JP6153148B1 - Process liquid treatment system - Google Patents

Abstract

A process liquid processing system capable of reducing process liquid remaining in a filter device is provided. A filter device having a container for containing a filter, a supply pipe for supplying a process liquid to the filter apparatus, and a pressure feeding means for supplying a gas for pumping the process liquid to the supply pipe. 30 and a cleaning means 40 for supplying a cleaning fluid to the filter device 10, the supply pipe 20 is branched in the middle, and is connected to the side or upper part of the container 11, and the container 11, the process liquid was pumped into the filter device 10 from the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 by the pressure feeding means 30, and supplied to the filter apparatus 10 by the cleaning means 30. The cleaning fluid is discharged from the second pipe 22 to the outside of the filter device 10. [Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a process liquid processing system capable of reducing process liquid remaining in a filter device.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a plant that processes liquid process liquids such as injections and eye drops, a process of sterilization by filtering the process liquid with a filter device has been performed. The process liquid is usually pumped from the tank to the filter device by compressed air. When compressed air is supplied and pressure-fed, the process liquid may remain in the pipe after completion of production.

  In order to recover such remaining process liquid, the opening degree of the valve provided upstream from the filter device is adjusted, and the flow rate of the compressed air is controlled so that the process liquid remaining in the pipe is sent. A liquid feeding method has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). By such a liquid feeding method, the process liquid remaining in the pipe can be reduced.

  However, the process liquid may remain in the pipe connected to the drain connected to the filter device. FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of a conventional filter device. In general, the filter device 110 includes a container 111 in which a filter 112 is disposed. The internal space of the container 111 is partitioned by the filter 112, and the upstream space is the primary side 113 and the downstream space is the secondary side 114.

  Further, a drain pipe 150 connected to a drain 151 is connected to the filter device 110 at the bottom. The drain pipe 150 is provided with a valve device 152. The drain pipe 150 is used to discharge cleaning liquid, water vapor, or the like that has cleaned the inside of the container 111 of the filter device 110 from the inside of the container 111 to the drain 151.

  In such a filter device 110, the process liquid is supplied from the upstream to the primary side 113, the process liquid is filtered by the filter 112, and sent from the secondary side 14 to the next step. Thus, when the process liquid is processed by the filter device 110, the valve device 152 is closed.

  When the entire amount of the process liquid has been processed by the filter device 110, as shown in the hatched portion in the figure, a part of the drain pipe 150 (the portion between the valve device 152 and the inlet of the container 111) has a process. Liquid will remain. The process liquid remaining in the drain pipe 150 opens the valve device 152 and is discarded to the drain 151. In particular, since a process liquid such as an injection is very expensive even if it is in a small amount, if the process liquid remains and is discarded, a great loss occurs.

  Such problems generally exist not only for liquid process liquids related to pharmaceuticals such as injections, but also for process liquids that require filtration with a filter.

Japanese Patent No. 5205158

  In view of such circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a process liquid processing system capable of reducing process liquid remaining in a filter device.

  A first aspect for achieving the above object includes a filter device including a container for storing a filter, a supply pipe for supplying a process liquid to the filter apparatus, and a gas for pumping the process liquid to the supply pipe. Pressure supply means for supplying to the filter device, and cleaning means for supplying the cleaning fluid to the filter device, the supply pipe is branched in the middle, the first pipe connected to the side or upper portion of the container, And a second pipe connected to the bottom of the container, the process liquid is pumped into the filter device from the first pipe and the second pipe by the pumping means, and supplied to the filter apparatus by the cleaning means In the process liquid processing system, the cleaned fluid is discharged from the second pipe to the outside of the filter device.

  In the first aspect, since the second pipe also functions as a drain pipe and a supply pipe, the cleaning fluid can be discharged and the chemical solution remaining in the supply pipe can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the process liquid processing system according to the first aspect, the preparation liquid includes a preparation tank that stores the process liquid, and the preparation tank is supplied with the gas from the pressure feeding unit. The first piping and the second piping are connected to the filter device via the supply piping, the first piping is provided with a valve, and the process liquid stored in the preparation tank by the pressure feeding means is supplied to the first piping and the second piping. wherein when feed pressure into the filter device, when the remaining amount of the process liquid stored in the preparation tank is equal to or less than a predetermined value, to close the valve provided in the first pipe from In the process liquid processing system.

  In the second aspect, the process liquid can be sent to the filter device more quickly and reliably.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the process liquid processing system according to the first or second aspect, the diameter of the second pipe is narrower than the diameter of the first pipe. In the processing system.

  In the third aspect, the liquid feeding speed can be sufficiently secured by making the diameter of the second pipe narrower than the diameter of the first pipe.

  A fourth aspect of the present invention is the process liquid processing system according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the process liquid is a chemical liquid.

  In a 4th aspect, a chemical | medical solution is made into object as a process liquid. In particular, since the chemical solution is expensive, the economic effect of reducing the chemical solution remaining in the supply pipe is remarkable.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the process liquid processing system which can reduce the process liquid which remains in a filter apparatus is provided.

It is a schematic block diagram of the process liquid processing system. It is the schematic of the processing system in the state which is feeding the chemical | medical solution. It is the schematic of the processing system in the state which is feeding the chemical | medical solution. It is the schematic of the processing system in the state which is feeding the chemical | medical solution. It is the schematic of the processing system in the state which is wash | cleaning. It is a schematic block diagram of the processing system of the process liquid of another form. It is a schematic block diagram of the conventional filter apparatus.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a process liquid processing system according to the present embodiment. The processing system 1 of the present embodiment is a part of a plant that manufactures liquid pharmaceutical products (hereinafter referred to as chemical solutions) as an example of a process liquid.

  Specifically, the processing system 1 includes a preparation tank 2, a storage tank 3, a filter device 10, a supply pipe 20, a pressure feeding unit 30, and a cleaning unit 40.

  The preparation tank 2 is a tank for adjusting a chemical solution. Although not particularly illustrated, the preparation tank 2 includes an inlet for supplying a raw material of the chemical liquid to be manufactured and an outlet for discharging the manufactured chemical liquid. These inlets and outlets can be opened and closed by a control signal from a control device to be described later.

  The storage tank 3 is a tank that stores the chemical liquid filtered by the filter device 10. Although not shown in the drawing, it is provided with an inlet for feeding the pumped chemical and an outlet for discharging the chemical. These inlets and outlets can be opened and closed by control from a control device to be described later. In addition, the storage tank 3 is connected to a filling machine that fills the container with the chemical liquid, and the chemical liquid can be discharged from the discharge port of the filling machine and supplied to the filling machine.

  The filter device 10 includes a box-shaped container 11 and a filter 12 provided in the internal space of the container 11. The filter 12 circulates a liquid and filters impurities, germs and the like in the chemical solution. Here, the filter 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape, and the inside of the container 11 is divided into two. The outside of the filter 12, that is, the inside of the container 11 and the outside of the filter 12 is a primary side 13. The inside of the filter 12 is a secondary side 14.

  The supply pipe 20 is a pipe that supplies the process liquid from the preparation tank 2 to the filter device 10. The supply pipe 20 is branched into two at a branching portion 25 located below the container 11 in the vertical direction. Each of the supply pipes 20 branched in the middle is referred to as a first pipe 21 and a second pipe 22. Both the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 are connected to the primary side 13 of the filter device 10.

  The first pipe 21 is a pipe connected to the side part of the container 11 of the filter device 10 from the branch part 25 in the supply pipe 20. Although there is no particular limitation on the specific shape and arrangement of the first pipe 21, the first pipe 21 rises almost vertically upward from the branch portion 25 and is bent and connected to the side portion of the container 11. .

  The second pipe 22 is a pipe connected to the bottom of the container 11 of the filter device 10 from the branch part 25 in the supply pipe 20. Although the shape and arrangement of the specific second pipe 22 are not particularly limited, here, the second pipe 22 extends horizontally from the branch portion 25 and is inclined upward and connected to the bottom of the container 11.

  In the filter device 10, a secondary side pipe 26 is connected to the secondary side 14 of the filter device 10. The process liquid that has passed through the filter 12 passes from the secondary side 14 through the secondary side pipe 26 and is sent to the storage tank 3.

  Further, a transport pipe 27 is connected to the upper part of the filter device 10. The transport pipe 27 is a pipe connected to the primary side of the filter device 10, a pipe for transporting the cleaning fluid into the container 11, and a pipe used as a flow path for air vented from the filter device 10. But there is.

  The pressure feeding means 30 supplies compressed air to the inside of the preparation tank 2. For example, it is comprised from apparatuses, such as a pump which takes in and compresses air. The pressure feeding means 30 supplies air having a specified pressure to the preparation tank 2 under the control of a control device described later. With such a pressure feeding means 30, the chemical solution can be pressure-fed from the preparation tank 2 to the supply pipe 20.

  The cleaning means 40 supplies a cleaning fluid to the filter device 10. The cleaning means 40 can be composed of a known device that supplies a cleaning fluid. The cleaning fluid refers to a cleaning solution used for cleaning in place (CIP) and a high-temperature and high-pressure steam used for stationary sterilization (SIP).

  The cleaning means 40 supplies the cleaning fluid to the filter device 10 via the transport pipe 27 and cleans the filter device 10. Of course, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the cleaning fluid is supplied to the filter device 10 via the transport pipe 27. For example, it is good also as a structure which supplies the fluid for washing | cleaning also to the preparation tank 2 and the storage tank 3, and wash | cleans them.

  A first valve device 61 is provided in the first pipe 21. A second valve device 62 is provided in the transport pipe 27. A drain pipe 53 that branches to a drain 51 is connected to the supply pipe 20, and a third valve device 63 is provided in the drain pipe 53.

  In addition, the processing system 1 includes a control device (not shown) such as a programmable logic controller (PLC) that controls processing of the processing system 1. The control device can control the compressed-feed means 30 to supply and stop compressed air to the preparation tank 2 and can control the cleaning means 40 to supply and stop the cleaning fluid. In addition, the control device can control the opening and closing of the inlet and outlet of the preparation tank 2 and the storage tank 3, and the opening and closing of the first valve device 61, the second valve device 62, and the third valve device 63. It is. The control device controls each of these devices constituting the processing system 1 to realize processes such as chemical solution processing (filtration) and cleaning of various devices.

  The operation of the processing system 1 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the processing system 1 in a state where a chemical solution is being sent from the preparation tank 2 to the storage tank 3. In addition, the hatch of FIG. 3 represents the chemical | medical solution. A state in which each valve device is opened is represented by white, and a state in which each valve device is closed is represented by black.

  At the time of liquid feeding, the control device opens the first valve device 61 and closes the third valve device 63. The second valve device 62 is initially opened. The control device causes the pressure feeding means 30 to supply compressed air to the preparation tank 2. By such control, the chemical solution is pumped from the preparation tank 2 to the filter device 10 via the supply pipe 20. The first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 both extend upward from the branch portion 25, but the chemical solution is pumped to the filter device 10 by the pressure of the compressed air.

  When the chemical solution starts to be filled in the container 11 of the filter device 10, the air in the container 11 is discharged to the outside from a discharge pipe (not shown) branched from the transport pipe 27. The control device closes the second valve device 62 when a predetermined amount of the chemical solution is filled in the container 11.

  Then, the control device keeps the compressed air in the preparation tank 2 supplied to the pressure feeding means 30. Thereby, the chemical solution is pumped from the supply pipe 20 to the filter device 10, filtered by the filter device 10, and pumped to the storage tank 3.

  3 and 4 are schematic views of the processing system 1 in a state in which a chemical solution is being sent from the preparation tank 2 to the storage tank 3. As shown in FIG. 3, as a result of the control device continuing to supply the compressed air of the preparation tank 2 to the pressure feeding means 30, the chemical liquid in the preparation tank 2 becomes empty and the second pipe 22 is filled with the chemical liquid. Yes.

  As described above, when the remaining amount of the chemical solution becomes equal to or less than the predetermined amount, the control device closes the first valve device 61. Although the second pipe 22 is located below the bottom of the filter device 10, the chemical liquid is pumped from the second pipe 22 to the filter device 10 by the compressed air from the pumping means 30.

  Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, when the control device continues to supply compressed air to the pressure feeding means 30, most of the chemical liquid is pressure fed from the second pipe 22 (supply pipe 20) to the filter device 10.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the processing system 1 in a state where the cleaning fluid is supplied from the cleaning means 40 to the filter device 10. The hatch in FIG. 5 represents the cleaning fluid.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the control device opens the first valve device 61, the second valve device 62, and the third valve device 63 and causes the cleaning means 40 to supply the cleaning fluid to the filter device 10. Thereby, the inside of the container 11 of the filter device 10 is cleaned with the cleaning fluid. Then, after cleaning, the cleaning fluid passes through the first pipe 21 and the second pipe 22 and is discharged to the drain 51. In addition, although the structure which wash | cleans the filter apparatus 10 was demonstrated here, it is not limited to such a structure. The cleaning means 40 may supply the cleaning fluid to the preparation tank 2 and clean the preparation tank 2 and the supply pipe 20.

  As described above, in the processing system 1, the chemical solution is sent from the preparation tank 2 to the filter device 10 through the supply pipe 20. Further, a cleaning fluid is supplied from the cleaning means 40 to the filter device 10, and the cleaning fluid is discharged to the drain 51 through the supply pipe 20.

  Here, the second pipe 22 branched from the supply pipe 20 is connected to the bottom of the filter device 10. With this configuration, the second pipe 22 functions as a drain pipe (corresponding to the conventional drain pipe 150 in FIG. 7) for discharging the cleaning fluid supplied into the filter device 10 to the outside. (See FIG. 5).

  The second pipe 22 is a part of the supply pipe 20 and is supplied with compressed air by the pressure feeding means 30, so that the chemical liquid is pumped to the filter device 10 without leaving the chemical liquid in the second pipe 22. (See FIGS. 3 to 4).

  As shown in FIG. 7, conventionally, since the drain pipe 150 is different from the supply pipe, the chemical solution remaining in the drain pipe 150 cannot be pumped to the filter device 10 and must be discarded. However, in the processing system 1 of the present invention, since the second pipe 22 functions as a drain pipe and a supply pipe, the cleaning fluid can be discharged and the chemical solution remaining in the supply pipe 20 can be reduced. Can do.

  In addition, it is thought that the effect mentioned above is acquired also in the structure (structure without the 1st piping 21) connected to the bottom part of the filter apparatus 10 from the preparation tank 2 without branching the supply piping 20. FIG. However, if the diameter of the second pipe 22 is too wide, the compressed air generated by the pressure feeding means 30 escapes without pumping the chemical liquid, and the chemical liquid cannot be sufficiently pumped to the filter device 10. Therefore, it is necessary to narrow the second pipe 22 to some extent. When the supply pipe 20 is not branched, the chemical liquid is pumped only by the narrow second pipe 22 and the liquid feeding speed of the chemical liquid is reduced.

  However, since the processing system 1 of the present embodiment branches the supply pipe 20, even if one of the second pipes 22 is narrowed, the other first pipe 21 can be widened. It is possible to secure a sufficient liquid feeding speed of the chemical liquid that can be fed as a whole. In other words, by making the diameter of the second pipe 22 smaller than the diameter of the first pipe 21, it is possible to ensure a sufficient liquid feeding speed. Although the diameter of the second pipe 22 depends on physical properties such as the viscosity of the chemical solution and the pressure of the compressed air by the pressure feeding means 30, it is preferable to adjust the compressed air so that the chemical solution can be pumped without passing through the chemical solution. .

  In addition, the first valve device 61 provided in the first pipe 21 is closed when the remaining amount of the chemical solution becomes a predetermined value or less. Thereby, since compressed air is sent intensively to the 2nd piping 22, a strong pressure can be applied to the chemical | medical solution which remains in the 2nd piping 22, and a chemical | medical solution can be reliably sent to the filter apparatus 10 earlier. Note that the first valve device 61 is not necessarily provided in the first pipe 21. This is because the compressed air is also supplied to the second pipe 22 even when the first valve device 61 is not provided.

  The angle at which the second pipe 22 is attached to the filter device 10 is not particularly limited, but is preferably inclined. That is, it is preferable that the second pipe 22 is inclined and connected to the bottom as in the present embodiment, rather than extending vertically and connected to the bottom of the filter device 10. By tilting the second pipe 22, the chemical liquid can be easily pumped from the second pipe 22 to the filter device 10.

  Moreover, the processing system 1 of the present embodiment targets a chemical liquid as a process liquid. In particular, since the chemical solution is expensive, the economic effect of reducing the chemical solution remaining in the supply pipe 20 (second pipe 22) is remarkable.

<Other embodiments>
As mentioned above, although one embodiment of the present invention has been described, of course, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and addition, omission, replacement, etc., of a configuration is possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. And other changes are possible.

  The processing system 1 according to the first embodiment sends a chemical solution from the preparation tank 2 to the storage tank 3. However, the device to which the supply pipe 20 is connected is not limited to the preparation tank 2, and the device arranged on the downstream side of the filter device 10 is not limited to the storage tank 3. Various devices such as a heat exchanger (sterilizer) and a filling machine may be connected.

  The processing system 1 according to the first embodiment sends a chemical liquid as a process liquid, but is not limited thereto, and can be applied to a case where an arbitrary process liquid is fed.

  In the processing system 1 according to the first embodiment, the second pipe 22 extends horizontally from the branch portion 25 and is inclined and bent upward. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the second pipe 22 may extend horizontally from the branch portion 25, bend in a substantially vertical direction, and be connected to the bottom portion of the filter device 10. The first pipe 21 is connected to the side portion of the container 11 of the filter device 10, but may be connected to the upper portion of the container 11.

  Moreover, in the processing system 1 of this embodiment, although the branch part 25 of the supply piping 20 is located below in the perpendicular direction rather than the bottom part of the container 11, it is not limited to such an aspect. FIG. 6 shows another type of processing system 1. For example, the supply pipe 20 is branched at the branch portion 25 above the bottom of the container 11. The second pipe 22 may be extended downward from the branch portion 25 than the bottom portion of the container 11, and may be folded back and connected to the bottom portion of the container 11. In this case, since the second pipe 22 becomes a low point, a drain pipe 53 connected to the drain 51 is provided in the second pipe 22. The supply pipe 20 having such a configuration functions as a drain pipe through which the second pipe 22 guides the cleaning fluid to the drain 51. And since the chemical | medical solution of the 2nd piping 22 can be sent to the filter apparatus 10 with the compressed air from the pressure sending means 30, the chemical | medical solution remaining in the 2nd piping 22 can be reduced.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Process liquid processing system, 10 ... Filter apparatus, 12 ... Filter, 13 ... Primary side, 14 ... Secondary side, 20 ... Supply piping, 21 ... 1st piping, 22 ... 2nd piping, 30 ... Pressure feeding means, 40. Cleaning means

Claims (4)

A filter device comprising a container for accommodating the filter;
Supply piping for supplying the process liquid to the filter device;
A pumping means for supplying a gas for pumping the process liquid to the supply pipe;
Cleaning means for supplying a cleaning fluid to the filter device,
The supply pipe branches in the middle, and has a first pipe connected to the side or top of the container, and a second pipe connected to the bottom of the container,
The process liquid is pumped into the filter device from the first pipe and the second pipe by the pumping means,
The process fluid processing system, wherein the cleaning fluid supplied to the filter device by the cleaning means is discharged from the second pipe to the outside of the filter device. In the process liquid processing system according to claim 1,
A preparation tank for storing the process liquid;
The preparation tank is supplied with the gas from the pressure feeding means, and connected to the filter device via the supply pipe,
The first pipe is provided with a valve,
When feed pressure in the filter apparatus the process liquid stored in the preparation tank by the pumping means from the first pipe and the second pipe, the remaining amount of the process liquid stored in the preparation tank When it becomes below a predetermined value, the said valve provided in the said 1st piping is closed. The processing liquid processing system characterized by the above-mentioned. In the process liquid processing system according to claim 1 or 2,
The diameter of the second pipe is narrower than the diameter of the first pipe. In the process liquid processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The process liquid is a chemical liquid. The process liquid processing system according to claim 1, wherein the process liquid is a chemical liquid.

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