Filtration method and filtration apparatus

Abstract

To provide a filtration method and a filtration apparatus capable of preventing an adverse effect caused by the adhesion of a material to be treated to a charging port.SOLUTION: The state of the container 12 in which the filtration preparation region M is secured in the region vertically below the filter portion 18 in the storage space S and the clean region Q is secured in the region where the feed port 54 is located vertically above the filter portion 18 is referred to as a filtration preparation state. The state of a container 12 in which a filter part 18 is arranged at the vertical lower part of the container 12 and a clean area Q is secured in an area where an input port 54 vertically above the filter part 18 is positioned is defined as a filtration state. At this time, the filtration method includes a filtration preparation step of preparing the object W to be treated containing the solid matter in the filtration preparation region M of the container 12 in the filtration preparation state, and a filtration step of filtering the object W to be treated by the filter part 18 provided in the container 12 in the filtration state to capture the solid matter. When switching between the filtration preparation state and the filtration state, the container 12 is rotated about a rotation axis extending in the horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a filtering method and a filtering device for filtering an object to be treated. [Background technology]

[0002] The conventional filtration device described in Patent Document 1 includes a container and an inversion mechanism for inverting the container vertically. The interior space of the container is vertically divided into two by a screen (filtration section) equipped with a filter. One space is a reaction space for reactively treating the material to be treated, and the other space is a drainage space for discharging filtrate when the material to be treated is filtered. An agitator for agitating the material to be treated is provided in the reaction space, and the drive shaft of the agitator penetrates the center of the screen and the wall of the container located on the drainage space side and protrudes to the outside of the container. Therefore, a shaft through-hole through which the drive shaft penetrates is formed in the center of the screen and the wall of the container located on the drainage space side. A motor is connected to the end of the drive shaft located outside the container.

[0003] When filtering a material to be treated using this filtration device, a filtration process is carried out following a reaction process (filtration preparation process). In the reaction process, the reaction space is positioned below the screen, and the material to be treated is introduced into the reaction space for reaction treatment. In the filtration process, the container is inverted upside down using an inversion mechanism, and the screen is positioned below the reaction space. Then, solids contained in the material to be treated are captured by the filter of the screen, and the filtrate is discharged to the outside of the container through the drainage space.

[0004] In the filtration device described in Patent Document 1, the reaction space for carrying out the reaction process (filtration preparation process) is located below the screen, which prevents solid matter produced in the reaction process from adhering to the filter of the screen. However, in the filtration process, the material to be treated comes into contact with the screen, which causes the material to easily adhere to and become caught in the axial through-hole of the screen, impairing the sealing performance of the axial through-hole. In other words, adverse effects occur due to the material to be treated adhering to specific parts.

[0005] The multipurpose reactor described in Patent Document 2 is a type of conventional filtration device, and includes a container and an inversion mechanism for inverting the container vertically. The interior space of the container is vertically divided into two by a filter plate and a filter cloth, with one space serving as a reaction space for reactively treating the material to be treated, and the other space serving as a drainage space for discharging the filtrate when the material to be treated is filtered. The reaction space is provided with an agitator for agitating the material to be treated, a drive shaft for the agitator, and a power transmission unit for transmitting power to the drive shaft, with a gearbox for the power transmission unit located in the center of the reaction space.

[0006] When treating a material to be treated using this multipurpose reaction apparatus, a filtration process is carried out following a reaction process (filtration preparation process). In the reaction process, the reaction space is positioned below the filter plate and filter cloth, and the liquid material to be treated is introduced into the reaction space to carry out the reaction process. In the reaction process, the liquid level of the material to be treated is set below the position of the gear box. In the filtration process, the container is inverted vertically using an inversion mechanism, and the filter plate and filter cloth are positioned below the reaction space. Then, solids contained in the material to be treated are captured by the filter cloth, and the filtrate is discharged to the outside of the container through the drainage space.

[0007] In the multipurpose reactor described in Patent Document 2, the drive shaft of the agitator does not penetrate the wall of the vessel, so there is no problem of impairing the sealing of the shaft through-hole. However, because the gear box of the power transmission unit is located in the center of the reaction space, there is a problem that the material to be treated easily adheres to and gets caught in the gear box when the vessel is inverted, making maintenance difficult. In other words, there is a problem that the material to be treated adheres to a specific part. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] British Patent No. 1487669 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 61-178925 Summary of the Invention

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a filtering method and a filtering device that can prevent adverse effects caused by the material to be treated adhering to a specific portion (particularly an inlet).

[0010] A filtering method for filtering a material to be treated while ensuring a clean area in which the material to be treated is not present in the storage space, using a filtering device comprising: a container having a storage space for storing the material to be treated; an inlet provided in a vertically upper part of the container for introducing the material to the storage space; a filter unit provided in a vertically lower part of the container for filtering the material to be treated; and a rotation shaft extending horizontally for rotating the container, wherein a filtration preparation area is ensured in an area vertically below the filter unit in the storage space, and the clean area is defined in an area where the inlet is located vertically above the filter unit in the storage space. The system comprises a filtration preparation process for preparing the material to be treated, including solid matter, in the filtration preparation region of the container in the filtration preparation state when the state of the container in which the clean region is secured is set to a filtration preparation state; and a filtration process for filtering the material to be treated using the filter section provided in the container in the filtration state to capture the solid matter when the state of the container in which the filter section is located vertically below the container and the clean region is secured in a region where the inlet is located vertically above the filter section in the storage space is set to a filtration state, and the filtration preparation state and the filtration state are switched by rotating the container about the rotating shaft.

[0011] In this filtration method, a filtration preparation area is provided in the storage space vertically below the filter unit, and the material to be treated, including solids, is prepared in the filtration preparation area, so that solids contained in the material to be treated can be prevented from adhering to the filter unit during the filtration preparation step, thereby preventing a decrease in filtration performance. Furthermore, in the filtration preparation step and the filtration step, a clean area is provided in the storage space where the inlet is located, so that the material to be treated can be prevented from adhering to the inlet, improving maintainability.

[0012] Another feature of the filtration method of the present invention is that the filtration device is equipped with an agitator having an agitator blade placed in the filtration preparation area and a drive shaft inserted into a shaft through hole formed in the wall of the container that constitutes the storage space, and during the filtration preparation process and the filtration process, the clean area is secured in the area in the storage space where the shaft through hole is located.

[0013] This filtration method ensures a clean area in the area where the shaft through hole is located in the storage space, thereby preventing the material to be treated from adhering to and becoming caught in the shaft through hole and preventing the sealing properties of the shaft through hole from being impaired.

[0014] Another feature of the filtration method according to the present invention is that in the filtration preparation step, a solution is prepared in the storage space, and then solid matter is precipitated from the solution.

[0015] In this filtration method, the dissolving step and the crystallization step can be carried out continuously and efficiently in the filtration preparation area of ​​the vessel in the filtration preparation state.

[0016] Another feature of the filtration method of the present invention is that when the container is in a dry state, in which a dry area is provided in a region vertically below the storage space and a clean area is provided in a region in the storage space where the inlet is located vertically above the dry area, the filtration method includes a drying step in which the solid matter captured by the filter section is heated and dried in the dry area of ​​the container in the dry state.

[0017] In this filtering method, a clean area is secured in the area where the inlet is located during the drying process, so that adverse effects caused by the material to be treated adhering to the inlet can be prevented even during the drying process.

[0018] Another feature of the filtration method of the present invention is that the filtration device includes a solid discharge section provided on the wall of the container and constituting a solid discharge path for discharging solids captured by the filter section to the outside of the storage space, and the inlet of the solid discharge path is located vertically below the container, and when the container is in a discharge state in which the clean area is secured in the area where the inlet in the storage space is located vertically above the inlet, the filtration device includes a discharge step for discharging the solids captured by the filter section from the solid discharge path of the container in the discharge state.

[0019] In this filtering method, a clean area is secured in the area where the inlet is located during the discharge step, so that adverse effects caused by the material to be treated adhering to the inlet can be prevented during the discharge step as well.

[0020] Another feature of the filtration method of the present invention is that it comprises a liquid discharge section provided on the wall of the container and constituting a liquid discharge path for discharging the liquid material separated from the solid material to the outside of the storage space, the liquid discharge section being configured to also serve as the solid material discharge section, the filter section having a filter material that is detachably positioned in the liquid material discharge path, in the filtration process, the material to be treated is filtered with the filter material and the liquid material is discharged from the liquid material discharge path, and in the discharge process, the liquid discharge section is switched to the solid material discharge section by detaching the filter material from the liquid material discharge path and the solid material is discharged from the solid material discharge path.

[0021] In this filtration method, the liquid discharge section is configured to also serve as the solid discharge section, eliminating the need for a separate solid discharge section. This reduces manufacturing costs and facilitates maintenance. Furthermore, if a heating or cooling jacket is provided on the wall of the vessel, a large area (heat transfer area) can be secured for the portion of the vessel wall through which heat from the jacket is transferred, allowing the material to be heated or cooled efficiently.

[0022] In order to achieve the above object, a feature of the filtration device according to the present invention is that it comprises a container having a storage space for storing a material to be treated, an inlet provided in a vertically upper part of the container for introducing the material to be treated into the storage space, a filter unit provided in a vertically lower part of the container for filtering the material to be treated, and a container state change unit for changing the state of the container, and is configured to filter the material to be treated while ensuring a clean area in which the material to be treated does not exist in the storage space, and the container state change unit has a rotation shaft extending in a horizontal direction for rotating the container, and by rotating the container on the rotation shaft, a filtration standard is achieved. The container is configured to be switchable between a filtration preparation state for carrying out a preparation process and a filtration state for carrying out a filtration process, and when the container is in the filtration preparation state, a filtration preparation region for preparing the material to be treated, including solids, is secured in an area in the storage space vertically below the filter unit, and the clean region is secured in an area in the storage space where the inlet is located vertically above the filter unit, and when the container is in the filtration state, the filter unit is positioned vertically below the container, and the clean region is secured in an area in the storage space where the inlet is located vertically above the filter unit.

[0023] In this filtration device, when the container is in the filtration preparation state, a filtration preparation area for preparing the material to be treated, including solids, is secured in the storage space in an area vertically below the filter unit. Therefore, during the filtration preparation process, solids contained in the material to be treated can be prevented from adhering to the filter unit, thereby preventing a decrease in filtration performance. Furthermore, whether the container is in the filtration preparation state or the filtration state, a clean area is secured in the storage space in the area where the inlet is located, preventing the material to be treated from adhering to the inlet and improving maintainability.

[0024] Another feature of the filtration device of the present invention is that it is equipped with an agitator having an agitator blade placed in the filtration preparation area and a drive shaft inserted into a shaft through hole formed in the wall of the container that constitutes the storage space, and the clean area is secured in the area in the storage space where the shaft through hole is located, regardless of whether the container is in the filtration preparation state or the filtration state.

[0025] In this filtration device, a clean area is secured in the area where the shaft through hole is located in the storage space, thereby preventing the material to be treated from adhering to and becoming caught in the shaft through hole and preventing the sealing properties of the shaft through hole from being impaired.

[0026] Another feature of the filtration device of the present invention is that it is provided with a solid discharge section that is provided in the container and forms a solid discharge path for discharging solids captured by the filter section to the outside of the storage space, the container having a cylindrical peripheral wall section and a lower wall section that closes the opening below the peripheral wall section, and the solid discharge section is provided in the peripheral wall section.

[0027] In this filtering device, since the solid discharge portion is provided on the peripheral wall portion, a wide area for heating the object to be treated can be secured on the upper surface of the lower wall portion, and the object to be treated can be heated efficiently.

[0028] Another feature of the filtration device of the present invention is that it comprises a liquid discharge section that forms a liquid discharge path for discharging liquid material separated from the solid material captured by the filter section to the outside of the storage space, and a solid discharge section that forms a solid discharge path for discharging the solid material to the outside of the storage space, the container having a cylindrical peripheral wall section and a lower wall section that closes the opening on the lower side of the peripheral wall section, the liquid discharge section is provided on the peripheral wall section and is configured to also serve as the solid discharge section, the filter section has a filter material that is removably positioned in the liquid discharge path, and the liquid discharge section is switched to the solid discharge section by removing the filter material from the liquid discharge path.

[0029] In this filtration device, the liquid discharge section is configured to also serve as the solid discharge section, eliminating the need for a separate solid discharge section. This reduces manufacturing costs and facilitates maintenance. Furthermore, if a heating or cooling jacket is provided on the peripheral wall, a large area (heat transfer area) can be secured for the portion of the peripheral wall through which heat from the jacket is transferred, allowing the material to be heated or cooled efficiently.

[0030] Another feature of the filtration device according to the present invention is that the liquid discharge portion is configured as a cylindrical liquid discharge nozzle, and the solid discharge portion is configured as a cylindrical solid discharge nozzle.

[0031] In this filtration device, the liquid discharge nozzle is configured to also serve as a solid discharge nozzle, so there is no need to provide a solid discharge nozzle in addition to the liquid discharge nozzle.

[0032] Another feature of the filtration device of the present invention is that it comprises a cylindrical liquid discharge nozzle provided on the wall of the container and constituting a liquid discharge path for discharging the liquid separated from the solids captured by the filter section to the outside of the storage space, and a cylindrical solid discharge nozzle provided on the wall of the container and constituting a solid discharge path for discharging the solids to the outside of the storage space, and the liquid discharge nozzle and the solid discharge nozzle are provided independently of each other.

[0033] In this filtration device, the liquid discharge nozzle and the solid discharge nozzle are provided independently of each other, so that the components of the liquid adhering to the liquid discharge nozzle during the filtration process can be prevented from mixing with the solids discharged from the solid discharge nozzle during the discharge process. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0034] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing a configuration of a filtering device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the filtering device according to the embodiment. [Figure 3]3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1, illustrating the configuration of the filtration device according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a piping diagram showing a piping system of the filtering device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 5(A) is a plan view showing the configuration of the main parts of the filtration device, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 5(A) showing the configuration of the main parts of the filtration device, and (C) is an enlarged view of the VC part in FIG. 5(B). [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a process diagram showing each step of the filtration method according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] (A) is a diagram showing the adding step and the adding and holding step, and (B-1) is a diagram showing the dissolving step and the filtration preparation holding step. [Figure 8] (B-2) is a diagram showing the crystallization step and the filtration preparation holding step, and (C) is a diagram showing the filtration step and the filtration holding step. [Figure 9] (D) is a diagram showing the drying step and the dry holding step, and (E) is a diagram showing the discharge step and the discharge holding step. [Figure 10] 10(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of a filtration device according to another embodiment, (B) is an enlarged view of the XB portion in FIG. 10(A), and (C) is a diagram showing the discharge process and the discharge / hold process. [Figure 11] FIG. 4 is a process diagram showing each step of a filtration method according to another embodiment. [Figure 12] (A) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main parts of a filtration device according to yet another embodiment, (B) is a diagram showing the filtration process and filtration retention process, and (C) is a diagram showing the discharge process and discharge retention process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Hereinafter, a filtering device and a filtering method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0036] (Filtration device according to an embodiment) FIG. 1 is a front view showing the configuration of a filtration device 10 according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a rear view showing the configuration of the filtration device 10. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1 showing the configuration of the filtration device 10. FIG. 4 is a piping diagram showing the piping system of the filtration device 10. FIG. 5(A) is a plan view showing the configuration of the main parts of the filtration device 10, and FIG. 5(B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VB-VB in FIG. 5(A) showing the configuration of the main parts of the filtration device 10. FIG. 5(C) is an enlarged view of a portion VC in FIG. 5(B).

[0037] In the following description, the directions of "front, back, left, right, up, and down" correspond to the directions indicated by arrows in the drawings. The front view (FIG. 1) is a view of the filtration device 10 as seen from the front, and the rear view (FIG. 2) is a view of the filtration device 10 as seen from the rear.

[0038] 1, 2, 3, and 4 is an apparatus for carrying out each step (FIG. 6) of a filtration method described later in a chemical plant or the like. As shown in FIG. 3, the filtration device 10 includes a container 12 having a storage space S for storing a workpiece W (FIGS. 7, 8, and 9), and a first jacket 14, a second jacket 16, a filter unit 18, and an agitator 20 provided in the container 12. As shown in FIG. 4, the filtration device 10 also includes a container state change unit 22 and a control unit 24.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5(B), the container 12 has a cylindrical peripheral wall 26 extending in the vertical direction, a disc-shaped upper wall 28 provided at the upper end of the peripheral wall 26 to close the upper opening, and a disc-shaped lower wall 30 provided at the lower end of the peripheral wall 26 to close the lower opening. The peripheral wall 26, the upper wall 28, and the lower wall 30 are formed of a metal such as stainless steel, and together they form a cylindrical, bottomed "wall" of the container 12. That is, in this embodiment, the peripheral wall 26, the upper wall 28, and the lower wall 30 each constitute a "wall" of the container 12 that defines the storage space S. Here, the "vertical direction" refers to the vertical direction defined by focusing on the state of the container 12 when the axis L (FIG. 7(A)) of the container 12 is positioned parallel to the vertical direction, and does not refer to the vertical direction. Therefore, if the container 12 is tilted with respect to the vertical direction, the "vertical direction" becomes a direction that intersects with the vertical direction.

[0040] A solids discharge port 32 is formed in a forward-facing portion of the lower part of the peripheral wall portion 26, for discharging solids captured by the filter portion 18 to the outside of the storage space S. A tubular (cylindrical in this embodiment) solids discharge nozzle 34 made of a metal such as stainless steel is provided at the solids discharge port 32 so as to protrude outward. An annular flange 34a is formed at the tip of the solids discharge nozzle 34, and a first lid portion 36 is detachably attached to the tip. In this embodiment, the "solid discharge section" that constitutes the solid discharge path U for discharging solids outside the storage space S is composed of a cylindrical solid discharge nozzle 34, and the "entrance (upstream opening)" of the solid discharge path U is composed of a solid discharge port 32.

[0041] The first cover portion 36 has a disk-shaped cover plate portion 36a and a cylindrical core 36b with a bottom joined to one surface of the cover plate portion 36a. The core 36b is arranged to fill the internal space of the solid discharge nozzle 34, and the cover plate portion 36a is fixed to the flange 34a using a first clamp 38.

[0042] A liquid discharge port 40 is formed in a rearward-facing portion of the lower part of the peripheral wall 26, for discharging the liquid (filtrate) of the workpiece W filtered in the filtration step (FIG. 8(C)). A tubular (cylindrical in this embodiment) liquid discharge nozzle 42 made of a metal such as stainless steel is provided in the liquid discharge port 40 so as to protrude outward. An annular flange 42a is formed at the tip of the liquid discharge nozzle 42, and a second lid 44 is detachably attached to it. As shown in FIG. 5(C), an annular protrusion 42b is formed on the inner circumferential surface of the base end of the liquid discharge nozzle 42. In this embodiment, the "liquid discharge section" that constitutes the liquid discharge path V for discharging the liquid (filtrate) separated from the solid matter to the outside of the storage space S is composed of a cylindrical liquid discharge nozzle 42, and the "entrance (upstream opening)" of the liquid discharge path V is composed of a liquid discharge port 40.

[0043] The second lid portion 44 shown in Fig. 5(B) has a disk-shaped lid plate portion 44a, and a discharge pipe connection hole 46 is formed in the lower part of the lid plate portion 44a. The lid plate portion 44a is fixed to the flange 42a using a second clamp 48. As shown in Fig. 4, the upstream end of a discharge pipe 50 is connected to the discharge pipe connection hole 46.

[0044] As shown in Figure 5(B), a shaft through-hole 52 through which the drive shaft 116 of the agitator 20 is inserted is formed in the center of the upper wall 28, and an inlet 54 for introducing the workpiece W (Figure 7(A)) into the storage space S and an instrument mounting hole 56 are formed in a portion off the center of the upper wall 28. A cylindrical nozzle 58 is connected to the inlet 54, and a lid 60 is detachably attached to the tip of the nozzle 58. A gauge 62 such as a pressure gauge is attached to the instrument mounting hole 56.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 5(A), two sight window mounting holes 64a, 64b and two pressurization hose connection holes 66a, 66b are formed in a portion of the upper wall portion 28 that is off the center. Sight windows 68a, 68b are attached to the sight window mounting holes 64a, 64b. As shown in FIG. 4, the downstream ends of pressurization hoses 70a, 70b are connected to the pressurization hose connection holes 66a, 66b. The upstream ends of the pressurization hoses 70a, 70b are connected to a gas source 74 that discharges a pressurization gas such as nitrogen gas via an on-off valve 72. The on-off valve 72 is electrically connected to the control unit 24, and the on-off valve 72 is controlled in response to a control signal provided by the control unit 24.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 5(B), a first jacket 14 is provided on the peripheral wall 26 as a heating device for heating the workpiece W (FIGS. 7(B-1), 9(D)) that comes into contact with the peripheral wall 26. The first jacket 14 has a jacket main body 76 formed along the peripheral wall 26 of the vessel 12, and a first heat medium flow path 78 through which a heat medium flows is defined between the peripheral wall 26 and the jacket main body 76. As shown in FIG. 5(A), a heat medium inlet 80a and a heat medium outlet 80b are provided in the jacket main body 76 at an interval.

[0047] As shown in Fig. 4, the downstream end of a first heat medium supply pipe 82a is connected to the heat medium inlet 80a, and the upstream end of a first heat medium discharge pipe 82b is connected to the heat medium outlet 80b. The upstream end of the first heat medium supply pipe 82a is connected to a discharge port 84a of a pump 84. A hot water source 88 is connected to a suction port 84b of the pump 84 via an on-off valve 86 and the like, and a cold water source 92 is connected to the suction port 84b of the pump 84 via an on-off valve 90 and the like. Therefore, when the on-off valve 86 is opened and the on-off valve 90 is closed, hot water is supplied to the first jacket 14 (Fig. 5(B)). On the other hand, when the on-off valve 86 is closed and the on-off valve 90 is opened, cold water is supplied to the first jacket 14.

[0048] 4, the control unit 24 is electrically connected to the pump 84, and the pump 84 is driven or stopped in response to a control signal given from the control unit 24. The control unit 24 is also electrically connected to the on-off valves 86, 90, and the on-off valves 86, 90 are controlled in response to a control signal given from the control unit 24. The type of heat medium is not limited to hot water and cold water, and steam, temperature-controlled gas, etc. may also be used.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 5(B), a second jacket 16 is provided on the lower wall 30 as a heating device for heating the workpiece W (FIGS. 7(B-1), 9(D)) that comes into contact with the lower wall 30. The second jacket 16 has a jacket body 94 formed along the lower wall 30 of the vessel 12, and a second heat medium flow path 96 through which a heat medium flows is defined between the lower wall 30 and the jacket body 94. A heat medium inlet 98a and a heat medium outlet 98b (FIG. 5(A)) are provided in the jacket body 94 at an interval.

[0050] 4, the downstream end of a second heat medium supply pipe 100a is connected to the heat medium inlet 98a, and the upstream end of a second heat medium discharge pipe 100b is connected to the heat medium outlet 98b. The upstream end of the second heat medium supply pipe 100a is connected to the discharge port 84a of the pump 84. Therefore, the pump 84 can supply the same type of heat medium to the first jacket 14 and the second jacket 16 simultaneously.

[0051] When a heat medium is supplied to the first jacket 14 and the second jacket 16 shown in Fig. 5(B), the peripheral wall 26 and the lower wall 30 of the container 12 are heated or cooled by the heat medium. Then, heat is exchanged between the workpiece W (Figs. 7(B-1), 9(D)) accommodated in the accommodation space S and the peripheral wall 26 and the lower wall 30, and the workpiece W is heated or cooled.

[0052] As shown in Figure 5(C), a filter section 18 is provided on the peripheral wall section 26 via the liquid discharge nozzle 42. The filter section 18 is a member for filtering the material to be treated W (Figure 8(C)), and has a filter material 104 such as a filter cloth that is placed in an opening 102 on the base end side of the liquid discharge nozzle 42, and a support 106 that supports the filter material 104 inside the liquid discharge nozzle 42.

[0053] The support 106 has a filter plate portion 108 that contacts the surface of the filter material 104 facing outward from the storage space S, and a cylindrical clamping portion 110 that is fitted inside the liquid discharge nozzle 42 and cooperates with the protrusion 42b of the liquid discharge nozzle 42 to clamp the outer periphery of the filter material 104.

[0054] The filter plate 108 is formed with a size that allows it to close the opening 102 of the liquid discharge nozzle 42, and is formed with a plurality of through holes 108a for passing the liquid (filtrate) contained in the material to be treated W. The clamping part 110 is formed integrally with the filter plate 108, and an annular groove 112 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the clamping part 110. An O-ring 114 that seals the gap between the inner circumferential surface of the liquid discharge nozzle 42 and the outer circumferential surface of the clamping part 110 is attached to the groove 112.

[0055] As shown in Figure 5(B), the stirring device 20 is a device for stirring the workpiece W (Figures 7(B-1), 8(B-2), 9(D), (E)) in the storage space S, and has a drive shaft 116, a stirring blade 118, and a drive motor 120.

[0056] The drive shaft 116 is a rod-shaped member that extends in the axial direction of the container 12 in the accommodation space S. The lower end of the drive shaft 116 is disposed close to the lower wall portion 30, and the upper end of the drive shaft 116 is inserted into a shaft through-hole 52 formed in the upper wall portion 28 and disposed so as to protrude outside the accommodation space S. The drive shaft 116 may be inserted directly into the shaft through-hole 52, or may be inserted via a sleeve pipe (not shown) attached to the shaft through-hole 52.

[0057] The mixing blade 118 has a fixed part 118a fixed to the tip of the drive shaft 116, and a plurality of blade members 118b provided on the fixed part 118a.

[0058] The drive motor 120 is attached to the upper surface of the upper wall portion 28 via a mounting base 122, and the rotation shaft (not shown) of the drive motor 120 is connected to the upper end of the drive shaft 116. As shown in Fig. 4, the control unit 24 is electrically connected to the drive motor 120, and the drive motor 120 rotates or stops in response to a control signal given from the control unit 24.

[0059] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the container state change unit 22 is a member that supports the container 12 so that the angle can be changed, and has a pair of stands 124a, 124b arranged on both the left and right sides of the container 12, a pair of bearing units 126a, 126b, a pair of rotating shafts 128a, 128b, and a rotating operation unit 130.

[0060] Each of the pair of mounts 124a, 124b is configured by joining a rod-shaped base 132 having a rectangular cross section and a rod-shaped support 134 also having a rectangular cross section in an inverted T shape. The base 132 is arranged to extend in the front-to-rear direction, and the support 134 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction. Bearings 126a, 126b are provided at the upper ends of the support 134, 134 that constitute each of the mounts 124a, 124b.

[0061] Each of the pair of rotation shafts 128a, 128b is a rod-shaped member having a common rotation center that extends in the left-right direction in a horizontal plane. The left end of the right rotation shaft 128a is joined to the right side surface of the container 12, and the right end of the left rotation shaft 128b is joined to the left side surface of the container 12. The right end of the right rotation shaft 128a is rotatably supported by bearing portion 126a, and the left end of the left rotation shaft 128b is rotatably supported by bearing portion 126b.

[0062] The rotation operation unit 130 is a part that changes the inclination angle of the container 12 by rotating the right-side rotation shaft 128a, and has a gear unit 136 incorporated in the right-side bearing part 126a, a drive motor 138 for inputting a rotational force to the input end of the gear unit 136, and a manual handle 140 for inputting a rotational force to the input end of the gear unit 136. The output end of the gear unit 136 is connected to the right-side rotation shaft 128a.

[0063] 4, the control unit 24 is electrically connected to the drive motor 138, and the drive motor 138 rotates or stops in response to a control signal given from the control unit 24. The container state changing unit 22 of this embodiment is configured to execute each holding process shown in FIG. 6 in response to a control signal given from the control unit 24.

[0064] The rotation operation unit 130 may be configured to change the tilt angle of the container 12 by rotating the left rotation shaft 128b. Also, the user may change the tilt angle of the container 12 by turning the manual handle 140 to rotate the rotation shaft 128a.

[0065] 4 is a device that controls each electrical device for operating the filtering device 10, and is configured by a microcomputer (not shown) that includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. The ROM stores operation programs for each electrical device.

[0066] (Filtration method according to an embodiment) Fig. 6 is a process diagram showing each step of the filtration method according to the embodiment. Fig. 7(A) is a diagram showing the charging step and charging and holding step, and Fig. 7(B-1) is a diagram showing the dissolving step and filtration preparation and holding step. Fig. 8(B-2) is a diagram showing the crystallization step and filtration preparation and holding step, and Fig. 8(C) is a diagram showing the filtration step and filtration and holding step. Fig. 9(D) is a diagram showing the drying step and drying and holding step, and Fig. 9(E) is a diagram showing the discharge step and discharge and holding step.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, when filtering the workpiece W using the filtration device 10, a loading step, a filtration preparation step (dissolving step and crystallization step), a filtration step, a drying step, and a discharge step are performed in this order for the processing of the workpiece W. Furthermore, a loading and holding step, a filtration preparation and holding step, a filtration and holding step, a drying and holding step, and a discharge and holding step are performed in this order for the holding of the container 12. In other words, the filtration method according to this embodiment includes five processing steps for the processing of the workpiece W and five holding steps for the holding of the container 12. The processing steps and the holding steps are performed in parallel in correspondence with each other. Therefore, the loading step, filtration preparation step, filtration step, drying step, and discharge step may be recognized as a broader concept that includes the loading and holding step, the filtration preparation and holding step, the filtration and holding step, the drying and holding step, and the discharge and holding step.

[0068] The term "processed material W" refers to the entire substance processed in each processing step. The processed material W may be in a state containing both solid and liquid matter, a state containing only solid matter, or a state containing only liquid matter.

[0069] The "container state" shown in Fig. 6 is a state related to the attitude of the container 12, and the state of the container 12 corresponding to each processing step is shown in a conceptual diagram in Fig. 6. In each holding step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 to appropriately switch the state of the container 12 and hold the container 12 in the switched state.

[0070] The "state of the agitator" shown in Fig. 6 is the state of the agitator blade 118 (Fig. 5(B)), specifically, either rotating or stopped. The control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 120 of the agitator 20 to appropriately switch the state of the agitator 20 according to each processing step and to maintain the switched state.

[0071] 6 refers to the supply state of the heat medium (hot water or cold water) to the first jacket 14 and the second jacket 16. The control unit 24 (FIG. 4) controls the pump 84 and the on-off valves 86 and 90 to appropriately switch the supply state of the heat medium according to each treatment step and to maintain the switched state.

[0072] The "filtration preparation process" shown in Fig. 6 is a process of preparing a workpiece W containing solid matter in the filtration preparation region M (Figs. 7(B-1) and 8(B-2)) of the container 12 in a filtration preparation state, and includes a dissolving process and a crystallization process. That is, in this embodiment, the workpiece W containing solid matter, which is the object to be filtered, is prepared by the dissolving process and the crystallization process.

[0073] Each processing step and each holding step will be described below with reference to Figures 6, 7, 8, and 9. The area indicated by dashed hatching in the figures is a clean area Q where no workpiece W is present during any of the steps from the loading step to the discharging step and at any transitions between these steps. In other words, the filtration device 10 is configured to perform all of the steps from the loading step to the discharging step while maintaining the clean area Q in the accommodation space S.

[0074] 5(A) and (B), in this embodiment, the shaft through-hole 52, the inlet 54, the meter mounting hole 56, the sight glass mounting holes 64a, 64b, and the pressurizing hose connection holes 66a, 66b are formed in the upper wall portion 28 of the container 12, and it is necessary to prevent the workpiece W from adhering to these. Therefore, in each holding step, the control unit 24 (FIG. 4) controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 so as to ensure a clean region Q in the region in the storage space S where these are located.

[0075] The control unit 24 (FIG. 4) starts control operations for each processing step and each holding step in response to an input signal from a drive switch operated by the user, and stops control operations for each processing step and each holding step in response to an input signal from a stop switch operated by the user. The user operates the drive switch and the stop switch while visually checking the condition inside the storage space S through the viewing windows 68a, 68b.

[0076] (Feeding process and feeding and holding process) 6 and 7(A) is a step of putting the workpiece W into the storage space S of the container 12. When the putting step is performed, the putting and holding step is started before the putting step.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 7(A), in the loading and holding step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 138 of the container state change unit 22 to hold the container 12 in the loaded state. Here, the loaded state is a state of the container 12 in which the axis L extends vertically. In this embodiment, the loading step is performed with the container 12 in the loaded state.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 6, in the loading step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 120 to stop the agitator 20, and controls the pump 84 and the on-off valves 86 and 90 to stop the supply of the heat medium. As shown in Fig. 7(A), the user loads the workpiece W into the storage space S from the nozzle 58 of the container 12, and then attaches the lid 60 (Fig. 7(B-1)) to the nozzle 58. In this embodiment, the workpiece W loaded into the storage space S includes a liquid material and a solid material.

[0079] (Dissolution process and filtration preparation holding process) The dissolving process shown in Figures 6 and 7 (B-1) is a process of dissolving solid matter of the workpiece W introduced into the storage space S into a liquid to produce a solution. When the dissolving process is carried out, the filtration preparation holding process is started before the dissolving process.

[0080] As shown in Fig. 7(B-1), in the filtration preparation holding step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 so as to switch the state of the container 12 from the loading state to the filtration preparation state and to hold the container 12 in the filtration preparation state. In this embodiment, the control unit 24 controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 so as to rotate the container 12, which is in the loading state shown in Fig. 7(A), 45 degrees counterclockwise from the state shown in the figure and stop it. Therefore, the inclination angle of the container 12 with respect to the horizontal plane becomes 45 degrees.

[0081] Here, the filtration preparation state refers to a state of the container 12 in which a filtration preparation region M for preparing the solid-containing treatment material W (filter target material) is provided in a region vertically below the filter unit 18 in the storage space S, and a clean region Q is provided in a region vertically above the filter unit 18 in the storage space S. In the filtration preparation state, the stirring blades 118 of the stirring device 20 are disposed in the filtration preparation region M. Note that "vertically below the filter unit 18" means below the filter unit 18 in the vertical direction, and does not mean only directly below the filter unit. Furthermore, "vertically above the filter unit 18" means above the filter unit 18 in the vertical direction, and does not mean only directly above the filter unit. The dissolving process is performed in the container 12 in the filtration preparation state.

[0082] As shown in Fig. 6, in the dissolving step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 120 to put the agitator 20 into a rotating state, and also controls the pump 84 and the on-off valves 86 and 90 to put the heat medium into a hot water supply state. Then, the workpiece W in the filtration preparation area M shown in Fig. 7 (B-1) is heated by the hot water supplied to the first jacket 14 and the second jacket 16 and agitated by the agitating blades 118, and the solid matter contained in the workpiece W is efficiently dissolved in the liquid.

[0083] The inclination angle of the container 12 in the filtration preparation holding step is not limited to 45 degrees and can be changed as appropriate. However, in order to prevent solids contained in the workpiece W from adhering to the filter section 18 in the subsequent crystallization step, the inclination angle needs to be determined so that a filtration preparation region M can be secured in an area vertically below the filter section 18. Furthermore, in order to prevent the workpiece W from adhering to the shaft through-hole 52, the inlet 54, the instrument mounting hole 56, the sight glass mounting holes 64a, 64b, and the pressurization hose connection holes 66a, 66b formed in the upper wall section 28, the inclination angle needs to be determined so that a clean region Q can be secured in the area where these are located. In other words, the inclination angle needs to be determined so that a clean region Q can be secured in the area where adhesion of the workpiece W is undesirable.

[0084] (Crystallization process and filtration preparation process) The crystallization process shown in Figures 6 and 8 (B-2) is a process for precipitating solid matter from the liquid matter of the workpiece W. When the crystallization process is performed, the filtration preparation holding process that was started before the dissolving process is continued. The crystallization process is performed in the container 12 that is in a filtration preparation state.

[0085] As shown in Fig. 6, in the crystallization step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 120 to rotate the agitator 20, and controls the pump 84 and the on-off valves 86 and 90 to supply cold water as the heat medium. This cools the solution in the filtration preparation region M, causing solid matter to precipitate. That is, the control unit 24 in this embodiment performs "cooling crystallization," which crystallizes solid matter by cooling the workpiece W.

[0086] (Filtration process and filtration retention process) 6 and 8(C) is a process in which the workpiece W is filtered by the filter unit 18, thereby discharging the liquid contained in the workpiece W from the liquid discharge nozzle 42 and capturing the solid contained in the workpiece W. When the filtration process is performed, the filtration retention process is started before the filtration process.

[0087] As shown in Fig. 8(C), in the filtration holding step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 to switch the state of the container 12 from the filtration preparation state to the filtration state and to hold the container 12 in the filtration state. The control unit 24 of this embodiment controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 to rotate the container 12, which is in the filtration preparation state shown in Fig. 8(B-2), 90 degrees clockwise from the state shown in the figure and stop it. Therefore, the container 12 is tilted to the side opposite to the filtration preparation state, and the tilt angle of the container 12 with respect to the horizontal plane is 45 degrees.

[0088] Here, the filtering state refers to a state of the container 12 in which the filter unit 18 is disposed vertically below the container 12 and a clean area Q is secured in an area vertically above the filter unit 18 in the accommodation space S. The filtering process is performed with the container 12 in the filtering state.

[0089] As shown in Fig. 6, in the filtering step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 120 to stop the agitator 20, and also controls the pump 84 and the on-off valves 86 and 90 to stop the supply of the heat medium. The control unit 24 also controls the on-off valve 72 to supply pressurizing gas from the gas source 74 to the storage space S through the pressurizing hose connection holes 66a and 66b. The pressurizing gas then presses the workpiece W against the filter medium 104 of the filter unit 18, and liquid matter contained in the workpiece W passes through the filter medium 104 and is discharged to the outside of the storage space S. Furthermore, solid matter contained in the workpiece W is captured by the filter unit 18.

[0090] The inclination angle of the container 12 in the filtration and retention step is not limited to 45 degrees and can be changed as appropriate. However, in order to prevent the workpiece W from adhering to the shaft through-hole 52, the inlet 54, the instrument mounting hole 56, the sight glass mounting holes 64a and 64b, and the pressurization hose connection holes 66a and 66b formed in the upper wall portion 28, the inclination angle must be determined so as to ensure a clean region Q in the area where these are located. In other words, the inclination angle must be determined so as to ensure a clean region Q in the area where it is undesirable for the workpiece W to adhere.

[0091] (Drying process and dry keeping process) 6 and 9(D) is a process of heating and drying the solid matter of the workpiece W captured by the filter section 18. When the drying process is performed, the drying and holding process is started before the drying process.

[0092] 9(D), in the drying and maintaining step, the control unit 24 (FIG. 4) controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 so as to switch the state of the container 12 from the filtering state to the drying state and maintain the container 12 in the dry state. In this embodiment, the control unit 24 controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 so as to rotate the container 12, which is in the filtering state shown in FIG. 8(C), 45 degrees counterclockwise from the state shown in the figure and stop it.

[0093] Here, the dry state refers to a state of the container 12 in which a dry region N is provided in a region vertically below the storage space S, and a clean region Q is provided in a region vertically above the dry region N in the storage space S. The dry state in this embodiment corresponds to the loading state. In the dry state, the agitator blades 118 of the agitator 20 are placed in the drying region N. The drying process is performed with the container 12 in a dry state.

[0094] 6, in the drying step, the control unit 24 (FIG. 4) controls the drive motor 120 to rotate the agitator 20, and also controls the pump 84 and the on-off valves 86 and 90 to supply the heat medium in a hot water state. Then, the workpiece W in the drying region N shown in FIG. 9(D) is heated by the hot water supplied to the first jacket 14 and the second jacket 16, and is agitated by the agitator blades 118.

[0095] In this embodiment, since the drying state is the same as the loading state, the upper surface of the lower wall portion 30 is horizontal, making it easy to place solid materials on this upper surface with a uniform thickness. Therefore, in combination with the provision of the second jacket 16 on the lower wall portion 30, the solid materials contained in the workpiece W can be dried efficiently.

[0096] (Discharge process and discharge holding process) 6 and 9(E) is a process of discharging the solid matter of the workpiece W that has been captured in the filtering process and dried in the drying process from the solid matter discharge nozzle 34. When the discharging process is performed, the discharge and holding process is started before the discharging process.

[0097] As shown in Fig. 9(E), in the discharge holding step, the control unit 24 (Fig. 4) controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 to switch the state of the container 12 from the dry state to the discharge state and hold the container 12 in the discharge state. In this embodiment, the control unit 24 controls the drive motor 138 of the container state changing unit 22 to rotate the container 12, which is in the dry state shown in Fig. 9(D), 45 degrees counterclockwise from the state shown in the figure and stop it. Therefore, the inclination angle of the container 12 with respect to the horizontal plane becomes 45 degrees.

[0098] Here, the discharging state refers to a state of the container 12 in which the solid discharge outlet 32, which constitutes the "entrance" of the solid discharge path U, is located vertically below the container 12, and a clean area Q is secured in an area vertically above the solid discharge outlet 32 ​​in the storage space S. The discharging process is performed with the container 12 in the discharging state.

[0099] As shown in Figure 9(E), in the discharging step, the user removes the first lid portion 36 (Figure 5(B)) from the tip of the solid discharging nozzle 34. As shown in Figure 6, in the discharging step, the control unit 24 (Figure 4) controls the drive motor 120 to put the agitator 20 into a rotating state, and controls the pump 84 and the on-off valves 86 and 90 to stop the supply of the heat medium.

[0100] The inclination angle of the container 12 in the discharging and holding step is not limited to 45 degrees and can be changed as appropriate. However, in order to discharge the dried solids from the solids discharge outlet 32, the inclination angle needs to be determined so that the solids discharge outlet 32 ​​is located at the lowest point of the container 12. Although the solids discharge outlet 32 ​​shown in Figure 9(E) is not located at the lowest point of the container 12, in order to discharge the solids, the solids discharge outlet 32 ​​needs to be as close to the lowest point of the container 12 as possible. From this perspective, it can be said that the solids discharge outlet 32 ​​is located at the lowest point of the container 12.

[0101] (Effects of the embodiment) According to the filtering device 10 and filtering method of this embodiment, the above-described configuration can achieve the following effects: That is, as shown in Figures 7(B-1) and 8(B-2), in the filtering preparation step (Figure 6), a filtering preparation region M is provided in the storage space S in an area vertically below the filter unit 18, and the material to be treated W containing solid matter is prepared in the filtering preparation region M, so that the solid matter contained in the material to be treated W can be prevented from adhering to the filter unit 18, and thus a decrease in filtering performance can be prevented.

[0102] In each processing step, a clean area Q is secured in an area within the storage space S where adhesion of the workpiece W is undesirable, thereby preventing the workpiece W from adhering to those areas. That is, the clean area Q is secured in the area where the shaft through-hole 52, the inlet 54, the meter mounting hole 56, the sight glass mounting holes 64a and 64b, and the pressurization hose connection holes 66a and 66b are located, thereby preventing the workpiece W from adhering to those areas. This improves the maintainability of those areas and prevents the sealing of the shaft through-hole 52 from being impaired. Furthermore, because the workpiece W does not enter the clean area Q, the area where the workpiece W adheres can be narrowed compared to when the container is inverted (see Patent Documents 1 and 2), thereby suppressing adverse effects caused by adhesion of the workpiece W.

[0103] 7(B-1) and 8(B-2), the dissolving step and crystallization step included in the filtration preparation step (FIG. 6) are performed in the filtration preparation region M of the container 12 in the filtration preparation state, so that the dissolving step and the crystallization step can be performed continuously and efficiently. Furthermore, because the crystallization step is performed in the filtration preparation region M secured in an area vertically below the filter section 18, it is possible to prevent the workpiece W from coming into contact with the filter section 18 during the crystallization step, and to prevent clogging of the filter medium 104 by precipitated solid matter.

[0104] 5(B), the solid discharge outlet 32, the liquid discharge outlet 40, and the filter unit 18 are provided on the peripheral wall 26, so that a wide area can be secured on the upper surface of the lower wall 30 for heating the workpiece W. This, combined with the second jacket 16 provided on the lower wall 30, allows for efficient heating of the workpiece W. Furthermore, the first jacket 14 and the second jacket 16 can be used in common in the dissolving step and the drying step, allowing for a more compact device.

[0105] As shown in Figure 5(B), the liquid discharge nozzle 42 and the solid discharge nozzle 34 are provided independently of each other, so that the components of the liquid adhering to the liquid discharge nozzle 42 during the filtration process can be prevented from mixing with the solids discharged from the solid discharge nozzle 34 during the discharge process.

[0106] (Variation) It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. In other words, although the container 12 is formed into a cylindrical shape with a bottom in the above embodiment, the shape of the container 12 is not limited to a cylindrical shape with a bottom and may be formed into a spherical shape, an ellipsoid shape, a rectangular parallelepiped shape, or the like. Furthermore, as a heating means for heating the wall portion of the container 12, an electric heater, a microwave heating device, or the like may be used instead of the first jacket 14 and the second jacket 16.

[0107] In the above embodiment, the solid discharge outlet 32 ​​and the liquid discharge outlet 40 are formed to face in opposite directions. However, they may be formed to face in the same direction or to face in directions intersecting each other in a plan view. In the latter case, in the container state change unit 22, two rotation centers for rotating the container 12 may be disposed to intersect each other in a plan view. When performing the filtration preparation step and the discharge step shown in FIG. 6, the container 12 may be rotated about one of the rotation centers so that the solid discharge outlet 32 ​​is positioned vertically below the container 12. When performing the filtration step shown in FIG. 6, the container 12 may be rotated about the other rotation center so that the liquid discharge outlet 40 and the filter unit 18 are positioned vertically below the container 12.

[0108] In the above embodiment, "cooling crystallization" is employed as the crystallization step shown in Fig. 6, in which a solid is precipitated by cooling the workpiece W. However, instead of this, "evaporative crystallization" may be employed, in which a solid is precipitated by heating the workpiece W and evaporating a liquid. Also, "depressurized crystallization" may be employed, in which a solid is precipitated by depressurizing the storage space S and evaporating a liquid. When "depressurized crystallization" is employed, the gas in the storage space S may be sucked under negative pressure through the discharge pipe connection hole 46, or may be sucked under negative pressure through another hole with the discharge pipe connection hole 46 closed.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the dissolving step and the crystallization step shown in Fig. 6 are performed in the container 12 in a state of preparation for filtration, but the dissolving step may be performed outside the container 12. In this case, the dissolving step shown in Fig. 6 may be omitted, and a solution prepared by dissolving the solid matter of the workpiece W in a liquid matter may be introduced into the storage space S in the introduction step.

[0110] The dissolving step may also be performed in the container 12 in the loaded state or in another state. When the dissolving step is performed in the container 12 in the loaded state, the material to be treated W adheres to the filter portion 18, but in the dissolving step, the solid matter of the material to be treated W is dissolved in the liquid matter, so that adverse effects are unlikely to occur.

[0111] 6, the material to be treated W containing solid matter may be prepared from the beginning in the filtration preparation region M. In other words, the crystallization reaction process including the dissolving step and the crystallization step may be omitted.

[0112] 6 is performed in the container 12 in the loading state, but the loading step may also be performed in the container 12 in the filtration preparation state or in another state. When the loading step is performed in the container 12 in the filtration preparation state, there is no need to switch the state of the container 12 when transitioning to the filtration preparation step, and therefore the transition can be made smoothly.

[0113] In the above embodiment, the axial through-hole 52, the inlet 54, the instrument mounting hole 56, the sight glass mounting holes 64a, 64b, and the pressurization hose connection holes 66a, 66b are formed in the upper wall portion 28 of the container 12, but at least one of these may be omitted or may be formed in the peripheral wall portion 26.

[0114] Furthermore, holes, recesses or protrusions having functions different from those of the shaft through-hole 52, the input port 54, the instrument mounting hole 56, the sight glass mounting holes 64a, 64b and the pressurizing hose connection holes 66a, 66b may be formed in the upper wall portion 28 or the peripheral wall portion 26, or may be formed in a member configured inside the storage space S. Even in these cases, by ensuring a clean area Q in the area where the holes, recesses or protrusions are located, it is possible to prevent adverse effects caused by the workpiece W adhering to the holes, recesses or protrusions.

[0115] Furthermore, the shaft through hole 52 through which the drive shaft 116 of the agitator 20 is inserted may be formed in a wall (not shown) that separates the interior of the storage space S. That is, the wall of the container 12 in which the shaft through hole 52 is formed is not limited to one that separates the interior and exterior of the storage space S, but may also separate two regions within the storage space S. Furthermore, instead of the agitator 20 of the above embodiment, an agitator including a gear box disposed in the storage space S (see Patent Document 2) may be used. Even in these cases, by ensuring a clean area Q in the area where the shaft through hole 52 and the gear box are located, it is possible to prevent adverse effects caused by the workpiece W adhering to the shaft through hole 52 and the gear box.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the solid discharge nozzle (solid discharge section) 34 constituting the solid discharge path U and the liquid discharge nozzle (liquid discharge section) 42 constituting the liquid discharge path V are provided independently of each other, but as described below, the liquid discharge nozzle may be configured to also serve as a solid discharge nozzle.

[0117] Fig. 10(A) is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main part of a filtration device 142 according to another embodiment, Fig. 10(B) is an enlarged view of the XB part in Fig. 10(A), and Fig. 10(C) is a diagram showing the discharge step and the discharge and holding step. Fig. 11 is a process diagram showing each step of the filtration method according to another embodiment.

[0118] In the filtration device 142 shown in Figure 10 (A), one discharge nozzle 144 is provided on the wall of the container 12, and this discharge nozzle 144 has the function of a solid discharge nozzle (solid discharge section) and the function of a liquid discharge nozzle (liquid discharge section).

[0119] 10(B), the filter section 146 of the filtration device 142 has a filter medium 148 and a support body 150, and the support body 150 has a filter plate section 152 and a cylindrical clamping section 154. An annular recess 156 is formed at the tip of the clamping section 154, and the outer periphery of the filter medium 148 is fixed to the recess 156 via an O-ring 158.

[0120] 10(A), a lid 160 having a discharge pipe connection hole 160a and a handle 160b is joined to the base end of the clamping part 154, and the lid 160 is fixed to a flange 144a of the discharge nozzle 144 via a clamp 162. Therefore, after removing the clamp 162, the operator can remove the entire support 150 and filter medium 148 from the discharge nozzle 144 by pulling the handle 160b by hand.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 10(A), when the filter section 146 is attached to the discharge nozzle 144, the discharge nozzle 144 becomes a liquid discharge nozzle (liquid discharge section), and the space inside the discharge nozzle 144 becomes a liquid discharge path V. Then, the filter medium 148 is removably positioned in the liquid discharge path V. As shown in FIG. 10(C), when the filter section 146 is detached from the discharge nozzle 144, the discharge nozzle 144 becomes a solid discharge nozzle (solid discharge section), and the space inside the discharge nozzle 144 becomes a solid discharge path U. In other words, the filtration device 142 is configured so that the liquid discharge section also serves as the solid discharge section.

[0122] In the filtration device 142 shown in Figure 10(A), one discharge nozzle 144 functions as both a solid discharge nozzle and a liquid discharge nozzle, so the filtration state and discharge state shown in Figure 11 are the same. In the filtration process, the material to be treated W is filtered by the filter material 148, and the liquid separated from the solid material is discharged from the liquid discharge path V. In the discharge process, the filter material 148 is detached from the liquid discharge path V to switch the liquid discharge section to a solid discharge section, and the solid material is discharged from the solid discharge path U.

[0123] 10(A), there is no need to provide a solid discharge section separately from the liquid discharge section, which reduces manufacturing costs and facilitates maintenance. Also, a large area (heat transfer area) can be secured for the portion of the peripheral wall 26 of the container 12 where heat is transferred from the first jacket 14, allowing the workpiece W to be heated or cooled efficiently.

[0124] Figure 12(A) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the main parts of a filtration device 164 according to yet another embodiment, Figure 12(B) is a diagram showing the filtration process and filtration retention process, and Figure 12(C) is a diagram showing the discharge process and discharge retention process.

[0125] In the filtration device 142 shown in Fig. 10(A), the filter medium 148 is attached to and detached from the liquid discharge path V or the solid discharge path U by hand, but the work of attaching and detaching the filter medium may also be performed by mechanical operation. For example, as in the filtration device 164 shown in Fig. 12(A), the filter medium 166 may be attached and detached using a hydraulic cylinder device 168.

[0126] 12(A) has a cylinder 170 and a piston rod 172, with a bellows 174 provided around the piston rod 172. A truncated cone-shaped filter support portion 176 is provided at the tip of the piston rod 172, and the filter medium 166 is attached to the tip surface of the filter support portion 176. In addition, the piston rod 172 and the filter support portion 176 are provided with a filtrate flow path R for discharging the liquid (filtrate) separated from the solid matter. Although not shown, the liquid (filtrate) flowing through the filtrate flow path R is discharged into a drain tank via a drain pipe.

[0127] A discharge port 178 is formed in the lower part of the peripheral wall 26 of the container 12, and a cylindrical seat 180 made of a metal such as stainless steel is provided at the discharge port 178 so as to protrude outward. The inner peripheral surface 180a of the seat 180 is tapered so that the filter medium support part 176 abuts thereon without any gaps, and the space inside the seat 180 serves as a liquid discharge path V or a solid discharge path U. A receiving member 182 is provided below the seat 180 to receive solid matter discharged from the solid discharge path U.

[0128] In the filtration device 164 shown in FIG. 12(A), the seat 180 functions as both a solid discharge portion and a liquid discharge portion, so the filtration state and discharge state shown in FIG. 11 are the same. As shown in FIG. 12(B), in the filtration process, the material W is filtered by the filter material 166, and the liquid separated from the solids is discharged from the liquid discharge path V through the filtrate flow path R. As shown in FIG. 12(C), in the discharge process, the hydraulic cylinder device 168 is driven to remove the filter material 166 from the liquid discharge path V, thereby switching the liquid discharge portion to a solid discharge portion. Then, the solids are discharged from the solid discharge path U toward the receiving member 182.

[0129] According to the filtering device 164 shown in FIG. 12(A), the work of attaching and detaching the filtering medium 166 can be easily performed by the hydraulic cylinder device 168. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] Q...clean area, R...filtrate flow path, S...storage space, U...solid discharge path, V...liquid discharge path, M...filtration preparation area, N...drying area, W...processed material, 10...filtration device, 12...container, 14...first jacket, 16...second jacket, 18...filter section, 20...agitation device, 22...container state change section, 24...control section, 26...peripheral wall section, 28...upper wall section, 30...lower wall section, 32...solid discharge port, 34...solid discharge nozzle, 34a...flange, 3 6...first lid portion, 36a...lid plate portion, 36b...core, 38...first clamp, 40...liquid discharge port, 42...liquid discharge nozzle, 42a...flange, 42b...projection portion, 44...second lid portion, 44a...lid plate portion, 46...discharge pipe connection hole, 48...second clamp, 50...discharge pipe, 52...shaft through hole, 54...feed port, 56...meter mounting hole, 58...nozzle, 60...lid portion, 62...meter, 64a, 64b...sight window mounting hole, 66a, 66b...pressurization hose connection hole, 68a, 68b... sight glass, 70a, 70b... pressurizing hose, 72... on-off valve, 74... gas source, 76... jacket body, 78... first heat medium flow path, 80a... heat medium inlet, 80b... heat medium outlet, 82a... first heat medium supply pipe, 82b... first heat medium discharge pipe, 84... pump, 84a... discharge port, 84b... suction port, 86... on-off valve, 88... hot water source, 90... on-off valve, 92... cold water source, 94... jacket body, 96... second heat medium flow path, 98a... heat medium inlet 118a...fixed portion, 118b...blade member, 120...drive motor, 122...mounting base, 124a, 124b...frame, 126a, 126b...bearing portion, 128a,128b...rotating shaft, 130...rotating operation part, 132...base, 134...support, 136...gear unit, 138...drive motor, 140...manual handle, 142...filtering device, 144a...flange, 144...discharge nozzle, 146...filter part, 148...filtering material, 150...support, 152...filter plate part, 154...clamping part, 156...recess, 158...O-ring, 160a...discharge pipe connection hole, 160b...handle, 160...lid part, 162...clamp, 164...filtering device, 166...filtering material, 168...hydraulic cylinder device, 170...cylinder, 172...piston rod, 174...bellows, 176...filtering material support part, 178...discharge port, 180...seat part, 180a...inner peripheral surface, 182...receiving member.

Claims

1. A filtering method for filtering a material to be treated while ensuring a clean area in which the material to be treated is not present in the storage space, using a filtering device including: a container having a storage space for storing the material to be treated; an inlet provided in a vertically upper part of the container for introducing the material to be treated into the storage space; a filter unit provided in a vertically lower part of the container for filtering the material to be treated; and a rotation shaft extending in a horizontal direction for rotating the container, a filtration preparation step of preparing the material to be treated, including solid matter, in the filtration preparation area of ​​the container in the filtration preparation state, when the container is in a filtration preparation state in which a filtration preparation area is secured in a region vertically below the filter unit in the storage space and the clean area is secured in a region where the inlet is located vertically above the filter unit in the storage space; a filtering step of filtering the material to be treated with the filter unit provided in the container in the filtering state to capture the solid matter when the container is in a filtering state in which the filter unit is disposed vertically below the container and the clean area is secured in an area in the storage space where the inlet is located vertically above the filter unit, A filtering method in which the filtering preparation state and the filtering state are switched by rotating the container about the rotation shaft.

2. The filtration device includes a stirring device having a stirring blade disposed in the filtration preparation area and a drive shaft inserted into a shaft through-hole formed in a wall portion of the container constituting the storage space, The filtering method according to claim 1 , wherein in the filtering preparation step and the filtering step, the clean area is secured in an area of ​​the accommodation space where the shaft through hole is located.

3. The filtration method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the filtration preparation step comprises preparing a solution in the storage space, and then precipitating solids from the solution.

4. 3. The filtration method according to claim 1, further comprising a drying step of heating and drying the solid matter captured by the filter section in the dry state of the container, in which a dry area is provided in a region vertically below the storage space and a clean area is provided in a region in the storage space where the inlet is located vertically above the dry area, when the container is in a dry state.

5. the filtering device includes a solid matter discharge section provided on a wall of the container and constituting a solid matter discharge path for discharging solid matter captured by the filter section to the outside of the storage space, 3. The filtration method according to claim 1, further comprising a discharge step of discharging the solid matter captured by the filter section from the solid matter discharge path of the container in the discharge state when the container is in a discharge state in which the inlet of the solid matter discharge path is positioned vertically below the container and the clean area is secured in an area where the inlet in the storage space is located vertically above the inlet.

6. a liquid discharge portion provided on a wall portion of the container and constituting a liquid discharge path for discharging the liquid separated from the solid matter to the outside of the storage space, The liquid discharge section is configured to also serve as the solid discharge section, The filter unit has a filter medium that is removably positioned in the liquid discharge path, In the filtering step, the object to be treated is filtered by the filter material, and the liquid is discharged from the liquid discharge path. The filtering method according to claim 5, wherein in the discharge step, the liquid discharge section is switched to the solid discharge section by removing the filter material from the liquid discharge path, and the solid is discharged from the solid discharge path.

7. a container having a storage space for storing the object to be treated; an inlet provided at a vertical upper portion of the container for introducing the object to be treated into the storage space; a filter section provided at a vertically lower portion of the container for filtering the material to be treated; a container state change unit for changing the state of the container; A filtration device configured to filter the object to be treated while ensuring a clean area in which the object to be treated is not present in the storage space, The container state change unit has a rotation shaft extending horizontally for rotating the container, and is configured to be able to switch between a filtration preparation state for performing a filtration preparation step and a filtration state for performing a filtration step by rotating the container on the rotation shaft, When the container is in the filtration preparation state, a filtration preparation area for preparing the material to be treated including solids is secured in a region vertically below the filter unit in the storage space, and the clean area is secured in a region where the inlet is located vertically above the filter unit in the storage space, A filtration device in which, when the container is in the filtering state, the filter section is positioned vertically below the container, and the clean area is secured in the area in the storage space where the inlet is located vertically above the filter section.

8. The stirring device includes a stirring blade disposed in the filtration preparation area and a drive shaft inserted into a shaft through-hole formed in a wall portion of the container constituting the storage space, The filtering device according to claim 7, wherein the clean area is secured in an area of ​​the accommodation space where the shaft through hole is located, whether the container is in the filtering preparation state or the filtering state.

9. a solid matter discharge section provided in the container and constituting a solid matter discharge path for discharging the solid matter captured by the filter section to the outside of the storage space; The container has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion and a lower wall portion that closes a lower opening of the peripheral wall portion, The filtration device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the solid discharge portion is provided on the peripheral wall portion.

10. a liquid discharge section that constitutes a liquid discharge path for discharging the liquid separated from the solid matter captured by the filter section to the outside of the storage space; a solid discharge section that constitutes a solid discharge path for discharging the solids to the outside of the storage space, The container has a cylindrical peripheral wall portion and a lower wall portion that closes a lower opening of the peripheral wall portion, the liquid material discharge portion is provided on the peripheral wall portion and is configured to also serve as the solid material discharge portion, The filter unit has a filter medium that is removably positioned in the liquid discharge path, The filtering device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the liquid discharge section is switched to the solid discharge section by removing the filter medium from the liquid discharge path.

11. the liquid discharge portion is constituted by a cylindrical liquid discharge nozzle, The filtration device according to claim 10 , wherein the solid discharge portion is configured as a cylindrical solid discharge nozzle.

12. a cylindrical liquid discharge nozzle provided on a wall portion of the container and constituting a liquid discharge path for discharging the liquid separated from the solid matter captured by the filter portion to the outside of the storage space; a cylindrical solid discharge nozzle provided on a wall portion of the container and constituting a solid discharge path for discharging the solids to the outside of the storage space, 9. The filtration device according to claim 7, wherein the liquid discharge nozzle and the solid discharge nozzle are provided independently of each other.

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