JP7442766B2 - water conditioner - Google Patents

Description

Application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act Published on December 5, 2020 at Wako Seisakusho Co., Ltd.

The present invention relates to a water quality regulator.

The rainwater storage device of Patent Document 1 includes an auxiliary tank to which rainwater is sent from a water collection surface such as a roof, a clean rainwater storage tank, a measurement tank used to measure the electrical conductivity of rainwater, and an auxiliary tank. A first valve arranged between the rainwater tank, a second valve arranged between the auxiliary tank and the sewage outlet, and a third valve arranged between the measurement tank and the auxiliary tank. There is. Further, the rainwater storage device of Patent Document 1 includes a rain gauge that measures a certain amount of rainwater and sends it to a measurement tank, and an electrical conductivity meter that measures the electrical conductivity of the certain amount of rainwater stored in the measurement tank. It is equipped with a control section.

When the control unit reads the electrical conductivity signal from the electrical conductivity meter, it opens the third valve to drain the rainwater from the measurement tank into the auxiliary tank, and closes the third valve again to start the next electrical conduction. Prepare for rate measurement. When the read electrical conductivity signal falls below a predetermined value, the control unit opens the second valve to discharge rainwater from the auxiliary tank to the sewage outlet. After draining the auxiliary tank, the control unit closes the second valve and opens the first valve so that clean rainwater is sent from the auxiliary tank to the water storage tank.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-204934

An object of the present invention is to provide a water quality regulator in which a large number of magnesium grains can easily maintain their function as a water quality regulator.

To achieve the above object, the water quality regulator of the invention of claim 1 includes a main body that extends in the vertical direction and forms a water flow from below to above, and a large number of granular magnesium accommodated in the main body. There is.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the main body is inclined with respect to the vertical direction. Further, the invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 2, wherein the main body has a lower part that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and an upper part that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction by the angle in a direction opposite to the lower part. It is equipped with

According to the present invention, in the main body, a large number of magnesium grains exposed to a water flow from below to above are danced by the water flow and collide with each other with an impact, so that the coating on the surface is removed. The function as a water quality conditioner is maintained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is a figure which shows 1st Embodiment, and is a schematic diagram which shows a rainwater storage device and a cooling water circulation device. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control unit. It is a figure which shows 2nd Embodiment, and is a schematic diagram which shows a part of solar power plant. Schematic diagram showing other parts of the solar power plant. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control configuration. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control unit, and is a diagram showing a main routine. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control unit, and is a diagram showing a subroutine (rainwater storage processing). FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control unit, and is a diagram showing a subroutine (rainwater storage processing). FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control unit, and is a diagram showing a subroutine (pure water production processing). FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control unit, and is a diagram showing a subroutine (pure water production processing). FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control unit, and is a diagram showing a subroutine (sterilization processing). FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of a control unit, and is a diagram illustrating a subroutine (solar panel cleaning process). It is a figure which shows 3rd Embodiment, and is a schematic diagram which shows a water quality regulator.

First to third embodiments embodying the present invention will be described below.
[First embodiment]
As shown in FIG. 1, the roof of a factory or the like forms a water collection surface 101, and rainwater that falls on the water collection surface 101 is received by a rain gutter 102. A large-diameter pipe 11 is connected to the rain gutter 102, and rainwater collected in the rain gutter 102 flows into the large-diameter pipe 11. The large diameter pipe 11 is inclined downward toward the downstream side.

A first overflow pipe 12 is branched from the large diameter pipe 11 . The first overflow pipe 12 overflows a portion of the rainwater flowing through the large-diameter pipe 11 and sends it to the sewer port 103. A small diameter pipe 13 is connected to the downstream side of the large diameter pipe 11. The small diameter pipe 13 includes a horizontal portion 13a connected to the large diameter pipe 11, and a vertical portion 13b located downstream of the horizontal portion 13a. Note that the horizontal portion 13a is provided with a slope that slightly descends toward the downstream side.

A second overflow pipe 14 is branched from the horizontal portion 13a of the small diameter pipe 13. The second overflow pipe 14 overflows a portion of the rainwater flowing through the small diameter pipe 13 and sends it to the sewer port 103. A rainwater tank 15 for storing clean rainwater is connected to the vertical portion 13b of the small diameter pipe 13.

In the horizontal portion 13a of the small-diameter pipe 13, an on-off valve 16 made of an electrically driven valve such as a solenoid valve is arranged downstream of the location where the second overflow pipe 14 branches. In the horizontal portion 13a of the small-diameter pipe 13, an electrical conductivity sensor 17 as a water quality sensor is arranged upstream of the position where the second overflow pipe 14 branches. Examples of the electrical conductivity sensor 17 include those of an AC two-electrode type, those of an AC four-electrode type, and those of an electromagnetic induction type. The electrical conductivity sensor 17 also serves as a rain sensor for detecting the presence or absence of rain.

The control section 18 is a control unit similar to a computer. An on-off valve 16 and an electrical conductivity sensor 17 are electrically connected to the I/O of the control unit 18 . When the power is turned on, the control unit 18 starts processing according to a pre-stored program.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the program.
In step 201, it is determined whether the rain measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 indicates a rain condition. If the rainfall measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 does not indicate a raining state (No determination), the process moves to step 202, where the on-off valve 16 is closed, and the presence or absence of rain is monitored in step 201. is repeated.

In step 201, if the rainfall measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 indicates a raining state (Yes determination), the process proceeds to step 203. In step 203, it is determined whether the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 is less than or equal to a predetermined value L. In step 203, if the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 exceeds the predetermined value L (No determination), it is determined that the rainwater is polluted, and the process proceeds to step 202 to control the on-off valve. 16 is in the closed state.

In step 203, if the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 is less than or equal to the predetermined value L (Yes determination), it is determined that the rainwater is clean, and the process proceeds to step 204. In step 204, the on-off valve 16 is opened. The process returns from step 204, and the monitoring of the presence or absence of rain in step 201 is repeated, or the monitoring of the presence or absence of rain in step 201 and the monitoring of electrical conductivity in step 203 are repeated.

As shown in the graph in step 203, the predetermined value L is the electrical conductivity threshold (first predetermined value L1) that opens the on-off valve 16 in the closed state, and the threshold value for the electrical conductivity that makes the on-off valve 16 in the open state open. The electrical conductivity thresholds (second predetermined value L2 (>first predetermined value L1)) for closing 16 are set to different hysteresis characteristics. Therefore, frequent instantaneous opening/closing of the on-off valve 16, which tends to occur when only a single threshold value is set, is avoided, and control of the on-off valve 16 is stabilized.

Now, during normal rainfall, the initial rainwater is contaminated with pollutants from the air and the roof, and is in a state that is difficult to call clean. In such a case, the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 is, for example, 3 mS/m to 15 mS/m, which exceeds the predetermined value L (first predetermined value L1 (for example, 1 mS/m)). , the control unit 18 closes the on-off valve 16 to prevent polluted rainwater from flowing into the rainwater tank 15.

Rainwater that has no place to escape because the on-off valve 16 is in the closed state overflows from the small diameter pipe 13 through the second overflow pipe 14 and is discharged to the sewage port 103, so it almost never flows back through the small diameter pipe 13. .

If the rain continues, the amount of contaminants mixed into the rainwater will decrease, so the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 will gradually decrease and eventually fall below the predetermined value L (first predetermined value L1). becomes. Therefore, the control unit 18 opens the shut-off valve 16 so that clean rainwater flows into the rainwater tank 15.

When the rain stops or for some reason the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 exceeds a predetermined value L (second predetermined value L2 (for example, 1.1 mS/m)), the control unit 18 opens. The on-off valve 16 that is in the current state is brought into the closed state.

In addition, during normal rainfall, the amount of rainfall per unit time is not so large, so whether rainwater will stagnate in the large-diameter pipe 11 at the connection part with the small-diameter pipe 13, or even if it stagnates, it will be 1. The amount that reaches the sewage port 103 from the overflow pipe 12 is not so large.

Next, a case of heavy rain will be explained. In particular, in heavy rain caused by a typhoon that stirs up seawater, the pollution (salt damage) is severe, so the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 may exceed 20 mS/m. In such a case, the control unit 18 closes the on-off valve 16 to prevent polluted rainwater from flowing into the rainwater tank 15, as in the case of the initial rainwater described above.

In the case of heavy rain, since the amount of rainfall per unit time is large, the amount of stagnation of rainwater in the large-diameter pipe 11 at the connection part with the small-diameter pipe 13 increases. Therefore, the amount of rainwater reaching the sewage outlet 103 from the first overflow pipe 12 increases. It is relatively easy to increase the drainage capacity of the first overflow pipe 12 connected to the large diameter pipe 11. Therefore, even during heavy rain, it is possible to prevent rainwater from flowing backward through the large-diameter pipe 11 and overflowing at unexpected locations.

Further, by providing the first overflow pipe 12, the amount of rainwater flowing from the large diameter pipe 11 to the small diameter pipe 13 can be suppressed even in heavy rain. Therefore, even if the drainage capacity of the second overflow pipe 14 connected to the small diameter pipe 13 is low, rainwater can be prevented from flowing backward through the small diameter pipe 13 and overflowing at unexpected locations.

According to the rainwater storage device configured as described above, the on-off valve 16 and the electrical conductivity sensor 17 disposed in the small-diameter pipe 13 may be small. Moreover, according to the rainwater storage device, multiple tanks and valves are not required. Therefore, it is possible to suitably deal with heavy rain while avoiding the problems of increasing the size and complexity of the rainwater storage device. These are as follows: the piping is composed of a large-diameter piping 11 on the upstream side and a small-diameter piping 13 on the downstream side; the large-diameter piping 11 has a first overflow piping 12; This is achieved by providing each of them.

Next, a cooling water circulation device attached to the rainwater storage device will be explained. The cooling water circulation device is used to cool manufacturing equipment (not shown) such as a resin molding machine installed in a factory.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cooling water circulation device includes a cooling water tank 31. The cooling water tank 31 and the rainwater tank 15 of the rainwater storage device are connected via a supply pipe 32. The supply pipe 32 is equipped with a pump 32a. Clean rainwater in the rainwater tank 15 is supplied to the cooling water tank 31 via the supply pipe 32 by the action of the pump 32a.

The cooling water tank 31 and the manufacturing device are connected via an incoming pipe 33. The going side piping 33 is equipped with a pump 33a. Rainwater (cooling water) in the cooling water tank 31 is supplied to the manufacturing apparatus via the outgoing pipe 33 by the action of the pump 33a.

The manufacturing device and the cooling water tank 31 are connected via a return pipe 34. The return side piping 34 is equipped with a cooling tower 34a. The high temperature cooling water returned from the manufacturing equipment is returned to the cooling water tank 31 via the return side piping 34 while being cooled by the cooling tower 34a.

A branch pipe 35 is connected to the inbound pipe 33 on the downstream side of the pump 33a. The branch pipe 35 connects the outgoing pipe 33 and the cooling water tank 31. The branch pipe 35 includes a manual on-off valve 35a and a water quality regulator 41. The water quality regulator 41 has a function of adjusting the pH (hydrogen ion index) of the cooling water.

The water quality regulator 41 includes a cylindrical main body 42 extending in the vertical direction. A lid 42a is attached to the upper end of the main body 42. A transparent window 42b is provided in the center of the main body 42. An outflow pipe 43 configuring the downstream side of the branch pipe 35 is connected to the upper part of the main body 42 . An inflow pipe 44 configuring the upstream side of the branch pipe 35 is connected to the lower end of the main body 42 .

Inside the main body 42, a large number of granular magnesium 45 as a water quality regulator (pH regulator) is accommodated. A mesh filter 46 is arranged at the lower end of the main body 42 to receive the magnesium 45 and prevent it from falling downward. A mesh filter 47 is disposed in the outflow pipe 43 to receive the magnesium 45 and prevent it from flowing downstream.

When the pump 33a of the outbound side piping 33 is activated while the on-off valve 35a of the branch piping 35 is open, a portion of the cooling water going from the cooling water tank 31 to the manufacturing equipment passes through the branch piping 35 to adjust the water quality. It is sent to the container 41. The cooling water that has flowed into the water quality regulator 41 is moved upward from below the main body 42, mixed with the granular magnesium 45, and undergoes a chemical reaction.

Therefore, the slightly acidic cooling water (rainwater) becomes slightly alkaline when flowing out from the water quality regulator 41 and is returned to the cooling water tank 31. By using weakly alkaline cooling water, it is possible to make it difficult to generate scale in the cooling waterways in the manufacturing equipment, and to make the cooling waterways difficult to rust at a high level.

Inside the main body 42, a large number of magnesium grains 45 exposed to a water flow from below to above are danced by the water flow and impact each other, and the surface coating is removed and used as a water quality conditioner. functions are maintained. The degree of consumption of the magnesium 45 can be confirmed through the window 42b of the main body 42. Replenishment of magnesium 45 is performed by removing the lid 42a of the main body 42.

[Second embodiment]
3 and 4 show a solar power plant equipped with solar panels 111. Electricity generated by the solar panel 111 is stored in a storage battery 112 installed near the solar panel 111. The light-receiving surface 111a of the solar panel 111 serves as a water collection surface, and rainwater that falls on the light-receiving surface 111a is received by the rain gutter 113. A plurality of (three in this embodiment) first large diameter pipes 51 to third large diameter pipes 53 are connected to the rain gutter 113, and the rainwater collected in the rain gutter 113 is connected to the first large diameter pipes 51 to the third large diameter pipes 53. It flows into the third large diameter pipe 53.

First overflow pipes 54 are branched from the first to third large-diameter pipes 51 to 53, respectively. Each first overflow pipe 54 overflows a portion of the rainwater flowing through the corresponding first large diameter pipe 51 to third large diameter pipe 53 and sends it to the sewage port 114. A small diameter pipe 55 is connected to the downstream side of the first large diameter pipe 51 to the third large diameter pipe 53.

The small-diameter pipe 55 is connected to a main pipe 56 that descends from the vicinity of the first large-diameter pipe 51 to the vicinity of the third large-diameter pipe 53 via the vicinity of the second large-diameter pipe 52, and the first large-diameter pipe 51. A first branch pipe 57 connects the main pipe 56 to the upstream end of the main pipe 56, a second branch pipe 58 connects the second large diameter pipe 52 and the main pipe 56, and a third large diameter pipe 53 and the main pipe 56 are connected. A third branch pipe 59 is provided.

A first branch pipe 60 is branched from between the first branch pipe 57 and the second branch pipe 58 in the main pipe 56 . A first rainwater tank 61 is connected to the first branch pipe 60. A second branch pipe 62 is branched from between the second branch pipe 58 and the third branch pipe 59 in the main pipe 56 . A second rainwater tank 63 is connected to the second branch pipe 62 .

A pure water sub-tank 64 is connected to the downstream end of the main pipe 56 . A second overflow pipe 65 is connected to the third branch pipe 59, and the third branch pipe 59 and the first overflow pipe 54 corresponding to the third large diameter pipe 53 are connected by the second overflow pipe 65.

A first on-off valve 70 made of an electrically driven valve such as a solenoid valve is arranged in the first branch pipe 60 . A second on-off valve 71 made of an electrically driven valve such as a solenoid valve is arranged in the second branch pipe 62 . A third on-off valve 72, which is an electrically driven valve such as a solenoid valve, is arranged downstream of the position where the third branch pipe 59 is connected in the main pipe 56.

In the third branch pipe 59, an electrical conductivity sensor 73 is arranged closer to the third large diameter pipe 53 than the position where the second overflow pipe 65 is connected. Examples of the electrical conductivity sensor 73 include those of an AC two-electrode type, those of an AC four-electrode type, and those of an electromagnetic induction type. The electrical conductivity sensor 73 also serves as a rain sensor for sensing the presence or absence of rain.

The first rainwater tank 61 is equipped with a first water level sensor 75. The second rainwater tank 63 is equipped with a second water level sensor 76. The pure water sub-tank 64 is equipped with a third water level sensor 77.

The water intake pipe 80 includes a main pipe 81, a first branch pipe 82 that connects the main pipe 81 and the first rainwater tank 61, a second branch pipe 83 that connects the main pipe 81 and the second rainwater tank 63, and a main pipe 81 and pure water. and a third branch pipe 84 that connects to the sub-tank 64.

A fourth on-off valve 85 made of an electrically driven valve such as a solenoid valve is arranged in the first branch pipe 82 . A fifth on-off valve 86 made of an electrically driven valve such as a solenoid valve is arranged in the second branch pipe 83 . A sixth on-off valve 87 made of an electrically driven valve such as a solenoid valve is arranged in the third branch pipe 84 .

In the main pipe 81, a first pump 88 is arranged between a position where the second branch pipe 83 is connected and a position where the third branch pipe 84 is connected. A second pump 89 is disposed in the third branch pipe 84 between the sixth on-off valve 87 and the pure water sub-tank 64.

As shown in FIG. 4, the downstream end of the main pipe 81 of the water intake pipe 80 is connected to a main tank 91 for pure water. The main tank 91 for pure water is equipped with a fourth water level sensor 92 . An ultraviolet sterilizer 93 is arranged inside the main tank 91 for pure water.

In the main pipe 81, a pure water maker 94 is arranged between the position where the third branch pipe 84 (see FIG. 3) is connected and the main tank 91 for pure water. The water purifier 94 includes, in order from the upstream side, a thread filter 95, an activated carbon filter 96, and an ion exchange resin 97.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a plurality of water nozzles 98 (only one is shown in the drawing) are arranged on the solar panel 111 so as to face the light receiving surface 111a. As shown in FIG. 4, the water spray nozzle 98 and the pure water main tank 91 are connected via a water spray pipe 99. A third pump 100 is arranged in the water sprinkler pipe 99.

As shown in FIG. 5, the control section 120 is a control unit similar to a computer. The I/O of the control unit 120 includes the first on-off valve 70 to the sixth on-off valve 87, the electrical conductivity sensor 73, the first water level sensor 75 to the fourth water level sensor 92, the first pump 88 to the third pump 100, and An ultraviolet sterilizer 93 is electrically connected. These electrical devices use a storage battery 112 (see FIG. 3) as a power source.

When the power is turned on, the control unit 120 starts processing according to a pre-stored program. 6 to 12 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the program.

(main routine)
FIG. 6 shows the main routine. In step 301, rainwater storage processing is performed to store clean rainwater in the first rainwater tank 61, the second rainwater tank 63, and the pure water subtank 64. In step 302, pure water is produced using the clean rainwater stored in the first rainwater tank 61, the second rainwater tank 63, and the pure water sub-tank 64, and the produced pure water is used in the pure water main tank. A process for producing pure water to be stored in the tank 91 is performed.

In step 303, a sterilization process is performed to sterilize the pure water stored in the main tank 91 for pure water. In step 304, a solar panel cleaning process for cleaning the light-receiving surface 111a of the solar panel 111 is performed using the pure water stored in the main tank 91 for pure water.

(Rainwater storage treatment)
Figures 7 and 8 show rainwater storage processing.
As shown in FIG. 7, in step 401, it is determined whether the rainfall measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 indicates a raining state. If the rainfall measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 does not indicate a raining state (No determination), the process moves to step 402 and the first to third on-off valves 70 to 72 are closed.

In step 401, if the rainfall measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 indicates a raining state (Yes determination), the process proceeds to step 403. In step 403, it is determined whether the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 is less than or equal to a predetermined value M1 (for example, 1 mS/m).

In step 403, if the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 exceeds the predetermined value M1 (No determination), it is determined that the rainwater is polluted, and the process proceeds to step 402. In step 402, the first on-off valve 70 to the third on-off valve 72 are closed.

Therefore, rainwater is not allowed to flow into the first rainwater tank 61, the second rainwater tank 63, and the pure water subtank 64. Rainwater that cannot flow into the first rainwater tank 61, the second rainwater tank 63, and the pure water subtank 64 is sent to the sewer port 114 via the first overflow pipe 54 and/or the second overflow pipe 65.

On the other hand, in step 403, if the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 is equal to or less than the predetermined value M1 (Yes determination), it is determined that the rainwater is clean, and the process proceeds to step 404. In step 404, it is determined whether the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 is less than or equal to a predetermined value M2 (<M1, for example, 0.5 mS/m).

In step 404, if the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 is equal to or less than the predetermined value M2 (Yes determination), it is determined that the rainwater has a high degree of cleanliness, and the process proceeds to step 405. In step 405, it is determined whether the water level signal from the third water level sensor 77 is less than a predetermined value S3F.

In step 405, if the water level signal from the third water level sensor 77 is less than the predetermined value S3F (Yes determination), it is determined that there is space in the pure water sub-tank 64 for rainwater to flow into, and the process proceeds to step 406. will be migrated. In step 406, the first on-off valve 70 and the second on-off valve 71 are closed, and the third on-off valve 72 is opened. Therefore, highly clean rainwater is allowed to flow only into the pure water sub-tank 64.

On the other hand, in step 405, if the water level signal from the third water level sensor 77 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value S3F (No determination), it is determined that there is no space in the pure water sub-tank 64 for rainwater to flow into. The process moves to step 407 shown in FIG. In step 407, the third on-off valve 72 is closed. Therefore, rainwater is not allowed to flow into the pure water sub-tank 64. From step 407, the process moves to step 408.

In step 408, it is determined whether the water level signal from the first water level sensor 75 is less than a predetermined value S1F. In step 408, if the water level signal from the first water level sensor 75 is less than the predetermined value S1F (Yes determination), it is determined that there is space in the first rainwater tank 61 for rainwater to flow into, and the process proceeds to step 409. will be migrated. In step 409, the first on-off valve 70 is opened and the second on-off valve 71 is closed. Therefore, rainwater is allowed to flow only into the first rainwater tank 61.

On the other hand, in step 408, if the water level signal from the first water level sensor 75 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value S1F (No determination), it is determined that there is no space for rainwater to flow into the first rainwater tank 61, and step 410. In step 410, the first on-off valve 70 is closed. Therefore, rainwater is not allowed to flow into the first rainwater tank 61.

From step 410, the process moves to step 411, where it is determined whether the water level signal from the second water level sensor 76 is less than a predetermined value S2F. In step 411, if the water level signal from the second water level sensor 76 is less than the predetermined value S2F (Yes determination), it is determined that there is space in the second rainwater tank 63 for rainwater to flow into, and the process proceeds to step 412. will be migrated. In step 412, the second on-off valve 71 is opened. Therefore, rainwater is allowed to flow only into the second rainwater tank 63.

On the other hand, in step 411, if the water level signal from the second water level sensor 76 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value S2F (No determination), it is determined that there is no space for rainwater to flow into the second rainwater tank 63, and step 413. In step 413, the second on-off valve 71 is closed. Therefore, rainwater is not allowed to flow into the second rainwater tank 63.

That is, in the rainwater storage process, rainwater with higher purity is selected from among the clean rainwater and stored in the pure water sub-tank 64. In addition, when the pure water sub-tank 64 is so-called "full," in order to effectively utilize highly clean rainwater without discharging it to the sewage outlet 114, the rainwater is transferred to the first rainwater tank 61 and the empty first rainwater tank 61. /Or it is stored in the second rainwater tank 63.

Now, as shown in FIG. 7, in step 404 described above, if the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 exceeds the predetermined value M2 (No determination), that is, the measurement signal exceeds M2. If it is less than or equal to M1, the cleanliness of the rainwater is determined to be medium, and the process moves to step 407 shown in FIG. 8, and steps 407 to 413 are executed in the same manner as described above.

That is, in the rainwater storage process, rainwater with medium cleanliness is stored in the first rainwater tank 61 and/or the second rainwater tank 63, and is not stored in the pure water subtank 64. .

Note that when the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 73 is between M2 and M1, one of the first on-off valve 70 and the second on-off valve 71 is selected depending on the cleanliness (electrical conductivity) of rainwater. By leaving only one open and the other not open, the cleanliness of the rainwater stored in the first rainwater tank 61 and the rainwater stored in the second rainwater tank 63 can be made to differ positively. Good too.

(Pure water production process)
9 and 10 show the pure water production process.
As shown in FIG. 9, in step 501, it is determined whether the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 is less than a predetermined value S4F. In step 501, if the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 is equal to or higher than the predetermined value S4F (No determination), it is determined that there is no space for rainwater to flow into the main pure water tank 91, and the process proceeds to step 502. will be migrated.

In step 502, the fourth on-off valve 85 to the sixth on-off valve 87 are closed, and the first pump 88 and second pump 89 are stopped. Therefore, the rainwater in the first rainwater tank 61, the second rainwater tank 63, and the pure water subtank 64 is not sent to the pure water generator 94.

On the other hand, in step 501, if the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 is less than the predetermined value S4F (Yes determination), it is determined that there is space in the pure water main tank 91 for rainwater to flow into, and step 503 will be moved to

In step 503, it is determined whether the water level signal from the third water level sensor 77 exceeds a predetermined value S3E. In step 503, if the water level signal from the third water level sensor 77 exceeds the predetermined value S3E (Yes determination), it is determined that the amount stored in the pure water sub-tank 64 is large, and the process proceeds to step 504.

In step 504, the fourth on-off valve 85 and the fifth on-off valve 86 are closed, the sixth on-off valve 87 is opened, the first pump 88 is stopped, and the second pump 89 is turned off. It is considered to be in working condition.

Therefore, rainwater in the pure water sub-tank 64 is sent to the pure water generator 94 by the action of the second pump 89. The rainwater sent to the water purification device 94 has its electrical conductivity reduced by the actions of the thread filter 95, activated carbon filter 96, and ion exchange resin 97, so that it becomes highly pure water (for example, with an electrical conductivity of 0.1 mS/m or less). After being made into pure water), it flows into the main tank 91 for pure water.

On the other hand, in step 503, if the water level signal from the third water level sensor 77 is equal to or less than the predetermined value S3E (No determination), it is determined that the amount of storage in the pure water sub-tank 64 is small, and the process moves to step 505 in FIG. be done. In step 505, it is determined whether the water level signal from the first water level sensor 75 is less than or equal to a predetermined value S1E. In step 505, if the water level signal from the first water level sensor 75 exceeds the predetermined value S1E (No determination), it is determined that the amount stored in the first rainwater tank 61 is large, and the process proceeds to step 506.

In step 506, the fifth on-off valve 86 and the sixth on-off valve 87 are closed, the fourth on-off valve 85 is opened, the second pump 89 is stopped, and the first pump 88 is turned off. It is considered to be in working condition.

Therefore, rainwater in the first rainwater tank 61 is sent to the pure water generator 94 by the action of the first pump 88. The rainwater sent to the water purifier 94 is made into high purity water by reducing its electrical conductivity through the action of a thread filter 95, an activated carbon filter 96, and an ion exchange resin 97, and then is sent to the main tank 91 for pure water. Flow into.

On the other hand, in step 505, if the water level signal from the first water level sensor 75 is equal to or less than the predetermined value S1E (Yes determination), it is determined that the amount stored in the first rainwater tank 61 is small, and the process proceeds to step 507. In step 507, it is determined whether the water level signal from the second water level sensor 76 is less than or equal to a predetermined value S2E. In step 507, if the water level signal from the second water level sensor 76 exceeds the predetermined value S2E (No determination), it is determined that the amount stored in the second rainwater tank 63 is large, and the process proceeds to step 508.

In step 508, the fourth on-off valve 85 and the sixth on-off valve 87 are closed, the fifth on-off valve 86 is opened, the second pump 89 is stopped, and the first pump 88 is turned off. It is considered to be in working condition.

Therefore, the rainwater in the second rainwater tank 63 is sent to the pure water generator 94 by the action of the first pump 88. The rainwater sent to the water purifier 94 is made into high purity water by reducing its electrical conductivity through the action of a thread filter 95, an activated carbon filter 96, and an ion exchange resin 97, and then is sent to the main tank 91 for pure water. Flow into.

On the other hand, in step 507, if the water level signal from the second water level sensor 76 is equal to or less than the predetermined value S2E (Yes determination), it is determined that the amount stored in the second rainwater tank 63 is small, and the process proceeds to step 509. In step 509, the fourth on-off valve 85 to the sixth on-off valve 87 are closed, and the first pump 88 and second pump 89 are stopped.

In other words, in the pure water production process, high purity water is produced using highly clean rainwater stored in the pure water sub-tank 64, thereby reducing the load on the pure water production device 94 and producing pure water. The deterioration of the performance of the device 94 is suppressed. In addition, when the storage amount of the pure water sub-tank 64 is small, high-purity water can be produced using rainwater in the first rainwater tank 61 and the second rainwater tank 63, which have medium cleanliness. It is possible to ensure a sufficient amount of storage in the main tank 91 and to suppress deterioration in the performance of the water purifier 94 at a high level.

(sterilization treatment)
Figure 11 shows the sterilization process.
In step 601, it is determined whether the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 exceeds a predetermined value S4E. In step 601, if the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 exceeds the predetermined value S4E (Yes determination), it is determined that the amount of high-purity water stored in the main pure water tank 91 is large, and the process proceeds to step 602. Ru. In step 602, the ultraviolet sterilizer 93 is activated to sterilize the high-purity water stored in the main tank 91 for pure water.

On the other hand, in step 601, if the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 is equal to or less than the predetermined value S4E (No determination), it is determined that the amount of high-purity water stored in the main tank 91 for pure water is small, and the process moves to step 603. be done. In step 603, the ultraviolet sterilizer 93 is stopped to avoid unnecessary sterilization.

(Solar panel cleaning process)
FIG. 12 shows the solar panel cleaning process.
In step 701, it is determined whether a predetermined maintenance time has arrived based on the calendar function and clock function built into the control unit 120. In step 701, if it is determined that the time for maintenance has not come (No determination), it is determined that there is no need to clean the light receiving surface 111a of the solar panel 111, and the process moves to step 702. In step 702, the third pump 100 is brought to a stopped state.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 701 that the time for maintenance has arrived (Yes determination), the process moves to step 703. In step 703, it is determined whether the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 exceeds a predetermined value S4E. In step 703, if the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 is equal to or less than the predetermined value S4E (No determination), it is determined that the storage amount in the pure water main tank 91 is small, and the process proceeds to step 702, where the third pump 100 is in a stopped state.

On the other hand, in step 703, if the water level signal from the fourth water level sensor 92 exceeds the predetermined value S4E (Yes determination), it is determined that the storage amount in the pure water main tank 91 is large, and the process proceeds to step 704. Ru. In step 704, the third pump 100 is put into operation.

Therefore, the high purity water in the main pure water tank 91 is sent to the water sprinkling nozzle 98 via the water sprinkling pipe 99 by the action of the third pump 100. The high-purity water sent to the water spray nozzle 98 is sprayed onto the light-receiving surface 111a of the solar panel 111. Therefore, the light-receiving surface 111a of the solar panel 111 is cleaned with high-purity water.

Since high-purity water has a higher cleaning effect than tap water or the like, there is no need to use detergent when cleaning the light-receiving surface 111a of the solar panel 111, and the environmental burden is small. Further, since high-purity water has fewer impurities than tap water or the like, the light-receiving surface 111a of the solar panel 111 will not be damaged by cleaning. Furthermore, since high-purity water is produced near the solar panel 111 using rainwater that has fallen on the solar panel 111, there is no need to worry about transporting the high-purity water to the solar power plant.

In step 705, it is determined whether the operating time of the third pump 100 is less than a predetermined time. In step 705, if it is determined that the operating time of the third pump 100 is less than the predetermined time (Yes determination), the operating state of the third pump 100 is continued.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step 705 that the operating time of the third pump 100 is longer than the predetermined time (No determination), the process moves to step 702, where the third pump 100 is stopped, and the sunlight Cleaning of panel 111 is stopped.

[Third embodiment]
FIG. 13 shows a water quality regulator 150 used as a substitute for the water quality regulator 41 (see FIG. 1) in the first embodiment, for example. The water quality regulator 150 includes a main body 151 that is cylindrical and bent in a dogleg shape in appearance.

The main body 151 includes a lower part 151a that is inclined at a predetermined angle θ with respect to the vertical direction (vertical direction in the drawing), and an upper part 151b that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction by the same angle θ in the opposite direction to the lower part 151a. . The posture of the water quality regulator 150 is stabilized by a so-called counterbalance effect in which the upper portion 151b is inclined by the same angle θ to the side opposite to the lower portion 151a. Note that the angle θ of the inclination is set to 10° to 30°.

The main body 151 is provided with a transparent window portion 151c. An outflow pipe 43 constituting the downstream side of the branch pipe 35 is connected to the upper part 151b of the main body 151. An inflow pipe 44 constituting the upstream side of the branch pipe 35 is connected to the lower part 151a of the main body 151.

Inside the main body 151, a large number of granular magnesium 152 as a water quality regulator (pH regulator) is accommodated. A mesh filter 153 is arranged in the lower part 151a of the main body 151 to receive the magnesium 152 and prevent it from falling downward. A mesh filter 154 is disposed within the upper portion 151b of the main body 151 to receive the magnesium 152 and prevent it from flowing downstream.

The water quality regulator 150 of this embodiment has the same effect as the water quality regulator 41 of the first embodiment, thereby making the cooling water (rainwater) which was weakly acidic weakly alkaline. At this time, since the main body 151 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, the large number of magnesium 152 particles exposed to the water flow from below to above easily rises, and the course and/or gravity of the rise The course during descent is easily disturbed.

Therefore, the mixing of the cooling water and magnesium 152, that is, the chemical reaction, is promoted. In particular, the angle θ of inclination in the main body 151 is set to 10° to 30°. Therefore, cooling water and magnesium 152 are mixed more effectively.

That is, if the angle θ of the inclination of the main body 151 is less than 10°, it becomes difficult for the magnesium 152 exposed to the water flow directed from below to above to rise. Further, when the angle θ of the inclination of the main body 151 exceeds 30°, the course of the magnesium 152 exposed to the water flow directed from below to above becomes difficult to be disturbed in the course of rising and/or the course of falling by gravity. In this sense, the angle θ of the inclination is preferably 15° to 17°, and it is therefore preferable to aim for the angle θ of 16°.

[Another example]
The above embodiment can be modified as follows, for example.
In the first embodiment, the small-diameter pipe 13 is connected to the sewage port 103, and the second overflow pipe 14 is connected to the rainwater tank 15. In this case, the control unit 18 closes the on-off valve 16 when it is raining and the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 is less than or equal to the predetermined value L. Further, the control unit 18 opens the on-off valve 16 when it is not raining or when the electrical conductivity measurement signal from the electrical conductivity sensor 17 exceeds a predetermined value L.

- In the first embodiment, the on-off valve 16 is arranged in the second overflow pipe 14.

- In the first embodiment, a water purification device is attached to the rainwater storage device. The water purifier is equipped with, for example, an ion exchange resin, and by passing the rainwater supplied from the rainwater tank 15 through the ion exchange resin, the electrical conductivity of the rainwater is set to 0.1 mS/m or less. By using ion exchange resin, almost the entire amount of rainwater supplied to the water purifier can be collected as high purity water without wastage. Large amounts of high-purity water can be produced at low cost.

In the second embodiment, there is a plurality of main tanks 91 for pure water. In addition, in the main pipe 81 of the water intake pipe 80, a water quality sensor (for example, an electrical conductivity sensor or a resistivity sensor) is arranged downstream of the pure water generator 94, and a flow path switching valve is arranged downstream of the water quality sensor. to be placed.

Then, the control unit 120 controls the flow path switching valve based on the measurement signal from the water quality sensor, so that the rainwater flowing out from the pure water generator 94 is stored in the plurality of pure water main tanks. Must be one of 91.

In this way, pure water of different water quality (for example, electrical conductivity or specific resistance) can be produced depending on the purpose. That is, for example, it is possible to separately produce ultrapure water used for cleaning semiconductors, high purity water used for cleaning precision parts, and pure water used for general cleaning and humidifiers.

- The water quality regulator 41 of the first embodiment or the water quality regulator 150 of the third embodiment is installed in the bathtub of the bathroom, and the hot water that has passed through the water quality regulator 41 or the water quality regulator 150 is supplied to the bathtub. By doing so, the bathtub can be made into a so-called "hydrogen bath" or "oxidation-reduction water bath."

[Additional note]
The technical ideas that can be understood from the embodiments described above will be described.
(1) A method of producing high-purity water with an electrical conductivity of 0.1 mS/m or less by collecting clean rainwater and passing the rainwater through an ion exchange resin.

In this way, high-purity water can be produced at a lower cost than, for example, when high-purity water is produced using tap water. That is, in many regions, tap water has an electrical conductivity of 10 mS/m to 20 mS/m, whereas clean rainwater has an electrical conductivity of 0.2 mS/m to 1.0 mS/m. Therefore, if clean rainwater is selected and collected, there is no need to pass rainwater through ion exchange resins many times or use inefficient reverse osmosis membranes, which can reduce manufacturing costs.

More specifically, for example, when producing high-purity water from rainwater with an electrical conductivity of approximately 1.0 mS/m, the production cost is 1/10 to 1/20 of the cost when producing high-purity water from tap water. It will be about. Furthermore, when producing high-purity water from rainwater with an electrical conductivity of about 0.2 mS/m, the production cost is about 1/50 to 1/100 of that when producing high-purity water from tap water.

(2) A solar power plant equipped with solar panels, wherein the light-receiving surface of the solar panel serves as a water collection surface, and a water purifier that produces pure water from rainwater that falls on the light-receiving surface is provided. A solar power generation plant is provided with a cleaning device that cleans the light-receiving surface using pure water produced by the pure water generator.

(3) A water quality regulator that includes a main body that extends in the vertical direction and forms a water flow from below to above, and a large number of granular magnesium contained in the main body.

(4) The water quality regulator according to technical idea (3), wherein the main body is inclined with respect to the vertical direction.

(5) Technical idea (4) in which the main body includes a lower part that is inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction, and an upper part that is inclined with respect to the vertical direction by the angle in a direction opposite to the lower part. The water conditioner described in .

(6) a large-diameter pipe through which the collected rainwater passes; a first overflow pipe that is branched from the large-diameter pipe and serves to overflow the rainwater in the large-diameter pipe; and a small-diameter pipe connected to the large-diameter pipe; a second overflow pipe branched from the small diameter pipe and for overflowing rainwater from the small diameter pipe; a rainwater tank connected to the small diameter pipe or the second overflow pipe for storing clean rainwater; and the second overflow pipe. or an on-off valve disposed in the small-diameter piping downstream of the position where the second overflow piping branches, and a water quality valve disposed in the small-diameter piping upstream of the position where the second overflow piping branches. A rainwater storage device comprising: a sensor; and a control unit that controls the on-off valve based on a signal from the water quality sensor so that clean rainwater flows into the rainwater tank.

41... Water quality regulator, 42... Main body, 45... Magnesium, 150... Water quality regulator, 151... Main body, 151a... Lower part, 151b... Upper part, 152... Magnesium.

Claims (1)

It extends in the vertical direction and forms a water flow from the bottom to the top , and includes a cylindrical main body in which mesh filters are arranged in the upper and lower parts, respectively, and the mesh filters housed in the main body and in the upper part to flow downstream. A large number of granular magnesium particles are prevented from flowing out to the side and are prevented from falling downward by the mesh filter in the lower part ,
The main body is inclined at 15° to 17° with respect to the vertical direction.

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