JP2001238943A - Air sterilizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problems with high-performance filters, etc., that these filters give rise to clogging and therefore the downtime by accompanying their exchange is heretofore inevitable and further that there is a danger of the inflow of the bacterial propagating on the surfaces of the filters into facilities while there is heretofore only the method of filtering the bacterial and dust with these filters in order to maintain the cleanliness of the air in medical facilities, food processing facilities, etc. SOLUTION: The direct sterilization of air is made possible by applying a technique of killing the bacterial by holding an object at a specified temperature and humidity for a specified time. Further, the device which reduces the consumption of the energy necessary for the sterilization treatment and is suitable for continuous operation is realized by utilizing the latent heat of the air for a heat source for heating the air to a prescribed air temperature.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a technology for achieving a temperature necessary for killing bacteria floating in the air mainly by using latent heat of air.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional methods for removing bacteria and the like in the air generally use a high-performance filter for air conditioning and ventilation equipment. Sterilization with drugs focused on treating the surface of the object, and sterilizing air was only a secondary effect.

[0003]

Therefore, the pressure loss increases due to clogging of the filter, and as a result, periodic replacement is required. In the process of replacing the filter, there is a risk that bacteria and the like on the surface of the filter may flow into the facility. On the other hand, drugs have problems such as adverse effects on living organisms and environmental pollution.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to the conditions required to sterilize air;
Utilizing the latent heat of air as the primary heat source to keep it at around zero percent for a period of time has made it possible to directly sterilize air with relatively low energy consumption. In addition, since the structure of the sterilizer is simple, maintenance is simplified, and operation costs can be reduced.

[0005]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS By combining an air compressor, a pressure vessel, a throttle, an intermediate vessel, and the like, air can be sterilized directly and for a long time without frequent filter replacement.

In an embodiment where the temperature and humidity inside a medical facility, nursing home, food processing facility or the like are almost constant,
Because the adiabatic compressed air can be continuously adiabatically expanded, the equipment can be significantly reduced in size and energy savings, and the air inside the facility can be maintained at a certain degree of cleanliness with relatively low operating costs Become.

Further, the amount of energy consumption can be further reduced by reusing the exhaust heat released from the apparatus for heating intake air and the like. Since the air filter used here is only for the purpose of removing dust that hinders the operation of the air compressor, it is not necessary to frequently replace the conventional high-performance filter.

[0008] In addition, since the temperature and humidity comfortable for living by a person or the like are within a certain limited range, mass production by standardization of the apparatus is possible and the price of the apparatus which can be easily spread can be realized.

[0009]

FIG. 1 shows one configuration of an air sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, and is not intended to illustrate the physical equipment arrangement in the actual machine design.

The steam generating section 1 includes an ultrasonic oscillator, an electric heater, a water supply tank, and the like, and has a function of humidifying the introduced air to a relative humidity of about 90%. If the inhaled air itself has a sufficient humidity, the steam generating section 1 may not be operated or a part thereof may be omitted.

The air compressor 2 keeps the internal air temperature at 60 ° C. or higher by keeping the internal pressure of the pressure vessel 2 at a constant value. The air compressor has a function of feeding back the discharge pressure to keep the internal pressure constant.

The pressure vessel 2 has a volume or a flow path length in which compressed air stays inside for a certain period of time.
This is because sterilization using heated steam requires several seconds or more. Further, in a use environment where the outside air temperature is low, if a necessary temperature rise cannot be obtained only by adiabatic compression, an electric heater or the like for heating is added inside or outside the pressure vessel 2.

The discharge port 4 has a function of a valve or a throttle for reducing the pressure of the sterilized air to a pressure slightly higher than the atmospheric pressure. In a use environment where the outside air temperature is almost constant, if the capacity or the flow path length of the pressure vessel 3 is appropriate,
The air is continuously discharged into the dehumidifying container 5. In a use environment where the outside air temperature fluctuates greatly, the necessary sterilization conditions are intermittently created by opening and closing the discharge port 4. In this case, the discharge port 4 is closed when the compressed air in the pressure vessel 3 almost flows out, and the next sterilization cycle is repeated.

The intermediate container 5 provides a function of reducing the operation load of the control unit 6 by utilizing the condensation of water vapor due to a decrease in temperature due to adiabatic expansion. Alternatively, a function of a muffler for reducing or absorbing air noise (noise) that may be generated at the discharge port 4 is provided. The dehumidifying container 5 may be omitted depending on the entire device configuration and the use environment.

The control section 6 has an air conditioning function for converting sterilized air to a temperature and humidity suitable for living.

[0016]

As described above, the air sterilizer according to the present invention mainly utilizes the latent heat of the external air for the sterilization treatment, and therefore has high energy efficiency, is easy to maintain, and is suitable for continuous operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a cross section of an air sterilizer.
(Example 1)

[Explanation of Signs] 1 Steam generation section 2 Air compressor 3 Pressure vessel 4 Discharge port 5 Intermediate vessel 6 Adjustment section

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pressure vessel for maintaining a temperature and humidity required for sterilization for a certain period of time as a main heating means for adiabatic compression of conditioned air, and adiabatic expansion of the sterilized air before compression. Intermediate container, lowering to near temperature and pressure
An air sterilizer comprising an air conditioner and a controller for air conditioning to a humidity suitable for living. 2. An embodiment of the air sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sterilized high-pressure air guided from the pressure vessel is used as an air shower for blowing a living body or equipment. 3. An embodiment of the air sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein waste heat from an intermediate container, an air compressor, or the like is led to an air intake section to suppress energy consumption.