JP7455450B1 - Separation device - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a separation device with low energy consumption that can separate a raw material into liquid particles and solute or dispersoid particles. [Solution] The separation device includes a conductive nozzle equipped with a discharge part having a discharge port for discharging raw material, and a gas jet direction that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction in which the raw material is discharged from the discharge part of the conductive nozzle. A gas injection nozzle equipped with an injection section having an injection port for ejecting; an electrode disposed on the downstream side of the ejection port of the conductive nozzle so as to face the ejection port; and a connection between the ejection section and the electrode. a voltage application section configured to apply a voltage between the conductive nozzles to generate electrostatic coupling, the discharge section of the conductive nozzle is electrically connected to the ground, and the discharge port of the gas injection nozzle is electrically connected to the ground. The gas injection nozzle is disposed close to the outlet, and the gas injection nozzle atomizes the raw material to form a liquid by injecting gas into the discharge part while a voltage is applied between the discharge part and the electrode by the voltage application part. is configured to separate into fine particles of solute or dispersoid. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a separation device that atomizes and separates liquid raw materials.

As an example of a method for separating water from raw materials in a liquid state, seawater desalination methods using a flash method, a reverse osmosis (R/O) membrane method, and the like are conventionally known. In these methods, by separating water from seawater, a large amount of wastewater called "brine" with a high salt concentration (for example, about 10%) is generated. Brine is normally returned to the sea, but this has been controversial due to its negative impact on the environment.
Furthermore, Patent Document 1 discloses that, for the purpose of efficiently obtaining fresh water from seawater, a salt-containing mist is generated using an electrostatic atomizer, and a fine mist with a low salt concentration is collected from the generated mist. A method and apparatus for liquefying is disclosed.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2016-165676

However, none of the above-mentioned conventional methods are able to separate solid salt from seawater, and wastewater (brine) with a high salt concentration is generated.

Furthermore, the flash method and reverse osmosis membrane method require enormous amounts of thermal energy and electrical energy to separate water from seawater. The method described in Patent Document 1 also requires a device for heating seawater or carrier gas, and there is room for improvement in terms of further lowering energy consumption.

Therefore, according to conventional methods, it is difficult to separate seawater into water and salt with low energy consumption. It is difficult to separate not only seawater but also, for example, industrial wastewater into water and heavy metals or oil with low energy consumption.

Therefore, there is a need for a method and apparatus for separating a liquid raw material into a solvent and a solute, or a dispersion medium and a dispersoid, with low energy consumption.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem, and to combine a raw material containing a liquid and a solute dissolved in the liquid or a dispersoid dispersed in the liquid with fine particles of the liquid and fine particles of the solute or dispersoid. The objective is to provide a low energy consumption separation device that can separate

In order to achieve the above object, a separation device according to one aspect of the present invention separates a raw material containing a liquid and a solute dissolved in the liquid or a dispersoid dispersed in the liquid into fine particles of the liquid and the solute or the dispersoid. A separation device that separates fine particles from dispersoids, comprising: a conductive nozzle including a discharge section having a discharge port for discharging the raw material; and a discharge direction perpendicular to the discharge direction in which the raw material is discharged from the discharge section of the conductive nozzle. or a gas injection nozzle including an injection part having an injection port that injects gas in a substantially orthogonal injection direction; an electrode disposed to face the outlet; and a voltage application unit configured to apply a voltage between the discharge part of the conductive nozzle and the electrode to generate capacitive coupling, The discharge part of the conductive nozzle is electrically connected to the ground, the discharge port of the gas injection nozzle is arranged close to the discharge port of the conductive nozzle, and the gas injection nozzle is connected to the voltage application part. By injecting the gas to the discharge part of the conductive nozzle while a voltage is applied between the discharge part of the conductive nozzle and the electrode, the raw material is atomized and fine particles of the liquid are formed. and fine particles of the solute or the dispersoid.

According to the separation device of the present invention, a raw material containing a liquid and a solute dissolved in the liquid or a dispersoid dispersed in the liquid is separated into fine particles of the liquid and fine particles of the solute or dispersoid with low energy consumption. Can be separated.

1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the principle of a separation device according to a first embodiment; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a voltage is applied between an electrode and a discharge section in the separation device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which fine particles are generated by injecting gas to a discharge part in the separation apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which charges are brought close to a conductor. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which charges are kept away from a conductor. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which an electric charge is brought close to a conductor (a raw material having conductivity) connected to the ground. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the conductor is disconnected from the ground. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which charges are kept away from a conductor. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing fine particles of a conductor. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining evaporation of water. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the state of water nanoparticles in the atmosphere. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the positional relationship between the discharge part of the conductive nozzle and the injection part of the gas injection nozzle in the separation device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a front view showing the positional relationship between the discharge part of the conductive nozzle and the electrode in the separation device of FIG. 1. FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an example of the positional relationship between a discharge part of a conductive nozzle and an electrode in the separation device of FIG. 1. FIG. It is a typical sectional view showing an example of the separation device concerning a 2nd embodiment. It is a block diagram showing an outline of a separation device concerning a 2nd embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the separation device according to the second embodiment.

(Findings that formed the basis of the present invention)
The inventors of the present application have conducted extensive studies on methods for separating liquid raw materials with low energy consumption. As a result, they discovered that by atomizing a liquid raw material containing a solvent and a solute in an electrically charged state and causing an electrostatic explosion phenomenon, it is possible to separate the liquid raw material into fine particles of the solvent and fine particles of the solute. Upon further investigation, the inventor of the present application found that energy consumption could be kept low by charging the liquid raw material with static electricity extracted from the ground (GND). We have also discovered that by using the principle of atomization to atomize a liquid raw material, even when the liquid raw material has conductivity, it is possible to atomize the liquid raw material in an electrically charged state. This technique can also be applied, for example, to the separation of emulsions containing a dispersion medium and a dispersoid. The inventors of the present application have arrived at the present invention based on this new knowledge.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. Further, in the drawings, substantially the same members are designated by the same reference numerals.

For convenience of explanation, terms indicating directions such as "top", "bottom", "side", "left", and "right" will be used assuming the state during normal use, but the device according to the present invention It is not meant to limit the usage conditions. For reference, the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, which are perpendicular to each other, are schematically shown in the drawings. The Z axis is, for example, a vertical direction. In the following description, when simply referred to as an X direction, a Y direction, or a Z direction, it refers to the respective axial directions, and includes two opposite directions (for example, the −X direction and the +X direction).

《First embodiment》
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining the general structure and principle of the separation device according to the first embodiment.

The separation device 1 according to this embodiment is a device that atomizes a raw material 11 and separates it into fine particles of each substance contained in the raw material 11.

The raw material 11 is a liquid raw material containing a liquid such as a solvent and a solute dissolved in the liquid or a dispersoid dispersed in the liquid. The raw material 11 may have electrical conductivity. The raw material 11 may be a solution such as an aqueous electrolyte solution, or an emulsion. Other substances may be mixed in the solution or emulsion. As the raw material 11, for example, seawater, industrial wastewater, sewage, radioactively contaminated water, mine waste liquid, etc. can be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the separation device 1 includes a conductive nozzle 3, a gas injection nozzle 4, an electrode 5, and a voltage application section 6.

The conductive nozzle 3 is, for example, a cylindrical metal nozzle. The conductive nozzle 3 includes a discharge section 31 that discharges the raw material 11 supplied into the conductive nozzle 3 . The discharge section 31 has a discharge port 32 for discharging the raw material 11. The discharge port 32 is, for example, circular or approximately circular. The maximum width (nozzle diameter) of the discharge port 32 is, for example, 1.0 mm. When the conductive nozzle 3 is a metal nozzle, a portion of the metal nozzle other than the discharge portion 31 may be covered with an insulator. This makes it easier to collect charges in the discharge section 31 (see FIG. 2). Note that the conductive nozzle 3 is not limited to a metal nozzle. It is sufficient that at least the discharge portion 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 is made of a conductive material such as metal.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the conductive nozzle 3 extends in the vertical direction (Z direction). The discharge part 31 is located at one end (here, the lower end) of the conductive nozzle 3. The discharge port 32 and the opening edge 31e of the discharge port 32 are located at the lower end of the discharge portion 31. The discharge port 32 is configured to discharge the raw material 11 downward, that is, vertically downward. In FIG. 1, the discharge direction of the raw material 11 is defined as the "+Z direction." Further, a direction parallel to the ejection direction (±Z direction) is referred to as a "Z direction".

The gas injection nozzle 4 is, for example, a cylindrical resin nozzle. The gas injection nozzle 4 includes an injection section 41 that injects the gas 13 supplied into the gas injection nozzle 4 . The injection part 41 has an injection port 42 for injecting the gas 13. The injection port 42 is, for example, circular or approximately circular. The gas 13 to be injected may be, for example, pressurized gas such as pressurized air. The gas 13 is not limited to air, and may be an inert gas such as nitrogen.

The gas injection nozzle 4 is configured to inject the gas 13 in an injection direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the discharge direction (+Z direction) of the raw material 11 from the conductive nozzle 3 . In FIG. 1, the injection direction of the gas 13 is defined as the "+X direction." Further, the direction parallel to the injection direction (±X direction) is defined as the "X direction". Note that when the gas 13 forms a jet stream that spreads conically as it moves away from the injection part 41 (see FIG. 10), the "injection direction of the gas 13" refers to the central axis (injection axis) of the jet stream that spreads conically. It shall point in the direction along.

The injection port 42 of the gas injection nozzle 4 is arranged close to the discharge port 32 of the conductive nozzle 3 . The gas injection nozzle 4 is arranged to inject the gas 13 into the discharge portion 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 . Thereby, the raw material 11 can be sprayed from the discharge port 32 in the injection direction (+X direction) using the principle of atomization.

The electrode 5 is made of a conductive material such as metal. The shape of the electrode 5 is not particularly limited, and may have any shape such as a plate, a rod, a sphere, or a hemisphere. The electrode 5 is arranged on the downstream side (+Z side) of the ejection opening 32 of the conductive nozzle 3 in the ejection direction so as to face the ejection opening 32 .

The voltage application section 6 is configured to apply a voltage between the discharge section 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 and the electrode 5 to generate electrostatic coupling. In this embodiment, the voltage application section 6 includes a high voltage power supply. The voltage application section 6 may be configured to apply a high voltage of, for example, 10 kV or more and 100 kV or less between the discharge section 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 and the electrode 5. The conductive nozzle 3 is also connected to the ground GND (grounded).

(Generation of fine particles)
In the separation device 1 of the present embodiment, the gas injection nozzle 4 is connected to the discharge portion of the conductive nozzle 3 in a state where a voltage is applied between the discharge portion 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 and the electrode 5 by the voltage application unit 6. By injecting gas 13 to 31, raw material 11 is atomized to generate fine particles p1. The fine particles p1 of the raw material 11 are further atomized by electrostatic explosion and separated into liquid fine particles p2 and solute or dispersoid fine particles p3.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the generation and separation of fine particles will be explained in more detail, taking as an example the case where seawater (salt concentration: about 3.5%) is used as the raw material 11.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a voltage is applied between the discharge part of the conductive nozzle and the electrode. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating how fine particles are generated by injecting gas into the discharge portion of a conductive nozzle.

As shown in FIG. 2, by applying a voltage between the discharge part 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 and the electrode 5 by the voltage application part 6, an electrostatic coupling is generated between the discharge part 31 and the electrode 5. . Electric lines of force 61 formed between the discharge part 31 and the electrode 5 are shown by dotted lines in FIG. In this example, lines of electric force 61 are formed between the electrode 5 and the opening edge 31e of the discharge port 32 of the discharge portion 31 (here, the lower end of the conductive nozzle 3).

When the raw material 11 is supplied into the conductive nozzle 3 in a state where electrostatic coupling has occurred, as shown in FIG. Charges (here negative charges) are attracted by electrostatic induction.

When the gas 13 is injected in the +X direction onto the charged raw material 11, the charged raw material 11 is atomized according to the principle of atomization, and fine particles (droplets) p1 of the raw material 11 are generated. When the raw material 11 is seawater, the fine particles p1 become, for example, spherical due to the surface tension of the water. Since the charges in the fine particles p1 are of the same polarity (negative charges in FIG. 3), they repel each other and gather on the surface of the spherical fine particles p1. When this happens, charges of the same polarity repel each other, causing an electrostatic explosion, resulting in smaller particles. In this way, the raw material 11 is further atomized by repeating electrostatic explosion while advancing in the injection direction (+X direction) together with the gas 13. In this process, the raw material 11 is separated into fine particles p2 made of water (H ₂ O) and fine particles p3 made of sodium chloride (NaCl) contained in the raw material 11. The fine particles p2, p3 can be atomized to particles ("nanoparticles") having a diameter of, for example, 100 nm or less.

Note that the charges (here, negative charges) on the surface of the particles p1 to p3 shown in FIG. 3 are shown schematically, and the number of charges drawn does not correspond to the actual number of charges. . In FIG. 3, the number of charges is depicted as being the same before and after the electrostatic explosion, but in reality, the number of charges decreases as the particles become atomized.

In this embodiment, the discharge part 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 is electrically connected to the ground GND. Therefore, when the charged raw material 11 (here, negatively charged) is blown away from the discharge section 31, charges (negative charges) are induced from the ground GND to the discharge section 31, as shown by the arrow 62 in FIG. Ru. Therefore, electric charges can be continuously supplied to the raw material 11 continuously discharged from the discharge section 31 while suppressing the power consumption of the voltage application section 6 to a low level (substantially zero).

In FIGS. 2 and 3, only fine particles p2 and p3 of water and sodium chloride are shown, but fine particles of other substances contained in seawater may also be generated. Furthermore, when a raw material other than seawater is used, it can be similarly separated into liquid particles and solute or dispersoid particles. As an example, when the raw material is factory wastewater containing water and heavy metals (heavy metal ions) dissolved in the water, fine particles of water and fine particles of heavy metal can be generated. Alternatively, if the raw material is an emulsion containing water and oil, fine particles of water and fine particles of oil can be produced.

<Atomization of conductive raw materials>
In this embodiment, the raw material 11, which is a conductor, can be atomized in a charged state. The reason for this will be explained below.

First, the reason why it is difficult to atomize a conductor in a charged state will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic diagrams for explaining electrostatic induction of a conductor (a raw material having conductivity).

As shown in FIG. 4A, when a charge A (here, a positive charge) is brought close to the conductor 110, electrostatic induction occurs. That is, the charge A pulls the different polar charges (here, negative charges) in the conductor 110 by Coulomb force. As a result, charge bias occurs on the surface of the conductor 110, and a first portion 110a near the charge A on the surface of the conductor 110 has a charge of a different polarity, and a second portion 110b far from the charge A has a charge of the same polarity as the charge A. appears.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the charge A is moved away from the conductor 110, the electrostatic induction is canceled and free electrons are dispersed within the conductor 110. As a result, the electric charge on the conductor 110 becomes unbalanced, and the conductor 110 returns to neutrality. For this reason, it is difficult to move the conductor 110 away from the charge A in a charged state (for example, to move a conductive raw material away from an electrode in a charged state).

In contrast, in this embodiment, the raw material that is a conductor is electrically connected to the ground GND via a conductive nozzle. Thereby, the free electrons (or holes) of the raw material can be collected on a part of the surface of the raw material (charge A side), and the collected free electrons can be blown away so as not to escape, thereby making it atomized.

5A to 5D are schematic diagrams for explaining atomization of a conductor (a raw material having electrical conductivity) in this embodiment.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, the second portion 110b of the conductor 110 is electrically connected to the ground GND. The conductor 110 in this state corresponds to the raw material that is still in contact with the discharge port 32 (just before being discharged). As shown in the figure, when the charge A approaches the first portion 110a of the conductor 110, a different polarity charge appears on the first portion 110a of the conductor 110 (corresponding to the portion 11a in FIG. 3). Further, a potential difference is generated between the second portion 110b of the conductor 110 and the ground GND, and charges (positive charges in this case) escape from the conductor 110 to the ground GND.

After this, as shown in FIG. 5B, even if the conductor 110 is electrically separated from the ground GND, the charge distribution within the conductor 110 is maintained due to the charge A. The conductor 110 in this state corresponds to the raw material at the moment it is blown out from the discharge port 32.

As shown in FIG. 5C, when the charge A is moved away from the conductor 110, the charges within the conductor 110 (here, negative charges) repel each other and are distributed on the surface of the conductor 110. The conductor 110 in this state corresponds to the fine particles (droplets) p1 of the raw material that are away from the electrode. For example, when the conductor 110 is a raw material containing water such as an electrolyte aqueous solution, the surface tension of water is very large, so the fine particles p1 become spherical as shown in FIG. 5D. Charges of the same polarity repel each other and are distributed on the surface of the fine particles p1. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the particles p1 are separated into water particles and electrolyte particles by repeating electrostatic explosion.

Note that when the raw material 11 is an insulator, the raw material 11 is charged in the flow path within the conductive nozzle 3, and is sprayed in that state, causing an electrostatic explosion.

(vaporization of liquid particles)
The liquid particles p2 generated by the separation device 1 may be configured to be atomized and vaporized. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, vaporization of liquid particles will be described using water particles as an example.

As shown in FIG. 6, it is known that when the vapor pressure of water exceeds atmospheric pressure, water molecules jump out from the surface of the water and change into water vapor (gas).

As shown in Figure 7, the atmosphere is mainly composed of oxygen _O2 and nitrogen _N2 . The mean free path of oxygen and nitrogen at 1 atmosphere and 0° C. is about 68 nm. On the other hand, the water particles p2 after repeated electrostatic explosions are, for example, nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm or less. If the size of the water particles p2 is sufficiently smaller than the mean free path of oxygen and nitrogen, atmospheric pressure cannot be applied to the water particles p2. Therefore, the vapor pressure of nanoparticle water can be regarded as the vapor pressure in a vacuum state.

Furthermore, water nanoparticles with a diameter of 10 nm have a large specific surface area and a corresponding increase in surface energy. As a result, the surface energy of water exceeds the surface tension (intermolecular force) of water, so water can be evaporated without active heating. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the latent heat required for water evaporation to a small value (for example, to approximately zero).

According to the study conducted by the inventor of the present application, vaporization of the water particles p2 occurs within a very short time after being ejected from the conductive nozzle, for example, within 10 cm to several tens of cm along the injection direction from the raw material ejection port. It is confirmed that you will get it. It has also been confirmed that the temperature of the space where the water particles p2 are vaporized (for example, the space 81a in FIG. 11 described later) hardly changes even if water evaporates. This shows that the latent heat required for water evaporation is kept small.

In this way, water evaporation in this manner can be considered to be the generation of steam in a vacuum state and evaporation with small latent heat. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to vaporize the water particles p2 with low energy consumption using electrostatic explosion.

On the other hand, the solute or dispersoid fine particles p3 are not vaporized by atomization (nanoparticle formation). In this way, by vaporizing one of the particles p2 and p3 and not vaporizing the other, it becomes easier to collect both particles separately.

The separation device 1 may further include a liquefaction section that liquefies vapor generated by vaporization of the liquid particles p2. In the liquefaction section, the vaporized solvent is condensed and returned to a liquid state. Thereby, the solvent can be separated and recovered from the solute and dispersoid. The liquefaction section may include a cooler that cools the vapor, or may be configured to liquefy the vapor by contacting with a liquid (see FIGS. 10 and 12).

(Positional relationship between conductive nozzle and gas injection nozzle)
The positional relationship between the injection part 41 of the gas injection nozzle 4 and the discharge part 31 of the conductive nozzle 3, the injection amount of the gas 13, the direction of the discharge port 32 and the injection port 42, etc. are determined by using the principle of atomization. It can be set as appropriate so that the raw material 11 can be blown away by the injection.

FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the positional relationship between the conductive nozzle and the gas injection nozzle. As shown in FIG. 8, for example, when viewed along the X direction, the injection port 42 of the gas injection nozzle 4 is at least connected to the discharge part 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 (the lower end of the conductive nozzle 3 in this example). They may be arranged so as to partially overlap. Thereby, the gas 13 can be injected to the discharge part 31 more reliably.

(Positional relationship between conductive nozzle and electrode)
In FIG. 1, the electrode 5 is arranged directly below the discharge part 31 of the conductive nozzle 3, but the position of the electrode 5 is not limited to the example shown in FIG. The electrode 5 may be placed at a position where it can form an electrostatic bond with the discharge portion 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 .

FIG. 9A is a schematic front view for explaining the positional relationship between the discharge part of the conductive nozzle and the electrode.

As shown in FIG. 9A, the electrode 5 is located on the +Z side (downstream side in the ejection direction) of the ejection port 32 of the conductive nozzle 3 and is arranged to face the ejection port 32. "The electrode is located on the +Z side of the discharge port" means that the center of the electrode 5 only needs to be located on the +Z side of the discharge port 32 of the conductive nozzle 3, and a part of the electrode 5 is located on the +Z side of the discharge port 32. It may extend to the -Z side of. In other words, the center of the electrode 5 only needs to be located below (on the +Z side) the virtual plane α shown in FIG. 9A. The virtual plane α is parallel to the XY plane and includes the opening edge of the discharge port 32. With such a configuration, electric lines of force can be formed between the opening edge of the discharge port 32 and the electrode 5, as shown in FIG.

In the example shown in FIG. 9A, the −Z side end (upper end) of the electrode 5 is located below the discharge port 32 of the conductive nozzle 3 (+Z side), that is, below the plane α. In this way, by arranging the entire electrode 5 below the plane α, charges are more likely to collect on the lower end surface of the conductive nozzle 3 (the opening edge of the discharge port 32). Therefore, electrostatic induction can be caused in the raw material 11 at the discharge port 32 more efficiently.

The distance between the electrode 5 and the discharge part 31 is set so that an electrostatic coupling is formed between them. In addition, between the electrode 5 and the discharge port 32, there is a part of the resin gas injection nozzle 4, a part of an insulating shielding plate for preventing the sprayed raw material 11 from adhering to the electrode 5, etc. may be present.

The electrode 5 may be arranged at a position that does not overlap the discharge port 32 of the conductive nozzle 3 when viewed along the Z direction. Thereby, the charged raw material 11 discharged from the discharge port 32 can be prevented from being attracted to the different polarity charges of the electrode 5. Therefore, the raw material 11 can be sprayed in the +X direction more efficiently. Further, staining and corrosion of the electrode 5 due to adhesion of a part of the raw material 11 to the electrode 5 can be suppressed.

The electrode 5 may be placed further back than the ejection port 32 . That is, the electrode 5 may be arranged at a distance from the ejection port 32 in the −X direction (the direction opposite to the injection direction). In other words, the +X side end (here, the right end) of the electrode 5 may be located on the −X side with respect to the virtual plane β shown in FIG. 9A. The virtual plane β is a plane that is parallel to the YZ plane and includes the −X side end (here, the left end) of the ejection port 32. Thereby, the raw material 11 can be sprayed in a direction away from the electrode 5. Therefore, charged particles are less likely to be attracted to the electrode 5 side. Therefore, the fine particles of the raw material can be more efficiently sprayed in the +X direction and separated. Further, staining and corrosion of the electrode 5 due to adhesion of a part of the raw material to the electrode 5 can be suppressed.

Note that the electrode 5 may be located, for example, on the +X side (right side) of the ejection port 32, that is, on the +X side of the virtual plane β. In this case, an insulating shield plate may be placed between the electrode 5 and the discharge port 32 to prevent part of the raw material 11 (moisture, etc.) from adhering to the electrode 5. Further, the electrode 5 may be arranged so as to overlap the injection port 42 when viewed along the X direction, or may be placed so as to overlap the injection port 42 so as not to block the jet flow of the gas 13 and the flow of fine particles. It may be placed in a position where it is not necessary.

The electrode 5 may be located at a position overlapping the conductive nozzle 3 when viewed along the Z direction. For example, the electrode 5 may be located directly below the conductive nozzle 3 (see FIG. 10 described below). Alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 9B, the electrode 5 is arranged at a distance from the conductive nozzle 3 in the Y direction when viewed along the Z direction, and is located at a position that does not overlap with the conductive nozzle 3. Good too.

(Nozzle diameter of conductive nozzle)
In this embodiment, even if the nozzle diameter of the conductive nozzle 3 (maximum width of the discharge port 32) is large, the raw material 11 can be atomized using the principle of atomization and electrostatic explosion. Therefore, the nozzle diameter can be set large.

The nozzle diameter may be, for example, 0.5 mm or more. This makes it possible to increase the feed rate of the raw material 11 and generate more fine particles. As an example, when the nozzle diameter is 1 mm, fine particles can be generated at a rate of 20 g/min using one conductive nozzle 3. By increasing the number of conductive nozzles 3, it becomes possible to generate a larger amount of fine particles.

In a desalination apparatus using a conventional R/O membrane, the nozzle diameter is about 0.2 nm, and maintenance and pretreatment (filtering, etc.) are required. In contrast, in this embodiment, clogging can be made less likely to occur by increasing the nozzle diameter. Therefore, maintenance of the conductive nozzle and pretreatment of the raw material supplied to the conductive nozzle 3 can be reduced (or eliminated).

The upper limit of the nozzle diameter of the conductive nozzle 3 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 2.0 mm or less. Thereby, the gas 13 can be atomized more efficiently by being injected.

(effect)
The separation device 1 of the present embodiment has a voltage application section 6 that applies a voltage between the discharge section 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 and the electrode 5, and the discharge section 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 in the discharge direction ( The gas 13 is configured to be injected from a direction (+X direction) perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to (+Z direction). With such a configuration, fine particles of the raw material 11 can be generated by spraying the charged raw material 11 from the discharge section 31. The generated fine particles are further atomized using the electrostatic explosion phenomenon and separated into liquid fine particles p2 and solute or dispersoid fine particles p3. Therefore, the raw material 11 can be separated into a liquid and a solute or dispersoid.

Furthermore, in the separation device 1 of this embodiment, the discharge part 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 is electrically connected to the ground GND. With this configuration, as described above with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D, even if the raw material 11 has conductivity, the charged raw material 11 can be atomized. Further, in the discharge section 31, charges can be supplied to the conductive raw material 11 from the ground GND by electrostatic induction. Therefore, the current consumption of the voltage application unit 6 (for example, a high voltage power supply) is theoretically approximately zero, and it is possible to continue supplying charge to the raw material 11 while keeping the power consumption of the high voltage power supply low. Therefore, it becomes possible to continuously separate the raw material 11 with low energy consumption.

Furthermore, according to the separation device 1 of this embodiment, safety can be ensured because high voltage is not directly applied to the conductive raw material 11.

The separation device 1 of this embodiment may be configured so that the liquid (for example, a solvent such as water) contained in the raw material 11 is vaporized by atomization. Thereby, as described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the latent heat required for vaporization can be kept low. In addition, if the fine particles p2 of the liquid are vaporized but the fine particles p3 of the solute or dispersoid are not vaporized, the liquid may be separated from the solute or dispersoid and recovered, or the solute or dispersoid may be separated and recovered from the liquid. It becomes easier to

The configuration of the separation device 1 of this embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

In FIG. 1, the positive side of the voltage application unit 6 is connected to the electrode 5, and the negative side is connected to the conductive nozzle 3, but the positive side may be connected to the conductive nozzle 3, and the negative side may be connected to the electrode 5.

In FIG. 1, the raw material 11 is discharged vertically downward, but the raw material 11 may be discharged vertically upward, for example. Alternatively, the separation device may be configured such that the raw material 11 is discharged horizontally and the gas 13 is injected vertically downward. Further, in FIG. 1, the discharge port 32 is formed on the end surface of the cylindrical conductive nozzle 3, but it may be formed on the side surface of the conductive nozzle 3.

Furthermore, although only a single conductive nozzle 3 is shown in FIG. 1, the separation device of this embodiment may include two or more conductive nozzles. In this embodiment, since it is not necessary to flow a large current from the high voltage power supply, the number of conductive nozzles can be increased without increasing the size of the high voltage power supply. Thereby, the processing speed of raw materials can be increased.

《Second embodiment》
A separation apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIGS. 10 and 11. The separation device of the second embodiment includes a filter that separates liquid particles from solute or dispersoid particles. In the following, points different from the first embodiment will be mainly explained, and redundant explanations will be omitted as appropriate.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the separation device. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an overview of the separation device of this embodiment. Here, a separation device that separates seawater will be explained as an example, but as mentioned above, the raw material is not limited to seawater.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the separation device 2 includes a particulate generation section S1, a separation section S2 including a filter 7, a liquefaction section S3, a recovery section S4, and a housing 8.

(Particle generating section S1)
The particulate generation section S1 includes a raw material supply pipe 35 having a conductive nozzle 3 at its tip, a gas injection nozzle 4, an electrode 5, and a voltage application section 6. The particle generating section S1 generates liquid particles and solute or dispersoid particles from the raw material 11 using the method described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

(Case 8)
The housing 8 is made of resin, for example. The housing 8 has, for example, a cylindrical shape (a rectangular tube shape, a cylindrical shape, etc.) extending in the X direction. A flow of fine particles generated from the injected gas 13 and the raw material 11 is formed in the internal space of the housing 8 .

The housing 8 accommodates at least the discharge section 31 of the conductive nozzle 3 of the particulate generation section S1. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the discharge part 31 of the conductive nozzle 3, the jet part 41 of the gas jet nozzle 4, and the electrode 5 of the particulate generator S1 are arranged in the internal space of the housing 8.

The internal space of the casing 8 is located downstream of the first space 81 and the first space 81 in the injection direction by the filter 7, which is arranged on the downstream side (+X side) of the discharge part 31 in the injection direction. It is partitioned into a second space 82. The first space 81 and the second space 82 communicate with each other via the filter 7 through which at least gas can pass.

The first space 81 includes a space (hereinafter referred to as a "particulate mixed space") 81a between the discharge part 31 and the filter 7 through which particulates generated in the particulate generating part S1 can pass.

In the particle mixture space 81a, the particles of the raw material 11 are separated into liquid particles and solute or dispersoid particles by repeating electrostatic explosion. Liquid particles (for example, water particles) are vaporized in the particle mixture space 81a. In other words, the particulate mixture space 81a is a region where generated particulates of the raw material 11, particulates of liquid, particulates of solute or dispersoid, and vapor generated by vaporization of particulates of liquid are mixed.

When the raw material 11 contains water, the particulate mixed space 81a may extend from the discharge part 31 in the X direction by, for example, 10 cm or more. Thereby, it is possible to more reliably cause the water particles to evaporate within the particle mixture space 81a.

(Separation part S2)
The separation part S2 is arranged so as to partition the internal space of the housing 8. The separation section S2 includes a filter 7. In FIG. 10, the filter 7 traverses the internal space of the housing 8 in a direction intersecting (orthogonal to) the X direction.

The filter 7 is configured to allow gas to pass through, but not to allow at least a portion of the solute or dispersoid in the liquid or solid state to pass through. As an example, when seawater is used as the raw material 11, among the fine particles generated from the raw material 11, water fine particles are vaporized and become water vapor, which passes through the filter 7. On the other hand, fine particles of sodium chloride, which is a solute, are captured by the filter 7 without being vaporized. This makes it possible to separately recover water and salt from the raw material 11.

The filter 7 includes, for example, a nanofiber layer made of nanofibers. Nanofibers are fibrous substances with a diameter of 1 nm to 100 nm and a length of 100 times or more the diameter. Such a filter 7 allows gases such as water vapor to pass through, and can also capture microparticles by van der Waals force. Therefore, not only solute or dispersoid particles but also other impurities, viruses (diameter: e.g. 24 nm to 120 nm), bacteria, heavy metal ions, arsenic, radioactive substances such as cesium and plutonium (diameter: e.g. about 0.5 nm) It is also possible to capture harmful substances such as For example, when the raw material 11 is seawater, the filter 7 can separate the water from salts and various harmful substances contained in the seawater, so that water suitable for drinking can be obtained.

The material for the nanofibers is not particularly limited, but for example, a water-repellent resin (such as polypropylene) can be used. When a nanofiber layer is formed using polypropylene, the specific surface area of the polypropylene increases, resulting in even higher water repellency (super water repellency). Since the filter 7 having such a nanofiber layer repels liquid water, it is possible to prevent water from wetting the surface of the filter 7 or from entering the inside of the filter 7. As the filter 7 having super water repellency, for example, Z-Filter (trade name) manufactured by Zetta Co., Ltd. can be used.

The filter 7 may have a laminated structure including, for example, a nanofiber layer and two supporting layers facing each other with the nanofiber layer interposed therebetween. The support layer may be, for example, a nonwoven fabric. The nanofibers may be produced by a solvent melt type melt air spinning method using a polypropylene thermoplastic resin.

(Liquefaction part S3)
The liquefaction unit S3 is arranged in the second space 82 of the housing 8 and is configured to liquefy the vapor that has passed through the filter 7. In FIG. 10, the liquefaction section S3 includes a cooler 92 provided in the second space 82.

The cooler 92 cools and liquefies the vapor that has passed through the filter 7. When the raw material 11 is seawater, water vapor is cooled by a cooler 92 and becomes water (fresh water) 97 in a liquid state. The fresh water 97 is discharged to the outside of the second space 82 and collected, for example, through an outlet 93 provided at the bottom of the casing 8.

(Recovery Department S4)
The separation device 2 may include a recovery section S4 for recovering the solute or dispersoid captured by the filter 7. When seawater is used as the raw material 11, at least a portion of the salt contained in the seawater adheres to the filter 7. In the recovery section S4, the salt adhering to the filter 7 may be recovered as a solid salt. Alternatively, the salt adhering to the filter 7 may be dissolved in water by flowing water over the -X side surface of the filter 7, and recovered as salt water with a high concentration (for example, about 90% salt concentration). This salt water has an extremely high salt concentration, unlike brine (salt concentration of about 10%). Therefore, solid salt can be easily separated from salt water.

(Blower 94)
The separation device 2 may further include a blower 94 for forming an airflow flowing in the +X direction from the first space 81 to the second space 82 via the filter 7. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the blower 94 is arranged, for example, at the end of the housing 8 on the +X side. By providing the blower 94, the particles and water vapor generated in the particle generating section S1 can be moved to the filter 7 at a higher speed, so that water and salt can be separated more efficiently.

(effect)
Since the separation device 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a particulate generator S1 similar to the separation device 1 shown in FIG. Can be separated.

The separation section S2 of this embodiment further includes a filter 7 arranged downstream of the discharge section 31 in the injection direction. The liquid particles evaporate into vapor within the first space 81 (for example, the particle mixed space 81a) defined by the housing 8 and the filter 7. The filter 7 is configured to allow the vapor to pass through, but not to allow the solute or dispersoid particles to pass through. With such a configuration, the liquid (solvent or dispersion medium) contained in the raw material 11 and other substances (solute or dispersoid) can be separated into the upstream side and the downstream side of the filter 7. Therefore, it becomes possible to collect the liquid and the solute or dispersoid separately and utilize them as resources.

Furthermore, the separation device 2 of this embodiment includes a liquefaction section S3 that liquefies the vapor that has passed through the filter 7. Such a configuration makes it possible to recover the solvent or dispersion medium contained in the raw material 11 in a liquid state. When the raw material 11 is an aqueous solution or an emulsion and the liquid particles p2 are water particles, water in a liquid state can be recovered by the liquefaction section. That is, it is possible to cause the separation device 2 to function as a desalination device.

Furthermore, the separation device 2 of this embodiment includes a recovery section S4 that recovers solutes or dispersoids attached to the filter 7. With such a configuration, the substance dissolved or dispersed in the raw material 11 can be recovered, for example, in a solid state. In the recovery section, for example, salt in seawater, heavy metals in industrial wastewater, etc. are recovered in a solid state, so that they can be used as resources.

Furthermore, according to the separation device 2 of this embodiment, fine particles of the solvent (for example, water) contained in the raw material 11 can be vaporized without actively heating (for example, at normal temperature and pressure), so that the raw material 11 and There is no need to provide a heating section to heat the liquid particles. Therefore, a small and inexpensive separation device 2 is provided. Further, by discharging the raw material 11 from the plurality of conductive nozzles 3, the raw material 11 can be processed at high speed. Furthermore, by increasing the nozzle diameter of the conductive nozzle 3, it is possible to operate it for a long period of time with minimal maintenance.

Furthermore, according to the separation device 2 of this embodiment, when seawater is used as the raw material 11, for example, fresh water and salt are produced by atomizing the seawater (in this case, making it into nanoparticles) and separating it into salt and water vapor. can do. By using the filter 7 made of nanofibers, fresh water from which harmful substances have been removed can be obtained, so it can be used as drinking water without additional sterilization (or with minimal sterilization). Furthermore, sodium chloride in seawater can be recovered, for example, in a solid state and utilized as a resource. Furthermore, in this embodiment, since highly concentrated salt water (brine) is not generated, the impact on the environment can be reduced compared to conventional desalination methods.

Note that the raw material 11 is not limited to seawater, but may also be factory wastewater, sewage, mine wastewater, radioactively contaminated water, or the like. Even in this case, the raw material 11 can be separated and recovered into water (fresh water) and substances other than water. The recovered substances (such as heavy metals) can be used as resources.

The configuration of the separation device 2 in this embodiment is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 10.

In FIG. 10, the liquefaction section S3 includes a cooler 92, but instead of or in addition to the cooler, it may include other means for liquefying water.
FIG. 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modification of the separation device. The liquefaction unit S3 of the separation device 2a shown in FIG. 12 is configured to liquefy the water vapor that has passed through the filter 7 by bringing liquid water into contact with the water vapor. Here, the liquefier S3 includes a fluid nozzle 95 arranged in the second space 82. The fluid nozzle 95 sprays water 96 in a shower toward the water vapor that has passed through the filter 7 . As a result, the water vapor comes into contact with the water jetted from the fluid nozzle 95 and returns to a liquid state. Fresh water 97 containing the injected water 96 and water returned to a liquid state is discharged from the outlet 93 of the second space 82 . A portion of the fresh water 97 may be utilized as water for injection from the fluid nozzle 95.

Further, in FIG. 10, the second space 82 in which the liquefaction part S3 is provided is juxtaposed on the downstream side (+X side) of the first space 81 in the injection direction in which the discharge part 31 is accommodated; may be located above the first space 81 or on the sides (±Y direction) of the first space 81.

Furthermore, the structure and arrangement of the filter 7 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 10. The filter 7 may have a curved surface. The filter 7 only needs to be configured to allow gas to pass therethrough and not allow at least a portion of solute or dispersoid particles to pass therethrough, and the material, structure, etc. of the filter 7 may be selected as appropriate. For example, filter 7 may not have a nanofilter layer.

In FIG. 10, the filter 7 is placed inside the casing 8 and partitions the internal space of the casing 8, but the filter 7 may be placed so as to define the particulate mixture space 81a together with the casing 8. . For example, the filter 7 may be placed so as to cover the end of the housing 8 on the downstream side (+X side) in the injection direction. In this case, the liquefier S3 may be separately provided outside the housing 8.

The separation device 2 may be configured to utilize heat released by liquefying the vapor in the liquefaction section S3. For example, the conveying air generated by the blower 94 may be heated and the high temperature air may be used inside or outside the separation device 2 .

In FIG. 10, the separation device 2 includes both the liquefaction section S3 and the recovery section S4, but depending on the type of raw material 11 and the purpose of the separation device, the separation device 2 may not include the liquefaction section S3, the recovery section S4, or both. good.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be implemented in various other ways. Furthermore, by appropriately combining any of the various embodiments described above, the effects of each embodiment can be achieved.

《Overview of embodiment》
[1] The separation device according to the embodiment of the present invention includes:
A separation device that includes a liquid and a solute dissolved in the liquid or a dispersoid dispersed in the liquid, and that separates a raw material into fine particles of the liquid and fine particles of the solute or the dispersoid,
a conductive nozzle including a discharge part having a discharge port for discharging the raw material;
a gas injection nozzle including an injection part having an injection port that injects gas in an injection direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a discharge direction in which the raw material is discharged from the discharge part of the conductive nozzle;
an electrode located downstream of the discharge port of the conductive nozzle in the discharge direction and arranged to face the discharge port of the conductive nozzle;
a voltage application section configured to apply a voltage between the discharge section of the conductive nozzle and the electrode to cause capacitive coupling;
Equipped with
The discharge part of the conductive nozzle is electrically connected to ground,
The injection port of the gas injection nozzle is arranged close to the discharge port of the conductive nozzle,
The gas injection nozzle injects the gas to the discharge part of the conductive nozzle while a voltage is applied between the discharge part of the conductive nozzle and the electrode by the voltage application part. It is configured to atomize the raw material and separate it into fine particles of the liquid and fine particles of the solute or the dispersoid.

[2] In the separation device according to [1],
The center of the electrode is located downstream of the discharge port of the conductive nozzle in the discharge direction.

[3] In the separation device according to [1] or [2],
When viewed along the ejection direction, the electrode is arranged at a position that does not overlap with the ejection opening of the conductive nozzle.

[4] In the separation device described in [3],
The electrode is arranged at a distance from the discharge port of the conductive nozzle in a direction opposite to the spray direction.

[5] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [4],
When viewed along the injection direction, the injection port of the gas injection nozzle is arranged so as to overlap the discharge part of the conductive nozzle.

[6] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [5],
The voltage application section is configured to apply a high voltage of 10 kV or more and 100 kV or less between the discharge section of the conductive nozzle and the electrode.

[7] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [6],
The maximum width of the discharge port of the conductive nozzle is 0.5 mm or more.

[8] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [7],
Further equipped with a liquefaction section,
On the downstream side of the discharge part of the conductive nozzle in the jetting direction, the fine particles of the liquid are vaporized and become vapor,
The liquefaction section is configured to liquefy the vapor.

[9] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [8],
a casing housing at least a discharge part of the conductive nozzle;
a filter disposed downstream of the discharge section in the injection direction;
Furthermore,
The fine particles of the liquid evaporate into vapor within a space defined by the casing and the filter,
The filter is configured to allow the vapor to pass through, but not to allow the solute or dispersoid particles to pass through.

[10] In the separation device described in [9],
The filter includes a nanofiber layer composed of nanofibers.

[11] In the separation device according to [9] or [10],
The device further includes a liquefaction unit that liquefies the vapor that has passed through the filter.

[12] In the separation device according to any one of [9] to [11],
The filter further includes a collection unit that collects solutes or dispersoids attached to the filter.

[13] In the separation device according to any one of [9] to [12],
It does not include a heating section that heats the raw material or the space.

[14] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [13],
The raw material has electrical conductivity.

[15] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [14],
The raw material includes an electrolyte aqueous solution.

[16] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [14],
The raw material includes water and heavy metals dissolved in the water.

[17] In the separation device according to any one of [1] to [14],
The raw material includes an emulsion containing water and oil,
The raw material is separated into fine water particles and fine oil particles.

[18] In the separation device described in [11],
The raw material is seawater,
The liquid particles include water particles, the solute particles include sodium chloride particles,
The water in the seawater is recovered by the liquefaction section,
Sodium chloride in the seawater is captured by the filter and recovered as solid salt.

The separation device according to the present invention can separate raw materials into liquids such as solvents and solutes or dispersoids with low energy consumption, so it is useful for treating seawater, industrial wastewater, sewage, mine wastewater, radioactively contaminated water, etc. It is. The separation apparatus according to the present invention is applicable not only to the ground but also to the processing of various raw materials in submarines, tankers, spacecraft, moon stations, etc.

1, 2, 2a separation device 3 conductive nozzle 4 gas injection nozzle 5 electrode 6 voltage application section 7 filter 8 housing 11 raw material 13 gas 31 discharge section 32 discharge port 41 injection section 42 injection port 81 first space 82 second space 92 Cooler 93 Outlet 94 Blower 95 Fluid nozzle 96 Water 97 Fresh water p1 Fine particles of raw material p2 Fine particles of liquid p3 Fine particles of solute or dispersoid S1 Fine particle generation section S2 Separation section S3 Liquefaction section S4 Recovery section

Claims (18)

A separation device for separating a raw material containing a liquid and a solute dissolved in the liquid or a dispersoid dispersed in the liquid into fine particles of the liquid and fine particles of the solute or the dispersoid,
a conductive nozzle including a discharge part having a discharge port for discharging the raw material;
a gas injection nozzle including an injection part having an injection port that injects gas in an injection direction perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a discharge direction in which the raw material is discharged from the discharge part of the conductive nozzle;
an electrode located downstream of the discharge port of the conductive nozzle in the discharge direction and arranged to face the discharge port of the conductive nozzle;
a voltage application section configured to apply a voltage between the discharge section of the conductive nozzle and the electrode to cause capacitive coupling;
Equipped with
The discharge part of the conductive nozzle is electrically connected to ground,
The injection port of the gas injection nozzle is arranged close to the discharge port of the conductive nozzle,
The gas injection nozzle injects the gas to the discharge part of the conductive nozzle while a voltage is applied between the discharge part of the conductive nozzle and the electrode by the voltage application part. A separation device configured to atomize a raw material and separate it into fine particles of the liquid and fine particles of the solute or the dispersoid. The separation device according to claim 1, wherein the center of the electrode is located downstream of the discharge port of the conductive nozzle in the discharge direction. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the electrode is disposed at a position that does not overlap with the discharge port of the conductive nozzle when viewed along the discharge direction. The separation device according to claim 3, wherein the electrode is arranged at a distance from the discharge port of the conductive nozzle in a direction opposite to the injection direction. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the injection port of the gas injection nozzle is arranged to overlap with the discharge part of the conductive nozzle when viewed along the injection direction. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the voltage application section is configured to apply a high voltage of 10 kV or more and 100 kV or less between the discharge section of the conductive nozzle and the electrode. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the maximum width of the discharge port of the conductive nozzle is 0.5 mm or more. Further equipped with a liquefaction section,
On the downstream side of the discharge part of the conductive nozzle in the jetting direction, the fine particles of the liquid are vaporized and become vapor,
The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquefaction section is configured to liquefy the vapor. a casing housing at least a discharge part of the conductive nozzle;
a filter disposed downstream of the discharge section in the injection direction;
Furthermore,
The fine particles of the liquid evaporate into vapor within a space defined by the casing and the filter,
The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filter is configured to allow the vapor to pass through but not to allow the solute or dispersoid particles to pass through. 10. The separation device according to claim 9, wherein the filter includes a nanofiber layer composed of nanofibers. The separation device according to claim 9, further comprising a liquefaction section that liquefies the vapor that has passed through the filter. The separation device according to claim 9, further comprising a recovery section that recovers solutes or dispersoids attached to the filter. The separation apparatus according to claim 9, which does not include a heating section that heats the raw material or the space. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the raw material has conductivity. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the raw material includes an aqueous electrolyte solution. The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the raw material includes water and heavy metals dissolved in water. The raw material includes an emulsion containing water and oil,
The separation device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the raw material is separated into water particles and oil particles. The raw material is seawater,
The liquid particles include water particles, the solute particles include sodium chloride particles,
The water in the seawater is recovered by the liquefaction section,
12. The separation device according to claim 11, wherein the sodium chloride in the seawater is captured by the filter and recovered as a solid salt.

Images