JP7748098B2 - Powder and granular material supply device and supply method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a powder/granular material supply device and supply method that has excellent powder/granular material supplying capabilities and can prevent the powder/granular material from adhering to the device's metering groove, discharge port, and surrounding areas due to moisture absorption, etc.

At water treatment facilities such as sewage treatment plants and water supply plants, flocculants are used to promote the aggregation of suspended solids in the water and the settling of the aggregated suspended solids. Examples of flocculants used include ionic and nonionic polymer flocculants with polar groups. Polymer flocculants are generally in powder form. When using powdered polymer flocculants in water treatment facilities, various types of equipment are used, as it is easier to supply them to the water being treated using dedicated supply equipment.

Polymer flocculants are highly hygroscopic, and if they absorb moisture, it may adhere to the inside of the supply device. Therefore, to prevent moisture absorption in the supply device, methods that have been considered include placing a desiccant inside the polymer flocculant storage chamber to keep the flocculant dry, or sealing the connection between the storage chamber and the outside of the device to prevent moisture from entering.

Patent Document 1 describes a powder dissolving device that includes a powder container that holds a powdered material to be processed; a screw feeder that transports the material to the powder container's powder outlet; an outlet member with a powder hole through which the material passes; an open/close member that is fixed to the shaft of the screw feeder and that slides against the outer surface of the outlet member as the screw feeder rotates to close or open the powder discharge port of the powder hole; and a screw feeder rotation stop control means that controls the open/close member to stop at a position where it closes the powder discharge port when the screw feeder stops rotating. In this device, the open/close member can seal the powder discharge port more reliably than conventional devices.

Patent Document 2 describes a powder supply device equipped with a hopper for storing and piling up powder, and a mixing chamber for scattering the powder in particulate form and creating a powder-scattering atmosphere. Compressed air is sent from a slit-shaped nozzle in a compressed air supply nozzle into a connecting passage consisting of a slit gap, and a small amount of powder is scraped out of the hopper and thoroughly mixed with the air in the mixing chamber for agitation. The scattered powder is then released from the opening of the mixing chamber. With this device, instead of flake-like powder falling straight down, the powder mixed with air is dispersed widely above the liquid tank. Patent Document 2 also describes how air flowing downward toward the opening prevents water vapor from entering from the liquid tank below and humidifying the mixing chamber.

Patent No. 5877619 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-341191

In the case of the powder dissolving device described in Patent Document 1, even if it is possible to prevent moisture from entering the powder container when the screw feeder stops rotating, it is difficult to completely prevent moisture from entering the powder container, and there is a risk that the screw feeder and powder holes will gradually become clogged with hygroscopic flocculant. Therefore, the powder dissolving device described in Patent Document 1 is likely to require regular maintenance, and the maintenance burden is likely to be significant due to the inclusion of components with complex structures such as the screw feeder.

In the case of the powder supplying device described in Patent Document 2, compressed air is sprayed from an injection nozzle toward the connecting passage to scrape out and supply the powder. As a result, the amount of powder supplied may fluctuate, and there is a risk that a stable supply will not be achieved. Furthermore, since it is necessary to introduce dry air into the device and the structure is complex, it is thought that the maintenance burden is significant.

The present invention was made in consideration of these circumstances, and aims to provide a powder/granular material supply device and powder/granular material supply method that are excellent in terms of powder/granular material supplying performance and maintenance.

The powder and granular material supply device of the present invention comprises a storage chamber for storing the powder and granular material, and a powder supply means for discharging the powder and granular material outside the supply device, the powder supply means having a powder supply member for measuring the powder and a lifting mechanism for repeatedly raising and lowering the powder supply member in an up and down direction, the storage chamber being a closed space formed in part by the powder supply member and closed from the outside, the powder supply member having a metering groove into which the powder and granular material are filled, the metering groove being located inside the storage chamber when the powder supply member is raised and stopped, and being located outside the storage chamber when the powder supply member is lowered, and the powder and granular material filled in the metering groove being discharged.
The term "when the powder supply member is stopped" refers to the time when the powder supply member is not moving up or down and is stopped in an elevated position (at the top of its movable range).

The powder supply member is a plate-shaped member.

The shape of the metering groove in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the surface of the powder feeding member facing the metering groove is triangular, and the angle of the lower apex angle of the triangle is 60° or less.

The supply device has a chute below the powder supply member that disperses and discharges the powder and granular material. The chute is formed from a pair of elastic plates, and when the powder supply member is in the raised position, the tips of the pair of elastic plates abut against each other, closing the chute, which opens when the powder supply member moves downward.

The supply device is characterized by having a half pipe below the chute that dissolves the powder and granular material.

The supply device is used to supply the powder and granular material to the water to be treated in a water treatment facility, and is characterized in that it is a device that supplies a flocculant as the powder and granular material.

The powder/granular material supply method of the present invention is a powder/granular material supply method using the supply device described above, and includes a measuring step in which the powder supply member, in a raised state, stores the powder/granular material in the metering groove within the storage chamber, and a supply step in which the powder supply member, in a lowered state, discharges the powder/granular material measured in the measuring step out of the supply device, and is characterized in that the metering groove is located inside the storage chamber during the measuring step.

During the supply process, the powder supply member pushes the powder accumulated in a chute located below the supply device from above, opening the chute and dispersing the powder.

In the powder/granular material supply device of the present invention, the powder supply means comprises a powder supply member that measures the powder/granular material and an elevating mechanism that repeatedly raises and lowers the powder supply member in an up-and-down direction. The storage chamber is a closed space partially formed by the powder supply member and closed off from the outside. The powder supply member has a metering groove into which the powder/granular material is filled. The metering groove is located inside the storage chamber when the powder supply member is raised or stopped, and is located outside the storage chamber when the powder supply member is lowered, and the powder/granular material filled in the metering groove is discharged. This prevents moisture from reaching the metering groove, making it less likely for the groove to become clogged with powder/granular material. This allows for stable powder/granular material supply over long periods of time, and provides excellent powder/granular material supplyability and maintainability.

Because the powder feeding member is a plate-shaped member, the metering groove is easy to clean, making maintenance easier.

The shape of the metering groove in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the surface of the powder feeder member facing the metering groove is triangular, with the lower apex angle of the triangle being 60° or less, making it easier for powder to fall when the powder feeder member descends. This makes it less likely for powder to remain in the metering groove, making it less likely for the metering groove to become clogged.

The supply device has a chute that disperses and discharges powder and granular material below the powder supply member. The chute is formed from a pair of elastic plates. When the powder supply member is in the raised position, the tips of the pair of elastic plates butt against each other to close the chute, which opens when the powder supply member moves downward. This prevents moisture from entering the device. Furthermore, because the powder and granular material are supplied in a dispersed manner, they are easily dissolved in the water being treated.

The supply device has a half pipe below the chute that dissolves the powder, making it easy for the powder to mix with the water being treated.

When supplying a flocculant as a powder or granular material from above the water to be treated, the supply device placed above it must be designed to suppress moisture absorption by the flocculant. The supply device of the present invention is particularly effective at suppressing moisture absorption by powder or granular material, making it suitable as a device for supplying flocculant in water treatment facilities.

The powder/granular material supply method of the present invention is a powder/granular material supply method using the supply device described above, and includes a metering step in which the powder supply member, when raised, stores the powder/granular material in the metering groove within the storage chamber, and a supply step in which the powder supply member, when lowered, discharges the powder/granular material measured in the metering step out of the supply device. Because the metering groove is located inside the storage chamber during the metering step, moisture is less likely to reach the metering groove, and the groove is less likely to become clogged with powder/granular material. This allows for stable powder/granular material supply over long periods of time, resulting in excellent powder/granular material supplyability and maintainability.

During the supply process, the powder supply member pushes from above on the powder accumulated in a chute located below the supply device, opening the chute and dispersing the powder, preventing moisture from entering the device. Furthermore, because the powder is supplied dispersedly, it dissolves easily in the water being treated.

1A and 1B are a front view and a side view showing an embodiment of a supply device of the present invention. 1 is a front view showing the internal structure of an embodiment of a supply device of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal structure of an embodiment of a supply device of the present invention. FIG. 3A and 3B are a front view and a side view of a powder feeding member. FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a metering groove in the powder feeding member. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing the lifting and lowering movement of the powder supplying means.

The supply device of the present invention will be described using Figure 1. Figure 1(a) is a front view of one embodiment of the supply device of the present invention, and Figure 1(b) is a side view of one embodiment of the supply device of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the supply device 1 has, inside the main body 2, a storage chamber 3 that stores powdered or granular material, and a powder supplying means 4 that discharges the powdered or granular material outside the supply device 1. The supply device 1 also has a chute 5 that disperses and discharges downward the powdered or granular material discharged by the powder supplying means 4. The storage chamber 3 is formed from an upper hopper 31 and a lower hopper 32. Note that the supply device 1 does not necessarily have to have the chute 5. Furthermore, the storage chamber 3 does not necessarily have to have the upper hopper 31.

The overall size of the supply device 1 is not particularly limited, as long as it fits within the space available at the installation location and can supply the required amount of powder or granular material. Specific dimensions include, for example, horizontal lengths of approximately 20 cm to 200 cm each, and a height of approximately 30 cm to 300 cm.

The components of the supply device can be made of materials with strength, wear resistance, corrosion resistance, etc., depending on the usage environment. For example, stainless steel plates can be used for the outer plates of the device. Furthermore, for the sliding and sealing parts within the device, resin materials can be used, for example.

The powder and granular material is fed into the storage chamber 3 through an openable inlet located at the top of the upper hopper 31. When the supply device 1 is stopped, the powder and granular material remains in the storage chamber 3, and when the supply device 1 starts and the powder feeding means (described below) descends, a predetermined amount is discharged from the storage chamber 3 into the chute 5. The powder and granular material passes through a discharge outlet at the bottom of the chute 5 and is supplied to the water being treated below.

The internal structure of the supply device of the present invention will be described using Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 is a front view of one embodiment of the supply device of the present invention, and Figure 3 is a side view of one embodiment of the supply device.

As shown in FIG. 3, the storage chamber 3 has an upper hopper 31 and a lower hopper 32. The lower hopper 32 has an opening on the side facing the powder supply means 4, which is blocked by a powder supply member 41. The powder supply member 41 is slidably mounted on a partition plate 32a located at the top of the lower hopper 32 on the side facing the lifting means 4, and forms part of the partition wall of the storage chamber 3. In addition, a leveling member 6 is slidably mounted on the bottom of the lower hopper 32 against the powder supply member 41. The storage chamber 3 is a closed space that is closed from the outside. Here, in this specification, the term "closed space that is closed from the outside" refers to a space in which fluid flow in and out of the external space is restricted and the temperature, humidity, etc. differ from those of the external space. It includes not only a completely closed space but also a space that has a gap that leads to the outside. The powder supply member 41 has a metering groove (described later) on the side facing the storage chamber 3. When the powder supply member 41 is raised during operation of the supply device 1, the metering groove is located inside the storage chamber 3, and when the powder supply member 41 is lowered, the metering groove is located outside the storage chamber 3, and powder or granular material is discharged through the metering groove. When the supply device 1 is stopped, the metering groove stops moving in the raised position and is located inside the storage chamber 3. This configuration makes it difficult for humid outside air to enter the storage chamber 3, and the metering groove is less likely to come into contact with outside air when the device is stopped, making it less likely for the metering groove to become clogged with powder or granular material P. The leveling member 6 does not need to be provided at the bottom of the lower hopper 32. It is preferable to provide the leveling member 6 because it improves the sealing of the storage chamber 3 and contributes to accurate metering by the powder supply member 41 by leveling it.

The powder supply means 4 includes a powder supply member 41 that measures the powder P and a lifting mechanism 42 that repeatedly raises and lowers the powder supply member 41 in the vertical direction. The powder supply member 41 is fixed to the lifting mechanism 42 and, in accordance with the lifting movement of the lifting mechanism 42, rises and lowers along the partition plate 32a while keeping the storage chamber 3 closed. The powder supply member 41 repeatedly raises and lowers in the vertical direction to discharge the powder P from the storage chamber 3, stirring the powder P and causing it to gradually drop (move) to the bottom of the storage chamber 3. This prevents the formation of cavities (bridges) within the storage chamber, allowing the supply device 1 to stably supply the powder P. Furthermore, the powder supply means 4 has a simple structure, making it easy to maintain.

When the powder supply member 41 is in the raised position (when it is positioned at the top of its movable range), for example, 3/10 to 7/10 of its surface facing the storage chamber 3 can be in direct contact with the powder P. The surface of the powder supply member 41 facing the storage chamber 3 that does not directly contact the powder P faces the partition plate 32a and the leveling member 6. From the perspective of preventing the occurrence of cavities and achieving smooth lifting and lowering movement of the powder supply member 41, the area of the surface facing the storage chamber 3 in the raised position that directly contacts the powder P is preferably 3/10 to 7/10, more preferably 3/10 to 6/10, and even more preferably 3/10 to 5/10.

The lifting mechanism 42 has a trapezoidal screw 42a and a motor 42b that rotates the screw shaft of the trapezoidal screw to raise and lower the nut. The powder feeder 41 is fixed to the nut, which rises and falls along the screw shaft, and therefore rises and falls along with the nut's up and down movement. The speed and stroke length at which the nut is raised and lowered can be freely set according to the amount of powder P to be supplied. Note that the lifting mechanism 42 is not limited to the trapezoidal screw 42a; it could also be an electric hydraulic cylinder or the like, as long as it can repeatedly raise and lower the powder feeder 41 in the vertical direction.

The powder supply member will be described using Figure 4. Figure 4(a) is a front view of the powder supply member, and Figure 4(b) is a side view of the powder supply member. As shown in Figure 4, the powder supply member 41 is, for example, a flat plate-shaped member having a predetermined thickness. The powder supply member 41 has five metering grooves 41b, into which powder and granular material are filled, at the bottom of the surface 41a facing the storage chamber. The metering grooves 41b are formed continuously from one end of the powder supply member 41 to the other end in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the powder supply member 41 is raised and lowered. Because the powder supply member 41 is a plate-shaped member, the metering grooves 41b are easy to clean and the maintenance is excellent. The shape of the powder supply member 41 may be any shape that allows the powder and granular material to be discharged from the storage chamber by repeated vertical raising and lowering movements, and is not limited to a flat plate shape, but may also be a polygonal pillar shape or a cylindrical shape. Furthermore, the powder supply member 41 only needs to have a metering groove 41b on the surface 41a facing the storage chamber, and depending on the structure of the supply device, the powder supply member 41 may have metering grooves 41b on all of its side surfaces.

The overall size of the powder supply member is not particularly limited, as long as it is large enough to supply the required amount of powder. Specific sizes of the powder supply member include, for example, a horizontal length of 10 cm to 100 cm and a height of 15 cm to 150 cm. If the powder supply member is a flat plate-shaped member, its thickness is, for example, 0.2 cm to 20 cm.

The powder feeder is preferably a molded body of a resin material, such as nylon, polyimide, polyamideimide, polyetherimide, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacetal, or polyether ether ketone. To prevent powder from adhering to the powder feeder, the powder feeder is preferably conductive. To improve the conductivity of the powder feeder, a conductive coating may be formed on the surface of the powder feeder, or a conductive substance such as carbon black may be blended into the resin material.

The number of metering grooves is not limited to five. Furthermore, the metering grooves may be formed continuously from one end face to the other end face of the powder supply member, as long as they are located inside the storage chamber when the supply device is stopped and do not communicate with the outside of the storage chamber. For example, the metering grooves may be formed discontinuously from one end to the other end of the powder supply member, or may be formed on only one side of the powder supply member, such as the center, left side, or right side. Furthermore, the metering grooves may be recessed below the plane of the powder supply member facing the storage chamber. The shape of the metering grooves when viewed in a plan view may be, for example, linear, curved, strip-shaped, circular, elliptical, polygonal, or the like. When there are multiple metering grooves, the spacing between adjacent metering grooves may or may not be uniform.

When the metering groove is linear or band-shaped, it is preferable that the metering groove be formed in a direction other than the ascending/descending direction of the powder feeding member, from the viewpoint of reliably discharging the powder or granular material filled in the metering groove out of the storage chamber. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of ease of filling the groove with powder or granular material, the width of the metering groove (maximum diameter in the case of a circular, elliptical, or polygonal shape in plan view) is preferably equal to or greater than the maximum particle size of the powder or granular material. When the average particle size of the powder or granular material is approximately 1 mm, the width of the metering groove is, for example, preferably 1 mm to 100 mm, more preferably 5 mm to 50 mm, even more preferably 5 mm to 30 mm, and even more preferably 10 mm to 20 mm. The number of metering grooves is, for example, preferably 1 to 100, more preferably 1 to 20, even more preferably 1 to 10, and even more preferably 3 to 8. When there are multiple metering grooves, the metering grooves may be formed in the same direction or in different directions.

The cross-sectional shape of the metering groove will be explained using Figure 5. Figure 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the metering groove. As shown in Figure 5, the shape of the metering groove 41b (cross-sectional shape of the metering groove) in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the surface of the powder feeding member 41 on the metering groove 41b side is triangular. In the cross-sectional shape of the metering groove 41b, the angle θl of the lower apex angle of the triangle is, for example, 5° to 60°. The angle θl is preferably 10° to 55°, more preferably 15° to 50°, and even more preferably 20° to 45°. The angle θu of the upper apex angle of the triangle is, for example, 5° to 90°. The angle θu is preferably 20° to 80°, more preferably 35° to 75°, and even more preferably 50° to 70°. The angle θb of the apex angle located at the bottom of the metering groove 41b is, for example, 60° to 185°. Angle θb is preferably 70° to 160°, more preferably 75° to 145°, and even more preferably 80° to 130°. By keeping the angle of metering groove 41b within the above range (particularly, θl between 5° and 60°), powder and granules easily fall from metering groove 41b when powder feeding member 41 descends. As a result, powder and granules are less likely to remain in metering groove 41b, making metering groove 41b less likely to become clogged. The cross-sectional shape of metering groove 41b is not limited to a triangle and can be any shape. The cross-sectional shape of metering groove 41b may be, for example, semicircular, polygonal, or rectangular. It is particularly preferable for the bottom of metering groove 41b to be curved, as this reduces the likelihood of powder and granules remaining in metering groove 41b.

The leveling member will be explained again using Figure 3. A leveling member 6 is provided at the bottom of the storage chamber 3 to prevent the powder P from flowing downward and to prevent outside air from entering the storage chamber 3. From the standpoint of sealing performance and accurate measurement (leveling), the distance between the leveling member 6 and the powder supply member 41 is preferably smaller than the maximum particle size of the powder P, more preferably smaller than the average particle size, and even more preferably smaller than the minimum particle size. Furthermore, from the standpoint of ease of raising and lowering the powder supply member 41, the distance is preferably 0 mm or greater. The distance is, for example, 0 mm to 20 mm. The distance is preferably 0 mm to 10 mm, more preferably 0 mm to 5 mm, even more preferably 0 mm to 2 mm, and even more preferably 0 mm.

The leveling member must be slidable and wear-resistant because it comes into sliding contact with the powder feeder. The leveling member is preferably a molded body made of a resin material, such as nylon, polyimide, polyamide-imide, polyetherimide, ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene, polyester, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyacetal, or polyether ether ketone. Ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene molded bodies are particularly preferred as leveling members. From the perspective of ease of raising and lowering the leveling member, it is preferable that the leveling member have excellent sliding properties. To improve the sliding properties of the leveling member, a coating with a low friction coefficient may be formed on the surface of the leveling member, or a lubricant such as fluororesin or graphite may be blended into the resin material.

The above-described configuration of the present invention enables stable supply of powder and granular material over a long period of time, and provides excellent powder and granular material supplyability and maintenance.

Using Figure 6, we will explain the movement of the device when powder or granular material is supplied from the supply device. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the up and down movement of the powder supply means in the supply device placed above a water tank containing the water to be treated. Figure 6(a) is a diagram showing the powder supply means in its raised state, and Figure 6(b) is a diagram showing the powder supply means in its lowered state (positioned at the lowest position within its movable range). For convenience, in Figure 6, the water tank 8 is drawn to be approximately the same size as the supply device 1, but in reality the water tank 8 may be significantly larger than the supply device 1.

As shown in FIG. 6, the supply device 1 has a chute 5 formed by a pair of plate-shaped elastic bodies 51 below the powder supply member 41. Furthermore, the supply device 1 has a half pipe 7 below the chute 5 for dissolving the powder P. Note that the supply device 1 may not have a half pipe 7 and may supply the powder P directly to the water to be treated W. Furthermore, the liquid placed below the chute 5 is not limited to an aqueous liquid such as the water to be treated W, but may also be an organic solvent-based liquid, another powder, or an object.

The chute 5 includes an enclosure 52 provided at the bottom of the main body 2 of the supply device 1, a plate-shaped elastic body 51 fixed to the enclosure, and a pressing member (not shown) that presses the plate-shaped elastic body toward the opposing plate-shaped elastic body 51. The enclosure 52 is formed, for example, from a stainless steel plate and has an opening at its bottom. The plate-shaped elastic body 51 is, for example, a rubber plate, and is fixed to the enclosure 52 so as to close the opening. The pressing member is, for example, a leaf spring, fixed to the enclosure 52 from the outside and presses the plate-shaped elastic body 51 inward. Note that the chute 5 may not include the enclosure 52 or pressing member and may be composed only of the plate-shaped elastic body 51. From the perspective of preventing moisture intrusion, as described below, it is preferable that the chute 5 include the enclosure 52 and pressing member in addition to the plate-shaped elastic body 51.

When the powder supply member 41 is raised, the tips of the pair of elastic plate members 51 butt against each other, closing the chute 5 (see Figure 6(a)). As the powder supply member 41 moves downward, the powder supply member 41 butts against the chute 5, opening it (Figure 6(b)). Specifically, when the powder supply member 41 descends from its raised position and the metering groove 41b moves below the leveling member 6, the powder P filled in the metering groove 41b falls and accumulates at the discharge port at the bottom of the chute 5. As the powder supply member 41 continues to descend, the lower end of the powder supply member 41 comes into contact with the elastic plate member 51, opening the chute 5. At this time, the lower end of the powder supply member 41 scrapes the powder P from the bottom of the chute 5 and drops it downward. As a result, the powder P is dispersed and discharged from the chute 5. To scrape off as much powder P adhering to the plate-shaped elastic body 51 as possible, the angle between the lower end face and the side face at the lower end of the powder feeding member 41 is preferably 70° to 110°, more preferably 80° to 100°, and even more preferably 90°.

The above-described configuration of the supply device makes it difficult for powder to adhere to the tip of the plate-shaped elastic body. Furthermore, if a water tank is located below the device, the powder dissolves easily in the water being treated. Furthermore, the chute prevents water splashes from the water tank, thereby preventing moisture from entering the storage chamber.

The half pipe 7 is a gutter-shaped member. Water flows over the half pipe 7, trickling down from the end and being supplied to the water tank 8. The powder and granular material P discharged in a dispersed state from the chute 5 dissolves in the flowing water above the half pipe 7, and is less likely to form lumps in the water W to be treated.

The supply device of the present invention, with its above-described configuration, facilitates mixing of the powder and granular material with the water being treated when supplying the coagulant to the water being treated at a water treatment facility, thereby enhancing the coagulation effect of suspended solids.

The powder/granular material supply method of the present invention will be described. Using the above-described supply device, the supply method includes a metering step in which the powder supply member, while in the raised position, places the powder/granular material in the metering groove within the storage chamber, and a supply step in which the powder supply member, while in the lowered position, discharges the powder/granular material measured in the metering step out of the supply device. Here, the metering step refers to the step in which the powder supply member places the powder/granular material in the metering groove within the storage chamber, regardless of whether the device is operating (while the powder supply member is repeatedly moving up and down) or when the device is stopped (while the powder supply member is stationary and not moving up and down). During this metering step, the metering groove is located inside the storage chamber. The supply device repeats the metering step, supply step, and metering step in sequence during one reciprocating up and down movement of the powder supply member, from the raised position to the lowered position and then back to the raised position. Because the metering groove is always located inside the storage chamber during the metering step, even when the device is stopped, moisture is less likely to reach the metering groove, and the groove is less likely to become clogged with powder/granular material.

Furthermore, from the standpoint of improving solubility in the water to be treated and suppressing moisture intrusion into the storage chamber, it is preferable that during the supply process, the powder supply member presses from above on the powder accumulated in a chute located below the supply device, opening the chute and dispersing the powder and discharge it.

The powder supply device and supply method of the present invention have been described above, but the configuration of the present invention is not limited to this.

The powder/granular material supply device and supply method of the present invention are excellent in powder/granular material supplyability and maintenance, making them particularly suitable for use when adding coagulants to water to be treated in water treatment facilities, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 Feeder 2 Main body 3 Storage chamber 31 Upper hopper 32 Lower hopper 32a Partition plate 4 Powder supply means 41 Powder supply member 41a Storage chamber side surface 41b Metering groove 42 Lifting mechanism 42a Trapezoidal screw 42b Motor 5 Chute 51 Plate-shaped elastic body 52 Enclosure 6 Leveling member 7 Half pipe 8 Water tank P Powder and granular material W Water to be treated

Claims (8)

A powder/granular material supply device,
the supply device includes a storage chamber that stores the powder or granular material, and powder supply means that discharges the powder or granular material to the outside of the supply device,
the powder supplying means includes a powder supplying member that measures the powder and granular material, and an elevating mechanism that repeatedly moves the powder supplying member up and down in a vertical direction;
the accommodation chamber is a closed space that is partially constituted by the powder feeding member and is closed from the outside,
the powder feeding member has a metering groove into which the powder or granular material is filled,
the metering groove is a groove that is located inside the accommodating chamber when the powder feeding member is raised or stopped, and is located outside the accommodating chamber when the powder feeding member is lowered, and through which the powder or granular material filled in the metering groove is discharged,
The measuring groove is a recess recessed from the flat surface of the powder supply member on the storage chamber side, and in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the surface of the powder supply member on the measuring groove side, the lower surface of the measuring groove connected to the flat surface on the storage chamber side is inclined downward, so that the powder and granular material filled in the measuring groove can fall when the powder supply member descends . A powder/granular material supply device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the powder supply member is a plate-shaped member. the shape of the metering groove in a vertical cross section perpendicular to the surface of the powder feeding member on the metering groove side is triangular,
3. The powder/granular material supplying device according to claim 1, wherein the angle of the lower apex angle of said triangle is 60 degrees or less. the supply device has a chute below the powder supply member that disperses and discharges the powder and granular material,
A powder and granular material supply device as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the chute is formed by a pair of plate-shaped elastic bodies, and when the powder supply member is in an elevated state, the tip ends of the pair of plate-shaped elastic bodies abut against each other to close the chute, and the chute opens when the powder supply member moves downward. The powder/granular material supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that the supply device has a half pipe below the chute for dissolving the powder/granular material. The powder/granular material supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the supply device is used to supply the powder/granular material to water to be treated in a water treatment facility, and is a device that supplies a flocculant as the powder/granular material. A method for supplying powder or granular material using the supply device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
a measuring step in which the powder feeding member, in a raised state, accommodates the powder or granular material in the metering groove within the accommodation chamber;
a supplying step in which the powder supplying member is in a lowered state and discharges the powder or granular material measured in the measuring step out of the supplying device,
A method for supplying powder or granular material, characterized in that the metering groove is located inside the storage chamber during the metering step. A powder/granular material supply method according to claim 7, characterized in that, in the supplying step, the powder supply member pushes the powder/granular material accumulated in a chute provided below the supply device from above, thereby opening the chute and dispersing and discharging the powder/granular material.