JP4715122B2 - HYGROSCOPIC FILTER, ITS MANUFACTURING METHOD, REPRODUCTION METHOD, HUMIDATING DEVICE, AND HUMIDATING DEVICE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a hygroscopic filter used in a humidifier or a dehumidifier and a method for manufacturing the same.

An example of a conventional humidifier is shown in FIG. That is, in the humidifier 41, a hygroscopic filter 42 made of a non-woven fabric is disposed in a state where a part of the hygroscopic filter 42 is immersed in the water 45 of the water tank 44, and the hygroscopic filter 42 absorbs the water 45 of the water tank 44 by capillary action. The dry air sucked up and introduced into the humidifier 41 by the air blowing means 43 along the direction indicated by the arrow passes through the portion of the hygroscopic filter 42 not immersed in water. At this time, a method is generally known in which the water sucked up by the hygroscopic filter 42 is vaporized and the air becomes high humidity, and the high humidity air is supplied into the room (for example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-166413

  In this method, the hygroscopic filter that has sucked up water dries the air that passes through it, and the hygroscopic filter itself dries and contacts the water from the lower part of the hygroscopic filter that has been submerged in the water of the aquarium 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.

  In such a hygroscopic filter, minerals such as silicon, calcium, and magnesium contained in tap water are deposited on the filter to prevent water from being absorbed by capillary action. There was a problem of ending up.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a humidifying device that can maintain a humidifying ability even if precipitates are formed on a humidifying filter and that does not require maintenance for a long period of time.

  In order to achieve the above object, a hygroscopic filter of the present invention comprises a foam having a void through which air can pass, a hydrophilic inorganic material, and a binder for immobilizing the inorganic material. This is characterized in that a larger amount of inorganic material is carried from the inner surface to the outer surface of the steel.

  The hygroscopic filter according to claim 2 is characterized in that, in the hygroscopic filter according to claim 1, the foam having a void through which air can pass is urethane.

  The hygroscopic filter according to claim 3 is characterized in that in the hygroscopic filter according to claim 1 or 2, the hydrophilic inorganic material includes one or more of silica gel, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, and apatite. Is.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the hygroscopic filter according to any one of the first to third aspects is characterized in that a deodorizing catalyst is supported.

  A hygroscopic filter according to claim 5 is characterized in that the hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 4 carries an antibacterial agent.

  A hygroscopic filter according to claim 6 is characterized in that the hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 5 carries a fungicide.

  A hygroscopic filter according to a seventh aspect is characterized in that the hygroscopic filter according to any one of the first to sixth aspects carries a photocatalyst.

  The method for producing a hygroscopic filter according to claim 8 is the hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the hydrophilic inorganic material is silica sol, alumina sol, titania sol, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, It is characterized in that it is mixed with a binder containing at least one selected from a hydrolyzate of lithium silicate, silicate compound or titanate compound, sprayed and supported on a foam.

  The method for producing a hygroscopic filter according to claim 9 is the hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the silica sol, alumina sol, titania sol, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, silicate compound is used. Alternatively, a binder containing at least one selected from a hydrolyzate of a titanate compound is spray-sprayed and supported on a foam, and then a hydrophilic inorganic material is attached before the binder is cured. It is a thing.

  A method for producing a hygroscopic filter according to claim 10 is characterized in that in the method for producing a hygroscopic filter according to claim 8 or 9, spraying is performed from both sides of the foam.

  The method for regenerating a hygroscopic filter according to claim 11 is the hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a hygroscopic filter and a blowing means, and is hygroscopic by passing through the hygroscopic filter. It is characterized by desorbing water.

A humidifier according to a twelfth aspect includes the hygroscopic filter according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a blowing means, and a water supply means, and the hygroscopic filter vaporizes the water obtained from the water supply means. It is characterized by supplying high humidity air into the room.

A humidifying device according to a thirteenth aspect includes the hygroscopic filter according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, a blowing unit, a water supply unit, and a heating unit, and warm air is converted into a hygroscopic filter by the blowing unit and the heating unit. The water obtained from the spraying and water supply means is vaporized from the hygroscopic filter, whereby high-humidity air can be supplied to the downstream side.

Further, a dehumidifying device according to claim 14 comprises the hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , a blowing means, a heating means, and a steam collecting means, and the air containing water by the blowing means is hygroscopic. The air is dehumidified on the downstream side to obtain air dehumidified, and the hygroscopic filter containing water is heated and vaporized, and then recovered by water vapor recovery means.

  According to the present invention, a foam having a void through which air can pass, a hydrophilic inorganic material, and a binder for immobilizing the inorganic material are provided, and a larger amount of the inorganic material is supported on the outer surface of the foam. Since it is excellent in wettability and water retention and does not use water uptake by capillary action, it is possible to provide a hygroscopic filter with little decrease in hygroscopicity against adhesion of minerals. Further, it is possible to provide a humidifier or a dehumidifier that can maintain the filter strength over a long period of time in an environment where drying and wetting are repeated using the hygroscopic filter.

  The hygroscopic filter of the present invention comprises a foam having a void through which air can pass, a hydrophilic inorganic material, and a binder for immobilizing the inorganic material, and carries more inorganic material toward the outer surface of the foam. And As shown in FIG. 1, the hygroscopic filter 1 is controlled so that the amount of the hydrophilic inorganic material 5 carried increases from the inner surface 3 to the outer surface 4 of the foam 2 in the cross-sectional view. When water is contained in the hygroscopic filter 1, the hygroscopic filter 1 can hold water by the formation of a water film by the physical action on the gap 6 and the moisture adsorption action of the hydrophilic inorganic material 5. When dry air is blown into the hygroscopic filter 1 that retains water, the water vapor evaporates and the dry air is humidified. At this time, the closer to the outer surface, the greater the amount of water retained. It is considered that the evaporation of water progresses faster than when water is held in No. 3. Even when water is absorbed into the hygroscopic filter after drying, the water wettability of the outer surface 4 is good, so that the effect that water penetrates into the inner surface 3 earlier can be obtained.

  Examples of the foam of the present invention include organic resins such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, polyamide, and urethane. Among these, urethane foam is a material suitable for the purpose of the present invention because it has a large number of voids inside and is excellent in air permeability, and is inexpensive, flexible and easy to process. is there.

  Examples of hydrophilic inorganic materials include synthetic and natural minerals such as silica gel, zeolite, diatomaceous earth and apatite, carbonates, nitrates, oxides and chlorides of alkali metals such as lithium, potassium and sodium, and alkaline earth metals such as calcium and magnesium. And carbonates, nitrates, oxides, chlorides, aluminum and zinc sulfates, and the like, and any inorganic material having water absorption is not limited.

  By carrying a deodorizing catalyst on the hygroscopic filter of the present invention, it is possible to deodorize the air passing through the filter. As the deodorizing catalyst, a compound containing at least one metal selected from Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu is preferable, and those containing at least one noble metal selected from Pt, Ru, Pd, Rd are still used. It is effective.

  The hygroscopic filter of the present invention may contain an antibacterial agent and / or an antifungal agent. The germs and mold spores contained in the air passing through the hygroscopic filter may accumulate on the surface of the hygroscopic filter and propagate. Since the filter is hygroscopic, it is considered that the antibacterial and / or antifungal agent is eluted on the surface of the filter by a very small amount of water. Can prevent breeding on.

  Examples of the antibacterial agent include inorganic compounds that elute metal ions such as silver, copper, and zinc, fine metal particles of silver, copper, and zinc, silver zeolite, silver-containing zirconium phosphate, iodine compounds, phenols, and quaternary ammonium salts. , Imidazole compounds, benzoic acids, hydrogen peroxide, cresol, chlorhexidine, irgasan, aldehydes, sorbic acid, etc. and enzyme preparations such as lysozyme, cellulase, protease, catechins, bamboo extract, hinoki extract, wasabi Examples include natural component extracts such as extracts and mustard extracts.

  Examples of the antifungal agent include organic nitrogen compounds / sulfur compounds, organic acid esters, organic iodine imidazole compounds, and benzazole compounds.

  The hygroscopic filter of the present invention may contain a photocatalyst. By irradiating the hygroscopic filter with a photocatalyst and irradiating light capable of activating the photocatalyst such as sunlight, an ultraviolet lamp, or a fluorescent lamp, germs and malodorous components adhering to the hygroscopic filter can be decomposed.

  As photocatalysts, metal oxides such as tin oxide, zinc oxide, tungsten trioxide, titanium oxide, strontium titanate, iron oxide, bismuth oxide, metal sulfides such as zinc sulfide, cadmium sulfide, molybdenum sulfide, titanium nitride, etc. In view of safety and economy, titanium oxide is preferable.

  Examples of titanium oxide include titanium dioxide, hydrous titanium oxide, hydrated titanium oxide, metatitanic acid, orthotitanic acid, titanium hydroxide, and oxygen-deficient titanium oxide. The crystal form is not particularly limited as long as it has photocatalytic activity, and any of an amorphous form, anatase form, rutile form, and brookite form may be used. There is no problem even if components having different crystal forms such as a combination of rutile type and anatase type titanium oxide are combined.

  As a method for supporting the hydrophilic inorganic material of the present invention on a foam material, it is conceivable to use a binder. Since the water-repellent binder lowers the hygroscopic performance of the hygroscopic filter, a hydrophilic binder is desirable, and one that does not peel off the hydrophilic inorganic material even after repeated moisture absorption / drying is required. 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 hydrolyzate of silicate compound is preferable. is there.

  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 or base, and can be used as a binder.

  As a method of manufacturing a hygroscopic filter carrying more hydrophilic inorganic material as it goes to the outer surface of the foam, the foam is obtained by spraying a slurry liquid prepared by mixing and dispersing the hydrophilic inorganic material and the binder. The method of drying after spraying is mentioned. Because of the foamed structure of the foam, the sprayed slurry is less likely to enter the inner surface due to physical obstacles, so the amount of slurry deposited on the outer surface increases. By drying in this state, only the solvent in the slurry is volatilized, and a hygroscopic filter with more hydrophilic inorganic material on the outer surface can be produced.

  As another production method, there is a method in which a hydrophilic inorganic material is adhered after the binder liquid is sprayed and sprayed on a foam before the binder is cured. By drying after adhesion, a hygroscopic filter with more hydrophilic inorganic material on the outer surface can be produced. It is necessary for the binder to ensure adhesiveness to such an extent that the hydrophilic inorganic material does not exfoliate, and it is desirable that the binder has a degree of adhesion that does not cause powder separation by dropping the hygroscopic filter from a height of 30 cm. Since the binder has a longer drying time and cures as the temperature becomes higher, it is necessary to control the spraying conditions. Examples of the method of attaching the hydrophilic inorganic material include a method of sprinkling the inorganic material, and a method of spraying a liquid in which the inorganic material is dispersed in water or alcohol.

  The spray spraying on the foam is preferably performed from both the front and back sides of the substrate. By spraying from both sides, it is possible to obtain a hygroscopic filter that can absorb and release moisture in the same manner regardless of whether wind is blown from either of the substrates.

  The hygroscopic filter that has absorbed water can evaporate the water by passing dry air through the hygroscopic filter, thereby humidifying the air. Conversely, when high-humidity air is passed, water is absorbed when passing through the filter, so that dehumidified air can be obtained. By combining these actions to absorb and release moisture, the air can be humidified and dehumidified to be controlled to an arbitrary humidity.

  The humidifying device according to claim 12 is provided with a hygroscopic filter, an air blowing means, and a water supply means, and the hygroscopic filter supplies high humidity air to the room by vaporizing water obtained from the water supply means. Thus, by keeping the hygroscopic filter moistened with the water supply means, moisture can be given to the air passing therethrough and high-humidity air can be supplied indoors. Here, utilizing the property that the higher the temperature of the air, the more moisture can be retained, the heated air is heated by the heating means to form hot air, so that the air containing a larger amount of moisture is indoors. Can be supplied. A fan, a pump, etc. can be utilized as a ventilation means. As the heating means, a heater, a heat exchanger using high-temperature air / gas / water, a burner, or the like can be used.

  The dehumidifying device according to claim 14 is provided with a hygroscopic filter, a blowing means, a heating means, and a steam collecting means, and air containing water is blown to the hygroscopic filter by the blowing means, and the air dehumidified downstream is supplied. It is characterized in that the moisture-absorbing filter containing water is vaporized by heating and then collected by means of water vapor collecting means, and by blowing air containing water on the dried hygroscopic filter The dehumidified air can be supplied indoors. When the hygroscopic filter contains water and the hygroscopicity decreases, the hygroscopic filter is warmed to vaporize the water, and the vaporized water is collected by the water vapor collecting means without releasing water into the room. The hygroscopic filter can be dried. As the steam recovery means, an air-cooled, water-cooled, gas-type heat exchanger or the like can be used.

  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) Preparation of a hygroscopic filter Ethanol and 1N hydrochloric acid were added to tetraethoxysilane, and the adhesive was hydrolyzed to prepare a binder liquid. The binder liquid is mixed with hydrophilic zeolite, 1,1′-hexamethylenebis [5- (4-chlorophenyl) biguanide] dihydrochloride as an antibacterial agent, and thiabendazole as an antifungal agent, and stirred and dispersed in a ball mill. For 5 hours to prepare a slurry.

  The prepared slurry was put in a spray gun for painting and sprayed on both front and back surfaces of urethane foam. Then, it was made to dry at about 100 degreeC for about 20 minutes, and the hygroscopic filter A was created. Since the urethane foam was black and the hydrophilic zeolite was white, when the hygroscopic filter A was cut, a cross section as shown in FIG. 1 could be observed from the difference in color.

(Comparative example) Preparation of a filter for comparison A slurry was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1. After urethane foam was immersed in a container containing the prepared slurry and immersed for several seconds, it was lifted and shaken with excess liquid. And dried at about 100 ° C. for about 20 minutes to obtain a hygroscopic filter B in which a hydrophilic inorganic material is uniformly distributed to the inside.

(Embodiment 2) Humidifier The humidifier 21 whose schematic sectional view is shown in FIG. 2 includes a fan 23, a hygroscopic filter 22 and a water supply means 24 as a blowing means. A heater 26 is disposed as an air heating means. The dry air 27 taken into the humidifying device 21 by the fan 23 is heated to about 50 ° C. by the heater 26, and then comes into contact with the hygroscopic filter 22 and passes through. At this time, the hygroscopic filter 22 receives the water 25 from the water supply means 24 and is in a moist state, so that the water is vaporized, and high-humidity air 28 is supplied downstream.

  The hygroscopic filter created in Example 1 and the comparative example was placed in the humidifier 21 and the apparatus was operated to measure the humidification amount (water vaporization amount) of each filter. As shown in the table, the hygroscopic filter A which is the product of the present invention was able to obtain a higher humidification amount than the filter B even though only 31% of the filter B supported zeolite. This is presumed to be due to the presence of zeolite that is supported inside the filter and is difficult to contact with water. We think that the amount of humidification is improved because the pressure loss of the hygroscopic filter is reduced by reducing the loading amount, and the air easily passes.

(Embodiment 3) Dehumidifying Device A dehumidifying device 31 whose schematic sectional view is shown in FIG. 3 includes a fan 33 as a blowing means, a hygroscopic filter 32, a water vapor collecting means 35, and a water tank 34. A heater 36 is disposed between the hygroscopic filters 32 as air heating means. The wet air 37 taken into the dehumidifying device 31 by the fan 33 comes into contact with the hygroscopic filter 32 and escapes as dry air 38. When the moisture absorption efficiency of the hygroscopic filter 32 decreases due to continuous use, the water vapor is desorbed from the hygroscopic filter 32 by the action of the heated air by heating with the heater 36, and Water vapor is condensed by the collecting means 35, and the condensed water vapor is collected in the water tank 34. By repeating these actions, it is possible to provide a dehumidifier that supplies dry air into the room.

  By using the humidifying structure of the present invention, it is possible to provide a humidifying method with little reduction in humidifying capacity due to scale adhesion or washing, and there are uses such as household and commercial humidifiers.

Schematic sectional view of a hygroscopic filter of Example 1 of the present invention Schematic cross-sectional view of the humidifying device of Example 2 of the present invention Schematic cross-sectional view of a dehumidifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention Schematic cross-sectional view of conventional humidifier

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Hygroscopic filter 2 Foam 3 Inner surface 4 Foam outer surface 5 Hydrophilic inorganic material 6 Void 21 Humidifier 22 Hygroscopic filter 23 Fan 24 Water supply means 25 Water 26 Heater 27 Dry air 28 High humidity air Reference Signs List 31 Dehumidifier 32 Hygroscopic filter 33 Fan 34 Water tank 35 Steam recovery means 36 Heater 37 Wet air 38 Dry air 41 Humidifier 42 Hygroscopic filter 43 Blower means 44 Water tank 45 Water 46 Heating means

Claims (14)

A hygroscopic filter comprising a foam having a void through which air can pass, a hydrophilic inorganic material, and a binder for immobilizing the inorganic material, and carrying more inorganic material from the inner surface to the outer surface of the foam. The hygroscopic filter according to claim 1, wherein the foam having a void through which air can pass is urethane. The hygroscopic filter according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hydrophilic inorganic material contains one or more of silica gel, zeolite, diatomaceous earth, and apatite. The hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a deodorizing catalyst is supported. The hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an antibacterial agent. 6. The hygroscopic filter according to claim 1, further comprising an antifungal agent. The hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a photocatalyst is supported. A hydrophilic inorganic material is mixed with a binder containing at least one selected from silica sol, alumina sol, titania sol, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, silicate compound or hydrolyzate of titanate compound, and sprayed. The method for producing a hygroscopic filter according to claim 1, wherein the hygroscopic filter is sprayed and supported on a foam. A binder containing at least one selected from silica sol, alumina sol, titania sol, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, lithium silicate, silicate compound or hydrolyzate of titanate compound is spray-sprayed and supported on the foam. 8. The method for producing a hygroscopic filter according to claim 1, wherein a hydrophilic inorganic material is attached after the binder is cured. The method for producing a hygroscopic filter according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the spray is sprayed from both sides of the foam. The method for regenerating a hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a hygroscopic filter and an air blowing means, and desorbing water absorbed by passing through the hygroscopic filter. The hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , a blower unit, and a water supply unit are provided, and the hygroscopic filter can supply high-humidity air to the room by vaporizing water obtained from the water supply unit. Humidifier. A hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , a blowing means, a water supply means, and a heating means, wherein hot air is blown onto the hygroscopic filter by the blowing means and the heating means, and water obtained from the water supply means is obtained. A humidifier capable of supplying high-humidity air downstream by vaporizing from a hygroscopic filter. An air that is provided with the hygroscopic filter according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , a blowing means, a heating means, and a means for collecting water vapor, blows air containing water by the blowing means to the hygroscopic filter, and is dehumidified downstream. A dehumidifying device characterized in that the moisture-absorbing filter containing water is heated and vaporized, and then recovered by water vapor recovery means.

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