Liquid treatment device, and separation membrane

Abstract

To provide a liquid treatment device capable of reducing the maintenance expense and contributing to protecting the environment.SOLUTION: A liquid treatment device 200 comprises a liquid storage unit 202 storing water to be treated with a water-soluble substance dissolved therein, a heating unit 203 heating the water to be treated present in the liquid storage unit 202, and a distillation unit 204 separating the water-soluble substance and moisture from the water to be treated using a membrane distillation method. The distillation unit 204 comprises a liquid phase section 211 for the water to be treated to flow thereinto from the liquid storage unit 202, a separation section 212 which is a nonwoven fabric made from a recycled material as a raw material MA and is carbonized, and a gas phase section 213 for water vapor generated from the water to be treated to flow through the separation section 212 or a separation module 240 to spread.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid treatment device and a separation membrane. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, liquid treatment devices that separate water from water to be treated that contains water-soluble substances have been known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Patent Document 1 discloses a textile dyeing and finishing treatment system that uses a reverse osmosis membrane to separate dyeing wastewater and concentrate used chemicals. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-155656 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When using a separation unit that requires periodic replacement, such as a reverse osmosis membrane in a reverse osmosis membrane method, the maintenance costs may be high depending on the manufacturing costs of the separation unit, and depending on the type of separation unit, the environmental load may be high. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure is a liquid treatment device having a liquid storage section that stores water to be treated in which water-soluble substances have been dissolved, a heating section that heats the water to be treated in the liquid storage section, and a distillation section that separates the water-soluble substances and moisture from the water to be treated using a membrane distillation method, wherein the distillation section has a liquid phase section into which the water to be treated flows from the liquid storage section, a separation section that is a nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials and has been carbonized, and a gas phase section into which water vapor generated from the water to be treated passes through the separation section and diffuses.

[0006] Another aspect of the present disclosure is a separation section that can be used for membrane distillation to separate water-soluble substances and water from water to be treated, the separation section being made from recycled materials and being a nonwoven fabric that has been made hydrophobic by carbonization treatment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a first liquid treatment device in the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a second liquid treatment device in Modification 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a third liquid treatment device in Modification 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a separation module. [Figure 5] FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of a fiber structure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [1. First embodiment] [1-1. Configuration of liquid treatment device] 1 is a schematic diagram of a first liquid treatment device 201 in the first embodiment. The first liquid treatment device 201 corresponds to an example of a liquid treatment device.

[0009] First liquid treatment device 201 includes a liquid storage section 202, a heating section 203, a distillation section 204, and a first recovery section 205. First liquid treatment device 201 separates water from the water to be treated by membrane distillation.

[0010] The liquid storage unit 202 stores water to be treated CW, which is a liquid in which water-soluble substances are dissolved. The liquid storage unit 202 may be configured as a water tank or as a pipe through which the water to be treated flows. The water to be treated CW is shown with a dotted pattern for ease of explanation.

[0011] In the water to be treated CW, ink is dissolved as a water-soluble substance.

[0012] The liquid storage unit 202 is heated by the heating unit 203. The water to be treated CW stored in the liquid storage unit 202 is heated by the heating unit 203. The heating unit 203 heats the water to be treated CW to a temperature that does not cause the water to boil.

[0013] For example, the heating unit 203 heats the water to be treated CW to 60 degrees Celsius. The heating unit 203 may be provided inside or outside the liquid storage unit 202. The temperature of the water to be treated CW heated by the heating unit 203 may be any temperature suitable for the membrane distillation method, and may be higher or lower than 60 degrees Celsius.

[0014] A water supply pipe 206 is attached to the liquid storage section 202. The water supply pipe 206 is provided with a pump 207. The pump 207 circulates the water to be treated CW between the liquid storage section 202 and the distillation section 204.

[0015] The water pipe 206 is connected to the distillation section 204 . Distillation section 204 includes a liquid phase section 211 connected to water supply pipe 206, a separation section 212 in contact with liquid phase section 211, and a gas phase section 213 disposed on the opposite side of separation section 212 from liquid phase section 211. Separation section 212 is a separation membrane serving as a membrane member made of a fibrous structure, which will be described later. Separation section 212 corresponds to an example of a separation membrane.

[0016] The water to be treated CW pumped up by the pump 207 is received in the liquid phase section 211 , passes through the separation section 212 in a gaseous state, and diffuses into the gas phase section 213 .

[0017] The gas SW diffused toward the gas phase section 213 is water contained in the water to be treated, and is treated water that has been treated by the separation section 212. In other words, the gas SW is treated water in a gaseous state. The gas SW is illustrated with a dotted pattern for ease of explanation.

[0018] The gas phase section 213 is connected to the first recovery section 205. A decompression section 214 is connected to the first recovery section 205. The decompression section 214 decompresses the air containing the gas SW inside the gas phase section 213 and the first recovery section 205, so that the gas SW that has passed through the gas phase section 213 is recovered from the first recovery section 205. Decompression unit 214 may be configured, for example, by a Peltier element that reduces the pressure by cooling the air in gas phase unit 213. Decompression unit 214 may also be configured by a suction pump.

[0019] Treated water in a liquid state is obtained by condensing the gas SW by the pressure reducing section 214. This type of membrane distillation method is called VMD (Vacuum Membrane Distillation).

[0020] [1-2. Variation 1] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a second liquid treatment device 201A in Modification 1. The same components as those in Fig. 1 are given the same reference numerals and descriptions thereof will be omitted. The second liquid treatment device 201A corresponds to an example of a liquid treatment device.

[0021] A cooling pipe 221 through which cooling water flows is connected to the second recovery section 205A. The cooling pipe 221 is provided so as to penetrate the interior of the second recovery section 205A. Because the cooling water flows through the cooling pipe 221, the gas SW flowing in from the distillation section 204 condenses on the outer surface of the cooling pipe 221. The liquid treated water TW obtained in this way is recovered from the second recovery section 205A, thereby obtaining treated water. This type of membrane distillation method is called AGMD (Air Gap Membrane Distillation).

[0022] The cooling pipe 221 is just an example, and any cooling means may be used as long as it can condense the gas SW diffused from the distillation section 204. As the cooling means, for example, fins through which cooling water flows may be used.

[0023] [1-3. Variation 2] 3 is a schematic diagram of a third liquid treatment device 201B according to Modification 2. The third liquid treatment device 201B corresponds to an example of a liquid treatment device.

[0024] The third recovery section 205B is filled with cooling water DW, which has a lower temperature than the heated water to be treated CW. In this case, the gas phase section 213 is filled with cooling water DW. The cooling water DW is water that has been treated to the same extent as the treated water or more, and does not contain ink. Examples of cooling water DW include tap water and pure water.

[0025] An upstream pipe 231 and a downstream pipe 232 are connected to the third recovery section 205B, and cooling water DW flows through the upstream pipe 231. The cooling water DW flows in from the upstream pipe 231 and flows out from the downstream pipe 232.

[0026] The gas diffused from the distillation section 204 is condensed by being cooled by the cooling water DW filled in the third recovery section 205B and the gas phase section 213. As a result, the gas diffused from the distillation section 204 is mixed with the cooling water DW. Treated water is obtained by recovering the mixed liquid of treated water and cooling water DW discharged from the downstream pipe 232. This type of membrane distillation method is called DCMD (Direct Contact Membrane Distillation).

[0027] 3, cooling water DW flows through the third recovery unit 205B. However, the cooling water DW may be replaced with a sweeping gas. The sweeping gas is preferably a gas inert to water, such as dry air or nitrogen. This type of membrane distillation method is called SGMD (Sweeping Gas Membrane Distillation).

[0028] When no particular distinction is made between the first liquid treatment device 201, the second liquid treatment device 201A, and the third liquid treatment device 201B, they will be referred to as liquid treatment device 200.

[0029] [1-4. Modified examples of the separation unit] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the separation module 240. As shown in FIG. The separation module 240 may be used as the separation unit 212 described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3. The separation module 240 is a modified example of the separation unit 212.

[0030] The separation module 240 includes a container 242 configured in a cylindrical shape. The storage section 242 includes an inlet 243 through which the water to be treated flows in from the liquid phase section 211, and an outlet 244 that is provided on a surface opposite the inlet 243 and returns the water to be treated to the liquid phase section 211. The storage section 242 includes a central pipe 245 that discharges the treated water.

[0031] The storage section 242 stores a plurality of separation membranes 241 wound in a circumferential shape. The separation membranes 241 are made of a fiber structure, which will be described later. The plurality of separation membranes 241 stored in the storage section 242 are stacked coaxially in a cylindrically wound state. Alternatively, a separation membrane 241 longer than the outer periphery of the storage section 242 may be wound in a roll and stored in the storage section 242, in which case the separation membrane 241 may be a single sheet.

[0032] Separation membrane 241 is provided so as to cover water channel member 247. Ends of separation membrane 241 and water channel member 247 are joined to central tube 245. Spacers 246 are provided between adjacent separation membranes 241. Spacers 246 are formed in a mesh shape.

[0033] The water to be treated received from inlet 243 flows through spacer 246, passes through separation membrane 241 to become treated water, and flows through water channel member 247 to central pipe 245. Outlet 245a of central pipe 245 is connected to gas phase section 213.

[0034] The water to be treated, in which the ink has been concentrated by the separation membrane 241 , flows from the inlet 243 through a pipe (not shown) connected to the liquid phase section 211 and is returned to the liquid phase section 211 or the liquid storage section 202 .

[0035] The separation unit 212 may be configured by using a plurality of separation modules 240 as described above and arranging them in parallel. Alternatively, the separation unit 212 may be configured by arranging a plurality of separation modules in parallel and in series.

[0036] [1-5. Sheet manufacturing equipment] 5 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 manufactures a sheet S1 that is a material for a fiber structure to which the present invention is applied. The sheet S1 and the fiber structure are nonwoven fabrics.

[0037] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a supply section 10, a crushing section 12, a defibrating section 20, a sorting section 40, a first web forming section 45, a rotating body 49, a mixing section 50, a dispersing section 60, a second web forming section 70, a web conveying section 79, a processing section 80, and a cutting section 90.

[0038] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 fiberizes raw material MA, which contains fibers described below, such as wood-based pulp material, kraft pulp, waste paper, synthetic pulp, and cloth scraps, to manufacture a sheet S1. The raw material MA may be any material containing cellulose fibers. Examples include wood-based pulp materials, kraft pulp, waste paper, synthetic pulp, and cloth scraps. Wood-based pulp materials include mechanical pulp (e.g., ground pulp) made by mechanical processing, chemical pulp (e.g., chemical pulp) made by chemical processing, and semi-chemical pulp and chemi-ground pulp made by combining these processes. Both bleached and unbleached pulp may also be used. Examples include virgin pulp such as N-BKP (softwood bleached kraft pulp) and L-BKP (hardwood bleached kraft pulp), and bleached chemithermomechanical pulp (BCTMP). Nanocellulose fiber (NCF) may also be used. Waste paper includes used paper such as plain paper copy (PPC) paper after printing, magazines, and newspapers. An example of synthetic pulp is SWP manufactured by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. SWP is a registered trademark.

[0039] Furthermore, the raw material MA may contain carbon fiber, metal fiber, or thixotropic fiber in addition to or as a substitute for the above-mentioned wood-based pulp materials, waste paper, synthetic pulp, etc. Therefore, the raw material MA may be a mixture of two or more materials selected from the above-mentioned wood-based pulp materials, waste paper, synthetic pulp, carbon fiber, metal fiber, and thixotropic fiber. Examples of fabric scraps include cotton scraps generated in textile factories and used clothing. Furthermore, raw MA may contain natural fibers derived from nature in addition to fabric scraps. Examples of natural fibers include fibers made from cellulose, silk, wool, cotton, hemp, kenaf, flax, ramie, jute, Manila hemp, sisal, conifers, and hardwoods. These natural fibers are examples of natural materials. The raw material MA may further contain synthetic fibers. Examples of synthetic fibers include fibers made of rayon, lyocell, cupra, vinylon, acrylic, nylon, aramid, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyimide. Among these synthetic fibers, synthetic fibers made from natural materials are particularly suitable from the perspective of reducing environmental impact. Synthetic fibers made from natural materials are an example of recycled fibers. These various fibers may be used alone, in an appropriate mixture, or after purification. Hydrophobic fibers are particularly preferred as the raw material MA for the fiber structure used to form a separation membrane in a membrane distillation method. The raw material MA, and the defibrated material MB and fibrous material MC described below can be said to be materials containing fiber. The raw material MA corresponds to an example of a recycled material.

[0040] The supply unit 10 supplies the raw material MA to the crushing unit 12. The crushing unit 12 is a shredder that cuts the raw material MA using crushing blades 14. The raw material MA cut by the crushing unit 12 is transported to the defibrating unit 20 through a pipe.

[0041] The defibrating unit 20 dry-defibrates the small pieces cut in the crushing unit 12 to produce defibrated material MB. Defibration is a process in which raw material MA, which is made up of multiple fibers bound together, is untangled into one or a small number of fibers. Dry processing refers to performing defibration and other processes in air or other atmosphere rather than in a liquid. The defibrated material MB contains the fibers that were contained in the raw material MA. The defibrated material MB may also contain substances other than the fibers that were contained in the raw material MA. For example, when waste paper is used as the raw material MA, the defibrated material MB contains components such as resin particles, colorants such as ink and toner, anti-bleeding agents, and paper strength agents.

[0042] The defibrating unit 20 is, for example, a mill equipped with a cylindrical stator 22 and a rotor 24 that rotates inside the stator 22, and defibrates the coarsely crushed pieces by sandwiching them between the stator 22 and the rotor 24. The defibrated material MB is sent to the sorting unit 40 through piping.

[0043] The fibers contained in the raw material MA or the fibers contained in the defibrated material MB preferably have a fiber length of 0.1 mm or more and 100 mm or less, and 0.5 μm or more and 50 mm or less. Furthermore, the fiber diameter of these fibers is preferably 0.1 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and 1 μm to 500 μm or less. Furthermore, these fibers may contain multiple types of fibers, and may contain fibers with different fiber lengths and / or fiber diameters. The fiber length and fiber width can be measured, for example, using a fiber tester (manufactured by Lorentzen & Wettre), and calculated as a length-weighted average value.

[0044] The sorting unit 40 has a drum unit 41 and a housing unit 43 that houses the drum unit 41. The drum unit 41 is a sieve with openings such as a net, filter, or screen, and is rotated by the power of a motor (not shown). The defibrated material MB is loosened inside the rotating drum unit 41, and passes through the openings of the drum unit 41 and descends. Components of the defibrated material MB that do not pass through the openings of the drum unit 41 are transported to the defibrating unit 20 through a pipe.

[0045] The first web forming unit 45 includes an endless mesh belt 46 with many openings. The first web forming unit 45 produces the first web W1 by depositing fibers and the like that descend from the drum unit 41 onto the mesh belt 46. Of the components that descend from the drum unit 41, those that are smaller than the openings in the mesh belt 46 pass through the mesh belt 46 and are sucked and removed by the suction unit 48. This removes short fibers that are not suitable for producing the sheet S1, resin particles, ink, toner, anti-bleed agents, and the like from the components of the defibrated material MB.

[0046] A humidifier 77 is disposed in the moving path of the mesh belt 46, and the first web W1 deposited on the mesh belt 46 is humidified by mist-like water or highly humid air. The first web W1 is transported by the mesh belt 46 and comes into contact with the rotating body 49. The rotating body 49 divides the first web W1 with a plurality of blades to produce a fibrous material MC. The fibrous material MC is transported to the mixing section 50 through a pipe 54.

[0047] The mixing section 50 includes an additive supply section 52 that adds additive materials AD to the fibrous material MC, and a mixing blower 56 that mixes the fibrous material MC with the additive materials AD. The additive materials AD will be described later. The mixing blower 56 generates an air flow in the pipe 54 through which the fibrous material MC and the additive material AD are conveyed, to mix the fibrous material MC and the additive material AD, and transports the mixture MX to the dispersion section 60 .

[0048] The dispersion unit 60 has a drum unit 61 and a housing unit 63 that houses the drum unit 61. The drum unit 61 is a cylindrical sieve configured similarly to the drum unit 41, and is driven to rotate by a motor (not shown). As the drum unit 61 rotates, the mixture MX is loosened and falls inside the housing unit 63.

[0049] The second web forming unit 70 includes an endless mesh belt 72 having numerous openings. The second web forming unit 70 deposits the mixture MX descending from the drum unit 61 onto the mesh belt 72 to produce the second web W2. Components of the mixture MX that are smaller than the openings in the mesh belt 72 pass through the mesh belt 72 and are sucked by the suction unit 76.

[0050] A humidifier 78 is disposed in the moving path of the mesh belt 72, and the second web W2 deposited on the mesh belt 72 is humidified by mist-like water or highly humid air.

[0051] The second web W2 is peeled off from the mesh belt 72 by the web transport unit 79 and transported to the processing unit 80. The processing unit 80 includes a pressure unit 82 and a heating unit 84. The pressure unit 82 sandwiches the second web W2 between a pair of pressure rollers and applies a predetermined nip pressure to form a pressed sheet SS1. The heating unit 84 sandwiches the pressed sheet SS1 between a pair of heating rollers and applies heat. As a result, the fibers contained in the pressed sheet SS1 are bound by the resin contained in the additive material AD, forming a heated sheet SS2. The heated sheet SS2 is transported to the cutting unit 90.

[0052] The cutting section 90 cuts the heated sheet SS2 in a direction intersecting the conveying direction FE and / or along the conveying direction FE to produce sheets S1 of a predetermined size.

[0053] The sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 includes a control device 110. The control device 110 controls each section of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, including the defibrating unit 20, the additive supply unit 52, the mixing blower 56, the dispersing unit 60, the second web forming unit 70, the processing unit 80, and the cutting unit 90, to execute the method for manufacturing the sheet S1. The control device 110 may also control the operations of the supply unit 10, the sorting unit 40, the first web forming unit 45, and the rotating body 49.

[0054] The additive material AD crosslinks multiple fibers, bonding them together and forming the fibers into a sheet. The additive material AD contains a resin that functions as a binder that bonds the fibers together, specifically, a thermoplastic resin and / or a thermosetting resin. It may also contain a thermoplastic core-sheath resin. In addition to the resins, the additive material AD may also contain a colorant, an aggregation inhibitor, a flame retardant, etc.

[0055] The thermoplastic resin may have a melting temperature of 60°C or higher and 200°C or lower, and a deformation temperature of 50°C or higher and 180°C or lower. The additive material AD may contain one or more of the above resins. For example, it may contain multiple resins with different glass transition temperatures Tg or melting points.

[0056] The resin contained in the additive material AD is preferably in the form of particles or fibers.

[0057] In addition to the resins described above, the additive material AD may contain inorganic fillers, rigid fibers, and thixotropic fibers as reinforcing materials that increase the rigidity of the crosslinked structure formed by bonding fibers together. Examples of inorganic fillers that can be used include calcium carbonate and mica. Examples of rigid fibers that can be used include carbon fibers, glass fibers, and metal fibers. High-rigidity fibers such as Kevlar or other aramid fibers can also be used. Kevlar is a registered trademark. Examples of thixotropic fibers include cellulose nanofibers.

[0058] [1-6. Manufacturing process of fiber structures] 6 is a flowchart showing a manufacturing process of a fiber structure to which the present invention is applied. The manufacturing process shown in FIG. 6 includes a step of manufacturing a sheet S1 by a sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0059] Step SA1 is a crushing step in which the raw material MA is crushed, and corresponds to, for example, processing by the crushing unit 12 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100. The crushing step is a step in which the raw material MA is cut into pieces of a predetermined size or smaller. The predetermined size is, for example, 1 cm to 5 cm square. If the raw material MA is supplied in a cut state, step SA1 can be omitted.

[0060] Step SA2 is a defibrating step, which corresponds to processing by the defibrating unit 20 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, for example. Step SA3 is a process for extracting material mainly composed of fibers from the defibrated material MB, and is called a separation process. The separation process is a process for separating particles of resin, additives, etc. from the defibrated material MB containing fibers, resin particles, etc., and extracting material mainly composed of fibers. The separation process corresponds to a process including the sorting unit 40 and the rotating body 49 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, for example.

[0061] If the raw material MA supplied in step SA1 does not contain particles that will affect the production of the sheet S1, or if there is no need to remove particles from the components contained in the raw material MA, the separation process in step SA3 can be omitted. In this case, the defibrated material MB is used as is as the fibrous material MC.

[0062] Step SA4 is an adding step in which an additive material AD is added to the fiber material MC separated in step SA3. The adding step corresponds to a process performed by the additive supplying unit 52 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, for example.

[0063] Step SA5 is a mixing step in which the fiber material MC and the additive material AD are mixed to produce a mixture MX. The mixing step corresponds to the processing by the mixing unit 50 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, for example.

[0064] Step SA6 is a sieving step in which the mixture MX is sieved to be dispersed into the atmosphere and allowed to fall. The sieving step corresponds to the treatment by the dispersion unit 60 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100, for example.

[0065] Step SA7 is a deposition step in which the mixture MX that falls in the sieving step of step SA6 is deposited to form a web. The deposition step corresponds to, for example, the process of forming the second web W2 by the second web forming unit 70 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0066] Step SA8 is a pressurizing and heating step in which the web is pressurized and heated. The heating and pressurizing step corresponds to, for example, a process in which the processing unit 80 of the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 heats and pressurizes the second web W2 to form a pressurized sheet SS1 and a heated sheet SS2, and then a sheet S1. The order of pressurization and heating in the pressurizing and heating step is not limited, but it is preferable that pressurization be performed first.

[0067] Step SA9 is a carbonization process in which the sheet S1 is carbonized. The carbonization process involves heating the sheet S1 to cause reactions such as dehydration or pyrolysis, thereby carbonizing a portion of the organic matter contained in the sheet S1. The hydrophobicity of the sheet S1 is improved by the carbonization process. The carbonization means for performing the carbonization process may be provided in the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 or may be separate from the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100.

[0068] Step SA10 is a molding process in which a fiber structure is formed using the carbonized sheet S1. In the molding process, a fiber structure such as a membrane is created by connecting, joining, and adhering the sheets S1. In the molding process, to join multiple sheets S1, methods such as adhesion with an adhesive material, heat fusion using a molten thermoplastic resin, skewering with a core material, and bundling with fasteners can be used, and simple joining using the roughness of the fiber surface of the sheet S1 may also be used.

[0069] 6 is not limited to the case where the sheet manufacturing apparatus 100 is used, and it is of course possible to use a sheet S1 manufactured by another apparatus. In addition, the manufacturing process shown in Fig. 6 as a method for manufacturing the sheet S1 is only an example, and a fiber structure to which the present invention is applied may be formed using a sheet S1 manufactured by another method.

[0070] The function of the fiber structure in membrane distillation will be explained. A material that does not allow liquid water to be treated to pass through but allows vaporized water contained in the water to pass through is preferred for the separation part of membrane distillation. Therefore, hydrophobic and porous fibers are suitable for the material of the separation part. While fluorocarbon fibers are often used as such materials, the problem with fluorocarbon fibers is that they pose a significant environmental burden. On the other hand, a fiber structure that is made from recycled materials and does not contain fluorocarbon fibers and has been carbonized can be used as a separation membrane. This reduces the environmental burden.

[0071] [2. Effects, etc.] As described above, the liquid treatment device 200 comprises a liquid storage section 202 that stores the water to be treated in which water-soluble substances have been dissolved, a heating section 203 that heats the water to be treated in the liquid storage section 202, and a distillation section 204 that separates the water-soluble substances and moisture from the water to be treated using a membrane distillation method.The distillation section 204 comprises a liquid phase section 211 into which the water to be treated flows from the liquid storage section 202, a separation section 212 which is a nonwoven fabric made from recycled material as raw material MA and has been carbonized, and a gas phase section 213 into which water vapor generated from the water to be treated diffuses through the separation section 212 or the separation module 240.

[0072] This makes it possible to provide a liquid treatment device 201 in which hydrophobicity is improved by carbonization treatment, and in which maintenance costs are reduced by using nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials, and which can contribute to environmental protection.

[0073] The separation section 212 is a separation membrane produced by combining defibrated material MB, which is produced by defibrating the recycled material with an impact force, into a sheet shape.

[0074] This makes it possible to provide a liquid treatment device 201 that reduces water usage and contributes to environmental protection.

[0075] The apparatus further includes a pressure reducing section 214 that reduces the pressure of the air in the gas phase section 213 .

[0076] According to this, the pressure in the gas phase section 213 is reduced, and the efficiency of recovering treated water by the membrane distillation method is improved.

[0077] The storage section 242 further includes a storage section 242 that stores the separation membrane 241 in a circumferential shape, and the storage section 242 has an inlet 243 through which the water to be treated flows in from the liquid phase section 211, and an outlet 244 that is provided on the surface opposite the inlet 243 and returns the liquid containing the water-soluble substance to the liquid phase section 211.

[0078] This allows the surface area of ​​the separation membrane 241 to be increased, improving the efficiency of recovery of treated water by membrane distillation.

[0079] The water-soluble material is ink. This can reduce the amount of wastewater discharged from factories and other facilities that discharge water to be treated that contains ink.

[0080] The recycled material is a material containing synthetic fibers having hydrophobic properties, or a material containing recycled fibers made from natural materials and having hydrophobic properties. According to this, by using a hydrophobic material, the hydrophobicity of the separation section 212 can be further improved.

[0081] The separation membrane constituting the separation section 212, or the separation membrane 241 possessed by the separation module 240, is a separation membrane that can be used in a membrane distillation method for separating water-soluble substances and water from the water to be treated, and is a nonwoven fabric made from raw material MA, which is made hydrophobic by carbonization treatment.

[0082] According to this, a separation membrane can be provided in which the hydrophobicity is improved by the carbonization treatment, and the use of a nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials reduces maintenance costs and contributes to environmental protection.

[0083] 3. Other Embodiments The above-described embodiment is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

[0084] The fibrous structure of the above embodiment may be used as a separation section for a method other than membrane distillation, for example, as a separation membrane in a reverse osmosis membrane method. Although the separation unit 212 in the above embodiment is configured as a separation membrane, it is not limited to this. Specifically, the separation unit 212 does not have to be formed in a membrane shape, and may have a thickness or shape that allows it to be used in a membrane distillation method.

[0085] [4. Notes] A summary of this disclosure is provided below. (Appendix 1) A liquid treatment device comprising: a liquid storage section for storing water to be treated having dissolved water-soluble substances; a heating section for heating the water to be treated in the liquid storage section; and a distillation section for separating the water-soluble substances and water from the water to be treated using a membrane distillation method, wherein the distillation section comprises: a liquid phase section into which the water to be treated flows from the liquid storage section; a separation section which is a nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials and has been carbonized; and a gas phase section into which water vapor generated from the water to be treated passes through the separation section and diffuses. This makes it possible to provide a liquid treatment device that has improved hydrophobicity through carbonization treatment, and that reduces maintenance costs and contributes to environmental protection by using nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials.

[0086] (Supplementary Note 2) The liquid treatment device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein the separation unit is a separation membrane produced by combining defibrated material produced by defibrating the recycled material with an impact force into a sheet-like shape. This makes it possible to provide a liquid treatment device that reduces water usage and contributes to environmental protection.

[0087] (Supplementary Note 3) The liquid treatment device according to Supplementary Note 1 or 2, further comprising a pressure reducing section that reduces the pressure of air in the gas phase section. This reduces the pressure in the gas phase, improving the efficiency of recovery of treated water by membrane distillation.

[0088] (Appendix 4) A liquid treatment device as described in Appendix 2 or 3, wherein the separation section further comprises a storage section that stores a separation membrane in a circumferential shape, and the storage section has an inlet through which the treated water flows in from the liquid phase section, and an outlet provided on a surface opposite the inlet and that returns the liquid containing the water-soluble substance to the liquid phase section. This allows the surface area of ​​the separation membrane to be increased, improving the efficiency of recovery of treated water by membrane distillation.

[0089] (Appendix 5) The liquid treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4, wherein the water-soluble substance is ink. This allows the water containing dissolved ink to be treated by a liquid treatment device that requires low maintenance costs and contributes to environmental protection.

[0090] (Appendix 6) A liquid treatment device according to any one of Appendices 1 to 5, wherein the recycled material is a material containing hydrophobic synthetic fibers, or a material made from natural materials and containing hydrophobic regenerated fibers. According to this, by using a hydrophobic material, the hydrophobicity of the separation section can be further improved.

[0091] (Appendix 7) A separation membrane that can be used for membrane distillation to separate water-soluble substances and water from the water to be treated, the separation part being a nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials and made hydrophobic by carbonization treatment. According to this, the hydrophobicity is improved by the carbonization treatment, and by using nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials, it is possible to provide a separation part that can reduce maintenance costs and contribute to environmental protection. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 200...liquid treatment device, 201...first liquid treatment device, 201A...second liquid treatment device, 201B...third liquid treatment device, 202...liquid storage section, 203...heating section, 204...distillation section, 205...first recovery section, 205A...second recovery section, 205B...third recovery section, 206...water supply pipe, 207...pump, 211...liquid phase section, 212...separation section, 213...gas phase section, 214...pressure reduction section, 240...separation module, 241...separation membrane, 243...inlet, 244...outlet, SW...gas, CW...water to be treated, S1...sheet.

Claims

1. a liquid storage section for storing the water to be treated in which the water-soluble substance is dissolved; a heating unit that heats the water to be treated in the liquid storage unit; A distillation unit that separates the water-soluble substances and water from the water to be treated using a membrane distillation method, The distillation section comprises: a liquid phase section into which the water to be treated flows from the liquid storage section; A separation part that is a nonwoven fabric made from recycled materials and has been carbonized; a gas phase section in which water vapor generated from the water to be treated passes through the separation section and diffuses.

2. The liquid treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the separation section is a separation membrane produced by combining defibrated material produced by defibrating the recycled material with an impact force into a sheet shape.

3. The liquid treatment device according to claim 1 , further comprising a pressure reducing section that reduces the pressure of air in the gas phase section.

4. The separation unit further includes a storage unit that stores a separation membrane in a circumferential shape, The storage section is an inlet through which the water to be treated flows in from the liquid phase portion; The liquid treatment device according to claim 1 , further comprising: an outlet provided on a surface opposite to the inlet, for returning the liquid containing the water-soluble substance to the liquid phase portion.

5. The liquid treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the water-soluble substance is ink.

6. The liquid treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the recycled material is a material containing hydrophobic synthetic fibers, or a material containing hydrophobic regenerated fibers made from natural materials.

7. A separation section that can be used for membrane distillation to separate water-soluble substances and water from water to be treated, the separation section being made of recycled material and nonwoven fabric that has been made hydrophobic by carbonization treatment.

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