Water purification cartridge

Abstract

To facilitate flowing of water within a case containing a granular filter material.SOLUTION: A water purification cartridge 10 includes a cylindrical case 10A, a fibrous activated carbon 10F filled into a case 10A, and a granular filter material 10G. The case 10A is formed with an inflow opening 10H for inflow on the upstream side, and an outflow opening 10J for outflow on the downstream side.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a water purification cartridge. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a water purification cartridge that uses cylindrical charcoal briquettes. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-159849 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When charcoal briquettes are not used, it is possible to use unformed granular filter media in the water purification cartridge. When granular filter media is enclosed in a case, the density of the filter media may be higher than that of charcoal briquettes. In this case, there is a concern that water may not penetrate the filter media easily, which may impede the flow of water within the case. For this reason, a technology that can promote the flow of water in a case containing granular filter media is desired.

[0005] The present disclosure was completed based on the above circumstances, and aims to provide a technology for promoting the flow of water within a case containing granular filter media. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The water purification cartridge of the present disclosure comprises: The filter comprises a cylindrical case, fibrous activated carbon filled in the case, and granular filter material, and the case has an inlet opening for inflow on the upstream side and an outlet opening for outflow on the downstream side. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view showing the water purification cartridge of embodiment 1. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the case of the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the fibrous activated carbon of the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view showing the water purification cartridge of embodiment 2. [Figure 5] A side cross-sectional view showing a water purification cartridge of another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] <Embodiment 1> The water purification cartridge 10 of the first embodiment is installed in a flow path through which raw water Rw supplied from a water supply source (not shown), such as a water supply system, flows. When the raw water Rw flows through the water purification cartridge 10, the cartridge has the function of capturing dissolved substances contained in the raw water Rw, such as free residual chlorine and hardness components such as calcium ions and magnesium ions (hereinafter simply referred to as hardness components), and discharging the captured dissolved substances as purified water Pw.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 1, the water purification cartridge 10 includes a case 10A, a closing lid 10B, an outflow lid 10C, an outer nonwoven fabric 10D, an inner nonwoven fabric 10E, fibrous activated carbon 10F, and granular filter media 10G.

[0010] The case 10A is formed by molding synthetic resin into a cylindrical shape. A plurality of inlet openings 10H are formed on the side surface of one end (lower side in FIG. 1) of the case 10A in the axial direction C. Each inlet opening 10H is an inlet through which raw water Rw flows and corresponds to the upstream side of the case 10A. For example, each inlet opening 10H has a rectangular shape and is aligned in a circumferential direction of the case 10A, arranged in two rows in the axial direction C (see FIG. 2). In the axial direction C of the case 10A, the plurality of inlet openings 10H are biased toward one end of the case 10A in the axial direction C. Specifically, for example, the overall length of the case 10A is approximately 120 mm, and the plurality of inlet openings 10H are set to a dimension of approximately 1 / 3 of the overall length of the case 10A (i.e., approximately 40 mm) from one end of the case 10A. An opening on the other axial end surface of the case 10A is an outlet opening 10J. The outflow opening 10J is an outlet through which the purified water Pw flows out, and corresponds to the downstream side of the case 10A.

[0011] The closing lid 10B is made of, for example, synthetic resin. The closing lid 10B has a disk-shaped lid main body 10K and a cylindrical standing wall portion 10L rising from the outer peripheral edge of the lid main body 10K. The lid main body 10K is arranged to close an opening on one end side of the case 10A in the direction of the axis C. The standing wall portion 10L is arranged to cover the outer peripheral surface of the case 10A. The standing wall portion 10L is arranged so as not to cover the inlet opening 10H.

[0012] The outflow lid 10C is made of synthetic resin. The outflow lid 10C has a disk-shaped outflow lid main body 10M, a hanging wall portion 10N that hangs down cylindrically from the outer periphery of the outflow lid main body 10M, and a protrusion portion 10P that protrudes from the center of the outflow lid main body 10M. The protrusion portion 10P protrudes outward from the case 10A in a direction along the axis C of the case 10A. The outflow lid main body 10M is positioned to block the outflow opening 10J of the case 10A. The hanging wall portion 10N is positioned to cover the outer periphery of the case 10A. An opening 10Q is formed in the protrusion portion 10P. The purified water Pw that flows out from the outflow opening 10J flows out to the outside through the opening 10Q.

[0013] The type of fiber used as the raw material for the outer nonwoven fabric 10D is not particularly limited, but synthetic resin fibers are relatively easy to handle. The outer nonwoven fabric 10D is formed in a cylindrical shape and is arranged to cover the outer peripheral surface of the case 10A. Specifically, the outer nonwoven fabric 10D is formed into a cylindrical shape by being wrapped around the outer peripheral surface of the case 10A. The outer nonwoven fabric 10D covers the inlet opening 10H formed in the case 10A. The outer nonwoven fabric 10D is water-permeable. Therefore, the raw water Rw passes through the outer nonwoven fabric 10D and flows into the inlet opening 10H.

[0014] The type of fiber used to form the inner nonwoven fabric 10E is not particularly limited, but synthetic resin fibers are relatively easy to handle. The inner nonwoven fabric 10E is water-permeable. The inner nonwoven fabric 10E is formed in a disk shape and is disposed at the other end of the case 10A in the direction of the axis C so as to block the outlet opening 10J of the case 10A. Therefore, the purified water Pw passes through the inner nonwoven fabric 10E and flows out from the outlet opening 10J of the case 10A.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 3, the fibrous activated carbon 10F is produced by carbonizing a fibrous raw material. The fibrous activated carbon 10F is formed into a long sheet and rolled into a cylindrical shape. The fibrous activated carbon 10F has the function of adsorbing free residual chlorine in the raw water Rw. There are no gaps between adjacent sheets in the radial direction. The fibrous activated carbon 10F shown in FIG. 3 is exaggerated in thickness, resulting in a step on the outer circumferential surface. However, in reality, the sheet is much thinner than in FIG. 3, so the step on the outer circumferential surface is negligibly small. The fibrous activated carbon 10F is disposed concentrically within the case 10A and adjacent to the inner nonwoven fabric 10E. In other words, the fibrous activated carbon 10F is disposed downstream of the case 10A.

[0016] The granular filter medium 10G uses at least one of granular activated carbon and granular ion exchange resin. For example, the particle size of the granular filter medium 10G is approximately 600 μm. When granular activated carbon is used for the granular filter medium 10G, the granular filter medium 10G captures free residual chlorine and organic chlorine compounds (hereinafter simply referred to as organic chlorine compounds) contained in the raw water Rw. When granular ion exchange resin is used for the granular filter medium 10G, the granular filter medium 10G captures hardness components contained in the raw water Rw. The filter medium 10G is filled inside the case 10A, between the lid body 10K of the closing lid 10B and the fibrous activated carbon 10F. In other words, the fibrous activated carbon 10F is arranged downstream of the granular filter medium 10G. At the position where the inlet opening 10H is formed, the filter medium 10G is inside the outer nonwoven fabric 10D and filled in the inlet opening 10H. The mesh size of the outer nonwoven fabric 10D is smaller than the particle size of the filter medium 10G. This prevents the filter medium 10G from flowing out of the inlet opening 10H. In this way, the water purification cartridge 10 is formed.

[0017] [An example of how the water purification cartridge works] An example of flowing raw water Rw into the water purification cartridge 10 thus formed and then discharging purified water Pw will be described. First, the water purification cartridge 10 is placed in the flow path through which the raw water Rw flows. As shown in FIG. 1, the raw water Rw flows into the case 10A through the outer nonwoven fabric 10D that blocks each inlet opening 10H and each inlet opening 10H. The raw water Rw that flows into the case 10A permeates the filter medium 10G arranged upstream of the water purification cartridge 10 and flows toward the outlet opening 10J of the water purification cartridge 10. The free residual chlorine, organic chlorine compounds, and hardness components contained in the raw water Rw are captured by the filter medium 10G as the raw water Rw flows toward the outlet opening 10J. The raw water Rw then reaches the fibrous activated carbon 10F and flows toward the outlet opening 10J. The free residual chlorine contained in the raw water Rw is captured by the fibrous activated carbon 10F as the raw water Rw flows toward the outlet opening 10J. Then, the raw water Rw that has passed through the fibrous activated carbon 10F and flowed out from the outlet opening 10J flows out as purified water Pw from the opening 10Q of the protruding portion 10P to the outside.

[0018] The free residual chlorine and organic chlorine compound removal performance of the water purification cartridge 10 can be measured by a measurement method in accordance with JIS S3201 "Test Method for Household Water Purifiers." Specifically, sample water with a predetermined amount of sodium hypochlorite dissolved therein is prepared, and this sample water is passed through the water purification cartridge 10 at a predetermined temperature. The free residual chlorine concentration in the filtrate (purified water Pw) is measured in accordance with JIS S3201 "6.4 Removal Performance Test" and "6.5 Filtration Capacity Test."

[0019] The hardness component removal performance of the water purification cartridge 10 can be measured by a measurement method that complies with the Water Purifier Association standard, JWPAS Y (2011) "Hardness Reduction Capacity Test Method." Specifically, sample water with a predetermined amount of calcium chloride dissolved therein is prepared, and this sample water is passed through the water purification cartridge 10 at a predetermined temperature. The calcium ion concentration in the filtrate (purified water Pw) is measured in accordance with JIS S3201 "6.4 Removal Performance Test" and "6.5 Filtration Capacity Test."

[0020] According to the first embodiment configured as above, the following effects are achieved.

[0021] The water purification cartridge 10 includes a cylindrical case 10A, fibrous activated carbon 10F filled in the case 10A, and granular filter media 10G. The case 10A has an inlet opening 10H on the upstream side for inflow and an outlet opening 10J on the downstream side for outflow. With this configuration, the raw water Rw penetrates the fibrous activated carbon 10F more easily than the granular filter media 10G. Therefore, the flow of the raw water Rw through the case 10A is more easily promoted than when the case 10A is filled only with the granular filter media 10G.

[0022] The granular filter medium 10G is at least one of activated carbon and ion exchange resin. With this configuration, the granular activated carbon can efficiently capture organic chlorine compounds (i.e., substances other than free residual chlorine) and the granular ion exchange resin can capture hardness components, thereby improving the ability of the water purification cartridge 10 to capture dissolved substances.

[0023] The inflow opening 10H is formed on the upstream side surface of the case 10A. With this configuration, the opening area of ​​the inflow opening can be increased compared to when the inflow opening is provided in the lid body 10K of the closing lid 10B, and the raw water Rw can be efficiently introduced.

[0024] The fibrous activated carbon 10F is disposed downstream of the granular filter medium 10G. With this configuration, the fibrous activated carbon 10F can prevent the granular filter medium 10G from flowing out through the outlet opening 10J.

[0025] The activated carbon fiber 10F is formed into a sheet shape and rolled into a cylindrical shape. This configuration allows the activated carbon fiber 10F to be efficiently accommodated in the case 10A.

[0026] <Embodiment 2> The water purification cartridge 20 of the second embodiment differs from that of the first embodiment in that the position of the fibrous activated carbon 10F is different from that of the first embodiment, and that an outer nonwoven fabric is not provided. The same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by reference numerals and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, the water purification cartridge 20 includes a case 10A, a closing lid 10B, an outflow lid 10C, an inner nonwoven fabric 10E, fibrous activated carbon 10F, and granular filter media 10G.

[0028] The fibrous activated carbon 10F is disposed concentrically within the case 10A and adjacent to the closing lid 10B. The fibrous activated carbon 10F is disposed so as to block all of the inlet openings 10H from the inside. In the second embodiment, the fibrous activated carbon 10F has the function of preventing the filter medium 10G from flowing out of the case 10A through the inlet openings 10H.

[0029] Granular filter medium 10G is filled inside case 10A between inner nonwoven fabric 10E and fibrous activated carbon 10F. In other words, fibrous activated carbon 10F is disposed upstream of granular filter medium 10G. In this manner, water purification cartridge 20 is formed.

[0030] [An example of how the water purification cartridge works] An example of flowing raw water Rw into the water purification cartridge 20 thus formed and then discharging purified water Pw will be described. First, the water purification cartridge 20 is placed in the flow path through which the raw water Rw flows. The raw water Rw flows into the case 10A through the inlet opening 10H. The raw water Rw that flows into the case 10A permeates the fibrous activated carbon 10F arranged upstream of the water purification cartridge 20 and flows toward the outlet opening 10J of the water purification cartridge 20. The free residual chlorine contained in the raw water Rw is captured by the fibrous activated carbon 10F as the raw water Rw flows toward the outlet opening 10J. The raw water Rw then reaches the granular filter medium 10G and flows toward the outlet opening 10J. The free residual chlorine, organic chlorine compounds, and hardness components contained in the raw water Rw are captured by the granular filter medium 10G as the raw water Rw flows toward the outlet opening 10J. Then, the raw water Rw that has passed through the granular filter medium 10G and flowed out from the outflow opening 10J flows out as purified water Pw from the opening 10Q of the protruding portion 10P to the outside.

[0031] According to the second embodiment configured as above, the following effects are achieved.

[0032] The fibrous activated carbon 10F is disposed upstream of the granular filter media 10G. For example, when raw water Rw flows into the case 10A through the inlet opening 10H on the side of the case 10A, the raw water Rw flows toward the outlet opening 10J and is therefore less likely to permeate the area near the closing lid 10B. Furthermore, the raw water Rw is more likely to permeate the fibrous activated carbon 10F than the granular filter media 10G. Therefore, with this configuration, the fibrous activated carbon 10F, through which the raw water Rw can easily permeate, can be placed closer to the closing lid 10B, through which the raw water Rw is less likely to permeate. By placing the fibrous activated carbon 10F adjacent to the closing lid 10B, it is expected that the permeation of the raw water Rw into the area near the closing lid 10B will be promoted.

[0033] The inlet opening 10H is blocked from the inside of the case 10A by fibrous activated carbon 10F. With this configuration, the fibrous activated carbon 10F can prevent the granular filter medium 10G from flowing out of the inlet opening 10H, making it possible to omit the configuration of covering the outer peripheral surface of the case 10A with an outer nonwoven fabric.

[0034] <Other embodiments> The present disclosure is not limited to the first embodiment described above with reference to the drawings, and the following embodiments, for example, are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0035] (1) Unlike the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the fibrous activated carbon 110F may be formed into a sheet and wound into a cylindrical shape. In this case, an axial nonwoven fabric 110R through which raw water flows may be disposed around the central axis of the cylindrical fibrous activated carbon 110F. While the type of fiber used to form the axial nonwoven fabric 110R is not particularly limited, synthetic resin fibers are relatively easy to handle. The downstream end face of the fibrous activated carbon 110F, excluding the axial nonwoven fabric 110R, is covered with an impermeable water blocking wall 110S. The outer periphery of the water blocking wall 110S is in liquid-tight contact with the inner periphery of the case 10A. The water blocking wall 110S may be made of, for example, synthetic resin. With this configuration, raw water Rw flowing in through the inlet opening 10H flows through the fibrous activated carbon 110F to converge toward the axial nonwoven fabric 110R, and then flows into the filter medium 10G via the axial nonwoven fabric 110R. This allows the raw water Rw to flow evenly through the fibrous activated carbon 110F, making it possible to use the fibrous activated carbon 110F without any waste.

[0036] (2) Unlike the first embodiment, the inner nonwoven fabric may not be provided.

[0037] (3) Unlike in the first and second embodiments, the inlet opening may be formed on one end surface of the case. For example, an opening may be provided in the lid body of the closing lid to serve as the inlet opening, and an inner nonwoven fabric may be arranged to close the inlet opening.

[0038] (4) Unlike the first and second embodiments, the fibrous activated carbon may be packed into the case without being formed into a sheet.

[0039] (5) The length of the fibrous activated carbon in the axial direction is not particularly limited.

[0040] (6) Fibrous activated carbon may be arranged at a plurality of positions within the case in the axial direction.

[0041] (7) The outer shape of the inlet opening is not limited to that of the first and second embodiments. In addition, the axial dimension of the inlet opening is not limited to that of the first and second embodiments.

[0042] (8) Unlike the first and second embodiments, the case may be a polygonal cylindrical shape.

[0043] (9) The range of particle size of the filter medium is not limited to the range of particle size in the first embodiment.

[0044] (10) The larger the particle size of the filter media, the larger the gaps between the media, reducing the pressure loss of the water purification cartridge. Conversely, the smaller the particle size of the filter media, the smaller the gaps between the media, resulting in a larger pressure loss of the water purification cartridge. For example, by stacking layers of filter media with different particle sizes in the axial direction and appropriately varying the axial thickness of each layer of filter media with different particle sizes, it is possible to control the pressure loss of the water purification cartridge to a desired level. Furthermore, fibrous activated carbon or an inner nonwoven fabric may be arranged to separate the layers of filter media with different particle sizes. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 10,20...Water purification cartridge, 10A...Case, 10F,110F...Fiber activated carbon, 10G...Granular filter media, 10H...Inlet opening, 10J...Outlet opening

Claims

1. A cylindrical case and Fibrous activated carbon and granular filter material packed in the case; Equipped with The case has an inlet opening for inflow on the upstream side and an outlet opening for outflow on the downstream side, the water purification cartridge.

2. The water purification cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the granular filter material is at least one of activated carbon and ion exchange resin.

3. The water purification cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet opening is formed on a side surface of the case.

4. The water purification cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the fibrous activated carbon is disposed upstream of the granular filter medium.

5. The water purification cartridge according to claim 1 , wherein the fibrous activated carbon is disposed downstream of the granular filter medium.

6. The water purification cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inlet opening is blocked by the fibrous activated carbon.

7. The water purification cartridge according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fibrous activated carbon is formed into a sheet and wound into either a columnar or cylindrical shape.

Images