Inspection apparatus for thickener and thickener

Abstract

To provide a technique that can easily detect an interface position in a thickener with a simpler configuration.SOLUTION: A thickener 100 includes: a storage part that has a peripheral wall portion surrounding a storage space for accommodating a mixed liquid containing a solid content and liquid, and a bottom wall portion provided on a lower side of the peripheral wall portion; and a discharge outlet that discharges a solid-liquid mixture including solids settled in the storage part. An inspection apparatus 1 for a thickener is an inspection apparatus that inspects an interface position in the thickener 100. The inspection apparatus 1 includes: an ultrasonic generation unit that emits ultrasonic waves downward into the storage part from a predetermined position; and a detection unit that detects reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic generation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an inspection device for a thickener and a thickener [Background technology]

[0002] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a method for measuring the interface between the supernatant layer and dense layer of a slurry that has been sedimented and thickened in a thickener. In this technology, an ultrasonic densitometer 6 is lowered and raised in a substantially vertical direction from the liquid surface 3 of the slurry to a predetermined depth, while continuously measuring the solids concentration, and the position 4 of the interface of the sedimented and thickened slurry is identified from the concentration distribution of the solids concentration in the depth direction of the slurry. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-055714 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the technique of Patent Document 1 requires the ultrasonic concentration meter 6 to be lowered and raised in a substantially vertical direction from the liquid surface 3 of the slurry to a predetermined depth while continuously measuring the solid concentration, which tends to make the measurement complicated.

[0005] In order to solve at least one of the above-described problems, the present disclosure provides a technique that makes it easier to detect the position of an interface in a thickener with a simpler configuration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The inspection device for a thickener that is one aspect of the present disclosure is: a storage section having a peripheral wall section surrounding a storage space for storing a mixed liquid containing a solid content and a liquid and a bottom wall section provided below the peripheral wall section; and a discharge port for discharging a solid-liquid mixture containing solids that have settled in the storage section; An inspection device for inspecting the position of an interface in a thickener including: an ultrasonic wave generating unit that generates ultrasonic waves downward from a predetermined position within the housing unit; a detection unit that detects reflected waves of ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic wave generation unit; Equipped with.

[0007] The thickener of the present disclosure includes an inspection device for the thickener. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The technology according to the present disclosure makes it easier to detect the position of the interface within the thickener with a simpler configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a thickener equipped with an inspection device for a thickener according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the electrical configuration of the inspection device for a thickener according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an enlarged portion of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the following, embodiments of the present disclosure are listed and illustrated.

[0011] [1] A storage unit having a peripheral wall portion surrounding a storage space that stores a mixed liquid containing a solid content and a liquid and a bottom wall portion provided below the peripheral wall portion, and a discharge port that discharges a solid-liquid mixture containing solids that have settled in the storage unit; An inspection device for inspecting the position of an interface in a thickener including: an ultrasonic wave generating unit that generates ultrasonic waves downward from a predetermined position within the housing unit; a detection unit that detects reflected waves of ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic wave generation unit; An inspection device for a thickener comprising:

[0012] The inspection device for the thickener described above in [1] can easily detect the position of the interface within the thickener with a simpler configuration.

[0013] [2] A detection object is provided which is disposed above the bottom wall portion in the mixed liquid, The ultrasonic wave generating unit emits the ultrasonic waves toward the detection object. An inspection device for the thickener described in [1].

[0014] The inspection device for thickeners described in [2] above can check whether the reflected wave from the object to be detected is detected by the detection unit, and can therefore be used to evaluate whether an interface exists above the object to be detected.

[0015] [3] A plurality of the detection objects are arranged at different depths. An inspection device for a thickener described in [2].

[0016] The inspection device for thickeners described above in [3] can check whether reflected waves can be confirmed from which of multiple objects placed at different depths, making it easy to evaluate how far down the object is buried.

[0017] [4] A determination unit that determines the depth or depth range of the interface based on the detection result by the detection unit. An inspection device for a thickener according to any one of [1] to [3].

[0018] The inspection device for thickeners described above in [4] can identify the depth or depth range of the interface based on the detection results from the detection unit.

[0019] [5] A notification unit that notifies when the position of the interface becomes higher than a predetermined height is provided. An inspection device for a thickener according to any one of [1] to [4].

[0020] The inspection device for the thickener described above in [5] can give a warning when the height of the interface exceeds a certain standard.

[0021] [6] A thickener equipped with an inspection device for a thickener according to any one of [1] to [5].

[0022] The inspection device for thickeners in [6] above has the same effect as the inspection device in [1].

[0023] First Embodiment 1. Thickener composition The thickener 100 is designed to form an upper supernatant liquid portion and a lower sedimentation thickening portion. The thickener 100 includes a storage portion 110 for storing the slurry, an outlet 118 as a path for discharging the sediment, and an outlet 119 as a path for discharging the supernatant water.

[0024] The storage section 110 is a box-like, cylindrical structure having a storage space for the mixed liquid formed therein. The storage section 110 has a peripheral wall 112 that surrounds the storage space for storing the mixed liquid 190 containing solids and liquid, and a bottom wall 114 provided below the peripheral wall 112. The peripheral wall 112 is cylindrical. The bottom wall 114 has a conical shape that gradually becomes lower toward the center. In the example of FIG. 1 , the surface (top surface) of the mixed liquid 190 is indicated by reference numeral 192. The interface of the settled solids in the mixed liquid 190 is indicated by reference numeral 194.

[0025] The discharge outlet 118 is a path for discharging a solid-liquid mixture containing solids that have settled in the storage unit 110. A discharge path 120, which is conceptually shown by a dashed line, is connected to the discharge outlet 118, and the solid-liquid mixture discharged from the discharge outlet 118 is supplied to the next process through the discharge path 120. The solid-liquid mixture flowing through the discharge path 120 may be supplied to a filter press device or to other devices.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 1, the thickener 100 is provided with a rotor 132 and a drive source 130 that applies a driving force to the rotor 132. The drive source 130 is configured, for example, by a motor, and is configured to rotate a shaft 134 of the rotor 132. The rotor 132 includes a shaft 134 and an interlocking portion 136 that rotates integrally with the shaft 134. The interlocking portion 136 can function as a rake. Note that the shape and configuration of the interlocking portion 136 (rake) shown in FIG. 1 are merely examples, and various known configurations can be applied.

[0027] 2. Configuration of the inspection device The thickener inspection device 1 shown in FIG. 1 is an inspection device that inspects the position of an interface in a thickener 100. As shown in FIG. 2, the inspection device 1 includes an ultrasonic generator 12 and a detector 14. The ultrasonic generator 12 is a part that emits ultrasonic waves from a predetermined position toward the bottom inside the storage unit 110. The detector 14 is a part that detects the reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic generator 12.

[0028] In the example of FIG. 1, an ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 10 having the function of an ultrasonic wave generating unit 12 and the function of a detecting unit 14 is provided, and this ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 10 can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves.

[0029] 1, the example includes a detection object 50 that is placed above the bottom wall in the mixed liquid. The ultrasonic wave transmitting / receiving unit 10, which functions as an ultrasonic wave generating unit, is configured to emit ultrasonic waves toward the detection object 50.

[0030] 1, multiple detectable objects 50 are arranged at different depths. Specifically, the system includes a first detectable object 51 whose upper surface is at a first height H1, a second detectable object 52 whose upper surface is at a second height H2, a third detectable object 53 whose upper surface is at a third height H3, a fourth detectable object 54 whose upper surface is at a fourth height H4, and a fifth detectable object 55 whose upper surface is at a fifth height H5. The relationship between the heights H1 to H5 is H1>H2>H3>H4>H5.

[0031] 1, when the interface of the sediment is located lower than the lowest fifth detectable object 55, for example, at virtual position F5, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit 10 (ultrasound generator) are reflected by all detectable objects 50, and the reflected waves from each detectable object 50 are received by the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit 10 (detector) with a time difference. In this case, the control device 20 analyzes the waveforms of the reflected waves received by the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit 10 (detector), thereby making it possible to confirm that there have been reflected waves from all detectable objects 50 and that the interface of the sediment is located lower than the height H5 of the fifth detectable object 55.

[0032] When the interface of the sediment is located lower than the second detectable object 52 and higher than the third detectable object 53, as in virtual position F2, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit 10 (ultrasound generator) are reflected by the first detectable object 51 and the second detectable object 52, and the reflected waves from these are received by the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit 10 (detector) with a time difference. On the other hand, reflected waves from the third detectable object 53, the fourth detectable object 54, and the fifth detectable object 55 are not detected. In this case, by analyzing the waveform of the reflected waves received by the ultrasonic transmitter / receiver unit 10 (detector), the control device 20 can confirm that there are reflected waves from the first detectable object 51 and the second detectable object 52, and can confirm that the interface of the sediment is located lower than the height H2 of the second detectable object 52 and higher than the height H3 of the third detectable object 53.

[0033] When the interface of the sediment is at a higher position than the first detectable object 51, as at virtual position F0, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 10 (ultrasound generating unit) do not reach any of the detectable objects 50, and no reflected waves are confirmed from any of the detectable objects 50. In this case, the control device 20 analyzes the waveform of the reflected waves received by the ultrasonic transmitting / receiving unit 10 (detecting unit), and can confirm that there are no reflected waves from any of the detectable objects 50, and that the interface of the sediment is at a higher position than the height H1 of the first detectable object 51.

[0034] The control device 20 may function as an identifying unit, in which case it functions to identify the depth or depth range of the interface based on the detection result by the detection unit 14.

[0035] The control device 20 may function as an alarm unit, and in this case, it functions to issue an alarm when the position of the interface becomes higher than a predetermined height. For example, the alarm may be issued when the interface of the sediment is at a position higher than the height H1 of the first detectable object 51. The control device 20 may cooperate with a speaker or the like to emit a buzzer sound or a message when the position of the interface becomes higher than a predetermined height. Alternatively, the control device 20 may cooperate with a communication device to transmit predetermined information to a device external to the control device 20 when the position of the interface becomes higher than a predetermined height.

[0036] 3.Example of effects The thickener inspection device 1 can easily detect the position of the interface in the thickener 100 with a simpler configuration.

[0037] The thickener inspection device 1 can confirm whether or not the reflected wave from the object to be detected 50 is detected by the detection unit 14, and can therefore be used to evaluate whether or not an interface exists above the object to be detected 50.

[0038] The thickener inspection device 1 can check whether or not reflected waves can be confirmed from which of multiple detectable objects 50 placed at different depths, making it easy to evaluate which of the detectable objects are buried.

[0039] The thickener inspection device 1 can identify the depth or depth range of the interface based on the detection result by the detection unit 14.

[0040] The thickener inspection device 1 can issue a notification when the height of the interface exceeds a certain standard.

[0041] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and in the drawings. For example, any combination of features of the above-described or following embodiments is possible within a range that does not contradict. Furthermore, any feature of the above-described or following embodiments may be omitted unless explicitly stated as essential. Furthermore, the above-described embodiment may be modified as follows.

[0042] In the above embodiment, an example of a solid-liquid mixture has been described, but the solid-liquid mixture may be one other than the above example, and may be a mixture of at least a liquid and a solid (for example, at least one of a powder, granular material, powder, and granular material).

[0043] It should be noted that the embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed herein, but is intended to include all modifications within the scope indicated by the claims or the scope equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1: Inspection equipment 10: Ultrasonic transmitter / receiver 12: Ultrasonic wave generating unit 14: Detection unit 20: Control device 50: Object to be detected 51: First detection object 52: Second detection object 53: Third object to be detected 54: Fourth object to be detected 55: The fifth person leaves the body 100 :シックナー 110: Containment Department 112: Zhoubi section 114: Bottom wall 118: Discharge outlet 119: Discharge outlet 120: Exit route 130: source of energy 132:Return body 134: Shaft 136: Linkage Section 190: Mixture 192: Surface 194: Interface

Claims

1. a storage section having a peripheral wall section surrounding a storage space for storing a mixed liquid containing a solid content and a liquid and a bottom wall section provided below the peripheral wall section; and a discharge port for discharging a solid-liquid mixture containing solids that have settled in the storage section; An inspection device for inspecting the position of an interface in a thickener including: an ultrasonic wave generating unit that generates ultrasonic waves downward from a predetermined position within the housing unit; a detection unit that detects reflected waves of ultrasonic waves emitted by the ultrasonic wave generation unit; An inspection device for a thickener comprising:

2. a detection object disposed above the bottom wall portion in the mixed liquid; The ultrasonic wave generating unit emits the ultrasonic waves toward the detection object.

10. An inspection device for a thickener according to claim 1.

3. A plurality of the detection objects are arranged at different depths.

3. An inspection device for a thickener according to claim 2.

4. a specifying unit that specifies the depth or depth range of the interface based on the detection result by the detecting unit; 3. An inspection device for a thickener according to claim 1 or 2.

5. a notification unit that notifies when the position of the interface becomes higher than a predetermined height; 3. An inspection device for a thickener according to claim 1 or 2.

6. A thickener comprising the thickener inspection device according to claim 1 or 2.

Images