Regarding solid chemical storage and water treatment methods.

Abstract

DEPCT63 A solid chemical housing body that is filled with a solid chemical. Dissolves in water inside a closed container, where the closed container comprises a closed area. It has the capability to seal off a large number of solid chemicals dissolved in water, the entry point for which... Allow treated water to flow into the enclosed area, and an outlet for the treated water is provided. Allow it to flow out of the enclosed area; some or all of the water-soluble solid chemicals are stacked. Vertically within the enclosed area through the water-soluble film; and at least some of the film... The water-soluble solution is placed on top, near the inlet and outlet. -----------------------------------------------------------

Description

Solid drug container and water treatment method

[0001] The present invention relates to a solid drug container containing a water-soluble solid drug, and more specifically to a solid drug container that has the function of gradually dissolving the water-soluble solid drug through contact with the water to be treated and continuously releasing its active ingredient into the water to be treated, and a water treatment method for treating water using the solid drug container.

[0002] As a technology for gradually dissolving a water-soluble solid drug (hereinafter referred to as a water-soluble solid drug) in the water to be treated and continuously releasing its active ingredient, a technology has been disclosed in which a solid drug dissolving device is composed of an inner cylinder and an outer cylinder, and by rotating the inner cylinder, the degree of overlap of the communicating holes formed in each of the inner and outer cylinders is changed to adjust the amount of water to be treated flowing into the inner cylinder, thereby adjusting the dissolution rate of the water-soluble solid drug filled inside the inner cylinder (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Utility Model Registration No. 3173540

[0004] However, in order to adjust the dissolution rate of the water-soluble solid drug using the technology described in Patent Document 1, it was necessary to manually rotate the inner cylindrical body each time to adjust the amount of water to be treated flowing into the inner cylindrical body in accordance with fluctuations in the flow rate and flow velocity of the water to be treated, which was a cumbersome operation.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems and aims to provide a solid drug container that can continuously release the active ingredient of a water-soluble solid drug over a long period of time and that also allows the dissolution rate of the water-soluble solid drug to be easily adjusted.

[0006] The inventors have discovered that by stacking a water-soluble solid drug vertically inside a storage container via a water-soluble film, the dissolution rate of the water-soluble solid drug can be easily adjusted and the active ingredient of the water-soluble solid drug can be released continuously over a long period of time.

[0007] The present invention was made based on the above findings and provides the following [1] to

[14] . [1] A solid drug container in which a water-soluble solid drug is filled inside a container, the container having a storage space capable of storing a plurality of water-soluble solid drug substances, an inlet for introducing water to be treated into the storage space, and an outlet for discharging the water to be treated from the storage space, the solid drug container having a water-soluble film interposed therebetween and vertically stacked in the storage space, with at least a portion of the water-soluble solid drug substance being positioned above the inlet and the outlet. [2] The solid drug container according to [1] above, in which the storage container has a substantially cylindrical container body. [3] The solid drug container according to [2] above, in which a substantially cylindrical partition wall is provided inside the container body, and the space inside the partition wall is the storage space. [4] The solid drug container according to [3] above, in which the container body is formed by fitting an upper member and a lower member. [5] The solid drug container according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the water-soluble film is a packaging material that encases the water-soluble solid drug. [6] The solid drug container according to any one of [1] to [5] above, wherein the water-soluble film is formed by film formation from a raw material containing a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin. [7] The solid drug container according to any one of [1] to [6] above, wherein the water-soluble film has a dissolution time in water at 23°C of 8 seconds or more and 99 seconds or less. [8] A water treatment method for performing water treatment using a solid drug container having a storage space capable of storing multiple water-soluble solid drug substances, an inlet for introducing water to be treated into the storage space, and an outlet for discharging water to be treated from the storage space, the storage space being filled with water-soluble solid drug substances, wherein some or all of the multiple water-soluble solid drug substances are stacked vertically via a water-soluble film, and at least a portion of the water-soluble film is positioned above the inlet and the outlet. [9] The water treatment method described in [8] above, wherein, when the water-soluble solid drug arranged below the inlet and the outlet dissolves, the water-soluble film arranged above the inlet and the outlet partially dissolves, and the remaining part of the partially dissolved water-soluble film prevents contact between the water-soluble solid drug arranged on the remaining part and the water to be treated.

[10] The water treatment method according to [9] above, wherein the remaining portion blocks a horizontal cross section of the storage space.

[11] The water treatment method according to any one of [8] to

[10] above, wherein a water-soluble solid chemical containing a halogen-based oxidizing agent as an active ingredient and a water-soluble solid chemical containing an organic oxidizing agent as an active ingredient are stored in separate solid chemical storage containers to perform water treatment.

[12] The water treatment method according to

[11] above, wherein the content of the halogen-based oxidizing agent in the water-soluble solid chemical containing a halogen-based oxidizing agent as an active ingredient is 10% by mass or more in terms of available chlorine (Cl2) when all of the active halogen components are considered to be available chlorine.

[13] The water treatment method according to

[11] above, wherein the content of the organic bactericide in the water-soluble solid chemical containing an organic oxidizing agent as an active ingredient is 1 to 40% by mass.

[14] The water treatment method according to any one of [8] to

[13] above, wherein the water-soluble solid chemical contains an excipient and a binder.

[0008] In the solid drug container of the present invention, among the multiple water-soluble solid drugs contained in the container, those drugs that are not exposed to the water to be treated flowing through the flow path formed between the inlet and outlet of the container, i.e., those drugs placed on a water-soluble film above the drugs that are exposed to the water to be treated flowing through the flow path and are dissolving, are prevented from contacting the water to be treated by the water-soluble film, even while the drugs directly below them are dissolving, thereby reducing wetting. Therefore, compared to a configuration with the same conditions except for the presence of the water-soluble film, the water content of the water-soluble solid drug can be reduced and the retention rate of the drug's active ingredient can be increased. Therefore, according to the present invention, the active ingredient of the water-soluble solid drug can be released continuously over a long period of time, and the dissolution rate of the water-soluble solid drug can be easily adjusted.

[0009] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing an outline of a storage container according to one embodiment of a solid medicine container; Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the solid medicine container shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the solid medicine container for explaining a first embodiment of a method of using the solid medicine container; Fig. 5 is a schematic explanatory view of a method of using the solid medicine container; Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the solid medicine container for explaining a second embodiment of a method of using the solid medicine container.

[0010] The present invention will be described in detail below. The solid chemical container of the present invention is a solid chemical container filled with a water-soluble solid chemical inside a container. The container has a storage space capable of storing a plurality of water-soluble solid chemicals, an inlet for introducing water to be treated into the storage space, and an outlet for discharging the water from the storage space. Some or all of the water-soluble solid chemicals are vertically laminated in the storage space via a water-soluble film, with at least a portion of the water-soluble film positioned above the inlet and the outlet. By storing and using a water-soluble solid chemical in a solid chemical container with such a configuration, the active ingredient of the water-soluble solid chemical can be continuously released over a long period of time, and the dissolution rate of the water-soluble solid chemical can be easily adjusted. In this embodiment, a solid chemical container filled with a water-soluble solid chemical used for water treatment of cooling water in a cooling tower will be described.

[0011] [Storage Container] The storage container has an inlet at the bottom of the container for allowing the water to be treated to flow into the container and an outlet for allowing the water to be treated that has flowed into the container to flow out of the container. For example, the storage container has a cylindrical portion, upper and lower surface portions that seal both ends of the cylindrical portion, an inlet provided in the cylindrical portion and / or the lower surface portion, and an outlet provided in the cylindrical portion and / or the lower surface portion. The inlet may also serve as the outlet.

[0012] For example, as shown in Fig. 1, a storage container 10 having a substantially cylindrical container body 11 can be used. As shown in Fig. 2, the interior of the container body 11 is provided with a partition wall 12. The interior of the container body 11 is partitioned by the partition wall 12 into a storage space 13 that stores a water-soluble solid drug S1 and a non-storage space 14 that does not store a water-soluble solid drug. The partition wall 12 has an opening at the bottom.

[0013] (Container Body 11) The container body 11 is composed of an upper member 11a and a lower member 11b. The upper member 11a and the lower member 11b are fitted together to form the container body 11. By making the container body separable and easily reassembled, it is possible to easily store or replenish the water-soluble solid drug in the storage space. The shape and size of the container body are not particularly limited as long as they can store the water-soluble solid drug. The shape and size of the container body can be determined appropriately from the perspectives of the size of the cooling tower, portability of the container, ease of handling, etc. The shape of the container body can be, for example, a cylindrical body with a circular, elliptical, or polygonal cross section, or a shape with a rounded outer surface. From the perspective of ease of handling, it is preferable that the size of the container body be such that it can be lifted with one hand.

[0014] Container communication passages 15a, 15b, and 15c are provided on the top of the upper member 11a, near the bottom of the circumferential side of the lower member 11b, and at the bottom of the lower member 11b. Cooling water flows between the outside of the container body 11 and the non-accommodation space 14 through these container communication passages 15a, 15b, and 15c. The shape, size, arrangement, and number of the container communication passages 15a, 15b, and 15c are not particularly limited as long as they allow cooling water to flow through them, and can be appropriately determined depending on the desired flow rate of cooling water. The shapes of the container communication passages 15a, 15b, and 15c can be, for example, round holes, square holes, slits, meshes, etc. The container communication passage 15a is located above the non-accommodation space 14, and this container communication passage 15a connects the non-accommodation space 14 to the outside of the storage container 10.

[0015] (Partition wall 12) The partition wall 12 has a cylindrical shape and is suspended from the inner wall of the top of the upper member 11 a. In the container body 11 formed by fitting the upper member 11 a and the lower member 11 b, the space inside the partition wall 12 is the storage space 13, and the space outside is the non-storage space 14.

[0016] The shape, size, and arrangement of the partition wall 12 are determined so that it is easy to newly store or replenish the water-soluble solid drug in the storage space. Specifically, the shape, size, and arrangement of the partition wall 12 are determined so that the storage space 13 inside the partition wall 12 is the size of the water-soluble solid drug S1 with some leeway (play).

[0017] The partition wall 12 is arranged so as not to contact the bottom surface of the lower member 11b. The gap between the lower end of the partition wall 12 and the opposing bottom surface of the lower member 11b forms a partition wall communication passage 16. Cooling water flows between the accommodation space 13 and the non-accommodation space 14 through this partition wall communication passage 16. In this embodiment, the partition wall communication passage 16 functions as an "inlet" and an "outlet," and the container communication passages 15b and 15c function as "outlets."

[0018] The shape, size, arrangement, and number of the partition wall communicating passages 16 are not particularly limited as long as they allow cooling water to flow through them, and can be determined appropriately depending on the desired flow rate of cooling water. The shape may be, for example, a round hole, a square hole, a slit, a mesh, or the like. Furthermore, when the partition wall is cylindrical, the partition wall communicating passages may be formed such that the lower end of the partition wall is in contact with the opposing bottom surface of the container body, and there is a gap at least partially between the partition wall and the bottom surface of the container body. However, from the viewpoint of ensuring the flow of cooling water between the storage space and the non-storage space even when the level of cooling water flowing into the non-storage space is low, it is preferable that at least one partition wall communicating passage extend to the bottom surface of the container body.

[0019] The storage container 10 of this embodiment is made of translucent polypropylene. From the viewpoint of easily visually observing the state of the water-soluble solid drug inside the container from the outside of the container, it is preferable that the container body and the partition wall have transparency. Furthermore, since the storage container 10 is used in a cooling tower, it is preferable that the storage container 10 be made of plastic from the viewpoints of ease of handling, water resistance, etc.

[0020] [Water-soluble solid chemical] The water-soluble solid chemical is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a solid chemical as a water treatment agent for cooling water in a cooling tower, and a solid chemical as a water treatment agent for sewage.

[0021] The water-soluble solid chemical used as a water treatment agent for cooling tower cooling water is not particularly limited, but examples include halogen-based oxidizing agents and organic agents. When a halogen-based oxidizing agent and an organic agent are used in combination, and the organic bactericide is reactive with the halogen-based oxidizing agent, it is preferable to store the solid chemical (A) containing the halogen-based oxidizing agent as an active ingredient and the solid chemical (B) containing the organic oxidizing agent as an active ingredient in separate storage containers in order to prevent the two chemicals from reacting prematurely. (Solid Chemical (A)) The solid chemical (A) containing the halogen-based oxidizing agent as an active ingredient exhibits the effects of sterilization, disinfection, and slime suppression in the water treatment agent. Examples of halogen-based oxidizing agents include halogenated hydantoin compounds and isocyanuric acid compounds.

[0022] Halogenated hydantoin compounds are solid organic halogen-based oxidizing agents that release active halogens with strong oxidizing power upon contact with water. From the viewpoint of water solubility and other factors, they are suitable for sustained release of active halogens over a long period of time. Commercially available sustained-release tablets of halogen-based oxidizing agents include, in addition to halogenated hydantoin compounds, those containing calcium hypochlorite, sodium chlorite, dichloroisocyanuric acid, trichloroisocyanuric acid, and the like as active ingredients. The present inventors have discovered that, among these halogen-based oxidizing agents, those containing halogenated hydantoin compounds as active ingredients have a relatively slow dissolution rate. Based on this finding, halogenated hydantoin compounds are considered to be the most suitable from the viewpoint of sustaining excellent efficacy when used in combination with solid agents containing organic fungicides. Furthermore, halogenated hydantoin compounds produce a relatively low odor upon contact with water, making them preferable from the viewpoint of safety during handling.

[0023] Specific examples of halogenated hydantoin compounds include 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (hereinafter abbreviated as BCDMH), 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, 1-bromo-3-chloro-5,5-diethylhydantoin, 1,3-dichloro-5,5-diethylhydantoin, and 1-bromo-3-chloro-5-methyl-5-ethylhydantoin. These compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Of these, BCDMH and 1,3-dichloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin are preferred from the viewpoints of the balance of the dissolution rate with the solid drug (B) when contacted with water, ease of availability, and the like.

[0024] The halogen-based oxidizing agent as described above is preferably in the form of a tablet. The manufacturing method of the tablet is not particularly limited, and it can be manufactured by a known method. It is usually manufactured by press molding using additives such as excipients and binders. The dissolution rate of the tablet in the water to be treated can be adjusted by adjusting the type and amount of excipients and binders. Commercially available products can also be used as the tablet.

[0025] From the viewpoint of allowing the halogen-based oxidizing agent to elute at an appropriate elution rate, the content of the halogen-based oxidizing agent in the solid chemical agent (A) is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 30 to 90% by mass, and even more preferably 40 to 70% by mass, calculated as available chlorine (Cl2), when all of the active halogen components are considered to be available chlorine. From the viewpoint of the bactericidal effect against Legionella bacteria, the concentration of available halogen (in terms of Cl2) in the water to be treated by the solid chemical agent (A) is preferably 0.1 mg / L or more, more preferably 0.1 to 5 mg / L, and even more preferably 0.1 to 2 mg / L.

[0026] (Solid Agent (B)) By using a solid agent (B) containing an organic bactericide reactive with the halogen-based oxidizing agent in combination with the solid agent (A), a synergistic bactericidal effect can be obtained. The organic bactericide is reactive with the halogen-based oxidizing agent. Since the reaction with the halogen-based oxidizing agent produces toxic halogen-based substances such as chlorine gas, it is difficult to mix it with the halogen-based oxidizing agent to form a single agent. For this reason, in order to formulate an organic bactericide, it is necessary to use a separate agent from the halogen-based oxidizing agent. Therefore, in this embodiment, the solid agent (B) is formulated separately from the solid agent (A).

[0027] The active ingredient in the organic disinfectant preferably contains an isothiazolinone compound from the viewpoint of disinfecting performance when used in combination with a halogen-based oxidizing agent. Specific examples of the isothiazoline compound include 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one (hereinafter abbreviated as Cl-MIT), 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 4,5-dichloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-ethyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 5-chloro-2-ethyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 5-chloro-2-t-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 4,5-dichloro-2-cyclohexyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, Cl-MIT is preferred from the viewpoints of solubility in water, bactericidal performance, and ease of availability. In particular, from the viewpoint of bactericidal action against Legionella bacteria, a combination of a solid agent (A) that is a halogen-based oxidizing agent containing BCDMH as an active ingredient and a solid agent (B) that contains an organic bactericide containing Cl-MIT as an active ingredient is preferred.

[0028] From the viewpoint of obtaining excellent bactericidal action, for example, when the active ingredient is Cl-MIT and the active ingredient of the halogen-based oxidizing agent of the solid agent (A) is BCDMH, the amount of elution of the solid agent (B) of the organic bactericide as the active ingredient is preferably 0.00001 to 100 times, more preferably 0.01 to 30 times, and even more preferably 0.1 to 1 times the effective halogen (Cl2 equivalent) concentration (unit: mg / L) of BCDMH in the water to be treated. The concentration of Cl-MIT in the water to be treated is preferably 0.0001 to 5 mg / L, more preferably 0.001 to 3 mg / L, and even more preferably 0.001 to 2 mg / L.

[0029] In addition to the organic bactericides, the solid agent (B) may contain other known compounds used in water treatment agents from the perspective of corrosion prevention, scale prevention, etc. Examples include triazole compounds, phosphonic acid compounds, sulfamic acid compounds, ametryn, 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide, bronopol, 2,2-dibromo-2-nitroethanol, zinc pyrithione, thiabendazole, and flocculants based on low molecular weight polymers of acrylic acid or maleic acid. These may be used alone or in combination. However, the amount of these compounds added should be within a range that does not interfere with the bactericidal action of the solid agents (A) and (B).

[0030] The form of the solid agent (B), like the form of the solid agent (A), is not particularly limited. However, from the viewpoint of ease of adjusting the amount used and ease of handling, a tablet or granular form such as a pellet or tablet is preferred. From the viewpoint of workability when placing it in a container, a tablet is more preferred. The manufacturing method of the tablet is not particularly limited, and it can be manufactured by a known method. Typically, it is manufactured by pressure molding using additives such as excipients and binders. The dissolution rate of the tablet in the water to be treated can be adjusted by adjusting the type and amount of excipients and binders. Examples of such additives include magnesium stearate, silica, magnesium oxide, etc. Commercially available products can also be used as the solid agent (B) containing the above-mentioned organic bactericide as an active ingredient.

[0031] In order to ensure that the organic fungicide dissolves at an appropriate rate, the solid drug (B) preferably contains 1 to 40% by mass of the organic fungicide, more preferably 2 to 35% by mass, and even more preferably 5 to 30% by mass.

[0032] The form of the water-soluble solid pharmaceutical is not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of ease of adjusting the amount used and ease of handling, a tablet or granular form such as a pellet or tablet is preferable, and from the viewpoint of workability when storing in a storage container, a tablet is more preferable. The manufacturing method of the tablet is not particularly limited, and it can be manufactured by a known method. Usually, it is manufactured by pressure molding using additives such as excipients and binders. The dissolution rate of the tablet in the treated water can be adjusted by adjusting the type and amount of excipients and binders.

[0033] [Water-soluble film] Examples of water-soluble films include those derived from synthetic resins and natural products such as polyvinyl alcohol (hereinafter referred to as PVA), polyethylene oxide, polyvinyl ether, polyvinylpyrrolidone, pullulan, cellulose derivatives, etc. Among these, the most suitable one can be used depending on the type of water-soluble solid drug.

[0034] For example, when the water-soluble solid chemical is a water treatment agent, it is preferable to use a PVA-based film, which is formed by forming a raw material containing a polyvinyl alcohol-based resin (hereinafter referred to as a "PVA-based resin").

[0035] The PVA resin may be a resin obtained by saponifying a vinyl ester polymer obtained by polymerizing a vinyl ester compound. In this embodiment, the PVA resin may be used alone or in combination of two or more kinds.

[0036] As the vinyl ester compound, one or more of vinyl acetate, vinyl formate, vinyl trifluoroacetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl caprate, vinyl laurate, vinyl versatate, vinyl palmitate, vinyl stearate, etc. may be used.

[0037] The water-soluble film used in the present invention preferably has a complete dissolution time (the time until 95% or more of a 50 μm-thick film is dissolved) in water at 23°C of 8 to 99 seconds, more preferably 12 to 99 seconds, and even more preferably 57 to 99 seconds. By setting the complete dissolution time within the above range, the active ingredient of the water-soluble solid drug can be released sustainedly over a long period of time. Here, the complete dissolution time in water at 23°C is the value measured as the time until the film is completely dissolved according to the method described in the Examples below under "Evaluation of Water Solubility of Film." When a film with a thickness other than 50 μm is used, the value is converted to a film thickness of 50 μm using the following formula (1): Converted dissolution time (seconds) = [50 / film thickness (μm)] ２ × Sample dissolution time (seconds) ... Equation (1)

[0038] The water-soluble film used in the present invention preferably has a disintegration time in 23°C water (the time until a 50 μm-thick film breaks) of 40 seconds or less, more preferably 30 seconds or less. By setting the disintegration time within the above range, the active ingredient of the water-soluble solid drug can be released sustainably over a long period of time. Here, the disintegration time in 23°C water is the value measured as the time until the film breaks according to the method described in the Examples below under "Evaluation of Water Solubility of Film." When a film having a thickness other than 50 μm is used, the value is converted into a film thickness of 50 μm according to the following formula (2): Converted disintegration time (seconds) = [50 / film thickness (μm)] ２ × sample disintegration time (seconds) ... Equation (2)

[0039] [Water Treatment Method] An embodiment of water treatment of cooling water in a cooling tower using the above-mentioned solid drug container will be described. In the following embodiment, the partition wall communication passage 16 of the storage container functions as an "inlet", and the partition wall communication passage 16 and the container communication passages 15b and 15c function as "outlets". <First Embodiment> The first embodiment will be described based on Figures 3 and 4. The arrows in Figure 3 indicate the flow direction of the cooling water.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 4( a), water-soluble solid chemicals S1 to S3 packaged in a water-soluble film 17 are contained in a storage space 13. In a first embodiment, the storage container 10 containing the water-soluble solid chemicals S1 to S3 in the storage space 13 is placed in a cooling tower so that the falling cooling water strikes the outer wall of the top of the storage container 10. In a counterflow (round) cooling tower, if a sound-absorbing mat is provided, the storage container 10 is preferably placed on top of the mat. Alternatively, the storage container 10 may be placed on a sprinkler plate or other support member. The storage container 10 may also be placed in the cooling tower using a support member such as a hanging cord or a stand. In a crossflow (square) cooling tower, a base for the storage container 10 may be provided in the cooling tower, for example, near the louvers on the periphery of the cooling tower, and the storage container 10 may be placed on the base. In such an embodiment, it is preferable to provide, for example, a gutter to guide the cooling water from the cooling tower's filler material to the top of the storage container 10.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 3 , cooling water flows into the non-container space 14 through the container communication passage 15a, and then flows from the non-container space 14 into the containment space 13 through the partition wall flow passage 16. The cooling water that flows into the containment space 13 first elutes the water-soluble film 17 that wraps the water-soluble solid drug S1 located at the bottom of the containment space 13, and then elutes the water-soluble solid drug S1. The cooling water (eluate) from which the water-soluble solid drug S1 has eluted flows out of the storage container 10 through the container communication passages 15b and 15c. This flow of cooling water uses the water-soluble solid drug to treat the cooling water in the cooling tower. Note that the amount of cooling water retained in the non-container space varies depending on the size of the non-container space and the inflow and outflow rates of the cooling water, but the greater the amount of retention, the more effectively the elution rate of the water-soluble solid drug can be suppressed.

[0042] As the water-soluble solid drug S1 dissolves, the water-soluble film 17 that wraps the water-soluble solid drug S2 located directly above the water-soluble solid drug S1 also begins to dissolve from the bottom. During this process, as shown in FIG. 4(b), a film-like state is formed across the horizontal cross section of the storage space 13, i.e., the gap between the water-soluble solid drug S2 and the storage space 13 is blocked by the water-soluble film 17. In this state, the water vapor generated by the evaporation of the cooling water that flows into the storage space remains below the film, thereby preventing the water-soluble solid drug S3 located above the film from becoming wet with the water vapor. While capillary action of the water-soluble solid drug itself may also be a factor in wetting the water-soluble solid drug, in this embodiment, the water-soluble film 17 remaining between the water-soluble solid drug S1 and S2 and the water-soluble film 17 between the water-soluble solid drug S2 and S3 prevent the water-soluble solid drug from absorbing the cooling water due to capillary action, thereby preventing the water-soluble solid drug from becoming wet due to capillary action. By suppressing wetting of the water-soluble solid medicine, the water content of the water-soluble solid medicine can be reduced, and the remaining rate of the active ingredient of the water-soluble solid medicine can be increased.

[0043] 4 and 5, a second embodiment of the water treatment method of the present invention will be described, in which cooling water in a cooling tower is treated using a solid medicine container according to one embodiment of the present invention. The arrows in Fig. 5 indicate the flow direction of the cooling water.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 4( a), water-soluble solid chemicals S1 to S3 packaged in a water-soluble film 17 are contained in a storage space 13. In a second embodiment, a storage container 10 containing water-soluble solid chemicals S1 to S3 in the storage space 13 is floated on the surface of the cooling water in a cooling water pit in a cooling tower, with at least the top outer wall of the storage container 10 exposed above the water surface. The cooling water pit may be an upper pit or a lower pit where the cooling water to be sprayed is stored. In this embodiment, the container must be made of a material and have a shape that allows it to float on the water surface. If it is difficult for the container to float alone, the container can be made to float by using a container set that also includes a frame that functions as a "float." To prevent the container from floating over a wide area, the container may be moored or a fence or other structure may be installed to secure the floating area.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5 , cooling water flows into the non-container space 14 through the container communication passages 15b and 15c, and then flows from the non-container space 14 into the containment space 13 through the partition wall flow passage 16. The water-soluble solid chemical S1 in the containment space 13 comes into contact with the cooling water and dissolves. The cooling water flowing into the containment space 13 first dissolves the water-soluble film 17 that wraps the water-soluble solid chemical S1 located at the bottom of the containment space 13, and then dissolves the water-soluble solid chemical S1. The cooling water (dissolved solution) from which the water-soluble solid chemical S1 has dissolved flows out of the containment container 10 through the container communication passages 15b and 15c. This flow of cooling water uses the water-soluble solid chemical to treat the cooling water in the cooling tower. In this embodiment, the container communication passage 15a functions as a vent. However, if the falling cooling water hits the outer wall of the top of the containment container 10, the cooling water may also flow into the non-container space 14 through the container communication passage 15a. In this embodiment, as in the above-mentioned <First embodiment>, wetting of the water-soluble solid drug S3 can be suppressed, thereby reducing the water content of the water-soluble solid drug and increasing the residual rate of the active ingredient in the water-soluble solid drug.

[0046] <Other Embodiments> In the above embodiment, each water-soluble solid drug is packaged individually in the water-soluble film 17. However, multiple tablets may be packaged together in the water-soluble film. Alternatively, the water-soluble solid drug and the water-soluble film may be arranged alternately from bottom to top in the storage space 13 to form a layered structure of the water-soluble solid drug and the water-soluble film. In this case, the layer of the water-soluble solid drug may be one layer or two or more layers, and the layer of the water-soluble film may be one layer or two or more layers. The layer of the water-soluble solid drug may be composed of one tablet of the water-soluble solid drug, or two or more tablets of the water-soluble solid drug. Alternatively, the container may be filled with granular water-soluble solid drug, covered with a water-soluble film, and then further filled with granular water-soluble solid drug. Multiple pairs of the water-soluble solid drug and the water-soluble film may be laminated. In any embodiment, it is preferable to use a water-soluble film that is larger than the horizontal cross section of the storage space 13. This allows the peripheral edge of the water-soluble film to come into contact with the inner surface of the storage space 13, thereby preventing moisture from penetrating upward through the gap between the peripheral edge of the water-soluble film and the inner surface of the storage space 13.

[0047] The present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited to the following examples.

[0048] [Evaluation of Film Water Solubility] The dissolution time of various commercially available water-soluble films was measured under the following conditions. <Apparatus> - 1 L beaker - 35 mm slide mount (manufactured by Fujifilm Imaging Systems Co., Ltd.) with a window measuring 35 mm wide x 24 mm - Magnetic stirrer - Stirring bar (40 mm long x 8 mm diameter) <Sample> - Various commercially available water-soluble films [PVA film (Table 1), water-soluble paper (Table 2), wafer paper (Table 3)] <Test Conditions> - Water temperature: 23°C - Stirring bar rotation speed: 500 rpm - Film size in contact with water: 35 mm x 24 mm - Gap between slide mount and inner wall of beaker: 1 mm - Top edge of slide mount window: 700 mL line on the beaker <Procedure> 1. Cut the film to a size of 45 mm x 45 mm and secure it in place between the slide mount. 2. Prepare 800 mL of pure water at 23°C in a 1 L beaker. 3. Place a stirring bar in the stirrer and stir at 500 rpm. 4. Secure the slide mount holding the film with a clip and place it in the beaker perpendicular to the direction of the flow. 5. Measure the time until the film breaks and the time until most of the film inside the frame (95%) has dissolved; the former is the "disintegration time" and the latter is the "complete dissolution time."

[0049] In Table 1 above, "dried XRV" means XRV that has been dried in a constant temperature bath at 60°C for one day (24 hours).

[0050]

[0051]

[0052] The water-soluble film used in the present invention can be appropriately selected depending on the type and application of the water-soluble solid drug, but it is preferable that the complete dissolution time in the above method is 8 seconds or more and 99 seconds or less. Starch-based water-soluble films do not completely dissolve even after 30 minutes, so when used in the present invention, they are expected to adhere to the surface of the water-soluble solid drug and promote dissolution, which is not preferable.

[0053] [Evaluation Test for Water Content and Active Ingredient Remaining Rate of Water-Soluble Solid Pharmaceuticals] <Solid Pharmaceutical Container> The following samples were contained in the solid pharmaceutical container shown in Figure 5. The following water-soluble solid pharmaceuticals were used: Water-soluble solid pharmaceutical: Water-soluble solid pharmaceutical containing 7% by mass of total phosphoric acid and 7% by mass of Cl-MIT. <Samples> Comparative Example 1: 4 tablets of water-soluble solid pharmaceutical (no film). Example 1: 4 tablets of water-soluble solid pharmaceutical (packaged individually in Kuraray's poval film "VF-HP220" (40 μm thick)). Example 2: 4 tablets of water-soluble solid pharmaceutical (packaged individually in Sekisui Chemical's PVA film "ADVASOL XRV ("XRV" in Table 1")" (50 μm thick).) <Procedure> 1. The sample was placed in a cylindrical container. 2. The container containing the sample was placed in a shower-ringed round cooling tower. 3. After one week, the sample was removed and the remaining component was examined based on the remaining dissolved material.

[0054] <Method for measuring moisture content> The moisture content of the water-soluble solid pharmaceutical was measured by the following procedure. The sample taken out of the cooling tower was placed in a thermostatic chamber at 40°C and dried until there was no change in mass. The moisture content was calculated from the weight loss before and after drying.

[0055] <Method for measuring the residual rate of total phosphate> The residual rate of total phosphate in a water-soluble solid drug was measured by the following procedure. A dried solid drug was dissolved in pure water to a concentration of 1 g / L, and after thermal decomposition, the total phosphate was measured by molybdenum blue absorptiometry using a ratio beam spectrophotometer U-5100 (Hitachi High-Tech Science Corporation). <Method for measuring Cl-MIT> The residual rate of Cl-MIT in a water-soluble solid drug was measured by the following procedure. A dried solid drug was dissolved in pure water to a concentration of 1 g / L, and the total phosphate was measured using a high-performance liquid chromatography Agilent 1260 (Agilent Technologies Japan, Ltd.).

[0056] <Results and Discussion> The results of the moisture content of the entire tablet remaining after one week are shown below. Comparative Example 1: 66.2% Example 1: 45.4% Example 2: 34.1% As such, it was confirmed that the use of a water-soluble film significantly reduced the moisture content of the water-soluble solid drug. Looking particularly at the water-soluble solid drug at the top, considerable wetting was confirmed in Comparative Example 1, but in Example 2, the moisture content was 5.45%, reducing wetting. This is thought to be because the water-soluble film blocked the gap between the water-soluble solid drug and the storage space, reducing the influence of water vapor. A comparison of Example 1 and Example 2 confirmed that the film of Example 2 was more suitable for blocking the gap between the water-soluble solid drug and the storage space.

[0057] The remaining percentage of total phosphoric acid in the four water-soluble solid medicine tablets after one week is shown below. Comparative Example 1: 0.5% Example 1: 23.3% Example 2: 52.1% The remaining percentage of Cl-MIT in the four water-soluble solid medicine tablets after one week is shown below. Comparative Example 1: 28.4% Example 1: 49.8% Example 2: 66.1% In this way, the use of a film significantly improved the remaining percentage of ingredients. This is thought to be due to the fact that the ingredients are prevented from dissolving by preventing wetting.

[0058] [Test to Confirm Wetting Due to Water Vapor] Using the storage container constituting the solid drug storage unit shown in Figure 5, we confirmed that wetting due to the intrusion of water vapor occurs on the interior ceiling of the container, which is not directly exposed to water, using the following method. <Procedure> 1. Kuraray's poval film "VF-HP220" (40 μm thick) was adhered to the ceiling surface of the cylindrical storage container using an adhesive (Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd., one-component RTV rubber KE-347). 2. The container was placed in a round cooling tower for two days without adding any water-soluble solid drug. <Results and Discussion> After two days, the water-soluble film had completely disappeared, confirming that the water-soluble film was wetted by water vapor and then dissolved away. These results confirmed that wetting due to water vapor (humidity) occurs in conditions such as 100% humidity, even without direct exposure to water.

[0059] [Test to confirm the relationship between film wetting and component elution] <Solid drug container> The following samples were contained in the solid drug container shown in Figure 5. The following water-soluble solid drug was used: Water-soluble solid drug: Water-soluble solid drug containing 7% by mass of benzotriazole <Samples> Example 1: Four tablets of water-soluble solid drug (packaged individually in Kuraray's poval film "VF-HP220" (thickness: 40 μm)) Example 2: Four tablets of water-soluble solid drug (packaged individually in Sekisui Chemical's PVA film "ADVASOL XRV ("XRV" in Table 1)" (thickness: 50 μm)) <Procedure> 1. The sample was placed in a cylindrical container. 2. The container containing the sample was placed in a shower-ringed round cooling tower. 3. After one week, the sample was removed, and the moisture content and remaining rate of benzotriazole in the topmost water-soluble solid drug (fourth tablet from the bottom) were examined.

[0060] <Method for measuring moisture content> The moisture content of the water-soluble solid pharmaceutical was measured using the following procedure. The sample taken out of the cooling tower was placed in a thermostatic chamber at 40°C and dried until there was no change in mass. The moisture content was calculated from the weight loss before and after drying.

[0061] <Method for measuring residual rate of benzotriazole> The residual rate of benzotriazole in a water-soluble solid drug was measured by the following procedure: The dried solid drug was dissolved in pure water to a concentration of 1 g / L, and the concentration was measured using a high-performance liquid chromatograph Agilent 1260 (Agilent Technologies Japan, Ltd.).

[0062] <Results and Discussion> The results of the moisture content and benzotriazole remaining rate of the water-soluble solid medicine in the top tablet (fourth tablet from the bottom) after one week are shown below. Example 1: moisture content (24.7%), benzotriazole remaining rate (80.0%) Example 2: moisture content (5.4%), benzotriazole remaining rate (100%) As shown above, it was confirmed that components were lost at a moisture content of 24.7%, but no loss of components occurred at a moisture content of 5.4%.

[0063] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Storage container 11 Container body 12 Partition wall 13 Storage space 14 Non-storage space 15a, 15b, 15c Container communication passage 16 Partition wall communication passage 17 Water-soluble film S1, S2, S3 Water-soluble solid drug

Claims

DEPCT631. A solid chemical housing body filled with water-soluble solid chemicals inside a closed container, in which the container comprises a closed area capable of sealing multiple quantities of water-soluble solid chemicals, an inlet for allowing treated water to flow into the closed area, and an outlet for allowing treated water to flow out of the closed area. Part or all of the water-soluble solid chemicals are stacked vertically in the closed area through a water-soluble film, and at least some of the water-soluble film is positioned upwards from the inlet and outlet.

2. A solid chemical housing body according to Recusation 1, in which the container comprises an approximate cylindrical body.

3. A solid chemical housing body according to Recusation 2, in which the container comprises an approximate cylindrical separating wall inside the body, and the interior of the separating wall as the closed area.

4. A solid chemical housing body according to Recusation 3, in which the body is formed by attaching upper and lower components. 5.

6. Solid chemical containers under any of the claims 1 to 4 where the water-soluble film is the container material holding the water-soluble solid chemical.

7. Solid chemical containers under any of the claims 1 to 5 where the water-soluble film is obtained by fabricating the film from a raw material consisting of a resin based on polyvinyl alcohol.

8. Solid chemical containers under any of the claims 1 to 6 where the water-soluble film has a dissolution time in water at 23°C of 8 seconds or more and 99 seconds or less. 9.Water treatment method for the treatment of water using a solid chemical collection section where the solid chemical collection section consists of an enclosed area capable of enclosing multiple quantities of water-soluble solid chemicals, an inlet for allowing treated water to flow into the enclosed area, and an outlet for allowing treated water to flow out of the enclosed area, and is filled with water-soluble solid chemicals in the enclosed area and some or all of the multiple quantities of water-soluble solid chemicals are stacked vertically through a water-soluble film and at least some of the water-soluble film is deposited upwards from the inlet and outlet.

9. Water treatment method according to claim 8 where the water-soluble film deposited upwards from the inlet and outlet is partially dissolved during the dissolution of water-soluble solid chemicals deposited downwards from the inlet and outlet; and the remainder of the partially dissolved water-soluble film prevents contact of the remaining water-soluble dissolved solid chemicals with the treated water.10.

11. Water treatment methods under claim 9 where the remainder obstructs the horizontal cross-section of the enclosed area.

12. Water treatment methods under claim 11 where the amount of halogen-based oxidants in the water-soluble solid chemicals containing halogen-based oxidizing agents as active substances and water-soluble solid chemicals containing organic oxidizing agents as active substances are enclosed in individual solid chemical storage areas for water treatment.

13. Water treatment methods under claim 11 where the amount of organic bactericidal agents in the water-soluble solid chemicals containing organic oxidizing agents as active substances is 1 to 40% by mass. 14.Any water treatment method under claims 8 through 13 in which a water-soluble solid chemical is incorporated with a drug additive and a coagulant-----------------------------------------------------------;.