JP4083189B2 - Water treatment equipment - Google Patents

Description

  This invention sterilizes treated water stored in various aquariums, from large aquariums such as pools and bath tubs, to small aquariums such as water tanks placed on the rooftops of buildings and general household bathtubs. The present invention relates to a novel water treatment apparatus that can be used.

  For example, a pool installed indoors or outdoors, or a bathtub in an inn or a public bath, is regularly used to maintain the water quality, so-called (salach powder, high-quality salty powder) or sodium hypochlorite (NaCIO). It is necessary to sterilize by adding an aqueous solution.

  However, in the past, this work was done manually by employees at pools and baths, and the aqueous solution of chalk and sodium hypochlorite was irritating. There was a problem that a great deal of labor was required to carry out the process, for example, the work had to be performed with great care.

In addition, since calcite is a solid powder, it takes time to dissolve and become uniform after the addition, and there is a problem that a pool and a bathtub cannot be used during that time. The objective of this invention is providing the novel water treatment apparatus which can sterilize the to-be-processed water stored in the above various water tanks simply and efficiently.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-189141

  Therefore, the applicant of the present invention invents a water treatment apparatus having a water treatment path that guides the water to be treated stored in each water tank as described above to the electrolytic tank, sterilizes it by an electrochemical reaction, and returns it to the water tank again. did.

  In the water treatment apparatus of the present invention, water to be treated is supplied to an electrolytic cell having electrodes, and an electrochemical reaction (so-called electrolysis) is performed on the water to be treated. Due to the applied electrochemical reaction, chlorine gas, hypochlorous acid (HCIO), hypochlorite ions, etc. are generated and dissolved in the treated water, so that the treated water is sterilized. Yes.

  However, in the case of a tank where the quality of the water to be treated is drastically changed due to the number of people in the water, the weather, the temperature, etc. In some cases, sterilization could not catch up with electrolysis performed in an electrolytic cell alone. In this case, sterilization is performed by a method of manually adding a chemical solution in addition to electrolysis, which not only increases the management burden on the operator but also may cause unstable water quality.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and to provide a novel water treatment apparatus capable of performing sterilization simply and efficiently and maintaining good water quality.

The invention according to claim 1 is a water tank for storing treated water;
A first electrolytic cell for conducting electrolysis by energizing an electrode set comprising at least two electrode plates;
Sterilization having a sterilization effect is achieved by energizing the electrode assembly and electrolytically treating the electrolyte in a state where the first electrolytic cell contains an electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions and has an action of promoting an electrochemical reaction. A supply path for manufacturing the liquid and supplying the manufactured sterilizing liquid to the water tank;
A residual chlorine sensor for measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the treated water;
Based on the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be treated measured by the residual chlorine sensor, in a water treatment apparatus comprising a control means for controlling the inflow amount of the sterilizing liquid to be supplied to the water tank,
The control means has a concentration adjusting means for adjusting the concentration of the sterilizing solution produced in the first electrolytic cell to a predetermined concentration, and the concentration adjusting means is for adjusting the concentration of the electrolyte solution filled in the first electrolytic cell. Including means for adjusting the concentration,
Furthermore, a tank for storing the electrolyte solution is provided,
The means for adjusting the concentration of the electrolyte solution is to dilute the electrolyte solution by adjusting the supply amount of both the electrolyte solution in the tank and the water for dilution, and the concentration of the electrolyte solution in the first electrolytic cell It is a water treatment apparatus characterized by adjusting.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, a constant flow pump is provided in the supply path, and the constant flow pump operates according to the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be treated to supply a certain amount of sterilizing liquid to the water tank. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1.

  According to the configuration of claim 1, the sterilizing solution that has been manufactured and stored in advance by electrolyzing the electrolyte solution by energizing the electrode set of the first electrolytic cell can be used as needed according to the quality of the water to be treated. By supplying it to the aquarium, the amount of sterilization solution can be immediately changed according to the quality of the water to be treated, which varies depending on the number of visitors, weather, temperature, and the like. Therefore, even when the number of visitors increases suddenly during pool hours, or when the residual chlorine concentration is expected to decrease sharply due to an increase in temperature or water temperature due to weather changes, the residual chlorine concentration Can be recovered as quickly as possible, and the water quality can be substantially stabilized. And when the number of visitors is small and the sterilization solution is not so necessary, the sterilization solution can be manufactured and stored in the first electrolytic cell in advance, and preparations for a rapid decrease in the residual chlorine concentration can be made. Therefore, for example, even if the number of visitors increases rapidly, the water quality can be adjusted with a sufficient margin for sterilization capacity.

  Since the concentration of the sterilizing solution produced in the electrolytic cell can be adjusted to a predetermined concentration by the concentration adjusting means, the efficiency of the electrochemical reaction by the electrode assembly can be increased, and the concentration can be changed depending on the number of visitors, weather, temperature, etc. The treatment capacity of the apparatus can be arbitrarily adjusted by adjusting the concentration of the sterilizing solution according to the quality of the treated water.

  Moreover, control of the density | concentration of a sterilization liquid can be achieved by adjusting the density | concentration of the electrolyte solution stored in a 1st electrolytic vessel. At this time, the electrolyte solution is diluted by adjusting the supply amount of both the electrolyte solution in the tank and the water for dilution, and the concentration of the electrolyte solution in the first electrolytic cell is adjusted. The concentration of the solution can be precisely and quickly adjusted.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing a structure in which the water treatment apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is incorporated in a large water tank 2 such as a pool or a bath tub.

  As shown in the figure, the water tank 2 is provided with a main circulation path 20 for always circulating a large amount of water to be treated by a circulation pump 22 in a direction indicated by a double solid line arrow in the figure.

  21 is a filter for sand filtration, 23 is a heat exchanger. The water treatment path 10 of the water treatment apparatus 1 is branched from a branch point J1 between the filter 21 and the heat exchanger 23 in the main circulation path 20 as indicated by solid arrows in the figure, and a plurality of electrodes After passing through the electrode assembly E1 composed of a plate and a circulation treatment electrolytic cell 13 which is a second electrolytic cell incorporating a filter for removing fine bubbles (not shown), at a junction J2 downstream from the branch point J1, It is connected so as to join the main circulation path 20 again.

  On the way from the branch point J1 to the electrolytic cell 13 for circulation in the water treatment path 10, the on-off valve B1, the adjustment valves B2 and B3 for adjusting the flow rate, the flow meter S1, the electromagnetic valve B4, and the conductivity sensor 12 are sequentially arranged. And a residual chlorine sensor 26 for measuring the residual chlorine concentration.

  The water to be treated is circulated in the water treatment path 10 by sending the water to be treated from the circulation electrolysis tank 13 in order on the way from the circulation electrolysis tank 13 of the water treatment path 10 to the junction J2. For this purpose, a delivery pump P1, an adjustment valve B7, a check valve B8 for preventing backflow, and an adjustment valve B9 for adjusting the flow rate are arranged.

  And the water treatment apparatus 1 of the said structure operate | moves as follows. The water in the water tank 2 is pumped out by a circulation pump, and organic substances are removed by the filter 21. And it is divided into the water returned to the water tank 2 through the heat exchanger 23 and the water flowing into the water treatment path 10 at the branch point J1. The flow rate of the water flowing into the water treatment path 10 is adjusted by the regulating valve B1 and the electromagnetic valves B2 and B3, and after passing through the flow meter S1 and the electromagnetic valve B4, circulates through the conductivity sensor 12 and the residual chlorine sensor 26. It is given to the electrolytic cell 13 for processing. The conductivity sensor 12 measures the conductivity, which is the electrical conductivity of the water to be treated supplied to the electrolytic tank 13 for circulation treatment. The residual chlorine sensor 26 measures the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be treated.

  In the electrolytic cell 13 for circulation treatment, electrolysis of water to be treated is performed by applying a direct current to the electrode set E1. In the electrolysis, an electrochemical reaction occurs between the electrodes of the electrode set E1, and sterilization of the water to be treated is performed by hypochlorite ions, chlorine gas, hypochlorous acid, active oxygen, and the like generated by this reaction.

  The water to be treated sterilized in the electrolytic tank 13 for circulation treatment is pumped out by the circulation pump P1, and again passes from the branch point J2 to the main circulation path 20 via the adjustment valve B7, the check valve B8, and the adjustment valve B9. It flows into the water tank 2. Thereby, the water in the water tank 2 comes to be sterilized.

  Further, in FIG. 3, the water treatment path 10 has a batch treatment electrolytic cell 14 serving as a first electrolytic cell incorporating an electrode set E2 composed of a plurality of electrode plates.

  Then, in the electrolytic cell for batch processing 14, the electrode assembly E <b> 2 is energized for a certain period of time with the electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions such as sodium chloride and filled with an aqueous solution of an electrolyte having an action of promoting an electrochemical reaction. A supply path 35 for producing a sterilizing liquid having a sterilizing action by electrolytic treatment, storing the produced sterilizing liquid in the storage tank 15, and supplying the sterilizing liquid in the storage tank 15 to the water treatment path 10 as needed. A terminal portion is connected to the water treatment path 10.

  Specifically, after branching from the water treatment path 10 at a branch point J3 between the regulating valve B2 and the regulating valve B3, the regulating valve B5 and the electromagnetic valve B6 are connected to the batch processing electrolytic cell 14, The supply path 35 is introduced into the storage tank 15 via the electromagnetic valve B10, passes through the delivery pump P2, and then merges with the water treatment path 10 again at a position between the adjustment valve B7 and the check valve B8. Is formed.

  A salt water tank 31 in which an electrolyte solution such as saturated saline is stored is connected between the electromagnetic valve B6 of the supply path 35 and the electrolytic cell 14 for batch processing via a constant flow pump P3. .

  The supply path 35 operates as follows.

  The constant flow pump P3 and the electromagnetic valve B6 are driven to supply an electrolyte solution having a predetermined concentration to the batch processing electrolytic tank 14, and the water level of the electrolyte solution is maintained at a predetermined water level by a water level sensor W1 (not shown). In the electrolytic cell 14 for batch processing, the supplied electrolyte solution is electrolyzed to produce a sterilizing solution composed of hypochlorous acid, hypochlorite ions, and the like. The manufactured sterilizing liquid is sequentially stored in the storage tank 15 by the electromagnetic valve B10. The sterilizing liquid supplied into the storage tank 15 is stored up to the full water level of the storage tank 15 by controlling the electromagnetic valve B10 based on a detection value of a water level sensor W2 (not shown). The collected sterilizing liquid is pumped out as needed by the constant flow pump P2 according to the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be treated from the residual chlorine sensor 26 and supplied to the water treatment path 10. As a result, when it takes time to sterilize only by the sterilization treatment using the electrolytic tank 13 for circulation treatment, the sterilization liquid in the storage tank 15 is flowed into the water treatment path 10 to sterilize the water to be treated. .

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the water treatment apparatus 1 of FIG.

  As shown in the figure, a control unit 40 is provided that operates each part of the water treatment path 10 and the supply path 35 while individually energizing the electrode sets E1 and E2.

  The control unit 40 includes a timer that defines the operation timing of each unit, and a memory that stores, for example, a threshold value that serves as a reference for the energization amount of the electrode set. The control unit 40 is provided with detection signals from various sensors provided in the water treatment apparatus 1 described with reference to FIG. That is, detection signals from the residual chlorine sensor 26, the PH sensor 23, the conductivity sensor 24, and the water level sensors W1 and W2 are given to the control unit 40.

  The control unit 40 controls the operation of the water treatment apparatus 1 according to a predetermined operation program in accordance with the given detection signals. Specifically, a control signal is given to the driver 43, and the driver 43 performs energization control such as energization output (energization current) and energization time to the electrode sets E1, E2 based on the given signal, and each The valves B1 to B10 are opened / closed and adjusted, and drive control of the pumps P1 to P3 is performed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the control flow for the electrolytic cell 14 for batch processing and the storage tank 15 in the control performed by the control unit.

  The sterilization liquid generated in the electrolytic tank 14 for batch processing and stored in the storage tank 15 is only in the case where the residual chlorine concentration is lower than the specified value according to the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be treated in the water tank 2. The delivery pump P <b> 2 is operated to supply a certain amount of sterilizing liquid into the water tank 2 through the water treatment path 10. When the residual chlorine concentration satisfies the specified value, the control unit controls to wait while the pump P2 for delivery is stopped.

  First, when the power of the water treatment apparatus 1 is turned on, each part of the water treatment path 10 is operated, and the electromagnetic valve B6 is driven to start the supply of water to be treated into the electrolytic cell 14 for batch treatment. The unit first confirms whether or not the water level of the electrolytic cell 14 for batch processing is the lower limit water level Lmin based on the detection value of the water level sensor W1 (steps S1 and S2). The water supply is continued until the water level reaches the lower limit water level. When the water level reaches the lower limit water level, the electromagnetic valve B6 is closed to stop the supply of water to be treated (step S3).

  Next, the metering pump P3 that discharges the saturated saline is driven to supply the saturated saline from the salt water tank 31 to the batch processing electrolyzer 14, and the object to be treated previously stored in the batch processing electrolyzer 14 The concentration adjustment of the electrolyte solution is started by diluting the saturated saline with water (step S4).

  Then, a certain direct current voltage is applied to the electrode set E2 to perform electrolysis to start production of a sterilizing solution, and the process proceeds to Step 6 (Step S5).

  In step 6, the current value flowing between the electrodes of the electrode set E2 is detected by the control unit. Then, the current value I is compared with the threshold value Ia corresponding to the concentration of the sterilization solution, which is recorded in the memory in advance, and the current value flowing through the electrode set E2 until the current value I reaches the threshold value Ia. Detect continuously.

  As the threshold value Ia, the relationship between the concentration of the sterilizing solution and the current value is experimentally converted into data in advance, and the current value corresponding to the desired concentration of the sterilizing solution set by the setting means (not shown) by the user is applied. .

  When the current value I reaches the threshold value Ia in step S7, that is, when the current value of the electrode assembly E2 that becomes the concentration of the electrolyte solution corresponding to the sterilizing solution concentration set by the user is reached, the constant flow pump P3 is stopped. Then, the supply of the saturated saline is stopped, the timer is started, and the electrolytic solution is continuously electrolyzed (steps S8 and S9).

  When the count value of the timer reaches the previously stored count value T1, energization to the electrode set E2 is stopped to stop electrolysis, and the process proceeds to step S12.

  In step S <b> 12, the electromagnetic valve B <b> 10 is driven to transfer the sterilizing solution manufactured in the batch processing electrolytic cell 14 to the storage tank 15. When the water level of the electrolytic cell 14 for batch processing becomes 0, the electromagnetic valve B10 is stopped to stop the transfer of the sterilizing solution.

  And said step S1-S14 is repeatedly performed until the sterilization liquid in the storage tank 15 becomes the full water Pmax.

  In this embodiment, as a method of changing the concentration of the electrolyte solution supplied to the electrolytic cell 14 for batch processing, saturated saline is supplied from the salt water tank 31 to the water to be treated, which has been stored in advance, and the concentration of the electrolyte solution. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a predetermined amount of saturated saline is first stored in the electrolytic cell 14 for batch processing, and the saturated saline is supplied with treated water and tap water from the water tank. It is good also as a structure which adjusts the density | concentration of electrolyte solution by diluting. Further, if the supply amount of both the saturated saline solution from the salt water tank 31 and the water to be treated for dilution is changed, the concentration of the electrolyte solution can be precisely and quickly adjusted.

  Further, the concentration of the sterilizing solution produced is indirectly adjusted by the concentration of the electrolyte solution based on the value of the current flowing through the electrode assembly E2, but the residual chlorine that directly measures the concentration of the sterilizing solution produced in the electrolytic cell A sensor may be separately disposed on the downstream side of the electrolytic cell for batch processing, and the concentration of the sterilizing solution may be controlled based on the detection value of the residual chlorine sensor. With such a configuration, the concentration of the produced sterilizing solution can be directly measured, so that the concentration control of the sterilizing solution can be performed more accurately.

  In the above-described embodiment, the concentration of the sterilizing solution produced by electrolysis in the electrolytic cell is controlled by the concentration of the electrolyte solution supplied to the electrolytic cell. For example, the amount of electricity supplied to the electrode set In other words, the concentration of the sterilizing solution can be adjusted also by adjusting the amount of electric current (charge amount) for electrolysis.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a water treatment apparatus 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. 3 is different from the embodiment of FIG. 3 in that the end of the supply path 35 through which the sterilizing liquid produced in the electrolytic cell 14 for batch processing is sent is the main circuit 20 of the water processing path. Instead of being connected in the vicinity of the junction J2, the end of the supply path 35 is connected to the electrolytic cell 13 for circulation processing.

  Specifically, on the most downstream side of the storage tank 15, a pipe in the latter half of the supply path 35 for supplying the sterilizing liquid to the water to be treated is disposed with its suction port positioned at the bottom of the storage tank 15. Is connected to the upstream side of the gas-liquid separation filter 13b on the downstream side of the electrode set of the circulation processing electrolytic cell 13 via the delivery pump P2 provided in The discharge port 35a of the supply path 35 passes through the lid 13a of the circulation treatment electrolytic cell 13 and is opened to a space above the water surface in the electrolytic cell.

  Since the configuration of the portion other than the supply path 35 in this example is the same as that in the previous example, the same reference numerals are given to the same members in the same places, and the description thereof is omitted.

  In the water treatment apparatus 1 shown in the figure, according to the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be treated, the sterilizing liquid stored in the storage tank 15 is circulated by a constant flow pump P2 at a constant flow rate as indicated by an arrow in the figure. By supplying to 13, sterilization of the water to be treated is performed.

  In this way, the sterilizing solution manufactured in the batch processing electrolytic cell 14 is joined to the circulation processing electrolytic cell 13, so that the sterilizing solution passes through the circulation processing electrolytic cell 13 and the water treatment path 10. Since the Ct value increases during the process, a higher sterilization effect can be obtained. In particular, by joining the electrolytic cell 13 for the circulation process downstream from the electrode set E1, it is possible to prevent a problem that the supplied sterilization solution causes a reverse reaction due to electrolysis by the electrode set E1 and the sterilization effect is reduced. become.

  In the above embodiment, the discharge port 35a of the supply path 35 is connected to the circulation treatment electrolytic tank 13, but the connection position of the supply path 35 to the water treatment path 10 is upstream of the circulation treatment electrolytic tank 13. If it is on the side, the Ct value increases regardless of the position in the water treatment path 10, so that the same effect can be obtained.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

This is a graph showing the relationship between residual chlorine concentration and electrolysis time. It is a graph showing the relationship between the utilization factor of electrolyte and the density | concentration of electrolyte solution. It is a figure which simplifies and shows the water treatment apparatus concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical structure of the water treatment apparatus of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the density | concentration control of the sterilization liquid manufactured with the electrolytic cell for batch processes among the control content performed by a control part. It is a figure which simplifies and shows the water treatment apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water treatment apparatus 13 2nd electrolysis tank 10 Water treatment path 14 1st electrolysis tank E1, E2 Electrode set 35 Supply path

Claims (2)

A water tank for storing treated water;
A first electrolytic cell for conducting electrolysis by energizing an electrode set comprising at least two electrode plates;
Sterilization having a sterilization effect is achieved by energizing the electrode assembly and electrolytically treating the electrolyte in a state where the first electrolytic cell contains an electrolyte solution containing chlorine ions and has an action of promoting an electrochemical reaction. A supply path for manufacturing the liquid and supplying the manufactured sterilizing liquid to the water tank;
A residual chlorine sensor for measuring the residual chlorine concentration of the treated water;
Based on the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be treated measured by the residual chlorine sensor, in a water treatment apparatus comprising a control means for controlling the inflow amount of the sterilizing liquid to be supplied to the water tank,
The control means has a concentration adjusting means for adjusting the concentration of the sterilizing solution produced in the first electrolytic cell to a predetermined concentration, and the concentration adjusting means is for adjusting the concentration of the electrolyte solution filled in the first electrolytic cell. Including means for adjusting the concentration,
Furthermore, a tank for storing the electrolyte solution is provided,
The means for adjusting the concentration of the electrolyte solution is to dilute the electrolyte solution by adjusting the supply amount of both the electrolyte solution in the tank and the water for dilution, and the concentration of the electrolyte solution in the first electrolytic cell The water treatment apparatus characterized by adjusting.   The constant flow pump is provided in the supply path, and the constant flow pump operates according to the residual chlorine concentration of the water to be treated to supply a certain amount of sterilizing liquid to the water tank. Water treatment equipment.