Method for operating and managing hollow fiber membrane filtration equipment

Abstract

To provide an operation management method of a hollow fiber membrane filtration device capable of obtaining information about the operational state of a filtration device at a low cost without remodeling an existing facility.SOLUTION: An operation management method of a hollow fiber membrane filtration device with a hollow fiber membrane module including a hollow fiber membrane and a housing for housing the hollow fiber membrane includes: detecting a sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module in at least one step among a water-filling step, a filtration step, a backwashing step, a bubbling step and a water-discharging step in the filtration device; and acquiring information about the operational state of the filtration device based on the detected sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for managing the operation of a hollow fiber membrane filtration device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, methods have been proposed for detecting breakage of hollow fiber membranes in hollow fiber membrane filtration devices that use hollow fiber membrane modules to filter raw water. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes detecting breakage of hollow fiber membranes by blowing pressurized gas into the outside of the hollow fiber membranes in a state where treated water exists only in the treated water chamber, and detecting air bubbles generated on the treated water chamber side with an ultrasonic sensor.

[0003] Patent Document 2 proposes setting up a hollow fiber membrane module with the raw water chamber at the top and the treatment chamber at the bottom, filling the raw water chamber with raw water, injecting pressurized air, and using a photoelectric sensor to detect air bubbles passing through a transparent tube installed in the air bubble vent piping of the raw water chamber, thereby detecting rupture of the hollow fiber membrane. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2001-269551 A [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3626931 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in order to adopt the method proposed in Patent Document 1 to an existing filtration device, it is necessary to install an expensive ultrasonic sensor. Also, in order to adopt the method proposed in Patent Document 2 to an existing filtration device, it is necessary to modify the existing equipment in order to install a mechanism for inverting the hollow fiber membrane module and erecting it, a transparent tube, and a photoelectric sensor. The methods proposed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are specialized in detecting breakage of the hollow fiber membrane, and are not capable of detecting information related to other operating conditions of the filtration device.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide an operation management method for a hollow fiber membrane filtration device that can obtain information about the operating state of the filtration device at low cost without modifying existing equipment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A method for managing an operation of a hollow fiber membrane filtration device according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for managing an operation of a filtration device equipped with a hollow fiber membrane module including a hollow fiber membrane and a housing that accommodates the hollow fiber membrane, and includes detecting a sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during at least one of a filling process, a filtration process, a backwash process, a bubbling process, and a drainage process of the filtration device, and acquiring information regarding the operating state of the filtration device based on the detected sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module.

[0008] According to this configuration, information about the operating state of the filtration device is obtained based on sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module detected during at least one of the water filling process, filtration process, backwash process, bubbling process, and drainage process of the filtration device. Therefore, according to this configuration, information about the operating state of the filtration device can be obtained at low cost using inexpensive sound collection devices such as sound pressure sensors and microphones, without providing expensive sensors such as ultrasonic sensors or modifying existing equipment.

[0009] In the above-mentioned operation management method for the hollow fiber membrane filtration device, sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during the water-filling process may be detected, and the time required for the water-filling process may be obtained based on the time from the start of the water-filling process to when the volume of the sound detected during the water-filling process becomes greater than a first reference value.

[0010] When the filling process starts, the sound of raw water flowing into the housing is generated. After that, when the housing is full of water, raw water flows into the discharge pipe. At this time, the diameter of the discharge pipe is smaller than the diameter of the housing, so the pressure loss of the raw water flowing into the pipe is large. This causes the sound of raw water colliding with the pipe with a higher sound pressure than before the housing was full of water.

[0011] Therefore, according to this configuration, the time required for the housing to be filled with water can be determined from the time from the start of the water filling process until the volume of the sound detected during the water filling process exceeds the first reference value. Then, the determined time can be appropriately obtained as the time required for the water filling process.

[0012] In the above-mentioned operation management method for the hollow fiber membrane filtration device, sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during the drainage process may be detected, and the time required for the drainage process may be obtained based on the time from the start of the drainage process to the time when the volume of the sound detected during the drainage process becomes smaller than a second reference value.

[0013] When the drainage process starts, the sound of drain water flowing into the discharge pipe is generated. When the drainage of the drain water is completed and the housing is empty, the sound inside the housing stops.

[0014] Therefore, according to this configuration, the time required for the housing to be emptied can be determined from the time from the start of the drainage process to the time when the volume of the sound detected during the drainage process becomes smaller than the second reference value, and the determined time can be appropriately obtained as the required time for the drainage process.

[0015] In the above-mentioned method for managing operation of a hollow fiber membrane filtration device, an amount of accumulated impurities in the housing may be obtained based on the obtained required time.

[0016] The greater the amount of accumulated impurities in the housing, the smaller the effective volume of the housing and the shorter the time required for the filling and draining processes. Therefore, with this configuration, the effective volume of the housing can be determined from the acquired time required for the filling and draining processes. Then, the amount of accumulated impurities in the housing can be appropriately obtained based on the determined effective volume.

[0017] In the above-mentioned operation management method for the hollow fiber membrane filtration device, sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module may be detected during the backwashing process, and the presence or absence of a leak in the hollow fiber membrane may be obtained based on whether or not the volume of the sound detected during the backwashing process is greater than a third reference value.

[0018] When no leak occurs in the hollow fiber membrane, gas does not pass through the hollow fiber membrane when the treated water is pushed out to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module in the backwashing process. On the other hand, when a leak occurs in the hollow fiber membrane, gas flows out from the leak to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module in the backwashing process. Therefore, when no leak occurs in the hollow fiber membrane, a sound is generated when the treated water passes through the hollow fiber membrane and flows out to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module. On the other hand, when a leak occurs in the hollow fiber membrane, a popping sound of air bubbles is generated on the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module, which is louder than the sound when the treated water passes through the hollow fiber membrane and flows out to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module.

[0019] Therefore, according to this configuration, the presence or absence of gas leakage to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module during the backwashing process can be grasped depending on whether the volume of the sound detected during the backwashing process is greater than the third reference value. Then, the presence or absence of a leak in the hollow fiber membrane can be appropriately obtained based on the presence or absence of the grasped gas leakage.

[0020] In the above-mentioned operation management method for the hollow fiber membrane filtration device, sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during the bubbling process may be detected, and the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing during the bubbling process may be obtained based on a comparison result between the loudness of the sound detected during the bubbling process and a fourth reference value.

[0021] In the bubbling process, gas is flowed into the housing filled with water, and the popping sound of the bubbles is generated according to the amount of gas flowing in. However, if there is an abnormality in the equipment for flowing gas into the housing, the amount of gas flowing into the housing may be reduced compared to normal, and the volume of the popping sound may decrease.

[0022] Therefore, according to this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the amount of gas flowing into the housing during the bubbling process is less than normal by comparing the volume of the sound detected during the bubbling process with the fourth reference value, and based on the determination result, it is possible to appropriately obtain the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing during the bubbling process.

[0023] In the above-mentioned operation and management method for a hollow fiber membrane filtration device, a sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module is detected during one or more of the water filling step, the filtration step, the backwash step, and the drainage step, and a fifth standard Based on the result of the comparison with the value, the presence or absence of an abnormality in a device that supplies the gas into the housing in the bubbling step may be obtained.

[0024] Gas is not intentionally introduced into the housing during the filling, filtering, backwashing, and drainage steps. However, if there is an abnormality in the equipment for introducing gas into the housing during the bubbling step, gas may also flow into the housing during one or more of the filling, filtering, backwashing, and drainage steps, causing the popping sound of bubbles inside the housing.

[0025] Therefore, according to this configuration, the magnitude of the sound detected during one or more of the filling process, the filtration process, the backwash process, and the drainage process and the fifth standard By comparing the measured value with the measured value, it is possible to determine whether or not the bursting sound of bubbles is occurring in the one or more steps. Then, based on the determined result, it is possible to appropriately obtain the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing in the bubbling step. Effect of the Invention

[0026] As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an operation management method for a hollow fiber membrane filtration device that can obtain information about the operating state of the filtration device at low cost without modifying existing equipment. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a hollow fiber membrane filtration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the on / off state of the raw water pump and the open / closed state of the valves in each process of the filtration operation. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart showing an operation management method for a hollow fiber membrane filtration device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a graph showing the change over time in sound volume inside the hollow fiber membrane module during the water filling process. [Diagram 5] 1 is a graph showing the change over time in the loudness of sound inside a hollow fiber membrane module during a backwashing process when there is no leak in the hollow fiber membrane. [Figure 6] 1 is a graph showing the change over time in the loudness of sound inside a hollow fiber membrane module during a backwashing process when there is a leak in the hollow fiber membrane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0028] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. First, the configuration of a hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 mainly includes a hollow fiber membrane module 10, a raw water supply unit 20, a bubbling air supply unit 30, and a backwash air supply unit 40.

[0029] The hollow fiber membrane module 10 includes a plurality of hollow fiber membranes 11 whose upper ends are fixed by fixing members 13, a housing 12 that houses the hollow fiber membranes 11, a water guide pipe 14 that extends vertically inside the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and an air diffuser plate 15. The space within the housing 12 is partitioned by the fixing members 13 into a raw water space S1 and a treated water space S2. The hollow fiber membranes 11 are housed in the raw water space S1.

[0030] 1, an outlet 12A for treated water (treated water) is provided at the top of the housing 12, an air vent port 12B is provided at the side of the housing 12 (above the center in the longitudinal direction), and an air supply port 12C and a drain port 12D are provided at the bottom of the housing 12. The ratio of the inner diameter of the housing 12 to the inner diameters of these piping connection ports (outlet 12A, air vent port 12B, air supply port 12C, and drain port 12D) is 1.3 to 12, preferably 2.5 to 12, and more preferably 3.0 to 6.0.

[0031] The water conduit 14 is for supplying raw water to the raw water space S1. As shown in Fig. 1, the upper end of the water conduit 14 is fixed to the fixing member 13, and the lower end protrudes downward from the lower part of the housing 12. A raw water inlet 14A and an air inlet 14B are provided at the lower end. In addition, a number of holes 14C are formed on the side peripheral surface of the water conduit 14 for spraying raw water from inside the pipe toward the raw water space S1.

[0032] The air diffuser 15 is for dispersing air (gas) in the raw water space S1. The air diffuser 15 has a disk shape that expands in the radial direction of the hollow fiber membrane bundle, and is installed below the lower end of the hollow fiber membrane 11. The air diffuser 15 has a plurality of air vents (not shown) formed at intervals in the radial direction. Air supplied from the air supply port 12C into the housing 12 is dispersed toward the hollow fiber membrane 11 through the air vents of the air diffuser 15.

[0033] 1, the upstream end of a treated water pipe 50 is connected to the outlet 12A of the housing 12. The downstream end of the treated water pipe 50 is connected to the inlet of a treated water tank (not shown). A treated water valve 51 (on / off valve) and a flow meter 52 downstream of the valve are installed in the treated water pipe 50. The diameter of the treated water pipe 50 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 12.

[0034] The upstream end of a drain pipe 53 is connected to the drain port 12D of the housing 12, and a drain valve 54 (opening and closing valve) is installed in the drain pipe 53. The diameter of the drain pipe 53 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 12.

[0035] One end of an air vent pipe 55 is connected to the air vent port 12B of the housing 12. The other end of the air vent pipe 55 branches into two (a first branch 55A and a second branch 55B). The first branch 55A is open to the atmosphere, and the second branch 55B is connected to a portion of the drain pipe 53 that is downstream of the drain valve 54. An air vent valve 56 (opening and closing valve) is installed on the air vent pipe 55, closer to the air vent port 12B than the branch. The diameter of the air vent pipe 55 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 12.

[0036] 1, the treated water pipe 50 and the drainage pipe 53 are connected to each other by a depressurization pipe 57. One end of the depressurization pipe 57 is connected to a portion of the treated water pipe 50 that is upstream of the treated water valve 51, and the other end of the depressurization pipe 57 is connected to a portion of the drainage pipe 53 that is downstream of the connection portion of the air vent pipe 55. A depressurization valve 58 (opening / closing valve) is installed in the depressurization pipe 57. The diameter of the depressurization pipe 57 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 12.

[0037] The raw water supply unit 20 includes a raw water piping 21, and a raw water pump 22 and a raw water valve 23 installed in the raw water piping 21. The raw water piping 21 has an upstream end connected to an outlet of a raw water tank (not shown) and a downstream end connected to a raw water inlet 14A of the water conveyance pipe 14. The diameter of the raw water piping 21 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 12. The raw water valve 23 is an opening / closing valve, and is installed in the raw water piping 21 downstream of the raw water pump 22.

[0038] The bubbling air supply unit 30 includes an air pipe 31, a first air valve 32, a second air valve 33, and a flow meter 34. The air pipe 31 is branched at the downstream end, and each branch is connected to the air supply port 12C of the housing 12 and the air inlet 14B of the water guide pipe 14, respectively. The diameter of the air pipe 31 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 12. The first air valve 32 and the second air valve 33 are open / close valves, and are installed at each branch of the air pipe 31, respectively. The upstream end of the air pipe 31 is connected to an air compressor (not shown).

[0039] The backwash air supply unit 40 includes an air pipe 41 and an air valve 42 (on-off valve) installed in the air pipe 41. The upstream end of the air pipe 41 is connected to an air compressor (not shown), and the downstream end is connected to a portion of the treated water pipe 50 that is upstream of the connection portion of the depressurization pipe 57. The diameter of the air pipe 41 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 12.

[0040] The hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 further includes a measurement unit 60 that measures the pressure on the primary side and the secondary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10. Specifically, the measurement unit 60 includes a primary side pressure sensor 61 that measures the pressure on the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10, and a secondary side pressure sensor 62 that measures the pressure on the secondary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10.

[0041] 1, the primary pressure sensor 61 is installed in a portion of the raw water piping 21 between the raw water valve 23 and the raw water inlet 14A. The secondary pressure sensor 62 is installed at a connection between the treated water piping 50 and the air piping 41. The pressure measurements by the primary pressure sensor 61 and the secondary pressure sensor 62 are transmitted to a control unit 70 described below.

[0042] The hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 further includes a control unit 70. The control unit 70 is configured by a microcomputer equipped with a CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. The control unit 70 controls the execution of the filtration operation. Specifically, the control unit 70 sequentially executes each process constituting the filtration operation cycle according to sequence information stored in the ROM, etc. When the control unit 70 starts the execution of each process, it performs drive control of peripheral devices and opening and closing control of valves according to the process to be executed according to the process information stored in the ROM, etc.

[0043] Next, a description will be given of the filtration operation performed using the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1. Fig. 2 shows the on / off state of the raw water pump 22 and the open / closed state of each valve during the filtration operation. In Fig. 2, a circle indicates the on state of the raw water pump 22 or the open state of the valve, and a blank indicates the off state of the raw water pump 22 or the closed state of the valve.

[0044] First, in the first filling step, the raw water pump 22 is operated, and the raw water valve 23 and the air vent valve 56 are opened. As a result, raw water is supplied into the water conduit 14 through the raw water piping 21, and raw water is supplied into the raw water space S1 through the hole 14C.

[0045] Next, in the filtration process, the air vent valve 56 is closed and the treated water valve 51 is opened. The raw water permeates the membrane wall from the outer surface to the inner surface of the hollow fiber membrane 11 and flows into the treated water space S2 through the hollow part of the membrane. The treated water then flows out of the housing 12 from the outlet 12A and is collected in a treated water tank (not shown) through the treated water piping 50.

[0046] Next, physical cleaning is performed to remove impurities that have adhered to the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane 11 during filtration. The physical cleaning includes a backwash preparation process (depressurization process), a backwash process, an air venting process, a second water filling process, an air diffuser bubbling process, a third water filling process, a water pipe bubbling process, a drainage process, and a depressurization process.

[0047] First, in the backwash preparation step (depressurization step), the raw water pump 22 is switched from on to off. Next, in the backwash step, the raw water valve 23 and the treated water valve 51 are closed, and the air valve 42 and the drain valve 54 are opened. As a result, the treated water on the secondary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is pressurized by air (medium) pressurized to a predetermined pressure, and permeates the membrane wall from the inner surface to the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane 11. The predetermined pressure is preferably 30 kPa to 500 kPa, more preferably 50 kPa to 300 kPa, and most preferably 50 kPa to 200 kPa.

[0048] Next, in the air release step (depressurization step), the air valve 42 and the drain valve 54 are closed, and the depressurization valve 58 is opened.

[0049] Next, in the second water filling step, similarly to the first water filling step, the raw water pump 22 is operated, and the raw water valve 23 and the air vent valve 56 are each opened.

[0050] Next, in the air diffuser bubbling process, the raw water pump 22 is switched from on to off, the raw water valve 23 is closed, and the first air valve 32 is opened. As a result, air is supplied from the air supply port 12C into the housing 12, and the air is diffused toward the hollow fiber membrane 11 by the air diffuser 15. As a result, the hollow fiber membrane 11 is rocked by the air bubbles, and impurities attached to the membrane surface are peeled off.

[0051] Next, in the third water filling step, similarly to the first and second water filling steps, the raw water pump 22 is operated, and the raw water valve 23 and the air vent valve 56 are each opened.

[0052] Next, in the water conduit bubbling step, the raw water pump 22 is switched from on to off, the raw water valve 23 is closed, and the second air valve 33 is opened. This causes air to be supplied from the air inlet 14B into the water conduit 14, and air is supplied to the raw water space S1 through the hole 14C. This causes the hollow fiber membrane 11 to be bubbling cleaned.

[0053] Next, in the drainage process, the air vent valve 56 is closed and the drainage valve 54 is opened. As a result, the raw water in the raw water space S1 is pushed by the air and discharged outside the housing 12 through the drain port 12D.

[0054] Finally, in the depressurization step, the second air valve 33 is closed while the drain valve 54 is left open. This depressurizes the inside of the housing 12 (the raw water space S1). After the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is physically cleaned by the above process, the process returns to the first water filling step, and the filtration operation is resumed.

[0055] Next, a description will be given of a method for managing the operation of the hollow fiber membrane filtration apparatus 1. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the method for managing the operation of the hollow fiber membrane filtration apparatus 1. As shown in Fig. 3, in step S100, the manager detects sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module 10 during at least one of the filling process, filtration process, backwashing process, bubbling process, and drainage process of the hollow fiber membrane filtration apparatus 1.

[0056] Specifically, in step S100, the administrator brings a contact-type sound pressure sensor capable of communicating with an information processing device such as a smartphone, a notebook computer, or a tablet terminal into contact with the outer surface of the housing 12. Sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected by the sound pressure sensor (FIG. 4) is transmitted to the information processing device. In FIG. 4, the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the loudness of the hollow fiber membrane module 10. FIG. 4 shows the change over time in the loudness of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 during the water filling process.

[0057] The contact position of the sound pressure sensor is not particularly limited as long as it is a position where sound generated inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10 can be detected. However, the contact position of the sound pressure sensor is most preferably the outer surface of the housing 12 (for example, the rectangular portion indicated by the dashed dotted line in FIG. 1 ) where sound generated inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10 can be detected throughout the entire process of the filtration operation.

[0058] Alternatively, the contact position of the sound pressure sensor may be near the air vent pipe 55 or the raw water inlet 14A, or the air pipe 31, the raw water pipe 21, or the treated water pipe 50. However, when the sound pressure sensor is brought into contact with the air vent pipe 55, it can detect sounds generated inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10 during the filling step, but it becomes difficult to detect sounds such as bursting sounds of air bubbles generated inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10 during the bubbling step. For this reason, the contact position of the sound pressure sensor may be changed to a position where sounds generated inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10 can be detected depending on the appropriate step.

[0059] In step S100, the manager may use a non-contact type sound collector such as a microphone capable of communicating with the information processing device instead of the contact type sound pressure sensor. In this case, there is a risk that the sound collector may detect not only the sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module 10 but also surrounding noises such as the operating sound of an air compressor (not shown), the noise of vehicles traveling on nearby roads, construction noise, and voices. For this reason, in step S100, it is preferable to detect the sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module 10 using a contact type sound pressure sensor rather than a sound collector. In step S100, a contact type sound pressure sensor and a non-contact type sound collector may be used depending on the process as appropriate, or a contact type sound pressure sensor and a non-contact type sound collector may be used simultaneously.

[0060] Next, in step S200, the administrator operates the information processing device to obtain information on the operating state of the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 based on the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10.

[0061] Specifically, in step S200, the administrator performs an operation to display on the display of the information processing device the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 received from the sound pressure sensor or sound collector as a graph in which the horizontal axis indicates time and the vertical axis indicates the sound volume of the hollow fiber membrane module 10, as shown in Fig. 4. The administrator refers to the sound data displayed on the display to grasp (acquire) information regarding the operating state of the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1.

[0062] For example, the manager knows the time required for the water filling process based on the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during the water filling process. Specifically, when the water filling process is started, the sound of raw water flowing into the housing 12 is generated. After that, when the housing 12 is filled with water, the raw water flows into the air vent pipe 55. At this time, since the diameter of the air vent pipe 55 is smaller than the diameter of the housing 12, the pressure loss of the raw water flowing into the air vent pipe 55 becomes large. As a result, the sound of raw water colliding with the air vent pipe 55 is generated with a sound pressure higher than when the housing 12 is filled with water.

[0063] Therefore, the manager determines the time required for the water filling process based on the time from the start of the water filling process to when the volume of the sound detected during the water filling process exceeds the first reference value.

[0064] The first reference value may be set, for example, based on experiments or past results, as a product (fixed value) of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when the housing 12 is not filled with water during the water filling process and the first coefficient. Alternatively, the first reference value may be set as a product (variable value) of the representative value of the loudness of the sound detected within a first hour immediately after the start of the water filling process and the first coefficient. The first coefficient may be a value of 1.3 or more, preferably a value of 1.2 or more, and most preferably a value of 1.1 or more. The representative value indicates an average value, a maximum value, a minimum value, or a moving average value, and the same applies in the following description. The first hour may be set, based on experimental values, etc., as a time (for example, 2 seconds) shorter than the time required from the start of the water filling process until the housing 12 is filled with water.

[0065] For example, the first coefficient is set to 1.1, the first time is set to 2 seconds, and the representative value is the average value. In other words, the first reference value is set to the product of the average value of the loudness of the sound detected during the 2 seconds from the start of the water filling process and 1.1. Then, the sound data shown in FIG. 4 is transmitted to the information processing device during the water filling process. In this case, the manager grasps the time t31 from the start time t0 of the water filling process to the time when the loudness of the sound detected during the water filling process becomes larger than the first reference value as the time required for the water filling process.

[0066] Furthermore, the greater the amount of accumulated impurities in the housing 12, the smaller the effective volume inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10. Therefore, the time required for the inside of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 to become filled with water after starting the water filling process is shortened.

[0067] Therefore, the manager may grasp the amount of impurities accumulated in the housing 12 based on the time required for the water filling process grasped from the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10. Specifically, the manager may grasp that the shorter the time required for the water filling process, the smaller the effective volume inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is, in other words, the greater the amount of impurities accumulated in the housing 12 is.

[0068] The manager may also know the time required for the drainage process based on the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during the drainage process. Specifically, when the drainage process starts, a sound is generated as the drain water flows into the drain pipe 53. When the drainage of the drain water is completed and the housing 12 is empty, the sound stops being generated inside the housing 12.

[0069] Therefore, the manager may know the time required for the draining process based on the time from the start of the draining process to when the volume of the sound detected during the draining process becomes smaller than the second reference value.

[0070] The second reference value may be set, for example, based on experiments, past performance, etc., as the product (fixed value) of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when the housing 12 is empty during the drainage process and the second coefficient. Alternatively, the second reference value may be set as the product (variable value) of the representative value of the loudness of the sound detected during a second time period immediately before the end of the drainage process and the second coefficient. The second coefficient may be a value of 1.3 or more, preferably a value of 1.2 or more, and most preferably a value of 1.1 or more. The second time period may be set, for example, based on experiments, past performance, etc., to a time period (e.g., 2 seconds) shorter than the time during which the housing 12 is empty during the drainage process.

[0071] For example, the second coefficient is set to 1.2, the second time is set to 2 seconds, and the representative value is the average value. In other words, the second reference value is set to the product of the average value of the loudness of the sound detected in the 2 seconds immediately before the end of the draining process and 1.2. In this case, the manager grasps the time required for the draining process as the time from the start of the draining process to when the loudness of the sound detected during the draining process becomes greater than the second reference value.

[0072] Furthermore, the greater the amount of impurities accumulated in the housing 12, the smaller the effective volume inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10. Therefore, the time required for the hollow fiber membrane module 10 to become empty after the start of the drainage process is shortened.

[0073] Therefore, the manager may grasp the amount of impurities accumulated in the housing 12 based on the time required for the drainage process grasped from the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10. Specifically, the manager may grasp that the shorter the time required for the drainage process, the smaller the effective volume inside the hollow fiber membrane module 10, that is, the greater the amount of impurities accumulated in the housing 12.

[0074] The manager may also know the presence or absence of a leak in the hollow fiber membrane 11 based on the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during the backwashing process. Fig. 5 shows sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during the backwashing process when no leak occurs in the hollow fiber membrane 11. Fig. 6 shows sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during the backwashing process when a leak occurs in the hollow fiber membrane 11.

[0075] Specifically, if there is no leak in the hollow fiber membrane 11, air does not pass through the hollow fiber membrane 11 when the treated water is pushed out to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 in the backwashing process. On the other hand, if there is a leak in the hollow fiber membrane 11, air flows out from the leak to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 in the backwashing process.

[0076] For this reason, when no leak occurs in the hollow fiber membranes 11 (FIG. 5), a sound is generated when the treated water passes through the hollow fiber membranes 11 and flows out to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10. On the other hand, when a leak occurs in the hollow fiber membranes 11 (FIG. 6), a bubble bursting sound is generated on the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10, which is louder than the sound when the treated water passes through the hollow fiber membranes 11 and flows out to the primary side of the hollow fiber membrane module 10.

[0077] Therefore, the manager may know whether or not there is a leak in the hollow fiber membrane 11 based on whether or not the volume of the sound detected during the backwashing process is greater than a third reference value.

[0078] The third reference value may be determined, for example, based on experiments, past performance, etc., as the product (fixed value) of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when the housing 12 is not empty during the backwashing process in the absence of any leak in the hollow fiber membranes 11 and the third coefficient. The third coefficient may be a value of 1.3 or more, preferably a value of 1.2 or more, and most preferably a value of 1.1 or more.

[0079] For example, when the sound data shown in Fig. 5 is transmitted to the information processing device during the backwashing process, the manager recognizes that there is no leak in the hollow fiber membrane 11 because no sound louder than the third reference value "V" is detected during the backwashing process. When the sound data shown in Fig. 6 is transmitted to the information processing device during the backwashing process, the manager recognizes that there is a leak in the hollow fiber membrane 11 because a sound louder than the third reference value "V" is detected during the backwashing process.

[0080] The manager may also know whether there is an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing 12 in the air diffuser bubbling process based on sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during the air diffuser bubbling process. The manager may also know whether there is an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing 12 in the water conduit bubbling process based on sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during the water conduit bubbling process.

[0081] Specifically, in the air diffuser bubbling process, the first air valve 32 is opened, and air is supplied from the air supply port 12C into the housing 12, which is full of water. In the water conduit bubbling process, the second air valve 33 is opened, and air is supplied from the air inlet 14B into the water conduit 14, and air is supplied through the hole 14C into the raw water space S1, which is full of water. Therefore, in the air diffuser bubbling process and the water conduit bubbling process, a popping sound of air bubbles occurs in the housing 12 according to the amount of air flowing in.

[0082] However, if there is an abnormality in the equipment for introducing air into the housing 12, the amount of air flowing into the housing 12 may decrease from normal, and the volume of the popping sound may decrease. For example, if there is an abnormality in the first air valve 32 or if a foreign object is clogged in the air supply port 12C, no sound will be generated inside the housing 12 during the air diffuser bubbling process. Also, if there is an abnormality in the second air valve 33 or if a foreign object is clogged in the air inlet 14B or hole 14C, no sound will be generated inside the housing 12 during the water conduit bubbling process.

[0083] Therefore, the manager may know whether or not there is an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing 12 in the air diffusion disk bubbling process based on the result of comparing the loudness of the sound detected during the air diffusion disk bubbling process with the fourth reference value. The manager may also know whether or not there is an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing 12 in the water conduit bubbling process based on the result of comparing the loudness of the sound detected during the water conduit bubbling process with the fourth reference value.

[0084] The fourth reference value is determined individually for each of the air diffusion plate bubbling process and the water conduit bubbling process. The fourth reference value may be determined, for example, based on experiments, past performance, etc., as a product (fixed value) of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when air is normally supplied into the housing 12 in the process corresponding to the fourth reference value and the fourth coefficient. The fourth coefficient may be a value of 0.9 or less, preferably a value of 0.7 or less, and most preferably a value of 0.6 or less. For example, the fourth reference value corresponding to the air diffusion plate bubbling process may be determined, for example, based on experiments, past performance, etc., as a product of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when air is normally supplied into the housing 12 in the air diffusion plate bubbling process and the fourth coefficient.

[0085] Then, when a sound louder than the fourth reference value is detected continuously for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 seconds) or more during a process corresponding to the fourth reference value, the manager may recognize that there is an abnormality in the supply of gas into the housing 12 during that process. Alternatively, the manager may recognize that there is an abnormality in the supply of gas into the housing 12 during that process when a sound louder than the fourth reference value is detected a predetermined number of times (e.g., twice) or more during the process corresponding to the fourth reference value.

[0086] In addition, the manager may determine whether or not there is an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing 12 in the air diffuser bubbling process and the water conduit bubbling process based on sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during one or more of the water filling process, the filtration process, the backwash process, and the drainage process.

[0087] Specifically, in the filling step, the filtering step, the backwashing step, and the drainage step, the first air valve 32 and the second air valve 33 are closed, and air is not intentionally allowed to flow into the housing 12. However, if there is an abnormality in the first air valve 32 or the second air valve 33, the first air valve 32 or the second air valve 33 may be open in one or more of the filling step, the filtering step, the backwashing step, and the drainage step. This may cause air to flow into the housing 12, generating the popping sound of air bubbles in the housing 12, in one or more of the filling step, the filtering step, the backwashing step, and the drainage step.

[0088] Therefore, the manager must determine the volume of the sound detected during one or more of the filling process, filtration process, backwash process, and drainage process and the fifth standard Based on the result of the comparison with the value, the presence or absence of an abnormality in the device that supplies air into the housing 12 in the air diffuser bubbling process or the water conduit bubbling process may be determined.

[0089] The fifth reference value is set individually for each of the water filling process, the filtration process, the backwash process, and the drainage process. The fifth reference value may be set, for example, based on experiments, past performance, etc., as a product (fixed value) of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when there is no abnormality in the device supplying air into the housing 12 in the air diffuser bubbling process and the water conduit bubbling process and the process corresponding to the fifth reference value (hereinafter, the target process) is being performed normally and the fifth coefficient. The fifth coefficient may be a value of 1.3 or more, preferably a value of 1.2 or more, and most preferably a value of 1.1 or more.

[0090] For example, the fifth reference value corresponding to the filling process may be determined based on experiments, past performance, etc., as the product of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when there is no abnormality in the device that supplies air into the housing 12 during the air diffuser bubbling process and the water conduit bubbling process and when the housing 12 is not full of water during a normal filling process and the fifth coefficient.

[0091] The fifth reference value corresponding to the backwashing process may be determined based on experiments, past performance, etc., as the product of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when there is no abnormality in the device that supplies air into the housing 12 during the air diffuser bubbling process and the water conduit bubbling process and when the housing 12 is not empty during a normal backwashing process and the fifth coefficient.

[0092] The fifth reference value corresponding to the filtration process may be determined based on experiments, past performance, etc., as the product of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected during a normal filtration process when there is no abnormality in the device that supplies air into the housing 12 during the air diffuser bubbling process and the water conduit bubbling process, and the fifth coefficient.

[0093] The fifth standard value corresponding to the drainage process may be determined based on experiments, past performance, etc., as the product of the loudness of the sound of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected when there is no abnormality in the device supplying air into the housing 12 during the air diffuser bubbling process and the water conduit bubbling process and when the housing 12 is empty during a normal drainage process and the fifth coefficient.

[0094] Then, the manager may recognize that there is an abnormality in the supply of air into the housing 12 in the air diffusion disk bubbling process or the water conduit bubbling process when a sound louder than the fifth reference value corresponding to the target process is detected during the target process. Alternatively, the manager may recognize that there is an abnormality in the supply of gas into the housing 12 in the air diffusion disk bubbling process or the water conduit bubbling process when the number of times that a sound louder than the fifth reference value corresponding to the target process is detected during the target process is equal to or greater than a predetermined number of times.

[0095] As described above, according to the operation management method of the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 of this embodiment, sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 is detected during at least one of the water filling process, filtration process, backwash process, air diffuser plate bubbling process, water guide pipe bubbling process, and drainage process of the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1. Then, based on the detected sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10, information on the operation state of the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 is acquired. Therefore, according to the operation management method of the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 of this embodiment, information on the operation state of the hollow fiber membrane filtration device 1 can be acquired at low cost using an inexpensive sound collection device such as a sound pressure sensor or a microphone, without providing an expensive sensor such as an ultrasonic sensor or modifying existing equipment.

[0096] The timing at which the administrator performs step S200 is not particularly limited. As described above, the administrator may perform step S200 while performing step S100 by performing an operation to display in real time on the display of the information processing device the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 transmitted to the information processing device in step S100.

[0097] Alternatively, the administrator may store the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 transmitted to the information processing device in step S100 in the information processing device used by the administrator or an external storage medium (e.g., a USB memory) accessible by the information processing device. Then, the administrator may perform step S200 at any timing based on the sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 stored in the information processing device or the external storage medium.

[0098] The control unit 70 may be configured to be able to communicate with the sound pressure sensor or sound collector by wireless communication or the like, and the hollow fiber membrane filtering device 1 may be provided with a display controllable by the control unit 70. In addition, sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module 10 detected by the sound pressure sensor or sound collector in step S100 may be transmitted to the control unit 70. Then, in step S200, the sound data received by the control unit 70 from the sound pressure sensor or sound collector may be displayed on the display of the hollow fiber membrane filtering device 1 in response to the operation of the hollow fiber membrane filtering device 1 by the administrator.

[0099] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and should not be construed as limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims, not the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1:Hollow fiber membrane filtration device 10: Hollow fiber membrane module 11: Hollow fiber membrane 12: Housing

Claims

1. A method for managing an operation of a filtration device equipped with a hollow fiber membrane module including a hollow fiber membrane and a housing that accommodates the hollow fiber membrane, comprising: detecting a sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during at least the water-filling process among the water-filling process, the filtering process, the backwashing process, the bubbling process, and the drainage process of the filtration device; acquiring information about an operating state of the filtration device based on the detected sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module; and Including, Obtaining information regarding an operating state of the filtration device acquiring a required time for the water filling process based on a time from a start of the water filling process until a loudness of the sound detected during the water filling process becomes greater than a first reference value, and acquiring an amount of accumulated impurities in the housing based on the acquired required time. A method for operating and managing a hollow fiber membrane filtration device.

2. A method for managing an operation of a filtration device equipped with a hollow fiber membrane module including a hollow fiber membrane and a housing that accommodates the hollow fiber membrane, comprising: detecting a sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during at least the drainage process among the water filling process, the filtration process, the backwash process, the bubbling process, and the drainage process of the filtration device; acquiring information about an operating state of the filtration device based on the detected sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module; and Including, Obtaining information regarding an operating state of the filtration device acquiring a required time for the drainage process based on a time from a start of the drainage process to a time when a loudness of the sound detected during the drainage process becomes smaller than a second reference value, and acquiring an amount of accumulated impurities in the housing based on the acquired required time. A method for operating and managing a hollow fiber membrane filtration device.

3. A method for managing an operation of a filtration device equipped with a hollow fiber membrane module including a hollow fiber membrane and a housing for accommodating the hollow fiber membrane, comprising: detecting a sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during at least one of a water filling step, a filtration step, a backwashing step, a bubbling step, and a drainage step of the filtration device; acquiring information about an operating state of the filtration device based on the detected sound data of the hollow fiber membrane module; and Including, Obtaining information regarding the operating state of the filtering device includes obtaining whether or not there is an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing during the bubbling process based on a comparison result between the loudness of the sound detected during the one or more processes and a fifth reference value. A method for operating and managing a hollow fiber membrane filtration device.

4. Detecting the sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module includes detecting the sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during the backwashing process, Obtaining information regarding the operating state of the filtration device includes obtaining the presence or absence of a leak in the hollow fiber membrane based on whether or not the magnitude of the sound detected during the backwashing process is greater than a third reference value. A method for managing operation of the hollow fiber membrane filtration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Detecting the sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module includes detecting the sound generated from the hollow fiber membrane module during the bubbling process, Obtaining information regarding the operating state of the filtering device includes obtaining information regarding the presence or absence of an abnormality in the gas supply into the housing during the bubbling process based on a comparison result between the loudness of the sound detected during the bubbling process and a fourth reference value. A method for managing operation of the hollow fiber membrane filtration apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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