Sludge flocculation equipment

Abstract

To provide a sludge coagulation apparatus capable of accurately adjusting a supply amount of coagulant and a supply amount of sludge.SOLUTION: A sludge coagulation apparatus 100 includes: a mixing tank 1 to which sludge and coagulant are supplied to form coagulated floc 60 by mixing the sludge and the coagulant; a control part 2 that controls the supply of the sludge and the coagulant to the mixing tank 1; and an imaging part 3 that captures an image of a liquid surface of a mixed liquid. The control part 2 is configured to control a supply amount of the sludge to the mixing tank 1 and a supply amount of the coagulant based on a percentage of an area of a first reference color which is a color of the coagulated floc 60 in the image of the liquid surface captured by the imaging part 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sludge flocculation apparatus, and more particularly to a sludge flocculation apparatus equipped with an imaging unit. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a sludge flocculation device equipped with an imaging unit is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a sludge flocculation device including a calculation unit and a control unit. In Patent Document 1, an imaging unit captures images of flocs passing through a raw liquid supply pipe, and a conversion unit binarizes the captured images. Furthermore, in Patent Document 1, the calculation unit calculates a floc measurement area from the binarized image and calculates a floc reference area based on the average value of multiple floc measurement areas obtained from multiple images of a mixed liquid captured with the same flocculant addition amount. The control unit is configured to reduce the amount of flocculant added if the calculated floc measurement area is larger than the floc reference area, and to increase the amount of flocculant added if the floc measurement area is smaller than the floc reference area. This allows the sludge flocculation device to adjust the proportion of flocs in the mixed liquid and reduce the moisture content of the dehydrated cake processed in a downstream dehydrator. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-189321 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the sludge flocculation device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the area of ​​the flocculated flocs is adjusted by the amount of flocculant added, regardless of the amount of sludge supplied, which may result in an excess or deficiency in the amount of flocculant or sludge supplied, and there is a problem in that the amount of flocculant supplied and the amount of sludge supplied cannot be adjusted accurately.

[0006] This invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of this invention is to provide a sludge coagulation device that can accurately adjust the amount of coagulant supplied and the amount of sludge supplied. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention one The sludge flocculation device in this aspect includes a mixing tank to which sludge and a flocculant are supplied and which mixes the sludge and the flocculant to form flocs, a control unit which controls the supply of the sludge and the flocculant to the mixing tank, and an imaging unit which images the liquid surface of the mixed liquid in the mixing tank, and the control unit captures an image of the liquid surface of the mixed liquid captured by the imaging unit. Includes the color of the floc, the color of the flocculant, the color of the sludge, and the color based on the bottom of the mixing tank. In the image of the liquid surface Sludge and The amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of coagulant supplied to the mixing tank are controlled based on the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color, which is the color of the aggregated flocs.

[0008] This invention oneIn the sludge flocculation apparatus according to the above aspect, as described above, the control unit is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of flocculant supplied to the mixing tank based on the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color, which is the color of flocs, in the image of the liquid surface captured by the imaging unit. This controls both the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of flocculant supplied based on the proportion of the area of ​​the flocs, thereby preventing the amount of sludge supplied or the amount of flocculant supplied from being excessive or insufficient. As a result, the amount of flocculant supplied and the amount of sludge supplied can be accurately adjusted. Furthermore, accurate adjustment of the amount of flocculant supplied and the amount of sludge supplied can increase the concentration of flocs in the mixed liquid and facilitate separation of water from the sludge. Therefore, when a dehydrator is disposed downstream of the sludge flocculation apparatus, the ease of separation of water from the sludge can reduce the moisture content of the dehydrated cake processed in the dehydrator.

[0009] the above one In the sludge flocculation apparatus according to the above aspect, the control unit is preferably configured to control the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied so that the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface becomes a predetermined proportion. With this configuration, for example, by setting the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color to a proportion that allows effective dehydration in a dehydrator, it is possible to accurately adjust the proportion of flocs in the admixture to a desired proportion.

[0010] the above one In the sludge flocculation apparatus according to the above aspect, the control unit is preferably configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of flocculant supplied, based on the proportion of an area that is brown as a first reference color, which is the color of the flocs, in an image of the liquid surface. With this configuration, flocs floating near the surface of the mixing tank appear brown in the image, and the liquid portion is nearly transparent, so that light passes through the liquid portion and is absorbed into the bottom of the mixing tank, appearing black. This makes it possible to distinguish between the flocs floating near the surface and the liquid portion, and to more accurately obtain the proportion of flocs.

[0011] In a sludge flocculation device configured to control the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied so that the area proportion of the first reference color is a predetermined proportion, the predetermined proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface is preferably set within a range of 70% to 90%. With this configuration, when the predetermined proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color is within a range of 70% to 90%, the proportion of flocculated flocs in the mixed liquid is sufficiently large, and it can be assumed that most of the supplied sludge has reacted (combined) with the flocculant and formed flocculated flocs. In other words, it can be said that the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied are appropriate.

[0012] In a sludge flocculation device that is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied so that the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color becomes a predetermined proportion, the control unit is preferably configured to control to decrease the amount of sludge supplied and to increase the amount of flocculant supplied when the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface is greater than a predetermined proportion. With this configuration, when the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface is greater than the predetermined proportion, flocs have not been sufficiently formed for the amount of sludge supplied, and flocs and sludge are mixed together. Therefore, by increasing the amount of flocculant supplied, flocs can be formed, and by decreasing the amount of sludge supplied, an increase in the amount of untreated sludge can be prevented.

[0013] In the sludge flocculation device configured to control the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied so that the area proportion of the first reference color becomes a predetermined proportion, the control unit is preferably configured to control to increase the amount of sludge supplied and to control to decrease the amount of flocculant supplied when the area proportion of the first reference color is less than the predetermined proportion. With this configuration, when the area proportion of the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface is less than the predetermined proportion, the amount of flocculant is greater than the amount of sludge, so that by decreasing the amount of flocculant supplied, it is possible to prevent the amount of flocculant from increasing, and by increasing the amount of sludge supplied, it is possible to cause the flocculant present in large amounts in the mixed liquid to react with the sludge to form flocculated flocs.

[0014] In the sludge flocculation device configured to control the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied so that the area proportion of the first reference color becomes a predetermined proportion, the control unit is preferably configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of flocculant supplied based on the area proportion of a second reference color, which is the color of the flocculant, in the image of the liquid surface when the area proportion of the first reference color remains below the predetermined proportion.Therefore, when the area proportion of the first reference color is below the predetermined proportion, the concentration of the sludge supplied is low and the area proportion of the second reference color is large, so by controlling the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied to the mixing tank based on the area proportion of the second reference color, which is the color of the flocculant, the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied can be appropriately adjusted.

[0015] In this case, the control unit is preferably configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of flocculant supplied based on the proportion of the area that is white as a second reference color, which is the color of the flocculant. With this configuration, if the concentration of sludge supplied is low and the amount of flocculant is large, the liquid surface in the mixing tank will become cloudy. Therefore, by using the proportion of the area that is white as the second reference color, the amount of flocculant supplied and the amount of sludge supplied can be accurately adjusted.

[0016] In a sludge flocculation device configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of flocculant supplied based on the proportion of the area of ​​a second reference color, which is the color of the flocculant, in the image of the liquid surface, the predetermined proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color is preferably set within the range of 70% or more and less than 90%. With this configuration, when the predetermined proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color is 70% or more, a sufficient amount of flocculant is supplied to the mixing tank, and by setting it to less than 90%, an excessive amount of flocculant can be prevented from being supplied.

[0017] In a sludge flocculation device configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of flocculant supplied based on the proportion of the area of ​​a second reference color, which is the color of the flocculant, in the image of the liquid surface, the control unit is preferably configured to increase the amount of sludge supplied and decrease the amount of flocculant supplied when the proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color in the image of the liquid surface is greater than a predetermined proportion. With this configuration, when the concentration of sludge supplied is low, an optimal state in which the amount of flocculant supplied relative to the amount of sludge supplied is set to a predetermined ratio. As a result, when the proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color in the image of the liquid surface is greater than the predetermined proportion, the amount of flocculant is greater than the amount of sludge. Therefore, by decreasing the amount of flocculant supplied, an increase in the amount of flocculant can be prevented, and by increasing the amount of sludge supplied, the flocculant present in large amounts in the mixed liquid can react with the sludge to form flocculated flocs.

[0018] the above one In the sludge flocculation apparatus of the above aspect, the mixing tank is preferably open at the top, and the imaging unit is configured to image the liquid surface of the mixed liquid in the mixing tank from above. With this configuration, it is possible to easily image the flocs floating on the liquid surface of the mixed liquid. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, as described above, the amounts of coagulant and sludge supplied can be adjusted with high precision. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] Book FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sludge flocculation device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the proportion of a first reference color in a liquid mixture. [Figure 3] 10 is a flowchart of control of the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of coagulant supplied. [Figure 4] Reference example FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a sludge flocculation device in DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] The first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0024] [ Book Embodiment (Configuration of sludge flocculation device) See Figure 1 Book A sludge flocculation apparatus 100 according to an embodiment will be described. The sludge flocculation apparatus 100 is configured to mix a flocculant 40 with sludge 50 (material to be treated) in a mixing tank 1 to generate flocculated flocs 60, and then supply the mixed liquid to a dehydrator 90 in a downstream stage. The sludge flocculation apparatus 100 and the dehydrator 90 together form a dehydrator unit 500. The sludge flocculation apparatus 100 can reduce the moisture content of the dehydrated cake discharged from the dehydrator 90 by forming the flocculated flocs 60. As a result, the sludge flocculation apparatus 100 can reduce the load on the operation of the dehydrator 90 by flocculating the sludge 50, and can reduce the mass of waste, thereby contributing to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

[0025] The sludge flocculation apparatus 100 includes a mixing tank 1, a control unit 2, and an imaging unit 3.

[0026] The mixing tank 1 includes a sludge tank section 11, a motor 12, an impeller 13, and a discharge port 14.

[0027] The sludge tank section 11 is a tank body to which sludge 50 (material to be treated) and flocculant 40 are supplied. The sludge tank section 11 is supplied with sludge 50 from the sludge storage section 5, and with flocculant 40 from the flocculant supply section 4. The sludge tank section 11 (mixing tank 1) is open at the top.

[0028] The motor 12 is connected to the impeller 13 via a rotary shaft 12a. The motor 12 is configured to apply a driving force (torque) to the impeller 13. The impeller 13 is disposed in the sludge tank section 11. The impeller 13 is configured to agitate the sludge 50 and the flocculant 40 in the sludge tank section 11, thereby flocculating the sludge 50 (increasing the concentration of solid components (flocs)).

[0029] The discharge port 14 is connected to a dewatering machine 90. The discharge port 14 supplies the admixture containing the flocculated flocs 60 to the dewatering machine 90.

[0030] The control unit 2 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and an image processing unit. The control unit 2 controls the motor 12 to rotate the impeller 13. The control unit 2 controls the inverter to control the rotation speed of the motor 12. The control unit 2 controls the first adjusting valve 42 to adjust the supply amount of flocculant 40 from the flocculant supply unit 4. The control unit 2 also controls the second adjusting valve 52 to control the supply amount of sludge 50 from the sludge storage unit 5. The control unit 2 controls the imaging unit 3 to capture an image of the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid. The control unit 2 can control the dehydrator 90 as the control unit 2 of the dehydrator unit 500. In FIG. 1, the signal lines for control by the control unit 2 are indicated by dashed dotted lines.

[0031] The control unit 2 is configured to control the amount of sludge 50 supplied to the mixing tank 1 and the amount of flocculant 40 supplied based on the proportion of the area of ​​the reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid. The first reference color is the color of the flocculant 60. The color of the flocculant 60 varies depending on the sludge 50, but is, for example, brown. The control unit 2 is configured to control the amount of sludge 50 supplied and the amount of flocculant 40 supplied so that the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a becomes a predetermined proportion.

[0032] Book In this embodiment, the imaging unit 3 is attached above the mixing tank 1, and directly images the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid in the mixing tank 1 from above.

[0033] The flocculant supply unit 4 stores flocculant 40. The flocculant supply unit 4 includes a supply unit that supplies an inorganic flocculant and a supply unit that supplies a polymer flocculant. The flocculant supply unit 4 produces flocculant 40 by stirring water and a flocculant concentrate or powder. A first pump 41 for supplying flocculant 40 and a first adjustment valve 42 for adjusting the supply amount are attached to a first pipe 4a connecting the flocculant supply unit 4 and the mixing tank 1.

[0034] Sludge 50 is stored in the sludge storage section 5. A second pipe 5a connecting the sludge storage section 5 and the mixing tank 1 is equipped with a second pump 51 for supplying the sludge 50 and a second adjustment valve 52 for adjusting the supply amount.

[0035] (Control of the amount of sludge supplied from the sludge storage unit to the mixing tank and the amount of coagulant supplied from the coagulant supply unit to the mixing tank) The control unit 2 stores a predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a. The predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is the percentage of the first reference color when the range of the imaged liquid surface 1a is taken as 100%. The predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is the percentage of the area of ​​the first reference color on the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid in which the ratio between the supply amount of flocculant 40 and the supply amount of sludge 50 is optimal.

[0036] When the flocculation is performed at a predetermined rate, dewatering can be performed effectively in the dehydrator 90. The predetermined rate of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is set, for example, within the range of 70% to 90%. The predetermined rate may be stored as a specific numerical value, such as 75%, or may be stored as a range of 75% to 80% or less. The image captured of the liquid surface 1a in the mixed liquid includes a mixture of the colors of the flocculated flocs 60, the flocculant 40, the sludge 50, and the black portion of the imaging unit 3.

[0037] The relationship between the amount of flocculant 40 supplied and the amount of sludge 50 supplied will be explained based on Figures 1 and 2. Figure 2(C) shows an image in which the area ratio of the first reference color is a predetermined ratio. Note that since the liquid is almost transparent, light is absorbed into the bottom of the mixing tank 1 (diffuse reflection or scattering), resulting in it appearing black in the image. Furthermore, when the ratio between the amount of flocculant 40 supplied and the amount of sludge 50 supplied is optimal, there is almost no floating sludge 50 or flocculant 40, and the image is dominated by the first reference color and black. In Figure 2, the first reference color is represented by hatching.

[0038] 2(B), when the area ratio of the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is larger than a predetermined ratio, the control unit 2 performs control to decrease the supply amount of sludge 50 and control to increase the supply amount of flocculant 40. When the area ratio of the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is larger than a predetermined ratio, the supply amount of sludge 50 is large and the sludge 50 is floating in the mixed liquid. As a result, the total area ratio of the floating sludge 50 and the flocculated flocs 60 that have the same color as the first reference color in the image is acquired as the area ratio of the first reference color.

[0039] 2(A), when the proportion of the first reference color is nearly 100% (a range of 95% or more and less than 100%), the control unit 2 closes the second adjusting valve 52 to set the supply amount of sludge 50 to zero, and fully opens the first adjusting valve 42 to maximize the supply amount of flocculant 40. When the proportion of the first reference color is nearly 100%, the supply amount of sludge 50 is quite large, and a considerable amount of sludge 50 is suspended in the mixed liquid. Therefore, in the image, it is impossible to distinguish between the suspended sludge 50 and the flocculated flocs 60, which have the same color as the first reference color, and the first reference color occupies the entire image.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2(D), when the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is less than a predetermined proportion, the control unit 2 controls to increase the supply amount of sludge 50 and to decrease the supply amount of flocculant 40. When the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is smaller than the predetermined proportion, the supply amount of flocculant 40 is large. As a result, the proportion of flocculant 40 in the image is greater than that of flocculated flocs 60. In this case, if the color of the flocculant 40 is white, the mixed liquid will appear grayish.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 2(E), when the percentage of the first reference color becomes approximately 0% (a range of more than 0% to 5% or less), the control unit 2 fully opens the second adjustment valve 52 to maximize the supply amount of sludge 50, and closes the first adjustment valve 42 to set the supply amount of flocculant 40 to 0. When the percentage of the first reference color is approximately 0%, the supply amount of flocculant 40 is quite large. Therefore, in the image, the flocculant 40 almost covers the flocculated flocs 60, and the flocculant 40 occupies the entire image. In this case, if the color of the flocculant 40 is white, the mixed liquid becomes cloudy.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 2 is configured to control the amounts of sludge 50 and flocculant 40 supplied to the mixing tank 1 based on the area proportion of a first reference color, which is the color of flocculant 40, in the image of the liquid surface 1a, and then, if the area proportion of the first reference color remains less than a predetermined proportion for a predetermined time, control the amounts of sludge 50 and flocculant 40 supplied to the mixing tank 1 based on the area proportion of a second reference color, which is the color of flocculant 40, in the image of the liquid surface 1a. The second reference color is the color of flocculant 40, and is, for example, white. The predetermined time is set to, for example, 3 to 10 minutes.

[0043] The control unit 2 stores a predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the second reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a. The predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the second reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is set, for example, within a range of 70% or more and less than 90%. Note that the predetermined percentage may be stored as a specific numerical value, such as 80%, or may be stored as a range, such as 75% or more and less than 85%.

[0044] As shown in Figure 2(D), when the proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is greater than a predetermined proportion, the control unit 2 performs control to increase the supply amount of sludge 50 and control to decrease the supply amount of flocculant 40. In particular, when the proportion of the second reference color is nearly 100% (in the range of 95% or more and less than 100%), as shown in Figure 2(E), the control unit 2 fully opens the second adjustment valve 52 to maximize the supply amount of sludge 50, and closes the first adjustment valve 42 to set the supply amount of flocculant 40 to zero.

[0045] (Control flow of sludge supply amount and coagulant supply amount to the mixing tank) 3, the control of the supply amount of flocculant 40 and the supply amount of sludge 50 based on the area ratio of the first reference color will be described. In step S1, the step to be proceeded differs depending on whether the area ratio of the first reference color in the acquired image of the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid is a predetermined ratio or not. If the area ratio of the first reference color is the predetermined ratio, the process ends; if not, the process proceeds to step S2.

[0046] In step S2, the step to be proceeded to differs depending on whether the area ratio of the first reference color is less than a predetermined ratio. If it is less than the predetermined ratio, proceed to step S3, and if it is greater than the predetermined ratio, proceed to step S4.

[0047] In step S3, the next step depends on whether a predetermined time has passed since the area ratio of the first reference color became less than a predetermined ratio. If the predetermined time has passed, the process proceeds to step S6. If the predetermined time has not passed, the process proceeds to step S5.

[0048] In step S4, the control unit 2 performs control to increase the supply amount of the flocculant 40 and decrease the supply amount of the sludge 50. Then, the process returns to step S1.

[0049] In step S5, the control unit 2 performs control to decrease the supply amount of the flocculant 40 and increase the supply amount of the sludge 50. Then, the process returns to step S1.

[0050] In step S6, the step to be proceeded to differs depending on whether the proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color in the acquired image of the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid is a predetermined proportion or not. If the proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color is the predetermined proportion, the process ends; if not, the process proceeds to step S7.

[0051] In step S7, the step to proceed differs depending on whether the area ratio of the second reference color is less than a predetermined ratio. If the area ratio of the second reference color is less than the predetermined ratio, proceed to step S8; if not, proceed to step S9.

[0052] In step S8, the control unit 2 controls to increase the supply amount of the flocculant 40 and decrease the supply amount of the sludge 50. Then, the process returns to step S6. Note that the control unit 2 is configured to decrease the supply amount of the flocculant 40 after the predetermined ratio is reached.

[0053] In step S9, the control unit 2 controls to decrease the supply amount of the flocculant 40 and increase the supply amount of the sludge 50. Then, the process returns to step S6. Note that the control unit 2 is configured to decrease the supply amount of the sludge 50 after the predetermined ratio is reached.

[0054] ( Book Effects of the embodiment Book In the embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0055] Book In the embodiment described above, the sludge flocculation apparatus 100 includes a mixing tank 1 to which sludge 50 and flocculant 40 are supplied and mixed to form flocculant flocs 60; a control unit 2 that controls the supply of sludge 50 and flocculant 40 to the mixing tank 1; and an imaging unit 3 that images the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid. The control unit 2 is configured to control the amount of sludge 50 supplied to the mixing tank 1 and the amount of flocculant 40 supplied to the mixing tank 1 based on the area ratio of a first reference color, which is the color of flocculant flocs 60, in the image of the liquid surface 1a captured by the imaging unit 3. This controls both the amount of sludge 50 supplied to the mixing tank 1 and the amount of flocculant 40 supplied to the mixing tank 1 based on the area ratio of the flocculant flocs 60, thereby preventing the amount of sludge 50 or flocculant 40 supplied from being excessively or insufficiently supplied. As a result, the amount of flocculant 40 supplied and the amount of sludge 50 supplied can be accurately adjusted. Furthermore, by being able to precisely adjust the supply amounts of coagulant 40 and sludge 50, the concentration of coagulated flocs 60 in the mixed liquid can be increased, making it easier to separate water from the sludge 50. Therefore, when a dehydrator 90 is disposed downstream of the sludge coagulation device 100, it is possible to easily separate water from the sludge 50, thereby making it possible to reduce the water content of the dehydrated cake processed in the dehydrator 90.

[0056] BookIn the embodiment, as described above, the control unit 2 is configured to control the supply amount of the sludge 50 and the supply amount of the flocculant 40 so that the area ratio of the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a becomes a predetermined ratio. As a result, for example, by setting the area ratio of the first reference color to a ratio that allows effective dehydration in the dehydrator 90, it is possible to accurately adjust the ratio of the flocculant 60 in the admixture to a desired ratio.

[0057] Book In the embodiment, as described above, the control unit 2 is configured to control the amount of sludge 50 supplied to the mixing tank 1 and the amount of flocculant 40 supplied, based on the proportion of the area of ​​brown, which is the first reference color that is the color of the flocculants 60, in the image of the liquid surface 1a. As a result, the flocculants 60 floating near the surface of the mixing tank 1 appear brown in the image, and the liquid portion is almost transparent, so that light passes through the liquid portion and is absorbed into the bottom of the mixing tank 1, appearing black. Therefore, it is possible to distinguish between the flocculants 60 floating near the surface and the liquid portion, and the proportion of the flocculants 60 can be obtained more accurately.

[0058] Book In the embodiment, as described above, the predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is set within the range of 70% to 90%. As a result, when the predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the first reference color is within the range of 70% to 90%, the proportion of aggregated flocs 60 in the mixed liquid is sufficiently large, and it can be considered that most of the supplied sludge 50 has reacted (combined) with the flocculant 40 and become aggregated flocs 60. In other words, it can be said that the supply amounts of sludge 50 and flocculant 40 are appropriate.

[0059] BookIn the embodiment, as described above, when the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is larger than a predetermined proportion, the control unit 2 is configured to perform control to decrease the supply amount of sludge 50 and control to increase the supply amount of flocculant 40. As a result, when the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is larger than a predetermined proportion, the flocculant flocs 60 are not sufficiently formed relative to the amount of sludge 50 supplied, and the flocculant flocs 60 and the sludge 50 are mixed together. Therefore, by increasing the supply amount of flocculant 40, the flocculant flocs 60 can be formed, and by decreasing the supply amount of sludge 50, the amount of untreated sludge 50 can be prevented from increasing.

[0060] Book In the embodiment, as described above, when the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color is less than a predetermined proportion, the control unit 2 is configured to perform control to increase the supply amount of sludge 50 and control to decrease the supply amount of flocculant 40. As a result, when the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is smaller than the predetermined proportion, the amount of flocculant 40 is greater than the amount of sludge 50, so by decreasing the supply amount of flocculant 40, it is possible to prevent the amount of flocculant 40 from increasing, and by increasing the supply amount of sludge 50, it is possible to cause the flocculant 40, which is present in large amounts in the mixed liquid, to react with the sludge 50 to form aggregated flocs 60.

[0061] Book In the embodiment, as described above, the control unit 2 is configured to control the amount of sludge 50 supplied to the mixing tank 1 and the amount of flocculant 40 supplied based on the area proportion of the second reference color, which is the color of the flocculant 40, in the image of the liquid surface 1a when the area proportion of the first reference color remains below a predetermined proportion. As a result, when the area proportion of the first reference color remains below a predetermined proportion, the concentration of the sludge 50 being supplied is low and the area proportion of the second reference color is large. Therefore, by controlling the amount of sludge 50 supplied to the mixing tank 1 and the amount of flocculant 40 supplied based on the area proportion of the second reference color, which is the color of the flocculant 40, the amount of sludge 50 supplied and the amount of flocculant 40 supplied can be appropriately adjusted.

[0062] Book In the embodiment, as described above, the control unit 2 is configured to control the supply amount of sludge 50 and the supply amount of flocculant 40 to the mixing tank 1 based on the proportion of the area of ​​white, which is the second reference color, that is the color of the flocculant 40. As a result, when the concentration of the sludge 50 supplied is low and the amount of flocculant 40 is large, the liquid surface 1a of the mixing tank 1 becomes cloudy. Therefore, by using the proportion of the area of ​​white, which is the second reference color, the supply amount of flocculant 40 and the supply amount of sludge 50 can be accurately adjusted.

[0063] Book In the embodiment, as described above, the predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the second reference color is set within the range of 70% or more and less than 90%. As a result, when the predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the second reference color is 70% or more, a sufficient amount of flocculant 40 is supplied to the mixing tank 1, and by setting it to less than 90%, it is possible to prevent the amount of flocculant 40 being supplied from becoming excessive.

[0064] Book In the embodiment, as described above, when the proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is greater than a predetermined proportion, the control unit 2 is configured to perform control to increase the supply amount of sludge 50 and control to decrease the supply amount of flocculant 40. As a result, when the concentration of the supplied sludge 50 is low, the supply amount of flocculant 40 relative to the supply amount of sludge 50 can be set to a predetermined proportion to provide an optimal state. As a result, when the proportion of the area of ​​the second reference color in the image of the liquid surface 1a is greater than the predetermined proportion, the amount of flocculant 40 is greater than the amount of sludge 50. Therefore, by reducing the supply amount of flocculant 40, it is possible to prevent the amount of flocculant 40 from increasing, and by increasing the supply amount of sludge 50, it is possible to cause the flocculant 40, which is present in large amounts in the mixed liquid, to react with the sludge 50 to form aggregated flocs 60.

[0065] BookIn the embodiment, as described above, the sludge tank section 11 of the mixing tank 1 is open at the top, and the imaging section 3 is configured to image the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid from above in the sludge tank section 11 of the mixing tank 1. This makes it possible to image the aggregated flocs 60 floating on the liquid surface 1a of the mixed liquid, and therefore the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color can be accurately determined.

[0066] [ Reference example ] Next, referring to Figure 4, Reference example The sludge flocculation device 200 will be described. Reference example So, up Memorial Unlike the embodiment, the imaging unit 30 is disposed in the pipe 91 of the dehydrator 90. Memorial The same components as those in the embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0067] The imaging unit 3 is attached to the pipe 91 of the dehydrator 90. The imaging unit 3 captures an image of the solid-liquid separated filtrate flowing through the pipe 91. The imaging unit 3 is configured to capture an image of the interior through a window provided in the pipe 91. The pipe 91 is composed of a first pipe 91a and a second pipe 91b. The first pipe 91a has a silver inner surface. The second pipe 91b has a black inner surface. The imaging unit 30 is configured to be able to capture an image of the first pipe 91a and the second pipe 91b simultaneously. The imaging unit 30 is configured to capture an image of the filtrate such that both the silver inner surface and the black inner surface are within the imaging range as the background color of the filtrate.

[0068] The first pipe 91a is made of stainless steel, and the second pipe 91b is made of resin. The first pipe 91a and the second pipe 91b are connected in series.

[0069] Based on images of the filtrate flowing through the first pipeline 91a and the second pipeline 91b, the control unit 2 controls the supply amounts of sludge 50 and flocculant 40 so that the area ratio of the first reference color becomes a predetermined ratio. More specifically, the area of ​​the first reference color is determined for the filtrate flowing through the first pipeline 91a. The first reference color is the color of the flocculant 60 and varies depending on the sludge 50, but is, for example, brown. Furthermore, if the area ratio of the first reference color continues to be less than the predetermined ratio, the control unit 2 controls the supply amounts of sludge 50 and flocculant 40 so that the area ratio of the second reference color becomes a predetermined ratio. More specifically, the area of ​​the second reference color is determined for the filtrate flowing through the second pipeline 91b. The second reference color is the color of the flocculant 40 and is, for example, white.

[0070] Reference example Other configurations of Memorial This is the same as the embodiment.

[0071] ( Reference example effect) Reference example Then, the following effects can be obtained:

[0072] Reference example As described above, the imaging unit 30 is configured to capture an image of the filtrate such that both the silver inner surface of the first pipe 91a and the black inner surface of the second pipe 91b are within the imaging range as background colors of the filtrate. The control unit 2 is configured to control the amounts of sludge 50 and flocculant 40 supplied to the mixing tank 1 based on the area ratio of the first reference color, which is the color of the flocculant flocs 60, and the area ratio of the second reference color, which is the color of the flocculant 40, in the image of the filtrate captured by the imaging unit 30. As a result, an image in which the first reference color is clearly visible can be obtained from the first pipe 91a having a silver inner surface. Also, an image in which the second reference color is clearly visible can be obtained from the second pipe 91b having a black inner surface. Therefore, the area ratios of the first reference color and the second reference color in the filtrate can be more accurately obtained from these images, and the amounts of flocculant 40 and sludge 50 supplied can be accurately adjusted.

[0073] Reference example Other effects of Memorial This is the same as the embodiment.

[0074] (Variation) The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered to be illustrative and not restrictive in all respects. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims rather than the above description of the embodiments, and further includes all modifications (variations) within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0075] For example, above Memorial Embodiments and Reference example Although the above example shows a case where control is performed based on the area ratio of the first reference color and a case where control is performed based on the area ratio of the second reference color, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, control may be performed based on both the first reference color and the second reference color.

[0076] Also, The above In this embodiment, the mixing tank is provided with an imaging unit, Reference example Although an example in which the imaging unit is provided in the pipeline has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, imaging units may be provided in both the mixing tank and the pipeline.

[0077] Also, The above In the embodiment, when the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface is greater than a predetermined proportion, the control unit controls to decrease the amount of sludge supplied and to increase the amount of flocculant supplied, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, when the state in which the proportion of the area of ​​the first reference color (brown) is greater than a predetermined proportion continues for a predetermined time (when the concentration of sludge is high), the control unit may increase the amount of flocculant supplied to an upper limit or decrease the amount of sludge supplied to a lower limit.

[0078] Also, the above Reference exampleAlthough an example in which a window is provided in the pipeline to capture an image has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, an imaging unit may be provided inside the pipeline. Alternatively, a transparent pipeline may be used, with part of the pipeline covered with a black member and part of the pipeline covered with a silver member.

[0079] Also, the above Reference example Although an example in which the pipeline includes the first pipeline and the second pipeline has been described, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the pipeline may include only one of the first and second pipelines. [Explanation of symbols]

[0080] 1 Mixing tank 1a Liquid level 2. Control section 3, 30 Imaging unit 60 flocculated flocs 90 Dehydrator 91 Pipeline 91a 1st pipeline 91b 2nd pipeline 100, 200 Sludge flocculation device

Claims

1. a mixing tank into which sludge and a coagulant are supplied and which mixes the sludge with the coagulant to form coagulated flocs; a control unit that controls the supply of the sludge and the flocculant to the mixing tank; an imaging unit that images the liquid surface of the mixed liquid in the mixing tank, The control unit is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of coagulant supplied to the mixing tank based on the area ratio of a first reference color, which is the color of the sludge and the coagulant, in the image of the liquid surface captured by the imaging unit and which includes the color of the coagulant, the color of the sludge, and a color based on the bottom of the mixing tank.

2. The sludge flocculation device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied and the amount of flocculant supplied so that the area ratio of the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface becomes a predetermined ratio.

3. 3. The sludge flocculation device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of flocculant supplied based on the proportion of an area of ​​brown as the first reference color, which is the color of the flocs, in the image of the liquid surface.

4. The sludge flocculation apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface is set within a range of 70% to 90%.

5. A sludge coagulation device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the area proportion of the first reference color in the image of the liquid surface is greater than the specified proportion, the control unit is configured to perform control to reduce the amount of sludge supplied and control to increase the amount of coagulant supplied.

6. A sludge coagulation device as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein when the area ratio of the first reference color is less than the specified ratio, the control unit is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to increase and the amount of coagulant supplied to decrease.

7. The sludge coagulation device of claim 2, wherein the control unit is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of coagulant supplied based on the area proportion of a second reference color, which is the color of the coagulant, in the image of the liquid surface when the area proportion of the first reference color remains less than the predetermined proportion for a predetermined period of time.

8. The sludge coagulation device described in claim 7, wherein the control unit is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to the mixing tank and the amount of coagulant supplied based on the proportion of the area of ​​white as the second reference color, which is the color of the coagulant.

9. The sludge flocculation apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the predetermined percentage of the area of ​​the second reference color is set within a range of 70% or more and less than 90%.

10. A sludge coagulation device as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein when the area ratio of the second reference color in the image of the liquid surface is greater than the specified ratio, the control unit is configured to control the amount of sludge supplied to increase and the amount of coagulant supplied to decrease.

11. The mixing tank has an open top, The sludge flocculation apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 and 7 to 9, wherein the imaging unit is configured to image the liquid surface of the mixed liquid in the mixing tank from above.

Images