JP2020127923A - Ultraviolet radiation device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ultraviolet radiation device capable of more surely sterilizing and radiating ultraviolet efficiently.SOLUTION: A fluid sterilization module 1 comprises: an inner cylinder 21 forming a cylindrical processing channel 21d extending in a longitudinal direction; a first chamber 26 communicating with the processing channel 21d through an opening on one end side of the inner cylinder 21; an inflow part 4 for flowing an object into the first chamber 26; an outflow part 5 for causing the object passed the processing channel 21d to flow out from the other end side of the inner cylinder 21; a light emission element 34a being provided to face an opening on the other end side of the processing channel 21d, and radiating ultraviolet toward the object passing the processing channel 21d along the longitudinal direction; a fluid detector 6 for detecting the fact that the object is in the processing channel 21d; and a control part 7 for driving and controlling the light emission element 34a on the basis of a detection signal of the fluid detector 6. An inner volume of the first chamber of 2/3 or greater of a cube of a correspond inner diameter of the processing channel 21d and three times or smaller of an inner volume of the processing channel 21d.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet irradiation device equipped with a fluid detector.

Since ultraviolet rays have a sterilizing ability, a device for continuously sterilizing a fluid such as water by irradiating the fluid with ultraviolet rays has been proposed.
In such a device, a bulb such as a mercury lamp or a xenon lamp has been conventionally used as an ultraviolet light source. Further, an LED (light emitting diode) capable of irradiating light having a wavelength capable of performing sterilization is used as an ultraviolet light source, and is directed in the longitudinal direction toward a fluid flowing in a flow channel tube that constitutes a flow channel extending in the longitudinal direction. A fluid sterilizer for irradiating ultraviolet light has also been proposed.

Further, in the fluid sterilization module using the LED as the ultraviolet light source as described above, in order to improve the sterilization efficiency, it is preferable to form a flow velocity distribution that matches the light flux distribution of the ultraviolet rays in the sterilization area. Therefore, a rectifying chamber having an inlet/outlet that serves as an inlet or an outlet of the flow passage and provided with a facing member facing the end portion of the flow passage pipe is arranged so as to surround the end portion of the flow passage pipe. The fluid flowing into or out of the flow straightening chamber is caused to flow into or out of the flow passage pipe through the gap formed between the facing member and the end portion, thereby A method of adjusting the flow velocity has also been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent No. 6080937

However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, when the gap is set small, a slight dimensional error causes a velocity difference in the flow velocity, and when the gap is set large, the velocity difference due to the inertia of the fluid cannot be sufficiently reduced. If the amount of UV irradiation received by the fluid flowing through the flow channel varies, it may not be possible to perform sufficient sterilization.
Moreover, although the fluid flowing through the flow path can be sterilized by performing the ultraviolet irradiation, the deterioration of the flow path pipe and the like also progresses with the ultraviolet irradiation. In addition, the longer the irradiation time of ultraviolet light, the shorter the life of the light source. From the viewpoint of the life of the ultraviolet irradiation device and from the viewpoint of cost reduction, the present inventors suppress the irradiation of ultraviolet light more than necessary, sterilize the fluid in the flow path tube more reliably and efficiently with ultraviolet light. An ultraviolet irradiation device that can perform irradiation was examined.
The present invention has been made by paying attention to the conventional unsolved problem, and provides an ultraviolet irradiation device capable of sterilizing a fluid in a flow path tube more reliably and efficiently performing ultraviolet irradiation. It is an object.

The ultraviolet irradiation device according to an embodiment of the present invention forms a tubular processing flow path extending in the longitudinal direction, and a tubular portion having an opening at one end side, and the opening covering the opening and processing through the opening. A first chamber communicating with the flow path, an inflow section for inflowing the object into the first chamber, an outflow section for outflowing the object that has passed through the processing flow path from the other end side of the tubular section, and a tubular section Provided on at least one of the one end side or the other end side, a light emitting element for irradiating ultraviolet light toward an object passing through the processing channel, and a fluid detector for detecting that the object is in the processing channel, And a control unit for driving and controlling the light emitting element based on a detection signal of the fluid detector, wherein the inner volume of the first chamber is 2/3 or more of the cube of the equivalent inner diameter of the treatment channel. It is characterized by being 3 times or less.
Note that the equivalent inner diameter of the processing channel as used herein means “four times the cross-sectional area of the processing channel/the sectional circumferential length of the processing channel”.

According to an aspect of the present invention, it is possible to suppress variation in the ultraviolet irradiation amount received by the fluid flowing in the flow channel due to a difference in speed of the fluid flowing in the flow channel due to low assembly accuracy and the like, and It is an object of the present invention to provide an ultraviolet irradiation device capable of reliably and efficiently performing ultraviolet irradiation.

It is an external view which shows an example of the fluid sterilization module to which the ultraviolet irradiation device which concerns on this invention is applied. 1A is a longitudinal sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 1B is an end view taken along the line AA′ of FIG. It is an example of an apparatus used for measuring diffuse transmittance. It is a top view showing an example of a plate for straightening. It is an example of a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the length of the sterilization area and the dose of ultraviolet rays required for sterilization. It is a modification of the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the transmission condition of ultraviolet rays. It is a modification of the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an explanatory view for explaining the ultraviolet light intensity of the light source concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the flow velocity distribution of the fluid sterilization module in the comparative example A of one embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the flow velocity distribution of the fluid sterilization module in Example A1 of one embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the flow velocity distribution of the fluid sterilization module in Example A2 of one embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the flow velocity distribution of the fluid sterilization module in Example A3 of one embodiment of the present invention. It is an example of the flow velocity distribution of the fluid sterilization module in Example A4 of one embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the fluid sterilization module in Example B1 of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the fluid sterilization module in Example B2 of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the fluid sterilization module in Example B3 of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the fluid sterilization module in the comparative example B1 of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the outline of the fluid sterilization module in the comparative example B2 of one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the fluid simulation result using the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the fluid simulation result using the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the fluid simulation result using the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the fluid simulation result using the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the simulation result using the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the result of having performed the sterilization test using the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is an example of the flow velocity distribution in the fluid sterilization module by the simulation using the fluid sterilization module which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals are given to the same or similar parts. However, the drawings are schematic, and the relationship between the thickness and the plane dimension, the thickness ratio of each layer, and the like are different from the actual ones. Further, the embodiments described below exemplify an apparatus and a method for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, and the technical idea of the present invention is the material, shape, structure, and arrangement of components. Are not specified below. The technical idea of the present invention can be variously modified within the technical scope defined by the claims described in the claims.

1 and 2 are conceptual diagrams showing an example of a fluid sterilization module to which an ultraviolet irradiation device according to the present invention is applied. 2A is a vertical sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 2B is an end view taken along the line AA′ of FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the fluid sterilization module 1 includes a sterilization processing unit 2, a light emitting unit 3, an inflow unit 4, an outflow unit 5, a fluid detector 6, and a control unit 7.
As shown in FIG. 2A, the sterilization processing unit 2 is fixed to an inner cylinder (cylindrical portion) 21, a case portion 22 that accommodates the inner cylinder 21, and an opening on one end side of the inner cylinder 21, A disk-shaped plate (a plate that covers the opening) 23 for rectifying the fluid flowing into the inner cylinder 21, and the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22 are arranged between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22. And a member 24 that defines a gap between them.

The inner cylinder 21 is formed in a cylindrical shape with both ends open, and preferably has a wall thickness of 1 [mm] or more and 20 [mm] or less. The inner cylinder 21 is formed of an ultraviolet ray reflective material, and the ultraviolet ray reflective material has a diffuse transmittance of 1 [%]/1 [mm] or more and 20 [%]/1 [mm] or less, and The total reflectance in the ultraviolet region is 80[%]/1[mm] or more and 99[%]/1[mm] or less. The sum of the diffuse transmittance and the total reflectance in the ultraviolet region is preferably 90[%]/1[mm] or more. The ultraviolet reflecting material applied to the inner cylinder 21 is polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), silicon resin, quartz glass containing bubbles of 0.05 [μm] or more and 10 [μm] or less, and 0 inside. Partially crystallized quartz glass containing crystal grains of 0.05 [μm] or more and 10 [μm] or less, an alumina sintered body of crystal grains of 0.05 [μm] or more and 10 [μm] or less, and 0.05 [μm] The one containing at least one of the above-mentioned crystalline mullite sintered bodies having a grain size of 10 [μm] or less can be mentioned.

Here, in the case where a material having a diffuse reflection property is used as the inner cylinder 21, assuming that the material itself does not absorb ultraviolet rays, at least a part of the irradiation light by the light emitting unit 3 provided at one end side of the inner cylinder 21. Is set so as to penetrate to the other end of the inner cylinder 21. If the transmittance at this time is larger than 20 [%]/1 [mm], a very thick material is required as the wall thickness of the inner cylinder 21 in order to increase the effective ultraviolet ray reflection amount. Therefore, not only the entire fluid sterilization module 1 becomes large and it is difficult to design an appropriate flow path, but also reflection from a deep layer must be controlled, and optical design becomes difficult. It is generally desirable that the scatterer has a high optical density and a low transmittance, but in the case of a non-porous material, the difference in the density of the material inside the material, such as the crystalline part and the amorphous part, causes the scatterer to be 1%. ]/1 [mm] is difficult. In the case of a porous structure, a structure of less than 1 [%]/1 [mm] is possible, but since the treatment flow path 21d described later comes into contact with an object to be sterilized (hereinafter, also simply referred to as an object), fungi. This would provide a fine hole structure that serves as a hotbed, and is not suitable as a constituent member of the inner cylinder 21.

Further, if the total reflectance in the ultraviolet region is 80%/mm or less, the effective multiple reflection effect of ultraviolet rays cannot be obtained. The higher the total reflectance is, the more preferable it is. However, in the case of a non-porous material, the difference in density between the crystal parts and the amorphous parts inside the material becomes a scatterer. Therefore, the total reflectance is 99[%]/1[mm ] It is difficult to do the above. In the case of a porous structure, a structure of more than 99[%]/1[mm] is possible, but since the processing channel 21d contacts the object, it provides a fine hole structure as a hotbed for fungi. In other words, it is not suitable as a constituent member of the inner cylinder 21.

Further, a material in which the sum of diffuse transmittance and total reflectance in the ultraviolet region is 90[%]/1[mm] or less, that is, the energy internally absorbed is 10[%] or more is effective UV ray. Since it is not possible to obtain the multiple reflection effect of the above, it is not suitable as a constituent member of the processing channel 21d.
The diffuse transmittance is measured using a plate-shaped sample obtained by slicing an ultraviolet reflective material. Specifically, for example, in the case of measuring the diffuse transmittance of PTFE as an ultraviolet reflective material, the following procedure is performed.
That is, since PTFE is a material having diffusivity, it is difficult to properly measure it by ordinary transmittance measurement using linear light. Therefore, the diffuse transmittance is measured using an integrating sphere. The diffuse transmittance using this integrating sphere may be measured, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, by using a spectrophotometer or the like generally used for measuring the diffuse transmittance of a suspending substance.
In FIG. 3, 101 is a plate sample, 102 is a detector, 103 is measurement light, 104 is control light, and 105 is a standard white plate.

Returning to FIG. 2, the inner cylinder 21 is preferably made of a material whose outer peripheral surface has a coefficient of static friction smaller than that of the inner peripheral surface of the case portion 22. That is, in the later-described first chamber 26 including the gap between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22, the coefficient of static friction of the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 forming the wall surface on the inner peripheral side of the first chamber 26 is The coefficient of static friction is preferably smaller than the static friction coefficient of the inner peripheral surface of the case portion 22 forming the outer peripheral wall surface of the one chamber 26. With such a configuration, in the situation where the biofilm is generated, the biofilm is generated on the outer peripheral side wall surface of the first chamber 26 prior to the inner peripheral side wall surface of the first chamber 26. The presence of the biofilm attached to the outer peripheral wall surface of the first chamber 26, that is, the inner peripheral surface of the case portion 22 can be confirmed by forming a shadow when a flashlight or the like is applied from the outside. Therefore, the generation of the biofilm in the first chamber 26 can be easily detected, and the wall surface on the outer peripheral side of the first chamber 26 before the biofilm is generated in the entire first chamber 26, that is, the case portion. The generation of the biofilm can be detected when the biofilm is generated on the inner peripheral surface side of 22. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the risk occurrence due to the biofilm.

In addition, in order to further reduce the risk of the biofilm, the static friction coefficient of the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 is preferably 1/2 or less of the static friction coefficient of the inner peripheral surface of the case portion 22. Further, the static friction coefficient of the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 is more preferably 1/10 or less of the static friction coefficient of the inner peripheral surface of the case portion 22.
Tables 1 and 2 show the friction coefficient of the resin. Table 1 shows the friction coefficient of typical resins. Table 2 shows the static friction coefficient and the dynamic friction coefficient of the fluororesin.

Returning to FIG. 2A, the inner cylinder 21 penetrates through the inner cylinder 21 at a position near the end on the light emitting unit 3 side, facing the radial direction at six locations, for example, 60 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. The communication port 21a is formed. The arrangement position and the number of the communication ports 21a are not limited to this.
From the viewpoint of machining, the shape of the communication port 21a is preferably circular in cross section. The shape of the communication port 21a is not limited to the case where the cross section is circular, and can be any shape. Further, the diameter of the communication port 21a is preferably 1/100 or more and 1/4 or less, more preferably 1/20 or more and 1/5 or less of the diameter of the processing channel 21d.

Desirably, the communication port 21a is arranged at a position slightly displaced from the end on the light emitting unit 3 side toward the end on the opposite side of the processing flow path 21d from the light emitting unit 3. Specifically, the distance between the center position of the opening of the communication port 21a and the end of the processing channel 21d on the light emitting unit 3 side is 1/20 or more of the diameter of the processing channel 21d and less than or equal to the diameter. It is desirable that the processing channel 21d is located at a position closer to the end portion on the opposite side to the light emitting portion 3. The arrangement position of the communication port 21a is more preferably a position closer to the opposite end of the processing channel 21d, which is 1/10 or more and 1/4 or less of the diameter of the processing channel 21d.

A groove 21b that fits into the member 24 is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the central portion of the inner cylinder 21 in the direction in which the inner cylinder 21 extends. The cross section of the groove 21b is, for example, rectangular.
A step portion 21c that fits with the plate 23 is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the end portion of the inner cylinder 21 opposite to the light emitting portion 3. The hollow portion of the inner cylinder 21 forms the processing flow path 21d.
Note that the processing flow passage 21d is the most upstream portion of the processing flow passage 21d, that is, the end of the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 on the plate 23 side, from the viewpoint of suppressing the unevenness of the flow velocity of the object in the processing flow passage 21d. It is preferable that the amount of change in the main cross-sectional area from the portion to the end of the inner peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21 on the light emitting portion 3 side is 5% or less. Further, the processing flow path 21d does not have to be a cylinder.

The case portion 22 is formed of, for example, polyolefin, specifically polypropylene or polyethylene, and has a tubular shape having a circular cross section with one end closed and the other end open. A flange portion 22a is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the open end of the case portion 22. Further, a step portion 22b is formed on the inner peripheral surface of the open end of the case portion 22.
A convex portion 22α that protrudes toward the inside of the case portion 22 is formed at the closed end opposite to the open end of the case portion 22. The convex portions 22α are provided at three locations, for example, 120 degrees apart in the circumferential direction. The arrangement position and the number of the protrusions 22α are not limited to this, and the point is that the plate 23 can be fixed as described later.

An inflow portion 4 having a cylindrical hollow portion therein is integrally formed with the case portion 22 on the outer peripheral surface of the case portion 22 near the closed end, and a cylindrical shape is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the case portion 22 near the open end. The outflow portion 5 having the hollow portion therein is formed integrally with the case portion 22. The opening of the hollow part of the inflow part 4 becomes the inflow port 4a, and the opening part of the hollow part of the outflow part 5 becomes the outflow port 5a.
The inflow portion 4 and the outflow portion 5 are preferably formed so that the direction in which the object flows in each hollow portion and the longitudinal direction of the case portion 22 are orthogonal to each other.

In the inflow portion 4, the distance between the inner cylinder 21 and the end of the outer peripheral surface on the stepped portion 21c side is equal to or larger than the inlet equivalent radius of the inlet 4a, and is ⅔ of the processing passage length of the processing passage 21d. The inner cylinder 21 is formed at a position closer to the end on the communication port 21a side by the following distance.
The outflow portion 5 is located closer to the end portion of the inner cylinder 21 on the stepped portion 21c side by a distance from the communication port 21a that is equal to or more than the radius equivalent to the outlet of the outlet 5a and is equal to or less than 2/3 of the processing flow path length. It is formed at the position.

By forming the inflow portion 4 and the outflow portion 5 in such ranges, it is possible to suppress the generation of the extremely high flow velocity portion in the processing flow path 21d.
In addition, in the arrangement position of the inflow portion 4, the distance between the inner cylinder 21 and the end portion of the outer peripheral surface on the side of the step portion 21c is equivalent to the inner diameter of the processing flow passage 21d (hereinafter, also referred to as the inner diameter corresponding to the processing flow passage). ) Of ½ or more and ⅔ or less of the length of the processing channel, the position closer to the end of the inner cylinder 21 on the communication port 21a side is more preferable, and 3/4 or more of the inner diameter corresponding to the processing channel. The position closer to the end of the inner cylinder 21 on the side of the communication port 21a is even more preferable by a distance of ⅔ or less of the processing flow path length.

Similarly, the position of the outflow portion 5 is such that the distance from the communication port 21a is ½ or more of the inner diameter corresponding to the processing passage and ⅔ or less of the processing passage length, and the end portion on the step portion 21c side. The position closer to the end is more preferable, and the position closer to the end on the side of the stepped portion 21c is more preferable by a distance equal to or more than 3/4 of the inner diameter corresponding to the processing channel and less than or equal to 2/3 of the length of the processing channel.
When the positions where the inflow part 4 and the outflow part 5 are arranged exceed the two-thirds of the processing flow path length, the degree of design freedom for arranging the inflow part 4 and the outflow part 5 becomes low, so that the processing flow path length is reduced. 2/3 or less is preferable.
The plate 23 is formed of an ultraviolet reflective material such as PTFE. As shown in the plan view of FIG. 4, the plate 23 has a plurality of opening holes 23a extending between the front and back surfaces, and the opening ratio is set to 0.05 or more and 0.8 or less. Further, the equivalent diameter of each opening hole 23a is set to 0.5 mm or more and 1/3 or less of the processing channel equivalent inner diameter of the processing channel 21d.

By setting the aperture ratio to be 0.05 or more and 0.8 or less, a more rectifying effect can be obtained as compared with the case where the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27 described later are not provided. That is, it is possible to suppress variations in the flow velocity of the target object in the processing flow path 21d. The aperture ratio is preferably 0.05 or more and 0.6 or less, and more preferably 0.05 or more and 0.35 or less. If the opening ratio is less than 0.05, the maximum processing flow rate decreases with respect to the size of the processing flow passage 21d. Therefore, the opening ratio is preferably 0.05 or more.
Although the plate 23 is provided here for the purpose of controlling the flow of the object flowing from the first chamber 26 into the processing flow path 21d, the present invention is not limited to the plate 23, and the flow can be adjusted. A mechanism may be provided. Further, the plate 23, that is, the rectifying mechanism is not necessarily provided as long as the required sterilizing effect can be obtained.

Returning to FIG. 2, the member 24 is made of fluororubber such as Viton (registered trademark). The member 24 is formed in an annular shape, and a convex portion 24a that fits into the groove 21b formed in the inner cylinder 21 is formed on the inner peripheral surface side. On the outer peripheral surface side of the member 24, a plurality of (for example, three) annular convex portions 24b having a semicircular cross section are formed in the width direction.
In addition, the member 24 has a shape in which the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22 are in close contact with each other and a predetermined gap is formed between them due to the thickness in the radial direction.
Then, in the gap between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22, a region on the closed end side of the case portion 22 among the sections divided by the member 24 is between the inflow portion 4 and the processing flow passage 21d. A first chamber 26, which is provided and communicates with the opening of the inner cylinder 21 on the side of the stepped portion 21c, is formed as a rectifying chamber on the inflow side. In addition, an area on the open end side of the case portion 22 among the sections divided by the member 24 is provided between the outflow portion 5 and the processing flow passage 21d, and is connected to the processing flow passage 21d via the communication port 21a. A second chamber 27 that communicates with and serves as an outflow side rectifying chamber is formed.

At this time, the inner volume of the first chamber 26 is 2/3 (about 67[%]) of the cube of the inner diameter of the processing channel 21d corresponding to the processing channel, or 3 or more of the internal volume of the processing channel 21d. Set to less than double. By setting the inner volume of the first chamber 26 within such a range, a more rectifying effect can be obtained as compared with the case where the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27 are not provided. The inner volume of the first chamber 26 is more preferably 75% or more of the cube of the inner diameter of the processing channel and not more than twice the inner volume of the processing channel. Is more preferably 85% or more and not more than the internal volume of the processing channel. If the internal volume of the first chamber 26 is made too large, the size of the entire fluid sterilization module 1 becomes too large for the processing flow rate, so the internal volume of the first chamber 26 is not more than 3 times the internal volume of the processing channel. It is preferable.

Further, the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 shown in FIG. 2B is preferably 1/10 or more and 1 or less of the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing flow path 21d, and more preferably 1/10 or more/1/ It is set to 2 or less. When the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 is larger than the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing flow path 21d, it is difficult to function as the fluid sterilization module 1, and when the cross-sectional area A26 is larger than the cross-sectional area A21, the bio It becomes difficult to sufficiently suppress the generation of the film.

That is, when the treatment flow rate of the sterilization treatment in the fluid sterilization module 1 is 2 [L/min], the cross-sectional area required for sterilization, that is, the cross-sectional area A21 of the treatment flow passage 21d is A21>3.14 [cm ² ]. It is assumed that the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 required for preventing the generation of biofilm is A26<1.53 [cm ² ]. Since it is considered that these relative values are proportional to the flow rate, when the processing flow rate is X [L/min], the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing channel 21d required for sterilization is A21>1.57×X [cm2]. Therefore, the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 necessary for preventing the generation of the biofilm can be expressed as A26<0.76×X [cm ² ]. Therefore, it is preferable that “the cross-sectional area A21 required for sterilization/the cross-sectional area A26 required for preventing biofilm generation” is larger than 2.06 ((A21/A26)>2.06). The length of the processing flow path 21d is determined by the transmittance of the object and does not depend on the target processing flow rate.

FIG. 5 is a characteristic diagram showing the relationship between the length of the sterilization area, that is, the length of the processing flow path 21d, and the dose amount (integrated irradiation amount) of ultraviolet rays that are absorbed by the fluid and used for sterilization. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents the length of the sterilization area [mm], and the vertical axis represents the dose amount of ultraviolet rays (integrated irradiation amount) [mJ/cm ² ]. The respective characteristic lines differ in the inner diameter of the processing channel 21d and the reflectance of the processing channel 21d. If the inner diameter of the processing flow path 21d and the reflectance of the processing flow path 21d are determined, the length of the processing flow path 21d and the dose amount of ultraviolet rays (integrated irradiation amount) can be determined from FIG. That is, it is possible to provide stable sterilization ability for a long period of time by satisfying both the flow rate that prevents the generation of biofilm and the dose amount that ensures a certain sterilization ability.

The member 24 is not limited to fluororubber, and the gap between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22 prevents the object from moving between the closed end side and the open end side of the case portion 22. It may be partitioned and may be made of any durable material.
Further, the number of the convex portions 24b provided on the member 24 is not limited to three and may be plural. By providing a plurality of convex portions 24b, the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22 can be stably fixed. The protrusions 24b may be arranged at equal intervals, for example, in the width direction. The point is that the positions of the protrusions 24b are biased and the intervals between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22 are not uniform. However, it may be arranged in a uniform position.
The term "equivalent inner diameter or equivalent diameter" as used herein means "four times the flow passage cross-sectional area/passage cross-section perimeter".
Further, the equivalent radius means “twice the flow passage cross-sectional area/flow passage cross-section perimeter”.
The rectifying chamber is disposed between the processing flow path and the external device and has an inlet and an outlet for exchanging an object between the fluid sterilization module 1 and the external device. It is a space having an equivalent inner diameter of 1.1 times or more, preferably 1.5 times or more of the equivalent inner diameter of the passage.

Returning to FIG. 2A, the light emitting portion 3 includes a window portion (a component that closes the entire opening) 31 and an element portion 32.
The window portion 31 is formed of, for example, stainless steel, and is formed in an annular shape having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the flange portion 22a of the case portion 22. A first step portion 31a and a second step portion 31b having a diameter larger than that of the first step portion 31a are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the window portion 31, and the second step portion 31b is exposed to ultraviolet rays such as quartz glass. A disk-shaped window 33 made of a transparent material is fitted so as to be flush with the surface of the window portion 31 on the element portion 32 side.

The element portion 32 is formed of, for example, stainless steel, and is formed in an annular shape having the same outer diameter as the outer diameter of the window portion 31. A circular recess 32a in a plan view is formed on the surface of the element portion 32 that faces the window portion 31. A light source 34 including a light emitting element 34a such as a UVC-LED (deep ultraviolet LED) and a substrate 34b on which the light emitting element 34a is mounted is fixed to the recess 32a so that the light emitting surface faces the window 33. The light source 34 is arranged so that the optical axis of the irradiation light from the light source 34 and the central axis of the processing channel 21d in the longitudinal direction coincide with each other.

A recess 32b for fixing a control board (not shown) on which the control unit 7 for driving and controlling the fluid sterilization module 1 is mounted is formed on the surface of the element unit 32 opposite to the window unit 31. ..
The sterilization processing unit 2 and the light emitting unit 3 are integrally fixed by a through bolt 25 at the flange portion 22a of the case portion 22.
At this time, the step portion 22b is provided with an O-ring 22c made of an elastic member such as rubber, and an annular member made of an elastic member is provided between the end portion of the inner cylinder 21 on the side of the communication port 21a and the window portion 31. The elastic sheet 22d is provided to prevent the object from leaking outside from the contact portion between the window portion 31 and the case portion 22. As the elastic member that becomes the elastic sheet 22d, it is preferable to use an elastomer such as a silicone resin elastomer or a fluororesin elastomer.

Further, the elastic sheet 22d is interposed between the end of the inner cylinder 21 on the side of the communication port 21a and the window 31, and is fixed by the through bolt 25, so that the step 21c of the inner cylinder 21 is provided. The plate 23 is fixed to the step portion 21c by pressing the plate 23 by the convex portion 22α and sandwiching the plate 23 between the convex portion 22α and the step portion 21c.
Further, an O-ring 31c made of an elastic member such as rubber is provided between the first step 31a of the window 31 and the window 33 so that the object leaks out from the contact portion between the window 31 and the window 33. To prevent that.

The gap between the end of the inner cylinder 21 and the region of the window 31 that faces the end of the inner cylinder 21 with the elastic sheet 22d interposed therebetween is 25 [μm] or less from the viewpoint of accuracy of machining. Can be set to. Further, when the thickness is 10 [μm] or less, the surface substance of water or the like does not substantially leak due to the surface tension.
Returning to FIG. 1, the fluid detector 6 is provided in the inflow pipe 61 communicating with the inflow port 4a. The fluid detector 6 detects the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61 and outputs a detection signal, which is an electrical signal indicating the detection, to the control unit 7. The fluid detector 6 can be applied to any detection method such as a gear type, an ultrasonic type, and an electromagnetic type. Further, the fluid detector 6 only needs to be able to detect the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61, and selects a fluid detector system to be applied according to the speed, viscosity, temperature, etc. of the fluid flowing through the inflow pipe 61. do it.

The controller 7 drives and controls the light source 34 based on the detection signal from the fluid detector 6, and controls the entire fluid sterilization module 1. Specifically, the control unit 7 activates the light source 34 when the fluid detector 6 detects the fluid flow, and stops the light source 34 when the fluid detector 6 no longer detects the fluid flow.
The fluid detector 6 and the control unit 7 may be connected by wire or wirelessly. In addition, the control unit 7 is actually provided by being mounted on the control board in the concave portion 32b shown in FIG. 2A as described above, but in FIG. ing.

〔motion〕
Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be described.
When the object to be sterilized does not flow into the processing flow path 21d through the inflow pipe 61, the fluid detector 6 provided in the inflow pipe 61 does not detect the flow of the fluid. The control unit 7 inputs the detection signal from the fluid detector 6, and when the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61 is not detected, the control unit 7 determines that the target object in the processing flow path 21d is stationary, and determines the light source. Do not operate 34.
On the other hand, when the object to be sterilized flows into the processing flow path 21d through the inflow pipe 61, the fluid detector 6 detects the flow of the fluid. Therefore, in the control unit 7, the fluid detector 6 detects the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61. Therefore, the control unit 7 determines that the object in the processing flow path 21d is flowing, and activates the light source 34. .. Therefore, ultraviolet irradiation is performed on the object to be sterilized that passes through the processing flow path 21d through the inflow pipe 61.
When the fluid detector 6 does not detect the fluid flow from this state, the control unit 7 stops the light source 34. This stops the ultraviolet irradiation.

[Effects of Providing Fluid Detector 6]
(1) The fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention is provided with the fluid detector 6 for detecting the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61, and based on the detection signal of the fluid detector 6, the processing flow passage 21d. Ultraviolet irradiation is performed when the sterilization target inside is regarded as flowing, and ultraviolet irradiation is stopped when the flow of the fluid through the inflow pipe 61 cannot be detected. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ultraviolet irradiation from being performed while the sterilization target in the processing flow path 21d is stationary, and to avoid unnecessary ultraviolet irradiation to that extent. As a result, ultraviolet irradiation can be efficiently performed, the life of the fluid sterilization module 1 can be extended, and the cost can be reduced.

(2) In the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the fluid detector 6 is provided in the inflow pipe 61 to detect the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61. Therefore, the light source 34 can be activated at a time before the object actually flows into the processing flow path 21d. As a result, it is possible to irradiate the target object with ultraviolet rays from the time when the target object actually flows into the processing flow path 21d. That is, the light source 34 can be driven in consideration of the time lag from the time when the fluid detector 6 detects the fluid flow to the time when the ultraviolet irradiation is actually started. Therefore, it is possible to irradiate the object flowing into the processing flow path 21d with ultraviolet rays without further leakage, and to improve the sterilization effect.

"The time required from the time when the fluid detector 6 detects the flow of the fluid to the time when the ultraviolet ray irradiation is actually started" is "the point where the ultraviolet ray irradiation of the processing channel 21d is possible from the position where the fluid detector 6 is arranged. Up to “value obtained by dividing the volume of the sterilization target by the flow rate of the sterilization target per unit time” or less, from the initial stage when the target flows into the processing flow path 21d Can be sterilized against. Therefore, the arrangement condition, that is, “the time required from the time when the fluid detector 6 detects the flow of the fluid to the time when the ultraviolet irradiation is actually started” is “the fluid detected by the fluid detector 6 is the processing flow path”. By arranging the fluid detector 6 so that the time required to reach the point where the ultraviolet irradiation within 21d is possible is less than or equal to "the time required to reach the point where the ultraviolet irradiation is possible, it is possible to more reliably irradiate the object flowing into the processing channel 21d with the ultraviolet. It can be performed.

[Modification when the fluid detector 6 is provided]
(1) In the above embodiment, the sensor that detects the presence or absence of the fluid flowing through the inflow pipe 61 is used, but the fluid detector 6 outputs a signal according to the amount of fluid flowing through the inflow pipe 61 per unit time. It may be a sensor that does.
When the fluid detector 6 is a sensor that outputs a signal according to the amount of fluid flowing through the inflow pipe 61 per unit time, the control unit 7 causes the ultraviolet light of the light source 34 to be emitted according to the amount of fluid per unit time. The irradiation amount, that is, the intensity of ultraviolet light may be adjusted. That is, the ultraviolet irradiation amount may be increased when the fluid amount per unit time is large, and may be decreased when the fluid amount per unit time is small. By doing so, it is possible to perform irradiation with a more appropriate ultraviolet irradiation amount according to the amount of the target object flowing into the processing flow path 21d. Therefore, it is possible to further suppress unnecessary irradiation of ultraviolet rays. Further, the fluid detector 6 may be configured to detect the flow velocity of the object and adjust the ultraviolet irradiation amount according to the flow velocity.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the fluid detector 6 detects the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61 has been described. However, when the sterilization target flowing through the inflow pipe 61 is not a fluid such as powder. For the above, a sensor that can detect that the object to be sterilized is flowing through the inflow pipe 61 may be applied.

(3) In the above embodiment, the case where the fluid detector 6 detects the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the fluid detector 6 is provided in the outflow pipe 62 communicating with the outflow port 5a, and the control unit 7 controls the light source 34 according to the flow of the fluid passing through the outflow pipe 62. You can Specifically, when the control unit 7 detects the flow of the fluid passing through the outflow pipe 62, the control unit 7 considers that the object in the processing flow path 21d is flowing, drives the light source 34, and passes through the outflow pipe 62. When the flow of the flowing fluid is not detected, it is considered that the object in the processing channel 21d is stationary, and the light source 34 is stopped.

Also in this case, unnecessary irradiation of ultraviolet rays can be avoided. Further, since the fluid detector 6 stops the irradiation of ultraviolet rays when the fluid passing through the outflow pipe 62 is no longer detected, the fluid passing through the fluid detector 6 is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Is the fluid. That is, the fluid passing through the fluid detector 6 has been sterilized. Here, when the fluid detector 6 is a sensor of a type that detects the presence or absence of the fluid by contacting the fluid passing through the outflow pipe 62, the fluid detector 6 contacts the fluid detector 6 to detect the presence or absence of the fluid. There is a possibility that biofilm etc. will occur. However, since the fluid passing through the fluid detector 6 is a fluid that has been irradiated with ultraviolet rays, it is possible to reduce the risk of producing a biofilm or the like on the fluid detector 6. Since the fluid passing through the fluid detector 6 has already been irradiated with ultraviolet rays, the fluid detector 6 is preferably provided at a position closer to the outflow port 5a of the outflow pipe 62. By doing this, since the ultraviolet irradiation can be stopped at an earlier point in time after the ultraviolet irradiation on the object to be subjected to the ultraviolet irradiation is completed, the unnecessary ultraviolet irradiation is completed at an earlier stage. be able to.

(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the fluid detector 6 is arranged in either the inflow pipe 61 or the outflow pipe 62 has been described. However, the fluid detector 6 is provided in both the inflow pipe 61 and the outflow pipe 62. May be provided. In this case, the control unit 7 activates the light source 34 at the time when the fluid detector 6 provided in the inflow pipe 61 detects the fluid flow, and the fluid detector 6 provided in the outflow pipe 62 detects the fluid flow. The light source 34 may be stopped when the stop is detected. By doing so, it is possible to start and stop the light source 34 at appropriate timings at both the start time and the end time of the sterilization process for the sterilization target, and to avoid unnecessary irradiation of ultraviolet rays. In addition, the life of the fluid detector 6 provided in the outflow pipe 62 can be extended.

(5) In the above embodiment, the case where the fluid detector 6 detects the flow of the fluid passing through the inflow pipe 61 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it may be possible to detect whether or not an object is present in the inflow pipe 61. Similarly, it may be possible to detect whether or not an object is present in the outflow pipe 62. That is, regardless of whether or not the object in the processing channel 21d is flowing, it is considered that the object exists in the processing channel 21d when the fluid is detected by the fluid detector 6 provided in the inflow pipe 61. When the fluid detector 6 does not detect the fluid by irradiating the ultraviolet ray with the light source 34, the ultraviolet ray irradiation is stopped on the assumption that the object does not exist in the processing flow path 21d. Even when the fluid detector 6 is provided in the outflow pipe 62, the light source 34 is similarly controlled.

In the above-described embodiment, since the fluid detector 6 detects the fluid flow, the fluid detector 6 does not detect the object even if the object is present in the processing flow path 21d unless the object is flowing. , UV irradiation is not performed. On the other hand, by detecting the presence or absence of the fluid with the fluid detector 6, it is possible to start and stop the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays depending on whether or not the object exists in the processing flow path 21d.

[Effect of Configuration of Fluid Sterilization Module 1]
(1) In the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the first chamber 26 having a volume equal to or larger than a certain volume is provided upstream of the processing flow path 21d. Therefore, for example, even if the assembly precision varies, the influence of the variation due to the assembly precision can be mitigated by causing the object to flow into the processing flow path 21d through the first chamber 26. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the variation in the flow velocity of the object in the processing flow path 21d. Therefore, it is possible to realize the fluid sterilization module 1 in which variations among individuals due to assembly accuracy are suppressed.

(2) In the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the object that has passed through the processing flow passage 21d is only passed through the communication port 21a provided near the end of the inner cylinder 21 on the light emitting unit 3 side. It is made to flow into the second chamber 27 and flow out from the outflow portion 5. All the objects that have passed through the processing flow path 21d will flow out only through the communication port 21a. Therefore, even when the flow rate fluctuates, it is possible to suppress the fluctuation of the flow velocity distribution in the processing flow passage 21d due to the fluctuation of the flow rate. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the sterilization failure from occurring due to the fluctuation of the flow velocity distribution.

(3) In the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 is 1/10 or more and 1 or less, more preferably 1/10 or more 1 of the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing flow path 21d. It is set to /2 or less. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the bactericidal effect in the processing channel 21d and prevent the generation of the biofilm in the first chamber 26.
The inner cylinder 21 is made of a material having a coefficient of static friction on its outer peripheral surface smaller than that of the inner peripheral surface of the case portion 22. Therefore, the generation of the biofilm can be easily detected, and at the stage before the biofilm is generated in the entire first chamber 26, the biofilm is generated on the inner peripheral surface side of the case portion 22. The occurrence of biofilm can be detected. Therefore, it is possible to contribute to reduction of risk occurrence due to the biofilm.
Here, the biofilm attached to the case portion 22 side is contaminated from the reflection inside the case portion 22 when a light source such as a flashlight is brought close to the outer peripheral surface of the case portion 22 during regular maintenance of the fluid sterilization module 1. By visually checking the state, it is possible to confirm the occurrence status.

On the other hand, on the inner cylinder 21 side, between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22, a first chamber 26 serving as an inflow side rectification chamber and a second chamber 27 serving as an outflow side rectification chamber are provided. That is, there are fluid layers with different refractive indices. Therefore, the biofilm attached to the inner cylinder 21 side cannot be visually recognized from the outside of the case portion 22. That is, even if the biofilm is attached to the inner cylinder 21 side, it is difficult to visually recognize it. Therefore, it is very important for practical use that the inner cylinder 21 side is slower in biofilm generation than the case portion 22 side. That is, since it is predicted that no biofilm is generated on the inner cylinder 21 side when it is detected that the biofilm has adhered to the case portion 22 side, it is possible to confirm that the biofilm has adhered to the case portion 22 side. The inner cylinder 21 may be dealt with the biofilm at the detection timing.
As described above, the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention can suppress the generation of the biofilm in the first chamber 26. Therefore, the reduction of the sterilization effect due to the provision of the first chamber 26 can be further reduced.

(4) In the fluid sterilization module 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, the inner cylinder 21 has a wall thickness of 1 [mm] or more and 20 [mm] or less, and the inner cylinder 21 has a diffusion transmittance of 1 [%]. ] [1 mm] or more and 20 [%]/1 [mm] or less, and the total reflectance in the ultraviolet region is 80 [%]/1 [mm] or more and 99 [%]/1 [mm] or less It is made of an ultraviolet reflective material.
Therefore, the ultraviolet light emitted from the light emitting unit 3 toward the processing flow path 21d can be confined in the processing flow path 21d at a high density, and a strong sterilizing power can be exerted. Further, since the inner tube 21 transmits a part of the ultraviolet light, the ultraviolet light irradiated into the processing flow path 21d passes through the inner tube 21 and is transmitted through the inner chamber 21 as indicated by a symbol Z in FIG. 26 and the inside of the second chamber 27 are irradiated. That is, since ultraviolet light irradiation is also performed on the fluid in the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27, various bacteria grow on the objects accumulated in the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27. It can be prevented. For this reason, even if the object is accumulated in the first chamber 26 or the second chamber 27, it is possible to suppress the generation of miscellaneous bacteria and suppress the outflow of the object in which the bacteria are multiplied at the start of flow. Therefore, the reliability of the fluid sterilization module 1 can be further improved. Note that FIG. 7 simply shows the fluid sterilization module 1 shown in FIG.

(5) In the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the gap between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22 is divided by the member 24 into the inflow portion 4 side and the outflow portion 5 side. Therefore, even if the assembling accuracy is low, it is possible to reduce the leakage of the object from the flow path such as the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27. Further, since it can be realized by interposing the member 24 between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22, it can be realized without significantly increasing the manufacturing process. Further, since the member 24 is composed of an elastic member, it is possible to realize a fluid sterilization module having excellent robustness during operation, for example.

[Modification of Configuration of Fluid Sterilization Module 1]
(1) In the above-described embodiment, the case where the invention is applied to the fluid sterilization module for sterilizing a fluid has been described, but the sterilization target may be a fluid such as water, an aqueous solution, a colloidal dispersion liquid, or air. The gas may be ice, solid fine powder, or the like.

(2) In the above embodiment, the case where the convex portion 24a is provided on the inner peripheral surface side of the member 24 and the plurality of convex portions 24b are provided on the outer peripheral surface side has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. In short, by fitting with the groove 21b provided on the outer peripheral surface of the inner cylinder 21, the movement of the member 24 in the extending direction of the inner cylinder 21 can be restricted, and the member 24 and the inner cylinder 21 can be separated from each other. Through the contact surface and the contact surface between the member 24 and the case portion 22, it is possible to prevent the object from moving from one side partitioned by the member 24 to the other side, and sufficient durability is ensured. The member 24 may have any shape as long as it has it.

For example, the inner cylinder 21α shown in FIG. 8 may be used instead of the inner cylinder 21 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, the inner cylinder 21α has an annular groove 21αa formed on the outer peripheral surface of the central portion in the extending direction of the inner cylinder 21α, and annular convex portions 21αb, 21αc formed on both sides of the groove 21αa. ing. The heights of the convex portions 21αb and 21αc are larger than the depth of the groove 21αa, and are formed so that the outer peripheral surfaces of the convex portions 21αb and 21αc are in contact with the inner peripheral surface of the case portion 22. An O-ring 21αd made of an elastic material such as rubber is fitted in the groove 21αa. By housing this inner cylinder 21α in the case portion 22, the outer peripheral surfaces of the convex portions 21αb and 21αc and the O-ring 21αd come into contact with the inner peripheral surface of the case portion 22, and the convex portion 21αb on the inflow portion 4 side and the convex portion 21αb. A gap is formed between the case portion 22 and the inner cylinder 21α on the outflow portion 5 side of the portion 21αc. The gap of the convex portion 21αb on the inflow portion 4 side forms the first chamber 26, and the gap of the convex portion 21αc on the outflow portion 5 side forms the second chamber 27.
By using the inner cylinder 21α having such a configuration, it is possible to obtain the same effects as the above.

(3) In the above-described embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2A, the gap between the inner cylinder 21 and the case portion 22 is divided by the member 24, and one of the two divided sections is divided into the first section. Although the one chamber 26 and the other compartment are the second chamber 27, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27 may be formed separately. Further, although the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27 are provided, the present invention can be applied even when only the first chamber 26 is provided at least.

(4) In the above embodiment, the case where the light emitting element 34a is provided at the end of the processing channel 21d opposite to the plate 23 has been described, but it is also possible to provide the light emitting element 34a on the plate 23 side. It is also possible to provide both on the plate 23 side and on the opposite side of the plate 23.

Examples of the fluid sterilization module using the ultraviolet irradiation device according to the present invention will be described below.
[Example A]
Below, about the fluid sterilization module 1 which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention, the flow velocity distribution in 21 d of process flow paths is shown.
Here, it is preferable that the flow velocity distribution in the processing channel 21d be as uniform as possible. That is, the illuminance distribution of the light emitting element such as the UVC-LED is, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, a distribution in which the illuminance is 1.4 times higher in the central portion than in the wall side region. Therefore, if the flow velocity in the processing flow path 21d does not match the illuminance distribution, there is a possibility that a sufficient bactericidal effect cannot be obtained in a portion where the flow velocity is faster than the illuminance. For this reason, it is preferable that the flow velocity distribution is such that the flow velocity in the central portion is about 1.4 times faster than the wall face, but the wall velocity of the wall of the processing flow path is always 0. It is expected that the sterilizing ability is improved as the flow velocity becomes uniform. Note that the fluid sterilization module 1 is simply shown in FIGS. 10 to 14 below. The arrows in the figure indicate the direction of flow.

[Comparative Example A]
FIG. 10 shows, as a comparative example, a flow velocity distribution in the fluid sterilization module 1a having no first chamber 26. The fluid sterilization module 1a in the comparative example does not have both the first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27. The inflow part 4 and the outflow part 5 are provided at both ends of the inner cylinder 21, respectively.
As shown in FIG. 10, the fluid sterilization module 1a of the comparative example has a flow velocity distribution in the processing flow passage 21d in which the flow velocity in the vicinity of the wall surface is higher than that in the central portion, and sufficient sterilization performance cannot be obtained.

[Example A1]
As shown in FIG. 11, the fluid sterilization module 1 in Example A1 is the fluid sterilization module 1a in the comparative example in which a first chamber 26 is provided.
As shown in FIG. 11, it can be seen that variations in the flow velocity near the central portion of the processing flow path 21d are suppressed.
[Example A2]
As shown in FIG. 12, the fluid sterilization module 1 of Example A2 is the same as the fluid sterilization module 1 of Example A1 except that a plate 23 is further provided on the inflow side of the processing flow path 21d.
As shown in FIG. 12, it can be seen that the flow directions in the processing flow path 21d are aligned as compared with Example A1.

[Example A3]
As shown in FIG. 13, the fluid sterilization module 1 of the embodiment A3 is the fluid sterilization module 1 of the embodiment A2 in which the inflow portion 4 is moved closer to the longitudinal center of the processing flow path 21d.
As shown in FIG. 13, it can be seen that by moving the inflow portion 4 toward the center of the processing flow passage 21d in the longitudinal direction, variation in flow velocity in the processing flow passage 21d is further suppressed.

[Example A4]
As shown in FIG. 14, the fluid sterilization module 1 of the embodiment A4 is different from the fluid sterilization module 1 of the embodiment A3 in that a second chamber 27 is further provided, and the outflow portion 5 is located closer to the center in the longitudinal direction of the processing flow passage 21d. It has been moved.
As shown in FIG. 14, not only the first chamber 26 but also the second chamber 27 is provided, and further, the inflow part 4 and the outflow part 5 are moved closer to the longitudinal center of the process flow path 21d, whereby the process flow path is formed. It can be seen that the variation in the flow velocity at 21d is further suppressed, and the flow direction is more unidirectional.

[Example B]
The sterilization efficiency of the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention was measured.
The sterilization efficiency was measured at 25[° C.], transmittance of 97[%/cm], E.I. This was carried out by using a solution of E. coli NBRC3972 (1×10 6 [CFU/ml]) at a flow rate of 2.0 [L/min] from the inflow section 4. Further, the light source 34 includes two light emitting elements 34a, and as the light emitting element 34a, a light source which outputs 35 [mW] of ultraviolet rays when a pulse current of 500 [mA] for 1 millisecond is supplied is used. Luminescence measurement with a pulsed current is to confirm the light output of the light emitting element regardless of heat, and sterilization is performed by continuously emitting light with a continuous current. As the sterilization efficiency, residual bacteria [%] and LRV (Logarithm Reduction Value) were measured. LRV is a value calculated by the following equation (2).
LRV=-log (the number of bacteria in the sterilized solution/the number of bacteria in the stock solution (solution)) (2)
15 to 19 below, the fluid sterilization module 1 is simply shown.

[Example B1]
As shown in FIG. 15, the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment B1 is provided with a first chamber 26 and a second chamber 27 at the end portion on the inflow portion 4 side and the end portion on the outflow portion 5 side of the inner cylinder 21. It is a thing. The first chamber 26 and the second chamber 27 are formed as separate bodies, and on the inflow portion 4 side and the outflow portion 5 side of the inner cylinder 21, in the portions near the ends so as to surround the opening and the outer peripheral surface, respectively. Only provided. A plate 23 is provided in the opening of the inner cylinder 21 on the inflow portion 4 side.

[Example B2]
As shown in FIG. 16, the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment B2 is different from the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment B1 in that the window portion 31 including the window 33 formed of quartz glass or the like and the end surface of the inner cylinder 21 are provided. An elastic sheet 22d is provided between them.
[Example B3]
As shown in FIG. 17, the fluid sterilization module 1 in Example B3 corresponds to the fluid sterilization module 1 shown in FIG.

[Comparative Example B1]
As shown in FIG. 18, the fluid sterilization module 1a in the comparative example B1 is different from the fluid sterilization module 1 in the example B1 shown in FIG. 15 in that the communication port 21a is replaced by a space between the inner cylinder 21 and the window portion 31. A gap 51 is provided, and the object that has passed through the processing flow path 21d is allowed to flow out from the outflow portion 5 through the gap 51.

[Comparative Example B2]
As shown in FIG. 19, the fluid sterilization module 1a in the comparative example B2 is different from the fluid sterilization module 1a in the comparative example B1 shown in FIG. A groove portion 52 that faces the direction is provided, and an object that has passed through the processing flow passage 21d is caused to flow out from the outflow portion 5 through a flow passage formed between the window portion 31 and the groove portion 52 of the inner cylinder 21. is there.

[Sterilization efficiency]
Table 3 shows the measurement results of the sterilization efficiency in Examples B1 to B3 and Comparative Examples B1 and B2.
As can be seen from Table 3, the residual bacterium% is significantly reduced in the fluid sterilization module 1 in Examples B1 to B3 as compared with the fluid sterilization module 1a in Comparative Examples B1 and B2. .. Further, it can be seen that the LRV is also better in the fluid sterilization module 1 in Examples B1 to B3 than in the fluid sterilization module 1a in Comparative Examples B1 and B2.

[Example C]
A fluid simulation was performed on the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 20 shows a fluid simulation result of the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 20, it was confirmed that turbulent flow was generated in the first chamber 26 in a state where the flow velocity was relatively low (for example, flow velocity>1 [m/s]). That is, it was confirmed that biofilms were less likely to occur. Note that FIG. 20 simply shows the fluid sterilization module 1.

[Example D]
In the fluid sterilization module 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, a simulation was performed on a computer regarding the relationship between the internal volume of the first chamber 26 and the sterilization performance by ultraviolet rays.
21 to 23 show the magnification of the volume of the first chamber 26 with respect to the cube of the equivalent inner diameter of the processing channel 21d, 0.51 (FIG. 21), 1.46 (FIG. 22), 1.51 (FIG. 23 is a fluid simulation result in the case of (23). 21 to 23, (a) shows a flow velocity distribution in the processing flow passage 21d in the fluid sterilization module 1 according to the embodiment of the present invention. 21 to 23, the fluid sterilization module 1 is simply shown. The arrows in the figure indicate the direction of flow. 21 to 23, (b) represents the flow velocity [m/s] in the processing flow path 21d, and the horizontal axis represents the processing in the a1-a2 cross section at the substantially central position in the longitudinal direction of the processing flow path 21d. The distance [m] from the center of the channel and the vertical axis represent the flow velocity [m/s].

From the fluid simulation results shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the larger the ratio of the volume of the first chamber 26 to the cube of the equivalent inner diameter of the processing channel 21d, the more uniform the flow distribution in the processing channel 21d. I understand.
FIG. 24 is a simulation result showing the correspondence between the volume of the first chamber 26 and the LRV, where the horizontal axis is the multiplication factor of the equivalent inner diameter of the processing flow path 21d to the cube, and the vertical axis is the sterilization rate of 2 liters per minute. As the fluid of interest, E. It is LRV when the bacterial solution of E. coli NBRC3972 is caused to flow in the processing channel 21d. In the fluid sterilization module 1 shown in FIG. 2, two UVC-LED outputs of 28 mW were used as the light emitting elements 34a.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 24, it can be seen that the larger the volume of the first chamber 26, the larger the LRV. When the pass line of the sterilization performance is LRV=3 and the volume of the first chamber 26 is about 2/3 (about 0.67) of the cube of the equivalent inner diameter of the processing channel 21d or more, LRV≧ It turns out that 3 is satisfied.
Next, in the simulation result shown in FIG. 24, a sterilization test was actually performed on the trial calculation points M1 and M2 using the fluid sterilization module 1 shown in FIG. The result is shown in FIG.

The ratio of the trial calculation point M1 to the cube of the equivalent inner diameter of the processing channel 21d was 0.85, and the magnification of the trial calculation point M2 to the cube of the equivalent inner diameter of the processing channel 21d was 1.31.
Further, in the fluid sterilization module 1 shown in FIG. 2, two UVC-LEDs were used as the light emitting element 34a.
Peak wavelength 265 [nm] UVC-LED light output was set to 79.0 [mW], 64.9 [mW], 46.9 [mW], and LRV was measured for each of trial calculation points M1 and M2. did.
In FIG. 25, the horizontal axis represents the optical output [mW] of the UVC-LED having a peak wavelength of 265 [nm], and the vertical axis represents the E.V. at a flow rate of 2 liters per minute. 2 shows bactericidal performance (LRV) against E. coli NBRC3972.
From FIG. 25, it can be seen that the sterilization performance (LRV) corresponding to the LED output 56 [mW] for two 28 [mW] LEDs is more than the simulation result shown in FIG.

Example E
In the fluid sterilization module 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention, a simulation for explaining the relationship between the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 and the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing flow passage 21d shown in FIG. 2B was performed. ..
As shown in FIGS. 26A to 26C, communication between the inflow section 4 and the first chamber 26 is performed by using three fluid sterilization modules 1-1 to 1-3 having different inner diameters φD1 of the inner cylinder 21. The flow rate in the section was measured.

In each of the fluid sterilization modules 1-1 to 1-3, the inner cylinder 21 has an inner diameter φd1 of 20 mm, and the case portion 22 has an inner diameter φd2 of 34 mm. Further, the outer diameter φD1 of the inner cylinder 21 of the fluid sterilization module 1-1 is φ31 [mm], and the ratio (A26/A21) of the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 to the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing flow path 21d is 48.8. [%] was used. The outer diameter φD1 of the inner cylinder 21 of the fluid sterilization module 1-2 is φ28 [mm], and the ratio (A26/A21) of the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 to the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing channel 21d is 93[%]. did. The outer diameter φD1 of the inner cylinder 21 of the fluid sterilization module 1-3 is φ26 [mm], and the ratio (A26/A21) of the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 to the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing channel 21d is 120 [%]. did.

Flow rate distributions in the flow paths of the respective fluid sterilization modules 1-1 to 1-3 are shown in FIGS. Note that FIG. 26 simply shows the fluid sterilization module 1 shown in FIG.
In the case of the fluid sterilization modules 1-1 and 1-2 in which the cross-sectional area ratio A26/A21 is smaller than “1”, the minimum value of the flow velocity in the communication portion K between the inflow portion 4 and the first chamber 26 is 1 [m/sec. ], it was confirmed that the generation of biofilm can be favorably suppressed.
On the other hand, in the case of the fluid sterilization module 1-3 in which the cross-sectional area ratio A26/A21 is larger than “1”, the minimum value of the flow velocity in the communication portion between the inflow portion 4 and the first chamber 26 is smaller than 1 [m/sec]. It was confirmed that there is a possibility that the generation of biofilm could not be suppressed.
From the above, in order to suppress the generation of the biofilm, it is preferable that the ratio (A26/A21) of the cross-sectional area A26 of the first chamber 26 to the cross-sectional area A21 of the processing channel 21d is smaller than "1". ..

[Example F]
With respect to the fluid sterilization module 1, a sterilization performance test was performed using the fluid sterilization module 1 shown in FIG.
As a result, the light-emitting element 34a is immediately turned on based on the detection signal that the water as the object has passed through the fluid detector 6, so that the water that has passed through the processing flow path 21d is sufficiently sterilized. Was confirmed, and as a result, it was confirmed that the sterilization was performed efficiently.

1 Fluid Sterilization Module 2 Sterilization Processing Section 3 Light Emitting Section 4 Inflow Section 5 Outflow Section 6 Fluid Detector 7 Control Section 21 Inner Tube 21d Processing Channel 22 Case Section 23 Plate (rectifying plate)
24 member 26 1st chamber 27 2nd chamber 34 light source 34a light emitting element 61 inflow piping 62 outflow piping

Claims (21)

Forming a tubular processing flow path extending in the longitudinal direction, and a tubular portion having an opening on one end side,
A first chamber that covers the opening and communicates with the processing flow path through the opening;
An inflow part for inflowing an object into the first chamber,
An outflow section for outflowing the object that has passed through the processing flow path from the other end side of the tubular section,
A light-emitting element that is provided on at least one of the one end side or the other end side of the tubular portion, and irradiates ultraviolet light toward the target object that passes through the processing flow path,
A fluid detector for detecting that the object is in the processing channel,
A control unit that drives and controls the light emitting element based on a detection signal of the fluid detector;
Equipped with
An ultraviolet irradiation device in which the inner volume of the first chamber is ⅔ or more of the cube of the equivalent inner diameter of the treatment channel and is not more than three times the inner volume of the treatment channel. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid detector is a gear type. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid detector is an electromagnetic type. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 1, wherein the fluid detector is an ultrasonic type. The fluid detector outputs, as the detection signal, a signal that changes according to the amount of the object passing through the processing flow path per unit time, according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The ultraviolet irradiation device described. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 5, wherein the control unit adjusts the intensity of the ultraviolet light based on the detection signal. The said 1st chamber is an ultraviolet irradiation device as described in any one of Claim 1 to 6 formed along the outer periphery of the said cylindrical part. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein a change amount of a main cross-sectional area from the most upstream portion to the most downstream portion of the processing flow path is 5% or less. On the one end side of the tubular portion, a plate that covers the opening is provided,
The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the plate has an opening hole extending between the front and back surfaces and has an opening ratio of 5% or more and 80% or less. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 9, wherein an equivalent diameter of the opening hole is 0.5 mm or more and 1/3 or less of an equivalent inner diameter of the processing channel. A wall surface of the first chamber has a convex portion at a position facing the opening,
The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the plate is fixed by being sandwiched between the convex portion and the end surface of the tubular portion.
The inflow portion is closer to the other end side of the tubular portion by a distance from the end portion on the one end side of the tubular portion that is equal to or more than the radius equivalent to the inlet of the inflow portion and is ⅔ or less of the processing flow path length. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation device is arranged at a position where The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, further comprising a second chamber between the processing flow path and the outflow portion. A communication port that communicates the processing flow path and the second chamber is provided on the other end side of the tubular portion, and the second chamber is provided along the outer peripheral surface of the tubular portion. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 13, The outflow portion is arranged at a position closer to the one end side of the tubular portion by a distance from the communication port that is equal to or more than a radius equivalent to an outlet of the outflow portion and is equal to or less than 2/3 of a processing flow path length. 14. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to 14. A component for closing the entire opening on the other end side of the tubular portion is provided on the end surface of the tubular portion on the other end side,
The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the component and the end surface of the tubular portion on the other end side are joined via an elastic member. The cross-sectional area of the first chamber is 1/10 or more and 1 or less of the cross-sectional area of the processing channel in a cross section orthogonal to the longitudinal direction at a position including the first chamber of the tubular portion. 17. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to claim 16. The cylindrical portion has a diffuse transmittance of 1 [%]/1 [mm] or more and 20 [%]/1 [mm] or less, and a total reflectance in the ultraviolet region of 80 [%]/1 [mm]. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 17, which is formed of an ultraviolet reflective material having a ratio of not less than 99% and not more than 1 mm. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein the inflow portion is made of polyolefin. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 19, which is a fluid sterilization module for sterilizing a fluid as the object. The ultraviolet irradiation device according to any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the object is a liquid.

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