Imaging device, water treatment system, and imaging method

Abstract

Easily obtain the precise coagulation state of the treated water. [Solution] The device has a plate-shaped window portion 110 located on or above the top surface of a reaction tank 100 in which water to be treated 20 is stored and a coagulant is added to the water to be treated 20 to form flocs, and an imaging unit 120 which images the water to be treated 20 stored in the reaction tank 100 from outside the reaction tank 100 through the window portion 110.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an imaging device, a water treatment system, and an imaging method.

Background Art

[0002] As one of the processes for removing impurities from the water to be treated, there is a process of adding a flocculant to the water to be treated stored in a water tank to form flocs. In this process, it is preferable to control the addition amount of the flocculant according to the floc formation state. For example, a technique is disclosed in which a hole is formed in a lid covering the upper opening of a water tank, a camera fixed to the hole photographs the state of the water to be treated in the water tank, and a change in the average particle diameter of flocs is obtained based on the photographed result (see, for example, Patent Document 1). It is conceivable to control the addition amount of the flocculant based on the floc state obtained by this technique.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] When a camera is installed in a hole formed in a lid as in the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is a risk that the camera will be contaminated by splashes from the water to be treated or the like. When the camera is contaminated, there are problems such as an increase in the frequency of camera maintenance and failures, which makes it troublesome to operate the system. Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain accurate data from the images captured by the contaminated camera.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an imaging device, a water treatment system, and an imaging method capable of easily obtaining an accurate flocculation state of the water to be treated.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The imaging device of the present invention is A plate-shaped window portion located on or above the top surface of a reaction tank, at a predetermined distance from the water surface of the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank, where the water to be treated is stored and a coagulant is added to the water to be treated to form flocs, The system includes an imaging unit that images the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank from outside the reaction tank through the window.

[0007] The water treatment system of the present invention is A reaction tank in which the water to be treated is stored, An additive device for adding a coagulant to the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank, A plate-shaped window portion located on the top surface of the reaction tank or above the top surface, at a predetermined distance from the water surface of the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank, An imaging unit that images the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank from outside the reaction tank through the window, The system includes a control device that calculates characteristic quantities from the image captured by the imaging unit to represent the state of flocs formed when the coagulant is added to the water to be treated, calculates the amount of coagulant to be added by the adding device based on the calculated characteristic quantities, and causes the adding device to add the calculated amount of coagulant.

[0008] The imaging method of the present invention is The water to be treated is stored in a reaction tank to which a coagulant is added to form flocs. The water to be treated is then imaged from outside the reaction tank through a plate-shaped window positioned at a predetermined distance from the water surface of the water to be treated, either above the top surface of the reaction tank or above it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] In this invention, the precise coagulation state of the treated water can be easily obtained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This figure shows one embodiment of the imaging device of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 1 is a magnified view of the imaging device shown in Figure 1 from a horizontal perspective. [Figure 3] This is a view of the imaging device shown in Figure 1, seen from above. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates the relationship between the distance from the water surface to be treated to the reaction tank side of the window and the imaging range of the imaging unit. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates the imaging direction of the imaging unit shown in Figure 1. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example of a water treatment system to which the imaging device of the present invention is applied. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of the components of the control device shown in Figure 6. [Figure 8] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing performed by the control device in the water treatment system shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a diagram showing one embodiment of the imaging device of the present invention. In this embodiment, the imaging device 10 has a window section 110, an imaging section 120, and an illumination section 130, as shown in Figure 1. The reaction tank 100, which is imaged by the imaging section 120, stores the water to be treated 20 supplied from the inlet section 102, and the stored water to be treated 20 is treated and discharged to the outside of the reaction tank 100 from the outlet section 103. The reaction tank 100 is provided with a flange 101 for attaching the window section 110. The flange 101 joins the reaction tank 100 and the window section 110. The reaction tank 100 may also be provided with a stirrer 104.

[0012] The reaction tank 100 is a water tank for adding a dehydrating agent or a flocculant to the stored treated water 20 to coarsen the suspended substances in the treated water 20 and form flocs. The reaction tank 100 is a sludge reaction tank or a flocculation reaction tank. The reaction tank 100 has a predetermined capacity. The reaction tank 100 stores the reaction time required for forming flocs by adding a dehydrating agent or a flocculant to the treated water 20. This reaction time is set based on the dehydrating agent or flocculant to be added (such as the addition amount and type). The reaction tank 100 is preferably a closed type in order to eliminate imaging interference due to reflection of the background or the like.

[0013] The treated water 20 contains substances such as suspended substances and dissolved substances that can be removed by aggregation. In this embodiment, the treated water 20 is preferably sludge in which the concentration of suspended substances contained in the treated water 20 is about 0.1 to 10%, and more preferably about 1 to 5%.

[0014] The inflow part 102 is provided on the bottom surface of the reaction tank 100 and is an inlet through which the treated water flows from a water treatment device provided in the previous stage of the reaction tank 100 using a pump or the like. The outflow part 103 is provided on the side surface of the reaction tank 100, at a position close to the water surface of the stored treated water 20, and is an outlet for discharging the treated water in the reaction tank 100 to the outside of the reaction tank 100.

[0015] The stirrer 104 is installed inside the reaction tank 100 and stirs the treated water 20 in order to increase the reaction efficiency of the treated water 20 stored in the reaction tank 100. The structure of the stirrer 104 is, for example, a structure in which a rotating motor rotates a blade member. Examples of the shape of the blade member include a propeller type and a paddle type. The stirrer 104 may also stir the treated water using a submersible pump.

[0016] The imaging unit 120 images the water to be treated 20 stored in the reaction tank 100 from outside the reaction tank 100 through the window 110. The imaging unit 120 does not need to be any particular type of imaging unit that can capture the state of flocs in the water to be treated 20. In order to stably image the state of flocs in the water to be treated 20, it is desirable that the imaging unit 120 be an infrared camera (infrared sensor) that is less affected by reflection from the water surface. The imaging unit 120 may also be a camera that captures images of the water to be treated 20 in the reaction tank 100 at time intervals less than or equal to a preset time interval (for example, a video camera that continuously captures images). Furthermore, to further reduce the effect of reflection, the imaging unit 120 may be equipped with a polarizing filter. The imaging unit 120 transmits the image data showing the captured image to a predetermined device. This predetermined device is a device that analyzes the image data.

[0017] The window part 110 is located above the top surface of the reaction tank 100 or higher than the top surface, and is arranged at a predetermined distance (a position where it does not come into contact with the liquid) from the water surface of the treated water 20 stored in the reaction tank 100. Details of the predetermined distance will be described later. As shown in FIG. 1, the window part 110 is provided at a position (above the outflow part 103) where the imaging part 120 can image the treated water 20 flowing out from the outflow part 103. This is because the flow of water is rectified in the outflow direction in the outflow part 103, so the position where water flows out from the outflow part 103 has the least disturbance on the water surface in the reaction tank 100, and also because the flocs after aggregation are stable, so that the imaging part 120 can image the stable flocs. The material of the window part 110 is preferably a transparent material so that the imaging part 120 can image the inside of the reaction tank 100. Examples of the material of the window part 110 include polycarbonate, polyvinyl chloride, acrylic, etc. In the selection of the material of the reaction tank 100, it is desirable to consider the pressure resistance inside the reaction tank 100. The shape of the window part 110 is plate-shaped, preferably circular, square, etc., and considering the workability and maintainability, it is desirable to have a structure in which a transparent plate of the above-mentioned material is installed on a circular flange provided on the reaction tank. Also, the thickness of the window part 110 is preferably 10 mm or more. Further, when the imaging part 120 is installed so that the imaging direction of the imaging part 120 forms an angle with an inclination of 1° to 10° from the vertical direction, considering the refraction at the window part 110, its thickness is more preferably 10 mm to 30 mm. When the thickness of the window part 110 is less than 10 mm, the window part 110 may be deformed due to insufficient strength of the window part 110, and there is a possibility that the imaging part 120 cannot accurately image the state of the aggregates in the treated water through the window part 110. Also, when the thickness of the window part 110 is greater than 30 mm, the light transmittance of the window part 110 becomes low, and there is a possibility that the imaging part 120 cannot accurately image the state of the aggregates in the treated water through the window part 110.

[0018] The lighting part 130 illuminates the range imaged by the imaging part 120 of the treated water 20 stored in the reaction tank 100 through the window part 110. The lighting part 130 may be integrated with the imaging part 120.

[0019] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the imaging device 10 shown in Figure 1 from the horizontal direction. As shown in Figure 2, the imaging unit 120 and the illumination unit 130 are provided on the side of the window 110 facing the reaction tank 100. The shorter the distance between the imaging unit 120 and the side (face) of the window 110 facing the reaction tank 100, the better. It is desirable that the imaging unit 120 is provided in contact with the side (face) of the window 110 facing the reaction tank 100. It is desirable that the imaging unit 120 is fixed to the window 110. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of maintainability, it is desirable that the imaging unit 120 has a structure that allows it to be attached to and detached from the window 110. The window 110 is attached to the flange 101. In addition, a wiper 140 is attached to the side of the window 110 facing the reaction tank 100.

[0020] Figure 3 is a view of the imaging device 10 shown in Figure 1 from above. In the example shown in Figure 3, the angle between the direction from the center 150 of the horizontal plane of the window section 110 toward the illumination section 130 and the direction from the center 150 of the horizontal plane of the window section 110 toward the imaging section 120 is 90°. However, this angle is not necessarily limited to 90°. By setting this angle from 30° to 180° (or from -30° to -180°), reflection of illumination generated on the surface of the water to be treated 20 and the window section 110 can be suppressed, but the effect is most pronounced when set to 90°, and the field of view from the imaging section 120 can be maximized. In addition, a wiper 140, which is a deposit removal member that removes deposits adhering to the reaction tank 100 side of the window section 110, is attached to the reaction tank 100 side of the window section 110. The wiper 140 is a swiveling wiper that rotates around the center 150 of the horizontal plane of the window section 110. The wiper 140 may be manually operated or automatically operated. In the case of an automatically operating wiper 140, the timer and motor may be linked to operate intermittently. In this case, a sensor may be provided to detect the state (amount) of deposits adhering to the reaction tank 100 side of the window section 110, and the interval at which the motor operates may be controlled according to the state (amount) of deposits detected by the sensor. It is desirable that the contact portion of the wiper 140 with the window section 110 be made of an elastic material such as rubber, so that it can clean efficiently without damaging the reaction tank 100 side of the window section 110. The stopping position of the wiper 140 is a position that is not within the field of view of the imaging unit 120. In addition to the wiper 140, the material removal component may also be water washing, air washing by blowing cleaning air, etc., but a swivel-type wiper 140 is preferable from the viewpoint of durability, operability, and cost-effectiveness.

[0021] The distance from the water surface of the water to be treated 20 stored in the reaction tank 100 to the side of the window section 110 facing the reaction tank 100 will be explained below. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the distance from the water surface of the water to be treated 20 stored in the reaction tank 100 to the side of the window section 110 facing the reaction tank 100 and the imaging range of the imaging unit 120.

[0022] As shown in Figure 4, if Lw is the distance from the surface of the water to be treated 20 to the side of the window section 110 facing the reaction tank 100, and Lc is the maximum field of view side (the length of the longest side within the imaging range) of the imaging unit 120, then it is desirable that Lw be 0.1 to 1.0 times Lc. Considering the need to ensure imaging accuracy and to avoid contamination of the window section 110 due to the imaging unit 120 approaching the surface of the water to be treated 20, it is even more desirable that Lw be 0.2 to 0.5 times Lc. The specific distance of Lw is preferably 100 to 300 mm.

[0023] Furthermore, the imaging unit 120 images the water to be treated 20 stored in the reaction tank 100 from an angle that is inclined at 1° to 10° from the vertical direction. Figure 5 is a diagram illustrating the imaging direction of the imaging unit 120 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 5, the imaging direction of the imaging unit 120 is preferably inclined at 1° to 10° with respect to the vertical direction. By having the imaging unit 120 image the water to be treated 20 from such an angle, a wide field of view can be secured. If the surface of the window 110 is installed horizontally, the imaging unit 120 images the water to be treated 20 stored in the reaction tank 100 from an angle that is inclined at 1° to 10° from the direction normal to the surface of the window 110.

[0024] As described above, in the imaging device 10 of the present invention, a window portion 110 is provided at a predetermined distance from the surface of the water to be treated 20 stored in the reaction tank 100, above the reaction tank 100, and in a position where it does not come into contact with the water. The imaging unit 120 images the water to be treated 20 stored in the reaction tank 100 from outside the reaction tank 100 through the window portion 110. As a result, there are no parts of the imaging unit 120 that come into contact with the water, and the imaging unit 120 can image the flocs in the water to be treated 20 without being contaminated by suspended solids in the water. Therefore, improvements in the stability of acquiring floc images and improvements in the maintainability of the imaging unit 120 can be expected. In particular, when the target of imaging is highly viscous water to be treated, such as sludge, if the imaging unit is contaminated by the water to be treated, it becomes difficult to remove that contamination. Therefore, by providing a structure that is less susceptible to contamination from the water to be treated, as in the present invention, improvements in the stability of acquiring floc images and improvements in maintainability can be expected. As a result, the accurate coagulation state of the water to be treated can be easily obtained. (Examples of application)

[0025] Figure 6 shows an example of a water treatment system to which the imaging device 10 of the present invention is applied. The water treatment system shown in Figure 6 includes a reaction tank 100, a stirrer 104, a window section 110, an imaging unit 120, a sludge storage tank 200, a dewatering machine 210, pumps 300, 310, 320, dewatering agent storage tanks 410, 420, and a control device 500. The reaction tank 100, stirrer 104, window section 110, and imaging unit 120 correspond to the reaction tank 100, stirrer 104, window section 110, and imaging unit 120 shown in Figure 1, respectively. In the water treatment system shown in Figure 6, the reaction tank 100 plays the role of a dewatering reaction tank. The imaging unit 120 transmits the captured image data to the control device 500.

[0026] The reaction tank 100 is a tank in which the water to be treated (sludge) transferred from the sludge storage tank 200 by the pump 300 is stored. The reaction tank 100 has a predetermined capacity. In the reaction tank 100, the pump 310 adds the dehydrating agent stored in the dehydrating agent storage tank 410 to the water to be treated, and the pump 320 adds the dehydrating agent stored in the dehydrating agent storage tank 420 to the water to be treated, and the water to be treated is stored for the reaction time necessary for floc formation. This reaction time is set based on the water to be treated and the dehydrating agent (amount added, type, etc.). pH adjusting agents such as caustic soda or hydrochloric acid can be added to the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank 100 to adjust the pH.

[0027] The sludge storage tank 200 is a tank in which the water to be treated (sludge) is stored. The sludge storage tank 200 may concentrate the water to be treated by settling. The sludge storage tank 200 has a predetermined capacity. The water to be treated stored in the sludge storage tank 200 is sent (transported) to the reaction tank 100 by the pump 300.

[0028] Pump 300 is a sludge supply pump that delivers the treated water stored in the sludge storage tank 200 to the reaction tank 100. A positive displacement pump is preferable to reduce the risk of blockage by the sludge. Examples of pumps 300 include diaphragm pumps and mono pumps. From the standpoint of output control, it is desirable to control pump 300 using an inverter.

[0029] Pump 310 is an additive device that adds a dehydrating agent (cationic dehydrating agent) stored in the dehydrating agent storage tank 410 to the water to be treated stored in the reaction vessel 100. Examples of pumps 310 include diaphragm pumps, mono pumps, valves, etc. From the viewpoint of control accuracy, it is desirable to use a diaphragm pump with an inverter as pump 310.

[0030] Pump 320 is an additive device that adds a dehydrating agent (anionic dehydrating agent) stored in the dehydrating agent storage tank 420 to the water to be treated stored in the reaction vessel 100. Examples of pumps such as diaphragm pumps and mono pumps, valves, etc., can be used for pump 320. From the viewpoint of control accuracy, it is desirable to use a diaphragm pump with an inverter as pump 320.

[0031] The dewatering agents stored in the dewatering agent storage tanks 410 and 420 may include not only cationic polymer flocculants and anionic polymer flocculants, but also inorganic flocculants and fiber additives. Considering the contribution of the dewatering agent stored in the dewatering agent storage tanks 410 and 420 to the dewatering process in the dewatering machine 210, it is desirable that the dewatering agent stored in the dewatering agent storage tanks 410 and 420 include at least a cationic polymer flocculant or an amphoteric polymer flocculant. Normally, the surface charge of particles such as sludge is negatively charged. Therefore, by appropriately controlling the amount of cationic polymer flocculant with a cationic charge added, it is possible to form good flocs that are easy to dewater in the dewatering machine 210. The dewatering agent stored in the dewatering agent storage tanks 410 and 420 may be the same chemical as the flocculant added in the preceding stage. Also, the tank in which the flocculant is added and the dewatering agent storage tanks 410 and 420 may be used interchangeably.

[0032] The dewatering machine 210 is a dewatering device that dewaters the sludge processed in the reaction tank 100, separating it into filtrate and dewatered sludge (solid-liquid separation) for discharge. There are no particular restrictions on the dewatering method in the dewatering machine 210, such as screw press type, multi-disc type, filter press type, or belt press type, but when the control device 500 controls the compression mechanism of the dewatering machine, a screw press type or multi-disc type is desirable from the viewpoint of control accuracy. The separated solid material, dewatered sludge, is supplied as dewatered sludge from the rear of the rotating body of the dewatering machine 210 to a hopper or the like, where it is further processed such as drying or transported as industrial waste. The filtrate separated in the dewatering machine 210 is returned to a wastewater adjustment tank or the like. There are no restrictions on the method of supplying sludge from the reaction tank 100 to the dewatering machine 210; for example, it may be supplied by the difference in water level between the height of the sludge in the reaction tank 100 and the height of the inlet of the dewatering machine 210, or by using a pump. However, using a pump may cause the flocculated sludge to break down, so it is preferable to use a water level difference for liquid transfer. When using a water level difference for liquid transfer, it is preferable to shorten the sludge supply piping from the reaction tank 100 to the dewatering machine 210 and to provide a downward slope from the reaction tank 100 to the dewatering machine 210.

[0033] The control device 500 controls the amount of dehydrating agent added by the pumps 310 and 320 based on the state of aggregates in the image data transmitted from the imaging unit 120. The control device 500 may be a PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0034] Figure 7 shows an example of the components of the control device 500 shown in Figure 6. As shown in Figure 7, the control device 500 shown in Figure 6 includes an image processing unit 510, a dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520, and a dehydrating agent addition control unit 530. Note that Figure 7 shows only the main components of the control device 500 shown in Figure 6 that are relevant to this application example.

[0035] The image processing unit 510 quantifies the feature quantities of aggregates contained in the image data transmitted from the imaging unit 120 as the aggregation state of the aggregates. By representing the aggregation state of the aggregates (flocs) as a numerical value, such as a feature quantity, and using this value in calculations, control based on the aggregation state (for example, control of coagulant addition) can be realized. The image processing unit 510 may also detect pixels in the image data transmitted from the imaging unit 120 where the color difference (for example, the difference in RGB values) of adjacent pixels is greater than or equal to a threshold, and quantify the edge pixels, which are the sum of the number of detected pixels per unit area (imaging range), as the feature quantities of the aggregates. Filtration devices installed in water treatment systems are affected by blockage even by minute flocs. Therefore, in order to quantify minute flocs, it is necessary to quantify the flocs in units smaller than the flocs themselves. By using the number of edge pixels, the surface area of ​​the flocs can be quantified as the number of pixels. Therefore, by using the number of edge pixels, stable control of coagulant addition can be performed even for minute flocs that can block the filtration device installed in the water treatment system. The image processing unit 510 notifies the dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 of the quantified state (feature quantities) of the aggregates. Alternatively, the image processing unit 510 may use a learning model that takes image data transmitted from the imaging unit 120 as input and outputs the feature quantities of aggregates contained in the image data, the required amount of aggregates to be added, the timing of coagulant addition, etc., and then notify the dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 of the information obtained (inferred) from the learning model.

[0036] The image processing unit 510 may, for example, calculate feature quantities by performing grayscale processing and differential processing on the image data transmitted from the imaging unit 120. The processing performed by the image processing unit 510 in this case is described below. The image processing unit 510 performs grayscale processing on the image data output from the imaging unit 120. This grayscale processing, also called projection processing, is a process that quantifies the grayscale (brightness and darkness) of an image into three or more gradations, for example, 256 gradations (0 to 255 gradations). The image processing unit 510 performs differential processing on the result of the grayscale processing. Specifically, the image processing unit 510 calculates the rate of change in the numerical data (gradation) by performing differential processing on the numerical data that is the result of the grayscale processing. The image processing unit 510 calculates feature quantities based on the result of the differential processing. The image processing unit 510 notifies the dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 of the calculated feature quantities.

[0037] The image processing unit 510 may also calculate features such as the area, diameter, particle size distribution, and change in the number of edge pixels of the flocs, in addition to the number of edge pixels mentioned above. It is desirable to use the number of edge pixels when quantifying the fine flocs in the flocculation reaction tank as features. By using pixels, which are the smallest unit in image processing, as features, the flocculation state can be accurately quantified, enabling stable injection control. In controlling the addition of flocculants using features, it is desirable to control the addition of flocculants based on the number of edge pixels or the change in the number of edge pixels.

[0038] The dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 calculates the amount of dehydrating agent to be added by pumps 310 and 320 based on the feature quantities notified by the image processing unit 510. The dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 has previously conducted experiments on the feature quantities notified by the image processing unit 510 to obtain the optimal amount of coagulant to be added, which is controlled by the dehydrating agent addition control unit 530. The dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 may have previously determined the correspondence between the feature quantities notified by the image processing unit 510 and the amount of dehydrating agent to be added controlled by the dehydrating agent addition control unit 530, or it may have previously set a calculation formula to determine the amount of coagulant to be added controlled by the dehydrating agent addition control unit 530 from the feature quantities notified by the image processing unit 510. If the correspondence has been determined, the dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 obtains the amount of coagulant to be added controlled by the dehydrating agent addition control unit 530, which is associated with the feature quantities notified by the image processing unit 510. Furthermore, if a calculation formula has been set, the dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 substitutes the feature quantities notified by the image processing unit 510 into the calculation formula to obtain the amount of coagulant to be added, which is controlled by the dehydrating agent addition control unit 530. The dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 then notifies the dehydrating agent addition control unit 530 of the calculated amount of dehydrating agent to be added.

[0039] The dehydrating agent addition control unit 530 controls pumps 310 and 320 respectively so that the amount of dehydrating agent notified by the dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 is added from pumps 310 and 320.

[0040] The following describes the processes performed by the control device 500 in the water treatment system shown in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processes performed by the control device 500 in the water treatment system shown in Figure 6.

[0041] First, the image processing unit 510 acquires the image data captured by the imaging unit 120 (step S1). Next, the image processing unit 510 calculates the characteristic quantities of aggregates contained in the image shown by the acquired image data (step S2). Then, the dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 calculates the amount of dehydrating agent to be added by pumps 310 and 320 based on the characteristic quantities calculated by the image processing unit 510 (step S3). Then, the dehydrating agent addition control unit 530 controls pumps 310 and 320 respectively so that the amount of dehydrating agent calculated by the dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 520 is added from pumps 310 and 320 to the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank 100 (step S4).

[0042] In the application examples described above, the case in which the reaction tank 100 is used as a dewatering reaction tank was explained, but it may also be used as a coagulation reaction tank in which a coagulant is added to the water to be treated and reacted.

[0043] Thus, in a water treatment system to which the imaging device 10 of the present invention is applied, a window portion 110 is provided to prevent contamination of the imaging unit 120 from the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank 100, and the imaging unit 120 controls the addition of a coagulant (dehydrating agent) using the image data captured through the window portion 110. Therefore, it is possible to improve the accuracy of the control of the addition of the coagulant (dehydrating agent).

[0044] The above explanation describes how each component is assigned a specific function (process), but this assignment is not limited to those described above. Furthermore, the configuration of the components described above is merely an example and is not limited to it.

[0045] The processing performed by the control device 500 described above may also be carried out by logic circuits created according to the purpose. A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) or the like is suitable as the control device. Alternatively, a computer program (hereinafter referred to as "program") describing the processing content as a procedure may be recorded on a recording medium readable by the control device 500, and the program recorded on this recording medium may be read by the control device 500 and executed. A recording medium readable by the control device 500 refers to portable recording media such as floppy disks, magneto-optical disks, DVDs (Digital Versatile Discs), CDs (Compact Discs), Blu-ray Discs, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, and SD cards, as well as memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), and HDDs (Hard Disc Drives) built into the control device 500. The program recorded on this recording medium is read by the CPU provided in the control device 500, and the same processing as described above is performed under the control of the CPU. Here, the CPU acts as a computer that executes programs read from a recording medium on which those programs are stored. [Explanation of symbols]

[0046] 10 Imaging device 20. Water to be treated 100 reaction vessels 101 Flange 102 Inlet 103 Outlet 104 Stirrer 110 Window section 120 Imaging Unit 130 Lighting Section 140 Wiper 150 center 200 sludge storage tanks 210 Dehydrator 300, 310, 320 pumps 410,420 Dehydration storage tank 500 Control Device 510 Image Processing Unit 520 Dehydrating agent addition amount calculation unit 530 Dehydrating agent addition control unit

Claims

1. A plate-shaped window portion located on or above the top surface of a reaction tank, at a predetermined distance from the water surface of the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank, where the water to be treated is stored and a coagulant is added to the water to be treated to form flocs, An imaging device having an imaging unit that images the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank from outside the reaction tank through the window.

2. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1, The window portion is an imaging device positioned so that the imaging portion can image the treated water flowing out from the outlet portion provided in the reaction tank.

3. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, An imaging device having a deposit removal member for removing deposits adhering to the surface of the window portion on the reaction tank side.

4. In the imaging device according to claim 3, The aforementioned deposit removal member is an imaging device which is a wiper that rotates with the center of the horizontal plane of the window portion as its pivot point.

5. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, An imaging device in which the distance from the water surface of the water to be treated to the surface of the window portion on the reaction tank side is 0.2 to 0.5 times the length of the maximum field of view side of the imaging range of the imaging unit.

6. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, The imaging unit is an imaging device that images the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank from an angle that is inclined from 1° to 10° from the vertical direction.

7. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, An imaging device having an illumination unit that illuminates the area of ​​the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank through the window portion, within the range captured by the imaging unit.

8. In the imaging device according to claim 7, An imaging device in which the angle between the direction from the center of the horizontal plane of the window toward the illumination unit and the direction from the center of the horizontal plane of the window toward the imaging unit is 30° to 180°.

9. In the imaging apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, The aforementioned reaction vessel is a sealed imaging device.

10. A reaction tank in which the water to be treated is stored, An additive device for adding a coagulant to the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank, A plate-shaped window portion located on the top surface of the reaction tank or above the top surface, at a predetermined distance from the water surface of the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank, An imaging unit that images the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank from outside the reaction tank through the window, A water treatment system comprising: an imaging unit that calculates characteristic quantities from images captured by the imaging unit as the state of flocs formed when the coagulant is added to the water to be treated; a control device that calculates the amount of coagulant to be added by the adding device based on the calculated characteristic quantities and causes the adding device to add the calculated amount of coagulant.

11. An imaging method for imaging water stored in a reaction tank, where water to be treated is stored and a coagulant is added to the water to be treated to form flocs, from outside the reaction tank, through a plate-shaped window positioned at a predetermined distance from the top surface of the reaction tank or above the top surface, and above the water surface of the water to be treated stored in the reaction tank.

Images