JP2004024461A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air cleaner which can uniformly flow air and irradiate light to a photocatalyst. <P>SOLUTION: This air cleaner is equipped with an enclosure 1 with a cylindrical air passage 1a, a ceramic foam body 3a filled in the air passage 1a to carry the catalyst (photocatalyst) to utilize light and energy generated by giving light to the surface of a carrier, and a UV lamp 2 inserted through almost the center part of the ceramic foam body 3a parallel with a ventilating direction of the air passage 1a. Ventilating air is passed through the ceramic foam body 3a to make the air flow uniform and light can be irradiated on the photocatalyst without exception through the three dimensional network of the ceramic foam body 3a from the UV lamp 2 set on a center part. Thus, deodorization is effectively carried out and the equipment can be constituted in a small size. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a photocatalyst type air purification device, and more particularly to an improvement for making the flow of air uniform and for evenly applying light to the photocatalyst.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method of deodorizing a bad odor, a technique of performing a deodorizing function using a photocatalyst and a lamp has been developed. A photocatalyst is a substance that converts light energy into chemical energy.In this deodorization technology, a photocatalyst is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from a lamp to activate the photocatalyst with the light energy, thereby promoting an oxidation reaction and converting malodorous substances into odorless substances. Converting.
[0003]
Photocatalytic filters used for such deodorization are often formed in a honeycomb shape. The honeycomb-shaped photocatalyst filter is excellent in air permeability, has a feature that the photocatalyst carrying area per air passage area or per unit volume is large, and has an effect of increasing the deodorizing speed. In many cases, a commercially available photocatalytic air purification device also employs a honeycomb-shaped photocatalytic filter.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem in the conventional air purification device. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing having a cylindrical air passage therein, reference numeral 2 denotes a light source such as an ultraviolet lamp, and reference numeral 3 denotes a honeycomb-shaped photocatalytic filter. In the figure, a light reaching area when light is irradiated from the light source 2 is shown.
[0005]
The honeycomb-shaped photocatalyst filter has a problem that a region that is not exposed to light is largely generated on the back side of the cell, and that portion is not activated, so that the performance of purifying air is not sufficiently exhibited. In the conventional example shown in FIG. 4, as a countermeasure against the problem, the number of the light sources 2 is increased to three so that the light reachable area is widened.
[0006]
Looking at this in conjunction with the flow of air, the cells in the downstream portion where the light source 2 is installed upstream of the air flow are sufficiently illuminated, but are obstructed by the light source 2 and the air flow is poor, and the cell has deviated from the light source 2. In some cells, there is a contradictory problem that air flow is good but light is not sufficiently applied.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide an air purification device that can make the flow of air uniform and can evenly apply light to a photocatalyst. is there.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the technical means described in claims 1 to 6 is adopted. That is, in the first aspect of the present invention, the case (1) having the cylindrical air passage (1a) and the catalyst (photocatalyst) utilizing the energy generated by giving light and light to the surface of the carrier are carried. The inorganic fiber body or the inorganic structure (3a) filled in the air passage (1a) is inserted into a substantially central portion of the inorganic fiber body or the inorganic structure (3a) in parallel with the ventilation direction of the air passage (1a). Light emitting means (2).
[0009]
Thereby, the ventilation air passes through the inorganic fiber body or the inorganic structure (3a), so that the air flow can be made uniform, and the light emitting means (2) installed at the central portion can emit the inorganic fiber body or the inorganic fiber. Light can be evenly applied to the photocatalyst through the carriers of the structure (3a). In addition, deodorization can be performed efficiently, and the apparatus can be configured to be small.
[0010]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, the inorganic fiber body or the inorganic structure (3a) has a three-dimensional network structure. This makes it easier and more reliable to uniformly illuminate the photocatalyst with a uniform air flow passing through the inorganic fiber or inorganic structure (3a) and the mesh of the inorganic fiber (3a). .
[0011]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, the inorganic structure (3a) is a ceramic foam (structure) mainly containing an inorganic oxide such as silica, alumina, and magnesia. Thereby, the three-dimensional network structure can be obtained.
[0012]
In the invention described in claim 4, the housing (1) having the cylindrical air passage (1a), the photocatalyst is supported on the surface, and the cross section in the ventilation direction is formed in a star-shaped pleated cross section. It is characterized by comprising a pleat (3b) inserted into the pleat (1a) and a light emitting means (2) inserted substantially in the center of the pleat (3b) in a direction parallel to the ventilation direction of the air passage (1a).
[0013]
This allows the ventilation air to pass through the pleat (3b), thereby making the flow of air uniform and allowing the light emitting means (2) installed at the center to carry the air on the inner surface of the pleat (3b). Light can be evenly applied to the photocatalyst. In addition, deodorization can be performed efficiently, and the apparatus can be configured to be small.
[0014]
In the invention described in claim 5, the pleats (3b) are made of ceramic paper or a plate-like inorganic compound that can be bent. Thereby, the cross section with respect to the ventilation direction can be formed in a star-shaped pleat shape.
[0015]
According to the invention described in claim 6, in the pleat (3b), one end face closes the end face of the star-shaped outer air passage, and the other end face closes the end face of the star-shaped inner air passage. Features. With such a structure, the ventilation air flows from the inside to the outside of the star, or vice versa, through the pleats (3b), and the deodorizing effect can be further improved. Incidentally, the reference numerals in the parentheses of the above-described units are examples showing the correspondence with specific units described in the embodiments described later.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic structure of a purification device main body of an air purification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a housing having a cylindrical air passage 1a therein.
[0017]
Further, reference numeral 3a denotes a ceramic foam mainly containing an inorganic oxide such as silica, alumina or magnesia as an inorganic fiber or an inorganic structure, and has a three-dimensional network structure. The photocatalyst is carried on the surface of the mesh, and is filled in the air passage 1a. Reference numeral 2 denotes an ultraviolet lamp as a light source inserted into a substantially central portion of the ceramic foam 3a in a direction parallel to a ventilation direction in the air passage 1a.
[0018]
Examples of the photocatalyst 2 according to the present invention include: (1): oxides and composite oxides of manganese, iron, and aluminum; (2): oxides of cobalt, copper, and nickel in combination with (1); 3): oxides of aluminum and magnesium, (4): oxides combining (2) with magnesium, zirconium, zinc, cerium, calcium, and lithium, (5): sepiolite and (1) to (4) (6): A catalyst in which (1) and (2) are supported in advance on an oxide of aluminum, magnesium, zirconium, zinc, cerium, calcium, and lithium. Is not particularly limited), (7): titanium oxide, (8): metal oxide particles such as a mixture of (1) to (7) and a platinum particle catalyst.
[0019]
The fluid to be purified can pass through the ceramic foam 3a of the present invention. When the fluid is a gas, the ventilation means is not particularly limited, and a method using a fan such as a sirocco type, an axial flow type, a propeller type, a turbo type, a radial type, a cross flow type, etc. A method using natural wind or a wind generated by an exhaust fan such as a ventilation fan or an air conditioner such as an air conditioner, a method using thermal convection, a method using an air current generated by movement of a passenger car or the like can be given. Note that these ventilation means (not shown) may be present either upstream or downstream of the ceramic foam 3a.
[0020]
The method of irradiating the ceramic foam 3a of the present invention with excitation light includes black light, insect trap, health lamp, germicidal lamp, fluorescent lamp for general lighting, high-pressure mercury lamp, metal halide lamp, high-pressure sodium lamp, ultraviolet LED, and the like. It is preferable to provide a dedicated light source for irradiation. Irradiation with the photocatalytic excitation light can be continuous or intermittent.
[0021]
Next, features of the present embodiment will be described. A photocatalyst is carried on the surface of the three-dimensional mesh of the ceramic foam 3a, and is filled in the air passage 1a. An ultraviolet lamp 2 as a light source is inserted substantially in the center of the ceramic foam 3a in parallel with the direction of air flow in the air passage 1a.
[0022]
This allows the ventilation air to pass through the ceramic foam 3a so that the air flow can be uniform, and also allows the photocatalyst to pass from the ultraviolet lamp 2 installed at the center to the three-dimensional mesh of the ceramic foam 3a. Light can be evenly applied. In addition, deodorization can be performed efficiently, and the apparatus can be configured to be small.
[0023]
(2nd Embodiment)
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic structure of a purification device main body of an air purification device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the first embodiment is that, instead of the ceramic foam 3a, a pleat 3b which has a photocatalyst carried on the surface and has a star-shaped pleated cross section in the ventilation direction and is inserted into the air passage 1a. I have.
[0024]
The pleats 3b are made of ceramic paper or a plate-like inorganic compound that can be bent. Thereby, the cross section with respect to the ventilation direction can be formed in a star-shaped pleat shape.
[0025]
In addition, it is the same that the ultraviolet lamp 2 as a light source is inserted substantially in the center of the pleat 3b in parallel with the ventilation direction of the air passage 1a. As a result, the ventilation air passes through the metal pleats 3b so that the air flow can be made uniform, and light can be transmitted from the ultraviolet lamp 2 installed at the center to the photocatalyst carried on the inner surface of the metal pleats 3b. You can apply it evenly. In addition, deodorization can be performed efficiently, and the apparatus can be configured to be small.
[0026]
(Third embodiment)
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic structure of a purification device main body of an air purification device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the above-described second embodiment is that in the pleats 3b, one end face closes the end face of the star-shaped outside air passage, and the other end face closes the end face of the star-shaped inside air passage. With such a structure, the ventilation air flows from the inside of the star to the outside, or vice versa, through the pleats 3b, and the deodorizing effect can be further improved.
[0027]
(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, the catalyst supported on the ceramic foam 3a or the pleats 3b is shown as a photocatalyst, but is not limited to this, and may be a catalyst that acts by electric discharge. Further, although the casing 1 is shown in a substantially cylindrical shape, it may be, for example, a substantially rectangular cylindrical shape. The ultraviolet lamp 2 does not necessarily have to penetrate to both ends of the ceramic foam 3a and the pleats 3b in the ventilation direction.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic structure of a purification device main body of an air purification device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic structure of a purification device main body of an air purification device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic structure of a purifying device main body of an air purifying device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a problem in a conventional air purification device.
[Explanation of symbols]
Reference Signs List 1 housing 1a air passage 2 ultraviolet lamp (light emitting means)
3a ceramic foam, inorganic fiber, inorganic structure 3b pleated

Claims (6)

A housing (1) having a cylindrical air passage (1a);
An inorganic fiber or an inorganic structure (3a) loaded in the air passage (1a) by supporting a catalyst (photocatalyst) utilizing light and energy generated by applying light to the surface of the carrier;
An air purification device comprising: a light emitting means (2) inserted in a substantially central portion of the inorganic fiber body or the inorganic structure (3a) in parallel with a ventilation direction of the air passage (1a). The air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the inorganic fiber body or the inorganic structure (3a) has a three-dimensional network structure. The air purification according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inorganic structure (3a) is a ceramic foam (structure) mainly containing an inorganic oxide such as silica, alumina, and magnesia. apparatus. A housing (1) having a cylindrical air passage (1a);
A pleat (3b) having a photocatalyst carried on its surface and having a cross section with respect to the ventilation direction formed in a star-shaped pleat and inserted into the air passage (1a);
An air purification device comprising: a light emitting means (2) inserted substantially in the center of the pleat (3b) in a direction parallel to the direction of air flow in the air passage (1a). The air purifier according to claim 4, wherein the pleat (3b) is made of ceramic paper or a bendable plate-like inorganic compound. 5. The pleat (3b), wherein one end face closes the end face of the star-shaped outer air passage, and the other end face closes the end face of the star-shaped inner air passage. An air purification device according to claim 1.

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