JP7565710B2 - Assembled type reduced pressure filtration device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a filtration device, and in particular to an assembled reduced pressure filtration device.

In the filtration of fluids, a pressurized filtration device is generally used in which a flow circuit through which the raw fluid to be filtered flows is formed by a pipe, and a pressurizing means is used to increase the back pressure of the raw fluid, which is the pressure on the upstream side of the flow circuit, to cause the raw fluid to flow and pass through a filter to perform filtration. In contrast, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example, there is a depressurized filtration device in which the internal pressure of a filtration fluid container, which is the downstream side that stores the filtered filtration fluid, is reduced, and the fluid is filtered by passing through a filter when it is drawn into the filtration fluid container. Such devices generally include a raw fluid container that holds the raw fluid to be filtered, a filtration fluid container that stores the filtration fluid after filtration, and a means for depressurizing the filtration fluid container.

Patent Document 1 discloses a filtration system in which the raw fluid is filtered through a sample filter arranged between a sample container, which is a raw fluid container, and a filtrate storage bottle, which stores the filtrate, and the filtered filtrate is introduced into the filtrate storage bottle. In general, reduced pressure filtration devices have a compact structure that performs filtration at a low differential pressure below atmospheric pressure.

International Publication No. WO2008/52642

In a reduced-pressure filtration apparatus, an assembly-type reduced-pressure filtration apparatus that can be easily assembled or reconfigured while ensuring a high degree of airtightness is desired.
Furthermore, in an assembled reduced pressure filtration apparatus, if it were possible to eliminate the need to clean the fluid contacting members that come into contact with the fluid, the filtration apparatus would be one with high work efficiency.

An assembled reduced pressure filtration device comprising: a pump unit in which a degassing pump is disposed and which has a joint where an intake hole of the degassing pump is disposed; a first case unit having a hollow cylindrical shape with a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end, which does not come into contact with fluid; a first inner container having a fluid inlet at one end and a holding portion for holding a fluid; and a second inner container having a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid outlet at the other end that is smaller than the fluid inlet and has a holding portion for holding a fluid between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, wherein the first case unit is arranged so that the first opening of the first case unit and the intake hole of the pump unit are fluidically connected. The problem is solved by an assembled reduced pressure filtration device in which the first opening of the second case unit can be joined to the pump unit by sandwiching a first seal member between the second opening of the first case unit and the edge of the fluid inlet of the first inner container between the first seal member and the second opening of the first case unit so that the second opening of the first case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the first inner container, and the second inner container can be joined to sandwich a second seal member between the edge of the fluid inlet of the second inner container and the second opening of the second case unit so that the second opening of the second case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the second inner container.

The present invention makes it possible to realize an assembly-type reduced pressure filtration device that can be assembled or reconfigured with a simple structure and allows for easy replacement of fluid-contacting parts.

1 is a perspective view of an assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to one embodiment of the present invention, taken along line AA of FIG. 1A. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an assembled vacuum filtration device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of an assembled vacuum filtration apparatus according to the present invention; 1 is a perspective view showing the entire assembly type reduced pressure filtration device (assembled state) according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 1 is a perspective view showing the entire assembly type reduced pressure filtration device (separated state) according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view showing the cross section BB of FIG. 2A, which is a cross-sectional view showing the assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to the first embodiment of the present invention in a connected state. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to a third embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention in an assembled state.

With reference to Figures 1A to 1D, an assembly-type reduced pressure filtration device (hereinafter simply referred to as filtration device) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Figure 1A is a perspective view showing the assembled state of filtration device 1 according to a basic embodiment. Figure 1B is a view showing cross section A-A of Figure 1A. Figure 1C is a view of filtration device 1 according to another embodiment, in which the method of joining units is different. Figure 1D is a view showing a filtration device 1 in which multiple units are stacked.

(Schematic configuration of the filtration device)
The filtration device 1 includes a pump unit 2 having a joint in which a degassing pump 2a is disposed and an intake hole 2b of the degassing pump is disposed, a plurality of case units 3, a plurality of inner containers 4, and a plurality of sealing members 5. The object to be filtered is a fluid including both liquid and gas.

Each of the multiple case units 3 has a hollow cylindrical shape with a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end. The multiple case units 3 are structured to be used by stacking them one on top of the other. A typical shape is a hollow cylinder, but it may be a prism with a polygonal cross section, such as a hollow rectangular prism with a square cross section. The shapes of the multiple case units 3 can typically be the same. By making them the same shape, it is possible to standardize the shapes. Here, the multiple case units 3 are each cylindrical with a circular cross section of the hollow part, and the central axis of the cross section is assumed to be CL. Even if the shape is not cylindrical, it is desirable that the first opening and the second opening of each of the multiple case units 3 have mutually defined centers, and that a central axis CL connecting the central axes can be defined.

The multiple case units 3 have at least a first case unit 3a and a second case unit 3b. The number of multiple case units 3 can be set to two or more as necessary. For example, when the number of case units 3 is three, the first case unit 3a, the second case unit 3b, and the third case unit 3c can be added. When the number of multiple case units 3 is four, a fourth case unit 3d can be added, when the number is five, a fifth case unit 3e can be added, and when the number is six, a sixth case unit 3f can be added. Furthermore, the number of case units 3 can be increased as necessary. Each case unit 3 is configured so that its inner surface does not come into contact with the fluid.

Each of the multiple inner containers 4 has a fluid inlet at one end and a holding portion for holding fluid at the other end. The inner container 4 is used by inserting the holding portion for holding fluid into the hollow portion of the multiple case units 3 from the second openings of the multiple case units 3, and joining the multiple case units 3 so that the fluid inlet of the inner container 4 becomes the first opening of the case unit 3 and the edge of the fluid inlet of the inner container 4 is supported by the second openings of the multiple case units 3. By stacking the multiple case units 3 in a multi-stage structure, each of the multiple inner containers 4 also has a multi-stage structure in which the multiple case units 3 are stacked. When the multiple case units 3 are stacked, the central axis CL is oriented vertically.

Even if the inner container 4 has a multi-stage structure, its rigidity is borne by the case unit 3, so the rigidity of the inner container 4 can be set lower than that of the case unit 3. In addition, since the inner container 4 is a fluid-contacting member, it is generally preferable to use it as a disposable member. Therefore, it is desirable that it is inexpensive and has corrosion resistance and chemical resistance against fluids. From the viewpoint of inexpensiveness and corrosion resistance and chemical resistance, for example, olefin-based thermoplastic resins (crystalline) (polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (HDPE, LDPE, HMPE)), polyamide (PA66, PA6, PA12), fluorine-based (PFA, PTFE, ETFE, ECTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC), sulfone-based (polysulfone, polyethersulfone, polyphenylsulfone), and other metals and glasses such as stainless steel (SUS316L, SUS316, SUS304) can be selected. This allows the case unit 3 to be designed for repeated use, while the inner container 4 can be designed for disposable use, so that it can be replaced and discarded each time a filtration process is completed.

The multiple inner containers 4 include at least a first inner container 4a and a second inner container 4b. The number of inner containers 4 is set to the same number as the number of case units 3. When the number of case units 3 is two, the inner container 4 is composed of a first inner container 4a and a second inner container 4b. When the number of case units 3 is three, the inner container 4 can be composed of a third inner container 4c in addition to the first inner container 4a. When the number of case units 3 is four, a fourth inner container 4d can be added, when the number is five, a fifth inner container 4e can be added, and when the number is six, a sixth inner container 4f can be added. Furthermore, if necessary, the number can be increased to the same number as the number of case units 3. Each inner container 4 is configured to hold or flow a fluid on its inner surface.

When multiple inner containers 4 are stacked, the inner container 4 located at the bottom is the first inner container 4a. The first inner container 4a functions as a filtration fluid container having a holding portion that holds the fluid after filtration. No holes are arranged in the holding portion that holds the fluid of the filtration fluid container. On the other hand, when multiple inner containers 4 are stacked, the second inner container 4b, the third inner container 4c, the fourth inner container 4d, the fifth inner container 4e, and the sixth inner container 4f, which are the inner containers 4 stacked on the first inner container 4a, have a fluid outlet smaller in size than the fluid inlet in the holding portion at the other end, which is the end opposite to the end where the fluid inlet is located. The second inner container 4b, the third inner container 4c, the fourth inner container 4d, the fifth inner container 4e, and the sixth inner container 4f are configured to function as a filter unit, an adsorbent unit, and a rectification unit by selecting and arranging one of a filter, an adsorbent such as activated carbon, and a rectification structure in each holding portion. The shape of the holding part of each inner container 4 can be freely changed and can be selected as the optimum shape depending on the shape characteristics of the filter and adsorbent placed inside the holding part and the flow straightening structure, as long as it can be stored inside the case unit 3. In other words, it is not restricted to the shapes shown in Figures 1B to 1D. The distance between one end where the fluid inlet of the inner container 4 is located and the other end on the opposite side is set to be shorter than the distance between the first opening and the second opening of the case unit 3.

The multiple case units 3 and the multiple inner containers 4 are connected with a sealing member 5. The multiple case units 3 and the multiple inner containers 4 are connected with the sealing member 5 and placed on the pump unit 2 to form the filtration device 1. At that time, the multiple inner containers 4 can be configured to function as a filter container, an adsorbent container, or a flow straightening container to form the filtration device 1. By operating the pump unit 2, the gas in the inner container 4 is exhausted, and the filtration device 1 functions as an assembled reduced pressure filtration device that can be easily recombined into various types of filtration forms required to filter and remove foreign matter contained in the fluid and obtain the desired fluid. The sealing member 5 is preferably made of a flexible resin such as neoprene rubber, and is preferably made of a material that is highly airtight when deformed.

(Detailed configuration of the filtration device)
Next, how to combine the pump unit 2, the case unit 3, the inner container 4, and the seal member 5 to configure the filtration device 1 will be described. FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show the filtration device 1 in a basic form. The basic form of the filtration device 1 shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B is a form in which a two-stage unit configuration, consisting of a filter unit in which a filter for filtering a fluid to be filtered is disposed, and a filtrate fluid unit for holding the filtered fluid, is disposed on the pump unit 2. Here, in this specification, the number of stages of the unit configuration is defined as corresponding to the number of case units 3 disposed on the pump unit 2. That is, when the number of case units 3 disposed on the pump unit 2 is two, it is called a two-stage type, and when the number is N, it is defined as an N-stage type. In addition, the designation "Nth stage" of the number of stages means that the lowest stage (directly above the pump unit 2) is the first stage, and "Nth stage" means the Nth stage above the first stage directly above the pump unit 2, and is defined so that the number of stages increases from the bottom to the top.

The pump unit 2 is a unit with a housing that supports all units and has a degassing pump 2a disposed inside and is located at the bottom of the filtration device 1. An intake hole 2b is disposed on the top surface of the pump unit 2, which is connected to a pipeline for introducing the sucked gas into the inside of the degassing pump.

The basic form of the filtration device 1 is configured with two case units 3 consisting of a first case unit 3a and a second case unit 3b, and two inner containers 4 consisting of a first inner container 4a and a second inner container 4b. The pump unit 2 has a joint 2c on its upper surface. The first case unit 3a and the second case unit 3b each have a first opening 3a1, 3b1 at one end and a second opening 3a2, 3b2 at the other end, which is the opposite end. The first case unit 3a can be joined to the pump unit 2 so that the first opening 3a1 of the first case unit 3a and the intake hole 2b of the pump unit 2 are fluidly connected. There is no restriction on the joining method, but it is necessary that the intake hole 2b of the pump unit 2 is fluidly connected and the internal space of the first case unit 3a, which is isolated from the outside by the first case unit 3a, is joined so that it can be sealed from the outside. For example, the case units 3 may be joined using a seal member 5 used to join them together. Various joining methods can be used on the premise that the intake hole 2b of the pump unit 2 is fluidly connected and the internal space of the first case unit 3a, which is isolated from the outside by the first case unit 3a, is joined so that it can be sealed from the outside. This joining also includes forming the first case unit 3a and the pump unit 2 as a single unit. The edge of the first opening 3b1 of the second case unit 3b can be joined to the edge of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a in a state in which the edge of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a and the first seal member 5a are sandwiched between them.

When joining the edge of the first opening 3b1 of the second case unit 3b and the edge of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a, the holding portion 4a3 of the first inner container 4a is inserted into the hollow inside the first case unit 3a from the side of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a in advance, and the edge of the fluid inlet 4a1 of the first inner container 4a is aligned with the edge of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a so that the fluid inlet 4a1 of the first inner container 4a matches the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a. In this state, the edge of the fluid inlet 4a1 of the first inner container 4a is clamped between the edge of the first opening 3b1 of the second case unit 3b and the first seal member 5a. For example, the first seal member 5a is sandwiched between the edge of the first opening 3b1 of the second case unit 3b and the edge of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a on the outer periphery side of the first seal member 5a, and the edge of the fluid inlet 4a1 of the first inner container 4a is sandwiched between the first opening 3b1 of the second case unit 3b and the first seal member 5a on the inner periphery side of the first seal member 5a. In the above, "the fluid inlet 4a1 of the first inner container 4a matches the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a" technically means that "the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a is blocked by the first inner container 4a, and the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a becomes the fluid inlet 4a1 of the first inner container 4a." In the rest of this specification, the synonymous expression "the fluid inlet of the inner container matches the second opening of the corresponding case unit" is used, but as above, this commonly means that "the second opening of the case unit is blocked by the corresponding inner container, and the second opening of the case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the corresponding inner container."

The second inner container 4b is inserted into the second case unit 3b by inserting the holding portion 4b3 of the second inner container 4b into the second case unit 3b, and aligning the edge of the fluid inlet 4b1 of the second inner container 4b with the edge of the second opening 3b2 of the second case unit 3b so that the second opening 3b2 of the second case unit 3b becomes the fluid inlet 4b1 of the second inner container 4b. Then, the second seal member 5b is sandwiched between the edge of the fluid inlet 4b1 of the second inner container 4b and the edge of the second opening 3b2 of the second case unit 3b.

The joint between the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a and the first opening 3a1 of the second case unit 3b may be, for example, as shown in Fig. 1B, in which a flange extending outward from the outer surface of the first case unit 3a and the second case unit 3b is disposed in each of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a and the first opening 3a1 of the second case unit 3b, and the first seal member 5a is sandwiched between the flanges. On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 1C, the edge of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a and the edge of the first opening 3a1 of the second case unit 3b are formed with a seat that is continuous in the circumferential direction at each of the edge of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a and the edge of the first opening 3a1 of the second case unit 3b, with the length along the central axis CL of the inner surface side of the first case unit 3a and the length along the central axis CL of the outer surface side being different from each other. The seal member 6 can be fitted into the seat, and the seal member 6a can be sandwiched between the seat on the edge of the second opening 3a2 of the first case unit 3a and the seat on the edge of the first opening 3a1 of the second case unit 3b. The filtration device 1 of the present invention can adopt either a form in which a flange is arranged to sandwich the first seal member 5a, or a form in which a seat is formed to sandwich the seal member 6a.

The holding portion 4a3 of the first inner container 4a is a support portion for the contents provided on the bottom side when the fluid inlet 4a1 is placed on the upper side. Similarly, the holding portion 4b3 of the second inner container 4b is a support portion for the contents provided on the bottom side when the fluid inlet 4b1 is placed on the upper side. The holding portion 4b3 of the second inner container 4b located on the upper side has a fluid outlet 4b2 arranged at the bottom of the holding portion 4b3. In the case of the basic form, a filter is arranged between the fluid inlet 4b1 and the fluid outlet 4b2 in the holding portion 4b3 of the second inner container 4b located on the upper side, and the second inner container 4b functions as a filter unit. The first inner container 4a, which is arranged at the position corresponding to the bottom part above the pump unit 2, functions as a filtered fluid unit that holds the fluid that has passed through the filter of the second inner container 4b in the holding portion 4a3. Since the holding portion 4a3 of the first inner container 4a holds the filtered fluid, no fluid outlet is arranged at the bottom of the holding portion 4b3. The first inner container 4a has an air hole 4a2 that penetrates the inside and outside of the first inner container 4a on the side above the planned height at which the fluid in the holding portion 4b3 is held.

(Function of the Filtration Device)
The filtration device 1 assembled in the above configuration works as follows. When the degassing pump 2a of the pump unit 2 is operated, the gas inside the first case unit 3a, which is connected to the intake hole 2b of the pump unit 2 and sealed from the outside, is exhausted from the intake hole 2b, and the air pressure inside the first case unit 3a decreases. Due to the decrease in the air pressure inside the first case unit 3a, the air pressure inside the first inner container 4a decreases through the air vent 4a2. The second inner container 4b above the first inner container 4a is filled with a fluid to be filtered (for example, a raw fluid to be filtered) from the fluid inlet 4b1. Then, due to the decrease in the air pressure inside the first inner container 4a, a pressure difference is generated between the fluid outlet 4b2 and the fluid inlet 4b1 of the second inner container 4b, and the fluid to be filtered passes through the filter of the holding part 4b3 of the second inner container 4b as if it is sucked out from the fluid outlet 4b2 of the second inner container 4b and flows into the inside of the first inner container 4a. The filtered fluid discharged from the fluid outlet 4b2 of the second inner container 4b is held in the holding portion 4a3 of the first inner container 4a.

(Application configuration of filtration device)
The basic form of the filtration device 1 is a two-stage type in which the number of case units 3 and the number of inner containers 4 are two, as described above, but as shown in FIG. 1D, the number of case units 3 and inner containers 4 and the number of sealing members 5 can be increased to form a multi-stage configuration of three or more stages. FIG. 1D is a diagram showing an N-stage configuration. In addition, by arranging a filter, an adsorbent, and a straightening structure in the holding portion of the inner container 4 and changing the configuration of the combination, it is possible to configure an application form that can be modified to suit various filtration processing processes of fluids. Below, an application form of three or more stages will be described.

Here, in the description of the applied form, the third case unit 3c, the fourth case unit 3d, the fifth case unit 3e, and the sixth case unit 3f have the same shape and configuration as the first case unit 3a and the second case unit 3b of the case unit 3 of the basic form. The third inner container 4c, the fourth inner container 4d, the fifth inner container 4e, and the sixth inner container 4f have the same shape and configuration as the second inner container 4b of the inner container 4 of the basic form. The third seal member 5c to the sixth seal member 5f also have the same configuration as the first seal member 5a. In addition, the connection between the case units 3 and between the case unit 3 and the inner container 4 will be described using an example in which a flange is placed on the case unit 3 and a seal member 5 is used, but as in the basic form, it is possible to apply the above-mentioned joining by the seal member 6 without placing a flange on the case unit 3. Therefore, the joining is understood to include joining by the seal member 6 without placing a flange.

(3-stage application configuration)
In the three-stage applied form, in addition to the basic form, a third case unit 3c, a third inner container 4c, and a third seal member 5c are further provided. In the basic form, the holding portion 4b3 of the second inner container 4b is already inserted into the second case unit 3b from the side of the second opening 3b2 of the second case unit 3b, and the edge of the fluid inlet 4b1 of the second inner container 4b is sandwiched between the second seal member 5b and the edge of the second opening 3b2 of the second case unit 3b. In this state, the first opening 3c1 of the third case unit 3c is joined so that the edge of the fluid inlet 4b1 of the second inner container 4b is sandwiched between the second seal member 5b and the edge of the second opening 3b2 of the second case unit 3b, and the second seal member 5b is sandwiched between the second seal member 5b and the edge of the second opening 3b2 of the second case unit 3b. During this joining, the holding portion 4c3 of the third inner container 4c is inserted into the third case unit 3c from the side of the second opening 3c2 of the third case unit 3c, and the edge of the fluid inlet 4c1 of the third inner container 4c is clamped between the third seal member 5c and the edge of the second opening 3c2 of the third case unit 3c. This completes a three-tiered applied form in which the third case unit 3c and the third inner container 4c are stacked on top of the basic form.

(Configuration of a filtration device in an N-stage application)
Similarly, not only a four-stage type but also an N-stage type application can be configured. Hereinafter, an N-stage type application will be described with reference to FIG. 1D. FIG. 1D is a generalized diagram with some omissions for a number of stages greater than three stages. Generally, N=1 to 6 (stages). The symbols n=a to f are assigned to N=1 to 6, respectively. To generalize the N-stage type application, in addition to the (N-1) stage type, an Nth case unit 3n, an Nth inner container 4n, and an Nth seal member 5n (n=d to f) are further provided. In the applied form of the (N-1) stage, the holding portion 4(n-1)3 of the (N-1) inner container 4(n-1) has already been inserted into the (N-1) case unit 3(n-1) from the side of the second opening 3(n-1)2 of the (N-1) case unit 3(n-1), and the edge of the fluid inlet 4(n-1)1 of the (N-1) inner container 4(n-1) is clamped between the (N-1) sealing member 5(n-1) and the edge of the second opening 3(n-1)2 of the (N-1) case unit 3(n-1). In this state, the first opening 3n1 of the Nth case unit 3n is joined so that the edge of the fluid inlet 4(n-1)1 of the (N-1) inner container 4(n-1) is sandwiched between the (N-1) seal member 5(n-1) and the edge of the second opening 3(n-1)2 of the (N-1) case unit 3(n-1) and the (N-1) seal member 5(n-1) are sandwiched between the first opening 3n1 of the Nth case unit 3n and the edge of the second opening 3n2 of the (N-1) case unit 3n. During this joining, the holding portion 4n3 of the Nth inner container 4n is inserted into the Nth case unit 3n from the side of the second opening 3n2 of the Nth case unit 3n, and the edge of the fluid inlet 4n1 of the Nth inner container 4n is sandwiched between the Nth seal member 5n and the edge of the second opening 3n2 of the Nth case unit 3n. This completes the N-stage application form in which the Nth case unit 3n and the Nth inner container 4n are stacked on top of the (N-1) stage application form.

In the filtration device 1 with the above-mentioned N-stage applied configuration, a filter member, adsorbent, or rectifying structure can be arbitrarily selected and arranged in the holding portion 4n3 of the Nth inner container 4n (N=2-6, n=b-f), so that the Nth inner container 4n (N=2-6, n=b-f) can be a filter unit, adsorbent unit, or rectifying unit. This allows the function of the filtration device 1 to be freely changed according to the filtration process of the fluid to be filtered.

For example, as shown in Tables 1 to 3 below, an embodiment can be selected in which a filter member, an adsorbent, or a flow straightening structure is arbitrarily selected for the holding portion 4n3 of the Nth inner container 4n (N=2 to 6, n=b to f). Table 1 shows a representative example of the configuration of the holding portion of an inner container in a basic form of a two-stage type. Table 2 shows a representative example of the configuration of the holding portion of an inner container in an applied form of a three-stage type, and Table 3 shows a representative example of the configuration of the holding portion of an inner container in an applied form of a four-stage type. The examples shown here are merely illustrative, and modifications and additions can be made by changing the number of each component, etc. For example, in Table 1, the leftmost column shows the holding portion of the inner container in the Nth stage from the bottom. The right column corresponding to each column shows the components to be placed in the holding portion of that inner container. The embodiments shown in Tables 1 to 3 correspond to the embodiments described below.

For example, Table 2 showing an example of a three-stage application form of Tables 1 to 3 is used as a representative example. In Example 2, filter member A is placed in the holding portion 4c3 of the third inner container 4c in the top third stage, and filter member A or filter member B is placed in the holding portion 4b3 of the second inner container 4b in the second stage immediately below. Filter member A and filter member B are different types of filter members, for example, filter members with different pore sizes, void sizes, thicknesses, or materials. In other words, since the sizes of impurities to be removed during filtration differ between filter member A and filter member B, the type of filter member can be freely set. The adsorbent is a general material that absorbs substances by adhering to them, such as activated carbon. The filter and adsorbent are placed inside the inner container. On the other hand, the rectifying structure is, for example, a structure of the bottom of the inner container consisting of multiple holes arranged at equal intervals in a ring shape such as a concentric circle arranged at the bottom of the container in order to evenly flow the raw fluid into the adsorbent.

(Function of the filtration device in the N-stage application)
The filtration device 1 of the above-mentioned N-stage application configuration works as follows. When the degassing pump 2a of the pump unit 2 is operated, the gas inside the first case unit 3a at the bottom stage, which is connected to the intake hole 2b of the pump unit 2 and sealed from the outside, is exhausted from the intake hole 2b, and the air pressure inside the first case unit 3a decreases. Due to the decrease in the air pressure inside the first case unit 3a, the air pressure inside the first inner container 4a decreases through the air vent 4a2. Due to the decrease in the air pressure inside the first inner container 4a, a pressure difference occurs between the fluid outlet 4b2 and the fluid inlet 4b1 of the second inner container 4b, and a suction pressure toward the inside of the first inner container 4a is generated at the fluid outlet 4b2 of the second inner container 4b. Similarly, a suction pressure toward the inside of the (N-1)th inner container 4(n-1) is generated at the fluid outlet 4n2 of the Nth inner container 4n in a chain reaction. If the fluid inlet 4n1 of the Nth inner container 4n is typically open to the atmosphere, a pressure gradient is generated in stages in the intermediate inner containers from the fluid inlet 4n1 of the Nth inner container 4n to the inside of the first inner container 4a. Due to this pressure difference, the fluid to be filtered introduced from the fluid inlet 4n1 of the Nth inner container 4n is discharged from the fluid outlet 4n2 of the Nth inner container 4n to the fluid inlet 4(n-1)1 of the (N-1)th inner container 4(n-1) by the suction force toward the inside of the (N-1)th inner container 4(n-1) generated at the fluid outlet 4n2 of the Nth inner container 4n. The fluid that has passed through all the inner containers 4 is finally sucked into the holding portion 4a3 of the first inner container 4a and flows out, and is held by the holding portion 4a3 of the first inner container 4a.

For example, by reading Example 2 of Table 2, the filtration device 1 in the three-stage application form has the following action. When the degassing pump 2a of the pump unit 2 is operated, the gas inside the first case unit 3a, which is connected to the intake hole 2b of the pump unit 2 and sealed from the outside, is exhausted from the intake hole 2b, and the air pressure inside the first case unit 3a decreases. Due to the decrease in the air pressure inside the first case unit 3a, the air pressure inside the first inner container 4a decreases through the air vent 4a2. Due to the decrease in the air pressure inside the first inner container 4a, a pressure difference occurs between the fluid outlet 4b2 and the fluid inlet 4b1 of the second inner container 4b, and a suction pressure toward the inside of the first inner container 4a is generated at the fluid outlet 4b2 of the second inner container 4b. Then, the air pressure inside the second inner container 4b is further decreased by this chain reaction, and a pressure difference occurs between the fluid outlet 4c2 and the fluid inlet 4c1 of the third inner container 4c, and a suction pressure toward the inside of the second inner container 4b is generated in the fluid outlet 4c2 of the third inner container 4c. The fluid to be filtered (for example, the raw fluid to be filtered) is placed in the holding part 4c3 of the top third inner container 4c from the fluid inlet 4c1. Then, due to the decrease in the air pressure inside the second inner container 4b, the fluid to be filtered is sucked from the fluid outlet 4c2 of the third inner container 4c into the inside of the second inner container 4b, passes through the filter member A, falls into the holding part 4b3 of the second inner container 4b, is sucked from the fluid outlet 4b2 of the second inner container 4b, passes through the filter member B of the holding part 4b3 of the second inner container 4b, is sucked from the fluid outlet 4b2 of the second inner container 4b, flows out from the fluid outlet 4b2 to the holding part 4a3 of the first inner container 4a, and is held by the holding part 4a3 of the first inner container 4a. Next, the examples listed in Tables 1 to 3 will be described below as representative examples of this embodiment. Note that the following examples are merely representative examples, and are not limited to the examples listed here. In particular, as in the example in Example 2 in which two filters are stacked, it is of course possible to stack multiple inner containers of the same type, for example, stacking multiple inner containers in which different filters are placed, or stacking multiple inner containers in which different adsorbents are placed.

Example 1
First, a filtration device 1 as a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 2A to 3. The first embodiment is an example of a filtration device 1 having a basic two-stage structure. Fig. 2A is a perspective view showing a combined state of the filtration device 1 of the first embodiment. Fig. 2B is a perspective view showing a separated state of the filtration device 1. Fig. 3 is a view showing a cross section B-B of Fig. 2A. In this specification, the fluid to be filtered before the filtration is called the "raw fluid", and the fluid after the filtration is called the "filtered fluid". In addition, in the following description of the embodiment, an example in which a flange is disposed will be described among the above-mentioned embodiments, but as in the above-mentioned embodiment, a form in which a flange is not disposed can also be applied.

The filtration device 1 includes a pump unit 10, a filtered fluid unit 31 as a second case unit, and a raw fluid unit 32 as a first case unit. The pump unit 10 has a degassing pump 10a disposed therein and an intake hole 10b that draws in gas from the space to be evacuated.

The filtrate unit 31 has a tubular shape with a hollow portion 31a, and is typically cylindrical. The filtrate unit 31 has filtrate unit openings 31b, 31c, which are open ends, at both ends. The filtrate unit 31 has a shape in which one of the filtrate unit openings 31b of the filtrate unit 31 can be placed, i.e., the cross-sectional shape is the same as that of the filtrate unit 31, at the vertical upper portion. Typically, the filtrate unit 31 is cylindrical, and the pump unit 10 is also cylindrical with the same diameter. The upper portion of the pump unit 10 has a shape that can be fitted with the edge of one of the filtrate unit openings 31b of the filtrate unit 31. One of the filtrate unit openings 31b of the filtrate unit 31 can be detachably attached to the upper side of the pump unit 10 with an attachment member 50 so as to communicate with the intake hole 10b of the pump unit 10.

The raw fluid unit 32 has a tubular shape with a hollow portion 32a, and is typically cylindrical. It is preferable that the filtered fluid unit 31 and the raw fluid unit 32 have completely the same shape so that they can be interchangeable. The raw fluid unit 32 has raw fluid unit openings 32c, 12c, which are open ends, at both ends. One opening 32c of the raw fluid unit openings of the raw fluid unit 32 has a shape corresponding to the other opening 31c of the filtered fluid unit 31, and can be detachably joined by the first mounting structure 51. When the other opening 31c of the filtered fluid unit 31 and one opening 32c of the raw fluid unit openings of the raw fluid unit 32 are joined by the first mounting structure 51, the hollow portion 31a of the filtered fluid unit 31 and the hollow portion 32a of the raw fluid unit 32 are connected.

The first mounting structure 51 has a first seal member 51a, and the opening periphery of the other opening 31c of the filtered fluid unit opening of the filtered fluid unit 31 and the opening periphery of one opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening of the raw fluid unit 32 are in close contact with the first seal member 51a, so that the first seal member 51a is sandwiched between them.

The filtrate fluid unit 31 is fitted with an inner filtration fluid container 41, which is a first inner container having an opening 21a through which the filtrate fluid enters, as a fluid-contacting member. The inner filtration fluid container 41 is detachably supported by the first mounting structure 51 at the other opening 31c of the filtrate fluid unit opening so that the opening 41a becomes the other opening 31c of the filtrate fluid unit opening. Specifically, for example, the inner filtration fluid container 41 is supported by the first seal member 51a and the opening periphery of the other opening 31c of the raw fluid unit opening, so as to clamp the edge 41e of the opening 41a of the inner filtration fluid container 41 in close contact. The main body of the inner filtration fluid container 41 is fixed in a manner that it enters the hollow portion 31a of the filtrate fluid unit 31, and the filtrate that enters from the opening 41a of the inner filtration fluid container 41 can be held by the main body of the inner filtration fluid container 41 at a position within the hollow portion 31a of the filtrate fluid unit 31.

The periphery of the other opening 31c of the filtered fluid unit opening of the filtered fluid unit 31 may have a flange 31d, and the periphery of one opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening of the raw fluid unit 32 may have a flange 32d. In this case, the first seal member 51a is preferably annular in shape having a filtered fluid unit side recess 51b that can be fitted to match the outer shape of the flange 31d of the opening periphery of the other opening 31c of the filtered fluid unit opening, and a raw fluid unit side recess 51c into which the flange 32d can be fitted to match the outer shape of the flange 32d of the opening periphery of one opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening.

The first seal member 51a has a groove 51d extending from the outer side surface of the first seal member 51a toward the inner surface of the first seal member 51a between the filtrate fluid unit side recess 51b and the raw fluid unit side recess 51c. The groove 51d extends parallel to each of the flanges 31d and 32d. The tip of the groove 51d in the radial direction of the first seal member 51a does not reach the edge 41e of the opening 41a of the inner filtrate fluid container 41, and a certain distance is secured between the tip of the groove 51d and the edge 41e.

An inner filter container 42 is attached to the raw fluid unit 32 as a fluid-contacting member having an opening 42a through which the raw fluid enters. The inner filter container 42 is detachably supported by a second mounting structure 52 at the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening so that the opening 42a becomes the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening. The second mounting structure 52 has a second seal member 52a, which is attached to the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening of the raw fluid unit 32, and is attached so that the edge of the opening 42a of the inner filter container 42 is supported by the second seal member 52a at the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit 32.

The side portion 41b of the inner filtration fluid container 41 is provided with a communication hole 41d that connects the interior 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41 to the hollow portion 31a inside the filtration fluid unit 31.

The lower part 42b of the inner filter container 42 is provided with a filter member 61 for filtering. The inner filter container 42 is provided with a filter hole 42d through which the interior 42c of the inner filter container 42 communicates with the interior 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41 via the filter member 61.

Next, we will explain how the filtration device 1 of Example 1 functions in an assembled state. First, the raw fluid to be filtered is introduced into the inner filter container 42 through the opening 42a of the inner filter container 42. Next, when the degassing pump 10a of the pump unit 10 is operated, the hollow portion 31a of the filtrate fluid unit 31 is degassed through the intake hole 10b. When the hollow portion 31a of the filtrate fluid unit 31 is degassed and the pressure is reduced, the inside 41c of the inner filtrate fluid container 41 is degassed through the communication hole 41d of the side portion 41b of the inner filtrate fluid container 41 that communicates with the hollow portion 31a of the filtrate fluid unit 31, and the pressure of the inside 41c of the inner filtrate fluid container 41 is reduced.

As a result, the pressure in the inside 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41 becomes lower than the pressure in the inside 42c of the inner filter container 42, and a pressure difference occurs between the inside 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41 and the inside 42c of the inner filter container 42. Due to this pressure difference, the raw fluid contained in the inside 42c of the inner filter container 42 passes through the filter member 61 and is filtered, introduced into the inside 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41, and collected as a filtered fluid in the inside 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41. After all the raw fluid has been filtered, the degassing pump 10a is stopped. The raw fluid unit 32 is separated from the filtration fluid unit 31 and the first seal member 51a together with the inner filter container 42. Then, the inner filter container 42 is separated from the raw fluid unit 32. After the filtration fluid in the inside 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41 is collected, the filtration fluid unit 31, the inner filtration fluid container 41, and the first seal member 51a are separated. In principle, the filtration fluid unit 31 and the first seal member 51a do not come into contact with the fluid, so they can be reused without cleaning.

(Examples 2 and 3)
Next, the three-stage filtration device 1 of the second and third embodiments of the present invention will be described. Here, the third embodiment will be described as a representative example with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the filtration device 1 of the third embodiment in a combined state. In addition to the first embodiment, the third embodiment is an embodiment in which the adsorbent unit 33 as the third inner container is stacked, and impurities are adsorbed by the adsorbent 62 such as activated carbon before the raw fluid. The part in which the filtrate fluid unit 31, the raw fluid unit 32, the inner filtrate fluid container 41, and the inner filter container 42 are assembled is the same as that of the first embodiment. Hereinafter, the part in which the adsorbent unit 33 is assembled on the raw fluid unit 32 will be described. In addition, in the following description of the embodiment, an example in which a flange is arranged among the above-mentioned embodiments will be described as in the first embodiment, but it goes without saying that a form in which a flange is not arranged can also be applied as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

The adsorbent unit 33 has a tubular shape with a hollow portion 13a, and is typically cylindrical. The adsorbent unit 33 may also have the same shape as the raw fluid unit 32. The adsorbent unit 33 has adsorbent unit openings 33b, 33c, which are open ends at both ends. The adsorbent unit 33 is attached to the upper side of the adsorbent unit 33 so as to communicate one opening 33b of the adsorbent unit opening with the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening. One opening 33b of the adsorbent unit 33 and the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit 32 are detachably joined by the second mounting structure 52 described in Example 1.

In the first embodiment, the second mounting structure 52 is configured as a member for supporting the inner filter container 42 on the raw fluid unit 32, but in the third embodiment, the second mounting structure 52 has the same structure as the first mounting structure in the first embodiment, in which the adsorbent unit 33 and the raw fluid unit 32 are joined together and the raw fluid unit 32 supports the inner filter container 42.

The second mounting structure 52 has a second seal member 52a, and the opening periphery of the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening of the raw fluid unit 32 and the opening periphery of one opening 33b of the adsorbent unit opening of the adsorbent unit 33 are in close contact with the second seal member 52a to sandwich the second seal member 52a. The inner filter container 42 is detachably supported by the second mounting structure 52 at the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening so that its opening 42a becomes the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening of the raw fluid unit 32. Specifically, for example, the inner filter container 42 is supported by the second seal member 52a and the opening periphery of the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening so as to sandwich the edge portion 42e of the opening 42a of the inner filter container 42 so as to be in close contact with the edge portion 42e of the opening 42a of the inner filter container 42. The main body of the inner filter container 42 is fixed in a manner that fits into the hollow portion 32a of the raw fluid unit 32, and the raw fluid introduced from the opening 42a of the inner filter container 42 can be held by the main body of the inner filter container 42 at a position within the hollow portion 32a of the raw fluid unit 32.

The opening periphery of the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit 32 can also be configured to have a flange 32e, and the opening periphery of one opening 33b of the raw fluid unit opening of the adsorbent unit 33 can also be configured to have a flange 33d. In this case, it is preferable that the second seal member 52a has an annular shape having a raw fluid unit side recess 52b that can be fitted to match the outer shape of the flange 32e on the opening periphery of the other opening 32c of the raw fluid unit opening, and an adsorbent unit side recess 52c into which the flange 33d can be fitted to match the outer shape of the flange 33d on the opening periphery of one opening 33b of the adsorbent unit opening.

The second seal member 52a has a groove 52d extending from the outer side surface of the second seal member 52a toward the inner surface of the second seal member 52a between the raw fluid unit side recess 52b and the adsorbent unit side recess 52c. The groove 52d extends parallel to each of the flanges 32e and 33d. The tip of the groove 52d in the radial direction of the second seal member 52a does not reach the edge 42e of the opening 42a of the inner filter container 42, and a certain distance is secured between the tip of the groove 52d and the edge 42e.

The adsorbent unit 33 is fitted with an inner adsorbent container 43, which is a third inner container serving as a fluid-contacting member having an opening 43a through which the raw fluid before impurities are adsorbed enters. The inner adsorbent container 43 is detachably supported by a third mounting structure 53 on the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening so that its opening 43a becomes the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening. The third mounting structure 53 has a third seal member 53a, which is attached to the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening of the adsorbent unit 33, and is attached so that the edge of the opening 43a of the inner adsorbent container 43 is supported by the third seal member 53a on the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening.

The inner adsorbent container 43 is made of a material with lower rigidity than the adsorbent unit 33. For example, the same material as the inner filtration fluid container 41 can be selected. This allows the adsorbent unit 33 to be designed for repeated use, while the inner adsorbent container 43 can be designed for disposable use, so that it can be replaced and disposed of after each filtration process. The lower part 43b of the inner adsorbent container 43 holds the adsorbent 62 and has a communication hole 43d that communicates with the interior 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43 and the interior 42c of the inner filter container 42.

Next, we will explain how the filtration device 1 of Example 3 functions in an assembled state. First, the raw fluid to be filtered before the adsorption process is put into the inside 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43 through the opening 43a of the inner adsorbent container 43. From this point, the degassing pump 10a is operated, and the pressure in the inside 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41 drops below the pressure in the inside 42c of the inner filter container 42, and the process is the same as in Example 1 until a pressure difference occurs between the inside 41c of the inner filtration fluid container 41 and the inside 42c of the inner filter container 42. From this point, in Example 3, the pressure in the inside 42c of the inner filter container 42 drops, and a further pressure difference occurs between the inside 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43 and the inside 42c of the inner filter container 42, and due to this pressure difference and the gravity of the raw fluid put into the inside 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43, the raw fluid that has passed through the adsorbent 62 from the inside 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43 passes through the communication hole 43d and is introduced into the inside 42c of the inner filter container 42. The raw fluid introduced into the interior 42c of the inner filter vessel 42 is filtered in the same manner as in Example 1 and is collected as a filtered fluid in the interior 41c of the inner filtration fluid vessel 41. After all the raw fluid has been filtered, the degassing pump 10a is stopped, and in addition to the separation described in Example 1, the adsorbent unit 33 and the inner adsorbent vessel 43 are separated. As in Example 1, the adsorbent unit 33 can be reused without cleaning.

The above is an explanation of Example 3, but Example 2 is an example in which the inner adsorbent container 43 of Example 3 is replaced with an inner filter container 42 equipped with a filter member 61 for filtration in the lower part 42b of Example 1. In other words, Example 2 is an example having two filters instead of the adsorbent of Example 2. A plurality of inner containers equipped with different types of filter members are arranged, for example, inner containers having filter members with different mesh weights or materials are arranged. This allows the type of filter member to be freely set since the size of the impurities to be removed during filtration differs. Example 2 is an example in which the inner adsorbent container 43 of Example 3 is simply replaced with the inner filter container 42, and there are no other differences, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

(Examples 4 to 6)
Next, the filtration device 1 of the fourth to sixth embodiments of the present invention will be described. First, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. The fifth and sixth embodiments will be described later as modifications of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the filtration device 1 of the fourth embodiment in a combined state. The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, the rectifying unit 34 is stacked on the adsorbent unit 33 to adjust the flow as an initial step of the filtration process. The part of the third embodiment in which the filtrate fluid unit 31, the raw fluid unit 32, the adsorbent unit 33, the inner filtrate fluid container 41, the inner filter container 42, and the inner adsorbent container 43 are assembled is the same. Hereinafter, the part in which the rectifying unit 34 is combined on the adsorbent unit 33 of the third embodiment will be described. In addition, in the following description of the embodiments, as in the first and second embodiments, an example in which a flange is arranged will be described among the above-mentioned embodiments, but it goes without saying that a form in which a flange is not arranged can also be applied as in the above-mentioned embodiment.

The rectifying unit 34 has a tubular shape with a hollow portion 34a, and is typically cylindrical. The rectifying unit 34 may have the same shape as the adsorbent unit 33. The rectifying unit 34 has rectifying unit openings 34b, 34c, which are open ends at both ends. It is attached to the upper side of the adsorbent unit 33 so as to communicate with one opening 14b of the rectifying unit opening and the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening. One opening 34b of the rectifying unit 34 and the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit 33 are detachably joined by the third mounting structure 53 described in Example 2.

In Example 2, the third mounting structure 53 is configured as a member for supporting the inner adsorbent container 43 on the adsorbent unit 33, but in Example 4, it has the same structure as the first mounting structure 51 in Example 1 and the second mounting structure 52 in Example 2, and in addition to joining the rectifying unit 34 and the adsorbent unit 33, it also supports the inner adsorbent container 43 on the adsorbent unit 33.

The third mounting structure 53 has a third seal member 53a, and the opening periphery of the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening of the adsorbent unit 33 and the opening periphery of the opening 34b of the rectifying unit opening of the rectifying unit 34 are in close contact with the third seal member 53a, so that the third seal member 53a is sandwiched between the third mounting structure 53. The inner adsorbent container 43 is detachably supported by the third mounting structure 53 at the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening so that its opening 43a becomes the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening of the adsorbent unit 33. Specifically, for example, the inner adsorbent container 43 is supported by the third seal member 53a and the opening periphery of the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening so as to be in close contact with the edge portion 43e of the opening 43a of the inner adsorbent container 43. The main body of the inner adsorbent container 43 is fixed in a manner that fits into the hollow portion 33a of the adsorbent unit 33, and the raw fluid before adsorption treatment introduced from the opening 23a of the inner adsorbent container 43 can be held by the main body of the inner adsorbent container 43 at a position within the hollow portion 33a of the adsorbent unit 33.

The periphery of the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening of the adsorbent unit 33 can be configured to have a flange 33e, and the periphery of one opening 34b of the rectifier unit opening of the rectifier unit 34 can be configured to have a flange 34d. In this case, it is preferable that the third seal member 53a has an annular shape having an adsorbent unit side recess 53b that can be fitted to match the outer shape of the flange 33e on the opening periphery of the other opening 33c of the adsorbent unit opening, and a rectifier unit side recess 53c into which the flange 34d can be fitted to match the outer shape of the flange 34d on the opening periphery of one opening 34b of the rectifier unit opening.

The third seal member 53a has a groove 53d between the adsorbent unit side recess 53b and the rectification unit side recess 53c, which extends from the outer side surface of the third seal member 53a toward the inner surface of the third seal member 53a. The groove 53d extends parallel to each of the flanges 33e and 34d. The tip of the groove 53d in the radial direction of the third seal member 53a does not reach the edge 43e of the opening 43a of the inner adsorbent container 43, and a certain distance is maintained between the tip of the groove 53d and the edge 43e.

The rectification unit 34 is fitted with an inner rectification vessel 44 as a fourth inner vessel serving as a fluid-contacting member having an opening 44a for uniformly pouring the raw fluid into the adsorbent unit 33 as an initial step of the filtration process. The inner rectification vessel 44 is detachably supported by a fourth mounting structure 54 on the other opening 34c of the rectification unit opening so that the opening 44a becomes the other opening 34c of the rectification unit opening of the rectification unit 34. The fourth mounting structure 54 has a fourth seal member 54a, which is attached to the other opening 34c of the rectification unit opening of the rectification unit 34, and is attached so that the edge of the opening 44a of the inner rectification vessel 44 is supported by the fourth seal member 54a on the other opening 34c of the rectification unit opening.

The inner rectifier container 44 is made of a material having a lower rigidity than the rectifier unit 34. For example, the same material as the inner filtration fluid container 41 can be selected. This allows the rectifier unit 34 to be configured for repeated use, while the inner rectifier container 44 can be configured for disposable use, in which it can be replaced and disposed of after each filtration process. The inner rectifier container 44 has a rectifier hole 44d that communicates with the interior 44c of the inner rectifier container 44 and the interior 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43. The rectifier hole 44d is configured, for example, of a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals in a ring shape such as a concentric circle. The plurality of holes that make up the rectifier hole 44d are arranged so that the hole density per unit area is the same in the projected portion of the adsorbent 62-filled portion in the inner adsorbent container 43 when viewed from above the opening 44a of the inner rectifier container 44. The cross-sectional shape of each of the plurality of holes in the rectifier hole 44d can be various shapes, such as a circle or a polygon. The structure of the rectification holes 44d, which are the rectification structure of the inner rectification vessel 44, is not limited as long as the raw fluid can be slowly and evenly supplied to the adsorbent placed inside the inner adsorbent vessel 43 placed below the inner rectification vessel 44. Typically, the multiple holes of the rectification holes 44d all have the same diameter (size) and are large enough that the insides of all the multiple holes of the rectification holes 44d are filled with fluid when the pressure below the inner rectification vessel 44 is reduced (when the raw fluid flows out).

Next, we will explain how the filtration device 1 of Example 4 functions in an assembled state. First, as an initial step in the filtration process, the raw fluid before adsorption of impurities is introduced into the interior 44c of the inner rectification vessel 44 through the opening 44a of the inner rectification vessel 44 to regulate the flow. From this point, the degassing pump 10a is operated, and the pressure in the interior 41c of the inner filtration fluid vessel 41 drops below the pressure in the interior 42c of the inner filter vessel 42, creating a pressure difference between the interior 41c of the inner filtration fluid vessel 41 and the interior 42c of the inner filter vessel 42, and a further pressure difference between the interior 43c of the inner adsorbent vessel 43 and the interior 42c of the inner filter vessel 42, which is the same as in Example 2.

In Example 4, the pressure in the inner 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43 is reduced due to the pressure drop in the inner 42c of the inner filter container 42, and a pressure difference occurs between the pressure in the inner 42c of the inner filter container 42 and the pressure in the inner 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43. Due to this pressure difference and gravity, the raw fluid placed in the inner rectifying container 44 is introduced into the inner 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43. The behavior of the raw fluid after being introduced into the inner 43c of the inner adsorbent container 43 is the same as in Examples 1 and 2. The raw fluid introduced into the inner 42c of the inner filter container 42 is filtered in the same manner as in Example 1 and is collected as a filtered fluid in the inner 41c of the inner filtrate fluid container 41. After all the raw fluid has been filtered, the degassing pump 10a is stopped, and in addition to the separation described in Examples 1 to 3, the rectifying unit 34 and the inner rectifying container 44 are separated. As in Examples 1 and 2, the rectifying unit 34 can be reused without cleaning.

The above is an explanation of Example 4, but Example 5 is an example in which the inner straightening vessel 44 of Example 4 is replaced with the inner adsorbent vessel 43 of Example 3. In other words, Example 5 is an example in which, instead of the vessel for straightening of Example 3, multiple inner adsorbent vessels are provided so that two types of adsorbents are used in stages. By arranging multiple inner vessels equipped with different types of adsorbents, for example, in order to gradually remove different types of substances, or to gradually remove substances with low adsorption efficiency to substances with high adsorption efficiency, the type of adsorbent can be freely set. Example 5 is an example in which the inner straightening vessel 44 of Example 4 is simply replaced with the inner adsorbent vessel 43, and there are no other differences, so a detailed explanation will be omitted.

Moreover, Example 6 is an example in which the position of the inner filter container 42 of Example 4 is changed. That is, in Example 4, the inner filter container 42 is placed below the inner adsorbent container 43, but in Example 6, the position of the inner filter container 42 is changed so that the inner filter container 42 is placed above the inner flow straightening container 44. If the order of adsorption by the adsorbent and filtration by the filter needs to be reversed due to the characteristics of the fluid to be filtered, it is possible to freely change it in this way. Example 6 is an example in which the positions of the inner flow straightening container 44 and the inner filter container 42 of Example 4 are simply exchanged, and there are no other differences, so a detailed description will be omitted.

Reference Signs List 1 Filtration device 2, 10 Pump unit 2a, 10a Degassing pump 2b, 10b Intake hole 3 Case unit 4 Inner container 5, 6 Seal member 31 Filtration fluid unit 32 Raw fluid unit 33 Adsorbent unit 34 Rectification unit 41 Inner Filtration fluid container 42 Inner raw fluid container 43 Inner adsorbent container 44 Inner rectification container 51 First mounting structure 51a First seal member 52 Second mounting structure 52a Second seal member 53 Third mounting structure 53a Third seal member 54 Fourth mounting structure 54a Fourth seal member 61 Filter member 62 Adsorbent

Claims (10)

A pump unit having a degassing pump disposed therein and a joint at which an intake port of the degassing pump is disposed;
a first case unit and a second case unit each having a hollow cylindrical shape and each having a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end, the first case unit and the second case unit not coming into contact with a fluid;
a first inner container having a fluid inlet at one end and a holding portion for holding a fluid, the first inner container having an air hole penetrating the inside and outside of the first inner container ;
An assembled reduced pressure filtration device comprising: a second inner container having a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid outlet at the other end, the fluid outlet being smaller than the fluid inlet, the second inner container having a holding portion between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet for holding a fluid,
the first case unit is connectable to the pump unit such that a first opening of the first case unit and the intake hole of the pump unit are in fluid communication with each other,
the vent hole is disposed above a planned height at which the fluid is held in the holding portion of the first inner container,
the first opening of the second case unit is joinable to the second opening of the first case unit by sandwiching a first seal member between the second opening of the first case unit and the first seal member, and by sandwiching an edge of the fluid inlet of the first inner container between the first seal member and the second opening of the first case unit so that the second opening of the first case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the first inner container,
the second inner container can be joined so that a second seal member is sandwiched between an edge of the fluid inlet of the second inner container and the second opening of the second case unit, such that the second opening of the second case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the second inner container ,
The second inner container is an assembled reduced pressure filtration device having any one of a filter, an adsorbent, or a flow straightening structure between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the second inner container . 2. The assembled reduced pressure filtration apparatus according to claim 1 ,
The first inner container is a filtrate fluid container that holds fluid that has passed through the filter of the second inner container. 2. The assembled reduced pressure filtration apparatus according to claim 1,
a third case unit having a hollow cylindrical shape with a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end, the third case unit not in contact with the fluid;
a third inner container having a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid outlet at the other end, the fluid outlet being smaller than the fluid inlet, and having a holding portion between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet for holding a fluid;
the first opening of the third case unit is capable of being joined to the second opening of the second case unit by sandwiching a second seal member between the second opening of the second case unit and the second seal member and by sandwiching an edge of the fluid inlet of the second inner container between the second seal member and the second opening of the second case unit so that the second opening of the second case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the second inner container,
the third inner container can be joined so that a third seal member is sandwiched between an edge of the fluid inlet of the third inner container and the second opening of the third case unit, such that the second opening of the third case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the third inner container,
The third inner container is an assembled reduced pressure filtration device having any one of a filter, an adsorbent, or a flow straightening structure between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the third inner container . 4. The assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to claim 3,
The third inner container is a first filter container having a first filter between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the third inner container,
The second inner container is a second filter container having the first filter or a second filter different from the first filter between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the second inner container,
The first inner container is a filtrate fluid container that holds fluid that has passed through the second filter of the second inner container. 4. The assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to claim 3,
The third inner container is an adsorbent container having an adsorbent between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the third inner container,
The second inner container is a filter container having a filter between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the second inner container,
The first inner container is a filtrate fluid container that holds fluid that has passed through the filter of the second inner container. 4. The assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to claim 3,
a fourth case unit having a hollow cylindrical shape with a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end, the fourth case unit not in contact with the fluid;
a fourth inner container having a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid outlet at the other end, the fluid outlet being smaller than the fluid inlet, and having a holding portion between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet for holding a fluid;
the first opening of the fourth case unit is joinable to the second opening of the third case unit by sandwiching a third seal member with the second opening of the third case unit and by sandwiching an edge of the fluid inlet of the third inner container between the third seal member and the second opening of the third case unit, the second opening of the third case unit being the fluid inlet of the third inner container;
the fourth inner container can be joined so that a fourth seal member is sandwiched between an edge of the fluid inlet of the fourth inner container and the second opening of the fourth case unit, such that the second opening of the fourth case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the fourth inner container,
The fourth inner container is an assembled reduced pressure filtration device having any one of a filter, an adsorbent, or a flow straightening structure between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the fourth inner container . 7. The assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to claim 6,
The fourth inner container is a flow straightening container having a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals in a circular shape on a bottom portion,
The third inner container is an adsorbent container having an adsorbent between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the third inner container,
the second inner container is a filter container including a filter for filtering a fluid that has passed through the adsorbent of the third inner container,
The first inner container is a filtrate fluid container that holds fluid that has passed through the filter of the second inner container. 7. The assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to claim 6,
The fourth inner vessel is an adsorbent vessel having a first adsorbent between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the fourth inner vessel,
The third inner container is an adsorbent container having a second adsorbent different from the first adsorbent between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the third inner container,
the second inner container is a filter container including a filter for filtering the fluid that has passed through the second adsorbent of the third inner container,
The first inner container is a filtrate fluid container that holds fluid that has passed through the filter of the second inner container. 7. The assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to claim 6,
The fourth inner container is a filter container having a filter between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the fourth inner container,
The third inner container is a straightening container having a plurality of holes arranged at equal intervals in a circular shape on a bottom portion so as to straighten the flow of the fluid that has passed through the filter at the fluid outlet of the third inner container,
The second inner container is an adsorbent container having an adsorbent between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the second inner container,
The first inner container is a filtrate fluid container that holds fluid that has passed through the adsorbent of the second inner container. 7. The assembled reduced pressure filtration device according to claim 6,
An nth case unit (n=a natural number equal to or greater than 5, hereinafter the same) having a hollow cylindrical shape with a first opening at one end and a second opening at the other end and not in contact with the fluid;
an n-th inner container having a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid outlet at the other end, the fluid outlet being smaller than the fluid inlet, and a holding portion for holding a fluid between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet;
the first opening of the nth case unit is joinable to the second opening of the (n-1)th case unit by sandwiching the second opening of the (n-1)th case unit and the (n-1)th seal member, and by sandwiching an edge of the fluid inlet of the (n-1)th inner container between the (n-1) seal member and the (n-1)th case unit such that the second opening of the (n-1)th case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the (n-1)th inner container,
the nth inner container can be joined so that an nth seal member is sandwiched between an edge of the fluid inlet of the nth inner container and the second opening of the nth case unit, such that the second opening of the nth case unit becomes the fluid inlet of the nth inner container,
The nth inner container is an assembled reduced pressure filtration device having any one of a filter, an adsorbent, or a flow straightening structure between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet of the nth inner container .

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