Water treatment apparatus and its operation method

Abstract

This suppresses water stagnation associated with the replacement or repair of membrane modules in water treatment equipment. [Solution] The water treatment device 10 comprises a plurality of membrane modules 11 to 15, a manifold pipe L2 for circulating treated water from the plurality of membrane modules 11 to 15, and a plurality of connecting pipes L11 to L15 for connecting the plurality of membrane modules 11 to 15 and the manifold pipe L2. The connecting pipe L13 is configured to be able to be closed near the connection point P2 with the manifold pipe L2, and the distance L from the center C1 of the manifold pipe L2 at the connection point P2 to the closed position of the connecting pipe L13 is A However, the inner diameter D of the connecting pipe L13 A It is within 6 times that amount.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a water treatment apparatus and an operation method thereof.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Conventionally, in various fields such as pharmaceuticals, foods, and semiconductor manufacturing, hollow fiber membrane modules in which a large number of hollow membranes are bundled and filled in a cylindrical housing have been widely used. In such a hollow fiber membrane module, if even one breakage of the hollow fiber membrane exists, leakage of water to be treated occurs, and the function thereof is impaired. Therefore, it is important to periodically inspect whether or not leakage occurs in the hollow fiber membrane module, and test methods for that purpose have been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

PATENT DOCUMENTS

[0003]

PATENT DOCUMENT 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED BY THE INVENTION

[0004] However, although leakage test methods for hollow fiber membrane modules have been proposed so far, problems associated with replacement of hollow fiber membrane modules in which leakage has been confirmed, particularly problems that occur when the modules cannot be immediately replaced with new ones, have not been sufficiently studied. That is, in order to continue operation when a hollow fiber membrane module with confirmed leakage cannot be immediately replaced with a new one, it is conceivable to remove the hollow fiber membrane module from the pipes and close the pipes after removing the hollow fiber membrane module with a closing member. However, during operation, water may stay in such pipes and contamination by bacteria or the like may occur, which has not been sufficiently studied. A similar problem also occurs when the hollow fiber membrane module with confirmed leakage is removed from the pipes for repair.

[0005] Therefore, the objective of the present invention is to suppress water stagnation associated with the replacement or repair of membrane modules in a water treatment device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives, the water treatment apparatus of the present invention comprises a plurality of membrane modules, a manifold piping for circulating treated water from the plurality of membrane modules, and a plurality of connecting pipes for connecting the plurality of membrane modules to the manifold piping. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of connecting pipes is configured to be closable near the connection point with the manifold piping, and the distance from the center of the manifold piping at the connection point to the closable position of the connecting pipe is within six times the inner diameter of the connecting pipe. In another embodiment, the manifold piping is configured to be closable near the upstream side of each connection point with the other connecting pipes among the plurality of connecting pipes, excluding the connecting pipe connected to the upstream end of the manifold piping, and the distance from the center of the connecting pipe at each connection point to the closable position of the manifold piping is within six times the inner diameter of the manifold piping.

[0007] Furthermore, the method for operating the water treatment apparatus of the present invention is a method for operating a water treatment apparatus having a plurality of membrane modules, a manifold piping for circulating treated water from the plurality of membrane modules, and a plurality of connecting pipes for connecting the plurality of membrane modules and the manifold piping. In one embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in a predetermined membrane module among the plurality of membrane modules, the method includes a step of closing the connecting pipe connected to the predetermined membrane module among the plurality of connecting pipes near the connection point with the manifold piping, and the step of closing the connecting pipe includes closing the connecting pipe at a closed position where the distance from the center of the manifold piping at the connection point is within six times the inner diameter of the connecting pipe. In another embodiment, when an abnormality occurs in a plurality of adjacent membrane modules, including a membrane module connected to the upstream end of the manifold piping, the method includes a step of closing the manifold piping near the upstream side of the connection point closest to the plurality of adjacent membrane modules among the connection points with the plurality of connecting pipes, and the step of closing the manifold piping includes closing the manifold piping at a closed position where the distance from the center of the connecting pipe at the closest connection point is within six times the inner diameter of the manifold piping. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress water stagnation associated with the replacement or repair of membrane modules in a water treatment apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of an ultrafiltration membrane apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of an ultrafiltration membrane apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram of an ultrafiltration membrane apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 4. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram showing a modified example of an ultrafiltration membrane apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this specification, as a water treatment apparatus of the present invention, an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane apparatus used to produce pure water for use in pharmaceutical manufacturing and the like, specifically, an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane apparatus used to process purified water to produce water for injection, is given as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Furthermore, in this specification, a case in which the UF membrane apparatus has five UF membrane modules is given as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of UF membrane modules constituting the UF membrane apparatus may be four or fewer, or six or more. In this specification, purified water means ordinary water purified by ion exchange, reverse osmosis (RO), ultrafiltration (UF), or a combination thereof, and water for injection means purified water or water that has undergone appropriate pretreatment treated by distillation or ultrafiltration (RO / UF) and that has passed pyrogenic substance (endotoxin) tests and viable cell tests. Examples of such purified water and water for injection include those specified in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia.

[0011] (First embodiment) Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the UF film apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 1. It should be noted that the configuration of the illustrated UF film apparatus is merely an example and does not limit the present invention, and it goes without saying that it can be appropriately modified according to the purpose of use, application, and required performance of the apparatus.

[0012] The UF membrane apparatus 10 is a device that produces water for injection by treating purified water as water to be treated by ultrafiltration, and has five UF membrane modules 11 to 15 connected in parallel. Each UF membrane module 11 to 15 is a hollow fiber membrane module in which a large number of hollow fiber-like UF membranes (hereinafter also referred to as "hollow fiber membranes") are bundled and filled inside a cylindrical housing. The filtration method is an internal pressure type cross-flow method in which water to be treated is supplied from the inside of the hollow fiber membrane parallel to the membrane surface, permeate water is taken out from the outside, and water that does not permeate the membrane is discharged as concentrated water. Each UF membrane module 11 to 15 has a water to be treated inlet and a concentrated water outlet at both ends in the longitudinal direction, and is arranged vertically so that the water to be treated inlet faces downward and the concentrated water outlet faces upward. Furthermore, on the side of each UF membrane module 11 to 15, a permeate water outlet is provided at a position (upper part) close to the concentrated water outlet. Furthermore, each UF membrane module 11 to 15 is not limited to an internal pressure type hollow fiber membrane module, but may also be an external pressure type in which the water to be treated is supplied from the outside of the hollow fiber membrane and the permeate water is extracted from the inside.

[0013] The UF membrane apparatus 10 also includes a water supply pipe L1, a treated water pipe L2, five connecting pipes L11 to L15, and a concentrated water pipe L3. The water supply pipe L1 is provided to supply purified water from a purified water tank (not shown) to the UF membrane modules 11 to 15, and branches into five pipes which are connected to the treated water inlets of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15. The treated water pipe (manual pipe) L2 has the function of circulating the treated water (permeate) from the UF membrane modules 11 to 15 and supplying it to an injection water tank (not shown) as injection water. The treated water pipe L2 extends substantially horizontally, preferably above the UF membrane modules 11 to 15, and is connected to the permeate outlets of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15 via the connecting pipes L11 to L15. Therefore, each connecting pipe L11 to L15 extends upward from the permeate outlet of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15 and is connected to the treated water pipe L2 horizontally or from below horizontal. Note that "substantially horizontal" here includes not only strictly horizontal lines but also lines that are slightly inclined relative to strictly horizontal lines. The concentrated water pipe L3 is provided to circulate the concentrated water from the UF membrane modules 11 to 15 and return it to the purified water tank, and it branches into five pipes, each connected to the concentrated water outlet of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15.

[0014] Furthermore, each UF membrane module 11-15 may have a permeate outlet on its side near the treated water inlet (lower part), and each connecting pipe L11-L15 may be connected to the permeate outlet at the lower part of its side. Alternatively, each UF membrane module 11-15 may have permeate outlets at two locations, upper and lower, on its side, and treated water (permeate) may be extracted from each of them. That is, the treated water pipe L2 may be connected to the permeate outlet at the upper part of the side of each UF membrane module 11-15, and a different treated water pipe may be connected to the permeate outlet at the lower part of the side.

[0015] Although not shown in the diagram, the treated water piping L2 is connected to a return pipe that circulates the treated water from the UF membrane modules 11-15 back to the purified water tank when there is no request to draw water from the water for injection tank. Similarly, although not shown in the diagram, the concentrated water piping L3 is equipped with a heat exchanger used to generate hot water for heat sterilization during the hot water sterilization process, which is performed periodically between normal operations. This heat exchanger may also be used to heat the purified water or water for injection in the system to a high temperature (e.g., 80°C or higher) for drawing water to the water for injection tank, in which case it may be located in the treated water piping L2.

[0016] Of the five connecting pipes L11 to L15, the two connecting pipes L11 and L12, which correspond to the two UF membrane modules 11 and 12 furthest upstream of the water supply pipe L1, are connected to the upstream end of the treated water pipe L2 at a common connection point P1. On the other hand, the remaining connecting pipes L13 to L15 are connected to the treated water pipe L2 at individual connection points P2 to P4. Hereafter, when distinguishing the five UF membrane modules 11 to 15 from one another, they may be referred to as the first UF membrane module 11, the second UF membrane module 12, the third UF membrane module 13, the fourth UF membrane module 14, and the fifth UF membrane module 15, in order from the upstream side of the water supply pipe L1. Furthermore, the five connecting pipes L11 to L15 corresponding to these five UF membrane modules 11 to 15 are also referred to in order as the first connecting pipe L11, the second connecting pipe L12, the third connecting pipe L13, the fourth connecting pipe L14, and the fifth connecting pipe L15.

[0017] Each of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15 is detachably connected to the respective pipes L1, L11 to L15, and L3 in preparation for cases where replacement or repair becomes necessary. In addition, each of the connection pipes L11 to L15 is configured to be separable at connection portions 21 to 25 provided in the vicinity of connection points P1 to P4 with the treated water pipe L2. Since the connection portions 21 to 25 basically have the same configuration, a specific configuration of the connection portion 23 of the third connection pipe L13 will be described here as a representative of them. In the following description, the third connection pipe L13 may be simply referred to as "connection pipe L13", and the third UF membrane module 13 may be simply referred to as "UF membrane module 13".

[0018] Referring to Figure 2, the connection pipe L13 has a first pipe section L13a connected to the treated water pipe L2, and a second pipe section L13b detachably connected to the UF membrane module 13. A ferrule 23a is provided at the lower end of the first pipe section L13a, and a ferrule 23b is also provided at the upper end of the second pipe section L13b. The ferrules 23a and 23b are fastened by a clamp band 23c in a state where they are butted against each other with a gasket (not shown) interposed therebetween. Thereby, the first pipe section L13a and the second pipe section L13b are detachably connected. That is, the connection portion 23 is composed of the ferrule 23a provided at the lower end of the first pipe section L13a, the ferrule 23b provided at the upper end of the second pipe section L13b, and the clamp band 23c.

[0019] By the way, for example, even if a leak is confirmed in the UF membrane module 13 by a leak test and an abnormality such as breakage of the hollow fiber membrane is confirmed, the UF membrane module 13 may not be immediately replaced with a new one depending on the stock of new products and storage conditions. Therefore, in order to continue the operation of the UF membrane device 10, it is also conceivable to remove the UF membrane module 13 in which a leak has been confirmed from each of the pipes L1, L13, and L3, and close its open end with a closing member such as a ferrule cap. However, in this case, the entire connection pipe L13 can become a stagnation point for treated water, so the risk of proliferation of viable bacteria is significantly increased. A similar problem also occurs when the UF membrane module 13 in which a leak has been confirmed is removed from each of the pipes L1, L13, and L3 for repair.

[0020] Therefore, in the present embodiment, instead of or in addition to removing the UF membrane module 13 from each of the pipes L1, L13, and L3, the connection by the connecting portion 23 is released to close the connection pipe L13. Specifically, the clamp band 23c is removed to release the connection between the first pipe portion L13a and the second pipe portion L13b, and a closing member such as a ferrule cap is attached to the lower end of the first pipe portion L13a, thereby closing the connection pipe L13. As a result, locations that become branch pipes where treated water stagnates (that is, dead legs) can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, in order to eliminate the influence of such dead legs as much as possible, the so-called 6d rule is preferably applied, in which the dead leg length indicating the distance from the center of the main pipe to the closing position of the branch pipe is set to be within 6 times the inner diameter of the branch pipe with respect to the closing position of the connection pipe L13. That is, the distance L from the center (axis) C1 of the treated water pipe L2 at the connection point P2 with the connection pipe L13 to the closing position of the connection pipe L13 (the lower end of the first pipe portion L13a) A is preferably set to be within 6 times the inner diameter D of the connection pipe L13 A , and more preferably set to be within 3 times. In this way, even in a situation where the UF membrane module 13 in which a leak has been confirmed cannot be immediately replaced, the stagnant water staying in the connection pipe L13 can be minimized, and the proliferation of viable bacteria can be suppressed to the maximum extent.

[0021] If a leak is detected in the UF membrane module 13, closing and shutting off the connecting pipe L13, regardless of whether the module is removed, will reduce the amount of treated water obtained by the UF membrane device 10 compared to normal. Therefore, to compensate for this reduction, a flow control valve may be installed in the treated water pipe L2, or an inverter function may be added to the water supply pump (not shown) provided in the water supply pipe L1. Alternatively, if the connecting pipe L13 is closed without removing the UF membrane module 13, the overall water flow rate of the UF membrane device 10 may be maintained by increasing the water flow to the primary side of the UF membrane module 13 by the amount of treated water lost as a result.

[0022] In this embodiment, the connecting pipe L13 is connected to the treated water pipe L2 from below, with an upward opening toward the interior of the treated water pipe L2. Therefore, as described above, even when the corresponding connecting pipe L13 is closed in order to disconnect the malfunctioning UF membrane module 13 and continue operation, it is possible to suppress the accumulation of air in the branch pipe portion L13a. Consequently, during the hot water sterilization process described above, the risk of sterilization failure due to insufficient hot water reaching the branch pipe portion L13a due to such air accumulation can be avoided.

[0023] As mentioned above, the treated water piping L2 may be slightly inclined relative to the horizontal, but the gradient is preferably 1 / 100 or greater. This prevents water from accumulating inside the treated water piping L2 when draining it, and also prevents condensed water generated during the steam sterilization process, which is performed periodically between normal operations, from accumulating inside the treated water piping L2. As a result, the growth of viable bacteria is suppressed, and poor heating (failure to sterilize) during the steam sterilization process is prevented. However, if the gradient is too large, the vertical height of the treated water piping L2 increases, which can increase the overall height of the device and make construction difficult. Therefore, when a gradient is given to the treated water piping L2, the magnitude of the gradient is preferably in the range of 1 / 100 to 1 / 50.

[0024] The leak test method for confirming whether or not there is an abnormality in the UF membrane modules 11-15 is not particularly limited, and known methods can be used. Such methods include, for example, supplying gas to the UF membrane modules 11-15 through any of the pipes L1-L3 to pressurize them and detecting whether or not there is a pressure drop while holding the pressure for a certain period of time; measuring the number of fine particles in the treated water from the UF membrane modules 11-15; and supplying bubble-mixed water to the UF membrane modules 11-15 through the water supply pipe L1 and measuring the presence and amount of bubbles in the permeate water using a particle meter or camera.

[0025] Figures 3(a) and 3(b) are schematic diagrams showing modified versions of the UF film apparatus of this embodiment, respectively.

[0026] The configuration for closing the connecting pipes L11 to L15 near the connection points P1 to P4 is not limited to using the closing members described above. For example, as shown in Figure 3(a), on-off valves V1 to V5 may be provided on each of the connecting pipes L11 to L15. In this case, the on-off valves V1 to V5 function as a closing mechanism for closing the connecting pipes L11 to L15, and their closing position is set within a range that satisfies the 6d rule described above. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 3(b), branch valves PV1, TV1 to TV3 may be provided as closing mechanisms at the connection points P1 to P4 between the connecting pipes L11 to L15 and the treated water pipe L2. Specifically, a three-way branch valve PV1 may be provided at the common connection point P1 of the first and second connecting pipes L11 and L12, and T-type branch valves TV1 to TV3 may be provided at the connection points P2 to P4 of the third to fifth connecting pipes L13 to L15, respectively. The three-way branch valve PV1 integrates the functions of the on-off valves V1 and V2 shown in Figure 3(a), and can independently close the first connecting pipe L11 and the second connecting pipe L12. The T-type branch valves TV1 to TV3 have the same functions as the on-off valves V3 to V5 shown in Figure 3(a), and therefore can keep the treated water pipe L2 open while closing the third to fifth connecting pipes L13 to L15, respectively. It is preferable to use branch valves PV1, TV1 to TV3 that are designed to minimize the dead leg length.

[0027] Unlike the configuration in which the connecting pipes L11 to L15 are closed using the closing member described above, this modified configuration is advantageous because it does not require stopping the operation of the UF membrane device 10 or draining the water from the pipes in order to install the closing member.

[0028] The on-off valves V1-V5 and branch valves PV1, TV1-TV3 may be manual or automatic valves, but automatic valves are preferable for the following reasons. Specifically, if the on-off valves V1-V5 and branch valves PV1, TV1-TV3 are manual valves, and a leak is detected in any of the UF membrane modules 11-15, the operation of the UF membrane device 10 must be stopped to prevent treated water from the leaking UF membrane module from being supplied to the injection water tank until a worker arrives on site and closes the corresponding manual valve. As a result, the downtime may be long, and the risk of bacterial growth due to water stagnation in the UF membrane modules 11-15 increases. On the other hand, if the water in the UF membrane modules 11-15 is drained for a leak test, the UF membrane modules 11-15 are at risk of drying out and deteriorating until a worker arrives on site and restarts operation. In contrast, if the on-off valves V1-V5 and branch valves PV1, TV1-TV3 are automatic valves, a leak test can detect the presence or absence of leaks in the UF membrane modules 11-15, and based on the detection result, the connecting pipes L11-L15 can be automatically closed. Therefore, if a leak is detected in any of the UF membrane modules 11-15, the corresponding connecting pipe can be immediately closed, thereby automatically restarting the operation of the UF membrane device 10 with only the remaining normal UF membrane modules. This minimizes the risks mentioned above that occur when the on-off valves V1-V5 and branch valves PV1, TV1-TV3 are manual valves.

[0029] Although not described in detail here, the same measures as those applied to the connecting pipes L11-L15 to suppress the accumulation of water and air may also be applied to the piping connecting the water supply pipe L1 and concentrated water pipe L3 to the UF membrane modules 11-15. Furthermore, as mentioned above, if a separate treated water pipe is connected to the permeate outlet at the lower side of the UF membrane modules 11-15, in addition to the treated water pipe L2, the same measures may also be applied to the piping connecting that treated water pipe to the UF membrane modules 11-15.

[0030] (Second embodiment) Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the UF film apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the area enclosed by the dotted line in Figure 4.

[0031] In the first embodiment, for example, if the first connecting pipe L11 and the second connecting pipe L12 are closed and shut off simultaneously, the entire section from the connection point P2 of the treated water pipe L2 to the closed position of each connecting pipe L11 and L12 acts as a dead leg. Therefore, to prepare for such a case, in this embodiment, in addition to each connecting pipe L11 to L15, the treated water pipe L2 is also configured to be able to be closed.

[0032] Specifically, the treated water piping L2 is configured to be separable at connection sections 31 to 33 near the upstream side of connection points P2 to P4, excluding connection point P1. Since the specific configuration of connection sections 31 to 33 is the same, one will be described as a representative example. Connection section 31, as shown in Figure 5, consists of a pair of ferrules 31a and 31b facing each other with a gasket (not shown) in between, and a clamp band 31c that tightens and fixes them. By removing the clamp band 31c to release the connection between the upstream piping section L2a and the downstream piping section L2b, and by attaching a closing member such as a ferrule cap to the upstream end of the downstream piping section L2b, the treated water piping L2 can be closed. With this configuration, even if leaks are detected simultaneously in the two UF membrane modules 11 and 12 connected to the upstream end of the treated water piping L2, the treated water piping L2 can be closed and shut off near the upstream side of connection point P2, thereby significantly reducing the dead leg. Furthermore, the aforementioned 6d rule is preferably applied to the closed position. That is, the distance L from the center (axis) C2 of the third connecting pipe L13 at the connection point P2 with the third connecting pipe L13 to the closed position of the treated water pipe L2 (upstream end of the downstream piping section L2b) B Preferably, the inner diameter D of the treated water piping L2. B It is within six times, and more preferably within three times. In this way, the effects of dead legs can be eliminated as much as possible, and the proliferation of viable bacteria can be suppressed to the greatest extent possible.

[0033] In this embodiment as well, the configuration for closing the treated water piping L2 may be implemented by a closing mechanism, similar to the modified version of the first embodiment. That is, as shown in Figure 6(a), on-off valves V1 to V8 may be provided at positions corresponding to the connecting portions 21 to 25 and 31 to 33 shown in Figure 4, respectively, so as to satisfy the 6d rule described above. In this case, the on-off valves V1 to V8 may be manual valves or automatic valves that operate automatically based on the leak test results of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15. Alternatively, instead of the on-off valves V1 to V8 shown in Figure 6(a), three-way branch valves PV1 to PV4 may be provided at connection points P1 to P4 of the treated water piping L2, respectively, as shown in Figure 6(b), preferably designed to minimize the dead leg length. In this case as well, the three-way branch valves PV1 to PV4 may be manual valves or automatic valves that operate automatically based on the leak test results of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15.

[0034] However, the on-off valves V1 to V8 and the three-way branch valves PV1 to PV4 are preferably automatic valves for the same reasons as in the modified version of the first embodiment. That is, even if a leak is detected in any of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15, the operation of the UF membrane system 10 can be automatically restarted using only the remaining normal UF membrane modules, thereby minimizing the risks associated with prolonged downtime. In addition, in this embodiment, if a leak is detected in two or more of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15, and the control device (not shown) determines which UF membrane module has malfunctioned, the optimal countermeasure can be automatically executed according to the determination result. For example, if leaks are simultaneously confirmed in three adjacent UF membrane modules 11 to 13, including two UF membrane modules 11 and 12 connected to the upstream end of the treated water piping L2, the treated water piping L2 can be automatically closed and shut off by the on-off valve V7 or the three-way branch valve PV2 closest to them. In this way, the operation of the UF membrane system 10 can be quickly restarted with minimal dead leg.

[0035] In this embodiment, in addition to the connecting pipes L11 to L15, the treated water pipe L2 is also configured to be able to be closed. However, assuming that the positions of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15 are swapped when a leak is detected in any of the UF membrane modules 11 to 15, the treated water pipe L2 may be configured to be able to be closed only. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0036] 10. UF membrane system (water treatment device) 11-15 UF film modules L1 Water supply piping L2 treated water piping (manual piping) L3 Concentrated Water Piping L11~L15 Connection Piping L13a,L13b Piping section 21~25, 31~33 connection part 23a, 23b Ferrule 23c clamp band L5 Purified Water Supply Line V1~V5 On / Off Valves (Shut-off Mechanism) PV1~PV4 Three-way branch valve (closing mechanism) TV1~TV3 T-type branch valve (closing mechanism)

Claims

1. It comprises multiple membrane modules, a collective piping for circulating treated water from the multiple membrane modules, and multiple connecting pipes for connecting the multiple membrane modules and the collective piping. A water treatment apparatus in which each of the plurality of connecting pipes is configured to be able to be closed near the connection point with the manifold pipe, and the distance from the center of the manifold pipe at the connection point to the closed position of the connecting pipe is within six times the inner diameter of the connecting pipe.

2. It comprises multiple membrane modules, a collective piping for circulating treated water from the multiple membrane modules, and multiple connecting pipes for connecting the multiple membrane modules and the collective piping. A water treatment apparatus wherein the manifold pipe is configured to be able to be closed near the upstream side of each connection point with the other connecting pipes among the plurality of connecting pipes, excluding the connecting pipe connected to the upstream end of the manifold pipe, and the distance from the center of the connecting pipe at each connection point to the closed position of the manifold pipe is within six times the inner diameter of the manifold pipe.

3. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the manifold piping extends substantially horizontally, and each of the plurality of connecting pipes extends upward from the plurality of membrane modules and is connected to the manifold piping from a horizontal or below-horizontal direction.

4. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 3, wherein a closing mechanism for closing the connecting pipe in the closed position is provided at or near the connection point of each of the connecting pipes with the manifold pipe.

5. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein when a leak is detected in a predetermined membrane module among the plurality of membrane modules, the connecting pipe connected to the predetermined membrane module is automatically closed by the corresponding closing mechanism.

6. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 2, wherein a closing mechanism for closing the manifold piping at the closed position is provided near each of the connection points or upstream of the manifold piping.

7. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when a leak is detected in a plurality of adjacent membrane modules, including a membrane module connected to the upstream end of the manifold piping, the manifold piping is automatically closed by the closing mechanism closest to the plurality of adjacent membrane modules.

8. A water treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, used for producing pure water used in pharmaceutical manufacturing.

9. A method for operating a water treatment apparatus having a plurality of membrane modules, a collection pipe for circulating treated water from the plurality of membrane modules, and a plurality of connecting pipes for connecting the plurality of membrane modules and the collection pipe, When an abnormality occurs in a predetermined membrane module among the plurality of membrane modules, the process includes closing the connecting pipe connected to the predetermined membrane module among the plurality of connecting pipes near the connection point with the manifold pipe, A method for operating a water treatment device, comprising the step of closing the connecting pipe, wherein the connecting pipe is closed at a position where the distance from the center of the manifold pipe at the connection point is within six times the inner diameter of the connecting pipe.

10. A method for operating a water treatment apparatus having a plurality of membrane modules, a collection pipe for circulating treated water from the plurality of membrane modules, and a plurality of connecting pipes for connecting the plurality of membrane modules and the collection pipe, When an abnormality occurs in any of the multiple membrane modules, including any adjacent membrane modules connected to the upstream end of the manifold piping, the manifold piping is closed near the upstream side of the connection point with the multiple connecting pipes that is closest to the multiple adjacent membrane modules. A method for operating a water treatment device, wherein the step of closing the manifold pipe includes closing the manifold pipe at a closed position where the distance from the center of the connecting pipe at the nearest connection point is within six times the inner diameter of the manifold pipe.

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