JP2001037856A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively remove an air pollutant in combination with waste water treatment without replacing a costly filter member by blowing off an air flow introduced from an intake port again in the atmosphere by passing through into an adsorbent of a second part. SOLUTION: Air is introduced to a sealed first part of a vessel 11 from an intake port 14, and air 16 cleaned by contacting with water of a liquid area is introduced to recessed places arranged on both sides of a plant vessel 21 via a communicating port 37 from the first part. Lip packing arranged in a fitting part of the vessel 11 and a support frame 12 forms an airtight seal for forcedly introducing the air to a cultivating medium and an adsorbent 18 via the communicating port 37. A part of the air passes between the culticating medium and the adsorbent 18 in the recessed places, and is purified while passing through these. A part of the air is purified by a root part of a plant and a microorganism 19 in the plant vessel 21. The cleaned air is thereafter exhausted from a purifier 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for purifying air or air and water by living organisms. More specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus or a system for purifying contaminated air or water using a plant purification technique utilizing plants and microorganisms growing on the roots of the plants, and ultraviolet light and a washer technique.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Plants are present in plants and in the roots and rhizospheres of plants (regions around the roots of cultivation media such as soil for vegetation).
In addition, it is well known that they maintain a complex ecosystem of microbial communities. It is also known that the various biological activities associated with the presence of these organisms tend to biodegrade various chemicals and other contaminants in the air and water, especially hydrocarbons.

[0003] This type of prior art is also described in a number of patent specifications described below. It is also known that ultraviolet light lamps kill viruses and bacteria in the air. For many years, ultraviolet light has been used to prevent airborne infections in public places and surgical operating rooms.

Regarding the fact that indoor plants reproduce microorganisms having the characteristic of decomposing and destroying volatile organic chemicals on the roots of plants and in the surrounding medium, see the article by Wolverton et al. Foliage Plants for Removing Indo
or Air Pollutants from Energy-Efficient Home
s, 1984, Economic Botany 38 (2): 224
-228), B.I. C. Wolverton and John D. Wolverton, Plant and Soil Microorganisms: Removal of Formaldehyde, Xylene, and Ammonia from Indoor Environments (Plan
ts and SoilMicroorganisms: Removal of Formal
dehyde, Xylene and Ammonia from the Indoor
Environment, 1993, Journal of the Mississ
ippiAcademy of Sciences 28 (2): 11-1
It is shown in 5). Also, the results of research on how indoor plants improve indoor air quality,
B. C. Wolverton's "Environmentally Friendly Indoor Plants"
(Eco-Friendly Houseplants, Weidenfeld &
Nicholson: London, U.S. K. 1996), "How to increase fresh air" in the United States (How to G
row Fresh Air, Viking Penguin; 1997) and “Eco-Friendly Indoor Plants” in Japan (Eco-Friendl)
y House Plants, 1998).

[0005] Also, the fact that indoor plants cultivate microorganisms that degrade, destroy and remove organic chemicals and purify wastewater on and around the roots is described by Walberton et al. Microorganisms And Higher Plants "
(Microorganisms and Higher Plants for Wastew
ater Treatment, 1983, Journal of Environmen
tal Quality 12 (2): 236-242) and "Biotransformation of Priority Polluta using biofilms and vascular plants"
nts Using Biofilms and Vascular Plants, 19
86, Journalof Mississippi Academy of Science
s 31: 79-89).

[0006] Conventional air purifiers utilize physical or physicochemical effects. High-performance devices use a combination of high-efficiency particle capture filters (HEPA) to remove particulate matter in flowing air and highly adsorptive materials such as activated carbon to remove gaseous organic chemicals. ing. The filters of these purifiers trap and accumulate contaminants and gradually become clogged or saturated. Therefore, in order for these purifying devices to function effectively, it is essential that the user periodically replaces the filter member.

Large wet scrubbers remove contaminated water containing chemical pollutants, odors or particulates, and air pollutants which are considered to be hazardous wastes.
It is necessary to maintain the pH of the water properly.

[0008] Most mechanical devices for treating wastewater are expensive and energy consuming, and have a limited service life.

Many devices for air purification have been developed. A representative example of such an invention is U.S. Pat.
No. 6,242, No. 5,351,438, No. 5,27
7,877, 5,221,520, 5,21
No. 7,696, No. 5,433,923, No. 5,40
7,470, 5,190,570 and 5,08
No. 9,036. Also, a typical example of the invention in which an ultraviolet lamp is used as a part of an air purification device is as follows.
U.S. Patent Nos. 5,433,923 and 5,217,69
No. 6, 5,074,894, 5,399,319
No. 4,210,429. Further, representative examples of the invention utilizing plant-based action for wastewater treatment and combined treatment of air and wastewater include:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,415,450 and 5,137,62
No. 5, No. 4,959,084 and No. 5,269,09
No. 4, etc.

[0010]

Most air purification and wastewater treatment means currently available have inherent problems. There is an increasing need for techniques for biologically removing odors and contaminants from air and wastewater that do not require replacement of filters and the like, and that are economical and energy efficient, and biologically.
The technology of biodegrading a medium filtered by a filter in a natural process using microorganisms that grow on plants and roots of plants under controlled environment is rapidly developing as a promising treatment means in the future.

The present invention provides a planter module with a wide range of biological effects, which provides an apparatus or system for performing air purification, wastewater treatment and both in an indoor or outdoor environment. Is to be solved in a typical way. Indoor air purification planters are used in conjunction with a germicidal ultraviolet light lamp to remove microorganisms in the air.

That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a device combining a biological treatment process by wet air washing and adsorption, which is different from the prior art, without the need for expensive filter member replacement. Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus or equipment for removing air pollutants more effectively in combination with wastewater treatment.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a base made of inert cobblestone or igneous rock and activated carbon, or another substance having a property of adsorbing gaseous chemicals, and whose basic target is air purification. I do.

Further, the present invention is not intended to limit the scope of the patent, but includes, by way of example, the treatment of indoor or outdoor air or wastewater, the purification of indoor air in commercial or residential buildings,
Alternatively, it is an object to provide plant growth modules for various applications such as commercial and agricultural point source air purification.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a germicidal chamber in which an ultraviolet lamp is disposed for purifying indoor air. The ultraviolet light destroys residual airborne bacteria exiting the biological moist air wash planter module according to the present invention.

[0016]

The apparatus provided by the present invention includes a planter module for treating air and water by the action of microorganisms on plants and their roots. The device of the present invention captures and removes contaminants in the air passing through the roots of plants provided by the device, microorganisms involved in the roots, and wet porous cultivation media affected by these microorganisms. Or convert these air pollutants into water pollutants to biodegrade and destroy. The apparatus of the present invention is a means for forcibly introducing air containing odor or particulate matter in air into a planter module including a water container,
It comprises means for converting water-soluble odors and harmful substances from air pollutants to water pollutants, where they are biodegraded by microorganisms associated with plant roots and roots.

The first aspect of the present invention is a first aspect that retains water.
A watertight container partitioned into a portion and a second portion for holding a cultivation or adsorbent, an opening for inserting a plant so as to be stably disposed in the first portion in the container, and an air flow in the first portion. An intake port to be introduced, and a communication path provided so that fluid can flow between the first portion and the second portion in the container, and an air flow introduced from the intake port is supplied to the adsorbent in the second portion. Is an air purifying device that re-discharges into the atmosphere by passing through.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a watertight container partitioned into a first portion for holding water and a second portion for holding a cultivation or adsorbent, and the first portion in the container is stably arranged. An opening through which at least one plant is inserted, an inlet through which air is introduced into the first portion, and a communication passage provided so that fluid can flow between the first portion and the second portion in the container. An air flow introduced from the air inlet, passes through the adsorbent of the second part, is re-emitted into the atmosphere, and water in the container is purified by flowing down the roots of the plant. Device.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a watertight container divided into a first portion for holding water and a second portion for holding a cultivation or adsorbent, and at least a root portion stably arranged in the cultivation medium. An opening for inserting a single plant, a fluid passage for introducing a water stream into the cultivation medium, and a gas inlet for introducing an air stream into the water stream are provided, and air and water are supplied to the cultivation or adsorbent and the root of the plant. It is an air purification device that re-discharges clean air and water to the outside by passing through.

Claims 4 to 10 are claims 1 to 3
The present invention basically provides the system of the present invention, and further provides a unified system for improvement or implementation thereof. Claim 4 is a method for inserting plants into individual plant containers and inserting them into containers. Item 5 includes an air flow path through which the air passes through the adsorbent and also passes through the roots of plants containing microorganisms.

[0021] Further, a sixth aspect of the present invention is to maintain a water level in the vessel at a predetermined level by a float valve disposed in the vessel. A seventh aspect of the present invention is to provide a fan for sucking a gas passing through a cultivation or adsorption medium. What is provided, claim 8,
The air discharged from the container is guided to the irradiation area of the ultraviolet lamp and then released to the outside air. Water-insoluble air pollutants are trapped by highly porous inert plant cultivation media, activated carbon and other highly adsorptive materials, where they are biodegraded and destroyed. The remaining airborne bacteria are destroyed by passing air through the germicidal chamber where the UV lamp is located. In addition, the system is provided with a plurality of lid inserts to increase the volume of water or wastewater and reduce the amount of inert cobblestone required for each module container. When used for wastewater treatment, the number of modules required for treating larger volumes of wastewater can be reduced by inserting a lid. The system is also equipped with an automatic float valve to ensure that the maximum wettable water level is maintained. Furthermore, the system is provided with a pipe entry in the groove of the system, so that a larger volume of air or wastewater can be accommodated.

[0022]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the nature, objects and advantages of the present invention, a description will be given below with reference to an embodiment shown in the drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same members. 1 to 7 show some of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

In the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a first portion 15 for holding water in a watertight container 11 having an open top is provided.
And the recess of the support frame 12 covered to close the open upper surface of the container 11 forms the second part 36. The support frame 12 has a plurality of openings 22 for holding a plant container 21 in which a plant 20 is planted.
The support frame 12 also has a recess (second portion) 36 on the upper surface for filling a plant cultivation medium (for example, soil) and an adsorbent (for example, activated carbon). The container 11 is filled with water, a liquid region is formed below, and the upper portion sealed by the support frame is a gas region. The recess 36 and the liquid region communicate with each other through a communication hole 37.

[0024] Air is introduced into the closed first part 15 of the container from the inlet 14. The air 16 that has been washed in contact with the water in the liquid area is introduced from the first portion 15 through the communication hole 37 into the recesses 36 arranged on both sides of the plant container 21. The lip packing 34 provided at the fitting portion between the container and the support frame forms an airtight seal for forcibly introducing air into the cultivation medium and the adsorbent 18 through the communication hole 37. Part of the air is introduced into the plant container 21.

The air passes between the cultivation medium and the adsorbent 18 in the recess 36 and is purified while passing through the cultivation medium and the adsorbent 18. Part of the air is supplied to the plant container 21.
It is purified by the roots of the plants and the microorganisms 19. The microorganisms that grow on the roots of the plants also spread their living areas in the recesses 36 using the water in the liquid area as a medium.

The purified air 23 is then discharged from the device 10. Water used for plant cultivation and cleaning of contaminated air is supplied from an inflow pipe 13. In order to maintain the humidification of the cultivation medium for optimal plant growth and to ensure effective wet cleaning of the passing air, the water level 17 in the liquid area needs to be maintained by the float valve 35 and the manual valve 25. is there. The plant roots and microorganisms 19 in the plant container supported by the support frame openings 22 are used to purify water contaminated by substances eluted from the washed air. The purified water is supplied to the outflow pipe 2
4 to the outside of the apparatus 10.

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a second embodiment of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 with some modifications. The changes will be described below. In the apparatus 10 of the second embodiment, the container 11 is filled with a cultivation medium for cultivating the plant 20 and the adsorbent 18 to form a second part, and is inserted into the container 11 while being embedded in the cultivation medium and the adsorbent 18. A thick pipe 26 forms the first part 15 of the container. Air and water supplied from the intake port 14 and the inflow pipe 13 are:
A pipe 26 is supplied through a conduit 27. The pipe 26 is provided with a communication hole 37 communicating with the first portion filled with the cultivation medium and the adsorbent 18. The action of purifying the roots of the plant, the microorganisms that propagate on the roots, and the air and water supplied by the adsorbent is the same as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 shows the device 10 illustrated in FIGS.
It is a figure showing the whole concept of indoor air purification equipment using a plurality of. Here, the room air 29 is introduced into the apparatus 10 and the cultivation medium and the adsorbent 18 in the apparatus by the fan 38, and the exhaust air is forcibly passed through the ultraviolet sterilization chamber 32, and the purified air 23 Is discharged as

FIG. 6 shows the device 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG.
An example is shown in which an air purification facility for a commercial or residential building is formed by using the above. The air 23 purified in the heating device or the air conditioner 31 provided with the device 10 is introduced into an ultraviolet sterilization chamber 32 in which a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are arranged,
The purified air return device 33 supplies the purified and sterilized air to the inside of the building.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example in which the device 10 shown in FIG. 3 is used as an odor removing device, and is applied to a source of air pollution such as an intensive animal breeding facility, an incinerator and a power plant. Here is an example. The water-washed air 16 is mixed with sprayed water 28 to increase odor removal in large volume air washes.

The above example is intended to be used only for presenting examples. The scope of the present invention is limited only by the appended claims.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a plant growth module in which an upper insertion portion is arranged.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a plant growth module in which a bottom pipe insertion port is arranged.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing a case where the module of FIG. 1 is installed in a classroom together with a sterilizing air chamber using an ultraviolet light lamp.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of a case where the module of FIG. 1 or 3 is installed as an air purification / circulation device for a commercial building together with a sterilizing chamber using an ultraviolet light lamp.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram when the module of FIG. 3 is used for an industrial / agricultural air purifier and odor control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 14 Inlet 15 First part 18 Adsorbent 21 Plant container 22 Opening 36 Second part

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on front page (72) Inventor John D. Wolverton 514 Pinegrove Street, Picayune, Mississippi, USA Wolverton Environmental Services, Inc. F-term (reference) 2B027 ND01 QA02 QA05 QB12 QB13 QC22 QC23 QC25 QC35 RA03 RA13 RA14 RA22 RA26 RB03 RC12 RC10 RC13 RC13 UA29 UA21 UA29 4C080 AA09 AA10 BB02 MM31 MM33 QQ11 QQ17 QQ20

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A watertight container partitioned into a first portion for holding water and a second portion for holding a cultivation or adsorbent,
An opening for inserting a plant so as to be stably disposed in the first portion in the container, an air inlet for introducing an air flow into the first portion, and a fluid can flow between the first portion and the second portion in the container. An air purification device, comprising: a communication passage provided as described above; and an air flow introduced from the intake port passes through the second portion of the adsorbent and is re-emitted into the atmosphere. 2. A watertight container partitioned into a first portion for holding water and a second portion for holding a cultivation or adsorbent,
An opening for inserting at least one plant so as to be stably positioned in the first portion in the container, an inlet for introducing airflow to the first portion, and a fluid in the first and second portions in the container. A communication passage provided so as to be able to circulate, wherein the airflow introduced from the air inlet passes through the adsorbent of the second part and is re-emitted to the atmosphere, and the water in the container passes through the root of the plant An air purification device that is purified by flowing down. 3. A watertight container partitioned into a first portion for holding water and a second portion for holding a cultivation or adsorbent,
An opening for inserting at least one plant so that the root portion is stably arranged in the cultivation medium, a fluid passage for introducing a water stream into the cultivation medium, and a gas inlet for introducing an air stream into the water stream, An air purification device that allows air and water to pass through an adsorbent and the root of a plant to re-discharge clean air and water to the outside. 4. The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the plants are put into individual plant containers and inserted into the containers. 5. An air flow passage through which air passes through the adsorbent and also passes through roots of plants containing microorganisms.
The air purification device according to claim 1, 2 or 3. 6. The water level in the container is maintained at a predetermined level by a float valve disposed in the container.
4. The air purification device according to 2 or 3. 7. The air purification device according to claim 1, further comprising a fan for sucking a gas passing through the cultivation or the adsorption medium. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the air discharged from the container is guided to an irradiation area of an ultraviolet lamp and then discharged to the outside air.
Or the air purification device according to 3.