Liquid treatment device

Abstract

The present invention can deaerate various liquids by using a device with a simple structure requiring no labor for maintenance.　Provided is a liquid treatment device comprising: a flow passage including a water supply port to which a liquid to be treated is supplied, and through which the liquid to be treated flows; a pump provided in the flow passage and which allows the liquid to be treated to flow out from the water supply port to the flow passage; and a deaeration part provided on an upstream side of the pump in the flow passage. The deaeration part has a casing having a cylindrical part through which the liquid to be treated flows, and one or a plurality of baffles provided inside the cylindrical part. The baffle has a rod shape or a plate shape. When the casing is cut by the surface including the baffle, an opening through which the liquid to be treated passes is formed in a region surrounded by the inner wall surface of the cylindrical part.

Description

Liquid Treatment Equipment

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid treatment device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a water quality improvement system that includes a filtration treatment section that captures corrosion-promoting components that cause corrosion of non-passivated metal bodies and transmits corrosion-inhibiting components that contribute to inhibiting corrosion, a pump that supplies feedwater to the filtration treatment section, a flow sensor that detects the flow rate of the permeated water from the filtration treatment section, an inverter that varies the rotation speed of the pump according to the output frequency, and a control section that outputs a command signal to the inverter based on the flow rate detection signal from the flow sensor.

[0003] Patent Document 2 discloses a continuous degassed water production and supply device which includes a degassing tank held at a negative vacuum pressure and a water storage tank downstream thereof, and which sends raw water to the degassing tank and degasses the degassed water by jet collision against the wall of the degassed water, and then degasses the degassed water through an orifice. The orifice on the water storage tank removes volatile gases that have become mixed in from the atmosphere into the degassed water being transferred to the water storage tank, and the degassed water is then degassed again and stored.

[0004] JP 2005-296944 A JP 2008-86984 A

[0005] Patent Document 1 discloses the removal of dissolved gases from feedwater using a dissolved gas removal treatment unit located downstream of a filtration treatment unit. This dissolved gas removal treatment unit uses a degassing module containing a hollow fiber gas filtration membrane housed in a cylindrical housing. However, the invention described in Patent Document 1 requires a hollow fiber gas filtration membrane (hollow fiber membrane), which requires periodic replacement. Furthermore, when using a hollow fiber membrane, it is not possible to degas liquids containing sugar (e.g., juice) or highly viscous liquids (e.g., ink, mayonnaise). Even if a liquid can be degassed using a hollow fiber membrane, the replacement cycle may be short depending on the type of liquid and the usage environment, resulting in significant running costs.

[0006] In the invention described in Patent Document 2, water to be treated is pumped into a degassing tank under a predetermined negative vacuum pressure environment and sprayed at high speed from a nozzle, causing the water to collide with the inner wall of the degassing tank. This causes the gas in the water to rapidly expand in the negative vacuum pressure environment and separate from the water, producing degassed water. However, the invention described in Patent Document 2 requires a space for spraying the water to be treated, which results in a large degassing tank. Furthermore, the invention described in Patent Document 2 requires a nozzle for spraying, a pressure pump for high-pressure water supply, and other components, making the device complicated.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a liquid treatment device that can degas a variety of liquids using a device with a simple configuration that requires little maintenance.

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, the liquid treatment device of the present invention comprises, for example, a water supply port through which the liquid to be treated is supplied, a flow path through which the liquid to be treated flows, a pump provided in the flow path and causing the liquid to be treated to flow from the water supply port into the flow path, and a degassing unit provided in the flow path upstream of the pump, wherein the degassing unit has a casing having a cylindrical portion through which the liquid to be treated flows, and one or more baffles provided inside the cylindrical portion, the baffles being rod-shaped or plate-shaped, and when the casing is cut at a plane including the baffles, an opening through which the liquid to be treated passes is formed in an area surrounded by the inner wall surface of the cylindrical portion.

[0009] The liquid treatment device according to the present invention includes a degassing unit having a casing with a cylindrical portion through which the liquid to be treated flows and one or more baffles provided inside the cylindrical portion, and therefore can degas a variety of liquids using a device with a simple configuration that requires little maintenance.

[0010] The degassing unit may have a vacuum source that reduces the pressure inside the casing, thereby enabling more efficient degassing.

[0011] The casing may be provided with a plurality of plate-like members that serve as the baffles, each of which has a plurality of first through holes through which the liquid to be treated passes, and the plurality of plate-like members may be stacked such that the first through hole of a first plate-like member among the plurality of plate-like members partially overlaps with the first through hole of a second plate-like member adjacent to the first plate-like member. The passage of the liquid to be treated through the first through holes promotes negative pressure in the liquid to be treated, further vaporizing gas dissolved in the liquid to be treated. Therefore, degassing can be performed efficiently.

[0012] The casing may have a first end face covering one end of the cylindrical portion, the first end face having an inlet opening through which the liquid to be treated passes, the first plate-like member being provided on the first end face and abutting the inlet opening, the peripheries of the first and second plate-like members not abutting the inner wall surface, and the end faces of the stacked plate-like members not abutting the first end face being covered by a third plate-like member to prevent the liquid to be treated from passing through. The liquid to be treated passes between the peripheries and the inner wall surface of the first and second plate-like members and flows under the third plate-like member, reducing pressure and generating further bubbles. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0013] The casing is provided with one or more baffles serving as the baffles, and the baffles may not have holes formed therein, and the openings may be formed between the baffles and the inner wall surface. This simplifies the structure of the degassing section.

[0014] The casing may be provided with one baffle plate, the baffle plate being provided on a first end surface covering one end of the cylindrical portion via a support member, and the baffle plate and the first end surface may be spaced apart. When the liquid to be treated flows below the baffle plate, pressure decreases and further bubbles are generated. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0015] The casing may be provided with a plurality of baffles, the baffles being provided on the inner wall surface, and the plurality of baffles may be provided on a first surface which is any surface perpendicular to the center line of the cylindrical portion, and / or on a second surface which is any surface perpendicular to the center line and different from the first surface, and on the first surface. When the liquid to be treated flows below the baffles, pressure decreases and further bubbles are generated. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0016] The casing is provided with one or more baffles serving as the baffles, and the baffles may have openings through which the liquid to be treated passes. When the liquid to be treated passes through the openings and flows below the baffles, the pressure decreases and more bubbles are generated. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to degas a variety of liquids using a device with a simple configuration that requires little maintenance.

[0018] 1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing an example of a liquid treatment device 1. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing unit 13, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an outline of a plate-shaped member 13b. FIG. 1A is a partial enlarged view of a plate-shaped member 13b, and FIG. 1B is a partial enlarged view of a plate-shaped member 13c. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an alternate stack of plate-shaped members 13b and 13c. FIG. 1A is a graph comparing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the liquid to be treated with and without a degassing unit 13, and FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1B is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing unit 13A. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing unit 13B. FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing unit 13C, where FIG. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a top view. FIG. 1D is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing unit 13D, where FIG. 1A is a side view and FIG. 1B is a top view. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing unit 13E, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a top view. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing unit 13F, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a top view. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a liquid treatment apparatus 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing unit 13G. FIG. 4 is a graph comparing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the liquid to be treated with and without a vacuum pump 15, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 1.

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A liquid treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for degassing a liquid to be treated.

[0020] 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a liquid treatment device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The liquid treatment device 1 mainly includes a tank 11, a flow control valve 12, a degassing unit 13, a pump 14, and a flow path 20.

[0021] The tank 11 is a container for storing the liquid to be treated. In this embodiment, water is used as the liquid to be treated, but various liquids other than water can be used as the liquid to be treated. For example, benzene (viscosity at 20°C: 0.65 mPa·s), water (viscosity at 20°C: 1 mPa·s), glycerin (viscosity at 20°C: 1,389 mPa·s, glycerin concentration: 100%), etc. can be used as the liquid to be treated.

[0022] The tank 11 is provided with an outlet 111. A flow path 20 is connected to the outlet 111. The end of the flow path 20 connected to the outlet 111 is a water supply port 21d. The liquid to be treated stored in the tank 11 is supplied to the water supply port 21d via the outlet 111.

[0023] In the present invention, tank 11 is not essential. A pipe (not shown) provided in an apparatus other than liquid treatment apparatus 1 may be connected to water supply port 21d, and the liquid to be treated may be supplied from the pipe to water supply port 21d.

[0024] The flow path 20 includes pipes, hoses, joints, etc. through which a fluid (liquid, gas) flows. The flow path 20 constitutes a fluid circulation circuit through which the liquid to be treated flowing out of the tank 11 flows and which returns the liquid to be treated to the tank 11. The flow path 20 is provided with a flow rate adjustment valve 12, a degassing unit 13, and a pump 14, in this order from the upstream side.

[0025] A degassing unit 13 and a pump 14 are provided downstream of the flow rate control valve 12. The flow rate control valve 12 adjusts the suction pressure of the pump 14. The upstream side of the flow path 20 relative to the pump 14 is an outflow path 21, and the downstream side is a return path 22.

[0026] The upstream side of the flow rate control valve 12 of the outflow path 21 is referred to as the upstream section 21a, and the downstream side of the flow rate control valve 12 is referred to as the midstream section 21b. The upstream end of the upstream section 21a is a water supply port 21d. The upstream side of the degassing section 13 of the outflow path 21 is referred to as the midstream section 21b, and the downstream side of the degassing section 13 is referred to as the downstream section 21c. A vacuum gauge may be provided in the midstream section 21b or the downstream section 21c.

[0027] The pump 14 causes the liquid to be treated to flow out of the tank 11 into the outflow path 21, and also returns the liquid to the tank 11 through the return path 22. A flow meter may be provided in the return path 22. The pump 14 may be a centrifugal pump (a cascade pump, a volute pump, etc.) or a positive displacement pump. In this embodiment, a positive displacement pump is used as the pump 14. A degassing unit 13 is provided upstream of the pump 14.

[0028] Next, details of the degassing unit 13 will be described. Fig. 2(A) is a diagram showing an outline of the degassing unit 13. The degassing unit 13 mainly has a casing 13a and a plurality of plate-like members 13b and 13c (corresponding to baffles of the present invention).

[0029] The casing 13a is cylindrical and is provided in the flow path 20 (here, the outflow path 21). The casing 13a has a cylindrical side surface 13j, and ends 13h (corresponding to a first end surface of the present invention) and 13i (corresponding to a second end surface of the present invention) that cover both ends of the side surface 13j. One end 13h is provided with an inflow opening 13e through which the liquid to be treated flows in, and the other end 13i is provided with an outflow opening 13f through which the liquid to be treated flows out.

[0030] Plate-shaped members 13b and 13c (corresponding to the plate-shaped members of the present invention) are provided inside the casing 13a. In this embodiment, two plate-shaped members 13b and two plate-shaped members 13c are provided, but the number of plate-shaped members 13b and 13c is not limited to this. The plate-shaped members 13b and 13c are disk-shaped and have the same peripheral size. The plate-shaped members 13b and 13c are alternately stacked.

[0031] Plate-like members 13b and 13c are provided so as to abut against end 13h but not against end 13i. Furthermore, plate-like members 13b and 13c are provided so as not to abut against side surface 13j connecting end 13h and end 13i.

[0032] One (plate-shaped member 13b-1) of the plate-shaped members 13b (corresponding to the first plate-shaped member of the present invention) is provided at the end 13h, and the plate-shaped member 13b abuts against the inlet opening 13e. A plate-shaped member 13c (corresponding to the second plate-shaped member of the present invention) is provided downstream of the plate-shaped member 13b-1, in other words, below the plate-shaped member 13b-1 (on the side opposite the end 13h of the plate-shaped member 13b-1).

[0033] The end faces (here, the lower surface of plate-shaped member 13c) that are not in contact with end 13h of the stacked plate-shaped members (plate-shaped members 13b, 13c) are covered by plate-shaped member 13d to prevent the liquid to be treated from passing through.

[0034] 2(B) is a diagram showing an outline of the plate-shaped member 13b. Each of the plate-shaped members 13b is provided with a plurality of through-holes 13g (corresponding to the first through-holes of the present invention) through which the liquid to be treated passes. The through-holes 13g are, for example, hexagonal in shape. In this embodiment, the through-holes 13g are provided on the entire surface of the plate-shaped member 13b. Although not shown, the plate-shaped member 13c is also provided with a plurality of through-holes 13g (on the entire surface) in the same manner as the plate-shaped member 13b.

[0035] When the casing 13a is cut along a plane including the plate-like member 13b or the plate-like member 13c, an opening through which the liquid to be treated passes is formed in an area surrounded by the inner wall surface (inner wall surface 13o) of the side surface 13j. In this embodiment, the through-hole 13g and the gap between the periphery of the plate-like members 13b and 13c and the inner wall surface 13o are the openings through which the liquid to be treated passes.

[0036] Fig. 3(A) is a partial enlarged view of plate-shaped member 13b, Fig. 3(B) is a partial enlarged view of plate-shaped member 13c, and Fig. 3(C) is a diagram showing plate-shaped members 13b and 13c stacked alternately. In Fig. 3, plate-shaped member 13c is indicated by a dotted line for the sake of explanation.

[0037] The difference between plate-shaped member 13b and plate-shaped member 13c is the positional relationship between the peripheries of plate-shaped members 13b and 13c and the through holes 13g (the positions of the through holes 13g). For example, the positions of the through holes 13g in plate-shaped member 13b and the positions of the through holes 13g in plate-shaped member 13c are offset by half the pitch of the through holes 13g in the horizontal direction of Fig. 3 and by one-quarter the pitch of the through holes 13g in the vertical direction of Fig. 3. As a result, when plate-shaped member 13b and plate-shaped member 13c are stacked so that their peripheries are aligned, the through holes 13g in plate-shaped member 13b and the through holes 13g in plate-shaped member 13c partially overlap.

[0038] Next, the operation of liquid treatment device 1 will be described. Pump 14 is driven, causing the liquid to be treated (here, water) to flow from tank 11 into flow path 20. The liquid to be treated that has flowed into upstream section 21a passes through flow rate control valve 12 and flows into degassing section 13. Because pump 14 is causing the liquid to be treated to flow into flow path 20, degassing section 13 is at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure (negative pressure). Therefore, in degassing section 13, gases such as oxygen dissolved in the liquid to be treated that has flowed into degassing section 13 evaporate, generating bubbles.

[0039] Furthermore, when the liquid to be treated that flows into the degassing section 13 from the inflow opening 13e passes through the through-hole 13g, the negative pressure of the liquid to be treated is promoted (further reduced pressure), causing the gas dissolved in the liquid to further vaporize and generate bubbles. Furthermore, the liquid to be treated that passes through the through-hole 13g flows around the periphery of the plate-shaped members 13b and 13c (the gap between the plate-shaped members 13b and 13c and the side surface 13j) and flows into the hollow portion of the casing 13a, i.e., below the plate-shaped member 13d. As a result, the pressure of the liquid to be treated is further reduced, generating more bubbles. The liquid to be treated and the foamed gas then flow into the downstream section 21c from the outflow opening 13f.

[0040] In liquid treatment device 1, flow path 20 constitutes a fluid circulation circuit, and the liquid to be treated that has been degassed in degassing unit 13 returns to tank 11, flows through flow path 20 again, and is treated in degassing unit 13. Therefore, by treating the same liquid to be treated multiple times in degassing unit 13, the liquid to be treated can be degassed efficiently.

[0041] FIG. 4 is a graph comparing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the liquid to be treated with and without the degassing unit 13. Note that FIG. 4(B) is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 4(A). In FIG. 4, the square plots indicate the amount of dissolved oxygen in the liquid to be treated when the flow rate control valve 12 and pump 14 are provided but the degassing unit 13 is not provided, and the circle plots indicate the amount of dissolved oxygen in the liquid to be treated when the flow rate control valve 12, degassing unit 13, and pump 14 are provided. It can be seen from FIG. 4 that when the degassing unit 13 is provided, the amount of dissolved oxygen decreases more quickly than when the degassing unit 13 is not provided, i.e., the liquid to be treated is more degassed. Note that the suction pressure of the pump 14 in FIG. 4 is -0.1 MPa.

[0042] According to this embodiment, the liquid to be treated can be efficiently degassed by the degassing unit 13. Furthermore, since the degassing unit 13 has a simple configuration, the device can be simplified and made smaller.

[0043] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, since hollow fiber membranes or the like are not used, replacement is not required, and maintenance is not required. Furthermore, the degassing unit 13 uses easily washable parts, namely the casing 13a and the plate-like members 13b, 13c, and 13d, and therefore maintenance is easy.

[0044] In this embodiment, a circulation flow path is used to return the treated liquid to the tank 11 from the reflux path 22, but the reflux path 22 returning the treated liquid to the tank 11 is not essential. For example, the downstream side of the pump 14 may be a delivery flow path that delivers the degassed treated liquid to another device, etc. Even when a circulation flow path is not used in this way, the treated liquid can be efficiently degassed by passing through the degassing section 13.

[0045] In the present embodiment, the plate-like members 13b and 13c are disk-shaped, but the shape of the plate-like members 13b and 13c in a plan view (the shape when viewed along the plate thickness direction) is not limited to a disk shape. For example, the shape of the plate-like members in a plan view (the shape when viewed along the plate thickness direction) may be rectangular.

[0046] Although the through-holes 12g are hexagonal in this embodiment, the through-holes 12g are not limited to a hexagonal shape. For example, the through-holes 12g may be polygonal, such as a rhombic, rectangular, triangular, or pentagonal shape, or may be circular or elliptical. However, in order to efficiently degas the through-holes 12g, it is preferable that the through-holes 12g be polygonal.

[0047] In the present embodiment, the degassing unit 13 has two types of plate-like members 13b and 13c, but the degassing unit 13 may have three or more types of plate-like members. In the degassing unit 13, it is sufficient that different types of plate-like members are stacked adjacent to each other.

[0048] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, plate-shaped member 13b and plate-shaped member 13c are stacked (abutted), but plate-shaped member 13b and plate-shaped member 13c do not have to abut on each other. For example, a spacer may be provided between plate-shaped member 13b and plate-shaped member 13c to form a gap between plate-shaped member 13b and plate-shaped member 13c.

[0049] In addition, in this embodiment, plate-shaped members 13b and 13c are arranged to abut against end 13h but not against end 13i and side surface 13j. However, the arrangement of plate-shaped members 13b and 13c within casing 13a is not limited to this. For example, plate-shaped members 13b and 13c may abut against side surface 13j but not against ends 13h and 13i. Even in this case, through-holes 13g of plate-shaped members 13b and 13c partially overlap, and the treated liquid repeatedly flows in and out of through-holes 13g, thereby efficiently degassing the treated liquid. However, by forming a gap between plate-shaped members 13b and 13c and side surface 13j and providing plate-shaped member 13d at the lower ends of plate-shaped members 13b and 13c, the pressure of the treated liquid below plate-shaped member 13d is further reduced, allowing for more effective degassing.

[0050] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the liquid to be treated is water, but the liquid to be treated is not limited to water. For example, the liquid to be treated may be oil. The liquid to be treated may also be a non-Newtonian fluid. For example, when the liquid to be treated is mayonnaise, which is a non-Newtonian fluid, the shelf life of the mayonnaise can be improved by degassing the oxygen in the mayonnaise using the liquid treatment device 1. Furthermore, when the liquid to be treated is a dairy product such as milk, oxidation can be prevented by degassing the oxygen contained in the dairy product.

[0051] In addition, in this embodiment, the degassing unit 13 having the plate-like members 13b, 13c, and 13d is used, but the configuration of the degassing unit is not limited to this. The following modified examples are configurations in which the plate-like members 13b and 13c are not used and the structure of the degassing unit is simplified.

[0052] 5 is a schematic diagram of a degassing unit 13A provided with one plate-like member 13d. The degassing unit 13A mainly includes a casing 13a, a plate-like member 13d (corresponding to a baffle and a baffle plate of the present invention), and a support member 13k.

[0053] No holes are formed in the plate-like member 13d, and the plate-like member 13d is attached to the end 13h via the support member 13k. The support member 13k is made up of, for example, a plurality of columnar members each having both ends attached to the end 13h and the plate-like member 13d.

[0054] When the casing 13a is cut along a plane including the plate-like member 13d, an opening through which the liquid to be treated passes is formed in the area surrounded by the inner wall surface 13o. In this modification, the gap between the plate-like member 13d and the inner wall surface 13o is the opening through which the liquid to be treated passes.

[0055] The liquid to be treated that flows into the degassing section 13A from the inlet opening 13e flows through the gaps in the support member 13k toward the periphery of the casing 13a, and then flows into the hollow section of the casing 13a, i.e., below the plate-like member 13d. As a result, the pressure of the liquid to be treated decreases, and more air bubbles are generated. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0056] 5, one baffle plate (plate-like member 13d) without holes is provided, but one or more baffles with holes may be provided. A hole (opening) through which the liquid to be treated passes may be provided near the center of the plate-like member 13d.

[0057] 5, one baffle plate (plate-shaped member 13d) without holes formed therein is provided, but a plurality of baffles may be provided. For example, a plate-shaped baffle plate may be provided below the plate-shaped member 13d via a spacer or the like. This baffle plate may have the same shape as the plate-shaped member 13d, or may have a different size or shape. Furthermore, holes may be formed in some of the plurality of baffles including the plate-shaped member 13d.

[0058] <Second Modification of First Embodiment> Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing section 13B provided with one plate-like member 131. The degassing section 13B mainly has a casing 13a and the plate-like member 131 (corresponding to the baffle and the baffle plate of the present invention).

[0059] The plate-like member 13l is provided on the inner wall surface 13o. The plate-like member 13l has holes 13m formed therein. The holes 13m are openings through which the liquid to be treated passes.

[0060] The liquid to be treated that flows into the degassing section 13B from the inlet opening 13e passes through the holes 13m and flows below the plate-like member 13l. As a result, the pressure of the liquid to be treated decreases, and more air bubbles are generated. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0061] Although one baffle plate (plate-shaped member 13l) is provided in Fig. 6, a plurality of baffles may be provided. For example, a plate-shaped baffle plate may be provided below the plate-shaped member 13l via a spacer or the like. This baffle plate may have the same shape as the plate-shaped member 13l, or may have a different size or shape.

[0062] <Third Modification of the First Embodiment> Figure 7 is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing section 13C provided with one plate-like member 13n, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a top view. Only the essential parts are shown in Figure 7. The degassing section 13C mainly has a casing 13a and a plate-like member 13n (corresponding to the baffle and baffle plate of the present invention).

[0063] The plate-shaped member 13n is a flat plate having a rectangular cross section (hereinafter simply referred to as the cross section) when cut in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. No holes are formed in the plate-shaped member 13n, and the edge of the plate-shaped member 13n is provided on the inner wall surface 13o. The area between the plate-shaped member 13n and the inner wall surface 13o (the shaded area in FIG. 7B) is an opening through which the liquid to be treated passes.

[0064] The liquid to be treated that flows into the degassing section 13C through the inlet opening 13e flows below the plate-shaped member 13n through the gap between the plate-shaped member 13n and the inner wall surface 13o. As a result, the pressure of the liquid to be treated decreases, and more air bubbles are generated. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0065] Although the cross-sectional shape of the plate-shaped member 13n is rectangular, the cross-sectional shape is not limited to rectangular. For example, the cross-sectional shape of the plate-shaped member 13n may be elliptical or polygonal. The size of the plate-shaped member 13n is also not limited to these. Furthermore, although the plate-shaped member 13n is plate-shaped, it is not limited to plate-shaped and may be rod-shaped. For example, the plate-shaped member 13n may be a square bar or a round bar.

[0066] <Fourth Modification of the First Embodiment> Figure 8 is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing section 13D provided with a plurality of plate-like members 13p, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a top view. Only the essential parts are shown in Figure 8. The degassing section 13D mainly has a casing 13a and a plurality of plate-like members 13p (corresponding to the baffles and baffle plates of the present invention).

[0067] The plate-shaped member 13p is a flat plate with a rectangular cross section. No holes are formed in the plate-shaped member 13p, and the ends of the plate-shaped member 13p are provided on the inner wall surface 13o. The plurality of plate-shaped members 13p are provided on a plane P1 (corresponding to the first plane of the present invention) perpendicular to the center line ax of the side surface 13j. The area between the plate-shaped member 13p and the inner wall surface 13o (the shaded area in FIG. 8(B)) is an opening through which the liquid to be treated passes.

[0068] The liquid to be treated that flows into the degassing section 13D through the inlet opening 13e flows below the plate-shaped member 13p through the gap between the plate-shaped member 13p and the inner wall surface 13o. As a result, the pressure of the liquid to be treated decreases, and more air bubbles are generated. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0069] Although the cross-sectional shape of the plate-shaped member 13p is rectangular, the cross-sectional shape is not limited to a rectangular shape. Furthermore, the size of the plate-shaped member 13p is not limited to this. Furthermore, although the plate-shaped member 13p is plate-shaped, it is not limited to a plate shape and may be a rod shape (for example, a square rod or a round rod).

[0070] <Fifth Modification of the First Embodiment> Figure 9 is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing section 13E provided with a plurality of plate-like members 13p, where (A) is a side view and (B) is a top view. Figure 9 shows only the essential parts. The degassing section 13E mainly has a casing 13a and a plurality of plate-like members 13p (corresponding to the baffles and baffle plates of the present invention).

[0071] The plate-like member 13p has an end provided on the inner wall surface 13o. A plurality of plate-like members 13p are provided on a surface P1 and a surface P2 (corresponding to the second surface of the present invention). The surface P2 is a surface perpendicular to the center line ax and different from the surface P1. When viewed from the upstream side, i.e., from above, the plate-like member 13p provided on the surface P1 and the plate-like member 13p provided on the surface P2 overlap. Between the plate-like member 13p and the inner wall surface 13o (see the shaded area in Figure 9) is an opening through which the liquid to be treated passes.

[0072] The liquid to be treated that flows into the degassing section 13E through the inflow opening 13e flows below the plate-shaped member 13p through the gap between the plate-shaped member 13p and the inner wall surface 13o. As a result, the pressure of the liquid to be treated decreases, and more bubbles are generated. Because the plate-shaped member 13p is provided in two stages, the operation of reducing the pressure of the liquid to be treated and generating bubbles is repeated twice. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0073] In this modification, the plate-like members 13p are provided on the surfaces P1 and P2, i.e., two stages of the plate-like members 13p, but three or more stages of the plate-like members 13p may be provided. For example, the plate-like members 13p may be provided on a surface P3 (a surface orthogonal to the center line ax and different from the surfaces P1 and P2) in addition to the surfaces P1 and P2.

[0074] <Sixth Modification of the First Embodiment> Figure 10 is a diagram showing an outline of a degassing section 13F provided with a plurality of plate-like members 13p, with (A) being a side view and (B) being a top view. Only the essential parts are shown in Figure 10. The degassing section 13F mainly has a casing 13a and a plurality of plate-like members 13p (corresponding to the baffles and baffle plates of the present invention).

[0075] The plate-shaped member 13p has an end provided on the inner wall surface 13o. Multiple plate-shaped members 13p are provided on surfaces P1 and P2. Surface P2 is a surface perpendicular to the center line of the side surface 13j and is different from surface P1. When viewed from above, the plate-shaped member 13p provided on surface P1 and the plate-shaped member 13p provided on surface P2 do not overlap. An opening is formed between the plate-shaped member 13p and the inner wall surface 13o, through which the liquid to be treated passes.

[0076] The liquid to be treated that flows into the degassing section 13F from the inflow opening 13e flows below the plate-shaped member 13p through the gap between the plate-shaped member 13p and the inner wall surface 13o. As a result, the pressure of the liquid to be treated decreases, and more air bubbles are generated. Because the plate-shaped member 13p provided on the surface P1 and the plate-shaped member 13p provided on the surface P2 do not overlap, the liquid to be treated flows below the plate-shaped member 13p at a high flow rate. This allows the liquid to be degassed efficiently.

[0077] In this modification, the plate-like members 13p are provided on the surfaces P1 and P2, but the plate-like members 13p may be provided on the surfaces P1, P2, and P3.

[0078] Second Embodiment In a second embodiment of the present invention, a vacuum source is provided in the degassing section 13. A liquid treatment device 2 of the present invention will be described below. Note that the same parts as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

[0079] 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a liquid treatment device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The liquid treatment device 2 mainly includes a tank 11, a flow control valve 12, a degassing unit 13G, a pump 14, and a flow path 20.

[0080] 12 is a diagram showing an outline of the degassing unit 13G. The degassing unit 13G includes the degassing unit 13 and a vacuum pump 15 (corresponding to the vacuum source of the present invention). The vacuum pump 15 is connected to the casing 13a. A flow rate control valve 16 may be provided in the piping between the casing 13a and the vacuum pump 15.

[0081] Next, the operation of liquid treatment device 2 will be described. When pump 14 is driven, the liquid to be treated (here, water) flows from tank 11 into flow path 20. Because pump 14 is causing the liquid to be treated to flow into flow path 20, degassing section 13 is under negative pressure, and gas dissolved in the liquid to be treated vaporizes in degassing section 13, generating bubbles. Furthermore, when the liquid to be treated passes through through-hole 13g, the liquid to be treated becomes even more negative pressure, causing the gas dissolved in the liquid to vaporize even more, generating bubbles. Then, the liquid to be treated flows from the peripheries of plate-like members 13b and 13c to the underside of plate-like member 13d, creating an even more negative pressure in the liquid to be treated, generating bubbles.

[0082] A vacuum pump 15 is connected to the casing 13a, and any bubbles generated inside the casing 13a are sucked in by the vacuum pump 15. By sucking out the bubbles generated inside the casing 13a by vacuum, degassing becomes possible in a shorter time and with higher efficiency. The liquid to be treated from which the bubbles have been removed flows into the downstream section 21c and the pump 14. Because the bubbles are sucked in by the vacuum pump 15, no bubbles flow out to the pump 14.

[0083] In liquid treatment device 2, flow path 20 constitutes a fluid circulation circuit, and the liquid to be treated that has been degassed in degassing unit 13G returns to tank 11, flows again through flow path 20, and is treated in degassing unit 13G. Therefore, by treating the same liquid to be treated multiple times in degassing unit 13G, the liquid to be treated can be degassed efficiently.

[0084] FIG. 13 is a graph comparing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the treated liquid with and without the vacuum pump 15. Note that FIG. 12(B) is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 12(A). In FIG. 13, the square plots indicate the amount of dissolved oxygen in the treated liquid when the flow control valve 12, degassing unit 13, and pump 14 are provided but the vacuum pump 15 is not provided, while the circle plots indicate the amount of dissolved oxygen in the treated liquid when the flow control valve 12, degassing unit 13G (with vacuum pump 15), and pump 14 are provided. From FIG. 12, it can be seen that when the vacuum pump 15 is provided, the amount of dissolved oxygen decreases more quickly than when the vacuum pump 15 is not provided, i.e., the treated liquid is more degassed. Note that the suction pressure of the pump 14 and vacuum pump 15 in FIG. 12 is -0.1 MPa.

[0085] According to this embodiment, by connecting a vacuum pump 15 to the degassing section 13 and using the vacuum pump 15 to collect the bubbles generated in the degassing section 13, the liquid to be treated can be degassed more efficiently.

[0086] In this embodiment, the vacuum pump 15, which is a vacuum source, is connected to the degassing unit 13, but the vacuum source connected to the degassing unit 13 is not limited to the vacuum pump 15. For example, an ejector can be used as the vacuum source.

[0087] Furthermore, the vacuum pump 15, which is a vacuum source, is not limited to being connected to the degassing unit 13. The vacuum source (for example, the vacuum pump 15) can be connected to any of the degassing units 13A to 13F.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a fluid circulation circuit is not essential, as in the first embodiment, and the liquid to be treated is not limited to water.

[0089] The above describes an embodiment of the present invention in detail with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention.

[0090] Furthermore, "substantially" is a concept that includes not only cases where something is strictly identical, but also errors or deformations that do not cause loss of identity. For example, "substantially orthogonal" is not limited to cases where something is strictly orthogonal, but also includes cases where something can be regarded as being the same as orthogonal. Furthermore, for example, when simply expressing something as orthogonal, parallel, coincident, etc., it includes not only cases where something is strictly orthogonal, parallel, coincident, etc., but also cases where something is approximately parallel, approximately orthogonal, approximately coincident, etc.

[0091] Furthermore, "vicinity" means including a certain range (which can be arbitrarily determined) near a reference position. For example, "near an edge" is a concept indicating a certain range near the edge, which may or may not include the edge.

[0092] 1, 2: Liquid treatment device 11: Tank 12: Flow rate adjustment valve 12g: Through hole 13, 13A, 13B, 13C, 13D, 13E, 13F, 13G: Degassing section 13a: Casing 13b, 13b-1, 13c, 13d, 131, 13n, 13p: Plate-shaped member 13e: Inlet opening 13f: Outlet opening 13g: Through hole 13h, 13i: Edge 13j: Side surface 13k: Support member 13m: Hole 13o: Inner wall surface 14: Pump 15: Vacuum pump 16: Flow rate adjustment valve 20: Flow path 21: Outlet path 21a: Upstream portion 21b: Midstream portion 21c: Downstream portion 21d: Water supply port 22 : Reflux route 111 : Outlet

Claims

1. A liquid treatment device comprising: a water supply port through which a liquid to be treated is supplied, and a flow path through which the liquid to be treated flows; a pump provided in the flow path and causing the liquid to be treated to flow from the water supply port into the flow path; and a degassing unit provided in the flow path upstream of the pump, wherein the degassing unit has a casing having a cylindrical section through which the liquid to be treated flows, and one or more baffles provided inside the cylindrical section, the baffles being rod-shaped or plate-shaped, and wherein when the casing is cut at a plane including the baffles, an opening through which the liquid to be treated passes is formed in an area surrounded by the inner wall surface of the cylindrical section.

2. The liquid treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the degassing unit has a vacuum source that reduces the pressure inside the casing.

3. A liquid treatment device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the casing is provided with a plurality of plate-like members that are the baffles, the plate-like members are provided with a plurality of first through holes through which the liquid to be treated passes, and the plurality of plate-like members are stacked so that the first through hole of a first plate-like member among the plurality of plate-like members partially overlaps with the first through hole of a second plate-like member adjacent to the first plate-like member.

4. A liquid treatment device as described in claim 3, characterized in that the casing has a first end face covering one end of the cylindrical portion, an inlet opening through which the liquid to be treated passes is formed in the first end face, the first plate-like member is provided on the first end face and abuts against the inlet opening, the peripheries of the first plate-like member and the second plate-like member do not abut against the inner wall surface, and the end faces of the stacked multiple plate-like members that do not abut against the first end face are covered by a third plate-like member to prevent the liquid to be treated from passing through.

5. A liquid treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the casing is provided with one or more baffle plates which are the baffles, the baffle plates have no holes formed therein, and the openings are between the baffle plates and the inner wall surface.

6. A liquid treatment device as described in claim 5, characterized in that one baffle plate is provided in the casing, the baffle plate is provided on a first end face that covers one end of the cylindrical portion via a support member, and the baffle plate and the first end face are spaced apart.

7. A liquid treatment device as described in claim 5, characterized in that the casing is provided with a plurality of baffles, the baffles are provided on the inner wall surface, and the plurality of baffles are provided on a first surface which is any surface perpendicular to the center line of the cylindrical portion, and / or on a second surface which is any surface perpendicular to the center line and different from the first surface, and on the first surface.

8. A liquid treatment device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the casing is provided with one or more baffle plates which are the baffles, and the baffle plates are provided with openings through which the liquid to be treated passes.

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