JP2010042188A - Deodorizing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a deodorizing machine which can be utilized as a deodorizing filter even in a region of a high wind velocity, can increase a photocatalyst carrying amount, and is equipped with a deodorizing filter having shape stability. <P>SOLUTION: This deodorizing machine includes the deodorizing filter 2 on which a photocatalyst is held by a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric, a lamp 3 as the exciting light source for the photocatalyst, and a fan 4 as a blowing means in the body 1. Also, the deodorizing machine includes the deodorizing filter to which the mesh sections of the knitted fabric are bonded. Thus, the deodorizing machine which keeps the consumption power low, and the air volume large, and which is excellent in deodorizing property can be obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a deodorizer and a sterilizer using a photocatalyst.

  Conventionally, this type of deodorizing apparatus includes a deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus comprising an ultraviolet light source, a porous body carrying a photocatalyst, and means for introducing air between the light source and the porous body. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Hereinafter, the deodorizing apparatus will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus is provided with a tubular ultraviolet light source (sterilizing lamp) 103 and two cylindrical glass cloths 104 coated with a photocatalyst coaxially, and a blower 102 is attached to the air introduction side. It is a thing. Air sucked through the filter 101 by the blower 102 is introduced between the ultraviolet light source (sterilization lamp) 103 and the glass cloth 104, passes through the glass cloth 104, and is discharged from the perforated plate 105. In addition to being sterilized by the ultraviolet light source (sterilization lamp) 103, it is deodorized by the photochemical reaction of the photocatalyst.

Further, as a conventional deodorizing filter, an adsorbent-supporting fiber structure material in which an adsorbent is bonded with a binder to a cavity of a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric composed of two ground structures and connecting yarns connecting the two is known. (For example, refer to Patent Document 2).
JP-A-1-139139 Japanese Patent No. 3045173

The glass cloth used in the conventional deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 is preferably one having a pressure loss of about 1 to 20 mmH ₂ O at a wind speed of 1 cm / sec, and the pressure loss is too high in a region where the wind speed is high. Therefore, it is not suitable for practical use as a filter for an air cleaner or deodorizer. Further, when the amount of the catalyst supported is increased, the opening portion of the glass cloth is clogged, and it becomes difficult to flow the air substantially, so that there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the amount of the catalyst supported.

  Further, the conventional adsorbent-carrying fiber structure material described in Patent Document 2 is a resin fiber material for carrying the adsorbent, and is unsuitable for use in carrying a catalyst. That is, when the catalyst is supported, the fiber is required to have chemical and mechanical strength against the catalyst, and when the photocatalyst is supported as it is, there is a problem that the resin fiber deteriorates due to radical species generated by the catalyst. Moreover, since the generated radical species are consumed for the decomposition of the fiber, there is a problem that the deodorizing performance as the deodorizing filter cannot be sufficiently exhibited. In addition, there is a problem that it is difficult to maintain the three-dimensional structure for a long time due to deterioration of the fiber.

  The present invention solves such a conventional problem, and can be used as a deodorizing filter even in a region where the wind speed is high, can increase the amount of the photocatalyst supported, and the fiber does not deteriorate even if the photocatalyst is supported. An object of the present invention is to provide a deodorizer equipped with a deodorizing filter having shape stability.

  In order to achieve the above object, the photocatalyst deodorizer according to the present invention is a deodorizer equipped with a deodorization filter and a blower means, wherein the deodorization filter connects the back and front two-layer knitted fabric and the knitted fabric. A photocatalyst is held in a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric made of the above, and the stitch portion of the knitted fabric is bonded.

  Further, at least a part of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is an inorganic fiber.

  Further, the inorganic fiber is a glass fiber.

  Further, at least a part of the connecting fibers connecting the knitted fabric is a resin fiber.

  Moreover, the back and front two-layer knitted fabric has an opening of 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less.

  The photocatalyst is adhered to the fiber using a light transmissive binder.

Further, the binder is a glass mainly composed of SiO ₂ .

  Moreover, the diameter of the fiber which comprises a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is 1 micrometer or more and 1000 micrometers or less, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Moreover, at least a part of the connecting fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is composed of multifilaments.

  Moreover, the particle diameter of a photocatalyst is smaller than the diameter of the fiber which comprises a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric.

  Further, the connecting fiber is bent.

  In addition, the thickness of the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is 1 mm or more and 30 mm or less.

  Further, the photocatalyst is titanium oxide.

  In addition, the deodorizing filter carries a photocatalyst and an adsorbent.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that an antibacterial metal is supported on the deodorizing filter.

  Moreover, the light source which excites a photocatalyst is provided, and the light by a light source is irradiated to a deodorizing filter, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  Further, a light source for exciting the photocatalyst is provided between the deodorizing filter and the air blowing means.

  According to the present invention, a deodorizing filter that can be used as a deodorizing filter even in a region where the wind speed is high, can increase the amount of photocatalyst supported, has no shape deterioration even if the photocatalyst is supported, and has shape stability is provided. A deodorizer can be provided.

  The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is a deodorizing machine comprising a deodorizing filter and a blower means, wherein the deodorizing filter is a three-dimensional solid comprising a back and front two-layer knitted fabric and a connecting fiber connecting the knitted fabric. A photocatalyst is held on the knitted fabric, and a stitch portion of the knitted fabric is bonded. Since it is a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric, the filter area is larger than that of a two-dimensional fabric such as glass cloth, so that the amount of catalyst supported can be increased. Moreover, since the deodorizing filter after carrying | supporting a photocatalyst becomes a three-dimensional porous body and the contact time of an odor and a catalyst can be lengthened, the deodorizing performance at the time of air passing through a filter once can be improved. Moreover, since the ventilation path is ensured compared with what laminated | stacked two or more two-dimensional fabrics, such as glass cloth, it can be set as a low voltage | pressure loss. Moreover, since it is a knitted fabric compared with a textile fabric, it has the effect of having good shape stability and excellent strength. In addition, since the fibers are closely entangled with each other, it is possible to obtain an effect that the photocatalyst is easily held in the entangled place. In addition, since the stitches are bonded to each other, the shape stability is good. Further, since the photocatalyst is supported on the fiber having a three-dimensional structure, the surface area is larger than that of the honeycomb structure having the same volume, and the deodorizing performance can be enhanced. Further, since the photocatalyst can be held between the front and back two-layer knitted fabric and the surface of the fiber connecting the knitted fabric and between the fibers, the amount of the photocatalyst supported can be increased as compared with the honeycomb structure. In addition, as compared with the honeycomb structure, light reaches from the gap between the fibers to the inside of the three-dimensional hollow, so that more photocatalysts can be activated and the deodorization performance can be enhanced.

  Further, at least a part of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is an inorganic fiber, and since at least a part of the fibers constituting the knitted fabric is an inorganic fiber, the fiber is less deteriorated by the photocatalyst. Has an effect.

  Further, the inorganic fiber is a glass fiber, and has an effect that the fiber is not deteriorated by the photocatalyst. Since the glass fiber is light transmissive or reflective, it has an effect that the supported photocatalyst can be efficiently irradiated with light and the deodorizing performance can be enhanced.

  Also, at least some of the connecting fibers that connect the knitted fabric are resin fibers. The resin fibers have stronger bending strength and elasticity than inorganic fibers, and retain a photocatalyst. Therefore, the deodorizing filter can be prevented from being deformed and the dimensional accuracy in the thickness direction can be increased.

  Further, the knitted fabric of the two layers of the front and back has a feature of having an opening of 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, and a deodorizing filter having a sufficient opening and excellent air permeability can be obtained.

  In addition, the photocatalyst is adhered to the fiber using a light transmissive binder, and since the light transmissive binder transmits or reflects ultraviolet rays, the photocatalyst is more activated. .

Further, the binder is characterized by being glass mainly composed of SiO ₂ , and the glass that is not deteriorated by the photocatalyst is in close contact with the photocatalyst, so that the photocatalyst can be stably supported for a long period of time. In addition, since the resin and the photocatalyst are hardly adhered to each other by the glass layer, there is an effect that the fiber is unlikely to deteriorate. Moreover, since the glass layer transmits or reflects ultraviolet rays, the photocatalyst is more activated.

  Further, the diameter of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is 1 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, and the deodorizing filter having a sufficient opening and excellent air permeability can be obtained. Moreover, it can be set as the deodorizing filter which has moderate shape stability and shape maintenance property, and was excellent in intensity | strength.

  In addition, it is characterized in that at least a part of the connecting fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is composed of multifilaments. By using multifilaments, deodorization with a wide surface area and excellent deodorizing performance is achieved. It can be a filter. In addition, even with connected fibers with the same cross-sectional area, the amount of supported photocatalyst can be increased without losing powder in multifilaments that are a combination of multiple thin fibers rather than a single thick fiber. A superior product can be obtained. This is because when supported on a plurality of thin fibers, the photocatalyst enters between the fibers and is firmly fixed.

  The photocatalyst particle diameter is smaller than the diameter of the fiber constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric, and the photocatalyst is smaller than the fiber diameter, so that the photocatalyst easily enters the stitches and overlapping portions between the fibers, The effect of being firmly fixed can be obtained. As a result, the amount of photocatalyst supported can be increased.

  In addition, since the connecting fiber is bent and becomes a curved ventilation path, the contact time between the photocatalyst and the air containing the odor can be extended, and the deodorizing performance can be improved. . Moreover, since the light irradiated to the opening part of a knitted fabric is also irradiated to the bent fiber surface, the light-receiving area of a deodorizing filter can be expanded and deodorizing performance can be improved.

  Further, the thickness of the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is 1 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and a deodorizing filter having a sufficient opening and excellent air permeability can be obtained. Since it has a three-dimensional structure, it has the effect that the strength of the knitted fabric is higher than that of the planar structure and it is difficult to deform. In addition, the contact time between the photocatalyst and the odor becomes longer, and the deodorizing performance is improved.

  In addition, the photocatalyst is characterized by being titanium oxide, and has an effect of being excellent in performance as a photocatalyst, inexpensive and safe.

  In addition, it is characterized by having a photocatalyst and an adsorbent supported on the deodorizing filter, and the adsorbent attracts odor, and the odor concentrated around the deodorizing filter can be efficiently decomposed by the photocatalyst, so deodorizing performance is improved. Can be increased. Moreover, the deodorizing effect of the deodorizing filter can be obtained even in the absence of light.

  In addition, the deodorizing filter is characterized in that an antibacterial metal is supported, and the deodorizing filter can have an antibacterial action even when it is not exposed to light.

  In addition, it is equipped with a light source that excites the photocatalyst, and is characterized by irradiating the deodorizing filter with light from the light source. By irradiating the deodorizing filter with light from the light source, the photocatalytic action can be exhibited more effectively. Can do.

  In addition, a light source that excites the photocatalyst is provided between the deodorizing filter and the air blowing means. By effectively irradiating the deodorizing filter with light from the light source, the photocatalytic action is more effectively exhibited. Can be made.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 shows a deodorizer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The deodorizing machine of the present invention includes a deodorizing filter 2 in which a photocatalyst is held in a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric, a lamp 3 as an excitation light source for the photocatalyst, and a fan 4 as a blowing means. The deodorizing filter 2 is disposed at a position where the light emitted from the lamp 3 can be received. The air sent by the fan 4 as the air blowing means is deodorized by passing through the deodorizing filter 2. The fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric are composed of resin fibers and inorganic fibers, and the stitch portions of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric are bonded. The three-dimensional solid knitted fabric has a continuous opening that allows air to pass therethrough.

  2 is a perspective view of a deodorizing filter 2 made of a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric, FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of an opening portion of a knitted fabric and a connecting fiber, and FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a stitch portion of a fiber constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric. is there. The deodorizing filter 2 is a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric composed of two knitted fabrics 6 and 7 having a substantially regular hexagonal opening 5 and connecting fibers 8. A indicates the longest diagonal line of the opening 5, and B indicates the thickness. From one of the stitches 9 constituting the knitted fabric on one side, four connecting fibers 8 extend to the stitch constituting the knitted fabric on the opposite side, and the two knitted fabrics are connected in a curved manner. The photocatalyst 10 is held in the gap between the stitches 9 formed by the bases 6 and 7 and the connecting fibers 8. The photocatalyst 10 is also held on the fiber surface other than the stitch 9 by a binder (not shown), and the entire deodorizing filter 2 is covered with the photocatalyst 10.

The glass cloth used in the conventional deodorizing / sterilizing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 preferably has a pressure loss of about 1 to 20 mmH ₂ O (10 to 200 Pa) at a wind speed of 1 cm / s (0.01 m / s). In addition, since the pressure loss is too high at a wind speed of 0.1 m / s or more required as a filter for an air cleaner or deodorizer, it is not suitable for practical use. Further, when the amount of the catalyst supported is increased, the opening portion of the glass cloth is clogged, and it becomes difficult to flow the air substantially, so that there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the amount of the catalyst supported.

  In the case of a woven fabric such as glass cloth, the overlapping portion of the fibers is filled with an adhesive because the shape cannot be maintained unless the overlapping portion of the fibers of the fabric is bonded with a binder. As a result, when the catalyst is supported on the fabric, the catalyst cannot be held in the overlapping portion of the fabric. On the other hand, in the case of a knitted fabric, a binder that bonds the fibers of the knitted fabric is not necessarily essential, and because the shape can be maintained by providing the stitches at appropriate intervals, the photocatalyst can be retained in the looped stitch portion, The amount of catalyst supported can be increased as compared with the fabric.

  In addition, in a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric composed of resin fibers as described in Patent Document 2, when a catalyst is supported, the fiber requires chemical and mechanical strength against the catalyst. There is a problem that the resin fiber deteriorates due to the radical species. When a three-dimensional knitted fabric is composed of inorganic fibers having durability against the catalyst, it is difficult to maintain the shape because the inorganic fibers have weak bending strength and are not stiff compared to resin fibers. In the present invention, the shape can be stabilized by adhering the stitch portions of the inorganic fibers. Moreover, the shape can be maintained by using inorganic fibers and organic fibers in combination.

  Since the deodorizing filter of the present invention is a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric, the surface area of the filter is larger than that of a two-dimensional fabric such as glass cloth, and the amount of catalyst supported can be increased. Moreover, since the deodorizing filter after carrying | supporting a photocatalyst becomes a three-dimensional porous body and the contact time of an odor and a catalyst can be lengthened, the deodorizing performance at the time of air passing through a filter once can be improved. Moreover, since the ventilation path is ensured compared with what laminated two or more two-dimensional fabrics, such as glass cloth, it can be set as a low voltage | pressure loss. Moreover, since it is a knitted fabric compared with a textile fabric, it has the effect of having good shape stability and excellent strength. Furthermore, since the stitch portion of the knitted fabric is bonded, the strength is strong against deformation factors such as compression and pulling on the filter, and the shape stability is good. In addition, since the fibers are intertwined closely, the photocatalyst is easily held in the intertwined place. In addition, since the stitches are bonded to each other, the shape stability is good. Further, since at least a part of the fibers constituting the knitted fabric is inorganic fibers, it is possible to obtain an effect that the fibers are less deteriorated by the photocatalyst.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a honeycomb corrugated filter having a three-dimensional structure. The honeycomb corrugated filter 11 has a structure in which corrugated plates 12 and flat plates 13 are laminated, and has an opening 14 between the corrugated plates 12 and the flat plates 13.

  6A is a schematic view showing how light is emitted from a deodorizing filter using a honeycomb structure, and FIG. 6B is a schematic view showing how light is emitted from a deodorizing filter using a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric. A dot portion in FIG. 6 schematically represents a range in which the light emitted from the lamp 3 is irradiated. The odor passing through the deodorizing filter 2 is adsorbed by the photocatalyst held by the deodorizing filter 2 and decomposed by the oxidizing action of the photocatalyst, so that the deodorizing filter 2 is regenerated. In the deodorizing filter using the honeycomb structure as in (A), the photocatalyst inside the honeycomb has many shadow portions due to the walls constituting the honeycomb, and effective light irradiation from the lamp 3 is not performed. Since the oxidization action of the deodorizing filter does not work sufficiently and the odor is not decomposed, regeneration of the deodorizing filter may be insufficient. On the other hand, in the deodorizing filter using a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric as shown in (B), since the fibers of the knitted fabric do not form a light blocking wall, the photocatalyst held in the opening of the knitted fabric and the connecting fibers Both of the held photocatalysts are irradiated with light. As a result, the photocatalyst inside the deodorizing filter is also irradiated with light, so that the odor is decomposed and the deodorizing filter can be sufficiently regenerated. In addition, although the excitation light source was shown in FIG. 5, a part of deodorizer may be comprised with light transmissive materials like glass, and the deodorizing filter may be regenerated by natural irradiation of outside light.

  As photocatalysts, metal oxides such as tin oxide, zinc oxide, tungsten trioxide, titanium oxide, strontium titanate, iron oxide, bismuth oxide, metal sulfides such as zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide, molybdenum sulfide, titanium nitride, etc. In view of safety and economy, titanium oxide is preferable. In addition, a promoter such as Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Au, Ag, Cu, or Zn may be added to the surface of the photocatalyst.

  Examples of inorganic fibers include metals, glass, ceramics, and the like, but it is desirable that the fibers have strength against ultraviolet rays. Examples of the metal include iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, silver, and gold fiber. Examples of the ceramic include alumina, silica, wollastonite, and potassium titanate fiber. Glass fiber is not deteriorated by photocatalyst unlike resin fiber, and a highly reliable three-dimensional solid knitted fabric can be obtained over a long period of time. Moreover, since glass fiber has a light transmittance and light reflectivity, it can irradiate light to a photocatalyst efficiently and can obtain the outstanding deodorizing performance. As the material of the glass fiber, a material having light transmissivity and light reflectivity such as quartz glass, E glass, C glass, S glass, and A glass can be used.

  The fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric do not have to be completely inorganic if the material can ensure photocatalytic performance and supporting strength, and the fiber surface is made of titanium, silica or alumina using resin fibers or natural fibers. Alternatively, the surface portion of the fiber may be used as an inorganic material by coating or vapor-depositing a film of metal or metal.

  As the connecting fibers for connecting the knitted fabric, resin fibers may be mixed with inorganic fibers and used. The connecting fiber needs appropriate elasticity and strength in order to stabilize the three-dimensional shape of the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric. In particular, in the catalyst supporting step and the drying step when manufacturing the deodorizing filter, the deodorizing filter is subject to deformation because stress and heat are applied. Compared to resin fibers, inorganic fibers have weak bending strength and are not stiff. Therefore, when a three-dimensional knitted fabric is made of inorganic fibers, deformation tends to occur. Therefore, the shape can be stabilized by mixing the resin fibers and the inorganic fibers to form the knitted fabric.

  Various materials such as synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and acrylic, natural fibers such as wool and cotton, and regenerated fibers such as cupra can be used as the resin fibers. By selecting the material of the fiber, for example, when a hard fiber such as polyester is used, it becomes easy to maintain the shape and thickness of the opening and the shape of the deodorizing filter.

  Examples of adhesion of the stitch portions of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric include a method using an appropriate binder and a method of welding the fibers by heat treatment. The binder does not have to be deteriorated by the catalytic action of the photocatalyst, and examples thereof include silicone, fluororesin, silica sol, alumina sol, calcium sulfate, and clay.

When a light-transmitting binder is used, the binder has light-transmitting properties and light-reflecting properties, so that the photocatalyst can be efficiently irradiated with light, and excellent deodorizing performance can be obtained. Examples of the light-transmitting binder include alkali silicates composed of silicates such as Na ₂ O, K ₂ O and LiO ₂ , inorganic colloids such as silica sol, alkoxides such as silica, silicon and titanium, and hydrolysates thereof. Can be mentioned. In addition, since an alkali component such as Na lowers the crystallinity of the photocatalyst and may deteriorate the photocatalytic performance, it is preferable that the main component is SiO ₂ as a binder, silica sol or silica alkoxides. A hydrolyzate or the like is preferred.

  As the air blowing means, there is no particular problem as long as wind can be taken into the main body, and any air blowing means such as a propeller fan, a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, and a blower can be used. The amount of air through which the air sent by the blowing means passes through the deodorizing filter can be designed in an arbitrary range. However, in order to obtain sufficient deodorizing performance, the air speed is preferably about 0.2 to 2 m / s.

  The opening of the two layers of the back and front knitted fabric is preferably such that the longest diagonal line A of the opening is 0.1 mm or more and 10 mm or less, more preferably 2 to 6 mm. As a result, a deodorizing filter having a sufficient opening and excellent ventilation performance can be obtained.

  Further, the opening shape of the knitted fabric is preferably a substantially regular polygon, and since openings of the same shape or the same size can be continuously provided on the front and back knitted surfaces, it is continuous without creating a closed portion. Can be obtained. As long as the shape of the opening is a triangle, a quadrangle, or a hexagon, openings having the same shape and size can be provided continuously, which is the most efficient arrangement of openings in the knitted fabric. In addition, for example, even if they are the same quadrangle, the shape of the deodorizing filter is stabilized because all of the opposing sides of the square opening are farthest apart from the rectangular or rhombus opening. Here, there is no particular problem even if the opening positions of the front and back knitted surfaces are shifted, and in this case, the air passes through the inside of the deodorizing filter in a curved line, while the light incident from the opening is linearly connected to the connecting fiber. Therefore, the effect that the light which permeate | transmits a deodorizing filter can be reduced can be acquired.

  The diameter of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is preferably 1 μm or more and 1000 μm or less, more preferably 10 μm to 200 μm. As a result, a deodorizing filter having a sufficient opening and excellent ventilation performance can be obtained. Moreover, it can be set as the deodorizing filter which has moderate resilience and was excellent in intensity | strength.

  Further, at least a part of the connecting fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric may be a multifilament. By using multifilaments for the connecting fibers, a deodorizing filter having a large surface area and excellent deodorizing performance can be obtained. When a plurality of monofilaments are gathered, a deodorizing filter excellent in shape stability can be obtained, but the surface area is reduced as compared with the case of using multifilaments. A monofilament and a multifilament may be used together. In that case, the balance between strength and catalyst holding amount can be adjusted by changing the blending ratio of the multifilament. A multifilament in which a plurality of thin fibers are combined together rather than a single thick fiber can increase the amount of the photocatalyst supported without falling off, and a product excellent in deodorizing performance can be obtained. When supported on thin fibers, the photocatalyst gets caught between the fibers and is firmly fixed, and even when an impact is applied from the outside, the impact is transmitted through the fiber so that it does not easily fall off. it can. By increasing the proportion of multifilaments in the connected fibers, the surface area of the entire deodorizing filter can be increased while maintaining the same amount of fiber raw material used per unit volume, and the deodorizing filter is highly efficient and economical. Can be obtained.

  The particle diameter of the photocatalyst is preferably smaller than the diameter of the fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric. Since the photocatalyst is smaller than the diameter of the fiber, the photocatalyst can easily enter the stitches and overlapping portions between the fibers and can be firmly fixed. As a result, the amount of photocatalyst supported can be increased. The particle diameter of the photocatalyst is about 6 to 100 nm as the primary particle diameter, but in actuality, the primary particles often aggregate to form secondary particles of about 0.1 to 100 μm. The particle diameter of the photocatalyst here indicates the state of secondary particles, and when the photocatalyst is dispersed in the knitted fabric, it is necessary to easily enter the fiber stitches or overlapping portions.

  Since the connecting fiber may be bent and becomes a curved ventilation path, the contact time between the photocatalyst and the air containing the odor can be extended, and an effect of improving the deodorizing performance can be obtained. Moreover, since the light irradiated to the opening part of a knitted fabric is also irradiated to the bent fiber surface, the light-receiving area of a deodorizing filter can be expanded.

  Since the photocatalyst exhibits a catalytic action when irradiated with light, the deodorizing filter needs to be exposed to light. There are two methods for irradiating light: a method of providing a light source inside the deodorizer and a method of using light outside the deodorizer such as sunlight and light from indoor lighting. In order to use the light outside the deodorizer, a part of the deodorizer may be composed of a light-transmitting member, and the periphery of the deodorizer filter is made of glass, transparent resin, etc., and light is applied to the deodorizer filter. Do it.

  In the method of providing a light source inside the deodorizer, examples of the light source for exciting the photocatalyst include lamps such as black light, cold cathode tube, germicidal lamp, and fluorescent lamp. Any means can be used as long as it can excite the photocatalyst, but a cold cathode tube is preferable as a light source because it is relatively low cost and has a long durability life. A plurality of LED light sources may be arranged as a light source.

The light emitted from the excitation light source to the deodorizing filter is preferably irradiated to the deodorizing filter so that ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 400 nm or less is in the range of 0.001 to 10.0 mW / cm ² , more preferably 0.5. The light intensity is ˜2 mW / cm ² . The irradiation intensity can be controlled by designing the number of excitation light sources, the emission intensity, and the distance between the excitation light source and the deodorizing filter to arbitrary values.

  The ultraviolet transmittance of the deodorizing filter is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less. Thereby, the deodorizing filter can receive light efficiently, and an effect that the deodorizing performance is high can be obtained. The ultraviolet transmittance of the deodorizing filter can be controlled to an arbitrary value depending on the opening ratio of the knitted fabric, the amount of fiber used, the thickness of the deodorizing filter, the number and bending state of the connecting fibers, and the positions of the opening portions on the front and back sides.

  A light source that excites the photocatalyst may be provided between the deodorizing filter and the air blowing means, and the photocatalytic action can be more effectively exhibited by efficiently irradiating light from the light source to the deodorizing filter.

  The thickness of the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is preferably 1 mm or more and 30 mm or less, and a deodorizing filter having a sufficient opening and excellent air permeability can be obtained. Since it is a three-dimensional structure, it has the effect that the strength of the knitted fabric is stronger than that of the planar structure. In addition, the contact time between the photocatalyst and the odor becomes longer, and the deodorizing performance is improved. The pressure loss of the gas is mainly governed by the shape and opening area of the knitted fabric on the front and back surfaces, and it is considered that the influence of the shape of the connecting fiber is small. By setting the thickness to 1 mm or more and 30 mm or less, a sufficient amount of catalyst can be maintained between the front surface and the back surface while keeping the pressure loss low. In addition, a sufficient contact time between the retained catalyst and a gas such as air passing therethrough can be obtained.

  The deodorizing filter may contain an adsorbent. By including the adsorbent, the odor can be concentrated with the adsorbent and efficiently decomposed with the photocatalyst, and excellent deodorization performance can be obtained. Moreover, even when the photocatalyst is not irradiated with light, a deodorizing action can be obtained. Examples of the adsorbent include activated carbon, activated carbon fiber, zeolite, silica gel, sepiolite, diatomaceous earth, apatite, and the like, and high silica zeolite (Si / Al = 16 or more) having a small amount of light absorption in the ultraviolet region is preferable. Arbitrary blending can be used as the ratio of the photocatalyst to the adsorbent, but the photocatalyst concentration is preferably 20 to 80 wt%.

  The deodorizing filter may carry an antibacterial metal. Antibacterial metals include inorganic compounds that elute metal ions such as silver, copper, and zinc, silver, copper, and zinc metal particles, silver zeolite, and silver-containing zirconium phosphate. By carrying an antibacterial metal, the deodorizing filter can be given an antibacterial action even when it is not exposed to light, and the filter can be kept clean.

  EXAMPLES Hereinafter, although an Example demonstrates this invention in detail, this invention is limited to the following description and is not interpreted at all.

Example 1
In order to create a deodorizing filter, a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 was used. The used three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is composed of two knitted fabrics 6 and 7 having a substantially regular hexagonal opening and a connecting fiber 8. The longest diagonal line A of the opening 5 is 5 mm, and the thickness B is 8 mm. The connecting fiber 8 is a polyester multifilament in which 10 single fiber diameters of 55 μm (330/10 dtex) are bundled. A binder was used to bond the stitch portions of the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric and to make at least a part of the fibers into inorganic fibers. As the binder, a solution obtained by adding a small amount of hydrochloric acid and water to a solution obtained by mixing tetraethoxysilane and ethanol as main components and performing hydrolysis was used. The polyester multifilament was coated with the SiO ₂ component by impregnating the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric in a binder solution, removing excess liquid, and drying at 70 ° C. for 20 minutes. The three-dimensional solid knitted fabric after drying was bonded to the stitch portion to improve the strength, and the shape was stabilized.

  A deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric A) was prepared by impregnating the above-mentioned three-dimensional solid knitted fabric with a mixture of titanium oxide and the above binder solution, removing excess liquid, and drying at 70 ° C. for 20 minutes. . The strength of the obtained deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric A) was further improved. When the surface of the deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric A) was observed with a microscope, it was possible to observe a state where particulate components that seem to be titanium oxide were retained on the surface.

(Example 2)
A fiber constituting the knitted fabric was changed from polyester to glass fiber, and a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric having the same shape as in Example 1 was prepared. The longest diagonal line A of the opening is 5 mm, and the thickness B is 8 mm. As the connecting fiber, a glass fiber multifilament in which ten fiber diameters of 55 μm are bundled is used. Since the glass fiber has durability against the photocatalyst, the liquid containing the photocatalyst and the binder is directly applied. In addition, since glass fiber has better compatibility with water than polyester fiber, it is not a solution that contains tetraethoxysilane and ethanol as the main components, but a colloidal silica that is a water-based binder. Created. The components of the liquid are colloidal silica, titanium oxide, a hydrophobic zeolite as an adsorbent, a surfactant, and water. When a liquid is impregnated with a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric made of glass fiber, deformation easily occurs due to the weight of the liquid. Therefore, the liquid containing a photocatalyst, a binder, and an adsorbent was applied by spraying the coating liquid. The liquid used was thoroughly mixed and stirred using a ball mill in advance. The operation of drying the spray-coated knitted fabric at 100 ° C. for 20 minutes was repeated three times to prepare a deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric B). When the surface of the deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric B) was observed with a microscope, it was observed that titanium oxide and particulate components that seem to be adsorbents were mixed and held on the surface.

  The connecting fiber of the created deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric B) is bent, and when viewed from the opening of the deodorizing filter, the connecting fiber extends so as to close the opening. When the cross section was viewed from the thickness direction of the deodorizing filter, it was observed that the connecting fibers were regularly arranged in a wavy shape, and the connecting fibers were bent to form a ventilating path communicating with each other.

An ultraviolet ray cold cathode tube and an ultraviolet ray intensity meter were arranged at an interval of 30 mm, and the ultraviolet ray intensity was measured. Without the deodorizing filter, it was 2.300 mW / cm ² . When light-shielded with a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric before holding the photocatalyst, it was 0.545 mW / cm ² . When shielded from light with a deodorizing filter (solid knitted fabric B) holding the catalyst, it was 0.046 mW / cm ² . From the intensity difference, the light receiving rate of the deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric B) was 98%.

(Example 3)
A three-dimensional solid knitted fabric having a longest diagonal line A of the opening of 7 mm and a thickness B of 8 mm was prepared. As the connecting fibers, polyester monofilaments having a fiber diameter of 138 μm and glass fiber multifilaments in which 36 fibers having a fiber diameter of 15 μm are bundled are used. In the same manner as in Example 2, a deodorizing filter in which ethanol did not remain was prepared using colloidal silica which is an aqueous binder. The components of the liquid are colloidal silica, titanium oxide, a hydrophobic zeolite as an adsorbent, a surfactant, and water. The operation of drying the spray-coated knitted fabric at 100 ° C. for 20 minutes was repeated three times to prepare a deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric C). When the surface of the deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric C) was observed with a microscope, it was observed that titanium oxide and particulate components considered to be adsorbents were mixed and held on the surface.

  The connecting fiber of the prepared deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric C) is bent, and when viewed from the opening of the deodorizing filter, the connecting fiber extends so as to block a part of the opening. When the cross section was viewed from the thickness direction of the deodorizing filter, it was observed that the connecting fibers were regularly arranged in a wavy shape, and the connecting fibers were bent to form a ventilating path communicating with each other.

An ultraviolet ray cold cathode tube and an ultraviolet ray intensity meter were arranged at an interval of 30 mm, and the ultraviolet ray intensity was measured. Without the deodorizing filter, it was 2.300 mW / cm ² . When light-shielded with a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric before holding the photocatalyst, it was 1.100 mW / cm ² . When the light was shielded with a deodorizing filter (solid knitted fabric C) holding the catalyst, it was 0.350 mW / cm ² . From the intensity difference, the light receiving rate of the deodorizing filter (three-dimensional knitted fabric C) was 85%.

(Example 4) (Surface wind speed and pressure loss)
FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the surface wind speed and the pressure loss of the deodorizing filters prepared in Examples 2 and 3. For comparison, a honeycomb corrugated filter having a three-dimensional structure as shown in FIG. 5 (honeycomb A: 180 cells / in ² , thickness 10 mm) and a honeycomb corrugated filter having a three-dimensional structure (honeycomb B: 80 cells / in ² , thickness) 10 mm), fiberglass fabric filter (fiber fabric A, imitation weave, length 11 × 3/25 mm, width 11 × 3/25 mm, mass 354 g / m ² , standard count 135 tex), glass fiber fabric filter (fiber fabric B) : Simulated weave, 7.5 × 4/25 mm in length, 6 × 4/25 mm in width, 375 g / m ² in mass, standard count 169 tex), glass fiber woven filter (in which two fiber woven fabrics B are stacked) It was. The three-dimensional knitted fabric B has a lower pressure loss than the fiber fabric A and the fiber fabric B, but has a higher pressure loss than the honeycombs A and B. Since the three-dimensional knitted fabric C has a larger opening diameter than the three-dimensional knitted fabric B, the pressure loss is further reduced, and the pressure loss is almost the same as that of the honeycomb B.

  Using a three-dimensional knitted fabric, a low-pressure loss deodorizing filter similar to a honeycomb corrugated filter that is frequently used as a deodorizing filter could be produced.

(Example 5) (Pressure loss and catalyst loading)
FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the pressure loss of the deodorizing filters prepared in Examples 2 and 3 and the solid content adhering amount. The pressure loss of the filter is the value when the surface wind speed is 1 m / s, and the solid content adhering amount is the total amount of photocatalyst, adsorbent and binder adhering to the filter.

  A deodorizing filter using a fiber fabric has a high pressure loss and a small amount of solid content. It can be seen that if the filter amount is increased in order to increase the solid adhering amount, the pressure loss also increases, and a three-dimensional shape is necessary to obtain a filter having a low solid loss and a large solid adhering amount. It can be seen that the three-dimensional knitted fabric can produce a deodorizing filter having a large amount of solid content with a low pressure loss similar to that of a honeycomb corrugated filter that is frequently used as a deodorizing filter. In such a knitted fabric, it is easy to control the pressure loss by changing the thickness, weaving method, and opening diameter of the yarn by designing.

(Example 6) (Deodorizing performance)
A deodorization test was performed using the prepared deodorization filter. A deodorizing unit having a deodorizing filter, a fan as a blowing means, and an ultraviolet ray cold cathode tube as a light source was installed in an acrylic test container having a volume of 1 m ³ . The size of the deodorizing filter was 78 mm × 130 mm, and the air passing through the deodorizing filter was adjusted so that the surface wind speed was 1.5 m / s. The deodorizing filter and the ultraviolet cold cathode tube were brought into close contact with each other, and one ultraviolet cold cathode tube was installed at a position where the front and back surfaces of the deodorizing filter could be irradiated. The ultraviolet cold cathode tube used had a length of 150 mm, a central emission wavelength of 365 nm, and an ultraviolet intensity measured at a distance of 7 mm of ² mW / cm ² . Acetaldehyde was introduced to a concentration of 20 ppm in a state where the temperature in the acrylic test vessel was 25 ± 3 ° C. and the humidity was 50 ± 5%. The acetaldehyde concentration was quantified using gas chromatography.

  A comparison of acetaldehyde deodorization performance is shown in FIG. The vertical axis represents the residual ratio of acetaldehyde when the initial concentration is 100%. In BLANK without deodorizing filter, the residual rate after 120 minutes is 90%, and the evaluation is performed under the condition that the leakage of the test container and the effect of the adsorption action on the acrylic container are about 10%. It has become.

  In the glass fiber fabrics A and B, although the odor is attenuated by the action of the photocatalyst, the deodorization rate is not so high. In the honeycomb filter A, the initial (0 to 15 minutes) deodorization is fast, and the subsequent deodorization speed is also high. In the honeycomb filter B, the initial (0 to 15 minutes) deodorization was fast, the subsequent deodorization rate was slightly slow, and changes were observed depending on the difference in the number of cells (opening diameter) of the honeycomb. The initial deodorization performance is considered to be mainly influenced by the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent and the gas diffusion rate to the deodorization filter, and the honeycomb structure is considered to have high deodorization performance because of its excellent gas diffusion performance. It is done. The deodorization rate after 15 minutes is considered to be mainly influenced by the odor decomposition performance of the photocatalyst, and the honeycomb A having a larger number of cells and a narrow corrugated interval was able to receive light more efficiently. Conceivable.

  The three-dimensional knitted fabrics A and B showed almost the same tendency of deodorizing performance, the initial (0 to 15 minutes) deodorization was slow, and the subsequent deodorization speed was fast. Since the deodorization rate over 10 to 40 minutes was higher than that of the honeycomb, it is considered that the light diffusion performance is inferior to that of the honeycomb, but the light can be received efficiently and the action of the photocatalyst can be exhibited more efficiently. It is done.

(Example 7) (Regeneration effect of deodorizing filter by photocatalyst)
In order to investigate the regeneration effect of the deodorizing filter by the photocatalyst, the following experiment was conducted. Under the same conditions as in Example 6, an equal amount of acetaldehyde gas was additionally introduced every 30 minutes, and the acetaldehyde concentration in the container was measured. The evaluated deodorizing filters are the three-dimensional knitted fabric B and the honeycomb A. The results are shown in FIG.

  The honeycomb A showed higher deodorizing performance up to the third introduction of acetaldehyde. In particular, the adsorptive action immediately after the introduction of gas was strong, and the tendency was almost the same as in Example 6. In the 4th to 7th introduction times, the three-dimensional knitted fabric B showed higher deodorizing performance, and the difference increased as the number of introductions was increased. The ● and ▲ in FIG. 9 indicate the acetaldehyde concentration after 30 minutes from the introduction of the gas, and it can be seen that the concentration difference increases as the number of times increases. This is probably because the three-dimensional knitted fabric B is regenerated by irradiating the entire deodorizing filter with light and decomposing and regenerating the acetaldehyde adsorbed to the adsorbent by the photocatalyst rather than the honeycomb A. The deodorizing filters after the test were both slightly discolored to yellow, but the three-dimensional knitted fabric B had a larger area that looked white, indicating that a wide range could be reproduced.

  To provide a deodorizer equipped with a deodorizing filter that can be used as a deodorizing filter even in a region where the wind speed is high, can increase the amount of photocatalyst supported, does not deteriorate even when the photocatalyst is supported, and has shape stability. It can be applied to applications such as deodorizers, air purifiers, air conditioners with a deodorizing function, and sterilizers.

Schematic sectional view showing a deodorizer according to an embodiment of the present invention The perspective view of the deodorizing filter which consists of a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric of the deodorizing machine Enlarged view of the knitted fabric of the deodorizing filter consisting of the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric of the deodorizer and the opening of the connecting fiber Enlarged view of the knitted part of the fibers constituting the deodorizing filter made of the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric of the deodorizer Perspective view of honeycomb corrugated filter Schematic diagram showing how the deodorizing filter is exposed to light Graph showing the relationship between surface wind speed and pressure loss of deodorizing filter A graph showing the relationship between the pressure loss of the deodorizing filter and the amount of solid adhering Graph showing the relationship between acetaldehyde residual rate and elapsed time Graph showing the relationship between acetaldehyde residual rate and elapsed time Schematic sectional view showing a conventional deodorizing device

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Deodorizing filter 3 Lamp 4 Fan 5 Opening 6 Knitted fabric 7 Knitted fabric 8 Connecting fiber 9 Knitted fabric 10 Photocatalyst 11 Honeycomb corrugated filter 12 Corrugated plate 13 Flat plate 14 Opening 101 Filter 102 Blower 103 Ultraviolet light source 104 Glass cloth 105 Perforated plate

Claims (17)

In the deodorizing machine including the deodorizing filter and the air blowing means, the deodorizing filter is configured such that the photocatalyst is held in a three-dimensional solid knitted fabric composed of a back and front two-layer knitted fabric and a connecting fiber that connects the knitted fabric, and the stitch of the knitted fabric Deodorizer characterized in that the parts are bonded. The deodorizer according to claim 1, wherein at least a part of fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is inorganic fibers. The deodorizer according to claim 2, wherein the inorganic fibers are glass fibers. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least a part of the connecting fibers connecting the knitted fabric is a resin fiber. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the back and front knitted fabric has an opening of 0.1 mm to 10 mm. 6. The deodorizer according to claim 1, wherein a photocatalyst is adhered to the fiber using a light-transmitting binder. The deodorizer according to claim 6, wherein the binder is glass mainly composed of SiO ₂ . The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the diameter of the fiber constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is 1 µm or more and 1000 µm or less. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein at least a part of the connecting fibers constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric is composed of multifilaments. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein a particle diameter of the photocatalyst is smaller than a diameter of a fiber constituting the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the connecting fiber is bent. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the three-dimensional solid knitted fabric has a thickness of 1 mm to 30 mm. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the photocatalyst is titanium oxide. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein a photocatalyst and an adsorbent are supported on the deodorization filter. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein an antibacterial metal is supported on the deodorization filter. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 15, further comprising a light source for exciting the photocatalyst, and irradiating light from the light source to the deodorizing filter. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a light source that excites a photocatalyst between the deodorizing filter and the blowing means.

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