Bubble-breaking device

Abstract

To provide a foam breaking device capable of breaking bubbles at low cost.SOLUTION: A foam breaking device includes: a first member; and a second member capable of forming a flow path in between the first member and the second member. The first member and the second member are configured to be relatively movable by fluid flowing into the flow path, and are configured to change the cross-sectional area of the flow path by the relative movement.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a foam-breaking device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, an antifoaming device is known in which conical wing pieces are attached to a rotating cylinder shaft that is arranged to project into a container and has a cavity inside, and the rotation of the conical wing pieces separates the foam in the container into a gas component and a liquid component (for example, Patent Document 1). The antifoaming device of Patent Document 1 attaches a plurality of stages of conical wing pieces to the rotating cylinder shaft at appropriate intervals, provides an opening in the rotating cylinder shaft that communicates the cavity with the outside of the rotating cylinder shaft, and fixedly arranges conical auxiliary wing pieces within the intervals between these conical wing pieces.

[0003] The antifoaming device of Patent Document 1 is configured to destroy the foam by the circumferential shear force generated based on the relative movement of the conical wing pieces and the conical auxiliary wing pieces, and separate it into a liquid component and a gas component.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the antifoaming device of Patent Document 1, since an electric motor is required to rotate the conical wing pieces, not only does it cost fuel or electricity to drive the electric motor, but also because it has drive parts everywhere, regular maintenance is required, so maintenance costs are also incurred, and there is a problem that the running cost is high.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to provide a foam-breaking device that can break foam at low cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The foam-breaking device according to the present invention includes a first member and a second member capable of forming a flow path between the first member, and the first member and the second member are configured to be relatively movable by a fluid flowing into the flow path, and are configured to change the cross-sectional area of the flow path by the relative movement.

[0008] In the foam-breaking device according to the present invention, the first member includes a first member bottom portion and a first member wall portion extending from the first member bottom portion, and the second member includes a second member bottom portion provided to face the first member bottom portion of the first member and a second member wall portion extending from the second member bottom portion, and the flow path may include a gap between the first member bottom portion and the second member wall portion, a gap between the second member bottom portion and the first member wall portion, and a gap between the first member wall portion and the second member wall portion.

[0009] In the foam-breaking device according to the present invention, the first member includes a plurality of the first member wall portions, the second member includes a plurality of the second member wall portions, and the first member wall portions and the second member wall portions may be alternately arranged.

[0010] In the foam-breaking device according to the present invention, the first member may have at least one reflux port for refluxing the liquid after foam breaking.

[0011] In the foam-breaking device according to the present invention, the first member includes a first member bottom portion and a first member wall portion extending from the first member bottom portion, and at least one of the first member bottom portion and the first member wall portion may be provided with a liquid passage portion for flowing the liquid to the reflux port.

[0012] The foam-breaking device according to the present invention includes a first member and a second member capable of forming a flow path between the first member. The first member includes a bottom portion of the first member and a wall portion of the first member extending from the bottom portion of the first member. The second member includes a bottom portion of the second member provided to face the bottom portion of the first member of the first member and a wall portion of the second member extending from the bottom portion of the second member. The flow path includes a gap between the bottom portion of the first member and the wall portion of the second member, a gap between the bottom portion of the second member and the wall portion of the first member, and a gap between the wall portion of the first member and the wall portion of the second member. The first member and the second member are configured to be relatively movable, and by changing the cross-sectional area of the flow path by the relative movement, the foam in the fluid existing in the flow path is configured to be collapsed.

Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a foam-breaking device capable of breaking foam at low cost.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6a

Figure 6b

Figure 6c

Figure 7a

Figure 7b

Figure 7c

Figure 8

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0015] Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments do not limit the invention according to each claim, and not all combinations of the features described in the embodiments are essential for the solution means of the invention. Also, the drawings are schematic diagrams that have been appropriately emphasized, omitted, or adjusted in ratio to show the present invention, and may differ from the actual shape, positional relationship, and ratio.

[0016] [Configuration of the foam-breaking device according to this embodiment] First, with reference to FIG. 1, the foam-breaking device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be outlined. The foam-breaking device 1 according to this embodiment generally includes a first member 10, a second member 20, and a third member 30, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The foam-breaking device 1 according to this embodiment is configured to break (defoam) bubbles contained in, for example, foamy sludge or soapy water. In this embodiment, a bubble means at least one of a foam and a gas bubble.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 3, the first member 10 includes a first member bottom portion 12 and a first member wall portion 14 extending from the first member bottom portion 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the first member 10 includes a hole portion H provided so as to penetrate the first member bottom portion 12 and a return portion 18 provided on the back surface of the first member bottom portion 12. Furthermore, the first member 10 has at least one reflux port R for refluxing the liquid after foam breaking.

[0018] The bottom 12 of the first member is configured to be attachable to, for example, the upper part of the water tank. In the present embodiment, the water tank means at least a container for storing liquid. In the present embodiment, the shape of the bottom 12 of the first member is hexagonal, but it is not limited thereto. The bottom 12 of the first member may be, for example, circular, square, or other polygonal shapes. Also, in the present embodiment, the bottom 12 of the first member extends radially outward from the outermost first member wall portion 14, but it is not limited thereto, and it may be a shape along the outer periphery of the outermost first member wall portion 14. Further, the bottom 12 of the first member may constitute part or all of the lid of the water tank.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 5, the hole H is configured to be able to introduce the bubbles generated in the water tank from the lower surface side of the bottom 12 of the first member into a flow path C described later.

[0020] In the present embodiment, only one hole H is provided at the center of the bottom 12 of the first member, but it is not limited thereto. The number and arrangement of the holes H can adopt various arbitrary numbers and arrangements. Also, in the present embodiment, the reflux port R is the hole H, but it is not limited thereto. The reflux port R may be provided separately from the hole H.

[0021] The baffle 18 extends from the peripheral edge portion on the back surface side of the hole H and is configured to drop the bubbles moving along the back surface of the bottom 12 of the first member into the lower water tank and prevent the bubbles from entering through the hole H.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 3, the first member wall portion 14 forms a peripheral wall. Specifically, the first member wall portion 14 is formed in an annular shape centered on the hole H. In the present embodiment, the annular shape includes not only a shape forming a perfect circle in a plan view but also a shape forming a substantially circular shape, that is, a shape in which the first member wall portion 14 intermittently forms a circle.

[0023] Further, a plurality of first member wall portions 14 are provided on the first member bottom portion 12. The plurality of first member wall portions 14 are arranged on concentric circles centered on the hole portion H. Among the plurality of first member wall portions 14, the first member wall portion 14 located most inward extends from the outer edge of the hole portion H.

[0024] In the present embodiment, the plurality of first member wall portions 14 are arranged at a predetermined interval, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the interval between the first member wall portions 14 may not be constant. The thickness of the first member wall portion 14 is configured to be thinner than the arrangement interval of the second member wall portions 24 of the second member 20 described later.

[0025] Furthermore, a liquid passage portion 16 for flowing the liquid to the reflux port R (in the present embodiment, the hole portion H) is provided in the first member wall portion 14. In the present embodiment, the liquid passage portion 16 is a slit, but the present invention is not limited to this, and various arbitrary configurations can be adopted as long as the liquid can pass from one side surface of the first member wall portion 14 to the opposite side surface. For example, the liquid passage portion 16 may be a notch or a through hole.

[0026] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the second member 20 includes a second member bottom portion 22 provided to face the first member bottom portion 12 of the first member 10, and a second member wall portion 24 extending from the second member bottom portion 22. The second member 20 also includes a flow path securing portion 26. The second member bottom portion 22 is configured in a circular shape.

[0027] In the present embodiment, the diameter of the second member bottom portion 22 has a diameter larger than the diameter of the first member wall portion 14 located most outward of the first member 10, but the present invention is not limited to this. The shape of the second member bottom portion 22 is not limited to a circular shape, and may be, for example, a polygon.

[0028] Similar to the first member wall portion 14, the second member wall portion 24 forms a peripheral wall and is formed in an annular shape. A plurality of second member wall portions 24 are provided on the second member bottom portion 22. The plurality of second member wall portions 24 are arranged on concentric circles centered on the center of the second member bottom portion 22.

[0029] Among the plurality of second member wall portions 24, the outermost second member wall portion 24 extends from the outer edge of the second member bottom portion 22. In the present embodiment, the height of all the second member wall portions 24 is configured to be lower than that of the first member wall portion 14, but it is not limited thereto. The height of the second member wall portion 24 may be configured to be the same as the height of the first member wall portion 14 or higher than the first member wall portion 14.

[0030] In the present embodiment, the plurality of second member wall portions 24 are arranged at a predetermined interval so as not to interfere with the first member wall portion 14, but it is not limited thereto. As long as the plurality of second member wall portions 24 are arranged at a position where they do not interfere with the first member wall portion 14, the interval between the second member wall portions 24 does not have to be constant. The thickness of the second member wall portion 24 is configured to be thinner than the arrangement interval of the first member wall portion 14.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 4, the flow path securing portion 26 is provided in a cross shape from the center to the outer edge portion of the second member bottom portion 22. By including the flow path securing portion 26, the second member 20 can secure a gap (flow path C) between the first member wall portion 14 and the second member bottom portion 22 when the second member 20 is attached to the first member 10.

[0032] In the present embodiment, the flow path securing portion 26 does not penetrate the second member wall portion 24 and is provided only in the gap between the plurality of second member wall portions 24, but it is not limited thereto and may penetrate the second member wall portion 24. Further, as long as the flow path securing portion 26 can secure a gap (flow path C) between the first member wall portion 14 and the second member bottom portion 22 when the second member 20 is attached to the first member 10, it is not limited to the cross shape and various arbitrary configurations can be adopted.

[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the second member 20 is movably covered on the upper portion of the first member 10 so that the outermost first member wall portion 14 can be accommodated inside the outermost second member wall portion 24.

[0034] In the state where the second member 20 is attached to the first member 10, the plurality of first member wall portions 14 and the plurality of second member wall portions 24 are alternately arranged. The thickness of the first member wall portion 14 is thinner than the arrangement interval of the second member wall portions 24, and the thickness of the second member wall portion 24 is configured to be thinner than the arrangement interval of the first member wall portions 14. Therefore, a gap is formed between the adjacent first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24.

[0035] Note that the width of the gap between the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 is preferably set appropriately with respect to the diameter of the hole portion H.

[0036] Further, since the height of the first member wall portion 14 is higher than the height of the second member wall portion 24, a gap is formed between the first member bottom portion 12 and the second member wall portion 24.

[0037] Since the second member 20 is movably attached above the first member 10 with respect to the first member 10, as shown in FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c), it can passively move vertically (in this embodiment, the facing direction of the first member 10 and the second member 20) relative to the first member 10 by an external force (such as fluid pressure) and gravity.

[0038] Further, as described above, since a gap is formed between the second member wall portion 24 and the first member wall portion 14, the second member 20 is attached to the first member 10 with play in the lateral direction as shown in FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c), and can passively move laterally relative to the first member 10 by an external force (such as fluid pressure). In this embodiment, the lateral direction includes not only the left - right direction of the paper surface but also the direction intersecting the facing direction of the first member 10 and the second member 20.

[0039] The second member 20 having such a configuration is configured to be able to form a flow path C between the first member 10. The flow path C includes the gap between the first member bottom portion 12 and the second member wall portion 24, the gap between the second member bottom portion 22 and the first member wall portion 14, and the gap between the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24. Further, the flow path C includes the first member wall portion 14 located at the innermost side of the first member 10 from the return 18.

[0040] The first member 10 and the second member 20 having the above configuration are configured to be relatively movable by the fluid flowing into the flow path C, and by changing the cross-sectional area of the flow path C by the relative movement, the bubbles in the fluid existing in the flow path C are collapsed.

[0041] In the present embodiment, "relatively movable by the fluid" includes the concept that the second member 20 is relatively movable with respect to the first member 10 due to the bubbles generated in the water tank, the pressure change or flow rate change of the fluid in the flow path C generated by the gas entering the defoaming device 1 from the hole H, etc., but is not limited thereto. For example, when the water tank is shaken, such as when the water tank is mounted on a vehicle, the liquid enters the defoaming device 1 from the hole H along with the shaking of the water surface in the water tank due to the vibration of the vehicle or the like, and the second member 20 is relatively movable with respect to the first member 10 by pushing the bottom 22 of the second member.

[0042] Furthermore, the first member 10 and the second member 20 are configured to be relatively movable by vibration applied from the outside. The vibration applied from the outside is, for example, the transmission of vibration due to the pulsation of the pump used in the water tank, the transmission of vibration of a device having a driving unit such as a pump, or the transmission of vehicle vibration when the water tank is mounted on a vehicle. That is, in this specification, "vibration applied from the outside" means vibration incidentally added as a side effect, and does not include intentional addition of vibration or forced vibration by a driving unit for the sole purpose of relatively moving the first member 10 and the second member 20.

[0043] The defoaming device 1 according to the present embodiment can be used in various environments, such as being placed and used in a water tank or the like that is stationary at a predetermined location, or being mounted and used in a water tank or the like on a moving body such as a vehicle, by attaching the second member 20 to the first member 10 with a clearance between the first member 10 and the second member 20 in this way.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 1, the third member 30 includes a stepped cylindrical portion 31 and a rib portion 36 extending radially from the rear end portion 31b of the stepped cylindrical portion 31. Also, as shown in Fig. 2, the third member 30 is configured to be able to accommodate the second member 20 therein. Further, the third member 30 is attached such that the rib portion 36 contacts the surface of the bottom portion 12 of the first member. Note that the third member 30 may or may not be fixed to the bottom portion 12 of the first member.

[0045] The stepped cylindrical portion 31 has a substantially convex cross-section and, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8, includes a first cylindrical portion 32, a second cylindrical portion 34 provided at the tip portion 32a of the first cylindrical portion 32, and a protrusion portion 35 provided inside the step portion 33 between the first cylindrical portion 32 and the second cylindrical portion 34. Also, the stepped cylindrical portion 31 has a space inside that can accommodate the second member 20.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 8, the inner diameter of the first cylindrical portion 32 is larger than the outer diameter of the outermost second member wall portion 24 of the second member 20. Also, the height of the first cylindrical portion 32 is higher than the height at which the first member 10 and the second member 20 are attached.

[0047] The second cylindrical portion 34 has a smaller shape than the first cylindrical portion 32. In the present embodiment, the tip portion 34a (the tip portion 31a of the stepped cylindrical portion 31) is open as shown in Figs. 1 and 8 and is open to the atmosphere, but is not limited thereto. The tip portion 34a (the tip portion 31a) may be connected by piping to a container or tank that receives the bubbles ejected from the bubble-breaking device 1 in case of abnormal bubble generation, or may be connected to a device or facility that inactivates odors, active gases, etc.

[0048] The protrusion portion 35 extends from the step portion 33 between the first cylindrical portion 32 and the second cylindrical portion 34 in the longitudinal direction of the second cylindrical portion 34. The protrusion portion 35 is configured to limit the amount of movement of the second member 20 when the second member 20 moves in a direction away from the first member 10 by fluid, that is, when the second member 20 rises.

[0049] [Operation of the foam-breaking device according to this embodiment] As shown in FIG. 8, in the foam-breaking device 1 having the above configuration, the bubbles generated in the water tank enter the inside of the foam-breaking device 1 through the hole portion H. At this time, the liquid, gas, etc. in the water tank may enter the inside of the foam-breaking device 1 through the hole portion H together with the bubbles.

[0050] Thereafter, the bubbles proceed through the flow path C formed between the first member 10 and the second member 20. At this time, the first member 10 and the second member 20 move relatively by the fluid, and the cross-sectional area of the flow path C changes. By changing the cross-sectional area of the flow path C, the contact area between the bubbles and the wall surfaces of the first member 10 and the second member 20 can be gradually changed. Then, the foam-breaking device 1 expands or compresses the bubbles due to the change in the contact area, and finally ruptures the bubbles to collapse the bubbles in the fluid existing in the flow path C.

[0051] Also, when the second member 20 falls due to gravity, the bubbles in the gap between the tip of the second member wall portion 24 and the bottom of the first member 12, and the bubbles in the gap between the tip of the first member wall portion 14 and the bottom of the second member 22 are crushed or ruptured to break the bubbles.

[0052] Furthermore, the bubbles gradually proceed from the first member wall portion 14 located innermost in the first member 10 toward the second member wall portion 24 located outermost in the second member 20 while expanding, compressing, or deforming, and burst when the expansion reaches the critical point at any position in the flow path C.

[0053] After the foam is broken, the gas contained in the bubbles is discharged from the tip 31a of the stepped cylindrical portion 31 of the third member 30. On the other hand, the liquid that constituted the bubbles passes through the liquid passage portion 16 provided in the first member wall portion 14 and is returned to the water tank from the reflux port R (in this embodiment, the hole portion H).

[0054] [Advantages of the foam-breaking device according to this embodiment] As described above, the foam breaker 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first member 10 and a second member 20 capable of forming a flow path C between the first member 10. The first member 10 and the second member 20 are configured to be relatively movable by the fluid flowing into the flow path C, and are configured to change the cross-sectional area of the flow path C by the relative movement.

[0055] And, by having such a configuration, the foam breaker 1 according to the present embodiment enables the first member 10 and the second member 20 to be relatively movable without providing a drive unit. Due to the change in the cross-sectional area of the flow path C accompanying the relative movement, foam can be broken, so it has the advantage of being able to break foam at low cost. Further, in the foam breaker 1 according to the present embodiment, since the first member 10 and the second member 20 continue to move relatively, it is possible to prevent dust, mold, and various bacteria from adhering to the inside of the flow path C, and it can be used without maintenance for a long time, so it has the advantage of being able to break foam at low cost.

[0056] Also, in the foam breaker 1 according to the present embodiment, the first member 10 includes a first member bottom portion 12 and a first member wall portion 14 extending from the first member bottom portion 12. The second member 20 includes a second member bottom portion 22 provided to face the first member bottom portion 12 of the first member 10 and a second member wall portion 24 extending from the second member bottom portion 22. The flow path C includes a gap between the first member bottom portion 12 and the second member wall portion 24, a gap between the second member bottom portion 22 and the first member wall portion 14, and a gap between the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24. By having such a configuration, the opportunity to change the contact area between the foam in the flow path C and the wall surface of the flow path C can be increased, making it easier for the foam to expand and collapse. Therefore, the foam can be broken in a short time, and it has the advantage of being able to break foam at a lower cost.

[0057] Furthermore, in the foam-breaking device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first member 10 includes a plurality of first member wall portions 14, the second member 20 includes a plurality of second member wall portions 24, and the first member wall portions 14 and the second member wall portions 24 are arranged alternately. By having such a configuration, the flow path length of the flow path C can be increased, so the opportunity to change the contact area between the bubbles in the flow path C and the wall surface of the flow path C can be increased, and the foam can be broken in a short time. Therefore, it has the advantage of being able to break the foam at a lower cost.

[0058] Moreover, in the foam-breaking device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first member 10 has at least one reflux port R for refluxing the liquid after foam breaking. By having such a configuration, even if the foam is collapsed outside the water tank, the liquid can be returned to the water tank, so it has the advantage that the liquid volume in the water tank is not easily reduced. Also, since the liquid after foam breaking can be discharged from the flow path C, it is possible to prevent dust, mold, and various bacteria from adhering to the inside of the flow path C, and it can be used without maintenance for a long time. Therefore, it has the advantage of being able to break the foam at a lower cost.

[0059] Also, in the foam-breaking device 1 according to the present embodiment, the first member 10 includes a first member bottom portion 12 and a first member wall portion 14 extending from the first member bottom portion 12, and the first member wall portion 14 is provided with a liquid passage portion 16 for flowing the liquid to the reflux port R. By having such a configuration, the liquid after foam breaking can more easily return to the water tank without stagnating in the flow path C, facilitating bubble separation and preventing dust, mold, and various bacteria from adhering to the inside of the flow path C. Since it can be used without maintenance for a long time, it has the advantage of being able to break the foam at an even lower cost. Also, by returning the liquid after foam breaking to the water tank, it has the advantage of being able to suppress the decrease in the liquid volume in the water tank.

[0060] [Modification Example] As described above, the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, but the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. Various changes or improvements can be made to the above embodiments.

[0061] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the first member 10 includes a first member bottom portion 12 and a first member wall portion 14 extending from the first member bottom portion 12. The second member 20 includes a second member bottom portion 22 provided to face the first member bottom portion 12 of the first member 10 and a second member wall portion 24 extending from the second member bottom portion 22. The flow path C has been described as including the gap between the first member bottom portion 12 and the second member wall portion 24, the gap between the second member bottom portion 22 and the first member wall portion 14, and the gap between the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24, but is not limited thereto. Only one of the first member 10 and the second member 20 may include a wall portion. Further, the first member 10 and the second member 20 may not include the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24, respectively. For example, the first member bottom portion 12 and the second member bottom portion 22 each have irregularities formed on their surfaces, and the flow path C may include the gap between the irregularities of the first member bottom portion 12 and the irregularities of the second member bottom portion 22. Further, the flow path C may include the gap between the first member bottom portion 12 and the second member bottom portion 22, the gap between the first member bottom portion 12 and the step portion 33 of the third member 30, the gap between the first member wall portion 14 and the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 32 of the third member 30, the gap between the second member bottom portion 22 and the step portion 33 of the third member 30, and the gap between the second member wall portion 24 and the inner surface of the first cylindrical portion 32 of the third member 30.

[0062] In the above-described embodiment, the first member 10 includes a plurality of first member wall portions 14, the second member 20 includes a plurality of second member wall portions 24, and the first member wall portions 14 and the second member wall portions 24 have been described as being alternately arranged, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 may each be one. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 are each three (triple structure), but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the first member wall portions 14 and the second member wall portions 24 may each be two, or may be four or more. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the number of the first member wall portions 14 and the number of the second member wall portions 24 are the same, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the number of the first member wall portions 14 and the number of the second member wall portions 24 may be different. Still further, as long as the arrangement of the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 is such that the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 do not interfere with each other, various arbitrary configurations can be adopted. For example, the first member wall portions 14 may be arranged continuously, or the second member wall portions 24 may be arranged continuously. Also, the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 may be arranged disorderly.

[0063] In the above-described embodiment, the first member 10 has been described as having a reflux port R for refluxing the liquid after defoaming, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first member 10 may not have the reflux port R. For example, the defoaming device 1 may not have the reflux port R. Also, the defoaming device 1 may have the second member 20 or the third member 30 having the reflux port R. Further, the defoaming device 1 includes a fourth member, and the fourth member may have the reflux port R.

[0064] In the above-described embodiment, the first member 10 includes a first member bottom portion 12 and a first member wall portion 14 extending from the first member bottom portion 12. The first member wall portion 14 has been described as being provided with a liquid passage portion 16 for flowing the liquid to the reflux port R, but it is not limited thereto, and the first member wall portion 14 may not be provided with the liquid passage portion 16. For example, the first member wall portion 14 may be provided in a spiral shape around the reflux port R, and may be configured to flow the liquid to the reflux port R along the wall surface of the spiral first member wall portion 14. Further, the first member bottom portion 12 may include a liquid passage portion, or neither the first member bottom portion 12 nor the first member wall portion 14 may include a liquid passage portion. When the first member bottom portion 12 includes a liquid passage portion, the liquid passage portion is, for example, a groove formed on the surface of the first member bottom portion 12.

[0065] In the above-described embodiment, the foam breaker 1 has been described as including the third member 30, but it is not limited thereto, and the foam breaker 1 may not include the third member 30. When the third member 30 is included, it has the advantage of collecting the gas contained in the foam after foam breaking and guiding it downstream.

[0066] In the above-described embodiment, it has been described on the premise that all of the plurality of first member wall portions 14 have the same height, but it is not limited thereto. The plurality of first member wall portions 14 may have different heights. For example, the plurality of first member wall portions 14 may be configured in a mortar shape in which the height gradually decreases toward the center of the first member 10, or may be configured such that the height gradually increases toward the center of the first member 10, or may be configured with different heights. Similarly, the plurality of second member wall portions 24 may also have different heights.

[0067] In the above-described embodiment, the plurality of first member wall portions 14 have been described as being arranged concentrically around the hole portion H, but it is not limited thereto. For example, the plurality of first member wall portions 14 may be arranged on a concentric triangle or a concentric quadrilateral or other concentric figures around the hole portion H. Further, the plurality of first member wall portions 14 may be arranged disorderly.

[0068] In the above-described embodiments, the first member wall portion 14 has been described as being formed in an annular shape, but it is not limited thereto, and the first member wall portion 14 may not be formed in an annular shape. For example, the first member wall portion 14 may be formed in a fan shape, may be formed in a U shape, or may be formed in a polygonal shape such as a triangular shape or a quadrangular shape. Similarly, the second member wall portion 24 may not be formed in an annular shape. When the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 are formed in an annular shape, they have the advantage that bubbles and the liquid after bubble collapse are less likely to stay in the flow path C.

[0069] In the above-described embodiments, the first member wall portion 14 has been described as forming a peripheral wall, but it is not limited thereto, and the first member wall portion 14 may not form a peripheral wall. Similarly, the second member wall portion 24 may not form a peripheral wall.

[0070] In the above-described embodiments, the first member 10 has been described as not moving, and the second member 20 is configured to be relatively movable with respect to the first member 10, but it is not limited thereto, and any various configurations can be adopted as long as the flow path C can be formed between the first member 10 and the second member 20. For example, the second member 20 may be fixed inside the third member 30, and the first member 10 may float on the water surface in the water tank in a state where the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 are loosely fitted, and may be configured to be relatively movable with respect to the second member 20. Also, both the first member 10 and the second member 20 may be configured to be movable.

[0071] In the above-described embodiments, the first member 10 and the second member 20 have been described as being configured to be relatively movable in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, but it is not limited thereto, and as long as the cross-sectional area of the flow path C can be changed by relative movement to collapse the bubbles in the fluid existing in the flow path C, it may be configured to be relatively movable only in either the vertical direction or the horizontal direction.

[0072] In the above-described embodiment, the first member 10 has been described as being attached to the upper part of the water tank. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first member 10 may not be attached to the upper part of the water tank. For example, the first member 10 may be attached to the side part of the water tank. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the first member 10 and the second member 20 have been described on the premise that they face each other in the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first member 10 and the second member 20 may not face each other in the vertical direction. The first member 10 and the second member 20 may face each other in the horizontal direction.

[0073] In the above-described embodiment, among the plurality of first member wall portions 14, the innermost first member wall portion 14 has been described as extending from the outer edge of the hole portion H. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The innermost first member wall portion 14 may extend from a position radially outward from the outer edge of the hole portion H.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, among the plurality of second member wall portions 24, the outermost second member wall portion 24 has been described as extending from the outer edge of the second member bottom portion 22. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The outermost second member wall portion 24 may extend from a position inside the outer edge of the second member bottom portion 22.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, the second member 20 has been described as including the flow path securing portion 26. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the second member 20 may not include the flow path securing portion 26.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, the second member 20 has been described on the premise that it does not have a liquid passage portion. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the second member 20 may have a liquid passage portion. For example, the liquid passage portion may be provided in the second member bottom portion 22 or in the second member wall portion 24.

[0077] In the above-described embodiments, the second member 20 has been described on the premise that it is attached to the first member 10 with the central portion of the second member 20 facing the central portion of the first member 10. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the central portions of the first member 10 and the second member 20 do not necessarily have to face each other. That is, in a state where the second member 20 is attached to the first member 10, the innermost first member wall portion 14 and the innermost second member wall portion 24 face each other, and the outermost first member wall portion 14 and the outermost second member wall portion 24 face each other. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In a state where the second member 20 is attached to the first member 10, the first member wall portion 14 and the second member wall portion 24 may be alternately arranged at any positions where they can move relative to each other.

[0078] In the above-described embodiments, the third member 30 has been described as including a stepped cylindrical portion 31 and a rib portion 36 extending in the radial direction of the stepped cylindrical portion 31 from the rear end portion 31b of the stepped cylindrical portion 31 as shown in FIG. 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The third member 30 may not include the stepped cylindrical portion 31 and may include a cylindrical portion having a constant diameter or a tapered cylindrical portion. Further, the third member 30 may include a polygonal cylindrical portion instead of a cylindrical portion. Furthermore, the third member 30 may not include the rib portion 36.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0079] 1 Foam-breaking device 10 First member 12 Bottom portion of the first member 14 First member wall portion 16 Liquid passage portion 18 Return 20 Second member 22 Bottom portion of the second member 24 Second member wall portion 26 Flow path securing portion 30 Third member 31 Stepped cylindrical portion 31a Tip portion 31b Rear end portion 32 First cylindrical portion 32a Tip portion 33 Step portion 34 Second Cylindrical Portion 35 Protrusion 36 Rib Portion C Flow Path H Hole Portion R Return Port

Claims

1. A first member, a second member capable of forming a flow path between the first member and and comprising the first member and the second member are configured to be relatively movable by a fluid flowing into the flow path, and are configured to change the cross-sectional area of the flow path by the relative movement a foam-breaking device.

2. The first member includes a first member bottom portion and a first member wall portion extending from the first member bottom portion, the second member includes a second member bottom portion provided opposite to the first member bottom portion of the first member and a second member wall portion extending from the second member bottom portion, the flow path includes a gap between the first member bottom portion and the second member wall portion, a gap between the second member bottom portion and the first member wall portion, and a gap between the first member wall portion and the second member wall portion The foam-breaking device according to claim 1.

3. The first member includes a plurality of the first member wall portions, the second member includes a plurality of the second member wall portions, the first member wall portions and the second member wall portions are alternately arranged The foam-breaking device according to claim 2.

4. The first member has at least one reflux port for refluxing the liquid after foam breaking The foam-breaking device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The first member includes a first member bottom portion and a first member wall portion extending from the first member bottom portion, at least one of the first member bottom portion and the first member wall portion is provided with a liquid passage portion for flowing the liquid to the reflux port The foam-breaking device according to claim 4.

6. A first member, a second member capable of forming a flow path between the first member and comprising, The first member includes a first member bottom portion and a first member wall portion extending from the first member bottom portion, The second member includes a second member bottom portion provided to face the first member bottom portion of the first member and a second member wall portion extending from the second member bottom portion, The flow path includes a gap between the first member bottom portion and the second member wall portion, a gap between the second member bottom portion and the first member wall portion, and a gap between the first member wall portion and the second member wall portion, The first member and the second member are configured to be relatively movable, and by changing the cross-sectional area of the flow path by the relative movement, bubbles in the fluid present in the flow path are configured to collapse. Bubble-breaking device.

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