JP2825729B2 - Fluid sterilizer - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fluid sterilization apparatus,
In particular, the present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing fluids such as drinking water and air.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, methods for sterilizing a liquid such as drinking water generally include a method of irradiating the liquid with ultraviolet rays and a method of adding a desired amount of chlorine. As a conventional sterilizing apparatus that irradiates the liquid to be sterilized with ultraviolet light, for example, a sterilization method that irradiates the liquid with ultraviolet light by passing the liquid to be sterilized directly along the surface of a single ultraviolet irradiation lamp. Apparatus, as the inner tube of a double tube having a double structure with an inner tube and an outer tube surrounding it, a structure provided with an ultraviolet irradiation lamp, containing the liquid to be sterilized in the outer tube There is a sterilizer or the like that irradiates the liquid with ultraviolet light by passing the liquid.

As the ultraviolet irradiation lamp, a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp capable of irradiating light having a wavelength around 260 nm, which has a particularly high sterilizing effect among ultraviolet rays, is used. This low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp has the same internal structure as a general fluorescent lamp, and about 80% of light emitted from the lamp has a wavelength of 254 nm. Here, for example, when sterilizing water using the above-described sterilizing apparatus, relatively weak bacteria among the bacteria (for example, Escherichia coli) contained in the water have a power consumption of 280. When a watt ultraviolet irradiation lamp (low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp) is used, a sufficient bactericidal effect can be obtained with an irradiation time of about 1 to 2 seconds. is necessary.

[0004]

However, in the sterilizing apparatus for irradiating the liquid to be sterilized with ultraviolet rays, the time for irradiating the liquid with ultraviolet rays mainly depends on the length of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the passing speed of the liquid. In order to determine this, it was necessary to extend the length of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp or reduce the liquid passage speed in order to secure an ultraviolet irradiation time that can sufficiently sterilize the liquid. Here, when extending the length of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp, a method of increasing the length of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp itself, and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp such that the length of the single ultraviolet irradiation lamp in the longitudinal direction is extended. Although it is conceivable to arrange them in series, it is possible to arrange an ultraviolet irradiation lamp that is long enough to obtain an irradiation time that can sufficiently sterilize the liquid, from the viewpoint of securing an arrangement space. There was a problem that it was difficult.

[0005] On the other hand, when the ultraviolet irradiation time is secured by decreasing the liquid passage speed, there is a problem that sterilization processing time is required and the processing capacity per unit time is significantly reduced. Further, as a method capable of sufficiently sterilizing the liquid in a short time, a method of increasing the irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays can be considered, but there is a problem that an irradiation lamp having a large ultraviolet irradiation amount is expensive. .

[0006] Further, since the transmittance of ultraviolet light in the water decreases in inverse proportion to the square of the distance as compared with the transmittance of the surface of the water, the ultraviolet light has a sufficient transmittance with respect to water far from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp. It is difficult to achieve a bactericidal effect. For example, if the power consumption of an ultraviolet irradiation lamp is about several tens of watts, about 1 cm from the surface of water is the effective sterilization distance.

Therefore, when a device for stirring water during sterilization is separately provided, or when water is passed directly along the surface of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp, the height from the surface of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp to the surface of the water is increased. Needed to be reduced. Further, for the same reason, in the sterilizing apparatus having the double pipe, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the outer pipe. Therefore, there is a problem that a large amount of water cannot be sterilized at one time, and the sterilizing capacity per unit time cannot be improved.

Further, each of the sterilizers uses a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp having an excellent sterilizing effect as an ultraviolet irradiation lamp, and has a structure in which the surface of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is in contact with a liquid. Have. Therefore, when the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is damaged, there is a problem that harmful mercury sealed in the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is mixed into the liquid.

[0009] On the other hand, when chlorine is added to the liquid and sterilized, chlorine odor remains, which is not suitable for use as drinking water or food water. In addition, when using this liquid as drinking water or water for food, a process for further removing chlorine odor is required, it takes time and effort,
There has been a problem that productivity is reduced and manufacturing cost is increased.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve such a conventional problem. It is possible to efficiently sterilize a large amount of fluid at a time, and to solve the problem when the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is broken. It is an object of the present invention to provide a fluid sterilization apparatus in which mercury is prevented from being mixed into the fluid.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, between a fluid supply port and a fluid discharge port, a tube made of an ultraviolet transmitting material is formed and meandering. And an ultraviolet irradiation lamp is disposed near the tube .

Further, in the invention of claim 1 , the meandering flow path is formed by connecting a plurality of straight pipes made of an ultraviolet transmitting material via a connecting member capable of changing the direction of the fluid. The present invention provides a fluid sterilization apparatus that performs the following. The invention according to claim 2 is the same as the invention according to claim 1.
A fluid sterilization apparatus, comprising: a housing that supports both ends of a plurality of straight pipes made of an ultraviolet transmitting material, wherein the connecting member is formed on a support portion of the housing that supports the straight pipes. To provide.

[0013] And also, the invention described in claim 3 is wherein
2. In the item (2), a plurality of straight pipes made of an ultraviolet ray transmitting material are supported in parallel in the housing, and a supporting portion of the housing supporting the straight pipe is provided at a position corresponding to an end of the straight pipe. A through-hole penetrating the outside of the housing, and a groove for communicating the through-holes with each other in accordance with the meandering flow path are formed, and a sealing plate for sealing the outer surface of the housing is detachably provided. It is intended to provide a fluid sterilizer characterized by the following.

Further, the invention described in claim 4 is the same as the claim 2.
Alternatively, in claim 3, the housing is formed of a sealable container, and the housing is formed with a gas supply port for supplying gas into the housing and a gas discharge port for discharging gas from the housing. It is intended to provide a fluid sterilization apparatus characterized by the following. Claims
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fluid sterilization apparatus according to the fourth aspect, wherein the tube and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp are surrounded by a reflector.

[0015]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a structure is provided in which the fluid supply port and the fluid discharge port communicate with each other through a meandering flow path. The length of the flow path efficiently increases (extends). And
Since an ultraviolet irradiation lamp is provided near the tube, the fluid is irradiated with ultraviolet light while the fluid passes through the inside of the tube.

Further, the liquid reaches the fluid outlet while being stirred by the swirling flow generated when the fluid meanders. Therefore, the fluid passes through the tube while the fluid flowing near the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the fluid flowing far from the lamp are switched. Therefore, the fluid is uniformly irradiated with ultraviolet rays. Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the tube are arranged independently, when a low-pressure mercury vapor discharge lamp having an excellent sterilizing effect is used as the ultraviolet irradiation lamp, the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is damaged. Also, no harmful mercury sealed in the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is mixed into the fluid.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the meandering flow path is constituted by the straight pipe and the connecting member, the length of the flow path is further larger than the size of the fluid sterilizer itself. Increase efficiently. Also, the UV lamp is easily arranged closer to the tube. Also, there is no need to perform bending on the ultraviolet transmitting material. Further, the connecting member does not need to be formed of an expensive ultraviolet transmitting material, and is formed of a durable material that is not easily damaged. Furthermore, when a part of the straight pipe is damaged, only the damaged straight pipe may be removed from the connecting member and replaced with a new straight pipe.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by forming the connecting member according to the first aspect by the housing supporting the straight pipe, in addition to the above operation, the straight pipe is formed by the housing. It is kept stable. Also,
According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the connecting member according to the second aspect is formed by the through-hole, the groove, and the sealing plate formed in the support portion of the housing, the inside of the straight pipe, the through-hole and the groove, When the sealing plate is removed from the support, the sealing plate is opened to the outside of the housing. Further, since the through-hole is penetrated from the support portion of the straight pipe toward the outside of the housing, the straight pipe passes through the through-hole from the outside of the housing, is inserted into the housing, and is positioned at a predetermined position. Will be arranged. Furthermore, the straight pipe broken in the housing is extracted from the through hole.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the gas supplied into the housing from the gas supply port is exhausted from the gas discharge port after being irradiated with ultraviolet rays, so that the fluid passing through the pipe is provided. And the sterilization of gas passing through the housing are performed at the same time. Even if the gas in the housing is moved by the supply and exhaust of the gas, the irradiation capability of the ultraviolet light does not decrease. Therefore, even if the sterilization is performed at the same time, the sterilizing ability of the fluid passing through the tube does not decrease.

Further, the gas in the housing moves by being cooled by the low-temperature fluid passing through the pipe, so that a cooler action (cooling action) is obtained. For this reason,
Even if the ultraviolet germicidal lamp generates heat during the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, the rise in temperature inside the housing is suppressed. Further, since the ultraviolet rays do not leak out of the housing, the ultraviolet rays do not adversely affect the human body and the environment.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention,
Ultraviolet rays that have not been applied to the fluid passing through the tube or the gas moving inside the housing are reflected by the reflector, and the reflected light is again applied to the fluid and the gas. Therefore, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is applied to the fluid and the gas without waste.

[0022]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fluid sterilizer according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a front view of the tube side of the fluid sterilizer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the inside of the fluid sterilizer, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a top plan view of FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a view of FIG. It is a partially expanded sectional view by the side of a tube of a fluid sterilization device.

This fluid sterilizing apparatus 1 is composed of a tube unit 20 shown in FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, and an ultraviolet irradiation lamp unit 30 shown in FIG. The tube-side unit 20 is a box-shaped tube housing 8B having one open side.
And a plurality of ultraviolet transmitting materials which are horizontally disposed with both ends thereof supported by supporting portions 2A and 2B formed of vertically opposed both sides of the tube housing 8B, and which are juxtaposed at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. Straight pipe 7 and supporting portions 2A and 2B
And a sealing plate 16 removably installed outside the pipe housing 8B.

At the respective positions where the ends of the straight pipes 7 of the support portions 2A and 2B are disposed, the straight pipes extend from the side supporting the ends of the straight tubes 7 toward the outside of the support portions 2A and 2B. 7 is inserted through the through hole 15 into which the connector 7 can be inserted. As shown in FIG. 4, the through-holes 15 are formed in the support portions 2A and 2A.
A plurality of the through holes 15 are arranged in two rows at equal intervals in the longitudinal direction of B, and the through holes 15 configuring the other row are disposed at positions corresponding to the centers of the through holes 15 configuring the one row. 15 are provided.

The tube housing 8 of each through hole 15
As shown in FIG. 6, the end of the straight pipe 7 is inserted into the inner part of B, and the outer peripheral part of the through hole 15 inside the pipe housing 8B and the straight pipe 7 corresponding to this part are inserted. On the outer periphery, a pipe mounting bracket 9A for fixing the straight pipe 7 to the support portion 2A is provided around a seal member 18 for sealing a gap formed between the through hole 15 and the straight pipe 7. Also, the support 2
A similar pipe mounting bracket 9B is also provided on the B side.

Here, the straight pipe 7 is inserted into the through hole 15 from outside the support portion 2A (outside the pipe housing 8B).
Further, the distal end is pushed into the tube housing 8B until it is inserted into the through hole 15 of the support portion 2B, whereby the tube is horizontally disposed in the tube housing 8B. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the straight pipe 7 located at the upper part is in phase with the straight pipe 7 located at the lower part either obliquely in front of or behind the open surface of the pipe housing 8B. It is arranged in the state where it did. Note that FIG. 6 is expressed by ignoring the phase for the sake of description of the configuration.

The support portions 2A and 2B are formed as a set of one of the through-holes 15 forming one of the rows and the through-hole 15 forming the other row below and adjacent to the one of the rows. The groove 14 is opened from the outside of the pipe housing 8B of the support portions 2A and 2B in a state isolated from the other grooves 14. That is, the groove 14 penetrates the end of the straight pipe 7 so that the straight pipe 7 can form a part of a meandering path when the straight pipe 7 is attached to the support portions 2A and 2B. It is formed in a state of being alternately communicated through the holes 15.

Further, on the outer surfaces of the support portions 2A and 2B,
A sealing plate 16 for sealing the groove 14 and the through hole 15 from the outer surface
However, as shown particularly in FIG. Then, the support portions 2A and 2
A seal member (not shown) for preventing fluid from leaking outside is provided between the outer peripheral end portion of B and the sealing plate 16.

A fluid supply port 4 for supplying a fluid into the straight pipe 7 is connected to an end of the uppermost straight pipe 7 which is not communicated with the groove 14. Like the through hole 15, the space between the fluid supply port 4 and the straight pipe 7 extends vertically from above to a through hole through which the front and back surfaces of the support portion 2B can be horizontally inserted and the straight pipe 7 can be inserted. A communication hole is provided at the upper end of the communication hole, and a fluid supply port 4 is continuously formed at the upper end of the communication hole. Further, a fluid discharge port 3 for discharging the fluid in the straight pipe 7 to the outside is connected to an end of the lowermost straight pipe 7 which is not communicated with the groove 14. The fluid discharge port 3 and the straight pipe 7 also communicate with each other by the same structure as the communication structure between the fluid supply port 4 and the straight pipe 7.

Although not shown, a tank containing a fluid is connected to the fluid supply port 4, and a desired amount of fluid is supplied from the tank into the straight pipe 7 through the fluid supply port 4. It is designed to be. In this embodiment, the tank is disposed above the pipe unit 20 and the fluid is supplied from the fluid supply port 4 into the straight pipe 7 by gravity. At this time, the adjustment of the supply amount of the fluid to the fluid supply port 4 was performed by a flow control valve provided between the tank and the fluid supply port 4.

On the other hand, a tank for collecting the fluid discharged from the fluid discharge port 3 through the straight pipe 7 is connected to the fluid discharge port 3, though not particularly shown. Further, when the tube-side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp-side unit 30 are fitted on the upper part of the tube housing 8B so as to face each other by a method described later, the tube-side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp-side unit 30 are connected to each other. Is provided with a gas supply port 6 for supplying gas to a closed gas chamber 13 formed by the gas supply port. Further, a gas outlet 5 for exhausting the gas in the gas chamber 13 to the outside is provided at a lower portion of the pipe housing 8B.

Although not shown, an intake device for sucking gas from the gas supply port 6 into the gas chamber 13 and discharging the gas from the gas discharge port 5 is provided at one of the gas supply port 6 and the gas discharge port 5. It is connected. The gas discharge port 5 is connected to a tank for collecting the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 5 through the gas chamber 13 and a duct for guiding the gas discharged from the gas discharge port 5 to a desired room. I have.

In this embodiment, the gas supply port 6 is opened, and an exhaust device including a suction pump is installed in the gas exhaust port 5, and the gas chamber 13 is set to a negative pressure by the suction pump. A method of introducing air into the gas chamber 13 from the gas supply port 6 was adopted. In addition, a system was used in which a duct extending to the room was connected to the gas outlet 5, and the gas exhausted from the gas outlet 5 was directly sent into the room. At this time, the suction amount (supply amount) and the exhaust amount of the gas were adjusted by a suction amount adjusting device connected to a suction pump. Here, an air intake device for guiding gas into the room may be further added to the duct.

A reflector 11B made of stainless steel is provided on the surface of the tube housing 8B facing the open surface. Here, as the ultraviolet transmitting material constituting the straight pipe 7,
Special glass, resin, or the like that transmits light having a wavelength of 200 nm or less can be used, or a material such as quartz can be used.

On the other hand, the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side 7 unit 30
Box-shaped UV irradiation lamp housing 8A with one side open
And a plurality of ultraviolet irradiation lamps 10 horizontally arranged on the surface opposite to the open surface of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp housing 8A and arranged at regular intervals in the vertical direction. The ultraviolet irradiation lamp housing 8A has a shape that allows the tube-side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp-side unit 30 to be fitted with their open surfaces facing each other, that is, a lid for the tube housing 8B. It has such a shape. Although not shown, when the tube side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30 are fitted to each other, the gas chamber 13 formed by the ultraviolet irradiation lamp housing 8A is sealed at the end on the open surface side. Sealing member is provided around the periphery. A reflecting plate 1 made of stainless steel is provided on the surface facing the open surface of the housing 8A for the ultraviolet irradiation lamp.
1A is provided.

A pair of sockets which are fitted to both ends of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 to make electrical connection and support and fix the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 are provided on the surface of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp housing 8A facing the open surface. 12 are provided at predetermined intervals in the vertical direction. As shown in FIG. 1, in particular, the socket 12 is provided with an ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 attached to the socket 12 and a straight pipe 7 disposed close to the reflector 11B.
Are arranged in a position parallel to and opposed to. That is, the socket 12 is in a state where the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 is surrounded from three sides by the straight pipe 7 located above, the straight pipe 7 opposed to the straight pipe 7 and the straight pipe 7 located below. It is arranged as follows. Further, although not shown, a switch for blinking (ON / OFF) the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 and a wiring for supplying current are connected to the socket 12.

The fluid sterilizer 1 according to the present embodiment
In particular, as shown in FIG. 1, the tube side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30 are used in a state where both open surfaces are opposed to each other. At this time, the tube side unit 2
0 and the space formed by the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30 are:
It is in a sealed state, and the gas chamber 13 described above is formed here.

One end of the tube side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30 are connected by a metal fitting (not shown), and the tube side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30 are provided on the opposite side. A locking device for fixing is provided. Therefore, the tube-side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp-side unit 30 can be freely opened and closed around the one end, and the two are fixed by operating the locking device when they are fitted.

The fluid sterilizer 1 according to the present embodiment is
The fluid is sterilized in a state where the tube side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30 are fitted. For this reason, ultraviolet rays do not leak to the outside during sterilization of the fluid, and
By installing an operation panel outside the apparatus, operations such as turning on / off the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and supplying / discharging the fluid can be performed from the outside of the apparatus, so that the sterilization operation can be performed safely. Further, a safety device (not shown) for preventing the lock device from unlocking when the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 is turned on is provided, so that further safe sterilization operation can be performed. .

Next, a specific operation of the fluid sterilizing apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described by taking a case of sterilizing water as an example. First, the gas chamber 13 is sealed by fitting the tube side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30 such that their open surfaces face each other. Next, the switch connected to the socket 12 is turned on to turn on the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10. At this time, since the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 do not leak to the outside of the fluid sterilizer 1, there is no adverse effect on the human body and the environment. In addition, since the above-described lock device operates at this time, the ultraviolet irradiation unit 30 does not open while the ultraviolet irradiation state is maintained, and safety is secured.

Next, the flow control valve provided between the fluid supply port 4 and the tank containing the fluid is opened to supply the water to be sterilized contained in the tank to the fluid supply port 4. At this time, the flow control valve is adjusted so that the water passes between the fluid supply port 4 and the fluid discharge port 3 for a desired time. By the above operation, the water supplied from the fluid supply port 4 passes through the first straight pipe 7 while being sterilized by the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10, and then passes through the through-hole 15 formed in the support 2A and After passing through the groove 14 and changing the direction here, the operation of passing through the next straight pipe 7 while being sterilized again by ultraviolet rays is repeated. In this way, the flow of the water is extended by repeating the meandering, and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 is arranged in parallel along the straight pipe 7, so that the irradiation time of the ultraviolet light can be sufficiently reduced. Can be secured.

Further, the water reaches the fluid discharge port 3 while being stirred by the swirl flow generated when the direction is changed in the through hole 15 and the groove 14. Therefore, the water flowing at a position close to the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 and the water flowing at a position far from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 always pass through the flow path while being interchanged. Therefore, since the water is evenly irradiated with the ultraviolet rays, the water is evenly sterilized.

At this time, of the ultraviolet rays, those not irradiated with water are reflected by the reflectors 11A and 11B and irradiated toward the straight pipe 7. The ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto water while this operation is repeated, so that the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 are used without waste. Also, even if the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 is damaged during this sterilization operation, since water is contained in the straight pipe 7, the through hole 15, and the groove 14, the water is sealed in the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10. Hazardous mercury does not enter the water. Therefore, the safety of water can always be ensured.

The sterile water discharged from the fluid discharge port 3 is collected in a desired tank and used as drinking water or water for producing foods such as pickled juice. At the same time as supplying the water to the fluid supply port, an exhaust device including a suction pump connected to the gas exhaust port 5 is operated, and air (atmosphere) is taken into the gas chamber 13 from the gas supply port 6. At this time, the suction connected to the suction pump is performed so that the time taken for the air taken into the gas chamber 13 from the gas supply port 6 to pass through the gas chamber 13 and be exhausted from the gas discharge port 5 becomes a desired time. Adjust the volume control.

The air passing through the gas chamber 13 moves through the gas chamber 13 toward the gas outlet 5 while being sterilized by the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10. At this time,
The air is cooled by the water passing through the straight pipe 7, and the cooled air moves in the gas chamber 13, so that a cooler action (cooling action) can be obtained. Therefore, even if the ultraviolet germicidal lamp 10 generates heat during irradiation with ultraviolet light, the gas chamber 13
It is possible to prevent the internal temperature from rising. Therefore, the life of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 can be improved.

The sterile air exhausted from the gas outlet 5 is
It is supplied to a desired room via a duct. Next, when the sterilization of water and air is completed, the flow control valve provided between the fluid supply port 4 and the tank containing the fluid is closed to stop the supply of water. Further, the exhaust device including the suction pump connected to the gas exhaust port 5 is stopped, and the suction of air is stopped. Then, the switch connected to the socket 12 is turned off.
Then, the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 is turned off.

When cleaning the straight pipe 7, the through hole 15 and the groove 14, the sealing plate 16 is removed, and the inside of the straight pipe 7, the through hole 15 and the groove 14 are opened, so that the straight pipe 7 can be easily removed from the outside of the apparatus. The inside of the straight pipe 7, the through-hole 15 and the groove 14 can be cleaned. That is, since there is no need to remove the straight pipes 7 from the pipe housing 8B at the time of cleaning, the cleaning operation can be performed easily and in a short time.

When a part of the straight pipe 7 is broken, the broken straight pipe 7 is removed from the through hole 15 and a new straight pipe 7 is inserted from the through hole 15 to be damaged. The straight pipe 7 can be easily replaced without changing the other straight pipe 7. As described above, according to the configuration of the present embodiment, various maintenance of the apparatus can be performed easily and in a short time.

Next, the sterilizing effect of the fluid sterilizing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment was examined under the following conditions. (Survey conditions) (1) Method of preparing test fluid A total of 23 kg of three kinds of vegetables, turnip, cabbage and radish, were put into a tank having a capacity of 400 liters, and 250 liters of tap water was put therein. The vegetables were stored and washed in a water state. The water thus obtained is referred to as test liquid 1.

In a tank having a capacity of 1,000 liters, 23 kg of another vegetable was put in the same manner as described above, and 500 liters of tap water was poured into the tank, and the vegetables were stored and washed in the same manner as described above. The water thus obtained is referred to as a test liquid 2. (2) Conditions of the fluid sterilizer Electric power per ultraviolet irradiation lamp = 30 watts Power consumption as a whole = 560 watt Diameter of straight tube = 25 mm Distance from straight tube to ultraviolet irradiation lamp = 50 mm Passage time of test liquid = 7 seconds Passage of test liquid = 36 liters / min Temperature of test liquid = 16 ° C Temperature at test = 21 ° C (3) Evaluation method The number of bacteria contained in test water 1 and test water 2 was investigated. Thereafter, the fluid sterilizer 1 that satisfies the condition shown in (2) above.
Was used to sterilize the test solution 1 and the test solution 2, the number of bacteria contained in the test water 1 and the test water 2 after sterilization was investigated, and the bactericidal effect was evaluated based on the number of bacteria before and after the sterilization.
The number of bacteria contained in the tap water (unsterilized) was 280 / ml.

The results are shown in Table 1 and FIG. Next, salt was added to the washed vegetables, and a shallow pickling process was performed for 20 hours. Then, the pickled vegetables were put into a tank having a capacity of 1000 liters, and 500 liters of tap water was added thereto. The pickled vegetables were stored and washed in the same manner as described above. The water thus obtained is referred to as a test liquid 3.

Next, the number of bacteria contained in the test water 3 was examined in the same manner as described above, and then the test liquid 3 was sterilized using the same fluid sterilizer 1 as described above. The number of bacteria contained in the test water 3 was investigated. Table 1 shows the results.
And FIG.

[0053]

[Table 1]

From Table 1 and FIG. 7, it can be seen that the test solution 1, the test solution 2 and the test solution 3 all exhibited excellent sterilizing effects. Further, not only such an excellent sterilizing effect can be obtained, but also the power consumption per fluorescent lamp used in ordinary households per ultraviolet irradiation lamp is very high, which is very advantageous in terms of cost. . Therefore, for example, this device is connected to a drinking water tank installed on the roof of an apartment house,
If the sterilization treatment is performed throughout the night, drinking water can be sterilized at low cost by effectively using the nighttime electric power.

In this embodiment, the fluid sterilization apparatus having a structure in which both ends of each of the plurality of straight pipes 7 are connected by the through holes 15 and the grooves 14 to form a meandering flow path has been described. Not limited to this, the fluid sterilization apparatus according to the present invention may form the meandering flow path by connecting the straight pipe 7 via a connecting member capable of changing the direction of the fluid. Further, as long as a meandering flow path can be formed, a pipe having another shape may be used instead of the straight pipe 7. In this case, it is a matter of course that a tube formed including an ultraviolet transmitting material is used as the tube.

In this embodiment, a plurality of horizontally arranged straight pipes 7 are vertically arranged side by side, and are arranged on the open surface of the pipe housing 8B with respect to the straight pipe 7 located below. However, it is not limited to this, and the two ends of the straight pipe 7 may be provided with the through hole 15 and the groove 14.
Or if it is possible to form a meandering flow path by connecting with the connecting member,
May be arranged vertically or not necessarily in parallel.

Further, the length of the tube made of an ultraviolet transmitting material and the number of the straight tubes 7 may be arbitrarily determined. In this embodiment, the seal member is interposed between the support portions 2A and 2B and the sealing plate 16, but the seal member may be provided on the outer peripheral portion of each groove 14 on the sealing plate 16 side. .

Further, the ultraviolet irradiation lamp 10 is
Or close to a tube made of UV-permeable material,
It may be provided in a part different from that of the present embodiment. Further, both sides of the tube side unit 20 facing the straight pipe 7 may be opened, and the both sides may be sandwiched by the ultraviolet irradiation side of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30. And again, UV irradiation lamp 1
The number of 0s, the wattage, and the like may be determined as desired.

In this embodiment, the tube side unit 20
And the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 30 are fitted, and the gas chamber 13 is
The sterilization of the fluid was performed in a state in which the tube side unit 20 and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit 3 were sealed.
0 does not necessarily have to be used in the fitted state.
Further, in the present embodiment, sterilization of water and sterilization of air were performed simultaneously, but only one of them may be performed,
Further, from the fluid supply port 4, a gas other than water or liquid such as pickled soup may be supplied to sterilize the gas. Further, other gas may be supplied from the gas supply port 5 as necessary, in addition to air.

The fluid sterilizer according to the present invention is capable of sterilizing not only water and air but also other liquids and gases as long as the fluid can provide a sterilizing effect by ultraviolet irradiation. In this embodiment, the reflectors 11A and 11A
Stainless steel was used as B. However, the material is not limited thereto, and any material that can reflect ultraviolet light and has a property of being hardly affected by ultraviolet light can be used as the reflectors 11A and 11B.
B may be made of another substance such as a mirror.

Further, in this embodiment, the reflectors 11A and 11 are disposed inside the tube housing 8B and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp housing 8A facing the open portions, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this. 2B, and inside the upper and lower inner portions of the tube housing 8B and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp housing 8A. Further, the reflector may be provided on the entire inner surface of the tube housing 8B and the ultraviolet irradiation lamp housing 8A. Also, the reflector may be provided as desired, and need not necessarily be provided.

The fluid sterilizer according to the present embodiment is an example of the fluid sterilizer according to the present invention, and the fluid sterilizer according to the present embodiment is not limited to this structure.

[0063]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the flow path of the fluid to be sterilized can be efficiently extended with respect to the size of the fluid sterilizer itself.
It is possible to sufficiently secure the ultraviolet irradiation time for the fluid. As a result, a sufficient bactericidal effect can be obtained. In addition, since the fluid reaches the fluid outlet while being stirred, ultraviolet rays are uniformly irradiated. As a result,
The fluid can be sterilized efficiently. Further, since the ultraviolet irradiation lamp and the tube are arranged independently of each other, even if the ultraviolet irradiation lamp breaks during sterilization of the fluid, harmful mercury sealed in the ultraviolet irradiation lamp is removed from the fluid. There is no mixing in. As a result, a safe fluid can be provided.

[0064] Then, according to the first aspect of the invention, are
Furthermore , since the meandering flow path is formed by the straight pipe and the connecting member, the length of the flow path is more efficiently increased with respect to the size of the fluid sterilizer itself. As a result, a longer ultraviolet irradiation time can be secured, and a more sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained. And it is not necessary to perform bending on the ultraviolet transmitting material, and the connecting member is not required to be formed of an expensive ultraviolet transmitting material and is formed of a durable material which is hard to be damaged. The manufacturing cost of the device can be reduced. Furthermore,
When a part of the straight pipe is damaged, only the damaged straight pipe needs to be removed from the connecting member and replaced with a new straight pipe, so that maintenance can be easily performed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, by forming the connecting member according to the first aspect by the housing supporting the straight pipe, in addition to the above-described effects, the straight pipe is formed by the housing. It can be stably held. According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the sealing plate is removed from the support portion, the inside of the straight pipe, the through hole and the groove are opened to the outside of the housing. Further, since the through-hole is penetrated from the support portion of the straight pipe toward the outside of the housing, the straight pipe can be easily attached and detached from the through-hole. As a result, in addition to the above effects, the inside of the straight pipe, the through-holes and the grooves can be easily cleaned from the outside of the apparatus, and the apparatus can be easily maintained such that the straight pipe can be easily replaced. . In addition, repair costs can be reduced.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the sterilization of the fluid passing through the tube, the sterilization of the gas passing through the housing can be carried out simultaneously. As a result,
In addition to the above effects, the amount of electric power used for the sterilization treatment of the fluid can be greatly reduced, and the running cost can be reduced. Further, the gas in the housing moves while being cooled by the low-temperature fluid passing through the pipe, so that a cooler action (cooling action) is obtained. As a result, even if the ultraviolet sterilizing lamp generates heat during ultraviolet irradiation,
The temperature rise in the housing is suppressed, and the life of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp can be improved. Further, since the ultraviolet rays do not leak out of the housing, the ultraviolet rays do not adversely affect the human body and the environment, and a safe operation can be performed.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention,
Ultraviolet rays that have not been applied to the fluid passing through the tube or the gas moving inside the housing are reflected by the reflector, and the reflected light is again applied to the fluid and the gas. As a result, the ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the fluid and the gas without waste, and in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the amount of electric power used for the sterilization treatment of the fluid can be further reduced, and the running cost can be further reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a fluid sterilizer according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the tube side of the fluid sterilizer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the inside of the fluid sterilizer.

FIG. 3 is a front view of an ultraviolet irradiation lamp side of the fluid sterilizer shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from the inside of the fluid sterilizer.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view on the tube side of the fluid sterilization apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a sterilizing effect of the fluid sterilizing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Fluid sterilizer 2A Support part 2B Support part 3 Fluid discharge port 4 Fluid supply port 5 Gas discharge port 6 Gas supply port 7 Straight tube 8A Ultraviolet irradiation lamp side housing 8B Tube side housing 9 Pipe mounting bracket 10 Ultraviolet irradiation lamp 11A Reflection Panel 11B Reflector 12 Socket 13 Gas chamber 14 Groove 15 Through hole 16 Sealing plate 17 Bolt 18 Seal member 20 Tube side unit 30 Ultraviolet irradiation lamp side unit

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A which between the fluid inlets and fluid outlets is configured to include a tube made of an ultraviolet transmitting material was and tortuous
And a plurality of straight pipes made of an ultraviolet ray transmitting material
By connecting via a changeable connecting member
A fluid disinfection device , wherein the meandering flow path is formed . 2. A housing for supporting both ends of a plurality of straight pipes made of an ultraviolet transmitting material, wherein the connecting member is formed on a support portion of the housing for supporting the straight pipes. Item 10. A fluid sterilizer according to Item 1 . 3. A plurality of straight pipes made of an ultraviolet transmitting material are supported in parallel in the housing, and a support portion of the housing supporting the straight pipe is provided at a position corresponding to an end of the straight pipe. A through-hole penetrating the outside of the housing and a groove for communicating the through-holes with each other in accordance with the meandering flow path were formed, and a sealing plate for sealing the outer surface of the housing was detachably provided. Claims characterized by the following:
3. The fluid sterilizer according to 2 . 4. The housing is formed of a sealable container, and a gas supply port for supplying gas into the housing and a gas discharge port for discharging gas from the housing are formed in the housing. The fluid sterilizing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein the fluid sterilizing apparatus is used. 5. A fluid disinfection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that surrounded by the reflective plate of said tube and UV irradiation lamps.