Water purification equipment and its regeneration system

Abstract

A water purification device is suitable for connecting a source water supply end providing hard water and a user end receiving soft water. The device includes a regeneration system, a softening module comprising a container having at least one softening space for accommodating a plurality of ion exchange resins and connected to the regeneration system, and a conversion module connected to the softening module and adapted to connect the source water supply end and the user end. The regeneration system includes a first module adapted to connect to the at least one container and having a regenerant container, a second module adapted to connect to the at least one container, and a third module connecting the first module and the second module. The first module can regenerate the softening module, while the second and third modules can fully recover the regenerant to achieve zero discharge.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a water treatment device, and more particularly to a water purification device and its regeneration system. [ ] Prior Technology

[0002] In recent years, people have often used ion exchange resins to remove calcium and magnesium ions from raw water to prevent the formation of scale such as calcium or magnesium salts when the raw water is heated, which would affect the service life of electric water heaters. Generally, regenerated brine such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride is used to clean the ion exchange resin so as to achieve the purpose of reusing the ion exchange resin.

[0003] Referring to Figure 1, a conventional method for regenerating ion exchange resin includes: an introduction step 91 in which a resin container saturated with calcium ions is introduced into a regenerated brine containing sodium chloride; a substitution step 92 in which the calcium ions in the resin container undergo a substitution reaction with the sodium ions in the regenerated brine to produce a brine waste liquid containing calcium chloride; and a filtration and discharge step 93 in which the brine waste liquid is filtered through a filter plate to separate the resin, and the brine waste liquid is discharged into the external environment to obtain a pure resin container.

[0004] However, during the substitution step 92, since the substitution reaction between the sodium ions and the calcium ions captured by the ion exchange resin is a reversible chemical equilibrium reaction, when the regenerated brine is introduced into the saturated resin container to achieve chemical equilibrium between the sodium ions and the calcium ions, some of the sodium chloride will remain in the regenerated brine and will not completely undergo a substitution reaction with the ion exchange resin. Furthermore, when the waste liquid containing the sodium chloride is discharged into the external environment, it will cause soil salinization and economic damage such as poor plant yields or infrastructure damage. [ ] Summary of the Invention

[0005] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a water purification device and its regeneration system that can fully recycle resin regenerator to achieve zero discharge.

[0006] Therefore, the water purification device of the present invention is suitable for connecting a raw water end that provides hard water and a user end that receives soft water. The water purification device includes a regeneration system of the present invention, a softening module including at least one softening space having a plurality of ion exchange resins and connected to the regeneration system, and a conversion module connected to the softening module and suitable for connecting the raw water end and the user end.

[0007] In addition, the regeneration system of the present invention includes a first module, a second module adapted to connect the at least one container, and a third module connecting the first module and the second module.

[0008] The first module includes a regenerated liquid tank for holding a regenerated liquid, and a regenerated agent container for connecting to the at least one container, including a regenerated agent for holding a regenerated agent used to regenerate the ion exchange resins to generate solid waste, a filter unit connected to the regenerated agent container for intercepting the solid waste, and a drive unit connected to the regenerated agent container for providing a driving force to drive the solid waste to flow, and connected to the at least one container, the regenerated agent container and the filter unit to form a first water channel.

[0009] The second module includes a cleaning unit having a cleaning solution tank containing a cleaning solution, and a guiding unit for providing a guiding force to guide the cleaning solution, and connected to the cleaning solution tank to form a second water channel with the at least one container.

[0010] The third module includes a reflux power unit that provides a flow force, and an electrodialysis machine having a first chamber and a second chamber that are connected to each other. The first chamber is connected to the at least one container to form a third water passage, and the second chamber is connected to the regenerant tank and the regenerant container to form a fourth water passage. The electrodialysis machine is used to apply an electric field driving force to the first chamber and the second chamber, so that the regenerant can flow from the first chamber with a lower concentration to the second chamber with a higher concentration, and flow back to the regenerant tank along the fourth water passage.

[0011] The advantages of this invention are as follows: by switching between the first water path and the fourth water path, the regenerant can be introduced into the container at an appropriate time. When the container, the regenerant tank, the regenerant container, and the filter unit form a connection with the second water path, the regenerant reacts with the re-exchange resins to generate the solid waste, thus completing the regeneration of the exchange resins. The filter unit filters out the solid waste. When the third and fourth water paths perform their respective operations, in conjunction with the electric field driving force applied by the electrodialysis machine, the regenerant can flow from the first chamber to the second chamber and then flow back to the regenerant tank along the fourth water path, thus achieving a zero-emission effect of fully recovering the regenerant. [ ] Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0012] Other features and effects of the present invention will be clearly presented in the embodiments with reference to the drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a block flow diagram illustrating an existing method for regenerating ion exchange resins; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first embodiment of the regeneration system of the water purification device of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a softening module, a first module, a second module, and a third module of the first embodiment; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating one of the switching modules in the first embodiment; Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the softening module of the first embodiment connects a raw water end and a user end through a softening water channel of a conversion module; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the switching module in the first embodiment connects the first module with a container to form a first waterway; Figure 7 is a schematic diagram, which, together with Figure 6, illustrates that the first water channel in the first embodiment is connected to a regenerated liquid container tank of the first module; Figure 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the switching module in the first embodiment is connected to one of the regenerant receiving tanks of the first module; Figure 9 is a schematic diagram, illustrating with reference to Figure 8, that the first water channel in the first embodiment is connected to the regenerant container tank of the first module; Figure 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the softening module of the first embodiment is reconnected to the regeneration liquid receiving tank; Figure 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating, in conjunction with Figure 10, that the first embodiment connects to the regenerated liquid container tank through the first water passage; Figure 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating, in conjunction with Figure 10, that the second water channel in one of the first embodiments is connected to the cleaning fluid tank of one of the second modules; Figure 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the switching module in the first embodiment is connected to the third module to form a third waterway; Figure 14 is a schematic diagram, illustrating, in conjunction with Figure 13, the situation in which the third water channel connects the softening module and the third module in the first embodiment, and the situation in which the fourth water channel connects the second module and the third module; Figure 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating that the regenerant container in the first embodiment is interconnected with a second chamber of an electrodialysis machine to form a fifth water channel; Figure 16 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second embodiment of the regeneration system of the water purification device of the present invention; Figure 17 is a schematic diagram illustrating how the softened water path of the conversion module in the second embodiment switches between the plurality of containers in the softening module; and Figure 18 is a schematic diagram illustrating a third embodiment of the regeneration system of the water purification equipment of the present invention. [ ] Implementation

[0013] Before the invention is described in detail, it should be noted that similar elements are represented by the same numbers in the following description.

[0014] Referring to Figures 2, 3, and 4, one embodiment of the water purification device of the present invention, as shown in Figure 2, is implemented in conjunction with the piping configuration of a first embodiment of the regeneration system of the water purification device of the present invention, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. This embodiment includes a softening module 1 and a switching module 2 connected to the softening module 1. The regeneration system includes a first module 3 connected to the softening module 1; a second module 4 connected to the softening module 1 and the first module 3; a third module 5 connected to the softening module 1, the first module 3, and the second module 4; and a switching module 6 connected to the softening module 1, the first module 3, the second module 4, and the third module 5. This first embodiment is applicable to connecting a raw water end T and a user end U, and is used to remove calcium and magnesium ions mixed in with hard water provided by the raw water end T, thereby producing soft water and outputting it to the user end U.

[0015] The softening module 1 includes two containers 11. Each container 11 has a cylindrical body 111 defining a softening space 110, a plurality of ion exchange resins 112 disposed in the softening space 110, two filters 113 respectively disposed within the cylindrical body 111, a sensor 114 for detecting the ion concentration and water level of the hard water within the cylindrical body 111, and a partition 115 disposed within the cylindrical body 111 and used to separate the softening spaces 110. Each softening space 110 defines a first opening 110a and a second opening 110b communicating with the external environment. The filters 113 of each container 11 are respectively disposed at the first opening 110a and the second opening 110b to prevent the ion exchange resins 112 from flowing out of the container 11 with the liquid. Each of the partitions 115 is adapted to change the flow direction of the liquid in the softening space 110, so that the exchange resins 112 can be tumbled and rolled with the flow direction of the liquid, and are not easily accumulated at the bottom of the container 11.

[0016] Referring to Figure 5 and in conjunction with Figures 2, 3, and 4, the conversion module 2 is connected to the cylindrical bodies 111 of the containers 11 and is informationally connected to the sensor 114, and is suitable for connecting the raw water end T and the user end U. The conversion module 2 includes a conversion body 21 that defines a softening space 110 connecting the containers 11 and is simultaneously suitable for connecting the softening chamber 210 of the raw water end T and the user end U. The softening chamber 210 has a first cavity 210a and a second cavity 210b that are not interconnected with each other and are respectively connected to the raw water end T and the user end U.

[0017] The first module 3 includes a regenerated liquid tank 31 for holding a regenerated liquid, a regenerator container 32 for holding a regenerator 321 used to regenerate solid waste generated from the regeneration of the ion exchange resins 112, a filter unit 33 connected to the regenerator container 32 for intercepting the solid waste, a drive unit 34 connected to the regenerator container 32 and providing a driving force, a detection unit 35 for connecting the regenerator container 32 and the switching module 6, a level gauge 36 disposed inside the regenerator container 32 for detecting the water level of the regenerator 321, and a venturi tube 37 connecting the regenerator container 32 and the filter unit 33. The regenerator 321 and the regenerated liquid are essentially the same substance, differing only in the concentration of regenerating active ingredients, which are selected from alkali metal salts. It should be noted that the anionic components dissociated from the alkali metal salt must be able to react with calcium ions (Ca2+) and magnesium ions (Mg2+) to form salts that are insoluble in water. For example, the regenerative active ingredient can be sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate, or sodium oxalate. The drive unit 34 has a drive pump 341 for guiding the regenerant 321 to the cylinder 111 and for driving the flow of the solid waste. The Venturi tube 37 is suitable for guiding the regenerant 321 so that the regenerant 321 can flow smoothly out of the regenerant container 32.

[0018] In this first embodiment, the filtration unit 33 has three porous filters 331, and the detection unit 35 has a plurality of solid dissolution detection elements 351 that are connected to the regenerant container 32 and the switching module 6, and an automatic switching element (not shown) that is connected to the regenerant container 32 and the switching module 6. The filters 331 and the solid dissolution detection elements 351 can be arbitrarily configured in a water path connecting at least one of the softening module 1, the conversion module 2, the first module 3, the second module 4, the third module 5, and the switching module 6. The automatic switching element can control the automatic outflow of the regenerant 321 contained in the regenerant container 32 by setting a time value, thereby achieving automatic control. The solid dissolution detectors 351 and the sensors 114 have the same function of detecting ion concentration. In addition to detecting the concentration of cations such as calcium and magnesium ions, they can also detect the concentration of anions such as bicarbonate (HCO32-), carbonate (CO32-), or oxalate (C2O42-), and thus accurately determine the content of the solid waste remaining in the system. When the solid dissolution detectors 351 are used in conjunction with the filters 331, they can effectively intercept the solid waste.

[0019] The second module 4 includes a cleaning unit 41 containing a cleaning solution, a guide unit 42 connecting one of the containers 11 to the cleaning unit 41, and a liquid level sensing unit 43 disposed in the cleaning unit 41 for detecting the content of the cleaning solution. The cleaning unit 41 has a cleaning solution tank 411 for containing the cleaning solution, and a connector 412 connecting the regeneration tank 31 to the cleaning solution tank 411. The guide unit 42 is connected to the cleaning solution tank 411, forming a second water path S2 with the container 11. The guide unit 42 has a guide pump 421 connected to the cleaning unit 41 for providing a guiding force for the cleaning solution. The liquid level sensing unit 43 has a liquid level gauge 431 disposed in the cleaning solution tank 411 for detecting the water level of the cleaning solution contained in the cleaning solution tank 411.

[0020] Preferably, the connecting element 412 is selected from a pressure control valve. If the liquid content in the regenerated liquid tank 31 or the cleaning liquid tank 411 is too high, it may cause excessive pressure in the tank. In this case, by briefly opening the connecting element 412, the pressure in the regenerated liquid tank 31 and the cleaning liquid tank 411 can be balanced, thereby achieving the effect of liquid level balance.

[0021] The third module 5 includes a reflux power unit 51 that provides flow force, an electrodialysis machine 52 having a first chamber 521 and a second chamber 522 that are interconnected, four pressure sensors 53 that connect the first module 3 and the second module 4 and are informationally connected to the guide unit 42 and the reflux power unit 51, and a three-way valve 54 that connects to the cleaning solution tank 411 and is suitable for adjusting the flow rate of the cleaning solution. The reflux power unit 51 includes a reflux power pump 511. The first chamber 521 connects one of the containers 11, the drive pump 341, the cleaning solution tank 411, the guide pump 421, two of the pressure sensors 53, and the switching module 6. The second chamber 522 is interconnected with the regenerant tank 31, the regenerant container 32, the reflux power pump 511, the other two pressure sensors 53, and the three-way valve 54.

[0022] In this first embodiment, the softening space 110, the cleaning fluid tank 411, the guide pump 421, the drive pump 341, and the first chamber 521 of the container 11 can be switched to communicate with each other to form a third water path S3. The second chamber 522 of the electrodialysis machine 52 can also be switched to communicate with the regeneration fluid tank 31, the regeneration agent container 32, the drive pump 341, and the return power pump 511 to form a fourth water path S4.

[0023] Preferably, the return power pump 511 is informationally connected to the level gauge 431 and the liquid level gauge 36, and the guide power pump 321 is informationally connected to the sensor 114. If the liquid level in the container 11 rises abnormally, the sensor 114 will immediately notify the guide power pump 321 to stop operating to prevent liquid from overflowing from the second opening 110b of the container 11. When the level of the regenerant 321 in the regenerant container 32 or the level of the cleaning solution in the cleaning unit 41 rises abnormally, the level gauge 36 and the level gauge 431 will also immediately notify the return power pump 511 to stop operating to prevent the cleaning solution from overflowing from the cleaning unit 41 or the regenerant container 32.

[0024] The switching module 6 is connected to the sensors 114 and the solid dissolution detectors 351, and defines a flow space 60 for liquid flow. The flow space 60 has a first connecting water passage 601, a second connecting water passage 602, and a third connecting water passage 603. Preferably, the switching module 6 is exemplarily a disc-type switching valve with a multi-layer structure, wherein the actuating element of one layer is disposed in the flow space 60, and by rotating the actuating element, the first connecting water passage 601, the second connecting water passage 602, and the third connecting water passage 603 are adjusted to correspond to the softening space 110 of the container 11, which is saturated with adsorption.

[0025] In this first embodiment, the conversion module 2 is simultaneously connected to the raw water end T and the user end U. The hard water from the raw water end T flows along the softening water path 211 through the first cavity 210a of the softening chamber 210 to the softening space 110 of one of the containers 11. At this time, due to the structural design of the partition 115, the flow direction of the hard water into the container 11 is disturbed by the partition 115. The ion exchange resins 112 are then carried by the irregularly flowing hard water, which increases the contact area between the hard water and the ion exchange resins 112, thus forming a fluidized filtration effect.

[0026] Through the chemical reaction described in Formula 1 below, the sodium ions originally chelated in the exchange resins 112 will undergo a substitution reaction with the calcium and magnesium ions mixed in with the hard water. The calcium and magnesium ions will then be adsorbed onto the exchange resins 112, producing soft water that does not contain the calcium and magnesium ions. The soft water then flows from the softening space 110 of the container 11 to the softening chamber 210 of the conversion body 21, and flows along the softened water path 211 through the second chamber 210b to the user end U, where the soft water can be produced.

[0027] [Formula 1]

[0028] Hard water -Ca2+ / Mg2+++Resin-2Na+ → Resin-Ca2+ / Mg2+ + Soft water -2Na+.

[0029] When hard water is continuously introduced into the container 11, causing the exchange resin 112 to adsorb the calcium and magnesium ions to reach saturation, the sensor 114 of the container 11 can detect the ion content of the hard water contained in the container 11 and notify the conversion module 2 to perform corresponding actions. Specifically, when the sensor 114 determines that the calcium and magnesium ion content of the hard water currently present in the container 11 has decreased to a set value compared to the initial calcium and magnesium ion content of the hard water, it indicates that the exchange resin 112 has essentially lost its ability to capture the calcium and magnesium ions. The sensor 114 will then notify the conversion module 2 to switch the softening chamber 210 to another container 11 with the function of adsorbing the calcium and magnesium ions, thereby achieving the effect of continuously softening the hard water.

[0030] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, and in conjunction with Figure 5, when the sensor 114 notifies the switching module 2 to switch the raw water end T and the user end U to connect to another container 11, the sensor 114 also simultaneously notifies the switching module 6 to perform an operation, switching the first connecting water path 601 to the first water path S1. The softening space 110 of the saturated container 11, the regenerated liquid tank 31, and the guide pump 421 will then be connected to each other. Next, through the guiding force of the guide pump 421, the regenerated liquid contained in the regenerated liquid tank 31 can be transported to the softening space 110, thus completing a preliminary regeneration operation of introducing the regenerated liquid into the container 11.

[0031] Referring to Figures 8 and 9 in conjunction with Figure 3, the solid dissolution detection element 351 detects the ion concentration and generates a regeneration notification signal, which is transmitted to the switching module 6. The switching module 6 switches to the regenerant container 32 based on the regeneration notification signal, allowing the regenerant 321 to flow out of the regenerant container 32 and into the container 11 along the first water path S1. In practical implementation, operators can also use their experience to set the time value of the automatic switching element to an optimal time range, such as half an hour to one hour. This allows the automatic switching element to generate the regeneration notification signal and then control the regenerant 321 to automatically flow from the regenerant container 32 to the container 11, achieving automated delivery.

[0032] Based on the chemical properties of ion chemical affinity, the calcium and magnesium ions adsorbed on the exchange resin 112 can be replaced by sodium ions of the regenerator 321 with smaller ionic radii, so that the regenerator 321 can react with the calcium and magnesium ions to generate solid waste such as calcium carbonate (CaCO3), magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), calcium oxalate (CaC2O4) or magnesium oxalate (MgC2O4).

[0033] Based on the low solubility of the solid waste relative to water, when the solid waste flows along the second water path S2, the filters 331 of the filtration unit 33 can effectively intercept the solid waste in solid form and complete a full regeneration operation to activate and regenerate the ion exchange resin 112.

[0034] Please refer to Figures 10 and 11 again. After the regeneration operation is completed, the switching module 6 will switch back to the regenerated liquid tank 31. The regenerated liquid contained in the container 11 can then flow back to the regenerated liquid tank 31 along the first water path S1 through the driving force of the guide pump 421, thereby completing a collection operation to recover the regenerated liquid to the regenerated liquid receiving tank 32.

[0035] Referring to Figure 12, and in conjunction with Figures 10 and 3, when the regenerated liquid flows back to the regenerated liquid tank 31, the solid dissolution detector 351 will notify the switching module 6 to switch to the second water passage 602 to connect to the second water passage S2. At this time, through the driving force of the drive pump 341, the cleaning solution contained in the cleaning liquid tank 411 can flow from the first opening 110a of the container 11 into the softening space 110. The ion exchange resins 112 accumulated on the filter element 113 will be flushed up by the cleaning solution, which can prevent the ion exchange resins 112 from clogging the flow path, thereby achieving the effect of backwashing. In addition, a small amount of regenerant 321 remaining on the surface of the ion exchange resins 112 or inside the container 11 can also be flushed up by the cleaning solution, thus completing a cleaning operation to remove the regenerant 321 remaining inside the container 11 and on the ion exchange resins 112.

[0036] Referring to Figures 13 and 14, in this first embodiment, the concentration of the regenerant 321 contained in the cleaning solution in the container 11 is much lower than the concentration of the regenerant 321 contained in the regenerant storage tank 32. At this time, the solid dissolution detectors 351 generate a cleaning notification signal and transmit it to the switching module 6. The switching module 6 interprets the cleaning notification signal and switches the third connecting water path 603 to connect with the softening space 110, the cleaning solution tank 411, the guide pump 421, the drive pump 341, and the first chamber 521 to form the third water path S3. Furthermore, the second chamber 522, the regenerant tank 31, the regenerant storage tank 32, the drive pump 431, and the return power pump 511 of the electrodialysis machine 52 are connected to each other to form the fourth water path S4.

[0037] Guided by the guiding force of the guide pump 421, the cleaning solution is first input into the container 11 from the cleaning solution tank 411. The cleaning solution contained in the container 11 first flows out from the first opening 110a, flows through the first chamber 521 of the electrodialysis machine 52, and then flows into the container 11 along the third water path S3 towards the second opening 110b. In addition, through the flow force of the return power pump 511, the regenerated liquid containing the regenerator 321 flows out from the regenerated liquid tank 31, flows through the second chamber 522 of the electrodialysis machine 52, and then flows back to the regenerated liquid tank 31 and the regenerator container 32 along the fourth water path S4.

[0038] Through the electric field driving force applied to the first chamber 521 and the second chamber 522 by the electrodialysis machine 52, when the low concentration of regenerant 321 remaining in the cleaning solution flows through the first chamber 521, it can flow from the lower concentration of the first chamber 521 to the higher concentration of the second chamber 522. Combined with the flow force of the return power pump 511, the regenerated liquid containing the high concentration of regenerant 321 flowing through the second chamber 522 can flow back to the regenerated liquid tank 31 and the regenerant container 32 along the fourth water path S4, thus completing a zero-discharge operation of fully recovering the regenerant 321 remaining in the container 11 and returning it to the regenerated liquid tank 31 and the regenerant container 32.

[0039] If an excessive amount of regenerant 321 is injected into the regenerant container 32 at once, the concentration difference between the regenerant 321 flowing in the first chamber 521 and the second chamber 522 will be too large, which may cause the electrodialysis machine 52 to be unable to withstand the osmotic pressure generated during the electrolytic separation of the regenerant 321 and thus be damaged. Therefore, the pressure sensors 53 can detect the liquid pressure generated by the concentration difference of the regenerant 321 flowing in the first chamber 521 and the second chamber 522 in real time, and immediately notify the reflux power pump 511 to stop operating, so as to avoid the electrodialysis machine 52 being damaged by excessive pressure.

[0040] Furthermore, the operator can control the three-way valve 54 to allow a portion of the cleaning solution to flow directly into the container 11, instead of all of it flowing through the first chamber 521 of the electrodialysis machine 52. Experimental testing shows that if the flow rate of all the cleaning solution flowing along the third water path S3 is defined as 100%, then the flow rate of the cleaning solution flowing into the first chamber 521 is preferably 70%, and the flow rate flowing directly into the container 11 through the three-way valve 54 is preferably 30%. This effectively reduces the flow load on the electrodialysis machine 52, thereby extending its service life.

[0041] Finally, through the guiding force of the guide pump 421, the cleaning solution can flow back from the first opening 110a of the container 11 along the fourth water path S4 back to the cleaning solution tank 411, thus completing a complete collection operation of the cleaning solution.

[0042] It is worth mentioning that, in this first embodiment, by introducing gas into the softening space 110 of the container 11, the flow rate of liquids such as hard water, regenerated liquid, or regenerator 321 in the container 11 can be increased, effectively reducing the viscosity of the liquid in the container 11. This allows the ion exchange resins 112 to undergo a fluidized stirring phenomenon as the liquid flows. In addition to increasing the contact area between the ion exchange resins 112 and the hard water and improving the conversion efficiency between the ion exchange resins 112 and the hard water, the aforementioned fluidized stirring phenomenon can also increase the efficiency of the reaction between the liquid regenerated liquid and the regenerator 321 and the ion exchange resins 112 in the partial regeneration operation, the complete regeneration operation, and the cleaning operation, thereby improving the cleaning and regeneration effect of the ion exchange resins 112.

[0043] Referring to Figure 15, another embodiment of the first embodiment is shown. In this other embodiment, the regenerant container 32 and the second chamber 522 are interconnected to form a fifth water channel S5. The fifth water channel S5 is switchably interconnected with the fourth water channel S4.

[0044] When the regenerant 321 is separated through the electrodialysis machine 52, some water molecules in the regenerated liquid flowing in the third water path S3 will flow from the first chamber 521 to the second chamber 522 of the electrodialysis machine 52 along with the regenerant 321. As a result, more and more water molecules will flow in the fourth water path S4 and flow into the regenerated liquid tank 31 along with the regenerant 321, causing the liquid level in the limited volume of the regenerated liquid tank 31 to gradually rise and overflow. Therefore, by using the fifth water path S5, which is a closed loop with a fixed flow volume, the water molecules flowing in the third water path S3 are less likely to flow into the fifth water path S5 along with the regenerant 321 through the electric field driving force, thus maintaining the liquid level of the regenerated liquid contained in the regenerated liquid tank 31 at a fixed height.

[0045] Referring to Figures 16 and 17, a second embodiment of the regeneration system of the water purification equipment of the present invention is shown. The structure of this second embodiment is generally the same as that of the first embodiment, but the difference is that the softening module 1 of this second embodiment includes three containers 11. Among them, one container 11 is defined as the container 11 that is currently softening the hard water to produce soft water, another container 11 is connected to the regeneration system, and the last container 11 is the clean container 11 that has completed the preliminary regeneration operation, the complete regeneration operation, the collection operation, the cleaning operation, the zero discharge operation, and the collection operation.

[0046] In this second embodiment, the raw water end T and the user end U are substantially and continuously connected to one of the containers 11. While one of the containers 11 continuously softens the hard water into soft water, the regeneration system can independently regenerate, clean, and perform zero-discharge operations on the saturated exchange resins 112 in the container 11 by controlling the switching module 6. Furthermore, by sensing the ion concentration of the hard water in the container 11 through the sensor 114, the sensor 114 can notify the conversion body 21 to switch the softening chamber 210 to the softening space 110 connected to another clean container 11. Thus, this second embodiment can substantially and uninterruptedly provide a clean container 11 for the raw water end T and the user end U to connect, allowing the hard water to be continuously softened by the containers 11, thereby achieving the effect of continuously providing soft water.

[0047] Referring to Figure 18, a third embodiment of the regeneration system of the water purification equipment of the present invention is shown. This third embodiment has a structure largely the same as the second embodiment, but differs in that: one container 11 is saturated with adsorbed calcium and magnesium ions and is simultaneously connected to the regeneration liquid tank 31 and the regeneration agent container 32; another container 11 is connected to the cleaning liquid tank 411; and the last container 11 is the one that is softening the hard water to produce soft water. The electrodialysis unit 52 is simultaneously connected to both the saturated container 11 and the container 11 connected to the cleaning liquid tank 411. The guiding unit 42 has two guiding pumps 421. One of the guiding pumps 421 is connected to the corresponding container 11, the cleaning fluid tank 411 and the first chamber 521 to form the third water passage S3. The other guiding pump 421 is connected to the container 11, the regenerated fluid tank 31 and the second chamber 522 to form the fourth water passage S4.

[0048] Through the flow force of the return power pump 511, the cleaning solution remaining in the container 11 of the cleaning solution tank 411 flows out from the first opening 110a, first flows through the first chamber 521 of the electrodialysis machine 52 along the third water path S3, and then flows into the softening space 110 through the second opening 110b of the container 11. At the same time, through the guiding force of the guide pump 421, the regenerated solution contained in the container 11 of the regenerated solution tank 31 first flows into the second chamber 522 of the electrodialysis machine 52, and then flows back to the regenerated solution tank 31 along the fourth water path S4. Next, driven by the electric field of the electrodialysis machine 52, the regenerant 321 flowing through the first chamber 521 can flow to the second chamber 522, and then flow back to the regenerant tank 31 and the regenerant container 32 along the fourth water path S4.

[0049] It is worth noting that since the process of guiding the cleaning solution to the electrodialysis machine 52 is time-consuming, this third embodiment connects the regeneration tank 31 and the cleaning tank 411 to two of the containers 11 respectively, so that the regeneration, cleaning and zero-discharge operations can be performed on the ion exchange resins 112 located in two different containers 11 at the same time, which can greatly save the operation time.

[0050] In summary, the regeneration system of the water purification equipment of the present invention allows the switching module 2 to switch the softened water path 211 to connect to different containers 11 to continuously produce soft water. The switching module 6, in conjunction with the detection unit 44, switches the connection between the first water path S1 and the fourth water path S4, thereby achieving the resin regeneration reaction, the extraction of regenerant 321 from the container 11, and the separation and extraction of the regenerant 321 by the electrodialysis instrument 52 to achieve full recovery of the regenerant 321, resulting in a zero-discharge effect. Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is indeed achieved.

[0051] However, the above description is merely an embodiment of the present invention and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present invention. Any simple equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the scope of the patent application and the contents of the patent specification shall still fall within the scope of the patent of the present invention.

[0052] 1: Softening Module 11: Container 110: Softening Space 110a: First opening 110b: Second opening 111: Cylinder 112: Exchange resin 113: Filter element 114: Sensor 115: Partition 2: Conversion Module 21: Convert the subject 210: Softened chamber 210a: First cavity 210b: Second cavity 211: Softening water channels 3: First Module 31: Regenerated liquid tank 32: Regenerant container 321: Regenerant 33: Filtering unit 331: Filter 34: Drive Unit 341: Drive pump 35: Detection Unit 351: Solid Dissolution Detector 36: Level gauge 37: Venturi tube 4: Second Module 41: Cleaning Unit 411: Cleaning fluid tank 412: Connecting element 42: Guidance Unit 421: Guided Pump 43: Liquid level sensing unit 431: Liquid Level Gauge 5: Third Module 51: Return flow power unit 511: Return flow power pump 52: Electrodialysis machine 521: First Chamber 522: Second Chamber 53: Pressure sensor 54: Three-way valve 6: Switch Module 60: Circulation Space 601: First connecting waterway 602: Second connecting waterway 603: Third connecting waterway S1: First Waterway S2: Second Waterway S3: Third Waterway S4: Fourth Waterway S5: Fifth Waterway T: Raw water end U: User end

Claims

1. A regeneration system for a water purification device, the water purification device comprising at least one container having a cylinder defining a softening space, and a plurality of ion exchange resins disposed in the softening space and adapted to capture calcium and magnesium ions, the regeneration system comprising: a first module comprising a regeneration liquid tank adapted to hold a regeneration liquid, and a regeneration agent holding tank adapted to communicate with the at least one container and comprising a regeneration agent for regenerating the ion exchange resins to generate a solid waste, a filter unit communicating with the regeneration agent holding tank and for intercepting the solid waste, and a drive unit communicating with the regeneration agent holding tank and providing a driving force for driving the solid waste to flow, and communicating with the at least one container, the regeneration agent holding tank and the filter unit to form a first water path; A second module, adapted to connect to the at least one container, includes a cleaning unit having a cleaning solution tank containing a cleaning solution, and a guiding unit for providing a guiding force to guide the cleaning solution, and connected to the cleaning solution tank to form a second water path with the at least one container; and a third module, connecting the first module and the second module, including a reflux power unit providing a flow force, and an electrodialysis machine having a first chamber and a second chamber connected to each other, wherein... The first chamber is connected to the at least one container to form a third water path, and the second chamber is connected to the regenerated liquid tank and the regener container to form a fourth water path. The electrodialysis machine is used to apply an electric field driving force to the first chamber and the second chamber, so that the regener can flow from the first chamber with a lower concentration to the second chamber with a higher concentration, and flow back to the regenerated liquid tank along the fourth water path.

2. The regeneration system as described in claim 1, suitable for connecting two such containers, wherein, The first module connects one of the containers, the drive unit and the second chamber to form the fourth water channel, and the second module connects the other container and the cleaning fluid tank to form the third water channel.

3. The regeneration system as described in claim 1 or 2 further includes a switching module that simultaneously connects the first module, the second module, the third module, and the at least one container, wherein, The first module also includes a detection unit that is connected to the switching module.

4. The regeneration system as described in claim 3, wherein, The detection unit is adapted to detect an increase in ion concentration and generate a regeneration notification signal. The switching module will connect at least one container to the regenerant container and the filter unit through the first water path according to the regeneration notification signal.

5. The regeneration system as described in claim 4, wherein, The detection unit is also adapted to detect a decrease in ion concentration and generate a cleaning notification signal, and the switching module will connect at least one container to the cleaning unit through the second water path according to the cleaning notification signal.

6. The regeneration system as described in claim 3, wherein, The detection unit includes an automatic switching component that controls the regenerant container and the switching module based on a time value.

7. A water purification device adapted to connect a source water end that provides hard water and a user end that receives soft water, comprising: a regeneration system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6; a softening module connected to the regeneration system and including a plurality of such containers; and a conversion module connected to the cylindrical bodies of the containers and adapted to connect the source water end and the user end, and including a conversion body defining a softening space connecting the containers and adapted to connect the source water end and the user end to form a softened water path.

8. The water purification equipment as described in claim 7, wherein, The softening chamber has a first chamber and a second chamber that are not interconnected but are connected to the raw water end and the user end, and the softening module also includes an information connection to the switching module and a sensor that enables the first chamber and the second chamber to switch to the softening spaces connected to different containers.

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