JP2005230760A - Air cleaner - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air cleaner capable of securing a large surface area of a photocatalyst disposed at the inside of the air cleaner. <P>SOLUTION: In this air cleaner, first discharge tubes 12 for radiating ultraviolet rays are housed in a case 11 equipped with intake vents 17 and exhaust vents 18, and first photocatalyst carriers 14 formed by fixing a large number of light transmitting porous adsorbents 27 made by holding the photocatalyst to the surface of a base 30 via light transmitting adhesive 28 are disposed at places within the irradiated range of the ultraviolet rays generated by the first discharge tubes 12. Further, the outer surface of a first substrate 19 of an air-tight container 22 constituting each first discharge tube 12 is laid with a large number of the porous adsorbents 27 fixedly via the light transmitting adhesive 28. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air purification device using a photocatalyst, and more particularly to an air purification device capable of ensuring a large surface area of a photocatalyst disposed inside the air purification device.

Photocatalysts such as titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) are activated when irradiated with ultraviolet rays to produce a strong redox effect, and harmful compounds and pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NO _X ) and sulfur oxides (SO _X ) Therefore, various air purifying apparatuses using this photocatalyst have been proposed.
By the way, decomposition of harmful compounds, pollutants and the like by the photocatalyst is an effect caused by contact of these harmful compounds and pollutants with the photocatalyst. Therefore, in order to improve the air purification capability of the photocatalyst, it is desirable to increase the surface area of the photocatalyst as much as possible.

  Therefore, the present applicant has previously proposed an air purification device 70 shown in FIG. 14 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-220123). This air purification device 70 houses three ultraviolet lamps 72, two fans 73, a photocatalyst carrier 74, and a filter 75 inside a casing 71 and is attached to the outer wall surface of the casing 71. The drive unit 76 is provided. In addition, an intake port 77 for taking in air into the housing 71 is formed on the lower surface of the housing 71, and an air for releasing the air inside the housing 71 to the outside on the upper surface of the housing 71. An exhaust port 78 is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the ultraviolet lamp 72 includes a pair of substantially cylindrical straight pipe parts 79, 79 made of ultraviolet light transmissive glass, and a curved pipe part 80 that connects the straight pipe parts 79, 79 in communication with each other. An airtight container 82 composed of a sealing part 81 formed by melting and sealing the openings of the straight pipe parts 79, 79, and a pair disposed in the vicinity of both end sealing parts 81 in the airtight container 82, respectively. Discharge electrodes 83, 83, and lead wires 84 connected to the respective discharge electrodes 83.
The hermetic container 82 is filled with ultraviolet radiation gas, and a phosphor layer 85 (FIG. 16) for ultraviolet wavelength conversion is formed on the inner surfaces of the straight pipe portions 79 and 79 of the hermetic container 82. Yes. This phosphor layer 85 has a wavelength of less than 300 nm, which is particularly suitable for activation of the photocatalyst, among various wavelengths of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet radiation gas by the discharge between the discharge electrodes 83 and 83. It is provided for conversion to ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 400 nm.

A large number of elongated fibrous bodies 87 whose surfaces are coated with a photocatalyst 86 made of anatase-type titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) are provided on the outer surfaces of the straight pipe portions 79, 79 constituting the airtight container 82. And are attached in a standing state substantially perpendicular to the outer surface of the straight pipe portions 79, 79. The fibrous body 87 is configured by coating the surface of a fiber 89 such as glass fiber or resin fiber with a photocatalyst 86 (FIGS. 17 and 18).

  The photocatalyst carrier 74 is attached to the inner wall surface of the casing 71, and a large number of elongated fibrous bodies 87 covered with a photocatalyst 86 are formed on the surface of the substrate 90 having a substantially corrugated cross section as shown in FIG. It is attached in an erected state substantially perpendicularly to the surface of the base 90 via an adhesive 88.

In order to perform an air purification process using the air purification device 70, first, the fan 73 is driven and the ultraviolet lamp 72 is turned on by supplying power to the fan 73 and the ultraviolet lamp 72 from the drive unit 76. Let
By driving the fan 73, external air is introduced into the housing 71 from the air intake port 77, and receives the irradiation of ultraviolet rays generated by the lighting of the ultraviolet lamp 72, so that the fibrous body 87 of the ultraviolet lamp 72 is obtained. The photocatalyst 86 on the surface and the photocatalyst 86 on the surface of the fibrous body 87 of the photocatalyst support 74 are activated.
The air introduced into the casing 71 comes into contact with the activated photocatalyst 86 in the process of rising toward the exhaust port 78 after dust and the like are removed by the filter 75, thereby Hazardous compounds and pollutants inside are decomposed and purified.
JP 2003-220123 A

In the air purification device 70, a large number of fibrous bodies 87 coated with the photocatalyst 86 are attached in a standing state to the surface of the substrate 90 within the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays generated by the ultraviolet lamp 72. The photocatalyst carrier 74 configured as described above is disposed, and a large number of fibrous bodies 87 covered with the photocatalyst 86 are also attached to the outer surfaces of the straight pipe portions 79 and 79 constituting the airtight container 82 of the ultraviolet lamp 72. Therefore, the surface area of the photocatalyst 86 disposed within the ultraviolet irradiation range can be increased.
However, since it is desirable to increase the surface area of the photocatalyst as much as possible in order to improve the ability of the photocatalyst to purify air or water, the surface area of the photocatalyst disposed inside the air purifying apparatus can be further increased. The appearance was desired.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize an air purification device that can ensure a large surface area of a photocatalyst disposed inside the air purification device.

  In order to achieve the above object, an air purification apparatus according to the present invention houses a light source that emits light having a wavelength having a photocatalytic activation action in a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port. A photocatalyst carrier comprising a large number of light-transmitting porous adsorbents disposed on the surface of the substrate within the irradiation range of the emitted light and a photocatalyst held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent. It is arranged.

  As the light source, for example, a translucent airtight container filled with a discharge gas and a plurality of discharge electrodes are provided, and a large number of translucent porous adsorbents are arranged on the outer surface of the airtight container. This corresponds to a discharge tube in which a photocatalyst is held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent.

  As the light source, for example, a first substrate made of a translucent material whose outer surface is a curved surface and a second substrate are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the periphery of both substrates is sealed. An airtight container formed in a closed state, a discharge gas sealed in the airtight container, and a plurality of discharge electrodes, and a large number of light-transmitting porous adsorbents are disposed on the outer surface of the first substrate. In addition, a discharge tube in which a photocatalyst is held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent corresponds to this.

  Furthermore, as the light source, for example, an LED chip and a translucent envelope that seals the LED chip are provided, and a large number of translucent porous adsorbents are provided on the outer surface of the envelope. This corresponds to a light-emitting diode that is arranged and has a photocatalyst held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent.

  Silica gel or porous glass corresponds to the porous adsorbent.

  In the air purification apparatus of the present invention, a large number of porous adsorbents having a very large specific surface area are arranged on the surface of the substrate within the irradiation range of light emitted from the light source, and the surface of these porous adsorbents Since the photocatalyst carrier that holds the photocatalyst in the pores is disposed, a large surface area of the photocatalyst disposed inside the air purification device can be secured.

  The light source includes a light-transmitting airtight container filled with a discharge gas and a plurality of discharge electrodes, and a light-transmitting porous adsorbent having an extremely large specific surface area is provided on the outer surface of the airtight container. When a large number of discharge tubes are used and a discharge tube in which a photocatalyst is held in the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent is used, a larger surface area of the photocatalyst disposed inside the air purification device can be secured. it can.

  In addition, as the light source, a first substrate made of a translucent material having an outer surface curved and a second substrate are arranged to face each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the periphery of both substrates is sealed. The formed hermetic container, a discharge gas sealed in the hermetic container, and a plurality of discharge electrodes, a plurality of light-transmitting porous adsorbents are disposed on the outer surface of the first substrate, and Even when a discharge tube in which the photocatalyst is held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent is used, a larger surface area of the photocatalyst disposed inside the air purification device can be secured.

  Furthermore, the light source includes an LED chip and a light-transmitting envelope that seals the LED chip, and a light-transmitting porous adsorbent having a very large specific surface area on the outer surface of the envelope When a light emitting diode in which a photocatalyst is held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent is used, a larger surface area of the photocatalyst disposed inside the air purification device is secured. Can do.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an air purification device according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an air purifying device 10 according to the present invention. The air purifying device 10 includes two first discharge tubes 12 as light sources and two in a housing 11. The fan 13, the first photocatalyst carrier 14, and the filter 15 are housed, and a drive unit 16 attached to the outer wall surface of the housing 11 is provided.
The lower surface of the casing 11 is formed with an intake port 17 for taking air into the casing 11, and the upper surface of the casing 11 is an exhaust for releasing the air inside the casing 11 to the outside. A mouth 18 is formed.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first discharge tube 12 includes a first substrate 19 made of ultraviolet transmissive glass such as quartz glass, and a second substrate 20 made of an insulating material such as glass as a dielectric. The substrate 19 and 20 are disposed opposite each other with a predetermined gap therebetween, and the peripheral edges of both the substrates 19 and 20 are hermetically sealed through a sealing material 21 such as low-melting glass to form an airtight container 22 having a substantially flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, The discharge space 23 is formed in the hermetic container 22 by filling the hermetic container 22 with an ultraviolet radiation gas obtained by mixing argon and mercury as a discharge gas or an ultraviolet radiation gas mainly composed of xenon. It consists of
On the outer surface of the second substrate 20, a pair of strip-like external electrodes 24 and 25 formed by depositing a silver paste, a transparent NESA film (SnO ₂ ) or the like as a discharge electrode has a predetermined gap. They are arranged side by side.

On the inner surface of the first substrate 19, there is an ultraviolet wavelength converting phosphor layer 26 for converting ultraviolet light having a wavelength of less than 300 nm into ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 300 to 400 nm, which is particularly suitable for activating the photocatalyst. Is formed.
The phosphor layer 26 includes, for example, (CaZn) ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ : Tl, Ca ₃ (PO ₄ ) ₂ : Tl, SrB ₄ O ₇ : Eu, (Ba, Sr, Mg) ₃ Si ₂ O _7. : Pb, BaSi ₂ O ₅ : Pb, YPO ₄ : Ce, Ce (Mg, Ba) Al ₁₁ O ₁₉ , LaPO ₄ : Ce, and the like.
Thus, by providing the phosphor layer 26, among the various wavelengths of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet radiation gas and irradiated on the photocatalyst, a wavelength that does not contribute much to the activation of the photocatalyst (wavelength of less than 300 nm). ) Is converted into ultraviolet light (300 to 400 nm) having a wavelength particularly suitable for the activation of the photocatalyst, so that the activation of the photocatalyst can be promoted.

A large number of translucent porous adsorbents 27 holding a photocatalyst (not shown) made of anatase-type titanium oxide (TiO ₂ ) or the like are provided on the outer surface of the first substrate 19. It is fixedly arranged via a sex adhesive 28.
As the photocatalyst, in addition to the above titanium oxide, other metal oxides having a photocatalytic action such as ZnO, SrTiO ₃ , BaTiO ₃ , Fe ₂ O _{3 and the} like can be used. It is excellent in photocatalytic activity and can be most suitably used.
The translucent adhesive 28 is, for example, an alkali silane bond, an ethyl silicate bond, an alkoxy lane bond, an alkoxy lane bond in which an organic functional group is partially introduced, and an alkoxy lane bond obtained by reacting an organic polymer. An inorganic binder such as a product or a hybrid inorganic binder can be used.

The translucent porous adsorbent 27 is composed of bead-shaped silica gel having a diameter of about 0.1 mm to 5 mm having a large number of pores having a diameter of about 10 nm to 50 nm, and the specific surface area of the pores is 50 m ^2. / G to about 300 m ² / g. The photocatalyst is adsorbed and held not only on the surface of the porous adsorbent 27 but also in the pores.
In order to hold the photocatalyst on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent 27, for example, the porous adsorbent 27 is immersed in a dispersion of photocatalyst fine particles whose particle diameter is smaller than the pore diameter of the porous adsorbent 27. Then, it can be performed by drying and firing.

In the first discharge tube 12, when an AC voltage is applied to the pair of external electrodes 24 and 25, a discharge is generated in the discharge space 23 via the second substrate 20 which is a dielectric, and electrons are generated. The ultraviolet rays having various wavelengths are generated by being emitted and colliding with the ultraviolet radiation gas. The generated ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the phosphor layer 26 to be converted into ultraviolet rays (300 to 400 nm) having a wavelength particularly suitable for activating the photocatalyst, and then the first substrate made of ultraviolet transmissive glass. The photocatalyst passing through 19 and held on the porous adsorbent 27 is irradiated. As a result, the photocatalyst is activated and air and water can be purified.
As described above, since the porous adsorbent 27 and the adhesive 28 have translucency, it is possible to sufficiently irradiate the photocatalyst retained on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent 27. It is. Further, since the porous adsorbent 27 having a large number of pores is excellent in air permeability, the contact efficiency between the photocatalyst and air is good.

FIG. 3 shows a modified example of the first discharge tube 12. The modified example of the first discharge tube 12 includes a large number of porous adsorbents 27 on the outer surface of the first substrate 19. A plurality of bead-like reflectors 29 are fixedly arranged via a translucent adhesive 28.
The reflective material 29 can be made of a material having a high light reflectance such as aluminum. Further, the reflecting material 29 may be formed of a member whose surface is white with high light reflectance.
As described above, by using the reflective material 29 together with the porous adsorbent 27, it is possible to reflect the ultraviolet rays that activate the photocatalyst in various directions and to improve the irradiation efficiency to the photocatalyst.

The first photocatalyst carrier 14 is attached to the inner wall surface of the casing 11, and as shown in FIG. 4, a photocatalyst is formed on the surface of a flat substrate 30 made of an appropriate material such as glass, resin, or metal. A large number of the above-mentioned light-transmitting porous adsorbents 27 that are held in contact with each other are fixed through a light-transmitting adhesive 28.
The first photocatalyst carrier 14 is disposed within the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays generated by the first discharge tube 12 in order to activate the photocatalyst held by the porous adsorbent 27 fixed to the substrate 30. It is necessary to

When the photocatalyst held on the porous adsorbent 27 of the first photocatalyst carrier 14 is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the first discharge tube 12, the photocatalyst is activated and the air contacted with the surface of the photocatalyst is activated. Purification can be performed.
A porous adsorbent 27 is fixed to the outer surface of the first substrate 19 of the first discharge tube 12 via an adhesive 28. As described above, the porous adsorbent 27 and the adhesive are bonded. Since the agent 28 has translucency, a part of the ultraviolet rays radiated from the first discharge tube 12 pass through the porous adsorbent 27 and the adhesive 28 of the first discharge tube 12. The photocatalyst carrier 14 attached to the inner wall surface of the casing 11 is irradiated.
The first photocatalyst carrier 14 can also be configured by directly attaching the porous adsorbent 27 to the inner wall surface of the casing 11, and in this case, the inner wall of the casing 11 is the first wall. It functions as the “base” of the photocatalyst carrier 14.

Hereinafter, a procedure for performing an air purification process using the air purification device 10 will be described.
First, by supplying power from the driving unit 16 to the fan 13 and the first discharge tube 12, the fan 13 is driven and the first discharge tube 12 is turned on.
By driving the fan 13, external air is introduced into the housing 11 from the air inlet 17, and is irradiated with ultraviolet rays generated by the lighting of the first discharge tube 12. The photocatalyst held by the 12 porous adsorbents 27 and the photocatalyst held by the porous adsorbent 27 of the first photocatalyst carrier 14 are activated.
The air introduced into the housing 11 comes into contact with the activated photocatalyst in the process of rising toward the exhaust port 18 after dust and the like are removed by the filter 15, thereby The harmful compounds and pollutants are decomposed and purified.

  In the air purification apparatus 10 of the present invention, the outer surface of the first substrate 19 constituting the airtight container 22 of the first discharge tube 12 and the irradiation range of the ultraviolet rays generated by the first discharge tube 12 are used. A large number of porous adsorbents 27 having a very large specific surface area are arranged on the surface of the substrate 30 of the first photocatalyst carrier 14 arranged inside, and a photocatalyst is placed on the surfaces and pores of the porous adsorbents 27. Since it is held, a large surface area of the photocatalyst disposed inside the housing 11 can be secured.

FIG. 5 shows a second discharge tube 31 according to the present invention. The second discharge tube 31 has a large number of porous adsorbents 27 arranged on the outer surface of the first substrate 19. These porous adsorbents 27 are configured to be covered with a net-like member 33 having a large number of communication holes 32. The mesh member 33 can be made of an appropriate material such as metal or resin. However, when the mesh member 33 is made of a conductive material, the insulation between the pair of external electrodes 24 and 25 is impaired. It is necessary to be careful not to.
Although not shown in the figure, a plurality of the reflective materials 29 are arranged on the outer surface of the first substrate 19 together with a large number of the porous adsorbents 27, and the porous adsorbents 27 and the reflective materials 29 are connected to the mesh member 33. You may coat with.

FIG. 6 shows a third discharge tube 34 according to the present invention. In the third discharge tube 34, the first substrate 19 has a curved plate shape, and the curved plate-shaped first discharge tube 34 has a curved plate shape. A large number of translucent porous adsorbents 27 holding a photocatalyst are fixedly disposed on the outer surface of one substrate 19 via translucent adhesives 28. In addition, a pair of strip-shaped discharge electrodes 35, 35 are disposed on the inner surface of the second substrate 20 with a predetermined gap therebetween.
In the third discharge tube 34, the first substrate 19 has a curved plate shape, and the outer surface of the first substrate 19 is a curved surface. The surface area of the outer surface of the first substrate 19 can be increased as compared with the case of being flat, and the surface area of the photocatalyst disposed on the outer surface of the first substrate 19 can be increased accordingly.

FIG. 7 shows a modified example of the third discharge tube 34. The modified example of the third discharge tube 34 is made of quartz glass or the like as the first substrate 19 as the second substrate 20. A curved plate made of a translucent insulating material that transmits ultraviolet rays is used, and a large number of translucent porous adsorbents 27 each holding a photocatalyst are passed through the outer surface of the second substrate 20. It is characterized in that the phosphor layer 26 for ultraviolet wavelength conversion is formed on the inner surface of the second substrate 20 on which the discharge electrode 35 is formed, while being fixedly disposed via a light adhesive 28. is there.
In the modification of the third discharge tube 34, a large number of porous adsorbents 27 holding a photocatalyst are not only the outer surface of the first substrate 19 but also the outer surface of the second substrate 20. Therefore, the air can be purified by the photocatalyst on both surfaces of the discharge tube (the outer surface of the first substrate 19 and the outer surface of the second substrate 20).

Although not shown, in the case of the third discharge tube 34 also, the outer surface of the first substrate 19 (in the case of FIG. 6), the outer surfaces of the first substrate 19 and the second substrate 20 (FIG. 7). In this case, a plurality of the reflectors 29 may be arranged together with a large number of porous adsorbents 27.
Further, a large number of porous adsorbents 27 are arranged on the outer surface of the first substrate 19 (in the case of FIG. 6), the outer surface of the first substrate 19 and the second substrate 20 (in the case of FIG. 7), These porous adsorbents 27 may be covered with the mesh member 33 (see FIG. 5).

As the photocatalyst, not only a photocatalyst activated by irradiation with ultraviolet rays but also a visible light photocatalyst activated by irradiation with visible light can be used.
In this case, the first substrate 19 of the first discharge tube 12 and the second discharge tube 31, the first substrate 19 (in the case of FIG. 6) of the third discharge tube 34, the third discharge tube 34, and the like. The first substrate 19 and the second substrate 20 (in the case of FIG. 7) are made of a translucent material that transmits visible light having a wavelength that activates the visible light photocatalyst, and the hermetic container 22 includes The discharge gas that emits visible light having a wavelength that activates the visible light type photocatalyst is filled, and the phosphor layer 26 for ultraviolet wavelength conversion becomes unnecessary.

As the light source of the air purification apparatus 10 according to the present invention, the first light emitting diode 36 shown in FIG. 8 can be used.
The first light emitting diode 36 has a substantially funnel-shaped recess whose diameter gradually increases upward from the bottom surface of the first lead frame 37 for mounting a light emitting diode chip (LED chip). The first lead frame 37 and the LED chip are formed by providing the reflector 38 with the inner surface of the recess as a reflecting surface and die bonding the LED chip 39 to the bottom surface of the reflector 38 with Ag paste or the like. One electrode (not shown) on the bottom surface of 39 is electrically connected. Further, the tip end portion 40 a of the second lead frame 40 and the other electrode (not shown) on the upper surface of the LED chip 39 are electrically connected via a bonding wire 41.
The LED chip 39 is made of a gallium nitride semiconductor crystal or the like, and emits light such as ultraviolet light or visible light having a wavelength having a photocatalytic activation effect.
The first lead frame 37 and the second lead frame 40 are made of copper, copper zinc alloy, iron nickel alloy or the like.

The LED chip 39, the top end portion 37a and the terminal portion 37b of the first lead frame 37, and the top end portion 40a and the top end of the terminal portion 40b of the second lead frame 40 are epoxy resin, silicon resin, and acrylic resin. And has a convex lens portion 42 at the tip and is covered and sealed with a translucent envelope 43 that transmits light such as ultraviolet light and visible light having a wavelength having a photocatalytic activation effect.
Furthermore, the lower ends of the terminal portion 37 b of the first lead frame 37 and the terminal portion 40 b of the second lead frame 40 penetrate the lower end portion of the envelope 43 and are led out of the envelope 43. .
In addition, a large number of translucent porous adsorbents 27 each holding a photocatalyst are fixedly disposed on the outer surface of the envelope 43 via translucent adhesives 28.

In the first light emitting diode 36, when a voltage is applied to the LED chip 39 via the first lead frame 37 and the second lead frame 40, the LED chip 39 emits light to activate the photocatalyst. Light (ultraviolet light or visible light) having a wavelength is emitted, and this light is applied to the photocatalyst held by the porous adsorbent 27 on the outer surface of the envelope 43. As a result, the photocatalyst is activated and air can be purified.
Further, a part of the light emitted from the first light emitting diode 36 passes through the porous adsorbent 27 and the adhesive 28 of the first light emitting diode 36 and is attached to the inner wall surface of the housing 11. The photocatalyst carrier 14 is irradiated.

FIG. 9 shows a second light emitting diode 45 according to the present invention. The second light emitting diode 45 connects a plurality of LED chips 47 on a substrate 46 made of an insulating material such as resin or ceramic.・ It is fixed. A pair of external electrodes 48a and 48b are connected to the bottom surface of the substrate 46, and one end of each of the external electrodes 48a and 48b penetrates the substrate 46 and is exposed on the surface of the substrate 46.
One electrode (not shown) on the upper surface of each LED chip 47 is connected to one external electrode 48a via a bonding wire 49 and a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the surface of the substrate 46. The other electrode (not shown) on the upper surface of the LED chip 47 is connected to the other external electrode 48b via a bonding wire 49 and a wiring pattern (not shown) formed on the surface of the substrate 46.

Further, the surface of the substrate 46 on which the LED chip 47 is arranged is made of an epoxy resin, a silicon resin, an acrylic resin, or the like, and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape that transmits light such as ultraviolet light and visible light having a wavelength having a photocatalytic activation effect. The outer envelope 50 is covered and sealed.
Further, a large number of light-transmitting porous adsorbents 27 holding a photocatalyst are fixedly disposed on the outer surface of the envelope 50 via a light-transmitting adhesive 28.

In the second light emitting diode 45, when a voltage is applied to the LED chip 47 via the pair of external electrodes 48a and 48b, the LED chip 47 emits light and has a wavelength of light having a photocatalytic activation effect ( UV light and visible light) are emitted, and this light is applied to the photocatalyst held on the porous adsorbent 27 on the outer surface of the envelope 50. As a result, the photocatalyst is activated and air can be purified.
Further, a part of the light emitted from the second light emitting diode 45 passes through the porous adsorbent 27 and the adhesive 28 of the second light emitting diode 45 and is attached to the inner wall surface of the housing 11. The photocatalyst carrier 14 is irradiated.

Although not shown in the drawing, a plurality of the reflections together with a large number of porous adsorbents 27 are provided on the outer surface of the envelope 43 of the first light emitting diode 36 and the outer surface of the envelope 50 of the second light emitting diode 45. The material 29 may be arranged.
Also, a large number of porous adsorbents 27 are arranged on the outer surface of the envelope 43 of the first light emitting diode 36 and the outer surface of the envelope 50 of the second light emitting diode 45. You may make it coat | cover with the said net-like member 33 (refer FIG. 5).

FIG. 10 shows a second photocatalyst carrier 51 according to the present invention. The second photocatalyst carrier 51 has a number of porous adsorbents 27 arranged on the surface of a flat substrate 30. In addition, these porous adsorbents 27 are configured to be covered with a net-like member 33 having a large number of communication holes 32.
When the photocatalyst held on the porous adsorbent 27 of the second photocatalyst support 51 is irradiated with light such as ultraviolet rays, the photocatalyst is activated and the air that has contacted the surface of the photocatalyst can be purified. It is.

FIG. 11 shows a modification of the second photocatalyst carrier 51. The second photocatalyst carrier 51 includes a porous adsorbent 27 and a plurality of the reflectors 29 arranged on the surface of the substrate 30. The porous adsorbent 27 and the reflector 29 are covered with a mesh member 33.
Thus, by disposing the reflecting material 29 together with the porous adsorbing material 27, the light for activating the photocatalyst can be reflected in various directions to improve the irradiation efficiency to the photocatalyst.

FIG. 12 shows a third photocatalyst carrier 52 according to the present invention. The third photocatalyst carrier 52 is composed of a first photocatalyst carrier 14 and a second photocatalyst carrier using a substrate 30. Unlike 51, a plurality of light-transmitting porous adsorbents 27 holding a photocatalyst are bonded to each other through a light-transmitting adhesive 28 without using a substrate. .
When the photocatalyst held on the porous adsorbent 27 of the third photocatalyst carrier 52 is irradiated with light such as ultraviolet rays, the photocatalyst is activated and the air contacting the surface of the photocatalyst can be purified. It is.

FIG. 13 shows a fourth photocatalyst carrier 53 according to the present invention. The fourth photocatalyst carrier 53 is made of metal, resin, or the like, and has a large number of communication holes 54. In addition, a large number of the porous adsorbents 27 are accommodated.
When the photocatalyst held on the porous adsorbent 27 of the fourth photocatalyst support 53 is irradiated with light such as ultraviolet rays, the photocatalyst is activated and the air contacting the surface of the photocatalyst can be purified. It is.

Although not shown, in the third photocatalyst carrier 52, a plurality of the reflective adsorbents 29 are bonded together with a number of porous adsorbents 27 via a translucent adhesive 28. Anyway.
Further, in the fourth photocatalyst carrier 53, a plurality of the reflecting materials 29 together with a large number of porous adsorbents 27 may be housed in a mesh container 55.
Thus, by using the reflective material 29 together with the porous adsorbent material 27, the light for activating the photocatalyst can be reflected in various directions to improve the irradiation efficiency to the photocatalyst.

In order to improve the light irradiation efficiency to the photocatalyst, the mesh member 33 of the second photocatalyst carrier 51 and the mesh container 55 of the fourth photocatalyst carrier 53 are made of a translucent material such as a translucent resin. However, the light may not be blocked by the mesh member 33 and the mesh container 55.
Further, in order to increase the surface area of the photocatalyst, the photocatalyst may be carried on the mesh member 33 and the mesh container 55.

The surface of the porous adsorbent 27 is covered with a water-repellent gas permeable resin such as silicon resin or Teflon (registered trademark) which is a polymer of tetrafluoroethylene (polytetrafluoroethylene, PTFE). Also good.
In this way, when the surface of the porous adsorbent 27 is coated with a water-repellent gas-permeable resin, the porous adsorbent 27 is prevented from adsorbing moisture in the air into the pores. The target air can be efficiently adsorbed in the pores and brought into contact with the photocatalyst in the pores.
Further, as the above-described translucent adhesive 28, a water-repellent gas permeable resin such as silicon resin or Teflon (registered trademark) may be used. Also in this case, the water-repellent gas-permeable resin used as the adhesive 28 suppresses the porous adsorbent 27 from adsorbing moisture in the air into the pores, and as a result, the gas to be purified Can be efficiently adsorbed in the pores and brought into contact with the photocatalyst in the pores.

  In the above description, the case where the light-transmitting porous adsorbent material 27 is made of silica gel has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a large number of nanometer units such as Vycor glass are used. The porous adsorbent 27 may be composed of porous glass having pores.

It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows typically the air purification apparatus which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows typically the 1st discharge tube which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows typically the modification of a 1st discharge tube. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows typically the 1st photocatalyst carrier based on this invention. It is a front view which shows typically the 2nd discharge tube which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows typically the 3rd discharge tube which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows typically the modification of a 3rd discharge tube. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows typically the 1st light emitting diode which concerns on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows typically the 2nd light emitting diode which concerns on this invention. It is a front view which shows typically the 2nd photocatalyst carrier based on this invention. FIG. 10 is a front view schematically showing a modification of the second photocatalyst carrier. It is a front view which shows typically the 3rd photocatalyst carrier based on this invention. It is a front view which shows typically the 4th photocatalyst carrier based on this invention. It is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the conventional air purification apparatus. It is a front view which shows the ultraviolet lamp in the conventional air purification apparatus. It is the elements on larger scale of the straight pipe part of the airtight container which comprises the ultraviolet lamp in the conventional air purification apparatus. It is an expansion longitudinal cross-sectional view of the fibrous body in the conventional air purification apparatus. It is an expansion cross-sectional view of the fibrous body in the conventional air purification apparatus. It is a partial expanded sectional view of the photocatalyst carrier in the conventional air purification apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

10 Air purifier
11 Enclosure
12 First discharge tube
14 First photocatalyst carrier
17 Air intake
18 Exhaust vent
27 Porous adsorbent
28 Translucent adhesive
29 Reflector
31 Second discharge tube
33 Mesh member
34 Third discharge tube
36 First light emitting diode
45 Second light emitting diode
51 Second photocatalyst carrier
52 Third photocatalyst carrier
53 Fourth photocatalyst carrier

Claims (5)

  A light source that emits light having a wavelength having a photocatalytic activation action is housed in a housing having an intake port and an exhaust port, and the surface of the substrate is translucent within the irradiation range of light emitted from the light source. An air purification apparatus comprising a large number of porous adsorbents and a photocatalyst carrier that holds a photocatalyst on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent.   The light source is a discharge tube, and the discharge tube includes a light-transmitting airtight container filled with a discharge gas and a plurality of discharge electrodes, and has a light-transmitting porous adsorption on the outer surface of the airtight container. 2. The air purification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a large number of materials are arranged and a photocatalyst is held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent.   The light source is a discharge tube, and the discharge tube has a first substrate made of a translucent material having a curved outer surface, and a second substrate disposed opposite to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween. An airtight container formed by sealing the periphery of the substrate, a discharge gas sealed in the airtight container, a plurality of discharge electrodes, and a light-transmitting porous adsorbent on the outer surface of the first substrate The air purification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a large number of the catalyst is disposed and a photocatalyst is held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent.   The light source is a light-emitting diode, and the light-emitting diode includes an LED chip and a light-transmitting envelope that seals the LED chip, and a light-transmitting porous material is formed on an outer surface of the envelope. 2. The air purification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a large number of adsorbents are arranged and a photocatalyst is held on the surface and pores of the porous adsorbent. The air purification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the porous adsorbent is silica gel or porous glass.

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