WO2021201021A1

WO2021201021A1 - Water softening device and water softening device reclamation method

Info

Publication number: WO2021201021A1
Application number: PCT/JP2021/013672
Authority: WO
Inventors: 義弘坂口; 隆好高野
Original assignee: パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社
Priority date: 2020-04-03
Filing date: 2021-03-30
Publication date: 2021-10-07

Abstract

A water softening device 10 is provided with: a water softening tank 12 that uses a weakly acidic cation exchange resin to soften hard water containing a hardness component; a reclamation raw water supply unit 110 that supplies reclamation raw water, which is a raw material for reclaimed water, to be used in reclamation treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin; a scavenger supply unit 120 that supplies a hardness component scavenger for scavenging the hardness component to the reclamation raw water; and a reclaimed water preparation unit 130 that mixes the reclamation raw water and the hardness component scavenger to prepare the reclaimed water. In the reclamation treatment, the water softening tank 12 is flushed with the reclaimed water.

Description

Water softening device and water softening device regeneration method

The present invention relates to a water softening device and a method for regenerating a water softening device.

Many water softening devices using cation exchange resins have been proposed. For example, using a cation exchange resin having sodium ions as a functional group (weakly acidic cation exchange resin), calcium ions and magnesium ions, which are hardness components contained in hard water, are ion-exchanged with sodium ions to obtain soft water. It has been known.

The ion exchange capacity of the cation exchange resin decreases or disappears as it continues to be used. That is, after all the sodium ions, which are the functional groups of the cation exchange resin, are exchanged with the calcium ions and magnesium ions, which are hardness components, ion exchange becomes impossible. Therefore, it is necessary to regenerate the cation exchange resin in order to enable ion exchange again. As the regeneration treatment, a treatment such as passing reclaimed water such as saturated saline through a cation exchange resin is performed.

However, in such a regeneration treatment, it is necessary to replenish salt regularly according to the amount of soft water used, and it takes time and effort to replenish the salt. In addition, since a large amount of salt is used, it causes environmental problems. Moreover, hypochlorite ions ClO from salt ^- if the generated, the hypochlorite ion ClO ^- is likely to destroy the cation exchange resin.

Therefore, as a method for regenerating a cation exchange resin without using salt, a method for regenerating a cation exchange resin with hydrogen ions in acidic electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). .. In the method for reclaiming a cation exchange resin disclosed in Patent Document 1, water is electrolyzed and the acidic water obtained in the anode chamber is used as the reclaimed water for the cation exchange resin. In the method for regenerating a cation exchange resin disclosed in Patent Document 2, the cation exchange resin is regenerated using reclaimed water containing sodium carbonate. Since these methods do not use salt, they have achieved certain results in that they do not cause environmental problems.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 7-68256 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-85791

However, the water softening apparatus of Patent Document 1 has a complicated apparatus configuration and consumes electricity for electrolysis. Further, in the water softening apparatus of Patent Document 2, it is difficult to make ^{the weakly acidic cation exchange resin after regeneration into H + type because the reclaimed water containing sodium carbonate is alkaline.}

The present invention has been made in view of the problems of the prior art. An object of the present invention is to provide a water softening device and a water softening device regeneration method capable of regenerating a weakly acidic cation exchange resin by a simple method using a chemical that consumes less electricity and is easy to handle even in ordinary households. To provide.

In order to solve the above problems, the water softening apparatus according to the aspect of the present invention includes a water softening tank that softens hard water containing a hardness component with a weakly acidic cation exchange resin, and a regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. A regenerating raw water supply unit that supplies the regenerated raw water that is a raw material of the regenerated water used in the above, a capturing agent supply unit that supplies a hardness component capturing agent that captures the hardness component to the regenerating raw water, and the regenerating raw water. A regenerated water preparation unit for preparing the regenerated water by mixing the hardness component capturing agent is provided, and the regenerated water is passed through the softening tank during the regeneration treatment.

Further, the water softening apparatus regeneration method according to the aspect of the present invention includes a water softening tank for softening hard water containing a hardness component with a weakly acidic cation exchange resin and regenerated water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. A regenerating raw water supply unit that supplies the regenerated raw water that is the raw material of the above, a capturing agent supply unit that supplies a hardness component capturing agent that captures the hardness component to the regenerating raw water, and the regenerating raw water and the hardness component capturing. A water softening device including a regenerated water preparation unit for mixing the agent and preparing the regenerated water is used, and the regenerated water is passed through the water softening tank at the time of the regeneration treatment.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the water softening apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the water softening apparatus which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the water softening apparatus which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the water softening apparatus which concerns on 4th Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the water softening apparatus which concerns on 5th Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the water softening apparatus which concerns on 6th Embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of the electrolytic cell which comprises the water softening apparatus which concerns on 1st to 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the citric acid addition amount and pH in the citric acid addition water. It is a graph which shows the pH of the reclaimed water obtained after reclaiming water by passing reclaimed water through a weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

Hereinafter, the water softening device and the water softening device regeneration method according to the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The dimensional ratios in the drawings are exaggerated for convenience of explanation and may differ from the actual ratios.

<Water softener>
[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of a water softening device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the water softening device 10A (10) according to the first embodiment includes a water softening tank 12, a reclaimed water supply unit 110A (110), a scavenger supply unit 120A (120), and the like. A reclaimed water preparation unit 130A (130) is provided. In the water softening apparatus 10A according to the first embodiment, when the weakly acidic cation exchange resin contained in the water softening tank 12 is regenerated, the regenerated water used for the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is used in the water softening tank. Water is passed through 12.

The water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment and the water softening devices 10B to 10F according to the second to sixth embodiments described later are the reclaimed water supply unit 110, the scavenger supply unit 120, and the capture agent supply unit 120. The structure of the reclaimed water preparation unit 130 is different.

Further, the water softening device 10A further includes an electrolytic cell 14 and a treatment tank 16. The electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16 are not indispensable for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening apparatus 10A. However, it is preferable that the water softening device 10A includes the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16 because the efficiency of the regeneration treatment is high.

The water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment and the water softening devices 10B to 10F according to the second to sixth embodiments described later have the same or similar structures of the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16. ..

The water softening tank 12 is connected to a flow path mainly used for the water softening treatment and a flow path mainly used for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

Specifically, in the water softening tank 12, as flow paths mainly used in the water softening treatment, a flow path 20 for introducing hard water containing a hardness component and a flow path 22 for discharging the softened hard water. Is connected. Here, the hardness component means one or more cations of calcium ion and magnesium ion.

Further, in the water softening tank 12, the flow path 24 and the flow path 26 are connected as a flow path mainly used in the regeneration process. Specifically, the water softening tank 12 is obtained after the flow path 24 for introducing the first acidic electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14 and the weakly acidic cation exchange resin are regenerated in the water softening tank 12. It is connected to a flow path 26 for discharging the second acidic electrolyzed water containing the hardness component and introducing it into the treatment tank 16.

The first acidic electrolyzed water, the second acidic electrolyzed water, and the third acidic electrolyzed water will be described. The first acidic electrolyzed water means the acidic electrolyzed water introduced from the electrolytic cell 14 into the water softening tank 12 during the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A. The second acidic electrolyzed water means the acidic electrolyzed water discharged from the water softening tank 12 during the regeneration treatment of the water softening apparatus 10A. During the regeneration treatment of the water softening apparatus 10A, the hardness component contained in the weakly acidic cation exchange resin moves from the weakly acidic cation exchange resin to the first acidic electrolyzed water to generate the second acidic electrolyzed water. Therefore, the second acidic electrolyzed water usually has a higher concentration of the hardness component than the first acidic electrolyzed water.

Further, the second acidic electrolyzed water is introduced into the treatment tank 16 to generate the treated water, and then is passed through the electrolytic cell 14 to generate the third acidic electrolyzed water. Here, the third acidic electrolyzed water means the acidic electrolyzed water generated downstream of the second acidic electrolyzed water during the regeneration treatment. The third acidic electrolyzed water is called the third acidic electrolyzed water as long as it stays in the electrolytic cell 14, and is the first acidic after being discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 for the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A. It is called electrolyzed water. Therefore, the electrolytic cell 14 discharges the first acidic electrolyzed water as the acidic electrolyzed water for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

In the treatment tank 16, the second acidic electrolyzed water having a high concentration of the hardness component reacts with the alkaline electrolyzed water to produce a hardness component reaction product, so that the treated water has a low concentration of the hardness component and is diluted. It becomes water. Since the third acidic electrolyzed water is acidic water produced by electrolyzing the treated water, it becomes acidic water having a lower concentration of a hardness component and diluted than the second acidic electrolyzed water. In other words, the third acidic electrolyzed water is acidic water having a lower concentration of a hardness component and diluted than the second acidic electrolyzed water.

The third acidic electrolyzed water is the third acidic electrolyzed water as long as it stays in the electrolytic cell 14. However, the third acidic electrolyzed water becomes the first acidic electrolyzed water from the time when it is discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 for the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A. That is, the third acidic electrolyzed water in the electrolytic cell 14 is discharged as the first acidic electrolyzed water for the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A, and is reused for the regeneration treatment.

The flow path 26 for introducing the second acidic electrolyzed water, the flow path 28 for introducing the alkaline electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14, and the treated water generated in the treatment tank 16 are discharged into the treatment tank 16. The flow path 32 introduced into the electrolytic cell 14 is connected. Further, in the treatment tank 16, a water supply path for supplying water from outside the water softening device 10A when the amount of water in the water softening device 10A decreases due to the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the water softening tank 12. 38 is connected.

In the electrolytic tank 14, a flow path 32 for introducing the treated water generated in the treatment tank 16 and a flow path 24 for discharging the generated first acidic electrolyzed water to pass through the softening tank 12 were generated. A flow path 28 for introducing alkaline electrolyzed water into the treatment tank 16 is connected to the flow path 28.

In the water softening device 10A, during the water softening treatment in which hard water containing a hardness component is softened and used, the hard water passes through a weakly acidic cation exchange resin provided in the water softening tank 12. At this time, cations, which are hardness components in hard water, are softened by being exchanged with hydrogen ions by a weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

On the other hand, in the water softening apparatus 10A, during the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin, water is discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 through the water softening tank 12 and the treatment tank 16 by a pump (not shown). It is designed to circulate through routes such as returning to.

Specifically, in the water softening apparatus 10A, during the regeneration process, the first acidic electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14 is passed through the water softening tank 12 and passes through the weakly acidic cation exchange resin inside. Let me. At this time, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is regenerated by the cations (hardness component) adsorbed on the weakly acidic cation exchange resin undergoing an ion exchange reaction with the hydrogen ions contained in the first acidic electrolyzed water. NS. Then, the second acidic electrolyzed water containing the hardness component after passing through the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is introduced into the treatment tank 16 via the flow path 26.

Further, the alkaline electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14 is introduced into the treatment tank 16 via the flow path 28. As a result, the second acidic electrolyzed water containing the hardness component and the alkaline electrolyzed water are mixed in the treatment tank 16. At this time, in the treatment tank 16, the hardness component in the second acidic electrolyzed water reacts with the alkaline electrolyzed water. For example, when the hardness component in the second acidic electrolyzed water is calcium ion, a reaction occurs in which calcium hydroxide is generated by the alkaline electrolyzed water, or calcium carbonate is generated by combining the carbonate ion and the calcium ion resident in the water. Or something.

In the water softening apparatus 10A, during the regeneration treatment, the second acidic electrolyzed water obtained by using the first acidic electrolyzed water for the regeneration of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin and containing a hardness component is the alkaline electrolyzed water in the treatment tank 16. Is mixed with to reduce the concentration of the hardness component and dilute it. That is, in the treatment tank 16, the hardness component in the second acidic electrolyzed water reacts with the alkaline electrolyzed water to produce a reaction product containing the hardness component, so that the treated water having a low concentration of the hardness component and diluted is produced. can get. Hereinafter, the reaction product containing a hardness component is also referred to as a “hardness component reaction product”.

The treated water generated in the treatment tank 16 is passed through the electrolytic cell 14, so that a third acidic electrolyzed water having a low concentration of a hardness component and diluted in the electrolytic cell 14 is generated. In other words, the third acidic electrolyzed water is acidic water having a lower concentration of a hardness component and diluted than the second acidic electrolyzed water. In the water softening apparatus 10A, the third acidic electrolyzed water is reused as the first acidic electrolyzed water during the regeneration treatment.

In the water softening device 10A, since the third acidic electrolyzed water having a low concentration of the hardness component is reused as the first acidic electrolyzed water, it is possible to suppress a decrease in regeneration efficiency. Therefore, according to the water softening device 10A, efficient regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is possible.

In the water softening device 10A, the alkaline electrolyzed water is alkaline because it is generated by an electrolytic cell for generating a first acidic electrolyzed water or a third acidic electrolyzed water used for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. There is no need to provide a separate device for generating electrolyzed water. Further, in the water softening device 10A, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the adhered matter due to the hardness component inside the water softening device 10. The reason will be described later.
Each tank will be described in detail below.

(Water softening tank)
The water softening tank 12 is a unit that softens hard water containing a hardness component with a weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Specifically, the water softening tank 12 has a weakly acidic cation exchange resin inside, and is a unit that softens hard water containing a hardness component by the weakly acidic cation exchange resin during the water softening treatment. be.

The weakly acidic cation exchange resin is not particularly limited, and a general-purpose resin can be used. Examples of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin include those having a carboxy group (-COOH) as an exchange group. ^{Further, the hydrogen ion (H +} ), which is the counter ion of the carboxy group, may be a cation such as a metal ion or an ammonium ion (NH ₄ ^+).

During the water softening treatment, water containing a hardness component is passed through the flow path 20 to the water softening tank 12, passes through a weakly acidic cation exchange resin, and is drained from the flow path 22 as soft water. That is, the flow path 20 and the flow path 22 are used in the water softening treatment for softening the hard water passed through the flow path 22. In addition to the hardness component, the water softening tank 12 can also exchange ions with other cations such as potassium ion, sodium ion, and ammonium ion, and is not limited to water softening applications.

Further, in the water softening tank 12, the flow path 24 into which the first acidic electrolyzed water is introduced from the electrolytic cell 14 and the second acidic electrolyzed water that has passed through the weakly acidic cation exchange resin are introduced into the treatment tank 16. The flow path 26 is connected. The flow path 24 and the flow path 26 are used in the regeneration process for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

As described above, in the water softening tank 12, the flow path used in the case of the water softening treatment and the case of the regeneration treatment are different, so that the necessary flow path is selectively used by a valve (not shown). In other words, the water softening tank 12 includes a main water channel through which hard water flows and a regenerated water channel through which the acidic electrolyzed water generated by the electrolytic cell 14 flows. The main water channel is a flow path that flows in the softening tank 12 from the flow path 20 toward the flow path 22, and the regeneration water channel is a flow path that flows in the soft water tank 12 from the flow path 24 toward the flow path 26. be.

(Raw water supply section for regeneration)
The reclaimed water supply unit 110A (110) is a unit that supplies the reclaimed water, which is a raw material for the reclaimed water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

Specifically, the reclaimed water supply unit 110A of the water softening device 10A supplies the reclaimed water to the reclaimed water storage tank 72A (72) as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A (130) (reclaimed water flow path). ) 42.

The soft water discharged from the water softening tank 12 to the flow path 22 via the branch portion 92 flows through the raw water flow path 42 for regeneration. In the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A using the raw water supply unit 110A for regeneration, soft water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

(Scavenger supply unit)
The scavenger supply unit 120A (120) is a unit that supplies a hardness component scavenger that captures the hardness component to the raw water for regeneration. Specifically, the scavenger supply unit 120A of the water softening device 10A is a chemical charging unit that charges the hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed water storage tank 72A as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A (130).

The hardness component capturing agent is a drug that captures the hardness component in water. The hardness component scavenger usually has a property that the hardness component once captured in water is not easily released. That is, the hardness component scavenger has an action like a chelating agent. The reclaimed water containing the hardness component scavenger continues to capture the hardness components captured by ion exchange during the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin, so that the efficiency of the regeneration treatment can be increased.

As the hardness component scavenger, for example, a drug containing a carboxylic acid in the molecule (carboxylic acid-containing drug) is used. Carboxylic acid-containing agents include, for example, citric acid, gluconic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, benzoic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, and maleic acid. One or more selected from the group of Of these, citric acid is preferable because it is a food additive, is safe, is easily available, and is easily dissolved in raw water for regeneration.

When a carboxylic acid-containing chemical is used as the hardness component scavenger, the pH of the reclaimed water obtained by mixing the reclaimed water and the hardness component scavenger is lower than that of the reclaimed water. Generally, the lower the pH of the reclaimed water, the higher the hydrogen ion concentration, which is preferable for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. That is, the lower the pH of the reclaimed water, the more preferable it is.

However, there is a limit to the decrease in pH due to the addition of a hardness component scavenger consisting of a carboxylic acid-containing drug. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the relationship between the amount of citric acid added and the pH in the citric acid-added water. As shown in FIG. 8, even if the amount of citric acid added is increased, the decrease in pH converges at about pH 1, and further decrease in pH is unlikely to occur. Therefore, in the preparation of the reclaimed water, acidic water having a pH lower than that of soft water or hard water may be used as the raw water for regeneration, or a pH lowering agent may be added.

As the acidic water, for example, acidic electrolyzed water discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 is used. As the pH lowering agent, for example, carbon dioxide; an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid is used. Of these, carbon dioxide is preferable because it is safe and easy to handle. Further, since inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid have a large effect of lowering pH, they are preferable when the water softening device 10A is used for purposes other than household use. The embodiment using carbon dioxide will be described later.

(Reclaimed water preparation department)
The reclaimed water preparation unit 130A (130) is a unit that prepares reclaimed water by mixing raw water for regeneration and a hardness component scavenger.

Specifically, the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A of the water softening device 10A is a reclaimed water storage tank 72A (72) for storing the reclaimed water. The reclaimed water flow path (reclaimed water flow path) 46 through which the reclaimed water discharged from the reclaimed water storage tank 72A flows is connected to the flow path 24 via the branch portion 98.

As described above, the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16 are not indispensable for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening apparatus 10A, but are preferably provided. Hereinafter, the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 will be described.

(Electrolytic cell)
The electrolytic cell 14 is a unit that generates acidic electrolyzed water (first acidic electrolyzed water) for regenerating weakly acidic cation exchange resin and alkaline electrolyzed water, and discharges the acidic electrolyzed water as raw water for regeneration. be. The electrolytic cell 14 is not indispensable for the regeneration process for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening device 10A. However, it is preferable that the water softening device 10A includes the electrolytic cell 14 because the efficiency of the regeneration process is high.

In the electrolytic cell 14, the treated water generated in the treatment tank 16 is electrolyzed to generate a third acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water. When the regeneration treatment is performed using the electrolytic cell 14, the third acidic electrolyzed water is usually reused as the first acidic electrolyzed water for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Therefore, it can be said that the electrolytic cell 14 is a unit that produces alkaline electrolyzed water and first acidic electrolyzed water for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

The electrolytic cell 14 is a unit that electrolyzes the introduced water into a first acidic electrolyzed water and an alkaline electrolyzed water. The water introduced into the electrolytic cell 14 during the regeneration treatment of the water softening apparatus 10A is usually the treated water generated in the treatment tank 16.

During the regeneration process of the water softening apparatus 10A, the first acidic electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14 is discharged from the flow path 24 and passed through the water softening tank 12 to regenerate the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. It is offered to. Further, during the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A, the alkaline electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14 is discharged from the flow path 28 and introduced into the treatment tank 16.

The electrolytic cell 14 used in the water softening device 10A is not particularly limited in form or the like as long as it can generate acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water. An example of the electrolytic cell 14 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of an electrolytic cell constituting the water softening apparatus according to the first embodiment.

The electrolytic cell 14 shown in FIG. 7 has an electrolytic cell 50 that electrolyzes water, a power source 54, an anode 62 connected to the anode of the power source 54 via a wire 56, and a wire 58 to the cathode of the power source 54. It is provided with a cathode 60 to be connected. Inside the electrolytic chamber 50, the ion permeable membrane is partitioned by a partition wall 64, and the right side in the figure of FIG. 7 constitutes an anode chamber and the left side constitutes a cathode chamber. Water flows into the cathode chamber and the anode chamber from the flow path 52, and the water in the cathode chamber is used as alkaline electrolyzed water and the water in the anode chamber is used as the first acidic electrolyzed water. , 68 is discharged.

The water introduced into the cathode chamber and the anode chamber of the electrolytic chamber 50 is electrolyzed by applying a voltage between the cathode 60 and the anode 62. In the electrolytic chamber 50, hydroxide ions (OH ⁻ ) and hydrogen gas are generated in the cathode chamber, and hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ) and oxygen gas are generated in the anode chamber by electrolysis of water. Further, alkaline electrolyzed water is generated in the cathode chamber, and a third acidic electrolyzed water is generated in the anode chamber. The alkaline electrolyzed water is discharged from the flow path 66, and the third acidic electrolyzed water is discharged from the flow path 68 and reused as the first acidic electrolyzed water.

When the water softening device 10A using the electrolytic cell 14 is regenerated, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin can be efficiently regenerated when the first acidic electrolyzed water contains more hydrogen ions. Therefore, the smaller the pH of the third acidic electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14 for reuse as the first acidic electrolyzed water, the better.

(Processing tank)
In the treatment tank 16, the hardness component and the alkaline electrolyzed water react with each other by mixing the second acidic electrolyzed water and the alkaline electrolyzed water during the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. A unit that obtains diluted treated water. The treatment tank 16 is not indispensable for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening apparatus 10A. However, it is preferable that the water softening device 10A includes the treatment tank 16 because the efficiency of the regeneration treatment is high.

The second acidic electrolyzed water is water containing a hardness component obtained after the first acidic electrolyzed water is passed through the softening tank 12 to regenerate the weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

A second acidic electrolyzed water containing a hardness component obtained after regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the water softening tank 12 is introduced into the treatment tank 16 via the flow path 26. Further, the alkaline electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14 is introduced into the treatment tank 16 via the flow path 28.

In the treatment tank 16, by mixing the second acidic electrolyzed water containing the hardness component and the alkaline electrolyzed water, the treated water in which the hardness component and the alkaline electrolyzed water react and is diluted can be obtained. When the hardness component reacts with alkaline electrolyzed water, for example, a hardness component reaction product is produced.

For example, when the hardness component in the second acidic electrolyzed water is calcium ion, the calcium ion reacts with the alkaline electrolyzed water to produce a reaction product of the hardness component such as calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide. Since the hardness component reaction product is usually a solid having low solubility, it is possible to separate the hardness component from the treated water by separating the hardness component reaction product and water. The term "hardness component reacts" is a concept that includes not only all the hardness components contained in the treated water reacting, but also a state in which a component that does not react or a component that does not exceed the solubility product is contained. ..

The treated water obtained in the treatment tank 16 is usually introduced into the electrolytic cell 14, and a third acidic electrolyzed water and an alkaline electrolyzed water are generated.

(Action)
The operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment will be described. The description of the action of the water softening treatment will be omitted.

<Regeneration processing using raw water supply unit 110A for regeneration>
In the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A using the raw water supply unit 110A for regeneration, soft water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

First, the soft water as the reclaimed water discharged from the water softening tank 12 to the flow path 22 via the branch portion 92 is introduced into the reclaimed water storage tank 72A as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A via the flow path 42. Next, the hardness component trapping agent is charged into the soft water introduced into the reclaimed water storage tank 72A from the drug charging section as the trapping agent supply section 120A. When the mixture in the reclaimed water storage tank 72A is sufficiently mixed, the reclaimed water containing the raw water for regeneration and the hardness component scavenger and used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is prepared in the reclaimed water storage tank 72A. NS.

When the regenerated water is passed through the softening tank 12 during the regeneration treatment, the cations (hardness components) adsorbed on the weakly acidic cation exchange resin and the hardness component trapping agent in the regenerated water undergo an ion exchange reaction. As a result, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is regenerated.

<Regeneration treatment in which the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 are used and electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14>
In the water softening device 10A including the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16, the reclaimed water supply unit 110A, the scavenger supply unit 120A, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A can be used for the reclaimed water treatment. In this case, the acidic electrolyzed water produced in the electrolytic cell 14 is used as the raw water for regeneration.

In the regeneration process of the water softening device 10A that electrolyzes in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16, the treated water stored in the processing tank 16 is first passed through the electrolytic cell 14 and electrolyzed. The acidic electrolyzed water of 3 and the alkaline electrolyzed water are generated. The third acidic electrolyzed water is the first acidic electrolyzed water produced in the electrolytic cell 14, but is referred to as the third acidic electrolyzed water for convenience. Usually, the third acidic electrolyzed water is acidic and therefore becomes electrolyzed water having a high hydrogen ion concentration, and the alkaline electrolyzed water is alkaline and therefore becomes electrolyzed water having a high hydroxide ion concentration. The third acidic electrolyzed water having a high hydrogen ion concentration is passed through the softening tank 12 as the first acidic electrolyzed water, and the alkaline electrolyzed water having a high hydroxide ion concentration is sent to the treatment tank 16.

The first acidic electrolyzed water having a high hydrogen ion concentration passed through the water softening tank 12 is weakly acidic by undergoing an ion exchange reaction with cations (hardness components) adsorbed on the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. The cation exchange resin is regenerated. Since the hydrogen ion concentration of the first acidic electrolyzed water is high, the regeneration treatment in the water softening device 10A usually has high regeneration efficiency of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Therefore, the regeneration process in the water softening device 10A can be performed in a short time and can be performed in the miniaturized water softening device 10A.

The second acidic electrolyzed water containing the hardness component after passing through the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is introduced into the treatment tank 16. Usually, the second acidic electrolyzed water has a higher concentration of the hardness component than the first acidic electrolyzed water.

In the treatment tank 16, the second acidic electrolyzed water having a high concentration of the hardness component reacts with the alkaline electrolyzed water to produce a hardness component reaction product. In the treatment tank 16, the hardness component in the second acidic electrolyzed water moves to the hardness component reaction product, so that the treated water having a low concentration of the hardness component and diluted can be obtained. The obtained treated water is introduced into the electrolytic cell 14.

(effect)
According to the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin can be regenerated by using a chemical that consumes less electricity and is easy to handle even in ordinary households and by a simple method.

Further, in the water softening device 10A, when the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 are used to perform the regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14, the third acidic electrolyzed water is reused as the first acidic electrolyzed water. That is, a third acidic electrolyzed water is generated from the second acidic electrolyzed water used for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin, which was conventionally discarded, and the third acidic electrolyzed water is used as the first acidic electrolyzed water. Reuse as acidic electrolyzed water. Therefore, according to the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment, in the regeneration treatment, the second acidic electrolyzed water that was conventionally discarded is finally reused as the first acidic electrolyzed water. Therefore, it is possible to eliminate waste of water when regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin.

In the water softening device 10A, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is regenerated by circulating water during the regeneration process. In the water softening device 10A, the amount of water may decrease when the water is circulated. In the water softening device 10A, the flow path 24 between the electrolytic cell 14 and the water softening tank 12 is excluded in order to replenish the reduced amount of this water or to supply new water after discarding the circulated water. It is preferable that the site is further provided with a water supply channel for supplying water. The flow path 24 between the electrolytic tank 14 and the water softening tank 12 is a flow path for supplying the first acidic electrolyzed water to the water softening tank, and when water is supplied to the flow path, the first acidic electrolyzed water is supplied. The hydrogen ion concentration becomes low. Therefore, the water supply path is provided in a place other than the flow path 24. In FIG. 1, the water supply path 38 is provided at a position where it flows into the treatment tank 16.

By the way, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin also captures carbonate ions. Therefore, when water is circulated in the system to regenerate the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening device 10A, the carbonate ions in the system decrease. Therefore, according to the water softening device 10A, it is possible to prevent the adhesion of carbonate in the system of the water softening device 10A.

The water circulated to regenerate the weakly acidic cation exchange resin contains a high concentration of hydroxides of calcium ions and magnesium ions. When such water is used for gargling, for example, it is expected to have an effect of strengthening teeth because it contains a high concentration of calcium component.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the water softening device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the water softening device 10B (10), which is an example of the water softening device according to the second embodiment, includes a water softening tank 12, a reclaimed water supply unit 110B (110), and a scavenger supply. A unit 120B (120) and a reclaimed water preparation unit 130B (130) are provided. The water softening device 10B according to the second embodiment uses the regenerated water used for the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin contained in the water softening tank 12. Water is passed through 12.

The water softening device 10B according to the second embodiment is used by the reclaimed water supply unit 110B, the scavenger supply unit 120B, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130B, as compared with the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same, except that they are.

Specifically, instead of the reclaimed water supply unit 110A, the scavenger supply unit 120A, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A of the water softening device 10A, in the water softening device 10B, the reclaimed water supply unit 110B and the scavenger supply, respectively. Unit 120B and reclaimed water preparation unit 130B are used. Therefore, the same components of the water softening device 10B and the water softening device 10A are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same configurations and their actions will be omitted.

(Raw water supply section for regeneration)
The reclaimed water supply unit 110B (110) is a unit that supplies the reclaimed water, which is a raw material for the reclaimed water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. The reclaimed raw water supply unit 110B of the water softening device 10B is specifically a reclaimed raw water storage tank 74 for storing the regenerated raw water.

The soft water discharged from the water softening tank 12 to the flow path 22 via the branch portion 92 is introduced into the raw water storage tank 74 for regeneration via the raw water flow path 42 for regeneration. In the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10B using the raw water supply unit 110B for regeneration, soft water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

(Scavenger supply unit)
The scavenger supply unit 120B (120) is a unit that supplies the hardness component scavenger that captures the hardness component to the raw water for regeneration. Specifically, the scavenger supply unit 120B of the water softening device 10B injects a hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed raw water flow path 46 through which the reclaimed raw water discharged from the reclaimed raw water storage tank 74 flows. It is a department.

In the scavenger supply unit 120B, it is necessary to inject the hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed water flow path 46 and prepare the reclaimed water in the reclaimed water flow path 46. Therefore, as the hardness component scavenger used in the water softening device 10B, among the hardness component scavengers used in the water softening device 10A, those that are easily dissolved in the raw water for regeneration are used. Examples of the hardness component capturing agent that is easily dissolved in raw water for regeneration include citric acid, gluconic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, benzoic acid, and succinic acid. One or more selected from the group consisting of fumaric acid and maleic acid is used. Of these, citric acid is preferable because it is very easily dissolved.

(Reclaimed water preparation department)
The reclaimed water preparation unit 130B (130) is a unit that prepares reclaimed water by mixing raw water for regeneration and a hardness component scavenger. Specifically, the reclaimed water preparation unit 130B of the water softening device 10B is a flow path (reclaimed water flow path) 46 through which the reclaimed water discharged from the reclaimed water storage tank 74 flows. The raw water flow path 46 for regeneration is connected to the flow path 24 via the branch portion 98.

As described above, the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16 are not indispensable for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening apparatus 10B, but are preferably provided. Since the configurations of the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16 are the same as those of the water softening device 10A, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Action)
The operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10B according to the second embodiment will be described. The description of the action of the water softening treatment will be omitted.

<Regeneration processing using raw water supply unit 110B for regeneration>
In the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10B using the raw water supply unit 110B for regeneration, soft water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

First, the soft water as the raw water for regeneration discharged from the soft water tank 12 to the flow path 22 via the branch portion 92 is introduced into the raw water storage tank 74 for regeneration via the flow path 42.

Next, the soft water introduced into the reclaimed water storage tank 74 is discharged to the reclaimed water flow path 46 as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130B. The hardness component trapping agent is injected into the soft water in the raw water flow path 46 for regeneration from the drug injection section as the trapping agent supply section 120B. When the mixture in the reclaimed water flow path 46 is mixed during distribution, the reclaimed water flow path 46 contains the reclaimed water and the hardness component scavenger, and the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is regenerated. The reclaimed water used for is prepared.

<Regeneration treatment in which the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 are used and electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14>
In the water softening device 10B including the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16, the reclaimed water supply unit 110B, the scavenger supply unit 120B, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130B can be used for the reclaimed water treatment. In this case, the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 are used to perform a regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14. As the raw water for regeneration, the acidic electrolyzed water generated in the electrolytic cell 14 is used.

The action of performing the regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10B is as follows: electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10A. Since the operation is the same as that in the case of performing the regeneration process, the description thereof will be omitted.

(effect)
According to the water softening device 10B according to the second embodiment, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin can be regenerated by using a chemical that consumes less electricity and is easy to handle even in ordinary households and by a simple method.

Further, when the water softening device 10B uses the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 to perform the electrolysis treatment in the electrolytic cell 14, the water softening device 10A uses the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 to electrolyze in the electrolytic cell 14. It has the same effect as when the reproduction process is performed.

[Third Embodiment]
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the water softening device according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the water softening device 10C (10), which is an example of the water softening device according to the third embodiment, includes a water softening tank 12, a reclaimed water supply unit 110C (110), and a scavenger supply. A unit 120C (120) and a reclaimed water preparation unit 130C (130) are provided.

Further, the water softening device 10C further includes an electrolytic cell 14. The electrolytic cell 14 of the water softening device 10C may exist as a container for introducing raw water for regeneration, and electrolysis during the regeneration process of the water softening device 10C is not essential.

The water softening device 10C according to the third embodiment uses the regenerated water used for the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin contained in the water softening tank 12. Water is passed through 12.

The water softening device 10C according to the second embodiment is used by the reclaimed water supply unit 110C, the scavenger supply unit 120C, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130C, as compared with the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same, except that they are.

Specifically, instead of the reclaimed water supply unit 110A, the scavenger supply unit 120A, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A of the water softening device 10A, the water softening device 10C has the reclaimed water supply unit 110C and the scavenger supply, respectively. Unit 120C and reclaimed water preparation unit 130C are used. Therefore, the same components of the water softening device 10C and the water softening device 10A are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same configurations and their actions will be omitted.

(Raw water supply section for regeneration)
The reclaimed water supply unit 110C (110) is a unit that supplies the reclaimed water, which is a raw material for the reclaimed water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Specifically, the reclaimed water supply unit 110C of the water softening device 10C is a flow path (for regeneration) for supplying the reclaimed water from the electrolytic cell 14 to the reclaimed water storage tank 72C (72) as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130C (130). Raw water flow path) 24.

As for the raw water for regeneration in the electrolytic cell 14, hard water for being introduced into the softening tank 12 passes through the flow path 20, the branch portion 94, the flow path 48, the branch portion 96, and the flow path 32, and the electrolytic cell 14 is used. It was introduced in. Since the electrolytic cell 14 of the water softening device 10C is the same as the electrolytic cell 14 of the water softening device 10A, the description thereof will be omitted.

The electrolytic cell 14 of the raw water supply unit 110C for regeneration may exist as a container for introducing the raw water for regeneration, and electrolysis during the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10C is not essential. Therefore, the hard water introduced into the electrolytic cell 14 is discharged as hard water as it is without being electrolyzed, or is discharged as acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water by being electrolyzed. Therefore, in the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10C using the raw water supply unit 110C for regeneration, hard water or acidic electrolyzed water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

(Scavenger supply unit)
The scavenger supply unit 120C (120) is a unit that supplies a hardness component scavenger that captures the hardness component to raw water for regeneration. Specifically, the scavenger supply unit 120C of the water softening device 10C is a chemical charging unit that charges the hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed water storage tank 72C as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130C.

As the hardness component scavenger used in the water softening device 10C, the same hardness component scavenger used in the water softening device 10A is used.

(Reclaimed water preparation department)
The reclaimed water preparation unit 130C (130) is a unit that prepares reclaimed water by mixing raw water for regeneration and a hardness component scavenger. Specifically, the reclaimed water preparation unit 130C of the water softening device 10C is a reclaimed water storage tank 72C (72) for storing the reclaimed water. The reclaimed water flow path (reclaimed water flow path) 25 through which the reclaimed water discharged from the reclaimed water storage tank 72C flows is connected to the soft water softening tank 12.

As described above, the treatment tank 16 is not indispensable for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening device 10C, but it is preferable to provide the treatment tank 16. Since the configuration of the treatment tank 16 is the same as that of the water softening device 10A, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Action)
The operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10C according to the third embodiment will be described. The description of the action of the water softening treatment will be omitted.

<Regeneration processing using raw water supply unit 110C for regeneration>
In the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10C using the raw water supply unit 110C for regeneration, hard water or acidic electrolyzed water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

[Regeneration process without electrolysis in electrolytic cell 14]
In the case of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10C using the raw water supply unit 110C for regeneration, hard water is used as the raw water for regeneration in the regeneration treatment that is not electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14.

First, hard water to be introduced into the water softening tank 12 is introduced into the electrolytic cell 14 via the flow path 20, the branch portion 94, the flow path 48, the branch portion 96, and the flow path 32. Next, the hard water discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 is introduced into the reclaimed water storage tank 72C as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130C. Further, the hardness component capturing agent is charged into the hard water introduced into the reclaimed water storage tank 72C from the chemical charging unit as the capturing agent supply unit 120C. When the mixture in the reclaimed water storage tank 72C is sufficiently mixed, the reclaimed water containing the raw water for regeneration and the hardness component scavenger and used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is prepared in the reclaimed water storage tank 72C. NS.

[Regeneration treatment in which the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 are used and electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14]
The action of performing the regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10C is as follows: electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10A. Since the operation is the same as that in the case of performing the regeneration process, the description thereof will be omitted.

(effect)
According to the water softening device 10C according to the third embodiment, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin can be regenerated by using a chemical that consumes less electricity and is easy to handle even in ordinary households and by a simple method.

Further, when the water softening device 10C uses the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 to perform the electrolysis treatment in the electrolytic cell 14, the water softening device 10A uses the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 to electrolyze in the electrolytic cell 14. It has the same effect as when the reproduction process is performed.

[Fourth Embodiment]
FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the water softening device according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the water softening device 10D (10), which is an example of the water softening device according to the fourth embodiment, includes a water softening tank 12, a reclaimed water supply unit 110D (110), and a scavenger supply. A unit 120D (120) and a reclaimed water preparation unit 130D (130) are provided.

Further, the water softening device 10D further includes an electrolytic cell 14. The electrolytic cell 14 of the water softening device 10D may exist as a container for introducing raw water for regeneration, and electrolysis during the regeneration process of the water softening device 10C is not essential.

The water softening device 10D according to the fourth embodiment uses the regenerated water used for the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin contained in the water softening tank 12. Water is passed through 12.

The water softening device 10D according to the fourth embodiment is used by the reclaimed water supply unit 110D, the scavenger supply unit 120D, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130D, as compared with the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same, except that they are.

Specifically, instead of the reclaimed water supply unit 110A, the scavenger supply unit 120A, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A of the water softening device 10A, the water softening device 10D has the reclaimed water supply unit 110D and the scavenger supply, respectively. Unit 120D and reclaimed water preparation unit 130D are used. Therefore, the same components of the water softening device 10D and the water softening device 10A are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same configurations and their actions will be omitted.

(Raw water supply section for regeneration)
The reclaimed water supply unit 110D (110) is a unit that supplies the reclaimed water, which is a raw material for the reclaimed water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Specifically, the regenerating raw water supply unit 110D of the water softening device 10D is a flow path (regenerating raw water distribution flow path) 24 for flowing the regenerating raw water from the electrolytic cell 14 toward the softening tank 12.

As for the raw water for regeneration in the electrolytic cell 14, hard water for being introduced into the softening tank 12 passes through the flow path 20, the branch portion 94, the flow path 48, the branch portion 96, and the flow path 32, and the electrolytic cell 14 is used. It was introduced in. Since the electrolytic cell 14 of the water softening device 10D is the same as the electrolytic cell 14 of the water softening device 10A, the description thereof will be omitted.

The electrolytic cell 14 of the raw water supply unit 110D for regeneration may exist as a container for introducing the raw water for regeneration, and electrolysis during the regeneration process of the water softening device 10D is not essential. Therefore, the hard water introduced into the electrolytic cell 14 is discharged as hard water as it is without being electrolyzed, or is discharged as acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water by being electrolyzed. Therefore, in the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10D using the raw water supply unit 110D for regeneration, hard water or acidic electrolyzed water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

(Scavenger supply unit)
The scavenger supply unit 120D (120) is a unit that supplies the hardness component capturing agent that captures the hardness component to the raw water for regeneration. Specifically, the scavenger supply unit 120D of the water softening device 10D is a drug injection unit that injects a hardness component scavenger into the raw water flow path 24 for regeneration.

In the scavenger supply unit 120D, it is necessary to inject the hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed water flow path 24 and prepare the reclaimed water in the reclaimed water flow path 24. Therefore, as the hardness component scavenger used in the water softening device 10D, among the hardness component scavengers used in the water softening device 10A, those that are easily dissolved in the raw water for regeneration are used. As the hardness component scavenger that is easily dissolved in the raw water for regeneration, for example, the same agent as that of the water softening device 10B is used.

(Reclaimed water preparation department)
The reclaimed water preparation unit 130D (130) is a unit that prepares reclaimed water by mixing raw water for regeneration and a hardness component scavenger. Specifically, the reclaimed water preparation unit 130D of the water softening device 10D is a flow path (reclaimed water flow path) 24 for flowing the reclaimed raw water from the electrolytic cell 14 toward the soft water softening tank 12.

As described above, the treatment tank 16 is not indispensable for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening device 10D, but it is preferable to provide the treatment tank 16. Since the configuration of the treatment tank 16 is the same as that of the water softening device 10A, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Action)
The operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10D according to the third embodiment will be described. The description of the action of the water softening treatment will be omitted.

<Regeneration processing using raw water supply unit 110D for regeneration>
In the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10D using the raw water supply unit 110D for regeneration, hard water or acidic electrolyzed water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

[Regeneration process without electrolysis in electrolytic cell 14]
In the case of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10D using the raw water supply unit 110D for regeneration, hard water is used as the raw water for regeneration in the regeneration treatment that is not electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14.

First, hard water to be introduced into the water softening tank 12 is introduced into the electrolytic cell 14 via the flow path 20, the branch portion 94, the flow path 48, the branch portion 96, and the flow path 32. Next, the hard water discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 is introduced into the reclaimed water flow path 24 as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130D. Further, the hardness component trapping agent is injected into the hard water introduced into the raw water flow path 24 for regeneration from the drug injection section as the trapping agent supply section 120D. When the mixture in the reclaimed water flow path 24 is mixed during distribution, the reclaimed water flow path 24 contains the reclaimed water and the hardness component scavenger, and the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is regenerated. The reclaimed water used for is prepared.

<Regeneration treatment in which the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 are used and electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14>
The action of performing the regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10D is as follows: electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10A. Since the operation is the same as that in the case of performing the regeneration process, the description thereof will be omitted.

(effect)
According to the water softening device 10D according to the fourth embodiment, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin can be regenerated by using a chemical that consumes less electricity and is easy to handle even in ordinary households and by a simple method.

Further, when the water softening device 10D uses the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 to perform the electrolysis treatment in the electrolytic cell 14, the water softening device 10A uses the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 to electrolyze in the electrolytic cell 14. It has the same effect as when the reproduction process is performed.

[Fifth Embodiment]
FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the water softening device according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the water softening device 10E (10), which is an example of the water softening device according to the fifth embodiment, includes a water softening tank 12, a reclaimed water supply unit 110E (110), and a scavenger supply. A unit 120E (120) and a reclaimed water preparation unit 130E (130) are provided. Further, the water softening device 10E further includes a carbon dioxide injection unit 86E (86).

The water softening device 10E according to the fifth embodiment uses the regenerated water used for the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin contained in the water softening tank 12. Water is passed through 12.

The water softening device 10E according to the fifth embodiment is used by the reclaimed water supply unit 110E, the scavenger supply unit 120E, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130E, as compared with the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same, except that they are.

Specifically, instead of the reclaimed water supply unit 110A, the scavenger supply unit 120A, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A of the water softening device 10A, in the water softening device 10E, the reclaimed water supply unit 110E and the scavenger supply, respectively. Unit 120E and reclaimed water preparation unit 130E are used. Therefore, the same components of the water softening device 10E and the water softening device 10A are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same configurations and their actions will be omitted.

(Raw water supply section for regeneration)
The reclaimed water supply unit 110E (110) is a unit that supplies the reclaimed water, which is a raw material for the reclaimed water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Specifically, the reclaimed water supply unit 110E of the water softening device 10E supplies the reclaimed water to the reclaimed water storage tank 72E (72) as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130E (130) (reclaimed water flow path). ) 44.

In the raw water flow path 44 for regeneration, hard water introduced from the flow path 19 for being introduced into the water softening tank 12 via the branch portion 94 and the flow path 43, or a flow discharged from the water softening tank 12 The soft water introduced through the

roads

22 and 42 circulates. Therefore, in the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10E using the raw water supply unit 110E for regeneration, hard water or soft water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

(Scavenger supply unit)
The scavenger supply unit 120E (120) is a unit that supplies the hardness component scavenger that captures the hardness component to the raw water for regeneration. Specifically, the scavenger supply unit 120E of the water softening device 10E is a chemical charging unit that charges the hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed water storage tank 72E as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130E (130).

(Reclaimed water preparation department)
The reclaimed water preparation unit 130E (130) is a unit that prepares reclaimed water by mixing raw water for regeneration and a hardness component scavenger. Specifically, the reclaimed water preparation unit 130E of the water softening device 10E is a reclaimed water storage tank 72E (72) for storing the reclaimed water. The reclaimed water flow path (reclaimed water flow path) 46 through which the reclaimed water discharged from the reclaimed water storage tank 72E flows is connected to the flow path 24 via the branch portion 98.

(Carbon dioxide injection part)
The carbon dioxide injection unit 86E (86) is a unit that injects carbon dioxide into the reclaimed raw water flow path 44 constituting the regenerated raw water supply unit 110E.

As the carbon dioxide to be injected, for example, gaseous carbon dioxide is used.

When the carbon dioxide to be injected is in the form of a gas, a known gas injection mechanism is used as the carbon dioxide injection unit 86F.

As described above, the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16 are not indispensable for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening apparatus 10E, but are preferably provided. Since the configurations of the electrolytic cell 14 and the treatment tank 16 are the same as those of the water softening device 10A, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Action)
The operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10E according to the fifth embodiment will be described. The description of the action of the water softening treatment will be omitted.

<Regeneration processing using raw water supply unit 110E for regeneration>
In the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10E using the raw water supply unit 110E for regeneration, hard water or soft water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

[Regeneration treatment using soft water as raw water for regeneration]
First, the soft water as the reclaimed water discharged from the water softening tank 12 to the flow path 22 via the branch portion 92 is supplied to the reclaimed water storage tank 72E as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130E via the flow path 42. It is introduced into the reclaimed water flow path 44 to be supplied. Next, carbon dioxide is injected from the carbon dioxide injection unit 86E into the soft water flowing through the reclaimed raw water flow path 44, and the carbon dioxide injected water is obtained in the reclaimed raw water flow path 44. The obtained carbon dioxide injected water is introduced into the reclaimed water storage tank 72E. In the reclaimed water storage tank 72E, the hardness component capturing agent is charged from the chemical charging section as the scavenger supply section 120E, and the carbon dioxide injected water and the hardness component capturing agent are mixed in the reclaimed water storage tank 72E. When the mixture in the reclaimed water storage tank 72E is sufficiently mixed, the reclaimed water containing the raw water for regeneration and the hardness component scavenger and used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is prepared in the reclaimed water storage tank 72E. NS.

[Regeneration treatment using hard water as raw water for regeneration]
First, hard water as reclaimed water that flows through the flow path 19 to be introduced into the water softening tank 12 passes through the branch portion 94, the flow path 43, and the branch portion 95, and the reclaimed water storage tank as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130E. It is introduced into the reclaimed water flow path 44 that supplies the reclaimed water to 72E. Next, carbon dioxide is injected from the carbon dioxide injection unit 86E into the hard water flowing through the reclaimed raw water flow path 44, and the carbon dioxide injected water is obtained in the reclaimed raw water flow path 44. The obtained carbon dioxide injected water is introduced into the reclaimed water storage tank 72E. Since the action after introducing the carbon dioxide-injected water into the reclaimed water storage tank 72E is the same as the action of the above-mentioned [reclaiming treatment using soft water as raw water for regeneration], the description thereof will be omitted.

<Regeneration treatment in which the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 are used and electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14>
The action of performing the regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10E is as follows: electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10A. Since the operation is the same as that in the case of performing the regeneration process, the description thereof will be omitted.

(effect)
According to the water softening device 10E according to the fourth embodiment, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin can be regenerated by using a chemical that consumes less electricity and is easy to handle even in ordinary households and by a simple method.

Further, when the water softening device 10E uses the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 to perform the regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14, the water softening device 10A uses the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 to electrolyze in the electrolytic cell 14. It has the same effect as when the reproduction process is performed.

[Sixth Embodiment]
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of the water softening device according to the sixth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the water softening device 10F (10), which is an example of the water softening device according to the sixth embodiment, includes a water softening tank 12, a reclaimed water supply unit 110F (110), and a scavenger supply. A unit 120F (120) and a reclaimed water preparation unit 130F (130) are provided. The water softening device 10F according to the sixth embodiment uses the regenerated water used for the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the regenerating treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin contained in the water softening tank 12. Water is passed through 12.

The water softening device 10F according to the sixth embodiment is used by the reclaimed water supply unit 110F, the scavenger supply unit 120F, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130F, as compared with the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment. The other configurations are the same, except that they are.

Specifically, instead of the reclaimed water supply unit 110A, the scavenger supply unit 120A, and the reclaimed water preparation unit 130A of the water softening device 10A, in the water softening device 10F, the reclaimed water supply unit 110F and the scavenger supply, respectively. Unit 120F and reclaimed water preparation unit 130F are used. Therefore, the same components of the water softening device 10F and the water softening device 10A are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description of the same configurations and their actions will be omitted.

(Raw water supply section for regeneration)
The reclaimed water supply unit 110F (110) is a unit that supplies the reclaimed water, which is a raw material for the reclaimed water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Specifically, the recycling raw water supply unit 110F of the water softening device 10F is a flow path (regeneration raw water distribution flow path) 44 for circulating the recycled raw water toward the softening tank 12.

roads

22 and 42 circulates.

(Scavenger supply unit)
The scavenger supply unit 120F (120) is a unit that supplies the hardness component scavenger that captures the hardness component to the raw water for regeneration. Specifically, the scavenger supply unit 120F of the water softening device 10F is a drug injection unit that injects the hardness component scavenger into the raw water flow path 44 for regeneration.

In the scavenger supply unit 120F, it is necessary to inject the hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed water flow path 24 and prepare the reclaimed water in the reclaimed water flow path 24. Therefore, as the hardness component scavenger used in the water softening device 10D, among the hardness component scavengers used in the water softening device 10A, those that are easily dissolved in the raw water for regeneration are used. As the hardness component scavenger that is easily dissolved in the raw water for regeneration, for example, the same agent as that of the water softening device 10B is used.

(Reclaimed water preparation department)
The reclaimed water preparation unit 130F (130) is a unit that prepares reclaimed water by mixing raw water for regeneration and a hardness component scavenger. Specifically, the reclaimed water preparation unit 130F of the water softening device 10F is a flow path (reclaimed water flow path) 44 for circulating the reclaimed water toward the soft water tank 12. The raw water flow path 44 for regeneration is connected to the flow path 24 via the branch portion 98.

(Carbon dioxide injection part)
The carbon dioxide injection unit 86F (86) is a unit that injects carbon dioxide into the reclaimed raw water flow path 44 constituting the regenerated raw water supply unit 110F. The carbon dioxide injection unit 86F injects carbon dioxide into a position of the raw water flow path 44 for regeneration that is upstream of the drug injection unit as the scavenger supply unit 120F during the regeneration process. There is.

As described above, the treatment tank 16 is not indispensable for the regeneration treatment for regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin of the water softening device 10F, but it is preferable to provide the treatment tank 16. Since the configuration of the treatment tank 16 is the same as that of the water softening device 10A, the description thereof will be omitted.

(Action)
The operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10F according to the fifth embodiment will be described. The description of the action of the water softening treatment will be omitted.

<Regeneration processing using raw water supply unit 110F for regeneration>
In the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10F using the raw water supply unit 110F for regeneration, hard water or soft water is used as the raw water for regeneration.

[Regeneration treatment using soft water as raw water for regeneration]
First, the soft water as the reclaimed water discharged from the water softening tank 12 to the flow path 22 via the branch portion 92 is introduced into the reclaimed water flow path 44 as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130F via the flow path 42. Will be done. Next, carbon dioxide is injected from the carbon dioxide injection unit 86F into the soft water flowing through the reclaimed raw water flow path 44, and the carbon dioxide injected water is obtained in the reclaimed raw water flow path 44. The obtained carbon dioxide-injected water further circulates in the raw water flow path 44 for regeneration. A hardness component capturing agent is injected into the carbon dioxide-injected water in the regenerating raw water flow path 44 from the chemical injection section as the scavenger supply section 120F, and the carbon dioxide-injected water and hardness in the regenerating raw water flow path 44. The component scavenger is mixed. When the mixture in the reclaimed water flow path 44 is sufficiently mixed, the reclaimed water flow path 44 contains the reclaimed water and the hardness component scavenger, and is used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. The reclaimed water used is prepared.
When the regenerated water is passed through the softening tank 12 during the regeneration treatment, the cations (hardness components) adsorbed on the weakly acidic cation exchange resin and the hardness component trapping agent in the regenerated water undergo an ion exchange reaction. As a result, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is regenerated.

[Regeneration treatment using hard water as raw water for regeneration]
First, the hard water as the reclaimed water that flows through the flow path 19 to be introduced into the water softening tank 12 passes through the branch portion 94, the flow path 43, and the branch portion 95, and the reclaimed water as the reclaimed water preparation unit 130F. It is introduced into the distribution channel 44. Next, carbon dioxide is injected from the carbon dioxide injection unit 86F into the hard water flowing through the reclaimed raw water flow path 44, and the carbon dioxide injected water is obtained in the reclaimed raw water flow path 44. The obtained carbon dioxide-injected water further circulates in the raw water flow path 44 for regeneration. A hardness component capturing agent is injected into the carbon dioxide-injected water in the regenerating raw water flow path 44 from the chemical injection section as the scavenger supply section 120F, and the carbon dioxide-injected water and hardness in the regenerating raw water flow path 44. The component scavenger is mixed. When the mixture in the reclaimed water flow path 44 is sufficiently mixed, the reclaimed water flow path 44 contains the reclaimed water and the hardness component scavenger, and is used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. The reclaimed water used is prepared.
When the regenerated water is passed through the softening tank 12 during the regeneration treatment, the cations (hardness components) adsorbed on the weakly acidic cation exchange resin and the hardness component trapping agent in the regenerated water undergo an ion exchange reaction. As a result, the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is regenerated.

<Regeneration treatment in which the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 are used and electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14>
The action of performing the regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10F is as follows: electrolysis in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16 in the water softening device 10A. Since the operation is the same as that in the case of performing the regeneration process, the description thereof will be omitted.

[Modified Examples of First to Sixth Embodiments]
As a modification of the first to sixth embodiments, a hardness component reaction product, which is a reaction product of a hardness component and alkaline electrolyzed water, is introduced from the treated water into the flow path 32 of the first to sixth embodiments. It is possible to provide a separation tank for separation.

(Separation tank)
The separation tank is provided in the flow path 32 between the treatment tank 16 and the electrolytic tank 14, and the hardness component reaction generation, which is a reaction product between the hardness component and the alkaline electrolyzed water, is generated from the treated water obtained in the treatment tank 16. It is a unit that separates things. When the separation tank is used in this way, the hardness component reaction product containing the hardness component is separated from the treated water, so that the concentration of the hardness component is usually higher than that of the treated water as compared with the case where the separation tank is not used. Low post-separation treated water is obtained. Since the treated water after separation has a lower concentration of hardness components than the treated water, when electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 14 using the treated water after separation, the third acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water having low concentrations of hardness components are produced. can get. When the third acidic electrolyzed water having a low concentration of the hardness component is passed through the water softening tank 12 as the first acidic electrolyzed water to regenerate the weakly acidic cation exchange resin, it is regenerated because the concentration of the hardness component is low. Higher efficiency.

The form of the separation tank does not matter as long as the hardness component reaction product can be separated from the treated water. As the separation tank, for example, a filtration layer using a granular filter medium, a cyclone type solid-liquid separator, a hollow fiber membrane, or the like is used.

When the separation tank is a filtration layer using a granular filter medium, the granular filter medium used for the filtration layer physically captures and removes at least the hardness component reaction product containing the hardness component. Further, it is preferable that the granular filter medium can remove particles having a surface potential that is adsorbed on the granular filter medium, particles having a particle diameter of about 1 to 10 μm, and the like, in addition to the hardness component reaction product.

As the form of the granular filter medium, for example, a filter medium having a form suitable for the object to be removed, such as filtered sand and pellet-shaped fiber filter medium, can be used. As the material of the granular filter medium, a material having a hardness that settles in water and is not easily deformed by pressure is used. As the material of such a granular filter medium, for example, sand, anthracite, garnet, ceramics, granular activated carbon, iron oxyhydroxide, manganese sand and the like are used. The particle size of the granular filter medium is preferably, for example, a particle size of 0.3 to 5.0 mm. The uniformity coefficient of the granular filter medium is preferably, for example, 1.2 to 2.0.

Further, it is preferable that the filtration layer using the granular filter medium has a structure to which the multi-layer filtration method can be applied. Here, the multi-layer filtration method is a filtration method in which a plurality of types of filter media having different specific densities are mixed and used. A filtration layer suitable for the multi-layer filtration method can be formed, for example, by laminating particles of different sizes in ascending order from the bottom. The filtration layer may be a multi-layered filtration layer by mixing particles having a large specific density and a small size and particles having a small specific density and a large size.

A multi-layered filtration layer suitable for a multi-layer filtration method has a higher filtration efficiency per unit volume than a filtration layer using a single type of filter medium, and on the other hand, it is possible to suppress the head loss to a low level. Therefore, it is preferable. Examples of the granular filter medium used for the multi-layered filtration layer include garnet having a particle size of 0.3 mm, sand having a particle size of 0.6 mm, and anthracite having a particle size of 1.0 mm in a ratio of 2: 1: 1. A mixture of volume ratios is used. In the granular filter medium used for the multi-layered filtration layer, it is preferable to adjust the mixing ratio and the particle size according to the particle characteristics of the turbid material.

The cyclone-type solid-liquid separator uses centrifugal force instead of gravity to separate the water containing the hardness component flowing out of the treatment tank 16 into hard water containing small-sized crystals and hard water containing large-sized crystals. It is a device for classifying and separating into. As the cyclone type solid-liquid separator, a known one can be used.

(Action)
The action of the regeneration process of the modified examples of the first to sixth embodiments is that the action of providing the separation tank is added to the action of the regeneration process of the first to sixth embodiments 10A to 10F. The action of providing the separation tank is that when the third acidic electrolyzed water having a low concentration of the hardness component is passed through the water softening tank 12 as the first acidic electrolyzed water to regenerate the weakly acidic cation exchange resin, the hardness Regeneration efficiency is high because the concentration of the component is low. Since the other actions are the same as the actions of the regeneration processing of the first to sixth embodiments 10A to 10F, the description thereof will be omitted.

(effect)
According to the modified examples of the first to sixth embodiments, at least the same effects as those of the first to sixth embodiments 10A to 10F are exhibited.

Further, in the modified examples of the first to sixth embodiments, since the separation tank can obtain the treated water after separation having a lower concentration of the hardness component than the treated water, the third acidic electrolyzed water having a lower concentration of the hardness component can be obtained. Water can be reused as the first acidic electrolyzed water. Therefore, according to the modified examples of the first to sixth embodiments, in the regeneration process of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16, from the first to sixth embodiments 10A to 10F. However, the regeneration efficiency when regenerating the weakly acidic cation exchange resin can be further improved.

<Regeneration method of water softener>
The water softening device regeneration methods according to the first to sixth embodiments use the water softening devices 10A to 10F according to the first to sixth embodiments described above, respectively, and the weakly acidic cations in the water softening tank 12 are used. This is a regeneration method in which the reclaimed water is passed through the softening tank 12 during the regeneration treatment of the exchange resin.

[First Embodiment]
The water softening device regeneration method according to the first embodiment is a regeneration method using the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment. In the water softening device regeneration method according to the first embodiment, the raw water for regeneration is soft water.

(Action)
Since the operation of the water softening device regeneration method according to the first embodiment is the same as the operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this method, the amount of the hardness component scavenger added to the soft water which is the raw water for regeneration is, for example, 0.1 mmol / l to 3.8 mol / l.

The content of the hardness component scavenger in the regenerated water in this method is, for example, 0.1 mmol / l to 3.8 mol / l, preferably 0.2 mmol / l to 1.0 mol / l. When the hardness component scavenger is citric acid, the content of citric acid in the regenerated water is, for example, 0.1 mmol / l to 3.8 mol / l, preferably 0.2 mmol / l to 1.0 mol / l. ..

(effect)
According to the method for regenerating the water softening device according to the first embodiment, the same effect as that of the water softening device 10A according to the first embodiment is obtained.

[Second Embodiment]
The water softening device regeneration method according to the second embodiment is a regeneration method using the water softening device 10B according to the second embodiment.
In the water softening device regeneration method according to the second embodiment, the raw water for regeneration is soft water.

(Action)
Since the operation of the water softening device regeneration method according to the second embodiment is the same as the operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10B according to the second embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(effect)
According to the method for regenerating the water softening device according to the second embodiment, the same effect as that of the water softening device 10B according to the second embodiment is obtained.
[Third Embodiment]
The water softening device regeneration method according to the third embodiment is a regeneration method using the water softening device 10C according to the third embodiment. In the water softening device regeneration method according to the third embodiment, the raw water for regeneration is hard water or acidic electrolyzed water.

(Action)
Since the operation of the water softening device regeneration method according to the third embodiment is the same as the operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10C according to the third embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Method of using hard water as raw water for regeneration)
In this method, hard water discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 is used as raw water for regeneration. Since the operation of this method is the same as the operation of <regeneration treatment using the raw water supply unit 110C for regeneration> of the water softening device 10C according to the third embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In this method, when the reclaimed water is prepared by increasing the amount of the hardness component scavenger added to the hard water as the reclaimed water as compared with the case where the reclaimed water is soft water, the hardness component in the hard water becomes a hardness component scavenger. This is preferable because the effect of being captured can be reduced. In this method, the amount of the hardness component scavenger added to the hard water which is the raw water for regeneration is, for example, 0.6 mmol / l to 3.8 mol / l.

The content of the hardness component scavenger in the regenerated water in this method is, for example, 0.6 mmol / l to 3.8 mol / l, preferably 0.7 mmol / l to 1.5 mol / l. When the hardness component scavenger is citric acid, the content of citric acid in the regenerated water is, for example, 0.6 mmol / l to 3.8 mol / l, preferably 0.7 mmol / l to 1.5 mol / l. ..

(Method of using acidic electrolyzed water as raw water for regeneration)
In this method, acidic electrolyzed water discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 is used as raw water for regeneration. Since the action of this method is the same as the action of <regeneration treatment of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16> of the water softening device 10C according to the third embodiment, a detailed description will be given. Omit.

It is preferable that the acidic electrolyzed water used as the raw water for regeneration is prepared by introducing high ion amount water having a larger ion amount than hard water into the electrolytic cell 14 because it is easy to prepare the acidic electrolyzed water. Here, high-ion water means water having a larger ion equivalent than hard water.

(effect)
According to the method for regenerating the water softening device according to the third embodiment, the same effect as that of the water softening device 10C according to the third embodiment is obtained.

[Fourth Embodiment]
The water softening device regeneration method according to the fourth embodiment is a regeneration method using the water softening device D according to the fourth embodiment. In the water softening device regeneration method according to the fourth embodiment, the raw water for regeneration is hard water or acidic electrolyzed water.

(Action)
Since the action of the water softening device regeneration method according to the fourth embodiment is the same as the action of the regeneration process of the water softening device D according to the fourth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Method of using hard water as raw water for regeneration)
In this method, hard water discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 is used as raw water for regeneration. Since the operation of this method is the same as the operation of <regeneration treatment using the raw water supply unit 110D for regeneration> of the water softening device 10D according to the fourth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Method of using acidic electrolyzed water as raw water for regeneration)
In this method, acidic electrolyzed water discharged from the electrolytic cell 14 is used as raw water for regeneration. Since the action of this method is the same as the action of <regeneration treatment of electrolyzing in the electrolytic cell 14 using the electrolytic cell 14 and the processing tank 16> of the water softening device 10D according to the fourth embodiment, a detailed description will be given. Omit.

(effect)
According to the method for regenerating the water softening device according to the fourth embodiment, the same effect as that of the water softening device 10D according to the fourth embodiment is obtained.

[Fifth Embodiment]
The water softening device regeneration method according to the fifth embodiment is a regeneration method using the water softening device E according to the fifth embodiment. In the water softening device regeneration method according to the fifth embodiment, the raw water for regeneration is soft water or hard water.

In the method for regenerating the water softening device according to the fifth embodiment, the chemical charging unit as the scavenger supply unit 120E is used in the carbon dioxide-injected water obtained by injecting carbon dioxide into the raw water for regeneration during the regeneration treatment. Add a hardness component scavenger.

(Action)
Since the operation of the water softening device regeneration method according to the fifth embodiment is the same as the operation of the regeneration treatment of the water softening device 10E according to the fifth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Method of using soft water as raw water for regeneration)
In this method, soft water flowing through the reclaimed raw water flow path 44 is used as the reclaimed raw water. Since the action of this method is the same as the action of [regeneration treatment using soft water as raw water for regeneration] of the water softening device 10E according to the fifth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Method of using hard water as raw water for regeneration)
In this method, hard water flowing through the reclaimed raw water flow path 44 is used as the reclaimed raw water. Since the action of this method is the same as the action of [regeneration treatment using hard water as raw water for regeneration] of the water softening device 10E according to the fifth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(effect)
According to the method for regenerating the water softening device according to the fifth embodiment, the same effect as that of the water softening device 10E according to the fifth embodiment is obtained.

[Sixth Embodiment]
The water softening device regeneration method according to the sixth embodiment is a regeneration method using the water softening device F according to the sixth embodiment. In the water softening device regeneration method according to the sixth embodiment, the raw water for regeneration is soft water or hard water.

In the water softening device regeneration method according to the sixth embodiment, the chemical injection unit as the scavenger supply unit 120F is used in the carbon dioxide injection water obtained by injecting carbon dioxide into the raw water for regeneration during the regeneration treatment. Add a hardness component scavenger.

(Action)
Since the action of the water softening device regeneration method according to the sixth embodiment is the same as the action of the regeneration process of the water softening device 10F according to the sixth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Method of using soft water as raw water for regeneration)
In this method, soft water flowing through the reclaimed raw water flow path 44 is used as the reclaimed raw water. Since the action of this method is the same as the action of [regeneration treatment using soft water as raw water for regeneration] of the water softening device 10F according to the sixth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(Method of using hard water as raw water for regeneration)
In this method, hard water flowing through the reclaimed raw water flow path 44 is used as the reclaimed raw water. Since the action of this method is the same as the action of [regeneration treatment using hard water as raw water for regeneration] of the water softening device 10F according to the sixth embodiment, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

(effect)
According to the method for regenerating the water softening device according to the sixth embodiment, the same effect as that of the water softening device 10F according to the sixth embodiment is obtained.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to Examples and Comparative Examples, but the embodiments are not limited to these Examples.

[Example 1]
A regeneration experiment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin was carried out by imitating the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin in the water softening tank 12 of the water softening apparatus 10A.

(Adsorption of hardness component ions to ion exchange resin)
Amberlite FPC3500 (manufactured by DuPont Co., Ltd.) was used as the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. After immersing FPC3500 in ultrapure water overnight, the column is filled with 15 mL, and Evian is passed through water at 15 mL / min for 80 minutes to allow the weakly acidic cation exchange resin to contain hardness component ions (Ca ²⁺ and Mg). ²⁺ ) was adsorbed. The amount of hardness component ions adsorbed at this time was 3.8 mmol.

(Preparation of reclaimed water)
As the reclaimed water, reclaimed water adjusted to pH 2.0 (reclaimed water 1) and pH 2.5 (reclaimed water 2) was prepared using citric acid as a hardness component scavenger. In addition, reclaimed water adjusted to pH 2.0 (reclaimed water 3) and pH 2.5 (reclaimed water 4) was prepared using HCl as a pH lowering agent. In this way, four types of reclaimed water 1 to 4 were prepared.

(Reproduction process)
Using the weakly acidic cation exchange resin on which the above-mentioned hardness component ions were adsorbed, each reclaimed water was reclaimed by one-pass water flow. The amount of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin was 15 mL, and the flow rate of each reclaimed water was 15 mL / min.

(result)
FIG. 9 is a graph showing the pH of the reclaimed water obtained after the reclaimed water is passed through a weakly acidic cation exchange resin and reclaimed. Experiments using reclaimed water 1 to 4 were designated as Experimental Examples 1 to 4, respectively, and the reclaimed water obtained in Experimental Examples 1 to 4 was designated as post-reclaimed water 1 to 4, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 9, each graph of the reclaimed water 1 to 4 has a pH that decreases as the one-pass water flow time increases, and finally matches the pH of the reclaimed water 1 to 4. This is due to the following reasons.

That is, when the weakly acidic cation exchange resin is regenerated, the H ⁺ in the regenerated water and the hardness component ions adsorbed on the weakly acidic cation exchange resin exchange ions, and the H ⁺ in the regenerated water becomes Will be consumed. Therefore, when the reclaimed water is performed, the pH of the reclaimed water rises as compared with the reclaimed water. On the other hand, when the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin by ion exchange is completed, H ^{+ in} the reclaimed water is not consumed, so that the pH of the reclaimed water does not change with respect to the pH of the reclaimed water. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the pH of the reclaimed water 1 to 4 decreases as the one-pass water flow time increases, and finally matches the pH of the reclaimed water 1 to 4.

From FIG. 9, it was found that the time required for the pH of Experimental Examples 1 and 2 using citric acid to return to the pH of the reclaimed water was shorter than that of Experimental Examples 3 and 4 using HCl. Since the time until this pH returns to the pH of the regenerated water is the regeneration time of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin, Experimental Examples 1 and 2 using citric acid are compared with Experimental Examples 3 and 4 using HCl. It turned out that the playback time was short.

This is because the hardness component ions desorbed from the weakly acidic cation exchange resin by the regeneration treatment are captured by the carboxy group of the citric acid and do not reattach to the weakly acidic cation exchange resin. Is presumed to have become shorter.

The water softening device and the water softening device regeneration method according to the above embodiment can be applied to a place-installed water purifier (POU) and a building entrance-installed water purifier (POE).

The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-067309 (application date: April 3, 2020) are incorporated here.

Although the present embodiment has been described above, the present embodiment is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the gist of the present embodiment.

According to the present disclosure, a water softening device and a water softening device regeneration method capable of regenerating a weakly acidic cation exchange resin by a simple method using a chemical that consumes less electricity and is easy to handle even in ordinary households. Can be provided.

10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, 10E, 10F Water softening device 12 Water softening tank 14 Electrolytic cell 16 Treatment tank 24 Flow path (raw water flow path for regeneration)
25 channels (reclaimed water distribution channels)
38 Water supply channel 42 Channel (raw water flow channel for regeneration)
44 Channel (raw water distribution channel for regeneration)
46 Channels (reclaimed water flow path, reclaimed water flow channel)
72 Reclaimed water storage tank 74 Reclaimed

water storage tank

86, 86E, 86F Carbon

dioxide injection unit

92, 94, 95, 96, 98

Branch part

110, 110A, 110B, 110C, 110D, 110E, 110F Reclaimed water supply unit 120 Scavenger

Agent supply unit

120A, 120C, 120E Agent input unit (scavenger supply unit)
120B, 120D, 120F Drug injection section (scavenger supply section)
130, 130A, 130B, 130C, 130D, 130E, 130F Reclaimed water preparation department

Claims

A water softening tank that softens hard water containing a hardness component with a weakly acidic cation exchange resin,
A reclaimed water supply unit that supplies reclaimed water, which is a raw material for reclaimed water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin, and a reclaimed water supply unit.
A scavenger supply unit that supplies a hardness component scavenger that captures the hardness component to the raw water for regeneration.
A reclaimed water preparation unit that prepares the reclaimed water by mixing the reclaimed water and the hardness component scavenger.
With
A water softening device that allows the reclaimed water to pass through the water softening tank during the reclaiming process.
The reclaimed water preparation unit is a reclaimed water storage tank for storing the reclaimed water.
The reclaimed water supply unit is a reclaimed water flow path for supplying the reclaimed water to the reclaimed water storage tank.
The water softening device according to claim 1, wherein the scavenger supply unit is a chemical charging unit for charging the hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed water storage tank.
The water softening device according to claim 2, further comprising an electrolytic cell that generates acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water and discharges the acidic electrolyzed water as the raw water for regeneration.
The water softening device according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a carbon dioxide injection unit that injects carbon dioxide into the raw water flow path for regeneration.
The reclaimed raw water supply unit is a reclaimed raw water storage tank for storing the regenerated raw water.
The scavenger supply unit is a chemical injection unit that injects the hardness component scavenger into the regenerative raw water flow path through which the regenerated raw water discharged from the regenerated raw water storage tank flows.
The water softening device according to claim 1, wherein the reclaimed water preparation unit is the reclaimed water flow path.
The reclaimed raw water supply unit is a reclaimed raw water distribution channel for circulating the regenerated raw water toward the softening tank.
The scavenger supply unit is a drug injection unit that injects the hardness component scavenger into the raw water flow path for regeneration.
The water softening device according to claim 1, wherein the reclaimed water preparation unit is the reclaimed water flow path.
The water softening device according to claim 6, wherein the regenerating raw water supply unit further includes an electrolytic cell that generates acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water and discharges the acidic electrolyzed water as the regenerating raw water.
The water softening according to claim 6, further comprising a carbon dioxide injection section for injecting carbon dioxide at a position upstream of the drug injection section during the regeneration treatment in the raw water flow path for regeneration. Device.
The hardness component capturing agent is a group consisting of citric acid, gluconic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, benzoic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, and maleic acid. The water softening apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is one or more selected from the above.
A water softening tank that softens hard water containing a hardness component with a weakly acidic cation exchange resin,
A reclaimed water supply unit that supplies reclaimed water, which is a raw material for reclaimed water used for the regeneration treatment of the weakly acidic cation exchange resin, and a reclaimed water supply unit.
A scavenger supply unit that supplies a hardness component scavenger that captures the hardness component to the raw water for regeneration.
A reclaimed water preparation unit that prepares the reclaimed water by mixing the reclaimed water and the hardness component scavenger.
Using a water softening device equipped with
A method for reclaiming a water softening device, in which the reclaimed water is passed through the softening tank during the reclaiming process.
The reclaimed water preparation unit is a reclaimed water storage tank for storing the reclaimed water.
The reclaimed water supply unit is a reclaimed water flow path for supplying the reclaimed water to the reclaimed water storage tank.
The scavenger supply unit is a drug charging unit that charges the hardness component scavenger into the reclaimed water storage tank.
The method for regenerating a water softener according to claim 10, wherein the raw water for regeneration is soft water.
The raw water supply unit for regeneration uses a water softening device further provided with an electrolytic cell that generates acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water and discharges the acidic electrolyzed water as the raw water for regeneration.
The raw water for regeneration is acidic electrolyzed water discharged from the electrolytic cell.
The method for regenerating a water softening device according to claim 11, wherein the acidic electrolyzed water is prepared by introducing high ion amount water having a larger ion amount than the hard water into the electrolytic cell.
The raw water supply unit for regeneration uses a water softening device further provided with an electrolytic cell that generates acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water and discharges the acidic electrolyzed water as the raw water for regeneration.
The raw water for regeneration is hard water discharged from the electrolytic cell.
The method for reclaiming a water softener according to claim 11, wherein the reclaimed water is prepared by increasing the amount of the hardness component scavenger added to the hard water as the reclaimed water as compared with the case where the reclaimed water is soft water. ..
Using a water softening device further provided with a carbon dioxide injection unit that injects carbon dioxide into the raw water flow path for regeneration.
The raw water for regeneration is soft water or hard water.
The water softening device according to claim 11, wherein the chemical charging unit charges the hardness component scavenger into the carbon dioxide injected water obtained by injecting carbon dioxide into the raw water for regeneration during the regeneration treatment. Playback method.
The reclaimed raw water supply unit is a reclaimed raw water storage tank for storing the regenerated raw water.
The scavenger supply unit is a chemical injection unit that injects the hardness component scavenger into the regenerative raw water flow path through which the regenerated raw water discharged from the regenerated raw water storage tank flows.
The reclaimed water preparation unit is the reclaimed water flow path.
The method for regenerating a water softener according to claim 10, wherein the raw water for regeneration is soft water.
The reclaimed raw water supply unit is a reclaimed raw water distribution channel for circulating the regenerated raw water toward the softening tank.
The scavenger supply unit is a drug injection unit that injects the hardness component scavenger into the raw water flow path for regeneration.
The reclaimed water preparation unit is the reclaimed water flow path.
The method for regenerating a water softener according to claim 10, wherein the raw water for regeneration is hard water or acidic electrolyzed water.
The raw water supply unit for regeneration uses a water softening device further provided with an electrolytic cell that generates acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water and discharges the acidic electrolyzed water as the raw water for regeneration.
The raw water for regeneration is acidic electrolyzed water discharged from the electrolytic cell.
The method for regenerating a water softening device according to claim 16, wherein the acidic electrolyzed water is prepared by introducing high ion amount water having a larger ion amount than the hard water into the electrolytic cell.
The raw water supply unit for regeneration uses a water softening device further provided with an electrolytic cell that generates acidic electrolyzed water and alkaline electrolyzed water and discharges the acidic electrolyzed water as the raw water for regeneration.
The raw water for regeneration is hard water discharged without being electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell.
The method for reclaiming a water softener according to claim 16, wherein the reclaimed water is prepared by increasing the amount of the hardness component scavenger added to the hard water as the reclaimed water as compared with the case where the reclaimed water is soft water. ..
A water softening device further provided with a carbon dioxide injection section for injecting carbon dioxide at a position upstream of the drug injection section during the regeneration process in the raw water flow path for regeneration was used.
The raw water for regeneration is soft water or hard water.
The water softening apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the chemical injection unit adds the hardness component scavenger to the carbon dioxide injection water obtained by injecting carbon dioxide into the raw water for regeneration during the regeneration treatment. Playback method.
The hardness component capturing agent is a group consisting of citric acid, gluconic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, lactic acid, malic acid, benzoic acid, succinic acid, fumaric acid, and maleic acid. The method for regenerating a water softener according to any one of claims 10 to 19, which is one or more selected from the above.