JP2000279492A - Gas cracking structure and gas cracking device and air conditioner using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gas cracking structure which has practicability and purification performance in combination while executing cracking of odorous gases and hazardous gases by plasma. SOLUTION: The gas cracking structure 30 is composed of a plasma discharge part 31 and a catalyst structure 33. The plasma discharge part 31 and the catalyst structure 33 are adjacent to each other. The plasma discharge part 31 is provided with many flat plate electrodes 32. The respective flat plate electrodes 32 are arranged at equal intervals. Prescribed voltage is impressed to the respective flat plate electrodes 32 to generate the plasma by corona discharge. The catalyst structure 33 is formed to a honeycomb shape. The surface of the catalyst structure 33 is provided with an air purification catalyst having an oxidation cracking function and an ozone cracking function. The air purification by the gas cracking structure 30 is executed in such a manner that the air to be treated past the plasma discharge part 31 flows to the catalyst structure 33.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gas decomposing structure for deodorizing or detoxifying odorous or harmful gas in the air, a gas decomposing apparatus having the gas decomposing structure, and an air conditioner. It concerns the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as the airtightness of buildings and houses has been improved, interest in removing odors and harmful gases from indoor air has been increasing. Along with this, various proposals have been made on measures for removing odors and harmful gases, that is, air purification measures.

[0003] As one of such air purifying measures, a method utilizing plasma has been proposed. Specifically, for example, purification is performed as follows. That is, using the same electrode as the electric precipitator, high-voltage pulse discharge is performed in the gas to be treated to form plasma. At that time, various active species (radicals) excited to a high energy state are generated, and the odor and harmful gas are decomposed by a chemical reaction by the active species. Since the odor and the like are decomposed by the discharge, the air can be purified without maintenance for a long period of time.

[0004]

However, in the above-described air purification using plasma, sufficient purification performance cannot be obtained unless the discharge voltage is set to a considerably high voltage, for example, about 10 kV or more. For this reason, there was a problem that the practicality was low in terms of safety and energy efficiency. Also, if the discharge voltage is increased when performing air purification, NOx will be generated. Therefore, if the discharge voltage is increased in order to completely decompose the odorous gas and the harmful gas, NO
x was generated, and as a result, there was a problem that air could not be sufficiently purified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gas decomposer having both practicality and sufficient purification performance while decomposing odorous and harmful gases by plasma. To provide a structure for use.

[0006]

According to the present invention, a gas is decomposed by a combination of a plasma and an oxidation catalyst.

Specifically, the first solution taken by the present invention is directed to a gas decomposition structure that decomposes odorous or harmful gas in a gas to be treated to make it odorless or harmless. A plasma discharge unit (31) for generating plasma in the gas to be processed and a catalyst structure (33) for bringing the gas to be processed from the plasma discharge unit (31) into contact with a catalyst component having an oxidation catalyst are provided. Things.

[0008] The second solution taken by the present invention is:
In the first solution, the catalyst component comprises an ozone decomposition catalyst.

Further, a third solution taken by the present invention is:
In the second solution, an ion wind generator (34) for generating an ion wind from the plasma discharge section (31) toward the catalyst structure (33) is provided.

[0010] A fourth solution taken by the present invention is:
In the third solution, the ion wind generator (34)
A sheet-like member (34) arranged downstream of the plasma discharge part (31) and having conductivity and having a net-like or parallel-line shape.
It is constituted by.

Further, a fifth solution taken by the present invention is:
In the first solution, an ozone decomposing unit (35) is provided upstream of the plasma discharge unit (31) and makes contact with the gas to be treated and the ozone decomposition catalyst.

Further, a sixth solution taken by the present invention is:
In the first or second solution, the catalyst structure (3
3) is a honeycomb-shaped catalyst component on the surface of which a catalyst component is disposed.

[0013] A seventh solution taken by the present invention is:
In the first or second solution, the catalyst structure (3
3) includes an adsorbent that comes into contact with the gas to be treated from the plasma discharge unit (31).

An eighth solution taken by the present invention is:
In the first solution, the plasma discharge unit (31)
Are configured to intermittently increase the discharge voltage.

[0015] A ninth solution taken by the present invention is:
A gas decomposition structure (30) according to any one of the first to eighth solutions, and a casing (11) in which the gas decomposition structure (30) is housed; The gas to be treated is sucked in), and the gas to be treated is introduced from the side of the plasma discharge section (31) of the gas decomposition structure (30) to the catalyst structure (33).
This constitutes a gas decomposition device that decomposes odorous or harmful gas in the gas to be processed by passing the gas to the side.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gas decomposition structure (30) according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, and the gas decomposition structure (30). And a casing (21) in which the casing is housed.
The room air is sucked into the inside, and the room air is drawn from the plasma discharge section (31) side of the gas decomposition structure (30) to the catalyst structure (33).
The air conditioner is configured to decompose odor gas or harmful gas in room air by passing the room air to the side, and to heat or cool the room air to supply the room air to the room.

-Operation- In the first solution, plasma is generated in the gas to be processed by the discharge in the plasma discharge section (31). Then, the odor gas or the harmful gas in the gas to be treated is decomposed by the chemical reaction by the active species. At this time, if the discharge voltage at the plasma discharge unit (31) is set relatively low, the generation of NOx is suppressed. Remains inside.
Thereafter, the gas to be treated flows into the catalyst structure (33) and comes into contact with the catalyst component. The residual odor gas or harmful gas is completely decomposed and deodorized or rendered harmless by the catalytic reaction of the catalyst component by the oxidation catalyst.

In the second solution, ozone in the gas to be treated is decomposed by the ozone decomposition catalyst as a catalyst component. That is, in the plasma discharge unit (31), ozone may be generated in the gas to be processed. Since this ozone is harmful to the human body, it needs to be decomposed. On the other hand, since the catalyst component includes an ozone decomposition catalyst, ozone is decomposed into oxygen by the ozone decomposition catalyst.

In the third solution, an ion wind is generated from the plasma discharge section (31) toward the catalyst structure (33) by the ion wind generating means (34). Here, the ozone generated in the plasma discharge unit (31) is converted to the plasma discharge unit (3).
It scatters not only downstream but also upstream in 1). In contrast,
In this solution, since a predetermined ion wind is generated,
Ozone in the plasma discharge section (31) is guided by the ion wind and flows to the catalyst structure (33).

[0020] In the fourth solution, the sheet-like member (34) serving as the ion wind generating means (34) is formed in a net shape by arranging wires made of a conductive material such as metal vertically and horizontally. Are arranged in parallel to form a parallel line. Since the sheet-shaped member (34) is disposed downstream of the plasma discharge unit (31), ion wind is generated from the plasma discharge unit (31) toward the catalyst structure (33). Note that the sheet-shaped member (34) may be upstream or downstream of the catalyst structure (33) as long as it is downstream of the plasma discharge unit (31).

In the fifth solution, an ozone decomposing section (35) is provided upstream of the plasma discharge section (31). As described above, ozone is also scattered from the plasma discharge part (31) to the upstream side. On the other hand, in the present solution, since the ozone decomposing unit (35) is provided, the ozone scattered upstream of the plasma discharge unit (31) is decomposed by the ozone decomposing unit (35) to become oxygen.

In the sixth solution, when the gas to be processed passes through the catalyst structure (33) formed in a honeycomb shape, the gas to be processed comes into contact with the catalyst component. That is, the oxidation catalyst of the catalyst component or the ozone decomposition catalyst comes into contact with the gas to be treated.

In the seventh solution, the catalyst structure (3
In 3), the gas to be treated comes into contact with the adsorbent, and the odorous or harmful gas or ozone in the gas to be treated is adsorbed by the adsorbent.

According to the eighth solution, the plasma discharge section (31) discharges at a predetermined discharge voltage, while temporarily increasing the discharge voltage after a certain period of time. This increase in the discharge voltage may be performed at regular intervals, for example, every 30 minutes, or may be performed by inputting a control signal or the like without setting a time interval.

In the ninth solution means, a gas decomposition apparatus provided with the gas decomposition structure (30) according to the present invention is constituted. For example, when this gas decomposition apparatus is used as an air purifier, indoor air is sucked into the gas decomposition apparatus as a gas to be treated, and while passing through the gas decomposition structure (30), odorous gas or Noxious gases are decomposed. And
Purified air is supplied to the room.

According to the tenth solution, an air conditioner including the gas decomposition structure (30) according to the present invention is constituted. That is, while the room is being cooled and heated, the gas decomposition structure (30) is used as in the case of the fifth solution.
This purifies the indoor air.

[0027]

Therefore, according to the above-described means, the discharge voltage in the plasma discharge section (31) is suppressed to a low level to suppress the generation of NOx, and the plasma discharge section (31) is reduced with a decrease in the discharge voltage. The odorous gas or harmful gas that could not be completely decomposed by the above can be decomposed by the catalyst component of the catalyst structure (33). Therefore, sufficient purification performance can be ensured by combining with the catalyst structure (33), while improving practicality by suppressing the discharge voltage.

Further, in the catalyst structure (33), it is sufficient to treat odorous gas or harmful gas which cannot be completely decomposed in the plasma discharge portion (31). Therefore, even if the temperature is not raised to activate the catalyst component, the gas decomposition structure (30) as a whole can exhibit sufficient purification performance. For this reason, a decrease in the performance of the catalyst component due to sintering or the like can be suppressed, and sufficient purification performance can be maintained for a long period of time.

According to the second solution, even if ozone is generated in the gas to be treated in the plasma discharge section (31), the ozone is decomposed by the ozone decomposition catalyst into oxygen. Can be. Therefore, harmful ozone can be converted into harmless oxygen, and the gas to be treated can be reliably purified.

According to the third, fourth and fifth means, ozone generated in the plasma discharge section (31) can be reliably decomposed into oxygen. For this reason, ozone harmful to the human body can be prevented from flowing into a room or the like, and the gas to be treated can be reliably purified.

According to the sixth solution, the contact area between the catalyst structure (33) and the gas to be treated can be increased by forming the catalyst structure (33) in a honeycomb shape. For this reason, the contact between the gas to be treated and the catalyst component is sufficiently performed, and the purification performance can be improved.

Further, according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the odor gas and the like in the gas to be treated can be removed by adsorbing on the adsorbent,
This also enables purification of the gas to be treated.

In the eighth solution, the discharge voltage at the plasma discharge section (31) is increased intermittently. Here, when exposed to the gas to be processed for a long time, odorous gas and the like may accumulate on the discharge electrode and the like of the plasma discharge unit (31). On the other hand, by increasing the discharge voltage, decomposition of odorous gas and the like is promoted, and contamination of the discharge electrode and the like can be prevented, and the purification performance can be maintained. Further, there is a possibility that an odor gas or the like is also adsorbed and accumulated on the oxidation catalyst of the catalyst structure (33). On the other hand, by increasing the discharge voltage, the temperature of the gas to be treated rises, and the activity of the oxidation catalyst is increased to purify the oxidation catalyst, thereby maintaining the purification performance. Since the discharge voltage in the plasma discharge unit (31) is temporarily increased, the generation of NOx due to the increase can be kept to a level that causes almost no problem.

Further, according to the ninth and tenth solving means, specifically, a gas decomposition apparatus or an air conditioner can be constituted by using the gas decomposition structure (30) according to the present invention. .

[0035]

Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the gas decomposer of the first embodiment is constituted by an air purifier (10) for sucking and purifying indoor air. The air purifier (10) includes a gas decomposition structure (30) and a fan (1) in a casing (11).
6) etc. are stored.

The casing (11) is formed in a rectangular parallelepiped. The casing (11) has a suction port (12) formed on one side surface, and an air outlet (13) formed on a side surface opposite to the suction port (12). An air passage (14) communicating with the suction port (12) and the air outlet (13) is formed inside the casing (11). In the air passage (14), a filter (15), a gas decomposition structure (30), and a fan (16) are arranged in order from the suction port (12) to the air outlet (13). The fan (16) is connected to a fan motor (17), and the fan (16) is driven to rotate by the fan motor (17).

The gas decomposition structure (30) comprises a plasma discharge section (31) and a catalyst structure (33). The plasma discharge part (31) and the catalyst structure (33) are arranged adjacent to each other. In the gas decomposition structure (30), the catalyst structure (33) is located downstream of the plasma discharge section (31).
Is arranged. That is, the air flowing through the air passage (14) flows to the catalyst structure (33) after passing through the plasma discharge section (31).

The plasma discharge section (31) has a large number of flat electrodes (32) formed in a rectangular flat shape. The plate electrode (32) is made of a metal plate such as an aluminum plate or a stainless plate. Each plate electrode (32) has a longitudinal direction transverse to the air passage (14) (perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 1), and the air passages (14) are positioned such that the side surfaces of the plate electrodes (32) face each other. ) Are arranged at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Although not shown, each plate electrode (32)
Power supply is connected. And the plasma discharge unit (31)
Is configured to apply a voltage to each plate electrode (32) and generate plasma in the air passage (14) by corona discharge.

Although not shown, the plasma discharge unit (31) is provided with a controller. The controller is configured to control a discharge voltage in the plasma discharge unit (31), that is, a voltage applied to the flat plate electrode (32). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the applied voltage is set to voltage V1 over time t2, and then temporarily applied to time t1.
The controller is configured to control the discharge voltage of the plasma discharge unit (31) so that the applied voltage is changed to the voltage V2 and then the applied voltage is returned to the voltage V1 again.

The catalyst structure (33) is, as shown in FIG.
It is formed in a honeycomb shape so that air can pass therethrough. The catalyst structure (33) is provided with a catalyst component and an adsorbent over the entire surface of the catalyst structure (33), and is configured to contact the passing air with the catalyst component and the adsorbent. The catalyst component has an ozonolysis function and an oxidative decomposition function, and
It is constituted by an air purification catalyst containing any one or more of n, Pd, and Cu. Preferably, it contains Mn, and further contains Pd, Sn, Fe, Zn, Ti,
An air purification catalyst that is a Mn-based catalyst containing at least one component of Pt may be used as a catalyst component. That is, the air purification catalyst, which is a catalyst component, is both an oxidation catalyst and an ozone decomposition catalyst. The adsorbent is composed of zeolite, activated carbon, or the like.

Next, the operation of the air purifier (10) will be described.

When the fan (16) is operated, room air is sucked into the casing (11) from the suction port (12). The sucked room air flows through the air passage (14) and is filtered by the filter (1).
After passing through 5), dust and the like are removed, and then flows into the gas decomposition structure (30) as air to be treated. The air to be treated that has reached the gas decomposition structure (30) is supplied to the plasma discharge unit (31).
Flows between the plate electrodes (32). Here, the indoor air, which is the air to be treated, contains various odorous gas components and harmful gas components. VOCs such as formaldehyde, NOx, S
Ox, trichloroethylene, methanol, H ₂ S and the like are exemplified.

A predetermined voltage V1 is applied to the plate electrode (32) of the plasma discharge section (31) under the control of the controller. Therefore, in the plasma discharge unit (31), plasma is generated in the air to be processed flowing between the plate electrodes (32) by corona discharge. Then, the odor gas or the harmful gas in the air to be treated is decomposed by the chemical reaction by the active species accompanying the generation of the plasma, and is deodorized or made harmless.
Since the voltage V1 applied to the plate electrode (32) in this case is a relatively low voltage, the odorous gas or the harmful gas which has not been completely decomposed and is in a semi-excited state remains in the air to be treated. In addition, ozone is generated in the air to be processed with the generation of plasma. Then, the air to be treated is the catalyst structure (33)
Flows to

In the catalyst structure (33), the air to be treated comes into contact with the air purification catalyst. And the plasma discharge unit (31)
The odorous gas or harmful gas remaining in the air to be treated without being decomposed is oxidatively decomposed by the oxidative decomposition function of the air purification catalyst. Further, in the catalyst structure (33), the air to be treated comes into contact with the adsorbent. Then, a part of the odor gas or the like remaining in the air to be treated is adsorbed by the adsorbent. That is,
Part of the odor gas or harmful gas remaining in the air to be treated is completely decomposed by the air purification catalyst, and the rest is adsorbed by the adsorbent and completely removed from the air to be treated. Ozone generated in the air to be treated in the plasma discharge unit (31)
It is decomposed into oxygen by the ozone decomposition function of the air purification catalyst.

The air to be treated, which has been completely purified as described above, is blown into the room from the outlet (13).

After applying the voltage V1 to the plate electrode (32) for the time t2, the controller temporarily increases the voltage applied to the plate electrode (32) to the voltage V2 for the time t1. Here, when exposed to the air to be treated for a long time, odor gas or the like may accumulate on the flat plate electrode (32). On the other hand, by increasing the voltage applied to the flat electrode (32) from the voltage V1 to the voltage V2, decomposition of odorous gas and the like is promoted, and the flat electrode (32) is purified.

Further, there is a possibility that odorous gas and the like are also adsorbed and accumulated in the air purification catalyst of the catalyst structure (33). On the other hand, when the voltage applied to the flat electrode (32) is increased from the voltage V1 to the voltage V2, the temperature of the air to be processed increases from the temperature T1 to the temperature T2 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the activity of the air purification catalyst is enhanced, and the accumulated odor gas and the like are decomposed, and the performance of the air purification catalyst is maintained.

Further, the controller temporarily applies the voltage V2 to the flat plate electrode (32). Therefore,
The generation of NOx due to an increase in the applied voltage is of a level that causes almost no problem.

-Effects of First Embodiment- According to the first embodiment, the voltage applied to the flat electrode (32) of the plasma discharge portion (31) is suppressed to a low level to suppress the generation of NOx and to reduce the applied voltage. With the plasma discharge part (3
The odorous gas or harmful gas that cannot be completely decomposed in 1) can be decomposed by the air purification catalyst of the catalyst structure (33). For this reason, sufficient purification performance can be ensured by combining with the catalyst structure (33), while improving practicality by suppressing the voltage applied to the flat plate electrode (32).

In the catalyst structure (33), it is sufficient to treat the odorous gas or the harmful gas which cannot be completely decomposed in the plasma discharge portion (31). Therefore, the gas decomposition structure (30) does not need to be heated to activate the air purification catalyst.
Can exhibit sufficient purification performance as a whole. For this reason, performance reduction of the air purification catalyst due to sintering or the like can be suppressed, and sufficient purification performance can be maintained for a long period of time.

Since the air purifying catalyst also has an ozone decomposing function, even if ozone is generated in the air to be treated in the plasma discharge section (31), the air purifying catalyst decomposes ozone into oxygen. be able to. For this reason,
Harmful ozone can be converted into harmless oxygen, and the air to be treated can be reliably purified.

Further, by forming the catalyst structure (33) in a honeycomb shape, the contact area between the catalyst structure (33) and the air to be treated can be increased. Therefore, contact between the air to be treated and the air purification catalyst is sufficiently performed, and the purification performance can be improved.

Further, the odor gas and the like in the air to be treated can be removed by adsorbing the adsorbent, whereby the air to be treated can be purified.

Further, a flat plate electrode (3
The voltage applied to 2) is intermittently increased, thereby preventing contamination of the plate electrode (32) and deterioration of the performance of the air purification catalyst. Therefore, sufficient purification performance can be exhibited over a long period of time.

[0056]

Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention is an air conditioner (20) having a gas decomposition structure (30), which performs cooling and heating and also purifies air.

As shown in FIG. 4, the indoor unit (29) of the air conditioner (20) is configured as a so-called ceiling-embedded indoor unit that blows out four ways. A suction port (22) is formed in the lower surface of the casing (21) at the center, and an air outlet (23) is formed along four sides of the lower surface. An air passage (24) communicating with the inlet (22) and the outlet (23) is formed inside the casing (21). The suction port (22) has a filter (25) over the entire surface of the opening.
Is provided. Further, a gas decomposition structure (30) is arranged above the filter (25) in the air passage (24).

The gas decomposition structure (30) is provided with a plasma discharge part (31) and a catalyst structure (33), and is provided in the first embodiment.
It is configured similarly to. Then, the gas decomposition structure (30) has the plasma discharge portion (31) below and the catalyst structure (3).
It is installed in the air passage (24) with the 3) facing up. Further, the plate electrode (32) of the plasma discharge part (31)
It is arranged so that the short side direction is the vertical direction.
The plasma discharge unit (31) is provided with a controller, and the controller has the same configuration as that of the first embodiment.

A fan (26) is arranged above the gas decomposition structure (30). This fan (26) is constituted by a turbo fan. A fan motor (27) is connected to the fan (26), and the fan motor (27) is fixed to a top plate of the casing (21). Then, the fan (26) is rotationally driven by the fan motor (27),
The air sucked from below is blown to the side.

Around the fan (26), the fan (26)
An indoor heat exchanger (28) is arranged so as to surround the. Although not shown, the indoor heat exchanger (28) is connected to an outdoor heat exchanger or a compressor housed in an outdoor unit via a refrigerant pipe. Then, the indoor heat exchanger (28) functions as an evaporator during cooling, and functions as a condenser during heating.

-Operation- Next, the operation of the air conditioner (20) will be described.

When the fan (26) is operated, room air is drawn into the casing (21) from the suction port (22). The sucked room air flows through the air passage (24),
After passing through 5), dust and the like are removed, and then flows into the gas decomposition structure (30) as air to be treated. In the gas decomposition structure (30), the air to be treated is sequentially discharged to the plasma discharge section (3).
1), flows through the catalyst structure (33), and purifies the air to be treated in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

The purified air to be treated passes through the fan (26) and is blown to the side of the fan (26). The air to be treated blown out from the fan (26) is heated or cooled while passing through the heat exchanger. The heated or cooled air flows through the air passage (24) and is blown into the room from the outlet (23).

According to the air conditioner (20) of the present embodiment, the indoor air can be purified together with the cooling and heating. The effect of the gas decomposition structure (30) can be obtained in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0065]

Embodiment 3 Embodiment 3 of the present invention is different from Embodiment 1 in that an ozone decomposition section (35) is provided in the gas decomposition structure (30). Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the ozone decomposing unit (35) will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ozonolysis unit (35)
Are formed in the same honeycomb shape as the catalyst structure (33), and are configured to allow air to pass therethrough. The ozone decomposing unit (35) is arranged on the upstream side of the plasma discharge unit (31). The ozone decomposing section (35) is provided with an ozone decomposing catalyst over the entire surface thereof, and is configured to make the passing air and the ozone decomposing catalyst contact. This ozone decomposition catalyst is configured similarly to the air purification catalyst in the catalyst structure (33).

-Operating operation- The air purifier (10) of the present embodiment purifies the air to be treated in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment. In other words, the suction port (1
The indoor air sucked from 2) flows through the air passage (14) as air to be treated, and then flows sequentially through the filter (15), the ozone decomposition unit (35), the plasma discharge unit (31), and the catalyst structure (33). From the outlet (13). Then, the odor gas and the harmful gas in the air to be treated are deodorized or made harmless by a chemical reaction of the plasma discharge unit (31) by the plasma or by oxidative decomposition in the catalyst structure (33). This is the same as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, in the plasma discharge section (31), ozone is generated with the generation of plasma. The generated ozone scatters not only downstream but also upstream of the plasma discharge unit (31). On the other hand, the ozone scattered to the downstream side of the plasma discharge section (31) is decomposed into oxygen by the air purification catalyst of the catalyst structure (33). The ozone scattered to the upstream side of the plasma discharge unit (31) is discharged to the ozone decomposition unit (3
It is decomposed into oxygen by the air purification catalyst of 5). That is, the ozone generated in the plasma discharge unit (31) is completely decomposed into oxygen by the catalyst structure (33) and the ozone decomposing unit (35).

-Effects of Third Embodiment- According to the third embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. That is, as described above, the ozone generated in the plasma discharge unit (31) also scatters to the upstream side. Therefore, if no measures are taken, ozone harmful to the human body may flow into the room from the inlet (12). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, since the ozone decomposing unit (35) is provided, it is possible to reliably decompose ozone generated in the plasma discharge unit (31) into oxygen. As a result, ozone harmful to the human body can be prevented from flowing into the room or the like, and the indoor air can be reliably purified.

[0070]

Fourth Embodiment In a fourth embodiment of the present invention, a sheet-like member (34) as an ion wind generating means is provided in the gas decomposition structure (30) in the first embodiment. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, and the sheet member (34) will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 6, the sheet-like member (34) is made of a metal such as aluminum and is formed in a net shape. The sheet member (34) is located downstream of the catalyst structure (33), and is provided over the entire cross section of the air passage (14). The sheet-shaped member (34) has conductivity, so that the catalyst structure (33) can be moved from the plasma discharge portion (31).
It is configured to generate an ion wind toward.

Although the sheet-like member (34) is formed in a net shape here, a large number of metal wires may be arranged in parallel to form a parallel line. Further, the sheet-like member (34) is arranged downstream of the catalyst structure (33), but the position of the sheet-like member (34) may be any position as long as it is downstream of the plasma discharge unit (31). Therefore, the sheet member (34) may be provided between the plasma discharge part (31) and the catalyst structure (33). However, in this case, it is necessary to keep the sheet member (34) and the plate electrode (32) of the plasma discharge portion (31) in a non-contact state.

-Operating Operation- The air purifier (10) of the present embodiment purifies the air to be treated in substantially the same manner as in the first embodiment. In other words, the suction port (1
The indoor air sucked from 2) flows through the air passage (14) as air to be treated, and then flows sequentially through the filter (15), the plasma discharge unit (31), the catalyst structure (33), and the sheet member (34). From the outlet (13). Then, the odor gas and the harmful gas in the air to be treated are deodorized or made harmless by a chemical reaction of the plasma discharge unit (31) by the plasma or by oxidative decomposition in the catalyst structure (33). This is the same as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, in the plasma discharge section (31), ozone is generated with the generation of plasma. The generated ozone may scatter not only downstream but also upstream of the plasma discharge unit (31). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, by providing the sheet-shaped member (34), ion wind is generated from the plasma discharge unit (31) toward the catalyst structure (33). Therefore, all the ozone generated in the plasma discharge unit (31) is guided by the ion wind and flows downstream of the plasma discharge unit (31). A catalyst structure (33) is arranged downstream of the plasma discharge section (31), and ozone is decomposed by the air purification catalyst of the catalyst structure (33) to become oxygen.

-Effects of Fourth Embodiment- According to the fourth embodiment, the following effects can be obtained in addition to the effects of the first embodiment. That is, as described above, the ozone generated in the plasma discharge unit (31) is scattered to the upstream side if no measures are taken. Therefore, there is a possibility that ozone harmful to the human body flows into the room from the suction port (12). On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the sheet-like member (34) is provided, and the ozone generated in the plasma discharge unit (31) can be reliably guided to the catalyst structure (33).
Therefore, ozone generated in the plasma discharge section (31) can be reliably decomposed into oxygen by the air purification catalyst of the catalyst structure (33). As a result, ozone harmful to the human body can be prevented from flowing into the room or the like, and the indoor air can be reliably purified.

[0076]

Other Embodiments of the Invention In each of the above embodiments,
Although the air purifying catalyst and the adsorbent are provided in the catalyst structure (33), titania (TiO ₂ ) may be provided in the catalyst structure (33) in addition to the air purifying catalyst and the adsorbent. . This titania has a function of decomposing NOx. Here, the plate electrode (32) of the plasma discharge part (31)
When the voltage applied to is temporarily increased, the N
Ox may be generated. On the other hand, the titania of the catalyst structure (33) can surely decompose even a small amount of NOx generated in the plasma discharge portion (31).

In the third embodiment, the ozone decomposing unit (35) is provided in the gas decomposing structure (30) in the air purifier (10) of the first embodiment. In (29), the gas decomposition structure (30) may be provided with an ozone decomposition section (35).

In the fourth embodiment, the sheet member (34) is provided on the gas decomposition structure (30) in the air cleaner (10) of the first embodiment. In (29), the gas decomposition structure (30) may be provided with a sheet-like member (34).

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air cleaner according to a first embodiment when viewed from a side.

FIG. 2 is a relationship diagram showing a change over time between a discharge voltage of a plasma discharge unit and a temperature of air to be processed.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a catalyst structure.

FIG. 4 is a schematic configuration diagram of an indoor unit according to Embodiment 2 as viewed from a side.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air purifier according to a third embodiment as viewed from a side.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an air purifier according to a fourth embodiment as viewed from a side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 (11), (21) Casing (30) Structure for gas decomposition (31) Plasma discharge part (33) Catalyst structure (34) Sheet-shaped member (ion wind generating means) (35) Ozone decomposition part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 4C080 AA05 AA06 AA07 AA09 BB02 CC01 CC02 CC04 CC07 HH05 JJ01 JJ03 KK08 QQ11

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A gas decomposition structure for decomposing odor gas or harmful gas in a gas to be treated to make it odorless or harmless, comprising: a plasma discharge unit (31) for generating plasma in the gas to be treated. A gas decomposition structure comprising: a catalyst structure (33) for bringing a gas to be treated into contact with a catalyst component having an oxidation catalyst on the downstream side of the plasma discharge section (31). 2. The gas decomposition structure according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst component comprises an ozone decomposition catalyst. 3. The gas decomposition structure according to claim 2, further comprising an ion wind generation means (34) for generating an ion wind from the plasma discharge section (31) to the catalyst structure (33). Structure. 4. The gas decomposition structure according to claim 3, wherein the ion wind generating means (34) is disposed downstream of the plasma discharge portion (31) and has a conductive net-like or parallel-line shape. A gas decomposition structure constituted by a sheet-like member (34). 5. The gas decomposition structure according to claim 1, further comprising: an ozone decomposition section (35) disposed upstream of the plasma discharge section (31) and in contact with the gas to be treated and the ozone decomposition catalyst. Gas decomposition structure. 6. The gas decomposition structure according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst structure (33) is formed in a honeycomb shape and has a catalyst component disposed on a surface thereof. 7. The gas decomposition structure according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst structure has an adsorbent which comes into contact with the gas to be treated from the plasma discharge section. Structure. 8. The gas decomposition structure according to claim 1, wherein the plasma discharge section (31) is configured to intermittently increase a discharge voltage. 9. A gas decomposition structure (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a casing (11) in which the gas decomposition structure (30) is housed. The gas to be treated is sucked into (11), and the gas to be treated is passed from the plasma discharge part (31) side of the gas decomposition structure (30) to the catalyst structure (33) side, and A gas decomposer configured to decompose odorous or harmful gases. 10. A gas decomposition structure (30) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and a casing (21) in which the gas decomposition structure (30) is housed. The indoor air is sucked into (21) and the indoor air is passed from the plasma discharge part (31) side of the gas decomposition structure (30) to the catalyst structure (33) side to remove odorous gas or An air conditioner configured to decompose harmful gas and heat or cool the indoor air to supply the indoor air.