Storage tank and water treatment system

Abstract

To provide a storage tank that can efficiently store fluid within a limited volume space and a water treatment system.SOLUTION: A storage tank comprises a tank body with a storage space capable of holding fluid and a variable partition section that divides the storage space into two or more storage sections, allowing the volume of the divided two or more storage sections to be increased or decreased.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a reservoir capable of storing a fluid and a water treatment system including the reservoir. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, water treatment systems have been known that include a wastewater adjustment tank for storing wastewater, a biological treatment tank for treating the wastewater stored in the wastewater adjustment tank, and a treated water storage tank for storing treated water obtained by treatment in the biological treatment tank (Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-080487 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a circulating water treatment system, the amount of wastewater stored in the wastewater adjustment tank and the amount of treated water stored in the treated water storage tank are inversely correlated, i.e., as one increases, the other decreases. However, in conventional water treatment systems, the wastewater adjustment tank and the treated water storage tank are provided separately, which creates the problem that the overall system volume always has a surplus equivalent to one tank.

[0005] The present invention relates to a storage tank and a water treatment system that can efficiently store a fluid in a limited volume space. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The storage tank of the present invention comprises a tank body having a storage space capable of storing a fluid, and a variable partition section that divides the storage space into two or more storage sections and can increase or decrease the volume of the two or more divided storage sections.

[0007] A water treatment system according to the present invention includes the above-described storage tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The storage tank and water treatment system of the present invention make it possible to efficiently store a fluid in a limited volume space. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a water treatment system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a storage tank according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a storage tank according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a storage tank according to a modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Preferred embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the inventions according to the claims, and not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention. Furthermore, in the present embodiments, the scale and dimensions of each component may be exaggerated, and some components may be omitted.

[0011] [Overall configuration of water treatment system] As shown in Figure 1, the water treatment system 1 of this embodiment includes a storage tank 10 capable of storing wastewater discharged from equipment E, a treatment tank 20 capable of treating the wastewater stored in the storage tank 10, and a flow path 30 connecting the storage tank 10 and the treatment tank 20.

[0012] In this specification, the term "facility" refers to an object or place that can discharge wastewater, such as a washing machine, a kitchen, or a bathroom.

[0013] [Storage tank configuration] 2 and 3, the storage tank 10 includes a tank body 11 having a storage space 13 capable of storing water, and a variable partition 12 that divides the storage space 13 into two or more storage sections 40. In this embodiment, the variable partition 12 divides the storage space 13 into a first storage section 41 and a second storage section 42.

[0014] The tank body 11 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a bottom. The tank body 11 has a rigidity sufficient to prevent deformation when water is stored in the storage space 13. The material of the tank body 11 may be one or more selected from resins, metals, etc.

[0015] The variable partition 12 is housed in the storage space 13 of the tank body 11 and is formed in a bag shape that can define the first storage section 41.

[0016] Variable partition 12 has flexibility that allows it to deform in accordance with the amount of water stored in first storage section 41. Variable partition 12 is configured to be able to increase or decrease the volume of first storage section 41 and second storage section 42 by deforming in accordance with the amount of water stored in first storage section 41. Specifically, variable partition 12 is configured to expand when the amount of water stored in first storage section 41 increases, and to contract when the amount of water stored in first storage section 41 decreases.

[0017] That is, when the variable partition 12 expands, it increases the volume of the first storage section 41 (decreases the volume of the second storage section 42), and when it deflates, it decreases the volume of the first storage section 41 (increases the volume of the second storage section 42).

[0018] The storage tank 10 according to this embodiment has a variable partition 12 that can increase or decrease the volume of two or more storage sections (first storage section 41 and second storage section 42 in this embodiment), which allows fluids of different properties (wastewater and treated water in this embodiment) to be stored in one tank, thereby offering the advantage of being able to efficiently store fluids in a limited volume space. Another advantage is that only one tank is required, which allows for space savings and cost reductions.

[0019] The material of variable partition 12 is preferably flexible enough to be deformed according to the amount of water stored in first storage section 41, and durable enough not to be damaged when water is stored in first storage section 41. From this perspective, the material of variable partition 12 is preferably one or more materials selected from rubber, soft resin, etc.

[0020] The first storage section 41 is defined by the inner surface of the variable partition section 12, and the second storage section 42 is defined by the inner surface of the tank body 11 and the outer surface of the variable partition section 12 that defines the first storage section 41.

[0021] The first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42 are each configured to allow water to flow in and to store the water that has flowed in. Specifically, the first storage section 41 is configured to allow wastewater discharged from the equipment E to flow in and to store the water that has flowed in. On the other hand, the second storage section 42 is configured to allow treated water obtained by treating the wastewater stored in the first storage section 41 in the treatment tank 20 to flow in and to store the treated water that has flowed in.

[0022] Moreover, first storage section 41 and second storage section 42 are configured to allow the stored water to flow out. Specifically, first storage section 41 is configured to allow the stored wastewater to flow out, and second storage section 42 is configured to allow the stored treated water to flow out.

[0023] The first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42 are configured to be able to transfer water between each of the other storage sections 40 (i.e., the second storage section 42 in the case of the first storage section 41, and the first storage section 41 in the case of the second storage section 42). In this embodiment, the storage tank 10 and the treatment tank 20 are connected by the flow path 30, so the first storage section 41 can transfer water to the second storage section 42 via the flow path 30 and the treatment tank 20. Furthermore, when the water treatment system 1 according to this embodiment is used, as will be described later, the storage tank 10 and the equipment E are connected by the first connection flow path F1 and the second connection flow path F2, so the second storage section 42 can transfer water to the first storage section 41 via the second connection flow path F2, the equipment E, and the first connection flow path F1.

[0024] In this embodiment, the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42 are described as moving water between other storage sections 40 via the flow path 30, the first connecting flow path F1, the second connecting flow path F2, etc., but this is not limited to this, and for example, water may be moved directly between the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42.

[0025] From the viewpoint of efficiently storing water while increasing the volume of each of the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, the maximum volume of the first storage section 41 is preferably greater than 0% and less than 100% of the volume of the tank body 11, and may be, for example, 2% or more and 98% or less, depending on the fluctuations in the volume of wastewater and treated water stored in each of the first and second storage sections.

[0026] The storage tank 10 having the above configuration may be a stationary type, a portable type, or an assembly type that can be assembled at the installation site.

[0027] [Treatment tank configuration] The treatment tank 20 is configured to be able to treat the wastewater stored in the first storage section 41. As the treatment tank 20, various known treatment tanks can be used, such as a biological treatment tank capable of treating wastewater using microorganisms, or an ozone treatment tank capable of treating wastewater using ozone gas, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0028] [Flow path configuration] The flow path 30 includes a drainage flow path 31 capable of supplying the drainage water stored in the first storage section 41 to the treatment tank 20, and a treated water flow path 32 capable of supplying the treated water obtained by treatment in the treatment tank 20 to the second storage section 42. Note that a water supply device such as a pump (not shown) and a flow control device such as an electromagnetic valve (not shown) may be provided at each end or midway of the drainage flow path 31 and the treated water flow path 32.

[0029] The drainage flow path 31 is formed in a tubular shape having an internal space that allows the flow of wastewater. One end of the drainage flow path 31 in the flow path direction is connected to an outlet (not shown) of the first reservoir 41, and the other end of the drainage flow path 31 in the flow path direction is connected to the treatment tank 20.

[0030] The treated water flow path 32 is formed in a tubular shape having an internal space that allows the treated water to flow. One end of the treated water flow path 32 in the flow direction is connected to an inlet (not shown) of the second reservoir 42, and the other end of the treated water flow path 32 in the flow direction is connected to the treatment tank 20.

[0031] [Water treatment method] As shown in FIG. 1 , the water treatment system 1 according to this embodiment is connected to equipment E via a first connection flow path F1 and a second connection flow path F2. One end of the first connection flow path F1 in the flow direction is connected to the equipment E, and the other end of the first connection flow path F1 in the flow direction is connected to an inlet (not shown) of a first reservoir 41. One end of the second connection flow path F2 in the flow direction is connected to the equipment E, and the other end of the second connection flow path F2 in the flow direction is connected to an outlet (not shown) of a second reservoir 42. Note that a water supply device (not shown) such as a pump or a flow rate control device (not shown) such as an electromagnetic valve may be provided at each end or midway of the first connection flow path F1 and the second connection flow path F2.

[0032] When wastewater is discharged from the equipment E, the wastewater flows through the first connection flow path F1 into the first storage section 41 and is stored in the first storage section 41. At this time, the amount of wastewater stored in the first storage section 41 increases, and the variable partition section 12 expands, so that the volume of the first storage section 41 increases and the volume of the second storage section 42 decreases (see FIG. 3).

[0033] The wastewater stored in the first storage section 41 flows through the wastewater flow path 31 into the treatment tank 20 and is treated in the treatment tank 20. At this time, the amount of wastewater stored in the first storage section 41 decreases and the variable partition section 12 contracts, so that the volume of the first storage section 41 decreases and the volume of the second storage section 42 increases (see FIG. 2).

[0034] The treated water obtained by treatment in the treatment tank 20 flows through the treated water flow path 32 into the second reservoir 42 and is stored in the second reservoir 42. The treated water stored in the second reservoir 42 then flows through the second connecting flow path F2 to be supplied to the equipment E and reused in the equipment E.

[0035] In this way, the water discharged from the equipment E flows through the first connection flow path F1, the drainage flow path 31, the treated water flow path 32, and the second connection flow path F2, and is supplied again to the equipment E. In other words, the first connection flow path F1, the drainage flow path 31, the treated water flow path 32, and the second connection flow path F2 constitute a circulation flow path that can circulate the water discharged from the equipment E.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the first connection flow path F1, the wastewater flow path 31, the treated water flow path 32, and the second connection flow path F2 are each described as being disconnected from other flow paths, etc., and all of the water discharged from the equipment E is resupplied to the equipment E; however, this is not limited thereto. For example, at least one of the first connection flow path F1 and the wastewater flow path 31 may be connected to other flow paths, etc., so that wastewater flows in and out of the other flow paths, etc. Similarly, at least one of the treated water flow path 32 and the second connection flow path F2 may be connected to other flow paths, etc., so that treated water flows in and out of the other flow paths, etc. That is, in the present embodiment, the "circulation flow path" refers to a flow path that can resupply at least a portion of the water discharged from the equipment E to the equipment E, and does not prevent the outflow of wastewater or treated water to other flow paths, or the inflow of wastewater or treated water from other flow paths.

[0037] [Variations] The storage tank and water treatment system according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention.

[0038] In the above-described embodiment, the variable partition 12 has been described as dividing the storage space 13 into the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the variable partition 12 may divide the storage space 13 into three storage sections 40 including the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, or as shown in Fig. 4, the variable partition 12 may divide the storage space 13 into four storage sections 40 including the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, or may divide the storage space 13 into n (n is a natural number equal to or greater than 5) storage sections 40 including the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42.

[0039] In this case, the fluid stored in each storage section 40, including the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, may be set arbitrarily. Furthermore, storage sections 40 other than the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42 may function as, for example, a treatment tank 20 (biological treatment tank or ozone treatment tank). This eliminates the need to provide a separate treatment tank 20, allowing the water treatment system 1 to be further reduced in size.

[0040] When the variable partition 12 divides the storage space 13 into three storage sections 40 including the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, the storage tank 10 includes two variable partitions 12. When the variable partition 12 divides the storage space 13 into four storage sections 40 including the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, the storage tank 10 includes three variable partitions 12. When the variable partition 12 divides the storage space 13 into n storage sections 40 including the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, the storage tank 10 includes n-1 variable partitions 12.

[0041] Even when the storage tank 10 includes a plurality of variable partitions 12, each variable partition 12 can increase or decrease the volume of the storage. Furthermore, even when storage sections 40 other than the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42 exist, each storage section 40 can receive fluid, store the flowed-in fluid, and allow the stored fluid to flow out. Furthermore, even when storage sections 40 other than the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42 exist, each storage section 40 can transfer fluid to and from the other storage sections 40.

[0042] In the above-described embodiment, the storage space 13 has been described as being configured to be capable of storing water, but this is not limited thereto, and the storage space 13 may be configured to be capable of storing other fluids (for example, gases, other liquids, etc.). Furthermore, the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, or multiple storage sections including the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42, may be configured to be capable of storing fluids of different properties.

[0043] In the above-described embodiment, the volumes of the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42 are increased or decreased by the deformation of the variable partition section 12, but this is not limited thereto, and the volumes of the first storage section 41 and the second storage section 42 may be increased or decreased by the displacement of the variable partition section 12. This also applies to the case where the storage tank 10 includes a plurality of variable partition sections 12.

[0044] In the above-described embodiment, the first storage section 41 is configured to be able to store wastewater, and the second storage section 42 is configured to be able to store treated water, but this is not limited to this, and the first storage section 41 may be configured to be able to store treated water, and the second storage section 42 may be configured to be able to store wastewater.

[0045] In the above-described embodiment, the variable partition 12 is described as being formed in a bag shape that can define the first storage section 41, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the variable partition 12 may be configured to be able to define the second storage section 42. In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the space defined by the inner surface of the tank body 11 and the outer surface of the variable partition 12 is described as being used as the storage section 40 (second storage section 42). However, this is not limited thereto, and the space defined by the inner surface of the tank body 11 and the outer surface of the variable partition 12 does not have to be used as the storage section 40. In other words, only the internal space of two or more variable partitions 12 housed in the storage space 13 of the tank body 11 may be used as the storage section 40. Furthermore, the variable partition 12 may be formed in a plate shape rather than a bag shape, and the plate-shaped variable partition 12 may be configured to deform or displace. Furthermore, the variable partition 12 may be formed in a bag shape and a bellows shape. These also apply to the case where the storage tank 10 has a plurality of variable partitions 12.

[0046] When the storage tank 10 has a plurality of variable partitions 12, all of the variable partitions 12 may be formed in a bag shape, all of the variable partitions 12 may be formed in a plate shape, or there may be a mixture of bag-shaped variable partitions 12 and plate-shaped variable partitions 12. When there are a plurality of bag-shaped variable partitions 12, each variable partition 12 defines one storage section.

[0047] It is clear from the claims that the above-mentioned modifications are included within the scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0048] 1: Water treatment system 10: Reservoir 11: Tank body 12: Variable partition 13: Storage space 20: Treatment tank 30: Flow path 31: Drainage channel 32: Treated water flow path 40: Storage section 41: First storage section 42: Second storage section E: Facilities F1: First connecting flow path F2: Second connecting flow path

Claims

1. a tank body having a storage space capable of storing a fluid; a variable partition that divides the storage space into two or more storage sections and can increase or decrease the volume of the two or more divided storage sections; Equipped with Reservoir.

2. At least one of the variable partitions is formed in a bag shape that can define one of the two or more storage sections. The reservoir of claim 1 .

3. The two or more storage sections are configured to be able to store fluids with different properties. The reservoir according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The two or more storage sections are each configured to allow a fluid to flow in and to store the fluid that has flowed in, The two or more reservoirs are configured to allow the fluid stored therein to flow out. The reservoir according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The two or more storage sections are configured to be able to transfer fluid between each of the storage sections and the other storage sections. The reservoir according to claim 1 or 2.

6. The storage tank according to claim 1 or 2 is provided. Water treatment system.

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