Fine bubble supply device

Abstract

To supply a fine bubble containing solution containing highly concentrated microbubbles without using a large-sized fine bubble generator and a large-sized storage tank.SOLUTION: A fine bubble supply device (100) includes: a fine bubble generation part (10) which generates fine bubbles; a storage tank (20) in which a fine bubble containing solution (50) containing the fine bubbles is stored; a circulation mechanism (30) which circulates the fine bubble containing solution (50) between the fine bubble generation part (10) and the storage tank (20); and a supply mechanism (40) which supplies the fine bubble containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) from a relatively high first storage position to the outside.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fine bubble supply device.

Background Art

[0002] Fine bubbles, which are bubbles with a diameter smaller than 100 μm, have excellent properties such as a sterilizing effect and a deodorizing effect, and thus are used in various applications such as cleaning. Among fine bubbles, bubbles with a diameter of 1 μm or more and less than 100 μm are called "microbubbles", and bubbles with a diameter of less than 1 μm among fine bubbles are called "ultrafine bubbles". Microbubbles slowly rise in water and disappear over time, while ultrafine bubbles remain while performing Brownian motion in water.

[0003] As methods for generating fine bubbles, for example, a swirling liquid flow type in which bubbles are crushed by a high-speed liquid swirling flow, a pressure dissolution precipitation type in which bubbles are precipitated by a rapid decompression of a saturated solution under pressure, and the like are known. Patent Document 1 discloses a fine bubble generation device that generates fine bubbles using cavitation and a swirling flow.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] To enhance the cleaning effect of fine bubbles, the bubble concentration, especially the microbubble concentration, is crucial. However, the bubble concentration generated by a fine bubble generator is not always uniform. Therefore, conventionally, to make the bubble concentration uniform, the fine bubble-containing solution in the storage tank is circulated through the fine bubble generator (circulation generation). Furthermore, to increase the bubble concentration, a certain number of circulation generation cycles are necessary. For this reason, in cleaning at factories and other facilities, a common practice is to circulate the fine bubble-containing solution to be used each day overnight, store it in a storage tank, and then use up all of the fine bubble-containing solution in the storage tank during the daytime cleaning process.

[0006] However, if one attempts to circulate and store a day's worth of fine bubble-containing solution, a large fine bubble generator and a large storage tank would be required, leading to problems such as an increased installation area, increased initial and running costs, and increased power consumption.

[0007] The purpose of this disclosure is to enable the supply of fine bubble-containing solutions, including high concentrations of microbubbles, without the need for large-scale fine bubble generators or large storage tanks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A first aspect of this disclosure is a fine bubble supply device comprising: a fine bubble generating unit (10) that generates fine bubbles; a storage tank (20) that stores a fine bubble-containing solution (50) containing fine bubbles generated by the fine bubble generating unit (10); a circulation mechanism (30) that circulates the fine bubble-containing solution (50) between the fine bubble generating unit (10) and the storage tank (20); and a supply mechanism (40) that supplies the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) to the outside from a relatively high first storage position.

[0009] In the first embodiment, the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is supplied to the outside from a relatively high first storage position, i.e., a position with a high concentration of microbubbles, by utilizing the fact that microbubbles in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) rise towards the liquid surface. Therefore, since a fine bubble-containing solution (50) containing a high concentration of microbubbles can be supplied while fine bubbles are being generated by the fine bubble generation unit (10), there is no need to enlarge the fine bubble generation unit (10) or the storage tank (20).

[0010] A second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the circulation mechanism (30) returns the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) to the fine bubble generation unit (10) from a relatively lower second storage position.

[0011] In the second embodiment, the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is returned to the fine bubble generation unit (10) from a relatively low second storage position, i.e., a position with a low concentration of microbubbles. Therefore, the lower layer portion of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20), where the concentration of microbubbles is low, can be selectively circulated, thereby improving circulation efficiency.

[0012] A third aspect of the present disclosure, in the first or second aspect, the circulation mechanism (30) delivers the fine bubble-containing solution (50) from the fine bubble generation unit (10) to a third storage position in the storage tank (20) between the first storage position and the second storage position.

[0013] In the third embodiment, it is possible to suppress the decrease in microbubble concentration at the first storage position above the third storage position. Furthermore, it is possible to avoid an increase in microbubble concentration at the second storage position below the third storage position, which would reduce circulation efficiency.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the present disclosure is, in any one of the first to third aspects, an inclined plate (23) inclined with respect to a horizontal plane is provided inside the storage tank (20), and microbubbles in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) rise along the lower surface of the inclined plate (23).

[0015] In the fourth embodiment, since the microbubbles in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) rise along the lower surface of the inclined plate (23), the microbubbles can be efficiently aggregated, making it easy to increase the concentration of microbubbles.

[0016] A fifth aspect of this disclosure is that, in any one of the first to fourth embodiments, the fine bubble generating unit (10) generates fine bubbles containing microbubbles.

[0017] In the fifth embodiment, microbubbles that would otherwise disappear if stored for a long time can be supplied to the outside immediately after generation. This makes it possible, for example, to perform cleaning using microbubbles with high cleaning power. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a fine bubble supply device according to an embodiment of this device. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing the fine bubble generation section of the fine bubble supply device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a fine bubble supply device according to a modified example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0019] (Embodiment) Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiments are essentially preferred examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, its applications, or its uses. In addition, since each drawing is for conceptually explaining the present disclosure, dimensions, ratios, or numbers may be exaggerated or simplified as necessary for easy understanding.

[0020] <Fine bubble supply device> As shown in FIG. 1, the fine bubble supply device (100) according to this embodiment mainly includes a fine bubble generation unit (10), a storage tank (20), a circulation mechanism (30), and a supply mechanism (40).

[0021] The fine bubble generation unit (10) generates fine bubbles containing microbubbles. A pure water supply pipe (11) for supplying pure water under predetermined conditions is connected to the fine bubble generation unit (10).

[0022] The storage tank (20) stores a fine bubble-containing solution (50) containing fine bubbles generated by the fine bubble generation unit (10). A water supply pipe (21) for initial water supply is connected to the storage tank (20). In FIG. 1, the flow of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is indicated by a solid line arrow, and the flow of water (pure water) is indicated by a broken line arrow.

[0023] The circulation mechanism (30) circulates the fine bubble-containing solution (50) between the fine bubble generation unit (10) and the storage tank (20). The circulation mechanism (30) includes a delivery pipe (31) for delivering the fine bubble-containing solution (50) from the fine bubble generation unit (10) to the storage tank (20), and a return pipe (32) for returning the fine bubble-containing solution (50) from the storage tank (20) to the fine bubble generation unit (10).

[0024] The supply mechanism (40) supplies the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) to the outside. The supply mechanism (40) includes, for example, a submersible pump (41) that draws out the fine bubble-containing solution (50) and a fine bubble supply pipe (42) that supplies the fine bubble-containing solution (50) drawn out by the submersible pump (41) to a cleaning device or the like (not shown).

[0025] In this embodiment, the submersible pump (41) is installed at a relatively high first storage position in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20), specifically near the liquid surface of the fine bubble-containing solution (50). This allows the supply mechanism (40) to supply the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) from the first storage position to the outside.

[0026] On the other hand, the suction port (32a) of the return pipe (32) is installed at a relatively low second storage position in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20), specifically in the lower part of the fine bubble-containing solution (50). This allows the circulation mechanism (30) to return the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) from the second storage position to the fine bubble generation unit (10).

[0027] Furthermore, the outlet (31a) of the discharge pipe (31) is installed at a third storage position between the first storage position (submersible pump (41)) and the second storage position (suction port (32a)) of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20). This allows the circulation mechanism (30) to deliver the fine bubble-containing solution (50) from the fine bubble generation unit (10) to the third storage position.

[0028] Furthermore, the fine bubble supply device (100) of this embodiment may further include a liquid level holding mechanism to maintain a constant liquid level of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20). Alternatively, it may further include a position adjustment mechanism to adjust the positions of the outlet (31a), the suction port (32a), and the submersible pump (41) in the fine bubble-containing solution (50).

[0029] [Fine bubble generation] In this embodiment, the fine bubble generation method by the fine bubble generation unit (10) is not particularly limited, but for example, the fine bubble generation unit (10) may be configured as shown in Figure 2.

[0030] The fine bubble generation unit (10) shown in Figure 2 mainly comprises a vortex pump (12), an air supply unit (13), and a microbubble generation unit (60).

[0031] The vortex pump (12) mixes the fine bubble-containing solution and / or pure water supplied from the return pipe (32) with the air (51) supplied from the air supply unit (13) to generate a gas-liquid mixed fluid (52), and pressurizes the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) before discharging it into the connecting channel (14). The air (51) mixed with the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) is subjected to shear force by the vortex inside the vortex pump (12) and is atomized into fine bubbles (for example, fine bubbles with a diameter on the order of micrometers (μm)).

[0032] A first pressure regulating valve (15) and a first pressure gauge (16) are connected to the connecting channel (14). The first pressure regulating valve (15) adjusts the pressure of the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) flowing through the connecting channel (14) to a predetermined first pressure. The pressure of the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) can be checked by the first pressure gauge (16).

[0033] The microbubble generating unit (60) is connected to the vortex pump (12) via a connecting channel (14). The microbubble generating unit (60) generates microbubbles (for example, microbubbles with a diameter on the order of nanometers (nm)), and mixes these microbubbles with a gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) sent from the connecting channel (14) to produce a fine bubble-containing solution (50) with a high bubble concentration, which is then discharged into the discharge pipe (31).

[0034] The microbubble generating unit (60) comprises a microbubble generating box (61) which serves as the main body. One side of the microbubble generating box (61) is provided with an injection nozzle (fluid inlet) (62) for injecting the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) sent from the connecting channel (14) into the microbubble generating box (61). The other side of the microbubble generating box (61) is provided with a fluid outlet (63) which is connected to a discharge pipe (31). A second pressure adjustment valve (17) and a second pressure gauge (18) are connected to the discharge pipe (31). The second pressure adjustment valve (17) adjusts the pressure of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) flowing through the discharge pipe (31) to a predetermined second pressure. The pressure of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) can be confirmed by the second pressure gauge (18). The second pressure of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is set to be lower than the first pressure of the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52).

[0035] As the injection velocity increases, the pressure of the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) injected from the injection nozzle (62) into the microbubble generation box (61) decreases. When this pressure drops to the saturated vapor pressure, cavitation occurs as the liquid component (water component) evaporates, generating bubbles. As a result, bubbles are generated in the jet formed by the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) being injected from the injection nozzle (62), using bubbles contained in the gas-liquid mixed fluid (52) as nuclei due to the cavitation phenomenon. Subsequently, as the pressure, which has dropped to the saturated vapor pressure, begins to return to its original pressure downstream of the jet, the bubbles are compressed and collapse. The high-temperature, high-pressure energy generated when these bubbles collapse is radiated into the surroundings, and this energy further miniaturizes the bubbles in the jet, generating microbubbles with a diameter on the order of nanometers (nm).

[0036] <Features of the Embodiment> The fine bubble supply device (100) of this embodiment includes a fine bubble generation unit (10) that generates fine bubbles, a storage tank (20) that stores a fine bubble-containing solution (50) containing the fine bubbles, and a circulation mechanism (30) that circulates the fine bubble-containing solution (50) between the fine bubble generation unit (10) and the storage tank (20). Furthermore, the fine bubble supply device (100) is provided with a supply mechanism (40) that supplies the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) to the outside from a relatively high first storage position.

[0037] According to the fine bubble supply device (100) of this embodiment, the microbubbles contained in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) rise towards the liquid surface in the storage tank (20), and the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is supplied to the outside from a relatively high first storage position, that is, a position with a high concentration of microbubbles. In other words, the upper layer portion of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20), which contains microbubbles at a high concentration, is preferentially supplied to the outside. Therefore, while fine bubbles are being generated by the fine bubble generation unit (10), a fine bubble-containing solution (50) containing a high concentration of microbubbles can be supplied. Consequently, it is not necessary to circulate and store the fine bubble-containing solution for a long period of time as in the conventional method, so there is no need to enlarge the fine bubble generation unit (10) or the storage tank (20).

[0038] As described above, in this embodiment, the large fine bubble generator, large storage tank, and their ancillary equipment that were required in the conventional method are eliminated, making it possible to select an appropriate fine bubble generator, etc., according to the amount of fine bubble-containing solution used. This makes it possible to reduce the size of various devices and their installation space, reduce the cost of foundation work and structural reinforcement work, and reduce power consumption, thereby reducing initial costs and running costs.

[0039] Furthermore, if at least the storage tank (20) of the fine bubble supply device (100) of this embodiment is placed near the destination of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) (for example, a cleaning target such as a freezer), the fine bubbles (especially microbubbles) generated by the fine bubble generation unit (10) installed at a location away from the destination can be concentrated in the storage tank (20) and supplied.

[0040] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is possible to continuously select a portion of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) that contains microbubbles at a high concentration. Therefore, unlike conventional technology, the fine bubble-containing solution (50) containing high concentrations of microbubbles can be supplied while generating fine bubbles, without circulating and generating the fine bubble-containing solution overnight to increase the microbubble concentration.

[0041] In the fine bubble supply device (100) of this embodiment, the circulation mechanism (30) may return the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) to the fine bubble generation unit (10) from a relatively low second storage position. By returning the fine bubble-containing solution (50) to the fine bubble generation unit (10) from a relatively low second storage position, i.e., a position with a low microbubble concentration, the lower layer portion of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20), where the microbubble concentration is low, can be selectively circulated. Therefore, the microbubbles contained in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) can be efficiently increased in concentration through circulation. In other words, circulation efficiency can be improved. In contrast, in the conventional method, even the fine bubble-containing solution containing high concentrations of microbubbles is circulated, resulting in wasted circulation.

[0042] In the fine bubble supply device (100) of this embodiment, the circulation mechanism (30) may send the fine bubble-containing solution (50) from the fine bubble generation unit (10) to a third storage position in the storage tank (20) between the first and second storage positions. In this way, since the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is sent from the fine bubble generation unit (10) to a third storage position lower than the first storage position in the storage tank (20), a decrease in the microbubble concentration at the first storage position can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is sent from the fine bubble generation unit (10) to a third storage position higher than the second storage position in the storage tank (20), an increase in the microbubble concentration at the second storage position and a decrease in circulation efficiency can be avoided.

[0043] In the fine bubble supply device (100) of this embodiment, the fine bubble generation unit (10) may generate fine bubbles containing microbubbles. In this way, microbubbles, which would disappear if stored for a long time, can be supplied to the outside immediately after being generated in the fine bubble generation unit (10). This makes it possible, for example, to perform cleaning using microbubbles with high cleaning power.

[0044] (modified version) The fine bubble supply device (100) according to this modified example differs from the embodiment shown in Figure 1 in the configuration of the storage tank (20), as shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in the embodiment shown in Figure 1.

[0045] In this modified example shown in Figure 3, an extension (22) extending horizontally is provided on one side of the upper part of the storage tank (20). In addition, an inclined plate (23) that is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane is provided inside the storage tank (20). The inclined plate (23) is positioned inside the storage tank (20), excluding the extension (22), so that the side with the extension (22) is higher. At the very top of the inclined plate (23) is a vertical plate (24) that partitions the upper part of the extension (22). The lowest part of the inclined plate (23) is connected to the other wall of the storage tank (20) below the extension (22).

[0046] In this modified example, the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is stored in the storage tank (20) such that the highest liquid level of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is within the extension section (22), and the submersible pump (41) of the supply mechanism (40) is placed in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) within the extension section (22). In this case, the liquid level may be adjusted so that the highest liquid level of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) is at the same height as or above the connection between the inclined plate (23) and the vertical plate (24), in other words, so that the entire lower surface of the inclined plate (23) is in contact with the fine bubble-containing solution (50).

[0047] Furthermore, the outlet (31a) of the discharge pipe (31) and the suction port (32a) of the return pipe (32) are positioned below the inclined plate (23) such that the suction port (32a) is lower than the outlet (31a).

[0048] According to the modified version described above, an inclined plate (23) tilted with respect to the horizontal plane is provided inside the storage tank (20), and microbubbles in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) rise along the lower surface of the inclined plate (23). As a result, the microbubbles can be efficiently concentrated, making it easy to increase the concentration of microbubbles.

[0049] In this modified example, the extension portion (22) may be omitted, and the submersible pump (41) may be placed directly below the relatively higher portion of the inclined plate (23).

[0050] Furthermore, in this modified example, the inclined plate (23) may be provided separately from the storage tank (20), or the inclined plate (23) may be formed by inclining the side wall or ceiling of the storage tank (20).

[0051] (Other embodiments) In the above embodiment (including the above-mentioned modifications; the same applies hereinafter), a submersible pump (41) was used as the supply mechanism (40), but a land-based pump may be used instead. Alternatively, the supply mechanism (40) may be configured without using a pump. For example, an opening may be provided in the upper part of the side wall of the storage tank (20), and the fine bubble-containing solution (50) may be taken out from the opening using gravity. Alternatively, the fine bubble-containing solution (50) that has overflowed from the storage tank (20) may be supplied to the outside.

[0052] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the fine bubble generation unit (10) was configured as shown in Figure 2 (a fine bubble generation device using cavitation and swirling flow). However, the fine bubble generation method in the above embodiment is not particularly limited, and other methods such as a pressurized dissolution and ejection method may be used.

[0053] Furthermore, while cleaning was given as an example of the use of fine bubbles in the above embodiment, the use of fine bubbles is not limited to this, and they may also be used for other purposes such as water purification, crop cultivation, decolorization, and deodorization.

[0054] Furthermore, although the above embodiment illustrates the case in which a fine bubble-containing solution (50) is produced by incorporating fine bubbles of air into water, it is not limited to this, and a fine bubble-containing solution may also be produced by incorporating fine bubbles of other gases (oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.) into water or other liquids (organic solvents, etc.).

[0055] While embodiments and modifications have been described above, it should be understood that various changes in form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims. Furthermore, the embodiments and modifications described above may be combined or substituted as appropriate. Moreover, the terms "first," "second," etc., described above are used to distinguish the phrases to which these terms are attached, and do not limit the number or order of such phrases. [Industrial applicability]

[0056] As described above, this disclosure is useful for fine bubble supply devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 100 Fine bubble supply device 10 Fine bubble generation section 20 Storage tanks 23 Inclined plate 30 Circulation mechanism 40 Supply mechanism 50 Fine bubble-containing solution

Claims

1. A fine bubble generating unit (10) that generates fine bubbles containing microbubbles, A storage tank (20) for storing a fine bubble-containing solution (50) containing fine bubbles generated by the fine bubble generation unit (10), A circulation mechanism (30) for circulating the fine bubble-containing solution (50) between the fine bubble generation unit (10) and the storage tank (20), A supply mechanism (40) that supplies the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) to the outside from a first storage position located in the upper part of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) and Equipped with, The fine bubble generation unit (10) generates fine bubbles in the fine bubble-containing liquid (50) that is circulated by the circulation mechanism (30). The circulation mechanism (30) returns the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) to the fine bubble generation unit (10) from a second storage position located in the lower part of the fine bubble-containing solution (50) and below the first storage position. The circulation mechanism (30) delivers the fine bubble-containing solution (50) from the fine bubble generation unit (10) to a third storage position in the storage tank (20) that is below the upper layer and above the second storage position. Fine bubble supply device.

2. In the fine bubble supply device according to claim 1, Inside the storage tank (20), an inclined plate (23) is provided that is tilted with respect to the horizontal plane. The microbubbles in the fine bubble-containing solution (50) stored in the storage tank (20) rise along the lower surface of the inclined plate (23). Fine bubble supply device.

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