Separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins, and separation control method for mixed ion exchange resins

Abstract

To provide a separation control device for mixed ion exchange resin that can stably and easily separate mixed ion exchange resin in response to various conditions of amount, mixing ratio, and so on of anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin.SOLUTION: A separation control device 11 for mixed ion exchange resin includes: a plurality of electronic cameras 12, each provided on the observation windows of a separation column 1; a first automatic valve 13 provided on an anion exchange resin extraction tube 5, a second automatic valve 14 provided on a cation exchange resin extraction tube 6, and a control valve 15 and a water supply pump 16, each provided on a water injection tube. Control means 17 includes a video analysis system 17A that performs video analysis based on image data from the cameras 12, and a sequence controller 17B that controls the first automatic valve 13, the second automatic valve 14, the control valve 15, and the water supply pump 16. Central monitoring means 18 issues instructions to the sequence controller 17B based on the analysis data from the image analysis system 17A in the control means 17.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins capable of automating the separation of anion exchange resins and cation exchange resins when regenerating mixed ion exchange resins used in non-regenerative ion exchange devices used in pure water production devices, etc., and a separation control method for mixed ion exchange resins capable of automating the separation of anion exchange resins and cation exchange resins.

Background Art

[0002] In a pure water production device, impurities in raw water are removed to increase the purity of water. However, for removing ionic impurities, that is, anionic impurities and cationic impurities, a non-regenerative ion exchange device filled with a mixture of anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin is widely used. In this non-regenerative ion exchange device, when the ion exchange resin exchanges an amount of ions corresponding to the ion exchange capacity, further ionic impurities cannot be removed and breakthrough occurs. Therefore, after treating a certain amount of water, the ion exchange resin is recovered from this non-regenerative ion exchange device and separated into each, and is regenerated with sulfuric acid, caustic soda, etc. in a cation exchange resin regeneration tower and an anion exchange resin regeneration tower, respectively, and reused for industrial applications.

[0003] When separating and reusing this mixed ion exchange resin, it is preferable to maintain the regeneration state of the resin at a higher level. For this purpose, it is necessary to minimize the occurrence of reverse regeneration. Reverse regeneration means that when regenerating a cation exchange resin contaminated with an anion exchange resin with an acid solution such as hydrochloric acid or sulfuric acid, the anion exchange resin is regenerated into a Cl form or a SO4 form, etc., and when regenerating an anion exchange resin contaminated with a cation exchange resin with an alkaline solution such as sodium hydroxide, the cation exchange resin is regenerated into a Na form, etc. The resin subjected to reverse regeneration leaks Cl or Na into the treated water, leading to deterioration of water quality. Therefore, reducing the mixing rate is an important issue.

[0004] A common method for separating mixed ion exchange resin (a mixture of anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin) extracted from such a non-regenerative ion exchange device is as follows: a mixed ion exchange resin input step in which the mixed ion exchange resin extracted from the non-regenerative ion exchange device is introduced into the separation column; a water filling step in which the separation water is filled from the air and separation water injection port at the bottom of the separation column by a separation water supply mechanism so that the water level is a predetermined distance above the top surface of the ion exchange resin; a mixing and dispersion step in which air is injected from the air and separation water injection port by an air supply mechanism to bubble the mixture; a pause step in which air injection is stopped and the ion exchange resin in the separation column is allowed to settle so that the cation exchange resin is at the bottom and the anion exchange resin is at the top; and a separation water injection port in which the separation water is injected The mixed ion exchange resin is separated by a separation interface adjustment step, in which the separation water is flowed upward by a water supply mechanism to raise the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin to a range below the anion exchange resin extraction section; anion exchange resin extraction step, in which the anion exchange resin is extracted from inside the separation column by the anion exchange resin extraction section; a cation exchange resin position adjustment step, in which the upward flow rate of the water inside the separation column is increased to raise the separation interface between the cation exchange resin and the remaining anion exchange resin; and a cation exchange resin extraction step, in which the cation exchange resin is extracted from inside the separation column by the cation exchange resin extraction section.

[0005] In this method of separating mixed ion exchange resins, the adjustment of the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin, and the adjustment of the separation interface between the remaining anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin in the cation exchange resin position adjustment process, are confirmed by visually observing the inside of the separation column through multiple oval viewing windows provided in the separation column, and the amount and flow rate of the separation water supplied from the bottom of the separation column are controlled according to this separation interface. [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] In the separation method for mixed ion exchange resins described above, the position of the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin changes depending on the amount and mixing ratio of the anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin to be separated, while the position of the extraction tube from which the resin is extracted is fixed. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the flow rate of the upward-flowing separated water according to the condition of the resin in the separation column. However, since this condition assessment is done by "visual judgment," there is a problem that the time required for manual work is long and productivity does not improve. In addition, there is a problem that individual differences in "visual judgment" among workers are likely to occur. Therefore, setting a large safety factor stabilizes work efficiency and reduces the contamination rate, but a problem arises in that the yield decreases.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and aims to provide a separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins and a separation control method for mixed ion exchange resins that can stably and easily separate mixed ion exchange resins in response to various conditions such as the amount, mixing ratio, and type of anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin, without relying on visual inspection. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] To solve the above problems, the present invention first provides a separation control device for a mixed ion exchange resin, comprising: an input section for a mixed ion exchange resin of anion exchange resin and a cation exchange resin; an anion exchange resin extraction section provided midway in the vertical direction; a cation exchange resin extraction section provided below the anion exchange resin extraction section; an air and separation water injection section provided at the bottom; and one or more viewing windows; a drain pipe connected to the top of the separation tower; an anion exchange resin extraction mechanism connected to the anion exchange resin extraction section; a cation exchange resin extraction mechanism connected to the cation exchange resin extraction section; an air supply mechanism and a separation water supply mechanism connected to the air and separation water injection section; an imaging means capable of continuously or intermittently imaging the inside of the separation tower through the viewing windows; and a control means for controlling the separation water supply mechanism, the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism, and the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism, respectively, based on imaging data from the imaging means (Invention 1).

[0009] According to this invention (Invention 1), the inside of the separation tower is continuously or intermittently imaged by an imaging means through a viewing window, and this imaging data is transmitted to a control means. Based on this imaging data, the control means controls the flow rate of the separation water from the separation water supply mechanism and adjusts the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin to a position corresponding to the anion exchange resin extraction section and the cation exchange resin extraction section, thereby enabling the extraction of the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin without visual judgment or adjustment. Moreover, separation can be performed in response to various conditions such as the amount and mixing ratio of the anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin.

[0010] In the above invention (Invention 1), it is preferable that the control means is provided at a position separated from the separation tower, that it is capable of receiving data from the imaging means via wireless communication means, and that the air supply mechanism, the separation water supply mechanism, the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism, and the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism and the wireless communication means can be controlled by the wireless communication means (Invention 2).

[0011] According to this invention (Invention 2), the separation of the mixed ion exchange resin can be controlled at a location spaced apart from the separation column.

[0012] Secondly, the present invention relates to a method for separating anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin in a mixed ion exchange resin using a substantially cylindrical separation tower of mixed ion exchange resin having an input section for a mixed ion exchange resin of anion exchange resin and a cation exchange resin, an anion exchange resin extraction section provided midway in the vertical direction, a cation exchange resin extraction section provided below the anion exchange resin extraction section, an air and separation water injection section provided at the bottom, and one or more viewing windows, wherein the separation water is passed upward through the separation tower of the mixed ion exchange resin by a separation water supply mechanism from the air and separation water injection section to separate the mixed ion exchange resin using the difference in specific gravity, thereby changing the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin, and allowing the anion exchange resin to escape from the anion exchange resin extraction section. A method for separating mixed ion exchange resins, comprising extracting anion exchange resin by an exchange resin extraction mechanism and then extracting cation exchange resin from a cation exchange resin extraction section by a cation exchange resin extraction mechanism, wherein the inside of the separation column is continuously or intermittently imaged by an imaging means through the viewing window and the image data is transmitted to a control means, and the control means controls the flow rate of the separation water from the separation water supply mechanism based on the image data to change the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin to a position corresponding to the anion exchange resin extraction section and the cation exchange resin extraction section, thereby controlling the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism and the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism to extract the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin, thereby providing a separation control method for mixed ion exchange resins (Invention 3).

[0013] According to this invention (Invention 3), by determining the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin without relying on visual judgment and adjustment, the mixed ion exchange resin can be stably and easily separated, even in response to various situations such as the amount and mixing ratio of the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin.

[0014] In the above invention (Invention 3), the process includes: a mixed ion exchange resin input step of introducing a mixed ion exchange resin into the separation column; a water filling step of filling the separation column with separation water from the air and separation water injection port using a separation water supply mechanism so that the water level is a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the ion exchange resin; a mixing and dispersion step of injecting air from the air and separation water injection port using an air supply mechanism to bubble the water; a separation step of stopping the air injection and allowing the ion exchange resin in the separation column to settle so that the cation exchange resin is at the bottom and the anion exchange resin is at the top; a first separation interface adjustment step of flowing separation water upward from the air and separation water injection port using a separation water supply mechanism to raise the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin to a level below the anion exchange resin extraction port; an anion exchange resin extraction step of extracting the anion exchange resin from the separation column using an anion exchange resin extraction port; and increasing the upward flow rate of water in the separation column. The invention further includes a second separation interface adjustment step, which raises the separation interface between the cation exchange resin and the remaining anion exchange resin, and a cation exchange resin extraction step, in which the cation exchange resin is extracted from the separation column by a cation exchange resin extraction unit. Preferably, the control means, in the separation interface adjustment step, determines the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin based on imaging data from the imaging means, controls the flow rate of the separation water from the separation water supply mechanism based on this determination result to adjust the separation interface, and then operates the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism to execute the anion exchange resin extraction step. In addition, in the cation exchange resin position adjustment step, the control means determines the separation interface between the remaining anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin based on imaging data from the imaging means, adjusts the separation interface, and then operates the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism to execute the cation exchange resin extraction step. (Invention 4)

[0015] According to this invention (Invention 4), the inside of the separation column is continuously or intermittently imaged by an imaging means through a viewing window, and this imaging data is transmitted to a control means to change the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin, adjusting it to a position suitable for the extraction of the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin. This allows the extraction of the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin to be controlled without visual judgment and adjustment, thus enabling the separation of mixed ion exchange resins by the separation column to be automated. [Effects of the Invention]

[0016] According to the separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins of the present invention, an imaging means capable of continuously or intermittently imaging the inside of the separation column through a viewing window is provided, and the separation water supply mechanism, the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism, and the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism are controlled based on the imaging data from this imaging means. By adjusting the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin to a position suitable for the extraction of the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin based on the imaging data from the imaging means, separation can be performed in response to various conditions such as the amount and mixing ratio of the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of an ion exchange resin separation column to which the separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. [Figure 2] This is a schematic diagram showing the system configuration of the separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins according to the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 6] This is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 7] This is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 8]It is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 9] It is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 10] It is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 11] It is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process. [Figure 12] It is an explanatory diagram of the resin separation process.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the separation control device for a mixed ion exchange resin of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0019] 〔Separation Tower for Mixed Ion Exchange Resin〕 FIG. 1 shows a separation tower to which the separation control device for a mixed ion exchange resin according to an embodiment of the present invention can be applied. In FIG. 1, the separation tower 1 for a mixed ion exchange resin has a water injection port 2 as an injection part provided at the bottom of a substantially cylindrical separation tower main body 1A, and a drain port 3 is formed at the top. A water injection pipe (not shown) and an air supply pipe (not shown) are respectively connected to the water injection port 2, and a drain pipe 3A is connected to the drain port 3. A water collection plate 4 is arranged at the lower part inside the separation tower main body 1A. Further, near the middle in the vertical direction inside the separation tower main body 1A, an anion exchange resin extraction pipe 5 having a plurality of suction parts at the lower end as an anion exchange resin extraction mechanism is provided, and a cation exchange resin extraction pipe 6 having a plurality of suction parts at the lower end as a cation exchange resin extraction mechanism is provided above the water collection plate 4 and below the anion exchange resin extraction pipe 5. On the other hand, a plurality of, in this embodiment, six peepholes 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E and 7F are provided on the side surface of the separation tower main body 1A with different heights, and an electronic video camera (not shown) as imaging means for photographing the inside of the separation tower 1 through each of these peepholes is provided in each of these peepholes 7A to 7F. Note that 8 is an inlet provided on the upper side of the side surface of the separation tower main body 1A as an inlet for the used mixed ion exchange resin.

[0020] [Separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins] Figure 2 shows the system configuration of the separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins in this embodiment, using the separation column 1.

[0021] The mixed ion exchange resin separation control device 11 of this embodiment comprises a plurality of electronic cameras 12 as imaging means provided in the viewing windows 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, and 7F of the separation tower 1, a first automatic valve 13 as an anion exchange resin extraction mechanism provided in the anion exchange resin extraction pipe 5, a second automatic valve 14 as a cation exchange resin extraction mechanism provided in the cation exchange resin extraction pipe 6, a control valve 15 and a water supply pump 16 as a separation water supply mechanism provided in the water injection pipe 2, a control means 17 comprising an image analysis system 17A that performs image analysis based on image data from the cameras 12, and a sequence controller 17B that controls the first automatic valve 13, the second automatic valve 14, the control valve 15, and the water supply pump 16, and a central monitoring means 18 that gives instructions to the sequence controller 17B based on the analysis data of the image analysis system 17A in the control means 17.

[0022] [Method for controlling the separation of mixed ion exchange resins] The separation control method for mixed ion exchange resins according to this embodiment, using the mixed ion exchange resin separation control device described above, will now be explained.

[0023] (1) Process of adding mixed ion exchange resin As shown in Figure 3, the mixed ion exchange resin R used in the desalination apparatus is introduced into the separation column 1 from the inlet 8. The introduction of the mixed ion exchange resin R can be done in various ways, for example, by transporting the mixed ion exchange resin received in a water tank using a flexible container and introducing it into the separation column 1 from the inlet 8 using a tube pump.

[0024] (2) Water filling process Next, the control valve 15 of the water injection pipe is opened and the water supply pump 16 is driven to introduce a predetermined amount of separation water W into the separation tower 1 from the water inlet 2, as shown in Figure 4. At this time, the inside of the separation tower 1 is photographed by the camera 12 through the viewing window 7C, and this image is analyzed by the video analysis system 17A to confirm the upper surface of the mixed ion exchange resin R. The inside of the separation tower 1 is also photographed by the camera 12 through the viewing window 7D, and this image is analyzed by the video analysis system 17A to confirm the water level of the separation water W. Once it is confirmed that the separation water W has reached the middle of the viewing window 7D, the central monitoring means 18 closes the control valve 15 with the sequence controller 17B to stop the injection of separation water W. It is preferable that the water level of the separation water W be above the mixed ion exchange resin R inside the separation tower 1, for example, about 200 to 300 mm above.

[0025] (3) Air bubbling process (mixing and dispersion process) Next, as shown in Figure 5, air is injected into the separation tower 1 from the water inlet 2 via the air supply pipe, and the ion exchange resin R is mixed by bubbling. This loosens the colloidally entangled resin particles and removes any dirt adhering to the surface of the resin particles. At this time, the inside of the separation tower 1 is photographed by the camera 12 through the viewing window 7E, and this image is analyzed by the video analysis system 17A to confirm the flow state of the mixed ion exchange resin R. If there is no flow of the mixed ion exchange resin R, the central monitoring means 18 causes the sequence controller 17B to issue an alarm. This air bubbling can be performed for, for example, 10 to 60 minutes.

[0026] (4) Pause process After bubbling for a predetermined time, the air injection is stopped, and the ion exchange resin particles are allowed to settle on the water-collecting plate 4 as shown in Figure 6. In this settling, the cation exchange resin C, which has a higher specific gravity, settles first, followed by the anion exchange resin A, which has a lower specific gravity.

[0027] (5) Filling process In preparation for the next backwashing process, the control valve 15 of the water inlet pipe is opened, and as shown in Figure 7, separation water W is introduced into the separation tower 1 from the water inlet 2 until it overflows from the drain pipe 3A, filling the separation tower 1 to capacity.

[0028] (6) First backwashing process (first separation interface adjustment process) As shown in Figure 8, water (the same water used for separation) W is introduced from the water inlet 2 and passed through in an upward flow to spread the resin. At this time, the inside of the separation tower 1 is photographed by camera 12 through the uppermost viewing window 7F, and this image is analyzed by the video analysis system 17A to confirm that the top surface of the resin layer has spread to near the top of the separation tower 1. In addition, the inside of the separation tower 1 is photographed by camera 12 through the intermediate viewing window 7C, and this image is analyzed by the video analysis system 17A to confirm the position of the separation interface between the cation exchange resin C and the anion exchange resin A, and to confirm whether the two resins are sufficiently separated based on their chromaticity.

[0029] If the central monitoring means 18 determines that the separation interface between the cation exchange resin C and the anion exchange resin A is located near the suction at the lower end of the anion exchange resin extraction tube 5, and that there is a risk of cation exchange resin C being mixed in when the anion exchange resin A is extracted from the anion exchange resin extraction tube 5, the sequence controller 17B controls the opening of the water supply pump 16 and the control valve 15 to adjust the flow rate of the water W introduced from the water inlet 2, thereby correcting the separation interface between the cation exchange resin C and the anion exchange resin A to be sufficiently below the suction at the lower end of the anion exchange resin extraction tube 5.

[0030] (7) Anion exchange resin extraction process Based on the image data from camera 12, after confirming that the cation exchange resin C and anion exchange resin A have been separated, the central monitoring means 18 opens the first automatic valve 13 via the sequence controller 17B, and as shown in Figure 9, the anion exchange resin A is discharged from the anion exchange resin extraction pipe 5 as an anion exchange resin-water mixed phase flow. Since this anion exchange resin A is discharged from the anion exchange resin extraction pipe 5 as an anion exchange resin-water mixed phase flow, it can be received by a permeable bag or similar container.

[0031] While the anion exchange resin A is being extracted, the inside of the separation tower 1 is photographed by camera 12 through the intermediate viewing window 7C, and this image is analyzed by the video analysis system 17A to monitor that the position of the separation interface between cation exchange resin C and anion exchange resin A is sufficiently below the anion exchange resin extraction pipe 5. If the position of the separation interface between cation exchange resin C and anion exchange resin A is near the suction at the lower end of the anion exchange resin extraction pipe 5, the sequence controller 17B controls the water supply pump 16 and control valve 15 to adjust the water W introduced from the water inlet 2, correcting the position so that the separation interface between cation exchange resin C and anion exchange resin A is sufficiently below the anion exchange resin extraction pipe 5. Furthermore, if the separation of cation exchange resin C and anion exchange resin A is insufficient and contamination with cation exchange resin C is detected, the process is restarted from the "air bubbling process".

[0032] The anion exchange resin A extracted in this manner is sent to the anion exchange resin regeneration facility.

[0033] (8) Second backwashing process (second separation interface adjustment process) The above-described "anion exchange resin extraction process" ends with some anion exchange resin A remaining near the separation interface between cation exchange resin C and anion exchange resin A, and the first automatic valve 13 is closed. Subsequently, the central monitoring means 18 controls the water supply pump 16 and control valve 15 by the sequence controller 17B to increase the flow velocity of the separation water W introduced from the water inlet 2 (for example, LV = 20 to 2 m / h) as shown in Figure 10, further pushing up the remaining anion exchange resin A. At this time, the inside of the separation tower 1 is photographed by the camera 12 through the viewing window 7C, and this image is analyzed by the video analysis system 17B to confirm that the position of the separation interface between cation exchange resin C and anion exchange resin A is sufficiently above the suction portion at the lower end of the cation exchange resin extraction pipe 6. If the separation interface between the cation exchange resin C and the anion exchange resin A is located near the suction at the lower end of the cation exchange resin extraction tube 6, the central monitoring means 18 controls the water supply pump 16 and the control valve 15 via the sequence controller 17B to increase the flow rate of the water W introduced from the water inlet 2, thereby correcting the separation interface between the cation exchange resin C and the anion exchange resin A to be sufficiently above the suction at the lower end of the cation exchange resin extraction tube 6.

[0034] Furthermore, this second backwashing process also has the effect of pushing any anion exchange resin A that has become mixed with the cation exchange resin C in the lower layer to the upper layer.

[0035] (9) Cation exchange resin extraction process After confirming that the remaining anion exchange resin A and cation exchange resin have been sufficiently separated, the central monitoring means 18 opens the second automatic valve 14 via the sequence controller 17B, and as shown in Figure 11, the cation exchange resin C is discharged from the cation exchange resin extraction tube 6 as a cation exchange resin-water mixed phase flow. Since this cation exchange resin C is discharged from the cation exchange resin extraction tube 6 as an anion exchange resin-water mixed phase flow, it can be received in a permeable bag or similar container.

[0036] The cation exchange resin C extracted in this manner is sent to a cation exchange resin regeneration facility.

[0037] This cation exchange resin extraction process is terminated when the separation interface between anion exchange resin A and cation exchange resin C is directly above the suction at the lower end of the cation exchange resin extraction tube 6, and the upward flow of water W is stopped.

[0038] Then, by stopping the upward flow of water W and closing the second automatic valve 14 of the cation exchange resin extraction pipe 6, the remaining resin is allowed to settle on the water collection plate 4, as shown in Figure 12.

[0039] In Figure 12, a predetermined amount (e.g., 300-600 L) of resin remains in the separation column 1. This is to prevent cross-contamination between the residual anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin in the separation column 1.

[0040] After the state shown in Figure 12, the process returns to (1) the resin introduction step, and in addition to the remaining ion exchange resin, more ion exchange resin is introduced into the separation column 1, and steps (1) to (9) are repeated to separate the ion exchange resin in the same manner. With this mixed ion exchange resin separation control device of this embodiment, the mixed ion exchange resin can be separated stably and easily in response to various conditions such as the amount and mixing ratio of the anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin.

[0041] Although the present invention has been implemented based on the embodiments described above, the present invention is not limited thereto. By analyzing images captured by an imaging means such as a camera 12 with an image analysis system 17A to determine the separation interface between the anion exchange resin A and the cation exchange resin, the development height of the mixed ion exchange resin R, etc., and controlling the first automatic valve 13 of the anion exchange resin extraction tube 5, the second automatic valve 14 of the cation exchange resin extraction tube 6, and the control valve 15 and water supply pump 16 of the water supply pipe communicating with the water inlet 2 with a sequence controller 17B, various modifications can be implemented. For example, although a video camera 12 that continuously captures images was used as the imaging means, an electronic camera capable of capturing still images may also be used. Furthermore, the separation process may include other steps, as long as they separate and extract the anion exchange resin A and the cation exchange resin C using the difference in specific gravity. Moreover, instead of providing an imaging means such as a camera 12 for each viewing window, a single imaging means may sequentially circulate through each viewing window 7A to 7F to capture images. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1 Separation tower 1A Separation tower body 2 Water inlet 3 Drain port 3A drain pipe 4 Water collection board 5. Anion exchange resin extraction tube 6. Cation exchange resin extraction tube 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, 7E, 7F Peepholes 8. Inlet (inlet section) for mixed ion exchange resin 11 Separator control device 12. Camera (imaging means) 13 First automatic valve 14. Second automatic valve 15 Control valve 16. Water supply pump 17 Control means 17A Video Analysis System 17B Sequence Controller 18 Central monitoring means

Claims

1. A substantially cylindrical separation tower for mixed ion exchange resin having an input section for a mixed ion exchange resin of anion exchange resin and a cation exchange resin, an anion exchange resin extraction section located midway in the vertical direction, a cation exchange resin extraction section located below the anion exchange resin extraction section, an air and separation water injection section located at the bottom, and one or more viewing windows, A drain pipe connected to the top of the separation tower, An anion exchange resin extraction mechanism connected to the anion exchange resin extraction section, A cation exchange resin extraction mechanism connected to the cation exchange resin extraction section, An air supply mechanism and a separation water supply mechanism connected to the air and separation water injection section, An imaging means capable of continuously or intermittently imaging the inside of the separation tower through the aforementioned viewing window, Based on the imaging data from the imaging means, a control means determines the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin, and controls the separation water supply mechanism, the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism, and the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism based on this determination result. A separation control device for mixed ion exchange resins, comprising the above.

2. The separation control device for a mixed ion exchange resin according to claim 1, wherein the control means is provided at a position separated from the separation tower, is capable of receiving data from the imaging means via wireless communication, and the air supply mechanism, the separation water supply mechanism, the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism, and the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism and the wireless communication means can be controlled by the wireless communication means.

3. A method for separating anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin in a mixed ion exchange resin using a substantially cylindrical separation tower for mixed ion exchange resin having an input section for mixed ion exchange resin of anion exchange resin and cation exchange resin, an anion exchange resin extraction section provided midway in the vertical direction, a cation exchange resin extraction section provided below the anion exchange resin extraction section, an air and separation water injection section provided at the bottom, and one or more viewing windows, A method for separating mixed ion exchange resins, comprising: passing air and separation water upward through a separation water supply mechanism from an injection port into the separation column of the mixed ion exchange resins to separate the mixed ion exchange resins using the difference in specific gravity; varying the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin; extracting the anion exchange resin from the anion exchange resin extraction port using an anion exchange resin extraction mechanism; and then extracting the cation exchange resin from the cation exchange resin extraction port using a cation exchange resin extraction mechanism, A method for controlling the separation of mixed ion exchange resins, comprising: continuously or intermittently imaging the inside of the separation tower through the aforementioned viewing window using an imaging means and transmitting the imaging data to a control means; the control means controlling the flow rate of the separation water from the separation water supply mechanism based on the imaging data to change the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin to a position corresponding to the anion exchange resin extraction section and the cation exchange resin extraction section, thereby controlling the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism and the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism to extract the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin.

4. A mixed ion exchange resin input step involves introducing a mixed ion exchange resin into the separation column, A water filling step is performed in which the separated water is filled from the air and separated water injection section by the separated water supply mechanism so that the water level is a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the ion exchange resin, A mixing and dispersion process in which air is injected from the air and separation water injection section by an air supply mechanism and bubbled, The separation process involves stopping air injection and allowing the ion exchange resins in the separation column to settle so that the cation exchange resins form the lower layer and the anion exchange resins form the upper layer. A first separation interface adjustment step involves flowing the separation water upward from the air and separation water injection section using a separation water supply mechanism, thereby raising the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin to a level lower than the anion exchange resin extraction section. An anion exchange resin extraction process in which the anion exchange resin is extracted from inside the separation tower by an anion exchange resin extraction section, A second separation interface adjustment step involves increasing the upward flow rate of water in the separation column to raise the separation interface between the cation exchange resin and the remaining anion exchange resin, The separation column has a cation exchange resin extraction step in which the cation exchange resin is extracted from the inside of the separation column by a cation exchange resin extraction section. The separation control method for a mixed ion exchange resin according to claim 3, wherein the control means, in the separation interface adjustment step, determines the separation interface between the anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin based on imaging data from the imaging means, controls the flow rate of the separation water from the separation water supply mechanism based on this determination result to adjust the separation interface, then operates the anion exchange resin extraction mechanism to perform the anion exchange resin extraction step, and in the second separation interface adjustment step, determines the separation interface between the remaining anion exchange resin and the cation exchange resin based on imaging data from the imaging means, adjusts the separation interface, then operates the cation exchange resin extraction mechanism to perform the cation exchange resin extraction step.

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