Antibacterial purification power generation system

Abstract

Provided is an antibacterial purification power generation system that can suppress a decrease in power generation due to scale adhesion. [Solution] The antibacterial purification power generation system includes a fluid purification device 100 in which a plurality of metal plates 4 containing at least one of copper and silver and a plurality of magnets 2 are arranged along the flow direction of the fluid, and a hydroelectric generator connected downstream of the fluid purification device and using a water wheel as a prime mover. The fluid purification device includes an outer cylinder 1 into which the fluid is introduced, and a shaft 5 housed inside the outer cylinder, the plurality of magnets are inserted into the shaft and arranged in the axial direction of the shaft, and the plurality of metal plates are inserted into the shaft so as to be located between two adjacent magnets among the plurality of magnets.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] This invention relates to an antibacterial purification and power generation system that uses water flow. [Background technology]

[0002] Magnetic migration devices (fluid purification devices) that use heavy metal ions (e.g. copper ions and silver ions) and magnetic force are devices that can remove red rust, scale, slime, mold, Legionella bacteria, other fungi, algae, etc. that are contained in the fluid to be treated (e.g. water) or that adhere to the inner walls of pipes through which the fluid to be treated flows.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a magnetic phoresis device comprising an outer tube, a shaft housed inside the outer tube, and a plurality of metal plates and a plurality of magnets inserted into the shaft, with at least one of the plurality of metal plates being disposed between two of the plurality of magnets that are adjacent in the axial direction of the shaft, and each of the plurality of metal plates containing at least one of copper and silver. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-97064 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Small-scale hydroelectric power generation facilities are added to existing facilities that use water for drinking water, sewage, agricultural and industrial use, etc., and the power generated by such facilities is sometimes called small-scale hydroelectric power generation. One of the challenges faced by small-scale hydroelectric power generation is the maintenance work required to remove red rust, scale (limescale), slime, algae, etc. that can adhere to the equipment. Small-scale hydroelectric power generation in particular generally uses small water wheels (turbines) and waterways, and as scale adheres to these, resistance easily increases, raising the risk of reduced power generation.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an antibacterial purification power generation system that can suppress the decrease in power generation caused by scale adhesion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The present application includes multiple means for solving the above problems, and one example is an antibacterial purification and power generation system comprising a fluid purification device in which a plurality of metal plates containing at least one of copper and silver and a plurality of magnets are arranged along the direction of fluid flow, and a hydroelectric generator connected downstream of the fluid purification device and driven by a water turbine. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the fluid purifying device suppresses the buildup of scale inside the hydroelectric generator, so that the reduction in power generation caused by the buildup of scale can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an antibacterial purification power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a fluid purification device (magnetophoresis device) 100. [Diagram 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane IV-IV perpendicular to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 in FIG. 2. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a distribution diagram of magnetic field lines within the outer cylinder 1 of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an antibacterial purification and power generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The antibacterial purification and power generation system in this figure includes a fluid purifier (magnetophoresis device) 100 that performs antibacterial purification of a fluid to be treated (e.g., water), and a hydroelectric generator 700 connected downstream of the fluid purifier 100 in the fluid flow direction shown in the figure. In the following description, upstream and downstream are defined based on the fluid flow direction in Fig. 1.

[0012] The fluid purifying device 100 performs antibacterial purification treatment on a fluid introduced from a pipe 81 connected on the upstream side thereof, and discharges the fluid into a pipe 82 connected on the downstream side. The pipe 82 is connected on the downstream side to a pipe 83 and a bypass pipe 85 via a three-way valve 91. The three-way valve 91 is a valve that can switch the connection destination of the pipe 82 to either the pipe 83 or the bypass pipe 85, and is switched to a position connecting the pipe 82 and the pipe 83 when generating electricity using the hydroelectric generator 700.

[0013] A hydroelectric generator 700 is connected to the downstream side of the pipe 83, and a fluid can be introduced into the hydroelectric generator 700 via the pipe 83. A pipe 84 through which the fluid used for power generation is discharged is connected to the downstream side of the hydroelectric generator 700, and the pipe 84 is connected to a bypass pipe 85 and a pipe 86 via a three-way valve 92 on the downstream side. The three-way valve 92 is a valve that can switch the connection destination of the pipe 84 to either the pipe 86 or the bypass pipe 85, and is switched to a position connecting the pipe 84 and the pipe 86 when generating power using the hydroelectric generator 700.

[0014] A pump (not shown) can be installed upstream of piping 81, and the fluid to be treated can be supplied by this pump along the fluid flow direction in the figure to the fluid purifying device 100 and the hydroelectric generator 700. A fluid utilization facility (not shown) that utilizes the fluid to be treated may be installed downstream of piping 86, and if the fluid used in that facility is returned upstream of the pump, it can be supplied again by the pump to the fluid purifying device 100 and the hydroelectric generator 700, thereby constructing a fluid circulation system.

[0015] (Fluid purifying device 100) FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the fluid purifying device (magnetophoresis device) 100, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane III-III perpendicular to the axial direction of outer cylinder 1 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along plane IV-IV in the same figure.

[0016] The fluid purification device 100 comprises an outer cylinder 1 which is a cylindrical casing, a plurality of disk-shaped magnets 2 arranged inside the outer cylinder 1 along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1, a plurality of spacers 3 arranged between the plurality of magnets 2, a plurality of disk-shaped copper alloy plates (metal plates) 4 arranged between adjacent magnets 2 and spacers 3 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1, and two turbulence generating plates 6 arranged inside the outer cylinder 1 at both ends in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1.

[0017] A shaft 5 is inserted through a through hole in the center of the magnets 2, spacer 3, copper alloy plate 4 and turbulence generating plate 6, and these members 2, 3, 4, 6 are fixed along the axis by the shaft 5. A bolt, for example, can be used as the shaft 5, and the members 2, 3, 4, 6 can be fixed on the same axis by inserting all the necessary members 2, 3, 4, 6 into the shaft 5 and then fastening them with nuts. Note that a plurality of support members (not shown) for maintaining the position of the shaft 5 inside the outer cylinder 1 may be provided on the inside or outside of the outer cylinder 1.

[0018] As shown by the arrow in Fig. 2, the fluid to be treated (e.g., water) is introduced into the fluid purifying device 100 (inside the outer cylinder 1) from left to right in Fig. 2. That is, the upstream side in the flow direction of the fluid to be treated is the left side in the figure, and the downstream side is the right side in the figure.

[0019] (Outer cylinder 1) The outer cylinder 1 is open at both ends in the axial direction. The outer cylinder 1 in FIG. 2 has a double structure with different materials on the inside and outside, and includes an inner outer cylinder 1a located on the inside and an outer outer cylinder 1b located on the outside. From the viewpoint of increasing the contact area between the fluid to be treated and the copper alloy and increasing the amount of copper ions generated, it is preferable that the material of the inner outer cylinder 1a is a copper alloy. However, if the amount of copper ions generated can be sufficiently ensured with only the copper alloy plate 4, there are cases where a copper alloy is not used for the inner outer cylinder 1a (i.e., only the outer outer cylinder 1b). On the other hand, the entire outer cylinder 1 (i.e., both the inner outer cylinder 1a and the outer outer cylinder 1b) may be made of a copper alloy.

[0020] (Magnet 2) The magnets 2 are, for example, ferrite magnets or neodymium magnets, each of which is round with a through hole (not shown) in the center, into which a shaft 5 is inserted. However, the shape of the magnets 2 is not limited to being round. The magnets 2 shown in FIG. 2 are arranged such that two adjacent magnets 2 have the same polarity in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1. This results in magnetic field lines being distributed within the outer cylinder 1 as shown in FIG. 5. The arrangement of the magnets 2 is not limited to that shown in the figure, and the magnets 2 may also be arranged such that two adjacent magnets 2 have opposite polarities.

[0021] (Spacer 3) The spacers 3 are positioned between the magnets 2 arranged along the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1. A through hole for passing the shaft 5 is provided at the center of each spacer 3. The diameter of each spacer 3 shown in FIG. 3 is smaller than the diameter of each magnet 2. A hexagonal nut with a threaded through hole at the center can be used as the spacer 3, and a hexagonal nut (see FIG. 3, etc.) is used in this embodiment. By providing the spacers 3, the interference of the magnetic field lines generated by the magnets 2 can be reduced, and the contact area between the fluid to be treated and the copper alloy plate 4 can be increased. The material of the spacers 3 can be, for example, stainless steel having antirust and anticorrosion effects against water. However, the spacers 3 can be omitted, and the diameter of the spacers 3 can be the same as that of the magnets 2.

[0022] (Copper alloy plate (metal plate) 4) Each of the copper alloy plates 4 has a round shape with a through hole (not shown) in the center, and a shaft 5 is inserted into each through hole. The diameter of each copper alloy plate 4 shown in FIG. 3 is larger than that of each magnet 2, but may be the same as that of each magnet 2. The copper alloy plate 4 does not need to be installed at both ends (both the N-pole end face and the S-pole end face) of each magnet 2 in the axial direction as shown in FIG. 2. That is, it is sufficient to install only at one end of each magnet 2 in the axial direction. It is preferable to select the diameter of each copper alloy plate 4 so that a turbulent flow can be generated in the outer cylinder 1 without excessive pressure loss occurring in the space with the inner surface (inner outer cylinder 1a) of the outer cylinder 1. For example, brass or bronze can be used as the material of the copper alloy plate 4. Washers may be appropriately inserted between the spacer (hexagonal nut) 3 and the copper alloy plate 4, between the copper alloy plate 4 and the magnet 2, and between two adjacent members in the axial direction of the shaft 5.

[0023] In this embodiment, a case where a copper alloy plate 4 is used as the metal plate will be described, but any metal that can generate metal ions that impart antibacterial properties to the fluid to be treated, like copper, can be substituted for the copper alloy plate 4. Specifically, any metal plate containing at least one of copper and silver can generate antibacterial copper ions or silver ions, and can therefore be substituted for the copper alloy plate 4. The copper or silver of the metal plate 4 does not need to be a pure metal, and may be plated or alloyed (i.e., may contain impurities). Furthermore, copper and silver metal plates 4 may be used together in the same fluid purifying device 100.

[0024] (Turbulence generating plate 6) The turbulence generating plate 6 is disposed inside the outer cylinder 1 so as to be located at the most upstream side in the flow direction of the fluid to be treated with respect to all the magnets 2 installed inside the outer cylinder 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the turbulence generating plate 6 has a plurality of notches (toothed portions) 6a provided at a predetermined interval on its outer periphery. As shown in FIG. 4, an external toothed washer can be used as the turbulence generating plate 6. The notches 6a of the turbulence generating plate 6 in FIG. 4 are twisted, and the notches 6a are inclined with respect to the flow direction of the fluid to be treated. When turbulence is generated by the turbulence generating plate 6, the frequency with which the fluid to be treated passes through the magnetic flux and the opportunity for it to come into contact with the copper alloy can be increased. As the material of the turbulence generating plate 6, for example, stainless steel having rust and corrosion prevention effects against water can be used.

[0025] The shape of the turbulence generating plate 6 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 4, and any shape that generates turbulence by imparting a velocity vector component parallel to the cross section of the outer cylinder 1 (a velocity vector not parallel to the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1) when the fluid to be treated passes through the turbulence generating plate 6 can be appropriately substituted. However, it is preferable to select a shape of the cutout portion 6a that can generate turbulence in the outer cylinder 1 without causing excessive pressure loss. In the example of FIG. 2, the turbulence generating plate 6 is also provided on the most downstream side of the fluid to be treated, but this turbulence generating plate 6 on the most downstream side may be omitted. In addition, the turbulence generating plate 6 does not necessarily need to be installed upstream of all the magnets 2, and may be installed, for example, in the middle of the flow path formed by the outer cylinder 1. The turbulence generating plate 6 may be omitted.

[0026] In the fluid purifying device 100 configured as above, when the fluid to be treated (e.g., water) is introduced from the direction of the arrow in Fig. 2, a counterclockwise swirling component in Fig. 4 (see arrow 31 in Fig. 4) is imparted to the turbulent flow generating plate 6, turning the fluid into a turbulent flow (swirling flow), which is then introduced into the outer cylinder 1. In a turbulent flow, the fluid particles (e.g., water molecules) approach a state in which they can flow freely back and forth and side to side when viewed microscopically, so that the chances that the charged particles will come into contact with the copper alloy plate 4 due to the effect of the magnetic force inside the outer cylinder 1 increase.

[0027] Next, the fluid to be treated is given copper ions by contacting the copper alloy plate 4 located downstream of the turbulence generating plate 6 and the copper alloy constituting the inner outer cylinder 1a, and is introduced into the first annular flow passage 41 (see FIG. 5) formed by two adjacent copper alloy plates 4 in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 and the magnet 2 sandwiched between the two copper alloy plates 4. Since the multiple magnets 2 in the outer cylinder 1 are spaced apart by the spacer 3 so that the same poles face each other, as shown in FIG. 5, the outer cylinder 1 is filled with many magnetic flux lines even though the volume inside the outer cylinder 1 is small. In particular, in the first annular flow passage 41, the flow of the fluid to be treated approaches the reverse or forward direction of the magnetic flux lines, so that the fluid to be treated (water) is more likely to be charged when passing through the first annular flow passage 4, and as a result, the ionization of copper contained in the copper alloys 1a and 4 is promoted. As the ionization of copper progresses, scale such as calcium, which has a smaller ionization tendency than copper ions, is removed. Furthermore, the fluid to be treated that is subjected to magnetic force promotes the removal of red rust and the formation of black rust.

[0028] After passing through the first annular flow passage 41, the fluid to be treated is introduced into a second annular flow passage 42 (a flow passage secured by the copper alloy plate 4 and the spacer 3 having a smaller diameter than the magnet 2, and a flow passage whose flow passage diameter is rapidly expanded compared to the immediately preceding first annular flow passage) formed by two copper alloy plates 4 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the outer cylinder 1 and the spacer 3 sandwiched between the two copper alloy plates 4. The fluid to be treated introduced into the second annular flow passage 42 is given copper ions eluted from the two copper alloy plates 4, and is subjected to a large magnetic force from the magnetic field formed by the two magnets 2 located upstream and downstream of the spacer 3, since the fluid flows through the magnetic field. The fluid to be treated flowing out of the space is given sufficient copper ions and is influenced by the magnetic force by repeatedly passing through the first annular flow passage 41 and the second annular flow passage 42 within a short distance to the outlet of the outer cylinder 1. From the viewpoint of securing a sufficient space for the second annular flow passage 42, it is preferable that the diameter of the spacer 3 is small.

[0029] The fluid purifying device 100 of this embodiment includes an outer cylinder 1, a shaft 5 housed inside the outer cylinder 1, and a plurality of metal plates (copper alloy plates) 4 and a plurality of magnets 2 inserted into the shaft 5, with at least one metal plate (copper alloy plate) 4 of the plurality of metal plates (copper alloy plates) 4 being disposed between two of the plurality of magnets 2 adjacent to each other in the axial direction of the shaft 5, and each of the plurality of metal plates (copper alloy plates) 4 containing at least one of copper and silver.

[0030] By arranging the magnets 2 and metal plates 4 alternately along the shaft 5 in this way, the magnetic action of the magnets 2 can easily release metal ions (specifically copper ions and silver ions) capable of imparting antibacterial properties to the fluid to be treated from the metal plates 4. This can improve the removal performance of calcium compounds and iron oxides, which have a greater tendency to ionize than copper and silver, and can also improve the antibacterial performance of the copper ions and silver ions.

[0031] (Hydroelectric generator 700) Returning to FIG. 1, the hydroelectric generator 700 is a power generating device using a water wheel as a prime mover, and includes an internal pipe 73 connecting pipes 83 and 84, and at least one water wheel (impeller) 71, 72 that is rotationally driven by the fluid flowing through the internal pipe 73. The water wheels 71, 72 in FIG. 1 each have a rotation axis perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1, and generate electricity by driving a generator (not shown) with the rotational power provided by the fluid flowing through the internal pipe 73. The electricity (current) generated by the hydroelectric generator 700 is stored in a capacitor (not shown), and the voltage value is displayed on a voltmeter 74 mounted on the case of the generator 700. The power generation status of the hydroelectric generator 700 can be grasped by monitoring the voltmeter 74.

[0032] The capacitor stores the electric power generated by the hydroelectric generator 700. The electric power stored in the capacitor can be used, for example, as a power source for electric power-consuming devices in a facility in which the fluid purification power generation system according to this embodiment is installed.

[0033] According to the purification power generation system of this embodiment configured as described above, the fluid that has been antibacterially purified by the fluid purification device 100 can be introduced into the hydroelectric generator 700, so that adhesion of scale inside the hydroelectric generator 700 can be suppressed, thereby suppressing a decrease in power generation efficiency.

[0034] In particular, when water is used as water supply / drainage or circulating water in existing facilities or factories, the purification / power generation system according to this embodiment can be introduced into the water distribution route to easily achieve antibacterial purification of water by the fluid purification device 100 and power generation and storage by the hydroelectric generator 700. Furthermore, the power stored in the storage device can be used within the facility or factory, improving the efficiency of energy use.

[0035] Although so-called stream turbines and undershot turbines are used as the turbines 71 and 72 in Figure 1, the type of turbine is not limited to these, and any type of turbine can be used, including impulse turbines and reaction turbines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1...outer cylinder, 2...magnet, 3...spacer, 4...metal plate, 5...shaft, 71, 72...water turbine (impeller), 100...fluid purifying device, 700...hydroelectric generator

Claims

1. A fluid purifying device in which a plurality of metal plates containing at least one of copper and silver and a plurality of magnets are arranged along a flow direction of a fluid; A fluid purification power generation system comprising: a hydroelectric generator connected downstream of the fluid purification device and using a water turbine as a prime mover.

2. The fluid purification power generation system according to claim 1, The fluid purifying device includes an outer cylinder into which a fluid is introduced, and a shaft housed inside the outer cylinder, The plurality of magnets are inserted into the shaft and arranged in the axial direction of the shaft, 13. A fluid purification power generation system, comprising: a plurality of metal plates inserted into the shaft so as to be positioned between two adjacent magnets among the plurality of magnets.

3. The fluid purification power generation system according to claim 1, The fluid purification power generation system further comprises a storage battery for storing the power generated by the hydroelectric generator.

4. The fluid purification power generation system according to claim 1, The fluid purification power generation system further comprises a voltmeter for displaying a voltage value of the current generated by the hydroelectric generator.

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