Water production system

Abstract

We provide a water production system that can produce pharmaceutical water of different qualities. [Solution] The system comprises a purified water tank 2, a first UF water tank 3, a second UF water tank 4, a first UF device 11 that filters purified water to produce first UF water, a second UF device 21 that filters first UF water to produce second UF water, a first circulation channel 10, a second circulation channel 20, a first supply channel 30 that supplies first UF water from the second circulation channel 20 to the first UF water tank 3, a second supply channel 40 that supplies second UF water from the secondary side of the second UF device 21 to the second UF water tank 4, a first return channel 50 that returns first UF water from the first supply channel 30 to the purified water tank 2, and control means that sets the flow rate of first UF water supplied to the first UF water tank 3 from zero to an arbitrary flow rate, and sets the flow rate of second UF water supplied to the second UF water tank 4 from zero to an arbitrary flow rate.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a water production system that produces UF water obtained by ultrafiltration from purified water and further produces higher-quality water for injection from this UF water.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a system for producing pharmaceutical water including water for injection, which includes a purified water tank, a pharmaceutical water tank, and an ultrafiltration membrane device for filtering purified water. The pharmaceutical water obtained by the ultrafiltration membrane device is supplied to the use point. The use point requires pharmaceutical water of a quality corresponding to the purpose of use, but in the system as described above, pharmaceutical water of various qualities cannot be supplied according to the use point.

[0003] Specifically, examples of pharmaceutical water include purified water and water for injection. It may be that purified water is supplied to Use Point A and water for injection is supplied to another Use Point B. After being treated by the ultrafiltration membrane device, the water for injection needs to maintain a temperature of 80°C or higher in order to ensure sterility. In order to maintain the temperature, a circulation flow path and a heat exchanger are provided between the tank and Use Point B, and the water for injection is circulated and maintained at 80°C or higher by the heat exchanger.

[0004] When attempting to supply purified water or water for injection to Use Points A and B in such a system, while maintaining the water for injection treated by the ultrafiltration membrane device at 80°C or higher in preparation for supply to Use Point B, a part of it is cooled to a predetermined temperature and supplied to Use Point A. Originally, purified water that does not need to be maintained at 80°C or higher should be supplied to Use Point A, but the water for injection maintained at 80°C or higher is supplied to Use Point A. Therefore, the cost of energy required for maintaining the temperature for the amount sent to Use Point A increases.

[0005] Thus, in a system where an ultrafiltration membrane device is used, the water for injection is maintained at 80°C or higher in a tank or circulation channel, and then supplied as water for injection to use point A, with a portion going to use point B, the entire volume of water for injection must be maintained at 80°C or higher. This leads to a problem of increased energy costs for maintaining that temperature. Furthermore, in this system, since the entire volume of water for injection is used, the ultrafiltration membrane device must have a processing capacity commensurate with the total volume of water for injection. This also leads to an unnecessary increase in the cost of the ultrafiltration membrane device. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-055481 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0007] In view of these circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a water production system that can produce pharmaceutical water of different qualities while keeping costs down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objective is a water production system for producing UF water treated by a UF membrane from purified water, comprising: a purified water tank; a first UF water tank; a second UF water tank; a first UF device for filtering purified water to produce first UF water; a second UF device for filtering first UF water to produce second UF water; a first circulation channel for supplying purified water from the purified water tank to the primary side of the first UF device and returning purified water not filtered by the first UF device to the purified water tank; and a channel for supplying first UF water from the secondary side of the first UF device to the primary side of the second UF device and returning purified water not filtered by the second UF device The water production system is characterized by comprising: a second circulation channel for returning the purified first UF water to the secondary side of the first UF device; a first supply channel for supplying the first UF water from the second circulation channel to the first UF water tank; a second supply channel for supplying the second UF water from the secondary side of the second UF device to the second UF water tank; a first return channel for returning the first UF water from the first supply channel to the purified water tank; and control means for setting the flow rate of the first UF water supplied to the first UF water tank from zero to an arbitrary flow rate, and setting the flow rate of the second UF water supplied to the second UF water tank from zero to an arbitrary flow rate. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, a water production system is provided that can produce pharmaceutical water of different qualities. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram of a water production system. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram of the configuration of the first UF device and the second UF device. [Figure 3] This is a diagram of a water production system 1 in the first mode. [Figure 4] This is a diagram of the second mode water production system 1. [Figure 5] This is a diagram of the third mode water production system 1. [Figure 6] This is a diagram of the fourth mode water production system 1. [Figure 7]This is a schematic diagram showing the essential components of a water production system. [Figure 8] This is a schematic diagram of a water production system related to a comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] <Embodiment 1> [Overview of the water production system] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the water production system according to this embodiment. The water production system 1 of this embodiment consists of a group of devices for producing first UF water and second UF water from purified water supplied from the purified water production device 100. First UF water refers to water that has been filtered once by a first UF device 11 equipped with an ultrafiltration membrane (hereinafter referred to as UF membrane), and second UF water refers to water that has been further filtered by a second UF device 21. Second UF water meets higher water quality standards than first UF water and is suitable for injection.

[0012] The water production system 1 comprises a purified water tank 2, a first UF water tank 3, a second UF water tank 4, a first UF device 11, a second UF device 21, a first circulation channel 10, a second circulation channel 20, a first supply channel 30, a second supply channel 40, a return channel 50 (corresponding to the first return channel of the claim), and control means (not shown).

[0013] [Purified water production equipment 100] The purified water production apparatus 100, although not specifically shown in the figures, consists of a group of devices including activated carbon, a filter, a heat exchanger, and an EDI device, and produces purified water from ordinary water. Since such a purified water production apparatus 100 is well known, a detailed explanation will be omitted.

[0014] [Purified water tank 2] The purified water tank 2 stores the purified water supplied from the purified water production device 100 and also stores the purified water that has circulated without being filtered by the first UF device 11. A first circulation channel 10 is connected to the lower part of the purified water tank 2, and the purified water stored in the purified water tank 2 is supplied to the primary side of the first UF device 11 via the first circulation channel 10. A first circulation channel 10 is connected to the upper part of the purified water tank 2, and the purified water that has not been filtered by the first UF device 11 is supplied thereto. Although not particularly shown, the first circulation channel 10 is connected to the lower part of the purified water tank 2 via an on-off valve. The supply and stop of the purified water are controlled by the on-off valve. Further, the amount of purified water stored inside the purified water tank 2 can be measured by a measuring device (not shown).

[0015] [First UF water tank 3] The first UF water tank 3 is a tank that stores the first UF water supplied to the first use point. The first UF water tank 3 is connected to the secondary side of the first UF device 11 via the second circulation channel 20 and the first supply channel 30, and the first UF water is supplied via those channels.

[0016] A channel UP1a that connects to the first use point is connected to the first UF water tank 3 via an on-off valve (not shown). The supply and stop of the first UF water are controlled by the on-off valve. Further, the first UF water that has not been used at the first use point is returned to the first UF water tank 3 via the channel UP1b. That is, the first UF water circulates between the first UF water tank 3 and the first use point, and a part of the circulating first UF water can be supplied to the first use point.

[0017] [Second UF water tank 4] The second UF water tank 4 is a tank that stores the second UF water supplied to the second use point. The second UF water tank 4 is connected to the secondary side of the second UF device 21 via the second supply channel 40, and the second UF water is supplied via the second supply channel 40.

[0018] A flow path UP2a for connecting to a second use point is connected to the second UF water tank 4 via an on-off valve (not shown). The supply and stop of the second UF water are controlled by the on-off valve. Further, the second UF water not used at the second use point is returned to the second UF water tank 4 via the flow path UP2b. That is, the second UF water circulates between the second UF water tank 4 and the second use point, and a part of the circulating second UF water can be supplied to the second use point.

[0019] [First UF device 11] The first UF device 11 has a UF membrane and is a device for filtering purified water. The UF membrane is specifically a ceramic UF membrane or an organic UF membrane and has a molecular weight cut-off of 6000 or more. The first UF device 11 has a primary side and a secondary side sandwiching the UF membrane. The primary side is connected to the first circulation flow path 10, and the secondary side is connected to the second circulation flow path 20.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 2(a), the first UF device 11 includes one or more UF membrane modules 60. In the example of the figure, the first UF device 11 includes five UF membrane modules 60. Since the UF membrane module 60 itself is a known one, a detailed description thereof is omitted. The various flow paths of the UF membrane module 60 of the first UF device 11 are connected as follows. · Purified water is supplied so as to be distributed from the purified water tank 2 via the first circulation flow path 10. · The first UF water filtered by the UF membrane module 60 is combined and supplied to the second circulation flow path 20. · The first UF water not filtered by the UF membrane module 60 is combined and returned to the purified water tank 2 via the first circulation flow path 10.

[0021] The number of UF membrane modules 60 provided in the first UF device 11 is determined according to the flow rates of the first UF water and the second UF water required at the first use point and the second use point. Details of the number of such UF membrane modules 60 will be described later.

[0022] [Second UF device 21] The second UF device 21 is similar to the first UF device 11. The second UF device 21 has a primary side and a secondary side separated by a UF membrane. The primary side is connected to the second circulation channel 20, and the secondary side is connected to the second supply channel 40.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2(b), the second UF apparatus 21, like the first UF apparatus 11, is equipped with one or more UF membrane modules 60. Various flow paths are connected to the UF membrane modules 60 of the second UF apparatus 21 as follows. • The first UF water is supplied so that it is distributed via the second circulation channel 20. The second UF water filtered by the UF membrane module 60 is merged and supplied to the second supply channel 40. The first UF water that was not filtered by the UF membrane module 60 is merged and returned to the second circulation channel 20 (confluence point R).

[0024] The number of UF membrane modules 60 in the second UF device 21 is determined according to the flow rate of the second UF water required at the second use point. Details regarding the number of such UF membrane modules 60 will be described later.

[0025] [First circulation channel 10] The first circulation channel 10 is a channel composed of pipes, fittings, etc., configured to supply purified water from the purified water tank 2 to the primary side of the first UF device 11, and to return the purified water that was not filtered by the first UF device 11 back to the purified water tank 2.

[0026] [Second circulation channel 20] This is a flow path consisting of pipes and fittings configured to supply first UF water from the secondary side of the first UF device 11 to the primary side of the second UF device 21, and to return the first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 to the secondary side of the first UF device 11. The second circulation flow path 20 has the first supply flow path 30 connected to the branching point P, as will be described later. "The second circulation flow path 20 returns to the secondary side of the first UF device 11" means that the first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 is returned to the confluence point R between the first UF device 11 and the branching point P.

[0027] [First supply channel 30] The first supply channel 30 is a channel composed of pipes, fittings, etc., configured to supply the first UF water from the second circulation channel 20 to the first UF water tank 3. In this embodiment, the first supply channel 30 connects the branching point P, which is located in the second circulation channel 20 between the confluence point R and the inlet of the second UF device 21, to the first UF water tank 3. Alternatively, a heat exchanger may be provided in the first supply channel 30 to heat or cool the first UF water in the heat exchanger to the temperature required at the first use point.

[0028] [Second supply channel 40] The second supply channel 40 is a channel consisting of pipes, fittings, etc., configured to supply second UF water from the secondary side of the second UF device 21 to the second UF water tank 4. Alternatively, a heat exchanger may be provided in the second supply channel 40 to heat or cool the second UF water in the heat exchanger to the temperature required at the second use point.

[0029] [Return channel 50] The return channel 50 is a channel composed of pipes and fittings configured to return the first UF water from the first supply channel 30 to the purified water tank 2. In this embodiment, the return channel 50 connects the branching point Q in the middle of the first supply channel 30 to the purified water tank 2.

[0030] [valve] In the first supply channel 30, a first valve V1 is provided between the branching point Q and the first UF water tank 3. In the second supply channel 40, a second valve V2 is provided between the second UF device 21 and the second UF water tank 4. A third valve V3 is provided between the branching point Q and the purified water tank 2 in the return flow path 50. These valves are control valves whose opening degree can be arbitrarily changed. The opening degree of each valve is arbitrarily set by the control device, and the flow paths of the first UF water and the second UF water flowing through each channel are controlled.

[0031] [Pressure gauge] In the first circulation channel 10, a first pressure gauge PI1 is provided between the first pump P1 and the first UF device 11. The first pressure gauge PI1 measures the pressure of the first UF water. In the second circulation channel 20, a second pressure gauge PI2 is provided between the second pump P2 and the second UF device 21. The second pressure gauge PI2 measures the pressure of the second UF water. The pressure values ​​measured by these pressure gauges are referenced by the control system and used for control purposes.

[0032] [Flowmeter] In the first supply channel 30, a first flow meter FI1 is provided between the first valve V1 and the branching point Q. In the second supply channel 40, a second flow meter FI2 is provided between the second valve V2 and the second UF device 21. In the return flow path 50, a third flow meter FI3 is provided between the third valve V3 and the branching point Q. The flow rate values ​​measured by these flow meters are referenced by the control device and used for control purposes.

[0033] [pump] A first pump P1 is provided in the first circulation channel 10. The first pump P1 is located between the outlet of the purified water tank 2 and the primary side of the first UF device 11. The first pump P1 pumps purified water from the purified water tank 2 to the first UF device 11 at a predetermined flow rate. A heat exchanger may also be provided in the first circulation channel 10 to bring the temperature of the purified water to a predetermined temperature. A second pump P2 is provided in the second circulation channel 20. The second pump P2 is located between the branching point P and the primary side of the second UF device 21. The second pump P2 pumps the combined first UF water supplied from the first UF device 11 and the first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 to the second UF device 21 at a predetermined flow rate. The output of these pumps is set by a control device, which controls the flow paths of the first UF water and the second UF water circulating through each channel.

[0034] [Control device] The water production system 1, although not specifically shown in the diagram, includes a control device that controls the aforementioned equipment. The control device is, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC). The control device is capable of obtaining the pressure detected by the pressure gauge and flow system as an electrical signal. Based on this information, the control device controls the valves and pumps to control the flow rates of the first UF water and the second UF water as follows. - The flow rate of the first UF water supplied to the first UF water tank 3 is set from zero to an arbitrary flow rate. - The flow rate of the second UF water supplied to the second UF water tank 4 is set from zero to a desired flow rate. In other words, the water production system 1 produces water in one of the following modes under the control of the control device. • Mode 1: Supply the first UF water and the second UF water to both the first UF water tank 3 and the second UF water tank 4, respectively. • Second mode: The first UF water is supplied to the first UF water tank 3, but the second UF water is not supplied to the second UF water tank 4. • Third mode: No first UF water is supplied to the first UF water tank 3, and the second UF water is supplied to the second UF water tank 4. • Fourth mode: No first UF water is supplied to the first UF water tank 3, and no second UF water is supplied to the second UF water tank 4. The control means described in the claim refers to a control device, a pressure gauge that provides information used to control the control device, and equipment such as pumps and valves that are controlled by the control device.

[0035] [Mode 1] Figure 3 shows the water production system 1 in the first mode. In the first mode, the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 are both open, the third valve V3 is closed, and the first pump P1 and the second pump P2 are in operation. The control device controls the opening of each valve and the output of the pumps to supply the first UF water to the first UF water tank 3 and the second UF water to the second UF water tank 4 at the target flow rate. This control will be described later.

[0036] Purified water is supplied to the primary side inlet of the first UF device 11 and the purified water that was not filtered by the UF membrane of the first UF device 11 returns to the purified water tank 2. When the amount of purified water stored in the purified water tank 2 falls below a predetermined amount, purified water is supplied from the purified water production device 100 to the purified water tank 2. The first UF water from the first UF device 11 and the first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 merge at the confluence point R of the second circulation channel 20. The first UF water from the confluence point R is sent to the branching point P → first supply channel 30 → first UF water tank 3. The water from the first UF (Ultraviolet Fluid) at the confluence point R is sent to the primary side of the second UF device 21 via the branching point P. The first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 returns to the confluence point R. The second UF water filtered by the second UF device 21 is sent to the second supply channel 40 → second UF water tank 4. The first UF water is supplied from the first UF water tank 3 to the first use point, and any unused portion is returned to the first UF water tank 3. The second UF water is supplied from the second UF water tank 4 to the second use point, and any unused portion is returned to the second UF water tank 4.

[0037] When the amount of 1UF water in the 1UF water tank 3 increases to the set upper limit (it does not need to be full), the supply of 1UF water to the 1UF water tank 3 is stopped (transition to mode 3 or mode 4). When the amount of UF water in the second UF water tank 4 increases to the set upper limit (it does not need to be full), the supply of UF water to the second UF water tank 4 is stopped (the system switches to mode 2 or mode 4).

[0038] [Second Mode] Figure 4 shows the water production system 1 in second mode. In second mode, both the first valve V1 and the third valve V3 are open, the second valve V2 is closed, and the first pump P1 and the second pump P2 are operating. The control device controls the opening of each valve and the output of the pumps so that the first UF water is supplied to the first UF water tank 3 at the target flow rate, and the second UF water is not supplied to the second UF water tank 4. This control will be described later.

[0039] Purified water is supplied to the primary side inlet of the first UF device 11 and the purified water that was not filtered by the UF membrane of the first UF device 11 returns to the purified water tank 2. When the amount of purified water stored in the purified water tank 2 falls below a predetermined amount, purified water is supplied from the purified water production device 100 to the purified water tank 2. The first UF water from the first UF device 11 and the first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 merge at the confluence point R of the second circulation channel 20. The first UF water from the confluence point R is sent to the branching point P → first supply channel 30 → first UF water tank 3. The water from the first UF (Ultraviolet Fluid) at the confluence point R is sent to the primary side of the second UF device 21 via the branching point P. The first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 returns to the confluence point R. • A portion of the first UF water in the first supply channel 30 returns to the purified water tank 2 via the return channel 50 from the branching point Q. The first UF water is supplied from the first UF water tank 3 to the first use point, and any unused portion is returned to the first UF water tank 3. The second UF water is supplied from the second UF water tank 4 to the second use point, and any unused portion is returned to the second UF water tank 4.

[0040] Since the second valve V2 is closed, the second UF water is not supplied from the second UF device 21 to the second UF water tank 4. When the amount of 1UF water in the 1UF water tank 3 increases to the set upper limit (it does not need to be full), the supply of 1UF water to the 1UF water tank 3 is stopped (transition to mode 3 or mode 4). When the amount of UF water in the second UF water tank 4 decreases to a set lower limit (the tank does not need to be empty) due to the use of the second UF water at the second use point, the supply of UF water to the second UF water tank 4 begins (transition to mode 1 or mode 3).

[0041] [Third Mode] Figure 5 shows the water production system 1 in the third mode. In the third mode, the first valve V1 is closed, the second valve V2 and the third valve V3 are both open, and the first pump P1 and the second pump P2 are in operation. The control device controls the opening of each valve and the output of the pumps so that the second UF water at the target flow rate is supplied to the second UF water tank 4, and the first UF water is not supplied to the first UF water tank 3. This control will be described later.

[0042] Purified water is supplied to the primary side inlet of the first UF device 11 and the purified water that was not filtered by the UF membrane of the first UF device 11 returns to the purified water tank 2. When the amount of purified water stored in the purified water tank 2 falls below a predetermined amount, purified water is supplied from the purified water production device 100 to the purified water tank 2. The first UF water from the first UF device 11 and the first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 merge at the confluence point R of the second circulation channel 20. The water from the first UF (Ultraviolet Fluid) at the confluence point R is sent to the primary side of the second UF device 21 via the branching point P. The first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 returns to the confluence point R. The second UF water filtered by the second UF device 21 is sent to the second supply channel 40 → second UF water tank 4. The first UF water from the first supply channel 30 returns to the purified water tank 2 via the return channel 50 from the branching point Q. The first UF water is supplied from the first UF water tank 3 to the first use point, and any unused portion is returned to the first UF water tank 3. The second UF water is supplied from the second UF water tank 4 to the second use point, and any unused portion is returned to the second UF water tank 4.

[0043] Since the first valve V1 is closed, the first UF water is not supplied from the first UF device 11 to the first UF water tank 3. When the amount of UF water in the second UF water tank 4 increases to the set upper limit (it does not need to be full), the supply of UF water to the second UF water tank 4 is stopped (the system switches to mode 2 or mode 4). When the amount of UF water in the first UF water tank 3 decreases to a set lower limit (the tank does not need to be empty) due to the use of the first UF water at the first use point, the supply of first UF water to the first UF water tank 3 begins (transition to either the first or second mode).

[0044] [Mode 4] Figure 6 shows the water production system 1 in the fourth mode. In the fourth mode, both the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 are closed, the third valve V3 is open, and the first pump P1 and the second pump P2 are operating. The control device controls the opening of each valve and the output of the pumps so that the first UF water is not supplied to the first UF water tank 3 and the second UF water is not supplied to the second UF water tank 4. This control will be described later.

[0045] Purified water is supplied to the primary side inlet of the first UF device 11 and the purified water that was not filtered by the UF membrane of the first UF device 11 returns to the purified water tank 2. When the amount of purified water stored in the purified water tank 2 falls below a predetermined amount, purified water is supplied from the purified water production device 100 to the purified water tank 2. The first UF water from the first UF device 11 and the first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 merge at the confluence point R of the second circulation channel 20. The water from the first UF (Ultraviolet Fluid) at the confluence point R is sent to the primary side of the second UF device 21 via the branching point P. The first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device 21 returns to the confluence point R. The first UF water from the first supply channel 30 returns to the purified water tank 2 via the return channel 50 from the branching point Q. The first UF water is supplied from the first UF water tank 3 to the first use point, and any unused portion is returned to the first UF water tank 3. The second UF water is supplied from the second UF water tank 4 to the second use point, and any unused portion is returned to the second UF water tank 4.

[0046] When the amount of 1UF water in the 1UF water tank 3 decreases to a set lower limit (the tank does not need to be empty), the supply of 1UF water to the 1UF water tank 3 begins (transition to 1st mode or 2nd mode). When the amount of UF water in the second UF water tank 4 decreases to a set lower limit (the tank does not need to be empty), the supply of UF water to the second UF water tank 4 begins (transition to mode 1 or mode 3).

[0047] [Supplementary information for each mode] As described above, the transition from the first mode to the second, third, and fourth modes has been explained, but for transitions between other modes, the valves can be opened and closed so that the pressure value of the second pump P2 remains constant. For example, this can be done as follows. • From second mode to first mode: Gradually close the third valve V3 until it is completely closed, and gradually open the second valve V2 to the set opening, so that the pressure value of the second pressure gauge PI2 becomes constant. • From Mode 2 to Mode 3: The system transitions from Mode 2 to Mode 1, and then to Mode 3. • From Mode 2 to Mode 4: Transition from Mode 2 to Mode 1, and then to Mode 4. • From mode 3 to mode 1: Gradually close valve 3 V3 until it is completely closed, and gradually open valve 1 V1 to the set opening, so that the pressure value of the second pressure gauge PI2 becomes constant. • From Mode 3 to Mode 2: The system transitions from Mode 3 to Mode 1, and then to Mode 2. • From Mode 3 to Mode 4: The system transitions from Mode 3 to Mode 1, and then to Mode 4. • From Mode 4 to Mode 1: Gradually close the third valve V3 until it is completely closed so that the pressure value of the second pressure gauge PI2 becomes constant, and gradually open the first valve V1 and the second valve V2 to the set opening. • From Mode 4 to Mode 2: The system transitions from Mode 4 to Mode 1, and then to Mode 2. • From Mode 4 to Mode 3: Transition from Mode 4 to Mode 1, and then to Mode 3.

[0048] [Effects of Water Production System 1] The water production system 1 described above produces first UF water by filtering the purified water stored in the purified water tank 2 through the first UF device 11, and also produces second UF water by filtering it through the first UF device 11 and then the second UF device 21 in that order. The flow rate of both the first and second UF water can be changed from zero to any desired flow rate.

[0049] The second UF water is far cleaner and of higher quality than the first UF water because it is filtered by both the first UF device 11 and the second UF device 21. The second UF water is particularly suitable for injection. On the other hand, the first UF water, while not as high-quality as the second UF water, is still of sufficient quality for pharmaceutical applications. The water production system 1 can thus produce UF water of different qualities.

[0050] [Preferred configuration for producing first-grade UF water (purified water) and second-grade UF water (water for injection)] The water production system 1 described above is particularly suitable when providing a relatively large amount of purified water at room temperature as the first UF water and a relatively small amount of injection water maintained at 80°C or higher as the second UF water to each use point. The configuration of the water production system 1 for this purpose will be described in detail below. Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the essential parts of Figure 1. As shown in Figure 7, the first UF water tank 3 has a capacity of 8000L, and the second UF water tank 4 has a capacity of 2000L. The first use point (purified water UP), which uses purified water, uses more purified water than the second use point (water for injection UP), which uses water for injection. In this example, purified water UP requires four times more purified water than water for injection UP, so the first UF water tank 3 has a larger capacity than the second UF water tank 4 to meet such demand.

[0051] The processing capacity of the first UF device 11 is higher than that of the second UF device 21. Processing capacity refers to the amount of permeate (purified water or water for injection) that each UF device can filter per unit time. For example, the processing capacity of the first UF device 11 is 5000 [L / h], and the processing capacity of the second UF device 21 is 1000 [L / h]. To create a difference in processing capacity, the number of UF membrane modules 60 may be varied, as shown in Figure 2. Each individual UF membrane module 60 has the same processing capacity. In this case, the processing capacity of the first UF device 11 and the second UF device 21 can be made different by adjusting the number of UF membrane modules 60.

[0052] The purified water production device 100 (see Figure 1) produces purified water at room temperature, and the purified water at room temperature is stored in the purified water tank 2 (see Figure 1). The first supply channel 30 is not equipped with any temperature control equipment such as a heat exchanger. Therefore, the first UF water (purified water) filtered by the first UF device 11 is supplied to the first UF water tank 3 at its original temperature. However, a heat exchanger or the like may be placed between the first UF water tank 3 and the first use point to adjust the temperature to the temperature required at the first use point.

[0053] A first heat exchanger 5 is provided in the second supply channel 40 between it and the second UF water tank 4. A second heat exchanger 6 is also provided between the second use point (water for injection UP) and the second UF water tank 4 (for example, in channel UP2b). The first heat exchanger 5 heats the temperature of the second UF water (water for injection) from room temperature to a predetermined temperature (for example, 80°C or higher). The second heat exchanger 6 maintains the temperature of the water for injection returning from the water for injection UP to the second UF water tank 4 so that it is 80°C or higher. Note that the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat exchanger 6 are examples of temperature control devices.

[0054] Generally, the standards that must be met for various indicators such as endotoxin and conductivity of water for injection obtained by processing with a UF membrane module are strictly defined. To meet these standards, the water for injection is required to be maintained at a temperature of at least 80°C. Furthermore, if the water for injection remains in the second UF water tank 4 or piping, there is a risk that it will deviate from these standards. Therefore, even when water for injection is not needed in the water for injection UP, the water for injection is circulated between the second UF water tank 4 and the water for injection UP. The first heat exchanger 5 heats the water for injection to 80°C or higher, and the second heat exchanger 6 maintains the temperature of the water for injection during the circulation process, making it possible to supply water for injection that meets these standards.

[0055] [Effects of a suitable configuration of water production system 1] In a water production system 1 with this configuration, the processing capacity of the first UF device 11 is higher than that of the second UF device 21. Specifically, The first UF unit 11 has a processing capacity of, for example, 5000 L / h. This is because it processes a relatively large amount of water in order to filter the total amount of water sent to the purified water UP and the water for injection UP. The second UF device 21 has a processing capacity of, for example, 1000 L / h. It only needs to filter the water sent to the water for injection UP, so a relatively low processing capacity is sufficient.

[0056] In other words, the second UF device 21 does not need to be scaled to match the processing capacity of the high demand for purified water. Thus, since the second UF device 21 only needs to be scaled to match the demand for water for injection, the costs associated with the second UF device 12, mainly the cost of the UF membrane modules 60, can be reduced. As shown in Figure 2, the processing capacity of the first UF device 11 and the second UF device 21 can be differentiated by the number of UF membrane modules 60. Therefore, the number of UF membrane modules 60 used in the second UF device 21 can be reduced, and thus costs can be reduced.

[0057] Figure 8 shows a comparative example. The comparative example is similar to the water production system 1 shown in Figures 1 and 7 in that it has a configuration in which two first UF devices 11 and second UF devices 12 are arranged in series, and that it has purified water UP and water for injection UP. Water for injection is produced by the second UF device 21, heated to 80°C or higher in a heat exchanger (not shown), and then stored in a shared tank 7. Water for injection is shared from the shared tank 7 to the water for injection UP, and unused water for injection is returned to the shared tank 7. A heat exchanger (not shown) is provided between the shared tank 7 and the water for injection UP to maintain a temperature of 80°C or higher.

[0058] The water for injection is maintained at over 80°C and circulated between the shared tank 7 and the water for injection UP. This is sufficient for the demand for water for injection UP, but since a lower temperature is usually required for purified water UP, it is supplied cooled by a heat exchanger (not shown). This configuration has the following disadvantages. • Purified water does not need to be maintained at a temperature above 80°C like water for injection, but it is maintained at a temperature above 80°C, resulting in unnecessary energy consumption. Despite the relatively lower demand for water for injection compared to purified water, the second UF (Ultraviolet Flow) unit required to obtain water for injection needs a processing capacity commensurate with the combined demand for water for injection and purified water (= the processing capacity of the first UF unit), resulting in over-specification.

[0059] Returning to the water production system 1 of the present invention in Figure 7, the first UF device 11 is similar to Figure 8 in that it needs processing capacity to meet the demand for both purified water and water for injection, but the second UF device 21 only needs processing capacity to meet the demand for water for injection. In other words, the number of UF membrane modules 60 required for the second UF device 21 can be reduced. Also, the first heat exchanger 5 and the second heat exchanger 6 are provided only in the second supply channel 40 and only need to function for the temperature of water for injection. For example, in Figure 8, the heat exchanger needed to heat purified water supplied at a maximum rate of 5000 L / h, but in Figure 7, it is sufficient to heat purified water supplied at a maximum rate of 1000 L / h. In other words, the energy required to maintain the temperature of water for injection can be significantly reduced.

[0060] In this way, it is possible to produce water for injection, which has a relatively small demand, and purified water, which has a relatively large important demand, using different equipment configurations. This allows for an appropriate equipment configuration to be set up according to the respective demand, thereby reducing energy consumption and equipment costs.

[0061] Furthermore, the first UF water tank 3 is larger than the second UF water tank 4. In other words, the second UF water tank 4, which is used for water for injection with relatively low demand, can have a smaller capacity, thereby reducing the cost of the tank and the amount of cleaning solution and steam used for cleaning.

[0062] The first pump P1 and the second pump P2 shown in Figure 1 do not need to have equivalent performance. The first pump P1 requires a relatively high liquid transfer capacity in proportion to the processing capacity of the first UF device 11. The second pump P2 can have a relatively lower liquid transfer capacity in proportion to the processing capacity of the second UF device. Therefore, the cost and energy required for the second pump P2 can be reduced.

[0063] Furthermore, there is no tank for temporarily storing water for injection between the first UF device 11 and the second UF device 12. This eliminates the need for installation costs and space for such a tank, as well as the need for equipment to sterilize it. In other words, it reduces the initial and running costs associated with a tank installed between the first UF device 11 and the second UF device 21.

[0064] [Differentiation] The first UF device 11 and the second UF device 21 of the water production system 1 described above were equipped with multiple UF membrane modules 60. The number of UF membrane modules 60 in the first UF device 11 is preferably the number corresponding to the sum of the flow rate required for the first UF water tank 3 and the flow rate required for the second UF water tank 4. The number of UF membrane modules 60 in the second UF device 21 is preferably the number corresponding to the flow rate required for the second UF water tank 4. In other words, the number of UF membrane modules 60 in the second UF device 21 is less than the number of UF membrane modules 60 in the first UF device 11.

[0065] The first UF device 11 and the second UF device 21 only need to be equipped with a number of UF membrane modules 60 corresponding to the demands of the first UF water tank 3 and the second UF water tank 4, respectively. This is advantageous in terms of cost because it only requires an appropriate number of UF membrane modules 60, and it also reduces the workload for cleaning and replacement.

[0066] The second circulation channel 20 was configured to return to the confluence point R, but it is not limited to this configuration. For example, a channel may be provided that branches off from the second circulation channel 20 between the primary side outlet of the second UF device 21 and the confluence point R, and returns to the purified water tank 2. By providing such a channel, it is possible to suppress the concentration of the first UF water in the second circulation channel 20.

[0067] A passage may be provided in the second supply passage 40 connecting the second UF device 21 and the second valve V2, and in the second circulation passage 20 connecting the primary side outlet of the second UF device 21 and the confluence point R. A valve is provided in such a passage. This valve is kept closed when the second valve V2 is open, and open when the second valve V2 is closed. As a result, when the second valve V2 is closed, the second UF water can return from the second supply passage 40 to the second circulation passage 20 via that passage. Therefore, even when the second UF water is not being supplied, the first UF water flows through the primary and secondary sides of the UF membrane of the second UF device 21, so the first UF water does not stagnate. This improves the sanitary properties of the second UF device 21.

[0068] <Other Embodiments> Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is of course not limited to the above-described embodiment, and additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications to the configuration are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0069] For example, although there is one of each, the first UF water tank 3 and the second UF water tank 4 may each be multiple. In this case, the first supply channel 30 and the second supply channel 40 can be branched to each of the multiple tanks. Then, multiple first valves V1 and second valves V2 can be provided at each of the branched channels.

[0070] Although there is only one first UF device 11 and one second UF device 21, there may be multiple of each. For example, purified water can be distributed from the purified water tank 2 to multiple first UF devices 11, and the purified water that was not filtered from each first UF device 11 can be returned to the purified water tank 2. If multiple second UF devices 21 are provided, the second circulation channel 20 can be used to distribute the first UF water to each of the multiple second UF devices 21, and the first UF water that was not filtered from each second UF device 21 can be returned to the second circulation channel 20.

[0071] The opening of each valve was controlled to keep the pressure constant, but this is not the only way. For example, flow meters can be installed upstream of the valves in the first supply channel 30, the second supply channel 40, and the return channel 50. The opening of each valve can then be controlled to keep these flow values ​​constant. Alternatively, level gauges in the first UF water tank 3 and the second UF water tank 4 may be used instead of these flow meters. The flow paths of the first supply channel 30 and the second supply channel 40 can be indirectly calculated from the change in the level gauges over a certain period of time. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0072] 1...Water production system, 2...Purified water tank, 3...First UF water tank, 4...Second UF water tank, 10...First circulation channel, 11...First UF device, 20...Second circulation channel, 21...Second UF device, 30...First supply channel, 40...Second supply channel, 50...Return channel, 100...Purified water production device

Claims

1. A water production system that produces UF water treated with a UF membrane from purified water, Purified water tank, The first UF water tank, The second UF water tank, A first UF device that filters purified water to produce first UF water, and a second UF device that filters the first UF water to produce second UF water, A first circulation channel supplies purified water from the purified water tank to the primary side of the first UF device and returns the purified water that was not filtered by the first UF device back to the purified water tank, A second circulation channel supplies first UF water from the secondary side of the first UF device to the primary side of the second UF device, and returns the first UF water that was not filtered by the second UF device to the secondary side of the first UF device. A first supply channel that supplies first UF water from the second circulation channel to the first UF water tank, A second supply channel for supplying second UF water from the secondary side of the second UF device to the second UF water tank, A first return channel that returns the first UF water from the first supply channel to the purified water tank, The flow rate of the first UF water supplied to the first UF water tank is changed from zero to an arbitrary flow rate, Control means for adjusting the flow rate of the second UF water supplied to the second UF water tank from zero to an arbitrary flow rate, A water production system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. A water production system according to claim 1, The processing capacity of the first UF device is higher than that of the second UF device. A water production system characterized by the following features.

3. A water production system according to claim 1, The first UF apparatus comprises one or more membrane modules, The second UF apparatus comprises one or more membrane modules, The number of membrane modules in the first UF apparatus is greater than the number of membrane modules in the second UF apparatus. A water production system characterized by the following features.

4. A water production system according to claim 1, The first supply channel is not equipped with a temperature control device for adjusting the temperature of the first UF water. The second supply channel is provided with a temperature control device that maintains the temperature of the second UF water at a predetermined temperature. A water production system characterized by the following features.

5. A water production system according to claim 1, The capacity of the first UF water tank is greater than the capacity of the second UF water tank. A water production system characterized by the following features.

6. A water production system according to claim 1, There is no tank for temporarily storing the second UF water between the first UF device and the second UF device. A water production system characterized by the following features.

7. A water production system according to claim 1, Purified water at room temperature is supplied from the first UF apparatus to the first UF water tank as the first UF water. Injectable water heated to 80°C or higher is supplied as the second UF water to the second UF water tank from a temperature control device located after the second UF device. A water production system characterized by the following features.

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