Patent Application
20080001314
The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for producing carbonic water which is useful, for example, in hydrotherapy for the purpose of improving physiological functions.
Carbonic water is assumed to be effective for treatment of regressive diseases and peripheral circulatory disorders. For example, there is a method in which a carbonic acid gas is fed in the form of bubbles into a bath (bubbling method), as a method of artificially producing carbonic water. However, the dissolving ratio is low, and the dissolution time is long in this method. Further, another method is a chemical method in which a carbonate salt is reacted with an acid (chemical method). However, it is necessary to add chemical materials at a large amount, and it is impossible to keep a clearness in this method. Additionally, there is a method in which hot water and carbonic acid gas are sealed in a tank for a period while it is pressurized (pressure method). However, the size of the apparatus increases impractically in this method.
Currently, commercially marketed apparatuses of producing carbonic water are usually used for producing carbonic water having a low concentration of carbonic acid gas which is about 100 to 140 mg/L. The apparatuses have no means of controlling the concentration of carbonic acid gas.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 2-279158 discloses a method in which a carbonic acid gas is fed through a hollow fiber semi-permeable membrane and absorbed by hot water. Further, JP-A No. 8-215270 discloses a method in which a pH sensor is put in a bath, and the feeding rate of carbonic acid gas into a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus for maintaining the concentration of carbonic acid gas of water in the bath at a constant level is controlled. Furthermore, International Publication No. 98/34579 pamphlet discloses a method in which concentration data for carbonic acid gas from carbonic water produced is calculated from the pH value of carbonic water and the alkalinity of raw water. The feeding rate of carbonic acid gas is controlled so that the concentration of carbonic acid gas in carbonic water can reach an intended value. These are methods in which carbonic water is produced by passing once raw water through the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus equipped with a hollow membrane. The apparatus is called a one-pass type apparatus.
In the one-pass type apparatus, it is necessary to increase the membrane area of the hollow fiber membrane or increase the pressure of carbonic acid gas in order to produce carbonic water having a high concentration which is excellent in physiological effects (e.g., blood flow increase). However, if the membrane area is increased, the size of the apparatus has to increase, and it causes the cost to increase. If the pressure of gas is increased, the dissolving ratio becomes low. Furthermore, in the one-pass type apparatus, it is indispensable to have a pipe and a hose connecting between the apparatus and hot water such as tap water. As a result, the setting is necessary when moving the apparatus for use at other places.
On the other hand, carbonic water having a high concentration can be produced efficiently and at low cost by a so-called circulation type apparatus wherein hot water in a bath is circulated by a circulation pump through a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus. Additionally, the setting of the circulation type apparatus is very simple because it needs no additional connections as is required in the one path type apparatus, and because it is completed by filling a bath with hot water and putting a carbonic water circulation hose from the apparatus into the bath. Examples of such circulation type carbonic water apparatuses include those disclosed by JP-A Nos. 8-215270 and 8-215271.
Under a condition in which carbonic water having a desired concentration of carbonic acid gas is filled in a bath, the carbonic acid gas in the carbonic water is evaporated, which results in gradually decreasing the concentration of carbonic acid gas. This tendency depends on the size of the bath. Particularly, when a large bath for a large number of people is filled with carbonic water, the amount of evaporation is high, and the concentration of carbonic acid gas quickly decreases. In such a large bath, the hot water is often circulated through a filtration apparatus for cleaning the hot water even when the bath is in use. However, large amounts of the carbonic acid gas evaporate at the filtration apparatus when the carbonic water is filled in such circulation type bath in which the water is circulated through the filtration apparatus.
The method in which the feeding amount of carbonic acid gas is controlled based on the pH value makes a relatively large calculating error in the concentration of carbonic acid gas in the resulting carbonic water. Therefore, it is necessary to add an automatically correcting function to the pH sensor for suppressing the calculating error thereof within ±0.05. This requires complicated control, increases the size of the apparatus, and increases the cost. Additionally, the alkalinity of raw water (e.g., tap water) should be measured to control precisely the concentration of carbonic acid gas.
Examples of carbonic acid gas production apparatuses include so-called one-pass type apparatuses as disclosed in JP-A No. 2-279158 and International Publication No. 98/34579 pamphlet in which carbonic water is produced by passing once raw water through in a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus equipped with a hollow fiber membrane, and so-called circulation type apparatuses as disclosed in JP-A Nos. 8-215270 and 8-215271 in which hot water from a bath is circulated through a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus by a circulation pump. In any type apparatus, water, as drain, is collected at outside parts of the hollow fiber membrane. This water permeates through the membrane from the hollow part of hollow fiber membrane, or it is generated by condensation of vapor that permeates through the membrane from the hollow part. When this (drain) water comes in contact with the surface of membrane, the surface becomes clogged, and the gas permeation cannot be effectively performed. In conventional apparatuses, an operator appropriately opens a drain valve to discharge the (drain) water collected at the outside parts of the hollow fiber membrane.
It is conventionally known that a foot bath of carbonic water may improve the physiological functions of the foot. In a conventional foot bath, it is necessary that the foot bath is filled with carbonic water that was previously produced, or carbonic water that was produced from hot water filled in the bath by using another apparatus. These operations are complicated. Although a portable type foot bath has an advantage in that the foot bath treatment can be simply conducted in any location, the advantage is restricted by the operations available for producing the carbonic water.
A first object of the present invention is to realize a more practical circulation type carbonic water production apparatus and to provide an apparatus and a method that can produce carbonic water having a desired concentration of carbonic acid gas (particularly, a high concentration such that physiological effects are obtained) and through a simple operation at low cost.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a method of producing carbonic water which can solve the problem of evaporation of the carbonic acid gas, and can produce and maintain a certain concentration of carbonic acid gas for a long period through a simple operation at low cost.
A third object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and a method that can produce carbonic water always having a certain concentration of carbonic acid gas (particularly, a high concentration such that physiological effects are obtained) through a simple operation at low cost, and irrespective of the flow rate of raw water.
A fourth object of the present invention is to realize a more practical carbonic water production apparatus, and to provide an apparatus and a method that can produce carbonic water through a simple operation.
A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a carbonic water production apparatus that can be used by a simple operation while retaining the advantages of a portable foot bath.
The first aspect of the invention relates to a carbonic water production apparatus which is equipped with a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus and a circulation pump wherein water in a water tank is circulated through the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus by the circulation pump, and carbonic acid gas is fed into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus to dissolve the carbonic acid gas in the water, and which is characterized by a circulation pump that is a positive-displacement metering pump with a self-priming ability; and a carbonic water production method which comprises circulating water in a water tank through a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus by a circulation pump, and feeding carbonic acid gas into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus to dissolve the carbonic acid gas in the water, wherein a positive-displacement metering pump having a self-priming ability is used as the circulation pump.
Regarding conventional circulation type carbonic water apparatuses, JP-A No. 8-215270 discloses no investigation about which kind of circulation pump is suitable for production of carbonic water. JP-A No. 8-215270 discloses an underwater pump used as the circulation pump. However, bubbling of the circulated carbonic water is caused significantly by swirling pumps such as the underwater pump when the carbonic water has a high concentration. The bubbling may reduce the pump discharge amount and pump head. In the worst case, blades of the pump are often idle so that it becomes impossible to circulate the carbonic water.
On the other hand, according to the first aspect of the present invention, carbonic water can be successfully circulated even if the carbonic water has a high concentration because a positive-displacement metering pump having a self-priming ability is used. This means that a water tank can be filled with carbonic water having a high concentration.
The second aspect of the present invention relates to a carbonic water production method which comprises circulating water in a water tank through a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus by a circulation pump, and feeding carbonic acid gas into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus to dissolve the carbonic acid gas in the water, and which is characterized as comprising an initial step of applying a necessary pressure of the carbonic acid gas in order to produce a carbonic water having a desired concentration of carbonic acid gas in the initial circulation of the water for producing the carbonic water, and a concentration maintaining step of applying a necessary pressure of the carbonic acid gas and circulating the carbonic water in order to maintain the desired concentration of carbonic acid gas of the carbonic water produced at this initial step.
The second aspect of the present invention is a method in which carbonic water having a high concentration is efficiently produced in an initial step, and furthermore, the concentration of carbonic acid gas is maintained by also applying the carbonic acid gas process to water which is circulated for cleaning in use, particularly while a large bath for a large number of people is in use. This method can produce and maintain a certain concentration of carbonic acid gas for a long period through a simple operation at low cost.
The third aspect of the present invention relates to a carbonic water production apparatus which feeds carbonic acid gas into a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus thereof while feeding raw water therein to dissolve the carbonic acid gas in the raw water, and which is characterized by previously recorded correlation data of the flow rate of raw water with the feed pressure of carbonic acid gas and the concentration of carbonic acid gas which results in the carbonic water, and is equipped with a means for detecting the flow rate of raw water and controlling the feed pressure of carbonic acid gas according to the correlation data so that the resulting carbonic water has the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas at the time of producing the carbonic water; and a carbonic water production method which comprises feeding carbonic acid gas into a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus while feeding raw water for the carbonic acid gas to dissolve, and which is characterized by comprising a step of previously recording correlation data of the flow rate of raw water with the feed pressure of carbonic acid gas and the concentration of carbonic acid gas in the resulting carbonic water, and a step of detecting the flow rate of raw water and controlling the feed pressure of carbonic acid gas according to the correlation data so that the resulting carbonic water has the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas at the time of producing the carbonic water.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the carbonic water always having a certain high concentration can be produced by a simple operation at low cost without depending on controlling the flow rate of raw water, as compared with a conventional method in which the feed amount of carbonic acid gas is controlled based on the measured value of the pH.
The fourth aspect of the present invention relates to a carbonic water production apparatus which is equipped with a membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus and which is characterized by being equipped with an automatic water extraction means for automatically discharging the excess water accumulated in the membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus; and a carbonic water production method which applies a membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus, and which is characterized by comprising a step of automatically discharging the excess accumulated in the membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, an effective membrane area can always be ensured and a high concentration of carbonic acid gas in carbonic water can be successfully produced by the simple operation described without manual water extraction by hand operation.
The fifth aspect of the present invention relates to a carbonic water production apparatus which is characterized by being combined with a portable foot bath.
In the fifth aspect of the present invention, the term “portable” means that the foot bath is not fixed at a certain place, and if necessary, can be carried and moved. The carrying method is not particularly restricted. According to the fifth present invention, a bath can be provided, which can be used by a simple operation, while retaining the advantages of portable foot baths.
In this example, water in the bath 11 is circulated. Applying an apparatus of the present invention to a bath is a very useful example. However, the first aspect of the present invention is not limited to this. The first aspect can be applied to a water tank (except a bath), which should be filled with a carbonic water having a desired concentration, such as a water storage tank and a feed water tank.
Water to be circulated is not particularly restricted. As water containing no carbonic acid gas at all before circulation is circulated, carbonic water will be produced having a gradually increasing concentration of carbonic acid gas. Furthermore, higher concentrations of carbonic acid gas can be also recovered by circulating carbonic water having a lower concentration of carbonic acid gas.
In the example shown in
The carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3 is a membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus constituted of a membrane module having a hollow fiber membrane installed. In this example, carbonic acid gas fed into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3 is introduced onto the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane. Hot water fed in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 5 flows in a hollow part of the hollow fiber membrane. Subsequently, carbonic acid gas on the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane comes into contact with hot water flowing in a hollow part of the hollow fiber membrane via a membrane surface, carbonic acid gas is dissolved in hot water to produce carbonic water, and this carbonic water is fed into the bath 11. By thus circulating hot water in the bath 11 by the circulation pump 1 for an optional time, carbonic water having a high concentration of carbonic acid gas will be filled in the bath 11. When contact and dissolution of carbonic acid gas are conducted via a membrane surface of a membrane module as in this example, gas-liquid contact area can be increased, and carbonic acid gas can be dissolved with high efficiency. A membrane module, for example, may include a hollow fiber membrane module and a plate membrane module. A spiral type module can be used. In particular, a hollow fiber membrane module can dissolve carbonic acid gas with high efficiency.
Hot water in the bath 11 increases in concentration of carbonic acid gas over the elapsed circulation time. When correlation data between the circulation time and the concentration of carbonic acid gas are previously measured, the necessary circulation time can be determined from the correlation data if the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas and feed pressure of carbonic acid gas are known or can be determined. However, the correlation data cannot be utilized if the amount of water circulated is not always constant. Therefore, it is necessary to use a metering pump as the circulation pump 1. However, according to knowledge of the present inventors, even in the case of metering pumps, a volute pump and the like, correlation data cannot be utilized since the pump flow rate can vary with a change in head, which may occur with clogging of a pre-filter. Additionally, when carbonic water reaches a high concentration, the pump may be stopped because of bubbles.
Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, stable circulation and a constant amount of water circulated are realized by using a positive-displacement metering pump having a self-priming ability as the circulation pump 1. This positive-displacement metering pump has a self-priming ability, which can be activated in the initial operation without priming. Additionally, though carbonic water tends to generate bubbles when its concentration increases, this positive-displacement metering pump can convey water stably (constantly) even under bubble-rich conditions.
This positive-displacement metering pump is very effective particularly when correlation data are obtained (such as previously recorded) for the circulation flow rate of the positive-displacement metering pump, the gas feeding pressure at water amount in water tank, the concentration of carbonic acid gas in carbonic water in the water tank, and the circulation time. Therefore, in producing carbonic water, the circulation time can be controlled based on the above-mentioned correlation data to obtain the carbonic water in the tank having a concentration of carbonic acid gas in the range from 600 mg/L to 1400 mg/L.
Positive-displacement metering pumps having a self-priming ability may consist of, for example, a diaphragm pump, a screw pump, a tube pump, and a piston pump. Among recent commercially available products, a diaphragm pump is optimal from the standpoints of price, ability, size and the like. Examples of diaphragm pumps that can be used are a 3-head diaphragm pump manufactured by SHURflo (US), a 5-head diaphragm pump manufactured by Aquatec Water System (US), a 4-head diaphragm pump manufactured by FLOJET (US), and the like. These commercially available products are usually marketed as booster pumps in a beverage filtration apparatus. Namely, these commercially available products have no relation with a carbonic water production apparatus.
The pressure of carbonic acid gas fed to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3 is set by the pressure-reducing valve 5. When this pressure is lower, generation of non-dissolved gas at the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3 is suppressed, and the dissolution efficiency is higher. The amount of carbonic gas permeating through a hollow fiber membrane in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3 is proportional to the feed pressure of the carbonic acid gas, and when the pressure is higher, the permeation amount is higher. Using this information and taking into consideration that when the carbonic acid gas pressure is lower, the production time is longer, and the pressure is appropriately from about 0.01 to 0.3 MPa. The amount of carbonic acid gas absorbed in the circulating hot water depends also on the concentration of carbonic acid gas and the amount of hot water being circulated. When carbonic acid gas over the absorption amount is fed, a non-dissolved gas is formed.
Any material can be used in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 5 as the hollow fiber membrane, providing it has excellent gas permeability, such as a porous membrane or non-porous gas permeability membrane (hereinafter, abbreviated as “non-porous membrane”). Of the porous hollow fiber membranes, those having an opening pore diameter on their surface of 0.01 to 10 μm are preferable. A hollow fiber membrane containing a non-porous membrane can also be suitably used. The most preferable hollow fiber membrane is a complex hollow fiber membrane having a three-layer structure that comprises a non-porous layer in the form of a thin membrane sandwiched between porous layers. An example is a three layer complex hollow fiber membrane that is commercially available from Mitsubishi Rayon Co. Ltd. (MHF brand membrane, mfr: MRC).
Here, the non-porous layer (membrane) is a membrane through which a gas permeates by a mechanism of dissolution and diffusion into a membrane substrate, and any membrane can be used provided it contains substantially no pore through which a gas can permeate like, for example, a Knudsen flow of molecules. When this non-porous membrane is used, a gas can be supplied and dissolved without discharging carbonic acid gas in the form of bubbles into hot water. Therefore, efficient dissolution is possible. Additionally, the gas can be dissolved simply under excellent control at any concentration. Furthermore, there is no counterflow which can occur in the case of a porous membrane; namely, hot water does not counter-flow to the gas feeding side through fine pores.
The thickness of a hollow fiber membrane is preferably 10 to 150 μm. When he membrane thickness is 10 μm or more, sufficient membrane strength tends to be shown. When the thickness is 150 μm or less, sufficient carbonic acid gas permeation speed and dissolving efficiency are liable to be shown. In the case of a three-layer complex hollow fiber membrane, the thickness of a non-porous membrane is preferably 0.3 to 2 μm. When the membrane thickness is 0.3 μm or more, the membrane does not easily deteriorate, and therefore leakage due to membrane deterioration does not readily occur. When the thickness is 2 μm or less, sufficient carbonic acid gas permeation speed and dissolving efficiency are liable to be shown.
When the volume of water passed per hollow fiber membrane module is 0.2 to 30 L/min and the gas pressure is 0.01 MPa to 0.3 MPa, it is preferable that the membrane area is about 0.1 m2 to 15 m2.
Examples of the membrane materials for a hollow fiber membrane include silicone-based, polyolefin-based, polyester-based, polyamide-based, polysulfone-based, cellulose-based and polyurethane-based materials and the like, which are preferable. As the material of a non-porous membrane of a three-layer complex hollow fiber membrane, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, poly-4-methylpentene-1, polydimethylsiloxane, polyethylcellulose and polyphenylene oxide are preferable. Among them, polyurethane manifests excellent membrane forming property and provides little eluted substance, and therefore, it is particularly preferable.
The internal diameter of a hollow fiber membrane is preferably 50 to 1000 μm. When the internal diameter is 50 μm or more, the flow route resistance of fluid flowing in a hollow fiber membrane decreases appropriately, and feeding of fluid becomes easy. When 1000 μm or less, the size of a dissolving apparatus can be decreased, providing an advantage in compactness of the apparatus.
When a hollow fiber membrane is used in a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus, there are a method in which carbonic acid gas is fed to the hollow side of a hollow fiber membrane, and hot water is fed to the outer surface side to dissolve the carbonic acid gas, and a method in which carbonic acid gas is fed to the outer surface side of a hollow fiber membrane and hot water is fed to the hollow side to dissolve the carbonic acid gas. Among them, the latter method is particularly preferable since carbonic acid gas can be dissolved at a high concentration in hot water irrespective of the form of a membrane module.
Besides the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus used in the present invention, there can also be used an apparatus having a gas diffusion means in which a gas diffusing part composed of a porous body is set at the bottom in a carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus. The material and form of a porous body can be optionally selected, and preferably is one having a void ratio of 5 to 70 vol %. A volume ratio of voids present in the porous body itself is based on the whole porous body. For further enhancing the dissolving efficiency of a carbonic acid gas, a lower void ratio is suitable, particularly a void ratio of 5 to 40 vol % is more preferable. When the void ratio is 70 vol % or less, flow control of carbonic acid gas becomes easier, the gas flow rate can be suitably decreased, bubbles of the carbonic acid gas being diffused from a gas diffusing body do not become large, and the dissolution efficiency is not easily lowered. When the void ratio is 5 vol % or more, sufficient feeding amount of carbonic acid gas can be maintained, and dissolution of the carbonic acid gas tends to be performed in a relatively short time.
The opening pore diameter on the surface of a porous body is preferably 0.01 to 10 μm, for control of the flow rate of carbonic acid gas diffused, and for formation of fine bubbles. When the pore diameter is 10 μm or less, the size of the bubbles rising in water becomes moderately small, and the dissolution efficiency of the carbonic acid gas increases. When the pure diameter is 0.01 μm or more, the amount of gas diffusion into the water increases moderately, and even in the case of obtaining carbonic water of high concentration, the procedure is completed in a relatively short time.
When a porous body placed in a gas diffusion part of a gas diffusing means has large surface area, bubbles can be generated in larger numbers, contact between carbonic acid gas and raw water progresses efficiently, and dissolution before formation of bubbles also occurs, leading to enhanced dissolution efficiency. Therefore, though the form of a porous body is not limited, a porous body having a larger surface area is preferable. As the means of increasing the surface area, various methods are envisaged such as formation of a porous body in the form of a cylinder, formation of a porous body in the form of a flat plate and providing irregularity on its surface, and the like. However, it is preferable to use a porous hollow fiber membrane. Utilization of many porous hollow fiber membranes bundled is particularly effective.
The material making up a porous body is not particularly restricted, though various materials such as metals, ceramics, and plastics are exemplified. However, hydrophilic materials are not preferable since hot water invades the gas diffusing means through the pores on its surface and stops the feed of carbonic acid gas.
In the case of feeding carbonic acid gas to the outer surface side of a hollow fiber membrane and feeding hot water to the hollow side to dissolve the carbonic acid gas, piping for counterflow washing may be provided. When scale accumulates at a potting opening end, which is a feeding port to the hollow part of a hollow fiber membrane, this scale can be removed relatively simply by counterflow washing.
Regarding carbonic water produced, its concentration of carbonic acid gas is not particularly restricted. In the above-described example, if the value of a desired concentration of carbonic acid gas is input in the apparatus, and hot water in the bath 11 is circulated by the circulation pump 1, then, the apparatus controls the circulation time automatically depending on the desired concentration of carbonic acid gas. As a consequence, carbonic water having desired concentration of carbonic acid gas is filled in the bath 11.
However, in general, to obtain medical physiological effects, the concentration of the carbonic acid gas in the carbonic water is required to be 600 mg/L or more. From this standpoint, the concentration of carbonic acid gas in the carbonic water produced in the present invention is also preferably 600 mg/L or more. On the other hand, when the concentration of carbonic acid gas is higher, the dissolution efficiency of the carbonic acid gas lowers, and additionally, at a certain concentration and above, physiological effects do not increase or decrease. From this standpoint, the upper limit of the concentration of carbonic acid gas is adequately about 1400 mg/L.
In the carbonic water production apparatus, a bubble generation apparatus or an injection apparatus can be further provided. The bubble generation apparatus generates bubbles in the bath water, and the injection apparatus generates water flow (current) in the bath water, to impart physical stimulation to a diseased part of the body and, owing to its massage effect, to promote blood circulation and to attenuate low back pain, shoulder leaning, muscular fatigue and the like. Such an apparatus is marketed currently by companies, and used widely in hospitals, senile health facilities, and homes.
On the other hand, carbonic water produced in the present invention performs an action in which the carbonic acid gas in water is absorbed percutaneously to dilate blood vessels and promote blood circulation. Namely, if an action by bubbles and injection is called a dynamic action, an action by carbonic water can be called a static action. Treatment by carbonic water has the advantage that no stiff load is applied on the body or a diseased part, and little side effect is exerted since it causes no physical stimulation as compared with the bubble generation apparatus and injection apparatus.
In the example shown in
However, in such a multi-functional apparatus, when a bath is filled with carbonic water, it is recommended that bubbles are not generated. The reason for this is that since the content of a bath is stirred by bubbles, a carbonic acid gas dissolved in carbonic water easily evaporates into air, and the concentration of carbonic water tends to decrease sharply and quickly. Therefore, it is preferable that a carbonic water production function and a bubble generation function not be used simultaneously and that a change switch be provided so that these functions are carried out separately.
In the apparatus shown in
In the example shown in
Thus, by setting the gas pressure and time corresponding to the apparatus and conducting drain extraction automatically, there is no longer a need to effect manual drain extraction purposely as in conventional technologies, and usually, effective membrane surface area is confirmed, and carbonic water having a high concentration can be produced.
First, an initial step in the second present invention will be explained. In the initial step, in this example, hot water in a bath (water tank) 21 is circulated. The temperature and application of water in the bath 21 in the second aspect of the present invention are the same as in the first aspect of the invention described above. In the example shown in
The circulation pump 22, in a second embodiment of the present invention, is not particularly restricted, and a swirling pump, diaphragm pump, screw pump, tube pump, and piston pump commonly used are examples. The pressure of carbonic acid gas fed to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 24 is set by the pressure-reducing valve 25. When this pressure is lower, generation of a non-dissolved gas is suppressed, leading to enhanced dissolution efficiency. The carbonic acid gas permeation amount through a hollow fiber membrane in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 24 is in proportion to the feed pressure of the carbonic acid gas, and when the pressure is higher, the permeation amount is also higher. The amount of carbonic acid gas absorption in the circulating hot water also depends on the concentration of the carbonic acid gas and circulation water amount of the hot water, and when a carbonic acid gas greater than the absorption amount is fed, a non-dissolved gas is formed.
Regarding the carbonic water produced in the early step, its concentration of carbonic acid gas is not particularly restricted. Hot water in the bath part 21 increases in concentration of carbonic acid gas with the elapsed circulation time. When such correlation data between the circulation time and the concentration of carbonic acid gas are previously measured, if the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas and feed pressure of carbonic acid gas are determined, the necessary circulation time can be determined.
As to the preferable concentration of carbonic acid gas in carbonic water, the constitution of the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 24, the constitution of a membrane module, the constitution of a hollow fiber membrane, the preferable range of the feed pressure of the carbonic acid gas, the piping for counterflow washing, and the automatic water extraction means (piping for drain discharge, magnetic valve (open valve) 32) are the same as in the case of the first aspect of the invention (
Using the circulation type carbonic water production process described above, namely, by the early step in the second aspect of the present invention, carbonic water having high concentrations (for example, 600 mg/L to 1400 mg/L) can be produced efficiently. The length of time for this early step is not particularly restricted, and the step may be effected until carbonic water having the desired concentration of carbonic acid gas is filled in the bath. Usually, it is necessary to heat the water in a bath until it reaches a suitable temperature. Before use of the bath, however, it is preferable that the time (duration) of the early step in the second aspect of the present invention is also about the same as its heating time. This heating time is about one hour in the case of a large bath for a number of people.
The feed pressure of carbonic acid gas in the early step is preferably about 0.15 MPa to 0.3 MPa. Values around the lower limit of this pressure are values particularly suitable in the case of a small bath, and values around the upper limit are values particularly suitable in the case of a large bath. In the early step, the carbonic acid pressure can also be increased to produce carbonic water with a high concentration in a short period of time. However, in the concentration maintaining step, a lower pressure than this can be adopted.
Following this early step, hot water in the bath is further circulated continuously, and its high concentration is maintained efficiently, namely, the concentration maintaining step in the second aspect of the present invention is conducted. This concentration maintaining step is very significant, particularly in the case of a large bath having a large surface area on the water surface. The time (duration) of this concentration maintaining step is not particularly restricted. However, it is preferable that the concentration maintaining step is conducted during use of the bath. Furthermore, the concentration maintaining step may be effected continuously during use of the bath, or it may be effected intermittently at an interval provided that the concentration of carbonic acid gas of carbonic water in a bath can be maintained at a desired value (for example, 600 mg/L to 1400 mg/L). Since carbonic acid gas in carbonic water usually evaporates at a rate of about 1 to 4 mg/L/cm2/Hr per bath area, it may be recommended that carbonic acid gas in an amount approximately compensating its evaporation is fed and dissolved in carbonic water.
The feed pressure for carbonic acid gas in the concentration maintaining step is preferably about 0.001 to 0.1 MPa. Values around the lower limit of this pressure are values particularly suitable in the case of a small bath, and values around the upper limit are values particularly suitable in the case of a large bath.
In the second aspect of the present invention, the size of a bath (water tank) is not particularly restricted. However, a bath having an internal volume of about 0.5 m3 to 3 m3 can be used.
The circulation flow rate per unit area in the concentration maintaining step in the early step is preferably about 5 L/min/m2 to 15 L/min/m2. The carbonic acid gas permeation flow rate per unit membrane area in a hollow fiber membrane is preferably about 0.2 to 2 L/min/atm/m2.
In this example, hot water flows continuously into a hollow part of a hollow fiber membrane in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45. By passing through the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45, raw water becomes carbonic water, and this carbonic water is fed continuously from the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45 to a bath 56 through piping. The flow rate of the raw water fed into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45 (namely, flow rate of raw water passing in the dissolving apparatus 45) can be detected by a flow sensor 43 provided before the raw water feed in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45.
In the third aspect of the present invention, the correlation as shown in Table 7 is stored previously as a datum and, for example, programmed in a control computer of the apparatus. This datum is used in the following control. First, a user inputs the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas in the carbonic water to be obtained, for example, 1000 mg/L, in the apparatus. Then, hot water is fed into the apparatus from a hot water faucet of general water line. The flow rate of hot water is an indefinite factor that changes depending on the extent of opening of the faucet. Therefore, this apparatus detects the flow rate which is an indefinite factor in real time by a flow sensor 43. Based on the graph of the correlation (relative data) shown in
Regarding a hollow fiber membrane, in general, if the maximum value of the flow rate of raw water is hypothesized to be about 30 L/min, the feed pressure of carbonic acid gas is controlled in the range from 0.01 to 0.5 MPa, and the membrane area of a hollow fiber membrane is adequately from about 0.1 m2 to 15 m2.
In the third aspect of the present invention, for example, even in the case of feeding raw water from a faucet of water line (namely, when the flow rate of raw water is indefinite), the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas can be obtained with little error. Additionally, since a concentration of carbonic acid gas measuring means and a pH measuring means as used in conventional technologies are not necessary, the apparatus becomes compact and operation thereof is simple. Therefore, for example, providing a carbonic water production apparatus is not necessarily required in a step of designing a bath, and a compact apparatus simply corresponding to known baths including a domestic bath can be obtained, very practically.
The correlation shown in
When a hollow fiber membrane is used in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45, the thickness of the hollow fiber membrane is preferably from 10 to 150 μm. When the membrane thickness is 10 μm or more, sufficient membrane strength tends to be shown. When the membrane thickness is 150 μm or less, sufficient carbonic acid gas permeation speed and dissolution efficiency are liable to be shown. In the case of the three-layer complex hollow fiber membrane, the thickness of a non-porous membrane is preferably from 0.3 to 2 μm. When it is 0.3 μm or more, the membrane does not easily deteriorate, and leakage due to membrane deterioration does not occur easily. When it is 2 μm or less, sufficient carbonic acid gas permeation speed and dissolving efficiency are liable to be shown.
Constitutions other than the thickness of a hollow fiber membrane, preferable concentration of carbonic acid gas of carbonic water, constitution of the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45, constitution of a membrane module, piping for counterflow washing, automatic water extraction means (piping for drain discharge, magnetic valve (open valve) 53), bubble generating apparatus and injection apparatus are the same as in the case of the first aspect of the present invention (
In the apparatus shown in
As the embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention, namely, a carbonic water production apparatus having an automatic water extraction means, which automatically discharges drain collected in a membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus out of the apparatus, there may be mentioned, for example, the one-pass type carbonic water production apparatus shown in
Namely, in the apparatus shown in
The carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus may have a constitution in which carbonic acid gas is fed in a hollow fiber membrane and raw water flows to the outside of a hollow fiber membrane, contrary to the above-mentioned constitution. In the case of such a constitution, drain extracting piping in communion with the inside of a hollow fiber membrane in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus.
When stopping the feed of carbonic acid gas, there is a possibility that a high pressure of 0.3 MPa at its maximum remains as a remaining pressure in the outside of a hollow fiber membrane in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45. Therefore, if the magnetic valve 53 is opened directly after stopping the feed of carbonic acid gas, a hammer phenomenon may occur. To prevent this, a time lag (about 10 seconds) is provided in the above-mentioned example. With a last time of about 10 seconds, a gas outside of a hollow fiber membrane permeates appropriately into the hollow side via the membrane, and the remaining pressure outside of a hollow fiber membrane becomes about 0.05 MPa. At such a remaining pressure, a hammer phenomenon does not occur, and drain can be discharged sufficiently only by opening the magnetic valve 53 for about 5 seconds.
In a carbonic water production apparatus, raw water and carbonic acid gas are fed into the membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45 to dissolve carbonic acid gas in raw water as shown in
Furthermore, as another embodiment of the fourth aspect of the present invention, there may be mentioned, for example, a constitution of the circulation type carbonic water production apparatus shown in
Namely, in the apparatus shown in
In a carbonic water production apparatus shown in
Thus, by setting the time and the remaining pressure corresponding to the apparatus and conducting drain extraction automatically, there is no necessity to effect manual drain extraction purposely as in conventional technologies, and usually, effective membrane surface area is confirmed, and carbonic water of high concentration can easily be produced.
In the first through fourth aspects of the present inventions as described above, another useful embodiment is an application in which an apparatus in which a carbonic water production apparatus and a water storage tank are provided, carbonic water produced in the carbonic water production apparatus is stored in the water stored tank, and carbonic water stored in the water storage tank is fed to a plurality of use points by a water conveying pump.
In conventional carbonic water production, it is usual for one carbonic water production apparatus to be used for one use point (e.g., bath). Therefore, in facilities, such as hospitals and sanatoriums that can have a lot of use points, a carbonic water production apparatus should be provided for each use point, which necessarily result in increased equipment costs. Furthermore, use of one carbonic water production apparatus for one use point means that when a large amount of carbonic water is necessary at a time for the use point, a dissolving apparatus and the like in the carbonic water production apparatus must be enlarged. On the other hand, in the case of application to a carbonic water production feeding system having separated functions for producing carbonic water and for storing water, together (carbonic water production apparatus) as described above, even if carbonic water is fed to a plurality of use points, one carbonic water production apparatus can act satisfactorily, which can lead to reduced equipment costs.
Next, the water storage tank 200 and use points 300 are described.
Carbonic water having a high concentration (about 1000 mg/L) produced in the above-mentioned carbonic water production apparatus 100 is fed to the water storage tank 200 through piping. A feeding tube 86 for feeding the produced carbonic water to the water storage tank 200 is placed as an insertion tube in the water storage tank 200. By this, stirring of carbonic water can be prevented as completely as possible and evaporation of carbonic acid gas from the carbonic water can be prevented. When water in the water storage tank 200 reaches a given water level, carbonic water production in the carbonic water production apparatus 100 is stopped by a level switch 81.
Next, carbonic water is fed centrally to use points 300 by a water conveying pump 82. A gas extracting valve 91 is mounted on the uppermost part of a water conveying tube 90, to remove the evaporated carbonic acid gas.
Examples of a suitable, commonly used water conveying pump 82 include, for example, a swirling pump, a diaphragm pump, a screw pump, a tube pump and a piston pump. To aid in driving the water conveying pump 82, return piping 83 is provided for causing constant circulation, for preventing shutoff of the water conveying pump 82, and for controlling the water conveying flow rate. A part of this return piping 83 contributes to re-conveying to the water storage tank 200 and is placed as an insertion tube like the feeding tube 86 for feeding carbonic water to the water storage tank 200, and is used to prevent stirring of carbonic water as completely as possible.
Here, if the water storage tank 200 is an open system, there is a tendency for carbonic acid gas in the carbonic water to vaporize when at a lower concentration. Therefore, to maintain a high concentration of carbonic water in the water storage tank 200, it is preferable that a gas phase part in the tank is always filled with a carbonic acid gas. In the example shown in
The water storage tank 200 has an electric heater 85 which maintains the temperature of carbonic water at given temperature. The electric heater 85 is turned on or off by a controller.
In the water storage tank 200, if the gas pressure in the gas phase part and the temperature of carbonic water are determined, the dissolution degree of carbonic acid gas in water is constant, and therefore, the carbonic water is always maintained at a constant concentration and can be stored in the water storage tank 200. For example, when a gas phase part is composed of 100% carbonic acid gas under atmospheric pressure, the dissolution degree of carbonic acid gas in water (40?C) is chemically 1109 mg/L (40?C). Therefore, the concentration of carbonic acid gas in carbonic water can be kept at a high concentration of 1000 mg/L or more only by maintaining a gas phase part (carbonic acid gas) at atmospheric pressure. Additionally, if the atmosphere in the water storage tank 200 is maintained at or around the atmospheric pressure, extreme positive pressure or negative pressure is not applied on the wall part of the water storage tank 200. Therefore, the structural material of the water storage tank 200 may be made of a relatively light material, which means reduced equipment costs.
In this embodiment, water fed to the water storage tank 200 should be carbonic water of a desired concentration. If water containing utterly no carbonic acid gas is fed to the water storage tank 200, for example, it is necessary to carry out a conventional method (pressured method) in which pressure sealing is effected in the water storage tank 200 under high pressure, to produce a carbonic acid gas. However, in this case, the water storage tank 200 is enlarged, and a longer period of time is necessary for production of carbonic water, therefore, stable feeding to use points can not be performed. Additionally, it is also difficult to obtain carbonic water having desired high concentration.
In the example shown in
The carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 106 is a membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus having a membrane module containing a hollow fiber membrane placed in it. In this example, when hot water in the bath part 101 is circulated for any amount of time by the circulation pump 104, the bath part 101 will be filled with carbonic water having a high concentration of carbonic acid gas. The volume of this bath part 101 is usually in the range from 10 to 40 L.
In the case of a foot bath, utilizing the circulation type carbonic water production apparatus 400 as shown in
Further, in this example, when the amount of water passed per hollow fiber membrane module is 0.1 to 10 L/min and the gas pressure is 0.01 MPa to 0.3 MPa, it is preferable that the membrane area is about 0.1 m2 to 5 m2.
In the foot bath shown in
In the example shown in
Furthermore, instead of using tap water, water stored in a water storage tank 135 provided on the carbonic water production apparatus 500 can also be fed (a flow) into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 106 via the switching valve 132. The volume of the water storage tank 135 is the same as that of the bath pal 101 of the foot bath, and hot water is collected in the water storage tank 135 in every operation, the whole amount is fed to the bath part 101 via the carbonic water production apparatus 500. By such means, a foot bath can be used even at a place where there is no water line, and the advantage of a portable foot bath can be further utilized. Raw water in the water storage tank 135 has been previously fed over a suitable time by opening a lid 136.
The carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 106 is a membrane type carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus having a membrane module containing a hollow fiber membrane placed in it. In this example, a carbonic acid gas fed into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 106 is introduced onto the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane. The raw water (hot water) fed into the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 106 flows in a hollow part of the hollow fiber membrane. Here, the carbonic acid gas on the outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane comes into contact with raw water flowing in a hollow part of the hollow fiber membrane via a membrane surface. The carbonic acid gas is dissolved in raw water to produce carbonic water having a desired concentration in one pass. This carbonic water is fed into the bath part 101 via a non-return valve.
The carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus may have a constitution in which a carbonic acid gas is fed into a hollow fiber membrane and raw water flows to the outside of a hollow fiber membrane, contrary to the above-mentioned constitution.
A foot bath utilizing the one-pass type carbonic water production apparatus 500 as shown in
In automatic water extraction (drain extraction) in
In the examples shown in
The carbonic water production apparatuses equipped with foot baths as shown in
The present invention will be illustrated further by examples below.
First, Example A regarding the first aspect of the present invention will be described.
Using the apparatus shown in the flow sheet of
Hot water having an amount of 10 L and a temperature of 35?C filled in the bath 11 was circulated at a flow rate of 5 L/min by the circulation pump 1, and simultaneously, a carbonic acid gas was fed under a pressure of 0.05 MPa to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 5. By this circulation, the concentration of carbonic acid gas in hot water in the bath 11 increased gradually. The concentration of carbonic acid gas was measured by an ion meter (brand IM40S manufactured by Toa Denpa Kogyo K.K.), and a carbonic acid gas electrode brand CE-235. The measurement results of the concentration of carbonic acid gas at every circulation time are shown in Table 1. In production of carbonic water, drain extraction was conducted automatically by an automatic water extraction function, and gas extraction was appropriately conducted.
Further, carbonic water was produced in the same manner except that the feed pressure of the carbonic acid gas was changed to 0.10 MPa and 0.15 MPa. The circulation time and the concentration of carbonic acid gas in this case are also shown in Table 2. These are shown in the form of a graph in
Based on the data shown in Table 1, for example, if the intended concentration of the carbonic acid gas to be produced is 1000 mg/L, the desired times for circulation are determined as shown in Table 2 for feed pressures of carbonic acid gas at 0.05 MPa, 0.10 MPa and 0.15 MPa, respectively.
In the first aspect of the present invention, since a positive displacement metering pump having a self-priming ability is used, carbonic water having a high concentration of about 1000 mg/L can also be circulated stably. Therefore, when water was again circulated for the desired times under three gas feed pressures shown in Table 2, carbonic water having a high concentration of about 1000 mg/L could be produced.
Carbonic water was attempted to be produced in the same manner as in Example A1 except that a swirling pump was used instead of a diaphragm type metering pump, as the circulation pump 1, and an under-water pump (swirling mode) was attached also at the tip of an absorption hose in a bath to provide the pressure at a pump absorption port positive (pushing). However, before reaching carbonic water (1000 mg/L) of high concentration, the pump stopped due to generation of bubbles.
The time from initiation of operation until the swirling pump is stopped due to the bubble entrainment, and the concentration of carbonic acid gas at its stopping point are shown in Table 3.
From the results shown in Table 3, it is known that, when a swirling pump is used, the concentration of carbonic water increases and the pump is stopped by entrained bubbles. Consequently, a high concentration of about 1000 mg/L cannot be produced.
As described above, in the first aspect of the present invention, since a positive-displacement metering pump is used, even if bubbles are generated in carbonic water having a high concentration, stable circulation is possible. In addition, complicated control is not necessary, the constitution (construction) of the apparatus can be simplified significantly, the apparatus has small size and a low cost, and carbonic water of high concentration can be produced by a simple operation at low cost. Furthermore, as compared with a one-pass type apparatus, setting is simple, and carbonic water can be produced more efficiently at low cost at a low gas feed pressure. From such a standpoint, the first aspect of the present invention is very useful as a domestic carbonic water production apparatus since, for example, it can be used merely by filling a bath with hot water and putting a carbonic water circulation hose of the apparatus.
Next, Example B regarding the second present invention will be described.
The carbonic water production process according to the second present invention shown in
As the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 24, a dissolving apparatus was used containing the three-layer complex hollow fiber membrane described above (manufactured by Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd., trade name: MHF) at an effective total membrane area of 2.4 m2, and a carbonic acid gas was fed on the outer surface side of the hollow fiber membrane and raw water was fed to the hollow side, to dissolve the carbonic acid gas. As the filtration apparatus 26, an RAF-40N brand apparatus (trade name, manufactured by Noritz Corp., ability: 4 t/H (67 L/min), 400 W) was used, as the circulation pump 22, a commonly used swirling pump (270 W) was used, and as the bath 21, a large bath having a volume of 1000 L (1 m3) was used. An early step was carried out at a water temperature of 40?C, a circulation flow rate of 10 L/min/m2 and a carbonic acid gas pressure of 0.2 MPa for one hour. The bath can thus be filled with carbonic water having a carbonic acid gas concentration of 810 mg/L. Subsequently, a concentration maintaining step was carried out at a carbonic acid gas pressure of 0.1 MPa, and the concentration of carbonic acid gas in carbonic water in the bath could be maintained at 840 to 880 mg/L for five hours. The specific data in this example are shown in Table 4 below.
As described above, according to the second aspect of the present invention, the problem of evaporation of carbonic acid gas from the thus produced carbonic water can be solved, and a certain concentration of carbonic acid gas can be produced and maintained by a simple operation at low cost for a long period of time.
Next, Example C regarding the third aspect of the present invention will be described.
Carbonic water was produced as described below using the apparatus according to the flow sheet shown in
First, the intended concentration of the carbonic acid gas in the carbonic water to be produced was set at 600 mg/L. Next, hot water (raw water) prepared by heating tap water at 40?C was fed to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45 at any flow rate. The flow rate of the hot water detected by the flow sensor 4 was 15 L/min.
A carbonic acid gas was fed to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45 while automatically controlling the feeding pressure of carbonic acid gas so the concentration of carbonic acid gas of the resulting carbonic water was 600 mg/L, based on this flow rate data and the correlation data shown in
Further, carbonic water was produced in the same manner excepting that the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas was set at 1000 mg/L (flow rate of hot water: 15 L/min). The feeding pressure of carbonic water was specifically 0.30 MPa. The concentration of the carbonic acid gas in thus produced carbonic water was measured in the same manner. The results are shown in Table 5.
From the results shown in Table 5, it is apparent that carbonic water having the intended concentration could be produced with little error, at any specified concentration case.
Carbonic water was produced in the same manner as in Example C1 excepting that the flow rate of hot water was 5 L/min. The results are shown in Table 6.
As apparent from the results shown in Table 6, carbonic water having the intended concentration could be produced with little error, at any specified concentration. From the results of Examples C1 and C2, it is also known that carbonic water having the intended concentration can be produced with little error, even if the flow rate of hot water (raw water) is indefinite.
As described above, according to the third aspect of the present invention, complicated control is not necessary, the constitution (construction) of the apparatus can be simplified significantly, the apparatus has small size and has a low cost, and carbonic water having the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas can be produced in a simple manner. Particularly, the third aspect of the present invention can also be applied when raw water is fed from a faucet from a water line and, additionally, since the apparatus is compact, it is very useful as an apparatus for water treatment which can be applied easily to known baths, including domestic baths.
Next, Example D regarding the fourth present invention will be described.
Carbonic water was produced using the apparatus according to the flow sheet shown in
First, the intended concentration of carbonic acid gas in the carbonic water to be produced was set at 1000 ppm. Next, hot water (raw water) was prepared by heating tap water at 40?C and was fed to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45 at any flow rate. The flow rate of the hot water detected by the flow sensor 43 was 15 L/min. Here, a carbonic acid gas was fed to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45 while appropriately controlling the feeding pressure of carbonic acid gas so the concentration of carbonic acid gas of the resulting carbonic water was 1000 mg/L. The feed pressure of carbonic water was specifically 0.30 MPa. The concentration of carbonic acid gas in the thus produced carbonic water was about 1000 ppm.
This carbonic water production was continued for 1 hour, then the feeding of raw water and the feeding of carbonic acid gas were stopped. As intended, 10 seconds after this stopping, the magnetic valve 53 of the apparatus was opened automatically for 5 seconds. In this operation, drain was discharged successfully out of the apparatus, under a remaining pressure of a gas out of a hollow fiber membrane in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 45 at about 0.05 MPa. Further, no hammer phenomenon occurred.
Carbonic water was produced using the apparatus according to the flow sheet shown in
Hot water in the amount of 10 L and at a temperature of 35?C filled in the bath 11 was circulated at a flow rate of 5 L/min by the circulation pump 1, and simultaneously, carbonic acid gas was fed under a pressure of 0.15 MPa to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3. By this circulation, the concentration of carbonic acid gas in hot water in the bath 11 increased gradually. When this circulation was continued for five minutes, the concentration of carbonic water in the bath reached around 1000 ppm. Since the operation was repeated several times (integration time: four hours or more), drain was collected in the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 3 after production of carbonic water. In completion of the next operation, the magnetic valve 7 was automatically opened for 1 second, as set. Since, in this time, the carbonic acid gas magnetic valve 6 was opened, a gas pressure of 0.15 MPa was applied, and under this pressure, the drain was discharged successfully out of the apparatus. Furthermore, the same carbonic water production was repeated, and consequently after every operation for an integrated operation time of four hours or more, water extraction was successfully conducted automatically in initiation of the next operation, as set.
As described above, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, effective membrane area can always be secured without requiring manual drain extraction, and carbonic water of high concentration can be successfully produced by a simple operation. As a result, the fourth aspect of the present invention is very practical.
Next, Example E in which feeding to a plurality of use points is conducted will be described.
Carbonic water was produced and fed as described below, according to the example shown in
First, hot water (raw water) prepared by heating tap water at 40?C was fed to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 65 at a flow rate of 15 L/min, and carbonic acid gas was fed to the carbonic acid gas dissolving apparatus 65 under a feeding pressure of 0.30 MPa. The concentration of carbonic acid gas of the produced carbonic water was about 1000 ppm, and this was fed to the water storage tank 200. Carbonic water in the water storage tank 200 was kept at 40?C. This carbonic water could be successfully fed to each use point 300 by the water conveying pump 82.
As described above, in this example, equipment cost could be reduced by one carbonic water production apparatus even when carbonic water was fed to a plurality of use points (e.g., bath). Namely, by effecting such an application, operation can be carried out by one carbonic water production apparatus, even in a facility having a lot of use points provided, and a large amount of carbonic water can be stored in a water storage tank. Therefore, even when a large amount of carbonic water is necessary at one time, a small dissolving apparatus can be used in a carbonic water production apparatus, and therefore lower the equipment cost. Furthermore, carbonic water having a high concentration of carbonic acid gas, which provides physiological effects, can be supplied easily in a stable manner.
Next, Example F regarding the fifth present invention will be described.
A foot bath using the circulation type carbonic water production apparatus shown in
The concentration of carbonic acid gas is a value measured by a measuring apparatus (an IM-40 brand, a measuring apparatus manufactured by Toa Denpa K.K.)
A foot bath using the one-pass type carbonic water production apparatus shown in
As described above, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a bath can be provided which is simple to operate and which retains the advantage of portable foot baths.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000-116501 | Apr 2000 | JP | national |
| 2000-116502 | Apr 2000 | JP | national |
| 2000-116503 | Apr 2000 | JP | national |
| 2000-242601 | Aug 2000 | JP | national |
| 2000-249738 | Aug 2000 | JP | national |
| 2000-266701 | Aug 2000 | JP | national |
This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/001,333 filed Dec. 1, 2004 which is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/258,031, filed Oct. 18, 2002, the complete disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, which was the National Phase of PCT International Application PCT/JP01/03309, filed Apr. 18, 2001, which designated the U.S. and that International Application was not published under PCT Article 21(2) in English.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11001333 | Dec 2004 | US |
| Child | 11808531 | Jun 2007 | US |
| Parent | 10258031 | Oct 2002 | US |
| Child | 11001333 | Dec 2004 | US |
