Water treating method and water treating system

• US 20030091469A1
• Filed: 10/29/2002
• Published: 05/15/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sanyo Electric Company Limited (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Iseki, Masahiro, Kondo, Yasuhito
• Granted Patent: US 7,135,099 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 422/23
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/008 Control or steering systems not provided for elsewhere in subclass C02F
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/02 by heating methods of steam generation F22B; preheating boiler feed-water or accumulating preheated boiler feed-water F22D
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/283 using coal, charred products, or inorganic mixtures containing them
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4672 by electrooxydation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4674 with halogen or compound of halogens, e.g. chlorine, bromine
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/4691 Capacitive deionisation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/66 by neutralisation; pH adjustment for degassing C02F1/20; using ion-exchange C02F1/42; for flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities C02F1/52; for removing dissolved compounds C02F1/58
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46119 Cleaning the electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46138 Electrodes comprising a substrate and a coating
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2001/46161 Porous electrodes
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4611 Fluid flow
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46125 Electrical variables
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/4613 Inversing polarity
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/46155 Heating or cooling
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/02 Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/06 pH
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/04 Disinfection
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage

Abstract

In a circulation system of treatment-object water (waste water), a water treating apparatus and a pH adjuster are provided. A carbon fiber that can collect at least microorganisms is disposed in the water treating apparatus. The carbon fiber is immersed in the treatment-object water, and potential is applied to the carbon fiber. Further, pH of the treatment-object water is adjusted by the pH adjuster in a direction in which adsorption of microorganisms in the treatment-object water to the carbon fiber is facilitated. As a result, the microorganisms are strongly attracted and adsorbed to the carbon fiber.

Claims

1. A water treating method comprising:

immersing a conductor in treatment-object water, said conductor being capable of collecting at least microorganisms;

applying a potential to said conductor; and

adjusting pH of the treatment-object water in a direction in which adsorption of microorganisms in the treatment-object water to said conductor is facilitated.

2. A water treating method according to claim 1, wherein pH of the treatment-object water represents an alkaline state.

4. A water treating method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said method comprising:

a first processing step of immersing an electrode and said conductor in a flow passage of the treatment-object water, applying a positive potential to said conductor, and applying a negative potential to said electrode, thereby to cause the microorganisms to be adsorbed to said conductor;

a second processing step of, after finishing said first processing step, stopping circulation of the treatment-object water, and increasing the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode in the presence of the treatment-object water while maintaining polarities of the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode, thereby to cause electrolysis of the treatment-object water; and

a third processing step of, after finishing said second processing step, applying AC voltage across said electrode and said conductor in the presence of the treatment-object water.

5. A water treating method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said method comprising:

a first processing step of immersing an electrode and said conductor in a flow passage of the treatment-object water, applying a positive potential to said conductor, and applying a negative potential to said electrode, thereby to cause the microorganisms to be adsorbed to said conductor;

a second processing step of, after finishing said first processing step, stopping circulation of the treatment-object water, and increasing the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode in the presence of the treatment-object water while inverting polarities of the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode, thereby to cause electrolysis of the treatment-object water; and

a third processing step of, after finishing said second processing step, applying AC voltage across said electrode and said conductor in the presence of the treatment-object water.

6. A water treating method according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the treatment-object water is heated by a heater in said third processing step.

7. A water treating method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said method comprising:

a first processing step of immersing an electrode and said conductor in a flow passage of the treatment-object water, applying a positive potential to said conductor, and applying a negative potential to said electrode, thereby to cause the microorganisms to be adsorbed to said conductor;

a second processing step of, after finishing said first processing step, stopping circulation of the treatment-object water, and increasing the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode in the presence of the treatment-object water while maintaining polarities of the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode, thereby to cause electrolysis of the treatment-object water; and

a third processing step of, after finishing said second processing step, heating the treatment-object water by a heater.

8. A water treating method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said method comprising:

a first processing step of immersing an electrode and said conductor in a flow passage of the treatment-object water, applying a positive potential to said conductor, and applying a negative potential to said electrode, thereby to cause the microorganisms to be adsorbed to said conductor;

a second processing step of, after finishing said first processing step, stopping circulation of the treatment-object water, and increasing the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode in the presence of the treatment-object water while inverting polarities of the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode, thereby to cause electrolysis of the treatment-object water; and

a third processing step of, after finishing said second processing step, heating the treatment-object water by a heater.

22. A water treating method or a water treating system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 or 21, wherein said conductor is in the form of a porous body.

23. A water treating method or a water treating system according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 or 22, wherein said conductor is made of carbon fiber.

24. A water treating method or a water treating system according to claim 23, wherein said carbon fiber forming said conductor is added with noble metal such as palladium, platinum, iridium, tantalum or gold, or an oxide thereof, or a mixture thereof.

3. A water treating method comprising:

immersing a conductor in treatment-object water, said conductor being capable of collecting at least microorganisms;

applying a potential to said conductor; and

adjusting a temperature of the treatment-object water in a direction in which adsorption of microorganisms in the treatment-object water to said conductor is facilitated.

9. A water treating system comprising:

a conductor capable of collecting at least microorganisms and immersed in treatment-object water;

a pH adjuster for adjusting pH of the treatment-object water; and

a controller for controlling application of a potential to said conductor and controlling said pH adjuster,

wherein said controller controls said pH adjuster to adjust pH of the treatment-object water in a direction in which adsorption of microorganisms in the treatment-object water to said conductor is facilitated.

10. A water treating system according to claim 9, wherein said controller controls said pH adjuster to adjust pH of the treatment-object water to an alkaline state.

12. A water treating system according to claim 9, 10 or 11, further comprising an electrode immersed in a flow passage of the treatment-object water along with said conductor,

wherein said controller executes a first processing step of, while circulating the treatment-object water, applying a positive potential to said conductor, and applying a negative potential to said electrode, thereby to cause the microorganisms to be adsorbed to said conductor;

a second processing step of, after finishing said first processing step, stopping circulation of the treatment-object water, and increasing the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode in the presence of the treatment-object water while maintaining polarities of the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode, thereby to cause electrolysis of the treatment-object water; and

a third processing step of, after finishing said second processing step, applying AC voltage across said electrode and said conductor in the presence of the treatment-object water.

13. A water treating system according to claim 9, 10 or 11, further comprising an electrode immersed in a flow passage of the treatment-object water along with said conductor,

wherein said controller executes a first processing step of, while circulating the treatment-object water, applying a positive potential to said conductor, and applying a negative potential to said electrode, thereby to cause the microorganisms to be adsorbed to said conductor;

a second processing step of, after finishing said first processing step, stopping circulation of the treatment-object water, and increasing the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode in the presence of the treatment-object water while inverting polarities of the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode, thereby to cause electrolysis of the treatment-object water; and

a third processing step of, after finishing said second processing step, applying AC voltage across said electrode and said conductor in the presence of the treatment-object water.

14. A water treating system according to claim 12 or 13, further comprising a heater for heating the treatment-object water, wherein said controller energizes said heater in said third processing step.

15. A water treating system according to claim 9, 10 or 11, further comprising an electrode immersed in a flow passage of the treatment-object water along with said conductor, and a heater for heating the treatment-object water,

wherein said controller executes a first processing step of, while circulating the treatment-object water, applying a positive potential to said conductor, and applying a negative potential to said electrode, thereby to cause the microorganisms to be adsorbed to said conductor;

a second processing step of, after finishing said first processing step, stopping circulation of the treatment-object water, and increasing the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode in the presence of the treatment-object water while maintaining polarities of the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode, thereby to cause electrolysis of the treatment-object water; and

a third processing step of, after finishing said second processing step, energizing said heater to heat the treatment-object water.

16. A water treating system according to claim 9, 10 or 11, further comprising an electrode immersed in a flow passage of the treatment-object water along with said conductor, and a heater for heating the treatment-object water,

wherein said controller executes a first processing step of, while circulating the treatment-object water, applying a positive potential to said conductor, and applying a negative potential to said electrode, thereby to cause the microorganisms to be adsorbed to said conductor;

a second processing step of, after finishing said first processing step, stopping circulation of the treatment-object water, and increasing the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode in the presence of the treatment-object water while inverting polarities of the potentials applied to said conductor and said electrode, thereby to cause electrolysis of the treatment-object water; and

a third processing step of, after finishing said second processing step, energizing said heater to heat the treatment-object water.

17. A water treating system according to claim 14, 15 or 16, wherein the application of the potentials to said electrode and said conductor is stopped in said third processing step.

18. A water treating system according to claim 14, 15, 16 or 17, wherein said electrode is provided on a treatment-object water flow-out side over said conductor, and said heater is provided on a treatment-object water flow-in side under said conductor, and wherein a bypass passage for the treatment-object water is provided that communicates with a lower side of said conductor and an upper side of said conductor, bypassing said conductor.

19. A water treating system according to claim 18, wherein a pump is provided in said bypass passage for conveying the treatment-object water from said lower side of the conductor to said upper side of the conductor, and said controller operates said pump in said third processing step.

20. A water treating system according to claim 18 or 19, wherein a lower surface of said conductor is inclined upward toward an inlet of said bypass passage.

21. A water treating method or a water treating system according to claim 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20, further comprising a processing step of, after finishing said third processing step, discharging the treatment-object water in which said conductor and said electrode are immersed.

25. A water treating method or a water treating system according to claim 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 or 24, wherein, in said third processing step, chlorine and/or ozone is produced at one of said electrode and said conductor, and active oxygen is produced at the other thereof.

26. A water treating method or a water treating system according to claim 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 or 25, wherein said electrode is added with noble metal such as palladium, platinum, iridium, tantalum or gold, or an oxide thereof, or a mixture thereof.

11. A water treating system comprising:

a conductor capable of collecting at least microorganisms and immersed in treatment-object water;

a temperature adjuster for adjusting a temperature of the treatment-object water; and

a controller for controlling application of a potential to said conductor and controlling said temperature adjuster,

wherein said controller controls said temperature adjuster to adjust the temperature of the treatment-object water in a direction in which adsorption of microorganisms in the treatment-object water to said conductor is facilitated.