipe. Can do. In addition, since the soft water that is larger than the amount of water to be dispensed from the take-out pipe is returned from the auxiliary pipe to the water supply pipe, the soft water is not wasted.
[0027]
(2) A soft water management apparatus configured to purify soft water separated by a soft water separation means by a purification means having a filtration membrane such as activated carbon and an MF (microfiltration) membrane and then supply the purified water to the measurement means. With such a soft water management device, the collected soft water is supplied to the measuring means after passing through the purifying means, so even if rust pieces and ion exchange resin pieces are mixed in the soft water, they are removed by the purifying means. This prevents an error from occurring in the measuring means.
[0028]
(3) A soft water management apparatus configured to supply water to the measuring means after adjusting the temperature of the water separated by the soft water separating means using the temperature adjusting means. If it is such a soft water management apparatus, the measurement error resulting from a temperature difference can be prevented by giving soft water of predetermined temperature with respect to a measurement means. In this case, it is preferable that the reference standard solution is supplied to the temperature adjusting unit, and the temperature of the comparative standard solution is adjusted by the temperature adjusting unit and then supplied to the measuring unit. In this way, the temperature of the comparative standard solution is the same as that of soft water, and the calibration error can be remarkably reduced.
[0029]
(4) A soft water management apparatus configured to introduce soft water collected by the soft water sorting means into a water tank opened to the atmosphere and supply water in the water tank to the measurement means. With such a soft water management device, water collected by the sorting means is introduced into a water tank once opened to the atmosphere, where bubbles generated from dissolved gas are removed, and then the soft water in the water tank is supplied to the measuring means. Therefore, water quality measurement data with extremely small errors can be obtained. When soft water is introduced into this water tank, it is possible to prevent the influence of external noise in hardness measurement by arranging the soft water in the water tank so that the outlet of the introduction pipe does not directly touch the water. In this case, by supplying the water in the water tank to the measuring means with a pump capable of quantitative and constant pressure water supply, measurement errors due to fluctuations in the flow rate and pressure of the water to be measured can be eliminated.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the water softener of the present invention, soft water can be produced at low cost by making full use of the capacity of the water softener, and the problem of leakage of hardness components can be solved. Can do.
[0031]
In addition , the amount and quality of treated water can be managed.
[0032]
Also , the water softener can be regenerated by automatic control.
[0033]
In addition , since it is possible to know the replacement time in advance before the non-regenerative polisher breaks through, it is possible to reduce the replacement cost of the non-regenerative polisher by performing the minimum necessary replacement of the non-regenerative polisher. it can.
[0034]
According to the soft water device of the second aspect , information such as the replacement timing of the non-regenerative polisher can be automatically notified to a non-regenerative polisher replacement company or the like, so that the non-regenerative polisher can be replaced and managed smoothly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an embodiment of a water softener of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water softener 2 Regeneration unit 3 Control apparatus 4 Non-regeneration type polisher 5 Total flow meter 6 Soft water management apparatus 7 Information management apparatus

Claims (2)

A water softener, a regeneration unit for supplying a regeneration liquid to the water softener for regeneration, and a control device for switching between a soft water production operation for passing raw water through the water softener and a regeneration operation for regenerating the water softener. Having a water softener,
A water softening device for removing soft water from the water softener through a non-regenerative polisher ,
Means for measuring the amount of water flowing into the non-regenerative polisher;
A soft water management device comprising means for measuring the hardness of the treated water of the water softener, and an arithmetic unit to which the measured value of the amount of water flowing into the non-regeneration type polisher and the measured value of the hardness of the treated water are input,
An information management device for displaying information from the soft water management device;
The arithmetic unit transmits a hardness component leak signal to the control device when the hardness component is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, and from the measured values of the treated water hardness and the inflow water amount to the non-regenerative polisher, Calculate the amount of hardness component adsorbed by the non-regenerative polisher, and compare the calculation result with the ion exchange capacity of the ion-exchange resin in the non-regenerative polisher to determine and calculate the replacement time of the non-regenerative polisher. Send the information on the replacement time of the non-recycled polisher to the information management device,
The information management device displays information on the exchange timing of the transmitted non-regenerative polisher,
The control device regenerates the water softener based on the hardness leak signal . According to claim 1, wherein the information management apparatus, display means, have a signal processing means and memory means, soft water system, non-regenerative from the soft water management device via a public line or dedicated line to the information management device water softener, characterized in that it comprises a means to notify the replacement time of the polisher.

Images