Water treatment device

Abstract

To achieve a water treatment device capable of effectively using concentrated water which is a residue of electrolytic water after reverse osmotic membrane treatment.SOLUTION: A water treatment device 10 includes: an electrolytic device 30; a raw water supply passage 20A for supplying raw water 2 to a cathode chamber 36; an electrolytic water supply passage 34A connected to the cathode chamber 36 for causing electrolytic water 3 generated by the electrolytic device 30 to flow out; a reverse osmotic membrane treatment device 40 connected to the electrolytic water supply passage 34A for generating reverse osmotic electrolytic water 5 by subjecting the electrolytic water 3 supplied by the electrolytic water supply passage 34A to reverse osmotic membrane treatment; and a control unit 55 for controlling a water treatment operation in the electrolytic device 30 and the reverse osmotic membrane treatment device 40. A concentrated water discharge passage 43 for discharging concentrated water 6 which is a residue of reverse osmotic electrolytic water 5 in the reverse osmotic membrane treatment is connected to the reverse osmotic membrane treatment device 40, and the concentrated water discharge passage 43 is connected to an anode chamber 37 so as to supply the concentrated water 6 to the anode chamber 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, it has been known that oxidative stress occurs in dialysis patients during hemodialysis. This is thought to be caused by active oxygen generated during dialysis, and it has been proposed to reduce oxidative stress by eliminating this active oxygen.

[0003] Based on such knowledge, a method has been proposed for producing dialysis water (dissolved hydrogen water) in which a high concentration of hydrogen is dissolved, for example, by dissolving hydrogen in water (hereinafter referred to as "reverse osmosis water") that has been treated and purified with a reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane). When dialysis fluid with dissolved hydrogen is used for hemodialysis, hydrogen reacts with hydroxyl radicals in the body, and oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions can be suppressed. Therefore, a dialysis fluid preparation water producing apparatus that produces such dialysis fluid containing hydrogen is used (for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, the dialysis fluid preparation water producing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device is connected to an electrolytic water generating apparatus. The dialysis fluid preparation water producing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 produces dialysis fluid by performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment on reduced electrolytic water (dissolved hydrogen water) produced by an electrolytic water generating apparatus. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5153905 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Incidentally, in a dialysis solution preparation water producing apparatus as described in Patent Document 1, concentrated water (reduced electrolyzed water) as a residue in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment is discarded without being utilized. However, as described above, if the amount of discarded concentrated water increases, the amount of raw water before treatment also increases, resulting in a problem of increased costs related to water treatment. Therefore, there is a demand for effective reuse of concentrated water.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a water treatment device that can effectively utilize concentrated water, which is a residue generated after electrolytic water is treated with a reverse osmosis membrane. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The water treatment device of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises an electrolysis device having an anode, a cathode, an anode chamber including the anode, and a cathode chamber including the cathode, a raw water supply channel connected to the cathode chamber and supplying raw water to the cathode chamber, an electrolyzed water supply channel connected to the cathode chamber and discharging electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis by the electrolysis device, a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device connected to the electrolyzed water supply channel and generating reverse osmosis electrolyzed water by performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the electrolyzed water supplied by the electrolyzed water supply channel, and a control unit that controls water treatment operation in the electrolysis device and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, wherein a concentrated water discharge channel is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device and discharges concentrated water as a residue of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment, and the concentrated water discharge channel is directly or indirectly connected to the anode chamber so that the concentrated water can be supplied to the anode chamber.

[0008] (2) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a pressure reducing section is provided in the concentrated water discharge passage, and the pressure reducing section reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water.

[0009] (3) The water treatment device provided to solve the above-mentioned problems comprises an electrolysis device having an anode, a cathode, an anode chamber including the anode, and a cathode chamber including the cathode; a raw water supply channel for supplying raw water; a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device connected to the raw water supply channel downstream in the raw water supply direction, which generates reverse osmosis water by performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the raw water and supplies the reverse osmosis water to the cathode chamber; an electrolyzed water supply channel connected to the cathode chamber, which discharges the electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis by the electrolysis device; and a control unit for controlling water treatment operation in the electrolysis device and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, wherein a concentrated water discharge channel is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, and the concentrated water discharge channel is directly or indirectly connected to the anode chamber so that the concentrated water can be supplied to the anode chamber.

[0010] (4) In the water treatment device of the present invention described above, a pressure reducing section may be provided in the concentrated water discharge passage, and the pressure reducing section may reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water.

[0011] (5) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that the raw water supply channel downstream in the supply direction of the raw water is branched into a first branch channel and a second branch channel, one end of the first branch channel is connected to the anode chamber and the concentrated water discharge channel is connected to it at a connection point located midway, one end of the second branch channel is connected to the cathode chamber, a first opening / closing valve is disposed at the branch point between the first branch channel and the second branch channel or between the branch point and the connection point, a flow meter is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel, and the control unit controls the opening and closing of the first opening / closing valve based on the flow rate of the concentrated water detected by the flow meter.

[0012] (6) In the water treatment device of the present invention described above, the downstream side of the flow direction of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device is branched into a first branch path and a second branch path, one end of the first branch path is connected to the anode chamber and the concentrated water discharge path is connected to it at a connection point located midway, one end of the second branch path is connected to the cathode chamber, a first opening / closing valve is arranged at the branch point between the first branch path and the second branch path or between the branch point and the connection point, a flow meter is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, and the control unit controls the opening and closing of the first opening / closing valve based on the flow rate of the concentrated water detected by the flow meter.

[0013] (7) In the water treatment device of the present invention described above, the control unit may be characterized in that it controls the first opening / closing valve to a closed state, on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water in the concentrated water discharge path exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and controls the first opening / closing valve to an open state, on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water in the concentrated water discharge path is equal to or less than the threshold value.

[0014] (8) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that the anode chamber and the concentrated water discharge path are indirectly connected via a concentrated water storage section, the concentrated water storage section is provided with a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the concentrated water stored in the concentrated water storage section, a second opening / closing valve is disposed in the concentrated water discharge path, and the control section controls the opening and closing of the second opening / closing valve based on the detection result of the water level of the concentrated water by the water level sensor.

[0015] (9) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a supply pump is provided downstream of the concentrated water discharge direction in the concentrated water storage section, and the control section controls the operation of the supply pump so that the flow rate of the concentrated water flowing through the concentrated water discharge path is constant.

[0016] (10) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a degassing device is provided in the concentrated water storage section, and the degassing device degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water.

[0017] (11) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a degassing device is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, and the degassing device degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water.

[0018] (12) In the water treatment device of the present invention described above, it is preferable that the pressure reducing portion is composed of at least one of an orifice, a bent portion, and a pressure reducing valve. Effect of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a water treatment device that can effectively utilize concentrated water that is a residue generated after electrolytic water is treated with a reverse osmosis membrane. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a hemodialysis system formed by piping a dialyzer and a dialysis fluid supplying device as external devices to a water treatment device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a water treatment device according to a first modified example of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a water treatment device according to a second modified example of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a water treatment device according to a third modified example of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a water treatment device according to a fourth modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Hereinafter, a water treatment device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention and a hemodialysis system 600 configured using the same will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the water treatment device 10 performs an operation (water treatment operation) in which hydrogen is dissolved in raw water 2 supplied from the outside to generate cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 (also referred to as electrolyzed water 3 or dissolved hydrogen water 3; see FIG. 2), and then performs reverse osmosis membrane processing on the dissolved hydrogen water 3 to generate reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5. The hemodialysis system 600 is for performing hemodialysis using dialysis water generated using the reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5. The hemodialysis system 600 includes a dialysis fluid supply device 75 and a dialyzer 71, which will be described in detail later, as an external device 70 that operates using the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 (also referred to as reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5). The configurations of the water treatment device 10 and the hemodialysis system 600 will be described in more detail below.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2, the water treatment device 10 includes a raw water supply unit 20, a raw water supply channel 20A connected to the raw water supply unit 20, an electrolysis device 30, and a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, and these are connected by piping to form a water treatment system 500. The water treatment device 10 also includes a circulation flow path 50 for circulating the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 generated in the water treatment system 500. The water treatment device 10 also includes a control device 55 for controlling the operation of each part. The water treatment device 10 can generate cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 by electrolyzing (also simply referred to as electrolysis) the pressure-fed water in the water treatment system 500 using the electrolysis device 30 while pressure-fed water in the water treatment system 500. The water treatment device 10 can generate reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 by treating the generated cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, and supply the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 to an external device 70 (partially omitted in the figure) while circulating it in the circulation flow path 50. The configuration of each part constituting the water treatment device 10 will be described in more detail below.

[0024] The raw water supply unit 20 treats water (raw water 2), such as tap water, well water, or groundwater, supplied from outside the water treatment device 10, and then supplies the treated water to the electrolysis device 30. The raw water supply unit 20 includes a prefilter 22, a water softener 24, an activated carbon treatment device 26, and a pump 28. In addition, a raw water supply path 20A is piped between the raw water supply unit 20 and the electrolysis device 30 for transporting the raw water 2 and the treated raw water 2.

[0025] The prefilter 22 is for removing impurities from water (raw water 2), such as tap water, well water, or groundwater, supplied from outside the water treatment device 10. The prefilter 22 can be configured with an appropriate filter, and is intended to remove impurities such as iron rust and sand particles from hardness components (dissolved solids such as calcium ions and magnesium ions) contained in the raw water 2, for example.

[0026] The water softener 24 is for removing hardness components contained in the raw water 2 through a substitution reaction by ion exchange, thereby performing a process to produce soft water. In the water treatment system 500, the water softener 24 is connected by piping downstream of the prefilter 22. Therefore, the water softener 24 can further remove hardness components from the raw water 2 from which impurities have been removed by the prefilter 22, thereby softening the raw water 2.

[0027] The activated carbon treatment device 26 is connected by piping downstream of the water softener 24 in the water treatment system 500. The raw water 2 that has been softened by the water softener 24 is supplied to the activated carbon treatment device 26. The activated carbon treatment device 26 uses activated carbon, which is a porous adsorbent material, to perform treatment to remove residual chlorine, chloramine, organic matter, and the like contained in the raw water 2 by physical adsorption.

[0028] The raw water supply unit 20 operates a pump 28 disposed upstream of the prefilter 22 in the water treatment system 500 to pump the raw water 2 and pass it through the prefilter 22, the water softener 24, and the activated carbon treatment device 26. As a result, the raw water 2 has impurities removed by the prefilter 22, is softened by the water softener 24, and is furthermore in a state in which substances such as residual chlorine are removed by the activated carbon treatment device 26, and is then supplied to the electrolysis device 30 through the raw water supply path 20A.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the electrolysis device 30 is connected to the raw water supply unit 20 downstream of the water treatment system 500 by piping. The electrolysis device 30 has an electrolysis cell 33, in which a cathode 35A, an anode 35B, a cathode chamber 36 including the cathode 35A, and an anode chamber 37 including the anode 35B are arranged. The electrolysis device 30 can generate dissolved hydrogen water 3 (cathode-side electrolyzed water 3) in which hydrogen is dissolved by electrolyzing the raw water 2 introduced from the raw water supply line 20A in the cathode chamber 36. The electrolysis device 30 may be any device that can dissolve hydrogen in the raw water 2 to generate the dissolved hydrogen water 3. In this embodiment, the electrolysis device 30 is one that can generate dissolved hydrogen water 3 in which hydrogen is dissolved by performing an electrolysis process.

[0030] More specifically, the electrolysis device 30 may include a solid polymer membrane 32 and an electrolytic cell 33. Note that the electrolysis device 30 in Fig. 2 is shown diagrammatically, and the shape and size of the electrolytic cell 33 may differ from the actual ones. The electrolytic cell 33 includes, inside a housing, the solid polymer membrane 32, a cathode 35A and an anode 35B as electrodes 35, a cathode chamber 36, and an anode chamber 37. The electrolytic cell 33 also includes the cathode chamber 36 and the anode chamber 37 formed with the solid polymer membrane 32 interposed therebetween.

[0031] The cathode chamber 36 accommodates a cathode 35A therein. A raw water supply passage 20A for supplying the raw water 2 to the cathode chamber 36 is connected to the cathode chamber 36. In addition, an electrolyzed water supply passage 34A for supplying the electrolyzed water 3 (dissolved hydrogen water 3, cathode-side electrolyzed water 3) generated by electrolyzing the raw water 2 in the cathode chamber 36 to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is connected to the cathode chamber 36.

[0032] In this embodiment, the raw water supply unit 20 supplies the raw water 2, from which impurities, chlorine, and the like have been removed and which has been softened, to the cathode chamber .

[0033] The electrolytic water supply passage 34A is a flow path for sending the cathode-side electrolytic water 3 generated by electrolysis in the cathode chamber 36 of the electrolysis device 30 to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. The electrolytic water supply passage 34A is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40.

[0034] The anode chamber 37 accommodates an anode 35B therein. In this embodiment, the anode chamber 37 is connected to a portion of the concentrated water discharge channel 43 downstream in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6, as will be described in detail later. Here, the concentrated water 6 is a residue of the reverse osmosis membrane treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. That is, in the anode chamber 37, the concentrated water 6 is electrolyzed to generate anode-side electrolyzed water 4 (dissolved oxygen water 4) in which oxygen is dissolved. The anode chamber 37 is connected to an anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B that discharges the anode-side electrolyzed water 4.

[0035] The anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B is connected to the anode chamber 37, and can discharge the anode-side electrolytic water 4 generated in the anode chamber 37. A degassing device 65 and a check valve 68 are provided in the anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B. In addition, a portion of the anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B that is downstream in the discharge direction of the anode-side electrolytic water 4 is connected to the middle of a concentrated water discharge passage 43 described later. Therefore, the anode-side electrolytic water 4 flowing through the anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B is degassed (e.g., oxygen) by the degassing device 65, and then discharged toward the concentrated water discharge passage 43. Although details will be described later, the downstream side of the concentrated water discharge passage 43 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6 is connected to an inlet (not shown) of the anode chamber 37. Therefore, the anode-side electrolytic water 4 flowing through the anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B is returned to the anode chamber 37 again through the concentrated water discharge passage 43.

[0036] The check valve 68 prevents the concentrated water 6 from flowing back from the concentrated water discharge passage 43 to the anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B, which will be described later. A pump 43A is provided in the concentrated water discharge passage 43 between the connection point of the anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B and the concentrated water discharge passage 43 and the anode chamber 37. The pump 43A can pump the anode-side electrolytic water 4 and the concentrated water 6 toward the anode chamber 37. This allows the anode-side electrolytic water 4 to circulate smoothly through the anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B and the concentrated water discharge passage 43. The anode-side electrolytic water 4 returned to the anode chamber 37 is used for re-electrolysis in the electrolysis device 30. As in a third modified example (see FIG. 5), which will be described later, the anode-side electrolytic water discharge passage 34B may be connected to an external discharge passage (not shown) instead of being connected to the concentrated water discharge passage 43.

[0037] Next, the electrolysis process in the electrolysis device 30 in this embodiment will be described in detail. The solid polymer membrane 32 functions as an electrolyte in the electrolysis device 30. The solid polymer membrane 32 is disposed between the cathode 35A and the anode 35B so as to extend in the longitudinal direction along the cathode 35A and the anode 35B. In this embodiment, the solid polymer membrane 32 is sandwiched between the cathode 35A and the anode 35B. As a result, the internal space of the electrolysis cell 33 is separated into a space on one side and a space on the other side via the solid polymer membrane 32. The solid polymer membrane 32 absorbs oxonium ions (HO) generated on the anode 35B side by electrolysis. + ) to the cathode 35A side. For example, a material made of a fluorine-based resin material having a sulfonic acid group can be suitably used as the solid polymer membrane 32. More specifically, Nafion (manufactured by DuPont), Flemion (manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Aciplex (manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), etc. can be suitably used as the solid polymer membrane 32.

[0038] The cathode 35A and the anode 35B function as power feeders that feed power to the electrolytic cell 33. The cathode 35A and the anode 35B are arranged to face each other with the solid polymer membrane 32 interposed therebetween. The cathode 35A and the anode 35B are formed using a material such as titanium or platinum. The cathode 35A and the anode 35B are electrically connected to each other.

[0039] When the raw water 2 is electrolyzed in the electrolysis device 30, the following reactions occur on the cathode 35A side and the anode 35B side. Anode side: 6H2O → 4H3O + +O2+4e - Cathode side: 4H3O + +4e - →2H2+4H2O

[0040] In the electrolysis device 30, oxonium ions (HO) are used as a source of hydrogen at the cathode 35A. + ) is used, and OH is used during the electrolysis process. -No ions are generated. Therefore, even when the electrolysis device 30 performs electrolysis at a high current value to increase the amount of dissolved hydrogen, the pH of the treated water does not change. Therefore, the electrolysis device 30 does not cause the inconvenience of suppressing the dissolved hydrogen concentration of the treated water due to the upper limit of pH, and it is possible to perform electrolysis at a desired high current value and improve the dissolved hydrogen concentration of the treated water. As a result, it is possible to obtain treated water having a required dissolved hydrogen concentration.

[0041] The electrolysis device 30 can send the cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 generated by the above-mentioned electrolysis process from the electrolyzed water supply path 34A to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 described below. Meanwhile, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 generated on the anode 35B side by the electrolysis process is discharged from the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge path 34B connected to the anode chamber 37. The anode-side electrolyzed water discharge path 34B is connected to the concentrated water discharge path 43 as described above, and the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 can be returned to the anode chamber 37 via the concentrated water discharge path 43.

[0042] The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is disposed downstream of the electrolysis device 30 in the water treatment system 500. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is a device for performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment using a reverse osmosis membrane 42. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 includes a reverse osmosis membrane 42, an RO tank 44, an RO pump 45, a reverse osmosis electrolyzed water discharge channel 46, a concentrated water discharge channel 43, and the like.

[0043] The reverse osmosis membrane 42 is for performing reverse osmosis treatment on the cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 generated by the electrolysis device 30. Here, when there are solutions with different concentrations with the semipermeable membrane as a boundary, a phenomenon (osmosis) occurs in which water moves from the low-concentration solution to the high-concentration solution. In response to this, by applying pressure to the high-concentration solution with the semipermeable membrane as a boundary, water can be moved from the high-concentration solution to the low-concentration solution, and a phenomenon (reverse osmosis) in which water permeates into the low-concentration solution can be generated. The reverse osmosis membrane 42 is provided for performing a process (reverse osmosis membrane process) to obtain water that has been reverse osmosis (reverse osmosis water) in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40.

[0044] The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 can remove impurities such as trace metals by performing reverse osmosis on the water. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 can further remove impurities such as trace metals from the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 by performing reverse osmosis on the reverse osmosis membrane 42 of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 pumped by the RO pump 45 from the electrolysis device 30 side.

[0045] In the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, impurities have already been removed by the prefilter 22, the water has been softened by the water softener 24, and substances such as residual chlorine have been removed by the activated carbon treatment device 26 at the stage of generating the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 in the electrolysis device 30. Therefore, the water treatment device 10 can obtain water (reverse osmosis water) that meets the water quality standard specified in ISO13959 (water standard for dialysis) by performing reverse osmosis treatment on the cathode side electrolyzed water 3 by the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. In addition, the water treatment device 10 performs reverse osmosis treatment on the cathode side electrolyzed water 3 generated in the electrolysis device 30 by the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. Therefore, the water treatment device 10 can obtain reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 in which hydrogen is dissolved (also referred to as reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5) by performing reverse osmosis treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40.

[0046] The RO tank 44 is provided downstream of the reverse osmosis membrane 42 in the water treatment system 500. The RO tank 44 is for storing (storing) the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 that has been subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment by the reverse osmosis membrane 42. An ultraviolet sterilization device 47 is installed in the RO tank 44. In addition, a delivery tank piping 48 that forms part of the circulation flow path 50 is connected to the RO tank 44. The delivery tank piping 48 is connected to the piping that forms the circulation flow path 50.

[0047] The delivery tank piping 48 is a pipe for delivering the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 from the RO tank 44. The delivery tank piping 48 is connected to the bottom side of the RO tank 44 (the bottom part of the RO tank 44 in this embodiment). The delivery tank piping 48 is provided with a circulation pump 46B.

[0048] The circulation pump 46B pumps the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 stored in the RO tank 44 and pumps it toward the circulation flow path 50. In addition, the circulation flow path 50 may be appropriately provided with an ultrafiltration device (not shown).

[0049] The circulation flow path 50 is a flow path for forming a circulation flow of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 that leaves the RO tank 44 and returns to the RO tank 44 by being connected to the delivery tank piping 48 connected to the above-mentioned RO tank 44. An external device 70 that operates using the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 is connected to the circulation flow path 50 by piping. The external device 70 may be any device that operates using the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 generated by the water treatment device 10. In this embodiment, for example, a dialysis fluid supply device 75 (see FIG. 1) for generating a dialysis fluid constituting the hemodialysis system 600 and a dialyzer 71 (see FIG. 1) are connected to the circulation flow path 50 as the external device 70 by piping. In this embodiment, the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 is circulated through the RO tank 44 through the circulation flow path 50, but the circulation flow path 50 may be provided as necessary, and it is also possible that the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 flowing out from the RO tank 44 is supplied to the external device 70 without being circulated. Note that in FIG. 2, a part of the external device 70 is omitted.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the dialysis fluid supplying device 75 is capable of generating a medicinal solution (dialysis fluid) used in dialysis by dissolving a medicinal agent in the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5. One or more supplying devices (two drug dissolving devices 76 and 77 in the illustrated example) for supplying a medicinal agent are connected to the dialysis fluid supplying device 75. The dialysis fluid supplying device 75 can generate the dialysis fluid by mixing the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 taken in from the circulation flow path 50 with the medicinal agent supplied from the drug dissolving devices 76 and 77. The dialysis fluid generated by the dialysis fluid supplying device 75 is supplied to the dialyzer 72 assigned to each patient and used for hemodialysis.

[0051] Moreover, the dialyzer 71 differs from the dialyzer 72 described above in that it has a function of producing a dialysis fluid by dissolving a drug in the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5. Therefore, the dialyzer 71 is connected to the circulation flow path 50 without passing through a dialysis fluid supply device 75.

[0052] 2, in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, the residue from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment is discharged as concentrated water 6 from a concentrated water discharge channel 43. Here, the concentrated water 6 is the residue of the cathode side electrolyzed water 3 (dissolved hydrogen water 3) that could not pass through the reverse osmosis membrane 42 in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment. The concentrated water 6 is essentially free of impurities, chlorine, etc., since impurities, chlorine, etc. have been removed from it by the prefilter 22, the activated carbon treatment device 26, etc.

[0053] The concentrated water discharge passage 43 is connected to the anode chamber 37, and the concentrated water 6 discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 can be discharged toward the anode chamber 37. In addition, a pressure reducing section 60 is provided in the middle of the concentrated water discharge passage 43. The concentrated water discharge passage 43 may be directly connected to the anode chamber 37 or indirectly connected to the anode chamber 37 as long as it can supply the concentrated water 6 to the anode chamber 37. In this embodiment, the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge passage 34B is connected in the middle of the concentrated water discharge passage 43. That is, the concentrated water discharge passage 43 can supply the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 to the anode chamber 37 together with the concentrated water 6. Therefore, in the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 can be reused together with the concentrated water 6, and therefore further cost reduction in water treatment can be expected.

[0054] In this embodiment, a concentrated water external discharge path 43C for discharging a part or all of the concentrated water 6 to the outside is provided at a position on the concentrated water discharge path 43 and on the front side (upstream side) of the pressure reducing section 60 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6. The concentrated water external discharge path 43C can discharge excess concentrated water 6 that exceeds the amount required for generating the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 (dissolved oxygen water 4) in the anode chamber 37 to the outside. In the illustrated example, no valves or the like are provided at the concentrated water external discharge path 43C or the branching portion between the concentrated water discharge path 43 and the concentrated water external discharge path 43C, but if necessary, a flow rate adjusting device or an opening / closing device such as a valve can be provided at either or both of the concentrated water external discharge path 43C and the branching portion between the concentrated water discharge path 43 and the concentrated water external discharge path 43C.

[0055] The pressure reducing section 60 reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water 6. Specifically, the pressure reducing section 60 is composed of at least one of an orifice, a bent section, and a pressure reducing valve. Here, the water pressure of the electrolytic water 3 (dissolved hydrogen water 3) described above is increased when the reverse osmosis membrane treatment is performed, so the water pressure of the concentrated water 6 as the residue in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment is also increased. Therefore, if the concentrated water 6 with high water pressure is discharged to the concentrated water discharge path 43, there is a concern that the piping may be damaged or other connected devices may be damaged. Therefore, in the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, the water pressure of the concentrated water 6 is reduced by the pressure reducing section 60. Note that the pressure reducing section 60 is not limited to the above, and various types can be used as long as they can reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water 6.

[0056] Further, a degassing device 66 is provided midway through the concentrated water discharge path 43. The degassing device 66 degasifies at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water 6. This makes it possible to prevent the concentrated water discharge path 43 from becoming clogged with gas.

[0057] As shown in Fig. 2, the control device 55 (also referred to as the control unit 55) controls the water treatment operation in which the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 is generated from the raw water 2 through the electrolyzed water 3 in the water treatment device 10. The control device 55 is composed of a computer or the like, and can perform various calculations and processing. The control device 55 can control the electrolysis device 30, the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, etc. In addition, the control device 55 can perform control to supply the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 to the external device 70 according to the operating status of the external device 70.

[0058] The control device 55 can control the electrolyzed water 3 flowing out from the cathode chamber 36 to be subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, and then supplied to the external device 70 via the RO tank 44. The control device 55 can also control the return of concentrated water 6 discharged as a residue of the reverse osmosis membrane treatment to the anode chamber 37 via the concentrated water discharge path 43. In addition to the above, the control device 55 can also control the overall treatment related to the water treatment operation in the water treatment device 10. The control device 55 need not necessarily be configured as a single device, but may be configured as a plurality of control devices according to the functions, devices, etc.

[0059] The above is the configuration of the water treatment device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and next, the effects of the water treatment device 10 of the present invention will be described below. The water treatment device 10 embodying the present invention as exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment has the following characteristic configurations (A) to (D), which enable the water treatment device 10 to achieve effects unique to the present invention.

[0060] (A) The water treatment device 10 of the present embodiment described above includes an electrolysis device 30 having an anode 35B, a cathode 35A, an anode chamber 37 including the anode 35B, and a cathode chamber 36 including the cathode 35A, a raw water supply passage 20A connected to the cathode chamber 36 and supplying raw water 2 to the cathode chamber 36, an electrolyzed water supply passage 34A connected to the cathode chamber 36 and allowing electrolyzed water 3 generated by electrolysis by the electrolysis device 30 to flow out, and a reverse osmosis membrane treatment is performed on the electrolyzed water 3 supplied by the electrolyzed water supply passage 34A. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is equipped with a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 that generates reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 by performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment, and a control unit 55 that controls the water treatment operation in the electrolysis device 30 and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. A concentrated water discharge path 43 that discharges concentrated water 6 as a residue of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, and the concentrated water discharge path 43 is directly or indirectly connected to the anode chamber 37 so that the concentrated water 6 can be supplied to the anode chamber 37.

[0061] The water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, by being configured as described above in (A), can obtain reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 (reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5) by subjecting the electrolyzed water 3 (dissolved hydrogen water 3) generated in the cathode chamber 36 to reverse osmosis membrane treatment. In addition, by being configured as described above in (A), the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment can subject the residue (concentrated water 6) that is no longer needed in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment to electrolysis (also referred to as electrolysis) in the anode chamber 37. As a result, the water treatment device 10 described above can supply the concentrated water 6 instead of the raw water 2 to the anode chamber 37, thereby reducing the supply amount of the raw water 2. As a result, the water treatment device 10 described above can suppress an increase in the cost of the raw water 2.

[0062] (B) The water treatment device 10 of the present embodiment described above is characterized in that the concentrated water discharge passage 43 is provided with a pressure reducing section 60, which reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water 6.

[0063] The water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, configured as described above in (B), can reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water 6, the water pressure of which has been increased by reverse osmosis treatment. As a result, the water treatment device 10 described above can prevent the concentrated water 6 under high water pressure from being sent to the flow path or the electrolytic bath 33, thereby preventing damage to the piping, the electrolytic bath 33, etc.

[0064] (C) The pressure reducing portion 60 of the present embodiment described above is characterized by being composed of at least one of an orifice, a bent portion, and a pressure reducing valve.

[0065] In the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, the pressure reducing section 60 can be suitably configured by adopting the configuration as described above in (C).

[0066] (D) The water treatment device 10 of the present embodiment described above is characterized in that a degassing device 66 is provided in the concentrated water discharge path 43, and the degassing device 66 degasifies at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water 6.

[0067] The water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, by being configured as described above in (D), can degas the hydrogen gas contained in the concentrated water 6 flowing through the concentrated water discharge channel 43 and the oxygen gas generated by electrolysis of the concentrated water 6 in the anode chamber 37. This can prevent the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from blocking flow paths such as the concentrated water discharge channel 43, and therefore can prevent the flow path from being clogged with air and the flow of the concentrated water 6 from being obstructed.

[0068] The water treatment device 10 of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and is not limited to those exemplified in the above embodiment or those related to (A) to (D) above, but may have configurations such as those of the following modified examples. A first modified example and a second modified example of the water treatment device 10 will be described below. In the description of the modified examples, the same reference numerals will be used to designate configurations similar to those of the water treatment device 10 according to the above embodiment, and detailed description will be omitted.

[0069] First Variation 3, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, the raw water supply channel 20A is branched at its downstream side in the supply direction of the raw water 2 into a first branch channel 112 and a second branch channel 114. Note that the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification has a configuration substantially similar to that of the above-described embodiment, except that the raw water supply channel 20A is branched, the first branch channel 112 is connected to the anode chamber 37, and the concentrated water discharge channel 43 is connected midway through the first branch channel 112, and therefore a description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0070] The first branched passage 112 has the other end opposite to the branch point 111 (the downstream end in the supply direction of the raw water 2) connected to the anode chamber 37. Therefore, the raw water 2 supplied to the raw water supply passage 20A flows into the first branched passage 112 via the branch point 111 and is introduced into the anode chamber 37. The first branched passage 112 is connected to a concentrated water discharge passage 43 at a connection point 113 located midway. In other words, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example, the concentrated water discharge passage 43 is indirectly connected to the anode chamber 37 via the first branched passage 112.

[0071] Moreover, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, a first on-off valve 115 is disposed between the branch point 111 and the connection point 113. Moreover, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, a flowmeter 43B that measures the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is provided in the concentrated water discharge path 43.

[0072] The first on-off valve 115, when open, allows the raw water 2 to flow into the anode chamber 37. The first on-off valve 115, when closed, blocks the inflow of the raw water 2 and allows the concentrated water 6 to flow into the anode chamber 37. Although the first modified example uses the first on-off valve 115, the water treatment device 100 can also use a proportional valve instead of the first on-off valve 115.

[0073] Here, the control device 55 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 115 based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 detected by the flow meter 43B. Therefore, for example, when the supply amount of the concentrated water 6 decreases or when the supply of the concentrated water 6 is interrupted, the water treatment device 100 can reliably supply water to be subjected to electrolysis into the anode chamber 37 by controlling the first on-off valve 115 to an open state. The first on-off valve 115 may be disposed at the branch point 111 or the connection point 113. That is, the first on-off valve 115 can be disposed at various positions as long as it can start the supply of the raw water 2 when the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 decreases.

[0074] Also, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, as in the above embodiment, a concentrated water external discharge channel 43C for discharging a part or all of the concentrated water 6 to the outside is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel 43, on the front side (upstream side) of the pressure reducing section 60 in the flow direction of the concentrated water 6. Therefore, when the amount of concentrated water 6 supplied to the anode chamber 37 through the concentrated water discharge channel 43 exceeds the amount required in the anode chamber 37 and becomes excessive, the excessive concentrated water 6 can be discharged to the outside through the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C. Note that, also in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, a flow rate adjusting device such as a valve or an opening / closing device can be provided, as necessary, in the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C or in the branching portion between the concentrated water discharge channel 43 and the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C.

[0075] The second branched passage 114 has the other end (the downstream side in the supply direction of the raw water 2) opposite to the branch point 111 side connected to the cathode chamber 36. Therefore, the raw water 2 supplied to the raw water supply passage 20A flows into the second branched passage 114 via the branch point 111 and is supplied to the cathode chamber 36.

[0076] Here, the flow rate control of the concentrated water 6 and the raw water 2 flowing into the anode chamber 37 by the control device 55 can be performed as follows. For example, the control device 55 can control the first on-off valve 115 to be in a closed state on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 exceeds a predetermined threshold value. This allows electrolysis to be performed using the concentrated water 6 without using the raw water 2 when the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is high. The control device 55 can also control the first on-off valve 115 to be in an open state on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value. This allows electrolysis to be performed using the raw water 2 when the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is insufficient or depleted.

[0077] Thus, the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification has the following characteristic configurations (E) and (F) in addition to the above-mentioned characteristic configurations (A) to (D), which allows the water treatment device 100 to achieve the following characteristic effects.

[0078] (E) The water treatment device 100 relating to the first modified example described above is characterized in that the downstream side of the raw water supply path 20A in the supply direction of the raw water 2 is branched into a first branch path 112 and a second branch path 114, one end of the first branch path 112 is connected to the anode chamber 37 and is connected to a concentrated water discharge path 43 at a connection point 113 located midway, and one end of the second branch path 114 is connected to the cathode chamber 36. A first opening / closing valve 115 is disposed at the branch point 111 between the first branch path 112 and the second branch path 114 or between the branch point 111 and the connection point 113. A flow meter 43B is provided in the concentrated water discharge path 43, and the control unit 55 controls the opening and closing of the first opening / closing valve 115 based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 detected by the flow meter 43B.

[0079] The water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example is configured as described above in (E), and thus the raw water 2 can be introduced into the anode chamber 37 from the first branched path 112 as appropriate based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6. When the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is sufficient, the concentrated water 6 can be subjected to electrolysis in the anode chamber 37 without using the raw water 2. This allows the water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example to reduce water costs and perform stable electrolysis. Therefore, the water treatment device 100 described above allows the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 to be stably supplied without interrupting the operation of the external device 70 (e.g., a dialysis device).

[0080] Furthermore, the water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example can have the following configuration (F) in addition to the above configuration (E).

[0081] (F) In the water treatment device 100 relating to the first modified example described above, the control unit 55 controls the first opening / closing valve 115 to a closed state, on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and controls the first opening / closing valve 115 to an open state, on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 is equal to or lower than the threshold value.

[0082] The water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example, by being configured as described above in (F), can control the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 115 based on a predetermined threshold value for the flow rate of the concentrated water 6. This allows the water treatment device 100 described above to supply water to the anode chamber 37 more stably, and therefore allows the external device 70 (e.g., the dialysis fluid supply device 75, etc.) to operate continuously and more stably.

[0083] <<Second Variation>> As shown in FIG. 4, in the water treatment device 200 according to the second modification, the anode chamber 37 and the concentrated water discharge passage 43 are indirectly connected to each other via the concentrated water storage section 210. That is, in the water treatment device 200, the concentrated water storage section 210 is disposed in the middle of the concentrated water discharge passage 43. The concentrated water storage section 210 stores the concentrated water 6 discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. The concentrated water storage section 210 is provided with a water level sensor 211 for detecting the water level of the concentrated water 6 stored in the concentrated water storage section 210. In addition, a second opening / closing valve 201 is disposed downstream of the concentrated water storage section 210 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6. In addition, the control section 55 can perform opening / closing control of the second opening / closing valve 201 based on the detection result of the water level of the concentrated water 6 by the water level sensor 211. In addition, a deaerator 67 is provided in the concentrated water storage section 210. The degassing device 67 can degas at least a portion of the gas (e.g., hydrogen and oxygen) contained in the concentrated water 6. Note that if sufficient degassing is possible in the concentrated water storage section 210, some or all of the degassing devices 65, 66, and 67 may be eliminated.

[0084] Further, a supply pump 212 is provided downstream of the second on-off valve 201 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6. The supply pump 212 can send the concentrated water 6 flowing out from the concentrated water storage section 210 to the concentrated water discharge path 43 toward the anode chamber 37. The supply pump 212 can be controlled by the control device 55 so that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 flowing through the concentrated water discharge path 43 is constant.

[0085] Thus, the water treatment device 200 according to the second modification has the following characteristic configurations (G) to (I) in addition to the above-mentioned characteristic configurations (A) to (F), which allows the water treatment device 200 to achieve the following characteristic effects.

[0086] (G) In the water treatment device 10 of the present embodiment described above, the anode chamber 37 and the concentrated water discharge path 43 are indirectly connected via the concentrated water storage section 210, the concentrated water storage section 210 is provided with a water level sensor 211 for detecting the water level of the concentrated water 6 stored in the concentrated water storage section 210, a second opening / closing valve 201 is disposed in the concentrated water discharge path 43, and the control section 55 is characterized in that it controls the opening and closing of the second opening / closing valve 201 based on the detection result of the water level of the concentrated water 6 by the water level sensor 211.

[0087] The water treatment device 200 according to the second modified example, configured as described above in (G), can utilize the concentrated water 6 stored in the concentrated water storage section 210, and can stably supply the concentrated water 6 to the anode chamber 37. This allows the water treatment device 200 to stably and continuously operate the connected external device 70 (e.g., the dialysis fluid supply device 75, etc.). Furthermore, the water treatment device 200 can reduce the amount of raw water 2 used by effectively utilizing the concentrated water 6, and can therefore reduce the cost associated with water treatment.

[0088] Moreover, the water treatment device 200 according to the second modified example has the characteristic configuration according to (H) below, and can thereby achieve the following characteristic effects.

[0089] (H) The water treatment device 10 of the above-described embodiment is characterized in that a supply pump 212 is provided downstream of the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water storage section 210, and the control section 55 controls the operation of the supply pump 212 so that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 flowing through the concentrated water discharge path 43 is constant.

[0090] The water treatment device 200 according to the second modified example is configured as described above in (H) and is therefore capable of sending the concentrated water 6 toward the anode chamber 37 with a stable water pressure. As a result, the water treatment device 200 described above can keep the amount of concentrated water 6 sent to the electrolytic cell 33 constant, thereby stabilizing the pressure within the electrolytic cell 33. Therefore, the water treatment device 200 described above can suppress damage caused by expansion of the electrolytic cell 33 and can perform stable electrolysis without a shortage of water.

[0091] (I) The water treatment device 200 according to the second modified example is characterized in that a degassing device 67 is provided in the concentrated water storage section 210, and the degassing device 67 degasifies at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water 6.

[0092] The water treatment device 200 according to the second modification can degasify gas (e.g., hydrogen) contained in the concentrated water 6 by being configured as described above in (I). As a result, the water treatment device 200 described above can suppress air clogging due to air bubbles in the concentrated water discharge passage 43 (piping) downstream of the concentrated water storage section 210 in the concentrated water discharge direction. In addition, the water treatment device 200 described above can stably supply the concentrated water 6 by suppressing air clogging in the piping, etc., and can stabilize the water treatment. Note that by arranging the degassing device 67 at a location other than the concentrated water storage section 210, the processing effort required for installing the degassing device 67 in the concentrated water storage section 210 can be reduced. The position at which the degassing device 67 is to be arranged may be determined in consideration of the mode of the water treatment device 200, the processing effort, and the like.

[0093] <Third Variation> 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a water treatment device 300 according to a third modified example of the present invention. The water treatment device 300 according to the third modified example has the same configuration as the water treatment device 10 according to the above-mentioned embodiment, except for the configuration of the anode-side electrolytic water discharge channel 34B, so detailed description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0094] In the water treatment device 300 according to the third modification, one end of the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge path 34B is connected to the anode chamber 37, and the other end is connected to a discharge path (not shown) leading to the outside of the water treatment device 300. Therefore, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 generated in the anode chamber 37 is discharged to the outside through the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge path 34B. In other words, the water treatment device 300 according to the third modification is configured such that the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 is discharged to the outside without being returned to the anode chamber 37. Note that a drain or the like may be provided in the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge path 34B as appropriate.

[0095] The above is the configuration of the water treatment device 300 according to the third modified example. Whether the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 is discharged to the outside or returned to the anode chamber 37 can be appropriately changed depending on the usage mode of the water treatment device 10.

[0096] <Fourth Variation> 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a water treatment device 400 according to a fourth modified example of the present invention. The water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modified example has the same configuration as the water treatment device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, except that the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is provided upstream of the electrolysis device 30 in the raw water supply direction, and therefore detailed description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0097] In the water treatment device 400, a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is connected to the raw water supply channel 20A downstream in the raw water supply direction. An RO pump 45 for pumping the raw water 2 is provided between the raw water supply channel 20A and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. A reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A and a concentrated water discharge channel 43 are connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40.

[0098] The reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A is connected to the cathode chamber 36 on the downstream side in the discharge direction. Therefore, the reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A can send the reverse osmosis water 7 obtained by treating the raw water 2 with the reverse osmosis membrane to the cathode chamber 36. Note that the reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A can be provided with a pressure reducing section 60 as necessary. Meanwhile, concentrated water 6 as a residue after the reverse osmosis membrane treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is returned to the anode chamber 37 as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

[0099] In this way, the water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modified example has the following characteristic configuration according to (J). As a result, the water treatment device 400 can achieve the following characteristic effects.

[0100] (J) The water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modified example described above includes an electrolysis device 30 having an anode 35B, a cathode 35A, an anode chamber 37 including the anode 35B, and a cathode chamber 36 including the cathode 35A, a raw water supply passage 20A for supplying raw water 2, a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 connected to the raw water supply passage 20A downstream in the raw water supply direction and performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the raw water 2 to produce reverse osmosis water 7 and supplying the reverse osmosis water 7 to the cathode chamber 36, and a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 connected to the cathode chamber 36 and performing reverse osmosis treatment on the raw water 2 to produce reverse osmosis water 7. The apparatus is provided with an electrolytic water supply path 34A through which electrolytic water 3 generated by electrolysis flows out, and a control unit 55 that controls the water treatment operation in the electrolysis device 30 and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is connected to a concentrated water discharge path 43 through which concentrated water 6 is discharged as a residue of the reverse osmosis water 7 in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment. The concentrated water discharge path 43 is connected directly or indirectly to the anode chamber 37 so that the concentrated water 6 can be supplied to the anode chamber 37.

[0101] The water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modified example, configured as described above in (J), can obtain reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 (reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5) by electrolyzing reverse osmosis water 7 obtained by reverse osmosis membrane treatment of raw water 2. In addition, the water treatment device 400, configured as described above in (J), can provide the residue (concentrated water 6) that is no longer needed in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment to electrolysis in the anode chamber 37. As a result, the above-mentioned water treatment device 400 can supply concentrated water 6 instead of raw water 2 (reverse osmosis water 7) to the anode chamber 37, thereby reducing the supply amount of raw water 2. As a result, the above-mentioned water treatment device 400 can suppress an increase in the cost of the raw water 2. Whether the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is disposed upstream or downstream of the electrolysis device 30 may be appropriately changed depending on the form of the water treatment device.

[0102] Although not shown, the water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modification may be branched into a first branched channel 112 and a second branched channel 114 (see FIGS. 3 and 4) on the downstream side in the outflow direction of the reverse osmosis water 7 in the reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A, as in the water treatment devices 100 and 200 according to the first and second modifications. That is, the water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modification can have a characteristic configuration related to the following (K) in addition to the characteristic configuration related to (J) described above.

[0103] (K) In the above-mentioned water treatment device 400, the downstream side of the outflow direction of the reverse osmosis water 7 in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is branched into a first branch path 112 and a second branch path 114, one end of the first branch path 112 is connected to the anode chamber 37 and is connected to a concentrated water discharge path 43 at a connection point 113 located midway, and one end of the second branch path 114 is connected to the cathode chamber 36. A first opening / closing valve 115 is arranged at the branch point 111 between the first branch path 112 and the second branch path 114, or between the branch point 111 and the connection point 113. A flow meter 43B is provided in the concentrated water discharge path 43, and the control unit 55 controls the opening and closing of the first opening / closing valve 115 based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 detected by the flow meter 43B.

[0104] The water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modified example is configured as described above in (K), and thus can introduce the raw water 2 (reverse osmosis water 7) into the anode chamber 37 from the first branched path 112 as appropriate based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6. When the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is sufficient, the concentrated water 6 can be subjected to electrolysis in the anode chamber 37 without using the raw water 2. This allows the water treatment device 400 according to the first modified example to reduce water costs and perform stable electrolysis. Therefore, the water treatment device 400 described above can stably supply reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 without interrupting the operation of the external device 70 (e.g., dialysis device).

[0105] Other Modifications The water treatment devices 10, 100, and 200 according to the above-described embodiment and modified examples are merely examples of the water treatment device of the present invention, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0106] The electrolysis device 30 used in this embodiment is not limited to the one described above, and various electrolysis devices 30 can be used. In addition, various forms, materials, sizes, shapes, etc. of the cathode 35A, the anode 35B, the cathode chamber 36, and the anode chamber 37 in the electrolysis device 30 can be used. Pipes of various materials, shapes, and sizes can be used for the raw water supply channel 20A, the electrolyzed water supply channel 34A, etc., and various arrangements can be adopted within the scope of the invention. In addition, various forms of the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 can be used.

[0107] In addition, the concentrated water 6 discharged as a residue of the reverse osmosis membrane treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 can have various compositions depending on the object of electrolysis in the electrolysis device 30. In addition, in this embodiment, the raw water 2 after removing various impurities, chlorine, etc. is used for electrolysis, but the raw water 2 may be pretreated as necessary, and pretreatment may not be performed as appropriate. In addition, the connection of the concentrated water discharge path 43 to the anode chamber 37 can be directly or indirectly connected in various ways as long as the concentrated water 6 can be supplied to the anode chamber 37. In addition, in this embodiment, the anode-side electrolytic water discharge path 34B is connected to the anode chamber 37 via the concentrated water discharge path 43, but the anode-side electrolytic water discharge path 34B may be directly connected to the anode chamber 37 without the concentrated water discharge path 43. In addition, as in the water treatment device 300 according to the third modification, the anode-side electrolytic water discharge path 34B may be connected to an external discharge path so that the anode-side electrolytic water 4 is discharged to the outside.

[0108] In this embodiment, the concentrated water discharge passage 43 is provided with the pressure reducing section 60, but the pressure reducing section 60 may be provided as necessary, and the pressure reducing section 60 may not be provided. The pressure reducing section 60 may be any of various types that can reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water 6, in addition to an orifice, a bent section, and a pressure reducing valve. In addition, by providing the concentrated water discharge passage 43 with the concentrated water external discharge passage 43C as in the above-mentioned water treatment devices 10, 100, and 200, the concentrated water discharge passage 43 can be configured to discharge the concentrated water 6 that is in excess of the amount required in the anode chamber 37, thereby adjusting the amount of concentrated water 6 supplied to the anode chamber 37, and other configurations can be used to adjust the amount of concentrated water 6 supplied to the anode chamber 37.

[0109] Specifically, instead of or in addition to providing the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C, the water treatment devices 10, 100, and 200 described above may be provided with a flow path (also referred to as an "excess water discharge flow path") different from the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C, and the excess concentrated water 6 may be discharged through the excess water discharge flow path, thereby adjusting the amount of concentrated water 6 supplied to the anode chamber 37. In addition, when such a configuration is adopted, the water treatment devices 10, 100, and 200 described above may be provided with a separate storage unit such as a tank for storing the excess concentrated water 6 in the anode chamber 37, and the excess water discharge flow path may be connected to the storage unit or the excess water discharge flow path may be connected to a location (also referred to as an "excess water discharge location") different from the anode chamber 37, so that the excess concentrated water 6 can be discharged to the storage unit or the excess water discharge location. With this configuration, instead of discharging and disposing of the excess concentrated water 6, it is possible to temporarily store the excess concentrated water 6 in the storage section described above and use it as needed, or to supply it to an excess water discharge point and utilize it at that point, thereby making it possible to make more effective use of the concentrated water 6.

[0110] In the first modified example, the raw water supply passage 20A is exemplified as being divided into the first branch passage 112 and the second branch passage 114, but the raw water supply passage 20A may be not branched, or may be branched into three or more passages. The branch point 111 can also be disposed at an appropriate position as necessary. The connection point 113 between the concentrated water discharge passage 43 and the first branch passage 112 is not limited to that in the embodiment, and can be disposed at various positions. The first opening / closing valve 115 can be disposed at various positions between the branch point 111 and the connection point 113, or at the branch point 111 or the connection point 113. The flow meter 43B is not limited to being disposed in the concentrated water discharge passage 43, and can be disposed at various positions where the flow meter 43B is required.

[0111] In addition, in this embodiment, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 is returned to the anode chamber 37, but the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 may be returned to the anode chamber 37 as necessary. For example, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 may be discharged to the outside without being returned to the anode chamber 37. In addition, in this embodiment, all of the concentrated water 6 is returned to the anode chamber 37, but it is also possible to appropriately provide a drain in the concentrated water discharge path 43 or the like to discharge a part of the concentrated water 6. In addition, the degassing devices 65, 66, and 67 are not limited to those disposed in the middle of the flow paths such as the concentrated water discharge path 43 and the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge path 34B, and can be disposed in various positions as long as they can degas the concentrated water 6 and the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 flowing through these flow paths. For example, the degassing device 66 may be disposed at a position branched off from the concentrated water discharge path 43 or the like. Furthermore, the pressure reduction section 60 is not limited to being disposed midway through the flow path of the concentrated water discharge channel 43, and can be disposed in various positions as long as it can reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water 6 flowing through the flow path.

[0112] In addition, in the first modified example, the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge passage 43 is determined based on a predetermined threshold value, and the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 115 is controlled. However, the threshold value can be set to various values ​​depending on the capacity, characteristics, etc. of the electrolysis device 30.

[0113] The concentrated water storage section 210 may be of various sizes and shapes depending on the amount of concentrated water 6 produced, etc. The water level sensor 211 provided in the concentrated water storage section 210 may be provided as necessary, and the water level sensor 211 may be omitted. In such a case, for example, the concentrated water 6 may be allowed to flow out by overflow or the like at an appropriate water level. A threshold value may be set for the water level, and the discharge amount of concentrated water 6 may be controlled based on the threshold value.

[0114] In the second modified example, the supply pump 212 is provided downstream of the concentrated water storage section 210 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6, but the supply pump 212 may be provided as necessary, and the supply pump 212 may not be provided. In addition, when the supply pump 212 is provided, the position at which the supply pump 212 is disposed may be changed as appropriate. In addition, the external device 70 is not limited to the hemodialysis system 600 and the dialyzers 71, 72, and various devices may be used.

[0115] The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments, and appropriate design modifications and the like are possible within the scope of the technical idea of ​​the present invention. The components of the above-mentioned embodiments and modifications may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Any component of each embodiment or modification may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the problems, the mode for carrying out the invention, etc., or any component that embodies any component described in the means for solving the problems, the mode for carrying out the invention, etc. The present invention also intends to obtain rights to these in this application or in a divisional application based on this application. [Industrial Applicability]

[0116] The present invention can be preferably used in an electrolysis device for electrolyzing water, etc. The present invention can also be preferably used in water treatment devices in general for producing reverse osmosis electrolyzed water to be supplied to an external device such as a dialysate supplying device for producing a dialysate used in hemodialysis or a dialyzer. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 2: Raw water 3: Cathode side electrolyzed water (electrolyzed water, dissolved hydrogen water) 5: Reverse osmosis electrolyzed water (reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water) 10: Water treatment equipment 20:Raw water supply section 20A: Raw water supply line 30: Electrolyzer 33: Electrolytic cell 34A: Electrolyzed water supply path 34B: Anode side electrolyzed water discharge channel 35: Electrode 40: Reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 43: Concentrated water discharge channel 50: Circulation flow path 55: Control device (control unit) 70: External device 100: Water treatment equipment 110:Raw water supply channel 111: Branching point 113: Connection point 200: Water treatment equipment 210: Concentrated water storage section 300: Water treatment equipment 400: Water treatment equipment

Claims

1. an electrolysis device having an anode, a cathode, an anode chamber containing the anode, and a cathode chamber containing the cathode; a raw water supply line connected to the cathode chamber and supplying raw water to the cathode chamber; an electrolytic water supply passage connected to the cathode chamber and through which electrolytic water generated by electrolysis by the electrolysis device flows out; A reverse osmosis membrane treatment device connected to the electrolytic water supply path, which performs reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the electrolytic water supplied by the electrolytic water supply path to generate reverse osmosis electrolytic water; a control unit that controls the water treatment operation in the electrolysis device and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device; Equipped with A concentrated water discharge path is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, and the concentrated water discharge path discharges concentrated water as a residue of the reverse osmosis electrolytic water in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment. The water treatment device, wherein the concentrated water discharge channel is directly or indirectly connected to the anode chamber so as to supply the concentrated water to the anode chamber.

2. A pressure reducing section is provided in the concentrated water discharge passage, The water treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure reducing unit reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water.

3. an electrolysis device having an anode, a cathode, an anode chamber containing the anode, and a cathode chamber containing the cathode; A raw water supply channel for supplying raw water; a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device connected to a downstream side of the raw water supply line in a raw water supply direction, which performs reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the raw water to generate reverse osmosis water and supplies the reverse osmosis water to the cathode chamber; an electrolytic water supply passage connected to the cathode chamber and through which electrolytic water generated by electrolysis by the electrolysis device flows out; a control unit that controls the water treatment operation in the electrolysis device and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device; Equipped with A concentrated water discharge passage is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, and discharges concentrated water as a residue of the reverse osmosis water in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment, The water treatment device, wherein the concentrated water discharge channel is directly or indirectly connected to the anode chamber so as to supply the concentrated water to the anode chamber.

4. A pressure reducing section is provided in the concentrated water discharge passage, The water treatment device according to claim 3 , wherein the pressure reducing unit reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water.

5. The raw water supply channel is branched into a first branch channel and a second branch channel on a downstream side in a supply direction of the raw water, The first branch path has one end connected to the anode chamber and is connected to the concentrated water discharge path at a connection point located midway, The second branch path has one end connected to the cathode chamber, a first on-off valve is disposed at a branch point between the first branch path and the second branch path or between the branch point and the connection point; A flow meter is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, 3 . The water treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit controls opening and closing of the first on-off valve based on a flow rate of the concentrated water detected by the flow meter. 4 .

6. A downstream side of the reverse osmosis water in an outflow direction of the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device is branched into a first branch path and a second branch path, The first branch path has one end connected to the anode chamber and is connected to the concentrated water discharge path at a connection point located midway, The second branch path has one end connected to the cathode chamber, a first on-off valve is disposed at a branch point between the first branch path and the second branch path or between the branch point and the connection point; A flow meter is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, The water treatment device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control unit performs opening and closing control of the first on-off valve based on a flow rate of the concentrated water detected by the flow meter.

7. The control unit is The first opening / closing valve is controlled to be in a closed state on the condition that a flow rate of the concentrated water in the concentrated water discharge path exceeds a predetermined threshold value, 6. The water treatment device according to claim 5, wherein the first opening / closing valve is controlled to be in an open state on condition that a flow rate of the concentrated water in the concentrated water discharge channel is equal to or lower than the threshold value.

8. The anode chamber and the concentrated water discharge channel are indirectly connected via a concentrated water storage section, The concentrated water storage section is provided with a water level sensor that detects the water level of the concentrated water stored in the concentrated water storage section, A second on-off valve is disposed in the concentrated water discharge passage, 4. The water treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the opening and closing of the second on-off valve based on a detection result of the water level of the concentrated water by the water level sensor.

9. A supply pump is provided downstream of the concentrated water storage section in a discharge direction of the concentrated water, The water treatment device according to claim 8 , wherein the control unit controls the operation of the supply pump so that a flow rate of the concentrated water flowing through the concentrated water discharge channel is kept constant.

10. A degassing device is provided in the concentrated water storage section, The water treatment device according to claim 8 , wherein the degassing device degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water.

11. A degassing device is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, 4. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the degassing device degasses at least a part of the gas contained in the concentrated water.

12. 5. The water treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure reducing portion is composed of at least one of an orifice, a bent portion, and a pressure reducing valve.

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