Water treatment equipment

Abstract

To provide a water treatment apparatus that can effectively utilize concentrated water, which is a residue generated after the reverse osmosis membrane treatment of electrolyzed water.SOLUTION: A water treatment apparatus 400 includes: an electrolysis device 30 having an anode 35B, a cathode 35A, an anode chamber 37 including the anode 35B, and a cathode chamber 36 including the cathode 35A; a raw water supply path 20A; a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 connected to the raw water supply path 20A downstream in the raw water supply direction and performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment on raw water 2 to produce reverse osmosis water 7 and supplying the reverse osmosis water 7 to the cathode chamber 36; an electrolyzed water supply path 34A connected to the cathode chamber 36 and allowing electrolyzed water 3 to flow out; and a control unit 55. A concentrated water discharge path 43 for discharging concentrated water 6 as a residue of the reverse osmosis water 7 is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. The concentrated water discharge path 43 is connected to the anode chamber 37 so that the concentrated water 6 can be supplied to the anode chamber 37.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a water treatment device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, it has been known that oxidative stress occurs in dialysis patients during hemodialysis. This is thought to be caused by reactive oxygen species generated during dialysis, and it has been proposed to reduce oxidative stress by eliminating this reactive oxygen species.

[0003] Based on this knowledge, a method has been proposed for producing dialysis water (dissolved hydrogen water) containing a high concentration of dissolved hydrogen, for example, by dissolving hydrogen in purified water (hereinafter referred to as "reverse osmosis water") treated with a reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane). When dialysis fluid containing dissolved hydrogen is used for hemodialysis, the hydrogen reacts with hydroxyl radicals in the body, suppressing oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. Therefore, dialysis solution preparation water producing apparatuses that produce such hydrogen-containing dialysis fluid are used (for example, Patent Document 1). The dialysis solution preparation water producing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has a structure in which a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device is connected to an electrolyzed water generator. The dialysis solution preparation water producing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 produces dialysis fluid by treating reduced electrolyzed water (dissolved hydrogen water) produced by an electrolyzed water generator with a reverse osmosis membrane. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5153905 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In an apparatus for producing dialysis solution preparation water as described in Patent Document 1, concentrated water (reduced electrolyzed water) that is a residue from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment is discarded without being utilized. However, as described above, if the amount of discarded concentrated water increases, the amount of raw water used before treatment also increases, resulting in a problem of increased costs related to water treatment. Therefore, there is a demand for an effective reuse of concentrated water.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to realize a water treatment device that can effectively utilize concentrated water, which is the residue generated after treating electrolyzed water with a reverse osmosis membrane. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The water treatment device of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises an electrolysis device having an anode, a cathode, an anode chamber containing the anode, and a cathode chamber containing the cathode; a raw water supply conduit connected to the cathode chamber and supplying raw water to the cathode chamber; an electrolyzed water supply conduit connected to the cathode chamber and discharging electrolyzed water produced by electrolysis in the electrolysis device; a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device connected to the electrolyzed water supply conduit and producing reverse osmosis electrolyzed water by performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the electrolyzed water supplied by the electrolyzed water supply conduit; and a control unit that controls water treatment operations in the electrolysis device and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, wherein a concentrated water discharge conduit is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device and discharges concentrated water as a residue of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment, and the concentrated water discharge conduit is directly or indirectly connected to the anode chamber so that the concentrated water can be supplied to the anode chamber.

[0008] (2) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a pressure reducing section is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel, and the pressure reducing section reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water.

[0009] (3) The water treatment device of the present invention, which is provided to solve the above-mentioned problems, comprises an electrolysis device having an anode, a cathode, an anode chamber containing the anode, and a cathode chamber containing the cathode; a raw water supply conduit for supplying raw water; a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device connected to the raw water supply conduit downstream of the raw water supply direction and which performs reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the raw water to produce reverse osmosis water and supplies the reverse osmosis water to the cathode chamber; an electrolyzed water supply conduit connected to the cathode chamber and through which the electrolyzed water produced by electrolysis in the electrolysis device flows out; and a control unit for controlling the water treatment operation of the electrolysis device and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, wherein a concentrated water discharge conduit is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device and which discharges concentrated water as a residue of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment, and the concentrated water discharge conduit is connected directly or indirectly to the anode chamber so that the concentrated water can be supplied to the anode chamber.

[0010] (4) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a pressure reducing section is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel, and the pressure reducing section reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water.

[0011] (5) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that the raw water supply channel downstream in the supply direction of the raw water is branched into a first branch channel and a second branch channel, one end of the first branch channel is connected to the anode chamber and the concentrated water discharge channel is connected to it at a connection point located midway, one end of the second branch channel is connected to the cathode chamber, a first opening / closing valve is disposed at the branch point between the first branch channel and the second branch channel or between the branch point and the connection point, a flow meter is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel, and the control unit controls the opening and closing of the first opening / closing valve based on the flow rate of the concentrated water detected by the flow meter.

[0012] (6) In the water treatment device of the present invention described above, the downstream side of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water outflow direction in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device is branched into a first branch path and a second branch path, one end of the first branch path is connected to the anode chamber and the concentrated water discharge path is connected to it at a connection point located midway, one end of the second branch path is connected to the cathode chamber, a first opening / closing valve is arranged at the branch point between the first branch path and the second branch path or between the branch point and the connection point, a flow meter is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, and the control unit may be characterized in that it controls the opening and closing of the first opening / closing valve based on the flow rate of the concentrated water detected by the flow meter.

[0013] (7) In the water treatment device of the present invention described above, the control unit may be characterized in that it controls the first opening / closing valve to a closed state on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water in the concentrated water discharge path exceeds a predetermined threshold, and controls the first opening / closing valve to an open state on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water in the concentrated water discharge path is equal to or less than the threshold.

[0014] (8) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that the anode chamber and the concentrated water discharge path are indirectly connected via a concentrated water storage section, the concentrated water storage section is provided with a water level sensor that detects the water level of the concentrated water stored in the concentrated water storage section, a second opening / closing valve is arranged in the concentrated water discharge path, and the control unit controls the opening and closing of the second opening / closing valve based on the detection result of the water level of the concentrated water by the water level sensor.

[0015] (9) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a supply pump is provided downstream of the concentrated water discharge direction in the concentrated water storage section, and the control unit controls the operation of the supply pump so that the flow rate of the concentrated water flowing through the concentrated water discharge path is constant.

[0016] (10) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a degassing device is provided in the concentrated water storage section, and the degassing device degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water.

[0017] (11) The water treatment device of the present invention described above may be characterized in that a degassing device is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, and the degassing device degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water.

[0018] (12) In the water treatment device of the present invention, the pressure reducing section may be configured with at least one of an orifice, a bent section, and a pressure reducing valve. [Effects of the Invention]

[0019] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a water treatment device that can effectively utilize concentrated water that is a residue generated after treating electrolyzed water with a reverse osmosis membrane. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is an explanatory diagram of a hemodialysis system formed by piping a dialyzer and a dialysate supply device as external devices to a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 2] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of a water treatment device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a water treatment device according to a first modified example of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a water treatment device according to a second modified example of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a water treatment device according to a third modified example of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a water treatment device according to a fourth modified example of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] A water treatment device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention and a hemodialysis system 600 configured using the same will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, a water treatment device 10 performs an operation (water treatment operation) in which hydrogen is dissolved in raw water 2 supplied from an external source to generate cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 (also referred to as electrolyzed water 3 or dissolved hydrogen water 3; see FIG. 2), and then performs reverse osmosis membrane processing on the dissolved hydrogen water 3 to generate reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5. A hemodialysis system 600 performs hemodialysis using dialysis water generated using the reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5. The hemodialysis system 600 includes a dialysate supply device 75 and a dialyzer 71, which will be described in detail later, as external devices 70 that operate using the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 (also referred to as reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5). The configurations of the water treatment device 10 and the hemodialysis system 600 will be described in more detail below.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 2 , the water treatment device 10 includes a raw water supply unit 20, a raw water supply channel 20A connected to the raw water supply unit 20, an electrolysis device 30, and a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. These components are connected by piping to form a water treatment system 500. The water treatment device 10 also includes a circulation flow path 50 for circulating the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 produced in the water treatment system 500. The water treatment device 10 also includes a control device 55 for controlling the operation of each component. The water treatment device 10 produces cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 by pumping water through the water treatment system 500 and electrolyzing the pumped water using the electrolysis device 30 (also simply referred to as electrolysis). The water treatment device 10 produces reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 by treating the produced cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, and can supply the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 to an external device 70 (partially omitted in the drawing) while circulating it through the circulation flow path 50. The configuration of each component of the water treatment device 10 will be described in more detail below.

[0024] The raw water supply unit 20 treats water (raw water 2), such as tap water, well water, or groundwater, supplied from outside the water treatment device 10, and then supplies the treated water to the electrolysis device 30. The raw water supply unit 20 includes a prefilter 22, a water softener 24, an activated carbon treatment device 26, and a pump 28. A raw water supply path 20A is installed between the raw water supply unit 20 and the electrolysis device 30 to transport the raw water 2 and the treated raw water 2.

[0025] The prefilter 22 is used to remove impurities from water (raw water 2), such as tap water, well water, or groundwater, supplied from outside the water treatment device 10. The prefilter 22 can be configured using an appropriate filter, and is designed to remove impurities such as iron rust and sand particles from hardness components (dissolved solids such as calcium ions and magnesium ions) contained in the raw water 2, for example.

[0026] The water softener 24 is used to remove hardness components contained in the raw water 2 through a substitution reaction by ion exchange, thereby producing soft water. In the water treatment system 500, the water softener 24 is connected to the downstream side of the prefilter 22 via piping. Therefore, the water softener 24 can further remove hardness components from the raw water 2 from which impurities have been removed by the prefilter 22, thereby softening the raw water 2.

[0027] The activated carbon treatment device 26 is connected to the water treatment system 500 via piping downstream of the water softener 24. The raw water 2 that has been softened by the water softener 24 is supplied to the activated carbon treatment device 26. The activated carbon treatment device 26 uses activated carbon, which is a porous adsorbent material, to perform treatment to remove residual chlorine, chloramine, organic matter, and the like contained in the raw water 2 through physical adsorption.

[0028] The raw water supply unit 20 operates a pump 28 disposed upstream of the prefilter 22 in the water treatment system 500 to pump the raw water 2 and pass it through the prefilter 22, the water softener 24, and the activated carbon treatment device 26. As a result, the raw water 2 has impurities removed in the prefilter 22, is softened in the water softener 24, and is further purified of substances such as residual chlorine in the activated carbon treatment device 26, and is then supplied to the electrolysis device 30 through the raw water supply path 20A.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2 , the electrolysis device 30 is connected by piping downstream of the raw water supply unit 20 in the water treatment system 500. The electrolysis device 30 has an electrolysis cell 33, which contains a cathode 35A, an anode 35B, a cathode chamber 36 including the cathode 35A, and an anode chamber 37 including the anode 35B. The electrolysis device 30 can generate dissolved hydrogen water 3 (cathode-side electrolyzed water 3) by electrolyzing raw water 2 introduced from the raw water supply line 20A in the cathode chamber 36. The electrolysis device 30 may be any device that can dissolve hydrogen in the raw water 2 to generate dissolved hydrogen water 3. In this embodiment, the electrolysis device 30 is one that can generate dissolved hydrogen water 3 by performing electrolysis processing.

[0030] More specifically, the electrolysis device 30 may include a solid polymer membrane 32 and an electrolytic cell 33. Note that the electrolysis device 30 in Fig. 2 is a schematic representation, and the shape and size of the electrolytic cell 33 may differ from the actual ones. The electrolytic cell 33 includes, inside a housing, a solid polymer membrane 32, a cathode 35A and an anode 35B as electrodes 35, a cathode chamber 36, an anode chamber 37, and the like. The electrolytic cell 33 also includes a cathode chamber 36 and an anode chamber 37 formed with the solid polymer membrane 32 interposed therebetween.

[0031] The cathode chamber 36 accommodates a cathode 35A therein. A raw water supply passage 20A is connected to the cathode chamber 36 for supplying raw water 2 to the cathode chamber 36. In addition, an electrolyzed water supply passage 34A is connected to the cathode chamber 36 for supplying electrolyzed water 3 (dissolved hydrogen water 3, cathode-side electrolyzed water 3) generated by electrolyzing the raw water 2 in the cathode chamber 36 to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40.

[0032] In this embodiment, the raw water supply unit 20 supplies the raw water 2, from which impurities, chlorine, etc. have been removed and which has been softened, to the cathode chamber .

[0033] The electrolyzed water supply passage 34A is a flow path for sending the cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 generated by electrolysis in the cathode chamber 36 of the electrolysis device 30 to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. The electrolyzed water supply passage 34A is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40.

[0034] The anode chamber 37 accommodates an anode 35B therein. As will be described in detail later, in this embodiment, the anode chamber 37 is connected to a portion of the concentrated water discharge channel 43 that is downstream in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6. Here, the concentrated water 6 is a residue from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. That is, in the anode chamber 37, the concentrated water 6 is electrolyzed to produce anode-side electrolyzed water 4 in which oxygen has been dissolved (dissolved oxygen water 4). The anode chamber 37 is connected to an anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B that discharges the anode-side electrolyzed water 4.

[0035] The anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B is connected to the anode chamber 37 and can discharge the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 generated in the anode chamber 37. A degasser 65 and a check valve 68 are provided along the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B. Furthermore, a portion of the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B downstream of the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 discharge direction is connected to a concentrated water discharge channel 43 (described later). Therefore, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 flowing through the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B is degassed (e.g., oxygen removed) by the degasser 65 and then discharged toward the concentrated water discharge channel 43. As will be described in detail later, the downstream side of the concentrated water discharge channel 43 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6 is connected to an inlet (not shown) of the anode chamber 37. Therefore, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 flowing through the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B is returned to the anode chamber 37 via the concentrated water discharge channel 43.

[0036] The check valve 68 prevents the concentrated water 6 (described later) from flowing back from the concentrated water discharge channel 43 to the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B. A pump 43A is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel 43 between the anode chamber 37 and the connection point between the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B and the concentrated water discharge channel 43. The pump 43A pumps the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 and the concentrated water 6 toward the anode chamber 37. This allows the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 to circulate smoothly through the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B and the concentrated water discharge channel 43. The anode-side electrolyzed water 4 returned to the anode chamber 37 is used for re-electrolysis in the electrolysis device 30. As in a third modified example (see FIG. 5 ) described later, the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B may be connected to an external discharge channel (not shown) instead of being connected to the concentrated water discharge channel 43.

[0037] Next, the electrolysis process in the electrolysis device 30 of this embodiment will be described in detail. The solid polymer membrane 32 functions as an electrolyte in the electrolysis device 30. The solid polymer membrane 32 is disposed between the cathode 35A and the anode 35B so as to extend in the longitudinal direction along the cathode 35A and the anode 35B. In this embodiment, the solid polymer membrane 32 is sandwiched between the cathode 35A and the anode 35B. This separates the internal space of the electrolytic cell 33 into a space on one side and a space on the other side via the solid polymer membrane 32. The solid polymer membrane 32 absorbs oxonium ions (HO) generated on the anode 35B side by electrolysis. + ) to the cathode 35A side. The solid polymer membrane 32 is preferably made of, for example, a fluorine-based resin material having a sulfonic acid group. More specifically, Nafion (manufactured by DuPont), Flemion (manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Aciplex (manufactured by Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), etc. can be preferably used as the solid polymer membrane 32.

[0038] The cathode 35A and the anode 35B function as power supply elements that supply power to the electrolytic cell 33. The cathode 35A and the anode 35B are arranged to face each other with the solid polymer membrane 32 interposed therebetween. The cathode 35A and the anode 35B are formed using a material such as titanium or platinum. The cathode 35A and the anode 35B are electrically connected to each other.

[0039] When the raw water 2 is electrolyzed in the electrolysis device 30, the following reactions occur on the cathode 35A side and the anode 35B side. Anode side: 6H2O → 4H3O + +O2+4e - Cathode side: 4H3O + +4e - →2H2+4H2O

[0040] In the electrolysis device 30, oxonium ions (HO) are used as a source of hydrogen at the cathode 35A. + ) is used, and OH is used during the electrolysis process. -No ions are generated. Therefore, even when the electrolysis device 30 performs electrolysis at a high current value to increase the amount of dissolved hydrogen, the pH of the treated water does not change. Therefore, the electrolysis device 30 does not have the inconvenience of suppressing the dissolved hydrogen concentration of the treated water due to the upper limit of pH, and it is possible to perform electrolysis at a desired high current value and improve the dissolved hydrogen concentration of the treated water. As a result, it is possible to obtain treated water having the required dissolved hydrogen concentration.

[0041] The electrolysis device 30 can send the cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 generated by the above-mentioned electrolysis process from the electrolyzed water supply channel 34A to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, which will be described later. Meanwhile, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 generated on the anode 35B side by the electrolysis process is discharged from the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B connected to the anode chamber 37. The anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B is connected to the concentrated water discharge channel 43 as described above, and the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 can be returned to the anode chamber 37 via the concentrated water discharge channel 43.

[0042] The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is disposed downstream of the electrolysis device 30 in the water treatment system 500. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is a device for performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment using a reverse osmosis membrane 42. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 includes the reverse osmosis membrane 42, an RO tank 44, an RO pump 45, a reverse osmosis electrolyzed water discharge channel 46, a concentrated water discharge channel 43, etc.

[0043] The reverse osmosis membrane 42 is used to perform reverse osmosis treatment on the cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 produced by the electrolysis device 30. When solutions of different concentrations exist with the semipermeable membrane as a boundary, a phenomenon (osmosis) occurs in which water moves from the low-concentration solution to the high-concentration solution. In response to this, by applying pressure to the high-concentration solution with the semipermeable membrane as a boundary, water can be moved from the high-concentration solution to the low-concentration solution, thereby causing a phenomenon (reverse osmosis) in which water permeates into the low-concentration solution. The reverse osmosis membrane 42 is provided to perform a process (reverse osmosis membrane treatment) in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 to obtain water that has been subjected to reverse osmosis (reverse osmosis water).

[0044] The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 can remove impurities such as trace metals by performing reverse osmosis on water. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 can further remove impurities such as trace metals from the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 by performing reverse osmosis on the reverse osmosis membrane 42 of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5, which is pumped from the electrolysis device 30 side by the RO pump 45.

[0045] In the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, as described above, before generating the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 in the electrolysis device 30, impurities have already been removed in the prefilter 22, the water has been softened in the water softener 24, and substances such as residual chlorine have already been removed in the activated carbon treatment device 26. Therefore, the water treatment device 10 can obtain water (reverse osmosis water) that meets the water quality standards defined in ISO 13959 (standards for water for dialysis) by performing reverse osmosis treatment on the cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 using the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. Furthermore, the water treatment device 10 performs reverse osmosis treatment on the cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 generated in the electrolysis device 30 using the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. Therefore, the water treatment device 10 can obtain reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 in which hydrogen is dissolved (also referred to as reverse osmosis-dissolved hydrogen water 5) by performing reverse osmosis treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40.

[0046] The RO tank 44 is provided downstream of the reverse osmosis membrane 42 in the water treatment system 500. The RO tank 44 is for storing (storing) the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 that has been subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment using the reverse osmosis membrane 42. An ultraviolet sterilization device 47 is installed in the RO tank 44. In addition, a delivery tank piping 48 that forms part of the circulation flow path 50 is connected to the RO tank 44. The delivery tank piping 48 is connected to the piping that forms the circulation flow path 50.

[0047] The delivery tank piping 48 is a piping for delivering the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 from the RO tank 44. The delivery tank piping 48 is connected to the bottom side of the RO tank 44 (the bottom part of the RO tank 44 in this embodiment). The delivery tank piping 48 is provided with a circulation pump 46B.

[0048] The circulation pump 46B pumps out the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 stored in the RO tank 44 and pumps it toward the circulation flow path 50. In addition, the circulation flow path 50 may be appropriately provided with an ultrafiltration device (not shown).

[0049] The circulation flow path 50 is connected to the delivery tank piping 48 connected to the RO tank 44, thereby forming a circulation flow of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 that flows from the RO tank 44 and returns to the RO tank 44. An external device 70 that operates using the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 is connected to the circulation flow path 50 via a pipe. The external device 70 may be any device that operates using the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 produced by the water treatment device 10. In this embodiment, for example, a dialysate supply device 75 (see FIG. 1) for producing dialysate constituting the hemodialysis system 600 and a dialyzer 71 (see FIG. 1) are connected to the circulation flow path 50 as external devices 70 via a pipe. In this embodiment, the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 is circulated through the RO tank 44 via the circulation flow path 50. However, the circulation flow path 50 may be provided as needed. It is also possible for the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 flowing from the RO tank 44 to be supplied to the external device 70 without being circulated. Note that the external device 70 is partially omitted in FIG. 2 .

[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the dialysis fluid supply device 75 is capable of producing a medicinal solution (dialysis fluid) used in dialysis by dissolving a medicinal agent in reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5. One or more supply devices (two drug dissolving devices 76 and 77 in the illustrated example) for supplying the medicinal agent are connected to the dialysis fluid supply device 75. The dialysis fluid supply device 75 can produce the dialysis fluid by mixing the medicinal agent supplied from the drug dissolving devices 76 and 77 with the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 taken in from the circulation flow path 50. The dialysis fluid produced by the dialysis fluid supply device 75 is supplied to the dialyzer 72 assigned to each patient and used for hemodialysis.

[0051] Moreover, the dialyzer 71 differs from the dialyzer 72 described above in that it has the function of producing a dialysis fluid by dissolving a drug in the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5. Therefore, the dialyzer 71 is connected to the circulation flow path 50 without passing through the dialysate supply device 75.

[0052] 2, in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, the residue remaining after the reverse osmosis membrane treatment is discharged as concentrated water 6 from a concentrated water discharge channel 43. Here, the concentrated water 6 is the residue of the cathode-side electrolyzed water 3 (dissolved hydrogen water 3) that was unable to pass through the reverse osmosis membrane 42 during the reverse osmosis membrane treatment. The concentrated water 6 is essentially free of impurities, chlorine, etc., since impurities, chlorine, etc. have already been removed from it by the prefilter 22, the activated carbon treatment device 26, etc.

[0053] The concentrated water discharge channel 43 is connected to the anode chamber 37, and can discharge the concentrated water 6 discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 toward the anode chamber 37. A pressure reducing section 60 is provided midway along the concentrated water discharge channel 43. Note that the concentrated water discharge channel 43 may be directly connected to the anode chamber 37 or indirectly connected to the anode chamber 37, as long as it can supply the concentrated water 6 to the anode chamber 37. In this embodiment, the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B is connected midway along the concentrated water discharge channel 43. That is, the concentrated water discharge channel 43 can supply the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 to the anode chamber 37 in addition to the concentrated water 6. Therefore, in the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 can be reused along with the concentrated water 6, which is expected to further reduce the cost of water treatment.

[0054] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a concentrated water external discharge channel 43C for discharging a part or all of the concentrated water 6 to the outside is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel 43 at a position closer to the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6 (upstream side) than the pressure reducing section 60. The concentrated water external discharge channel 43C can discharge excess concentrated water 6 that exceeds the amount required for generating the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 (dissolved oxygen water 4) in the anode chamber 37 to the outside. Note that in the illustrated example, no valves or the like are provided at the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C or at the branching point between the concentrated water discharge channel 43 and the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C, but if necessary, a flow rate adjusting device or an opening / closing device such as a valve may be provided at either or both of the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C and the branching point between the concentrated water discharge channel 43 and the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C.

[0055] The pressure reducing unit 60 reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water 6. Specifically, the pressure reducing unit 60 is configured with at least one of an orifice, a bent portion, and a pressure reducing valve. Here, the water pressure of the electrolyzed water 3 (dissolved hydrogen water 3) described above is increased when subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment, and therefore the water pressure of the concentrated water 6, which is the residue of the reverse osmosis membrane treatment, is also increased. Therefore, if the concentrated water 6 with high water pressure is discharged into the concentrated water discharge channel 43, there is a concern that the piping may be damaged or other connected devices may be damaged. Therefore, in the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, the water pressure of the concentrated water 6 is reduced by the pressure reducing unit 60. Note that the pressure reducing unit 60 is not limited to the above, and various types can be used as long as they can reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water 6.

[0056] Further, a degassing device 66 is provided midway along the concentrated water discharge path 43. The degassing device 66 removes at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water 6. This makes it possible to prevent the concentrated water discharge path 43 from becoming clogged with gas.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 2 , the control device 55 (also referred to as the control unit 55) controls the water treatment operation in the water treatment device 10, which generates reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 from raw water 2 via electrolyzed water 3. The control device 55 is composed of a computer or the like and is capable of performing various calculations and processing. The control device 55 can control the electrolysis device 30, the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, etc. Furthermore, the control device 55 can control the supply of reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 to the external device 70 depending on the operating status of the external device 70.

[0058] The control device 55 can control the electrolyzed water 3 flowing out from the cathode chamber 36 to be subjected to reverse osmosis membrane treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, and then supplied to the external device 70 via the RO tank 44. The control device 55 can also control the return of concentrated water 6, which is discharged as a residue from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment, to the anode chamber 37 via the concentrated water discharge path 43. In addition to the above, the control device 55 can also control processes related to the overall water treatment operation in the water treatment device 10. The control device 55 need not be configured as a single device, but may be configured as a plurality of control devices according to the functions, devices, etc.

[0059] The above is the configuration of water treatment device 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention, and next, the effects of water treatment device 10 of the present invention will be described below. Water treatment device 10, which embodies the present invention and is exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment, has the following characteristic configurations (A) to (D), which enable it to achieve effects unique to the present invention.

[0060] (A) The water treatment device 10 of the present embodiment described above includes an electrolysis device 30 having an anode 35B, a cathode 35A, an anode chamber 37 including the anode 35B, and a cathode chamber 36 including the cathode 35A; a raw water supply channel 20A connected to the cathode chamber 36 and supplying raw water 2 to the cathode chamber 36; an electrolyzed water supply channel 34A connected to the cathode chamber 36 and discharging electrolyzed water 3 generated by electrolysis by the electrolysis device 30; and a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 10 connected to the electrolyzed water supply channel 34A and treating the electrolyzed water 3 supplied by the electrolyzed water supply channel 34A. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is provided with a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 that generates reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 by performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment, and a control unit 55 that controls the water treatment operation of the electrolysis device 30 and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. A concentrated water discharge path 43 is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, and discharges concentrated water 6 as a residue of the reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment. The concentrated water discharge path 43 is connected directly or indirectly to the anode chamber 37 so that the concentrated water 6 can be supplied to the anode chamber 37.

[0061] The water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, configured as described above in (A), can obtain reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 (reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5) by subjecting electrolyzed water 3 (dissolved hydrogen water 3) generated in the cathode chamber 36 to reverse osmosis membrane treatment. Furthermore, the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, configured as described above in (A), can subject the residue (concentrated water 6) that is no longer needed in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment to electrolysis (also referred to as electrolysis) in the anode chamber 37. As a result, the water treatment device 10 described above can supply concentrated water 6 instead of raw water 2 to the anode chamber 37, thereby reducing the amount of raw water 2 supplied. As a result, the water treatment device 10 described above can suppress an increase in the cost of raw water 2.

[0062] (B) The water treatment device 10 of the present embodiment described above is characterized in that the concentrated water discharge channel 43 is provided with a pressure reducing section 60, which reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water 6.

[0063] The water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, configured as described above in (B), can reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water 6, the water pressure of which has been increased by reverse osmosis treatment. As a result, the water treatment device 10 described above can prevent the concentrated water 6 under high water pressure from being sent to the flow path or the electrolytic bath 33, thereby preventing damage to the piping, the electrolytic bath 33, etc.

[0064] (C) The pressure reducing section 60 of the present embodiment is characterized by being composed of at least one of an orifice, a bent section, and a pressure reducing valve.

[0065] In the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment, the pressure reducing section 60 can be suitably configured by adopting the configuration as described above in (C).

[0066] (D) The water treatment device 10 of the present embodiment described above is characterized in that a degassing device 66 is provided in the concentrated water discharge path 43, and the degassing device 66 degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water 6.

[0067] By being configured as described above in (D), the water treatment device 10 of this embodiment can degas the hydrogen gas contained in the concentrated water 6 flowing through the concentrated water discharge channel 43 and the oxygen gas generated by electrolyzing the concentrated water 6 in the anode chamber 37. This prevents the hydrogen gas and oxygen gas from clogging the flow paths such as the concentrated water discharge channel 43, thereby preventing the flow paths from becoming clogged with air and hindering the flow of the concentrated water 6.

[0068] The water treatment device 10 of the present invention can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and is not limited to the examples given in the above embodiment or those described in (A) to (D) above, but may have configurations such as those of the following modified examples. A first modified example and a second modified example of the water treatment device 10 will be described below. In the description of the modified examples, the same components as those in the water treatment device 10 according to the above embodiment will be assigned the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0069] First Variation 3, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, the raw water supply channel 20A is branched into a first branch channel 112 and a second branch channel 114 on the downstream side in the supply direction of the raw water 2. The water treatment device 100 according to the first modification has a configuration substantially similar to that of the above-described embodiment, except that the raw water supply channel 20A is branched, the first branch channel 112 is connected to the anode chamber 37, and the concentrated water discharge channel 43 is connected midway through the first branch channel 112. Therefore, a description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0070] The other end of the first branched channel 112 opposite to the branch point 111 (the downstream end in the supply direction of the raw water 2) is connected to the anode chamber 37. Therefore, the raw water 2 supplied to the raw water supply channel 20A flows into the first branched channel 112 via the branch point 111 and is introduced into the anode chamber 37. A concentrated water discharge channel 43 is connected to the first branched channel 112 at a connection point 113 located midway. In other words, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example, the concentrated water discharge channel 43 is indirectly connected to the anode chamber 37 via the first branched channel 112.

[0071] In addition, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, a first on-off valve 115 is disposed between the branch point 111 and the connection point 113. In addition, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, a flow meter 43B that measures the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is provided midway in the concentrated water discharge path 43.

[0072] When the first on-off valve 115 is in an open state, the raw water 2 can flow into the anode chamber 37. When the first on-off valve 115 is in a closed state, the inflow of the raw water 2 is blocked and the concentrated water 6 can flow into the anode chamber 37. Although the first on-off valve 115 is used in this first modified example, the water treatment device 100 can also use a proportional valve instead of the first on-off valve 115.

[0073] Here, the control device 55 controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 115 based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 detected by the flow meter 43B. Therefore, for example, when the supply rate of the concentrated water 6 decreases or the supply of the concentrated water 6 is interrupted, the water treatment device 100 can reliably supply water to be subjected to electrolysis into the anode chamber 37 by controlling the first on-off valve 115 to an open state. The first on-off valve 115 may be disposed at the branch point 111 or the connection point 113. In other words, the first on-off valve 115 can be disposed at various positions as long as it can start the supply of raw water 2 when the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 decreases.

[0074] Furthermore, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example, as in the above embodiment, a concentrated water external discharge channel 43C for discharging part or all of the concentrated water 6 to the outside is provided midway along the concentrated water discharge channel 43, on the closer side (upstream side) in the flow direction of the concentrated water 6 than the pressure reducing section 60. Therefore, when the amount of concentrated water 6 supplied to the anode chamber 37 via the concentrated water discharge channel 43 exceeds the amount required in the anode chamber 37 and becomes excessive, the excess concentrated water 6 can be discharged to the outside via the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C. Note that, in the water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example, a flow rate adjusting device such as a valve or an opening / closing device can also be provided, as necessary, in the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C or in the branching portion between the concentrated water discharge channel 43 and the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C.

[0075] The second branched channel 114 has the other end opposite to the branch point 111 (the downstream end in the supply direction of the raw water 2) connected to the cathode chamber 36. Therefore, the raw water 2 supplied to the raw water supply channel 20A flows into the second branched channel 114 via the branch point 111 and is supplied to the cathode chamber 36.

[0076] Here, the control of the flow rates of the concentrated water 6 and raw water 2 flowing into the anode chamber 37 by the control device 55 can be performed as follows. For example, the control device 55 can control the first on-off valve 115 to be closed on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 exceeds a predetermined threshold. This allows electrolysis to be performed using the concentrated water 6 without using the raw water 2 when the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is high. Furthermore, the control device 55 can control the first on-off valve 115 to be open on condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. This allows electrolysis to be performed using the raw water 2 when the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is insufficient or depleted.

[0077] As described above, the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification has the following characteristic features (E) and (F) in addition to the above-mentioned characteristic features (A) to (D). As a result, the water treatment device 100 can achieve the following characteristic effects.

[0078] (E) The water treatment device 100 relating to the first variant described above is characterized in that the downstream side of the raw water supply channel 20A in the supply direction of the raw water 2 is branched into a first branch channel 112 and a second branch channel 114, one end of the first branch channel 112 is connected to the anode chamber 37 and is connected to a concentrated water discharge channel 43 at a connection point 113 located midway, one end of the second branch channel 114 is connected to the cathode chamber 36, a first opening / closing valve 115 is arranged at the branch point 111 between the first branch channel 112 and the second branch channel 114 or between the branch point 111 and the connection point 113, a flow meter 43B is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel 43, and the control unit 55 controls the opening and closing of the first opening / closing valve 115 based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 detected by the flow meter 43B.

[0079] The water treatment device 100 according to the first modification, configured as described above in (E), can introduce raw water 2 into the anode chamber 37 from the first branched path 112 as needed, based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6. When the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is sufficient, the concentrated water 6 can be subjected to electrolysis in the anode chamber 37 without using the raw water 2. This allows the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification to reduce water costs and perform stable electrolysis. Therefore, the water treatment device 100 described above can stably supply reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 without interrupting the operation of an external device 70 (e.g., a dialysis device).

[0080] Furthermore, the water treatment device 100 according to the first modification can have the following configuration (F) in addition to the above configuration (E).

[0081] (F) In the water treatment device 100 relating to the first variant described above, the control unit 55 controls the first opening / closing valve 115 to a closed state on the condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 exceeds a predetermined threshold, and controls the first opening / closing valve 115 to an open state on the condition that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 is equal to or less than the threshold.

[0082] The water treatment device 100 according to the first modified example is configured as described above in (F), and thus can control the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 115 based on a predetermined threshold value for the flow rate of the concentrated water 6. This allows the water treatment device 100 to supply water to the anode chamber 37 more stably, thereby enabling the external device 70 (e.g., the dialysis fluid supply device 75, etc.) to operate more stably and continuously.

[0083] <<Second Variation>> As shown in FIG. 4 , in a water treatment device 200 according to the second modification, the anode chamber 37 and the concentrated water discharge channel 43 are indirectly connected via a concentrated water storage unit 210. That is, in the water treatment device 200, the concentrated water storage unit 210 is disposed midway along the concentrated water discharge channel 43. The concentrated water storage unit 210 stores the concentrated water 6 discharged from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. The concentrated water storage unit 210 is provided with a water level sensor 211 that detects the water level of the concentrated water 6 stored in the concentrated water storage unit 210. A second on-off valve 201 is disposed downstream of the concentrated water storage unit 210 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6. The control unit 55 can control the opening and closing of the second on-off valve 201 based on the detection result of the water level sensor 211 for the water level of the concentrated water 6. A degassing device 67 is also provided in the concentrated water storage unit 210. The degassing device 67 can degas at least a portion of the gas (e.g., hydrogen and oxygen) contained in the concentrated water 6. Note that if sufficient degassing is possible in the concentrated water storage section 210, some or all of the degassing devices 65, 66, and 67 may be eliminated.

[0084] Furthermore, a supply pump 212 is provided downstream of the second on-off valve 201 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6. The supply pump 212 can send the concentrated water 6 flowing out from the concentrated water storage section 210 to the concentrated water discharge path 43 toward the anode chamber 37. The supply pump 212 can be controlled by the control device 55 so that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 flowing through the concentrated water discharge path 43 is constant.

[0085] As described above, the water treatment device 200 according to the second modification has the following characteristic features (G) to (I) in addition to the above-mentioned characteristic features (A) to (F). As a result, the water treatment device 200 can achieve the following characteristic effects.

[0086] (G) In the water treatment device 10 of the above-described embodiment, the anode chamber 37 and the concentrated water discharge path 43 are indirectly connected via the concentrated water storage section 210, the concentrated water storage section 210 is provided with a water level sensor 211 that detects the water level of the concentrated water 6 stored in the concentrated water storage section 210, a second opening / closing valve 201 is arranged in the concentrated water discharge path 43, and the control section 55 is characterized in that it controls the opening and closing of the second opening / closing valve 201 based on the detection result of the water level of the concentrated water 6 by the water level sensor 211.

[0087] The water treatment device 200 according to the second modified example is configured as described above in (G), and thus can utilize the concentrated water 6 stored in the concentrated water reservoir 210, and can stably supply the concentrated water 6 to the anode chamber 37. This allows the water treatment device 200 to stably and continuously operate the connected external device 70 (e.g., the dialysis fluid supply device 75, etc.). Furthermore, the water treatment device 200 can reduce the amount of raw water 2 used by effectively utilizing the concentrated water 6, and therefore can reduce the cost associated with water treatment.

[0088] Furthermore, the water treatment device 200 according to the second modification has the following characteristic configuration (H), and can thereby achieve the following characteristic effects.

[0089] (H) The water treatment device 10 of the above-described embodiment is characterized in that a supply pump 212 is provided downstream of the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water storage section 210, and the control section 55 controls the operation of the supply pump 212 so that the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 flowing through the concentrated water discharge path 43 is constant.

[0090] The water treatment device 200 according to the second modification is configured as described above in (H), and thus can deliver the concentrated water 6 toward the anode chamber 37 with a stable water pressure. This allows the water treatment device 200 to maintain a constant amount of the concentrated water 6 delivered to the electrolytic cell 33, thereby stabilizing the pressure inside the electrolytic cell 33. Therefore, the water treatment device 200 can prevent damage to the electrolytic cell 33 due to expansion, and can perform stable electrolysis without a shortage of water.

[0091] (I) The water treatment device 200 according to the second variant is characterized in that a degassing device 67 is provided in the concentrated water storage section 210, and the degassing device 67 degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water 6.

[0092] The water treatment device 200 according to the second modification is configured as described in (I) above, thereby being able to degasify gases (e.g., hydrogen) contained in the concentrated water 6. This allows the water treatment device 200 described above to suppress air clogging due to air bubbles in the concentrated water discharge channel 43 (piping) downstream of the concentrated water storage unit 210 in the concentrated water discharge direction. Furthermore, by suppressing air clogging in the piping, the water treatment device 200 described above can stably supply the concentrated water 6, thereby stabilizing water treatment. Note that by arranging the degassing device 67 at a location other than the concentrated water storage unit 210, the amount of work required to install the degassing device 67 in the concentrated water storage unit 210 can be reduced. The location of the degassing device 67 may be determined taking into consideration the configuration of the water treatment device 200, the amount of work required to install the degassing device 67, and the like.

[0093] <Third Variation> 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a water treatment device 300 according to a third modified example of the present invention. The water treatment device 300 according to the third modified example has the same configuration as the water treatment device 10 according to the above-described embodiment except for the configuration of the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B, and therefore detailed description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0094] In the water treatment device 300 according to the third modification, one end of the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B is connected to the anode chamber 37, and the other end is connected to a discharge channel (not shown) leading to the outside of the water treatment device 300. Therefore, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 generated in the anode chamber 37 is discharged to the outside through the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B. In other words, the water treatment device 300 according to the third modification is configured so that the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 is discharged to the outside without being returned to the anode chamber 37. Note that the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B may be provided with a drain or the like as appropriate.

[0095] The above is the configuration of the water treatment device 300 according to the third modified example. Whether the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 is discharged to the outside or returned to the anode chamber 37 can be appropriately changed depending on the usage mode of the water treatment device 10.

[0096] <Fourth Variation> 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of a water treatment device 400 according to a fourth modified example of the present invention. The water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modified example has the same configuration as the water treatment device 10 according to the above-described embodiment, except that the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is provided upstream of the electrolysis device 30 in the raw water supply direction, and therefore detailed description of the similar parts will be omitted.

[0097] In the water treatment device 400, a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is connected downstream in the raw water supply direction of the raw water supply line 20A. An RO pump 45 for pumping the raw water 2 is provided between the raw water supply line 20A and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. A reverse osmosis water discharge line 46A and a concentrated water discharge line 43 are connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40.

[0098] The reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A is connected at its downstream side in the discharge direction to the cathode chamber 36. Therefore, the reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A can send the reverse osmosis water 7 obtained by treating the raw water 2 with a reverse osmosis membrane to the cathode chamber 36. Note that the reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A can be provided with a pressure reducing section 60 as necessary. Meanwhile, concentrated water 6, which is the residue after the reverse osmosis membrane treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40, is returned to the anode chamber 37, as in the above-described embodiment.

[0099] As described above, the water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modification has the following characteristic configuration (J), which allows the water treatment device 400 to achieve the following characteristic effects.

[0100] (J) The water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modified example described above includes an electrolysis device 30 having an anode 35B, a cathode 35A, an anode chamber 37 including the anode 35B, and a cathode chamber 36 including the cathode 35A; a raw water supply line 20A for supplying raw water 2; a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 connected to the raw water supply line 20A downstream in the raw water supply direction and performing reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the raw water 2 to produce reverse osmosis water 7 and supplying the reverse osmosis water 7 to the cathode chamber 36; and a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 connected to the cathode chamber 36 and performing reverse osmosis treatment on the raw water 2 to produce reverse osmosis water 7. The apparatus is equipped with an electrolyzed water supply path 34A through which electrolyzed water 3 generated by electrolysis flows out, and a control unit 55 that controls the water treatment operation in the electrolysis device 30 and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40. The reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is connected to a concentrated water discharge path 43 that discharges concentrated water 6 as a residue of the reverse osmosis water 7 in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment, and the concentrated water discharge path 43 is connected directly or indirectly to the anode chamber 37 so that the concentrated water 6 can be supplied to the anode chamber 37.

[0101] The water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modification, configured as described in (J) above, can electrolyze the reverse osmosis water 7 obtained by subjecting raw water 2 to reverse osmosis membrane treatment to obtain reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 (reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water 5). Furthermore, the water treatment device 400 configured as described in (J) above can subject the residue (concentrated water 6) that is no longer needed in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment to electrolysis in the anode chamber 37. This allows the water treatment device 400 described above to supply the concentrated water 6 instead of the raw water 2 (reverse osmosis water 7) to the anode chamber 37, thereby reducing the amount of raw water 2 supplied. This allows the water treatment device 400 described above to suppress an increase in the cost of the raw water 2. Whether the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is located upstream or downstream of the electrolysis device 30 can be determined as appropriate depending on the configuration of the water treatment device.

[0102] Although not shown, the water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modification may be configured such that the downstream side of the reverse osmosis water discharge channel 46A in the outflow direction of the reverse osmosis water 7 is branched into a first branch channel 112 and a second branch channel 114 (see FIGS. 3 and 4), similar to the water treatment devices 100 and 200 according to the first and second modifications. That is, the water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modification may have a characteristic configuration according to the following (K) in addition to the characteristic configuration according to (J) described above.

[0103] (K) In the water treatment device 400 described above, the downstream side of the reverse osmosis water 7 in the outflow direction of the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 is branched into a first branch path 112 and a second branch path 114, one end of the first branch path 112 is connected to the anode chamber 37 and is connected to a concentrated water discharge path 43 at a connection point 113 located midway, one end of the second branch path 114 is connected to the cathode chamber 36, a first opening / closing valve 115 is arranged at the branch point 111 between the first branch path 112 and the second branch path 114 or between the branch point 111 and the connection point 113, a flow meter 43B is provided in the concentrated water discharge path 43, and the control unit 55 controls the opening and closing of the first opening / closing valve 115 based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 detected by the flow meter 43B.

[0104] The water treatment device 400 according to the fourth modification, configured as described above in (K), can appropriately introduce raw water 2 (reverse osmosis water 7) into the anode chamber 37 from the first branch path 112 based on the flow rate of the concentrated water 6. Furthermore, when the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 is sufficient, the concentrated water 6 can be subjected to electrolysis in the anode chamber 37 without using the raw water 2. This allows the water treatment device 400 according to the first modification to reduce water costs and perform stable electrolysis. Therefore, the water treatment device 400 described above can stably supply reverse osmosis electrolyzed water 5 without interrupting the operation of an external device 70 (e.g., a dialysis device).

[0105] Other variations The water treatment devices 10, 100, and 200 according to the above-described embodiment and modifications are merely examples of the water treatment device of the present invention, and can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0106] The electrolysis device 30 used in this embodiment is not limited to the one described above, and various other electrolysis devices 30 can be used. The cathode 35A, anode 35B, cathode chamber 36, and anode chamber 37 in the electrolysis device 30 can have various configurations, materials, sizes, shapes, etc. The raw water supply channel 20A, electrolyzed water supply channel 34A, and other piping can be made of various materials, shapes, and sizes, and various arrangements can be adopted without departing from the scope of the invention. Various types of reverse osmosis membrane treatment devices 40 can also be used.

[0107] Furthermore, the concentrated water 6 discharged as a residue from the reverse osmosis membrane treatment in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 40 can have various compositions depending on the target of electrolysis in the electrolysis device 30. In this embodiment, the raw water 2 after removing various impurities, chlorine, etc., is used for electrolysis. However, pretreatment of the raw water 2 may be performed as needed, or pretreatment may be omitted as appropriate. The concentrated water discharge channel 43 can be connected to the anode chamber 37 in various ways, directly or indirectly, as long as it can supply the concentrated water 6 to the anode chamber 37. In this embodiment, the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B is connected to the anode chamber 37 via the concentrated water discharge channel 43, but the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B may be connected directly to the anode chamber 37 without the concentrated water discharge channel 43. As in the water treatment device 300 according to the third modification, the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B may be connected to an external discharge channel so that the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 is discharged to the outside.

[0108] In this embodiment, the concentrated water discharge channel 43 is provided with the pressure reducing unit 60, but the pressure reducing unit 60 may be provided as needed, and the configuration may also be such that the pressure reducing unit 60 is not provided. The pressure reducing unit 60 may be any of a variety of configurations, including not only an orifice, a bent portion, and a pressure reducing valve, as long as it can reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water 6. By providing the concentrated water discharge channel 43 with a concentrated water external discharge channel 43C as in the water treatment devices 10, 100, and 200 described above, the amount of concentrated water 6 that is in excess of what is needed in the anode chamber 37 can be discharged. This allows not only a configuration for adjusting the amount of concentrated water 6 supplied to the anode chamber 37 but also other configurations for adjusting the amount of concentrated water 6 supplied to the anode chamber 37.

[0109] Specifically, instead of or in addition to providing the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C, the water treatment devices 10, 100, 200 described above may be provided with a flow path (also referred to as an "excess water discharge flow path") different from the concentrated water external discharge channel 43C, and excess concentrated water 6 may be released through the excess water discharge flow path, thereby adjusting the amount of concentrated water 6 supplied to the anode chamber 37. Furthermore, in such a configuration, the water treatment devices 10, 100, 200 described above may be provided with a separate storage unit such as a tank for storing excess concentrated water 6 in the anode chamber 37, and the excess water discharge flow path may be connected to the storage unit or the excess water discharge flow path may be connected to a location (also referred to as an "excess water discharge location") different from the anode chamber 37, so that excess concentrated water 6 can be released to the storage unit or the excess water discharge location. By adopting such a configuration, the excess concentrated water 6 is not discharged and disposed of, but is temporarily stored in the aforementioned storage section so that it can be used as needed, or it can be supplied to an excess water discharge point and utilized at that point, thereby enabling more effective use of the concentrated water 6.

[0110] In the first modified example, the raw water supply channel 20A is illustrated as being divided into a first branch channel 112 and a second branch channel 114. However, the raw water supply channel 20A may be unbranched or may be branched into three or more channels. The branch point 111 can also be disposed at an appropriate position as needed. The connection point 113 between the concentrated water discharge channel 43 and the first branch channel 112 is not limited to that shown in the embodiment and can be disposed at various positions. The first on-off valve 115 can be disposed at various positions between the branch point 111 and the connection point 113, or at the branch point 111 or the connection point 113. The flow meter 43B is not limited to being disposed in the concentrated water discharge channel 43, but can be disposed at various positions where a flow meter 43B is required.

[0111] In addition, although the present embodiment is configured to return the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 to the anode chamber 37, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 may be returned to the anode chamber 37 as needed. For example, the anode-side electrolyzed water 4 may be discharged to the outside without being returned to the anode chamber 37. In addition, in the present embodiment, all of the concentrated water 6 is returned to the anode chamber 37. However, it is also possible to appropriately provide a drain in the concentrated water discharge channel 43 or the like to discharge a portion of the concentrated water 6. In addition, the degassing devices 65, 66, and 67 are not limited to being disposed midway through the flow paths, such as the concentrated water discharge channel 43 or the anode-side electrolyzed water discharge channel 34B, and can be disposed in various positions as long as they are capable of degassing the concentrated water 6 and anode-side electrolyzed water 4 flowing through these flow paths. For example, the degassing device 66 may be disposed at a position branched off from the concentrated water discharge channel 43 or the like. Furthermore, the pressure reducing section 60 is not limited to being disposed midway along the flow path of the concentrated water discharge channel 43, but can be disposed at various positions as long as it can reduce the water pressure of the concentrated water 6 flowing through the flow path.

[0112] In addition, in the first modified example, the flow rate of the concentrated water 6 in the concentrated water discharge path 43 is determined based on a predetermined threshold value, and the opening and closing of the first on-off valve 115 is controlled, but the threshold value can be set to various values ​​depending on the capacity, characteristics, etc. of the electrolysis device 30.

[0113] The concentrated water storage section 210 can be of various sizes and shapes depending on the amount of concentrated water 6 produced, etc. The water level sensor 211 provided in the concentrated water storage section 210 may be provided as needed, and the water level sensor 211 may also be omitted. In such a case, for example, the concentrated water 6 may be allowed to flow out by overflow or the like at an appropriate water level. A threshold value may be set for the water level, and the discharge amount of concentrated water 6 may be controlled based on the threshold value.

[0114] In the second modified example, the supply pump 212 is provided downstream of the concentrated water storage section 210 in the discharge direction of the concentrated water 6, but the supply pump 212 may be provided as needed, and the supply pump 212 may also be omitted. In addition, when the supply pump 212 is provided, the position at which the supply pump 212 is disposed can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the external device 70 is not limited to the hemodialysis system 600 or the dialyzers 71 and 72, and various devices can be used.

[0115] The present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above-described embodiments, and appropriate design modifications and the like are possible within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention. The components of the above-described embodiments and variations may be arbitrarily selected and combined. Furthermore, any component of each embodiment or variation may be arbitrarily combined with any component described in the means for solving the problems, the detailed description, etc., or any component embodying any component described in the means for solving the problems, the detailed description, etc. The present invention also intends to obtain rights to these in this application or in divisional applications based on this application. [Industrial Applicability]

[0116] The present invention can be suitably used in electrolysis devices for electrolyzing water, etc. The present invention can also be suitably used in general water treatment devices for producing reverse osmosis electrolyzed water to be supplied to external devices such as dialysate supply devices for producing dialysate used in hemodialysis and dialyzers. [Explanation of symbols]

[0117] 2: Raw water 3: Cathode side electrolyzed water (electrolyzed water, dissolved hydrogen water) 5: Reverse osmosis electrolyzed water (reverse osmosis dissolved hydrogen water) 10: Water treatment equipment 20:Raw water supply section 20A: Raw water supply line 30: Electrolyzer 33: Electrolytic cell 34A: Electrolyzed water supply path 34B: Anode side electrolyzed water discharge channel 35: Electrode 40: Reverse osmosis membrane treatment device 43: Concentrated water discharge channel 50: Circulation flow path 55: Control device (control unit) 70: External device 100: Water treatment equipment 110:Raw water supply channel 111: Branch point 113: Connection point 200: Water treatment equipment 210: Concentrated water storage section 300: Water treatment equipment 400: Water treatment equipment

Claims

1. an electrolysis device having an anode, a cathode, an anode chamber containing the anode, and a cathode chamber containing the cathode; a raw water supply channel for supplying raw water; a reverse osmosis membrane treatment device connected to the raw water supply line downstream in a raw water supply direction, which performs reverse osmosis membrane treatment on the raw water to produce reverse osmosis water and supplies the reverse osmosis water to the cathode chamber; an electrolyzed water supply path connected to the cathode chamber and through which electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis in the electrolysis device flows out; a control unit that controls the water treatment operation in the electrolysis device and the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device; Equipped with A concentrated water discharge path is connected to the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device, and discharges concentrated water as a residue of the reverse osmosis water in the reverse osmosis membrane treatment, the concentrated water discharge channel is directly or indirectly connected to the anode chamber so as to be able to supply the concentrated water to the anode chamber; The anode chamber and the concentrated water discharge channel are indirectly connected via a concentrated water storage section, The concentrated water storage section is provided with a water level sensor that detects the water level of the concentrated water stored in the concentrated water storage section, A second on-off valve is disposed in the concentrated water discharge path, The water treatment device is characterized in that the control unit controls the opening and closing of the second opening and closing valve based on the detection result of the water level of the concentrated water by the water level sensor.

2. A pressure reducing section is provided in the concentrated water discharge channel, The water treatment device according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure reducing unit reduces the water pressure of the concentrated water.

3. a downstream side of the reverse osmosis membrane treatment device in an outflow direction of the reverse osmosis water is branched into a first branch path and a second branch path, the first branch channel has one end connected to the anode chamber and a connection point located midway to the concentrated water discharge channel; one end of the second branch path is connected to the cathode chamber, a first on-off valve is disposed at a branch point between the first branch path and the second branch path or between the branch point and the connection point; A flow meter is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, The water treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the opening and closing of the first on-off valve based on the flow rate of the concentrated water detected by the flow meter.

4. a supply pump is provided downstream of the concentrated water storage section in a discharge direction of the concentrated water, 3. The water treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the operation of the supply pump so that the flow rate of the concentrated water flowing through the concentrated water discharge channel is constant.

5. A degassing device is provided in the concentrated water storage section, The water treatment device according to claim 3 , wherein the degassing device degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water.

6. A degassing device is provided in the concentrated water discharge path, The water treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the degassing device degasses at least a portion of the gas contained in the concentrated water.

7. 3. The water treatment device according to claim 2, wherein the pressure reducing portion is formed of at least one of an orifice, a bent portion, and a pressure reducing valve.

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