WO2012124550A1 - Separation apparatus, and separation method - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to minimize the energy required when implementing a separation technique by means of atomization, a separation apparatus is provided with: an atomization chamber (10) that atomizes a solution so as to produce a gas containing fine particles; a classifier (20) that classifies fine particles; a first tube (1) connecting the atomization chamber (10) and the classifier (20); a recovery tank (30) that condenses and recovers the gas containing fine particles; a second tube (2) connecting the classifier (20) and the recovery tank (30); and a third tube (3) connecting the recovery tank (30) and the atomization chamber (10). A blower (40) that pressurizes the gas exists midway along the second tube (2), and a pressure recovery device (50) and a heat exchanger (60), which straddle the second tube (2) and the third tube (3), are also provided. Pressure generated in the blower (40) is transferred from the gas in the third tube (3) to the gas in the second tube (2) by the pressure recovery device (50), and compression heat generated due to pressurization by the blower (40) is transferred from the gas in the second tube (2) to the gas in the third tube (3) by the heat exchanger (60).

Description

Separation device and separation method

The present invention relates to a technique for separating a solution, which is a solvent containing a solute, into a solute and a solvent.

For example, an alcohol solution such as biomass alcohol, liquor, or a liquor raw material contains water as a solvent and alcohol as a solute (ethanol) (the relationship between the two may be interchanged, but is described here for convenience). There are cases where it is desired to separate water and alcohol from such an alcohol solution. Such techniques have multiple ways of capturing water, concentrating alcohol, and the like, but from a chemical standpoint, the solute and solvent are simply separated.
Further, the seawater solution (seawater) roughly includes other minerals and includes water as a solvent and sodium chloride as a solute. In some cases, it is desired to separate water and sodium chloride from such seawater. In this case as well, there are multiple ways of capturing water, concentration of sodium chloride, etc., but from a chemical point of view, the solute and solvent are simply separated.
Separation of water and alcohol in an alcohol solution can be applied to, for example, replacement of a brewed liquor with a process of making distilled liquor.
Separation of water and sodium chloride in seawater can be applied to manufacture of salt or desalination of seawater.
As described above, the technology for separating a solution, which is a solvent containing a solute, into a solute and a solvent has various uses.

The technology for separating the solute and the solvent has been practical for a long time, and various types are known. And this inventor is researching about the separation technique of the solute and solvent using the atomization as follows.

The technology is roughly as follows.
In the separation technique using atomization, a solution that is a solvent containing a solute is atomized using an appropriate technique such as spraying, ultrasonic atomization, electrostatic atomization, or the like. Then, many fine particles of the solution are generated by being atomized.
By the way, the fine particles of this solution vary in size. There is a correlation between the size of each fine particle and the concentration of the solution in each fine particle (ratio of solute to solvent). The inventor who realized that there is such a correlation realized that the solute and the solvent in the solution can be separated by classifying the fine particles generated by atomization according to the size.
In fact, in the case of an alcohol solution, the fine particles produced by atomization tend to contain more alcohol as it is smaller, and in the case of seawater, the fine particles produced by atomization are It has been found by the inventor's research that the larger the value, the more the sodium chloride tends to be contained.

This separation technique using atomization consumes less energy than distillation and other techniques that use heating, so it is particularly useful for concentrating bioethanol solutions for fuels and large volumes of solutions such as seawater desalination. Suitable for separation technology when it is necessary to process. The development of bioethanol production technology and seawater desalination technology is well-known, and of course there are other uses, and there is a strong demand for early commercialization of atomization separation technology. Yes.

JP 2003-311102 A JP 2009-142717 A JP2009-142727

In order to put the atomization separation technology into practical use, improvement in efficiency is essential.
For example, when performing the separation technique by atomization, energy is consumed when atomizing a solution. The fine particles of the solution produced by atomization are then classified, and those not recovered by classification are liquefied and recovered by condensation. However, in order to condense the fine particles, it is necessary to pressurize the gas containing the fine particles. Even in that process, energy is consumed.
Since the energy consumed in these processes is so large that it cannot be ignored in the separation technique by atomization, if these can be reduced, the practical application of the separation technique by atomization will be one step closer.

This invention makes it the subject to improve the separation technique by atomization so that the energy consumed when performing atomization and the energy consumed when condensing microparticles | fine-particles may be suppressed.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present inventor proposes the following invention.
The present invention is a separation device used for separating a solution, which is a solvent containing a solute, into a solute and a solvent.
The separation apparatus includes an atomizing unit that includes an atomizing unit that converts a solution supplied from the outside into fine fine particles, and has a space for generating a gas containing the fine particles from the solution. A chamber connected to the other end of the first pipe, which is a pipe connected at one end thereof, and the fine particles are removed from the gas containing the fine particles supplied from the atomization chamber via the first pipe. A classifier that classifies according to size and collects the fine particles larger than a predetermined standard, and is connected to the other end of a second pipe that is a pipe connected to the classifier and one end thereof; A recovery tank for recovering the gas and the fine particles as a liquid by condensing a gas containing the fine particles not recovered by the classifier supplied from the container through the second pipe; Other in the atomization chamber A third pipe that supplies gas that has not been condensed in the collection tank to the atomization chamber, and is provided in a predetermined portion of the second pipe, and from the classifier A pressurizing device that pressurizes the gas containing the fine particles not recovered by the classifier supplied via the second pipe so that the recovery tank can recover the liquid as a liquid; and a predetermined unit for the second pipe And the predetermined part of the third pipe (in the present application, the word "stretch" does not require until the second pipe and the third pipe are completely sandwiched, It is used in the sense that it is sufficient that it is at least in contact with both the second pipe and the third pipe.) The gas in the second pipe is mixed with the gas in the third pipe. Without pressure higher than the gas pressure in the second pipe. The pressure of the body and transferred to a gas of said second pipe, consisting comprises a pressure recovery device.
In short, this separation device guides the gas containing the fine particles of the solution made in the atomization chamber to the classifier through the first pipe, and classifies the gas there to collect a large one of the fine particles. Thereafter, the gas containing the fine particles that have passed through the classifier is guided to the pressurizing device through the second pipe. Then, a gas containing fine particles is pressurized by a pressurization device provided in a predetermined portion of the second pipe, and is sent to a recovery tank to liquefy and collect the fine particles and the gas containing the fine particles. . The fine particles and gas that could not be recovered are returned again from the recovery tank to the atomization chamber through the third tube. Here, the pressure of the gas in the third pipe coming out of the recovery tank is larger than the pressure of the gas in the second pipe due to the effect of being pressurized by the pressurizing device before entering the recovery tank. The pressure of the gas in the third pipe coming out of the tank is reduced when the gas is supplied to the atomization chamber as it is, and is eventually wasted in some way.

The separation device of the present application includes a pressure recovery device. And it is provided so as to straddle the predetermined part of the second pipe and the predetermined part of the third pipe, and mix the gas in the second pipe and the gas in the third pipe. Instead, the pressure of the gas in the third pipe higher than the pressure of the gas in the second pipe is transferred to the gas in the second pipe. Since it has such a pressure recovery device, the separation device of the present application moves the pressure of the gas in the third tube to the gas in the second tube, so that the pressurization device is used for the gas entering the recovery tank from the second tube. The pressure to be applied can be reduced, and therefore, the energy consumed in the process of pressurizing the gas containing fine particles by the pressurizer can be suppressed. This can be said to suppress the energy consumed by the pressurizing device by effectively using the pressure of the gas in the third pipe, which would be wasted unnecessarily as it is.
Moreover, in the atomization chamber in this invention, although a solution is atomized, atomization of a solution is easy to occur, so that the pressure of the gas in an atomization chamber is small. If the pressure of the gas in the third pipe is lowered by transferring the pressure of the gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe to the gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe, the pressure in the atomization chamber is lowered. It is possible to suppress the energy required for conversion.
As described above, the separation device of the present invention achieves both suppression of energy consumed when atomization is performed and suppression of energy consumed when the fine particles are condensed.
Note that the classifier of the present application classifies the fine particles according to their size. However, this classification is sufficient if the fine particles are classified according to the size as a result, for example, depending on the mass of the fine particles. It does not matter if they are classified.

As described above, the pressure recovery apparatus of the present invention is provided so as to straddle the predetermined portion of the second pipe and the predetermined portion of the third pipe. Where the pressure recovery device straddles the second tube and the third tube, in other words, where the pressure exchange between the second tube and the third tube can be arbitrarily selected. it can.
For example, the pressure recovery device may be provided so as to straddle a predetermined portion closer to the classifier than the pressurizing device of the second pipe and a predetermined portion of the third pipe. As described above, the pressurizing device pressurizes the gas containing fine particles coming from the classifier through the second tube. That is, the pressure of the gas containing fine particles in the portion closer to the classifier than the pressurizing device of the second pipe is smaller than the pressure of the gas containing fine particles in the portion closer to the recovery tank than the pressurizing device. Therefore, if the part straddling the second tube of the pressure recovery device is closer to the classifier than the pressurizing device, the gas containing the fine particles in the second tube and the gas containing the fine particles in the third tube Since the difference from the pressure becomes larger than the case where the portion straddling the second pipe of the pressure recovery device is on the recovery tank side with respect to the pressurization device, the pressure can be exchanged more efficiently.

The separation device of the present invention may include a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is provided, for example, so as to straddle a predetermined part closer to the recovery tank than the pressurizing device of the second pipe and a predetermined part of the third pipe, The heat of the gas in the second pipe, which is higher than the temperature of the gas in the third pipe, is transferred to the gas in the third pipe without mixing the gas in the third pipe and the gas in the third pipe. It has become.
As described above, the pressurizing device pressurizes the gas containing fine particles coming from the classifier through the second tube. Therefore, by passing through the pressurizing device, the gas in the second pipe generates heat of compression and is heated. If the heat of the gas in the second pipe remains as it is, it is brought into the recovery tank. By the way, as above-mentioned, a collection tank condenses the gas containing microparticles | fine-particles, and gas is cooled for that purpose. That is, the heat of the gas in the second pipe is lost, and if it is left as it is, it is wasted wastefully. If the heat exchanger as described above is provided, the heat of the gas in the second pipe that has passed through the pressurizing device can be transferred to the gas in the third pipe, thereby preventing the heat waste as described above. it can.
On the other hand, by providing the heat exchanger, the following effects are also produced. As described above, the solution is atomized in the atomization chamber. The atomization of the solution is more likely to occur as the temperature in the atomization chamber is higher. If the temperature of the gas in the third tube is raised by transferring the heat of the gas containing the fine particles in the second tube to the gas containing the fine particles in the third tube, the energy required for atomization performed in the atomization chamber is suppressed. Will be able to.
As described above, the heat exchanger is provided so as to straddle the predetermined part closer to the recovery tank than the pressurizing device of the second pipe and the predetermined part of the third pipe. It can be determined as appropriate which part of the third pipe the heat exchanger straddles.
For example, the heat exchanger has a predetermined portion closer to the recovery tank than the pressurizing device of the second pipe, and a predetermined portion closer to the atomization chamber than the portion of the third pipe straddling the pressure recovery device. It may be provided so as to straddle. Of the third tube, the gas containing fine particles that have passed through the portion closer to the atomization chamber than the portion of the third tube across the pressure recovery device directly reaches the atomization chamber. When it receives heat from, it is convenient to bring the heat directly into the atomization chamber. This leads to a higher temperature in the atomization chamber, thus further suppressing the energy required for atomization performed in the atomization chamber.

The separation device of the present invention is a depressurization for removing air present in the separation device, for example, the atomization chamber, the first tube, the classifier, the second tube, the recovery tank, and the third tube. An apparatus may be further provided. In short, it is preferable that the decompression device of the present invention removes air from all spaces in the separation device in which the gas containing fine particles generated from the solution circulates.
By doing so, atomization easily occurs in the atomization chamber, and wasteful energy consumption caused by circulating air that does not perform any work in the separation device can be prevented. In addition, since there is less wasted air, there is an advantage that the efficiency of recovery in the recovery tank can be improved.
The timing at which the air in the separation device is extracted can be, for example, before operating the separation device. If air is evacuated at this timing, by keeping all the spaces in the separation device in which the gas containing the fine particles generated from the solution circulates, the air is in the space when the separation device is operating. It will never get in.

The same effects as those achieved by the separation device of the present application can be obtained by, for example, the following method.
The method of the present invention comprises an atomizing means for separating a solution, which is a solvent containing a solute, into a solute and a solvent, and making an externally supplied solution into fine fine particles. An atomizing chamber which is a room having a space for generating gas, and the other end of the first tube which is a tube connected to the atomizing chamber and one end thereof, from the atomizing chamber The fine particles are classified according to their sizes from the gas containing the fine particles supplied via the first pipe, and a classifier for collecting the fine particles larger than a predetermined standard is connected to the classifier and one end thereof. The other end of the second pipe which is a pipe, and by condensing a gas containing fine particles not recovered by the classifier supplied from the classifier via the second pipe, Gas and fine particles as liquid A third tank for supplying gas from the recovery tank to the atomization chamber, one end of which is connected to the recovery tank, the other end connected to the atomization chamber, and a gas not condensed in the recovery tank; The recovery tank is a liquid that is provided in a predetermined portion of the second pipe and that contains the fine particles that are not recovered by the classifier supplied from the classifier via the second pipe. And a pressurizing device that pressurizes so that it can be recovered as a separation method.
In this separation method, the predetermined portion of the second tube and the predetermined portion of the third tube do not mix the gas in the second tube and the gas in the third tube, and the first portion. The pressure of the gas in the three pipes, which is higher than the pressure of the gas in the second pipe, is transferred to the gas in the second pipe.

The solution of the present invention may be any solvent as long as it contains a solute. For example, an alcohol solution containing water (solvent) and alcohol (ethanol) as a solute (the relationship between the two may be interchanged) or seawater where the solute is sodium chloride and the solvent is water is the solution in the present invention. It can be enough.

The side view which shows roughly the whole structure of the separation apparatus by one Embodiment of this invention. The enlarged view of the pressure recovery device vicinity of the separation apparatus shown by FIG.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
The separation device of this embodiment is used to separate a solution, which is a solvent containing a solute, into a solute and a solvent. Although not restricted to this, the solution separated by this separation device is seawater in this embodiment. In seawater, the solute is sodium chloride and the solvent is water.
However, the solution may be an alcohol solution in which the solute is alcohol and the solvent is water, or may be another solution. Although there are limitations due to viscosity and the like, the separation apparatus described below can separate most solution solutes and solvents.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the overall configuration of the separation apparatus of the present application.
As shown in FIG. 1, the separation device of the present invention includes an atomization chamber 10, a classifier 20, and a collection tank 30.
The atomization chamber 10 and the classifier 20 are connected at both ends of the first pipe 1. The classifier 20 and the collection tank 30 are connected at both ends of the second pipe 2, and the collection tank 30 and the atomization chamber 10 are connected at both ends of the third pipe 3. Although not limited thereto, each of the first tube 1, the second tube 2, and the third tube 3 is a metal tube having a circular cross section.
A blower 40 is provided in the middle of the second pipe 2 of the separation device. Further, the separation device includes a pressure recovery device 50 and a heat exchanger 60 that straddle both the second pipe 2 and the third pipe 3.

The atomizing chamber 10 is a chamber for generating a gas containing fine particles of the solution from the solution. In this embodiment, the atomizing chamber 10 is made of metal and is airtight.
The atomization chamber 10 includes an atomization device 11 that is a device for making a solution into fine particles. In this embodiment, the atomizer 11 is supplied with a solution from a solution tank 12 outside the atomization chamber 10 via a pump (not shown). It has come to atomize.
The atomizer 11 may be any device as long as it can atomize the solution, and since a known device such as a spray, an ultrasonic atomizer, and an electrostatic atomizer can be used. Although detailed description is omitted, the atomizing device 11 of this embodiment is an electrostatic atomizing device.
In the atomization chamber 10, gas is also generated by evaporation of the solution. As a result, in the atomization chamber 10, a gas containing fine particles is generated.
The gas containing the fine particles is sent from the atomization chamber 10 to the classifier 20 through the first pipe 1.

The classifier 20 classifies fine particles contained in a gas containing fine particles sent from the atomization chamber 10. The classifier 20 of this embodiment classifies the fine particles contained in the gas containing fine particles sent from the atomization chamber 10 according to the size, and collects fine particles larger than a predetermined standard. Yes.
Any classifier 20 may be used as long as it can classify fine particles, and a known classifier using a cyclone, a mesh demister, a corrugated plate, or the like can be used. Although omitted, the classifier 20 of this embodiment is a classifier using a cyclone.
The classifier 20 also includes a classification recovery tank 21 that can store a liquid. In the classifier 20, fine particles are classified according to their sizes, and fine particles larger than a certain standard are liquefied and stored in the classification collection tank 21.
Fine particles that have not been captured by the classifier 20 and have not been directed to the classification collection tank 21 and the gas containing the fine particles are directed to the collection tank 30 via the second pipe 2.

As described above, the blower 40 is in the middle of the second pipe 2. The blower 40 corresponds to the pressurizing device in the present invention, and increases the pressure of the gas containing fine particles in the second tube 2 from the classifier 20 toward the collection tank 40. When the gas containing the fine particles passes through the blower 40, its pressure is increased. If the blower 40 has such a function, there is no restriction | limiting in particular about the structure. Note that the temperature of the gas containing the pressurized fine particles rises due to the heat of compression.

The collection tank 30 liquefies and collects the gas containing the fine particles sent from the classifier 20 via the second pipe 2. The above blower 40 is necessary because the gas pressure needs to be increased in order to liquefy the gas containing the fine particles.
The collection tank 30 is sufficient if it can liquefy the fine particles and the gas containing the fine particles, and the configuration thereof is not limited as much as possible. Moreover, since such an apparatus is well-known, detailed description here is abbreviate | omitted.
The fine particles and the gas containing the fine particles that have not been captured in the collection tank 30 are directed to the atomization chamber 10 via the third pipe 3.
In this way, in this separation device, the fine particles and the gas containing it are stored in the atomization chamber 10 → the first tube 1 → the classifier 20 → the second tube 2 → the recovery tank 30 → the third tube 3 → the atomization chamber 10. It is designed to circulate in order. In this separation device, the space forming the above-described path through which the fine particles and the gas containing the fine particles circulate is airtight.

The pressure recovery device 50 is as follows.
The pressure recovery device 50 is provided so as to straddle a predetermined portion of the second tube 2 and a predetermined portion of the third tube 3, and the gas in the second tube 2 and the third tube 3 Without mixing the gas, the pressure of the gas in the third pipe 3 higher than the pressure of the gas in the second pipe 2 is transferred to the gas in the second pipe 2. The pressure recovery device 50 of this embodiment is not necessarily limited to this, but straddles a predetermined part closer to the classifier 20 than the blower 40 of the second pipe 2 and a predetermined part of the third pipe 3. Is provided. In this embodiment, the second tube 3 and the third tube 3 are parallel to each other and have a positional relationship in which the flow directions of the gas containing fine particles flowing through the second tube 2 and the third tube 3 are the same.

As the pressure recovery apparatus 50, for example, a pressure recovery apparatus (trade name PX-300) manufactured and sold by ENERGY RECOVERY INC. Of the United States can be applied.
Specifically, the pressure recovery apparatus 50 in this embodiment is configured as shown in FIG. The pressure recovery device 50 includes a cylindrical shaft 52 supported at both ends by bearings 51. The shaft 52 can be freely rotated around its central axis. The shaft 52 penetrates the second tube 2 and the third tube 3 so as to pass through the centers of the second tube 3 and the third tube 3. Moreover, the part penetrated by the axis | shaft 52 of the 2nd pipe | tube 2 and the 3rd pipe | tube 3 is sealed by the appropriate method so that the gas of the inside may not leak.
Inside the second pipe 2 of the shaft 52, there are four substantially semicircular plate-like fins 53 having an arc of the same radius as the inner circumference of the second pipe 2 at equal intervals. Inside the three pipes 3, four substantially semicircular plate-like fins 54 having arcs having substantially the same radius as the inner peripheral radius of the third pipe 3 are attached at equal intervals. The reason why the fin 53 has the shape as described above is that the fin 53 can be rotated about the shaft 52 and that a gap is not generated as much as possible between the peripheral portion of the fin 53 and the inner peripheral surface of the second pipe 2. It is. The fin 54 is shaped as described above for the same reason as the fin 53.
The fin 53 and the fin 54 rotate together when the shaft 52 rotates. Thereby, among the gas flowing through the second pipe 2 and the gas flowing through the third pipe 3, the pressure of the one having the higher upstream pressure moves to the downstream side of the other gas.
For example, suppose that the fin 54 is pushed and rotated by the gas containing fine particles flowing in the third tube 3 with a force larger than the force by which the fin 53 is pushed by the gas containing fine particles flowing in the second tube 2. In this case, the fin 53 rotates faster than if it was just pushed by the gas containing the fine particles flowing in the second pipe 2, so that the gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe 2 is Pressure is applied on the downstream side. Further, since the fin 54 rotates more slowly than when it is just pushed by the gas containing the fine particles flowing in the third pipe 3, the gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe 3 is downstream of the pressure recovery device 50. The pressure will be reduced on the side. In this case, the pressure of the gas containing the fine particles in the third tube 3 is transferred to the pressure of the gas containing the fine particles in the second tube 2. Of course, in this case, the gas in the second pipe 2 and the gas in the third pipe 3 are not mixed.

The configuration of the pressure recovery device 50 can be as follows, for example. For example, in the third pipe 3, a wing that rotates by the pressure of gas containing fine particles flowing in the third pipe 3 is provided, and a generator that rotates the wing is arranged outside the third pipe, A blower for compressing the gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe 2 is arranged in the second pipe 2 by rotating the electricity generated by the generator as energy for driving in the second pipe 2. Configuration is also possible. However, in this case, since the generator is used, it may be unavoidable that the efficiency of transferring the pressure of the gas containing fine particles from the third pipe 3 to the second pipe 2 is somewhat reduced.

The heat exchanger 60 is a gas having a temperature higher than the temperature of the gas in the third pipe 3 in the second pipe 2 without mixing the gas in the second pipe 2 and the gas in the third pipe 3. This heat is transferred to the gas in the third pipe 3.
The heat exchanger 60 is provided so as to straddle a predetermined part closer to the recovery tank 30 than the blower 40 of the second pipe 2 and a predetermined part of the third pipe 3. Although not necessarily limited to this, in this embodiment, the heat exchanger 60 has a predetermined part closer to the recovery tank 30 than the blower 40 of the second pipe 2 and a part straddled by the pressure recovery device 50 of the third pipe 3. Is also provided so as to straddle a predetermined portion near the atomizing chamber 10.
As the heat exchanger 60, a publicly known one can be used. Similarly to the publicly known heat exchanger, the heat of a medium having a high temperature can be transferred to a medium having a lower temperature. This is actually the case in the embodiment.
The heat exchanger 60 can have, for example, a structure in which both the second pipe 3 and the third pipe 3 are breached so as to increase the contact area and are entangled while contacting each other. Of course, other structures may be used.

Further, the separation device of this embodiment includes a decompression device 70.
The decompression device 70 removes air present in the atomization chamber 10, the first pipe 1, the classifier 20, the second pipe 2, the collection tank 30, and the third pipe 3. In other words, the decompression device 70 removes air because it forms a path in the separation device in which the fine particles and the gas containing the fine particles circulate.
The decompression device 70 of this embodiment is connected to, for example, the downstream side of the pressurization device 40 of the second pipe 2 via a connection pipe 71, and for extracting air in the above-described path via the connection pipe 71. It is a vacuum pump.

Next, a method for using this separation apparatus will be described.
First, when operating the separation device, first, the air present in the atomization chamber 10, the first pipe 1, the classifier 20, the second pipe 2, the collection tank 30, and the third pipe 3 is extracted.
This process of drawing air is performed using the pressure reducing device 70 described above.
The pressure of the air inside the atomizing chamber 10 or the like when the pressure is reduced is not necessarily limited to this, but is about 1 kPa to 50 kPa. If the pressure inside the separation device is reduced to less than 1 kPa, the energy consumption will be excessively large. If the pressure is not reduced to about 50 kPa, the effect of reducing work by insufficient air will be insufficient. Therefore, the air pressure is preferably in the above range.

Next, the classifier 20 and the blower 40 are activated, and a process of generating a gas containing fine particles from the solution is started in the atomization chamber 10.
In this process, the solution which is seawater in this embodiment is supplied from the solution tank 12 to the atomization device 11 provided in the atomization chamber 10 via a pump (not shown), and the atomization device 11 supplies the solution. Make fine particles. Although not necessarily limited to this, in this embodiment, the size of the fine particles is distributed between 1 nm and 10 μm.
In general, atomization is easy to perform at high temperature and low pressure. Since the inside of the atomization chamber 10 is depressurized as described above, the efficiency of generating fine particles from the solution is high. Moreover, since the inside of the atomization chamber 10 is depressurized, the boiling point of water, which is a solvent in the solution, is lowered, so that the solvent in the solution is evaporated to generate a gas.
In this way, fine particles of the solution and a gas containing it are generated in the atomization chamber 10. The gas containing the fine particles is sent from the atomization chamber 10 to the classifier 20 through the first pipe 1.

In the classifier 20, the fine particles contained in the gas containing the fine particles sent from the atomization chamber 10 are classified.
As described above, the size of the fine particles sent to the classifier 20 has a width of 1 nm to 10 μm. Of these, those with a diameter of several μm or more contain sodium chloride, and those with a diameter smaller than that contain little sodium chloride.
Therefore, in this embodiment, the fine particles are classified using 2 μm as a threshold value.
The classifier 20 captures and collects fine particles having a diameter larger than the above-described threshold value. The collected fine particles are sent to the classification collection tank 21 where they are liquefied and stored. As a result, most of the sodium chloride contained in the solution is recovered in the classification recovery tank 21. The liquid containing a large amount of sodium chloride stored in the classification collection tank 21 is taken out of the separation device at predetermined time intervals or continuously.
The fine particles that have not been captured by the classifier 20 and the gas containing the fine particles travel to the collection tank 30 via the second pipe 2.

As will be described later, the gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe 2 receives pressure from the gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe 3 in the pressure recovery device 50, but the description thereof will be given once. In addition, although it is a short time after the gas containing the fine particles is generated in the atomization chamber 10, the pressure recovery device 50 is used until the gas containing the fine particles reaches the pressure recovery device 50 through the third pipe 3. Does not work.
The gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe 2 is pressurized by the blower 40.
The gas containing the pressurized fine particles becomes a high pressure and goes to the recovery tank 30. Moreover, the gas which became high pressure has compression heat and becomes high temperature.

The gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe 2 is directed to the heat exchanger 60 and, as will be described later, in the heat exchanger 60, heat is transferred to the gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe 3, but the explanation thereof is as follows. Put one end. In addition, in a short time after the gas containing fine particles is generated in the atomization chamber 10, until the gas containing fine particles reaches the heat exchanger 60 through the third pipe 3, Does not work.

Next, the gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe 2 is directed to the collection tank 30, and the gas containing the fine particles is liquefied and collected in the collection tank 30. In particular, almost all of the fine particles are collected in the collection tank 30.
The liquid recovered in the recovery tank 30 does not substantially contain sodium chloride. Therefore, it can be said that the liquid collected here is fresh water. This liquid is taken out of the separation apparatus at predetermined time intervals or continuously.
A small amount of fine particles that have not been collected in the collection tank 30 and a gas containing the fine particles travel to the atomization chamber 10 via the third pipe 3. At this time, most of the fine particles in the third pipe 3 evaporate because the pressure decreases and the temperature rises while passing through the pressure recovery device 50 and the heat exchanger 60.

The gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe 3 toward the atomization chamber 10 reaches the pressure recovery device 50.
As described above, the pressure recovery device 50 according to this embodiment is a gas containing fine particles flowing inside the second tube 2 and the third tube 3, and has a higher pressure on the upstream side than the pressure recovery device 50. The pressure is transferred to a gas containing fine particles flowing in the other of the second pipe 3 and the third pipe 3 on the downstream side of the pressure recovery device 50. In this embodiment, the pressure of the gas containing fine particles flowing inside the third pipe 3 on the upstream side of the pressure recovery device 50 is the pressure after being pressurized by the blower 40, and thus the pressure recovery device 50. It is higher than the pressure of the gas containing fine particles flowing inside the second pipe 2 on the upstream side. Therefore, the pressure of the gas containing the fine particles flowing in the third pipe 3 is transferred to the gas containing the fine particles flowing in the second pipe 2 before and after the pressure recovery device 50.
As already described, the gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe 2 is pressurized by the blower 40. The gas containing fine particles pressurized by the blower 40 is increased in pressure by the pressure recovery device 50 as described above before reaching the blower 40 via the second pipe 2. Therefore, since the improvement of the pressure in the blower 40 can be minimized, the energy consumption in the blower 40 can be reduced.

The gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe 3 toward the atomization chamber 10 passes through the pressure recovery device 50 and reaches the heat exchanger 60. The heat exchanger 60 transfers heat from a high temperature to a low temperature among the gas containing the fine particles in the second pipe 2 and the gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe 3.
As described above, the gas that has passed through the blower 40 is at a high temperature. Further, the temperature of the gas in the third pipe 3 that has passed through the pressure recovery device 50 is lowered due to expansion due to the pressure drop. Therefore, the gas in the second pipe 2 out of the gas containing fine particles reaching the heat exchanger 60 is at a higher temperature than that in the third pipe 3. Therefore, in this separation device, heat is transferred from the gas containing the fine particles in the second tube 2 to the gas containing the fine particles in the third tube 3.

The gas containing the fine particles leaving the heat exchanger 60 and going through the second pipe 2 toward the recovery tank 30 receives pressure from the gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe 3 by the pressure recovery device 50 and is further pressurized by the blower 40. Since the heat is transferred to the gas containing the fine particles in the third pipe 3 by the heat exchanger 60, the gas containing the fine particles leaving the heat exchanger 60 and going to the recovery tank 30 in the second pipe 2 is Compared with the case where the pressure recovery device 50 and the heat exchanger 60 are not provided, the temperature is low and the pressure is high.
Since the condensation of the gas and the fine particles contained therein is more likely to occur in a low temperature and high pressure atmosphere, in this embodiment, the gas is easily condensed in the recovery tank 30, and the efficiency of the recovery of the gas in the recovery tank 30 is good. It becomes.
Note that since the liquid recovered in the recovery tank 30 does not substantially contain sodium chloride, if the liquid recovered in the recovery tank 30 is to be used, this separation device is effectively a fresh water of seawater. It will function as a digitizing device.

On the other hand, the gas containing the fine particles leaving the heat exchanger 60 and going through the third tube 3 toward the atomization chamber 10 passes the pressure to the gas containing the fine particles in the third tube 3 by the pressure recovery device 50, and the second Since heat is received from the gas containing fine particles in the pipe 2 by the heat exchanger 60, the temperature and pressure are higher than when the pressure recovery device 50 and the heat exchanger 60 are not provided.
Since the atomization of the solution is more likely to occur in a high temperature and low pressure atmosphere, in this embodiment, the atomization in the atomization chamber 10 is likely to occur. Efficiency is good. This means that the energy required for atomization can be suppressed.

This separation device continues the above operation, and the gas containing fine particles is atomized in the atomizing chamber 10 → the first tube 1 → the classifier 20 → the second tube 2 → the recovery tank 30 → the third tube 3 → the atomizing chamber 10 It circulates in order.

Claims (8)

A separation device used to separate a solution containing a solute into a solute and a solvent,
An atomization chamber comprising a space for generating a gas containing the fine particles from the solution, provided with an atomizing means for making the solution supplied from the outside into fine fine particles;
The atomization chamber is connected to the other end of the first tube, which is a tube connected at one end thereof, and from the gas containing the fine particles supplied from the atomization chamber via the first tube A classifier for classifying the fine particles according to their size, and collecting the fine particles larger than a predetermined standard;
Fine particles not connected to the classifier and connected to the other end of the second pipe, which is connected to one end of the classifier, and not collected by the classifier supplied from the classifier via the second pipe A collection tank for collecting the gas and the fine particles as a liquid by condensing a gas containing
A third pipe that is connected at one end to the recovery tank and connected at the other end to the atomization chamber, and supplies gas that has not been condensed in the recovery tank from the recovery tank to the atomization chamber;
A gas that is provided in a predetermined portion of the second pipe and that contains the fine particles that have not been collected by the classifier supplied from the classifier through the second pipe is used as a liquid in the collection tank. A pressurizing device for pressurizing so that it can be recovered;
It is provided so as to straddle the predetermined part of the second pipe and the predetermined part of the third pipe, and without mixing the gas in the second pipe and the gas in the third pipe, A pressure recovery device for transferring the pressure of the gas in the third pipe, which is higher than the pressure of the gas in the second pipe, to the gas in the second pipe;
A separation device comprising: The pressure recovery device is provided so as to straddle a predetermined portion closer to the classifier than the pressurizing device of the second pipe and a predetermined portion of the third pipe.
The separation device according to claim 1. The second pipe is provided so as to straddle a predetermined part closer to the recovery tank than the pressurizing device and a predetermined part of the third pipe, and the gas in the second pipe and the third pipe A heat exchanger for transferring the heat of the gas in the second pipe, which is higher than the temperature of the gas in the third pipe, to the gas in the third pipe without mixing the gas in the pipe;
The separation device according to claim 1. Provided so as to straddle a predetermined portion closer to the recovery tank than the pressurizing device of the second pipe and a predetermined portion closer to the atomization chamber than a portion of the third pipe straddling the pressure recovery device Without the mixing of the gas in the second tube and the gas in the third tube, the heat of the gas in the second tube, which is higher than the temperature of the gas in the third tube, It is equipped with a heat exchanger that moves to the gas in the three tubes.
The separation apparatus according to claim 2. A pressure reducing device for removing air present in the atomizing chamber, the first tube, the classifier, the second tube, the recovery tank, and the third tube;
The separation device according to claim 1. Used to separate a solution containing a solute into a solute and a solvent,
An atomization chamber comprising a space for generating a gas containing the fine particles from the solution, provided with an atomizing means for making the solution supplied from the outside into fine fine particles;
The atomization chamber is connected to the other end of the first tube, which is a tube connected at one end thereof, and from the gas containing the fine particles supplied from the atomization chamber via the first tube A classifier for classifying the fine particles according to their size, and collecting the fine particles larger than a predetermined standard;
Fine particles not connected to the classifier and connected to the other end of the second pipe, which is connected to one end of the classifier, and not collected by the classifier supplied from the classifier via the second pipe A collection tank for collecting the gas and the fine particles as a liquid by condensing a gas containing
A third pipe that is connected at one end to the recovery tank and connected at the other end to the atomization chamber, and supplies gas that has not been condensed in the recovery tank from the recovery tank to the atomization chamber;
A gas that is provided in a predetermined portion of the second pipe and that contains the fine particles that have not been collected by the classifier supplied from the classifier through the second pipe is used as a liquid in the collection tank. A pressurizing device for pressurizing so that it can be recovered;
A method performed by a separation apparatus comprising:
The second pipe in the third pipe without mixing the gas in the second pipe and the gas in the third pipe at the predetermined part of the second pipe and the predetermined part of the third pipe. Including transferring a gas pressure higher than the gas pressure in the pipe to the gas in the second pipe,
Separation method. Seawater in which the solute is sodium chloride and the solvent is water is used as the solution,
Separate sodium chloride and water,
The separation method according to claim 6. After the air present in the atomization chamber, the first tube, the classifier, the second tube, the recovery tank, and the third tube is evacuated, the fine particles are removed from the solution in the atomization chamber. Start the process of generating gas containing,
The separation method according to claim 6.

Images