Bubble water generation system

Abstract

This technology suppresses the widespread diffusion of dissolved gas at the concentration necessary for bubble water generation into the gas-liquid mixture within the storage tank, enabling the generation of large quantities of bubble water containing a high concentration of fine bubbles, even when equipped with a large-scale storage tank. [Solution] The system includes a drive pump 12 that sucks in bubble water BW through an intake water conduit 18 under reduced pressure and discharges the bubble water BW under pressurized conditions; a bubble water generation unit 10 that generates bubbles from the bubble water BW discharged from the drive pump 12 to produce bubble water BW of higher concentration; a storage tank 3 that stores the bubble water BW generated in the bubble water generation unit 10; and a temporary holding tank 5 provided in the storage tank 3, in which the bubble water BW generated in the bubble water generation unit 10 is drained through a discharge water conduit 17 and temporarily held, and a portion of the temporarily held bubble water BW is drawn in through the intake water conduit 18.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a circulating bubble water generation system for generating ultra-fine bubble (UFB) water.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an apparatus capable of generating bubble water containing fine bubbles with an extremely small bubble diameter, a fine bubble generation system has been proposed (see Patent Document 1 below).

[0003] The proposed fine bubble generation system is of a so-called circulating type in which, by driving a pump, a liquid circulates in the order of a liquid tank, a bubble mixing section, a pump, and a bubble splitting section via a circulation pipe.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the circulating fine bubble generation system as described above, as a measure for generating a large amount of high-concentration bubble water, it is conceivable to increase the capacity (scale) of the liquid tank and increase the amount of the liquid to be treated.

[0006] However, when simply increasing the scale of the liquid tank and increasing the amount of the liquid to be treated, the dissolved gas or FB at the concentration required for the generation of bubble water will be widely diffused (dispersed) in the liquid in the liquid tank. Therefore, in the circulating fine bubble generation system, increasing the scale of the liquid tank has a problem that the concentration of the dissolved gas or FB in the liquid becomes diluted, and the efficiency of generating bubble water is reduced, and it is impossible to generate a large amount of high-concentration bubble water.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its object is to provide a circulating bubble water generation system that can generate a large amount of bubble water containing fine bubbles at a high concentration, even when equipped with a large-scale gas-liquid storage tank. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, an aspect of the present invention includes: a drive pump that draws in gas and liquid through a water intake channel under reduced pressure and discharges the gas and liquid under pressurized conditions; a bubble generating unit that generates bubble water from the gas and liquid discharged from the drive pump; a storage tank for storing the bubble water generated in the bubble generating unit; and a device provided in the storage tank that dispenses the bubble water that has just been generated in the bubble generating unit. First The concentrated bubble water is drained through the drainage channel and temporarily held, and the temporarily held The first The system comprises a temporary holding tank into which concentrated bubble water is drawn to the drive pump via the suction channel before it diffuses and dilutes within the storage tank, and the temporary holding tank temporarily holds the The first The present invention is characterized in that concentrated bubble water is used to generate bubble water in the bubble generation unit. Another aspect of the present invention comprises a drive pump that sucks in gas and liquid through an intake channel under reduced pressure and discharges the gas and liquid under pressurized conditions; a bubble generating unit that generates bubble water from the gas and liquid discharged from the drive pump; a storage tank for storing the bubble water generated in the bubble generating unit; and a temporary holding tank provided within the storage tank, which temporarily holds the bubble water generated in the bubble generating unit after it is drained through a drain channel, and a portion of the temporarily held bubble water is drawn in through the intake channel, wherein the temporary holding tank has a space with a capacity capable of enclosing at least a portion of the bubble water drained through the drain channel, and is provided with an opening window connected to the liquid phase of the storage tank, and the opening window is provided with a mesh filter. Furthermore, another aspect of the present invention is characterized in that it comprises a drive pump that sucks in gas and liquid through an intake channel under reduced pressure and discharges the gas and liquid under pressurized conditions; a bubble generating unit that generates bubble water from the gas and liquid discharged from the drive pump; a storage tank for storing the bubble water generated in the bubble generating unit; and a temporary holding tank provided in the storage tank, which temporarily holds the bubble water generated in the bubble generating unit after it is drained through a drain channel, and a portion of the temporarily held bubble water is drawn in through the intake channel, wherein the temporary holding tank is formed of a mesh filter. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress the widespread diffusion of dissolved gases and FBs at concentrations necessary for the generation of bubble water into the gas and liquid within the gas and liquid storage tank. As a result, even when equipped with a large-scale gas and liquid storage tank, a circulating bubble water generation system is available that can generate a large amount of bubble water containing fine bubbles at high concentrations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example configuration of a circulating UFB water generation system to which the bubble water generation system according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied. [Figure 2] Figure 1 illustrates the operation of the pump drive unit in the circulating UFB water generation system. Figure (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view during the reduced-pressure precipitation state, and Figure (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view during the pressurized dissolution state. [Figure 3] This is an enlarged view showing a schematic cross-section of the storage tank in the circulating UFB water generation system shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a comparison diagram shown to explain the differences (advantages) in bubble water generation efficiency due to changes in the storage tank scale in a circulating UFB water generation system. [Figure 5] This graph illustrates the superior bubble water generation efficiency in a circulating UFB water generation system, specifically in relation to changes in the storage tank scale. [Figure 6] This is a comparison table shown to explain the superiority of the generation efficiency of bubble water with respect to the change in scale of the storage tank in a circulating UFB water generation system. [Figure 7] This is an enlarged view showing a schematic cross-section of a storage tank in a circulating UFB water generation system according to another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an enlarged view showing a schematic cross-section of a storage tank in a circulating UFB water generation system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is an enlarged view showing a schematic cross-section of a storage tank in a circulating UFB water generation system according to other embodiments of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a bubble water generation system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the drawings schematically show the outline of the invention and are different from the actual ones.

[0012] One embodiment FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration example of a circulating UFB water generation system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] The circulating UFB water generation system 1 includes, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, a bubble water generation unit (bubble generation unit) 10 that generates bubble water BW containing UFB water, FB water, and supersaturated water from a solution (gas-liquid), a gas supply device 20, and a storage tank 3 having a two-tank structure for storing the bubble water BW.

[0014] The bubble water generation unit 10 is, for example, a two-stage (multi-stage) pressure dissolution type, and includes a first-stage primary pressure dissolution production tank 13, a second-stage secondary pressure dissolution production tank 23, a primary pressure dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14, and a secondary pressure dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16. Further, the bubble water generation unit 10 has a gas-liquid mixing nozzle 19, a gas supply nozzle 22, a gas mixer (gas-liquid mixer) 15, a drive pump 12, a pump drive unit 11, and the like.

[0015] The gas supply device 20 supplies, as the bubble target gas, a gas (for example, air, a chemical-resistant gas, etc.) that is a raw material for generating ultra-fine bubbles (UFB) at the nano level or fine bubbles (FB) at the micro level to the bubble water generation unit 10. A gas supply nozzle 22 is connected to the gas supply device 20 via a gas supply pipe (gas pipe) 21.

[0016] The gas supply nozzle 22 is for introducing the bubble target gas from the gas supply device 20 from one side surface of the gas mixer 15. In order to make the gas supply ratio about 5% to 30% of the circulating bubble water BW, the hole diameter of the nozzle port connected to the gas inlet of the gas mixer 15 is set to about 0.3 mmφ.

[0017] In order to enable fine adjustment of the gas supply ratio by the gas supply nozzle 22, a flow meter (not shown) may be provided.

[0018] The gas mixer 15 is for mixing the gas from the gas supply device 20 into the solution (bubble water BW), and adjusts so that the dissolved gas concentration of the gas to be mixed in the bubble water BW or the solution before bubble generation (for example, pure water or a chemical-resistant liquid, etc.) is within a predetermined value range.

[0019] A temporary holding tank 5 submerged in the approximate center part of the storage tank 3 is connected to the gas mixer 15 via an inhalation water pipe (water suction path) 18, and a higher-concentration bubble water BW temporarily held in the temporary holding tank 5 is supplied. Details of the temporary holding tank 5 will be described later.

[0020] Furthermore, a gas-liquid mixing nozzle 19 is connected to, for example, the top surface of the gas mixer 15. The diameter of the nozzle opening on the suction side of the drive pump 12 is approximately 3.0 mmφ so as not to create resistance when the drive pump 12 draws in bubble water BW (in a reduced-pressure deposition state).

[0021] The gas-liquid mixing nozzle 19 has a spherical stopper member 19a that can float and sink, and a stopper member 19b that restricts the movement (floating) of the stopper member 19a toward the nozzle opening connected to the drive pump 12. When the bubble water BW is being drained from the drive pump 12 (pressurized dissolution state), the stopper member 19a closes the water inlet on the gas mixer 15 side to prevent backflow of the bubble water BW toward the gas mixer 15 side. Conversely, when the bubble water BW is being drawn in by the drive pump 12 (reduced pressure deposition state), the water inlet on the gas mixer 15 side is opened.

[0022] The drive pump 12 has a diaphragm pump structure, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b), for example. The volume of the chamber 12d inside the drive pump 12 is varied by the pump drive unit 11, thereby enabling the suction / drainage operation (pump operation) of the bubble water BW.

[0023] In other words, the volume of the chamber 12d inside the drive pump 12 is expanded, resulting in a reduced-pressure precipitation state (during water intake), and the volume is reduced, corresponding to returning to the original state, resulting in a pressurized dissolution state (during drainage).

[0024] Now, with reference to Figure 2, the operation of the drive pump 12 will be explained. Figure (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view during the reduced-pressure precipitation state, and Figure (b) is a schematic cross-sectional view during the pressurized dissolution state.

[0025] The drive pump 12 is composed of, for example, a cylindrical chamber body 12a having an inlet and an outlet, a chamber variable part 12b provided to close the opening of the chamber body 12a, and a chamber operating part 12c that operates (deforms) the chamber variable part 12b, as shown in Figures 2(a) and 2(b).

[0026] In the drive pump 12, the nozzle port of the gas-liquid mixing nozzle 19 is connected to the suction port of the chamber body 12a, and the inlet of the generation control unit 31, which will be described later, is connected to the discharge port.

[0027] The chamber variable section 12b maintains a sealed state inside the chamber 12d and is capable of changing the volume inside the chamber 12d by deforming into a convex or concave (flat) shape in accordance with the operation of the pump drive unit 11. This chamber variable section 12b is formed from a material that can be deformed into a concave or convex shape, such as a silicone resin member, a resin member with a fluororesin coating, or a flexible metal sheet.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2(a), for example, the drive pump 12 is curved into a convex shape so that the chamber variable part 12b expands when the chamber operating part 12c is pulled in the direction of the arrow Xa by the pump drive unit 11. As a result, the volume inside the chamber 12d increases by the amount of the variable volume 12e corresponding to the variable amount (approximately 6 ml), and the inside of the drive pump 12 is put into a reduced pressure deposition state.

[0029] Conversely, as shown in Figure 2(b), for example, when the chamber operating part 12c is pushed by the pump drive unit 11 in the direction of the arrow Xb, the chamber variable part 12b collapses into a concave shape, returning to its original state. As a result, the volume of the chamber interior 12d is reduced by the amount of the variable volume 12e and returns to its original state, and the inside of the drive pump 12 is brought into a pressurized melting state.

[0030] In other words, as the vacuum precipitation state and the pressurized dissolution state are repeated alternately, during the vacuum precipitation state, bubble water BW flows into the portion (variable volume 12e) whose volume has increased due to the deformation of the variable chamber section 12b. Consequently, the dissolved gas concentration in the bubble water BW in the drive pump 12 increases, and raw materials for generating bubble water BW containing UFB at the nano level or higher are mass-produced.

[0031] Furthermore, in the pressurized dissolution state, each time the bubble water BW passes through the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14 and the second-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16, as described later, a larger amount of bubble water BW is generated in stages, and the number of bubbles generated is successively increased.

[0032] In this embodiment, at least the portion that comes into contact with the bubble water BW may be formed using a material that can withstand organic solvents, such as fluororesin, silicone resin, or PVC. Alternatively, it may be formed using an acid-resistant material such as stainless steel (SUS).

[0033] Furthermore, according to the configuration of this embodiment, bubble water BW can be generated at a pressure in the range of approximately 0.1 MPa to 0.5 MPa.

[0034] In the bubble water generation unit 10 shown in Figure 1, the discharge port of the drive pump 12 is provided with an inlet for the generation control unit 31. This generation control unit 31 is for controlling the backflow of bubble water BW from the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14 to the drive pump 12 during the reduced-pressure deposition state.

[0035] Specifically, the generation control unit 31 includes, for example, a spherical stopper member 31a that can float and sink, and a stopper member 31b that restricts the movement (floating) of the stopper member 31a toward the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14. This stopper member 31a closes the water inlet of the generation control unit 31 on the discharge port side of the drive pump 12 when in a reduced-pressure deposition state (the drain port of the generation control unit 31 remains open). Conversely, when in a pressurized dissolution state, the water inlet of the generation control unit 31 on the discharge port side of the drive pump 12 is opened without closing the drain port of the generation control unit 31.

[0036] The first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14 is designed to generate finer bubbles by passing the bubble water BW from the generation control unit 31 through it. This first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14 has a nozzle opening 14a with approximately the same hole diameter (about 2.0 mmφ) as the nozzle opening 16a of the second-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16, which will be described later.

[0037] In the first-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 13, bubble water BW is passed through the nozzle opening 14a of the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14, further generation (micronization / high concentration) of bubble water BW in the first-stage pressurized dissolution state occurs. For example, the volume of this first-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 13 (approximately 6 ml) should be equal to or greater than the variable volume of the drive pump 12, that is, it should have at least the same volume as the variable volume 12e of the drive pump 12.

[0038] The first-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 13 has a second-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16 connected in series with the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14. This second-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16 is used to generate finer bubbles by passing the bubble water BW in the first-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 13 through it. The second-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16 has a nozzle opening 16a with approximately the same hole diameter as the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14 (for example, a diameter difference of ±20% or less).

[0039] The nozzle opening 16a of the two-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16 is connected to the upper surface of the temporary holding tank 5, which is submerged below the liquid surface of the bubble water BW in the storage tank 3, via the two-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 23 and the discharge water conduit (drainage channel) 17, as shown in Figure 1, for example. As the bubble water BW passes through the nozzle opening 16a of the two-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16 and the two-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 23, further generation of bubble water BW occurs in the second stage of pressurized dissolution. In addition, the generated bubble water BW is temporarily stored in the two-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 23. The two-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 23 can be, for example, one that has at least the same volume as the variable volume 12e of the drive pump 12.

[0040] Storage tank 3 is a container such as a tank for storing the solution or bubble water BW, and is designed to be scaled up (larger capacity / larger scale) to enable the generation and storage of large quantities of bubble water BW.

[0041] In this embodiment, the storage tank 3 has a two-tank structure with a smaller temporary holding tank 5 provided inside it. For example, an intake water conduit 18 is connected to the upper surface of the temporary holding tank 5, along with a discharge water conduit 17.

[0042] Now, with reference to Figure 3, the configuration of the storage tank 3 will be explained. Figure 3 shows an example where the temporary holding tank 5 of the storage tank 3 is of the filter-blocking type.

[0043] In other words, the temporary storage tank 5 is for temporarily storing the bubble water BW discharged from the discharge water conduit 17, and has an internal space 51 of a predetermined capacity (volume) so that it can store at least a portion of the bubble water BW that has just been generated in the bubble water generation unit 10 until it is sucked in by the suction water conduit 18.

[0044] More specifically, the temporary holding tank 5 is positioned approximately in the center of the storage tank 3, corresponding to its plane, so as to be completely submerged in the stored bubble water BW. The discharge water conduit 17 and the suction water conduit 18 are connected to it so as to penetrate its upper surface. The temporary holding tank 5 also has a plurality of opening windows 53 formed on its side. Each opening window 53 is provided with, for example, a mesh filter 55 to block the entry of solid matter 7 and to suppress the passage of bubble water BW.

[0045] In this embodiment, the discharge water conduit 17 and the suction water conduit 18 are arranged close to each other with a certain distance between them, and the discharge port of the discharge water conduit 17 and the suction port of the suction water conduit 18 are provided so that they correspond to predetermined positions in the space 51.

[0046] As an example, the capacity of the space 51 of the temporary holding tank 5, the diameter and position of the outlet of the discharge water conduit 17, and the diameter and position of the inlet of the suction water conduit 18 are set (adjusted) so that at least 10% of the bubble water BW discharged from the discharge water conduit 17 is directly drawn in by the suction water conduit 18 within the space 51. In other words, the temporary holding tank 5 is configured to contain at least 10% (or at least a portion) of the bubble water BW discharged from the discharge water conduit 17.

[0047] The bubble water BW drawn in by the suction water conduit 18 is sent to the gas mixer 15 and used again to generate bubble water BW in the bubble water generation unit 10.

[0048] Meanwhile, less than 90% of the bubble water BW remaining in the space 51 of the temporary holding tank 5 is gradually dispersed into the liquid phase (storage tank 3) through the filter 55 of the opening window 53, as indicated by reference numeral 9 in Figure 3.

[0049] In this way, in the temporary holding tank 5, by adjusting the mesh size of the filter 55, it is possible to prevent solid matter 7 such as cells and debris present in the bubble water BW from entering the temporary holding tank 5, and to easily control the amount of bubble water BW that flows out into the storage tank 3.

[0050] Furthermore, the dilution ratio of the bubble water BW that flows into storage tank 3 can be expressed as (amount of bubble water BW that flows into storage tank 3) / (amount of bubble water BW that flows into storage tank 3 + total amount of bubble water BW), and it exhibits a very high degree of linearity.

[0051] The method (operation) for generating UFB water in the circulating UFB water generation system 1 according to this embodiment will be briefly described below.

[0052] First, in the first step (first depressurization step), the pump drive unit 11 is controlled to deform the chamber variable unit 12b in the direction of arrow Xa in order to drive the drive pump 12. As a result, the inside of the drive pump 12 is reduced pressure and precipitated, and the solution in the gas mixer 15 (bubble water BW from the second round onwards) is supplied into the inside of the chamber 12d.

[0053] At that time, the solution is drawn in from the space 51 of the temporary holding tank 5 in the storage tank 3 via the suction water conduit 18 and supplied to the drive pump 12 from the gas-liquid mixing nozzle 19, and simultaneously supplied to the gas mixer 15 from the gas supply nozzle 22. As a result, in the gas mixer 15, the solution from the storage tank 3 and the bubble target gas, which is about 5% to 30% of the volume of the solution, are stirred together, and a solution with a high concentration of dissolved gas is produced.

[0054] Next, in the second step (first pressurization step), the pump drive unit 11 is controlled to deform the chamber variable part 12b of the drive pump 12 in the direction of arrow Xb. As a result, the inside of the drive pump 12 enters a pressurized dissolution state, and the solution is delivered to the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14.

[0055] In this second step, the solution passes through the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14, causing bubble water BW to be generated in the first-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 13, and is then temporarily stored.

[0056] Next, in the third step (second depressurization step), similar to the first step described above, the pump drive unit 11 is controlled again to deform the chamber variable part 12b of the drive pump 12 in the direction of arrow Xa. As a result, the inside of the drive pump 12 enters a depressurized precipitation state, and the solution is supplied from the gas mixer 15 side.

[0057] Similarly, the supply of the bubble target gas from the gas supply nozzle 22 to the gas mixer 15 and the supply of the solution from the gas-liquid mixing nozzle 19 to the drive pump 12, along with the storage of bubble water BW in the first-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 13, restores (increases) the dissolved gas concentration.

[0058] Next, in the fourth step (second pressurization step), similar to the second step described above, the pump drive unit 11 is controlled again to deform the chamber variable part 12b of the drive pump 12 in the direction of arrow Xb. As a result, the inside of the drive pump 12 enters a pressurized dissolution state, and the solution is sent to the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14 via the generation control unit 31, and bubble water BW is supplied from the first-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 13 to the second-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16.

[0059] Therefore, in this fourth step, as the solution passes through the first-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14, bubble water BW is generated in the first-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 13, and as the bubble water BW passes through the second-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 16, further bubble water BW is generated in the second-stage pressurized dissolution generation tank 23.

[0060] The generated bubble water BW is temporarily held in the space 51 of the temporary holding tank 5 within the storage tank 3 via the discharge water conduit 17. In subsequent operations, it is sequentially drawn in by the suction water conduit 18 before it diffuses and dilutes within the storage tank 3, and is used to generate more bubble water BW.

[0061] In this way, steps 1 through 4 described above are repeated a predetermined number of times or for a predetermined duration, causing the bubble water BW to be generated in multiple stages each time it passes through each pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 14, 16, ultimately leading to the production of UFB water.

[0062] Figures 4 to 6 illustrate the superiority of bubble water BW generation efficiency in the circulating UFB water generation system 1 described above, with regard to changes in the scale of the storage tank 3. Figures 4(a) and 6(a) show the total amount of bubble water BW generated (actual measured total number) in the storage tank 3 with the temporary holding tank 5 after scale-up according to this embodiment, Figures 4(b) and 6(b) show the total amount of bubble water BW generated in the storage tank 3L without the temporary holding tank 5 after scale-up, and Figures 4(c) and 6(c) show the total amount of bubble water BW generated in the storage tank 3S before scale-up.

[0063] In other words, assuming the capacity (solution volume) of storage tank 3S before scaling up is 100 ml, the total amount (average) of bubble water BW generated after 30 minutes is, for example, 8.16 × 10⁻¹⁰ as shown in Figures 4(c) and 6(c). 11 The concentration was per ml.

[0064] Similarly, when the storage tank capacity (solution volume) of 3L is scaled up to 1000ml (without the temporary holding tank 5), the total amount (average) of bubble water BW generated after 30 minutes is, for example, 3.51 × 10⁻¹⁰, as shown in Figures 4(b) and 6(b). 11 The concentration was per ml.

[0065] In contrast, in this embodiment, where the capacity (solution volume) of the storage tank 3 is scaled up to 1000 ml and a temporary holding tank 5 is provided inside, the total amount (average) of bubble water BW generated after 30 minutes is, for example, 7.38 × 10⁻¹⁰ as shown in Figures 4(a) and 6(a). 11 The concentration was per ml.

[0066] As is clear from Figure 5, in the circulating UFB water generation system 1 according to this embodiment, when the capacity of the storage tank 3 is scaled up to 1000 ml and a temporary holding tank 5 is provided, a generation efficiency of about the same level as that of the storage tank 3S before scale-up (approximately 90%) can be achieved, and a generation efficiency of about 2.1 times that of the storage tank 3L without the temporary holding tank 5 can be achieved.

[0067] As described above, according to this embodiment, even when the amount of solution used to generate UFB water is increased, the bubble water BW spreads throughout the storage tank 3, and the dilution of the dissolved gas concentration is suppressed.

[0068] Specifically, as the storage tank 3 is scaled up, a temporary storage tank 5 is provided within the storage tank 3 to temporarily hold the bubble water BW. This improves the efficiency of UFB generation, which would otherwise decrease due to the dilution of the gas and FB necessary for UFB generation contained in the bubble water BW. Consequently, it becomes possible to generate a large quantity of UFB containing a high concentration of UFB.

[0069] Furthermore, in this embodiment, by employing a multi-stage (two-stage) pressurized dissolution method in the bubble water generation unit 10, the dissolved gas concentration that decreases with the generation of bubble water BW can be easily restored.

[0070] In particular, when a filter-blocked temporary holding tank 5 is used, when applied to cell culture, it is possible not only to prevent cell waste and food from entering the UFB water generation system 1, but also to avoid the cells dying from excessive physical stimulation within the UFB water generation system 1 by making the mesh size of the mesh filter 55 too large for cells to pass through.

[0071] Other Embodiments Figure 7 shows a schematic configuration of the storage tank 3 in a circulating UFB water generation system 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0072] In other words, the storage tank 3 is not limited to a two-tank structure with a filter-blocked temporary storage tank 5 built inside, as described above. For example, as shown in Figure 7, it may also be a double structure equipped with a temporary storage tank 5 whose frame structure consists entirely of a mesh filter 55 instead of a filter-blocked type.

[0073] Even in configurations according to other embodiments, the capacity of the frame portion consisting of the filter 55, the diameter and position of the outlet of the discharge water conduit 17, and the diameter and position of the inlet of the suction water conduit 18 are set (adjusted) so that at least 10% or more of the bubble water BW discharged from the discharge water conduit 17 is directly drawn in by the suction water conduit 18.

[0074] Figure 8 shows a schematic configuration of the storage tank 3 in a circulating UFB water generation system 1 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.

[0075] In other words, the storage tank 3 is not limited to a two-tank structure with a filter-blocked temporary storage tank 5 built in, as described above, but may also be a double structure with a temporary storage tank 5 in which the filter has been removed from the opening window 53, as shown in Figure 8.

[0076] Even in the configuration according to yet another embodiment, the capacity of the temporary holding tank 5, the diameter and location of the discharge port of the discharge water conduit 17, the diameter and location of the intake water conduit 18, the number, size, and location of the opening windows 53 are set (adjusted) so that at least 10% or more of the bubble water BW discharged from the discharge water conduit 17 is directly drawn in by the intake water conduit 18.

[0077] Figures 9(a) to 9(c) all show the schematic configuration of the storage tank 3 in a circulating UFB water generation system 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] In other words, as shown in Figure 9(a), the storage tank 3 may be configured such that, in the temporary holding tank 5, the positions of the opposing discharge port and suction port are offset vertically so that at least 10% of the bubble water BW discharged from the discharge water conduit 17 is directly sucked in by the suction water conduit 18.

[0079] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(b), the storage tank 3 may be configured such that, in the temporary holding tank 5, the distance between the opposing discharge port and the suction port is shifted in the left-right direction so that at least 10% of the bubble water BW discharged from the discharge water conduit 17 is directly sucked in by the suction water conduit 18.

[0080] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9(c), the storage tank 3 may be configured such that, in the temporary holding tank 5, the distance between the discharge water conduit 17 and the suction water conduit 18 is offset vertically, so that at least 10% of the bubble water BW discharged from the discharge water conduit 17 is directly drawn in by the suction water conduit 18.

[0081] In addition, in the configurations shown in Figures 9(a) to 9(c), the temporary holding tank 5 can be omitted in all cases.

[0082] Furthermore, this is not limited to the two-stage (multi-stage) pressurized dissolution type bubble water generation unit 10; for example, it can be applied to all UFB water generation systems if they are of the circulating type.

[0083] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to examples of the embodiments, these embodiments are merely examples, and the scope of the invention as described in the claims can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0084] 1…Circulating UFB water generation system (bubble water generation system) 3…Storage tank 5…Temporary holding tank 10…Bubble water generation unit (bubble generation unit) 11... Pump drive unit 12…Driven pump (diaphragm pump) 13…First-stage pressurized dissolution and generation tank 14…First-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generation nozzle 15…Gas mixer (gas-liquid mixer) 16…Two-stage pressurized dissolution bubble generating nozzle 17… Discharge water conduit (drainage channel) 18... Intake water conduit (water intake channel) 19…Gas-liquid mixing nozzle 20... Gas supply equipment 23…Two-stage pressurized dissolution and generation tank 51…Space part 53…Open windows 55…Filter (mesh type) BW...Bubble water (UFB water, FB water, supersaturated water)

Claims

1. A drive pump that draws in gas and liquid through an intake channel under reduced pressure and discharges the gas and liquid under pressurized conditions, A bubble generating unit that generates bubble water from the gas and liquid discharged from the drive pump, A storage tank for storing the bubble water generated in the bubble generation unit, A temporary holding tank is provided within the storage tank, in which the bubble water of a first concentration that has just been generated in the bubble generation unit is drained through a drain channel and temporarily held, and before the temporarily held bubble water of the first concentration diffuses and becomes diluted in the storage tank, it is drawn into the drive pump through the intake channel. Equipped with, A bubble water generation system characterized in that the bubble water of the first concentration, which is temporarily held in the temporary holding tank, is used to generate bubble water in the bubble generation unit.

2. A drive pump that draws in gas and liquid through an intake channel under reduced pressure and discharges the gas and liquid under pressurized conditions, A bubble generating unit that generates bubble water from the gas and liquid discharged from the drive pump, A storage tank for storing the bubble water generated in the bubble generation unit, A temporary holding tank is provided within the storage tank, in which the bubble water generated in the bubble generation unit is drained through a drainage channel and temporarily held, and a portion of the temporarily held bubble water is drawn in through a water intake channel, Equipped with, The bubble water generation system is characterized in that the temporary holding tank has a space with a capacity capable of enclosing at least a portion of the bubble water that is drained through the drainage channel, and is equipped with an opening window that connects to the liquid phase of the storage tank, and the opening window is provided with a mesh-like filter.

3. A drive pump that draws in gas and liquid through an intake channel under reduced pressure and discharges the gas and liquid under pressurized conditions, A bubble generating unit that generates bubble water from the gas and liquid discharged from the drive pump, A storage tank for storing the bubble water generated in the bubble generation unit, A temporary holding tank is provided within the storage tank, in which the bubble water generated in the bubble generation unit is drained through a drainage channel and temporarily held, and a portion of the temporarily held bubble water is drawn in through a water intake channel, Equipped with, The bubble water generation system is characterized in that the temporary holding tank is formed by a mesh-like filter.

4. The bubble water generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the temporary holding tank has a space with a capacity capable of enclosing at least a portion of the bubble water that is drained through the drainage channel.

5. The bubble water generation system according to claim 4, characterized in that the temporary holding tank has an opening window connected to the liquid phase of the storage tank.

6. The bubble water generation system according to claim 5, characterized in that the temporary holding tank is provided with a mesh filter in the opening window.

7. The bubble water generation system according to claim 1, characterized in that the temporary holding tank is formed by a mesh filter.

8. The bubble water generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the drive pump consists of a diaphragm pump capable of changing the volume.

9. The bubble water generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the system is a circulating type in which the gas and liquid are discharged from the drive pump, the bubble water generated in the bubble generation unit is drained into the temporary holding tank via the drain channel, and a portion of the bubble water temporarily held in the temporary holding tank is drawn in by the drive pump via the intake channel, and this process is repeated.

10. A gas supply device that supplies a predetermined target gas to be dissolved in the aforementioned gas-liquid, A gas mixer for dissolving a predetermined target gas supplied from the gas supply device into the gas-liquid, A bubble water generation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising the above.

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