JP7725354B2 - Pipe-type agitation granulation unit and pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation device - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a pipe-type agitation granulation unit and a pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation device.

Solid-liquid separators have traditionally been used in water purification plants, industrial wastewater treatment plants, power plants, and other facilities to separate and remove suspended solids such as metal ions, organic matter, and inorganic salts from raw water. Known examples of solid-liquid separators include systems that use centrifugal separation technology. In solid-liquid separators using centrifugal separation technology, for example, the raw water is pretreated to flocculate solids, and then the raw water containing the flocs is fed into a centrifuge, where centrifugal force is used to separate flocs with a predetermined particle size or larger from the raw water.

In the case of solid-liquid separation devices using centrifuges like those mentioned above, it is desirable to form high-density, high-strength flocs so that the flocs formed in the pretreatment process do not break up or become finer due to centrifugal force. For this reason, some systems include a flocculation tank in the pretreatment process. Furthermore, as a system that allows for a more compact overall configuration than a system that includes a flocculation tank, a system has been proposed in which flocs are formed by adding chemicals such as inorganic coagulants, cationic polymer coagulants, or anionic polymer coagulants to the raw water, followed by stirring and granulation. For this system, a technique that uses a pipe-type mixer, for example, has been proposed as a technique for stirring the added chemicals with the raw water.

Patent No. 4875129 JP 2010-214248 A Patent No. 5907273 Patent No. 6805282

When using a pipe-type mixer like the one described above, it is necessary to use a large-diameter mixing tube (agitation module) or multiple small-diameter mixing tubes arranged in parallel to accommodate fluctuations (increases or decreases) in the amount of raw water being treated. However, when using a large-diameter mixing tube, if the amount of raw water to be treated decreases, the flow rate decreases, resulting in insufficient granulation, or the aggregation of solids settling within the mixing tube. On the other hand, when multiple small-diameter mixing tubes arranged in parallel are used, by providing and controlling a flow control valve or the like for each small-diameter mixing tube, it is possible to adjust the flow rate according to the amount of raw water being treated, but this results in a problem of complex structure and control.

It would therefore be beneficial to provide a piped agitation granulation unit that is easy to construct and control, and that can easily ensure a flow rate suitable for granulation even when the amount of raw water to be treated fluctuates.

In one embodiment, the piping-type agitation granulation unit includes, for example, an agitation module, an addition unit, a shutter member, and a control unit. The agitation module arranges multiple individual tubular members, each with a spiral element fixed, in parallel in a flow path through which the raw water to be treated can flow, and agitates the raw water flowing through each individual tubular member. The addition unit is located upstream of the agitation module and adds a chemical to form flocs to the raw water flowing through the individual tubular members. The shutter member is located at at least one of the upstream and downstream ends of the agitation module and is a plate-shaped member that can move between a fully closed position that closes all of the flow paths of the multiple individual tubular members and an open position that opens at least one of the flow paths of the multiple individual tubular members. The control unit controls the movement position of the shutter member to determine the individual tubular member to use for treating the raw water.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a piping-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus including a piping-type agitation granulation unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the first gate valve (first shutter member) included in the piping type agitation granulation unit in the embodiment, viewed from the upstream side, with the upstream end of the individual tubular member in an open state. FIG. 3 is a front view showing the second gate valve (second shutter member) included in the piping type agitation granulation unit in the embodiment, viewed from the downstream side, with the downstream end of the individual tubular member in an open state. FIG. 4 is a front view showing the individual tubular members, which become available by controlling the first shutter member and the second shutter member included in the piping type agitation granulation unit in the embodiment, as viewed from the downstream side. FIG. 5 is a front view showing the individual tubular members, viewed from the downstream side, that can be used to accommodate large flows by controlling the first and second shutter members included in the piping-type agitation granulation unit in this embodiment. FIG. 6 is a front view showing an individual tubular member, viewed from the downstream side, that can be used to accommodate small flows by controlling the first shutter member and the second shutter member included in the piping-type agitation granulation unit in this embodiment. FIG. 7 is a graph showing changes in turbidity and suspended solids (SS) of treated water when the amount of flocculant added in the flocculant adding section of the pipe-type agitation granulation unit in the embodiment is changed. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the change in metal ion concentration of treated water when pH is adjusted with a pH adjuster added in a pH adjuster adding section of a pipe-type agitation granulation unit according to an embodiment. Figure 9 is a front view showing the open state of the downstream end of the individual tubular member when viewed from the downstream side, in which the first shutter member of the first gate valve and the second shutter member of the second gate valve included in the piping-type agitation granulation unit in the embodiment are each composed of two members. Figure 10 is a front view showing another open state of the downstream end of the individual tubular member when viewed from the downstream side, in which the first shutter member of the first gate valve and the second shutter member of the second gate valve included in the piping-type agitation granulation unit in the embodiment are each made up of two members. FIG. 11 is a front view showing that the open state of the ends of the individual tubular members of each agitation module is changed by the operation of the first to fourth shutter members included in the piping-type agitation granulation unit in this embodiment. FIG. 12 is a front view seen from the downstream side showing variations in the moving direction of the shutter member included in the piping type agitation granulation unit in the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a front view seen from the upstream side showing a case in which the shutter members included in the piping type agitation granulation unit in the embodiment are configured with three shutter members.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiments described below, as well as the actions and results (effects) achieved by said configurations, are merely examples and are not limited to the contents described below.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a pipe-type agitation granulation and solid-liquid separation apparatus 100 including a pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 and a solid-liquid separation unit 12 in an embodiment.

In the case of the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1, multiple (e.g., three) pipe-type agitation granulation units 10 (10A, 10B, 10C) are connected in series. However, the number of connected pipe-type agitation granulation units 10 can be changed as appropriate depending on the specifications of the water treatment plant including the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100 and the type and condition of the raw water W0 to be treated. Therefore, the number of connected pipe-type agitation granulation units 10 in the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100 may be one or two or more depending on the application. Note that in Figure 1, each pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 (10A-10C) has the same basic configuration. When it is necessary to distinguish between them in the description, they will be referred to as the first pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10A, the second pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10B, the third pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10C, etc. When no distinction is necessary, they will be referred to as the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10.

In Figure 1, for ease of explanation, the direction in which the pipe-type agitation granulation units 10 are arranged in series is referred to as the X direction, the flow direction of the raw water W0 (downstream direction) is referred to as the X1 direction, and the opposite direction (upstream direction) is referred to as the X2 direction. Furthermore, the vertical direction on the paper, which is perpendicular to the X direction, is referred to as the Y direction, with the upward direction on the paper being referred to as the Y1 direction and the downward direction on the paper being referred to as the Y2 direction. Furthermore, the vertical direction on the paper, which is perpendicular to the X direction, is referred to as the Z direction, with the direction toward the back of the paper being referred to as the Z1 direction and the direction toward the front of the paper being referred to as the Z2 direction.

The piping-type agitation granulation unit 10 includes an agitation module 14, an aggregating agent addition section 16 and a pH adjuster addition section 18 as addition sections, a shutter member 20, a control section 22, etc.

The agitation module 14 comprises a plurality of individual tubular members 24 extending in the X direction, each of which has a spiral element 26 fixed to a flow path 24a through which the raw water W0 to be treated flows. Each individual tubular member 24 agitates the flowing raw water W0. The individual tubular members 24 are, for example, well-known line mixers (static mixers). The flow path 24a is, for example, a hollow cylindrical pipe flow path, a static mixer with an element 26 fixed inside and no drive unit. The agitation module 14 comprises, for example, a plurality of individual tubular members 24 (60 are shown in the example of Figure 2, described below) bundled in parallel and housed in, for example, a cylindrical housing 28. The diameter and number of the individual tubular members 24 to be used (bundled) can be determined (designed) based on prior experimental results and other factors, such as the amount and properties of the raw water W0 to be treated. When raw water W0 flows (passes) through the individual tubular members 24, a swirling flow is generated by the action of the spiral elements, and a strong shear force is applied to the raw water W0. As a result, when raw water W0 flows (passes) through the individual tubular members 24, the raw water W0 is stirred and mixed with the flocculant added in the flocculant addition unit 16 and the pH (hydrogen ion concentration) adjuster added in the pH adjuster addition unit 18.

In the case of the piping-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100 shown in Figure 1, the end of the agitation module 14 is equipped with a gate valve 30 that supports the shutter member 20 so that it can move in the Y1 and Y2 directions or the Z1 and Z2 directions in the figure.

For example, in the case of the first piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10A, a first gate valve 30A supporting a first shutter member 20A is fixed in a watertight manner to the upstream end 10Aa into which raw water W0 flows.

Figure 2 is a front view of the first gate valve 30A (first shutter member 20A) located upstream of the first piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10A (first agitation module 14A), showing the open state of the upstream ends of the individual tubular members 24 as viewed from the upstream side. The first shutter member 20A is movable in the Y1 and Y2 directions in the figure. When it reaches its terminal position in the Y1 direction, it enters the first open state, allowing the inflow of raw water W0 into all of the individual tubular members 24 that make up the first piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10A. Furthermore, when the first shutter member 20A moves from the first open state to the Y2 direction, the upstream inlets of the individual tubular members 24 are sequentially blocked according to the amount of movement (first open position), preventing the inflow of raw water W0. In other words, blocked individual tubular members 24 become unusable, and only unblocked individual tubular members 24 allow the inflow of raw water W0. In other words, the first shutter member 20A is movable between a fully open position and a fully closed position so as to open at least one individual tubular member 24. The same applies to the other shutter members 20.

Also, as shown in FIG. 1, a second gate valve 30B supporting a second shutter member 20B is fixed in a watertight manner to the downstream end 10Ab of the first piping-type agitation granulation unit 10A.

Figure 3 is a front view of the second gate valve 30B (second shutter member 20B) located downstream of the first piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10A (first agitation module 14A), showing the open state of the downstream end of the individual tubular member 24 as viewed from the downstream side. The second shutter member 20B is movable in the Z1 and Z2 directions in the figure. When it reaches its terminal position in the Z1 direction, it enters the second open state, allowing raw water W0 to flow out of all of the individual tubular members 24 that make up the first piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10A. Furthermore, when the second shutter member 20B moves from the second open state in the Z2 direction, the downstream outlets of the individual tubular members 24 are sequentially blocked depending on the amount of movement (second open position), preventing the outflow of raw water W0. In other words, the blocked individual tubular members 24 become unusable, and only the unblocked individual tubular members 24 allow raw water W0 to flow out.

In this way, the shutter members 20 are provided on the upstream and downstream sides of the agitation module 14. Therefore, individual tubular members 24 blocked by at least one of the first shutter member 20A and the second shutter member 20B cannot be used.

Figure 4 is a front view, viewed from the downstream side, of individual tubular members 24 that become available through control of the first shutter member 20A supported by the first gate valve 30A (not shown) and the second shutter member 20B supported by the second gate valve 30B included in the first piping-type agitation granulation unit 10A (first agitation module 14A).

For example, if the upstream inlet of an individual tubular member 24 is blocked by the first shutter member 20A, no flow of raw water W0 will occur within the blocked individual tubular member 24, regardless of whether it is blocked by the second shutter member 20B. Also, even if the upstream inlet of an individual tubular member 24 is not blocked by the first shutter member 20A, if its outlet is blocked downstream by the second shutter member 20B, no flow of raw water W0 will occur within the blocked individual tubular member 24. In other words, agitation of raw water W0 is not performed in individual tubular members 24 blocked by at least one of the first shutter member 20A and the second shutter member 20B. In the case of Figure 4, only the 17 individual tubular members 24 indicated by solid lines in the lower left region allow raw water W0 to flow in and out, and agitation is performed due to the flow of raw water W0.

Figure 5 is a front view showing the individual tubular members 24 viewed from the downstream side (second gate valve 30B side) when handling a large flow of raw water W0, which becomes available through control of the first shutter member 20A supported by the first gate valve 30A (not shown) and the second shutter member 20B supported by the second gate valve 30B of the first piping-type agitation granulation unit 10A (first agitation module 14A). In the example shown in Figure 5, the inlet side of the individual tubular member 24 is blocked by the first shutter member 20A, and the outlet side of the individual tubular member 24 is blocked by the second shutter member 20B. As a result, raw water W0 can flow through, for example, 45 individual tubular members 24 shown by solid lines, enabling agitation of a large amount of raw water W0. Furthermore, by moving the first shutter member 20A to its terminal position in the Y1 direction and the second shutter member 20B to its terminal position in the Z1 direction, all 60 individual tubular members 24 can be used to flow (agitate) the raw water W0.

Figure 6 is a front view showing the individual tubular members 24 viewed from the downstream side (second gate valve 30B side) when responding to a small flow of raw water W0, which becomes available through control of the first shutter member 20A supported by the first gate valve 30A (not shown) and the second shutter member 20B supported by the second gate valve 30B of the first piping-type agitation granulation unit 10A (first agitation module 14A). In the example shown in Figure 6, the inlet side of the individual tubular member 24 is blocked by the first shutter member 20A, and the outlet side of the individual tubular member 24 is blocked by the second shutter member 20B. As a result, raw water W0 can flow through, for example, nine individual tubular members 24 shown by solid lines, enabling agitation of a small amount of raw water W0. Furthermore, by moving the first shutter member 20A to its terminal position in the Y2 direction or the second shutter member 20B to its terminal position in the Z2 direction, all 60 individual tubular members 24 can be closed and the flow (stirring) of the raw water W0 can be stopped.

In this way, the first open position of the first shutter member 20A at the upstream end of the first piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10A and the second open position of the second shutter member 20B at the downstream end of the first piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10A are controlled to be different. As a result, the positions and number of individual tubular members 24 used to treat the raw water W0 can be determined by combining the first open position of the first shutter member 20A and the second open position of the second shutter member 20B. In other words, the opening and closing variations (control variations) of the individual tubular members 24 can be easily improved. Furthermore, since the first shutter member 20A and the second shutter member 20B can simultaneously control the opening and closing of multiple individual tubular members 24 with simple linear movement, the structure is simpler and control is easier than when individual tubular members 24 are controlled to open and close individually. As a result, this can contribute to reducing design costs, manufacturing costs, operating costs, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1, the first gate valve 30A is connected to the first flocculant addition unit 16A as the flocculant addition unit 16. The first flocculant is pumped by pump 16Aa and supplied in a predetermined amount to the first gate valve 30A, where it is added to the raw water W0 flowing in from the raw water inlet passage 32. Similarly, the second gate valve 30B is connected to the second flocculant addition unit 16B. The second flocculant is pumped by pump 16Ba and supplied in a predetermined amount to the second gate valve 30B, where it is added to the raw water W0 to which the first flocculant has been added and stirred in the first stirring module 14A. Furthermore, the third gate valve 30C is connected to the third flocculant addition unit 16C. The third flocculant is pumped by pump 16Ca and supplied in a predetermined amount to the third gate valve 30C. That is, a first flocculant is added in the first agitation module 14A, a second flocculant is added in the second agitation module 14B, and then a third flocculant is further added to the agitated raw water W0.

The first flocculant addition unit 16A, the second flocculant addition unit 16B, and the third flocculant addition unit 16C are filled with, for example, different types of flocculants, and when the first shutter member 20A, the second shutter member 20B, and the third shutter member 20C are opened to allow the inflow of raw water W0, a predetermined amount of additive is added to the individual tubular member 24 relative to the flow rate of raw water W0. The first flocculant addition unit 16A adds, as a first flocculant, an inorganic flocculant, to the first gate valve 30A (first agitation module 14A). The second flocculant addition unit 16B adds, as a second flocculant, a cationic polymer flocculant to the second gate valve 30B (second agitation module 14B). The third flocculant addition unit 16C adds, as a third flocculant, an anionic polymer flocculant to the third gate valve 30C (third agitation module 14C). The flocculants added by each flocculant adding unit 16 are not limited to those described above, and can be changed as appropriate depending on the condition of the raw water W0, the substances to be removed, and the usage status of the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation device 100. Furthermore, multiple types of flocculants may be added to the same gate valve 30.

In addition, a pH adjuster addition section 18 is connected to the raw water inlet flow path 32 connected upstream of the piping-type agitation granulation unit 10. A predetermined amount of pH adjuster is pressure-fed by a pump 18a and supplied to the raw water inlet flow path 32, where it is added to the raw water W0.

As shown in FIG. 1, a first gate valve 30A (first shutter member 20A movable in the Y1-Y2 direction) is disposed on the upstream side (inlet side) of the first piping type agitation granulation unit 10A (first agitation module 14A). A second gate valve 30B (second shutter member 20B movable in the Z1-Z2 direction) is disposed on the downstream side (outlet side) of the first piping type agitation granulation unit 10A. A second gate valve 30B (second shutter member 20B) shared with the first piping type agitation granulation unit 10A is disposed on the upstream side (inlet side) of the second piping type agitation granulation unit 10B (second agitation module 14B). A third gate valve 30C (third shutter member 20C movable in the Y1-Y2 direction) is disposed on the downstream side (outlet side) of the second piping type agitation granulation unit 10B. Furthermore, a third gate valve 30C (third shutter member 20C) that is shared with the second piping type agitation granulation unit 10B is disposed on the upstream side (inlet side) of the third piping type agitation granulation unit 10C (third agitation module 14C). A fourth gate valve 30D (fourth shutter member 20D that can move in the Z1-Z2 direction) is disposed on the downstream side (outlet side) of the third piping type agitation granulation unit 10C. Therefore, by controlling the movement positions of the first shutter member 20A and the third shutter member 20C to be the same, and the movement positions of the second shutter member 20B and the fourth shutter member 20D to be the same, the individual tubular members 24 that are located in the same position in the first piping type agitation granulation unit 10A, the second piping type agitation granulation unit 10B, and the third piping type agitation granulation unit 10C can be used. In this case, by determining the number of individual tubular members 24 that can be used depending on the inflow volume (amount to be treated) of raw water W0, the flow rate of the raw water W0 can be adjusted to a value suitable for mixing the coagulant and pH adjuster and for coagulating and granulating the solids contained in the raw water W0, and the flow rate of the raw water W0 flowing through the pipe-type mixing and granulation unit 10 can be made approximately uniform overall. As a result, this contributes to stabilizing the mixing and granulation quality in the raw water W0 pretreatment process.

1, the X-direction lengths of the first agitation module 14A and the second agitation module 14B are approximately the same, while the X-direction length of the third agitation module 14C is longer than those of the first agitation module 14A and the second agitation module 14B. The first agitation module 14A and the second agitation module 14B each agitate the raw water W0 with the coagulant and pH adjuster added upstream. Meanwhile, the third agitation module 14C not only agitates the raw water W0 with the coagulant and pH adjuster added upstream, but also aggregates and granulates solids in the raw water W0. The length of the third agitation module 14C is set (designed) based on prior experiments, etc., to ensure the time required for the flocs to grow into flocs with strong binding strength that will not break down even when centrifuged in the solid-liquid separation unit 12 located downstream of the third agitation module 14C. The lengths of the first agitation module 14A and the second agitation module 14B may also be determined appropriately depending on the agitation time required for the flocculant and pH adjuster, and the agitation time required for agglomeration and granulation using the flocculant that has already been added.

A flow rate detection unit 34 and a pressure detection unit 36 are arranged in the raw water inlet flow path 32. The flow rate detection unit 34 can measure the flow rate of raw water W0 flowing into the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100. In addition, the pressure detection unit 36 can measure the water pressure of raw water W0 flowing into the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100. By detecting the flow rate and water pressure of raw water W0 flowing into the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100, it is possible to understand the state of raw water W0 flowing in the agitation module 14. The detection results obtained by the flow rate detection unit 34 and the pressure detection unit 36 are provided to the first control unit 22A. Based on the flow rate and water pressure of raw water W0, the first control unit 22A controls the movement state of each shutter member 20 (20A-20D) so that the flow rate of raw water W0 becomes a value suitable for agitating raw water W0, i.e., for generating flocs. In other words, when raw water W0 is pumped at a predetermined water pressure from the upstream side of the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100 by a pump (not shown) or the like, the number of individual tubular members 24 through which the raw water W0 can flow is determined so as to form a flow path diameter that will result in a predetermined flow velocity as the raw water W0 passes through each pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10. Note that each shutter member 20 can be continuously operated by a drive device such as an electric motor or a fluid pressure cylinder.

As shown in FIG. 1, a solid-liquid separation unit 12 is connected downstream of the piping-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100. A known solid-liquid separation device can be used for the solid-liquid separation unit 12. The solid-liquid separation unit 12 includes, for example, multiple cone-shaped cyclones formed by combining a cylindrical section and a hollow cone section. The solid-liquid separation unit 12 performs centrifugation treatment by introducing raw water W0 containing flocs supplied from the third piping-type agitation granulation unit 10C into the cyclones. The raw water W0 flowing into the solid-liquid separation unit 12 is separated into treated water W1 from which solids have been removed by centrifugal force, sludge S representing the separated and removed solids, and blown water W2 generated by blowdown performed to improve separation efficiency. The sludge S and blown water W2 are separated in the blowdown section 42. The sludge S is appropriately discharged by opening the valve 44. Meanwhile, the blown water W2 is sequentially returned to the upstream side of the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation device 100.

A first water quality detector 46 is provided in the discharge flow path 38 for the treated water W1, and a second water quality detector 48 is provided in the return flow path 40 for the blown water W2, each constantly monitoring water quality. Well-known detection devices can be used for the first water quality detector 46 and the second water quality detector 48, and the water quality monitored by each is determined according to the raw water W0 to be treated, such as turbidity, metal ion concentration, and solids content. Therefore, the first water quality detector 46 and the second water quality detector 48 have detection functions equivalent to the determined water quality detection. The signals (detection results) output from the first water quality detector 46 and the second water quality detector 48 are provided to the second control unit 22B. Based on the detection results of the first water quality detector 46 and the second water quality detector 48, the second control unit 22B controls the type and amount of flocculant added in the flocculant addition unit 16 and the amount of pH adjuster added in the pH adjuster addition unit 18.

Figure 7 is a graph showing the changes in turbidity and suspended solids (SS) of treated water when the amount of inorganic flocculant added in the flocculant addition section 16 of the pipe-type agitation and granulation unit 10 is changed. The left vertical axis represents the turbidity of treated water W1. Turbidity is an index that indicates the degree of water turbidity, with 1 degree representing the turbidity when 1 mg of formazin is contained in 1 liter of water. The right vertical axis represents the SS of treated water. The SS of treated water is the weight (mg/L) of suspended solids, or suspended solids, which are substances with particle sizes between 1 μm and 2 mm that float or disperse in water. In this way, by controlling the amount of flocculant added in the flocculant addition section 16 using the first water quality detection section 46, the second water quality detection section 48, and the second control section 22B, the accuracy and quality of water quality management in the pipe-type agitation and granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100 can be improved even when the water quality of the raw water W0 fluctuates.

Figure 8 is a graph showing changes in water quality (metal ion concentration) when pH is adjusted using a pH adjuster added in the pH adjuster addition section 18 of the piped agitation granulation unit 10. In this way, by controlling the amount of pH adjuster added in the pH adjuster addition section 18 using the first water quality detection section 46, the second water quality detection section 48, and the second control section 22B, the accuracy and quality of water quality control in the piped agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100 can be improved even when the water quality of the raw water W0 fluctuates.

In this way, the second control unit 22B adjusts at least one of the amount and type of chemicals (flocculant and pH adjuster) added in the flocculant addition unit 16 and pH adjuster addition unit 18 based on the state of the treated water W1 (treated fluid) that has been discharged from the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 and subjected to post-treatment (solid-liquid separation treatment) in the solid-liquid separation unit 12, thereby enabling more stable water quality management.

As described above, the control unit 22 (first control unit 22A) may determine the number of individual tubular members 24 to be used in treating the raw water W0 based on the state of the treated water W1 discharged from the piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10 and subjected to post-treatment (solid-liquid separation treatment) by the solid-liquid separation unit 12. In this case, the raw water W0 to which an appropriate amount of chemicals (flocculant, pH adjuster, etc.) have been added by the second control unit 22B can be caused to flow at an optimal flow rate, thereby achieving optimal agitation, agglomeration, granulation, etc. As described above, the control unit 22 (first control unit 22A) controls the opening position of the shutter members 20 based on the treatment volume of the raw water W0 flowing into the piping-type agitation and granulation unit 10 and determines the number of individual tubular members 24 to be used in treating the raw water W0. Therefore, the raw water W0 to which an appropriate amount of chemicals (flocculant, pH adjuster, etc.) have been added by the second control unit 22B can be caused to flow at an optimal flow rate, thereby achieving optimal agitation, agglomeration, granulation, etc.

Note that while Figure 1 shows a configuration in which a first control unit 22A and a second control unit 22B are provided, the first control unit 22A and the second control unit 22B may be collectively referred to as the control unit 22.

In a pipe-type agitation granulation unit, if the number of pipes that allow the flow of raw water W0 is always kept constant, fluctuations in the flow rate of raw water W0 will result in fluctuations in the flow rate of raw water W0 flowing through the individual tubular members 24. For example, if the flow rate of raw water W0 decreases, the flow rate within the individual tubular members 24 will decrease, reducing the shear force applied to the raw water W0 and potentially reducing aggregation and granulation performance. Conversely, if the flow rate of raw water W0 increases, the flow rate within the individual tubular members 24 will increase, increasing the shear force applied to the raw water W0 and improving aggregation and granulation performance, but this may increase energy costs due to increased pressure loss. Thus, if the number of individual tubular members 24 that allow the flow of raw water W0 is always kept constant, aggregation and granulation processing may become unstable and may result in losses in operating costs. On the other hand, in the case of the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 of this embodiment, the flow rate and water pressure of the raw water W0 flowing into the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 (pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100) are monitored by the flow rate detection unit 34 and pressure detection unit 36, and the position of the shutter member 20 is controlled in response to fluctuations in the flow rate of the raw water W0, thereby controlling the number of individual tubular members 24 through which the raw water W0 flows. As a result, the flow rate within the individual tubular members 24 is always kept roughly constant, making it possible to maintain roughly constant aggregation and granulation performance and stable water quality. Furthermore, stabilizing pressure loss can suppress increases in energy costs for operating the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 (pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100).

Figures 9 and 10 are front views showing the open state of the downstream ends of the individual tubular members 24 when viewed from the downstream side of a piping-type agitation granulation unit 10 in which one gate valve 30 is equipped with multiple (e.g., two) shutter members 20. In Figure 9, the first gate valve 30A (not shown) included in the first piping-type agitation granulation unit 10A includes first shutter members 20Aa and 20Ab, which can move in the Y1 and Y2 directions, respectively. The second gate valve 30B includes second shutter members 20Ba and 20Bb, which can move in the Z1 and Z2 directions, respectively.

As shown in Figures 9 and 10, by providing one gate valve 30 with multiple (e.g., two) shutter members 20, the positions of the individual tubular members 24 that allow the flow of raw water W0 can be selected more precisely. For example, even when selecting 12 individual tubular members 24 that allow the flow of raw water W0, the individual tubular members 24 can be selected in a 4-row x 3-column array in the central region of the first agitation module 14A as shown in Figure 9, or the individual tubular members 24 can be selected in a 6-row x 2-column array in the left region of the first agitation module 14A as shown in Figure 10.

In this way, changing the selected position of the individual tubular members 24 improves the flexibility of selecting the individual tubular members 24 used for the flow of raw water W0. For example, if the pipe-type agitation and granulation unit 10 is used for an extended period of time, aggregated and granulated solids may adhere and accumulate on the inner walls of the individual tubular members 24, blocking part of the flow path and increasing pressure loss. In such cases, even if the number of individual tubular members 24 used is controlled, it may not be possible to maintain the flow rate of the raw water W0. Therefore, for example, by changing the position of the individual tubular members 24 used (controlling the opening position) while maintaining the number of individual tubular members 24 used based on the detection results obtained from the pressure detection unit 36, it is possible to avoid the individual tubular members 24 with accumulated solids as described above and avoid the problem. As a result, the flow rate of the raw water W0 can be maintained effectively, an increase in driving energy required to flow the raw water W0 is prevented, and the treated water quality can be more easily maintained at a predetermined value.

The first control unit 22A may output an alarm indicating that the individual tubular members 24 used to treat the raw water W0 should be changed if the pressure detection unit 36 detects a value equal to or greater than a predetermined value, even if the inflow rate of the raw water W0 has not increased or the number of individual tubular members 24 used has not been changed. In other words, this occurs when it is determined that solid matter may have accumulated in the individual tubular members 24 being used. In this case, maintenance of the individual tubular members 24 (pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10) is required. Based on this alarm, the manager of the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 (pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100) can easily plan a maintenance schedule for the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10, facilitating management of the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 (pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100). Furthermore, if the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 has an automatic cleaning function using, for example, a solvent, the control unit 22 may be configured to perform automatic cleaning when the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 (pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100) is stopped, etc., based on the above-mentioned alarm.

Figure 11 is a front view showing pattern M, in which the open state of the ends of the individual tubular members 24 in each agitation module 14 is changed by the operation of the first shutter member 20A to the fourth shutter member 20D included in the piping-type agitation granulation unit 10. Specifically, the number and positions of the individual tubular members 24 used in the first agitation module 14A, second agitation module 14B, and third agitation module 14C are changed.

In Figure 11, the state shown in the first row (top row) is the state of the first piping-type agitation granulation unit 10A (first agitation module 14A) viewed from the upstream side, with six rows of individual tubular members 24 in the upper region blocked by the first shutter member 20A. Also, four rows of individual tubular members 24 in the right-hand region blocked by the second shutter member 20B. In the state shown in the second row, the state of the second piping-type agitation granulation unit 10B (second agitation module 14B) viewed from the upstream side, with four rows of individual tubular members 24 in the right-hand region blocked by the second shutter member 20B. Also, two rows of individual tubular members 24 in the upper region blocked by the third shutter member 20C. The state shown in the third row is the third piping-type agitation granulation unit 10C (third agitation module 14C) viewed from the upstream side, with two rows of individual tubular members 24 in the upper region blocked by the third shutter member 20C. Six rows of individual tubular members 24 in the right-hand region are blocked by the fourth shutter member 20D. The state shown in the fourth row is the third piping-type agitation granulation unit 10C (third agitation module 14C) viewed from the downstream side, with six rows of individual tubular members 24 in the right-hand region blocked by the fourth shutter member 20D.

In other words, as shown in the first row, the first agitation module 14A allows the flow of raw water W0 through nine individual tubular members 24 in the lower left region. As shown in the second row, the second agitation module 14B allows the flow of raw water W0 through 25 individual tubular members 24 in the left region. As shown in the third and fourth rows, the third agitation module 14C allows the flow of raw water W0 through 11 individual tubular members 24 in the left region. In this case, raw water W0, which has been agitated with the pH adjuster and first coagulant and flowed out of the lower left region of the first agitation module 14A, travels through the second gate valve 30B located between the first agitation module 14A and the second agitation module 14B, and is allowed to flow into the 25 individual tubular members 24 in the left region where flow is permitted in the second agitation module 14B. Similarly, raw water W0, which has been agitated with the pH adjuster, first flocculant, and second flocculant, flows from the left region of the second agitation module 14B through the third gate valve 30C located between the second agitation module 14B and the third agitation module 14C. The raw water W0 then flows through the eleven individual tubular members 24 on the left side of the third agitation module 14C, allowing flow. In this case, the number of individual tubular members 24 through which raw water W0 is allowed to flow differs between the first agitation module 14A, the second agitation module 14B, and the third agitation module 14C. This allows for the agitation state to be adjusted in each agitation module 14. For example, the second agitation module 14B can slow the flow rate of raw water W0 compared to the first agitation module 14A, providing gentler agitation. The third agitation module 14C can then increase the flow rate of raw water W0 again, providing more intense agitation. This allows for the agitation mode to be adjusted depending on the type and amount of chemical being added.

Furthermore, even when the same number of individual tubular members 24 are used in different agitation modules 14, the positions of the individual tubular members 24 used can be easily changed, as explained in Figures 9 and 10, so that the path can be easily changed even if solids accumulate inside the individual tubular members 24. As mentioned above, by moving the first gate valve 30A and the third gate valve 30C to the same position and the second gate valve 30B and the fourth gate valve 30D to the same position, the raw water W0 can be flowed using the same number of individual tubular members 24 in the same positions in the first agitation module 14A, second agitation module 14B, and third agitation module 14C.

Figure 12 is a front view from the downstream side showing variations in the movement direction of the first shutter member 20F included in the first piping-type agitation granulation unit 10A. In Figure 12, the first shutter member 20F supported by the first gate valve 30A (not shown) located upstream of the first agitation module 14A has a generally rectangular plate shape like the other shutter members 20, but its movement direction is shifted by approximately 45° counterclockwise, allowing it to move in the F1 and F2 directions. The second shutter member 20B supported by the second gate valve 30B downstream of the first agitation module 14A can move in the Z1 and Z2 directions, as in the example of Figure 3. As a result, as shown in Figure 12, the positional variations of the available individual tubular members 24 can be increased depending on the movement amount of the first shutter member 20F and the second shutter member 20B.

Figure 13 is a front view from the upstream side showing variations in the shape and movement direction of the first shutter members 20Ga-20Gc supported by the first piping-type agitation granulation unit 10A. In Figure 13, three approximately pentagonal plate-shaped first shutter members 20Ga-20Gc are arranged upstream of the first agitation module 14A. The first shutter member 20Ga is movable in the Y1-Y2 direction, similar to the first shutter member 20A shown in Figure 2. The first shutter member 20Gb is tilted approximately 135° clockwise relative to the first shutter member 20Ga and is movable in the G1 and G2 directions. Similarly, the first shutter member 20Gc is tilted approximately 135° counterclockwise relative to the first shutter member 20Ga and is movable in the H1 and H2 directions. Therefore, when each of the first shutter members 20Ga-20Gc moves the same amount toward the center of the first agitation module 14A, their apexes converge near the center of the first agitation module 14A, blocking all of the individual tubular members 24. Furthermore, when each of the first shutter members 20Ga-20Gc moves in the outer or inner radial direction, as shown in FIG. 13, it becomes possible to block individual tubular members 24 in an irregular manner, thereby increasing the variety of positions of the individual tubular members 24 that can be used depending on the amount of movement of the first shutter members 20Ga-20Gc.

As shown in Figures 12 and 13, by changing the movement direction and shape of the shutter member 20, it is possible to easily increase the variety of positions of the individual tubular members 24 that can be used for the flow of raw water W0. In this case, particularly when solids accumulate inside the individual tubular members 24 due to long-term use of the pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10 (pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100) as described above, preventing smooth flow of raw water W0, it becomes easier to select an individual tubular member 24 to use instead of that individual tubular member 24, making it easier to avoid a decrease in the operating efficiency of the pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus 100.

The shape of the shutter members 20 and the number of shutter members 20 arranged on one gate valve 30 are not limited to the above example, and can be changed as appropriate as long as the shape and number allow for the closing and opening of all individual tubular members 24 of the agitation module 14, and the same effect can be obtained.

In the example described above, the shutter member 20 on the outlet side of the upstream agitation module 14 is also used as the shutter member 20 on the inlet side of the adjacent agitation module 14 on the downstream side. In other embodiments, dedicated shutter members 20 may be provided on the inlet and outlet sides of the agitation module 14. In other words, the gate valve 30 sandwiched between adjacent agitation modules 14 may be provided with a shutter member 20 on the outlet side of the upstream agitation module 14 and a shutter member 20 on the inlet side of the downstream agitation module 14. In this case, individual tubular members 24 can be selected in the same way as when the shutter member 20 is shared between the outlet and inlet sides as described above, and similar effects can be achieved.

The above describes an embodiment of the present invention, but the above embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiment can be implemented in various forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiment is included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the inventions set forth in the claims and their equivalents.

10 Pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10A First pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10B Second pipe-type agitation granulation unit 10C Third pipe-type agitation granulation unit 12 Solid-liquid separation unit 14 Agitation module 14A First agitation module 14B Second agitation module 14C Third agitation module 16 Flocculant addition section 16A First flocculant addition section 16B Second flocculant addition section 16C Third flocculant addition section 18 pH adjuster addition section 20 Shutter member 20A, 20F, 20Ga, 20Gb, 20Gc First shutter member 20B Second shutter member 20C Third shutter member 20D Fourth shutter member 22 Control section 22A First control section 22B Second control section 24 Individual tubular member 24a Flow path 26 Element 28 Housing 30 Gate valve 30A First gate valve 30B Second gate valve 30C Third gate valve 30D Fourth gate valve 34 Flow rate detection unit 36 Pressure detection unit 46 First water quality detection unit 48 Second water quality detection unit 100 Pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation device

Claims (9)

an agitation module in which a plurality of individual tubular members, each having a spiral element fixed thereto, are arranged in parallel in a flow path through which raw water to be treated can flow, and the raw water flowing through each of the individual tubular members is agitated;
an adding unit that is disposed upstream of the agitation module and that adds a chemical to form flocs to the raw water flowing through the individual tubular members;
a plate-shaped shutter member disposed at at least one of the upstream end and the downstream end of the mixing module, the shutter member being movable between a fully closed position at which all of the flow paths of the plurality of individual tubular members are closed and an open position at which at least one of the flow paths of the plurality of individual tubular members is opened;
a control unit that controls the movement position of the shutter member to determine the individual tubular member to be used for treating the raw water;
A piping type agitation granulation unit equipped with: The shutter members are provided at the upstream end and the downstream end of the mixing module,
2. The piping-type agitation granulation unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit differentiates a first open position of the shutter member on the upstream end side from a second open position of the shutter member on the downstream end side, and determines the position of the individual tubular member used for treating the raw water by combining the first open position and the second open position. A pipe-type agitation granulation unit as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein multiple shutter members are arranged at the end of the agitation module. A pipe-type agitation granulation unit as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit controls the opening position of the shutter members and determines the number of individual tubular members to be used in treating the raw water based on the state of the treated fluid discharged from the pipe-type agitation granulation unit and subjected to post-treatment. A pipe-type agitation granulation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit controls the opening position of the shutter members and determines the number of individual tubular members to be used to treat the raw water based on the treatment volume of the raw water flowing into the pipe-type agitation granulation unit. a pressure detection unit provided upstream of the agitation module for detecting a pressure state of the raw water flowing into the agitation module;
The control unit controls the opening position of the shutter member based on the pressure state when the raw water passes through the agitation module, and determines the position of the individual tubular member used to treat the raw water. A piping-type agitation granulation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The pipe-type agitation granulation unit described in claim 6, wherein the control unit outputs an alarm indicating that the individual tubular member used to treat the raw water should be changed when the detection value detected by the pressure detection unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. A pipe-type agitation granulation unit according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit adjusts at least one of the amount and type of chemical added by the addition unit based on the state of the treated fluid discharged from the pipe-type agitation granulation unit and subjected to post-treatment. A pipe-type agitation granulation solid-liquid separation apparatus comprising a solid-liquid separation unit downstream of the pipe-type agitation granulation unit described in any one of claims 1 to 8, for post-processing the agitated fluid discharged from the pipe-type agitation granulation unit.