JP2006015019A - Deodorizing device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deodorizing device capable of decomposing and eliminating soil components such as tobacco nicotine stuck to the surface of a photocatalyst, to regenerate the catalyst performance and to lengthen the service life by dividing and changing the operation of the deodorizing device into a plurality of states, i.e., deodorizing operation and other states, and lowering the photocatalyst performance to operate when operating in the other states. <P>SOLUTION: In this deodorizing device 1, a high voltage discharging means 11 for generating ozone and ultraviolet rays, a photocatalyst module 5 activated by the ultraviolet rays generated by the high voltage discharging means, to perform decomposing action of odor components, noxious substance, or the like contained in the air, and an ozone decomposing means 10 for decomposing ozone generated by the high voltage discharging means, are arranged in an air blowing line 3, and the discharge state of the high voltage discharging means is divided and changed into the plurality of states, i.e., deodorizing operation and the other states. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a deodorizing apparatus for deodorizing by decomposing odor components and harmful substances contained in the air.

  In recent years, along with the steady environmental pollution such as outdoor air and noise, the demand for air quality improvement in the living space has increased along with the progress of airtightness of houses. Among the air qualities, there is a particularly great need for reduction of metabolic odor in cigarette smoke odor and nursing care environment, or removal of harmful gas components typified by VOC (volatile organic matter) generated from residential building materials.

  In order to meet these demands, conventionally, a deodorizing method using an adsorbent typified by activated carbon, or a method of reducing the odor by changing the odor quality by reacting the odor component with another chemical component has been adopted.

  Among the prior arts, since there is a limit in the amount of adsorption for deodorization by adsorbent and removal of harmful gas components, replacement of the deodorization filter has become indispensable for long-term use. Further, the deodorizing filter has a problem of generating odor due to the adsorbed odorous component being released again at the end of the lifetime even during the lifetime.

  On the other hand, the method of changing the odor quality by reacting the odor component with other drug components and reducing the odor requires the exchange of the absorbed drug because the drug component is consumed. There is a difficulty in controlling the amount of release when it is released into the odor environment.

  In addition, in order to decompose and remove harmful gas components such as formaldehyde, a catalytic reaction with a high oxidation-reduction potential is required. Therefore, it has been difficult to completely detoxify.

  Moreover, it is possible to completely decompose the harmful gas component by irradiating a photocatalyst represented by titanium oxide with ultraviolet rays. Conventionally, however, as a UV light source, a fluorescent tube lamp containing mercury in the tube is used. Since it is used, it was not preferable from the viewpoint of environmental impact at the time of product disposal.

In order to solve these problems, a photocatalyst module that generates ozone and ultraviolet rays by high-voltage discharge and decomposes odorous components and harmful substances contained in the air by the photocatalytic action activated by the ultraviolet rays, and There has been proposed a deodorizing apparatus in which ozone generated by a high-voltage discharge means is decomposed by an ozone decomposition means (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-339839 A

  The photocatalyst in this deodorizing device has a very high oxidizing power, so it can decompose most organic substances, control the deodorizing performance, completely decompose harmful gases, and the environment when the device is discarded. Although it is excellent in terms of load, etc., if dirt such as dust components in tobacco smoke adheres and accumulates on the surface of the photocatalyst, effective ultraviolet rays do not reach the catalyst part, and there is a problem that performance deteriorates. It was.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problem, and the operation of the deodorizing device is divided into a plurality of states of the deodorizing operation and other states, and the operation is performed by reducing the photocatalytic performance during operation in other states. Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a deodorizing apparatus that can decompose and remove dirt components such as tobacco spider adhering to the surface of the photocatalyst to regenerate the catalyst performance and prolong the service life.

  The deodorizing apparatus of the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and a smoke separator disposed in a smoking space such as an office workplace where a deodorizing apparatus is installed or a smoking room in a factory needs a deodorizing action. Focusing on the fact that there are times when there are few odorous substances with time, high voltage discharge means for generating ozone and ultraviolet light, and activated by ultraviolet light generated by this high voltage discharge means are contained in the air In the deodorizing apparatus in which a photocatalyst module that decomposes odorous components and harmful substances, and an ozone decomposition means that decomposes ozone generated by the high-voltage discharge means are arranged in the blowing path, the discharge by the high-voltage discharge means The state is classified and switched to a plurality of states of deodorizing operation and other states.

  According to the configuration of the present invention, in a state other than the deodorizing operation with a small amount of odorous substances to be deodorized, the high voltage discharging means is switched and operated so as to lower the discharge state of the high-voltage discharging means, thereby attaching to the surface of the photocatalyst by the deodorizing operation. It is possible to decompose and remove the soiled components, regenerate the catalyst performance and maintain an effective deodorizing action, and to protect the electrode and maintain the life as a deodorizing device.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a deodorizing apparatus (1) according to the present invention, and a blower fan (4) in an air passage (3) formed by a duct member (2) in a smoke separator arranged in a smoking space. A dust collection filter (13) and then a photocatalyst module (5) are provided on the windward side, and an ozone decomposition catalyst filter (10) is arranged between the photocatalyst module (5) and the blower fan (4). Has been established.

  The photocatalyst module (5) is a photocatalyst filter (6) (7) fixed by applying a photocatalyst material typified by titanium oxide on the surface of a substrate made of a porous ceramic such as alumina or silica and drying or sintering. ) Are provided next to each other, and a thin plate such as stainless steel is etched between the photocatalytic filters to form a discharge electrode (8) formed in a mesh shape, and the two photocatalytic filters (6) ( The counter electrode (9) formed in the same manner as the discharge electrode (8) is arranged on the windward and leeward sides of the air passage (3) of 7).

  Note that the two photocatalytic filters in the photocatalytic module (5) are not necessarily adjacent to each other, and when there are relatively few odor components and harmful substances, the counter electrode (9) and the discharge electrode are provided before and after one photocatalytic filter. (8) may be provided.

  (11) is a power supply circuit, and a positive pulsed DC high voltage is applied between the discharge electrode (8) and each counter electrode (9) by a high voltage generating transformer (12).

  The mesh size of the discharge electrode (8) is larger than the mesh size of the counter electrode (9). With this configuration, the discharge electrode (8) and the counter electrode (9) function as a discharge means for generating ultraviolet rays, and discharge occurs between both electrodes to generate ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 380 nm or less.

  When the discharge electrode (8) and the counter electrode (9) are discharged, ozone is generated together with the ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the photocatalyst module (5) excites the photocatalyst represented by titanium oxide by the ultraviolet rays, and a harmful gas component. It functions as an ozone generator as well as a function of completely decomposing water, and an ozone decomposition catalyst filter (10) that absorbs ozone at a predetermined distance from the photocatalyst module (5) is installed on the leeward side. Yes. The ozonolysis catalyst filter (10) is formed from a honeycomb-shaped sintered body mainly composed of manganese dioxide.

  When operating the deodorizing apparatus (1) of the said structure, it carries out as follows. That is, by energizing the power supply circuit (11) and driving the blower fan (4), odorous components and organic substances such as tobacco smoke and oil and fat are passed through the dust collection filter (13) in the air passage (3). Inhale to. At the same time, by applying a voltage between the discharge electrode (8) and the counter electrode (9), discharge occurs between the electrodes to generate ultraviolet rays.

  By irradiating the photocatalyst filters (6) and (7) with ultraviolet rays, the active oxygen generated by activating the photocatalyst flows down the air passage (3), and a strong oxidizing action of hydroxyl radicals (free radicals) Deodorization is achieved by decomposing bonds of odorous gas components and organic compounds adhering to the surfaces of the photocatalytic filters (6) and (7) and making them odorless or reducing odor.

  In addition, the cell membrane of the fungus is embrittled and antibacterial, and the growth of microorganisms on the surface of the photocatalytic filter (6) and (7) is suppressed by oxidative degradation, so that the deodorization device (1) and air passage (3) wall surface It has the effect of decomposing and removing dirt, but the smoke catalyst has a large amount of odorous substances to be decomposed and the surface of the photocatalyst filter (6) (7) is contaminated with dust components and oily fat in tobacco smoke If a large amount of is attached and the load continues, it cannot be decomposed and accumulates on the surface of the photocatalyst.

  In order to decompose the accumulated dirt, the discharge state may be continued. However, this imposes a heavy burden on the electrodes (8) and (9) in the photocatalyst module (5), shortens the service life, and reduces the ozone decomposition catalyst ( It also affects the life of 10).

  However, an apparatus for absorbing and deodorizing cigarette smoke disposed in a smoking space such as a office workplace of a company where the deodorizing apparatus (1) is installed, or a smoking room in a public institution or factory, a so-called smoke separator, The load time for deodorization is limited by the working hours of the workplace and the time of the day, and the deodorization operation time can be distinguished from the other times with less deodorization load. In other words, office workplaces are classified by working hours, public institutions have people's travel time zones, factories, etc. have a large deodorizing load only during breaks, and other times have a small load. This will be specifically described.

Example 1
As a deodorizing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, a deodorizing apparatus (1) having the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 1 is installed in a chamber having a volume of 1 m ³ and has a thickness of 0.1 mm as a discharge electrode between photocatalytic filters. The stainless steel plate is etched and formed into a mesh pattern with a linear pattern with a width of 0.1 mm, and a voltage of 21 kHz is supplied between the discharge electrode (8) and the counter electrode (9) at ± 6 kV. At the same time, a deodorizing operation was performed in which 10 cigarettes (cigarettes) were burned for 8 hours in the chamber.

  Then, when the deodorizing device (5) was disassembled and investigated after 8 hours had passed, the surface of the upstream side of the photocatalytic filters (6) and (7) sandwiched between the electrodes (8) and (9) was discolored. It was attached and turned yellow.

  Next, after reassembling this, a catalyst regeneration operation is performed in which a voltage of ± 6 kV and 0.2 kHz is supplied and discharged for 16 hours in a state without tobacco burning in order to decompose dirt, and a photocatalytic filter (6) When the state of (7) was confirmed, the resin in the photocatalyst was decomposed and discolored, and was regenerated to the original white surface state.

  As a comparative example with respect to one embodiment of the present invention, a voltage of 21 kHz is applied at ± 6 kV between the discharge electrode (8) and the counter electrode (9) with the same configuration as described above. An example will be described in which burning is performed over time, and then a voltage of 21 kHz is applied again at ± 6 kV without burning the cigarette for 16 hours.

  In the above test, after the deodorizing operation in which the tobacco is burned, the upstream surface of the photocatalytic filters (6) and (7) sandwiched between the electrodes is yellow and the scum is attached. The dirt removal effect similar to that in the above-described embodiment was obtained that the discoloration was resolved and the discoloration was eliminated by the operation with nothing.

  However, when the test was continued with the above-described deodorization operation and catalyst regeneration operation conditions for decomposing dirt as a one-day cycle, the electrodes (8) and (9) were dissolved on the eighth day, and the discharge was stopped. When the same test was performed in Example 1 corresponding to this, the electrodes (8) and (9) finally dissolved after 95 days, and the discharge stopped, and the photocatalyst dirt was decomposed and regenerated. Although the effect was the same, a significant difference in effect was observed in terms of electrode life.

  In addition, the electrodes (8) and (9) in both the above tests were tested with 0.1 mm thickness against a stainless steel plate with a thickness of about 2 mm scheduled to be used in the product. According to the above, the durability period is further increased, and a lifetime that can withstand long-term practical use can be obtained. Further, the level of decrease in the discharge frequency during the catalyst regeneration operation may be set according to the decomposition time of the dirt component and the amount of dirt such as dirt.

(Example 2)
Next, an embodiment in which the voltage is reduced will be described with respect to the embodiment 1 in which the frequency is lowered as the catalyst regeneration operation. In addition, the deodorizing apparatus is fundamentally the same structure, and has provided the same code | symbol as the said Example.

  After burning tobacco under the same test conditions as in Example 1, in a catalyst regeneration operation for decomposing dirt without burning tobacco, discharging was performed for 16 hours with the voltage being lowered to ± 4.7 kV without changing the frequency. I let you. As a result, the action of the photocatalyst filters (6) and (7) is decomposed and returned to the original white surface state. As a result of continuing the test with the same operating conditions as a one-day cycle, Electrodes (8) and (9) were dissolved, and an electrode life almost similar to that in Example 1 was obtained.

Example 3
Further, the discharge frequency and voltage values in the catalyst regeneration operation after the deodorizing operation were the same as those in the deodorizing operation, and the discharging operation was continued by an intermittent operation in which 0.03 seconds were on and 0.07 seconds off. As a result, the discharge stopped 97 days after the start of the test, and dissolved portions were seen in the electrodes (8) and (9).

Example 4
Furthermore, the example which controlled so that the deodorizing apparatus (1) of the same structure as Example 1 may be switched to a several discharge state with a timer is demonstrated. In this example, a deodorizing operation in which discharge is performed at 21 kHz at ± 6 kV for 11 hours from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm, and the discharge frequency is lowered for another 13 hours from 7:00 pm to 8:00 am the following day. As a regenerative operation, discharge is performed at ± 6 kV and 0.2 kHz, and a deodorizing device is installed in an office workplace of about 20 smokers out of 50 office workers.

  As a result of the test, at 7:00 pm after the deodorizing operation, the photocatalyst filters (6) and (7) were observed to adhere to the soil, and the contamination was recognized. However, in the observation at 8:00 am after the catalyst regeneration operation, Yani was decomposed and the dirt was removed, and this was repeated as a one-day cycle. As a result, the discharge operation was stopped in the test period of 80 days.

(Example 5)
In this embodiment, the same deodorizing device as described above is installed in a resting smoking room of the factory, and the discharge state is switched to the same two types as in the previous embodiment by detection by a human sensor that senses the presence of a person. is there.

  That is, when the production line stops at a break time and a person enters the smoking room, this is detected by a sensor, and a deodorizing operation is performed at 21 kHz at ± 6 kV. When the person is gone, the frequency is lowered to 0.2 kHz at ± 6 kV, and the catalyst performance is lowered to discharge the battery. As in the above, this result is intended for smoking by several tens of people. Then, it was confirmed that the operation stopped after 130 days with the repetition of the deposition of the spider on the photocatalyst and the decomposition and removal cycle.

  In this embodiment, the presence / absence of a person is detected by a human sensor. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, by installing an odor sensor, the presence / absence of smoking is detected to perform deodorization operation and catalyst regeneration. You may make it switch between driving | running | working.

  Therefore, as a catalyst regeneration operation for decontamination after deodorization operation, when discharging with reduced catalyst performance by reducing frequency or voltage or intermittent operation, it is effective in disassembling and removing spear in any case In addition, as in the comparative example, the effect of prolonging the electrode life can be significantly improved as compared with the case where the deodorizing operation is continued as it is.

  Furthermore, it is possible to switch between more effective deodorizing operation and catalyst regeneration operation by controlling the switching of operation with a timer or switching the operation by detecting the presence or absence of odor with a sensor. Needless to say, the discharge frequency and voltage can be controlled individually by combining or combining with reduction of the discharge frequency and voltage and intermittent operation.

  In each of the above embodiments, the switching of operation is performed by deodorizing operation in which the bonds of odor gas components and organic compounds are decomposed and non-brominated, and as a result of the deodorizing action, dirt components such as spear accumulated are decomposed to regenerate the photocatalyst. However, in both cases, if the deodorizing load is small, it is possible to reduce the operation time for catalyst regeneration, and further shorten the catalyst regeneration operation time. In addition, the frequency and voltage can be lowered to reduce the load on the deodorizing apparatus, and a stop time zone in which frequency discharge operation is not performed can be set and switched to these plural discharge states.

  Further, the deodorizing apparatus according to the present invention may be applied not only to the smoke separator but also to an air blowing path in an air conditioner or an air cleaner as in the above-described embodiment.

  The present invention can be used for a deodorizing apparatus using a photocatalytic action.

It is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the deodorizing apparatus which shows one Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Deodorizing device 2 ... Duct member 3 ... Air path 4 ... Blower fan 5 ... Photocatalyst module 6, 7 ... Photocatalyst filter 8 ... Discharge electrode 9 ... Counter electrode 10 ... Ozone decomposition catalyst filter
11 ... Power supply circuit 12 ... Transformer 13 ... Dust collection filter

Claims (6)

  A high-voltage discharge means for generating ozone and ultraviolet light, a photocatalyst module that is activated by the ultraviolet light generated by the high-voltage discharge means and that decomposes odorous components and harmful substances contained in the air; In the deodorizing apparatus in which the ozone decomposing means for decomposing ozone generated by the voltage discharging means is arranged in the air blowing path, the discharge state by the high voltage discharging means is divided into a plurality of states of deodorizing operation and other states. Deodorizing device characterized by switching.   The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge state is classified by switching to a plurality of discharge frequencies, and the discharge frequency in other discharge states is lowered with respect to the deodorizing operation.   The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge state is divided by switching to a plurality of discharge voltages, and the discharge voltage in other discharge states is lowered with respect to the deodorizing operation.   The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein discharge in other discharge states other than the deodorizing operation is intermittently performed.   2. The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the deodorizing apparatus is switched to a plurality of discharge states by timer control. The deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the discharge state is switched to a plurality of states according to a detection value by the sensor.

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