JP2011206613A - Ceramic filter module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a filter module (a filter) that is space-saving, is free of trouble resulting from clogging caused by suspended matter, and is of a long life.SOLUTION: The ceramic filter module includes at least two ceramic filter elements separately stored in a housing in an airtight and liquid-tight state via a plurality of seal members, and a discharge passage for suspended matter or a passage of air used for discharging the suspended matter, disposed between the neighboring ceramic filter elements.

Description

  The present invention relates to a long-life ceramic filter module that is less likely to cause problems due to clogging of suspensions.

  In recent years, ceramic filter elements have been used to selectively recover only specific components from a multi-component mixture. Ceramic filter elements are superior in mechanical strength, durability, corrosion resistance, etc., compared to organic polymer filter elements, so in a wide range of fields such as water treatment and exhaust gas treatment, pharmaceutical and food fields, It is preferably applied to the removal of suspended substances, bacteria, dust, etc. in liquids and gases.

  Such a ceramic filter element (also referred to as a ceramic filter element) usually has a so-called monolith type (or honeycomb type) from the viewpoint of achieving both permeation speed and separation performance. In many cases, the monolith type filter element includes a porous support body having a cylindrical outer shape and having a large number of parallel flow paths (cells) formed in the axial direction therein, and A filtration membrane having a pore diameter smaller than that of the porous support is formed on the inner wall surface forming the cell.

  Such a filter element is usually used as a filter module which is housed in a housing and is isolated by a sealing material or the like. For example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 can be cited as prior documents disclosing filter modules using conventional monolithic ceramic filters.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a vertically installed filter module. This filter module has a space-saving and high processing capacity by adopting a structure in which at least two filter elements built in one housing are connected in series vertically with a sealing material interposed therebetween. A filter module (filter) is realized.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a horizontal filter module. This filter module is made airtight and liquid-tight through a sealing material, and stores two or more filter elements in the housing, and is placed horizontally or obliquely so that the central axis is parallel to the horizontal plane. Since it is installed, space saving is achieved and deterioration of the sealing material is effectively prevented.

Japanese Patent No. 4242171 Japanese Patent No. 3857164

  However, since the filter module disclosed in Patent Document 1 is connected in series in the vertical direction, the position of the cell hole of the filter element may be shifted up and down, and in this case, the suspension attached to the inner surface of the cell. Even if turbidity or the like is peeled off from the filter element by backwashing, it accumulates at the joint between the filter element and cannot be discharged efficiently. In addition, since the plurality of filter elements are connected in series in the vertical direction via the seal material, the load of the filter element is applied to the seal material, and the seal material may deteriorate early. Furthermore, since it connects vertically in series, the ceiling of the building which stores a filter module becomes high.

  The filter module disclosed in Patent Document 2 houses two or more filter elements in one housing in the lateral direction, and the sealing member is hardly deteriorated by installing a support member. The problem that an object etc. accumulates in the joint of a filter element and a filter element may arise like the filter module indicated by patent documents 1. However, since it is connected sideways, the ceiling of the building that houses the filter module can be kept low.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a situation, The subject is a space-saving, it is hard to produce the problem resulting from the clogging of a suspension, and provides a long-life filter module (filter). There is. As a result of repeated research, two or more long filter elements are connected and housed in one housing arranged in a substantially horizontal direction, and the suspension is effectively added to the joint of each filter element. It was found that this problem can be solved by installing a discharging structure, and the present invention has been completed.

  That is, first, according to the present invention, two or more ceramic filter elements are housed in a single housing in a gas-tight and liquid-tight state through a sealing material, and the adjacent ceramic filter elements are separated. In the meantime, a ceramic filter module provided with a suspension discharge path or an air path used for discharging the suspension is provided.

  In the ceramic filter module according to the present invention, it is preferable that the housing is installed such that an angle formed between the central axis and the horizontal plane is 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less.

  The angle between the central axis of the housing and the horizontal plane is 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less, which means that the housing (also ceramic filter elements) is placed horizontally and installed almost horizontally. That is. If the angle between the central axis of the housing and the horizontal plane is 0 °, it is installed horizontally, and if the angle between the central axis of the housing and the horizontal plane is more than 0 ° (for example, 1 ° or more) and 30 ° or less, it is somewhat It is installed at an angle.

  In the ceramic filter module according to the present invention, the ceramic filter element is preferably a hollow monolith type element.

  The ceramic filter module according to the present invention is suitably used for filtration of raw water having a large amount of suspension (high turbidity).

  Next, according to the present invention, there is provided a filter in which any one of the above-described ceramic filter modules is stacked in the vertical direction.

  The ceramic filter module according to the present invention provides a suspension discharge path or an air path used for discharging the suspension between two or more adjacent ceramic filter elements. The filter module is discharged well and is less prone to problems due to the clogging of the suspension, resulting in a long-life filter module. In foreign countries and Japan, depending on the region, there may be a large amount of suspension of water (river water, groundwater, treated industrial water, etc.), and when that water is used as raw water (treated water), Although problems due to clogging are likely to occur, this preferred embodiment of the present invention does not cause such problems.

  In a preferred embodiment of the ceramic filter module according to the present invention, since two or more ceramic filter elements are accommodated in one housing, the same processing capacity (having the same number of ceramic filter elements) The number of housings is reduced and the cost can be reduced.

  The ceramic filter module according to the present invention is, in a preferred embodiment, installed in a horizontal position so that the angle between the central axis and the horizontal plane is 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less. Does not require a large building with

  In addition, when two or more ceramic filter elements are housed in one housing in a horizontal orientation, the suspended matter tends to accumulate at the joint between the filter element and the filter element due to gravity. In the present invention, since a suspension discharge path or an air path used for discharging the suspension is provided, such a problem does not occur.

It is a figure showing typically one embodiment of a ceramic filter element which constitutes a ceramic filter module concerning the present invention, and is a perspective view which cut out a part. It is a figure which shows typically one Embodiment of the ceramic filter module which concerns on this invention, and is an internal perspective figure showing the state of the filtration process. It is a figure which shows typically one Embodiment of the ceramic filter module which concerns on this invention, and is an internal perspective figure showing the state of the backwashing process. It is a figure showing typically one embodiment of a ceramic filter module concerning the present invention, and is an internal perspective view showing the state of blow. It is a figure showing typically one embodiment of a ceramic filter module concerning the present invention, and is a sectional view showing a section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. It is a top view (top view) showing typically one embodiment of a filter concerning the present invention. It is a front view which shows typically the filter shown by FIG. 4A. It is a figure which shows typically other embodiment of the ceramic filter element which comprises the ceramic filter module which concerns on this invention, and is the perspective view which cut out one part. It is a figure which shows typically other embodiment of the ceramic filter module which concerns on this invention, and is an internal perspective figure showing the state of filtration. It is a figure which shows typically other embodiment of the ceramic filter module which concerns on this invention, and is an internal perspective figure showing the state of the backwashing process. It is a figure which shows typically other embodiment of the ceramic filter module which concerns on this invention, and is an internal perspective figure showing the state of the blow. It is a figure which shows typically other embodiment of the ceramic filter module which concerns on this invention, and is sectional drawing showing the cross section perpendicular | vertical to a longitudinal direction. It is a top view (top view) showing typically other embodiments of a filter concerning the present invention. It is a front view which shows typically the filter shown by FIG. 8A.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, the present invention should not be construed as being limited to these, and those skilled in the art will be able to do so without departing from the scope of the present invention. Various changes, modifications and improvements can be made based on the knowledge. For example, the drawings show preferred embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited by the modes shown in the drawings or the information shown in the drawings. In practicing or verifying the present invention, means similar to or equivalent to those described in the present specification can be applied, but preferred means are those described below.

  First, an embodiment of a ceramic filter module according to the present invention, a ceramic filter element constituting the ceramic filter module, and a filter constituted by the ceramic filter module will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The ceramic filter element 1 shown in FIG. 1 is a type of filter element having no hollow portion and may be called a water collection cell type. This water collection cell type ceramic filter element 1 includes a porous body 9 having both end faces 2 and 3 and an outer peripheral face 6. The porous body 9 has a cylindrical outer shape, and penetrates from one end face 2 to the other end face 3 (substantially in the lateral direction in FIG. 1) in a row, A plurality of water collecting cells 5 formed in a row from the end face 2 to the other end face 3 (substantially in the lateral direction in FIG. 1). A membrane (not shown) is formed in the filtration cell 4, and the openings on both end surfaces thereof are open (they remain open). On the other hand, the water collecting cell 5 is provided with water collecting slits 7 so that the openings at both end faces thereof are sealed with the plugging members 8 and the water collecting cell 5 communicates with the external space.

  In such a ceramic filter element 1, raw water (treated water) flows from the opening of one end face 2 of the filtration cell 4. A part of the raw water that has flowed in passes through the filtration cell 4 as it is and flows out from the opening of the other end face 3, but in the filtration step, the outlet side is sealed by a valve. After passing through the inside of the porous body 9 from the membrane disposed on the wall surface, it flows out from the outer peripheral surface 6 or flows into the water collecting cell 5 and flows out through the water collecting slit 7. (In FIG. 1, arrows indicate the flow of water).

  2A to 2C are views showing a ceramic filter module containing three ceramic filter elements shown in FIG. 1 together with valves and piping necessary for operation. FIGS. 2A to 2C show the ceramic filter module itself as viewed from the side, and show a state in which the ceramic filter module is installed horizontally. FIG. 3 is a view showing a cross section of the ceramic filter module at a position where the support member in FIGS. 2A to 2C is installed (the aspect of the filtration cell and the water collection cell is omitted).

  The ceramic filter module 20 shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C and FIG. 3 stores three ceramic filter elements 1 in an airtight and liquid-tight state separated by a sealing material 23, and a housing 21 with a central axis thereof. It is installed so that the angle formed by the horizontal plane is 0 ° (that is, horizontal). That is, the ceramic filter module 20 is a horizontal ceramic filter module. For this reason, the support member 24 is disposed in the vicinity of the seal material 23 on the lower side to prevent the seal material from being deteriorated (deformed by gravity) to deteriorate the seal function.

  In the ceramic filter module 20, a discharge port 25 is provided between two adjacent ceramic filter elements 1, and the discharge port 25 is connected to a sludge pipe 44, which serves as a suspension discharge path. ing. The suspension peeled off from the ceramic filter element 1 by backwashing may accumulate between the ceramic filter element 1 and the ceramic filter element 1 (joint), and may not be discharged by backwashing. It can be discharged by blow (described later).

  The filter 40 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B is obtained by vertically stacking four ceramic filter modules 20 (see FIGS. 2A to 2C and 3) containing three ceramic filter elements 1. It is. 4A and 4B, a valve, a means for pressurizing raw water and the like (pump or the like), and some piping are omitted. A plurality of such filters 40 are prepared, and these can be arranged side by side (horizontally) or vertically (vertically) to construct a filter (filtration) facility having a large processing capacity.

  Next, each step of the operation of the filter 40 constituted by the ceramic filter module 20 will be described with the flow of water in the ceramic filter module 20 indicated by arrows.

  [Filtration] In the filtration (water flow) step of obtaining filtered water from raw water, the valves V1 and V2 are opened, and the other valves are closed. The raw water enters the filter cell of the ceramic filter element 1 from the raw water pipe 41, flows out to the outer peripheral surface as filtered water (treated water), enters the filtered water pipe 42, and is sent to a filtered water tank (not shown) (for example). See 2A).

  [Backwashing] The backwashing process for removing the suspended matter adhering to the surface of the ceramic filter element 1 on the raw water side is performed periodically according to the time schedule or between the raw water side and the filtered water side of the ceramic filter element 1 This is done by detecting the pressure difference. In this backwash process, the valve V3, the valve V4, and the valve V5 are opened, and the other valves are closed. In this backwash process, high-pressure backwash water enters the outer peripheral surface side of the ceramic filter element 1 from the backwash water pipe 45 through the filtered water pipe 42, enters the filtration cell from the outer peripheral surface, flows out to the raw water pipe 41, It is sent to a mud tank (for example, not shown) via a mud pipe 46 branched from there (see FIG. 2B).

  [Blow] In the blow process performed after the backwash process, the valves V4, V5, and V6 are opened, and the other valves are closed. In this blowing process, high-pressure air enters the filtration cell of the ceramic filter element 1 from the blow pipe 43 (from the end surface opposite to the filtration), and between the inside of the cell and between the ceramic filter element 1 and the ceramic filter element 1. The suspended and settled suspension is pushed out to the mud pipe 44 and further discharged to the raw water pipe 41 connected to the mud pipe 44, and then drained (for example, not shown) through the branched mud pipe 46. Send to mud tank (see Figure 2C).

  Next, another embodiment of the ceramic filter module according to the present invention, a ceramic filter element constituting the ceramic filter module, and a filter constituted by the ceramic filter module will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The ceramic filter element 51 shown in FIG. 5 is a type of filter element having a hollow portion, and may be a hollow type. The hollow ceramic filter element 51 includes a porous body 59 having both end faces 52 and 53 and an outer peripheral face 56. The porous body 59 has a cylindrical shape, and has a plurality of filtration cells 54 that penetrate from one end face 52 to the other end face 53 (in a substantially horizontal direction in FIG. 5) and form a row. A hollow portion 58 is provided in the central axis portion of the porous body 59. When the ceramic filter element 51 is used (when housed in the ceramic filter module 60), the hollow portion 58 is closed at one end by a sealing lid 68 and the other end is also sealed. The tube 69 is blocked from the filtration cell 54 side (see FIGS. 6A to 6C). A membrane (not shown) is formed in the filtration cell 54, and the openings on both end surfaces thereof are open (they remain open).

  In such a ceramic filter element 51, raw water (treated water) flows from the opening of one end face 52 of the filtration cell 54. Some of the raw water that has flowed in passes through the filtration cell 54 as it is and flows out from the opening of the other end face 53. However, in the filtration step, the outlet side is sealed by a valve, After passing through the inside of the porous body 59 from the film disposed on the wall surface, it flows out from the hollow portion 58 (in FIG. 5, arrows indicate the flow of water).

  6A to 6C are views showing a ceramic filter module containing three ceramic filter elements shown in FIG. 5 together with valves and piping necessary for operation. FIGS. 6A to 6C show the ceramic filter module itself as seen from the side, and show a state in which the ceramic filter module is installed horizontally. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a cross section of the ceramic filter module at a position where the support member in FIGS. 6A to 6C is installed (the aspect of the filtration cell is omitted).

  The ceramic filter module 60 shown in FIGS. 6A to 6C and FIG. 7 stores three ceramic filter elements 51 in a gas-tight and liquid-tight state isolated by a sealing material 63, and a housing 61 with a central axis thereof. It is installed so that the angle formed by the horizontal plane is 0 ° (that is, horizontal). That is, the ceramic filter module 60 is a horizontal ceramic filter module. Therefore, similarly to the ceramic filter module 20, the support member 64 is disposed in the vicinity of the seal material 63 and on the lower side, the seal material is deteriorated (deformed by gravity), and the seal function is lowered. Is preventing.

  In the ceramic filter module 60, an opening 65 is provided between two adjacent ceramic filter elements 51, and the opening 65 is connected to a high-pressure air pipe 83, and these are used for discharging (blowing) the suspension. This is the path of the (high pressure) air used. The suspension peeled off from the ceramic filter element 51 by backwashing may accumulate between the ceramic filter element 51 and the ceramic filter element 51 (joint) and may not be discharged by backwashing. It can be discharged by blow (described later).

  The filter 80 shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B is formed by stacking three ceramic filter elements 51 and four ceramic filter modules 60 (see FIGS. 6A to 6C and 7) in the vertical direction. is there. In FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B, a valve, a means for pressurizing raw water or the like (pump or the like), and some piping are omitted. As with the filter 40, a plurality of filters 80 are prepared, and these are arranged side by side (horizontally) or vertically (vertically) to construct a filter (filtration) facility having a large processing capacity. I can do it.

  Next, each step of the operation of the filter 80 constituted by the ceramic filter module 60 will be described by showing the flow of water in the ceramic filter module 60 with arrows.

  [Filtration] In the filtration (water flow) step of obtaining filtrate from raw water, the valves V61 and V62 are opened, and the other valves are closed. The raw water enters the filtration cell of the ceramic filter element 51 from the raw water pipe 81, flows out into the hollow portion as filtered water (treated water), enters the filtered water pipe 82, and is sent to the filtered water tank (not shown) (for example). 6A).

  [Backwashing] The backwashing process for removing the suspended matter adhering to the surface of the ceramic filter element 51 on the raw water side is performed periodically according to the time schedule or between the raw water side and the filtered water side of the ceramic filter element 51 This is done by detecting the pressure difference. In this backwash process, the valve V63 and the valve V64 are opened, and the other valves are closed. In this backwashing process, backwash water enters the hollow portion of the ceramic filter element 51 (from the end surface opposite to the filtration) from the backwash water pipe 85 through the filtered water pipe 82, and enters the filtration cell from the hollow part. It flows out to the raw water pipe 81 and is sent to a mud tank (not shown) through a mud pipe 86 branched therefrom (see FIG. 6B).

  [Blow] In the blow process performed after the backwash process, the valves V64 and V65 are opened, and the other valves are closed. In this blowing step, high-pressure air enters between the ceramic filter element 51 and the ceramic filter element 51 from the high-pressure air pipe 83, and is suspended and deposited between the ceramic filter element 51 and the ceramic filter element 51. The material is pushed out toward the raw water pipe 81 and further sent to a mud tank (for example, not shown) through a mud pipe 86 branched from the raw water pipe 81 (see FIG. 6C).

  The ceramic filter module according to the present invention includes suspensions of suspensions such as natural water (river water, groundwater), industrial water with certain treatments added thereto, or recovered water discharged from a factory. It is preferably used as a component of a filter for separating and removing the suspension from raw water.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1,51: Ceramic filter element 2, 52: (One) end surface 3, 53: (Other) end surface 4, 54: Filtration cell 5: Water collection cell 6, 56: Outer peripheral surface 7: Water collection slit 8: Eye Sealing members 9, 59: porous body 20, 60: ceramic filter module 40, 80: filter 58: hollow part

Claims (5)

  Two or more ceramic filter elements are housed in a single housing through a sealing material in an airtight and liquid-tight state, and a suspension discharge path between adjacent ceramic filter elements; Alternatively, a ceramic filter module provided with an air path used for discharging the suspension.   2. The ceramic filter module according to claim 1, wherein the housing is installed so that an angle between a central axis and a horizontal plane is 0 ° or more and 30 ° or less.   The ceramic filter module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the ceramic filter element is a hollow monolith type element.   The ceramic filter module as described in any one of Claims 1-3 used for the filtration process of raw | natural water especially with many suspensions.   A filter formed by stacking a plurality of ceramic filter modules according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in a vertical direction.

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