JP2006014848A - Air purifying system, filter unit, and method for replacing filter - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent dispersal of living bacteria or the like from used filters when the used filter is removed at filter replacement work in an air purifying system constituted by connecting a filter unit to a duct forming an air flow passage. <P>SOLUTION: An air conditioning system 1 is equipped with the ducts 11, 13, 16, 17, 18 constituting the air flow passage, fans 15, 20 for making the air flow in the air flow passage, and a filter unit 19 connected to the ducts 11, 13, 16, 17, 18. The filter unit 19 has a filter 92 for trapping dust and the bacteria or the like contained in the air. An insertion part 91a for inserting a processing means for preventing dispersal of viable bacteria which is used in the processing for preventing the dispersal of viable bacteria to prevent the dispersal of living bacteria or the like from the filter 92 in removing the filter 92 in the filter unit 19 or the ducts 16, 17, 18 is provided in the filter unit 19. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an air purification system, a filter unit, and a filter replacement method, in particular, an air purification system configured by connecting a filter unit to a duct forming an air flow path, and a filter used in such an air purification system. The present invention relates to a unit and a filter replacement method thereof.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an air cleaning system that cleans indoor air through a duct that forms an air flow path in a building has been used. Such an air cleaning system mainly includes a duct for supplying outdoor air into the room, exhausting the indoor air to the outside and circulating the indoor air, a filter unit connected to the duct, and a blowing means. Fan. The filter unit constituting the air cleaning system is provided with a HEPA, high performance or medium performance filter according to the degree of cleanliness in the room, and this filter is regularly or dust collecting the filter. When the performance deteriorates, it is removed as a used filter, replaced with a new filter, and discarded.

When such an air purification system is used in a building such as a medical facility, bacteria are captured together with dust in the filter. For this reason, at the time of filter replacement work, the used filter is usually removed and sterilized, and then discarded (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
However, when removing the used filter, the bacteria trapped in the used filter are scattered in a live state, and the filter replacement worker inhales dust containing bacteria or in the air in the medical facility. There is a risk of scattering. Separately, a method (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2) that eliminates the need for filter replacement by killing bacteria trapped in the filter by heated air has also been proposed, but means for killing bacteria. Therefore, it is not desirable because the cost of the entire air cleaning system is increased.
JP 2002-11083 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-322219 JP-A-8-233310

  An object of the present invention is to provide an air purification system configured by connecting a filter unit to a duct that forms an air flow path, and bacteria are alive from the used filter when the used filter is removed during filter replacement work. It is to prevent scattering in the state.

  An air cleaning system according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a duct that forms an air flow path, a blower that allows air to flow into the air flow path, and a filter unit that is connected to the duct. The filter unit has a filter that captures dust and bacteria contained in the air. The filter unit or duct is provided with a means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered in the filter unit or duct to prevent bacteria from being scattered from the filter when the filter is removed. An insertion part for insertion is provided.

  In this air cleaning system, an insertion part is provided for inserting the means for preventing live bacteria scattering treatment into the filter unit or duct. Therefore, before removing the used filter during filter replacement, It is possible to carry out live bacteria scattering prevention treatment such as filter coating treatment. As a result, in this air cleaning system, when the filter is removed during filter replacement work, it is possible to reliably prevent bacteria from being scattered in a live state, so that the filter replacement worker can remove dust containing bacteria when removing the filter. Can prevent in-hospital infections due to inhalation of bacteria and the spread of bacteria.

The air purification system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the air purification system according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the insertion portion is an opening.
In this air cleaning system, since the insertion portion is an opening, a heating device, an electromagnetic wave irradiator, a discharger that generates active species such as ozone, or the like that can be used as a means for preventing live bacteria from scattering is disposed in the filter unit or duct. Or access to the inside of the filter unit or duct so that the operator of the spattering prevention treatment can disperse the liquid disinfectant, disperse the solid disinfectant, disperse the bioantibody or apply the coating agent, etc. Can do.

An air purification system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the air purification system according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the air is passed through the filter by the air blowing means in a state where the means for preventing live bacteria scattering is inserted from the insertion portion. Can be done.
When using a heating device that heats the filter with hot air, a discharger that generates active species such as ozone, or a spray of bactericides or bio-antibodies, etc. A sufficient sterilization effect cannot be exhibited unless the agent or bio-antibody reaches the filter reliably. However, in this air cleaning system, since it is possible to perform the operation of flowing air to the filter by the blowing means in the state where the means for preventing live bacteria scattering is inserted from the insertion portion, a heating device that heats the filter with hot air Even when a discharger that generates active species such as ozone, a disinfectant or a bioantibody spray is used, hot air, active species, disinfectant, or bioantibody can be reliably reached the filter. Thereby, sterilization can be reliably performed before removal of the used filter at the time of filter replacement work.

An air purification system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the air purification system according to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the blower means is a blower fan capable of varying the air volume.
In this air cleaning system, since the air blowing means is a blower fan capable of changing the air volume, a heating device for heating the filter with hot air as a means for preventing viable bacteria scattering, and a release that generates active species such as ozone. When using electrical appliances, disinfectants, bioantibody sprays, etc., control the flow rate of air passing through the filter during the prevention of live bacteria scattering treatment, so that hot air, active species, sterilization in the vicinity of the filter The residence time of agents and bioantibodies can be increased. Thereby, the sterilization effect of a filter can be heightened.

The air purification system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the air purification system according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the filter includes an optical semiconductor.
In this air cleaning system, since the optical semiconductor is equipped with a filter that is contained in the filter base material by application, application, kneading, etc., a filter is inserted by inserting a light source from the insertion section during the treatment to prevent live bacteria from scattering. Irradiation can kill bacteria trapped in the filter. Thereby, sterilization can be reliably performed before removal of the used filter at the time of filter replacement work. Here, “optical semiconductor” means titanium oxide, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, metal oxide typified by tungsten oxide, iron oxide, etc., carbon-based optical semiconductor typified by fullerene such as C60, transition metal, etc. Nitride, oxynitride, and apatite having optical semiconductor ability.

An air purification system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the air purification system according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, wherein the optical semiconductor is apatite having optical semiconductor capability.
As the base material of the filter, those made of glass fiber, an organic material containing a resin as a binder, or a resin such as a nonwoven fabric are often used. However, since the optical semiconductor has a property of corroding the resin, if the optical semiconductor is included in the filter base material containing the resin by supporting, coating, kneading, or the like, the filter base material may be corroded. However, in this air cleaning system, the optical semiconductor is provided with a filter containing apatite having optical semiconductor ability, and the apatite having optical semiconductor ability has a property that does not corrode the resin. It is suitable for inclusion by kneading or the like. In addition, apatite has a good affinity with bacteria, and thus can contribute to enhancing the sterilization effect. The “apatite having photo-semiconductor ability” refers to, for example, calcium hydroxyapatite obtained by ion-exchange of calcium ions with titanium ions to give photo-semiconductor ability.

An air purification system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the air purification system according to the first aspect, wherein the insertion portion is a nozzle.
In this air cleaning system, since the insertion part is a nozzle, when using the spray of the gas sterilizing agent as a means for preventing the dispersal of living bacteria, the gas sterilizing agent is caused to flow into the filter unit or the duct through the nozzle. be able to. Thereby, since it can prevent that a gas disinfectant leaks to the space outside a filter unit or a duct, a sterilization effect can be heightened.

An air purification system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the air purification system according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, comprising an opening / closing mechanism capable of blocking a space from the upstream side of the filter including the insertion portion to the downstream side of the filter. It has more.
Since this air purification system further includes an opening / closing mechanism capable of blocking the space from the upstream side of the filter including the insertion portion to the downstream side of the filter, gas sterilization is performed as a means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered. When using agent spraying, only the space near the filter can be cut off from other air channels. Thereby, since it can prevent that a gas disinfectant leaks to the other space in a building through an air flow path, the sterilization effect can be heightened.

  A filter unit according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is a filter unit that is connected to a duct and constitutes an air purification system, the unit casing connected to the duct, and the dust contained in the air supported by the unit casing. And a filter for trapping bacteria. The unit casing is provided with an insertion part for inserting viable bacteria scattering prevention processing means used for preventing the live bacteria from being scattered from the filter when the filter is removed. It has been.

  Since this filter unit is provided with an insertion portion for inserting the means for preventing live bacteria scattering treatment into the unit casing, before removing the used filter during filter replacement, sterilization treatment or filter coating treatment is performed. Thus, it is possible to carry out a treatment for preventing the scattering of viable bacteria. As a result, in this filter unit, when removing the filter during filter replacement work, it is possible to reliably prevent bacteria from being scattered in a live state, so that the filter replacement operator can remove dust containing bacteria during filter removal. It can prevent nosocomial infections due to inhalation and bacterial scattering.

A filter unit according to a tenth aspect is the filter unit according to the ninth aspect, wherein the insertion portion is an opening.
In this filter unit, since the insertion part is an opening, a heating device, an electromagnetic wave irradiator, a discharger that generates active species such as ozone, etc. that can be used as a means for preventing the dispersal of live bacteria is installed in the filter unit. An operator of the live bacteria scattering prevention treatment can access the filter unit to spray a liquid germicide, a solid germicide, a bioantibody or a coating agent.

A filter unit according to an eleventh aspect of the present invention is the filter unit according to the tenth aspect of the present invention, wherein the filter includes an optical semiconductor.
This filter unit is equipped with a filter in which the optical semiconductor is contained in the filter base material by application, application, kneading, etc., so the filter is irradiated by inserting a light source from the insertion part during the treatment to prevent the live bacteria from scattering. By doing so, the bacteria captured by the filter can be killed. Thereby, sterilization can be reliably performed before removal of the used filter at the time of filter replacement work. Here, “optical semiconductor” means titanium oxide, strontium titanate, zinc oxide, metal oxide typified by tungsten oxide, iron oxide, etc., carbon-based optical semiconductor typified by fullerene such as C60, transition metal, etc. Nitride, oxynitride, and apatite having optical semiconductor ability.

A filter unit according to a twelfth invention is the filter unit according to the eleventh invention, wherein the optical semiconductor is apatite having optical semiconductor capability.
As the base material of the filter, those made of glass fiber, an organic material containing a resin as a binder, or a resin such as a nonwoven fabric are often used. However, since the optical semiconductor has a property of corroding the resin, if the optical semiconductor is included in the filter base material containing the resin by supporting, coating, kneading, or the like, the filter base material may be corroded. However, in this filter unit, the optical semiconductor is provided with a filter containing apatite having optical semiconductor ability, and the apatite having optical semiconductor ability has a property not to corrode the resin. It is suitable for inclusion by inclusion. In addition, apatite has a good affinity with bacteria, and thus can contribute to enhancing the sterilization effect. The “apatite having photo-semiconductor ability” refers to, for example, calcium hydroxyapatite obtained by ion-exchange of calcium ions with titanium ions to have photo-semiconductor ability.

A filter unit according to a thirteenth aspect is the filter unit according to the ninth aspect, wherein the insertion portion is a nozzle.
In this filter unit, since the insertion portion is a nozzle, the gas sterilizing agent can be caused to flow into the filter unit through this nozzle when spraying the gas sterilizing agent is used as the means for preventing live bacteria scattering. Thereby, since the gas disinfectant can be prevented from leaking into the space outside the filter unit, the sterilization effect can be enhanced.

A filter unit according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention is the filter unit according to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, further comprising an opening / closing mechanism capable of blocking a space between the upstream side of the filter including the insertion portion and the downstream side of the filter. ing.
This filter unit further includes an opening / closing mechanism capable of blocking the space from the upstream side of the filter including the insertion portion to the downstream side of the filter. When using this spraying, only the space near the filter can be cut off from other air channels. Thereby, since it can prevent that a gas disinfectant leaks to the other space in a building through an air flow path, the sterilization effect can be heightened.

  A filter replacement method according to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention includes a duct that forms an air flow path, a blower that flows air into the air flow path, and a filter that captures dust and bacteria contained in the air. A filter replacement method for replacing a filter in an air purification system including a filter unit connected to a duct, which is performed according to the following procedure. First, viable bacteria scattering prevention means is inserted into the filter unit or the duct from the insertion portion provided in the filter unit or the duct. Next, using the means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered, the live bacteria are prevented from being scattered from the filter in a live state. Next, after removing the filter, it is replaced with a new filter.

  In this filter replacement method, before removing a used filter, a live bacteria scattering prevention process such as a sterilization process or a filter coating process is performed at the time of filter replacement. As a result, in this filter replacement method, it is possible to reliably prevent bacteria from being scattered in a living state when removing the filter during filter replacement work. Can prevent in-hospital infections due to inhalation of bacteria and the spread of bacteria.

The filter replacement method according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention is the filter replacement method according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the state where the viable bacteria scattering prevention treatment means is inserted into the insertion portion during the viable bacteria scattering prevention treatment, by the blowing means. An operation of flowing air through the filter is performed.
When using a heating device that heats the filter with hot air, a discharger that generates active species such as ozone, or a spray of bactericides or bio-antibodies, etc. A sufficient sterilization effect cannot be exhibited unless the agent or bio-antibody reaches the filter reliably. However, in this filter replacement method, since the viable bacteria scattering prevention treatment means is inserted from the insertion portion during the viable bacteria scattering prevention treatment, the air is blown to the filter by the blowing means. Ensure that hot air, active species, bactericides, and bio-antibodies reach the filter even when using heating equipment, dischargers that generate active species such as ozone, or dispersal of bactericides or bio-antibodies be able to. Thereby, sterilization can be reliably performed before removal of the used filter at the time of filter replacement work.

A filter replacement method according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention is the filter replacement method according to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, and controls the amount of air that is blown to the filter by the blowing means at the time of viable cell scattering prevention processing.
In this filter replacement method, during the viable bacteria scatter prevention processing operation, control is performed to suppress the flow rate of the air passing through the filter by the air blowing means, so that the filter is heated by hot air as the viable bacteria scatter prevention processing means. When using devices, dischargers that generate active species such as ozone, or dispersal of bactericides or bioantibodies, the residence time of hot air, active species, bactericides or bioantibodies in the vicinity of the filter can be increased. . Thereby, the sterilization effect of a filter can be heightened.

As described above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
In 1st invention, since the insertion part for inserting the means for a living microbe scattering prevention process in a filter unit or a duct is provided, bacteria are alive at the time of filter removal at the time of filter replacement work Therefore, when the filter is removed, the filter replacement worker can inhale dust containing bacteria when the filter is removed, or prevent nosocomial infection caused by the scattering of bacteria.

  In the second invention, since the insertion portion is an opening, a heating device, an electromagnetic wave irradiator, a discharger that generates active species such as ozone, and the like that can be used as means for preventing live bacteria from scattering are disposed in the filter unit or the duct. Or access to the inside of the filter unit or duct so that the operator of the spattering prevention treatment can disperse the liquid disinfectant, disperse the solid disinfectant, disperse the bioantibody or apply the coating agent, etc. Can do.

  In the third invention, since it is possible to perform the operation of flowing air through the filter by the blowing means in a state where the means for preventing live bacteria from being inserted from the insertion portion, a heating device for heating the filter with hot air, ozone Even when using a discharger that produces active species such as spraying of disinfectants and bioantibodies, it is possible to reliably reach the filter with hot air, active species, disinfectants and bioantibodies. Sterilization can be reliably performed before the used filter is removed during the replacement operation.

In the fourth invention, since the air blowing means is a blower fan capable of changing the air volume, the control of suppressing the flow rate of the air passing through the filter is performed at the time of the viable cell scattering prevention processing operation, The residence time of the active species, solid fungicide and bioantibody can be increased, and the sterilization effect can be enhanced.
In the fifth invention, since the filter contains an optical semiconductor, the bacteria captured by the filter can be killed by inserting the light source from the insertion portion and irradiating the filter during the live bacteria scattering prevention process. In addition, sterilization can be reliably performed before the used filter is removed during the filter replacement operation.

In the sixth invention, the optical semiconductor has a filter containing apatite having optical semiconductor ability, and the apatite having optical semiconductor ability has a property not to corrode the resin, so that it is supported, applied, and kneaded on the filter substrate. It is suitable when making it contain by etc.
In 7th invention, since an insertion part is a nozzle, when using dispersal of a gas disinfectant as a means for a living microbe scattering prevention process, a gas disinfectant is prevented from leaking into the space outside a filter unit or a duct. However, the gas sterilizer can be allowed to flow into the filter unit or the duct through this nozzle, and the sterilization effect can be enhanced.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, since an opening / closing mechanism capable of blocking the space from the upstream side of the filter including the insertion portion to the downstream side of the filter is further provided, the gas sterilization is performed as the means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered. When using spraying agent, only the space near the filter can be cut off from other air channels to prevent the gas disinfectant from leaking through the air channel to other spaces in the building. , Can enhance the sterilization effect.

  In the ninth aspect of the invention, since the insertion part for inserting the viable bacteria scattering prevention processing means into the filter unit is provided, the bacteria are scattered in a living state when the filter is removed during the filter replacement operation. Therefore, the filter replacement operator can inhale dust containing bacteria when removing the filter, or prevent hospital infection due to scattering of bacteria.

  In the tenth invention, since the insertion portion is an opening, a heating device, an electromagnetic wave irradiator, a discharger that generates active species such as ozone, and the like that can be used as a means for preventing live bacteria scattering are installed in the filter unit. Alternatively, an operator of the live bacteria scattering prevention process can access the filter unit to spray a liquid germicide, a solid germicide, a bioantibody, a coating agent, or the like.

In the eleventh invention, since the filter contains an optical semiconductor, the bacteria captured by the filter can be killed by inserting the light source from the insertion portion and irradiating the filter during the live bacteria scattering prevention process. In addition, sterilization can be reliably performed before the used filter is removed during the filter replacement operation.
In the twelfth invention, the optical semiconductor is provided with a filter containing apatite having the optical semiconductor ability, and the apatite having the optical semiconductor ability has a property of not corroding the resin. Therefore, the optical semiconductor is supported, applied, and kneaded on the filter substrate. It is suitable when making it contain by etc.

In the thirteenth invention, since the insertion part is a nozzle, when using the spray of the gas sterilizing agent as the means for preventing the viable bacteria from scattering, while preventing the gas sterilizing agent from leaking into the space outside the filter unit, Through this nozzle, the gas sterilizer can be allowed to flow into the filter unit, and the sterilization effect can be enhanced.
In the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, since an open / close mechanism capable of blocking the space between the upstream side of the filter including the insertion portion and the downstream side of the filter is further provided, When using spraying agent, only the space near the filter can be cut off from other air channels to prevent the gas disinfectant from leaking through the air channel to other spaces in the building. , Can enhance the sterilization effect.

In the filter replacement method according to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reliably prevent bacteria from being scattered in a living state when removing the filter during filter replacement work. It is possible to prevent nosocomial infections due to inhalation of dust and scattering of bacteria.
In the filter replacement method according to the sixteenth aspect of the invention, since the viable bacteria scattering prevention treatment means is inserted from the insertion portion during the viable bacteria scattering prevention treatment, the air blowing operation is performed by the blowing means. Even when using a heating device that heats the filter by means of, a discharger that generates active species such as ozone, a spray of solid fungicide or a spray of bio antibody, etc., hot air, active species, solid fungicide or bio antibody It is possible to reliably reach the filter, and the sterilization process can be reliably performed before the used filter is removed during the filter replacement operation.

  In the filter replacement method according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the air blow means controls the air flow rate of the air passing through the filter at the time of the viable cell scattering prevention processing operation, so that hot air, active species, solid disinfectant and bio Since the residence time of the antibody can be increased, the sterilization effect can be enhanced.

Hereinafter, embodiments of an air cleaning system, a filter unit, and a filter replacement method according to the present invention will be described based on the drawings.
(1) Configuration of Air Conditioning System FIG. 1 shows a schematic system configuration diagram of an air conditioning system 1 in which an air cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention is adopted. The air conditioning system 1 according to the present embodiment is an air conditioning system installed in a building such as a medical facility having a specification in which the indoor suspended dust concentration is kept at 0.15 mg / m ³ or less.

The air conditioning system 1 mainly includes an outside air introduction duct 11, an outside air introduction damper 12, a first duct 13, a duct type air conditioning unit 14, blowers 15 and 20, a second duct 16, and a third duct 17. The exhaust duct 18 and the filter unit 19 are provided.
<Outside air introduction duct>
The outside air introduction duct 11 communicates with the outdoors and is provided to introduce the outdoor air OA (see FIG. 1) from the outdoors to the room. Note that one end of the outside air introduction duct 11 faces the outdoors and is provided with a prefilter 11a. This pre-filter 11a is a filter for capturing relatively large dust. A first duct 13 and a third duct 17 are connected to the other end of the outside air introduction duct 11. In addition, an outside air introduction damper 12 is provided at a connection position of the outside air introduction duct 11, the first duct 13, and the third duct 17.

<Outside air introduction damper>
The outside air introduction damper 12 is provided at a connection position between the outside air introduction duct 11 and the first duct 13. The outside air introduction damper 12 can be switched between a first state and a second state. Specifically, the introduction of the outdoor air OA is blocked in the first state (solid line state in FIG. 1), and the outdoor air OA is introduced in the second state (dotted line state in FIG. 1). Switchable.

<First duct>
One end of the first duct 13 is connected to the outside air introduction duct 11 and the third duct 17, and the other end is connected to the suction side of the blower 15. Accordingly, the first duct 13 includes the outdoor air OA introduced from the outside through the outdoor air introduction duct 11, the indoor air RA1 (see FIG. 1) derived from the room through the third duct 17, or the outdoor air OA and the indoor air. Circulating air CA1 (see FIG. 1) composed of mixed air with the air RA1 flows.

<Duct type air conditioning unit>
The duct type air conditioning unit 14 is connected to the first duct 13 and mainly includes a heat exchanger (not shown) for exchanging heat with the circulating air CA1. This heat exchanger is connected to a heat source unit (not shown) installed outdoors or the like via a refrigerant pipe. In this duct type air conditioning unit 14, the circulating air CA1 flowing through the first duct 13 is conditioned and sucked into the blower 15 as conditioned air CA2.

<Blower>
The blower 15 is provided to increase the pressure of the conditioned air CA2 (see FIG. 1) conditioned in the duct type air conditioning unit 14, and in this embodiment, the air volume can be varied. Specifically, the air volume can be varied by providing a DC motor as a motor for rotating the impeller (not shown) of the blower 15 or providing a suction damper (not shown) capable of adjusting the opening. It is like that. The air pressurized in the blower 15 is supplied into the room as the supply air SA through the second duct 16. The blower 15 may be built in the duct type air conditioning unit 14.

<Second duct>
The second duct 16 has one end connected to the discharge side of the blower 15 and the other end connected to the indoor air supply port 16a. In the second duct 16, the supply air SA boosted in the blower 15 flows into the room.
<Third duct>
The third duct 17 has one end connected to the first duct 13 and the other end connected to the indoor exhaust port 17a. In the third duct 17, indoor air RA1 sent to the duct type air conditioning unit 14 for indoor air conditioning flows.

<Exhaust duct>
One end of the exhaust duct 18 is connected to the indoor exhaust port 18 a, and the other end communicates with the outside via the blower 20. In the exhaust duct 18, a part of the supply air SA blown into the room is exhausted as exhaust air EA (see FIG. 1).
<Blower>
The blower 20 is provided to increase the pressure of the exhaust air EA (see FIG. 1) exhausted from the exhaust duct 18, and in the present embodiment, the air volume can be varied similarly to the blower 15.

<Filter unit>
The filter unit 19 is provided so as to be inserted in the middle of each air flow path of the second duct 16, the third duct 17 and the exhaust duct 18. FIG. 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the filter unit 19 of the present embodiment. The filter unit 19 mainly includes a unit casing 91 connected to each of the ducts 16, 17, and 18 and a filter 92 that is supported by the unit casing 91 and captures dust and bacteria contained in the air. .

As described above, the filter 92 is a filter capable of purifying air having an indoor suspended dust concentration of 0.15 mg / m ³ or less. In this embodiment, the filter 92 and the photocatalyst are formed of a HEPA filter. With apatite. Here, the “HEPA” filter is an abbreviation of High Efficiency Particulate Air Filter (High Performance Particulate Air Filter). It is a general term for filters with a performance of removing .97% or more (world standard = NASA standard). Further, in this specification, the HEPA filter includes a ULPA filter. “ULPA” filter here is an abbreviation for Ultra low penetration air. If it is 0.1 micron or more, it can remove more than 99.995% of all kinds of fine particles regardless of dust, pollen and bacteria. Is a generic term for filters with The photocatalytic apatite is made of a substance obtained by substituting some of the calcium atoms of calcium hydroxyapatite with titanium atoms, and is provided on the filter substrate by carrying, coating, kneading or the like. The photocatalytic apatite exhibits high adsorption ability against bacteria and also exhibits optical semiconductor ability. Therefore, the photocatalytic apatite exhibits optical semiconductor ability by irradiating the filter 92 with light in an appropriate wavelength range from a light source or the like. Thus, the bacteria captured by the filter 92 can be killed. In addition, when required specifications, such as indoor floating dust density | concentration, differ from the specification in this embodiment, it may replace with a HEPA filter and may use a medium performance filter, a high performance filter, etc.

  The unit casing 91 is provided with a viable bacteria scatter preventing treatment means for use in a viable bacteria scatter preventing process for preventing bacteria from being scattered from the filter 92 when the filter 92 is removed in a filter replacement operation described later. An insertion portion 91a for insertion inside is provided. More specifically, in the filter unit 19 of the present embodiment, since the filter 92 includes apatite having photo-semiconductor ability (hereinafter referred to as photocatalytic apatite), the photo-semiconductor ability of photocatalytic apatite is exhibited. An insertion portion 91a having an opening through which the light source 93 can be inserted into the unit casing 91 as a means for preventing viable bacteria from scattering is provided. The insertion portion 91 a can close the opening during operation of the air conditioning system 1. As a result, before removing the filter 92, the bacteria captured by the filter 92 can be obtained by inserting a light source from the insertion portion 91a as a live bacteria scattering prevention process for preventing bacteria from being scattered in a living state. It is possible to perform a sterilization process that kills them. Here, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the insertion portion 91a may be provided at either the upstream position or the downstream position of the filter 92. It is desirable that the filter 92 is provided at a position upstream of the filter 92 so that the filter 92 can be efficiently irradiated with the light. The insertion portion 91a may be provided in the unit casing 91 as in the present embodiment, or may be provided in the second duct 16, the third duct 17 and the exhaust duct 18 connected to the filter unit 19.

(2) Replacement Method of Used Filter Next, a replacement method of the used filter 92 of the filter unit 19 will be described.
The used filter is replaced by the following procedure.
First, the filter replacement operator inserts the light source 93 as the means for preventing live bacteria from the unit casing 91 (or the ducts 16, 17, and 18) from the insertion portion 91a of the filter unit 19 (or the ducts 16, 17, and 18). 18) Insert into.

Next, the filter 92 is irradiated with light of an appropriate wavelength range by the light source, and the bacteria captured by the filter 92 are killed and sterilized, so that the bacteria are scattered from the filter 92 in a living state. Prevents live bacteria from being scattered.
Thereafter, the used filter 92 is removed and replaced with a new filter, and the used filter 92 is discarded after being packaged.

(3) Features of the air conditioning system The air conditioning system 1 (including the filter unit 19 and the filter replacement method) as an example of the air purification system of the present embodiment has the following features.
(A)
In the air conditioning system 1 of the present embodiment, the insertion portion 91a (for inserting the viable bacteria scattering prevention processing means (in the present embodiment, the light source 93) into the unit casing 91 (or the ducts 16, 17, 18). In this embodiment, since an opening is provided, before removing the used filter 92 when replacing the filter, before removing the used filter 92, in the present embodiment, the filter 92 is irradiated with the light source 93, and the filter Sterilization treatment by exhibiting the photo-semiconductor ability of the photocatalytic apatite contained in 92 can be performed. Thereby, in this air conditioning system 1, since it can prevent reliably that bacteria are scattered in the living state at the time of filter removal at the time of filter replacement work, a filter replacement worker included bacteria at the time of filter removal. It is possible to prevent nosocomial infections due to inhalation of dust and scattering of bacteria. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, when the insertion portion 91a is provided at the upstream position of the filter 92, the efficiency is increased from the upstream surface of the filter 92 where many bacteria are captured. It is possible to perform the live bacteria scattering prevention process. On the other hand, when the insertion portion 91a is provided at a position downstream of the filter 92, as shown in FIG. 3, it prevents hygienically scatters from the downstream surface of the relatively clean filter 92. Processing can be performed.

(B)
Further, even if the HEPA filter of the filter 92 of the filter unit 19 of the present embodiment is made of a resin such as an organic material containing a resin or a nonwoven fabric as a binder, the optical semiconductor is directly supported on the filter base material, applied, Rather than being included by kneading or the like, it is included as apatite having optical semiconductor ability by supporting, coating, kneading, etc., so that the filter base material is not corroded, and apatite is Since the affinity with bacteria is good, it can contribute to enhancing the sterilization effect.

(4) Modification 1
In the air conditioning system 1 described above, the filter 92 constituting the filter unit 19 employs a HEPA filter that contains an apatite having optical semiconductor capability by application, application, kneading, and the like, and a unit casing. 91 (or ducts 16, 17, and 18) are provided with an insertion portion 91a having an opening so that a light source 93 can be inserted as a means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered, but only a HEPA filter is used as the filter 92. In addition, the unit casing 91 (or the ducts 16, 17, 18) is provided with an insertion portion 91 a having an opening, and a discharger 94 that generates active species can be inserted as a means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered. Thus, before removal of the filter 92, it is captured by the filter 92 by this active species. It may be so treated to kill bacteria. Here, as the discharger 94, a glow discharger, a barrier discharger, a streamer discharger, or the like that generates ions, ozone, hydroxy radicals, or the like can be used.

  Also in the air conditioning system 1 of the present modification, an insertion portion for inserting the viable bacteria scattering prevention processing means (in the present embodiment, the discharger 94) into the unit casing 91 (or the ducts 16, 17, 18). Since 91a (opening in this embodiment) is provided, before removing the used filter 92 at the time of filter replacement, a live bacteria scattering prevention process (in this embodiment, an active species is generated in the discharger 94). In addition, the filter 92 can be sterilized by the active species. In this modification, the same effect can be basically obtained regardless of whether the insertion portion 91a is provided at the upstream side position or the downstream side position of the filter 92. In the case where priority is given to efficient supply, it is desirable to provide the insertion portion 91a at a position upstream of the filter 92.

  Moreover, when using the discharger 94 which produces | generates an active species as a viable bacteria scattering prevention process means like the air conditioning system 1 of this modification, the discharger 94 as a viable bacteria scattering prevention process means is used. In the state inserted from the insertion portion 91a, the operation of flowing air to the filter 92 by the blowers 15 and 20 as the blowing means is performed so that the active species generated by the discharger 94 can surely reach the filter 92. desirable. Furthermore, in this modification, since the air blowers 15 and 20 capable of changing the air volume are used, the control for suppressing the flow rate of the air passing through the filter 92 is performed at the time of the live cell scattering prevention processing operation using the discharger 94. Accordingly, it is more desirable to increase the sterilization effect of the filter 92 by increasing the residence time of the active species in the vicinity of the filter 92.

(5) Modification 2
In the air conditioning system 1 of the first modification, the discharger 94 is employed as the means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered. However, the bacteria captured by the filter 92 can be killed by heating the filter 92. You may enable it to insert the heating apparatus 95 from the insertion part 91a. Here, as the heating device 95, when heating by the dry heat method, an electric heater that directly heats the filter 92 or a heat exchanger that heats the filter 92 by sending hot air to the filter 92 can be used. It is. In addition, when heating by a wet heat method, it is possible to use a humidifier together with an electric heater or a heat exchanger, or to use a high-frequency heater, a steam generator, or the like. When heating by the dry heat method, the filter 92 is heated from 160 ° C. to 170 ° C. and held for 120 minutes, heated from 170 ° C. to 180 ° C. and held for 60 minutes, or from 180 ° C. to 190 ° C. The sterilization conditions of heating to 0 ° C. and holding for 30 minutes are employed. When heating by the wet heat method, the filter 92 is heated from 115 ° C. to 118 ° C. and held for 30 minutes, heated from 121 ° C. to 124 ° C. and held for 15 to 20 minutes, or from 126 ° C. Sterilization conditions of heating to 129 ° C. and holding for 10 minutes are employed. In this modification, the same effect can be obtained regardless of whether the insertion portion 91a is provided at the upstream position or the downstream position of the filter 92.

  Moreover, when using the heat exchanger which heats the filter 92 by sending a hot air to the filter 92 as the heating apparatus 95, in the state which inserted the heating apparatus 95 as a means for a living microbe scattering prevention process from the insertion part 91a. It is desirable to perform the operation of flowing air through the filter 92 by the blowers 15 and 20 as the blowing means so that the hot air generated in the heating device 95 reaches the filter 92 surely. Furthermore, in this modification, since the air blowers 15 and 20 capable of changing the air volume are used, the control of suppressing the flow rate of the air passing through the filter 92 is performed at the time of viable cell scattering prevention processing using the heating device 95. Therefore, it is more desirable to increase the sterilization effect of the filter 92 by increasing the residence time of the hot air in the vicinity of the filter 92.

(6) Modification 3
In the air conditioning system 1 described above, the filter 92 constituting the filter unit 19 employs a HEPA filter that contains an apatite having optical semiconductor capability by application, application, kneading, and the like, and a unit casing. 91 (or ducts 16, 17, and 18) are provided with an insertion portion 91a having an opening so that a light source 93 can be inserted as a means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered, but only a HEPA filter is used as the filter 92. In addition, the unit casing 91 (or the ducts 16, 17, 18) is provided with an insertion portion 91 a having an opening, and high-energy electromagnetic waves (for example, ultraviolet rays, γ rays, electron beams) are used as means for preventing viable bacteria from being scattered. , X-rays, high frequency, etc.) Before removal of the filter 92 may be able to be processed to kill the captured bacteria in the filter 92 by the electromagnetic wave. Here, when a high-frequency generator is used as the irradiator 96, it is desirable that the filter 92 be moisturized by a humidifier or the like, as in the second modification. In this modification, the same effect can be basically obtained regardless of whether the insertion portion 91a is provided at the upstream position or the downstream position of the filter 92. When priority is given to irradiating the electromagnetic wave without attenuation, it is desirable to provide the insertion portion 91a at a position upstream of the filter 92.

(7) Modification 4
In the air conditioning system 1 of the modification 3, the irradiator 96 is used as a means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered, but the bacteria trapped by the filter 92 by spraying various bactericides, bio-antibodies, etc. on the filter 92. You may enable it to insert the disinfectant sprayer 97 which can kill a kind from the insertion part 91a. Here, examples of the bactericides include gas bactericides, liquid bactericides, solid bactericides, and bioantibodies. And as gas disinfectants, there are organic gases such as ethylene oxide and formalin, or gases containing active species. Examples of the liquid disinfectant include organic solvents such as alcohols and phenols, hydrogen peroxide solution, ozone water, or water dispersion type or organic solvent dispersion type surfactants. Examples of solid fungicides include iodine. In this modification, the same effect can be basically obtained regardless of whether the insertion portion 91a is provided at the upstream side position or the downstream side position of the filter 92. When using a bactericidal agent, it is desirable to provide the insertion portion 91a at a position upstream of the filter 92 when priority is given to reducing the amount of the bactericidal agent used.

  Further, when spraying a solid sterilizing agent, bio-antibody or the like as a sterilizing agent, in a state where a sterilizing agent spraying device 97 as a means for preventing live bacteria scattering is inserted from the insertion portion 91a, a blower 15 as a blowing unit, It is desirable to perform the operation of causing air to flow through the filter 92 by 20 to ensure that the disinfectant reaches the filter 92. Furthermore, in this modification, since the air blowers 15 and 20 capable of changing the air volume are used, the control for suppressing the flow rate of the air passing through the filter 92 during the viable cell scattering prevention processing operation using the bactericide sprayer 97. It is more desirable to increase the sterilization effect of the filter 92 by increasing the residence time of the disinfectant in the vicinity of the filter 92 by performing the above.

  Further, when a gas sterilizing agent is used as the sterilizing agent, the unit casing 91 (or the duct 16) is used as shown in FIG. 4 instead of the insertion portion 91a having an opening as shown in FIGS. 17, 18) can be provided with an insertion portion 91b made of a nozzle, and the gas sterilizing agent can flow into the unit casing 91 (or the ducts 16, 17, 18) through the insertion portion 91b. Thereby, it can prevent that a gas disinfectant leaks to the space outside unit casing 91 (or ducts 16, 17, and 18). Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 4, a damper 98 as an opening / closing mechanism capable of blocking the space from the upstream side of the insertion portion 91 b including the filter 92 to the downstream side of the filter 92 may be provided. Good. The damper 98 is openable and closable so as to be in a state indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 4 during operation of the air conditioning system 1 and in a state indicated by a solid line in FIG. As a result, when the gas sterilizing agent is sprayed, only the space near the filter 92 can be separated from the other air flow paths, and the gas sterilizing agent is passed through the air flow paths of the ducts 16, 17, and 18. It is possible to prevent leakage into other spaces inside. In FIG. 4, the insertion portion 91b is provided at a position upstream of the filter 92. However, similarly to the insertion portion 91a shown in FIG. 3, the insertion portion 91b may be provided at a position downstream of the filter 92. Good.

(8) Modification 5
In the air conditioning system 1 of the modified example 4, the dispersal of the bactericide using the bactericide sprayer 97 or the like is adopted as the means for the live bacteria scattering prevention process, and the bacteria captured by the filter 92 as the live bacteria dispersion prevention process However, when the filter is removed at the time of filter replacement work, it is only necessary to reliably prevent bacteria from being scattered in a live state. A coating process that prevents the bacteria trapped by the filter 92 from scattering may be employed as the means for preventing the live bacteria from scattering. Here, as the coating agent, a masking agent such as ethylene / vinyl acetate copolymer (abbreviation: EVA), a spray type or liquid paste, a paint that dries and cures at room temperature, or a wax such as an acrylic resin, etc. Can be used. In this modification, the same effect can be basically obtained regardless of whether the insertion portion 91a is provided at the upstream side position or the downstream side position of the filter 92. In the case where priority is given to reducing this, it is desirable to provide the insertion portion 91 a at a position upstream of the filter 92.

(9) Other Embodiments Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and can be changed without departing from the gist of the invention. It is.
(A)
In the air conditioning system 1 according to the above-described embodiment and its modification, the filter unit 19 is provided so as to be inserted in the middle of each air flow path of the second duct 16, the third duct 17 and the exhaust duct 18. However, the filter unit 19 may be provided at the air supply port 16 a of the second duct 16, the third duct 17, the exhaust port 17 a, and the exhaust port 18 a of the exhaust duct 18.

(B)
The air conditioning system according to the above-described embodiment and its modification can be applied not only to a medical facility but also to a clean room.
(C)
In the air conditioning system according to the above-described embodiment and the modified example thereof, the insertion portion provided in the unit casing or the duct is not provided only for insertion of the means for preventing live bacteria scattering treatment, for example, a filter leak test Therefore, an aerosol inlet and a concentration uniformity confirmation portion provided for the purpose may be used as an insertion portion.

  According to the present invention, in an air cleaning system configured by connecting a filter unit to a duct forming an air flow path, bacteria can live from a used filter when the used filter is removed during filter replacement work. It is possible to prevent scattering in the state of being.

1 is a schematic system configuration diagram of an air conditioning system in which an air cleaning system according to an embodiment of the present invention is employed. It is a schematic sectional drawing of a filter unit (when an insertion part is provided in the upstream of a filter). It is a schematic sectional drawing of a filter unit (when an insertion part is provided in the downstream of a filter). It is sectional drawing of the outline of the filter unit concerning the modification 4 (when an insertion part is provided in the upstream of a filter).

Explanation of symbols

1 Air conditioning system (air purification system)
15, 20 Blower (Blower unit)
16, 17, 18 Duct 19 Filter unit 91 Unit casing 91a, 91b Insertion part 92 Filter 98 Damper (opening / closing mechanism)

Claims (17)

Ducts (16, 17, 18) forming an air flow path;
Air blowing means (15, 20) for flowing air into the air flow path;
A filter (92) that captures dust and bacteria contained in the air, and a filter unit (19) connected to the duct;
The filter unit or the duct is provided with a viable bacteria scattering prevention processing means for use in a viable bacteria scattering preventing process for preventing bacteria from being scattered from the filter in a live state when the filter is removed. An insertion portion (91a, 91b) for insertion into the inside or the duct is provided,
Air purification system (1).   The air purification system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insertion part (91a) is an opening.   In the state where the viable bacteria scattering prevention treatment means is inserted from the insertion portion (91a, 91b), it is possible to perform an operation of flowing air to the filter (92) by the blower means (15, 20). The air purification system (1) according to claim 1 or 2.   The air cleaning system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the air blowing means (15, 20) is an air blowing fan capable of changing an air volume.   The air cleaning system (1) according to claim 2, wherein the filter (92) comprises an optical semiconductor.   The air purification system (1) according to claim 5, wherein the optical semiconductor is apatite having optical semiconductor capability.   The air purification system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the insertion part (91b) is a nozzle.   The opening / closing mechanism (98) which can interrupt | block the space from the upstream of the said insertion part (91b) containing the said filter (92) to the downstream of the said filter is further provided. Air purification system (1). A filter unit connected to a duct (16, 17, 18) to constitute an air purification system,
A unit casing (91) connected to the duct;
The unit casing is supported, and includes a filter (92) for capturing dust and bacteria contained in the air,
In the unit casing, a means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered is used for preventing live bacteria from being scattered from the filter when the filter is removed. Insertion portions (91a, 91b) are provided,
Filter unit (19).   The filter unit (19) according to claim 9, wherein the insertion part (91a) is an opening.   The filter unit (19) according to claim 10, wherein the filter (92) comprises an optical semiconductor.   The filter unit (19) according to claim 11, wherein the optical semiconductor is apatite having optical semiconductor capability.   The filter unit (19) according to claim 9, wherein the insertion part (91b) is a nozzle.   The open / close mechanism (98) capable of blocking a space from an upstream side of the insertion portion (91b) including the filter (92) to a downstream side of the filter. Filter unit (19). Ducts (16, 17, 18) forming an air flow path, blower means (15, 20) for flowing air into the air flow path, and a filter (92) for capturing dust and bacteria contained in the air A filter replacement method for replacing the filter in an air cleaning system (1) comprising a filter unit (19) connected to the duct.
From the insertion part (91a, 91b) provided in the filter unit or the duct, the means for preventing live bacteria scattering is inserted into the filter unit or the duct,
Using the means for preventing live bacteria from being scattered, performing a live bacteria scattering preventing process for preventing bacteria from being scattered in a live state from the filter,
After removing the filter, replace it with a new filter.
Filter replacement method.   Operation in which air is passed through the filter (92) by the air blowing means (15, 20) in a state where the viable bacteria scattering prevention processing means is inserted into the insertion portion (91a, 91b) during the live bacteria scattering prevention processing. The filter replacement method according to claim 15, wherein:   The filter replacement method according to claim 16, wherein an air volume of air flowing through the filter (92) is controlled by the air blowing means (15, 20) during the live bacteria scattering prevention process.

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