Cleaning system

Abstract

To provide an efficient cleaning system.SOLUTION: A cleaning system 1 uses water as a cleaning medium and includes: a cleaning device 10; a boiler water line 102 which has one end connected to a boiler 100 and through which boiler water from the boiler 100 flows; a cleaning water line 50 which has one end connected to the cleaning device 10 and through which the boiler water flowing through the boiler water line 102 flows; and a control panel 90 which controls an amount of the boiler water flowing to the cleaning device 10 through the cleaning water line 50.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning system that uses boiler water for cleaning. [Background technology]

[0002] Hot water cleaning using steam generated in boilers is widely practiced. Patent Document 1 proposes a hot water cleaning technology that effectively utilizes not only the steam generated in boilers but also the steam drain generated in finishing roll mills and dryers in order to save energy. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-198038 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In conventional technology, steam generated in a boiler is used as a heat source to create hot water, which is then used for cleaning. A more advanced energy-saving method is to effectively utilize steam drain in addition to steam. However, boiler water contains thermal energy, and no technology has been proposed to directly utilize this thermal energy. Note that "boiler water" refers to boiler water in a boiler, and includes boiler concentrated boiler water, which is concentrated boiler water in a boiler, and blowdown wastewater discharged when boiler water is concentrated.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning system that actively utilizes components such as heat and alkali contained in boiler water. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] (1) The cleaning system of the present invention is a cleaning system that uses water as a cleaning medium and includes a cleaning device, a boiler water line having one end connected to a boiler and flowing boiler water from the boiler, a cleaning water line having one end connected to the cleaning device and flowing the boiler water that has flowed through the boiler water line, and a control unit that controls the amount of boiler water flowing to the cleaning device through the cleaning water line. This makes it possible to provide a cleaning system that efficiently uses boiler water. (2) The cleaning system may further include a recovery tank capable of storing the boiler water, and the other end of the boiler water line and the other end of the cleaning water line may be connected to the recovery tank, thereby enabling a stable supply of boiler water to the cleaning device. (3) The cleaning system may further include a water quality inspection unit that is provided in at least one of the boiler water line, the cleaning water line, and the recovery tank and inspects the quality of the boiler water. This makes it possible to grasp the quality of the boiler water. (4) In the cleaning system, the test items of the water quality test unit may be pH and / or electrical conductivity. By testing the boiler water quality in this way, information can be obtained that can be used as a criterion for determining whether to change the amount of cleaning agent added and whether to purify the boiler water depending on the water quality. (5) In the cleaning system, the control unit may control the amount of the cleaning agent to be supplied to the cleaning device based on the amount of the boiler water supplied to the cleaning device and / or the test results of the water quality, thereby reducing the amount of cleaning agent used. (6) The cleaning system may further include a water purification unit provided in at least one of the boiler water line, the cleaning water line, and the recovery tank, for purifying the boiler water. This allows the range of items that can be cleaned with the boiler water to be expanded. For example, if the items to be cleaned are laundry, the boiler water can be used even when the laundry is white. (7) The washing system may further include a water line connected to the washing device, the washing water line, the recovery tank, or the boiler water line at one end, for diluting the boiler water and supplying it to the washing device. This allows the range of items that can be washed with the boiler water to be expanded. For example, if the items to be washed are laundry, the boiler water can be used even when the laundry is white. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an energy-saving cleaning system by actively utilizing components such as alkali contained in boiler water and also by utilizing the heat of the boiler water. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a cleaning system 1 of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (Cleaning System) A cleaning system 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention is as follows: Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of the cleaning system 1. The cleaning system 1 is a system that uses water as a cleaning medium and an alkaline detergent, and heats the cleaning liquid to clean an object to be cleaned.

[0010] (Cleaning section) The washing system 1 includes a washing apparatus 10. The washing apparatus 10 includes a washing section 12 that washes an object to be washed, and if the washing apparatus is a packaged washing apparatus, the washing apparatus itself includes a washing apparatus level sensor 128 and a washing apparatus temperature sensor 130, and also includes a washing apparatus control section (126) that controls the water supply that sends washing water 112 and water 114 to the washing section and controls the temperature using steam. In this embodiment, an example of a packaged washing apparatus is described.

[0011] (Steam supply section) The cleaning system 1 further includes a steam supply unit 40 and a steam line 70. The steam supply unit 40 supplies steam to the cleaning unit 12. One end of the steam line 70 is connected to the steam supply unit 40. The other end of the steam line 70 is connected to the cleaning unit 12. The steam supplied from the steam supply unit 40 flows from the steam supply unit 40 to the cleaning unit 12 through the steam line 70. The cleaning device 10 further includes a steam valve 14.

[0012] (Water supply section) The cleaning system 1 further includes a water supply unit 41, a water line 72, a water line flow meter 74 (FM), and a water line flow adjustment valve 61. The water supply unit 41 supplies water for diluting cleaning water and water for rinsing to the cleaning unit 12. Examples of water used in this water supply unit include clean water (tap water), groundwater, filtered industrial water, groundwater (poor quality water), and recycled water. One end of the water line 72 is connected to the water supply unit 41. The other end of the water line 72 is connected to the cleaning unit 12. The water supplied from the water supply unit 41 flows from the water supply unit 41 to the cleaning unit 12 through the water line 72. The water line flow meter 74 is provided in the water line 72. Arrow 114 indicates the flow of water (cold water) in the water line 72. The cleaning device 10 further includes a cold water valve 16.

[0013] 1 illustrates a configuration in which the other end of the water line 72 is connected to the cleaning device 10. The other end of the water line 72 may be connected to the cleaning water line 50, the recovery tank 30, or the boiler water line 102. By connecting one end of the water line 72 to the cleaning device 10, the cleaning water line 50, the recovery tank 30, or the boiler water line 102, the water line 72 can dilute the boiler water and supply it to the cleaning device 10.

[0014] (Drainage line) The cleaning system 1 further includes a drain line 20. One end of the drain line 20 is connected to the cleaning section 12. Wastewater from the cleaning section 12 flows through the drain line 20 and is discharged outside the cleaning device 10. Arrows 116 indicate the flow of the wastewater.

[0015] (recovery tank) The cleaning system 1 further includes a recovery tank 30 and a boiler water line 102. The recovery tank 30 is a tank that stores boiler water. The boiler water is water supplied from a boiler 100. Here, the boiler 100 does not need to be provided solely for the cleaning system 1, and may be an existing boiler. An example capacity of the recovery tank 30 is 300 L. However, the capacity varies considerably depending on the size of the factory where cleaning is performed and whether or not other waste hot water is recovered in the recovery tank 30. One end of the boiler water line 102 is connected to the boiler 100. The other end of the boiler water line 102 is connected to the recovery tank 30. Boiler water supplied from the boiler 100 flows from the boiler 100 to the recovery tank 30 through the boiler water line 102. Arrow 110 indicates the flow of the boiler water.

[0016] The recovery tank 30 is equipped with a level sensor 32 (LS) and an overflow line 34. The level sensor 32 (LS) prevents the pump 52 from running idly. The boiler water is discharged when the boiler wants to drain it. If an abnormality occurs in the equipment downstream of the recovery tank and the boiler water cannot be sent downstream, it is expected that the recovery tank 30 will overflow, so an overflow line 34 has been installed to ensure a discharge destination for the boiler water in an emergency.

[0017] (Washing water line) The cleaning system 1 further includes a cleaning water line 50. One end of the cleaning water line 50 is connected to the recovery tank 30. The other end of the cleaning water line 50 is connected to the cleaning section 12. The boiler water supplied from the recovery tank 30 flows through the cleaning water line 50 from the recovery tank 30 to the cleaning section 12. The cleaning device 10 further includes a hot water valve 18. The cleaning water line is a line that supplies water for the "washing" process, not the "rinsing" process, to the cleaning section 12.

[0018] The cleaning system 1 further includes a pump 52 (P), a temperature sensor 54 (T), a pH sensor 56 (pH), a water purifier 58, a cleaning water line flow meter 60 (FM), and a cleaning water line flow control valve 62. The pump 52, the temperature sensor 54, the pH sensor 56, the water purifier 58, the cleaning water line flow meter 60, and the cleaning water line flow control valve 62 are provided in the cleaning water line 50. The pump 52 is a pump used to flow boiler water through the cleaning water line 50. The temperature sensor 54 is a sensor that measures the temperature of the boiler water and can be used to detect abnormalities and visualize the amount of recovered heat. The pH sensor 56 is one form of a water quality inspection unit. The water quality inspection unit may be an electrical conductivity measurement unit. The electrical conductivity measurement unit may be provided in addition to or instead of the pH sensor 56. The water quality inspection unit may be provided in at least one of the boiler water line 102, the cleaning water line 50, and the recovery tank 30. The water purification unit 58 is one form of a water purification unit. The number of water purification units is not limited. The water purification units may be provided in at least one of the boiler water line 102, the cleaning water line 50, and the recovery tank 30. Arrow 112 indicates the flow of boiler water (hot water) in the cleaning water line 50. The boiler water is used as water for the "washing" process in the cleaning device 10. The cleaning water line flow meter 60 is a device that measures the flow rate of the boiler water. The cleaning water line flow adjustment valve 62 is a valve that adjusts the flow rate of the boiler water.

[0019] (Control unit) The cleaning system 1 further includes a control panel 90. The control panel 90 may be a system control panel or the like. In the case of a packaged cleaning apparatus 10, a cleaning apparatus level sensor 128, a cleaning apparatus temperature sensor 130, and a cleaning apparatus control unit 126 are provided within the cleaning apparatus, and temperature control of the water supply to the cleaning unit 12 is often performed by the cleaning apparatus 10. In this case, the control unit for the cleaning system is located both in the control panel and in the control unit of the cleaning apparatus 10 (in the case of a plant-like cleaning apparatus, water supply control and temperature control to the cleaning unit 12 are often not performed by the cleaning apparatus 10, but by the control panel 90). Methods for controlling the amount of boiler water flowing to the cleaning apparatus include not only directly measuring the amount of water, but also indirectly calculating the amount of water, such as measuring the water level or the time the boiler water has been supplied.

[0020] An example of the operation of the cleaning system 1 is as follows. Water supply control during the washing process During the washing process, the washing system 1 supplies both boiler water 110 (in this case, boiler water 110 = washing water 112) and water 114 to the washing section 12. Two water levels are set: one at which both the cold water valve 16 and the hot water valve 18 are opened to supply water (L1), and the other at which only the cold water valve 16 is opened to supply water (L2). When the hot water valve is opened, a signal is sent from the washing device to the control panel 90, which then operates the pump 52. When the washing process begins, both the hot water valve 18 and the cold water valve 16 are opened at first, and the boiler water 110 is diluted with water 114 while being supplied. When the water level in the washing section rises and reaches L1, the hot water valve 18 is closed, and thereafter water is supplied from the cold water valve 16 to supply water up to L2, at which point the cold water valve 16 is closed. This makes it possible to control the amount of boiler water supplied to the washing section 12 and to control the dilution. Also, even if there is no boiler water in the recovery tank 30, water 114 is supplied up to a predetermined water level, so that cleaning can be started without stagnation. Water supply control during rinsing The washing system 1 supplies water 114 to the washing section 12 during the rinse stroke. A water level (L3) is set for the rinse stroke. When the rinse stroke begins, the cold water valve 16 is opened, water is supplied until the water level reaches L3, and the cold water valve 16 is closed.

[0021] Temperature control during washing and rinsing When water is supplied to a predetermined level during the washing or rinsing process, the temperature is measured by the washer temperature sensor 130 in the washer 10, and if the temperature has not reached a preset temperature (e.g., 60°C), steam is supplied from the steam valve 14 to heat the water. When the predetermined temperature is reached, the steam valve is closed.

[0022] -Adjustment and control of detergent injection amount The control panel 90 may adjust the amount of detergent (alkaline agent) added based on the amount and quality of the boiler wastewater supplied to the cleaning unit 12. An example of adjusting the amount of detergent added is as follows. The water line flow meter 74 measures the flow rate of groundwater or tap water supplied to the cleaning unit 12 during the washing process. The control panel 90 adjusts the amount of detergent added to the cleaning unit 12 based on the measured flow rate. If the boiler wastewater is reused, the flow rate of the groundwater will be reduced. The control panel 90 injects detergent into the cleaning unit 12 via the detergent injection unit 19 in proportion to the flow rate of the groundwater. The control panel 90 may gradually change the amount of detergent added to the cleaning unit 12 depending on the flow rate of the groundwater. Another example of control for adjusting the amount of detergent added is as follows. The pH sensor 56 checks whether the boiler wastewater supplied to the cleaning unit 12 during the washing process has a high pH. Only if the boiler wastewater has a high pH, ​​the control panel 90 reduces the amount of detergent added to the cleaning unit 12. Another example of control for adjusting the amount of detergent added is as follows. The control panel 90 injects a chelating agent into the cleaning unit 12 according to the amount of boiler wastewater supplied. The chelating agent forms a chelate complex with iron, aluminum, copper, and zinc contained in the boiler wastewater. The formation of the complex suppresses a reduction in the cleaning effect due to the presence of iron, aluminum, copper, or zinc in the cleaning medium.

[0023] An example of the cleaning system 1 when the object to be cleaned is related to dust control is as follows. Examples of objects to be cleaned for dust control include entrance mats and mop tufts. Objects to be cleaned for dust control are usually quite dirty. For example, the tufts of mops used in metal factories contain a lot of metal chips. When the object to be cleaned is related to dust control, the requirements for the washing water are not that high. When the object to be cleaned is related to dust control, the water purification unit 58 does not need to be provided. When the object to be cleaned is related to dust control, boiler wastewater can be reused by simply diluting it without purification treatment.

[0024] An example of the washing system 1 when the items to be washed are white linen etc. is as follows. Examples of white linen items include, as the name suggests, white hotel pillowcases, sheets, and tablecloths. The requirement for white linen after washing is that it be white and free of yellowing. To meet this requirement, the iron concentration required for the cleaning medium is 0.1 mg / L or less. When the items to be washed are white linen, the water purification unit must reduce the iron in the boiler wastewater. When the items to be washed are white linen, the cleaning system 1 may include a water purification unit installed in the cleaning water line 50 to further purify the boiler wastewater. Examples of parts that further purify the boiler wastewater include microfiltration membranes (MF membranes), ultrafiltration membranes (UF membranes), and chelating resins. The preferred filtration accuracy of the filtration membrane is 0.2 μm or less. Zinc, copper, and aluminum may be removed from the boiler wastewater by using chelating resins or by adding a chelating agent to the boiler wastewater. The washing system 1 may further include a section that is provided in the washing water line 50 and that coarsens iron by adding sodium hypochlorite or exposing the boiler wastewater to air before filtering the boiler wastewater, thereby improving the iron removal rate. It is also possible to apply the system to white linen by increasing the dilution rate of the boiler water.

[0025] Although the present invention has been described above as an embodiment, it is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various changes, modifications, and combinations are possible.

[0026] In addition to laundry, the cleaning system 1 can also be used for degreasing metals and cleaning in place (CIP) using hot alkali for food-related applications.

[0027] The cleaning system 1 of this embodiment reuses boiler wastewater, thereby utilizing heat that would previously have been wasted, and reducing carbon dioxide emissions. The amount of carbon dioxide reduction is greater for users who have used a lot of boiler blow-down water due to poor raw water quality. The cleaning system 1 of this embodiment uses direct heat rather than indirect heat exchange. Heat loss in the cleaning system 1 of this embodiment is small. The cleaning system 1 of this embodiment enables fuel reduction.

[0028] The cleaning system 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to almost completely eliminate boiler wastewater. The cleaning system 1 of this embodiment makes it possible to eliminate the need for neutralization equipment. Not performing neutralization makes it possible to reduce the costs that would have been spent on neutralization chemicals.

[0029] The cleaning system 1 of this embodiment effectively reuses the alkaline components and silica in the boiler wastewater, and can reduce the amount of detergent used in washing.

[0030] [Contribution to the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)] This disclosure includes matters that contribute to achieving Goal 7 of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), "Affordable and clean energy," and Goal 13, "Climate action." [Explanation of symbols]

[0031] 1 Cleaning System 10 Cleaning equipment 12 Cleaning section 14 Steam valve 16 Cold water valve 18 Hot water valve 19 Detergent injection section 20 Drainage line 30 Recovery Tank 32 Recovery tank level sensor 34 Overflow Line 40 Steam supply section 41 Water supply section 50 Cleaning water line 52 Pump 54 Washing water line temperature sensor 56 pH sensor 58 Water Purification Department 60 Cleaning water line flow meter 61 Water line flow control valve 62 Cleaning water line flow control valve 70 Steam Line 72 Water Line 74 Water Line Flow Meter 90 Control Panel 100 boiler 102 Boiler water line 110 Boiler water 112 Cleaning water 114 Water 116 Drainage 124 Steam 126 Cleaning device control section 128 Cleaning device level sensor 130 Cleaning device temperature sensor

Claims

1. 1. A cleaning system utilizing water as a cleaning medium, comprising: A cleaning device; a boiler water line having one end connected to the boiler for flowing boiler water from the boiler; a cleaning water line having one end connected to the cleaning device and through which the boiler water that has flowed through the boiler water line flows; a control unit that controls the amount of boiler water flowing to the cleaning device through the cleaning water line.

2. Further provided is a recovery tank capable of storing the boiler water, 2. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein the other end of the boiler water line and the other end of the cleaning water line are connected to the recovery tank.

3. The cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a water quality inspection unit provided in at least one of the boiler water line, the cleaning water line, and the recovery tank, for inspecting the quality of the boiler water.

4. The cleaning system according to claim 3, wherein the test items of the water quality test unit are pH and / or electrical conductivity.

5. The cleaning system according to claim 3 , wherein the control unit controls the amount of the cleaning agent supplied to the cleaning device based on the amount of the boiler water supplied to the cleaning device and / or the water quality test results.

6. The cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a water purification unit provided in at least one of the boiler water line, the cleaning water line, and the recovery tank, for purifying the quality of the boiler water.

7. The cleaning system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a water line having one end connected to the cleaning device, the cleaning water line, the recovery tank, or the boiler water line, for diluting the boiler water and flowing the diluted boiler water to the cleaning device.

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