JPH10296263A - Water purifying sterilization plant - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a water purifying sterilization plant for securing the application time of reversed polarity direct current voltage and preventing securely the accumulation of scales, dead bacteria and the like on an electrode. SOLUTION: The positive polarity direct current voltage and the reversed polarity direct current voltage are applied alternately at the given time intervals Ts and Tr at the time of stopping water in the water purification mode (S1-S12). When a regeneration button is pressed in the middle of the voltage application (S4, S10), first the reversed polarity direct current voltage is applied for all over the time Tr (S13-S16), and then the generation mode operation is started (S17-S19). When the regeneration mode is completed, the reversed polarity direct current voltage is applied again for all over the time Tr (S21-S24). As the reversed polarity voltage application time is secured in the regeneration mode timing, scales adhered on an electrode on the cathode side and dead bacteria adhered to the anode side at the time of positive polarity can be removed securely.

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.

In general, when a water purification device is used as a water treatment device, residual chlorine components such as hypochlorous acid (HClO) contained in raw water such as tap water and groundwater, musty odor, trihalomethane, organic chlorine-based compounds or the like. The pigment is adsorbed and removed by passing through the activated carbon adsorption section. In such a water purification mode, a sterilization mode operation in which a weak DC voltage (a DC voltage having a positive polarity) is applied in order to suppress the growth of bacteria and the like adhering to the adsorption section during the stoppage of water is performed. I have.

Further, mold odor, trihalomethane, organochlorine compounds, etc. or bacteria adhere to the adsorbing section due to long-term operation in the water purifying mode. Therefore, after the water purifying mode, an AC voltage is applied to the adsorbing section. The mode shifts to a regeneration mode for sterilizing and removing bacteria and the like.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional water purification and disinfection apparatus, bacteria and the like are trapped and the propagation of the bacteria and the like is suppressed in the bacteriostatic mode. During the operation over a period of time, scale (oxides such as calcium and sodium) is deposited on the electrode on the cathode side, while dead bacteria are deposited on the electrode on the anode side, thereby reducing the bacteriostatic effect. There was a problem that.

In order to solve this problem, a method has been proposed in which the polarity of the cathode and the anode is periodically switched at predetermined intervals by polarity switching means, thereby removing scale, dead bacteria and the like. .

However, in this water purification apparatus, when a purified water supply signal is input when a positive DC voltage is applied, the application of the voltage is temporarily stopped, and after the water supply operation is completed, the positive voltage is again applied. Since the application time is set by the timer at the initial time, for example, when this water purification device is attached to a beverage dispenser of a 24-hour business store (for example, a convenience store), a drink sales signal (water supply signal) is frequently sent all day. In some cases, the application time of the DC voltage having the opposite polarity to the application time of the DC voltage of the positive polarity is extremely short, and it is not possible to substantially prevent the scale and the accumulation of dead bacteria. Was.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water purification apparatus capable of securing the application time of a DC voltage of the opposite polarity and reliably preventing the accumulation of scale and dead bacteria on the electrodes in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems. It is in.

[0009]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a water purification mode in which water is passed through a conductive activated carbon adsorption section to generate purified water, and an organic substance attached to the adsorption section by applying a voltage to the adsorption section. Has a regeneration mode in which desorption of bacteria and sterilization of bacteria and the like, and a bacteriostatic mode in which a direct current voltage is applied to the adsorption section through a bacteriostatic electrode to capture bacteria in raw water and suppress propagation thereof, In the sterilization mode, in a water purification apparatus in which the positive polarity DC voltage and the reverse polarity DC voltage are alternately applied at predetermined time intervals by the polarity switching means, the adsorbing section is provided at least at one of the start and the end of the regeneration mode. A DC voltage of the opposite polarity is applied through the electrodes for a predetermined time.

According to the present invention, when the regeneration mode operation is performed, a DC voltage of the opposite polarity is always applied, so that a voltage application time of the opposite polarity can be secured, and the voltage applied to the cathode electrode during the positive polarity can be secured. Dead bacteria adhering to the scale and the anode side are reliably removed.

[0011]

1 to 4 show an 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 shows a control circuit of the water purification apparatus. FIG. 3 is a block diagram, FIG. 3 is a control flowchart of the water purification apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a graph showing a change in the amount of scale adhesion.

This water purification apparatus has a cylindrical water tank 10 for storing raw water. The top and bottom of the water tank 10 are closed by caps 11 and 12, and the upper cap 11 is provided with an outlet 11 a communicating with a faucet (not shown, an inlet in a beverage dispenser) or the like.
Is provided with an inlet 12a for introducing raw water into the water tank 10. A water supply pipe 13 provided with a water intake valve 13a, a pre-filter 13b, and a check valve 13c is connected to the inlet 12a. The water supply valve 13a allows the flow of raw water and the non-flow of water. The backflow from the water tank 10 is regulated by the valve 13c. An air inlet valve 14a communicates with the outlet 11a, and a drain valve 14b communicates with the inlet 12a.
The air introduction valve 14a and the drain valve 1
4b is closed and the water supply valve 13a is opened, so that the water tank 1
Water can be supplied within 0, and by opening and closing the valve on the contrary, the raw water in the water tank 10 can be drained.

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 with the coil spring 25, and the suction unit 20 is fixed in the water tank 10.
Furthermore, a temperature sensor 26 is mounted on the suction unit 20, and the temperature sensor 26 detects the temperature of raw water in the water tank 10. Furthermore, a vertically extending pouring pipe 27 is arranged inside the adsorbing section 20, and the adsorbing section 20 is formed through a number of water holes 27 a of the pouring pipe 27.
Is guided to the outlet 11a.
Here, the discharge pipe 27 is formed of a conductive material,
It constitutes an 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
The DC voltage is applied through the second and third electrodes 27 (positive DC voltage is applied) to suppress the propagation of bacteria and the like. On the other hand, in the regeneration mode, the DC voltage is applied to the adsorption section 20 through the first electrode 21 and the second electrode 22. An AC voltage is applied to remove trihalomethane and organic substances, sterilize bacteria, and the like. In addition,
This regeneration mode operation is manually performed.

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.
In this drive control circuit, a bacteriostatic mode and a reproduction mode, which are characteristic configurations of the present invention, are described.

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. The control device 30 is provided with the water supply signal output means 3.
3. Playback button 34 and timer 35 for starting playback mode
Has an I / O port 36 for inputting and outputting signals of Further, a water supply valve 13a, a drain valve 14b, and an air introduction valve 14
a, and an I / O port 39 for outputting a polarity switching signal to a DC power supply 38 through a polarity switching circuit 37.

Here, in the water purifying mode (including the sterilization mode), the timer 35 switches the polarity of the electrodes 22 and 27 through the polarity switching circuit 37 and the DC power supply 38 (positive DC voltage application time Ts and reverse time). Polarity DC voltage application time Tr) is controlled, and the water supply valve 13a, the drain valve 14b, and the air introduction valve 1 in the water purification mode and the regeneration mode.
The operation timing of 4a is set. Further, the water supply signal output means 33 outputs an open signal (a sales signal in the case of a beverage dispenser) of a valve (not shown) for opening and closing a faucet to the control device 30.

Next, the sterilization mode and the reproduction mode based on the drive control circuit will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. That is, when the water purification device is in the bacteriostatic mode with the water supply valve 13a closed, the positive polarity voltage is applied for Ts time. (S1 to S4) Here, the positive polarity means that the second electrode 22 is used as an anode and the third electrode 27 is used as a cathode. The bacteria are trapped and the growth of bacteria in the adsorption unit 20 is suppressed. On the other hand, calcium ions and sodium ions, which are cations, are attracted to the third electrode 27 side, and a scale which is an oxide of calcium, sodium or the like adheres to the third electrode 27. By continuously applying this positive voltage, dead bacteria and the like accumulate on the second electrode 22 and the adsorbing section 20 and the third electrode 27.
Is deposited on the surface (S5).

If there is a water supply signal to the faucet or the like during the positive voltage application time Ts, the voltage application is temporarily stopped, and after the water supply is completed, the positive voltage application time Ts Is set as a timer (S6, S7). Then, a positive voltage is continuously applied over the positive voltage application time Ts.

When the positive voltage application time Ts has elapsed, the reverse polarity voltage application time Tr is set by a timer, and a DC voltage of the opposite polarity is applied over this time Tr (S8, S9). Here, the opposite polarity means that the second electrode 22 is used as a cathode and the third electrode 27 is used as an anode, whereby the scale deposited on the third electrode 27 side is gradually peeled off while the second electrode 22 is used as a cathode. In addition, the dead bacteria deposited on the adsorption section 20 are peeled off.

As described above, the application of the positive polarity voltage and the application of the reverse polarity voltage are alternately repeated to continue the sterilization mode operation (S
1 to S12).

When the reproduction button 34 is pressed during the sterilization mode (S4, S10), the reverse polarity voltage application time Tr
(S13-S15). Thereafter, the voltage application is stopped (S16), and the reproduction mode time T
ms is set to a timer, and the reproduction mode is executed. When the execution time of the reproduction mode reaches Tms, the reproduction mode is terminated and the reproduction mode is terminated (S17 to S20).

Thereafter, a reverse polarity voltage application time Tr is set by a timer, and a reverse polarity voltage is applied over this time Tr (S21 to S24).

The operation of the thus-constructed water purification apparatus according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This figure 4
Is a conventional water purification device (a device that does not apply a reverse polarity voltage during the regeneration mode) and the water purification device according to the present embodiment (a device that applies a reverse polarity voltage twice before and after the regeneration mode)
5 shows the change in the amount of scale adhesion.

As can be seen from FIG. 4, in the conventional water purifying and sterilizing apparatus, the amount of scale attached on the cathode side increases with the elapse of the operation time, so that a reduction in the bacteriostatic effect is inevitable. On the other hand, in the water purification apparatus according to the present embodiment, an increase in the amount of scale adhesion is suppressed, thereby preventing a reduction in the bacteriostatic effect.

In the above-described embodiment, the DC voltage of the opposite polarity is applied twice before and after the reproduction mode. However, the DC voltage of the opposite polarity may be applied before or after the reproduction mode. . Also in this embodiment, the amount of scale adhesion is smaller than in the conventional example, and the number of times of application of the reverse polarity DC voltage in the regeneration mode is one, so that the mode shifts to the water purification mode (a state where beverages can be sold). Time gets faster.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the regeneration mode operation is performed, a reverse polarity DC voltage is always applied, so that a voltage application time of the reverse polarity can be secured,
The scale attached to the electrode on the cathode side and the dead bacteria attached to the anode side at the time of the positive polarity can be reliably removed, and the decrease in the bacteriostatic effect in the bacteriostatic mode can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a water purification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a change in scale adhesion amount.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference numeral 20: suction part, 21: first electrode, 22: second electrode, 27
... third electrode, 30 ... control means, 34 ... playback button, 37
... Polarity switching circuit, 38 ... DC power supply.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A water purification mode in which water is passed through an adsorption section of conductive activated carbon to generate purified water, and a regeneration in which a voltage is applied to the adsorption section to remove organic substances attached to the adsorption section and sterilize bacteria. And a bacteriostatic mode in which a direct current voltage is applied to the adsorption section through a bacteriostatic electrode to capture and inhibit the growth of bacteria and the like in the raw water. A water purification device that alternately applies a DC voltage having a reverse polarity and a DC voltage having a reverse polarity at predetermined time intervals, wherein at least one of the start and the end of the regeneration mode, the suction portion has a reverse polarity DC through the electrode. A water purification device for applying a voltage for a predetermined time.