JPH10109087A - Purified water sterilization device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely sterilize raw water even when water quality of the raw water fluctuates. SOLUTION: This purified water sterilization device is constituted to have a sterilizing mode in which an electrode is put into an electroconductive adsorption part through which raw water such as city water passes to impress voltage, and bacteria, etc., are caught with the electroconductive adsorption part and also propagation of stuck bacteria, etc., is suppressed. This device is provided with an electroconductivity meter 36 for measuring electroconductivity of the raw water and a control device 30 for setting an output of an electric power source corresponding to measured electroconductivity, and the electroconductivity meter 36 measures electroconductivity of the raw water through electrodes 22, 27. Thus, when remarkably lower electroconductivity is measured by the electroconductivity meter 36, namely an electric current value is remarkably lower, an electric current value is raised. On the contrary, when remarkably higher electroconductivity is detected, namely when voltage is remarkably lower, a voltage value is raised. Thus, with a desired voltage an electric current values, the electroconductive adsorption part can be sterilized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a water purification and sterilization apparatus for purifying and sterilizing raw water such as tap water and groundwater and supplying it as drinking water for general household use or business use.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recent technical trends regarding sterilization of raw water in this type of water purification / sterilizing apparatus include a device for removing microorganisms such as bacteria by using a hollow fiber membrane module (commercially available product) and suppressing the growth of raw water. A device for sterilizing by electrolysis and a device for sterilizing with an appropriately generated chlorine are known.

Generally, in the case of a water purification device as a water treatment device, hypochlorous acid (H) contained in raw water such as tap water or groundwater is used.
A residual chlorine component such as ClO), musty odor, trihalomethane, an organic chlorine-based compound or a dye is adsorbed and removed by passing through an activated carbon adsorption section. In such a water purification mode, while having a bacteriostatic mode in which a weak DC voltage is applied in order to suppress the growth of bacteria and the like in the adsorbing section during the stoppage of water, use over time, adhered to the adsorbing section, musty odor, trihalomethane, In order to remove organochlorine compounds and the like or bacteria, after the water purification mode, an AC voltage is applied to the adsorber to shift to a regeneration mode for sterilizing bacteria and the like.

[0004]

As described above, in the conventional water purification apparatus, the bacteria are trapped in the adsorbing section and the propagation of the bacteria is suppressed in the bacteriostatic mode. The voltage and current applied in the mode are greatly affected by the quality of the raw water.

[0005] That is, when the concentration of ions contained in the raw water is high, the current easily flows. Conversely, when the ion concentration is low, the current hardly flows. For this reason, when surface water from rivers is used as tap water, such as in large cities, the ion concentration varies greatly depending on the day and time, and the water quality varies greatly depending on the region. However, there is a problem that the voltage value and the current value applied to the suction unit do not become the desired values with the power supply output determined as described above.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water purification apparatus capable of reliably controlling raw water even when the quality of the raw water changes, in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems.

[0007]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is directed to a first aspect of the present invention, wherein a voltage is applied to a conductive suction portion through which raw water such as tap water passes through an electrode. In a water purification apparatus having a bacteriostatic mode that captures bacteria and the like and suppresses the growth of attached bacteria and the like, an electrical conductivity measuring unit that measures the electrical conductivity of raw water and a device that corresponds to the measured electrical conductivity And a power output adjusting means for setting a power output. The electric conductivity measuring means measures the electric conductivity of the raw water through the electrodes.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when an extremely low electric conductivity is measured by the electric conductivity measuring means, that is, when the current value is extremely low, the current value is increased. Conversely, when a very high electrical conductivity is detected, ie when the voltage is significantly low, the voltage value is increased. Thereby, the conductive adsorption part can be controlled at a desired voltage / current value. Further, since the measuring electrode of the electric conductivity measuring means is shared with the electrode for applying the bacteriostatic voltage, it is not necessary to separately provide the measuring electrode.

The electric conductivity may be measured for a predetermined time based on the water supply signal, and the electric conductivity of the raw water may be accurately determined.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, a voltage is applied to the conductive adsorption portion through which raw water such as tap water passes through an electrode to capture bacteria and the like in the conductive adsorption portion and suppress the propagation of attached bacteria and the like. In a water purification apparatus having a bacteriostatic mode, the apparatus is provided with an electric resistance measuring means for measuring electric resistance of raw water and a power output adjusting means for setting a power output corresponding to the measured electric resistance. According to the third aspect of the present invention, the control is performed by the electric resistance which is the reciprocal of the electric conductivity. The electric resistance may be measured for a predetermined time based on the water supply signal, and the electric resistance of the raw water may be accurately determined.

[0011]

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a water purification apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the water purification apparatus, and FIG. 2 is a control circuit of the water purification apparatus. Block diagram, FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the water purification device,
FIG. 4 is a graph showing a voltage change based on electric conductivity, and FIG.
Is a graph showing a current change based on electric conductivity.

This water purification apparatus has a cylindrical water tank 10 for storing raw water. The upper and lower caps 11 and 12 have outlets 11a communicating with faucets and the like (not shown), and the lower cap 12 has an inlet 12a for introducing raw water into the water tank 10.
Is provided. A water supply pipe 1 having a water supply valve 13a, a pre-filter 13b, and a check valve 13c installed in the inlet 12a.
3 are connected to each other, and the raw water supply valve 13a allows the raw water to flow and non-flows, and the check valve 13c allows the water tank 10 to flow.
Regulates backflow from A drain pipe 14 having a drain valve 14a is connected to the inlet 12a. When the drain valve 14a is opened, water in the water tank 10 is discharged.

A cylindrical adsorbing section 20 is disposed in the water tank 10. The adsorbing portion 20 is formed by using fibrous activated carbon having conductivity, the upper end of which is held by the upper cap 11 via a plate-like first electrode 21, and the lower end thereof via a plate-like second electrode 22. And is held by a holder 23. In addition, the outer surface of the adsorption unit 20 and the water tank 10
Annular passage 2 communicating with the inlet 12a
4 is formed so that the raw water flowing from the inlet 12 a flows into the adsorbing section 20 through the passage 24. Further, the suction portion 20 is provided between the lower end thereof and the lower cap 12.
A conductive coil spring 25 is interposed between the two and biases the suction unit 20 toward the upper cap 11 by the coil spring 25, and the suction unit 20 is fixed in the water tank 10.
Furthermore, a temperature sensor 26 is attached to the suction unit 20, and the temperature of the suction unit 20 is detected by the temperature sensor 26.

A vertically extending pouring pipe 27 is disposed inside the adsorbing section 20 having the above-described structure. The pouring pipe 27 passes through the adsorbing section 20 through a large number of water holes 27a of the pouring pipe 27. The water is led to the outlet 11a. Here, the pouring tube 27 is formed of a conductive material, and forms a third electrode.

As described above, the water purification apparatus according to the present embodiment has the first electrode 21, the second electrode 22, and the third electrode 27. In the sterilization mode in the water purification mode described later, the adsorption unit (raw water) is used. The second electrode 2 is attached to the suction portion 20 impregnated with
A DC voltage is applied through the second and third electrodes 27 to suppress the growth of bacteria and the like. On the other hand, in the regeneration mode, an AC voltage is applied to the adsorption section 20 through the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22 to apply trihalomethane or the like. It removes organic matter, sterilizes bacteria, and the like.

Next, a drive control circuit of the water purification apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

The water purification apparatus according to the present embodiment is automated by a control device 30 such as a microcomputer. The control device 30 includes a central processing unit (CPU) 31,
It has a memory 32 storing a control program, I / O ports 33 and 34 for inputting and outputting signals, and inputs signals of a timer 35 and an electric conductivity meter 36 to the CPU 31 through the I / O port 33. A control signal is output to the water supply valve 13a, the drain valve 14a, and the power supply 37 through the I / O port 34.

Here, the electric conductivity meter 36 uses the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 27 provided in the water tank 10 as measuring electrodes.
It measures the electrical conductivity of the water inside. The power supply 37 is a DC power supply, that is, the second electrode 22 and the third power supply.
For the electrode 27, the current or voltage applied to each of the electrodes 22 and 27 is controlled based on the electric conductivity measured by the electric conductivity meter 36. This current / voltage control is as shown in the graphs of FIGS.

That is, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 4, the voltage value decreases as the electric conductivity of the raw water increases, and as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, the current value decreases as the electric conductivity of the raw water decreases. Lower. Here, bacteria and the like are adsorbed by the adsorption section 20.
In order to exhibit the function of capturing bacteria (bacteriostatic effect), Aμs
/ Cmh or more is required. On the other hand, when the current value is equal to or less than the predetermined value, the bacteriostatic effect cannot be stably maintained.
Therefore, in order to exhibit a stable bacteriostatic effect, B
A current value of at least μs / cm is required.

Therefore, when the electric conductivity of the raw water is higher than A μs / cm, the controller 30 sets the voltage value higher as shown by the dashed line in FIG.
cm or less, the current value is set high as indicated by the dashed line in FIG.

The water purification mode (including the sterilization mode) and the regeneration mode are performed at predetermined intervals based on these drive control circuits. In this embodiment, the sterilization mode for adjusting the power output of the DC power supply 34 is shown in FIG. This will be described in detail with reference to flowcharts and graphs in FIGS.

That is, when the faucet is opened, the water supply valve 13a is opened, and raw water (for example, tap water) flows into the water tank 10 through the inlet 12a, and flows into the adsorbing section 20 through the passage 24. The tap water that has flowed into the adsorption unit 20 is sterilized by the adsorption unit 20, becomes purified water, flows into the discharge pipe 27, and is fed to the faucet through the outlet 11a (water purification mode) ( S1). After this water supply, when closing the faucet, the water supply valve 13a is closed.

When the water supply valve 13a is closed and the water tank 10 is full, the closed state of the water supply valve 13a is as follows.
It is determined whether it is the first time (first time) or not, and at the first time, the electric conductivity of tap water detected by the electric conductivity meter 36 is measured (S2 to S4). It is determined whether the measured electric conductivity Cμs / cm is Bμs / cm or less, between Bμs / cm and Aμs / cm, or Aμs / cm,
When B μs / cm or less, the current value is high (the dashed line in FIG. 5), when B μs / cm and A μs / cm are unchanged, the voltage value is high when A μs / cm or more ( 4 (dashed line in FIG. 4). That is, the power supply output corresponding to the electric conductivity is set (S5).

After this setting, the mode shifts to the bacteriostatic mode and the second
A DC voltage set to the adsorption section 20 is applied through the electrode 22 and the third electrode 27 to capture bacteria and the like in the adsorption section 20, while suppressing the growth of the bacteria and the like (S6). This sterilization mode is performed until the water supply valve 13a opens again (when tap water is discharged from the faucet), and the water purification mode is continued until the transition time ts to the regeneration mode (S7 to S).
9). Here, when the transition time ts to the reproduction mode is reached, the operation shifts to the reproduction mode (S10).

According to the present embodiment, as described above, the current / voltage corresponding to the electric conductivity of tap water is set, and the set current / voltage is applied to the adsorbing section 20. Regardless of whether the concentration is high or low, a bacteriostatic effect can be stably and reliably obtained.

Further, since the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 27 are used as measurement electrodes of the electric conductivity meter 36 and are used in common with the electrodes for applying a voltage to the adsorption section 20, the electric conductivity meter is used. There is no need to separately install electrodes.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the water purification apparatus according to the present invention. In the first embodiment, when the water supply valve 13a is closed, the electric conductivity in the water tank 10 is measured. In this embodiment, when the water supply valve 13a is opened, When the tap water is supplied into the water tank 10, the measurement of the electric conductivity of the tap water is started. This measurement is performed a plurality of times at predetermined time intervals until the water supply valve 13a is closed (S1 to S5). Thereafter, an average value of the measured electric conductivities is calculated, and a power output corresponding to the average value is set.

According to the present embodiment, since the electric conductivity is measured a plurality of times and the average value is used to set the power output, the power output control based on the accurate electric conductivity is performed. Other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the water supply state is determined by the open state of the water supply valve 13a. For example, when a pressure sensor is installed in the water supply pipe 13, a water supply signal based on the water supply pressure is used. Further, when a flow rate sensor is provided in the water supply pipe 13, the water supply signal may be used to detect the water supply state and measure the electric conductivity. Further, when water for drinking is supplied by a beverage selling switch, such as a cup-type beverage vending machine or a beverage dispenser, the beverage selling signal of the beverage selling switch detects the water supply state and measures the electric conductivity. It may be.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show a third embodiment of the water purification / sterilization apparatus according to the present invention. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, electricity is supplied to the water tank 10 through the second electrode 22 and the third electrode 27, the current is measured by an ammeter 38, and the voltage is measured by a voltmeter 39. The resistance value is calculated based on the measured current and voltage.

According to this embodiment, when the water supply valve 13a is closed as in the first embodiment, the current and the voltage measured by the ammeter 38 and the voltmeter 39 as shown in FIG. , And sets a power output corresponding to the resistance value (S1 to S7). Here, the electric resistance is the reciprocal of the electric conductivity. When the calculated electric resistance is extremely large, the current value is increased, and when the calculated electric resistance is extremely small, the voltage value is increased. Thereby, a bacteriostatic effect can be stably and reliably obtained. In the third embodiment, similarly to the second embodiment, the current and voltage are measured a plurality of times to calculate the resistance value, the average value of the resistance values is determined, and the power supply is determined based on the average value. The output may be set. Other configurations and operations are the same as those of the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The water quality of the raw water is detected by the electric conductivity measuring means or the electric resistance measuring means, and the power output is adjusted so as to correspond to the water quality. Therefore, even when the water quality changes, the bacteriostatic mode can be set at a desired voltage / current value. It can be carried out, and the bacteriostatic effect can be reliably exhibited. In addition, since a bacteriostatic electrode is used as a measuring electrode of each measuring means, there is no need to separately provide a measuring electrode.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water purification device according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the water purification apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the water purification apparatus according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a voltage change based on electric conductivity.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing a current change based on electric conductivity.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a main part of the water purification apparatus according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the water purification apparatus according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a control flowchart of the water purification apparatus according to the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 20: adsorption unit, 21, 22, 27: electrode, 30: control device, 31: CPU, 36: electric conductivity meter, 37: power supply,
38: ammeter, 39: voltmeter.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A bacteriostatic mode in which a voltage is applied to a conductive adsorbing portion through which raw water such as tap water passes through an electrode so that bacteria and the like are trapped in the conductive adsorbing portion and propagation of attached bacteria and the like is suppressed. A water purification device comprising: an electric conductivity measuring unit for measuring electric conductivity of the raw water; and a power output adjusting unit for setting a power output corresponding to the measured electric conductivity. Means for measuring the electric conductivity of the raw water through the electrode. 2. The water purification sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein said electric conductivity measuring means measures the electric conductivity for a predetermined time based on a water supply signal to the conductive adsorption section. 3. A bacteriostatic mode in which a voltage is applied to a conductive adsorbing portion through which raw water such as tap water passes through an electrode to capture bacteria and the like in the conductive adsorbing portion and suppress the propagation of attached bacteria and the like. A water purification device having: an electric resistance measuring means for measuring an electric resistance of the raw water; and a power output adjusting means for setting a power output corresponding to the measured electric resistance, wherein the electric resistance measuring means comprises the electrode And measuring the electric resistance of the raw water through the apparatus. 4. The water purification sterilizer according to claim 3, wherein said electric resistance measuring means measures electric resistance over a predetermined time based on a water supply signal to the conductive adsorption section.