JP2002291854A - Dehumidifying/deodorizing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a compact dehumidifying/deodorizing equipment having large dehumidifying/deodorizing effect due to the effective utilization of heat between a dehumidifying part and a deodorizing part and especially large deodorizing effect due to a photocatalyst and enabling the conservation of power. SOLUTION: The dehumidifying/deodorizing equipment performing the dehumidification and deodorization of air is equipped with the dehumidifying part 2 having a moisture absorbent 2a for absorbing and removing moisture in air and a heating means 2b for heating the moisture absorbent 2a and the deodorizing part 3 constituted by supporting the photocatalyst 5 excited by ultraviolet rays on a carrier 4. The deodorizing part 3 is thermally connected to the dehumidifying part 2.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dehumidifying and deodorizing machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a dehumidifier and deodorizer for deodorizing and dehumidifying air using a photocatalyst and a dehumidifier.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, deodorizers provided with activated carbon or the like have been widely used for the purpose of purifying, sterilizing, deodorizing, etc. various gases such as air. Also, dehumidifiers that remove moisture in the air using an air compressor, a Peltier element, a dehumidifier, and the like are widely used.

[0003] Further, these deodorizers and dehumidifiers are common to create a comfortable living space or an appropriate storage space, and a dehumidifier dehumidifier having both functions has been studied. Development is taking place (for example,
JP-A-9-79627).

However, a dehumidifying deodorizer using a photocatalyst has not been able to obtain a desired deodorizing effect with a photocatalyst, and the activity of the photocatalyst does not fluctuate due to heating. Because the merits of combining with the machine were considered to be low, it had not yet been developed.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has an effect of dehumidifying and deodorizing by effectively utilizing heat between a deodorizing section and a dehumidifying section. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dehumidifying and deodorizing machine which is large in size and capable of downsizing the device.

[0006]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors have conducted intensive studies to solve the above-mentioned problems, and as a result, have found that heating a photocatalyst increases the catalytic activity thereof. The present inventors have found that the above object can be achieved by heating the deodorant unit provided with the photocatalyst by utilizing the residual heat when the dehumidifier is heated by the heating means, and completed the present invention.

That is, according to the present invention, there is provided a dehumidifying / deodorizing machine for dehumidifying and deodorizing air, comprising a moisture absorbing agent for absorbing and removing moisture in the air, and a heating means for heating the moisture absorbing agent. A dehumidifying deodorizer is provided, comprising: a dehumidifying unit; and a deodorizing unit having a photocatalyst excited by ultraviolet light carried on a carrier, wherein the deodorizing unit is thermally connected to the dehumidifying unit. You.

[0008] In the present invention, furthermore, when the steam is introduced into the dehumidifying section, the opening is opened, the desiccant is heated, and the suction port is closed when dewatering is performed. It is preferable to provide an exhaust port that is opened when performing the operation and is closed when introducing steam into the apparatus.

Further, in the present invention, it is preferable to further include a light source for irradiating the photocatalyst with ultraviolet rays, and in this case, the light source is preferably any one of a black light, a diode, and a germicidal lamp.

[0010] In the present invention, the heating means includes:
It is preferable to use a heating element made of a ceramic heater, a wire heater made of tantalum, nichrome, or tungsten, or these heating elements and a heat conductor. Further, the carrier supporting the catalyst is preferably made of a material having a property of transmitting ultraviolet light.
The material having a property of transmitting ultraviolet light is preferably quartz or borosilicate glass. Further, the carrier preferably has a honeycomb structure.

Further, in the present invention, a light source for irradiating ultraviolet rays to the photocatalyst is provided inside a carrier having a honeycomb structure; or a photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays around a carrier having a honeycomb structure. It is preferable that the light sources are arranged at regular intervals.

Furthermore, in the present invention, the photocatalyst has a refractive index of -25 to +
It is preferable that the carrier is supported on a carrier via a binder composed of 25% of a material. In this case, the binder is preferably composed of a material containing silica (SiO ₂ ) as a main component.

In the present invention, the desiccant is preferably zeolite.

[0014]

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
This will be specifically described based on the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the dehumidifier / deodorizer 1 of the present invention, the dehumidifier 2 is provided with the desiccant 2a, and the water vapor pressure in the dehumidifier 2 becomes extremely low. I have.
The water vapor 30 in the desired space 33 for dehumidification is in this space 3
3 is introduced into the dehumidifying section 2 by a diffusion effect due to a water vapor pressure difference between the dehumidifying section 2 and the outside, is absorbed by the desiccant 7, and is removed from a desired space 33.

The dehumidifying section 2 is provided with a heating means 2b. The moisture absorbing agent 2a, which has absorbed a certain amount of water or more and has a reduced moisture absorbing ability, is heated and dehydrated by the heating means 2b. Thus, it can be used repeatedly.

When the moisture absorbent 2a is heated and regenerated, a large amount of steam 40 is generated.
Is not preferable to be discharged into the space 33 already dehumidified. Therefore, the water vapor 40 generated when the moisture absorbent 2a is heated and regenerated is usually generated in the space 33 in which the dehumidifying deodorizer 1 is installed.
The air is discharged through an exhaust port 9 communicating with another space isolated from the air. At this time, the introduction of the water vapor 30 into the dehumidifying section 2 and the switching between the dehumidification by the hygroscopic agent 2a and the dehydration by heating the hygroscopic agent 2a are performed by the suction port 7 using the water vapor 30 in the desired space for dehumidifying in the apparatus. Open when taken in, moisture absorbent 2a
Is heated and closed when dewatering, and the exhaust port 9 is closed.
However, conversely, by providing the opening / closing means 16 that opens when heating the moisture absorbent 2a and dehydrates it, and closes when taking in the water vapor 30 in the desired space 33 for dehumidification into the device,
It can be carried out.

On the other hand, in the dehumidifying and deodorizing machine 1 of the present invention, the air 31 containing the odor component is taken into the device from the other intake port 11 and introduced into the deodorizing section 3. The deodorizing section 3 is constituted by a photocatalyst 5 supported on a carrier 4.
Is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from a light source 13 such as sunlight, an LED, a germicidal lamp, or a black light, and is in an excited state. The deodorizing section 3 is provided with a heating means 2b and / or
Or, it is thermally connected to the desiccant 2a,
The photocatalyst 5 is heated to 50 to 900 [deg.] C. by the residual heat of heating, and the catalytic activity is high.

When the air 31 containing the odor component introduced into the deodorizing section 3 passes near the photocatalyst 5, the odor component is decomposed by an oxidation-reduction reaction and is released to the outside from the exhaust port 10. . At this time, in the present invention, the photocatalyst 5
Since it has a high catalytic activity by heating, it can be efficiently deodorized.

Hereinafter, the dehumidifying deodorizer 1 of the present invention will be specifically described for each component.

The dehumidifying section 2 in the present invention has a moisture absorbent 2a for absorbing and removing moisture in the atmosphere, and a heating means 2b for heating the moisture absorbent 2a.

[0022] Thereby, higher dehumidifying performance can be exhibited as compared with the dew-condensing method in which the moisture in the atmosphere is coagulated and removed to perform dehumidification, or the electrolytic film method in which water is electrolyzed and dehumidified. The hygroscopic agent 2a can be used repeatedly. Further, unlike the dew condensation method, members and regions for storing or draining the coagulated water are not required, so that the device can be made compact.

The hygroscopic agent 2 a used in the present invention includes, for example, PO ₂ O ₅ , Mg (ClO ₄ ) ₂ , Mg (Cl
O ₄ ) .3H ₂ O, KOH, Al ₂ O ₃ , SiO ₂ , CaS
O ₄ , H ₂ SO ₄ , CaSO ₄ , CaBr ₂ , NaOH, C
aO, CaCl ₂ , ZnCl ₂ , ZnBr ₂ , CuSO ₄ ,
Zeolite, silica gel, activated carbon and the like can be mentioned. Among them, zeolite is preferable because of its high resistance to repeated use by moisture absorption and dehydration. Activated carbon or the like may be used for the purpose of assisting the deodorizing action of the photocatalyst described later.

On the other hand, the heating means 2 b used in the present invention
Examples thereof include a heater having a heating element made of a ceramic heater, a wire heater made of tantalum, nichrome, or tungsten, or an electromagnetic wave generator such as a microwave oven.
Switching of N / OFF and temperature control are easy,
In view of the simple structure, a heating element composed of a panel heater in which a line heater composed of nichrome is sandwiched between aluminum plates is preferable. Further, the heating means 2b may be constituted only by these heating elements, but
The heat conductor may be thermally connected and heated through the heat conductor.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the heating means 2b is composed of a plurality of heating means 2b in the moisture absorbing agent 2a because the heating means 2b can effectively dehydrate the moisture absorbing agent 2a.
Are preferably arranged at regular intervals.

Further, in the dehumidifying section 2 of the present invention, since a regeneration step of removing moisture absorbed by the dehumidifying agent 2a by heating is required, the steam 30 is opened when the steam 30 is introduced into the dehumidifying section 2; An intake port 7 that is closed when heating and dehydrating the hygroscopic agent 2a is provided in communication with the space 33 for dehumidification. Conversely, the air opening 7 is opened when the hygroscopic agent 2a is heated and dehydrated, and the water vapor 30 is removed. It is preferable to provide the exhaust port 9 which is closed when the gas is introduced into the dehumidifying section 2 in communication with another space separated from the space 33 for dehumidifying.

With such a structure, when dehumidification is performed by the desiccant 2a, air in only the space 33 where desired dehumidification is performed can be efficiently dehumidified, while the dehumidifier 2a is heated. When dewatering is performed, the water vapor 30 absorbed by the dehumidifying agent 2a is converted into the space 33 already dehumidified.
To be re-released.

The means 14 for controlling the opening and closing of the intake port 7 and the exhaust port 9 opens and closes the intake port 7 and the exhaust port 9 based on information transmitted from a timer at regular intervals, for example. A means for operating the opening / closing means 16 and synchronizing with ON / OFF of the heating means 2b controlled based on information transmitted from a similar timer;
Opening and closing means 1 for opening and closing the intake port 7 and the exhaust port 9 based on information on the humidity difference obtained from the humidity sensor provided in the apparatus and the humidity sensor provided inside the device other than the dehumidifying section 2.
6 which is operated and synchronized with ON / OFF of the heating means 2b which is also controlled based on information from each humidity sensor.

Next, the deodorizing section 2 in the present invention will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 (a) and 1 (b), the deodorizing section 2 of the present invention has a photocatalyst 5 excited by ultraviolet light carried on a carrier 4, and is thermally connected to the dehumidifying section 2 described above. Things. Thereby, since the photocatalyst 5 can be heated using the residual heat generated when the heating means 2b is heated by the heating means 2b in the dehumidifying section 2, the activity of the photocatalyst 5 can be increased while the hygroscopic material 2a is regenerated. Thereby, the deodorizing effect can be improved. In addition, even when the dehumidifier is cooled after being regenerated, the heat is radiated to the deodorizing unit 3 so that the cooling is promoted. Can be.

In the present invention, the deodorizing section 3 only needs to be thermally connected to the dehumidifying section 2 in some form. For example, as shown in FIGS. Although a structure in which the heating means 2b and / or the moisture absorbent 2a are brought into direct contact with each other may be employed, a heat conductor is provided between the dehumidifying section 2 and the deodorizing section 3, and thermally connected through the heat conductor. The structure may be as follows.
It is needless to say that the heat conductor is preferably made of a material having high heat conductivity.

In the present invention, the temperature of the deodorizing section 3 by heating is preferably 900 ° C. or less,
The temperature is more preferably set to 400 ° C. or lower.

In this temperature range, the activity of the photocatalyst 5 can be sufficiently increased, and the transition to the rutile type having low activity can be suppressed, and the high photocatalytic activity can be maintained. When the temperature is 400 ° C. or lower, the sintering phenomenon can be prevented even when anatase type titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) is used.

The photocatalyst 5 used in the present invention includes
For example, TiO_Two, ZnO, Nb_TwoO_Five, WO_Three, Sn
O_Two, ZrO_Two, SrTiO_Three, KTaO_Three, Ni-K_FourN
b₆O₁₇, CdS, ZnS, CdSe, GaP, CdT
e, MoSe_Two, WSe _TwoEtc., but medium
However, Ti which is excellent in various characteristics such as chemical stability and safety
O_TwoIs preferable, and particularly, anatase type Ti having high activity
O_TwoIs preferred.

When the sun is used as the light source 13 for irradiating the photocatalyst 5 with ultraviolet light, it is not always necessary to provide the light source 13 separately. However, in consideration of use in a situation where introduction of sunlight is difficult, such as indoor use, it is preferable to further provide an artificial light source for irradiating the photocatalyst with ultraviolet rays in the device. It is also preferable to use a combination of the sun and an artificial light source.

As the artificial light source, it is preferable to select any one of a black light, a light emitting diode, and a germicidal lamp according to the purpose. In addition, black light is excellent in terms of safety and large irradiation amount, light emitting diode is excellent in miniaturization, durability and reliability of the device, and germicidal lamp is a device capable of having a germicidal action. Excellent.

Next, the carrier 4 used in the present invention preferably has a multilayer structure, and more preferably has a honeycomb structure, in that the contact area between the photocatalyst 5 and the gas can be increased.

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B,
When the carrier 4 having the honeycomb structure is used, the light source 13 described above is disposed inside the carrier 4 having the honeycomb structure in that the ultraviolet light irradiated from one light source 13 can be used efficiently. Preferably, the light source 13 is provided at the position of the center axis of the carrier 4 having the honeycomb structure.

However, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of light sources 13 may be arranged at regular intervals around the carrier 4 having a honeycomb structure. When the light source 13 is provided in this manner, although it is necessary to provide a large number of light sources 13, the photocatalyst 5 supported on the carrier 4 can be more uniformly irradiated with ultraviolet rays. There is no sacrifice of the third air flow path.

The carrier 4 used in the present invention is preferably made of a material having a property of transmitting ultraviolet light.

Thus, the carrier 4 having the multilayer structure described above
, The photocatalyst 5 supported inside the multilayer structure
Can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and efficient deodorization can be performed with a compact device.

Further, the carrier 4 used in the present invention is preferably made of a material having a resistance to the catalytic action of the photocatalyst so that the photocatalyst can be supported for a long period of time.

Examples of a material having these characteristics include a highly acid-resistant fluororesin such as polytetrafluoroethylene resin (PTFE), a ceramic material containing sodium carbonate such as soda glass, quartz, or boron. A ceramic material mainly containing silica (SiO ₂ ) such as silicate glass can be used. Among them, silica (Si) such as quartz or borosilicate glass has high transparency to ultraviolet rays of 380 nm or less that activates the photocatalyst 5 and does not cause contamination of the catalyst due to diffusion of constituent components.
O ₂ ) is preferably used as the main component, and quartz is more preferable in that it has high transmissivity for a wide range of ultraviolet rays of 380 nm or less.

When a carrier having a honeycomb structure is used,
By kneading these materials and, if necessary, a dispersion medium such as water to obtain a kneaded material, and then, extruding the obtained kneaded material using a ram-type extruder or the like to produce a kneaded material. can do.

In the deodorizing section 3 of the present invention, the photocatalyst 5
Is more preferably carried on such an ultraviolet-transparent carrier 4 with a binder 6 made of a material having a refractive index of −25 to + 25% with respect to the material constituting the carrier 4.

As a result, the reflection of ultraviolet rays at the interface between the carrier 4 and the binder 6 can be extremely reduced, so that the photocatalyst 5 is supported on the carrier 4 having a multilayer structure such as the honeycomb structure described above. Also, the entire photocatalyst 5 can be irradiated with ultraviolet rays, as compared with the case where the photocatalyst 5 is directly supported on the ultraviolet-transparent carrier 4. As a result, the deodorizing action of the photocatalyst 5 can be more efficiently exerted, and a single light source can irradiate each of the three-dimensionally provided photocatalysts. In addition, power saving can be achieved.

Specifically, for example, when the carrier 4 is made of silica (SiO ₂ ) such as quartz or borosilicate glass having high transparency to ultraviolet light, the photocatalyst 5 is supported. The bonding material 6 is preferably made of a material containing silica (SiO ₂ ) as a main component. Such a bonding material 6 is preferably silica (SiO ₂ ).
In addition to the above, there can be mentioned those comprising an organic compound containing silica (SiO ₂ ) such as an alkoxysilane polymer.

As a method for supporting the photocatalyst 5 with the binder 6, for example, a slurry for the binder composed of one or more of the above-mentioned silica (SiO ₂ ) or alkoxysilane polymer is prepared. A dispersion in which the powder constituting the photocatalyst 5 is dispersed in the binder slurry is coated on a carrier and dried to form a catalyst layer, and is carried by the binder 6 made of the same material as the binder slurry. Alternatively, after preparing a slurry for a binder comprising one or two or more of silicon (Si), silica (SiO ₂ ) or a silicon-containing mechanical compound, a catalyst layer is formed in the same manner, and then calcined. By doing so, the organic component in the material component of the binder slurry may be supported by the binder 6 made of a material obtained by burning or oxidizing silicon or the like.

As a method for forming a catalyst layer on the carrier 4, for example, a dip coating method, a spin coating method, a spray method, a CVD method, a sputtering method and the like can be mentioned.

The thickness of the catalyst layer to be formed is 0.1
~ 1.5 µm is preferred. The thickness of the catalyst layer is 1.5 μm
When it exceeds, the ratio of the photocatalyst 5 buried in the binder 6 and not in contact with the gas to be deodorized increases, and the loss of ultraviolet rays by a single catalyst layer increases, which may hinder efficient catalytic action. is there. On the other hand, when the thickness of the catalyst layer is 0.1 μm
When the thickness is smaller than m, the gas decomposition ability by the photocatalyst 5 may be rapidly reduced.

When the powder constituting the photocatalyst 5 is dispersed in the binder 6, the aggregate formed by the powder constituting the photocatalyst 5 may be dispersed. In order to further improve the efficiency, it is preferable to uniformly disperse the raw material powder constituting the photocatalyst 5 in the binder 6.

Further, in the present invention, in order to ensure the adhesive strength between the carrier 4 and the binder 6 and to reduce the loss of ultraviolet rays by the catalyst layer, it is possible to sufficiently exert the catalytic action in each catalyst layer. In the catalyst layer composed of the binder 6 and the photocatalyst 5, the photocatalyst 5 is preferably contained in an amount of 50 to 80% by volume. However, in equipment that is used only under conditions where weather resistance is not strongly required, such as indoors, it is preferred that the content be 80% by volume, giving priority to the improvement of the photocatalytic action.

The deodorizing section 3 in the present invention may use a deodorizing means other than the photocatalyst 5 in combination. Examples of other deodorizing means include an activated carbon type that adsorbs odor components with activated carbon, Cluster ion type that decomposes odor components by ion aggregates connected in tufts,
A plasma type in which water and oxygen are converted into radicals by a discharge generated between two electrodes and an odor component is decomposed by the radicals can be used.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dehumidifying and deodorizing machine that has a large dehumidifying and deodorizing effect, particularly a large deodorizing effect by a photocatalyst, and that can be downsized. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing one embodiment of a dehumidifying and deodorizing machine of the present invention. FIG. 1 (a) is an overall view schematically showing the entire dehumidifying and deodorizing machine, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view schematically showing the deodorizing section in an enlarged manner.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory views schematically illustrating an example of the arrangement of light sources in one embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 2A is a top view and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing another example regarding the arrangement of the light sources in one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Dehumidifying deodorizer, 2 ... Dehumidifying part, 2a ... Hygroscopic agent, 2b ... Heating means, 3 ... Deodorizing part, 4 ... Carrier, 5 ... Photocatalyst, 6 ... Binding material, 7 ... Inlet (dehumidifying part), 9 ... Exhaust port (dehumidifying part), 1
0: exhaust port (deodorizing section), 11: intake port (deodorizing section), 13
... Light source, 14 ... Control means, 15 ... Fan, 16 ... Opening / closing means, 30 ... Steam, 31 ... Air containing odorous components, 3
2 ... air after removing odor components, 33 ... space in which a dehumidifier is installed, 40 ... steam.

Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat II (Reference) B01J 35/02 B01D 53/36 H F24F 1/00 451 ZABJ (72) Inventor Hisakazu Fukumori Inuyama-shi, Aichi Pref. 1st address Energy Services Port Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 4C080 AA07 AA10 BB02 CC01 HH05 JJ03 KK08 LL10 MM02 NN02 NN03 NN04 NN05 NN06 QQ12 QQ17 4D048 AA22 AB01 AB02 AB03 BA06X BA07X BA41X BB02 CC08 CC01 CC01 GA03 GB03 GB08 HA01 HA03 HA05 HA07 HA12 HA21 HA41 4G069 AA03 AA08 BA02A BA02B BA02C BA04B BA48A CA01 CA07 CA08 CA10 CA17 DA06 EA19 EB15Y EC22Y EC27 EE04 FA03 FB23 FC05

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A dehumidifier and deodorizer for dehumidifying and deodorizing air, comprising: a dehumidifier having a moisture absorbent for absorbing and removing moisture in the air; and a heating means for heating the moisture absorbent; A dehumidifying deodorizer, comprising: a deodorizing unit in which a photocatalyst to be excited is carried on a carrier; and the deodorizing unit is thermally connected to the dehumidifying unit. 2. An air inlet which is opened when introducing water vapor into the dehumidifying section, and which is closed when heating the moisture absorbent and dewatering, and an opening when heating the moisture absorbent and drying it. The dehumidifying deodorizer according to claim 1, further comprising an exhaust port that closes when introducing steam into the dehumidifying section. 3. The dehumidifying deodorizer according to claim 1, further comprising a light source for irradiating the photocatalyst with ultraviolet light. 4. The dehumidifier according to claim 3, wherein the light source is any one of a black light, a diode, and a germicidal lamp. 5. The heating means according to claim 1, wherein said heating means comprises a heating element made of a ceramic heater, a wire heater made of tantalum, nichrome or tungsten, or said heating element and a heat conductor. Dehumidifying and deodorizing machine according to the item. 6. The dehumidifying deodorizer according to claim 1, wherein the carrier supporting the photocatalyst is made of a material having a property of transmitting ultraviolet light. 7. The dehumidifying deodorizer according to claim 6, wherein the material having a property of transmitting ultraviolet light is quartz or borosilicate glass. 8. The dehumidifying and deodorizing machine according to claim 1, wherein the carrier has a honeycomb structure. 9. The dehumidifier according to claim 8, wherein the light source is disposed inside the carrier having the honeycomb structure. 10. The light source is arranged at regular intervals around the carrier having the honeycomb structure.
The dehumidifying and deodorizing machine according to 1. 11. The photocatalyst is supported on the carrier via a binder composed of a material having a refractive index of −25 to + 25% with respect to the material constituting the carrier.
The dehumidifying and deodorizing machine according to any one of the above. 12. The dehumidifying deodorizer according to claim 11, wherein the binder is made of a material containing silica (SiO ₂ ) as a main component. 13. The dehumidifier according to claim 1, wherein the desiccant is zeolite.