WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS AND WATER TREATMENT METHOD

Abstract

Provided are a water treatment apparatus and a water treatment method capable of performing a significant water quality evaluation of treated water before the filtration process, and capable of rapidly responding to a change in water quality of the treated water. A water treatment apparatus of the present invention includes a treated water filtering unit which filters treated water supplied from a treated water line to become filtered water, a filtered water mixing unit which is provided in a treated water extraction line diverging from the treated water line to reduce a turbidity concentration in the treated water of the treated water extraction line to become measured water, and a water quality measuring unit which is provided at a rear stage of the filtered water mixing unit in the treated water extraction line and measures water quality of the measured water to evaluate the water quality of the treated water.

Claims

1. A water treatment apparatus comprising: a treated water filtering unit which filters treated water to be supplied from a treated water line to become filtered water; a pretreatment unit which is provided in a treated water extraction line diverging from the treated water line to reduce a turbidity concentration in the treated water of the treated water extraction line to become measured water; and a first water quality measuring unit which is provided at a rear stage of the pretreatment unit in the treated water extraction line to measure the water quality of the measured water and evaluate the water quality of the treated water.

2. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit which filters the filtered water with a reverse osmosis membrane to obtain permeable water and concentrated water.

3. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pretreatment unit is a filtered water mixing unit which mixes the filtered water with the treated water to convert the treated water into the measured water.

4. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the measured water is a mixture of the treated water and the filtered water such that the treated water has 5 volume % or more and 60 volume % or less.

5. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pretreatment unit is a solid-liquid separation unit which performs solid-liquid separation of the liquid in the treated water and the turbidity in the treated water to convert the treated water into the measured water.

6. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the solid-liquid separation unit has a separation efficiency of the turbidity of 60% or more.

7. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pretreatment unit is a sand filtering unit which converts the treated water into the measured water, by sand filtration in which a filtration rate is relatively higher than the treated water filtering unit.

8. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pretreatment unit is a treated water purifying unit which reduces turbidity in the treated water by bubbling to convert the treated water into the measured water.

9. The water treatment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a flocculant charging unit which charges a flocculant into the treated water; a second water quality measuring unit which measures the water quality of the filtered water; and a control unit which controls a charging amount of the flocculant, based on the water quality of the treated water evaluated by the first water quality measuring unit and the water quality of the filtered water measured by the second water quality measuring unit.

10. A water treatment method comprising: reducing a turbidity concentration in treated water of a treated water extraction line diverging from a treated water line to become measured water; measuring the water quality of the measured water to evaluate the water quality of the treated water; controlling a charging amount of an flocculant to the treated water based on the evaluated water quality of the treated water; and measuring the water quality of the filtered water obtained by filtering the treated water of the treated water line to control a charging amount of the flocculant to the treated water.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relation between the concentration of treated water in the measured water and a SDI value.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a relation between the concentration of treated water in the measured water and a SFF value.

[0025] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a water treatment method according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to an eighth embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0032] The present inventors have noticed that, in a conventional desalination apparatus which desalinates sea water, it is not possible to measure an appropriate water quality evaluation index value in sea water having high turbidity concentration, and the SDI value is measured using filtered water after filtration process to control the operation of the desalination apparatus. Further, the inventors have found that, by using the sea water in which the turbidity concentration is reduced by subjecting the sea water before the filtration process to predetermined pretreatment, it is possible to measure the water quality evaluation index value of the sea water even by using the sea water before the filtration process, and as a result, it is possible to detect the change in the water quality of the sea water at an early stage to stabilize the water quality of. the filtered water, thereby completing the present invention.

[0033] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below, and can be achieved with appropriate modifications. Further, each of the following embodiments can be achieved by appropriate combination. In addition, common constituent, elements in each embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the repeated description thereof will not be provided.

First Embodiment

[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG, 1, a water treatment apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is a water treatment apparatus which obtains permeable water W.sub.3 and concentrated water W.sub.4, by filtering filtered water W.sub.2 which is obtained by filtering treated water W.sub.1 with a treated water filtering unit 11, with a reverse osmosis membrane 12a of the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12. There are no particular restrictions on the treated water W.sub.1, and for example, it is possible to use sea water, river water, lake water, ground water, municipal sewage, brackish water, industrial water, industrial wastewater, and water obtained by performing treatment such as aggregation, precipitation, filtration, adsorption, biological treatment on the water.

[0035] The water treatment apparatus 1 according to this embodiment includes: a treated water filtering unit 11 to which the treated water W.sub.1 is supplied from a treated water line L.sub.1; a reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12 provided in a filtered water line L.sub.2 of a rear stage of the treated water filtering unit 11; an energy recovery unit 13 provided in a concentrated water line L.sub.3 of a rear stage of the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12; a filtered water mixing unit: (pretreatment unit) 14 provided in a treated water extraction line L.sub.4 diverging from the treated water line L.sub.1 to extract some of the treated water W.sub.1; and a water quality measuring unit (first water quality measuring unit) 15 provided at a rear stage of the filtered water mixing unit 14.

[0036] The treated water W.sub.1 is supplied to the treated water filtering unit 11 from the treated water line L.sub.1 by a liquid feeding pump 16. The treated water filtering unit 11 filters the treated water W.sub.1 to provide filtered water W.sub.2 from which turbidity in the treated water W.sub.1 is removed. For example, as the treated water filtering unit 11, it is possible to use a dual media filter (DMF) in which anthracite with coarse particle diameter and silica sand with small particle diameter are laminated and the particle diameter gradually decreases toward the lower layer.

[0037] In the treated water filtering unit 11, pH of the filtered water W.sub.2 is adjusted by an acid such as H.sub.2SO.sub.4 and HCl as necessary to become a predetermined value (for example, pH 7.2 or less). By adjusting the pH in this manner, it is possible to reduce disadvantage such as contamination (fouling) of the reverse osmosis membrane 12a of the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12 due to turbidity in the treated water W.sub.1.

[0038] The pressed filtered water W.sub.2 is supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12 from the filtered water line L.sub.2, by a high-pressure pump 17. The reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12 includes the reverse osmosis membrane 12a which transmits the filtered water supplied from the treated water filtering unit 11 to become the permeable water W.sub.3 and to become the concentrated water W.sub.4 in which salinity and the like in the treated water W.sub.1 are concentrated. The reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12 discharges the concentrated water W.sub.4 from the concentrated water line L.sub.3 and discharges the permeable water W.sub.3 from the permeable water line L.sub.5.

[0039] A filter member such as a micro cartridge filter may be additionally provided between the treated water filtering unit 11 and the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12. By making the filtered water W.sub.2 flow through the filter member, it is possible to remove fine particles which affect contamination of the reverse osmosis membrane 12a of the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12.

[0040] Between the filtered water line L.sub.2, which extends between the treated water filtering unit 11 and the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12, and the filtered water mixing unit 14, a filtered water supply line L.sub.6 which supplies the filtered water to the filtered water mixing unit 14 is provided. Further, a filter member may be provided in the filtered water supply line L.sub.6 as necessary.

[0041] The energy recovery unit 13 recovers the energy of the high-pressure concentrated water W.sub.4 pressed by the high-pressure pump 17. The energy recovered by the energy recovery unit 13 is used as, for example, energy for driving the high-pressure pump 17 and energy for converting the pressure of the filtered water W.sub.2 into high pressure. Thus, the water treatment apparatus 1 can improve the energy efficiency of the entire water treatment apparatus 1.

[0042] For example, as the energy recovery unit 13, it is possible to use a pelton wheel type energy recovery device, a turbocharger type energy recovery device, a pressure exchanger (PX) type energy recovery device, a dual work energy exchanger (DWEER) type energy recovery device, or the like.

[0043] The filtered water mixing unit 14 mixes the treated water W.sub.1 extracted from the treated water extraction line L.sub.4 diverging from the treated water line L.sub.1 and the filtered water W.sub.2 supplied from the filtered water supply line L.sub.6 to produce measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration is reduced. The measured water W.sub.5 obtained in the filtered water mixing unit 14 is sent to the water quality measuring unit 15.

[0044] The water quality measuring unit 15 measures the water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 to calculate the water quality evaluation index value and evaluates the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1 based on the calculated water quality evaluation index value. Examples of the water quality evaluation index value include a silt density index (SDI) value, a soluble fouling factor (SFF) value and the like. The SDI value is a value measured by the method specified in ASTM D4189-95. The SDI value is obtained by filtering the treated water W.sub.1 using a filter sheet having a mesh opening of 0.45 μm and finding the time for filtering a predetermined amount to measure the amount of pollutant of the treated water W.sub.1. The SFF value is measured on the basis of the measuring method described in JP 4931039 B and the like.

[0045] Here, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a relation between the ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5 and the measured value of the water quality evaluation index value of the measured water W.sub.5 will be described. FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating the relation between the ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5 and the SDI value, and FIG. 3 is a graph illustrating the relation between the ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5 and the SFF value. In FIG. 2, an abscissa represents the ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5, and an ordinate represents the ratio of the SDI value of the measured water W.sub.5 when the SDI value of the filtered water W.sub.2 is set as 1.0. Further, in FIG. 2, the abscissa represents the ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5, and the ordinate represents the ratio of the SDI value of the measured water W.sub.5 when the SFF value of the filtered water W.sub.2 is set as 1.0.

[0046] As illustrated in FIG. 2, it can be seen that when the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5 is in the range of more than 60% by volume and equal to or less than 100% by volume, the rate of decrease of the SDI value is small (see an alternate long and short dashed line L1), and the effect of diluting the treated water W.sub.1 with filtered water W.sub.2 to reduce the turbidity concentration is small. Therefore, it is difficult to measure the SDI value, by only adding the filtered water W.sub.2 of 0% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less to the treated water W.sub.1. In contrast, it can be seen that, when the treated water W.sub.1 in the total volume of the measured water W.sub.5 is in the range of 5% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less, the rate of decrease of the SDI value increases (see the alternate long and short dashed line L2), and in the range of 5% by volume or more and 30% by volume or less, the rate of decrease of the SDI value further increases (see the alternate long and short dashed line L3). Therefore, by diluting the treated water W.sub.1 with the filtered water W.sub.2 until the SDI value is in a measurable range in the range of 40% by volume or more to 95% by volume with respect to the total volume of the treated water W.sub.1, it is possible to adjust the measured water W.sub.5 reflecting the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1.

[0047] As illustrated in FIG. 3, it can be seen that, when the treated water W.sub.1 in the total volume of the measured water W.sub.5 is in the range of more than 60% by volume and equal to or less than 100% by volume, the rate of decrease of the SFF value is small (see the alternate long and short dashed line L4), and the effect of diluting the treated water W.sub.1 with the filtered water W.sub.2 is small. Therefore, it is difficult to measure the SFF value, by only adding the filtered water W.sub.2 of 0% by volume or more and 40% by volume or less to the total volume of the treated water W.sub.1. In contrast, it can be seen that, when the treated water W.sub.1 in the total volume of the measured water W.sub.5 is in the range of 5% by volume or more to 60% by volume or less, the rate of decrease of the SFF value increases (see the alternate long and short dashed line L5), and in the range of 5% by volume or more and 30% by volume or less, the rate of decrease of the SFF value further increases (see the alternate long and short dashed line L6). Therefore, by diluting the treated water W.sub.1 with the filtered water W.sub.2 until the SFF value is in a measurable range in the range of 40% by volume or more to 95% by volume with respect to the treated water W.sub.1, it is possible to adjust the measured water W.sub.5 reflecting the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1.

[0048] From the viewpoint in which the turbidity concentration of the measured water W.sub.5 becomes an appropriate range and more significant water quality evaluation of the treated water W.sub.1 can be performed before the filtration process using the measured water W.sub.5, the mixing ratio between the treated water W.sub.1 and the filtered water W.sub.2 in the filtered water mixing unit 14 is set such that the ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5 is preferably 5% by volume or more and 60% by volume or less, and is more preferably 5% by volume or more and 30% by volume or less. If the ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5 is 5% by volume or more, the measured water W.sub.5 reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. If the ratio is 60% by volume or less, the sensitivity of the water quality evaluation index value to the dilution ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 increases, and it is possible to measure the water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1.

[0049] A control unit 13 controls the degree of opening of a valve V.sub.1 provided in the treated water extraction line L.sub.4 and the degree of opening of the valve V.sub.2 provided in the filtered water supply line L.sub.6. The control unit 18 adjusts the ratio of the treated water W.sub.1 in the measured water W.sub.5, by controlling the degrees of opening of the valves V.sub.1 and V.sub.2 based on the measurement result of the water quality evaluation index value in the water quality measuring unit 15. When the measured value of the water quality evaluation index value in the water quality measuring unit 15 is too high, the control unit 18 decreases the degree of opening of the valve V.sub.1 or increases the degree of opening of the valve V.sub.2 to enhance the ratio of the filtered water W.sub.2 in the measured water W.sub.5. Further, when the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1 is not reflected to the measured value of the water quality evaluation index value in the water quality measuring unit 15, the control unit 18 increases the degree of opening of the valve V.sub.1 or decreases the degree of opening of the valve V.sub.2 to reduce the ratio of the filtered water W.sub.2 in the measured water W.sub.5.

[0050] Next, the overall operation of the water treatment apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. The treated water W.sub.1 supplied from the treated water line L.sub.1 by a liquid feeding pump 16 is filtered by the treated water filtering unit 11 to become filtered water W.sub.2, and some of the treated water W.sub.1 is extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4. After the filtered water passes through a filter member (not illustrated), the filtered water W.sub.2 is pressed by the high-pressure pump 17 and is filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12 to become permeable water W.sub.3 and concentrated water W.sub.4. Energy of the concentrated water W.sub.4 pressed by the high-pressure pump 17 is recovered by the energy recovery unit 13. This energy is used for driving the high-pressure pump 17 and the like.

[0051] Some of the filtered water W.sub.2 is mixed with the treated water W.sub.1 in the filtered water mixing unit 14 via the filtered water supply line L.sub.6 to become the measured water W.sub.5. The water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 is measured by the water quality measuring unit 15, and the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1 is evaluated. By mixing the treated water W.sub.1 and the filtered water W.sub.2 at a predetermined ratio in this way, it is possible to obtain the water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. Accordingly, it is possible to suitably operate and manage the water treatment apparatus 1 depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. The measured water W.sub.5 after measurement of the water quality using the water quality measuring unit 15 is discharged as drainage W.sub.6.

[0052] As described above, according to the water treatment apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the water quality is measured, using the measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration of the treated water W.sub.1 is reduced by mixing the treated water W.sub.1 with the filtered water W.sub.2. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. As a result, the water treatment apparatus 1 can rapidly change the filtration conditions and the like of the treated water filtering unit 11 depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. Accordingly, it is possible to stabilize the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2.

[0053] Further, in the above-described embodiment, although an example in which the energy recovery unit 13 is provided at the rear stage of the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12 has been described, there is no need to necessarily provide the energy recovery unit 13. Further, the energy recovery unit 13 may be provided as necessary.

[0054] Further, in the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which some of the filtered water W.sub.2 is mixed with the treated water W.sub.1 by the filtered water supply line L.sub.6 to adjust the measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration of the created water W.sub.1 is reduced. However, as the filtered water W.sub.2 to be mixed with the treated water W.sub.1, some of the permeable water W.sub.3 and the concentrated water W.sub.4 may be used. By adjusting the measured water W.sub.5 using the concentrated water W.sub.4 in place of the filtered water W.sub.2, the production efficiency of the permeable water W.sub.3 is improved.

Second Embodiment

[0055] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, differences from the aforementioned first embodiment will be mainly described, and the repeated description will not be provided.

[0056] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the water treatment apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment is not provided with the filtered water supply line L.sub.6 of the water treatment apparatus 1 according to the aforementioned first embodiment, and is provided with a solid-liquid separation unit (pretreatment unit) 19 in place of the filtered water mixing unit 14. The solid-liquid separation unit 19 includes, for example, a liquid cyclone equipped with a cylindrical vessel. The solid-liquid separation unit 19 supplies the treated water W.sub.1 containing turbidity of fine particles of several μm or more into the cylindrical vessel to generate rotational movement and exert centrifugal force, thereby performing sediment separation and concentration of the turbidity. That is, the water treatment apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment adjusts the measured water W.sub.5 reflecting the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1, by extracting some of the treated water W.sub.1 from the treated water extraction line L.sub.4 and by performing the solid-liquid separation of the turbidity from the treated water W.sub.1 by the solid-liquid separation unit 19 to reduce the concentration of the turbidity.

[0057] As the solid-liquid separation unit 19, it is preferable to use a unit having a separation efficiency of the turbidity concentration in the treated water W.sub.1 of 60% or more. As a result, since the turbidity concentration of the measured water W.sub.5 is in an appropriate range, it is possible to more significantly measure the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1 before the filtration process using the measured water W.sub.5.

[0058] Next, the overall operation of the water treatment apparatus 2 according to the present embodiment will be described. The treated water W.sub.1 supplied from the treated water line L.sub.1 by the liquid feeding pump 16 is filtered by the treated water filtering unit 11 to become the filtered water W.sub.2, and some of the filtered water W.sub.2 is extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4. The turbidity is separated from the treated water W.sub.1 extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4 by the solid-liquid separation unit 19, the turbidity concentration is adjusted to a predetermined range, and the treated water W.sub.1 becomes the measured water W.sub.5. The water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 is measured by the water quality measuring unit 15. The treated water W.sub.1 in which the turbidity separated by the solid-liquid separation unit 19 is concentrated is discharged as drainage W.sub.7.

[0059] As described above, according to the water treatment apparatus 2 of the present embodiment, since the water quality is measured by using the measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration of the treated water W.sub.1 is reduced by the solid-liquid separation using the solid-liquid separation unit 19, it is possible to easily obtain a water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1As a result, since the water treatment apparatus 2 can rapidly change the filtration condition of the treated water filtering unit 11 depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1, the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 can be stabilized.

[0060] In the aforementioned embodiment, although an example in which a liquid cyclone is used as the solid-liquid separation unit 19 has been described, the solid-liquid separation unit 19 is not limited to a liquid cyclone. As the solid-liquid separation unit 19, various solid-liquid separation devices can be applied as long as the measured water W.sub.5 can be obtained by separating the turbidity and the liquid in the treated water W.sub.1.

Third Embodiment

[0061] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, differences from the above-described second embodiment will be mainly described, and the repeated description will not be provided.

[0062] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the water treatment apparatus 3 according to this embodiment is provided with a sand filtering unit (pretreatment unit) 20 in place of the solid-liquid separation unit 19 of the water treatment apparatus 2 according to the aforementioned second embodiment. The sand filtering unit 20 reduces the turbidity of the treated water W.sub.1 extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4 by the sand filtration. The sand filtering unit 20 is a small sand filtering device having a relatively lower filtration performance than the treated water filtering unit 11, and enables high speed filtration from the treated water filtering unit 11. As a result, since it is possible to rapidly filter the treated water W.sub.1 to adjust the measured water W.sub.5 with reduced turbidity, it is possible to rapidly obtain the measured water W.sub.5 which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1.

[0063] As the sand filtering unit 20, it is preferable that the filtration performance is 40% or more and 95% or less with respect to the treated water filtering unit 11. If the filtration performance for the treated water filtering unit 11 is 40% or more, the sand filtering unit 20 can measure the water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. Further, if the filtration performance for the treated water filtering unit 11 is 95% or less, the sand filtering unit 20 can rapidly obtain the measured water W.sub.5.

[0064] Next, the overall operation of the water treatment apparatus 3 according to the present embodiment, will be described. The treated water W.sub.1 supplied from the treated water line L.sub.1 by the liquid feeding pump 16 is filtered by the treated water filtering unit 11 to become the filtered water W.sub.2, and some thereof is extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4. The turbidity is separated from the treated water W.sub.1 extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4 by the sand filtering unit 20, the turbidity concentration is adjusted to a predetermined range, and the treated water W.sub.1 becomes the measured water W.sub.5. The water quality of the measured water is measured by the water quality measuring unit 15. The treated water W.sub.1 in which the turbidity separated by the sand filtering unit 20 is concentrated is discharged as drainage W.sub.8.

[0065] As described above, according to the water treatment apparatus 3 of the present embodiment, since the water quality is measured using the measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration of the treated water W.sub.1 is reduced by the sand filtration using the sand filtering unit 20, it is possible to obtain a water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. As a result, since the water treatment apparatus 3 can rapidly change the filtration condition of the treated water filtering unit 11 depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1, the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 can be stabilized.

Fourth Embodiment

[0066] Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, differences from the aforementioned third embodiment will be mainly described, and the repeated description will not be provided.

[0067] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus 4 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the water treatment apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment is provided with a treated water purifying unit (pretreatment unit) 21 in place of the sand filtering unit 20 of the water treatment apparatus 3 according to the aforementioned third embodiment. The treated water purifying unit 21 is a bubbling-type small purifying tank, and temporarily stores the treated water W.sub.1 extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4 and blows air, thereby reducing the turbidity concentration in the treated water W.sub.1. As a result, since it is possible to rapidly filter the treated water W.sub.1 to adjust the measured water W.sub.5 with reduced turbidity, it is possible to rapidly obtain the measured water W.sub.5 reflecting the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. The treated water purifying unit 21 is not particularly limited as long as it is possible to reduce the turbidity concentration in the treated water W.sub.1.

[0068] Next, the overall operation of the water treatment apparatus 4 according to the present embodiment will be described. The treated water W.sub.1 supplied from the treated water line L.sub.1 by the liquid feeding pump 16 is filtered by the treated water filtering unit 11 to become the filtered water W.sub.2, and some thereof is extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4. The turbidity is separated from the treated water W.sub.1 extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4 by the treated water purifying unit 21, the turbidity concentration is adjusted to a predetermined range, and the treated water W.sub.1 becomes the measured water W.sub.5. The water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 is measured by the water quality measuring unit 15. The overflow water of the treated water purifying unit 21 is discharged as drainage W.sub.9.

[0069] As described above, according to the water treatment apparatus 4 of the present embodiment, since the water quality is measured using the measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration of the treated water W.sub.1 is reduced by the treated water purifying unit 21, it is possible to obtain a water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. As a result, since the water treatment apparatus 4 can rapidly change the filtration condition of the treated water filtering unit 11 depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1, the water quality of the filtered water can be stabilized.

[0070] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a bubbling-type water purifying device is used as the treated water purifying unit 21 has been described. However, various kinds of water purifying devices can be applied, as long as the treated water purifying unit 21 reduces the turbidity in the treated water W.sub.1 and the measured water W.sub.5 can be obtained.

Fifth Embodiment

[0071] Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, differences from the above-described first embodiment will be mainly described, and the repeated description will not be provided.

[0072] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a water treatment, apparatus 5 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 7, in addition to the configuration of the water treatment apparatus 1 according to the above-described first embodiment, the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment includes an flocculant charging unit 22 provided at the front stage of the treated water filtering unit 11 of the treated water line L.sub.1, and a second water quality measuring unit 23 provided in the filtered water line L.sub.2 of the rear stage of the treated water filtering unit 11.

[0073] The flocculant charging unit 22 charges an aluminum salt flocculant, such as aluminum sulfate (Al.sub.2(SO.sub.3).sub.2) and polyaluminum chloride, an iron salt flocculant such as ferric chloride (FeCl.sub.3), inorganic polymer-based flocculant such as active silicic acid and polysilica iron, and an organic polymer-based flocculant such as sodium alginate, carboxymethyl-cellulose (CMC) sodium, sodium polyacrylate, partially hydrolyzed salts of polyacrylamide and maleic acid copolymer into the treated water W.sub.1 to set the concentration of the flocculant in the treated water W.sub.1 within a predetermined range. As a result, since the turbidity in the treated water W.sub.1 is aggregated, the turbidity in the treated water W.sub.1 can be efficiently removed by the treated water filtering unit 11.

[0074] The second water quality measuring unit 23 measures the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 to calculate the water quality evaluation index value, and evaluates the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1 based on the calculated water quality evaluation index value. As the water quality evaluation index value, for example, a silt density index (SDI) value and a soluble fouling factor (SFF) can be included, as in the first water quality measuring unit 15.

[0075] In the present embodiment, the control unit 18 controls the amount of the flocculant to be charged into the treated water W.sub.1 from the flocculant charging unit 22, based on the water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 measured by the first water quality measuring unit 15 and the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 measured by the second water quality measuring unit 23. When the water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 measured by the first water quality measuring unit 15 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 18 increases the amount of the flocculant which is charged into the treated water W.sub.1 from the flocculant charging unit 22. Further, when the water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 measured by the first water quality measuring unit 15 is equal to or lower than a predetermined threshold value and the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 measured by the second water quality measuring unit 23 exceeds a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 18 increase the amount of the flocculant which is charged into the treated water W.sub.1 from the flocculant charging unit 22. Furthermore, when the water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 measured by the first water quality measuring unit 15 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value and the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 measured by the second water quality measuring unit 23 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the control unit 18 maintains or decreases the amount of the flocculant which is charged into the treated water W.sub.1 from the flocculant charging unit 22.

[0076] Next, the overall operation of the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment will be described. After some of the treated water W.sub.1 supplied from the treated water line L.sub.1 by the liquid feeding pump 16 is extracted to the treated water extraction line L.sub.4, a predetermined amount of the flocculant is added to the treated water W.sub.1 from the flocculant charging unit 22, and the treated water W.sub.1 becomes the filtered water W.sub.2 filtered by the treated water filtering unit 11. After flowing through a filter member (not illustrated), the filtered water W.sub.2 is pressed by the high-pressure pump 17 and is filtered by the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12, and then becomes the permeable water W.sub.3 and the concentrated water W.sub.4. Here, in the present embodiment, the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 is measured by the second water quality measuring unit 23. The filtered water W.sub.2 used for measuring the water quality is discarded as the drainage W.sub.10. Energy of the concentrated water W.sub.4 pressed by the high-pressure pump 17 is recovered by the energy recovery unit 13. The energy is used for driving the high-pressure pump 17 and the like.

[0077] Some of the filtered water W.sub.2 is mixed with the treated water W.sub.1 in the filtered water mixing unit 14 via the filtered water supply line L.sub.6 to become the measured water W.sub.5. The water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 is measured by the first water quality measuring unit 15. When the treated water W.sub.1 and the filtered water W.sub.2 are mixed with each other at a predetermined ratio, it is possible to obtain the water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately operate and manage the water treatment apparatus 5, depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. The measured water W.sub.5 after the water quality is measured by the first water quality measuring unit 15 is discharged as drainage W.sub.6.

[0078] Next, the method of operating the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of the method of operating the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the present embodiment.

[0079] As illustrated in FIG. 8, after starting the operation of the water treatment apparatus 5, the water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 in which the treated water W.sub.1 and the filtered water W.sub.2 are mixed with each other at a predetermined ratio is measured by the first water quality measuring unit 15 (Step ST11). When the water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 exceeds a predetermined threshold value (step ST12: No), the control unit 18 increases the charging amount of flocculant from the flocculant charging unit 22 (step ST13). Further, when the measured water quality of the measured water W.sub.5 is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold value (step ST12: Yes), the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 is measured by the second water quality measuring unit 23 (step ST14). When the measured water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 exceeds a predetermined threshold value (step ST15: No), the control unit 18 increases the charging amount of the flocculant from the flocculant charging unit 22 (step ST13). Further, when the measured water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold value (step ST15: Yes), the control unit 18 maintains or decreases the charging amount of the flocculant from the flocculant charging unit 22 (step ST16).

[0080] As described above, according to the water treatment apparatus 5 of the present embodiment, by mixing with the filtered water W.sub.2, the water quality is measured using the measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration of the treated water W.sub.1 is reduced. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. As a result, the water treatment apparatus 5 can appropriately control the adding amount of the flocculant from the flocculant charging unit 22 to the filtered water W.sub.2 depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly change the filtration conditions of the treated water filtering unit 11, and it is possible to stabilize the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 to prevent contamination of the reverse osmosis membrane 12a of the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12.

Sixth Embodiment

[0081] Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, differences from the above-described second embodiment will be mainly described, and the repeated description will not be provided.

[0082] FIG. 9 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus 6 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 9, in addition to the configuration of the water treatment apparatus 2 according to the above-described second embodiment, the water treatment apparatus 6 includes the configurations of the flocculant charging unit 22 and the second water quality measuring unit 23 of the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the fifth embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the water treatment apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment and the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the description thereof will not be provided.

[0083] According to the water treatment apparatus 6 according to the present embodiment, the water quality is measured using the measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration of the treated water W.sub.1 is reduced by the solid-liquid separation unit 19. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a water quality evaluation index value that reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. As a result, the water treatment apparatus 6 can appropriately control the adding amount of the flocculant to from the flocculant charging unit 22 to the filtered water depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly change the filtration conditions of the treated water filtering unit 11, and it is possible to stabilize the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 to prevent contamination of the reverse osmosis membrane 12a of the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12.

Seventh Embodiment

[0084] Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, differences from the aforementioned third embodiment will be mainly described, and the repeated description will not be provided.

[0085] FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus 7 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 10, in addition to the configuration of the water treatment apparatus 3 according to the above-described third embodiment, the water treatment apparatus 7 according to the present embodiment includes the configurations of the flocculant charging unit 22 and the second water quality measuring unit 23 of the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the fifth embodiment. Since other components are the same as those of the water treatment apparatus 3 according to the third embodiment and the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the description thereof will not be provided.

[0086] According to the water treatment apparatus 7 according to the present embodiment, since the water quality is measured using the measured water W.sub.5 in which the turbidity concentration of the treated water W.sub.1 is reduced by the sand filtering unit 20, it is possible to obtain a water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. This allows the water treatment apparatus 7 to appropriately control the adding amount of the flocculant from the flocculant charging unit 22 to the filtered water W.sub.2 depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. Accordingly, it is possible to rapidly change the filtration conditions of the treated water filtering unit 11, and it is possible to stabilize the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2 to prevent contamination of the reverse osmosis membrane 12a of the reverse osmosis membrane filtering unit 12.

Eighth Embodiment

[0087] Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the following description, differences from the above-described fourth embodiment will be mainly described, and the repeated description will not be provided.

[0088] FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a water treatment apparatus 8 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 11, in addition to the configuration of the water treatment apparatus 4 according to the above-described fourth embodiment, the water treatment apparatus 8 according to the present embodiment includes configurations of the flocculant charging unit 22 and the second water quality measuring unit 23 of the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the fifth embodiment. Since other configurations are the same as those of the water treatment apparatus 2 according to the second embodiment and the water treatment apparatus 5 according to the fifth embodiment, the description thereof will not be provided.

[0089] According to the water treatment apparatus 8 according to the present embodiment, the water quality is measured using the measured water W.sub.5in which the turbidity concentration of the treated water W.sub.1 is reduced by the treated water purifying unit 21. Accordingly, it is possible to obtain a water quality evaluation index value which reflects the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1. As a result, since the water treatment apparatus 8 can rapidly chance the filtration condition of the treated water filtering unit 11 depending on the change in the water quality of the treated water W.sub.1, the water quality of the filtered water W.sub.2can be stabilized.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

[0090] 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 WATER TREATMENT APPARATUS

[0091] 11 TREATED WATER FILTERING UNIT

[0092] 12 REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANE FILTERING UNIT

[0093] 12a REVERSE OSMOSIS MEMBRANE

[0094] 13 ENERGY RECOVERY UNIT

[0095] 14 FILTERED WATER MIXING UNIT (PRETREATMENT UNIT)

[0096] 15 WATER QUALITY MEASURING UNIT (FIRST WATER QUALITY MEASURING UNIT)

[0097] 16 LIQUID FEEDING PUMP

[0098] 17 HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP

[0099] 13 CONTROL UNIT

[0100] 19 SOLID-LIQUID SEPARATION UNIT (PRETREATMENT UNIT)

[0101] 26 SAND FILTERING UNIT (PRETREATMENT UNIT)

[0102] 21 TREATED WATER PURIFYING UNIT (PRETREATMENT UNIT)

[0103] 22 FLOCCULANT CHARGING UNIT

[0104] 23 SECOND WATER QUALITY MEASURING UNIT

[0105] L.sub.1 TREATED WATER LINE

[0106] L.sub.2 FILTERED WATER LINE

[0107] L.sub.3 CONCENTRATED WATER LINE

[0108] L.sub.4 TREATED WATER EXTRACTION LINE

[0109] L.sub.5 PERMEABLE WATER LINE

[0110] L.sub.6 FILTERED WATER SUPPLY LINE

[0111] W.sub.1 TREATED WATER

[0112] W.sub.2 FILTERED WATER

[0113] W.sub.3 PERMEABLE WATER

[0114] W.sub.4 CONCENTRATED WATER

[0115] W.sub.5 MEASURED WATER

[0116] W.sub.6 to W.sub.10 DRAINAGE