Swirling shearing nozzle, emulsion separation device, emulsion removal device, and wastewater treatment device

Abstract

This swirling shearing nozzle is provided with a nozzle body that extends cylindrically in a first direction. The nozzle body includes a gas supply port for supplying a gas into the nozzle body in the first direction, a liquid supply port for supplying a liquid into the nozzle body in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a discharge port for discharging the liquid containing air bubbles from the nozzle body. The discharge port has a tapered shape expanding in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction toward the downstream side in the first direction.

Description

Swirling shear nozzle, emulsion separator, emulsion remover, and wastewater treatment device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to wastewater treatment technology using swirl shear nozzles.

[0002] In product manufacturing processes (e.g., cleaning processes and wastewater treatment processes), it is sometimes necessary to remove organic components from wastewater. These organic components often contain emulsions. JP 2015-155092 A discloses a technology for demulsifying emulsions contained in wastewater using a rotary shear type microbubble generator, thereby removing oil.

[0003] However, the technology of JP 2015-155092 A leaves room for improvement in emulsion treatment performance. In addition, in wastewater treatment, the construction of an overall efficient system is expected.

[0004] The present disclosure has been made to solve at least part of the above-mentioned problems, and can be realized, for example, in the following forms.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a swirling shear nozzle. The nozzle includes a nozzle body extending cylindrically in a first direction. The nozzle body has a gas supply port for supplying gas into the nozzle body in the first direction, a liquid supply port for supplying liquid into the nozzle body in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a discharge port for discharging the liquid containing gas bubbles from the nozzle body. The discharge port has a tapered shape that widens in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction toward a downstream side of the first direction.

[0006] With this nozzle, a liquid to be treated containing an emulsion (e.g., industrial wastewater) is supplied from a liquid supply port into the nozzle. The liquid flows in a first direction while swirling, and is then discharged from the discharge port. Because the discharge port has a tapered shape, the direction of the liquid flow at this time changes abruptly from the first direction to a direction along the tapered shape. This change in flow direction generates a large shear force. This large shear force can improve emulsion processing performance compared to conventional fine bubble generating nozzles. For example, it can remove surfactant adhering to the periphery of oil contained in the emulsion, improving demulsification performance. Alternatively, it can improve emulsion refinement performance.

[0007] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the nozzle is a property changing nozzle used to change the property of the emulsion. That is, the nozzle can be used for various processes involving a change in the property of the emulsion.

[0008] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, the nozzle is a demulsification nozzle used for demulsifying an emulsion. That is, the "change in physical properties" in the second aspect can include demulsification of an emulsion.

[0009] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, in the second or third aspect, the nozzle is an atomization nozzle used for atomization of an emulsion. That is, the "change in physical properties" in the second aspect can include atomization of an emulsion.

[0010] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the distance in the first direction between the base end and the tip end of the tapered shape in the first direction is 0.2 mm or more, and the distance in the second direction between the base end and the tip end is 0.2 mm or more. This aspect makes it possible to ensure a shear force that can effectively improve emulsion processing performance depending on the usage conditions of the nozzle.

[0011] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the nozzle is provided with a baffle member disposed opposite the discharge port and configured to change the direction of the flow of liquid discharged from the discharge port. According to this aspect, the flow of liquid discharged from the discharge port collides with the baffle member, causing its direction to change suddenly. This change in flow direction generates a shear force, thereby further improving emulsion processing performance.

[0012] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the nozzle includes a ball that faces the discharge port at a distance in a first direction and is held so as to be displaceable in the first direction. According to this aspect, the flow of liquid discharged from the discharge port collides with the ball, causing its direction to change suddenly. This change in flow direction generates a shear force, further improving emulsion processing performance. The ball is attracted toward the nozzle body by negative pressure in a central portion along the first direction within the nozzle body, and is also subjected to a force that moves it away from the nozzle body when the liquid discharged from the discharge port collides with the ball, so that the ball can be held in a floating state in a suitable position in the first direction.

[0013] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the nozzle body includes a first nozzle body and a second nozzle body. The first nozzle body and the second nozzle body are arranged so that the discharge outlet of the first nozzle body and the discharge outlet of the second nozzle body face each other and so that the directions of the swirling flows of the discharged liquid are opposite. According to this aspect, the liquid discharged from the discharge outlet of the first nozzle body and the liquid discharged from the discharge outlet of the second nozzle body collide with each other, causing rapid deceleration and generating a shear force, thereby further improving emulsion processing performance.

[0014] According to a ninth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an emulsion separation device. This emulsion separation device includes the nozzle of any one of the first to eighth aspects and a water tank in which the nozzle is installed. Liquid in the water tank is circulated within the water tank so that it is supplied to the nozzle from a liquid supply port, passes through the nozzle, and is discharged into the water tank from a discharge port, thereby separating emulsion within the water tank. With this emulsion separation device, emulsion in the liquid can be separated by repeatedly circulating the liquid between the water tank and the nozzle.

[0015] According to a tenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an emulsion removal device. This emulsion removal device includes: a nozzle according to any one of the first to eighth aspects; a first tank in which the nozzle is disposed, through which wastewater supplied to a liquid supply port and discharged from a discharge port flows; a second tank communicating with the first tank only above the upper end of the first tank and having a discharge port below the upper end of the first tank; and a removal device for removing oil trapped in air bubbles floating to the second tank. This emulsion removal device can efficiently separate the emulsion into oil and surfactant using the nozzle, and remove the separated oil by trapping it in the air bubbles. This improves emulsion removal performance.

[0016] According to an eleventh aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wastewater treatment system. This wastewater treatment system includes the emulsion separation device of the ninth aspect or the emulsion removal device of the tenth aspect, and a water treatment facility located downstream of the emulsion separation device or the emulsion removal device. The water treatment facility includes at least one of a biological treatment facility, a concentration facility, a flocculation facility, a centrifugal separation facility, and an ozone aeration facility. According to this wastewater treatment system, the emulsion contained in the wastewater to be treated is at least partially separated or removed, and then the wastewater is sent to the downstream water treatment facility. Therefore, the load on the downstream water treatment facility can be significantly reduced.

[0017] According to a twelfth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wastewater treatment system. This wastewater treatment system includes the emulsion separation device of the ninth aspect or the emulsion removal device of the tenth aspect, a flow equalization tank disposed downstream of the emulsion separation device or the emulsion removal device, and water treatment equipment disposed downstream of the flow equalization tank. According to this wastewater treatment system, the emulsion contained in the wastewater to be treated is at least partially separated or removed, and then the wastewater is sent to the subsequent flow equalization tank. Therefore, clogging of the piping for sending the wastewater to the flow equalization tank (e.g., the piping from the oil-water separation tank to the flow equalization tank) with emulsion can be suppressed.

[0018] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wastewater treatment system. The wastewater treatment system includes an emulsion separation device or emulsion removal device, and a water treatment facility located downstream of the emulsion separation device or emulsion removal device. The water treatment facility includes at least one of a biological treatment facility, a concentration facility, a flocculation facility, a centrifugal separation facility, and an ozone aeration facility. This wastewater treatment system can achieve the same effects as those of the eleventh aspect.

[0019] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a wastewater treatment system including an emulsion separation device or emulsion removal device, a flow adjustment tank disposed downstream of the emulsion separation device or emulsion removal device, and a water treatment facility disposed downstream of the flow adjustment tank. This wastewater treatment system can achieve the same effects as those of the twelfth aspect.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an emulsion removal device according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a wastewater treatment system using an emulsion removal device. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a wastewater treatment system using an emulsion removal device. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of an emulsion separation device according to a fifth embodiment.

[0021] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an emulsion removal apparatus 10 according to one embodiment. The emulsion removal apparatus 10 is an apparatus for demulsifying a liquid to be treated that contains an emulsion and removing the oil component separated thereby. The liquid to be treated may also contain unemulsified oil component, and the oil component may also be removed together with the liquid.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 1 , the emulsion removal apparatus 10 includes a nozzle 20, a first tank 30, a second tank 40, and a removal device 50. The emulsion removal apparatus 10 is supplied with a liquid to be treated (hereinafter simply referred to as liquid) from a tank 80 for liquid to be treated. In this embodiment, the tank 80 for liquid to be treated is partitioned into a first tank 81 and a second tank 82 by a partition wall 83. The partition wall 83 does not reach the bottom of the tank 80 for liquid to be treated. Therefore, the first tank 81 and the second tank 82 are in communication below the partition wall 83. However, the tank 80 for liquid to be treated does not necessarily have to include the partition wall 83.

[0023] The liquid in the tank 80 for the liquid to be treated is supplied from a second tank 82 to the nozzle 20 via a pump 84. The nozzle 20 is a swirling shear nozzle capable of generating fine bubbles.

[0024] Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the nozzle 20 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figure 2, the nozzle 20 includes a nozzle body 21 that extends cylindrically in a first direction D1. The nozzle body 21 has a gas supply port 22, a liquid supply port 23, and a discharge port 24. The gas supply port 22 and the liquid supply port 23 are located on one side of the nozzle body 21 in the first direction D1, and the discharge port 24 is located on the other side. The interior of the nozzle body 21 has a tapered portion 27. The tapered portion 27 is a portion whose inner diameter decreases along the first direction D1 toward the discharge port 24.

[0025] Liquid is supplied to the liquid supply port 23 from the second tank 82. The liquid supply port 23 opens in a direction intersecting the first direction D1 (more specifically, in the tangential direction of the cylindrical nozzle body 21). When liquid is supplied into the nozzle body 21 from the liquid supply port 23, a swirling flow is generated about the central axis AX1 of the nozzle body 21 along the first direction D1. This swirling flow has a velocity component directed toward the discharge port 24. Furthermore, centrifugal force acts on the liquid, generating negative pressure in the center 28 of the nozzle body 21 (near the central axis AX1). As a result, gas is drawn into the center 28 from the gas supply port 22 in the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the gas is air, but any gas (e.g., an inert gas) may be used instead of air.

[0026] The gas drawn into the center portion 28 gradually breaks up at the interface with the swirling flow and turns into bubbles. Furthermore, because the inner diameter of the tapered portion 27 gradually decreases toward the outlet 24, the swirling velocity of the swirling flow gradually increases. At the moment the swirling flow containing the bubbles is discharged from the outlet 24, the flow path cross section rapidly increases, causing the swirling velocity of the swirling flow to rapidly decrease. The difference in swirling velocity at this time shears the gas, generating fine bubbles. In an alternative embodiment, a portion having a constant inner diameter may be provided instead of the tapered portion 27. Here, fine bubbles are bubbles with a diameter of 100 μm or less, including so-called microbubbles (bubbles with a diameter of 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less). The bubble sizes referred to herein are those measured by a visualization method.

[0027] The discharge port 24 has a circular cross section perpendicular to the first direction D1. In this embodiment, the discharge port 24 has a tapered shape that widens in a second direction D2 toward the downstream side of the first direction D1. The second direction D2 is a direction perpendicular to the first direction D1 and is also a radial direction with respect to the central axis AX1. The distance in the first direction D1 between the base end 25 and the tip 26 of the tapered shape of the discharge port 24 is also referred to as the width W1. The distance in the second direction D2 between the base end 25 and the tip 26 is also referred to as the width W2.

[0028] With such a shape of the outlet 24, when the liquid leaves the outlet 24, the flow direction of the liquid changes abruptly along the tapered shape of the outlet 24. That is, the flow direction of the liquid changes abruptly from the first direction D1 to a direction toward the radially outward direction along the tapered shape of the outlet 24. This abrupt change in flow direction generates a large shear force. In other words, due to the tapered shape of the outlet 24, the nozzle 20 can significantly increase the shear force generated in the liquid ejected from the outlet 24 compared to conventional fine bubble generating nozzles.

[0029] Such a large shear force can cause changes in the physical properties of the emulsion contained in the liquid. Such changes in physical properties include demulsification and micronization of the emulsion. Demulsification here refers to the removal of surfactants attached around the oil contained in the emulsion in the liquid by shear force, separating the oil from the water. Micronization here refers to the division of the oil contained in the emulsion into small particles by shear force, with the surfactant still attached. Usually, demulsification and micronization occur simultaneously.

[0030] The widths W1 and W2 that define the tapered shape of the outlet 24 can be set appropriately depending on the capacity (flow rate) and dimensions of the nozzle 20, the water quality of the liquid to be treated, etc. If W1 ≧ 0.2 mm and W2 ≧ 0.2 mm, the outlet 24 can be easily processed and an effective increase in shear force can be expected. One or both of the widths W1 and W2 may be 0.5 mm or more, or 1.0 mm or more, or 2.0 mm or more.

[0031] Returning now to FIG. 1 for the explanation, the nozzle 20 is disposed in the first tank 30. In the example shown in FIG. 1, only the tip of the nozzle 20 (near the outlet 24) is located within the first tank 30. However, the entire nozzle 20 may be disposed within the first tank 30. In this embodiment, the first tank 30 has a cylindrical shape, and the nozzle 20 is disposed at its bottom. The second tank 40 also has a cylindrical shape, and concentrically surrounds the outer periphery of the first tank 30.

[0032] The second tank 40 is connected to the first tank 30 only above the upper end 31 of the first tank 30. Otherwise, the first tank 30 and the second tank 40 are completely isolated. The second tank 40 has an outlet 41 below the upper end 31 of the first tank 30. The liquid supplied into the first tank 30 from the outlet 24 of the nozzle 20 flows upward due to the pressure of the pump 84, overflows the upper end 31 of the first tank 30, and flows into the second tank 40. While the liquid flows through the first tank 30, the fine bubbles float up while capturing oil in the liquid. As described above, the emulsion contained in the liquid has been demulsified by the nozzle 20, so the fine bubbles can efficiently capture the oil contained in the emulsion. As the liquid overflows, the air bubbles that have trapped the oil (hereinafter also referred to as "captured air bubbles") also overflow from the upper end 31 of the first tank 30 and flow into the second tank 40. The liquid in the first tank 30 (including the captured air bubbles) can only flow from the first tank 30 into the second tank 40 via a path that overflows the upper end 31 of the first tank 30. For this reason, the captured air bubbles in the first tank 30 will never be discharged from the discharge port 41 without ever rising to near the liquid surface. A flow straightening member may be provided in at least one of the first tank 30 and the second tank 40, as appropriate.

[0033] The collected air bubbles that flow into the second tank 40 and remain near the water surface are removed from the liquid by the removal device 50 and discharged into the storage tank 90. ​​Specifically, the removal device 50 includes a scraper plate 51 and a motor 52. The scraper plate 51 is positioned so as to extend from above the water surface of the second tank 40 to slightly below the water surface. The scraper plate 51 is rotated parallel to the liquid surface by the motor 52. This scrapes off the collected air bubbles near the water surface of the second tank 40 and discharges them into a discharge chute (not shown). The discharge chute is located on the rotation path of the scraper plate 51, separated from the second tank 40, in a cross section not shown in FIG. 1 . The oil discharged into the discharge chute together with the air bubbles is stored in the storage tank 90 and periodically discharged.

[0034] Meanwhile, the liquid that has flowed into the second tank 40 is returned to the first tank 81 of the tank 80 for the liquid to be treated via the outlet 41. In this embodiment, as described above, the tank 80 for the liquid to be treated is partitioned into the first tank 81 and the second tank 82. Therefore, even if the collected air bubbles settle in the second tank 40 and are discharged into the first tank 81, as long as the collected air bubbles remain near the water surface in the first tank 81, the collected air bubbles can be scraped off and removed.

[0035] An example of a wastewater treatment system using the emulsion removal device 10 described above is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The wastewater treatment system 100 shown in FIG. 3 is a system for treating industrial wastewater and includes a flow rate adjustment tank 110, a biological treatment tank 120, a coagulation tank 130, a sedimentation tank 140, and the emulsion removal device 10. The flow rate adjustment tank 110 temporarily stores wastewater flowing from the factory and homogenizes the flow rate and quality of the wastewater flowing into the biological treatment tank 120. In this embodiment, the biological treatment tank 120 uses an aerobic treatment method, but it may also use an anaerobic treatment method or a combination of aerobic and anaerobic treatment methods. In the biological treatment tank 120, emulsion removal treatment removes or reduces factors that inhibit biological treatment, such as oil, and preliminarily separates and removes target components, such as solids, thereby improving the processing capacity of the biological treatment. In the coagulation tank 130, a flocculant is added to the wastewater after biological treatment to flocculate sludge and other substances in the wastewater. In the flocculation layer 130, emulsion removal treatment removes factors that inhibit flocculation, such as surfactants and oils, and separates and removes substances that should be flocculated, such as SS, in advance, thereby improving flocculation treatment capacity and reducing the amount of chemicals such as flocculants used. The flocculation tank 130 may be installed before the biological treatment tank 120. In the settling tank 140, flocs are settled and separated from the supernatant. A portion of the sludge obtained in the settling tank 140 is returned to the biological treatment tank 120, and excess sludge is disposed of as industrial waste.

[0036] The emulsion removal device 10 is connected to a flow rate adjustment tank 110. In this case, the flow rate adjustment tank 110 corresponds to the tank 80 for the liquid to be treated shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the wastewater stored in the flow rate adjustment tank 110 is led to the emulsion removal device 10, where it is demulsified and oil is removed, and then returned to the flow rate adjustment tank 110.

[0037] In this wastewater treatment system 100, wastewater stored in the flow control tank 110 undergoes emulsion removal by the emulsion removal device 10 before flowing into the biological treatment tank 120. In other words, emulsion removal by the emulsion removal device 10 is performed as pretreatment for the biological treatment tank 120. Therefore, compared to a wastewater treatment system not equipped with the emulsion removal device 10, the water quality load in the biological treatment tank 120 and downstream processes is significantly reduced. As a result, effects such as reduced aeration power in the biological treatment tank 120, reduced cleaning frequency of the biological treatment tank 120, and reduced excess sludge volume (i.e., the volume of sludge to be treated as industrial waste) are achieved. Furthermore, emulsions that were not completely removed by the emulsion removal device 10 are also micronized by the emulsion removal device 10, thereby improving the treatment efficiency in the biological treatment tank 120. Specifically, because the oil content that serves as food for microorganisms is micronized in the biological treatment tank 120, it becomes easier for the microorganisms to ingest the oil content, shortening the biological treatment time.

[0038] Wastewater treatment system 200 shown in Figure 4 is a system for treating industrial wastewater, and includes an oil-water separation tank 210, emulsion removal device 10, flow rate adjustment tank 110, biological treatment tank 120, coagulation tank 130, and settling tank 140. Oil-water separation tank 210 and emulsion removal device 10 are located inside a factory building. Flow rate adjustment tank 110, biological treatment tank 120, coagulation tank 130, and settling tank 140 are the same equipment as those shown in Figure 3, and are located in a wastewater treatment plant on or off the factory premises.

[0039] The emulsion removal device 10 is connected to an oil-water separation tank 210. In this case, the oil-water separation tank 210 corresponds to the tank 80 for the liquid to be treated shown in Fig. 1. In other words, the wastewater stored in the oil-water separation tank 210 is guided to the emulsion removal device 10, where it is demulsified and oil is removed, and then returned to the oil-water separation tank 210. The wastewater from which emulsion has been removed in this manner is sent from the oil-water separation tank 210 through piping 220 to piping 220.

[0040] The wastewater treatment system 200 as described above not only provides the same effects as the wastewater treatment system 100 shown in Fig. 3, but also prevents the piping 220 from being clogged with emulsion, thereby reducing the cost and labor required for maintaining the piping 220.

[0041] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle 320 according to the second embodiment. The nozzle 320 differs from the nozzle 20 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a baffle member 325 in addition to the same nozzle body 21 as the nozzle 20 according to the first embodiment. The baffle member 325 is disposed opposite the discharge port 24. In the example shown in Figure 5, the baffle member 325 is supported at a position spaced apart from the nozzle body 21 in the first direction D1 by a support member (not shown) extending from the nozzle body 21. In an alternative embodiment, the baffle member 325 may be attached to the nozzle body 21 so as to abut against the nozzle body 21. In this case, a flow path may be formed in the baffle member 325 to guide the liquid discharged from the discharge port 24 to the outside of the nozzle 320.

[0042] According to the nozzle 320, the liquid discharged from the discharge port 24 collides with the baffle member 325, causing the flow direction to change suddenly. This change in flow direction generates a shear force, which can further improve the emulsion demulsification performance and micronization performance.

[0043] FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle 420 according to the third embodiment. The nozzle 420 differs from the nozzle 20 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a ball 425 in addition to the same nozzle body 21 as the nozzle 20 according to the first embodiment. The ball 425 is disposed facing the discharge port 24 at a distance in the first direction D1 and is held displaceable in the first direction D1 by a support member (not shown) extending from the nozzle body 21. Specifically, the ball 425 is attracted toward the nozzle body 21 by negative pressure at the center portion 28 along the first direction D1 within the nozzle body 21, and is also subjected to a force moving away from the nozzle body 21 when liquid discharged from the discharge port 24 collides with the ball 425. The balance of these two forces acting on the ball 425 in opposite directions allows the ball 425 to be held in a floating state at a suitable position in the first direction D1. According to the nozzle 420, the flow direction of the liquid discharged from the discharge port 24 suddenly changes when it collides with the ball 425. This change in flow direction generates shear force, which can further improve the emulsion demulsification and micronization performance.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a nozzle 520 according to the fourth embodiment. The nozzle 520 differs from the first embodiment in that it includes two nozzle bodies 21 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 7, the two nozzle bodies 21 are distinguished as a first nozzle body 21a and a second nozzle body 21b. The first nozzle body 21a and the second nozzle body 21b are arranged so that the outlet 24 of the first nozzle body 21a and the outlet 24 of the second nozzle body 21b face each other and the swirling flow directions of the ejected liquid are opposite. With the nozzle 520, the liquid ejected from the outlet 24 of the first nozzle body 21a and the liquid ejected from the outlet 24 of the second nozzle body 21b collide with each other, causing rapid deceleration and generating shear force, thereby further improving the emulsion demulsification and micronization performance.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of an emulsion separation apparatus 610 according to the fifth embodiment. The emulsion separation apparatus 610 includes a water tank 615, the nozzle 20 according to the first embodiment, and a pump 84. The water tank 615 may be, for example, the flow rate adjustment tank 110 shown in FIG. 3 or the oil-water separation tank 210 shown in FIG. 4. In this case, the emulsion separation apparatus 610 may be installed instead of the emulsion removal apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Instead of the nozzle 20, nozzles 320, 420, 520, etc. may be used. The nozzle 20 is installed within the water tank 615. In the example shown in FIG. 8, the pump 84 is a land-based pump located outside the water tank 615, but it may also be a submersible pump located within the water tank 615.

[0046] The liquid in the water tank 615 is repeatedly circulated within the water tank 615, supplied via the pump 84 to the liquid supply port 23 of the nozzle 20 and then into the nozzle 20, passes through the nozzle 20, and is discharged from the discharge port 24 into the water tank 615. During this circulation process, the nozzle 20 breaks down the emulsion in the liquid, causing the oil to float to the surface. This separates the emulsion from the liquid in the water tank 615. The separated oil may be removed in a manner similar to that of the emulsion removal device 10, or in any other manner.

[0047] Although several embodiments have been described above, the above-described embodiments are intended to facilitate understanding of the present teachings and are not intended to limit the present invention. The present invention may be modified or improved without departing from the spirit thereof, and the present invention includes equivalents thereof. Furthermore, any combination or omission of the elements described in the claims and specification is possible within the scope of solving at least part of the above-described problems or achieving at least part of the effects.

[0048] For example, the nozzles 20, 320, 420, and 520 can be used in any emulsion removal device, emulsion separation device, or fine bubble generator that uses a rotary shear type nozzle, instead of the emulsion removal device 10 or emulsion separation device 610 having the above-mentioned configuration.

[0049] Furthermore, the first tank 30 and the second tank 40 may have any shape. For example, the first tank 30 and the second tank 40 may have a rectangular tubular shape instead of a cylindrical shape. Alternatively, the first tank 30 may be disposed outside the second tank 40 so that the first tank 30 and the second tank 40 are arranged side by side.

[0050] Furthermore, the nozzles 20, 320, 420, 520 and / or the emulsion remover 10 and / or the emulsion separator 610 can be used not only for liquids containing emulsions, but also for any liquid to be treated (e.g., liquids containing oil that is not in emulsion form). Furthermore, the nozzles 20, 320, 420, 520 can be used as property change nozzles that change the physical properties of emulsions, emulsion demulsifiers, and / or emulsion atomizers in various manufacturing processes, depending on the intended use. For example, the nozzles 20, 320, 420, 520 may be used to atomize emulsions in products (e.g., cosmetics, food, etc.) during their production process.

[0051] Furthermore, the biological treatment tank 120, coagulation tank 130, and sedimentation tank 140 of the wastewater treatment systems 100 and 200 can be replaced with any water treatment equipment. Such water treatment equipment can be at least one of biological treatment equipment, concentration equipment, coagulation equipment, centrifugation equipment, and ozone aeration equipment, or any combination thereof. For example, if the water treatment equipment includes a steam-heated concentrator, emulsion removal can be performed upstream of the concentrator, improving the concentration efficiency of the concentrator. In other words, this can prevent an oil film from forming on the surface of the wastewater, which would reduce the efficiency of heat exchange with steam.

[0052] Furthermore, the wastewater treatment systems 100, 200 may employ any nozzle and / or emulsion removal device and / or emulsion separation device capable of demulsifying and / or micronizing emulsions in place of the nozzles 20, 320, 420, 520 and / or emulsion removal device 10 and / or emulsion separation device 610.

[0053] 10...emulsion removal device, 20, 320, 420, 520...nozzle, 21...nozzle body, 21a...first nozzle body, 21b...second nozzle body, 22...gas supply port, 23...liquid supply port, 24...discharge port, 25...tapered base end of discharge port, 26...tapered tip of discharge port, 27...tapered portion, 28...center portion, 30...first tank, 31...upper end of first tank, 40...second tank, 41...discharge port, 50...removal device, 51...scraper plate, 52. ..Motor, 80...tank for liquid to be treated, 81...first tank, 82...second tank, 83...partition, 84...pump, 90...storage tank, 100, 200...wastewater treatment system, 110...flow adjustment tank, 120...biological treatment tank, 130...flocculation tank, 140...sedimentation tank, 210...oil-water separation tank, 220...piping, 325...baffle member, 425...ball, 610...emulsion separator, 615...water tank, D1...first direction, D2...second direction, AX1...central axis

Claims

1. A swirl shear type nozzle comprising a nozzle body extending cylindrically in a first direction, the nozzle body having a gas supply port for supplying gas into the nozzle body in the first direction, a liquid supply port for supplying liquid into the nozzle body in a direction intersecting the first direction, and a discharge port for discharging liquid containing gas bubbles from the nozzle body, the discharge port having a tapered shape that widens in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction toward the downstream side of the first direction.

2. A nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle is a property changing nozzle used to change the properties of an emulsion.

3. A nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle is a demulsification nozzle used for demulsifying emulsions.

4. A nozzle according to claim 2, wherein the nozzle is an atomization nozzle used for atomizing an emulsion.

5. A nozzle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the distance in the first direction between the base end and tip of the tapered shape in the first direction is 0.2 mm or more, and the distance in the second direction between the base end and tip is 0.2 mm or more.

6. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a baffle member disposed opposite the discharge port and adapted to change the direction of the flow of the liquid discharged from the discharge port.

7. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 6, comprising a ball that faces the discharge port at a distance in the first direction and is held so as to be displaceable in the first direction.

8. A nozzle according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the nozzle body includes a first nozzle body and a second nozzle body, and the first nozzle body and the second nozzle body are arranged so that the discharge outlet of the first nozzle body and the discharge outlet of the second nozzle body face each other and the directions of the swirling flows of the discharged liquid are opposite to each other.

9. An emulsion separation device comprising: a nozzle according to claim 3 and any one of claims 5 to 8 which include claim 3 as a dependent; and a water tank in which said nozzle is installed, wherein liquid in said water tank is supplied to said nozzle from said liquid supply port, passes through said nozzle, and circulates within said water tank so as to be discharged from said discharge port into said water tank, and emulsion is separated within said water tank.

10. An emulsion removal device comprising: a nozzle according to claim 3 and any one of claims 5 to 8 which depend on claim 3; a first tank in which the nozzle is disposed, the first tank being supplied to the liquid supply port and through which wastewater discharged from the discharge port flows; a second tank communicating with the first tank only above the upper end of the first tank, the second tank having a discharge port below the upper end of the first tank; and a removal device for removing oil trapped in air bubbles which rise to the surface of the second tank.

11. A wastewater treatment system comprising: an emulsion separation device according to claim 9 or an emulsion removal device according to claim 10; and water treatment equipment arranged downstream of the emulsion separation device or the emulsion removal device, wherein the water treatment equipment includes at least one of biological treatment equipment, concentration equipment, flocculation equipment, centrifugal separation equipment, and ozone aeration equipment.

12. A wastewater treatment system comprising: an emulsion separation device according to claim 9 or an emulsion removal device according to claim 10; a flow rate adjustment tank arranged downstream of the emulsion separation device or the emulsion removal device; and water treatment equipment arranged downstream of the flow rate adjustment tank.

13. A wastewater treatment system comprising: an emulsion separation device or emulsion removal device; and water treatment equipment located downstream of the emulsion separation device or emulsion removal device, wherein the water treatment equipment includes at least one of a biological treatment device, a concentration device, a flocculation device, a centrifugal separation device, and an ozone aeration device.

14. A wastewater treatment system comprising: an emulsion separation device or emulsion removal device; a flow rate adjustment tank located downstream of the emulsion separation device or emulsion removal device; and water treatment equipment located downstream of the flow rate adjustment tank.

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