Dissolved ion transfer device

Abstract

To provide a dissolved ion transfer device capable of easily realizing control to establish treatment conditions for dissolved ion.SOLUTION: A dissolved ion transfer device A1 includes: an ion transfer part 1 having a channel C1 through which a solution flows, channels C4 and C5 through which extracted solution flows, an ion permeable membrane between the channel C1 and the channels C4, C5, and electrodes for generating an electric field that transfers the dissolved ion contained in the solution into the extracted solution; a solution supply part 2 for supplying the solution to the channel C1; extracted solution supply parts 4A and 4B for supplying the extracted solution to the channels C4 and C5; a voltage application part for applying voltage to the electrodes; an input unit for inputting a start instruction for initiating the transfer of dissolved ion from the channel C1 to the channels C4 and C5; and a control unit which controls the solution supply part 2, the extracted solution supply parts 4A and 4B, and the voltage application part based on a dissolved ion treatment program prepared in advance in response to the input of the start instruction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dissolved ion transfer device that transfers dissolved ions contained in a solution to an extract. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Documents 1 and 2 describe ion transfer devices that utilize an electric field and ion membrane permeation. The ion transfer device includes a solution channel through which a solution flows, an extract channel through which an extract flows, an ion-permeable membrane disposed between the solution channel and the extract channel, and electrodes for generating an electric field that transfers dissolved ions contained in the solution to the extract. An ion transfer device having the above configuration can be used for processes such as separating dissolved ions or in-line concentration by transferring dissolved ions contained in a sample solution to an extract, and for in-line purification of an extract containing a specific ion by transferring dissolved ions contained in a raw material solution to an extract. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-223566 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 5888653 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to transfer the dissolved ions contained in the solution to the extract (i.e., to establish the treatment conditions for the dissolved ions), it is necessary to precisely and simultaneously control the flow rate of the solution flowing through the solution channel, the flow rate of the extract flowing through the extract channel, and the voltage applied to the electrodes. For this reason, users of conventional ion transfer devices have had to struggle to achieve the treatment conditions for the dissolved ions.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a dissolved ion transfer device that can easily realize control for establishing treatment conditions for dissolved ions. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the dissolved ion transfer device of the present invention is characterized by comprising an ion transfer unit having a solution channel through which a solution flows, an extract channel through which an extract flows, an ion-permeable membrane provided between the solution channel and the extract channel, and electrodes for generating an electric field that transfers dissolved ions contained in the solution to the extract; a solution supply unit that supplies the solution to the solution channel; an extract supply unit that supplies the extract to the extract channel; a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the electrodes; an input unit that receives a start instruction to start the transfer of the dissolved ions from the solution channel to the extract channel; and a control unit that, in response to the input of the start instruction, controls the solution supply unit, the extract supply unit, and the voltage application unit based on a pre-prepared dissolved ion processing program.

[0007] Furthermore, in the above-mentioned dissolved ion transfer device, it is preferable that the input unit is configured to be able to input instructions for setting the control mode of at least one of the solution supply unit and the extract liquid supply unit, and that the control unit changes the supply amount of at least one of the solution and the extract liquid per specified time by controlling at least one of the solution supply unit and the extract liquid supply unit in accordance with the instructions.

[0008] In addition, in the above-mentioned dissolved ion transfer device, it is preferable that the input unit is configured to be able to input instructions to adjust the voltage, and the control unit changes the voltage by controlling the voltage application unit in accordance with the instructions.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned dissolved ion transfer device further includes an electrode solution supply unit that supplies electrode solution to remove gas generated on the surface of the electrode, and that the control unit controls the electrode solution supply unit based on the dissolved ion treatment program in response to input of the start instruction.

[0010] Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned dissolved ion transfer device further includes a purified liquid output unit that outputs the extract or the solution that has flowed through the ion transfer unit to the outside as a purified liquid, and that the control unit controls the purified liquid output unit based on the dissolved ion treatment program in response to input of the start instruction.

[0011] Furthermore, it is preferable that the above-mentioned dissolved ion transfer device further includes a cleaning liquid supply unit that supplies a cleaning liquid for cleaning the solution channel, and the control unit controls the cleaning liquid supply unit based on a cleaning program prepared in advance.

[0012] In the dissolved ion transfer device, the cleaning program is preferably incorporated into the dissolved ion treatment program. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dissolved ion transfer device that can easily realize control for establishing treatment conditions for dissolved ions. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a dissolved ion transfer device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of an ion transition section according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2A is a block diagram of the dissolved ion transfer device according to the embodiment, and FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram of the input unit and display unit according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart of the dissolved ion treatment according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart of the dissolved ion treatment according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A is a schematic diagram of a dissolved ion transfer device according to a modified example, and FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram of an ion transfer section according to the modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] A dissolved ion transfer device A1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1, the dissolved ion transfer device A1 includes an ion transfer section 1, a solution supply section 2, electrode solution supply sections 3A and 3B, extract solution supply sections 4A and 4B, a cleaning solution supply section 5, a purified solution output section 6, and a waste liquid treatment section 7. The dissolved ion transfer device A1 transfers dissolved ions from a sample solution to an extract as a pretreatment for analyzing the dissolved ions, and outputs the extract containing the dissolved ions to the analysis device B.

[0016] The ion transfer unit 1 is composed of a flat-plate ion transfer device (ITD) with five layers of channels. The ion transfer unit 1 has a first channel C1 through which the solution flows, a second channel C2 through which the first electrode solution flows, a third channel C3 through which the second electrode solution flows, a fourth channel C4 through which the first extract flows, and a fifth channel C5 through which the second extract flows. The ion transfer unit 1 transfers anions dissolved in the solution to the first extract and cations dissolved in the solution to the fifth extract. That is, the ion transfer unit 1 transfers anions from the first channel C1 to the fourth channel C4 and transfers cations from the first channel C1 to the fifth channel C5.

[0017] The solution flowing through the first channel C1 may be, for example, a solution containing alkali metal ions, alkaline earth metal ions, halide ions, or oxoacid ions as dissolved ions. However, the solution may also contain other dissolved ions.

[0018] The first electrode solution flowing through the second channel C2 and the second electrode solution flowing through the third channel C3 may be, for example, pure water or ion-exchanged water. The first electrode solution and the second electrode solution are solutions for removing gas generated on the surfaces of electrodes 11A and 11B (see FIG. 2) described below.

[0019] The first extraction liquid flowed through the fourth channel C4 and the second extraction liquid flowed through the fifth channel C5 may be, for example, ultra-pure water (UPW). Note that, as long as the dissolved ions can be appropriately analyzed by the analyzer B, liquids other than ultra-pure water may be used as the first extraction liquid and the second extraction liquid.

[0020] The solution supply unit 2 supplies the solution to the first channel C1, which is the solution channel of the ion transfer unit 1. The solution supply unit 2 is composed of a liquid storage unit 21, a pump 22, and a valve 23. The liquid storage unit 21 stores the solution. The pump 22 is composed of a peristaltic pump (a so-called tube pump) and pumps the solution from the liquid storage unit 21 to the ion transfer unit 1. The valve 23 is composed of a three-way electromagnetic valve that switches the liquid pumped by the pump 22, and normally connects the liquid storage unit 21 and the pump 22.

[0021] The electrode solution supply unit 3A supplies the first electrode solution to the second channel C2, which is the electrode solution channel of the ion transfer unit 1. The electrode solution supply unit 3A is composed of a liquid storage unit 31A, a pump 32A, and an ion exchange column 33A. The liquid storage unit 31A stores the first electrode solution. The pump 32A is composed of a peristaltic pump and sends the first electrode solution from the liquid storage unit 31A to the ion transfer unit 1. The ion exchange column 33A removes unnecessary ions contained in the first electrode solution.

[0022] The electrode solution supply unit 3B supplies the second electrode solution to the third channel C3, which is the electrode solution channel of the ion transfer unit 1. The electrode solution supply unit 3B is composed of a liquid storage unit 31B, a pump 32B, and an ion exchange column 33B. The liquid storage unit 31B stores the second electrode solution. The pump 32B is composed of a peristaltic pump and sends the second electrode solution from the liquid storage unit 31B to the ion transfer unit 1. The ion exchange column 33B removes unnecessary ions contained in the second electrode solution.

[0023] The extract supply unit 4A supplies the first extract to the fourth channel C4, which is the extract channel of the ion transfer unit 1. The extract supply unit 4A is composed of a liquid storage unit 41A, a pump 42A, a valve 43A, and an ion exchange column 44A. The liquid storage unit 41A stores the first extract. The pump 42A is composed of a syringe pump that draws the first extract from the liquid storage unit 41A and delivers it to the ion transfer unit 1. The valve 43A is composed of a three-way solenoid valve that switches the flow path of the first extract. Under normal conditions, it connects the liquid storage unit 41A to the pump 42A, and under controlled conditions, it connects the pump 42A to the ion transfer unit 1. The ion exchange column 44A removes unnecessary ions from the first extract.

[0024] The extract supply unit 4B supplies the second extract to the fifth channel C5, which is the extract channel of the ion transfer unit 1. The extract supply unit 4B is composed of a liquid storage unit 41B, a pump 42B, a valve 43B, and an ion exchange column 44B. The liquid storage unit 41B stores the second extract. The pump 42B is composed of a syringe pump that draws the second extract from the liquid storage unit 41B and delivers the second extract to the ion transfer unit 1. The valve 43B is composed of a three-way solenoid valve that switches the flow path of the second extract. Under normal conditions, it connects the liquid storage unit 41B to the pump 42B, and under controlled conditions, it connects the pump 42B to the ion transfer unit 1. The ion exchange column 44B removes unnecessary ions from the second extract.

[0025] The cleaning liquid supply unit 5 supplies a cleaning liquid to the first channel C1 of the ion transfer unit 1. The cleaning liquid is a liquid for cleaning the first channel C1, and ultrapure water, for example, can be used as the cleaning liquid. The cleaning liquid supply unit 5 is composed of a liquid storage unit 51, and a pump 22 and a valve 23 that are part of the solution supply unit 2. In other words, the pump 22 and the valve 23 serve as both the solution supply unit 2 and part of the cleaning liquid supply unit 5. The liquid storage unit 51 stores the cleaning liquid. The pump 22 sends the cleaning liquid from the liquid storage unit 51 to the ion transfer unit 1. The valve 23 connects the liquid storage unit 51 and the pump 22 when under control.

[0026] The purified liquid output unit 6 outputs the extract that has flowed through the ion transfer unit 1 to the outside as a purified liquid. The purified liquid output unit 6 is composed of a liquid storage unit 61, a pump 62, and valves 63 and 64. The liquid storage unit 61 stores a transfer liquid for transferring the extract. The transfer liquid can be the same liquid as the extract. The pump 62 is composed of a peristaltic pump and sends the transfer liquid from the liquid storage unit 61 to the valves 63 and 64, which then send the extract together with the transfer liquid to the analysis device B. The valves 63 and 64 are injectors that temporarily store the extract that has flowed through the ion transfer unit 1 and switch the flow paths of the stored liquid and the transfer liquid. The valve 63 is connected to the fifth channel C5 of the ion transfer unit 1 and is configured to normally connect the flow path of the second extract to the waste liquid treatment unit 7 so that the second extract is not output to the analysis device B. The valve 64 is connected to the fourth channel C4 of the ion transfer section 1, and is configured to normally connect the flow paths of the first extraction liquid and the transfer liquid to the waste liquid treatment section 7 so that the first extraction liquid and the transfer liquid are not output to the analysis device B.

[0027] The waste liquid treatment unit 7 treats as waste liquid the solution and electrode solution that have flowed through the ion transfer unit 1, as well as the extract and transfer liquid that have not been output from the valves 63 and 64 to the analysis device B. The waste liquid treatment unit 7 includes a liquid storage unit 71 that stores waste liquid. The liquid storage unit 71 is connected to the first channel C1, the second channel C2, and the third channel C3 of the ion transfer unit 1, as well as the valves 63 and 64.

[0028] The analysis device B is an external device for analyzing dissolved ions, and is configured, for example, by ion chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, atomic absorption spectrometer, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer, or the like.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the ion transfer section 1 includes electrodes 11A and 11B, plates 12A and 12B, ion permeable membranes 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D, and channel forming membranes 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E.

[0030] Electrode 11A is provided in second channel C2, and electrode 11B is provided in third channel C3. Electrodes 11A and 11B are provided facing each other across multiple channels C1 to C5 to generate an electric field that transfers dissolved ions contained in the solution to the extract. When a voltage is applied by a voltage application unit 81 (described later), one of electrodes 11A and 11B becomes an anode that attracts anions, and the other becomes a cathode that attracts cations.

[0031] Plates 12A and 12B hold electrodes 11A and 11B, and sandwich a membrane stack in which channel forming membrane 14B, ion permeable membrane 13C, channel forming membrane 14D, ion permeable membrane 13A, channel forming membrane 14A, ion permeable membrane 13B, channel forming membrane 14E, ion permeable membrane 13D, and channel forming membrane 14C are stacked in this order.

[0032] The ion-permeable membranes 13A and 13B are electrically neutral dialysis membranes that allow the passage of dissolved ions contained in the solution but not macromolecules, such as microparticles and proteins, contained in the solution. Specifically, membranes made of hydrophobic materials, such as oils and fats or organic solvents (e.g., cellulose membranes), can be used as the ion-permeable membranes 13A and 13B. The ion-permeable membrane 13A is provided between the first channel C1 and the fourth channel C4, and the ion-permeable membrane 13B is provided between the first channel C1 and the fifth channel C5. Thus, the ion transfer unit 1 is configured to allow the transfer of dissolved ions in the solution between the channels C1 and C4 and between the channels C1 and C5, but not the transfer of impurities in the solution.

[0033] The ion permeable membrane 13C is a cation exchange membrane provided between the second channel C2 and the fourth channel C4, and the ion permeable membrane 13D is an anion exchange membrane provided between the third channel C3 and the fifth channel C5. Thus, the ion transfer section 1 is configured to allow cations to transfer from the second channel C2 to the fourth channel C4 (i.e., cations contained in the first electrode solution can transfer to the first extract) and allow anions to transfer from the third channel C3 to the fifth channel C5 (i.e., anions contained in the second electrode solution can transfer to the second extract).

[0034] The channel-forming membranes 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D, and 14E are thin films having slits that form liquid flow paths. The channel-forming membrane 14A forms a first channel C1 together with the ion-permeable membranes 13A and 13B. The channel-forming membrane 14B forms a second channel C2 together with the electrode 11A and the ion-permeable membrane 13C, and the channel-forming membrane 14C forms a third channel C3 together with the electrode 11B and the ion-permeable membrane 13D. The channel-forming membrane 14D forms a fourth channel C4 together with the ion-permeable membranes 13A and 13C, and the channel-forming membrane 14E forms a fifth channel C5 together with the ion-permeable membranes 13B and 13D.

[0035] 3(A) and 3(B), the dissolved ion transfer device A1 includes a voltage application unit 81, an input unit 82, a display unit 83, and a control unit 84. Note that FIG. 3(B) shows the layout of the man-machine interface that constitutes the input unit 82 and the display unit 83.

[0036] The voltage application unit 81 applies a voltage to the electrodes 11A and 11B of the ion transfer unit 1. Specifically, the voltage application unit 81 applies a DC voltage to the electrodes 11A and 11B during a dissolved ion treatment in which anions are transferred from the first channel C1 to the fourth channel C4 and cations are transferred from the first channel C1 to the fifth channel C5. In addition, the voltage application unit 81 applies an AC voltage to the electrodes 11A and 11B during a cleaning treatment in which the ion transfer unit 1 is cleaned.

[0037] The input unit 82 includes push buttons 82A-82F and a dial 82G, and is configured to allow input of instructions from the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1. By pressing any of the push buttons 82A-82D, an instruction to set the control mode of the extract supply units 4A, 4B is input to the input unit 82, and a dissolved ion treatment start instruction to start the dissolved ion treatment (i.e., the transfer of dissolved ions from the first channel C1 to the fourth channel C4 and the fifth channel C5) is input.

[0038] In addition, when push button 82E is pressed, a cleaning process start instruction to start the cleaning process of the ion transfer section 1 is input into the input section 82, and when push button 82F is pressed, a stop instruction to stop the dissolved ion process and the cleaning process is input.

[0039] Furthermore, by turning dial 82G, input unit 82 receives a voltage adjustment instruction for adjusting the voltage applied to electrodes 11A, 11B (that is, an instruction for changing the control mode of voltage application unit 81).

[0040] The display unit 83 is composed of segment displays 83A and 83B that display the operating state of the ion transfer unit 1. The segment display 83A displays the voltage value applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B, and the segment display 83B displays the current value between the electrodes 11A and 11B.

[0041] The control unit 84 is composed of a control circuit that controls each part of the dissolved ion transfer device A1. When any of the push buttons 82A to 82D is pressed (i.e., when a command to start dissolved ion treatment is input), the control unit 84 controls the solution supply unit 2, electrode solution supply units 3A and 3B, extract supply units 4A and 4B, purified liquid output unit 6, voltage application unit 81, etc. based on a prepared dissolved ion treatment program to perform dissolved ion treatment. The dissolved ion treatment program is a computer program in which commands to each of the above-mentioned parts of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 are written, and is stored in a non-volatile memory (not shown).

[0042] In addition, when the dial 82G is turned during the execution of the dissolved ion process (i.e., when a voltage adjustment instruction is input), the control unit 84 changes the voltage applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B by controlling the voltage application unit 81 in accordance with the voltage adjustment instruction.

[0043] Furthermore, when push button 82E is pressed (i.e., when a command to start the cleaning process is input), control unit 84 controls cleaning liquid supply unit 5 and the like based on a cleaning program prepared in advance, and executes the cleaning process. In this embodiment, since the cleaning program is incorporated into the dissolved ion treatment program, control unit 84 also controls cleaning liquid supply unit 5 based on the dissolved ion treatment program. Furthermore, when push button 82F is pressed (i.e., when a stop command is input) during the execution of the dissolved ion treatment and the cleaning process, control unit 84 stops the execution of these processes.

[0044] The flow of the dissolved ion treatment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the control unit 84 drives the pumps 42A and 42B, which are syringe pumps, to reduce the volume inside the syringes, and stops driving the pumps 42A and 42B when the volume inside the syringes is at its smallest (i.e., when the pistons inside the syringes reach their operating limits) (step S1). At this time, if any extract liquid remains in the pumps 42A and 42B, the extract liquid is sent from the pumps 42A and 42B to the liquid reservoirs 41A and 41B.

[0045] Next, the control unit 84 drives the pumps 42A and 42B so that the volume of the syringes increases (i.e., so that the extraction liquid is drawn into the syringes), and stops driving the pumps 42A and 42B after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S2). At this time, the pumps 42A and 42B draw the amount of extraction liquid required for the cleaning process from the liquid storage units 41A and 41B.

[0046] Next, the control unit 84 controls the valves 43A and 43B to connect the pumps 42A and 42B to the ion transfer unit 1, and drives the pumps 42A and 42B to send the extract from the pumps 42A and 42B to the ion transfer unit 1 (step S3). The extract sent from the pumps 42A and 42B in step S3 is discharged into the liquid storage unit 71 via the ion transfer unit 1 and the valves 63 and 64.

[0047] At the same time, the control unit 84 controls the valve 23 to connect the liquid storage unit 51 and the pump 22, and drives the pump 22 to send the cleaning liquid from the pump 22 to the ion transfer unit 1 (step S4). The cleaning liquid sent from the pump 22 passes through the ion transfer unit 1 and is discharged into the liquid storage unit 71.

[0048] At the same time, the control unit 84 drives the pumps 32A and 32B to send the electrode solution from the pumps 32A and 32B to the ion transfer unit 1 (step S5). The electrode solution sent from the pumps 32A and 32B passes through the ion transfer unit 1 and is discharged into the liquid storage unit 71.

[0049] Furthermore, at the same time, the control unit 84 drives the pump 62 so that the transfer liquid is sent from the pump 62 to the valves 63 and 64 (step S6). The transfer liquid sent from the pump 62 in step S6 is discharged into the liquid storage unit 71 via the valves 63 and 64.

[0050] Next, the control unit 84 drives the voltage application unit 81 so that a predetermined AC voltage is applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B while the extraction liquid, cleaning liquid, and electrode solution are flowing through the ion transfer unit 1 (step S7). Specifically, the control unit 84 controls the voltage application unit 81 so that a square-wave AC voltage of, for example, 24 V and a frequency of 1 Hz is applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B.

[0051] Then, when the ion transfer section 1 has been sufficiently cleaned (for example, several minutes or several tens of minutes after step S7), the control section 84 stops driving the pumps 42A, 42B, 22, 32A, 32B, and 62 and stops driving the voltage application section 81 (step S8).

[0052] In this way, the control unit 84 completes the cleaning process through steps S1 to S8. When the push button 82E is pressed, the control unit 84 also performs the cleaning process through the same operations as steps S1 to S8 based on the cleaning program.

[0053] When the cleaning process is completed, the control unit 84 drives the pumps 42A and 42B in the same manner as in step S1, and stops driving the pumps 42A and 42B when the volume inside the syringe becomes the smallest (step S11).

[0054] Next, the control unit 84 drives the pumps 42A and 42B in the same manner as in step S2, and stops driving the pumps 42A and 42B after a predetermined time has elapsed (step S12). At this time, the pumps 42A and 42B suck an amount of extract liquid necessary for the dissolved ion treatment from the liquid storage units 41A and 41B.

[0055] Next, similar to step S3, the control unit 84 drives the valves 43A, 43B and the pumps 42A, 42B so that the extract is sent from the pumps 42A, 42B to the ion transfer unit 1 (step S13). At this time, the control unit 84 controls the pumps 42A, 42B so that a predetermined amount of extract, for example, 0.1 mL / min to 5.0 mL / min, is supplied to the ion transfer unit 1. The extract sent to the ion transfer unit 1 in step S13 is sent to the valves 63, 64 via the ion transfer unit 1.

[0056] In this embodiment, push buttons 82A-82D are configured to allow input of instructions for setting the control mode of the extract liquid supply units 4A, 4B, and in step S13, the control unit 84 controls the extract liquid supply units 4A, 4B in accordance with the instructions, thereby changing the amount of extract liquid supplied per predetermined time. Specifically, for example, if push buttons 82A-82D listed in the left column of the following table are pressed when an instruction to start dissolved ion processing is input, the amounts listed in the middle and right columns of the table are set as the amount of extract liquid supplied to the ion transfer unit 1, and the control unit 84 controls the pumps 42A, 42B to supply the set amount of extract liquid to the ion transfer unit 1. [Table 1]

[0057] At the same time, the control unit 84 drives the pump 22 so that the solution is sent from the pump 22 to the ion transfer unit 1 (step S14). At this time, the control unit 84 controls the pump 22 so that a predetermined amount of solution, for example, 0.1 mL / min to 50.0 mL / min, is supplied to the ion transfer unit 1. The solution sent from the pump 22 passes through the ion transfer unit 1 and is discharged into the liquid storage unit 71.

[0058] At the same time, similar to step S5, the control unit 84 drives the pumps 32A and 32B so that the electrode solution is sent from the pumps 32A and 32B to the ion transfer unit 1 (step S15). At this time, the control unit 84 controls the pumps 32A and 32B so that a predetermined amount of the electrode solution, for example, 2 mL / min to 3 mL / min, is supplied to the ion transfer unit 1.

[0059] At the same time, the control unit 84 drives the pump 62 so that the transfer liquid is sent from the pump 62 to the valves 63 and 64 (step S16), similar to step S6. At this time, the control unit 84 controls the pump 62 so that a predetermined amount (e.g., 1 mL / min) of the transfer liquid is input to the valves 63 and 64.

[0060] Next, the control unit 84 drives the voltage application unit 81 so that a predetermined DC voltage of, for example, 400 V or less is applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B while the extract, solution, and electrode solution are flowing through the ion transfer unit 1 (step S17). In this embodiment, a voltage adjustment command for adjusting the voltage can be input by turning the dial 82G, and in step S17, the control unit 84 controls the voltage application unit 81 in accordance with the voltage adjustment command, thereby changing the voltage applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B. Specifically, the control unit 84 controls the voltage application unit 81 so that a voltage corresponding to the rotation angle of the dial 82G is applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B.

[0061] Next, the control unit 84 controls the valves 63, 63 at a predetermined timing so that the extract liquid is output as a purified liquid to the analysis device B (step S18). Specifically, the control unit 84 controls the valve 64 to connect the flow path of the first extract liquid to the flow path of the transfer liquid so that the first extract liquid is output as a purified liquid together with the transfer liquid to the analysis device B, and then controls the valve 63 to connect the flow path of the second extract liquid to the flow path of the transfer liquid so that the second extract liquid is output as a purified liquid together with the transfer liquid to the analysis device B.

[0062] Then, when the amount of extract required to analyze the dissolved ions has been output to the analysis device B, the control unit 84 stops driving the pumps 42A, 42B, 22, 32A, 32B, and 62 and stops driving the voltage application unit 81 (step S19).

[0063] In this embodiment, the following effects are obtained. (1) When a dissolved ion treatment start instruction is input to initiate the transfer of dissolved ions from the first channel C1 (solution channel) to the fourth channel C4 and the fifth channel C5 (extract channel), the control unit 84 controls the solution supply unit 2, the extract supply units 4A and 4B, the voltage application unit 81, and other components based on a previously prepared dissolved ion treatment program. With this configuration, when a user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 inputs a dissolved ion treatment start instruction (i.e., by pressing one of the push buttons 82A to 82D), the control unit 84 automatically controls the flow rate of the solution flowing through the first channel C1, the flow rate of the extract flowing through the fourth channel C4 and the fifth channel C5, and the voltage applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B. This eliminates the need for the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 to directly operate the pumps 22, 42A, and 42B and the voltage application unit 81, and facilitates control for achieving the dissolved ion treatment conditions.

[0064] (2) The input unit 82 is configured to allow input of instructions for setting the control mode of the extract supply units 4A, 4B, and the control unit 84 controls the extract supply units 4A, 4B in accordance with the instructions, thereby changing the amount of extract supplied per predetermined time. With this configuration, the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 can use the input unit 82 (in this embodiment, by pressing the push buttons 82A to 82D) to change the flow rate of the extract flowing through the fourth channel C4 and the fifth channel C5.

[0065] (3) The input unit 82 is configured to allow input of instructions to adjust the voltage, and the control unit 84 controls the voltage application unit 81 in accordance with the instructions to change the voltage applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B. With this configuration, the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 can change the voltage applied to the electrodes 11A and 11B using the input unit 82 (in this embodiment, by turning the dial 82G).

[0066] (4) When a dissolved ion treatment start command is input, the electrode solution supply units 3A and 3B are controlled by the control unit 84 based on the dissolved ion treatment program. This configuration eliminates the need for the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 to directly operate the pumps 32A and 32B.

[0067] (5) When the dissolved ion treatment start command is input, the purified liquid output unit 6 is controlled by the control unit 84 based on the dissolved ion treatment program. This configuration eliminates the need for the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 to directly operate the pump 62 and the valves 63 and 64.

[0068] (6) Based on a cleaning program prepared in advance, the cleaning liquid supply unit 5 and the like are controlled by the control unit 84. This configuration saves the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 the trouble of cleaning the first channel C1 and the like of the ion transfer unit 1.

[0069] (7) The cleaning program is incorporated into the dissolved ion processing program. With this configuration, the first channel C1 of the ion transfer unit 1 is automatically cleaned upon input of a command to start the dissolved ion processing.

[0070] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the above configurations can be modified. For example, the following modifications can be made, or the following modifications can be combined to make the present invention.

[0071] The input unit 82 is configured to allow input of instructions for setting the control mode of the solution supply unit 2, and the control unit 84 may change the amount of solution supplied per predetermined time by controlling the solution supply unit 2 in accordance with the instructions. With this configuration, the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 can use the input unit 82 (for example, by pressing the push buttons 82A to 82D) to change the flow rate of the solution flowing through the first channel C1.

[0072] The input unit 82 is configured to allow input of instructions for setting the control modes of both the solution supply unit 2 and the extract supply units 4A, 4B, and the control unit 84 may change the supply amounts of the solution and extract per predetermined time by controlling the solution supply unit 2 and the extract supply units 4A, 4B in accordance with the instructions. With this configuration, the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 can use the input unit 82 (for example, by pressing the push buttons 82A to 82D) to change the flow rate of the solution flowing through the first channel C1 and the flow rates of the extract flowing through the fourth channel C4 and the fifth channel C5.

[0073] The input unit may be configured by a man-machine interface other than the push buttons 82A to 82F and the dial 82G. For example, the input unit and the display unit may be configured by a touch panel.

[0074] The purified liquid output unit may be configured to output the extract to the outside without using a transfer liquid. For example, the first extract and the second extract that have flowed through the ion transfer unit 1 may be configured to be output to the outside via separate flow paths including an injector.

[0075] The dissolved ion transfer device may include a purified liquid output unit that outputs the solution that has passed through the ion transfer unit as a purified liquid. That is, the purified liquid output from the dissolved ion transfer device is not limited to the extract that has passed through the extract channel, but may also be the solution that has passed through the solution channel. Furthermore, the purified liquid output unit may be omitted by configuring the dissolved ion transfer device to store the purified liquid.

[0076] The solution, electrode solution, extraction solution, cleaning solution, and transfer solution are not limited to those described in the above embodiments and may be changed as appropriate depending on the purpose. Furthermore, the ion exchange resins constituting the ion exchange columns 33A, 33B, 44A, and 44B may be changed as appropriate depending on the electrode solution and extraction solution.

[0077] The waste liquid treatment unit 7 may be configured to discharge the waste liquid to the outside of the dissolved ion transfer device, thereby eliminating the liquid reservoir 71. Also, the ion exchange columns 33A, 33B, 44A, and 44B may be omitted.

[0078] As long as dissolved ions can be transferred between multiple channels, the configuration of the ion transfer unit 1 may be changed as appropriate. For example, the ion transfer unit may be configured by an ion transfer device having three or four layer channels.

[0079] Specifically, the ion transfer section may be configured with an ion transfer device having, for example, four-layer channels: one solution channel through which a solution flows, two electrode solution channels through which an electrode solution flows, and one extract channel through which an extract flows. Alternatively, the ion transfer section may be configured with an ion transfer device having, for example, three-layer channels: one solution channel / electrode solution channel through which a solution that also serves as an electrode solution flows, one electrode solution channel through which an electrode solution flows, and one extract channel through which an extract flows. These configurations allow for the transfer of either cations or anions from the dissolved ions contained in the solution to the extract.

[0080] The dissolved ion transfer device A1 may be configured to operate in cooperation with the analyzer B. That is, for example, the control unit 84 may be configured to send a signal to the analyzer B instructing it to start analyzing the dissolved ions upon completion of the dissolved ion treatment, and the analyzer B may start analyzing the dissolved ions upon receiving the signal. With this configuration, a series of processes using the dissolved ion transfer device A1 and the analyzer B is performed seamlessly, eliminating the need for the user of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 to operate the analyzer B.

[0081] (Variation 1) 6(A) and 6(B), a description will be given of a dissolved ion transfer device A2 according to Modification 1. Note that the same components as those of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 are denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again, and only components different from those of the dissolved ion transfer device A1 will be described.

[0082] As shown in Figure 6(A), the dissolved ion transfer device A2 includes an ion transfer section 1, a solution supply section 2, an electrode solution supply section 3A, an extract solution supply section 4A, a cleaning solution supply section 5, a waste liquid treatment section 7, and a purified liquid storage section 91. The dissolved ion transfer device A2 transfers dissolved ions, such as H2PO4, from the solution, which is the raw material liquid. - By transferring K to the extract, + and OH - and H2PO4 - and H + The pH buffer solution, which is an extract containing the above, is purified, and the pH buffer solution is stored in the purified solution storage section 91.

[0083] The ion transfer unit 1 according to the first modification is configured as a flat-plate ion transfer device having three layers of channels. The ion transfer unit 1 has a first channel C1' through which a solution that also serves as an electrode solution flows, a second channel C2' through which the electrode solution flows, and a third channel C3' through which the extract flows. The ion transfer unit 1 transfers anions, among the dissolved ions contained in the solution, to the extract. That is, the ion transfer unit 1 transfers anions from the first channel C1' to the third channel C3'.

[0084] In the first modification, the solution flowing through the first channel C1' is a potassium dihydrogen phosphate (KH2PO4) solution, which also serves as an electrode solution for removing gas generated at the electrode 11B. The electrode solution flowing through the second channel C2' is ultrapure water, and the extraction solution flowing through the third channel C3' is a potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution.

[0085] The solution supply unit 2 supplies a solution to the first channel C1', which is the solution channel and electrode solution channel of the ion transfer unit 1. The electrode solution supply unit 3A supplies an electrode solution to the second channel C2', which is the electrode solution channel of the ion transfer unit 1, and the extract solution supply unit 4A supplies an extract solution to the third channel C3', which is the extract solution channel of the ion transfer unit 1.

[0086] 6(B), in Modification 1, the electrode 11A is provided in the second channel C2', and the electrode 11B is provided in the first channel C1'. The plates 12A and 12B sandwich a membrane stack in which the channel-forming membrane 14B, the ion-permeable membrane 13A, the channel-forming membrane 14C, the ion-permeable membrane 13B, and the channel-forming membrane 14A are stacked in this order.

[0087] The ion permeable membrane 13A is a cation exchange membrane provided between the second channel C2' and the third channel C3', and the ion permeable membrane 13B is an anion exchange membrane provided between the first channel C1' and the third channel C3'. In this way, the ion transfer section 1 allows cations to transfer from the second channel C2' to the third channel C3' (i.e., cations (H + ) can be transferred to the extract), and anions can be transferred from the first channel C1' to the third channel C3' (i.e., anions (H2PO4 - ) can be transferred to the extract.

[0088] The channel forming membrane 14A forms a first channel C1' together with the electrode 11B and the ion permeable membrane 13B, the channel forming membrane 14B forms a second channel C2' together with the electrode 11A and the ion permeable membrane 13A, and the channel forming membrane 14C forms a third channel C3' together with the ion permeable membranes 13A and 13B.

[0089] The dissolved ion transfer device A2 of variant 1, like the above embodiment, is equipped with a voltage application unit 81, an input unit 82, a display unit 83, and a control unit 84 (all see Figure 3), and the voltage application unit 81 applies a DC voltage to electrodes 11A and 11B during dissolved ion processing to transfer anions from the first channel C1' to the third channel C3'.

[0090] The control unit 84 controls the pumps 22, 32A, 42A, the valves 23, 43A, and the voltage application unit 81 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, thereby performing a dissolved ion process to transfer anions from the first channel C1' to the third channel C3'.

[0091] In the first modification, when a dissolved ion processing start instruction is input to start the transfer of dissolved ions from the first channel C1' (solution channel) to the third channel C3' (extract channel), the solution supply unit 2, the extract supply unit 4A, the voltage application unit 81, etc. are controlled by the control unit 84 based on a dissolved ion processing program prepared in advance. This provides the effect described in (1) above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Ion transition zone 2. Solution supply section 3A,3B Electrolyte supply section 4A,4B Extract liquid supply section 5. Cleaning liquid supply unit 6. Purified liquid output section 7. Waste liquid treatment section 11A,11B electrode 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D Ion-permeable membrane 22, 32A, 32B, 42A, 42B, 62 Pumps 23, 43A, 43B, 63, 64 valves 81 Voltage application section 82 Input section 82A~82F Push Buttons 82G Dial 84 Control Unit A1, A2 Dissolved ion transfer device B Analyzer C1 First channel (solution channel) C2 Second channel (electrode solution channel) C3 Third channel (electrode solution channel) C4 4th channel (extract channel) C5 5th channel (extract channel) C1' First channel (solution channel, electrode solution channel) C2' Second channel (electrode solution channel) C3' Third channel (extract channel)

Claims

1. an ion transfer section including a solution channel through which a solution flows, an extract channel through which an extract different from the solution flows, an ion-permeable membrane provided between the solution channel and the extract channel, and electrodes for generating an electric field that transfers dissolved ions contained in the solution to the extract; a solution supply unit that supplies the solution to the solution channel; an extract supply unit that supplies the extract to the extract channel; a voltage application unit that applies a voltage to the electrodes; an input unit into which a start instruction for starting the transfer of the dissolved ions from the solution channel to the extract channel is input; a control unit that controls the solution supply unit, the extract supply unit, and the voltage application unit based on a dissolved ion treatment program prepared in advance in response to input of the start instruction, The solution is configured to flow only through the solution channel out of the solution channel and the extract channel, the solution supply unit is configured by a pump that delivers the solution, The extract supply unit is composed of another pump that delivers the extract. A dissolved ion transfer device characterized by:

2. the input unit is configured to be able to input an instruction to set a control mode of at least one of the solution supply unit and the extract supply unit, The control unit controls at least one of the solution supply unit and the extract supply unit in response to the instruction, thereby changing the supply amount of at least one of the solution and the extract per predetermined time.

2. The dissolved ion transfer device according to claim 1 .

3. the input unit is configured to be able to input an instruction to adjust the voltage, The control unit controls the voltage application unit in response to the instruction to change the voltage.

2. The dissolved ion transfer device according to claim 1 .

4. an electrode solution supply unit that supplies an electrode solution for removing gas generated on the surface of the electrode; The control unit controls the electrode solution supply unit based on the dissolved ion treatment program when the start instruction is input. The dissolved ion transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a purified liquid output unit that outputs the extract or the solution that has flowed through the ion transfer unit to the outside as a purified liquid, The control unit controls the purified liquid output unit based on the dissolved ion treatment program when the start instruction is input. The dissolved ion transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. a cleaning solution supply unit that supplies a cleaning solution for cleaning the solution channel; The control unit controls the cleaning liquid supply unit based on a cleaning program prepared in advance. The dissolved ion transfer device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

7. The cleaning program is incorporated into the dissolved ion treatment program.

7. The dissolved ion transfer device according to claim 6.

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