Portable water treatment device, water treatment structure, and operation condition determination method

Abstract

A portable water treatment device (1) is provided with an openable / closable portable case (2). The portable case (2) has stored therein in a connected state or a connectable state: a housing (3) configured such that a hollow fiber membrane element (E) can be attached thereto; a raw water pipe (4) provided with a raw water pipe valve (41); a filtrate pipe (5) provided with a filtrate pipe valve (51); an air pipe (6) including a first air pipe (61) provided with a first air pipe valve (611) and a second air pipe (62) provided with a second air pipe valve (621); and a drain pipe (7) provided with a drain pipe valve (71). In addition, a controller (9) is provided in the portable case (2).

Description

Portable water treatment device, water treatment structure, and operation condition determination method

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable water treatment device, a water treatment structure, and an operation condition determination method.

[0002] The membrane filtration technology using hollow fiber membranes is used in processes such as drinking water production, water purification plants, wastewater treatment, wastewater recovery, food filtration, the electronics industry, the bioindustry, and pharmaceutical manufacturing because it can perform water treatment with high safety and high quality.

[0003] When performing water treatment using hollow fiber membranes, a water filling process in which raw water is introduced from a raw water source to the hollow fiber membranes, a filtration process in which the raw water is filtered by the hollow fiber membranes, a cleaning process such as backpressure cleaning to remove contaminants deposited on the membrane surface of the hollow fiber membranes according to the filtration of the raw water, and a drainage process in which wastewater containing contaminants is discharged are repeated for each water treatment process. In order to stably perform each water treatment process of water treatment using hollow fiber membranes, it is necessary to set operation conditions for water treatment such as filtration flux and cleaning frequency according to the quality of the raw water in the raw water source.

[0004] Patent Document 1 discloses a technique related to a method for determining the operation conditions of a hollow fiber membrane module. In the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1, a filtration test of membrane filtration supply water is performed using a flat membrane having the same composition as the surface of the hollow fiber membrane used in the actual machine of the hollow fiber membrane module, and the operation conditions of the actual machine of the hollow fiber membrane module are determined based on the test results. The membrane filtration supply water for the filtration test using the flat membrane is collected through a water sampling pipe branched from the pipe connecting the actual hollow fiber membrane module and the pump for raw water supply. Further, as a cleaning method for the flat membrane, a method different from the cleaning process of water treatment in the actual machine of the hollow fiber membrane module, such as cleaning with pressurized water using a washing bottle, cleaning by stirring, and cleaning with an ultrasonic cleaner, is adopted.

[0005] The technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is based on the premise of conducting filtration tests using flat membranes, utilizing the piping and other components of an actual hollow fiber membrane module. Therefore, in situations where an actual hollow fiber membrane module is not installed at the water treatment site where the raw water source is located, it is not possible to conduct filtration tests using flat membranes unless the necessary piping and other structures for water treatment are constructed. In this case, there is a problem in that filtration tests cannot be conducted efficiently. Furthermore, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 uses flat membranes instead of hollow fiber membranes, and employs a cleaning method for the flat membranes that differs from the cleaning process used in the water treatment of an actual hollow fiber membrane module. Therefore, filtration tests using flat membranes have the problem of not being able to accurately reproduce each water treatment process in the water treatment of an actual hollow fiber membrane module.

[0006] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-115705

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a water treatment apparatus and water treatment structure that can efficiently conduct water treatment tests that accurately reproduce each water treatment process in an actual hollow fiber membrane module at a water treatment site with a raw water source, and to provide a method for determining the operating conditions of the actual apparatus.

[0008] A portable water treatment device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an openable and closable portable case, a housing, a raw water pipe, a filtrate pipe, an air pipe, and a drain pipe, all of which are stored in a state of being connected to or connectable to each other within the portable case. The housing is configured to be able to accommodate a hollow fiber membrane element, the end of which of the hollow fiber membranes is fixed by a fixing member. The raw water pipe has a raw water inlet to which a predetermined pump connected to a raw water source outside the portable case is connected, and a raw water pipe valve, and is configured to allow raw water introduced from the pump through the raw water inlet to flow into the housing. The filtrate pipe has a filtrate outlet for drawing the filtrate after filtration of the raw water by the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the portable case when the portable case is open, and a filtrate pipe valve, and is configured to allow the filtrate from the housing to flow into the filtrate outlet. The air pipe has an air inlet to which a predetermined compressor is connected, and an air pipe valve, and is configured to allow air introduced from the compressor through the air inlet to flow into the housing. The drain pipe has a wastewater outlet that allows wastewater from the housing to be drawn out of the portable case when the portable case is open, and a drain pipe valve, and is configured to allow wastewater from the housing to flow to the wastewater outlet. The portable water treatment device further comprises a controller placed inside the portable case that controls the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, the air pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve, respectively.

[0009] A water treatment structure used in a water treatment test according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a mounting plate, a housing fixed to the mounting plate in a state of being connected to or connectable to each other, a raw water pipe, a filtrate pipe, an air pipe, and a drain pipe. The housing is configured to be able to mount a hollow fiber membrane element, the end of which of the hollow fiber membranes is fixed by a fixing member. The raw water pipe has a raw water inlet to which a predetermined pump connected to a raw water source outside the mounting plate is connected, and a raw water pipe valve, and is configured to allow raw water introduced from the pump through the raw water inlet to flow into the housing. The filtrate pipe has a filtrate outlet for drawing the filtrate after filtration of the raw water by the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the mounting plate, and a filtrate pipe valve, and is configured to allow the filtrate from the housing to flow into the filtrate outlet. The air pipe has an air inlet to which a predetermined compressor is connected, and an air pipe valve, and is configured to allow air introduced from the compressor through the air inlet to flow into the housing. The drain pipe has a wastewater outlet that draws wastewater from the housing to the outside of the mounting plate, and a drain pipe valve, and is configured to allow wastewater from the housing to flow to the wastewater outlet.

[0010] A portable water treatment apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a first case body and a second case body, a mounting plate provided for the water treatment structure, fixed to the first case body, a controller fixed to the second case body for controlling the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, the air pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve in the water treatment structure, and electrical wiring for electrically connecting the controller and each of the valves.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for determining operating conditions, which involves conducting a water treatment test of a water treatment process including a filtration process and a washing process using the portable water treatment apparatus or water treatment structure described above, and determining the operating conditions for performing water treatment in the actual equipment based on the results of the water treatment test.

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water treatment apparatus and a water treatment structure that can efficiently conduct water treatment tests that accurately reproduce each water treatment process in an actual hollow fiber membrane module at a water treatment site with a raw water source, and also provide a method for determining the operating conditions of the actual machine.

[0013] This is a perspective view of the water treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention with the portable case open. This is a plan view of the water treatment structure applied to the water treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment, viewed from the first surface side of the mounting plate. This is a plan view of the water treatment structure applied to the water treatment apparatus according to the first embodiment, viewed from the second surface side of the mounting plate. This is a perspective view showing the mounting structure of the hollow fiber membrane element inside the portable case of the water treatment apparatus. This is a cross-sectional view showing the open and closed state of the lid portion relative to the case body portion of the first case body of the portable case. This is a perspective view explaining the relationship between the amount of protrusion of the first bracket and the second bracket relative to the mounting plate. This is a perspective view of the water treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention with the portable case open. This is a plan view of the water treatment structure applied to the water treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment, viewed from the first surface side of the mounting plate. This is a plan view of the water treatment structure applied to the water treatment apparatus according to the second embodiment, viewed from the second surface side of the mounting plate.

[0014] The portable water treatment apparatus and water treatment structure according to the present invention are used to set the operating conditions of a hollow fiber membrane module in accordance with the water quality of the raw water at the raw water source. This portable water treatment apparatus and water treatment structure is an apparatus and structure that enables water treatment tests that reproduce the water treatment of an actual machine at the water treatment site where the raw water source is located. Hereinafter, embodiments of the portable water treatment apparatus and water treatment structure according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (First Embodiment) A portable water treatment device 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 6.

[0016] The water treatment apparatus 1 is equipped with a portable case 2 that can be opened and closed. The portable case 2 is configured to be carried by a person. Inside the portable case 2, a water treatment piping system including a housing 3, a raw water pipe 4, a filtrate pipe 5, an air pipe 6, a drain pipe 7, and an exhaust pipe 8 is stored in a state where they are connected to each other or can be connected, and a controller 9 is also provided. In this embodiment, the water treatment piping system including the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, air pipe 6, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8 is fixed inside the portable case 2 in a state where they are connected to each other or can be connected. The water treatment piping system may not be fixed inside the portable case 2, but may be stored inside the portable case 2. In this case, the water treatment piping system may be removed from inside the portable case 2 and used for water treatment testing, or it may be fixed inside the portable case 2 and used for water treatment testing.

[0017] In the water treatment device 1, the water treatment piping system and controller 9 inside the portable case 2 are protected when the portable case 2 is closed. The water treatment device 1 can be transported to a water treatment site where the raw water source is located, with the water treatment piping system and controller 9 protected by the portable case 2 when it is closed. The external shape of the portable case 2 is not particularly limited, but for example, it has a rectangular parallelepiped shape when closed. The material of the portable case 2 is not particularly limited as long as it can protect the water treatment piping system etc. inside the portable case 2, but for example, it may be made of aluminum or an aluminum alloy for weight reduction. In addition, the portable case 2 may have a handle 24 at the top for the user of the water treatment device 1 to grip, or casters at the bottom, to improve portability.

[0018] The portable case 2 may have a sum of its length, width, and height when a rectangular prism is assumed to be circumscribing the portable case 2. Preferably, the sum of the length, width, and height of the rectangular prism is 203 cm or less, and more preferably 158 cm or less. Also, preferably, the sum of the length and width of the rectangular prism is 80 cm or more and 180 cm or less, more preferably 80 cm or more and 120 cm or less, and most preferably 80 cm or more and 100 cm or less. The total weight of the water treatment device 1 may be 25 kg or less. Preferably, the total weight of the water treatment device 1 is 23 kg or less, and more preferably 20 kg or less. By setting upper limits on the external dimensions of the portable case 2 and the total weight of the water treatment device 1 as described above, the portability of the water treatment device 1 can be improved. For example, when transporting the water treatment device 1 to a water treatment site with a raw water source using an international flight aircraft, it becomes possible to transport the water treatment device 1 as checked baggage on the international flight.

[0019] The portable case 2 comprises a first case body 21 and a second case body 22. Specifically, the portable case 2 comprises a rectangular box-shaped first case body 21 having a first opening 211, and a rectangular box-shaped second case body 22 having a second opening 221. The first case body 21 has a main surface portion 218 that extends in the vertical direction D1 and the horizontal direction D2 facing the first opening 211, a first side portion 214 and a second side portion 215 that are connected to one end and the other end of the main surface portion 218 in the vertical direction D1 and extend in the height direction D3, and a third side portion 216 and a fourth side portion 217 that are connected to one end and the other end of the main surface portion 218 in the horizontal direction D2 and extend in the height direction D3. In this case, the first side portion 214 constitutes one end of the first case body 21 in the vertical direction D1, and the second side portion 215 constitutes the other end of the first case body 21 in the vertical direction D1. The second case body 22, like the first case body 21, has a main surface portion and four side portions connected around the main surface portion. The first case body 21 and the second case body 22 are connected at their ends in the horizontal direction D2, for example by a hinge 23, so that they can be opened and closed. The portable case 2 may be configured to be self-supporting in a position where the first case body 21 is open relative to the second case body 22, with the first side portion 214, which constitutes one end of the first case body 21 in the vertical direction D1, positioned downwards. In this case, the hinge 23 may be equipped with a stopper to maintain the opening angle of the first case body 21 relative to the second case body 22 at, for example, about 120 degrees. The water treatment apparatus 1 can perform water treatment tests at a water treatment site where a raw water source is located, with the first case body 21 open relative to the second case body 22, the first side portion 214 of the first case body 21 positioned downwards and the second side portion 215 positioned upwards, and the portable case 2 standing upright.

[0020] As previously described, the portable case 2 contains a water treatment piping system including a housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, air pipe 6, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, which are fixed in a state where they are connected to each other or can be connected, and a controller 9 is also provided.

[0021] The housing 3 is configured to accommodate the hollow fiber membrane element E inside. When the hollow fiber membrane element E is installed inside the housing 3, a hollow fiber membrane module is formed that is a miniaturized version of the hollow fiber membrane module of the actual machine. The hollow fiber membrane element E is formed by fixing the end of the hollow fiber membrane E1 with a fixing member E2. The housing 3 has a cylindrical shape that extends in one direction so as to be able to accommodate the hollow fiber membrane E1 with the hollow fiber membrane element E installed. The housing 3 is fixed inside the portable case 2 so as to extend vertically along the vertical direction D1 when the portable case 2 is standing upright with the first side portion 214 of the first case body 21 positioned downwards and the second side portion 215 positioned upwards.

[0022] The hollow fiber membrane element E may be a double-ended type in which both ends of the hollow fiber membrane E1 are fixed by the fixing member E2, or it may be a single-ended free type in which only one end of the hollow fiber membrane E1 is fixed by the fixing member E2. In this embodiment, the hollow fiber membrane element E is a single-ended free type. In the single-ended free type hollow fiber membrane element E, as shown in Figure 4, with one end of the hollow fiber membrane E1 fixed by the fixing member E2, the opening E11 at one end of the hollow fiber membrane E1 is exposed to the end face of the fixing member E2. In the hollow fiber membrane element E, the fixing member E2 is mounted on the housing 3, and in this state the hollow fiber membrane E1 is housed inside the housing 3. When mounted on the housing 3, the fixing member E2 liquid-tightly partitions the space inside the housing 3 into a raw water storage space and a filtrate storage space in order to allow the hollow fiber membrane E1 to function as a filtration membrane. With the fixing member E2 attached to the housing 3, the raw water filling the housing 3 permeates from the outer surface to the inner surface of the hollow fiber membrane E1 and is extracted as filtrate from the one-end opening E11 at one end of the hollow fiber membrane E1 fixed to the fixing member E2.

[0023] In the hollow fiber membrane element E, the material of the hollow fiber membrane E1 can be the same material as that used in the actual hollow fiber membrane module, and preferably contains at least one selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyacrylonitrile, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polychlorotrifluoroethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinyl fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene copolymer, tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkyl vinyl ether copolymer, chlorotrifluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride, polysulfone, cellulose acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, and polyethersulfone.

[0024] Furthermore, in the hollow fiber membrane element E, the number of hollow fiber membranes E1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 10, and most preferably 1 to 5. Also, the length of the hollow fiber membrane E1 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 cm to 50 cm, more preferably 5 cm to 30 cm, and most preferably 5 cm to 25 cm. By setting the number and length of the hollow fiber membranes E1 as described above, it is possible to conduct water treatment tests that accurately reproduce the water treatment of the actual hollow fiber membrane module while suppressing the housing 3 in which the hollow fiber membrane element E is installed from becoming too large.

[0025] In a housing 3 that extends vertically along the vertical direction D1 while the portable case 2 is self-supporting in a position where the first side portion 214 of the first case body 21 is located downward and the second side portion 215 is located upward, the upper end is referred to as one end of the housing 3, and the lower end is referred to as the other end of the housing 3. A mounting joint 31 is provided at one end of the housing 3 to which a fixing member E2 of a hollow fiber membrane element E is detachably attached, and a retaining joint 32 is provided at the other end of the housing 3 to hold that end. The housing 3 is fixed inside the portable case 2 via the mounting joint 31 and the retaining joint 32. When the fixing member E2 is attached to the mounting joint 31, the space within the housing 3 from the mounting joint 31 to the retaining joint 32 becomes the raw water storage space from the base end E21 on the hollow fiber membrane E1 side of the fixing member E2 to the retaining joint 32, and the space within the mounting joint 31 beyond the tip E22 on the opposite side of the base end E21 of the fixing member E2 becomes the filtrate storage space.

[0026] As shown in Figure 1, the raw water pipe 4 has a raw water inlet 46 to which a pump P connected to a raw water source outside the portable case 2 is connected, and a raw water pipe valve 41. The raw water pipe 4 is configured to allow raw water introduced from the pump P through the raw water inlet 46 to flow into the housing 3.

[0027] The pump P may be located outside the portable case 2, but in this embodiment, it is fixed inside the portable case 2 in a state where it is connected to or can be connected to the raw water inlet 46 of the raw water pipe 4. In this case, the pump P has a raw water inlet P1 that is connected to a raw water source outside the portable case 2 when the portable case 2 is open, and a raw water outlet P2 that discharges the raw water that has flowed in from the raw water inlet P1. The pump P introduces raw water from the raw water source into the housing 3 via a retaining joint 32 and discharges filtrate from the housing 3 via a mounting joint 31. The pump P can be selected from, for example, a magnetic gear pump, a roller pump, a diaphragm pump, etc.

[0028] The raw water pipe 4 is fixed inside the portable case 2 and connected between the raw water outlet P2 of the pump P and the retaining joint 32 of the housing 3. The raw water pipe valve 41 of the raw water pipe 4 switches the flow and shut-off of raw water within the raw water pipe 4. When the pump P is activated, the raw water that flows out from the raw water outlet P2 flows through the raw water inlet 46 with the raw water pipe valve 41 open and is introduced into the housing 3 via the retaining joint 32.

[0029] The raw water pipe 4 may also be connected to a primary pressure sensor S1 and a temperature sensor S3. The primary pressure sensor S1 indirectly detects the pressure in the raw water storage space within the housing 3 by detecting the pressure inside the raw water pipe 4. The temperature sensor S3 detects the temperature of the raw water flowing through the raw water pipe 4.

[0030] The filtrate pipe 5 has a filtrate outlet 54 that allows the filtrate to be drawn out of the portable case 2 when the portable case 2 is open, and a filtrate pipe valve 51. The filtrate pipe 5 is configured to allow the filtrate from the housing 3 to flow through the filtrate outlet 54. The filtrate pipe 5 is fixed inside the portable case 2 and connected to the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3. The filtrate pipe valve 51 switches the flow of filtrate within the filtrate pipe 5 on and off. The filtrate drawn out from the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3 flows through the filtrate pipe 5 when the filtrate pipe valve 51 is open and is drawn out of the portable case 2 through the filtrate outlet 54.

[0031] A secondary pressure sensor S2 may be connected to the filtrate tube 5. The secondary pressure sensor S2 indirectly detects the pressure in the filtrate containment space within the housing 3 by detecting the pressure inside the filtrate tube 5.

[0032] The air pipe 6 is configured to allow air introduced from the compressor C to circulate to the housing 3. The air pipe 6 has a first air pipe 61 and a second air pipe 62.

[0033] The first air pipe 61 has a first air inlet 615 to which the compressor C is connected, and a first air pipe valve 611. The first air pipe 61 is configured to allow back-pressure cleaning air introduced from the compressor C through the first air inlet 615 to flow into the housing 3.

[0034] The second air pipe 62 has a second air inlet 627 to which the compressor C is connected, and a second air pipe valve 621. The second air pipe 62 is configured to allow bubbling cleaning air introduced from the compressor C through the second air inlet 627 to flow into the housing 3.

[0035] The compressor C may be located outside the portable case 2, but in this embodiment, it is fixed inside the portable case 2 in a state where it is connected to or can be connected to the first air inlet 615 of the first air pipe 61 and the second air inlet 627 of the second air pipe 62. In this case, the compressor C is fixed inside the portable case 2 with the regulator C1 connected, and introduces air for back-pressure cleaning into the housing 3 via the mounting joint 31 through the first air pipe 61, and introduces air for bubbling cleaning into the housing 3 via the retaining joint 32 through the second air pipe 62.

[0036] The first air pipe 61 is fixed inside the portable case 2 and connected between the regulator C1 of the compressor C and the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3. The first air pipe valve 611 of the first air pipe 61 switches the flow and blockage of back-pressure cleaning air within the first air pipe 61. When the compressor C is operated, the back-pressure cleaning air sent via the regulator C1 flows through the first air pipe 61 through the first air inlet 615 with the first air pipe valve 611 open and is introduced into the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3. When back-pressure cleaning air is introduced into the mounting joint 31, the filtrate inside the mounting joint 31 is pressurized by the back-pressure cleaning air. The pressurized filtrate enters the hollow fiber membrane E1 through one end opening E11 and is pushed out from the inner surface side to the outer surface side of the hollow fiber membrane E1. As a result, pollutants accumulated on the surface of the hollow fiber membrane E1 in response to the filtration of raw water are removed, and the wastewater containing these pollutants accumulates inside the housing 3.

[0037] The second air pipe 62 is fixed inside the portable case 2 and connected between the regulator C1 of the compressor C and the retaining joint 32 of the housing 3. The second air pipe valve 621 of the second air pipe 62 switches the flow and blockage of air for bubbling cleaning within the second air pipe 62. When the compressor C is activated, the air for bubbling cleaning sent via the regulator C1 flows through the second air pipe 62 through the second air inlet 627 with the second air pipe valve 621 open and is introduced into the housing 3 via the retaining joint 32. When air for bubbling cleaning is introduced into the housing 3, the hollow fiber membrane E1 oscillates inside the housing 3 filled with raw water, and this action causes pollutants attached to the membrane surface to peel off.

[0038] The drain pipe 7 has a wastewater outlet 74 that draws wastewater from the housing 3 to the outside of the portable case 2 when the portable case 2 is open, and a drain pipe valve 71. The drain pipe 7 is configured to allow wastewater from the housing 3 to flow to the wastewater outlet 74. The drain pipe 7 is fixed inside the portable case 2 and connected to the retaining joint 32 of the housing 3. The drain pipe valve 71 switches the flow of wastewater in the drain pipe 7 on and off. The wastewater drawn out from the retaining joint 32 of the housing 3 flows through the drain pipe 7 when the drain pipe valve 71 is open and is drawn out to the outside of the portable case 2 through the wastewater outlet 74.

[0039] The exhaust pipe 8 has an exhaust port 84 that draws gas from inside the housing 3 to the outside of the portable case 2 when the portable case 2 is open, and an exhaust pipe valve 81. The exhaust pipe 8 is configured to allow gas from the housing 3 to flow through the exhaust port 84. The exhaust pipe 8 is fixed inside the portable case 2 and connected to the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3. The exhaust pipe valve 81 switches the flow of gas within the exhaust pipe 8 on and off. When the hollow fiber membrane E1 is cleaned in response to the introduction of back pressure cleaning air and bubbling cleaning air into the housing 3, the gas remaining inside the housing 3 flows through the mounting joint 31 into the exhaust pipe 8 with the exhaust pipe valve 81 open and is drawn out to the outside of the portable case 2 through the exhaust port 84.

[0040] The controller 9 is composed of, for example, a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller 9 controls the opening and closing operations of the raw water valve 41, the filtrate valve 51, the first air pipe valve 611, the second air pipe valve 621, the drain pipe valve 71, and the exhaust pipe valve 81, as well as controlling the drive of the pump P and the compressor C. The controller 9 also receives detection signals from the primary pressure sensor S1, the secondary pressure sensor S2, and the temperature sensor S3. The controller 9 is fixed inside the portable case 2 and is electrically connected to the pump P, the compressor C, each valve, and each sensor by electrical wiring 93. In this case, the controller 9 outputs control signals to the pump P, the compressor C, and each valve via the electrical wiring 93, and receives detection signals from each sensor via the electrical wiring 93. A touch panel 91 may also be connected to the controller 9. The touch panel 91 accepts input operations for various commands from the user of the water treatment device 1 and displays information such as the status of the water treatment test performed by the water treatment device 1.

[0041] The controller 9 controls the pump P, compressor C, and each valve to perform each water treatment process in the water treatment test by the water treatment device 1, including the filling process, filtration process, backwashing process, bubbling process, and drainage process. The filling process is the process of introducing raw water that has flowed through the raw water pipe 4 into the housing 3 to fill the housing 3 with raw water. The filtration process is the process of filtering the raw water with the hollow fiber membrane element E inside the housing 3. The backwashing process and the bubbling process are cleaning processes in which air that has flowed through the first air pipe 61 and the second air pipe 62 is introduced into the housing 3 to remove pollutants from the hollow fiber membrane E1 inside the housing 3. The drainage process is the process of circulating the wastewater inside the housing 3 through the drain pipe 7 and draining it out.

[0042] The controller 9 first performs a water filling process. In the water filling process, the controller 9 controls to open the raw water pipe valve 41 and the exhaust pipe valve 81 from a state where all valves of the raw water pipe valve 41, the filtrate pipe valve 51, the first air pipe valve 611, the second air pipe valve 621, the drain pipe valve 71, and the exhaust pipe valve 81 are closed, and operates the pump P. Thereby, the raw water flowing out from the raw water outlet P2 of the pump P flows through the raw water pipe 4 through the raw water inlet 46, and the raw water is introduced into the housing 3 through the holding joint 32. Thereby, the housing 3 is filled with the raw water.

[0043] Subsequently, the controller 9 performs a filtration process. In the filtration process, the controller 9 controls to open the filtrate pipe valve 51 while keeping the raw water pipe valve 41 open and close the exhaust pipe valve 81 in a state where the pump P is continuously operated and the raw water overflows from the exhaust port 84. Thereby, the filtrate derived from the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3 after filtration by the hollow fiber membrane E1 flows through the filtrate pipe 5 and is drawn out to the outside of the portable case 2 through the filtrate outlet 54.

[0044] As time passes during the filtration process, contaminants in the raw water adhere to the membrane surface of the hollow fiber membrane E1, thereby reducing the filtration capacity. Therefore, the controller 9 performs a backpressure cleaning process and a bubbling cleaning process after performing the filtration process for a certain period of time.

[0045] In the back-pressure cleaning process, the controller 9 controls the pump P to stop, close the raw water pipe valve 41 and the filtrate pipe valve 51, and open the first air pipe valve 611 and the exhaust pipe valve 81, thereby operating the compressor C. As a result, back-pressure cleaning air from the compressor C flows through the first air inlet 615 into the first air pipe 61 and is introduced into the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3. When back-pressure cleaning air is introduced into the mounting joint 31, the filtrate inside the mounting joint 31 is pressurized by the back-pressure cleaning air. The pressurized filtrate enters the hollow fiber membrane E1 through one end opening E11 and is pushed out from the inner surface side to the outer surface side of the hollow fiber membrane E1. This removes pollutants accumulated on the surface of the hollow fiber membrane E1. Furthermore, any gas remaining inside the housing 3 flows through the exhaust pipe 8 from the mounting joint 31 while the exhaust pipe valve 81 is open, and is drawn out to the outside of the portable case 2 through the exhaust port 84.

[0046] Next, in the bubbling cleaning process, the controller 9 controls the compressor C to continue operating, keeping the exhaust pipe valve 81 open, closing the first air pipe valve 611, and opening the second air pipe valve 621. As a result, the air for bubbling cleaning from the compressor C flows through the second air inlet 627 and the second air pipe 62, and is introduced into the housing 3 via the retaining joint 32. When the air for bubbling cleaning is introduced into the housing 3, the hollow fiber membrane E1 oscillates inside the housing 3, which is filled with raw water, and this action causes contaminants attached to the membrane surface to peel off. The gas remaining inside the housing 3 flows through the exhaust pipe 8 from the mounting joint 31 with the exhaust pipe valve 81 open, and is drawn out to the outside of the portable case 2 through the exhaust port 84.

[0047] When the controller 9 performs the back pressure cleaning process and the bubbling cleaning process, wastewater containing pollutants removed from the hollow fiber membrane E1 accumulates in the housing 3. Therefore, the controller 9 performs a drainage process after cleaning the hollow fiber membrane E1.

[0048] In the drainage process, the controller 9 controls to stop the compressor C and close the second air pipe valve 621, and controls to open the drain pipe valve 71 while keeping the exhaust pipe valve 81 open. As a result, the wastewater flowing down naturally from the holding joint 32 of the housing 3 flows through the drain pipe 7 and is drawn out to the outside of the portable case 2 through the wastewater outlet 74.

[0049] After the completion of the drainage process, the controller 9 controls to close the drain pipe valve 71 and the exhaust pipe valve 81. As a result, all valves are in a closed state. The controller 9 can continue the water treatment test by repeatedly performing each water treatment process including the water filling process, the filtration process, the backpressure cleaning process, the bubbling cleaning process, and the drainage process.

[0050] As described above, the water treatment device 1 can be transported to a water treatment site where a raw water source is located, with the water treatment piping system and controller 9 protected by the portable case 2 when the portable case 2 is closed. Inside the portable case 2, the water treatment piping system, including a housing 3 on which a hollow fiber membrane element E can be installed, a raw water pipe 4, a filtrate pipe 5, a first air pipe 61, a second air pipe 62, a drain pipe 7, and an exhaust pipe 8, is fixed in a state where they are connected to each other or can be connected, and the controller 9 is also installed. In other words, the water treatment piping system necessary to perform each water treatment process, including the filling process, filtration process, back pressure washing process, bubbling washing process, and drainage process, using the hollow fiber membrane element E, is already constructed inside the portable case 2, and the controller 9 for controlling each water treatment process is also installed inside the portable case 2. Therefore, the user of the water treatment device 1 only needs to bring the water treatment device 1 to the water treatment site where the raw water source is located, open the portable case 2, and perform the preparation work for the water treatment test in this state. Specifically, the user installs the hollow fiber membrane element E into the housing 3, connects the pump P connected to the raw water source to the raw water inlet 46 of the raw water pipe 4, connects the compressor C to the first air inlet 615 of the first air pipe 61 and the second air inlet 627 of the second air pipe 62, connects the filtrate outlet 54 of the filtrate pipe 5 to a filtrate storage tank or the like, connects the wastewater outlet 74 of the drain pipe 7 to a wastewater storage tank or the like, and connects the controller 9, pump P and compressor C to a power source. This makes it possible to efficiently conduct water treatment tests that accurately reproduce each water treatment process in the actual hollow fiber membrane module. In addition, the pump P and compressor C may be fixed inside the portable case 2, or they may be brought to the water treatment site together with the portable case 2.

[0051] Alternatively, within the portable case 2, the water treatment piping system, including the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, may be consolidated and fixed in the first case body 21, while the controller 9 may be housed separately in the second case body 22. This makes it possible to prevent liquids such as raw water flowing through the raw water pipe 4, filtrate flowing through the filtrate pipe 5, and wastewater flowing through the drain pipe 7 from coming into contact with the controller 9 when the portable case 2 is open for water treatment testing. The pump P and compressor C may be fixed to either the first case body 21 or the second case body 22 when they are fixed inside the portable case 2. In the example shown in Figure 1, the pump P and compressor C are fixed to the second case body 22.

[0052] As shown in Figure 1, within the first case body 21, the retaining joint 32, which is the connection point with the drain pipe 7 in the housing 3, may be positioned at a predetermined distance L away from the first side portion 214 of the first case body 21, which is located below the portable case 2 when it is standing upright. The water treatment device 1 is used at a water treatment site where there is a raw water source, with the first case body 21 open relative to the second case body 22. That is, the water treatment device 1 is positioned with the portable case 2 standing upright, with the first side portion 214 of the first case body 21 located below and the second side portion 215 located above, and a water treatment test is performed in this state. At this time, since the retaining joint 32, which is the connection point with the drain pipe 7 in the housing 3, is positioned at a predetermined distance L away from the first side portion 214 of the first case body 21, wastewater in the housing 3 can be discharged by gravity from the wastewater outlet 74 through the drain pipe 7 during a water treatment test when the portable case 2 is standing upright.

[0053] Furthermore, the first case body 21 may have a mounting plate 20 fixed inside the first case body 21. The mounting plate 20 is fixed inside the first case body 21 so as to face the main surface portion 218. The mounting plate 20 has, for example, a rectangular plate shape. The size of the mounting plate 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can be fixed inside the first case body 21. The size of the mounting plate 20 is preferably such that, for example, the sum of the vertical and horizontal sides of the rectangular plate shape is 80 cm or more and 180 cm or less, more preferably 80 cm or more and 120 cm or less, and most preferably 80 cm or more and 100 cm or less, similar to the rectangular parallelepiped that circumsects the portable case 2.

[0054] The water treatment piping system, including the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, is fixed to the mounting plate 20. That is, as shown in Figure 2, the water treatment apparatus 1 may include a water treatment structure 1A. The water treatment structure 1A comprises a mounting plate 20 and a water treatment piping system. The water treatment piping system, including the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, is fixed to the mounting plate 20 in a state where they are connected to each other or can be connected. In this case, the water treatment structure 1A has a water treatment piping system built on the mounting plate 20 that is necessary for performing the filling process, filtration process, washing process including back pressure washing and bubbling washing, and drainage process of water treatment using hollow fiber membrane elements E. In the water treatment structure 1A, the water treatment piping system can be fixed to the first case body 21 as a whole by fixing the mounting plate 20 inside the first case body 21, and the water treatment piping system can be removed from the first case body 21 as a whole by removing the mounting plate 20 from inside the first case body 21.

[0055] As shown in Figure 1, the mounting plate 20 can be fixed to the first case body 21 using, for example, bolts B. In this case, the mounting plate 20 is fixed to the first case body 21 in such a position that the first surface 201 on one side in the thickness direction of the mounting plate 20 faces the first opening 211 of the first case body 21, and the second surface 202 of the mounting plate 20, opposite to the first surface 201, faces the main surface portion 218 of the first case body 21. In this case, as shown in Figure 2, the water treatment structure 1A is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 in a state where the water treatment piping system, including the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, is connected to each other or can be connected.

[0056] When water treatment tests are repeatedly performed using the water treatment device 1, it may be necessary to replace water treatment piping systems, hollow fiber membrane elements E, etc., that may become contaminated during the test.

[0057] As previously described, a mounting joint 31 is provided at one end of the housing 3, and a retaining joint 32 is provided at the other end of the housing 3. The main body of the housing 3 is made up of a cylindrical tube and may be detachably attached to the mounting joint 31 and the retaining joint 32. This makes it possible to replace the housing 3 in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the mounting joint 31 and the retaining joint 32.

[0058] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3 may have a first mounting joint 311 and a second mounting joint 312. The first mounting joint 311 is a pipe joint connected to one end of the housing 3 and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20, to which the base end E21 of the fixing member E2 of the hollow fiber membrane element E is detachably attached. The second mounting joint 312 is a pipe joint connected to the filtrate pipe 5 and the first air pipe 61, to which the tip E22 of the fixing member E2 of the hollow fiber membrane element E is detachably attached. The second mounting joint 312 is not fixed to the mounting plate 20. The first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312 allow for the attachment and detachment of the fixing member E2 of the hollow fiber membrane element E. This makes it possible to replace the hollow fiber membrane element E in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312.

[0059] The first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312 may be so-called one-touch joints that allow the fixing member E2 of the hollow fiber membrane element E to be attached and detached in a single operation. This makes it easier to attach and detach the fixing member E2 to the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312, and thus makes it easier to replace the hollow fiber membrane element E. The fixing member E2 of the hollow fiber membrane element E, when attached to the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312, functions as piping that connects the filtrate pipe 5 and the first air pipe 61 to the housing 3.

[0060] The first mounting joint 311 may be fixed to a first bracket BK1 which is provided projecting toward the first opening 211 side of the first case body 21 relative to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. Similarly, the retaining joint 32 may also be fixed to a first bracket BK1 which is provided projecting toward the first opening 211 side of the first case body 21 relative to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The first bracket BK1 is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20, for example, by bolts B. In this state, with the first mounting joint 311 fixed to the first bracket BK1 on the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20, the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312 allow the attachment and detachment of the fixing member E2 of the hollow fiber membrane element E at a position separated from the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 toward the first opening 211 side of the first case body 21. This makes it easier to replace the hollow fiber membrane element E in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312.

[0061] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the first case body 21 may have a case body portion 212 having a first side portion 214 located below the portable case 2 when it is standing upright, and a lid portion 213 connected by a hinge 21A to the end of the case body portion 212 opposite to the first side portion 214 so as to be openable and closable. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, the case body portion 212 is composed of a region on one end side of the vertical direction D1 of the first case body 21, including the first side portion 214. The lid portion 213 is composed of a region on the other end side of the vertical direction D1 of the first case body 21, including the second side portion 215. The lid portion 213 is configured to rotate around an axis extending in the lateral direction D2, allowing it to change its orientation between a position in which the second mounting joint 312 is covered from the other end in the vertical direction D1 by the second side portion 215 (as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5) and a position in which the second mounting joint 312 is not covered by the second side portion 215 (as shown by the solid line in Figure 5). The lid portion 213 can be opened and closed relative to the case body portion 212 by rotating around the axis. In this case, when the lid portion 213 is open relative to the case body portion 212 (as shown by the solid line in Figure 5), the second mounting joint 312 is released from being covered by the second side portion 215. For example, when mounting a hollow fiber membrane element E to the housing 3, the second mounting joint 312 is released when the lid portion 213 is open. Then, the base end E21 of the fixing member E2 is attached to the first mounting joint 311, which is positioned opposite the second mounting joint 312, and then the tip end E22 of the fixing member E2 is attached to the second mounting joint 312. In this way, with the lid 213 open, the hollow fiber membrane element E can be easily attached to the housing 3 via the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312. On the other hand, when removing the hollow fiber membrane element E attached to the housing 3, the second mounting joint 312 is opened with the lid 213 open. Then, the tip end E22 of the fixing member E2 is released from the second mounting joint 312, and then the base end E21 of the fixing member E2 is released from the first mounting joint 311.In this way, with the lid 213 open, the hollow fiber membrane element E attached to the housing 3 via the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312 can be easily removed.

[0062] As shown in Figure 2, the raw water pipe 4 may include a housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42, a valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43, a sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44, and a raw water pipe tube 45. The housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42 is a type of housing-side liquid pipe fitting connected to a retaining fitting 32 of the housing 3 and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43 is a type of valve-side liquid pipe fitting on which a raw water pipe valve 41 is provided and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44 has a primary pressure sensor S1 and a temperature sensor S3 connected to it, as well as a raw water inlet 46, and is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The raw water pipe tube 45 is a type of liquid pipe tube that is detachably connected between the housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42 and the valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43. Furthermore, a raw water pipe tube 45 is detachably connected between the valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43 and the sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44. The raw water pipe tube 45 is made of a flexible tube.

[0063] In the raw water pipe 4, the connection ports to which the raw water pipe tubes 45 of the housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42, the valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43, and the sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44 are connected are on the opposite side from the mounting plate 20 and face toward the first opening 211 of the first case body 21. In other words, the connection ports to which the raw water pipe tubes 45 of each pipe fitting are connected face toward the user side of the water treatment device 1. This makes it easy to attach and detach the raw water pipe tubes 45 to the housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42, the valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43, and the sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44. Therefore, it becomes easier to replace the raw water pipe tubes 45 in accordance with the attachment and detachment to the housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42, the valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43, and the sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44.

[0064] The housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42, the valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43, and the sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44 may be so-called one-touch fittings that allow the raw water pipe tube 45 to be attached and detached in a single operation. This makes it easier to attach and detach the raw water pipe tube 45 to the housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42, the valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43, and the sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44, and thus makes it easier to replace the raw water pipe tube 45.

[0065] The filtrate pipe 5 may include a housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52, a valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53, and a filtrate pipe tube 55. The housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52 is a type of housing-side liquid pipe fitting connected to a second mounting fitting 312 in the mounting fitting 31 of the housing 3 and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53 is a type of valve-side liquid pipe fitting provided with a filtrate pipe valve 51 and having a filtrate outlet 54, and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The filtrate pipe tube 55 is a type of liquid pipe tube detachably connected between the housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52 and the valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53. The filtrate pipe tube 55 is made of a flexible tube.

[0066] In the filtrate pipe 5, the connection ports to which the filtrate pipe tubes 55 of the housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52 and the valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53 are connected are on the opposite side from the mounting plate 20 and face toward the first opening 211 of the first case body 21. In other words, the connection ports to which the filtrate pipe tubes 55 of each pipe fitting are connected face toward the user side of the water treatment device 1. This makes it easy to attach and detach the filtrate pipe tubes 55 to the housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52 and the valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53. Therefore, it becomes easier to replace the filtrate pipe tubes 55 in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52 and the valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53.

[0067] The housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52 and the valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53 may be so-called one-touch fittings that allow the filtrate pipe tube 55 to be attached and detached in a single operation. This makes it easier to attach and detach the filtrate pipe tube 55 to the housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52 and the valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53, and thus makes it easier to replace the filtrate pipe tube 55.

[0068] The drain pipe 7 may include a housing-side drain pipe fitting 72, a valve-side drain pipe fitting 73, and a drain pipe tube 75. The housing-side drain pipe fitting 72 is a type of housing-side liquid pipe fitting connected to a retaining fitting 32 of the housing 3 and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The valve-side drain pipe fitting 73 is a type of valve-side liquid pipe fitting provided with a drain pipe valve 71 and having a wastewater outlet 74, and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The drain pipe tube 75 is a type of liquid pipe tube detachably connected between the housing-side drain pipe fitting 72 and the valve-side drain pipe fitting 73. The drain pipe tube 75 is made of a flexible tube.

[0069] In the drain pipe 7, the connection ports to which the drain pipe tubes 75 of the housing-side drain pipe fitting 72 and the valve-side drain pipe fitting 73 are connected are on the opposite side from the mounting plate 20 and face the first opening 211 side of the first case body 21. In other words, the connection ports to which the drain pipe tubes 75 of each fitting are connected face the user side of the water treatment device 1. This makes it easy to attach and detach the drain pipe tubes 75 to the housing-side drain pipe fitting 72 and the valve-side drain pipe fitting 73. Therefore, it becomes easier to replace the drain pipe tubes 75 in accordance with the attachment and detachment to the housing-side drain pipe fitting 72 and the valve-side drain pipe fitting 73.

[0070] The housing-side drain pipe fitting 72 and the valve-side drain pipe fitting 73 may be so-called one-touch fittings that allow the drain pipe tube 75 to be attached and detached in a single operation. This makes it easier to attach and detach the drain pipe tube 75 to the housing-side drain pipe fitting 72 and the valve-side drain pipe fitting 73, and thus makes it easier to replace the drain pipe tube 75.

[0071] The first air pipe 61 may include a first housing-side air pipe joint 612, a first valve-side air pipe joint 613, and a first air pipe tube 614. The first housing-side air pipe joint 612 is connected to a second mounting joint 312 in the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3 and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The first valve-side air pipe joint 613 is provided with a first air pipe valve 611 and has a first air inlet 615, and is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The first air pipe tube 614 is a tube that is detachably connected between the first housing-side air pipe joint 612 and the first valve-side air pipe joint 613. The first air pipe tube 614 is made of a flexible tube. The length and inner diameter of the first air tube 614 are preferably set to ensure sufficient force for the back-pressure cleaning air circulating within the first air tube 614. Therefore, the length is set to be greater than or equal to a predetermined standard length, and the inner diameter is set to be greater than or equal to a predetermined standard diameter.

[0072] In the first air pipe 61, the connection ports to which the first air pipe tubes 614 of the first housing-side air pipe fitting 612 and the first valve-side air pipe fitting 613 are connected are on the opposite side from the mounting plate 20 and face toward the first opening 211 of the first case body 21. In other words, the connection ports to which the first air pipe tubes 614 of each pipe fitting are connected face toward the user side of the water treatment device 1. This makes it easy to attach and detach the first air pipe tubes 614 to the first housing-side air pipe fitting 612 and the first valve-side air pipe fitting 613. Therefore, it becomes easier to replace the first air pipe tubes 614 in accordance with the attachment and detachment to the first housing-side air pipe fitting 612 and the first valve-side air pipe fitting 613.

[0073] The first housing-side air pipe fitting 612 and the first valve-side air pipe fitting 613 may be so-called one-touch fittings that allow the first air pipe tube 614 to be attached and detached in a single operation. This makes it easier to attach and detach the first air pipe tube 614 to the first housing-side air pipe fitting 612 and the first valve-side air pipe fitting 613, and thus makes it easier to replace the first air pipe tube 614.

[0074] The second air pipe 62 may include a second housing-side air pipe fitting 622, a second valve-side air pipe fitting 623, a speed controller-side air pipe fitting 625, and a second air pipe tube 626. The second housing-side air pipe fitting 622 is connected to a retaining fitting 32 of the housing 3 and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The second valve-side air pipe fitting 623 is equipped with a second air pipe valve 621 and is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The speed controller-side air pipe fitting 625 is connected to a speed controller 624 that can adjust the flow rate of bubbling cleaning air circulating in the second air pipe 62 and has a second air inlet 627, and is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The second air pipe tube 626 is a tube that is detachably connected between the second housing-side air pipe fitting 622 and the second valve-side air pipe fitting 623. Furthermore, a second air tube 626 is detachably connected between the second valve-side air tube fitting 623 and the speed controller-side air tube fitting 625. The second air tube 626 is made of a flexible tube.

[0075] In the second air pipe 62, the connection ports to which the second air pipe tubes 626 of the second housing-side air pipe fitting 622 and the second valve-side air pipe fitting 623 are connected are on the opposite side from the mounting plate 20 and face toward the first opening 211 of the first case body 21. In other words, the connection ports to which the second air pipe tubes 626 of each pipe fitting are connected face toward the user side of the water treatment device 1. This makes it easy to attach and detach the second air pipe tubes 626 to the second housing-side air pipe fitting 622 and the second valve-side air pipe fitting 623. Therefore, it becomes easier to replace the second air pipe tubes 626 in accordance with the attachment and detachment to the second housing-side air pipe fitting 622 and the second valve-side air pipe fitting 623.

[0076] The second housing-side air pipe fitting 622 and the second valve-side air pipe fitting 623 may be so-called one-touch fittings that allow the second air pipe tube 626 to be attached and detached in a single operation. This makes it easier to attach and detach the second air pipe tube 626 to the second housing-side air pipe fitting 622 and the second valve-side air pipe fitting 623, and thus makes it easier to replace the second air pipe tube 626.

[0077] Furthermore, in order to prevent the force of the bubbling cleaning air flowing through the second air pipe 62 from becoming too strong, the distance between the second valve-side air pipe fitting 623 and the speed controller-side air pipe fitting 625 is set to be shorter than the distance between the second housing-side air pipe fitting 622 and the second valve-side air pipe fitting 623.

[0078] The exhaust pipe 8 may include a housing-side exhaust pipe joint 82, a valve-side exhaust pipe joint 83, and an exhaust pipe tube 85. The housing-side exhaust pipe joint 82 is connected to a first mounting joint 311 in the mounting joint 31 of the housing 3 and fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The valve-side exhaust pipe joint 83 is provided with an exhaust pipe valve 81 and has an exhaust port 84, and is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The exhaust pipe tube 85 is detachably connected between the housing-side exhaust pipe joint 82 and the valve-side exhaust pipe joint 83. The exhaust pipe tube 85 is made of a flexible tube.

[0079] In the exhaust pipe 8, the connection ports to which the exhaust pipe tubes 85 of the housing-side exhaust pipe fitting 82 and the valve-side exhaust pipe fitting 83 are connected are on the opposite side from the mounting plate 20 and face the first opening 211 side of the first case body 21. In other words, the connection ports to which the exhaust pipe tubes 85 of each pipe fitting are connected face the user side of the water treatment device 1. This makes it easy to attach and detach the exhaust pipe tubes 85 to the housing-side exhaust pipe fitting 82 and the valve-side exhaust pipe fitting 83. Therefore, it becomes easier to replace the exhaust pipe tubes 85 in accordance with the attachment and detachment to the housing-side exhaust pipe fitting 82 and the valve-side exhaust pipe fitting 83.

[0080] The housing-side exhaust pipe fitting 82 and the valve-side exhaust pipe fitting 83 may be so-called one-touch fittings that allow the exhaust pipe tube 85 to be attached and detached in a single operation. This makes it easier to attach and detach the exhaust pipe tube 85 to the housing-side exhaust pipe fitting 82 and the valve-side exhaust pipe fitting 83, and thus makes it easier to replace the exhaust pipe tube 85.

[0081] In the raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, the housing-side filtrate pipe fitting 52, the first housing-side air pipe fitting 612, and the housing-side exhaust pipe fitting 82, which are connected to the mounting fitting 31 of the housing 3, may be fixed to the same first bracket BK1 as the mounting fitting 31. Similarly, the housing-side raw water pipe fitting 42, the second housing-side air pipe fitting 622, and the housing-side drain pipe fitting 72, which are connected to the retaining fitting 32 of the housing 3, may be fixed to the same first bracket BK1 as the retaining fitting 32. That is, in the raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, each housing-side pipe fitting connected to the housing 3 may be fixed to the first bracket BK1 on the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20.

[0082] Furthermore, in the raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, the valve-side raw water pipe fitting 43, sensor-side raw water pipe fitting 44, valve-side filtrate pipe fitting 53, first valve-side air pipe fitting 613, second valve-side air pipe fitting 623, speed controller-side air pipe fitting 625, valve-side drain pipe fitting 73, and valve-side exhaust pipe fitting 83 may be fixed to a second bracket BK2 which is provided separately and independently from the first bracket BK1 and protrudes from the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 toward the first opening 211 side of the first case body 21. That is, in the raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, each pipe fitting on the valve side where a valve is provided may be fixed to the second bracket BK2 on the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The second bracket BK2 may be fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20, for example, by bolts B.

[0083] As shown in Figure 6, the amount of protrusion H1 of the first bracket BK1 from the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 is greater than the amount of protrusion H2 of the second bracket BK2 from the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. In this case, compared to the case where the protrusion amounts of the first bracket BK1 and the second bracket BK2 are the same, the distance between each pipe fitting on the housing side and each pipe fitting on the valve side becomes longer in the direction of the protrusion of each bracket. This makes it possible to reduce the curvature of each pipe tube connected between each pipe fitting on the housing side and each pipe fitting on the valve side. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the decrease in fluid flowability of liquids and gases in the curved portions of each pipe tube.

[0084] Furthermore, in a structure in which the first bracket BK1 and the second bracket BK2, to which each pipe fitting constituting the water treatment piping system including the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8 are fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 by bolts B, as shown in Figure 3, nuts N are welded or otherwise attached to the second surface 202 of the mounting plate 20 at positions corresponding to each bolt B. This prevents the nuts N that screw with the bolts B from rotating together when the first bracket BK1 and the second bracket BK2 are fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 by bolts B.

[0085] Furthermore, a measuring instrument support member 2021 may be provided on the second surface 202 of the mounting plate 20. The measuring instrument support member 2021 can support a measuring instrument 94, for example, which measures the flow rate of the filtrate that flows through the filtrate pipe 5 and is discharged from the filtrate outlet 54. The measuring instrument 94 is composed of, for example, a balance scale or a flow meter. In a water treatment test using the water treatment device 1, the degree of clogging of the hollow fiber membrane E1 in the hollow fiber membrane element E can be detected based on the flow rate measurement result from the measuring instrument 94.

[0086] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of relay boxes 92 may be fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 inside the first case body 21. The relay boxes 92 relay electrical wiring 93 that electrically connects each of the valves, the raw water pipe valve 41, the filtrate pipe valve 51, the first air pipe valve 611, the second air pipe valve 621, the drain pipe valve 71, and the exhaust pipe valve 81, to the controller 9, and also relay electrical wiring 93 that electrically connects each of the sensors, the primary pressure sensor S1, the secondary pressure sensor S2, and the temperature sensor S3, to the controller 9. In this case, the electrical wiring 93 connecting each of the valves and sensors inside the first case body 21 to the controller 9 inside the second case body 22 is relayed by the relay boxes 92 fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 inside the first case body 21. In this case, the electrical wiring 93 connected to each valve and sensor within the first case body 21 is organized by the relay box 92, and the quality of the signals transmitted between the controller 9 and each valve and sensor via the electrical wiring 93 can be maintained. Furthermore, if it is necessary to disconnect the electrical wiring 93, for example when replacing each valve and sensor, the connection of the electrical wiring 93 can be disconnected in the relay box 92 within the first case body 21 without having to disconnect the electrical wiring 93 on the controller 9 side.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the second case body 22 may have a waterproof box 222 fixed inside the second case body 22. The controller 9 and touch panel 91 are housed in the waterproof box 222. This makes it possible to more reliably prevent liquids such as raw water flowing through the raw water pipe 4, filtrate flowing through the filtrate pipe 5, and wastewater flowing through the drain pipe 7 from coming into contact with the controller 9 and touch panel 91 when conducting water treatment tests with the portable case 2 open.

[0088] Furthermore, the inner diameters of the main body portion of the housing 3, the raw water pipe 4, the filtrate pipe 5, the first air pipe 61, the second air pipe 62, the drain pipe 7, and the exhaust pipe 8, which constitute the water treatment piping system including the housing 3, the raw water pipe 4, the filtrate pipe 5, the first air pipe 614, the second air pipe 626, the drain pipe 75, and the exhaust pipe 85 are not particularly limited, but are preferably 20 mm or less, more preferably 15 mm or less, and most preferably 12 mm or less.

[0089] Furthermore, the total volume of the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, and drain pipe 7 may be 1 liter or less. The housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, and drain pipe 7 constitute a liquid piping system through which liquids such as raw water, filtrate, and wastewater flow. By having a total volume of such a liquid piping system of 1 liter or less, the amount of raw water required in water treatment tests can be reduced.

[0090] (Second Embodiment) Next, a portable water treatment device 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 to 9. The water treatment device 1 according to the second embodiment basically has the same configuration as the first embodiment and provides the same effects, but the mounting structure of the water treatment piping system to the mounting plate 20 in the water treatment structure 1A is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0091] In the water treatment apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the water treatment structure 1A is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 inside the first case body 21, with the water treatment piping system, including the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, connected to each other or in a connectable state, similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, a compressor C and a regulator C1 may be fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 inside the first case body 21. In the example shown in Figure 7, the pump P is fixed inside the second case body 22, but this pump P may also be fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. The controller 9 is housed in a waterproof box 222 inside the second case body 22.

[0092] In the water treatment apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the water treatment piping system and the electrical wiring 93 are separated by a mounting plate 20 in the water treatment structure 1A. That is, the water treatment piping system is fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20, while the electrical wiring 93 is routed to the second surface 202 of the mounting plate 20. In this case, each relay box 92 that relays the electrical wiring 93 that electrically connects the raw water pipe valve 41, filtrate pipe valve 51, first air pipe valve 611, second air pipe valve 621, drain pipe valve 71 and exhaust pipe valve 81 in the water treatment piping system to the controller 9, and the electrical wiring 93 that electrically connects the primary pressure sensor S1, secondary pressure sensor S2 and temperature sensor S3 to the controller 9, is fixed to the second surface 202 of the mounting plate 20.

[0093] The mounting plate 20 has one first through-hole 203 and a plurality of second through-holes 204 through which electrical wiring 93 is inserted. Grommets 205 are attached to the first through-hole 203 and the second through-holes 204 to protect the electrical wiring 93 and to prevent the passage of liquid.

[0094] The first through-hole 203 is formed at the corner of the mounting plate 20. All electrical wiring 93 connected to the controller 9 passes through the first through-hole 203 from the first surface 201 to the second surface 202 of the mounting plate 20. The second through-hole 204 is formed at positions close to each valve and each sensor fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. Each electrical wiring 93 that has passed through the first through-hole 203 to the second surface 202 and relayed by the relay box 92 fixed to the second surface 202 passes through the second through-hole 204 from the second surface 202 to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20. Each electrical wiring 93 that has passed through the second through-hole 204 to the first surface 201 is connected to each valve and each sensor fixed to the first surface 201.

[0095] Each electrical wire 93 that electrically connects each valve and each sensor fixed to the first surface 201 of the mounting plate 20 within the first case body 21 to the controller 9 in the second case body 22 is routed between the first through hole 203 and each second through hole 204 on the second surface 202 side of the mounting plate 20.

[0096] As described above, in the water treatment apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment, the water treatment piping system and the electrical wiring 93 are separated by the mounting plate 20 in the water treatment structure 1A. This makes it possible to prevent liquids such as raw water flowing through the raw water pipe 4, filtrate flowing through the filtrate pipe 5, and wastewater flowing through the drain pipe 7 from coming into contact with the electrical wiring 93 when a water treatment test is performed with the portable case 2 open.

[0097] (Modified Embodiments) Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, the following modified embodiments may be taken.

[0098] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which a first case body 21 and a second case body 22 are connected in an openable and closable manner in a portable case 2 housing a water treatment structure 1A and a controller 9. However, the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. The first case body 21 and the second case body 22 may be separate and independent without being connected. In this case, the water treatment apparatus 1 comprises a first case body 21 and a second case body 22 that are separate and independent from each other, a mounting plate 20 provided by the water treatment structure 1A fixed to the first case body 21, and a controller 9 fixed to the second case body 22. Furthermore, the compressor C and the pump P may be fixed to either the first case body 21 or the second case body 22.

[0099] The mounting plate 20 of the water treatment structure 1A, which is fixed to the first case body 21, has the following valves fixed to it: raw water pipe valve 41, filtrate pipe valve 51, first air pipe valve 611, second air pipe valve 621, drain pipe valve 71, and exhaust pipe valve 81. In addition, the mounting plate 20 of the water treatment structure 1A has the following sensors fixed to it: primary pressure sensor S1, secondary pressure sensor S2, and temperature sensor S3.

[0100] The controller 9, fixed to the second case body 22, is electrically connected to each valve and sensor of the water treatment structure 1A, fixed to the first case body 21, by electrical wiring 93, and is also electrically connected to the pump P and compressor C by electrical wiring 93. The controller 9 controls the opening and closing operations of each valve of the water treatment structure 1A, and also controls the driving of the pump P and compressor C. The controller 9 also receives detection signals from each sensor of the water treatment structure 1A.

[0101] Furthermore, similar to the above embodiment, the first case body 21 to which the water treatment structure 1A is fixed may have a case body portion 212 and a lid portion 213 connected to the case body portion 212 by a hinge 21A so as to be openable and closable. In this case, when the lid portion 213 is open relative to the case body portion 212, the housing 3 of the water treatment structure 1A can be opened. On the other hand, when the lid portion 213 is closed relative to the case body portion 212, the housing 3 of the water treatment structure 1A cannot be opened. Specifically, when the lid portion 213 is open relative to the case body portion 212, the second mounting joint 312 is opened. For example, when mounting a hollow fiber membrane element E to the housing 3, the second mounting joint 312 is opened when the lid portion 213 is open. Then, the base end E21 of the fixing member E2 is attached to the first mounting joint 311, which is positioned opposite the second mounting joint 312, and then the tip end E22 of the fixing member E2 is attached to the second mounting joint 312. In this way, with the lid 213 open, the hollow fiber membrane element E can be easily attached to the housing 3 via the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312. On the other hand, when removing the hollow fiber membrane element E attached to the housing 3, the second mounting joint 312 is opened with the lid 213 open. Then, the tip end E22 of the fixing member E2 is released from the second mounting joint 312, and then the base end E21 of the fixing member E2 is released from the first mounting joint 311. In this way, with the lid 213 open, the hollow fiber membrane element E attached to the housing 3 via the first mounting joint 311 and the second mounting joint 312 can be easily removed.

[0102] In the above embodiment, a configuration was described in which the mounting plate 20 of the water treatment structure 1A is fixed inside the first case body 21 of the portable case 2, but the embodiment is not limited to this configuration. The water treatment structure 1A is portable. Therefore, the water treatment structure 1A can be carried to the water treatment site even if it is not fixed inside the portable case 2. In addition, the water treatment structure 1A can be carried in a case other than the portable case 2, such as a commercially available suitcase. In this case, the pump P, compressor C, controller 9, etc., other than the water treatment structure 1A can also be placed inside the suitcase.

[0103] The water treatment structure 1A is fixed to the mounting plate 20 in a state where the water treatment piping system, including the housing 3, raw water pipe 4, filtrate pipe 5, first air pipe 61, second air pipe 62, drain pipe 7, and exhaust pipe 8, is connected to each other or can be connected. In this case, the water treatment structure 1A has the water treatment piping system necessary for performing the filling process, filtration process, washing process including back pressure washing and bubbling washing, and drainage process of water treatment using the hollow fiber membrane element E already constructed on the mounting plate 20. Therefore, by using the water treatment structure 1A at a water treatment site with a raw water source, it becomes possible to perform a water treatment test using the hollow fiber membrane element E by mounting the hollow fiber membrane element E in the housing 3, connecting the pump P to the raw water pipe 4, and connecting the compressor C to the first air pipe 61 and the second air pipe 62.

[0104] Using the water treatment apparatus 1 or water treatment structure 1A according to an embodiment of the present invention, a water treatment test can be performed in which a water treatment process including at least a filtration step and a washing step is carried out, and based on the results of the water treatment test, an operating condition determination method can be implemented to determine the operating conditions when performing water treatment with an actual hollow fiber membrane module. Specifically, in the operating condition determination method, first, the user brings the water treatment apparatus 1 or water treatment structure 1A to the site where the raw water source is located and places the water treatment apparatus 1 or water treatment structure 1A in a predetermined position. Next, in the case of the water treatment apparatus 1, the user opens the portable case 2. The user then performs preparatory work such as attaching the hollow fiber membrane element E to the housing 3, connecting the pump P connected to the raw water source to the raw water inlet 46 of the raw water pipe 4, connecting the compressor C to the first air inlet 615 of the first air pipe 61 and the second air inlet 627 of the second air pipe 62, connecting the filtrate outlet 54 of the filtrate pipe 5 to a filtrate storage tank or the like, and connecting the wastewater outlet 74 of the drain pipe 7 to a wastewater storage tank or the like.

[0105] Next, in the method for determining operating conditions, a water treatment test is performed using the water treatment apparatus 1 or water treatment structure 1A to execute a water treatment process that includes at least a filtration step and a washing step. At this time, if the amount of raw water to be treated when performing water treatment in the actual machine is, for example, 50 liters or more, the amount of raw water to be treated in the water treatment test using the water treatment apparatus 1 or water treatment structure 1A is set to a range of, for example, 500 milliliters to 10 liters. By performing such a water treatment test using the water treatment apparatus 1 or water treatment structure 1A, the characteristics of the raw water can be understood in advance, and based on the results of the water treatment test, it is possible to determine, for example, an appropriate design flow rate when performing water treatment in the actual machine as an operating condition.

[0106] A water treatment test using the water treatment apparatus 1 or water treatment structure 1A can be performed, for example, by constant-pressure filtration or constant-flow filtration. In the method for determining operating conditions, it is preferable to repeat the water treatment process, which includes at least a filtration process and a washing process, three or more times during the water treatment test. In the case of constant-pressure filtration, for example, the design flow rate can be determined based on the average flow rate obtained in the water treatment test. In the case of constant-flow filtration, for example, the design flow rate can be determined based on the clogging rate or pressure change obtained in the water treatment test.

[0107] The specific embodiments described above mainly include inventions having the following configurations.

[0108] A portable water treatment device according to one aspect of the present invention comprises an openable and closable portable case, a housing, a raw water pipe, a filtrate pipe, an air pipe, and a drain pipe, all of which are stored in a state of being connected to or connectable to each other within the portable case. The housing is configured to be able to accommodate a hollow fiber membrane element, the end of which of the hollow fiber membranes is fixed by a fixing member. The raw water pipe has a raw water inlet to which a predetermined pump connected to a raw water source outside the portable case is connected, and a raw water pipe valve, and is configured to allow raw water introduced from the pump through the raw water inlet to flow into the housing. The filtrate pipe has a filtrate outlet for drawing the filtrate after filtration of the raw water by the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the portable case when the portable case is open, and a filtrate pipe valve, and is configured to allow the filtrate from the housing to flow into the filtrate outlet. The air pipe has an air inlet to which a predetermined compressor is connected, and an air pipe valve, and is configured to allow air introduced from the compressor through the air inlet to flow into the housing. The drain pipe has a wastewater outlet that allows wastewater from the housing to be drawn out of the portable case when the portable case is open, and a drain pipe valve, and is configured to allow wastewater from the housing to flow to the wastewater outlet. The portable water treatment device further comprises a controller placed inside the portable case that controls the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, the air pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve, respectively.

[0109] Furthermore, in the portable water treatment device described above, the pump may be fixed inside the portable case in a state where it is connected to or can be connected to the raw water inlet, and the compressor may be fixed inside the portable case in a state where it is connected to or can be connected to the air inlet. In this case, the controller is configured to control the pump and the compressor.

[0110] With this portable water treatment system, the water treatment piping system and controller inside the portable case are protected when the case is closed. The water treatment system can be transported to a water treatment site with a raw water source, with the water treatment piping system and controller protected by the portable case when it is closed. The portable case contains a water treatment piping system, including a housing capable of mounting hollow fiber membrane elements, a raw water pipe, a filtrate pipe, an air pipe, and a drain pipe, all connected or connectable to each other, and also houses a controller. In other words, the water treatment piping system necessary to perform each water treatment process, including the filling, filtration, washing, and drainage processes of water treatment using hollow fiber membrane elements, is already constructed inside the portable case, and a controller for controlling each water treatment process is also provided inside the portable case. Therefore, the user of the water treatment system only needs to bring the water treatment system to the water treatment site with the raw water source, open the portable case, and perform the preparation work for the water treatment test in this state. Specifically, the user installs the hollow fiber membrane element into the housing, connects the pump connected to the raw water source to the raw water inlet of the raw water pipe, connects the compressor to the air inlet of the air pipe, connects the filtrate outlet of the filtrate pipe to a filtrate storage tank or the like, connects the wastewater outlet of the drain pipe to a wastewater storage tank or the like, and connects the controller to the power supply. This makes it possible to efficiently conduct water treatment tests that accurately reproduce each water treatment process in the actual hollow fiber membrane module. The pump and compressor may be fixed inside the portable case, or they may be brought to the water treatment site together with the portable case.

[0111] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the housing, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, the air pipe, and the drain pipe may be fixed within the portable case in a state where they are connected to each other or can be connected to each other. The portable case may also have a first case body and a second case body. That is, the portable case may have a first case body having a first opening and a second case body having a second opening. The housing, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, the air pipe, and the drain pipe are fixed to the first case body, and the controller is housed in the second case body.

[0112] In this embodiment, the water treatment piping system, including the housing, raw water pipe, filtrate pipe, air pipe, and drain pipe, is consolidated and fixed into a first case body, while the controller is housed in a second case body, separate from the water treatment piping system. This makes it possible to prevent liquids such as raw water flowing through the raw water pipe, filtrate flowing through the filtrate pipe, and wastewater flowing through the drain pipe from coming into contact with the controller when conducting water treatment tests with the portable case open.

[0113] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the first case body may have a mounting plate fixed inside the first case body. The housing, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, the air pipe, and the drain pipe are fixed to the mounting plate.

[0114] In this embodiment, the water treatment piping system, consisting of a raw water pipe, a filtrate pipe, an air pipe, and a drain pipe, is fixed to a mounting plate. In this case, the water treatment piping system can be fixed collectively to the first case by fixing the mounting plate inside the first case, and the water treatment piping system can be removed collectively from the first case by removing the mounting plate from inside the first case.

[0115] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, a mounting joint may be provided at the end of the housing to which the fixing member of the hollow fiber membrane element is detachably attached. The mounting joint comprises a first mounting joint connected to the end of the housing and fixed to the mounting plate, to which the base end of the fixing member on the hollow fiber membrane side is detachably attached, and a second mounting joint connected to the filtrate pipe and the air pipe, to which the tip of the fixing member opposite to the base end is detachably attached.

[0116] In this embodiment, the first and second mounting joints at the ends of the housing allow for the attachment and detachment of the fixing members of the hollow fiber membrane element. This makes it possible to replace the hollow fiber membrane element in accordance with the attachment and detachment to the first and second mounting joints. Furthermore, when attached to the first and second mounting joints, the fixing members of the hollow fiber membrane element function as piping connecting the filtrate pipe and air pipe to the housing.

[0117] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the first mounting joint may be fixed to a bracket that protrudes from the mounting plate toward the first opening side of the first case body.

[0118] In this embodiment, the first mounting joint is fixed to a bracket that protrudes from the mounting plate toward the first opening side of the first case body. In this case, the first mounting joint and the second mounting joint allow the fixing members of the hollow fiber membrane element to be attached to and detached at positions separated from the mounting plate toward the first opening side of the first case body. This makes it easier to replace the hollow fiber membrane element in accordance with the attachment and detachment of the first mounting joint and the second mounting joint.

[0119] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the first case body may have a case main body and a lid that is openably connected to the case main body. In this case, when the lid is open relative to the case main body, the second mounting joint is opened.

[0120] In this embodiment, in the first case body, the second mounting joint is opened with the lid open relative to the case body. For example, when mounting a hollow fiber membrane element to the housing, the base end of the fixing member is attached to the first mounting joint, which is positioned opposite the second mounting joint that is opened with the lid open, and then the tip end of the fixing member is attached to the second mounting joint. In this way, the hollow fiber membrane element can be easily mounted to the housing via the first and second mounting joints with the lid open. On the other hand, when removing a hollow fiber membrane element mounted to the housing, the tip end of the fixing member is released from the second mounting joint that is opened with the lid open, and then the base end of the fixing member is released from the first mounting joint. In this way, the hollow fiber membrane element mounted to the housing via the first and second mounting joints can be easily removed with the lid open.

[0121] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, and the drain pipe may each have a housing-side liquid pipe fitting connected to the housing and fixed to the mounting plate, a valve-side liquid pipe fitting provided with the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve, respectively, and fixed to the mounting plate, and a liquid pipe tube detachably connected between the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting. In this case, the connection ports to which the liquid pipe tubes of the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting are connected face the first opening side of the first case body.

[0122] In this embodiment, the raw water pipe, filtrate pipe, and drain pipe are each configured to have a housing-side liquid pipe fitting and a valve-side liquid pipe fitting fixed to a mounting plate, and a liquid pipe tube detachably connected between the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting. In this configuration, the connection ports of the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting face the first opening side of the first case body, making it easy to attach and detach the liquid pipe tube to and from the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting. This makes it easier to replace the liquid pipe tube in accordance with the attachment and detachment to and from the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting.

[0123] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the air pipe may include a housing-side air pipe joint connected to the housing and fixed to the mounting plate, a valve-side air pipe joint provided with the air pipe valve and fixed to the mounting plate, and an air pipe tube detachably connected between the housing-side air pipe joint and the valve-side air pipe joint. In this case, the connection ports to which the air pipe tubes of the housing-side air pipe joint and the valve-side air pipe joint are connected face the first opening side of the first case body.

[0124] In this embodiment, the air pipe is configured to include a housing-side air pipe fitting and a valve-side air pipe fitting fixed to a mounting plate, and an air pipe tube detachably connected between the housing-side air pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting. In this configuration, the connection ports of the housing-side air pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting face the first opening side of the first case body, making it easy to attach and detach the air pipe tube to and from the housing-side air pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting. This makes it easier to replace the air pipe tube in accordance with the attachment and detachment to and from the housing-side air pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting.

[0125] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the housing-side air pipe fitting may each be fixed to a first bracket that protrudes from the mounting plate toward the first opening side of the first case body. The valve-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting may each be fixed to a second bracket that protrudes from the mounting plate toward the first opening side of the first case body. The amount of protrusion of the first bracket from the mounting plate is greater than the amount of protrusion of the second bracket from the mounting plate.

[0126] In this embodiment, the amount of protrusion from the mounting plate of the first bracket to which the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the housing-side air pipe fitting are fixed is greater than the amount of protrusion from the mounting plate of the second bracket to which the valve-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting are fixed. In this case, compared to the case where the protrusion amounts of the first bracket and the second bracket are the same, the distance between the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting, and the distance between the housing-side air pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting, become longer in the protrusion direction of each bracket. This makes it possible to reduce the curvature of each pipe tube, specifically the liquid pipe tube connected between the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting, and the air pipe tube connected between the housing-side air pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the decrease in liquid flowability in the curved portion of the liquid pipe tube and to suppress the decrease in air flowability in the curved portion of the air pipe tube.

[0127] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, a relay box that relays the electrical wiring connecting the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, the air pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve to the controller may be fixed to the mounting plate.

[0128] In this embodiment, the electrical wiring connecting each valve inside the first case to the controller inside the second case is relayed by a relay box fixed to a mounting plate inside the first case. In this case, the electrical wiring connected to each valve inside the first case is organized by the relay box, and the quality of the signals transmitted between the controller and each valve through the electrical wiring can be maintained. Furthermore, for example, when it is necessary to disconnect the electrical wiring when replacing each valve, the electrical wiring can be disconnected at the relay box inside the first case without having to disconnect the electrical wiring on the controller side.

[0129] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the portable case may be configured to be self-supporting in a position where one end of the first case is positioned downwards when the first case is open relative to the second case. Within the first case, the connection point between the housing and the drain pipe may be located at a predetermined distance from the one end.

[0130] In this embodiment, a water treatment test can be performed at a water treatment site where a raw water source is located, with the first case open relative to the second case and one end of the first case positioned downwards, allowing the portable case to stand independently. In this case, since the connection point for the drain pipe in the housing is located at a predetermined distance from one end of the first case, wastewater inside the housing can be discharged by gravity through the drain pipe to the wastewater outlet during a water treatment test while the portable case is standing independently.

[0131] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the second case may have a waterproof box fixed inside the second case. The controller is housed in the waterproof box.

[0132] In this embodiment, since the controller is housed in a waterproof box fixed inside the second case, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquids flowing through the raw water pipe, filtrate pipe, and drain pipe, each fixed to the first case, from coming into contact with the controller.

[0133] In the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the total volume of the housing, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, and the drain pipe may be 1 liter or less.

[0134] In this embodiment, the housing, raw water pipe, filtrate pipe, and drain pipe constitute a liquid piping system through which liquids such as raw water, filtrate, and wastewater flow. By keeping the total volume of such a liquid piping system to 1 liter or less, the amount of raw water required in water treatment tests can be reduced.

[0135] In the portable water treatment device described above, the portable case may have a sum of its length, width, and height of 210 cm or less when a rectangular parallelepiped is assumed to be circumscribing the portable case, and the total weight of the portable water treatment device may be 25 kg or less.

[0136] In this embodiment, the portability of the water treatment device can be improved by setting an upper limit on the external dimensions of the carrying case and an upper limit on the total weight of the water treatment device. For example, when transporting the water treatment device to a water treatment site where the raw water source is located using an international flight, it becomes possible to transport the water treatment device as checked baggage on the international flight.

[0137] A water treatment structure used in a water treatment test according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a mounting plate, a housing fixed to the mounting plate in a state of being connected to or connectable to each other, a raw water pipe, a filtrate pipe, an air pipe, and a drain pipe. The housing is configured to be able to mount a hollow fiber membrane element, the end of which of the hollow fiber membranes is fixed by a fixing member. The raw water pipe has a raw water inlet to which a predetermined pump connected to a raw water source outside the mounting plate is connected, and a raw water pipe valve, and is configured to allow raw water introduced from the pump through the raw water inlet to flow into the housing. The filtrate pipe has a filtrate outlet for drawing the filtrate after filtration of the raw water by the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the mounting plate, and a filtrate pipe valve, and is configured to allow the filtrate from the housing to flow into the filtrate outlet. The air pipe has an air inlet to which a predetermined compressor is connected, and an air pipe valve, and is configured to allow air introduced from the compressor through the air inlet to flow into the housing. The drain pipe has a wastewater outlet that draws wastewater from the housing to the outside of the mounting plate, and a drain pipe valve, and is configured to allow wastewater from the housing to flow to the wastewater outlet.

[0138] According to this water treatment structure, the water treatment piping system, including the housing, raw water pipe, filtrate pipe, air pipe, and drain pipe, is fixed to the mounting plate in a state where it is connected to each other or can be connected. In this case, the water treatment structure has the water treatment piping system necessary for the filling, filtration, washing, and drainage processes of water treatment using hollow fiber membrane elements already constructed on the mounting plate. Therefore, by using the water treatment structure at a water treatment site with a raw water source, it becomes possible to conduct water treatment tests using hollow fiber membrane elements by mounting the hollow fiber membrane elements in the housing, connecting the pump connected to the raw water source to the raw water pipe, and connecting the compressor to the air pipe.

[0139] A portable water treatment apparatus according to another aspect of the present invention comprises a first case body and a second case body, a mounting plate provided for the water treatment structure, fixed to the first case body, a controller fixed to the second case body for controlling the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, the air pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve in the water treatment structure, and electrical wiring for electrically connecting the controller and each of the valves.

[0140] Furthermore, in the portable water treatment apparatus described above, the first case body may have a case body and a lid that is openably connected to the case body. In this case, when the lid is open relative to the case body, the housing of the water treatment structure can be opened.

[0141] Another aspect of the present invention relates to a method for determining operating conditions, which involves conducting a water treatment test of a water treatment process including a filtration process and a washing process using the portable water treatment apparatus or water treatment structure described above, and determining the operating conditions for performing water treatment in the actual equipment based on the results of the water treatment test.

[0142] Furthermore, in the above method for determining operating conditions, the water treatment process, including the filtration process and the washing process, may be repeated three or more times in the water treatment test.

[0143] According to this method for determining operating conditions, the operating conditions for performing water treatment with the actual hollow fiber membrane module can be determined based on the results of water treatment tests using the above-mentioned water treatment apparatus or water treatment structure.

Claims

1. A portable water treatment apparatus comprising: an openable and closable portable case; a housing, a raw water pipe, a filtrate pipe, an air pipe, and a drain pipe, all of which are stored inside the portable case in a state of being connected to or capable of being connected to each other; the housing is configured to be able to accommodate a hollow fiber membrane element, the end of which of the hollow fiber membranes is fixed by a fixing member; the raw water pipe has a raw water inlet to which a predetermined pump connected to a raw water source outside the portable case is connected, and a raw water pipe valve, and is configured to allow raw water introduced from the pump through the raw water inlet to flow into the housing; the filtrate pipe has a filtrate outlet to allow the filtrate after filtration of the raw water by the hollow fiber membrane to be drawn out to the outside of the portable case when the portable case is open, and a filtrate pipe valve, and is configured to allow the filtrate from the housing to flow into the filtrate outlet. The air pipe has an air inlet to which a predetermined compressor is connected and an air pipe valve, and is configured to allow air introduced from the compressor through the air inlet to flow into the housing; the drain pipe has a wastewater outlet to which wastewater in the housing is drawn out to the outside of the portable case when the portable case is open and a drain pipe valve, and is configured to allow wastewater from the housing to flow to the wastewater outlet; the portable water treatment device further comprises a controller placed inside the portable case that controls the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, the air pipe valve and the drain pipe valve, respectively.

2. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pump is fixed inside the portable case in a state connected to or capable of being connected to the raw water inlet, the compressor is fixed inside the portable case in a state connected to or capable of being connected to the air inlet, and the controller is configured to control the pump and the compressor.

3. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, the air pipe, and the drain pipe are fixed inside the portable case in a state where they are connected to each other or can be connected, the portable case comprises a first case body having a first opening and a second case body having a second opening, the housing, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, the air pipe, and the drain pipe are fixed to the first case body, and the controller is housed in the second case body.

4. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the first case body has a mounting plate fixed inside the first case body, and the housing, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, the air pipe, and the drain pipe are fixed to the mounting plate.

5. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the end of the housing is provided with a mounting joint to which the fixing member of the hollow fiber membrane element is detachably attached, the mounting joint comprising: a first mounting joint connected to the end of the housing and fixed to the mounting plate, to which the base end of the fixing member on the hollow fiber membrane side is detachably attached; and a second mounting joint connected to the filtrate pipe and the air pipe, to which the tip of the fixing member opposite to the base end is detachably attached.

6. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the first mounting joint is fixed to a bracket provided that protrudes from the mounting plate toward the first opening side of the first case body.

7. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the first case body comprises a case body and a lid that is openably connected to the case body, and when the lid is open relative to the case body, the second mounting joint is opened.

8. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, and the drain pipe each have: a housing-side liquid pipe fitting connected to the housing and fixed to the mounting plate; a valve-side liquid pipe fitting provided with the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve, respectively, and fixed to the mounting plate; and a liquid pipe tube detachably connected between the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting, and the connection ports to which the liquid pipe tubes of the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side liquid pipe fitting are connected face toward the first opening side of the first case body.

9. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the air pipe comprises a housing-side air pipe joint connected to the housing and fixed to the mounting plate, a valve-side air pipe joint provided with the air pipe valve and fixed to the mounting plate, and an air pipe tube detachably connected between the housing-side air pipe joint and the valve-side air pipe joint, and the connection ports to which the air pipe tubes of the housing-side air pipe joint and the valve-side air pipe joint are connected face toward the first opening side of the first case body.

10. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the housing-side liquid pipe fitting and the housing-side air pipe fitting are each fixed to a first bracket provided that protrudes from the mounting plate toward the first opening side of the first case body, the valve-side liquid pipe fitting and the valve-side air pipe fitting are each fixed to a second bracket provided that protrudes from the mounting plate toward the first opening side of the first case body, and the amount of protrusion of the first bracket from the mounting plate is greater than the amount of protrusion of the second bracket from the mounting plate.

11. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 4, wherein a relay box for relaying electrical wiring that electrically connects each of the valves, the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, the air pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve, to the controller, is fixed to the mounting plate.

12. The portable case is configured to be self-supporting in a position where one end of the first case is positioned downward when the first case is open relative to the second case, and within the first case, the connection portion for the drain pipe in the housing is located at a predetermined distance from the one end, as described in claim 3.

13. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the second case body has a waterproof box fixed inside the second case body, and the controller is housed in the waterproof box.

14. The portable water treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the total volume of the housing, the raw water pipe, the filtrate pipe, and the drain pipe is 1 liter or less.

15. The portable water treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein, assuming a rectangular parallelepiped circumscribing the portable case, the sum of the length, width, and height of the rectangular parallelepiped is 210 cm or less, and the total weight of the portable water treatment apparatus is 25 kg or less.

16. A water treatment structure used in water treatment testing, comprising: a mounting plate; a housing fixed to the mounting plate in a state of being connected to or connectable to each other; a raw water pipe; a filtrate pipe; an air pipe; and a drain pipe, wherein the housing is configured to be able to mount a hollow fiber membrane element, the end of which of the hollow fiber membranes is fixed by a fixing member; the raw water pipe has a raw water inlet to which a predetermined pump connected to a raw water source outside the mounting plate is connected; and a raw water pipe valve, and is configured to allow raw water introduced from the pump through the raw water inlet to flow into the housing; and the filtrate pipe has a filtrate outlet for drawing the filtrate after filtration of the raw water by the hollow fiber membrane to the outside of the mounting plate; and a filtrate pipe valve, and is configured to allow the filtrate from the housing to flow into the filtrate outlet. The air pipe has an air inlet to which a predetermined compressor is connected and an air pipe valve, and is configured to allow air introduced from the compressor through the air inlet to flow into the housing. The drain pipe has a wastewater outlet for drawing wastewater from the housing to the outside of the mounting plate and a drain pipe valve, and is configured to allow wastewater from the housing to flow to the wastewater outlet, thus forming a water treatment structure.

17. A portable water treatment apparatus comprising: a first case body and a second case body; a mounting plate provided for the water treatment structure according to claim 16, fixed to the first case body; a controller fixed to the second case body for controlling the raw water pipe valve, the filtrate pipe valve, the air pipe valve, and the drain pipe valve in the water treatment structure; and electrical wiring for electrically connecting the controller and each of the valves.

18. The portable water treatment apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the first case body comprises a case body and a lid that is openably connected to the case body, and when the lid is open relative to the case body, the housing of the water treatment structure can be opened.

19. A method for determining operating conditions, comprising conducting a water treatment test of a water treatment process including a filtration step and a washing step using the portable water treatment apparatus described in claim 1 or the water treatment structure described in claim 16, and determining the operating conditions for performing water treatment in an actual machine based on the results of the water treatment test.

20. The method for determining operating conditions according to claim 19, wherein the water treatment process, including the filtration process and the washing process, is repeated three or more times in the water treatment test.

Images