JP2021186642A - Water generator and water generation method - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a water generator and a water generation method capable of generating high-purity water from air by preventing virus in the air from being mixed into dew condensation water.SOLUTION: A water generator 10 for generating water from air, includes an air introduction part 1 for introducing air A, an air sterilization treatment part 2 which includes an organic matter decomposition part 21 and sterilizes the introduced air introduced from the air introduction part 1, and a water generation part 3 installed downstream of the air sterilization treatment part, and condensing moisture in the sterilized air which has been sterilized in the air sterilization treatment part 2, thereby generating dew condensation water.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a water generator and a water generator.

Conventionally, various devices have been developed as water generating devices that generate drinking water or the like by condensing moisture in the air. In each of these devices, after dew condensation of water in the air, foreign substances are removed by physical filtration treatment using various filters, or sterilization treatment by administration of chemicals as necessary. , The safety as drinking water is guaranteed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

However, in the conventional water generator, it is extremely difficult to remove extremely small contaminants such as viruses mixed in the air by filtration treatment or the like on the generated water.

In addition, when the generated water is sterilized by administration of the above-mentioned chemicals, high-level risk management is required to ensure the safety of the water after the administration of the chemicals, and the quality While the cost of management increases, the commercial value and image of generated water may decline for consumers who demand safe "pure water".

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-94757 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-2009810

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in a device that generates water from air, it prevents viruses in the air from being mixed in the dew condensation water and produces high-purity and highly safe water. It is an object of the present invention to provide a water generation device and a water generation method which can be used.

The present inventor performs the basic process of water generation in a water generator that generates water from air, unlike the conventional method, in that the air itself is decomposed by, for example, decomposition of an organic substance by a photocatalyst filter before dew condensation of moisture in the air. By performing the sterilization treatment in advance and then condensing the sterilized air, it is possible to prevent the virus in the air from being mixed in the dew condensation water and to generate high-purity water. I came up with the idea and completed the present invention. Specifically, the present invention provides the following.

(1) A water generator that generates water from air, an air introduction unit that introduces air, an air sterilization processing unit that sterilizes the introduced air introduced from the air introduction unit, and the air sterilization processing unit. A water generator comprising a water generating unit that generates dew condensation water by dew condensation of water in sterilized and sterilized air.

According to the water generation device of (1), it is possible to prevent viruses and the like in the introduced air from being mixed into the dew condensation water, and to generate high-purity and highly safe water from the air.

(2) The water generating apparatus according to (1), wherein the air sterilization processing unit includes an organic substance decomposition unit that decomposes organic substances into water and carbon dioxide.

According to the water generator of (2), all organic substances mixed in the introduced air are decomposed into water and carbon dioxide and sterilized to more reliably prevent the virus from entering the dew condensation water and from the air. , It is possible to produce water with higher purity and higher safety.

(3) The water generator according to (2), wherein the organic matter decomposition unit is a photocatalytic filter.

According to the water generator of (3), the decomposition of organic matter is carried out using a photocatalytic filter. As a result, the decomposition performance of the organic matter in the water generator of (2) can be remarkably improved, and the organic matter removing function can be stably maintained at a high level for a long period of time. In addition, unlike the case of irradiating ultraviolet rays, which can be considered as other decomposition means, or the decomposition means by a chemical reaction using ozone or hypochlorous acid, the adverse effect on the human body is virtually zero, and the safety aspect is improved. But it is extremely advantageous.

(4) A water generation method for generating water from air, the air introduction step of introducing air, the air sterilization treatment step of sterilizing the introduced air introduced in the air introduction step, and the air sterilization treatment step. A method for producing water, which comprises a water generation step of producing dew condensation water by dew condensation of water in sterilized and sterilized air.

According to the water generation method of (4), it is possible to prevent the virus in the introduced air from being mixed into the dew condensation water and to generate high-purity and highly safe water from the air.

(5) The water generation method according to (4), wherein in the air sterilization treatment step, an organic matter decomposition treatment for decomposing the organic matter in the introduced air into water and carbon dioxide is performed.

According to the water generation method of (5), all organic substances mixed in the introduced air are decomposed into water and carbon dioxide and sterilized to more reliably prevent the virus from being mixed into the dew condensation water and from the air. , It is possible to produce water with higher purity and higher safety.

(6) The water generation method according to (5), wherein in the water generation step, water, which is a decomposition product of the organic substance, is also condensed.

According to the water generation method of (6), in the method of the present invention for generating water from air, the water generation efficiency can be improved by effectively utilizing the water generated in the intermediate process without leakage.

(7) A drinking water supply method for supplying the dew condensation water generated by the water generation method according to any one of (4) to (6) as drinking water.

According to the drinking water supply method of (7), it is possible to supply highly safe drinking water by enjoying the effects of the water generation method according to any one of (4) to (6). ..

(8) The drinking water supply method according to (7), wherein the condensed water is supplied as drinking water without being chemically sterilized.

According to the drinking water supply method of (8), by adopting a method in which chemical sterility treatment such as sterilization treatment with a sterilizing agent is not performed on the generated water after dew condensation, the cost related to quality control is suppressed. , It is possible to improve the commercial value and image of generated water for consumers who demand safe "pure water". The term "chemical sterility treatment" as used herein refers to removing, sterilizing, or deactivating viruses and microorganisms remaining in the water by administering a drug to the generated liquid water and mixing it. It refers to the processing to be done.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent viruses in the air from being mixed into the dew condensation water and to generate high-purity and highly safe water from the air.

It is a block diagram which shows typically the structure of the water generation apparatus of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the structure of the air sterilization processing part which constitutes the water generation apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the water generation method of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the embodiment of the air sterilization treatment step performed in the water generation method of this invention schematically. It is a figure which shows typically an example of the embodiment of the organic substance decomposition performed in the water generation method of this invention. It is a figure which shows typically an example of embodiment of the water generation step performed in the water generation method of this invention.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings and the like as appropriate.

<Water generator>
The water generator of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "water generator") is a device that generates water from air. The air used in the water generator of the present invention may be air containing water or a gas having a composition similar to that of the air, and the air at the place where the water generator is used can be taken in and used as it is. Further, the above-mentioned air may be a gas collected at a place other than the place where the water generator is installed, as long as it is a gas containing water.

In addition, the water generated from the air by the water generator is highly safe water from which fine organic substances such as viruses are removed with an extremely high removal rate, and is used as bath water, washing water, and other general domestic water. It is water that can be used as drinking water as well as water.

[overall structure]
The basic configuration of the water generator 10 which is an example of the embodiment of the present invention is as shown in FIG. The water generator 10 sterilizes the air introduced into the water generator 10 from the air introduction unit 1 for introducing the air containing moisture and the air introduction unit 1 (referred to as "introduced air" in the present specification). The air sterilization processing unit 2 and the water generation unit 3 that generate dew condensation water by condensing the moisture in the sterilized sterilized air in the air sterilization processing unit 2 have the minimum necessary configuration.

Further, it is preferable that the air sterilization processing unit 2 constituting the water generation device 10 includes an organic substance decomposition unit 21 that decomposes organic substances such as viruses and other microorganisms into water and carbon dioxide. Specifically, the organic matter decomposition unit 21 is preferably a photocatalytic filter.

In addition, the water generating apparatus of the present invention can be implemented as an apparatus in which the above-mentioned constituent parts are integrated, and after the above-mentioned constituent parts are dispersedly arranged, the respective constituent parts are interlocked to generate water. It can also be implemented as a form of the whole system. As an example, in the case where the constituent parts consisting of the air introduction unit 1 and the air sterilization processing unit 2 are distributed and arranged in a plurality of different locations and these are connected to a single water generation unit 3 to generate water. Of course, it is carried out within the technical scope of the present invention.

(Air introduction part)
The device constituting the air introduction unit 1 may be any device as long as it has a function of sucking and introducing air such as air containing moisture into the inside of the water generator 10, and is not limited to a specific device. As an example, the air introduction unit 1 can be configured by various fans, pumps, or a combination thereof.

(Air sterility processing unit)
The air sterilization unit 2 is composed of various devices having a function of sterilizing the air introduced into the water generator 10 by the air introduction unit 1 (referred to as "introduced air" in the present specification). Can be done.

Here, the "sterilization treatment" as used herein means any treatment for killing or removing a proliferative microorganism such as a virus or a bacterium, or a fine organic substance. The "sterilization treatment" may be performed at a removal rate that meets a predetermined standard required according to the intended use of the water produced by the water generator. The air sterilization processing unit 2 that performs such "sterilization treatment" is not limited to a specific device, and a device consisting of a combination of various conventionally known adsorbents, a filtration filter, and the like can be appropriately selected and used. However, it is preferable that the air sterilization processing unit 2 includes an organic substance decomposition unit 21 that decomposes organic substances into water and carbon dioxide.

Specifically, the organic matter decomposition unit 21 is preferably a photocatalytic filter. The photocatalyst filter is, for example, a device that decomposes and removes organic substances passing through the filter by supporting a photocatalyst such as titanium oxide on a filter through which gas can flow and irradiating the photocatalyst with light. The optimum wavelength of the light to be irradiated to the photocatalyst differs depending on the type of catalyst, but when titanium oxide is used, irradiation with ultraviolet rays is the most effective. The photocatalyst filter preferably has a built-in light source that irradiates the photocatalyst with light of an appropriate wavelength, but sunlight can also be used, and by optimizing the catalyst, the present invention can also be used by using visible light. It is possible to enjoy the effect of.

In the field of photocatalyst filters, in recent years, development of devices capable of treating an extremely large amount of air while being small, such as the photocatalyst filter published in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-103963, has been progressing. As an apparatus constituting the organic matter decomposition unit 21 in the water generation apparatus of the present invention, a photocatalytic filter having such a high organic matter decomposition function can be particularly preferably used. By adopting a photocatalytic filter having such a high organic matter decomposition function as the organic matter decomposition unit 21 constituting the air sterilization treatment unit 2, sterilization treatment that completely kills viruses and the like mixed in the introduced air can be performed. It is possible to achieve it.

In addition to the organic matter decomposition unit 21, the air sterilization processing unit 2 can be configured by auxiliary combining various other adsorbents, a filtration filter, and the like. For example, in the upstream stage before the introduced air passes through the photocatalyst filter, a configuration in which a filter capable of removing particles having a certain particle size or more can be arranged in advance, or further downstream after passing through the photocatalyst filter. As an example of a preferable configuration of the air sterilization processing unit 2, a configuration in which various adsorbents and the like for capturing particles and the like derived from the residual components after decomposition are arranged at the side stage can be mentioned.

(Water generator)
The water generation unit 3 can generate dew condensation water by condensing water contained in the air sterilized by the air sterilization processing unit 2 (referred to as "sterilized air" in the present specification). Well, it is not limited to a specific device. The water generation unit 3 can be configured, for example, by forming fins on the back surface side of a metal part.

(Other components)
The water generator 10 further purifies the dew condensation water, and further purifies a purification unit (not shown) composed of an activated carbon filter, an RO membrane, or the like in order to ensure a higher level of safety as drinking water, for example. It may be prepared. Further, if necessary, sterilization treatment with a sterilizing agent or the like may be performed to a necessary extent, but the water generator 10 is provided with the necessary sterilization treatment at the stage of introduction air. It is also possible to ensure sufficient safety as drinking water without sterilizing the generated water after dew condensation with a chemical.

<Water generation method>
The water generation method of the present invention (hereinafter, also simply referred to as "water generation method") is a method of producing water from air. The air used in the water generation method may be a gas containing water, like the air used in the water generation apparatus of the present invention, and the air at the place where the water generation method is carried out can be taken in and used as it is. In addition, the air may be a gas collected at a place other than the place where the water generation method is carried out. As for the water generated from the air by the water generation method, as with the water generated by the water generator of the present invention, it can be used not only as bath water, washing water, and general domestic water, but also as drinking water. Water that can be used.

[overall structure]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the water generation method P1 of the present invention. The water generation method P1 is a method of generating water W from air A, and is a process in which at least three steps of air introduction step St1, air sterilization treatment step St2, and water generation step St3 are executed in this order. Is.

The water generation method P1 can be carried out using the water generation apparatus of the present invention. However, the specific means for carrying out the water generation method P1 is not necessarily limited to the water generation apparatus of the present invention. As long as the water production method satisfies the requirements for the above three procedures, even a process performed by using other means belongs to the technical scope of the present invention. However, in the following, the details of the water generation method of the present invention when it is carried out by using the water generation device 10 will be described as a specific example of a preferred embodiment.

(Air introduction step)
In the air introduction step St1, the air A is introduced into the water generation device 10 by the air introduction unit 1. As the air A, the atmosphere around the place where the water generation method is carried out can be used.

(Air sterility processing step)
In the air sterilization treatment step St2, the air sterilization treatment unit 2 performs a treatment for sterilizing the introduced air. The main feature of the water generation method P1 is that the air is sterilized in advance in the upstream process before the introduced air is dewed, and then the sterilized air is dewed. ..

As the sterility treatment in the air sterility treatment step St2, more specifically, it is preferable to perform the organic matter decomposition treatment St21 which decomposes the organic matter in the introduced air into water and carbon dioxide. The organic matter decomposition treatment St21 is preferably performed by a photocatalytic filter (see FIG. 4).

By making the best use of the function of the photocatalyst filter, the fine organic matter O mixed in the introduced air can be separated into water W ₂ (H ₂ O) and carbon dioxide (H 2 O) in the process upstream from the step of forming dew condensation water. It _{can be almost completely decomposed into CO 2} ) to obtain sterilized air from which organic substances such as viruses and other bacteria have been removed with an extremely high removal rate (see FIG. 3).

(Water generation step)
In the water generation step St3, the sterilized air that has been sterilized in the air sterilization treatment step St2 is dewed to obtain dew condensation water in which the amount of organic substances such as viruses and other bacteria is extremely small.

Further, when the organic substance decomposition treatment St21 using a photocatalytic filter or the like is performed in the air sterility treatment step St2, the amount of organic substances such as viruses in the dew condensation water obtained in the water generation step St3 is further reduced to a minimum content range. Can be reduced to. _{Further, when the organic matter decomposition treatment St21 is performed in this way, in addition to W 1} which is the water contained in the air A which is the introduction air from the time of introduction, water which is a part of the decomposition product of the organic matter O It is also possible to further increase the water generation efficiency in the water generation step St3 by causing dew condensation at the same time for W _{2 minutes (see FIG. 6).}

[Drinking water supply method]
Since the water W, which is the dew condensation water generated by the water generation method P1, is sterilized at the gas stage before dew condensation, the amount of virus or the like mixed in is kept to a minimum. Therefore, it is possible to supply safe drinking water as it is without performing chemical sterility treatment in the liquid state after dew condensation, or only by performing physical filtration and adsorption treatment again. The dew condensation water generated by the water generation method P1 is produced by the generation method excluding the chemical sterilization treatment, so that the consumer who demands safe "pure water" while suppressing the cost related to quality control can use it. On the other hand, the commercial value and image of generated water can be improved.

1 Air introduction part 2 Air sterilization part 21 Organic matter decomposition part (photocatalytic filter)
3 Water generator 10 Water generator A Air W, W ₁ , W ₂ Water O Organic matter (virus)
P1 water generation method St1 air introduction step St2 air sterilization treatment step St21 organic matter decomposition step St3 water generation step

Claims (6)

A water generator that produces water from air
The air introduction part that introduces air and
An air sterilization processing unit that includes an organic matter decomposition unit and sterilizes the introduced air by decomposing the organic matter in the introduced air introduced from the air introduction unit into water and carbon dioxide.
A water generation unit, which is installed on the downstream side of the air sterilization processing unit and generates dew condensation water by condensing moisture in the sterilized air that has been sterilized in the air sterilization processing unit.
A water generator. A device for performing chemical sterilization is not installed on the downstream side of the water generation unit.
The water generator according to claim 1. The organic matter decomposition part is a photocatalytic filter.
The water generator according to claim 1 or 2. It is a water generation method that produces water from air.
The air introduction step to introduce air and
An air sterilization treatment step for sterilizing the introduced air by an organic matter decomposition treatment for decomposing the organic matter in the introduced air introduced in the air introduction step into water and carbon dioxide,
A water generation step of forming dew condensation water by dew condensation of moisture in the sterilized sterilized air in the air sterilization treatment step is included.
Water generation method. A drinking water supply method for supplying the dew condensation water generated by the water generation method according to claim 4 as drinking water. The condensed water is supplied as drinking water without being chemically sterilized.
The drinking water supply method according to claim 5.

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