JP4696566B2 - Humidifier and method for regenerating humidified structure - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a humidifier having a simple structure capable of suppressing scale deposition.

  A conventional humidifier described in Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In the humidifying device 101, a humidifying filter 102 made of non-woven fabric is arranged in a state where a part of the lower part is immersed in the water 104 of the water tank 103, and the humidifying filter 102 sucks up the water 104 of the water tank 103 by capillary action and blows air. The dry air introduced into the humidifying device 101 by the means 105 along the direction indicated by the arrow passes through a portion of the humidifying filter 102 not immersed in water. At this time, a method is generally known in which the water sucked up by the humidifying filter 102 is vaporized, the air becomes high humidity, and the high humidity air is supplied into the room.

Patent Document 2 discloses a humidifier having a filter unit having a water purification function and an ion exchange resin in a water supply cap that forms a water supply tank. Dust and the like and minerals such as calcium and magnesium contained in the water supplied from the water absorption tank are removed when passing through the water absorption cap to prevent the generation of scale in the water vapor generating part.
JP-A-11-166413 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-103720

  In the method of Patent Document 1, the humidifying filter that sucks up water dries the humidified air itself while humidifying the dry air passing through it, and contacts the water from the lower part of the humidifying filter that has been immersed in the water of the water tank by capillary action. The filter is kept in a damp state at all times while allowing moisture to permeate all other parts that are not. However, since tap water is usually used for the humidifier, the process of drying the humidifier filter when trace amounts of compounds containing calcium, magnesium, and other elements contained in the water are not operating the humidifier. To deposit on the humidified filter surface as a scale. Along with this scale deposition, the effect of sucking up water by the humidifying filter is remarkably reduced, and there is a problem that the humidifying ability cannot be maintained for a long period of time.

  Moreover, although the method described in Patent Document 2 can prevent the generation of scale, there is a problem that the water absorption cap has a large and complicated structure.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifying device having a simple structure capable of suppressing the precipitation of scale and maintaining the humidifying ability over a long period of time.

To achieve humidifier above object of the present invention, Ri Do from the street according to claim 1, the foam substrate to a cation exchange comprising material carries a humidifying structural body and the blowing means and the water supply means The cation exchange material having a particle diameter of 2 μm to 150 μm is supported, and fine irregularities are provided on the surface of the foam substrate .

  The humidifying apparatus according to claim 2 is characterized in that the humidifying structure formed by supporting the cation exchange material on the foam base material vaporizes water obtained from the water supply means.

The humidifying device according to claim 3 is characterized in that the cation exchange material supported on the foam base material contains one or more cations selected from H ⁺ , K ⁺ , and Na ^+. .

The humidifying device according to claim 4 is characterized in that the cation exchange material supported on the foam substrate is zeolite.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 5, wherein the cation exchange material that supports the foam substrate has the general formula -SO 3 _M, -COOM (M is a cation) have at least one functional group represented by It is characterized by.

The humidifying device according to claim 6 is characterized in that the foam base material is urethane.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 7 , wherein the cation exchange material is at least one selected from silica sol, alumina sol, titania sol, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, silicate compound or titanate compound. It is characterized by being fixed to a foam base material with a binder to be contained.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 8 is characterized in that an air heating means is provided in the front stage of the humidifying structure.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 9 is characterized in that the water supply port of the water supply means is arranged on the upper portion of the humidifying structure and supplies water to the humidifying structure.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 1 0 wherein is characterized in that a water tank holding water disposed in the lower portion of the humidifying structural body.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 1 1, wherein the foam density of the foam substrate is at 17 cells / 25mm or less, the thickness is equal to or is a 5 to 30 mm.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 1 wherein is characterized in that the humidifying structural body is cylindrical.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 1 3, wherein includes a feature that cylindrical humidifying structural body rotates the center of the cylinder as a horizontal axis, at least a portion of the humidifying structural body is in contact with the aquarium water To do.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 1 4, wherein, at the time of shutdown, while reducing the air volume of the air blower means operating the air heating means and drying the humidifying structure.

Further, the humidifying device according to claim 1 5, wherein is characterized in that a storage case for storing a play or deposited dissolution of the scale can be dilute acid and / or its salts of ion exchange material.

The method for regenerating a humidified structure according to claim 16 is characterized in that the humidified structure is washed with dilute acid.

  According to the present invention, the ion-exchange material removes easily precipitated components such as calcium and magnesium from the water, and further, the humidifying structure can retain the water by a three-dimensional network structure, so that the humidification ability can be maintained for a long period of time. An apparatus can be provided. Further, since the humidified structure has a cation exchange capability, it is not necessary to arrange an ion exchange material as a separate part, and a humidifier that can suppress the precipitation of scale with a simple structure can be provided.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the humidifying device 11 of the present invention includes a humidifying structure 12 formed by supporting a cation exchange material on a foam base material, a blowing means 13, and a water supply means 14. The dry air 15 taken into the apparatus receives water 16 from the water supply means 14 and is brought into contact with the humidified humidifying structure 12 to vaporize the water in the humidifying structure 12. High-humidity air 17 obtained by vaporization of water is supplied into the room from the humidifier 11 by the force of the blowing means 13. The shape of the water supply means 14 is not particularly limited as long as water can be supplied, and a water tank or the like provided with a water supply hole and a cap for closing it at an arbitrary ratio can be used. It is also possible to connect a water supply pipe capable of supplying water and a flow rate adjusting valve.

  Further, by utilizing the property that air having a higher temperature can hold a larger amount of moisture, the dried air 15 that passes therethrough is heated by the heating means 18 to form hot air, so that the air contains a larger amount of moisture. Can be supplied indoors. A fan, a pump, or the like can be used as the air blowing means 13. As the heating means 18, a heater, a heat exchanger using high-temperature air / gas / water, a burner, or the like can be used.

  As shown in FIG. 1, when the water supply means 14 supplies water from the upper part of the humidification structure 12, the shape of the water supply port 19 of the water supply means 14 is the same as the shape of the upper surface of the humidification structure 12. It is ideal for spreading the water throughout the humidifying structure 12, but in order to achieve an appropriate amount of water, the water supply port 19 may be provided with many fine holes such as shower nozzles to reduce the amount of water. Moreover, the water supply port 19 of the water supply means 14 is formed in an elongated line shape, and the water supply port 19 sprays water while repeatedly moving in the horizontal direction on the upper surface of the humidifying structure 12 so that the entire upper surface of the humidifying structure 12 can be covered. Conceivable. Further, by providing a water tank for holding water at the lower part of the humidifying structure, water can be stored even when the amount of water to be vaporized is small and the amount of water supplied from the water supply means is large, and conversely vaporizes. When the amount of water is large, it is possible to obtain an effect that the water sucked up from the water tank by the capillary phenomenon to the humidifying structure can be used for humidification. Moreover, if the water stored in the water tank is returned to the water tank by a pump or the like, the water can be used without waste.

  For the humidifying structure in the humidifying device of the present invention, a foam having a large amount of voids inside is suitable for holding a large amount of water and efficiently humidifying the air. Examples of the material include organic resins such as urethane, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, phenol resin, and silicone, foam metal, and ceramic. Among these, the urethane foam resin has many air gaps inside, so that it has excellent air permeability, and is inexpensive, flexible, and easy to process. When considering long-term use under harsh conditions such as high temperature and high humidity, the moldability is inferior, but the use of ceramic as the foam causes less decrease in strength.

A cation exchange material is supported on the humidified structure. It is known that calcium and magnesium components in tap water are precipitated as low-solubility precipitates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide. Generation of scale can be suppressed by removing calcium and magnesium components contained in water with a cation exchange material. For example, the solubility in water at 25 ° C. is 0.82 g / 1000 g water for calcium carbonate CaCO ₃ , but 294 g / 1000 g water for sodium carbonate Na ₂ CO ₃ , and no precipitation occurs in H ₂ CO ₃ carbonate. Similarly, magnesium hydroxide Mg (OH) ₂ is 9.8 mg / 1000 g water (18 ° C.), sodium hydroxide NaOH is 1140 g / 1000 g water (25 ° C.), and potassium hydroxide KOH is 1180 g / 1000 g water (25 ° C.). ), And by removing calcium ions and magnesium ions, generation of scale due to hardly soluble precipitates can be suppressed.

As the cation exchange material, inorganic materials and organic resin materials can be used. The inorganic materials, orthoclase _{(K 2 O · Al 2 O} 3 · 6SiO 2), albite _{(Na 2 O · Al 2 O} 3 · 6SiO 2), muscovite _{(K 2 O · 3Al 2 O} 3 6SiO ₂ .2H ₂ O), natural and synthetic zeolites and the like. There are various types of zeolite, such as A type, X type, Y type, and ZSM type, but A type having a large amount of cation exchange is preferable. Which was introduced minerals such as coal and petroleum pitch is treated with sulfuric acid -COOH skeleton, a carboxyl group or a sulfonic acid group represented by -SO ₃ H it is also effective. Examples of organic resin materials that can be used include styrene ion exchange resins, acrylic ion exchange resins, and methacrylic ion exchange resins. As the ion exchange group, a carboxyl group, a sulfone group or a phenolic hydroxyl group represented by the general formulas —COOM, —SO ₃ M (M is a cation) can be used. Those having a certain sulfone group are preferred.

As the cation exchange material, any ionic species that hardly generates a hardly soluble precipitate can be used. Ions such as Li ⁺ , Cu ⁺ , and Ag ⁺ may be used. However, if the purpose is to remove calcium and magnesium ions, it is preferable to use H ⁺ , K ⁺ , and Na ⁺ types that are inexpensive and easily available. In particular, the H ⁺ form is most preferred because it does not cause precipitation as shown above.

  A method of treating tap water with such a cation exchange material in advance and using softened water in a humidifier is also common, but according to the present invention, the humidifying structure itself has an ion exchange action. Therefore, a humidifier can be comprised with a compact structure, and even if it uses tap water directly, the effect that generation | occurrence | production of a scale can be suppressed over a long period is acquired.

  FIG. 2 shows an appearance and a schematic cross-sectional view of the humidified structure. The humidifying structure 21 is formed of a cation exchange material 23 carried on a foam base material 22, and fine irregularities are formed by the cation exchange material 23 on the outer surface 24 and the inner space 25. Since the fine irregularities can increase the surface area of the foam base material 22 and hold water in the gaps between the irregularities, the amount of water vaporized from the humidifying structure increases and the humidification amount of the humidifier increases. Can do. If the particle size of the cation exchange material 23 is too small, irregularities cannot be formed, and if it is too large, air will not pass through the humidified structure, and the adhesion of the cation exchange material to the foam base material There is an optimal range because it is easy to peel off. The particle diameter is preferably 2 μm to 150 μm, more preferably 2 to 55 μm, and still more preferably 4 to 15 μm. By supporting these particles on the surface of the foam substrate, the gap formed between the particles becomes a submicron to several tens of micron interval, and water enters the unevenness so that there is no unevenness. It seems that the humidification performance is improved compared to the humidified structure. It is not necessary to maintain regular intervals between the gaps, and there is no problem even if a mixture of cation exchange materials having different particle sizes is used.

  As a method for supporting the cation exchange material of the present invention on a foam substrate, it is conceivable to use a binder. The binder must be strong enough not to peel off the cation exchange material even after repeated water absorption and drying over a long period of time. Examples of the binder satisfying this requirement include silica sol, alumina sol, titania sol, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, silicate compound or hydrolyzate of titanate compound, and the silicate compound hydrolyzate is preferable. .

  Examples of the silicate compound include tetraethoxysilane and its polymer, methoxypolysiloxane, ethoxypolysiloxane, butoxypolysiloxane, and lithium silicate. Examples of the titanate compound include tetrapropoxytitanium and a polymer thereof. These metal alkoxides are hydrolyzed with water and acid and can be used as a binder.

  If the humidifying structure is made cylindrical, the following advantages are obtained. That is, when a cylindrical humidification structure is arranged in a humidifier with the center of the cylinder as a vertical axis, the linear water supply port of the water supply means arranged above the cylindrical surface is centered on the center line of the cylinder. If it rotates while drawing a circle with a mist, water can be sprayed over the entire humidifying structure, which is a simpler mechanism than when the water supply port moves horizontally. Further, if the humidifying structure itself rotates with the center of the cylinder as a vertical axis, water can be sprayed throughout the humidifying structure even if the linear water supply port is fixed. The same applies when the humidifying structure is arranged in the humidifying device with the center of the cylinder as a horizontal axis. Furthermore, in this case, the water supply means is disposed below the humidification structure as if water was stored in the water tank, and the humidification structure is always in contact with the water of the water supply means at the lower half or less of the cylinder. If the humidifying structure rotates around the center of the cylinder while maintaining the temperature, water spreads over the entire humidifying structure, so that it is not necessary to provide a special water supply port.

In order to increase the humidification efficiency, if the mesh of the foam base material constituting the humidification structure is too fine, sufficient air permeability and water permeability into the foam cannot be obtained. ^{When the} density is about ³ / min, a foaming density of 17 cells / 25 mm or less is suitable. Further, the humidified structure has an optimum thickness because the pressure loss when the air passes changes depending on the thickness of the foam, and the water vaporization efficiency is increased by improving the air permeability, and the thickness of the foam is 5 to 30 mm. If so, a balance between the strength of the structure and the vaporization efficiency may be obtained. In the case of a cylindrical humidified structure, if the thickness of the foam is 5 to 15 mm, a balance between the strength of the structure and the vaporization efficiency may be obtained.

  When the humidifier is stopped, if the air heating means is operated while reducing the air volume of the air blowing means so that the air temperature becomes about 40 ° C., the humidifying structure can be dried and the generation of mold is suppressed. Thus, the humidified structure can be kept hygienic.

  The humidified structure of the present invention may contain an antibacterial agent and / or an antifungal agent. There are fears that germs and mold spores contained in the air passing through the humidified structure may accumulate and propagate on the surface of the humidified structure. By including an antibacterial agent and / or antifungal agent on the surface of the humidified structure, the antibacterial agent and / or antifungal agent elutes on the surface of the humidified structure supplied with water, and bacteria and mold spores are attached at the same time. Inactivated and can prevent propagation on humidified structures.

  When a cation exchange material is used for a long period of time, its ion exchange capacity gradually decreases. Along with this, scale begins to deposit in the humidifying structure, water supply means, water tank and the like. In order to wash them, washing with a dilute acid having a pH of 2 to 6 is preferable. As the acid, any acid such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, acetic acid and citric acid can be used. When citric acid is used, it can be stored as a powder for a long period of time, and it is preferable from the viewpoint of safety and availability. For washing, a dilute acid for washing may be added to the water supply means of the humidifier, or the humidified structure may be removed from the main body and immersed in a dilute aqueous acid solution.

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

Example 1
A Na-X zeolite having an average particle diameter of 6 μm and a binder solution were prepared, and a urethane foam having a foaming density of 13 cells / 25 mm, a thickness of 20 mm, and a width of 120 × 120 mm was immersed in the solution. After dipping for a few seconds, it was lifted to remove excess liquid and dried at about 100 ° C. for about 20 minutes to obtain a humidified structure A. A humidified structure B was prepared in the same procedure except that no zeolite was added. For comparison, an untreated urethane foam was used as the humidified structure C.

  The prepared humidified structures A, B, and C were each immersed in water for 2 minutes, and then lightly drained and installed in the humidifier shown in FIG. The humidifier is placed on a weight balance installed in a room controlled at 30 ° C. and a humidity of 40%, and the weight is recorded while passing through the humidifying structure at a wind speed of 1 m / s. Asked.

  As a result, the humidification amount per hour was 66 ml / h for the humidified structure A. Next, the humidification amount was 36 ml / h of the humidified structure B. The humidified structure C, which is an untreated urethane, did not have sufficient water retention capacity and the amount of humidification was almost zero.

  When the surface of the humidified structure after the test was observed with a microscope, zeolite particles were dispersed and supported on the surface of the humidified structure A, and irregularities of about 0.5 μm to 4 μm were formed. On the other hand, the surfaces of the humidified structures B and C were almost flat.

(Example 2)
Na-X zeolite having an average particle size of 6 μm, binder, and 1,1′-hexamethylenebis [5- (4-chlorophenyl) biguanide] dihydrochloride as an antibacterial agent, 0.5% by weight based on zeolite A solution in which 0.5% by weight of thiabendazole was mixed with zeolite as a mold agent was prepared, and a urethane foam having a foaming density of 13 cells / 25 mm, a thickness of 10 mm, and a width of 300 × 200 mm was immersed in the solution. After soaking for a few seconds, it was lifted off, the excess liquid was shaken off, rounded into a cylindrical shape and dried at about 100 ° C. for about 20 minutes to obtain a hollow cylindrical humidified structure.

  In addition, attempts were made to produce a cylindrical humidified structure using urethane foam having other foaming density. However, the cell spacing of 17 cells / 25 mm or more was too small, and the sheet was immersed in the slurry. 17 cells / 25 mm or less is preferable because the solution does not penetrate to the inside. In addition, a cylindrical humidified structure was manufactured using a sheet having a thickness of 5 mm to 20 mm. The thickness of 20 mm is large, and a sufficient air cannot be flowed by the power of a fan provided in a general household humidifier. Further, when the thickness is 5 mm or less, the thickness is small and not only the strength as the humidifying structure cannot be maintained, but also the processing of the sheet is difficult.

(Example 3)
A humidifying device 31, which is shown in schematic cross-sectional views as viewed from the front and side in FIGS. 3 and 4, includes a hollow cylindrical humidifying structure 32, a fan 33 and a water tank 34 as a blowing means, and the fan 33 and the humidifying structure. A heater 35 is disposed between the bodies 32 as air heating means. The humidification structure 32 is arranged so that a part of the lower side thereof is in contact with the water 36 of the water tank 34. The humidifying structure 32 has a mechanism in which water spreads over the entire humidifying structure 32 while being rotated by a motor 38 around a shaft 37. The air taken into the humidifying device 31 by the fan 33 is heated to about 50 ° C. by the heater 35, passes through the hollow portion from the circumferential side surface of the humidifying structure 32, and escapes to the opposite side of the circumferential surface. Can be supplied indoors. The water 36 in the water tank 34 is sucked and reduced by the humidifying structure 32, but the humidifying operation can be continued by supplying water from the water tank 39. Since calcium and magnesium ions contained in the water 36 are removed by the ion exchange action of the Na-X zeolite supported on the humidifying structure 32, these insoluble carbonates and the like are contained in the humidifying structure 32 and the water tank 34. Hydroxides do not precipitate.

  When the water tank 39 runs out of water, it becomes impossible to humidify. However, since the water tank 39 is detachable, the humidification operation can be performed again with tap water. When the humidification operation is continued in this way, the ion exchange action of the Na-X type zeolite is gradually weakened. If salt NaCl is put into the storage case 40 and the salt exchange is poured into the water when the ion exchange action is reduced, the X-type saturated with Ca and Mg by the action of high-concentration Na ions produced by the dissolution of the salt It can be regenerated as Na-type zeolite by replacing the ion exchange site of the zeolite. Similarly, if citric acid powder is put in the storage case 40 and citric acid is added when the ion exchange action is reduced, the ion exchange site of the X-type zeolite saturated with Ca and Mg is replaced, It can be regenerated as H-type zeolite. In addition, in the case of citric acid, the water in the water tank 34 becomes acidic with a pH of about 2 to 4, and therefore the scale once deposited can be dissolved to keep the water tank 34 clean. The same regeneration effect can be obtained by removing the humidifying structure 32 from the humidifying device 31 and immersing it in a saline solution or a citric acid aqueous solution and washing it.

Example 4
A humidified structure was prepared in the same procedure as in Example 2 using cation exchange materials having different average particle diameters. The relationship between the average particle diameter of the cation exchange material and the amount of humidification when it is incorporated in the humidifier shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 described in Example 3 and humidified in a room controlled at 20 ° C. and 30% humidity. As shown in FIG. As the average particle diameter increases, the humidification amount increases and the maximum humidification amount is obtained in the vicinity of 4 to 15 μm. It can be seen that when the particle size is larger than that, the humidification amount gradually decreases while drawing a gentle curve. When the particle size is 150 μm or more, sufficient adhesion strength to the foam cannot be obtained, and it is difficult to produce a humidified structure, so that it is not suitable for practical use.

  In the humidifying device of the present invention, it is possible to provide a humidifying device with a simple structure that suppresses the precipitation of scale from the water and can maintain the humidifying capacity over a long period of time, Applications can be expected.

Schematic cross-sectional view of a humidifying device of the best mode for carrying out the invention of the present invention Appearance and schematic cross-sectional view of the humidified structure Schematic sectional view seen from the front of the humidifier of Example 3 Schematic sectional view from the side of the humidifier of Example 3 The graph which shows the relationship between the particle diameter of the cation exchange material of the humidification apparatus of the Example 4, and humidification amount Schematic cross-sectional view of conventional humidifier

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Humidifier 12 Humidification structure 13 Blowing means 14 Water supply means 15 Dry air 16 Water 17 High humidity air 18 Heating means 19 Water supply port 21 Humidification structure 22 Foam base material 23 Cation exchange material 24 External surface 25 Void 31 Humidification Device 32 Humidification structure 33 Fan 34 Water tank 35 Heater 36 Water 37 Shaft 38 Motor 39 Water tank 40 Storage case 101 Humidification device 102 Humidification filter 103 Water tank 104 Water 105 Blowing means

Claims (16)

Foam Ri Do a cation exchange material to the substrate from the carrier to made the humidifying structural body and the blowing means and the water supply means and carrying said cation exchange material having a particle size 2Myuemu～150myuemu, the foam substrate A humidifier characterized by providing fine irregularities on the surface . A humidifying device, wherein a humidifying structure formed by supporting a cation exchange material on a foam substrate vaporizes water obtained from a water supply means. 3. The humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the cation exchange material contains one or more cations selected from H +, K +, and Na +. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the cation exchange material is zeolite. Cation exchange material has the general formula -SO 3 _M, -COOM (M is a cation) humidification device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by having at least one functional group represented by. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the foam base material is urethane. The cation exchange material is fixed to the foam substrate with a binder containing at least one selected from silica sol, alumina sol, titania sol, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, silicate compound or titanate compound. The humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an air heating means in a front stage of the humidifying structure. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a water supply port of the water supply means is disposed at an upper portion of the humidifying structure and supplies water to the humidifying structure. Humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the water tank for holding water disposed in the lower portion of the humidifying structural body. The humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the foam base material has a foam density of 17 cells / 25 mm or less and a thickness of 5 to 30 mm. Humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 1 1, wherein the humidifying structural body is cylindrical. Cylindrical humidifying structural body rotates the center of the cylinder as a horizontal axis, humidifying device of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the humidifying structural body is characterized in that in contact with the aquarium water. During shutdown, while reducing the air volume of the air blower means operating the air heating unit, humidifier according to any one of claims 8 to 1 3, characterized in that drying the humidifying structure. Humidifying device according to any one of claims 1 to 1 4, characterized in that a storage case for storing the dilute acid and / or salts thereof capable of dissolving the scale reproduced or attachment of the ion exchange material. The method of reproducing the humidifying structural body, characterized in that cleaning the humidifying structural body according to any one of claims 1 to 1 5 with dilute acid.

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