Method for spraying, method for removing water-containing sediment using spraying method, and spraying apparatus

Abstract

To provide a method for spraying, a method for removing water-containing sediment using the spraying method, and a spraying apparatus, the method allowing a granular treatment agent to be sprayed accurately onto a target site in such a manner that the agent becomes embedded in soft sediment.SOLUTION: The spraying method of the present invention sprays a granular treatment agent, in which the granular treatment agent is introduced into an air stream generated by compressed air and is sprayed by ejecting the granular treatment agent together with the air stream. The spraying method sprays the granular treatment agent so that it becomes embedded in soft sediment B located ahead of the ejection direction of the air stream. The present invention further provides a method for removing water-containing sediment using the spraying method, in which the soft sediment B is water-containing sediment and the granular treatment agent is a fluidizer that fluidizes the water-containing sediment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a spraying method, a method for removing water-containing deposits using the spraying method, and a spraying device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Devices for spreading powder or granules on soft sediments such as soil have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a portable duster device that includes a blower, an air pipe attached to the blower, and a cap that is provided midway along the air pipe and can be connected to a pesticide bag, with the inside of the pesticide bag and the air pipe communicating through a pressurized pipe and an outlet provided in the cap, and the powder is agitated by part of the high-pressure air that flows into the pesticide bag through the pressurized pipe and then discharged from the outlet to spray the powder.

[0003] Patent document 2 also discloses a granular material shooting device that is mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone, and includes a tank containing granular material such as seeds and a shooter unit connected to the tank, and shoots the granular material downward by rotating gears within the shooter unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Publication number 04-054841 [Patent Document 2] International Publication No. 2021 / 182108 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When spraying a granular treatment agent to treat soft sediments such as soil, the agent's function can be effectively achieved by spraying the agent so that it is embedded in the soft sediment rather than on the surface of the soft sediment. However, the device disclosed in Patent Document 1 does not address the issue of spraying granules so that they are embedded in the soft sediment. Furthermore, the granular injection device disclosed in Patent Document 2 uses centrifugal force generated by the rotation of gears (shooter fins) equipped in the shooter unit to spray granules so that they are embedded in soft sediments such as soil. While such a granular injection device is designed to spray granules from a high location downward in the direction of gravity, it is insufficient in terms of accurately spraying granules so that they are embedded in the soft sediment and at the desired location.

[0006] The present invention relates to a spraying method that can spray a granular processing agent accurately to a targeted location so that the agent is embedded in soft sediments, a method for removing wet sediments using the spraying method, and a spraying device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present invention relates to a method for applying a granular treatment agent. In one embodiment, the spraying method preferably involves generating an air flow, introducing the granular processing agent into the air flow, and spraying the granular processing agent together with the air flow. In one embodiment, the method of spreading the granular processing agent is preferably such that the granular processing agent is embedded in the soft sediment.

[0008] The present invention also relates to a method for removing water-containing deposits, which uses the above-mentioned spraying method. In one embodiment, the soft deposit is preferably a water-containing deposit. In one embodiment, the granular processing agent is preferably a fluidizing agent that fluidizes the water-containing sediment.

[0009] The present invention also relates to a portable spraying device. In one embodiment, the spraying device preferably comprises a holding section that holds a container containing a granular processing agent, and a discharge section that sprays the granular processing agent supplied from the container together with an air flow generated by compressed air. In one embodiment, the discharge section preferably includes a nozzle section that discharges the granular processing agent, a blower that sends the compressed air into the nozzle section, and a supply tube that supplies the granular processing agent in the container to the nozzle section. In one embodiment, the central axis of the supply tube is perpendicular to the central axis of the nozzle portion and protrudes above the nozzle portion, and it is preferable that the container is connected to the supply tube with the spout facing downward. In one embodiment, the spraying device preferably sprays the granular processing agent onto soft sediments so that the agent can be embedded therein. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to the spraying method, the method for removing wet sediments using said spraying method, and the spraying device of the present invention, the granular treatment agent can be sprayed accurately at the targeted location so that it is embedded in the soft sediments. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing one embodiment of the spraying method according to the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the spraying device according to the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the spraying device of FIG. 2 with the left part removed. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the discharge mechanism of FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the discharge portion shown in FIG. 4 taken along the jetting direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the sprinkling device according to the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the ejection mechanism shown in FIG. 6 taken along the ejection direction. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the state where the shutter case is removed from the spraying device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present invention will now be described based on preferred embodiments with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows one embodiment of the spraying method of the present invention. The application method of this embodiment involves applying a granular processing agent. The granular processing agent is a processing agent in the form of granules 10 and is composed of a plurality of granules 10. The shape of the granules 10 that make up the granular processing agent is not particularly limited and may be, for example, spherical, lumpy, bale-shaped, or irregularly shaped. The granular processing agent may also be a mixture of granules of different shapes. From the perspective of reducing air resistance, it is preferable that the granules that make up the granular processing agent are spherical.

[0013] Granular processing agents having various functions can be used without particular limitation, and examples thereof include fertilizers, agricultural chemicals, insect repellents, vermin repellents, snow-melting agents, and fluidizing agents for sludge.

[0014] In the spraying method of this embodiment, an air flow is generated, the granular treatment agent is introduced into the air flow, and the granular treatment agent is sprayed together with the air flow for spraying. The air flow can be generated by compressed air. Compressed air is air that has been pressurized and is generated using a blower such as a fan or a compressor. The airflow (hereinafter simply referred to as "airflow") generated by compressed air is generated by discharging (spraying) the compressed air in one direction and travels in that direction. The granular processing agent introduced into this airflow is blown out in that direction by the airflow, and multiple granules 10 that make up the granular processing agent are simultaneously sprayed. In other words, the spraying direction (traveling direction) of the airflow is the direction in which the granular processing agent is sprayed. The spraying method of the present invention involves simultaneously spraying a plurality of particles 10 introduced into an air flow, and does not include the air-cocking method in which spot pressure is applied to each particle to spray them out.

[0015] The pressure of the compressed air can be adjusted appropriately depending on the physical properties (density, etc.) of the granules. From the viewpoint of achieving both embedding of the granules 10 (described later) and preventing scattering of the soft deposits, the pressure of the compressed air is preferably 0.1 kPa or more and 10 kPa or less, more preferably 1 kPa or more and 5 kPa or less. This pressure is the setting value of the blower or compressor described above.

[0016] To achieve both embedding of the granules 10 (described later) and prevention of scattering of the soft deposits, the speed of the airflow generated by the compressed air is preferably 1 m / s or more and 100 m / s or less, more preferably 5 m / s or more and 30 m / s or less. The speed of the airflow is the setting value of the blower or compressor described above.

[0017] The application method of this embodiment is directed to soft sediments. Soft sediments are fragile sediments that can be broken down by small mechanical forces, such as aggregates or mixtures of solid particles. Examples of soft sediments include hydrous sediments such as soil (e.g., leaf mold), snow, sludge, and hydrogel, as well as non-hydrous sediments such as gravel, volcanic ash, sand, wood chips, and sawdust. The flow value of the soft deposit is preferably 18 mm or more and 50 mm or less, more preferably 20 mm or more and 45 mm or less, and even more preferably 21 mm or more and 40 mm or less. The flow value can be measured by the following method.

[0018] <Flow value measurement method> First, a cylinder with an inner diameter of 20 mm and a height of 20 mm is placed on a horizontal surface with its open end touching the ground, and the space inside the cylinder is gently filled with soft sediment, leaving no gaps. Next, the soft sediment that has risen from the upper opening of the cylinder is smoothed flat with a smooth metal plate, and the cylinder is then gently pulled up vertically. Next, the diameter of the soft sediment remaining on the horizontal surface is measured, and this is used as the flow value. If the shape of the soft sediment remaining on the horizontal surface is not a perfect circle, the average of the major and minor diameters is used as the diameter. Furthermore, if liquid such as water separates and seeps out of the soft sediment after the flow has stopped (after the cylinder has been pulled up), the diameter of the portion of the sediment that remains as a solid is measured.

[0019] In the spraying method of this embodiment, the granular processing agent is sprayed so that it is embedded in the soft sediment, as shown in Figure 1. In other words, the sprayed granules 10 are sprayed so that they penetrate into the soft sediment rather than remaining on the surface of the soft sediment. In the spraying method of this embodiment, multiple granules 10 constituting the granular treatment agent are sprayed simultaneously with an air flow and sprayed so as to be embedded in the soft sediment B located ahead of the spray direction X of the air flow (see Figure 1).

[0020] The spraying method of this embodiment simultaneously sprays multiple granules 10, and by using an airflow to spray the granules 10, the granular processing agent can be sprayed accurately at the desired location. More specifically, by spraying an airflow toward a desired location on the soft sediment B, the granular processing agent can be sprayed at the desired location. In addition, by embedding the sprayed granular processing agent in the soft sediment B, the granular processing agent remains within the soft sediment B, allowing the granular processing agent to effectively perform its function. This effect is effective when the function of the granular processing agent is to be maintained over the long term or when some function is to be exerted on the soft sediment B. In this way, the spraying method of this embodiment can spray the granular processing agent accurately at the targeted location so that it is embedded in the soft sediment B.

[0021] To ensure that the granular processing agent (granules 10) is embedded in the soft sediment B more reliably, the method of this embodiment involves spraying the granular processing agent so that the impact speed at which the granular processing agent impacts the soft sediment B is preferably from 1 m / s to 30 m / s, more preferably from 3 m / s to 25 m / s, and even more preferably from 5 m / s to 20 m / s. The impact speed can be measured by the following method. First, the granular processing agent (granules 10) is sprayed toward the soft sediment B with the spray direction set horizontally and at a distance of 0.3 m from the soft sediment B. Next, the moment the sprayed granules 10 collide with the soft sediment B is photographed with a high-speed camera (for example, model number Phantom Miro LC310, manufactured by Novitec Co., Ltd.), and the moving speed of the granules 10 as they collide with the soft sediment B is measured. This measurement is repeated three times, and the average value is taken as the collision speed.

[0022] To further improve the functionality of the granular processing agent, the spraying method of this embodiment sprays the granular processing agent (granules 10) so that the embedded depth D1 (see FIG. 1 ) of the sprayed granular processing agent (granules 10) into the soft sediment B is preferably 0.1 cm or more, more preferably 0.2 cm to 50 cm, and even more preferably 1.0 cm to 30 cm. The embedded depth D1 is measured as follows: First, the granular processing agent (granules 10) is sprayed toward the soft sediment B, sprayed horizontally and at a distance of 0.3 m from the soft sediment B. Next, three granules 10 are selected from the sprayed granular processing agent, and the depth of the soft sediment B from the surface on the side where the granules 10 sank to the position where the granules 10 penetrated is measured, and the maximum value is defined as the embedded depth D1.

[0023] From the viewpoint of further improving the function of the granular processing agent, in the method of this embodiment, the density of the granular processing agent on the soft sediment B is preferably 10 g / m 2 More than 1000g / m 2 Less than 100 g / m 2 More than 500g / m 2 The granular processing agent is sprayed so that the following density is obtained: The spray density can be measured by the following method. First, the soft sediment B is deposited so that its thickness is horizontal. The soft sediment B is deposited so that a portion with a thickness of 5 cm is created. Next, the spray direction is set horizontally, and the granular processing agent (granules 10) is sprayed toward the soft sediment B for 5 seconds from a distance of 0.2 m from the soft sediment B. Any sprayed granules 10 that are not embedded in the soft sediment B fall in the direction of gravity and do not remain in the soft sediment B. Next, the area where the granules 10 are scattered on the soft sediment B is viewed from above, and the outermost granules 10 at that area are connected by lines, and the area of ​​the area enclosed by the lines (hereinafter also referred to as the "scattered area") is measured. The scattered area can be measured by image processing an image of the area where the granules 10 are scattered on the soft sediment B. The total mass (g) of the granules 10 present in the area where the scattered area was determined is then calculated, and this total mass is divided by the scattered area to obtain the scattered density.

[0024] The spraying method of this embodiment can be preferably applied to a method for removing hydrous sediments (hereinafter simply referred to as the "removal method"). Examples of hydrous sediments in such a removal method include iron bacterial sludge, biofilm, biomat, etc. derived from the metabolism of microorganisms such as bacteria, as well as particles such as sand, clay, and mud, fallen leaves, fragments of plants and animals, and decaying matter, and may also be mixtures of these.

[0025] The water-containing sediment to be removed preferably contains water in an amount of 50% by mass or more, more preferably 60% by mass or more, even more preferably 70% by mass or more, and preferably 99.5% by mass or less, more preferably 97% by mass or less, even more preferably 95% by mass or less.

[0026] From the viewpoint of improving the removal efficiency, it is preferable that the removal method fluidizes the mass of the hydrous sediment to remove the hydrous sediment. Such a removal method is suitable for removing hydrous sediments containing metabolites of iron bacteria. The hydrous sediments containing metabolites of iron bacteria contain divalent iron ions (Fe ) in order for iron bacteria (also called iron-oxidizing bacteria, iron-oxidizing bacteria, iron bacteria, etc.) to obtain their own energy. 2+ ) to trivalent iron ions (Fe 3+The sediment contains poorly water-soluble iron compounds (hydroxides, oxides, etc.) generated from the trivalent iron ions after oxidation to iron dioxide. This sediment is also called slime, gel, biomat, brown agar-like substance, red water, red mud, or soil. In other words, the sediment contains iron bacterial metabolites as a result of the life activity of iron bacteria.

[0027] In the method for removing water-containing sediments, the granular processing agent is preferably a fluidizing agent that fluidizes the water-containing sediments. The fluidizing agent preferably contains a dispersing agent that disperses the water-containing sediments or a foaming agent that foams upon contact with water. The dispersant can be any dispersant capable of deagglomerating the hydrous sediment, and examples thereof include one or more compounds derived from organic acids and inorganic acids. From the viewpoint of safety in use, the dispersant is preferably a carboxylic acid, such as citric acid, which is a weak acid.

[0028] The blowing agent is preferably one that foams upon contact with water, for example, moisture in a hydrous sediment. More specifically, the blowing agent is preferably one that generates gas upon contact with water and foams by foaming. More preferably, it is one that generates highly safe carbon dioxide or oxygen through a neutralization reaction or an oxidation-reduction reaction. Even more preferably, it is one that generates carbon dioxide that does not support combustion. Examples of blowing agents that generate carbon dioxide upon contact with water include blowing agents containing the following components (a) and (b). Component (a): one or more compounds selected from organic acids and inorganic acids Component (b): one or more compounds selected from carbonates and bicarbonates As the foaming agent, those described in JP-A-2023-163131 can be suitably used.

[0029] By applying the spraying method of this embodiment to a method for removing hydrous sediments, hydrous sediments can be easily internally disintegrated and efficiently fluidized. Furthermore, hydrous sediments containing iron bacteria metabolites may occur in unsanitary locations such as drains and sewers. By using the spraying method of this embodiment, which sprays a granular treatment agent with an airflow, workers can spray the fluidizing agent from a location away from the hydrous sediments. This is advantageous from the standpoint of both operational efficiency and safety and health. Furthermore, the spraying location of the fluidizing agent can be controlled by the direction of the airflow, further improving the efficiency of spraying and removal. For example, the fluidizing agent can be sprayed precisely on large clumps of hydrous sediments.

[0030] Next, a spraying device of the present invention will be described based on a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the drawings. The spraying device of the present invention can be suitably used for the spraying method or removal method described above. The configuration of the spraying method or removal method described above can be applied to the spraying device of the present invention as appropriate.

[0031] Figures 2 to 5 show one embodiment of the spraying device of the present invention. The spraying device 1 of this embodiment is a portable device and includes a holder 16 that holds a container containing a granular processing agent, and a gun-shaped device body 11 that can be held by hand. The device body 11 has a substantially L-shaped main body case 20, which has an ejection main body 24 that houses an ejection mechanism E, which will be described later, and a grip part 22. In the main body case 20, the ejection main body 24 and the grip part 22 are connected in a substantially L-shape (see Figure 2).

[0032] In the spraying device 1 of this embodiment, when the extension direction of the spraying main body 24 is aligned with the horizontal direction and the grip portion 22 faces diagonally downward relative to the spraying main body 24 (hereinafter also referred to as the "basic state"), the spraying device 1 has a spraying direction X along the extension direction of the spraying main body 24 and a depth direction Y perpendicular to the spraying direction X. In the basic state, the depth direction Y is aligned with the horizontal direction. Unless otherwise specified, the following description of the spraying device 1 of this embodiment will be given assuming that the device 1 is in the basic state. Furthermore, the side of the grip portion 22 in the spraying direction X will be simply referred to as the "rear" or "rear side," and the side opposite the grip portion 22 in the spraying direction X will be simply referred to as the "front" or "front side."

[0033] The holding portion 16 of this embodiment is provided on the top surface of the jetting body 24, standing upright from the connecting portion 15 (described later). The holding portion 16 of this embodiment includes a cylindrical holding body 17 that is long in one direction, a pair of support portions 18 connected to the bottom of the holding body 17, and a cover portion 19 connected to the lower end of the support portions 18 and covering the front portion 24a of the jetting body 24. The holding body 17 is provided on the jetting body 24 so that the extension direction of the body 17 coincides with the vertical direction Z (see FIG. 2). The holding body 17 has openings at the top and bottom, and a pair of openings 17a, 17b (hereinafter also referred to as "front opening 17a" and "rear opening 17b") facing each other in the front and rear directions on the peripheral wall portion that forms the body 17. The rear opening 17b is larger than the front opening 17a and has a substantially rectangular shape. The front opening 17a has an elliptical shape that is long in the vertical direction Z. The peripheral wall of the holding body 17 has an arched shape in plan view, and includes an arc portion that curves forward in a generally arc-like shape and a chord portion that connects both ends of the arc portion (not shown). The pair of support portions 18 are arranged to sandwich the upper end of the ejector body 24 in the depth direction Y, and have a flattened shape that curves and bulges outward in the depth direction Y. The cover portion 19 has a shape that corresponds to the surface shape of the front end of the ejector body 24, and is formed with a cover opening 19a at a position that overlaps with a discharge port 39 (described below) to expose the discharge port 39.

[0034] The holding portion 16 of this embodiment can support a container 12 (hereinafter simply referred to as the "agent-containing container 12") containing a granular processing agent. The agent-containing container 12 can be, for example, a pouch container equipped with a dispensing portion. The pouch container includes a body portion formed of a flexible sheet and configured to contain a liquid, and a dispensing portion for discharging the liquid. The body portion includes a pair of opposing side walls, a top crotch portion connecting the pair of side walls at the upper end of the body portion, and a bottom crotch portion connecting the pair of side walls at the lower end of the body portion, each of which is formed of a flexible sheet. The dispensing portion of the pouch container includes a cylindrical spout and a flange portion extending radially outward from the outer periphery of the spout. The dispensing portion is fixed to the body portion with the flange portion fixed to the inner surface of the top crotch portion and the spout protruding from a through-hole formed in the top crotch portion. As such a pouch container, for example, the container described in JP 2016-003055 A can be used.

[0035] The holding part 16 of this embodiment can hold the agent-containing container 12 in an inverted state with the dispensing part of the agent-containing container 12 facing downward and the extending direction of the body part aligned with the vertical direction. The body part of the agent-containing container 12 is accommodated in the peripheral wall part of the holding main body part 17 via the rear opening 17b, and the spout of the dispensing part is attached to the connecting part 15 described later. The spraying device 1 of this embodiment can be used repeatedly even when the granular processing agent in the agent-containing container 12 becomes empty by replacing it with another agent-containing container.

[0036] In this embodiment, the main body case 20 forms the outer shape of the device main body 11 and has a hollow structure. The main body case 20 is formed of two parts divided in the depth direction Y, including a left part 20a and a right part 20b. These parts 20a and 20b have a generally L-shaped dish shape. The right part 20b and the left part 20a each have a plurality of nut portions 2f protruding inward in the depth direction Y from the bottom of the dish shape (see FIG. 3). When the left part 20a and the right part 20b of the main body case 20 are stacked facing each other, the positions of the nut portions 2f of the parts 20a and 20b correspond to each other, and these nut portions 2f can be connected and fastened together with bolts. In this way, the left part 20a and the right part 20b are integrated to form the main body case 20.

[0037] As described above, the main body case 20 has the ejector main body 24 and the grip portion 22, which are connected in a generally L-shape, with the left part 20a and the right part 20b forming the outer shapes of the ejector main body 24 and the grip portion 22. The grip portion 22 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with a thickness in the depth direction Y, and is inclined diagonally downward outward in the ejection direction X relative to the ejector main body 24. An opening is formed in the grip portion 22 at the connection portion with the ejector main body 24, into which the lower end of the trigger 51, described below, is inserted. This opening faces forward. The grip portion 22 functions as a handle when holding the device main body 11.

[0038] The jet main body 24 accommodates the jetting mechanism E therein and has a front section 24a that accommodates the nozzle section 35, a central section 24b that accommodates the blower 4, and a rear section 24c that accommodates the trigger 51. The jet main body 24 has the front section 24a, central section 24b, and rear section 24c arranged in this order along the jetting direction X. The top surfaces of the front section 24a, central section 24b, and rear section 24c are flush and continuous, forming a flat surface. The bottom surfaces of the front section 24a, central section 24b, and rear section 24c are located at different positions in the vertical direction Z, and there is a step between the front section 24a and central section 24b and between the central section 24b and rear section 24c. The central section 24b has a larger width (length in the depth direction Y) than the front section 24a and rear section 24c. More specifically, the central portion 24b of the left part 20a bulges outward in the depth direction Y more than the front portion 24a and the rear portion 24c of the left part 20a (see FIG. 2).

[0039] The device body 11 of this embodiment is equipped with a spray mechanism E. The spray mechanism E includes a discharge unit 3 that sprays the granular processing agent supplied from a container containing the agent together with an air flow generated by compressed air, and a supply control unit 5 that controls the supply of the granular processing agent to the discharge unit 3 (see FIG. 4). The discharge section 3 of this embodiment includes a nozzle section 35 that discharges the granular processing agent, a blower 4 that sends compressed air into the nozzle section 35, and a supply tube 33 that supplies the granular processing agent from a container containing the agent to the nozzle section 35. For ease of explanation, the blower 4 is not shown in FIG. 4 . The discharge section 3 of this embodiment includes a blower connection tube 31 between the nozzle section 35 and the blower 4. The nozzle section 35 is a tubular member extending in the spraying direction X, and has a discharge port 39 at its front end and an inlet at its rear end through which compressed air is introduced. The blower connection tube 31, which extends in the spraying direction X, is connected to the rear end of the nozzle section 35. The blower connection tube 31 has an inclined opening 31a formed by cutting the rear end obliquely so that it is inclined relative to the central axis. The blower connection tube portion 31 has an inclined opening 31a and an air duct (not shown) of the blower 4 airtightly connected to each other, so that compressed air generated by the blower 4 is supplied.

[0040] The supply tube 33 of this embodiment extends in the vertical direction Z and protrudes upward from the top surface of the front portion 24a (see FIG. 3). The discharge portion 3 of this embodiment has a connection portion 15 that surrounds the periphery of the supply tube 33 that protrudes upward from the front portion 24a (see FIGS. 2 and 3). The connection portion 15 is located radially outward from the upper end of the supply tube 33, and a threaded portion is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the connection portion 15. In the spraying device 1 of this embodiment, the spout of the agent-containing container 12 supported in an inverted state by the holding body 17 is inserted between the supply tube 33 and the connecting part 15, and the threaded part formed on the outer circumferential surface of the spout is screwed into the threaded part of the connecting part 15, thereby communicating the inside of the agent-containing container 12 with the inside of the supply tube 33. In other words, the agent-containing container 12 supported by the holding part 16 is connected to the supply tube 33 in an inverted state with the spout facing downward.

[0041] In the discharge section 3 of this embodiment, the central axis direction of the nozzle section 35 coincides with the ejection direction X, while the central axis direction of the supply tube 33 coincides with the vertical direction Z. That is, the central axis direction of the supply tube 33 is perpendicular to the central axis direction of the nozzle section 35 (see FIG. 4). The supply tube 33 of this embodiment protrudes upward from the peripheral wall of the nozzle section 35 at a position spaced from the discharge port 39. The supply tube 33 is connected to the peripheral wall of the nozzle section 35 and joined to the nozzle section 35 in an inverted T-shape (see FIGS. 4 and 5). As a result, the flow path within the supply tube 33 (the supply path for the granular processing agent) merges with the flow path within the nozzle section 35 at a position spaced rearward from the discharge port 39.

[0042] Hereinafter, the end of the supply tube 33 on the nozzle portion 35 side in the vertical direction Z will also be referred to as a base end. In this embodiment, a pair of shutter insertion holes 33b, 33b are formed at the base end of the supply tube 33, facing each other in the circumferential direction of the supply tube 33. In this embodiment, the pair of shutter insertion holes 33b, 33b face each other in the ejection direction X and are aligned in the vertical direction Z. The opening diameter of the shutter insertion holes 33b corresponds to the width of a shutter portion 55, which will be described later, and the shutter portion 55 is inserted into the pair of shutter insertion holes 33b so as to pass through the supply tube 33 in the ejection direction X (see FIG. 5).

[0043] The blower 4 of this embodiment has a cylindrical blower body 41 and an air duct (not shown) that supplies compressed air from the blower body 41 to the nozzle 35 via the blower connection tube 31. The blower body 41 includes a cylindrical blower case 42 having a top and a bottom, and a blower mechanism housed within the blower case 42. The blower case 42 is connected to the air duct, and the interiors of the blower case 42 and the blower mechanism are connected to each other. The blower mechanism includes an impeller and an electric motor mounted at the center of the impeller, and the impeller is configured to rotate by the power of the motor. The blower body 41 has a power switch for the electric motor mounted on the bottom side, and an intake opening 43 formed in the top surface. The blower 4 draws air through the intake opening 43 by rotating the impeller at high speed and compresses (pressurizes) the air in the blower case 42 to generate compressed air. This compressed air is supplied via the air duct to the blower connection tube portion 31 and then to the nozzle portion 35. As a result, an air flow that flows toward the discharge port 39 (forward) in the ejection direction X is generated.

[0044] In the spraying device 1 of this embodiment, when the power switch of the electric motor of the blower 4 is turned on to generate an air flow that is sprayed from the discharge port 39 and the granular processing agent is supplied to the flow path of the nozzle part 35, the granular processing agent is sprayed together with the air flow from the discharge port 39. At this time, the granular processing agent is sprayed from the discharge port 39 toward the soft sediment, so that the granular processing agent is sprayed into the soft sediment so that it can be embedded therein. In the spraying device 1 of this embodiment, the granular treatment agent is supplied from an inverted container containing the agent to the nozzle portion 35 via the supply tube 33 extending in the vertical direction Z. This allows the granular treatment agent to move smoothly within the supply tube 33 due to gravity, allowing for smooth supply. In addition, air flows through the nozzle portion 35 toward the discharge port 39, allowing multiple granules 10 to be sprayed simultaneously and continuously, resulting in excellent spraying efficiency. Furthermore, by aiming the discharge port 39 at a desired location in the soft sediment, the granular treatment agent can be sprayed accurately to that location. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the granules 10 are embedded in the soft sediment, allowing the granular treatment agent to effectively function.

[0045] From the viewpoint of increasing the embedding depth of the granules 10, it is preferable that the nozzle portion 35 has a constant inner diameter portion 37, which has a constant inner diameter, located closer to the discharge port 39 than the supply tube 33 in the central axial direction (spouting direction X). The presence of the constant inner diameter portion 37 makes it difficult for the air flow passing through the nozzle portion 35 to be turbulent, thereby further improving the force of spray of the granular processing agent. This is effective when the pressure of the compressed air cannot be increased due to, for example, the miniaturization of the blower 4. In the nozzle portion 35 of this embodiment, the front end of the constant inner diameter portion 37 forms the front end of the nozzle portion 35. Furthermore, the constant inner diameter portion 37 of this embodiment extends rearward beyond the flow path of the supply tube 33. To further improve the force of spray of the granular processing agent, the inner diameter L1 (see FIG. 5) of the constant inner diameter portion 37 is preferably 4 mm or more and 50 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or more and 30 mm or less, or 6 mm or more and 15 mm or less. From the same viewpoint as above, the length L4 (see FIG. 5) of the constant inner diameter portion 37 on the discharge port 39 side of the supply tube 33 in the ejection direction X is preferably 1 mm or more and 100 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or more and 70 mm or less, and even more preferably 10 mm or more and 40 mm or less.

[0046] To increase the embedding depth of the granules 10, the distance L3 (see FIG. 5) between the discharge port 39 and the blower 4 in the ejection direction X is preferably 1 mm or more and 100 mm or less, and more preferably 20 mm or more and 50 mm or less. The distance L3 is the distance from the discharge port 39 to the connection between the air duct and the blower body 41 in the ejection direction X.

[0047] In the discharge section 3 of this embodiment, the inner diameter of the blower connection tube section 31 is smaller than the inner diameter of the constant inner diameter section 37 of the nozzle section 35. The nozzle section 35 of this embodiment has, at its rear end rearward of the supply tube 33, a changing inner diameter section 36 whose inner diameter expands toward the discharge port 39, and the inner diameter of the rear end of the changing inner diameter section 36 matches the inner diameter of the blower connection tube section 31.

[0048] To facilitate smooth supply of the granular processing agent to the nozzle portion 35, the inner diameter L2 (see FIG. 5) of the supply tube 33 is preferably 4 mm or more and 30 mm or less, more preferably 5 mm or more and 25 mm or less, and even more preferably 6 mm or more and 20 mm or less. The inner diameter L2 of the supply tube 33 is the diameter of the supply path inside the supply tube 33.

[0049] The supply control unit 5 of this embodiment includes a plate-shaped shutter unit 55, a trigger 51 disposed at the rear end of the shutter unit 55, and a trigger lock unit 52 that restricts the backward movement of the trigger 51 (see FIG. 4).

[0050] The trigger 51 is a plate-like member extending in the vertical direction Z, with its main surface facing the depth direction Y. The trigger 51 has a downward notch formed at its upper end, and a pair of protrusions 51b, 51b that sandwich the notch in the ejection direction X. Of the pair of protrusions 51b, 51b, the protrusion 51b located at the front is inserted into an insertion opening 55e formed at the rear end of the shutter part 55. The trigger 51 has an expanded width part 51a at its lower end, whose width (length in the ejection direction X) expands toward the front, and a plate-like pressing part 51c having a main surface in the ejection direction X is joined to the front end of the expanded width part 51a. The trigger 51 has a pair of support shafts 51d protruding outward in both depth directions Y at approximately the center of the vertical direction Z. The pair of support shafts 51d are inserted into nuts formed on the inner surfaces of the left part 20a and the right part 20b of the device main body 11, allowing the trigger 51 to rotate around the support shafts 51d within the main body case 20. The trigger 51 has a trigger protrusion 51e that protrudes outward in the ejection direction X behind the expanded width part 51a, and a spring 51f attached to the trigger protrusion 51e (see FIG. 3). More specifically, one end of the spring 51f is wound around the trigger protrusion 51e. The left part 20a of this embodiment has a spring receiving recess (not shown) at the position where the spring 51f is disposed to support the spring 51f.

[0051] In this embodiment, by pressing the pressing portion 51c rearward, the trigger 51 rotates about the pair of support shafts 51d, and the protruding portion 51b of the trigger 51 moves forward and the expanded width portion 51a moves rearward. During this rotation, as the protruding portion 51b moves forward, the shutter portion 55, which has an insertion opening 55e into which the protruding portion 51b is inserted, also moves forward. In this embodiment, as the expanded width portion 51a moves rearward, the spring 51f attached to the trigger protrusion 51e is pressed against the inner surface of the main body case 20. This causes the spring 51f to contract. On the other hand, when the pressure of the pressing portion 51c is released, the contracted state of the spring 51f is released and it returns to its original state. The reaction force pushes the widened portion 51a forward, causing the trigger 51 to rotate in the opposite direction and return to its original position before pressing. During this rotation, the protruding portion 51b moves backward, and the shutter portion 55 also moves backward. In this way, the trigger 51 of this embodiment is configured so that the shutter portion 55 can be advanced and retreated by pressing the pressing portion 51c and then releasing the pressing.

[0052] The trigger 51 of this embodiment has an engaged portion formed by extending the side edge of the widened portion 51a, and the L-shaped engaging portion of the trigger lock portion 52 can be engaged with the engaged portion. The trigger lock 52 has a rotation shaft 52a extending in the depth direction Y, an L-shaped engagement portion 52b protruding radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the rotation shaft 52a, and a knob 52c provided at one end of the rotation shaft 52a. The rotation shaft 52a is inserted into nuts formed on the inner surfaces of the left part 20a and the right part 20b, allowing the L-shaped engagement portion 52b to rotate around the rotation shaft 52a within the main body case 20. The end of the rotation shaft 52a on the left side of the part 20a penetrates the part 20a and protrudes from the outer surface of the part 20a. The knob 52c is provided at the end of the rotation shaft 52a protruding from the left part 20a and is located outside the main body case 20 (see FIG. 2). The trigger lock portion 52 can engage or disengage the L-shaped engaging portion 52b with the engaged portion of the widened portion 51a by rotating the L-shaped engaging portion 52b around the rotation shaft 52a. When engaged by the L-shaped engaging portion 52b, the widened portion 51a is restricted from moving backward. As a result, even if the pressing portion 51c is unintentionally pressed, the shutter portion 55 is restricted from moving backward. When the engagement by the L-shaped engaging portion 52b is released, the widened portion 51a can move backward, and the shutter portion 55 can also move backward. The trigger lock 52 can rotate the knob 52c around the pivot 52a, thereby rotating the L-shaped engagement part 52b in conjunction with the knob 52c. In other words, by rotating the knob 52c, engagement and release by the L-shaped engagement part 52b can be performed.

[0053] Shutter section 55 is a plate-like member extending in jetting direction X, and has supply section 56 with through-hole 56a (see FIG. 5). This shutter section 55 has non-supply section 57 without a through-hole located forward of supply section 56, and supply section 56 and non-supply section 57 are adjacent to each other in jetting direction X. Non-supply section 57 is located in front of shutter section 55. The extension direction of the shutter portion 55 is perpendicular to the central axis direction of the supply tube 33. The shutter portion 55 is inserted into a pair of shutter insertion holes 33b, 33b of the supply tube 33 and, while inserted, is movable back and forth in the ejection direction X. Before the shutter portion 55 moves, the front non-supply portion 57 of the shutter portion 55 overlaps with the supply path of the supply tube 33 (see FIG. 5). This prevents communication between the supply path of the supply tube 33 and the flow path of the nozzle portion 35, blocking the supply of the granular processing agent to the nozzle portion 35. On the other hand, when the shutter portion 55 of this embodiment is moved forward, the supply portion 56 behind the non-supply portion 57 overlaps with the supply path of the supply tube 33. This allows communication between the supply path of the supply tube 33 and the flow path of the nozzle portion 35 via the through-hole 56a, allowing the granular processing agent to be supplied to the nozzle portion 35. In this way, by moving the shutter portion 55 back and forth, the supply portion 56 and the non-supply portion 57 are switched and overlapped with respect to the supply path of the supply tube 33, thereby opening and closing the supply path inside the supply tube 33. In other words, the supply control portion 5 can control the supply of the granular processing agent from the agent-containing container to the nozzle portion 35.

[0054] Figures 6 to 8 show another embodiment of the spraying device according to the present invention. In this embodiment, components that differ from the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 will be mainly described, and similar components will be given the same reference numerals and will not be described again. For components that are not specifically described, the description of the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5 will be applied as appropriate.

[0055] The spraying device 1A shown in Figures 6 to 8 has a larger blower 4A than the spraying device 1 of the above-mentioned embodiment, and has higher air compression performance when generating compressed air. In the spraying device 1A shown in Figures 6 to 8, the nozzle portion 35A and supply tube 33A equipped in the ejection mechanism E are also larger due to the larger blower 4A. In addition, the spraying device 1A is equipped with a supply control portion 5A that has a different configuration from the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5.

[0056] In the spraying device 1A shown in Figures 6 to 8, the discharge part 3A is not housed within the main body case 20, and a supply control part 5A is provided around the discharge part 3A. The basic state of the spraying device 1A of this embodiment is a state in which the extension direction (spraying direction X) of the discharge part 3A is aligned with the horizontal direction and the supply tube 33 is facing upward. Unless otherwise specified, the following description of the spraying device 1A of this embodiment will be given assuming that the device 1A is in the basic state.

[0057] The discharge section 3A of this embodiment has a nozzle section 35A and a nozzle cover section 38 that surrounds the nozzle section 35A (see FIGS. 6 and 8). The nozzle section 35A of this embodiment has a front tubular section 35f located forward of the supply tube 33 in the ejection direction X, and a rear tubular section 35r located rearward of the supply tube 33 (see FIG. 7). The front tubular section 35f has an inner diameter that increases toward the ejection port 39, and the rear tubular section 35r has an inner diameter that increases toward the opposite side from the ejection port 39. The front tubular section 35f and the rear tubular section 35r are connected at a location where the supply tube 33 is located, and their inner diameters match at this connected location. The nozzle section 35A is housed in a cylindrical nozzle cover section 38 that extends in the ejection direction X. Nozzle portion 35A has support fixing portion 35b that protrudes radially outward at the location where supply tube 33 is located. Support fixing portion 35b abuts against the inner surface of nozzle cover portion 38, fixing the position of nozzle portion 35A within cover portion 38. As a result, the front end of nozzle portion 35A and the front end of nozzle cover portion 38 are aligned in the jetting direction X.

[0058] The nozzle cover portion 38 is a cylindrical member with a constant inner diameter in the ejection direction X. The nozzle cover portion 38 is longer in the ejection direction X than the nozzle portion 35A. The nozzle cover portion 38 has a pair of slide restriction portions 38a, 38a at its upper end. The pair of slide restriction portions 38a, 38a are cylindrical portions that protrude upward from the outer circumferential surface of the nozzle cover portion 38 and are positioned spaced apart from each other in the ejection direction X. In the ejection portion 3, the supply tube 33 is positioned between the pair of slide restriction portions 38a, 38a.

[0059] The supply control unit 5A of this embodiment includes a substantially cylindrical trigger cover unit 61 arranged on the outer peripheral surface of the nozzle cover unit , and a slide shutter unit 60 arranged on the upper end of the nozzle cover unit . The trigger cover portion 61 has a missing portion at its upper end that runs continuously along its entire length in the ejection direction X, and a pair of shutter support ribs 61s protrude upward from the upper end of the cover portion 61 located on both sides of the missing portion (see FIG. 8). The shutter support ribs 61s face each other in the depth direction Y across the missing portion, and have a cover fixing portion (not shown) at the rear that fixes the trigger cover portion 61 to the nozzle cover portion 38, and a spring fixing portion to which the front end of a spring member 63 (described later) is fixed. The cover fixing portion and the spring fixing portion are adjacent to each other in the ejection direction X, and the spring fixing portion is higher than the cover fixing portion, forming a step. The supply tube 33A and the pair of slide restricting portions 38a, 38a are disposed at the same circumferential position of the nozzle cover portion 38 and are disposed in the missing portion of the trigger cover portion 61 (see FIG. 8).

[0060] The slide shutter portion 60 has a rear fixed cylinder portion 64 connected to the rear end of the nozzle cover portion 38, a spring member 63 interposed between the shutter support rib portion 61s and the rear fixed cylinder portion 64, a shutter portion 55A that penetrates the supply cylinder 33A in the ejection direction X, and a shutter case 62. The rear fixed cylinder 64 has an insertion cylinder portion having an inner diameter that is the same as the outer diameter of the nozzle cover portion 38, and a same-diameter portion having an inner diameter that is the same as the inner diameter of the nozzle cover portion 38. The rear fixed cylinder 64 is connected to the nozzle cover portion 38 by inserting the rear end of the nozzle cover portion 38 into the insertion cylinder portion (see FIG. 7). The rear fixed cylinder 64 has a protruding fixing portion 64a that protrudes radially outward from the outer circumferential surface of the insertion cylinder portion (see FIG. 8). The front ends of the spring members 63 are fixed to the rear ends of the shutter support ribs 61s, and the rear ends of the spring members 63 are fixed to the protruding fixed portions 64a. The spring members 63 are fixed between the shutter support ribs 61s and the rear fixed cylinder portion 64 so as to be able to expand and contract in the ejection direction X. The slide shutter portion 60 has a pair of spring members 63, 63 extending rearward from each of the pair of shutter support ribs 61s, and the rear slide restricting portion 38a is located between the pair of spring members 63, 63 (see FIG. 8).

[0061] The shutter section 55A of this embodiment is a plate-like member and has a rear fixed section 55r that is arranged on and fixed to the pair of shutter support ribs 61s, 61s, and a front shutter section 55f that is narrower (length in the depth direction Y) than the rear fixed section 55r. The width of the front shutter section 55f is smaller than the distance between the pair of shutter support ribs 61s, 61s in the depth direction Y. The front shutter section 55f has a supply section 56 having a through hole 56a and a non-supply section 57, and the supply section 56 is located forward of the non-supply section 57. The shutter case 62 of this embodiment has a rectangular parallelepiped shape that is long in the ejection direction X, and covers the pair of slide restriction portions 38a, 38a, the supply tube 33, the rear fixing portion 55r of the shutter portion 55A, the inner shutter case 66, and the spring member 63 (see FIG. 6). A pair of openings located on both sides in the depth direction Y are formed at the front end of the shutter case 62, and the front ends of the pair of shutter support ribs 61s, 61s are exposed through the openings (see FIG. 6). The inner shutter case 66 is disposed between the pair of shutter support ribs 61s, 61s and forward of the supply tube 33A, and is fixed to the nozzle cover 38. The inner shutter case 66 covers the front shutter 55f (see FIG. 7). An opening is formed at the front end of the inner shutter case 66, and the front shutter 55f can move back and forth through the opening.

[0062] The supply control unit 5A of this embodiment can switch between the supply section 56 and the non-supply section 57 and overlap them with the supply passage of the supply tube 33 by moving the trigger cover section 61 back and forth relative to the nozzle cover section 38 and the shutter case 62. For example, if the trigger cover section 61 is grasped by hand and moved backward (slid backward), the spring member 63 contracts and the shutter section 55A also moves backward, so that the supply section 56, which is located forward of the non-supply section 57, overlaps with the supply passage of the supply tube 33. This allows the granular processing agent to be supplied from the supply tube 33 into the nozzle section 35A. Further backward movement is restricted by the abutment of the slide restricting section 38a, located rearward in the ejection direction X, with the rear end of the shutter section 55A. Furthermore, when the trigger cover portion 61 is released after the aforementioned backward movement, the contracted spring member 63 returns to its original state, causing the trigger cover portion 61 to move forward, and the shutter portion 55A also moves forward. As a result, the non-supply portion 57 overlaps with the supply passage of the supply tube 33, blocking the supply passage of the supply tube 33. In this way, the spraying device 1A of this embodiment can open and close the supply passage within the supply tube 33 by sliding the trigger cover portion 61 back and forth, thereby controlling the supply of the granular processing agent from the agent-containing container to the nozzle portion 35. Further forward movement is restricted by the abutment of the slide restriction portion 38a, located forward in the spray direction X, with the front end of the shutter portion 55A.

[0063] The supply section 56 of the shutter section 55A of this embodiment may have a through-hole that extends in the ejection direction X and whose width (length in the depth direction Y) gradually decreases or increases. In this case, by sliding (advancing and retracting) the supply section 56 in the ejection direction X, the opening area of ​​the through-hole 56a that overlaps with the supply path of the supply tube 33 can be varied, and the amount of granular processing agent supplied can be controlled.

[0064] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be modified as appropriate. For example, the application method of the above-described embodiment may be carried out using the soft deposit as snow and the granular treatment agent as a snow-melting agent. In this case, snow removal can be achieved by promoting the melting of the soft deposit as snow. [Explanation of symbols]

[0065] 10 grains 1,1A spraying device 3,3A discharge part 4,4A blower 5,5A supply control section 11 Device body 15 Connection 16 Holding part 17 Holding body part 18 Support part 19 Cover part 20 Main unit case 20a left side part 20b Right side part 22 Gripping part 24 Injection main body 31 Blower connection tube 33,33A supply tube 33b Shutter insertion hole 35,35A nozzle part 36 Inner diameter change section 37 Constant inner diameter section 38 Nozzle cover 38a Slide control part 39 Discharge port 41 Blower body 42 Blower case 51 Trigger 52 Trigger lock 55,55A shutter part 56 Supply section 56a Through hole 57 Non-supply section 60 Slide shutter section 61 Trigger cover 61s shutter support strip 62 Shutter Case 63 Spring member 64 Rear fixed cylinder part X Spray direction Y depth direction Z vertical direction

Claims

1. A method for spraying a granular treatment agent, which comprises generating an air flow, introducing a granular treatment agent into the air flow, and spraying the granular treatment agent together with the air flow, A method of spreading the granular treatment agent on soft sediments so that the agent is embedded in the soft sediments.

2. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the granular processing agent is sprayed so that the impact speed of the granular processing agent on the soft sediment is 1 m / sec or more and 30 m / sec or less.

3. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the granular processing agent is embedded in the soft sediment to a depth of 0.1 cm or more.

4. The density of the granular processing agent in the soft sediment is 10 g / m ２ More than 1000g / m ２ 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the granular processing agent is applied so that:

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the soft sediment is a water-containing sediment.

6. the granular processing agent is a fluidizing agent that fluidizes the water-containing sediment, A method for removing water-containing deposits, comprising removing the water-containing deposits by using the spraying method according to claim 5.

7. The method for removing water-containing deposits according to claim 6, wherein the water-containing deposits contain metabolites of iron bacteria.

8. 7. The method for removing water-containing deposits according to claim 6, wherein the fluidizing agent comprises a dispersant that disperses the water-containing deposits or a foaming agent that foams upon contact with water.

9. A portable spraying device comprising: a holding unit for holding a container containing a granular processing agent; and a discharge unit for spraying the granular processing agent supplied from the container together with an air flow generated by compressed air, the discharge unit includes a nozzle unit that discharges the granular processing agent, a blower that sends the compressed air into the nozzle unit, and a supply tube that supplies the granular processing agent in the container to the nozzle unit, a central axis of the supply cylinder is perpendicular to the central axis of the nozzle portion and protrudes above the nozzle portion, and the container is connected to the supply cylinder with the spout facing downward; A spreading device for spreading the granular treatment agent onto soft sediments so that the agent can be embedded therein.

10. 10. The spraying device according to claim 9, wherein the granular processing agent sprayed from the nozzle section collides with the soft deposit at a collision speed of 1 m / sec or more and 30 m / sec or less.

11. The spraying device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the nozzle portion has a constant inner diameter portion with a constant inner diameter, on a side closer to the discharge port than the supply cylinder in the central axial direction.

12. The spraying device according to claim 11, wherein the inner diameter of the constant inner diameter portion is 4 mm or more and 50 mm or less.

13. The spraying device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the inner diameter of the supply tube is 4 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

14. a plate-shaped shutter section in which a supply section having a through-hole and a non-supply section having no through-hole are adjacent to each other; The supply tube has a pair of shutter insertion holes formed at a base end on the nozzle portion side, the pair of shutter insertion holes being opposed to each other in a circumferential direction of the supply tube, The spraying device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the shutter portion is inserted into the pair of shutter insertion holes perpendicular to the central axis of the supply cylinder, and moves back and forth relative to the supply cylinder to open and close the supply path within the supply cylinder.

Images