JP2009050831A - Air cleaning apparatus and filter exchange method of air cleaning apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an air cleaning apparatus, which enables a simplification of an equipment configuration and a filter exchange method and an efficient prevention of scatterings of hazardous dust collected by the filter in exchanging the filter. <P>SOLUTION: The air cleaning apparatus 1 has a filter unit 4 having a HEPA filter 25, and a water-washing unit 5 provided below the filter unit 4 to water-wash the HEPA filter 25, having an opening 16 for water-washing the HEPA filter 25, and at the same time, having a prefilter 14. The inside of the water-washing unit 5 and the inside of the filter unit 4 communicate in order that air sucked in through the prefilter 14 may pass through the HEPA filter 25 to discharge from an exhaust outlet 32, and the HEPA filter 25 is provided by approaching the inside of the water-washing unit 5 so that the lower surface 41 of the HEPA filter 25 may be water-washed when water is discharged from the opening 16 to the inside of the water-washing unit 5 in the state that the prefilter 14 is detached. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an air purification device that purifies and discharges air containing harmful dust in a pharmaceutical factory or the like, and a filter replacement method for the air purification device.

  As an air purification apparatus using a high-performance filter, there is one described in Patent Document 1, for example. This air purifier has a vinyl bag in which a glove is integrally formed between a high-performance filter (HEPA filter) and its replacement opening (scan test hatch opening) inside the casing. Sometimes, the operator removes the scan test panel that closes the scan test hatch, puts his hand in the glove, and removes the HEPA filter while looking inside the casing through the vinyl bag. Then, the removed HEPA filter is sealed in a vinyl bag or the like and carried out of the casing, and a new HEPA filter is fixed to the casing (see paragraph numbers 0040, 0041, 0051, and 0052 of the same document).

However, the filter replacement method of the air purifier using such a vinyl bag complicates the apparatus and takes time to replace the filter, and the simple device structure and simple filter that do not depend on the sealed replacement method using the vinyl bag. An exchange method is required. In general, air purification equipment in pharmaceutical factories does not include substances that should never leak, such as radioisotopes. However, trace amounts of highly active substances, steroids, etc. may affect the human body. There are many cases of handling certain chemicals, and there is an operation to wash indoors and around the air purification device in order to prevent mixing of different medicinal ingredients when switching manufactured chemicals, but until now the upstream side (primary side) of the HEPA filter There was nothing that could be washed with water. Against this background, it is desirable for an air purification device that a contaminated HEPA filter can be safely replaced and that the primary side of the HEPA filter can be washed with water.
JP 2002-214115 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can simplify the device structure and the filter replacement method, and effectively disperse the harmful dust collected by the filter during the filter replacement. It is an object of the present invention to provide an air purifying device capable of being washed and a filter replacement method for such an air purifying device.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an invention according to claim 1 is a filter unit having an exhaust port and a high-performance filter, and is installed below the filter unit for washing the high-performance filter with water. A flushing unit having a flushing opening and a suction port and a prefilter so that air sucked from the suction port passes through the prefilter and the high performance filter and is discharged from the exhaust port. In addition, the inside of the water washing unit communicates with the inside of the filter unit, and when the prefilter is removed, water is discharged from the opening into the water washing unit. An air purifying device in which the high performance filter is provided facing the inside of the washing unit so that the surface is washed with water. To. Here, the intake port and the pre-filter do not necessarily have to be provided separately and, for example, the pre-filter is attached to a part of the wall surface of the casing of the flush filter, and this also functions as the intake port It is good. The same applies to the relationship between the exhaust port and the high performance filter.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the high performance filter is arranged so that the upstream surface of the air flow of the high performance filter is washed with water when water is discharged from the opening into the washing unit with the prefilter removed. Since it is provided inside the washing unit, when you want to replace the high-performance filter directly without using a vinyl bag, first remove the pre-filter and let it drain into the washing unit from the opening. If the upstream side of the air flow of a used high-performance filter is washed with water and wetted, then this high-performance filter is replaced with a new high-performance filter and a pre-filter is installed, the high-performance filter is mainly used. The scattering of harmful dust collected on the upstream surface of the air flow is suppressed by wetting, and the device structure and filter replacement method are simplified while being simplified. It is possible to effectively prevent the scattering at the time of filter replacement dust.

  The invention according to claim 2 is the air purification device according to claim 1, wherein the high-performance filter is placed and attached to the filter unit while ensuring a flow rate of air flowing to the high-performance filter. A mounting frame is provided, and the cross-sectional shape of each part of the mounting frame does not have a portion that is recessed downward or laterally so that water adhering to the mounting frame is dripped to prevent its residue. It is characterized by. Here, the fact that the cross-sectional shape of each part of the mounting frame does not have a portion that is concave downward or laterally means that the part that is evaluated as the upper part in the cross-section of the mounting frame is recessed in the downward direction that is the inner side of the cross-section. There is no part (a concave part opened upward), and there is no part (a concave part opened on the outside of the cross section) that is recessed in the side that is the inner side of the cross section at a position evaluated as a side part in the cross section of the mounting frame. Means that. That is, in the cross-section of each part of the mounting frame, the portion evaluated as the upper part or the side part (for example, if the cross-section is a polygon, the normal of the side of the polygon extends horizontally or above the horizontal direction toward the outside of the cross-section. Means that if the cross section is circular or the cross section is circular, the center height or a position above the center is composed of either a curved line or a straight line that protrudes outward from the cross section. The shape in which water adhering to the mounting frame stays stably without flowing down due to the action of gravity is excluded.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, the cross-sectional shape of each part of the mounting frame does not have a concave part toward the lower side or the side so that the water adhering to the mounting frame is dropped to prevent the water from remaining. Therefore, even if water adheres to the mounting frame when the high-performance filter is washed with water, it can be dried in a short time to prevent the occurrence of rust. Moreover, even if an operator performs the remaining water wiping operation after washing with water, wiping is easy, and the filter replacement operation can be completed in a short time.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the air purifying device according to the first or second aspect, the water washing unit is provided with an inclined floor for receiving and collecting water used during washing of the high performance filter. It is characterized by being.

  According to the invention according to claim 3, since the inclined floor for receiving and collecting the used water at the time of washing of the high performance filter is provided in the washing unit, the used water flows down the inclined floor in a short time. Drying can prevent the occurrence of rust. Moreover, even if an operator performs the remaining water wiping operation after washing with water, wiping is easy, and the filter replacement operation can be completed in a short time.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a filter unit having an exhaust port and a high-performance filter, and an opening for rinsing the high-performance filter installed below the filter unit for washing the high-performance filter with water. A water washing unit having a suction port and a pre-filter, and the inside of the water washing unit is configured such that air sucked from the air suction port passes through the pre-filter and the high performance filter and is discharged from the exhaust port. And the inside of the filter unit communicate with each other so that the upstream surface of the air flow of the high-performance filter is washed with water when water is discharged from the opening into the washing unit with the pre-filter removed. The high-performance filter is a filter replacement method for an air purification device provided facing the inside of the water washing unit, A pre-filter removing step for removing the pre-filter, a high-performance filter rinsing step for rinsing the upstream surface of the air flow of the high-performance filter by discharging water into the rinsing unit from the opening, and the high-performance filter rinsing A high-performance filter replacement step for replacing the high-performance filter washed with water with a new high-performance filter; and a pre-filter attachment step for attaching a pre-filter removed in the pre-filter removal step or a new pre-filter. . The relationship between the intake port and the pre-filter and the relationship between the exhaust port and the high-performance filter are the same as in the invention according to claim 1.

  According to the invention according to claim 4, first the pre-filter is removed, the water is discharged from the opening into the washing unit, and the upstream surface of the air flow of the used high-performance filter is washed and wetted. Since this high-performance filter is replaced with a new high-performance filter and a pre-filter is attached, even when replacing the high-performance filter directly without using a vinyl bag, it is mainly upstream of the air flow of the high-performance filter. Scattering of harmful dust collected on the side surface will be suppressed by wetting, effectively preventing the scattering of harmful dust during filter replacement while simplifying the device structure and filter replacement method Can do.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the filter replacement method of the air purification device according to the fourth aspect, the high performance filter is mounted on the filter unit while securing a flow rate of air flowing to the high performance filter. The frame-shaped mounting frame is provided, and the cross-sectional shape of each part of the mounting frame is recessed downward or laterally so that water adhering to the mounting frame is dripped to prevent the residue. It is characterized by not having. The significance of the fact that the cross-sectional shape of each part of the mounting frame does not have a portion that is concave downward or laterally is the same as in the invention according to claim 2.

  According to the invention which concerns on Claim 5, the cross-sectional shape of each part of a mounting frame does not have a part which becomes concave toward a downward or a side so that the water adhering to a mounting frame may be dripped and the residue may be prevented. Therefore, even if water adheres to the mounting frame when the high-performance filter is washed with water, it can be dried in a short time to prevent the occurrence of rust. Moreover, even if an operator performs the remaining water wiping operation after washing with water, wiping is easy, and the filter replacement operation can be completed in a short time.

  The invention according to claim 6 is the method of replacing a filter of the air purifier according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the water washing unit receives and collects water used during washing of the high performance filter. Is provided.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the inclined floor for receiving and collecting the used water at the time of washing of the high performance filter is provided in the washing unit, so that the used water flows down the inclined floor in a short time. Drying can prevent the occurrence of rust. Moreover, even if an operator performs the remaining water wiping operation after washing with water, wiping is easy, and the filter replacement operation can be completed in a short time.

  According to the air purification apparatus and the filter replacement method of the air purification apparatus according to the present invention, the apparatus structure and the filter replacement method that can easily wash the entire water washing unit on the primary side of the HEPA filter and facilitate wiping work are simplified. In addition, it is possible to effectively prevent scattering of harmful dust collected by the filter during filter replacement by wetting the filter.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows an air purification device according to this embodiment. This air purification device 1 is installed in a wall surface 3 of a clean room 2 such as a factory in order to purify and discharge air containing harmful dust in a pharmaceutical factory or the like, and is equipped with a filter unit 4, a water washing unit 5, Are generally stacked vertically. The water washing unit 5 is placed on a gantry 6, and the space between the front surface of the gantry 6 (left side in FIG. 1) and the floor surface 7 of the clean room 2 is sealed with a caulking material 8. The filter unit 4 is installed above the water washing unit 5, and a mounting plate 9 is provided at the front of the filter unit 4 and an exhaust duct 10 is provided at the rear. A caulking material 11 is sealed between the mounting plate 9 and the wall surface 3 of the clean room 2.

  The water washing unit 5 includes a housing 12, an inclined floor 13, and a prefilter 14. The housing 12 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, an opening 16 is formed in the front wall 15 thereof, and a flange portion 17 having a rectangular shape in plan view formed by bending the front, rear, left and right walls inward is formed in the upper part. The inclined floor 13 is installed so as to descend from the rear to the front in the lower part of the housing 12, and the front portion 18 of the inclined floor 13 is substantially the same height as the lower edge 19 of the opening 16. The prefilter 14 has a shape corresponding to the opening 16, and a metal frame 20 is provided around the prefilter 14. A magnet 21 is affixed around the opening 16 on the front surface of the front wall 15 of the housing 12, and the pre-filter 14 covers the opening 16 when the frame 20 is magnetically attached to the magnet 21 so as to serve as an air intake. It has become.

  The filter unit 2 includes a housing 22, a door 23, a mounting frame 24, and a HEPA filter 25. The housing 22 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an opening 27 is formed in the front wall 26 thereof. The door 23 is detachably fastened to the front wall 26 by a hexagon bolt 29 that is screwed into a nut 28 fixed to the front wall 26. A gasket 30 is provided between the door 23 and the front wall 26, and a sealed state with respect to the clean room 2 inside the housing 22 is maintained. An exhaust port 32 is formed in the top wall 31 of the housing 22, the exhaust port 32 communicates with the exhaust duct 10, and a damper 33 is provided on the upper portion of the exhaust duct 10. The exhaust duct 10 is provided with a leak / differential pressure measuring device 34, the damper 33 is provided with an air volume adjusting device 35, and both the leak / differential pressure measuring device 34 and the air volume adjusting device 35 are connected to the mounting plate 9. Yes. A flange portion 36 having a rectangular shape in plan view formed by bending the front, rear, left, and right walls is formed at the lower portion of the housing 22, and the flange portion 36 abuts on the flange portion 17, so that the filter unit 4 is washed with the water washing unit 5. The units are placed in communication with each other.

  The mounting frame 24 is supported by the flange portion 36 inside the housing 22. The mounting frame 24 is formed of a hollow member having a rectangular cross section, and has a rectangular shape corresponding to the flange portion 36 (that is, substantially along the inner periphery of the housing 22) in plan view.

  The outer periphery of the HEPA filter 25 is mounted by being mounted on the mounting frame 24 via a gasket 37. The HEPA filter 25 is attached in such a manner that the stud bolt 38 fixed to the attachment frame 24 is inserted from below into an insertion hole (not shown) formed in the HEPA filter 25 from the lower end. This is done by screwing the nut 40 after the annular pressing member 39 made of a washer or the like is fitted into the portion protruding upward from the HEPA filter 25. As the nut 40, it is desirable to use a knob nut having a larger diameter than that of a normal nut and capable of being tightened by hand without using a tool. In the air purifying apparatus 1, air sucked from the intake port (pre-filter 14) passes through the HEPA filter 25 and is discharged from the exhaust port 32 and the exhaust duct 10 (thus, the upper surface of the HEPA filter 25 (air flow The stud bolt 38, the pressing member 39, the nut 40, and other fittings provided on the downstream surface side are less likely to be contaminated with chemicals or the like.) The HEPA filter 25 is prefilter 14 as will be described later. When the water is discharged from the opening 16 to the inside of the water washing unit 5 in a state where it is removed, the lower surface (the surface on the upstream side of the air flow) 41 is installed facing the inside of the water washing unit 5 so as to be washed with water.

  The replacement method of the HEPA filter 25 (and the prefilter 14) of the air purification device 1 will be described. First, the used prefilter 14 is washed with water discharged from the hose 42 (FIG. 2A), step 1 (FIG. 3 is described as “S.1”, and the same applies to the following.)) After that, the hose 42 is removed from the front wall 15 of the washing unit 5 (FIG. 2B, step 2), and the hose 42 is inserted into the inside of the washing unit 5 from the opening 16. Then, the inclined floor 13, the inner wall 43 of the water washing unit 5, the mounting frame 24 and the used HEPA filter 25 (at least the lower surface 41 thereof) are washed to wash away the adhering dust (FIG. 2 (C), step 3).

  Next, the hexagon bolt 29 is loosened to open the door 23 (FIG. 2D, step 4), the nut 40 is loosened through the opening 27, the nut 40 and the holding member 39 are removed from the stud bolt 38, and the HEPA filter 25 is gasketed. 37 is removed from the mounting frame 24 and taken out from the opening 27 (FIG. 2E, step 5).

  Subsequently, a new (generally unused) HEPA filter 25 is inserted into the filter unit 4 through the opening 27 together with the gasket 37, and a stud bolt 38 is inserted into an insertion hole (not shown) of the HEPA filter 25 to hold the pressing member. 39 and nut 40 are attached (FIG. 2 (F), step 6), and the door 23 is closed and the opening 16 is closed with a new prefilter 14 with a frame 20, thereby completing the filter replacement operation (FIG. 2 (G)). Step 7).

  In the air purification device 1 according to the present embodiment, the HEPA filter 25 is washed with water so that the lower surface 41 of the HEPA filter 25 is washed with water when the prefilter 14 is removed and the water is discharged from the opening 16 into the washing unit 5. 5, when the HEPA filter 25 is to be replaced directly without using a vinyl bag (the air purifier 1 does not have a vinyl bag in the first place), as described above. First, the prefilter 14 is removed, the water is discharged from the opening 16 into the water washing unit 5, the lower surface 41 of the used HEPA filter 25 is washed with water and wetted, and the HEPA filter 25 is replaced with a new one. If the filter 14 is attached, the used HEPA filter 25 mainly collects on the lower surface 41. Supposed to be that of harmful dust scattering can be suppressed by wet that is, it is possible to effectively prevent the scattering at the time of filter replacement of harmful dust while also maintaining a simple apparatus structure and filter replacement process.

  Here, in particular, the cross-sectional shape of each part of the mounting frame 24 is uniformly rectangular and concave downward or laterally so that water adhering to the mounting frame 24 is dropped to prevent the water from remaining. Therefore, even when water adheres to the mounting frame 24 when the HEPA filter 25 is washed with water, the HEPA filter 25 can be dried in a short time to prevent the occurrence of rust. The fact that the mounting frame 24 is a hollow frame having a rectangular cross section contributes to the fact that harmful dust is unlikely to accumulate in the mounting frame.

  Moreover, since the water washing unit 5 is provided with the inclined floor 13 for receiving and collecting the used water at the time of washing the HEPA filter 25, the used water flows down the inclined floor 13 and dries in a short time. Occurrence and the like can be prevented. In particular, since the front portion 18 of the inclined floor 13 is substantially the same height as the lower edge 19 of the opening 16, the used water does not flow out of the opening 16 and does not accumulate in the washing unit 5. It can be shortened.

  Thus, quick draining is possible due to the shape of the mounting frame 24 and the presence of the inclined floor 13, but even if the operator performs the wiping work of the water remaining after washing, wiping is easy and the filter replacement work is short. Can be completed in time.

  Further, since water is applied to the prefilter 14 before it is removed, it is possible to prevent re-scattering of harmful substances adhering to the prefilter 14 when the HEPA filter 25 is replaced, and the HEPA filter 25 is placed horizontally with respect to the floor surface. The replacement work of the HEPA filter 25 can be facilitated by using the knob nut for the nut 40.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the prefilter 14 is attached to the front wall 15 of the water washing unit 5 and is also used as the intake port (in this way, the water washing unit 5 Since the interior of the water filter is difficult to be cleaned, it is not necessary to clean it every day, and it is sufficient to wash the water when replacing the HEPA filter 25.) The pre-filter 14 is provided inside the water washing unit 5, and the front wall 15 is provided with an air inlet independently. It doesn't matter. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 4, if the prefilter 14 is magnetically attached to a magnet 44 attached to the lower surface of the mounting frame 24, and a lid 45 having an intake port is magnetically attached to the magnet 21. Good. Thus, when the prefilter 14 is provided in the upper part (the filter unit 4 side) of the water washing unit 5, even if it removes the cover body 45 and wash | cleans the inside of the water washing unit 5 every day, washing water will be carried out by the prefilter 14. The HEPA filter 25 is cut off and daily water wetting of the HEPA filter 25 is avoided. At this time, the frame 20 of the pre-filter 14 is preferably provided with a drain hole for draining the permeated water on the upper surface side of the pre-filter 14. Is formed on the upper surface side of the frame 20, and the filter medium and the outside (such as the upstream side of the prefilter 14) are communicated with the side wall of the concave water receiving portion. . Thereby, it is possible to prevent the contaminated air from directly flowing into the HEPA filter 25 without passing through any filter. On the other hand, when the HEPA filter 25 is replaced, the prefilter 14 is removed and washed with water (even if the prefilter 14 is washed on a daily basis, it is better to wash it with water before removing it). Is obtained.

  In the above embodiment, the HEPA filter 25 is fixed by a stud bolt, but the tightening method described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-136436, which is used in a nuclear / RI filter unit, is used. May be.

Explanatory drawing which shows the air purification apparatus which concerns on the best form for inventing (A) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the pre-filter is washed with water at the time of filter replacement of the air purification apparatus of FIG. 1, (B) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that the pre-filter which washed with water is removed, (C) is a washing unit. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that water is discharged from the opening into the inside and the lower surface of the HEPA filter is washed and wetted, (D) is an explanatory view showing a state in which the opening of the filter unit is opened, and (E) is opened. Explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a used HEPA filter is removed from an attachment frame, and it takes out from the opening of a filter unit, (F) is explanatory drawing which shows a mode that a new HEPA filter is put into the inside from the opening of a filter unit, and is attached to an attachment frame. , (G) is a view showing a state in which the opening of the filter unit is closed with a door and a pre-filter is attached to the opening of the washing unit. Drawing The flowchart which shows the filter replacement | exchange method of the air purification apparatus of FIG. Explanatory drawing which shows the other example of an air purification apparatus

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Air purification apparatus 4 Filter unit 5 Flushing unit 13 Inclined floor 14 Prefilter 16 Opening 24 Mounting frame 25 HEPA filter (High performance filter)
32 Exhaust port 41 Lower surface (surface upstream of airflow)

Claims (6)

A filter unit having an exhaust port and a high performance filter;
In order to wash the high-performance filter with water, it has an opening for washing the high-performance filter installed below the filter unit, and a water-washing unit having an intake port and a pre-filter,
The inside of the water washing unit and the inside of the filter unit communicate with each other so that the air sucked from the air inlet passes through the pre-filter and the high-performance filter and is discharged from the air outlet.
The high performance filter is disposed inside the washing unit so that the upstream surface of the air flow of the high performance filter is washed with water when the prefilter is removed and water is discharged from the opening into the washing unit. An air purifying device characterized by being provided facing the sea. The filter unit is provided with a frame-like mounting frame on which the high-performance filter is placed and mounted while ensuring the air flow rate flowing to the high-performance filter,
The cross-sectional shape of each part of the mounting frame does not have a portion that is recessed downward or laterally so that water adhering to the mounting frame is dropped to prevent the water from remaining. The air purifier according to 1.   The air purifier according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the water washing unit is provided with an inclined floor for receiving and collecting water used during washing of the high performance filter. A filter unit having an exhaust port and a high performance filter;
In order to wash the high-performance filter with water, it has an opening for washing the high-performance filter installed below the filter unit, and a water-washing unit having an intake port and a pre-filter,
The inside of the water washing unit and the inside of the filter unit communicate with each other so that the air sucked from the air inlet passes through the pre-filter and the high-performance filter and is discharged from the air outlet.
The high performance filter is disposed inside the washing unit so that the upstream surface of the air flow of the high performance filter is washed with water when the prefilter is removed and water is discharged from the opening into the washing unit. A filter replacement method for an air purification device provided facing the vehicle,
A prefilter removing step of removing the prefilter;
A high-performance filter rinsing step of rinsing the upstream surface of the air flow of the high-performance filter by discharging water into the rinsing unit from the opening;
A high-performance filter replacement step for replacing the high-performance filter washed in the high-performance filter water washing step with a new high-performance filter;
A prefilter removed in the prefilter removal step or a prefilter attachment step of attaching a new prefilter. The filter unit is provided with a frame-like mounting frame on which the high-performance filter is placed and mounted while ensuring the air flow rate flowing to the high-performance filter,
The cross-sectional shape of each part of the mounting frame does not have a portion that is recessed downward or laterally so that water adhering to the mounting frame is dropped to prevent the water from remaining. 5. A filter replacement method for the air purification device according to 4.   6. The filter replacement method for an air purifier according to claim 4, wherein the water washing unit is provided with an inclined floor for receiving and collecting water used during washing of the high performance filter. .