JP2778461B2 - Water softener regeneration control method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a regeneration control method and apparatus for a water softener for ion-exchanging raw water containing hardness into soft water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As is well known, a water softener obtains softened water by removing hardness contained in raw water.
Generally, an ion exchange resin is used. In such a water softener, the total removal amount of the hardness is a certain amount determined by the type and amount of the ion exchange resin (generally, this amount is referred to as resin capacity). Therefore,
If the water softening treatment is continued with the water softener, the hardness cannot be finally removed. Therefore, before that, it is necessary to recover the resin capacity by applying salt water (generally referred to as regeneration). is there. In addition, during the period up to the regeneration operation, the total amount of the hardness removed by the water softener is estimated from the usage period or the integrated amount of raw water flow, and the estimated value is set to be equal to or less than the resin capacity. .

In recent years, automatic water softeners configured to alternately repeat the water softening treatment of the raw water and the regeneration treatment of the ion exchange resin as described above have been frequently used. , A processing container containing an ion exchange resin, a control valve for automatically switching a flow path for water softening treatment and regeneration treatment, and a salt water tank for storing salt water for ion exchange resin regeneration are provided.

[0004] At the time of regeneration, the control valve switches and connects to the flow path at the time of regeneration, and the salt water for regeneration is introduced from the salt water tank into the processing vessel. In addition, this type of water softener has a water replenishment step for producing salt water used for the next regeneration. In this step, raw water is supplied to a predetermined water level in the salt water tank (water replenishment), and Salt water is made by dissolving a large amount of salt for regeneration. By the way, in this type of water softener, the control of the amount of salt water introduced and the amount of water replenishment are performed by incorporating a timer function into the control valve and performing the salt water introducing operation and the water replenishing operation for a predetermined period of time respectively. Generally, the amount of salt water introduced and the amount of water replenishment are controlled by providing a water level detector in the tank.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional water softener, on the assumption that the salt water used for regeneration has a substantially saturated concentration, a predetermined amount of this salt water is allowed to act on the resin. I have. That is, in such a water softener, a large amount of regenerating salt is put into a salt water tank, and the salt is replenished in the salt water tank to dissolve the salt for regenerating until the next regenerating treatment, and the saturation concentration is reduced. The salt water is getting close to. Note that the salt water concentration at this time is obtained by dissolving the salt water diluted after the replenishment of the raw water with a large amount of salt previously charged in the salt water tank at room temperature, and until the next regeneration. During this time, since it is obtained by dissolving when left standing, it does not have a saturated concentration, but usually has a concentration of 20% by weight or more. In addition, salt water having such a concentration may be introduced directly into the treatment vessel.However, in a general water softener, this salt water is sucked by the fluid pressure of the raw water using an ejector, and the salt water is introduced together with the raw water. Therefore, the concentration of the salt water actually flowing into the processing vessel is diluted, but the concentration of the salt water at this time is 10% by weight.
It is preferable to secure the above.

However, when the amount of input salt is insufficient,
When the regenerated salt at the time of introduction dissolves so as to form a cavity inside while maintaining the outer shape, and when a so-called salt bridge is formed, it depends on the residual amount of regenerated salt, temperature, tank shape (size and shape) When the salt dissolution rate fluctuates, the salt water concentration does not reach such a concentration, and therefore, the salt water is introduced for a certain period of time as described above, or the salt water is reduced by a predetermined water level drop in the salt water tank. In the regeneration method in which a certain amount of salt water is applied, such as supply, the resin capacity is poorly regenerated, and the regeneration process is terminated without completely regenerating the capacity, and a steady water flow process is performed. Then, before the next regeneration time arrives, the resin capacity is saturated, and there is a problem that the hardness leaks to the equipment used on the downstream side.

[0007] That is, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to control the amount of salt water introduced into the processing vessel for regeneration of the ion exchange resin. An object of the present invention is to provide a water softener regeneration control method and apparatus capable of controlling the introduction amount and constantly applying a certain salt required for regeneration to a resin to ensure reliable regeneration and prevent waste of salt.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. As a control method, the raw water is passed through a processing vessel containing an ion-exchange resin. In the regeneration control method of the water softener of the type in which the hardness component is removed and when the capacity of the ion exchange resin is reduced, the salt water in the salt water tank is introduced into the processing vessel to regenerate the capacity of the ion exchange resin and the salt water is introduced. , Detecting the concentration of the salt water, detecting the flow rate of the salt water from the salt water tank to the treatment vessel, and comparing these detection signals with a predetermined amount of the salt required for the regeneration to obtain the amount of the salt water required for the regeneration. Is calculated by arithmetic processing, and the salt water introduction state is maintained until the salt water amount is reached.

The control device includes a processing vessel filled with ion exchange resin, a salt water tank containing salt water for regenerating the ion exchange resin, a raw water line to the processing vessel, and a A regeneration control device for a water softener comprising a soft water line, a drain line from the processing vessel, and a control valve for switching a salt water line between the processing vessel and the salt water tank for each processing step. Providing a salt water concentration sensor in the salt water tank,
By installing a flow detector in the system of the salt water line, by comparing the concentration detection signal from the salt water concentration sensor and the flow detection signal from the flow detector with a predetermined amount of salt required for regeneration, A control device for determining the amount of salt water required for regeneration by arithmetic processing and outputting a control signal to the control valve for maintaining the control valve in a salt water introduction state until the amount of salt water is reached is obtained. It is.

[0010]

According to the regeneration control method of the water softener according to the present invention, the concentration of the salt water in the salt water tank is detected, and the flow rate of the salt water from the salt water tank to the processing vessel is detected. The amount of salt water required for regeneration is determined by arithmetic processing by comparing the required amount of salt with a predetermined position,
Until this amount of salt water is reached, by maintaining the water softener in the salt water introduction state, regardless of the salt water concentration in the salt water tank,
A certain amount of salt required for regeneration is always applied to the resin to ensure the regeneration of the resin.

Further, according to the control device of the present invention,
The saltwater concentration sensor provided in the saltwater tank detects the saltwater concentration in the saltwater tank, and the flow rate detector provided in the system of the saltwater line detects the flow rate of the saltwater, and these detection signals are sent to the control device. input. The control device calculates the amount of salt water required for regeneration by comparing the concentration detection signal from the salt water concentration sensor, the flow rate detection signal from the flow rate detector, and a predetermined value of the amount of salt required for resin regeneration. Determined by processing. Then, the control device outputs a control signal for maintaining the salt water introduction state to the control valve until the salt water amount as a result of the arithmetic processing is reached, regardless of the salt water concentration in the salt water tank. ,
A certain amount of salt required for regeneration is always applied to the resin to ensure the regeneration of the resin.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the normal water softening operation of the water softener, and the configuration relating to the regeneration operation are omitted, and only the basic configuration necessary for describing the present invention is illustrated. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing one embodiment.

In FIG. 1, a water softener (10) provided with a regeneration control device according to the present invention comprises a processing vessel (11) containing an ion exchange resin, and a water softening operation of the water softener (10). A control valve (12) for switching regeneration operation, a salt water tank (13) storing salt water for regeneration, and a signal from various detectors as described later and a built-in timer set the control valve to a predetermined operation state. Control device to switch to (20)
And

In this embodiment, the control valve (12) is mounted on the upper part of the processing vessel (11), and the control device (20) controls each flow path inside the water softener (10) and the water softener (10). ), A raw water line (1) for supplying raw water to a water softener, a treated water line (2) for supplying a treated liquid after water softening to a subsequent demand point, and a salt water. Tank (1
The water softener is extended from 3) and selectively switches between a salt water line (14) for introducing and replenishing salt water and a drain discharge line (3) for draining water from the processing vessel during regeneration.
It is configured to switch between the water softening treatment operation and the regeneration operation of (10). Also, in this control valve (12),
An ejector (not shown) for introducing the salt water in the salt water tank (13) into the processing vessel (11) at the time of regeneration is incorporated. This ejector uses the fluid pressure of the raw water from the raw water line (1) to suck the salt water in the salt water tank (13) through the salt water line (14) as described above. Flows into the treatment vessel (11) together with the raw water. After regenerating the resin capacity in the processing vessel (11), the drain discharge line
(3) is discharged out of the system. Also, during rehydration,
By the switching operation of the flow path by the control valve (12),
Raw water from the raw water line (1) flows into the salt water tank (13) via the salt water line (14).

The inside of the salt water tank (13) is partitioned by a partition member (15) capable of holding a salt for regeneration (S) without obstructing the flow of water such as a net or a perforated plate. Element
(15) Supply the regenerating salt (generally in the form of lumps of an appropriate size) (S) on the top. The regenerating salt (S) supplied in a state of being held on the partition member (15) is supplied with raw water via the salt water line (14) after regeneration of the ion exchange resin. ) Resolves in raw water by replenishing water to a higher level, and produces salt water of specified concentration. The salt water tank (13) is provided with a salt water concentration detector (21) for detecting the concentration of salt water, and the concentration detector (21) detects the concentration of salt water and detects the detected value. Output to the control device (20). Further, a flow rate detector (22) for detecting a flow rate of the salt water is provided in a salt water line (14) between the salt water tank (13) and the processing vessel (11).
(22) detects the flow rate of the salt water and outputs the detected value to the control device (2
Output to 0).

According to the present invention, when the salt water is introduced into the treatment vessel (11), the concentration of the salt water in the salt water tank (13) is detected, and the salt water is introduced from the salt water tank (13).
The amount of salt water required for regeneration is calculated by calculating the flow rate of salt water to (11) and comparing these detection signals with a predetermined value of the amount of salt required for regeneration. (11) The amount of salt water necessary for the regeneration of the ion exchange resin in (11) is obtained by arithmetic processing, and the salt water introduction time is controlled based on the amount of salt water.
(20) has the following arithmetic processing functions.

That is, the control device (20) receives the concentration of the salt water in the salt water tank (13) as a detection signal from the concentration detector (21), and receives the salt water from the salt water tank (13). Received as a detection signal from the flow rate detector (22) the flow rate of the salt water introduced toward the processing vessel (11) via 14),
By comparing these detection signals and a predetermined value of the amount of salt necessary for the regeneration of the capacity of the resin, the amount of salt water required for the regeneration of the ion exchange resin in the processing vessel (11) is obtained by arithmetic processing,
Until the amount of salt water is reached, a control signal for maintaining the salt water introduction state is output to the control valve (12). Alternatively, the control device (20) compares the concentration detection signal of the salt water from the concentration detector (21) with a predetermined value of the amount of salt required for regenerating the capacity of the resin, and calculates and processes the required amount of salt water. The salt water introduction time is determined by arithmetic processing from the salt water amount and the salt water flow rate detection signal from the flow rate detector (22), and the determined introduction time is output to the control valve (12) as a control signal. May be configured.

After receiving the control signal from the control device (20), the control valve (12) maintains the salt water introduction operation and introduces a required amount of salt water into the processing vessel (11).
This salt water introduction operation is completed, and the next operation, for example, a washing operation for introducing raw water and discharging excess salt water from the drain discharge line (3), and further, a raw water is supplied to the salt water tank via the salt water line (14). The operation shifts to the water replenishment operation for supplying water.

[0019] The control unit (20), in addition to that control to above,
As is well known, various detectors such as a flow rate detector for detecting the flow rate of raw water (or treated water) and a pressure detector (17) for detecting the supply pressure of raw water From the water conditioner operating conditions from the control valve (12)
Is switched to a predetermined operation state (switching between water softening processing and regeneration operation, etc.), and various operation states of the water softener (such as the above-described water softening processing and regeneration operation) are set by a set value of a built-in timer (not shown). Is performed for a predetermined time.

In the above description, the arithmetic processing in the control device (20) is based on the assumption that the salt water concentration and the flow rate of the salt water do not change during the salt water introducing operation. In the case where there is a high possibility that the fluctuation will occur, especially under the situation where the fluctuation width is large, the following control may be performed. That is, the controller (20) compares the concentration detection signal of the salt water from the concentration detector (21) with a predetermined value of the amount of salt necessary for the regeneration of the capacity of the resin, and performs an arithmetic processing to obtain the required salt water. The amount of salt water is further compared with the integrated value of the salt water flow rate by the flow rate detector (22), and the control valve (12) is brought into the salt water introducing state until the salt water amount and the integrated value match. By outputting a control signal to the control valve (12) in order to keep the amount of salt, even if the flow rate of salt water fluctuates during the salt water introducing operation, a predetermined amount of salt always acts on the resin. Becomes possible. Further, the control device (20),
From the concentration detection signal of the salt water from the concentration detector (21) and the flow rate of the salt water by the flow rate detector (22), the supply amount of the salt itself per hour is obtained by arithmetic processing, and the integrated value of the supply amount of the salt is calculated. And the control valve (12) is introduced with salt water until the integrated value of the supplied amount of the salt and the predetermined value of the required amount of salt coincide with each other. By outputting a control signal to the control valve (12) so as to maintain the state, even if the concentration and flow rate of the salt water fluctuate during the salt water introducing operation, a predetermined amount of salt is always applied to the resin. Can be acted upon. Further, in the control during the water replenishment operation, the controller (20) monitors the water replenishment flow rate based on a flow rate detection signal from a flow rate detector (22) provided in the salt water line (14), and introduces the aforementioned salt water introduction. By controlling the control valve (12) so as to replenish water in an amount corresponding to the amount of salt water used in the operation, the water level in the salt water tank (13) can be kept constant.

In the illustrated embodiment, a pressure detector (17) for detecting the supply pressure of raw water is provided in the raw water line (1), and this detection signal is output to the control device (20). It is configured as follows. The pressure detector (17) employs an ejector in which the water softener (10) of this embodiment sucks salt water using the fluid pressure of the raw water with respect to the suction of the salt water. Since it cannot be introduced, to determine whether the raw water pressure is the minimum required pressure, and to correct the detection value of the flow rate by detecting the supply pressure of raw water (22) It is provided. When the raw water pressure is equal to or lower than the required pressure, the control device (20) is configured not to shift to the regenerating operation, to be in a standby state for waiting for the recovery of the raw water pressure, and to be notified of this state. Is preferred.

Further, in the illustrated embodiment, the control device
Although the arithmetic processing function is incorporated in (20), the arithmetic processing function related to the regeneration control is controlled by a separately provided arithmetic processor to set the salt water introduction time and the water replenishment time set value by the control device (20). In this case, the control valve is configured to be controlled directly or indirectly via the control device (20) based on the calculation processing result. In the case of such a configuration, the function of the present invention can be easily added to a conventional existing water softener, and the effect can be enjoyed.

[0023]

The present invention has the above configuration,
By monitoring the salt water concentration in the salt water tank and the flow rate of the salt water from the salt water tank to the processing vessel, the ion exchange resin can be regenerated without being affected by the salt water concentration in the salt water tank and fluctuations in the salt water flow rate. Since the required amount of salt water can be reliably introduced, the resin capacity can be completely regenerated. Therefore, since it is possible to reliably prevent the regeneration of the water softener from occurring, it is possible to reliably prevent the leakage of the hardness to the downstream side, and it is possible to control the regeneration of the water softener with extremely high safety. The soft water can be supplied stably to the side, and it is not necessary to discharge a large amount of salt water unnecessarily, so that waste of the salt for regeneration can be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (1) Raw water line (2) Treated water line (3) Drain discharge line (10) Water softener (11) Treatment vessel (12) Control valve (13) Brine tank (14) Brine line (20) Controller (21) Concentration detector (salt water concentration detector) (22) Flow rate detector

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kenichiro Takematsu 7th Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Miura Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hideaki Tomozawa 7th Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Miura Industrial ( 72) Inventor Hidetoshi Mizogaki 7th Horie-cho, Matsuyama-shi, Ehime Pref. Miura Industrial Co., Ltd. Examiner Yoshihisa Seki (56) References JP-A-63-300950 (JP, A) JP 4-9091 (JP) , B2) Jikgyo 4-20555 (JP, Y2) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) B01J 49/00 C02F 1/42

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A processing container (11) containing an ion exchange resin.
Hard water in the raw water is removed by passing the raw water through the tank, and when the capacity of the ion exchange resin is reduced, the salt water tank (13)
Regeneration control of water softener that introduces salt water into the treatment vessel (11) to regenerate the capacity of ion exchange resin
In the control method , the concentration of the salt water is detected, the flow rate of the salt water from the salt water tank (13) to the treatment vessel (11) is detected, and these detection signals are compared with a predetermined value of the amount of salt required for regeneration. A method for controlling the regeneration of the water softener, wherein the amount of salt water required for regeneration is determined by arithmetic processing, and the salt water introduction state is maintained until the amount of salt water is reached. 2. A processing container (11) filled with an ion exchange resin.
And a salt water tank (13) containing salt water for regenerating the ion exchange resin, and a raw water line (1) to the treatment vessel (11),
A treated water line (2) from the treatment vessel (11), a drain discharge line (3) from the treatment vessel (11), and a salt water line between the treatment vessel (11) and the salt water tank (13) (14) in a regeneration control device for a water softener comprising a control valve (12) for switching each processing step.
A salt water concentration detector (21) is installed in 3), and a salt water line (1) is installed.
A flow rate detector (22) is installed in the system of 4), and a salt necessary for regeneration of a concentration detection signal from the salt water concentration detector (21) and a flow rate detection signal from the flow rate detector (22). The amount of salt water required for regeneration is obtained by arithmetic processing by comparing the amount of salt water with a predetermined value, and a control signal for maintaining the control valve in the salt water introduction state until the amount of salt water is reached is output to the control valve (12). A regeneration control device for a water softener, comprising: a control device (20) for performing water regeneration.