JP5940050B2 - Humidifier and control method of humidifier - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier and a method for controlling the humidifier.

  As a conventional humidifier, calcium ions, magnesium ions, etc. of water passing through the flow path (hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as “calcium ions, etc.”) are adsorbed, and sodium ions, potassium ions, etc. are absorbed in the water. (Hereinafter, it may be simply referred to as “sodium ion etc.”), and a humidifying unit that evaporates the water of the water that has passed through the cation exchange resin and supplies it to the air. There is something with. The cation exchange resin functions as a water softener.

  When the cation exchange resin is not provided, the humidifying operation of the humidifying part, that is, with the evaporation of moisture, water in which calcium ions and the like are concentrated in the humidifying part is generated, and precipitation of hardly soluble salts such as calcium carbonate occurs. As the wetted area of the humidifying body is reduced, the humidifying ability of the humidifying part is reduced. In addition, the flow path for supplying water to the humidifying unit is blocked or narrowed by a hardly soluble salt, and the supply of water to the humidifying unit is obstructed, so that the humidifying unit is humidified. The ability will be reduced. For example, when the humidifier is a type that fills the supplied water in a hydrophobic bag, evaporates the water of the water and supplies it to the air outside the bag, that is, a moisture permeable membrane type humidifier, etc. However, such a phenomenon occurs.

  On the other hand, when a cation exchange resin is provided, in the cation exchange resin, calcium ions etc. of water passing through the flow path are exchanged and removed by sodium ions etc. of the cation exchange resin. It is suppressed that the poorly soluble salt such as is precipitated and the humidifying ability of the humidifying portion is lowered.

  And in the water softener of such a humidifier, in order to regenerate the cation exchange resin, an aqueous solution containing a high concentration cation having the same valence as sodium ion or the like, for example, a high concentration saline (sodium chloride) Equipment for preparing and storing the aqueous solution) is provided. The cation exchange resin has a reduced capacity for removing calcium ions and the like as calcium ions and the like are adsorbed, and when it exceeds a predetermined treatment amount, the calcium ions and the like cannot be captured. By providing facilities for preparing and storing an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of cations, when the removal capacity of calcium ions and the like is reduced, an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of cations is supplied to the cation exchange resin. Since it becomes possible to regenerate the removal capacity of the cation exchange resin such as calcium ions, the frequency of exchange and disposal of the cation exchange resin is reduced, and the economic efficiency, maintainability, etc. are improved (for example, , See Patent Document 1).

JP 63-172849 (page 2, lower left column, line 19 to page 3, upper right column, line 9, line 1)

  Conventional humidifiers require equipment for preparing and storing an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of cations, pipes attached to the equipment, a flow path switching mechanism, etc., so that the water softener becomes large. There is a problem that the parts cost, the manufacturing cost, the failure frequency, and the like are increased. In addition, it is necessary to replenish the solute (eg, salt) of an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of cations, the aqueous solution containing a high concentration of cations, etc. as needed, and thus there is a problem that economy and maintainability are low. .

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above problems, and it is suppressed that the parts cost, the manufacturing cost, the failure frequency, and the like are increased, and the economical efficiency, maintainability, and the like are suppressed. To obtain a humidifier. The present invention also provides such a humidifier control method.

  A humidifier according to the present invention includes a cation exchange resin that exchanges cations with water that passes through a flow path, a moisture unit that evaporates moisture of the water in which the cations have been exchanged, and supplies the moisture to air. The cation exchange resin is regenerated by the water enriched with the cation generated by the evaporation of the water in the humidifying section.

  In the humidifier according to the present invention, the cation exchange resin is regenerated by water in which cations generated by evaporation of moisture in the humidifying part are concentrated. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide equipment for preparing and storing an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of cations, a pipe line attached to the equipment, a flow path switching mechanism, etc. It becomes possible to reduce. In addition, it is not necessary to replenish the solute (for example, salt) of the aqueous solution containing a high concentration cation, the aqueous solution containing the high concentration cation, etc. at any time, and it is possible to improve economy, maintainability, etc. It becomes.

It is a figure for demonstrating the humidification body of the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a structure and operation | movement of the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a structure and operation | movement of the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a structure and operation | movement of the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 3. FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating a structure and operation | movement of the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 4. FIG.

Hereinafter, the humidifier which concerns on this invention is demonstrated using drawing.
In addition, the structure, operation | movement, etc. which are demonstrated below are examples, and the humidifier which concerns on this invention is not limited to the case where it is such a structure, operation | movement, etc. Further, the illustration of the fine structure is simplified or omitted as appropriate. In addition, overlapping descriptions are simplified or omitted as appropriate.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Below, the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 1 is demonstrated.
<Composition of humidifier>
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a humidifier of the humidifier according to Embodiment 1. FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the humidifying body 1 has a plurality of humidifying cells 2. Each of the plurality of humidification cells 2 is a bag formed by the moisture permeable membrane 3. The moisture permeable membrane 3 is a hydrophobic polymer membrane such as a fluororesin. The humidification cell 2 has a width of 50 mm, a height of 200 mm, and a thickness of 3 mm, for example.

  Each of the plurality of humidification cells 2 is formed with a water channel hole 4 for supplying water, for example, tap water, into the humidification cell 2. For example, the water channel hole 4 communicates with a common pipe line. By being configured in this manner, the plurality of humidification cells 2 can be filled with tap water at the same time. Tap water may be supplied directly from a water pipe, or may be supplied from a water storage tank or the like.

  When tap water is filled in the humidification cell 2, water molecules pass through the minute gaps of the moisture permeable membrane 3 (that is, the hydrophobic polymer membrane) to the air side (outside the humidification cell 2). Since the water of the tap water evaporates, the air outside the humidification cell 2 is humidified. When the humidifying body 1 is configured such that a plurality of humidifying cells 2 are arranged with a gap of several millimeters in the thickness direction and the air passing through the gap is humidified, the humidifying efficiency is improved. Is done.

  Tap water is fed into the humidifying cell 2 by, for example, water pressure. When the water pressure is removed in the state where tap water is filled, the water filled in the humidifying cell 2 is discharged out of the humidifying cell 2 by gravity.

<Configuration and operation of humidifier>
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the humidifier according to the first embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 2, the humidifier 10 communicates with a humidifying portion 11 that is an assembly of a plurality of (for example, 50) humidifying cells 2 and a water channel hole 4 formed in the plurality of humidifying cells 2. A tubular reactor 12 filled with a cation exchange resin 12a in a tube, a three-way valve 13 provided in a conduit communicating with the tubular reactor 12, a feed water flow path 14 connected to the three-way valve 13, and drainage It has the flow path 15, the air blower 16 which produces the airflow which passes the humidification part 11, and the control part 21. The three-way valve 13 may be another flow path switching mechanism such as an on-off valve or a plurality of check valves provided in each of the water supply flow path 14 and the drain flow path 15. The blower 16 may be used also as a blower of another device such as a ventilation device. Further, the blower 16 may be provided on the leeward side or may be provided on the leeward side. The three-way valve 13 corresponds to the “flow path switching mechanism” in the present invention.

  The control unit 21 governs the overall operation of the humidifier 10. The control unit 21 may be constituted by, for example, a microprocessor unit or the like, may be constituted by an updatable one such as firmware, and is a program module or the like executed by a command from the CPU or the like. May be.

  When causing the humidifier 10 to perform a humidifying operation, the control unit 21 switches the flow path of the three-way valve 13 so that the tubular reactor 12 and the feed water flow path 14 are communicated with each other.

  When the humidifier 10 performs a humidifying operation, tap water supplied from the water supply channel 14 flows into the tubular reactor 12 through the three-way valve 13. The cation exchange resin 12a is in a state in which sodium ions are saturated before use. Calcium ions and the like are removed from the tap water flowing into the tubular reactor 12 by the cation exchange resin 12a. Further, sodium ions and the like contained in the tap water are not removed by the cation exchange resin 12a. The tap water is supplied with sodium ions and the like from the cation exchange resin 12a along with the adsorption of calcium ions and the like on the cation exchange resin 12a. The tap water that has passed through the tubular reactor 12 flows into the humidifying cells 2 of the humidifying unit 11.

  In the humidification cell 2, the water of tap water evaporates and the air passing between the humidification cells 2 is humidified. On the other hand, substances dissolved in the tap water, that is, sodium and the like remain in the humidification cell 2. When the humidifying operation of the humidifier 10 is continued, the substance dissolved in the tap water is gradually concentrated in the humidifying cell 2.

  The water supply channel 14 is provided with a flow rate sensor 22 that detects the flow rate of tap water passing therethrough. The flow sensor 22 is connected to the control unit 21. The water supply amount detection unit 21a of the control unit 21 calculates the water supply amount of the humidifying unit 11 from the time point when the previous regeneration operation is completed from the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 22. The controller 21 causes the humidifier 10 to start the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin 12a when the water supply amount exceeds a preset reference value. Other physical quantities that can calculate the water supply amount of the humidifying unit 11 may be detected. Further, for example, when the humidifier 10 constantly performs the humidifying operation, the control unit 21 may determine the timing for starting the regeneration operation from the flow rate itself detected by the flow rate sensor 22. That is, the “water supply amount” in the present invention includes other physical quantities substantially corresponding to the water supply amount of the humidifying unit 11.

  As the amount of water supplied to the humidifying unit 11 increases, the concentration of cations contained in the tap water in the humidifying cell 2 proceeds. Therefore, by detecting the amount of water supplied to the humidifying unit 11, The degree of concentration of cations contained in tap water can be estimated. That is, the control unit 21 starts the regeneration operation at a time according to the degree of concentration of cations contained in the tap water in the humidification cell 2.

  The control unit 21 switches the flow path of the three-way valve 13 so that the tubular reactor 12 and the drainage flow path 15 communicate with each other when the humidifier 10 starts the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin 12a. Let

  When the humidifier 10 performs the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin 12a, the tap water in the humidifying cell 2 in which the dissolved substance is concentrated falls by gravity and flows into the tubular reactor 12. . The tap water flowing into the tubular reactor 12 supplies sodium ions and the like to the cation exchange resin 12a. The tap water is supplied with calcium ions and the like from the cation exchange resin 12a along with the adsorption of sodium ions and the like on the cation exchange resin 12a. The tap water that has passed through the tubular reactor 12 flows into the drainage flow path 15 via the three-way valve 13 and is discharged from the drainage port (drain).

  Since the tap water in the humidification cell 2 is discharged by gravity, the structure of the humidifier 10 is simplified. When it is difficult to discharge due to gravity due to the structure of the humidifier 10, or when it is desired to take out the water in the humidifying cell 2 sufficiently, the tap water in the humidifying cell 2 may be discharged by suction of the pump. Good.

  The control unit 21 starts the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin 12a, and when a predetermined time has elapsed, the flow path of the three-way valve 13 is communicated with the tubular reactor 12 and the feed water flow path 14. Switch to the humidification operation. The control unit 21 causes the humidifier 10 to repeat the humidifying operation and the regenerating operation.

<Operation of humidifier>
In the humidifier 10, the cation exchange resin 12 a is regenerated by water in which cations generated by evaporation of moisture in the humidifying unit 11 are concentrated. Therefore, unlike conventional humidifiers, it is not necessary to provide equipment for preparing and storing an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of cations, pipes attached to the equipment, flow path switching mechanism, etc. In addition, the manufacturing cost and the failure frequency are suppressed from increasing. In addition, it is not necessary to replenish the solute (eg, salt) of an aqueous solution containing a high concentration cation, the aqueous solution containing a high concentration cation, etc. as needed, so that the economy and maintainability are not lowered. Is done. Note that the humidifier 10 may further include equipment for preparing and storing an aqueous solution containing a high concentration of cations, a pipe line attached to the equipment, a flow path switching mechanism, and the like, as in a conventional humidifier. Good.

  The cation exchange resin 12a may be in a state in which a monovalent cation other than sodium ions, such as potassium ions, is saturated before use. The cation exchange resin 12a does not necessarily have to be bonded to the same type of cation as that of the cation bonded before use in the regeneration operation. That is, the tap water contains potassium ions and the like in addition to sodium ions, and in the humidification cell 2, in addition to the cation supplied from the cation exchange resin 12a, it is originally contained in the tap water. The sodium ions, potassium ions, etc. that are present are concentrated. In general, tap water contains about 20 mg / L of sodium ions, and if it is concentrated 100 times in the humidification cell 2, it becomes a 0.5% (5 g / L) sodium chloride aqueous solution. Therefore, by performing the regeneration operation, there may occur a case where a cation different from the cation bonded before use is bound to the cation exchange resin 12a, but even in such a case, the cation exchange resin 12a. Since the removal capacity of calcium ions and the like is recovered, there is no problem.

  Like the humidifier 10, the cation exchange resin 12a is particularly preferably in a state in which sodium ions are saturated before use. The counter ion of sodium ion in tap water is chloride ion, sulfate ion, carbonate ion, bicarbonate ion, hydroxide ion, nitrate ion, phosphate ion, etc. in tap water. Solubility of sodium salt is increased. That is, any counter ion is unlikely to become saturated even at a high concentration. For example, the solubility of sodium chloride is 350 g / 1000 g water at room temperature. Therefore, the cation exchange resin 12a is in a state in which sodium ions are saturated before use, so that the humidification operation is performed as compared with a case in which other monovalent cations other than sodium ions are saturated. Since the tap water in the humidifying cell 2 is saturated and precipitation is suppressed during the period from the start until the tap water in the humidifying cell 2 has an appropriate concentration for regeneration, moisture permeation is prevented. Generation | occurrence | production of destruction of the film | membrane 3, a fall of an evaporation area, etc. are suppressed.

  In the regeneration of a cation exchange resin that binds to a divalent cation such as calcium ion, such as the cation exchange resin 12a, saline and seawater (sodium chloride A saline solution having a concentration of between about 3%) may be supplied, but a thinner saline solution may be supplied.

  Further, the calcium salt has a lower solubility than the sodium salt, but calcium ions are removed from the tap water supplied to the humidifying cell 2 by the cation exchange resin 12a. Ions become salts and scale precipitation such as calcium carbonate precipitation occurs, which prevents the moisture permeable membrane 3 from being broken, the evaporation area from being reduced, and the like, and the humidifying performance maintenance period is prolonged. .

  In the humidifier 10, the control unit 21 starts the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin 12 a at a time according to the degree of concentration of cations contained in the tap water in the humidification cell 2. Therefore, supply of tap water with insufficient or excessive cation concentration to the cation exchange resin 12a is suppressed, and regeneration of the cation exchange resin 12a is ensured. For example, in the case where the humidifying operation of the humidifier 10 is always performed with a constant humidification amount, the flow rate sensor 22 may not be provided, and the control unit 21 performs the regeneration operation at regular time intervals. May start. The time interval may be set widely, for example, once a day, once a month, or the like.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Hereinafter, the humidifier according to Embodiment 2 will be described.
In addition, the description which overlaps with the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 1 is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.
<Configuration of humidifier>
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the humidifier according to the second embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 3, the blower 16 is provided with a rotation speed sensor 23 that detects the rotation speed of the fan or the motor. The rotation speed sensor 23 is connected to the control unit 21. The air volume detection unit 21b of the control unit 21 calculates the air volume of the humidifying unit 11 from the time when the previous regeneration operation ends from the rotation speed detected by the rotation speed sensor 23. The control unit 21 causes the humidifier 10 to start the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin 12a when the blown air amount exceeds a preset reference value. The rotational speed sensor 23 is not provided, and the air flow rate of the humidifying unit 11 may be calculated based on the control signal of the blower 16 output from the control unit 21. Further, other physical quantities that can calculate the air blowing amount of the humidifying unit 11 may be detected. Further, for example, when the humidifier 10 always performs a humidifying operation, the control unit 21 may determine the timing for starting the regenerating operation from the rotation speed itself detected by the rotation speed sensor 23. . That is, the “air flow rate” in the present invention includes other physical quantities that substantially correspond to the air flow rate of the humidifying unit 11.

  As the blast volume of the humidifying unit 11 increases, the concentration of cations contained in the tap water in the humidifying cell 2 progresses. Therefore, by detecting the blast volume of the humidifying unit 11, The degree of concentration of cations contained in tap water can be estimated. That is, the control unit 21 starts the regeneration operation at a time according to the degree of concentration of cations contained in the tap water in the humidification cell 2.

Embodiment 3 FIG.
Hereinafter, the humidifier according to Embodiment 3 will be described.
In addition, the description which overlaps with the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.
<Configuration of humidifier>
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the humidifier according to the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, the blowing time detection unit 21 c of the control unit 21 calculates the blowing time of the humidifying unit 11 from the time when the previous regeneration operation is completed, from the control signal of the blower 16. When the air blowing time exceeds a preset reference value, the control unit 21 causes the humidifier 10 to start the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin 12a. A sensor for detecting the presence or absence of rotation of the fan or the motor may be provided, and the blowing time of the humidifying unit 11 may be calculated based on the detection result of the sensor. Further, other physical quantities that can calculate the blowing time of the humidifying unit 11 may be detected. In addition, for example, in the case where the humidifying operation of the humidifier 10 is intermittently repeated for a certain period of time to be in an operating state and to be in a stopped state for a certain period of time, the control unit 21 The timing for starting the reproduction operation may be determined based on the number of times of switching of the presence or absence of rotation detected by the sensor. That is, the “blow time” in the present invention includes other physical quantities that substantially correspond to the blow time of the humidifying unit 11.

  As the air blowing time of the humidifying unit 11 becomes longer, the concentration of cations contained in the tap water in the humidifying cell 2 proceeds, so that the air blowing time of the humidifying unit 11 is detected, The degree of concentration of cations contained in tap water can be estimated. That is, the control unit 21 starts the regeneration operation at a time according to the degree of concentration of cations contained in the tap water in the humidification cell 2.

  In addition, although this Embodiment is effective especially when the ventilation volume of the humidification part 11 is constant, even when the ventilation volume of the humidification part 11 is not constant, it is contained in the tap water in the humidification cell 2. Since the degree of cation concentration can be roughly estimated, the present invention may be applied to such a case.

Embodiment 4 FIG.
Hereinafter, the humidifier according to Embodiment 4 will be described.
In addition, the description which overlaps with the humidifier which concerns on Embodiment 1- Embodiment 3 is simplified or abbreviate | omitted suitably.
<Configuration of humidifier>
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining the configuration and operation of the humidifier according to the fourth embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the water supply channel 14 is provided with a flow rate sensor 22 that detects the flow rate of passing tap water and an ion concentration sensor 24 that detects the ion concentration of passing tap water. The ion concentration sensor 24 may be provided in a pipe line between the tubular reactor 12 and the humidifying unit 11. The flow sensor 22 and the ion concentration sensor 24 are connected to the control unit 21.

  The ion concentration detection unit 21d of the control unit 21 calculates the ion concentration of sodium ions or the like in the humidification cell 2 at the present time from the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor 22 and the ion concentration detected by the ion concentration sensor 24. . The control unit 21 causes the humidifier 10 to start the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin 12a when the ion concentration exceeds a preset reference value. The flow rate sensor 22 may not be provided, and the ion concentration of sodium ions or the like in the humidification cell 2 may be calculated based on the blowing amount or the blowing time of the humidifying unit 11. Further, the concentration of ions such as sodium ions in the humidification cell 2 may be directly detected. Other physical quantities that can calculate the concentration of ions such as sodium ions in the humidification cell 2 may be detected. In addition, for example, when the humidifier 10 always performs the humidification operation with a constant humidification amount, the control unit 21 sets the timing for starting the regeneration operation from the ion concentration itself detected by the ion concentration sensor 24. You may decide. That is, the “ion concentration” in the present invention includes other physical quantities substantially corresponding to the ion concentration of sodium ions or the like in the humidification cell 2.

  As mentioned above, although Embodiment 1-Embodiment 4 were demonstrated, this invention is not limited to description of each embodiment. For example, all or some of the embodiments can be combined.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Humidifier, 2 Humidification cell, 3 Moisture permeable membrane, 4 Water passage hole, 10 Humidifier, 11 Humidifier, 12 Tubular reactor, 12a Cation exchange resin, 13 Three-way valve, 14 Water supply flow path, 15 Drain flow path , 16 blower, 21 control unit, 21a water supply amount detection unit, 21b air supply amount detection unit, 21c air blowing time detection unit, 21d ion concentration detection unit, 22 flow rate sensor, 23 rotation speed sensor, 24 ion concentration sensor.

Claims (11)

A cation exchange resin that exchanges cations with water passing through the flow path;
A humidifying unit for evaporating the water of the water whose cations have been exchanged and supplying the water to the air;
With
The cation exchange resin is regenerated by the water in which the cation generated by the evaporation of the water in the humidifying part is concentrated.
Humidifier characterized by that. A control unit for controlling the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin;
The control unit starts the regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin at a time according to the concentration degree of the water in which the cation is concentrated.
The humidifier according to claim 1. A water supply amount detection unit for detecting the water supply amount of the humidification unit;
The control unit changes the timing for starting the regeneration operation in accordance with the water supply amount detected by the water supply amount detection unit.
The humidifier according to claim 2. A blast amount detecting unit for detecting the blast amount of the humidifying unit;
The control unit changes the timing at which the regeneration operation is started according to the blowing amount detected by the blowing amount detection unit.
The humidifier according to claim 2 or 3 characterized by things. An air blowing time detecting unit for detecting the air blowing time of the humidifying unit;
The control unit changes the timing for starting the regeneration operation according to the blowing time detected by the blowing time detection unit,
The humidifier as described in any one of Claims 2-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. An ion concentration detection unit that detects an ion concentration of the water in which the cation is concentrated;
The control unit changes the timing for starting the regeneration operation according to the ion concentration detected by the ion concentration detection unit,
The humidifier as described in any one of Claims 2-5 characterized by the above-mentioned. The flow path for allowing the water to pass through the cation exchange resin is selectively connected to a water supply flow path and a drain flow path via a flow path switching mechanism,
The cation exchange resin is in a state in which the flow path for allowing the water to pass through the cation exchange resin by the flow path switching mechanism is in communication with the drainage flow path from a state in communication with the water supply flow path. Played by switching,
The humidifier as described in any one of Claims 1-6 characterized by the above-mentioned. The water enriched with the cation is supplied to the cation exchange resin by gravity.
The humidifier as described in any one of Claims 1-7 characterized by the above-mentioned. The water enriched with the cation is supplied to the cation exchange resin by a pump.
The humidifier as described in any one of Claims 1-8 characterized by the above-mentioned. The cation exchange resin is in a state in which sodium ions are saturated before use.
The humidifier as described in any one of Claims 1-9 characterized by the above-mentioned. The cation exchange resin comprising: a cation exchange resin that exchanges cations with water passing through the flow path; and a humidifying unit that evaporates moisture of the water in which the cations have been exchanged and supplies the water to the air. Is a method of controlling a humidifier regenerated by the water in which the cations generated by the evaporation of the water in the humidifying unit are concentrated,
The regeneration operation of the cation exchange resin is started at a time according to the concentration degree of the water in which the cation is concentrated.
A control method for a humidifier.

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