JP2012115777A - Sterilization method for underwater, apparatus for sterilizing underwater, and refrigerator using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method and apparatus for sterilizing underwater which can reduce a cost with a simple structure and improve convenience.SOLUTION: The sterilization for the underwater is performed by generating a cation consisting of H(HO)m (m is an optional natural number) and an anion consisting of O(HO)n (n is an optional natural number) in the atmosphere, by an ion generating part 31 and introducing both ions into the underwater.

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilization method and an underwater sterilization apparatus for sterilizing microorganisms and viruses in water. The present invention also relates to a refrigerator using an underwater sterilizer for sterilizing microorganisms and viruses in water.

  Conventional underwater sterilization methods are disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2. The sterilization method described in Patent Document 1 sterilizes microorganisms and viruses by supplying ozone into water stored in a water tank. Since ozone is harmful to the human body and has a long life, water is used after ozone remaining in the water is removed by a removing device.

  Moreover, the sterilization method described in Patent Document 2 disposes an ultraviolet lamp in a passage of running water and irradiates ultraviolet rays to sterilize microorganisms and viruses. In addition, a method of sterilizing microorganisms and viruses by injecting a drug into the water stored in a water tank has been conventionally known.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-193394 (pages 2-5, FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-104631 (page 2 to page 3, FIG. 1)

  However, according to the conventional method for sterilizing in water using ozone, a removal device for removing ozone remaining in water is required. In addition, if ozone with a long life leaks from a water tank or the like, it accumulates in the surrounding area and affects the human body. Therefore, measures for preventing leakage of ozone and a device for removing ozone accumulated in the surrounding area are required. Therefore, there is a problem that the whole apparatus becomes complicated and the cost becomes large.

  Further, according to the conventional method for sterilizing in water using ultraviolet rays, the resin that forms the passage of running water and the like is deteriorated by the ultraviolet rays, so that a countermeasure for protecting the resin is required. For this reason, there has been a problem that the apparatus becomes complicated.

  In addition, according to the conventional method for sterilization in water using the conventional medicine, since the sterilized water cannot be used for drinks, ice making or the like, there is a problem that convenience for the user is deteriorated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an underwater sterilization method and an underwater sterilization apparatus that can reduce costs and improve convenience with a simple configuration. Moreover, an object of this invention is to provide the refrigerator provided with the underwater sterilizer which can reduce cost with a simple structure and can improve the convenience.

  In order to achieve the above object, the method for sterilization in water of the present invention is characterized in that sterilization in water is performed by generating positive ions and negative ions in the air and introducing them into the water. According to this configuration, positive ions and negative ions generated in the atmosphere chemically react with each other to generate active species having high oxidizing power. The active species generated by the ions are guided and dissolved in the water to sterilize microorganisms and viruses in the water.

In the method for sterilizing in water according to the present invention, the positive ion is H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m (m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ion is O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n ( n is an arbitrary natural number). According to this configuration, hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ), which is an active species, or a hydroxyl radical (•) is generated by a chemical reaction of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n generated in the atmosphere. OH) is produced.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the underwater sterilization method configured as described above, bubbles are formed in the water, and the positive ions and the negative ions are contained in the bubbles and led into the water. According to this configuration, the active species contained in the bubbles are sterilized by contacting with microorganisms and viruses at the interface between the bubbles and water. When the bubbles are separated from the water, the active species contained in the bubbles dissolve in the water and sterilize the microorganisms and viruses.

  The present invention is also characterized in that, in the underwater sterilization method configured as described above, the diameter of the bubbles is set to 1 μm or less. According to this configuration, the separation time for separating the bubbles from the water is several hours, and the bactericidal effect can be improved.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the water sterilization method having the above-described configuration, H ₂ O ₂ or .OH generated by the positive ions and the negative ions is introduced into water.

  The underwater sterilization apparatus of the present invention includes an ion generation unit that generates positive ions and negative ions in the atmosphere, and an introduction unit that introduces ions generated in the ion generation unit into water. According to this configuration, positive ions and negative ions are generated in the atmosphere by the ion generator. Ions generated by the ion generation unit are guided into water by the introduction unit. At this time, positive ions and negative ions chemically react with each other to generate active species having high oxidizing power. The active species generated by the ions are guided and dissolved in the water to sterilize microorganisms and viruses in the water.

In the underwater sterilizer of the present invention, the positive ions are H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m (m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ions are O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n (n is an arbitrary natural number). ). According to this configuration, hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ), which is an active species, or a hydroxyl radical (•) is generated by a chemical reaction of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n generated in the atmosphere. OH) is produced.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that in the underwater sterilization apparatus configured as described above, bubbles are formed in the water by the introduction part, and the positive ions and the negative ions are contained in the bubbles and led into the water. According to this configuration, the active species contained in the bubbles are sterilized by contacting with microorganisms and viruses at the interface between the bubbles and water. When the bubbles are separated from the water, the active species contained in the bubbles dissolve in the water and sterilize the microorganisms and viruses.

  Moreover, the present invention is characterized in that, in the underwater sterilization apparatus configured as described above, the introduction section includes an air pump. According to this configuration, the ions generated in the ion generator are contained in the bubbles by the air pump and guided into the water.

  In the underwater sterilization apparatus having the above-described configuration, the present invention is characterized in that a blower fan that guides ions generated by the ion generation unit to the air pump is provided. According to this configuration, the ion blower fan generated in the ion generator circulates in the airflow and is guided to the air pump. The ions contained in the bubbles are introduced into the water by the air pump.

  In the underwater sterilization apparatus having the above-described configuration, the present invention further includes a first passage and a second passage where the introduction portion is isolated and immersed in water, and the positive ions flow through the first passage and the negative ions. Circulates through the second passage. According to this configuration, positive ions generated by the ion generator flow through the first passage and are contained in bubbles and guided into the water. Negative ions generated by the ion generator flow through the second passage and are contained in bubbles and guided into the water. When bubbles containing positive ions and bubbles containing negative ions collide in water, active species are generated in the bubbles and the water is sterilized.

  The refrigerator of the present invention includes the underwater sterilization apparatus according to any of the above-described configurations, a water tank in which stored water is sterilized by the underwater sterilization apparatus, and an ice making tray supplied with water from the water tank, It is characterized by cooling the dish and making ice. According to this configuration, when water is stored in the water tank, the water stored in the water tank is sterilized by the underwater sterilizer. The sterilized water is supplied to an ice tray and cooled to produce ice.

  According to the present invention, positive ions and negative ions are generated in the atmosphere and led to water, so that active species generated from both ions are dissolved in water, and microorganisms and viruses in the water are sterilized. Therefore, microorganisms and viruses in water can be sterilized with a simple configuration and low cost. Further, sterilized water can be used for beverages and ice making, and convenience can be improved.

Side surface sectional drawing which shows the underwater sterilizer of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the ion generation part of the underwater sterilizer of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional view which shows the refrigerator provided with the ice making apparatus which has the underwater sterilizer of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional view which shows the ice making apparatus which has the underwater sterilizer of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the state which tested the bactericidal effect by the underwater sterilizer of 1st Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the result of having tested the bactericidal effect by the underwater sterilizer of 1st Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional view which shows the underwater sterilizer of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the ion generating part of the underwater sterilizer of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Side surface sectional view which shows the underwater sterilizer of 3rd Embodiment of this invention.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an underwater sterilizer according to the first embodiment. The underwater sterilizer 26 has a cylindrical air passage 30 having both ends opened. A blower fan 32 is disposed at one end of the blower passage 30 and an air pump 33 is disposed at the other end. An air flow toward the air pump 33 is generated in the air blowing path 30 by the blower fan 32.

  The air pump 33 extends from the air supply pipe 36 and sends the air in the air passage 30 to the air supply pipe 36 at a predetermined flow rate. The air pump 33 is formed by a diaphragm type air pump, for example, and can form bubbles in the water in which the air supply pipe 36 is immersed.

  An ion generator 31 is disposed in the air passage 30 along the flow direction of the airflow. FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the ion generator 31. The ion generating unit 31 is configured as a printed electrode type, and includes a discharge electrode 311 disposed on the surface of the alumina dielectric 312 and a counter electrode 313 embedded in the alumina dielectric 312. For example, the discharge electrode 311 is formed in a rectangular shape of about 1 cm × 3 cm and has a mesh pattern. The interval between the discharge electrode 311 and the counter electrode 31 is, for example, about 0.2 mm.

The discharge electrode 311 and the counter electrode 313 are connected to a high voltage power source 314. The high-voltage power supply 314 alternately generates positive and negative high-voltage pulse voltages (for example, a frequency of 60 Hz and a peak voltage of about 2 kV) and applies them between the discharge electrode 311 and the counter electrode 313. At this time, molecules such as oxygen (O ₂ ) and water (H ₂ O) in the air receive energy by the plasma generated by the creeping discharge on the surface of the discharge electrode 311.

When the applied voltage between the electrodes is a positive voltage, water molecules in the air are ionized to generate hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ). The hydrogen ions are clustered with water molecules in the air by solvation energy to generate mainly positive ions composed of H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m (m is an arbitrary natural number). When the voltage applied between the electrodes is a negative voltage, oxygen molecules or water molecules in the air are ionized to generate oxygen ions O ₂ ⁻ . The oxygen ions are clustered with water molecules in the air by solvation energy, and negative ions mainly composed of O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n (n is an arbitrary natural number) are generated.

At this time, it is necessary to give an energy of 5.12 eV or more, which is a generation energy of hydrogen ions (H ⁺ ), by applying a positive voltage. It is necessary to apply energy of 0.44 eV or more, which is the generation energy of oxygen ions (O ₂ ⁻ ), by applying a negative voltage. On the other hand, the generation energy of nitrogen oxide ions (NO ₂ ⁻ , NO ₃ ⁻ ) harmful to the human body generated from nitrogen in the air is 9.76 eV. For this reason, it is necessary to make the applied voltage lower than the voltage giving the energy of 9.76 eV. The generation energy of ozone (O ₃ ) is 5.12 eV, and the amount of ozone generated increases as the energy increases.

Therefore, the positive voltage applied between the discharge electrode 311 and the counter electrode 313 is set to a voltage that gives energy of 5.12 eV or more and in the vicinity of 5.12 eV. Further, the negative voltage applied between the discharge electrode 311 and the counter electrode 313 can be a voltage that gives energy in the vicinity of 5.12 eV or more and in the vicinity of 5.12 eV, similarly to the positive voltage. It is more desirable to set the negative voltage to a voltage that gives energy of 0.44 eV or more and less than 5.12 eV. Thus, by suppressing the generation of harmless ozone and nitrogen oxides in the human body H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ^- can be generated (H ₂ O) n mainly.

As shown in Formulas (1) to (3), H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n are hydroxy radicals (.OH ) And hydrogen peroxide (H ₂ O ₂ ). Here, m ′ and n ′ are arbitrary natural numbers.

H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m + O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n → OH + 1 / 2O ₂ + (m + n) H ₂ O (1)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ 2 OH + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (2)
_{^{H + (H 2 O) m}} + H + (H 2 O) m '+ O 2 - (H 2 O) n + O 2 - (H 2 O) n'
→ H ₂ O ₂ + O ₂ + (m + m ′ + n + n ′) H ₂ O (3)

  As will be described later, active species composed of hydroxy radicals and hydrogen peroxide are supplied into the water by the air pump 33 to sterilize microorganisms and viruses in the water. Accordingly, the air passage 30, the air fan 32, the air pump 33, and the air supply pipe 36 constitute an introduction portion that guides ions generated by the ion generation portion 31 into water.

  FIG. 3 shows a side sectional view of the refrigerator 1 provided with the ice making device 5 having the underwater sterilizer 26 having the above-described configuration. The refrigerator 1 is provided with a refrigerator compartment 2, a freezer compartment 3, and a vegetable compartment 4 in order from the top. The ice making device 5 has a water tank 6 installed in the refrigerator compartment 3 and an ice tray 7 installed in the freezer compartment 4. An ice storage container 8 is provided in the freezer compartment 4 below the ice tray 7.

  FIG. 4 is a side sectional view showing details of the ice making device 5. The water tank 6 is provided with a water injection part 21 for water injection, and stores water used for ice making several times. A water supply pipe 25 connected to a water supply pump 22 is attached to the water tank 6. One end of the water supply pipe 25 is disposed in the vicinity of the bottom surface of the water tank 6 and immersed in the water storage, and the other end is disposed above the ice tray 7. Water is supplied to the ice tray 7 through the water supply pipe 25 as indicated by an arrow A by driving the water supply pump 22. The water supplied to the ice tray 7 is made by cooling and is dropped into the ice storage container 8 and stored in a predetermined ice removing operation.

  The above-described underwater sterilizer 26 is attached to the ceiling surface of the water tank 6. The air supply pipe 36 of the underwater sterilizer 26 is immersed in the water stored in the water tank 6. The ions generated in the ion generator 31 and the active species generated from the ions are guided to the air pump 33 by the blower fan 32. Then, the air pump 33 introduces bubbles B containing ions and active species into the water. At this time, active species are sequentially generated in the bubbles B by positive ions and negative ions.

  When the bubbles B in the water disappear, the active species composed of hydroxy radicals and hydrogen peroxide dissolve in the water. The active species dissolved in water destroy the cell membrane of microorganisms such as bacteria and the outer shell of the virus and lose its growth ability. Thereby, microorganisms and viruses in water can be sterilized, and hygienic ice can be obtained.

  Further, the active species in the bubbles B are sterilized by contacting with microorganisms and viruses at the interface between the bubbles B and water. The disappearance of the active species is slower when they remain in the bubbles than when they dissolve in water. For this reason, sterilization by an active species can be performed for a long time by including an active species in a bubble and guide | inducing into water, and sterilization power can be improved.

  Bubbles B having a diameter of several nanometers to several millimeters can be easily formed by providing an open-cell porous body or the like on the discharge side of the air pump 33. The smaller the size of the bubbles B, the greater the total surface area of the bubbles B supplied into the water, and the longer the separation time for the bubbles B to separate from the water and disappear. As a result, the active species can be held for a long time and sterilized at a wide interface of bubbles, and the sterilizing effect can be improved. When the diameter of the bubbles B is 1 μm or less, the separation time is several hours, so that the sterilization effect can be further improved.

  A device for changing the size of the bubble B may be provided, and the flow rate of the air pump 33 may be changed. When the flow rate of the air pump 33 is varied, the amount of active species dissolved in water can be adjusted. Accordingly, an appropriate amount of active species can be dissolved in water according to the situation such as an environment with a lot of microorganisms and viruses present in water or an environment with little. The flow rate of the air pump 33 can be varied by changing the drive voltage, drive voltage waveform, and drive current waveform. Further, a flow rate control valve may be provided in the air supply pipe 36 to vary the flow rate of the air pump 33.

  FIG. 5 schematically shows a test state for confirming the sterilization effect by the underwater sterilizer 26 of the present embodiment. The underwater sterilizer 26 immerses an air supply pipe 36 in a water tank 35, and the underwater sterilizer 26 and the water tank 35 are arranged in a closed container 40 having a volume of 1.7L. Ions generated in the ion generator 31 are guided to the air pump 33 by the blower fan 32 and are guided into the water tank 35 by the air pump 33.

About 10 ⁷ E. coli per 1 mL of water is mixed in the water tank 35. Bacterial solutions are collected at the start of driving of the ion generator 31 and at the time of 3 hours, 7 hours, and 24 hours from the start of driving. Then, 1 mL of the collected bacterial solution is applied to a Petri film and the total number of bacteria after culturing in a 37 ° C. constant temperature bath for 24 hours is counted. For comparison, the total number of bacteria is counted in the same manner when the water tank 35 is installed without driving the ion generator 31 and when 3 hours, 7 hours, and 24 hours have elapsed after installation.

  Table 1 and FIG. 6 show the test results. In FIG. 6, the vertical axis indicates the total number of bacteria (unit: CFU), and the horizontal axis indicates time (unit: Hr). In the drawing, D indicates a state in which the ion generator 31 is driven, and E indicates a state in which the ion generator 31 is not driven.

According to Table 1 and FIG. 6, the initial total number of bacteria when the ion generator 31 is not driven is 1.47 × 10 ⁷ CFU. After 3 hours and 7 hours, the total number of bacteria was on the order of 10 ⁷ CFU, and after 24 hours, it spontaneously decayed to 1.11 × 10 ⁶ CFU. On the other hand, when the ion generating unit 31 was driven, the initial total number of bacteria was 1.47 × 10 ⁷ CFU, decreased to 10 ⁶ CFU order after 3 hours, and decreased to almost 0 CFU after 7 hours.

From this result, it can be seen that positive ions H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and negative ions O _2- (H ₂ O) n generated in the atmosphere were introduced into water to kill bacteria in water.

  According to this embodiment, positive ions and negative ions are generated in the atmosphere and guided into water, so that active species generated from both ions are dissolved in water, and microorganisms and viruses in the water are sterilized. Therefore, microorganisms and viruses in water can be sterilized with a simple configuration and low cost. Further, there is no need to replenish the medicine, and hygienic ice can be created with the sterilized water, and convenience can be improved.

Further, since the positive ions are H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and the negative ions are O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n, the active species H ₂ O ₂ or .OH is generated to generate microorganisms in water. And can be sterilized reliably.

  In addition, bubbles B are formed in the water, and positive ions and negative ions are contained in the bubbles B and guided into the water. Therefore, sterilization with active species generated from the ions can be performed for a long time, and the sterilization power is improved. Can do.

  Further, since the diameter of the bubbles B is set to 1 μm or less, the separation time for separating the bubbles B from the water is several hours, and the sterilizing effect can be further improved.

In addition, since active species composed of H ₂ O ₂ or .OH generated by positive ions and negative ions are introduced into water, microorganisms and viruses can be sterilized by the oxidizing power of the active species.

  Next, FIG. 7 is a side sectional view showing the underwater sterilizer of the second embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. The underwater sterilizer 27 has a cylindrical air passage 66 having one end opened. A blower fan 32 is disposed at the opening end of the air passage 66, and a first passage 61 and a second passage 62 branched in two directions are provided at the other end. The first and second passages 61 and 62 are immersed in water, and air pumps 63 and 64 are arranged at the tips, respectively. The air pumps 63 and 64 are formed by, for example, a diaphragm type air pump, and can form the bubbles B in water.

  An ion generator 60 is disposed in the air passage 66 on the upstream side of the first and second passages 61 and 62. FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the ion generator 60. The ion generator 60 has a counter electrode 601 and discharge electrodes 602a and 602b attached to a substrate 604. The discharge electrodes 602a and 602b are formed in a needle shape at a predetermined interval. The counter electrode 601 is disposed around the discharge electrodes 602a and 602b and forms an emission hole 603.

A positive voltage is applied to one discharge electrode 602a from a high voltage power source 314, and a negative voltage is applied to the other discharge electrode 602b from a high voltage power source 314. As a result, discharge occurs between the tip portions of the discharge electrodes 602a and 602b and the counter electrode 601, and plasma is generated. Molecules such as oxygen (O ₂ ) and water (H ₂ O) in the air receive energy and are ionized by the generated plasma. As a result, H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m (m is an arbitrary natural number) as positive ions and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n (n is an arbitrary natural number) as negative ions are generated to generate the release holes 603. To release from.

  The discharge electrode 602 a is disposed facing the first passage 61, and the discharge electrode 602 b is disposed facing the second passage 62. For this reason, positive ions generated from the discharge electrode 602a flow through the first passage 61, and are contained in the bubbles B and guided into the water by the air pump 63. Negative ions generated from the discharge electrode 602b flow through the second passage 62, and are contained in the bubbles B and guided to the water by the air pump 64. Accordingly, the air passage 66, the air fan 32, the first and second passages 61 and 62, and the air pumps 63 and 64 constitute an introduction portion that guides ions generated by the ion generation portion 60 into the water.

The bubbles B containing positive ions and the bubbles B containing negative ions collide in water, and hydroxy radicals and hydrogen peroxide, which are active species, from H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m and O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n. Generate. Thereby, microorganisms and viruses in water are sterilized by the active species dissolved in water and the active species generated in the bubbles B.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, positive ions and negative ions are generated in the atmosphere and guided to the water, so that active species generated from both ions dissolve in the water and Virus is sterilized. Therefore, microorganisms and viruses in water can be sterilized with a simple configuration and low cost. Further, there is no need to replenish the medicine, and hygienic ice can be created with the sterilized water, and convenience can be improved.

  Further, by separating the positive ions and the negative ions by the first and second passages 61 and 62 and guiding them to water, annihilation due to recombination of ions before clustering can be suppressed. Therefore, ions can be kept at a high concentration, and sterilization efficiency can be further increased.

  In addition, you may provide the ion generator 60 of this embodiment in the underwater sterilizer 26 of 1st Embodiment.

  Next, FIG. 9 is a side sectional view showing an underwater sterilizer according to a third embodiment. For convenience of explanation, the same parts as those in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. In this embodiment, a water pump 55 and an ejector 50 are provided in place of the air pump 33 (see FIG. 1) of the first embodiment. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

  A blower fan 32 is disposed at one end of the blower passage 30, and an ejector 50 is disposed downstream of the ion generation unit 31. An inflow pipe 57 connected to the water tank 35 is led out to one end of the ejector 50 through a water pump 55. At the other end of the ejector 50, an outflow pipe 56 immersed in the water stored in the water tank 35 is led out. The ejector 50 is formed with a constricted portion 50a having a constricted flow path, and an air inlet 51 facing the blower passage 30 is provided on the peripheral surface of the constricted portion 50a.

  When the water pump 55 is driven, the water in the water tank 35 flows into the ejector 50 through the inflow pipe 57 and is sent to the water tank 35 through the outflow pipe 56 to circulate. The water passing through the throttle portion 50a of the ejector 50 increases in flow velocity and decreases in pressure. At this time, air containing ions and active species in the air passage 30 is sucked into the ejector 50 through the inlet 51 provided in the throttle portion 50a. Thereby, the bubbles B containing ions and active species are guided into the water. Accordingly, the air passage 30, the air fan 32, the ejector 50, the water pump 55, the inflow pipe 57, and the outflow pipe 56 constitute an introduction part for introducing ions into the water.

  Thereby, microorganisms and viruses in water are sterilized by the active species dissolved in water and the active species generated in the bubbles B.

  According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, positive ions and negative ions are generated in the atmosphere and guided to the water, so that active species generated from both ions dissolve in the water and Virus is sterilized. Therefore, microorganisms and viruses in water can be sterilized with a simple configuration and low cost. Further, there is no need to replenish the medicine, and hygienic ice can be created with the sterilized water, and convenience can be improved.

  Moreover, since the ejector 50 provided in the circulation path of the water storage of the water tank 35 is arrange | positioned in the ventilation path 30, the bubble B can be formed easily in water.

  In addition, you may provide the ion generator 60 of 2nd Embodiment in the underwater sterilizer 28 of this embodiment.

  In the first to third embodiments, the ions and active species are contained in the bubbles B and guided to the water. However, the ions and the active species are sent to the water surface to guide the ions and the active species to the water. Also good. As a result, the active species can be dissolved in water to sterilize microorganisms and viruses in the water. At this time, the contact area between the airflow and the water increases due to the undulation of the water surface, and ions and active species are easily taken into the water.

  Moreover, you may use the water sterilized by the underwater sterilizer 26,27,28 for drinks, steam cooking, etc.

  According to the present invention, it can be used for a refrigerator equipped with an ice making device, a drinking water purification device, a steam cooker, and the like.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Refrigerator 2 Refrigeration room 3 Freezing room 4 Vegetable room 5 Ice making apparatus 6 Water tank 7 Ice tray 8 Ice storage container 21 Water injection part 22 Water supply pump 25 Water supply pipe 26, 27, 28 Underwater sterilizer 30 Air supply path 31, 60 Ion generation part 32 , 65 Air blower 33, 63, 64 Air pump 35 Water tank 40 Sealed container 50 Ejector 55 Water pump 61 First passage 62 Second passage 311 602a 602b Discharge electrode 312 Alumina dielectric 313 601 Counter electrode 314 High voltage power supply 603 Discharge hole

Claims (13)

  An underwater sterilization method characterized by sterilizing in water by generating positive ions and negative ions in the air and introducing them into the water. The positive ion is H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m (m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ion is O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n (n is an arbitrary natural number). Item 2. A method for sterilizing in water according to Item 1.   The method for sterilizing in water according to claim 1 or 2, wherein bubbles are formed in water, and the positive ions and the negative ions are contained in the bubbles and led into water.   The method of sterilizing in water according to claim 3, wherein the diameter of the bubbles is 1 µm or less. The method for sterilizing in water according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein H ₂ O ₂ or .OH generated by the positive ions and the negative ions is introduced into water.   An underwater sterilization apparatus comprising: an ion generation unit that generates positive ions and negative ions in the atmosphere; and an introduction unit that introduces ions generated in the ion generation unit into water. The positive ion is H ⁺ (H ₂ O) m (m is an arbitrary natural number), and the negative ion is O ₂ ⁻ (H ₂ O) n (n is an arbitrary natural number). Item 7. An underwater sterilizer according to item 6.   The underwater sterilizer according to claim 6 or 7, wherein bubbles are formed in water by the introduction part, and the positive ions and the negative ions are introduced into the bubbles and introduced into the water.   The underwater sterilizer according to claim 8, wherein the introduction part includes an air pump.   The underwater sterilizer according to claim 9, further comprising a blower fan that guides ions generated in the ion generator to the air pump.   The introduction part has a first passage and a second passage that are isolated and immersed in water, wherein the positive ions flow through the first passage and the negative ions flow through the second passage. The underwater sterilizer according to any one of Items 6 to 10. The underwater sterilizer according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein H ₂ O ₂ or .OH generated by the positive ions and the negative ions is introduced into water.   An underwater sterilizer according to any one of claims 6 to 12, a water tank in which stored water is sterilized by the underwater sterilizer, and an ice tray supplied from the water tank, and cooling the ice tray. Refrigerator characterized by making ice.

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