Apparatus for generating gas-dissolved liquid and method for generating gas-dissolved liquid

Abstract

When supplying gas along with liquid to an ejector to generate a gas-dissolved liquid, this prevents the liquid that flows back from the gas intake of the ejector from entering the gas supply system. [Solution] In generating ozonated water as a gas-dissolved liquid using an ozonated water generator equipped with an ejector 1 enclosed in a tank 2, ozone gas is injected as a gas into the flow of water, which is liquid, introduced into the ejector 1 to generate ozonated water. During this process, the water that flows back out from the ozone gas intake of the ejector 1 is stored in the tank 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for producing a gas-dissolved liquid and an apparatus therefor.

Background Art

[0002] Examples of ozone water generating apparatuses that inject ozone gas into a water flow to generate ozone water as a gas-dissolved liquid include ejector-type apparatuses such as those disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] In an ejector-type ozone water generating apparatus, when a negative pressure occurs in an ozone generator connected to the suction port of the ejector, the probability of a decrease in ozone gas generation ability and malfunctions of the ozone generator increases. Therefore, the ozone water generating apparatus of Patent Document 1 provides an orifice between the ozone generator and the ejector to maintain the ozone gas generation unit of the ozone generator at a positive pressure, and supplies ozone gas to the ejector under the same pressure.

[0004] Further, the ozone water supply system of Patent Document 2 includes a supply line for ozone water, a circulation line for ozone water, an ozone concentration sensor, and a controller for the generated ozone concentration of an ozone generator, and controls so that fluctuations in ozone concentration due to the discharge of ozone water to the supply line or the like do not occur. The ozone gas serving as a raw material for ozone water is generated by a discharge-type ozonizer that generates ozone gas by discharging electricity using oxygen as a main raw material, and the supply pressure is equal to or higher than atmospheric pressure.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The conventional technology described above generates ozonated water by mixing ozone gas and water using a gas-liquid mixing device such as an ejector. The supply pressure of the ozone gas in this process is considered to be positive pressure.

[0007] On the other hand, some ozonizers, which generate ozone gas, maintain a negative pressure inside the device to suppress the self-decomposition of highly concentrated ozone gas.

[0008] In the conventional ozone water generator described above, if an ozonizer that maintains ozone gas from the ozone supply system under negative pressure is applied, if sufficient suction pressure cannot be obtained due to abnormalities in the supply water temperature or pump, water may backflow from the ozone gas intake of the ejector and enter the ozone gas supply system. This backflowing water may then enter the ozone gas flow meter, valves, etc. in the ozone supply system, potentially causing malfunction or failure of the supply system.

[0009] In view of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to prevent liquid that has flowed back from the gas intake of an ejector into the gas supply system when a gas is supplied to the ejector together with a liquid to produce a gas-dissolved liquid. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] One aspect of the present invention is a gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus comprising an ejector that injects gas into a liquid to generate a gas-dissolved liquid, and a tank that encloses the ejector and stores the liquid that flows back from the suction port of the ejector during the process of generating the gas-dissolved liquid.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, in the gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus, the gas is supplied to the tank under reduced pressure.

[0012] One aspect of the present invention is a gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus, wherein the bottom of the tank is provided with a discharge pipe for discharging the liquid stored in the tank, and this discharge pipe is equipped with a valve that allows the liquid to be discharged based on the liquid level of the liquid in the tank.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus in which the valve starts discharge when the liquid level reaches an upper limit liquid level lower than the gas intake port of the ejector, and stops discharge when the liquid level reaches a lower limit liquid level higher than the intake port of the discharge pipe in the tank.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is a gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus in which the ejector has an orifice portion through which the liquid flows, and a suction groove formed around the orifice portion, with a groove width of 100 μm or less, for supplying the gas in the tank to the orifice portion.

[0015] One aspect of the present invention is a gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus in which the suction groove is formed at an acute angle with respect to the flow direction of the liquid in the orifice portion.

[0016] In one aspect of the present invention, in the gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus, the ejectors are arranged in parallel within the tank.

[0017] One aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a gas-dissolved liquid using a gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus equipped with an ejector enclosed in a tank, wherein, in the process of generating a gas-dissolved liquid by injecting gas into the flow of liquid introduced into the ejector, the liquid that flows back out from the gas intake of the ejector is stored in the tank.

[0018] A method for producing a gas-dissolved liquid using a gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus equipped with an ejector contained within a tank, wherein, in the process of generating a gas-dissolved liquid by injecting gas into the liquid flow introduced into the ejector, the liquid that flows back out from the gas intake of the ejector is stored in the tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention described above, when supplying a gas together with a liquid to an ejector to generate a gas-dissolved liquid, it is possible to prevent the liquid that flows back from the gas intake of the ejector from entering the gas supply system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020] [Figure 1] Schematic cross-sectional view of the ozone water generator of Embodiment 1, which is one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 2] Schematic cross-sectional view of the ozone water generator of Embodiment 2, which is one aspect of the present invention. [Figure 3] Schematic cross-sectional view of the ozone water generator of Embodiment 3, which is one aspect of the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0022] [Embodiment 1] The ozone water generator (gas-dissolved liquid generator) of Embodiment 1 of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 prevents the intrusion of water from the ejector 1 into the ozone gas supply system (gas supply system) when injecting ozone gas (gas) into the flow of water (liquid) introduced into the ejector 1 to generate ozone water (gas-dissolved liquid). Thereby, malfunction and failure of the ozone gas supply system are prevented.

[0023] The ozone water generator of the present embodiment includes an ejector 1 that injects ozone gas into the introduced water to generate ozone water, and a tank 2 that encloses the ejector 1 and stores the water that has flowed back from the ozone gas suction port of the ejector 1 during the process of generating the ozone water.

[0024] The ejector 1 is provided to penetrate airtightly into the tank 2 that stores the ozone gas supplied under reduced pressure from the ozone gas supply system, and has an inflow portion 11, a communication portion 12, an orifice portion 13, a communication portion 14, a rectifying portion 15, a communication portion 16, a discharge portion 17, and a suction portion 18.

[0025] The inflow portion 11 is composed of a straight cylindrical flow path into which water is introduced.

[0026] The connecting section 12 consists of a tapered flow path with a narrowing inner diameter that connects the inlet section 11 and the orifice section 13, which has a smaller diameter than the inlet section 11, and supplies water from the inlet section 11 to the orifice section 13.

[0027] The orifice section 13 consists of an extremely narrow, straight channel that connects the communication section 12 and the communication section 14. Water supplied from the inlet section 11 through the communication section 12 flows through it, and ozone gas is drawn in from the tank 2 through the suction section 18.

[0028] The connecting section 14 consists of a tapered flow path with a wider inner diameter that connects the orifice section 13 and the flow straightening section 15, which has a larger diameter than the orifice section 13, and supplies ozonated water from the orifice section 13 to the flow straightening section 15.

[0029] The rectifying section 15 consists of a straight-cased flow path that connects the communication section 14 and the communication section 16, and rectifies the ozonated water supplied from the orifice section 13 through the communication section 14 before supplying it to the communication section 16.

[0030] The connecting section 16 consists of a tapered flow path with a wider inner diameter that connects the straightening section 15 and the discharge section 17, which has a larger diameter than the straightening section 15, and supplies ozonated water from the straightening section 15 to the discharge section 17.

[0031] The discharge section 17 consists of a straight-cased channel for discharging ozonated water from the communication section 16.

[0032] The gas supply system of this embodiment is intended for the suction of gas supplied at a pressure equal to or greater than the pressure generated by the suction force produced by the ejector 1, and encompasses gas supply systems under reduced pressure. Examples of such gas supply systems include gas supply systems below atmospheric pressure. More specifically, examples include well-known ozone gas supply systems that supply ozone gas with an ozone concentration of 50% by volume or more and an oxygen concentration of less than 50% by volume. In this case, the total pressure of the ozone gas becomes a reduced pressure state of, for example, 60 kPa (abs) or less (i.e., a state where the ozone partial pressure is 30 kPa (abs) or less).

[0033] The suction section 18 is formed perpendicular to the water flow direction of the orifice section 13 and consists of a straight-cased flow path that supplies ozone gas, which is reduced in pressure into the tank 2, to the orifice section 13. The diameter of this suction section 18 is set to be smaller than that of the orifice section 13.

[0034] The ejector 1 described above is enclosed within the tank 2 by airtightly penetrating it, so that both ends of the ejector 1 protrude from the tank 2, while the suction portion 18 of the ejector 1 is housed inside the tank 2.

[0035] Tank 2 is formed into any shape at the site where the ozone water generator of this embodiment is installed. The arrangement of the ejector 1 in Tank 2 is also set to a horizontal or vertical arrangement, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, depending on the site.

[0036] Furthermore, an inlet pipe 21 is connected to the top of tank 2 to introduce ozone gas supplied under reduced pressure from the ozone gas supply system, and an outlet pipe 22 is connected to the bottom of tank 2 to appropriately discharge water that has backflowed from the suction section 18 of ejector 1.

[0037] Furthermore, the discharge pipe 22 is equipped with a valve V that can appropriately discharge water from the tank 2 based on the water level of the tank 2 detected by the water level sensor 3. The water level sensor 3 is not particularly limited and any well-known water level gauge that can detect the water level in the tank 2 can be used.

[0038] The effects of the ejector 1 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to Figure 1. Here, we will describe an example of stably supplying ozonated water with an ozone concentration of 200 ppm or higher.

[0039] Water introduced into the inlet 11 of ejector 1 is discharged from the outlet 17 via the communication section 12, orifice section 13, communication section 14, flow straightening section 15, and communication section 16. Ozone gas is also supplied to tank 2 from the ozone gas supply system via the introduction pipe 21 under reduced pressure. At this time, in ejector 1, the water flowing through the inlet 11 has its flow path narrowed at the communication section 12, increasing its flow velocity and rapidly decreasing its pressure before being supplied to the orifice section 13. The water introduced into the orifice section 13 has an increased flow velocity, and the flow path of the orifice section 13 becomes negatively pressurized. The resulting suction pressure in the orifice section 13 draws in ozone gas from tank 2 via the suction section 18, dissolving it in water to produce ozonated water. This ozonated water is supplied to the flow straightening section 15 via the communication section 14. The ozonated water straightened in the flow straightening section 15 is discharged from the outlet 17 via the communication section 16.

[0040] If the water flow rate or pressure changes due to factors such as a pump malfunction, and sufficient suction force cannot be obtained to draw in the ozone gas in tank 2, water will flow back into tank 2 from the suction section 18 of ejector 1 and accumulate in tank 2. This prevents water from entering the ozone gas supply system and avoids adverse effects on the ozone gas supply control equipment.

[0041] The water accumulated in tank 2 is monitored by the water level sensor 3, and when a certain amount accumulates, it is discharged as appropriate by opening and closing valve V. For example, valve V starts discharge when the liquid level in tank 2 reaches an upper limit that is lower than the ozone gas intake port of the suction section 18 of ejector 1, and stops discharge when the liquid level reaches a lower limit that is higher than the suction port of the discharge pipe 22 in tank 2. This prevents the release of ozone gas from tank 2.

[0042] According to this embodiment, gas is introduced into a tank 2 containing an ejector 1, the gas in the tank 2 is drawn into the ejector 1, and when the suction pressure decreases, the liquid that flows back out from the gas intake of the ejector 1 accumulates in the tank 2. This prevents the liquid from entering the gas supply system.

[0043] In particular, in a device that generates ozonated water by drawing in ozone gas supplied under reduced pressure using ejector 1, even if sufficient suction pressure cannot be obtained due to abnormalities in the supply water temperature or circulation pump, the transfer of water to the ozone gas supply system and the intrusion of water into the ozone gas flow meter, valves, etc. of the ozone gas supply system can be prevented, thereby preventing malfunction or failure of the ozone supply system.

[0044] [Embodiment 2] The ozone water generator of Embodiment 2 shown in Figure 2 is similar in appearance to the ozone water generator of Embodiment 1, except that a suction groove 19 is formed in the ejector 1 instead of a suction section 18.

[0045] The suction groove 19 is formed around the orifice portion 13 at an acute angle with respect to the water flow direction of the orifice portion 13, and consists of an annular slit that supplies the gas stored in the tank 2 to the orifice portion 13. Furthermore, the groove width of this suction groove 19 is set to 100 μm or less in order to minimize water leakage.

[0046] As is clear from the above configuration, the ozone water generator of this embodiment provides the same effects as in Embodiment 1.

[0047] In particular, in this embodiment, the formation of a suction groove 19 around the orifice 13 allows the ozone gas introduced by suction from the tank 2 to come into contact with the water from the entire circumference of the orifice 13 and mix, thereby enabling a large amount of gas to be dissolved in the liquid.

[0048] Furthermore, by setting the groove width of the suction groove 19 to 100 μm or less, even if the water flow velocity decreases or the water stops, the surface tension of the water will seal the suction groove 19, preventing or reducing the intrusion of the water into the suction pipe 10.

[0049] Furthermore, because the suction groove 19 is positioned at an acute angle to the direction of water flow through the orifice 13, a large contact area with the water can be secured, thereby increasing the dissolution efficiency of ozone gas in the water.

[0050] [Embodiment 3] The ozone water generator of Embodiment 3, which is one aspect of the present invention shown in Figure 3, is designed to generate a large volume of ozone water by arranging multiple ejectors 1 vertically in parallel, as in the embodiment of Embodiment 1.

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 3, the ejectors 1 are arranged at equal intervals on concentric circles centered on the suction center of the pump, with the streamlines of the ozonated water on the suction side of the pump parallel to the streamlines of the ozonated water on the ejectors 1. In each ejector 1 of this embodiment, a water suction line 4 is connected to the inlet 11, and an ozonated water suction line 5 is connected to the discharge 17. The suction lines 5 of multiple ejectors 1 are then combined into a single suction line 5 and connected to the suction side of the pump, so that the length of the piping from each ejector 1 to the pump is set to be the same.

[0052] According to the ozone water generator of Embodiment 3 described above, the suction lines 5 on the discharge side of multiple ejectors 1 are consolidated into a single suction line 5 and led to the pump, thereby achieving a larger volume of ozone water produced by the ozone water generator, in addition to the effects of Embodiment 1.

[0053] Furthermore, it is clear that the ozone water generator of this embodiment can achieve the same effect even if the ejector 1 of Embodiment 2 is used instead of the ejector 1 of Embodiment 1. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0054] 1... Ejector, 10... Suction tube, 11... Inlet, 12... Connecting section, 13... Orifice section, 14... Connecting section, 15... Flow straightening section, 16... Connecting section, 17... Discharge section, 18... Suction section, 19... Suction groove 2...tank, 21...inlet pipe, 22...discharge pipe, V...valve 3…Water level sensor 4, 5… Suction lines

Claims

1. An ejector that injects gas into the flow of introduced liquid to generate a gas-dissolved liquid, This includes a tank that encloses the ejector and stores the liquid that flows back from the gas intake of the ejector during the process of generating the gas-dissolved liquid, A gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus equipped with [a specific feature].

2. The gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas is supplied to the tank under reduced pressure.

3. The bottom of the tank is provided with a discharge pipe for discharging the liquid stored in the tank. The gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the discharge pipe is equipped with a valve that allows the liquid to be discharged based on the liquid level of the liquid in the tank.

4. The gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus according to claim 3, characterized in that the valve starts discharge when the liquid level reaches an upper limit liquid level lower than the gas intake port in the ejector, and stops discharge when the liquid level reaches a lower limit liquid level higher than the intake port of the discharge pipe in the tank.

5. The aforementioned ejector is The orifice section through which the aforementioned liquid flows, A suction groove with a groove width of 100 μm or less is formed around this orifice portion and supplies the gas in the tank to the orifice portion, The gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus according to claim 2, characterized by having the following:

6. The gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the suction groove is formed at an acute angle with respect to the direction of liquid flow in the orifice portion.

7. The gas-dissolved liquid generating apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the ejectors are enclosed in the tank in a plurality of parallel configurations.

8. A method for producing a gaseous dissolved liquid using a gaseous dissolved liquid production apparatus equipped with an ejector contained within a tank, In the process of generating a gas-dissolved liquid by injecting gas into the liquid flow introduced into the ejector, the liquid that flows back out from the gas intake of the ejector is stored in the tank. A method for producing a gas-dissolved liquid characterized by the following.

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