JP2000254452A - Air purifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To remove the odor of a filter and also to collect dust by installing a blast fan, a particle removing filter, a light transmissive filter, in which an adsorbent and a photocatalyst are exist, and a light source exciting the photocatalyst, and arranging a light reflective plate at both sides of an air passing surface of the light transmissive filter. SOLUTION: Air is taken in from an air intake 7 by the blast fan 5, and the dust is sufficiently removed by a prefilter 8 and a high efficiency particles removing filter 6, then the air is guided to a honeycomb filter 2. Zeolite and titanium oxide are deposited on the honeycomb filter 2, odor components are decomposed oxidatively while being adsorbed. At this time, since the both sides of the titanium oxide are excited with near ultraviolet rays emitted by the light source 4 and subjected to multi-reflection by two sheets of reflective plates 3, the odor components are oxidatively decomposed uniformly over the entire area of the honeycomb filter 2 and the odor components are completely removed. The air purified in this way is discharged from an air blow-off port.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an air purifier for collecting and purifying dust and the like in the air, and more particularly to an air purifier having deodorizing means for efficiently adsorbing and decomposing odor components in a room. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As the quality of life increases, there is a demand for a comfortable living environment. Recently, the airtightness of homes and offices has increased, and especially the smell tends to be muffled.
There is an increasing demand for removing bad smells such as the smell of sweat, the smell of infant diapers, and the smell of pets and toilets. The components of these odors are diverse such as nitrogen compounds (ammonia, amines, etc.), sulfur compounds (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, etc.), aldehydes, etc., mainly for air conditioners, mainly adsorption of activated carbon etc., photocatalytic oxidation, Deodorizing and deodorizing functions by ozone oxidation have been introduced, but recently, a combination of photocatalytic oxidation and an adsorbent decomposes the odor components adsorbed by the adsorbent by the action of the photocatalyst.
Deodorization performance has attracted much attention.

[0003] Deodorization using such a photocatalyst and an adsorbent.
As an air purifier that performs a deodorizing action, for example, an adsorbent with a photocatalyst formed in a honeycomb shape is disclosed (Japanese Patent No. 2574840, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-24256, and the like).

However, in this case, since ultraviolet rays are irradiated from one side of the adsorbent with a photocatalyst formed in a honeycomb shape by an ultraviolet lamp serving as a light source for exciting the photocatalyst, the adsorbent with a photocatalyst farthest from the light source is used. The back surface is not always sufficiently irradiated with light. In particular, the adsorbed odor component is not sufficiently decomposed at the peripheral portion of the back surface, and the adsorbent with photocatalyst remains without being regenerated. Therefore, there is a problem that such undecomposed odor molecules are released from the blowout grill at the time of starting the operation of the air purifier, causing an unpleasant odor. In addition, there is also a problem that the regeneration speed of the photocatalyst-attached adsorbent is low due to an insufficient amount of ultraviolet irradiation.

[0005] Further, dust (house dust) tends to stagnate in the room due to the high airtightness of the room and the extremely low natural ventilation rate. In particular, among dusts, pollen, mites and the like are one of the causes of developing allergies. Further, a decrease in ventilation rate is considered to be one of the causes of infection in a room because viruses, bacteria, and the like stay in the room for a long time. Therefore, an air purifier that simultaneously performs deodorization and dust collection is desired.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a light-transmitting filter having a honeycomb shape or the like, which is capable of removing odor components from the entire filter without leaving odor components in a part of the filter and reducing dust collection. It is an object of the present invention to provide a combined air purifier.

[0007]

As a result of intensive studies to achieve the object, if light reflecting plates are arranged on both sides of a light-transmitting filter having a honeycomb shape or the like, ultraviolet rays are multiple-reflected by the light reflecting plates, and Was absorbed in the entire area of the photocatalyst layer, and it was found that the catalytic action was effective, and the present invention was completed.

That is, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a blower fan, a particle removing filter, a light transmitting filter in which an adsorbent and a photocatalyst are present, and a light source for exciting the photocatalyst. An air purifier comprising a light reflecting plate that reflects light from a light source on both sides of an air passage surface of a permeable filter.

Here, examples of the light transmissive filter include a filter having a physical through hole such as a honeycomb shape and a wire mesh shape, and a transparent filter. These filters only need to have an adsorbent and a photocatalyst. For example, a filter in which the adsorbent and the photocatalyst are supported by another medium (filter), a filter composed of an adsorbent and a photocatalyst (photocatalyst-supporting adsorbent, photocatalyst Kneading adsorbent) and the like. The light source is not particularly limited as long as it excites the photocatalyst, but is preferably a light source that emits near-ultraviolet light, and generally has a wavelength of 400 nm or less. Therefore, it is also possible to use natural light. The position of the light source is not particularly limited as long as the light from the light source irradiates the air passage surface of the filter. However, placing the light source against the filter surface between the reflector and the filter, especially between the filter surface on the air inlet side and the reflector, reduces the light intensity without reducing the light intensity. It is preferable from the viewpoint of frequently using. It is preferable to use a high-efficiency particle removal filter as the particle removal filter.

With the above construction, the photocatalyst excitation light such as ultraviolet light is multiple-reflected by the light reflection plate, and the light is absorbed over the entire area of the photocatalyst layer. Odor components can be sufficiently removed without leaving any odor components on the filter, while the particle removal filter is provided, so that dust can also be collected. As a result, deodorization / deodorization and dust collection can be achieved efficiently at the same time. . The effect of dust collection is to prevent dust from covering the photocatalyst or the adsorbent and preventing the catalytic action from being hindered.

In the first aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the light transmitting filter has a honeycomb shape as in the second aspect of the present invention. Large surface area for deodorization
This is because the deodorizing performance is improved. Further, in the case of a filter having a thickness such as a honeycomb shape, the odor component often remains on a part of the filter only by the conventional light irradiation from one direction, and the above-described operation and effect according to the present invention are sufficiently exhibited. is there.

In the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is preferable that the light reflecting plate is an aluminum-coated metal plate or an aluminum-coated resin plate as in the third aspect of the present invention because of high light reflection efficiency.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the air purifier according to the first, second or third aspect, wherein the light reflecting plate is subjected to a surface treatment so that the surface of the light reflecting plate becomes uneven. . With this configuration, since the light from the light source is irregularly reflected by the uneven surface of the reflector, the light can be applied to every corner of the honeycomb hole of the filter having a honeycomb shape or the like.

[0014] In the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the adsorbent may be a zeolite, a mizucanite, a mordenite, a porous silica, a porous alumina, a sepiolite, as in the invention described in claim 5. It is preferable to use one or more of molecular sieves, cordierite, activated carbon and metal ion-exchanged zeolites because of the good adsorption of the odor.

In the invention according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the photocatalyst is preferably one or more of titanium oxide, tungsten oxide, zinc oxide, copper oxide and a photocatalyst supporting fine metal particles. . Deodorization by light excitation
This is because the deodorizing effect is large. Here, the photocatalyst supporting metal fine particles is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a photocatalyst powder in which metal fine particles such as Pt, Rh, and Ni are supported on the surface. The titanium oxide is preferably an anatase crystal system. In the invention according to any one of the first to sixth inventions, the removal filter uses a hepa (HEPA) filter and / or a ULPA (ULPA) filter as in the invention described in claim 7. Is preferred.
This is because the removal efficiency of dust particles (pollen, mites, viruses, bacteria, etc.) is high.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below.
Will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of an example of an air purifier according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an air outlet, 2 is a honeycomb filter, 3 is a light reflecting plate, 4 is a light source, 5 is a blower fan, 6 is a high-efficiency particle removal filter, 7 is an air intake, and 8 is a pre-filter.

The honeycomb filter 2 carries titanium oxide as a photocatalyst and zeolite as an adsorbent.
This was created by the following procedure. That is, first, titanium oxide (ST-01 manufactured by Ishihara Sangyo Co., Ltd.), inorganic binder (manufactured by Ternitsu Kogyo), copper ion-exchanged zeolite,
Ion-exchanged water is mixed for 2 hours in a ball mill containing alumina balls, and then an aluminum honeycomb filter (200 cells / inch ² ) is immersed in the mixed solution, pulled up, and dried at 100 ° C. , High temperature furnace (200 ℃ ~
(400 ° C.) for 1 hour. A black light (FL6BL manufactured by Toshiba Lighting & Technology Corp.) is used as a light source, and a high-efficiency particle removal filter is a hepa (HEP).
A) or ULPA type was used.

In the air purifier having the above-described structure, the air enters the apparatus through the air intake port 7 by the blower fan 5, and after the dust is sufficiently removed by the pre-filter 8 and the high-efficiency particle removal filter 6, the honeycomb is removed. It is led to the filter 2. The honeycomb filter carries zeolite and titanium oxide and oxidizes and decomposes while adsorbing odorous components. The titanium oxide is emitted from the light source 4 by near-ultraviolet light that is multiple-reflected by the two reflectors (3, 3). The honeycomb filter 2 is excited irrespective of the front side and the back side, so that uniform oxidative decomposition of the odor component occurs over the entire area in the thickness direction of the honeycomb filter 2, and the odor component remains in a part of the honeycomb as in the conventional case. Removed without. As a result, the speed of regeneration of the adsorbent in the filter is fast. The air thus purified is discharged from the air outlet 1. In addition, by coating the photocatalytic paint on the surface of the plastic resin inside the air purifier body, the odor attached to the inside of the device can be completely decomposed and removed. Specifically, TAO
After applying the low temperature calcinable photocatalytic sol by spraying,
To form a photocatalyst layer.

[0019]

The present invention will be described below with reference to examples. (Example 1) The air purifier of Embodiment 1 was used and installed in an evaluation box (in an acrylic resin box of 1 m3). The operating condition of the air purifier was set at an air volume of 3 (m ³ / min). Temperature 2 in the evaluation box
The atmosphere was adjusted to a general house atmosphere of 5 ° C. and 60% humidity.
Based on JEM1467, tobacco (mild seven) 5
The book was burned and the residual concentration after 30 minutes was measured. Regarding the gas concentration in this evaluation box, the concentrations of ammonia, acetic acid, and acetaldehyde were measured using a gas detection tube based on JEM1467. The total removal rate is JEM146
7 ((ammonia removal rate + 2 × acetaldehyde removal rate + acetic acid removal rate) / 4). Under the same conditions, measurement was similarly performed for a conventional type in which the reflecting plate 3 was omitted from the configuration of the air purifier. The total removal rate of the configuration of this example was as high as 98%, which was superior to the conventional type. In addition, it was confirmed that the reproduction speed was greatly improved, and the reproduction was performed in half the time compared to the conventional air purifier not using a light reflection plate.

[0020]

According to the present invention, the light reflecting plate for reflecting the light from the light source is arranged on both sides of the air passage surface of the light transmitting filter, so that ultraviolet rays and the like are multiply reflected by the light reflecting plate. Then, since all the ultraviolet rays and the like are absorbed over the entire area of the photocatalyst layer, the odor removal rate can be increased and the regeneration speed of the filter can be accelerated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view showing a main part of an example of an air purifier according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... air outlet, 2 ... honeycomb filter, 3 ...
Light reflection plate, 4 light source, 5 blower fan, 6 high-efficiency particle removal filter, 7 air intake port, 8 pre-filter.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) B01D 46/00 302 B01D 46/00 302 53/04 53/04 A 53/86 B01J 35/02 J B01J 35 / 02 F24F 7/00 A F24F 7/00 B01D 53/36 CJHF term (reference) 4C080 AA05 AA07 AA09 AA10 BB02 CC01 CC02 CC04 CC05 CC08 CC09 CC12 CC13 HH05 JJ03 KK08 LL10 MM02 MM04 MM05 CA09 Q09Q09 Q09 CB02 CG01 CG03 CH01 4D048 AA19 AA22 AB01 AB03 BA03X BA05Y BA06Y BA07X BA11X BA27Y BA35X BA39X BA41X BB02 CD01 CD05 EA01 EA04 4D058 JA12 JA32 JB03 KB05 KB11 SA01 TA02 TA03 TA06 TA07 4G04 AAA ABAA ABAA ABAA ABAA BA17 BA48A BA48C BB02A BB02B BB02C BB04A BB04B BB04C BC16A BC16B BC16C BC31A BC31B BC31C BC35A BC50A BC50B BC50C BC60A BD02A BD02B BD02C CA01 CA07 CA10 CA15 CA17 DA06 EA19 FA02 FA04 FA06 FB15 FB16 FC05 ZA00 ZA06A

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A light-transmitting filter including a blower fan, a particle removing filter, an adsorbent and a photocatalyst, and a light source for exciting the photocatalyst. An air purifier comprising a light reflecting plate for reflecting light. 2. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting filter is a honeycomb filter. 3. The light reflecting plate is an aluminum coated metal plate,
3. The air purifier according to claim 1, wherein the air purifier is an aluminum-coated resin plate. 4. The light reflecting plate is subjected to a surface treatment so that the surface of the light reflecting plate becomes uneven.
An air purifier as described. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the adsorbent is at least one of zeolite, mizcanite, mordenite, porous silica, porous alumina, sepiolite, molecular sieve, cordierite, activated carbon, and metal ion exchanged zeolite. Any one of the course items 1-4
The air purifier according to any one of the above. 6. The photocatalyst according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst is one or more of titanium oxide, tungsten oxide, zinc oxide, copper oxide, and a photocatalyst supporting fine metal particles.
The air purifier according to any one of the above. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the removing filter is a hepa (HEPA).
The air purifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the air purifier is a filter and / or a ULPA (ULPA) filter.