JP5438541B2 - Air humidification method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an air humidifying method for humidifying humidified air using a skewed honeycomb and an air humidifying method for sterilizing bacteria adhering to the skewed honeycomb without interrupting humidification of the humidified air. The present invention relates to an air humidifier.

  Conventionally, humidified air is humidified by using a skewed honeycomb made of inorganic fibers, supplying humidified water into the skewed honeycomb from the top of the skewed honeycomb, and supplying the humidified water from the bottom of the skewed honeycomb. By supplying humidified air into the skewed honeycomb from the front surface of the skewed honeycomb and discharging the humidified air from the rear surface of the skewed honeycomb, the humidified air and the humidified water are discharged in the skewed honeycomb. An air humidification method is performed in which the humidified air is humidified by bringing the air into contact with each other.

  In such an air humidification method, while the humidification is continued, bacteria floating in the humidified air adhere to the skewed honeycomb, and the attached bacteria propagate and the amount of the bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb is reduced. Since it increases and causes an unpleasant odor, etc., if the amount of bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb is excessive, it must be sterilized. In addition, the microbe suspended in the humidified air adhering to the skewed honeycomb is a bacterium and a fungus. In the present invention, these are collectively referred to as a bacterium.

  In the conventional air humidification method, when the amount of bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb is excessive, the supply of humidified water to the skewed honeycomb is stopped while supplying air to the skewed honeycomb, By drying the row honeycomb, the bacteria attached to the skew honeycomb were sterilized.

  In addition, high cleanliness is required in manufacturing areas of semiconductor factories and so on, so that a high-functional filter is placed on the front of the skewed honeycomb and humidified water is used as pure water, so that bacteria can propagate in the skewed honeycomb. Humidification methods that make it difficult are known.

  Stop air supply to the skewed honeycomb while supplying air to the skewed honeycomb, and dry the skewed honeycomb to dry the bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb. While it is, humidified air cannot be humidified. In this case, when humidification of the humidified air is resumed, a strange odor may be generated in the humidified air.

  If it is a facility where there are no people at night, drying the slanted honeycomb as described above at night and resuming humidification of the humidified air will allow humidification of the humidified air during drying. Even if it is not, or if humidified air becomes odor immediately after restarting, no problem will occur.

  However, it is necessary to supply humidified air continuously for 24 hours to facilities such as hospitals, pharmaceutical factories, food factories, laboratories handling animals and microorganisms, office buildings, commercial buildings, etc. Therefore, the humidification of humidified air cannot be stopped, and if the humidified air becomes odor immediately after the resumption of humidification, an odor problem occurs.

  Therefore, in the conventional sterilization method, in order to avoid these problems, two air humidifiers are prepared, and one of the air humidifiers humidifies the humidified air so that the bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb are removed. When the amount becomes too large, the humidifying operation of humidified air is switched to the other air humidifying device, and while the humidifying operation of the other air humidifying device is being performed, the sterilization and humidification of one skewed honeycomb is performed. It was necessary to switch to the humidification operation with one of the air humidifiers again after they were restarted.

  However, in such a method, two air humidifiers must be provided side by side, and a new problem arises that a large space is required for installation of the device and maintenance costs increase.

  For this reason, the supply of humidified air using steam generated by a boiler or the like is generally used for supplying humidified air to facilities where people are present in the facility for 24 hours. However, in the case of the steam type, fuel costs are generated and there are concerns about environmental impacts such as global warming.

  Further, in the method in which a high-function filter is placed on the front surface of the skewed honeycomb and the humidified water is pure water, a high-cost high-performance filter and a pure water production apparatus are required. For this reason, the cost becomes too high and it is difficult to use it for general purposes.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is an air humidification method using a skewed honeycomb, and it is possible to continuously supply humidified air without using an air humidifier and without using pure water as humidified water. An object of the present invention is to provide an air humidification method that can be performed and does not cause odor problems when humidifying.

  As a result of intensive studies to solve the problems in the conventional technology, the present inventors have used a humidified water containing hypochlorous acid (HClO) as the humidified water supplied to the skewed honeycomb, The inventors have found that it is possible to sterilize the skew honeycomb while humidifying the humidified air, and have completed the present invention.

That is, in the present invention (1), a plurality of corrugated sheets having a corrugated shape propagating in one direction are laminated to form a honeycomb shape, the ridge directions of the ridges of adjacent corrugated sheets are obliquely intersected, and The skew honeycomb in which the corrugated sheets are laminated so that the ridge line directions of the crests of the corrugated sheets are almost the same in every other sheet, and the openings of the ventilation cavities are provided on the four surfaces of the front surface, the rear surface, the upper surface and the lower surface The humidified water is supplied into the skewed honeycomb from the upper part of the slanted honeycomb, and the humidified air is supplied from the front surface of the skewed honeycomb into the skewed honeycomb while the humidified water is discharged from the bottom surface of the skewed honeycomb. The humidified air is exhausted from the rear surface of the skewed honeycomb so that the humidified air and the humidified water are brought into contact with each other in the skewed honeycomb to perform humidification of the humidified air.
During the humidification step, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb is 0.4 mg / L or higher when humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is used as the humidified water. Until the humidification and sterilization step of sterilizing the skewed honeycomb is performed intermittently while humidifying the humidified air by supplying it into the skewed honeycomb,
An air humidification method characterized by the above is provided.

  According to the present invention, an air humidification method using a skewed honeycomb, wherein humidified air is continuously supplied without an air humidifier and without using pure water as humidified water. Thus, it is possible to provide an air humidification method that prevents the growth of bacteria and does not cause odor problems when humidified.

It is a mimetic diagram showing a skewed honeycomb concerning the present invention. It is a perspective view when the corrugated sheet which comprises the skewed honeycomb which concerns on this invention is cut in the surface perpendicular | vertical with respect to the formation direction of a ventilation cavity. It is a typical end view of the example of the form of the air humidifier of the present invention. It is a typical end view of the example of the form of the air humidifier of the present invention. It is a typical end view of the example of the form of the air humidifier of the present invention. It is a typical end view of the example of the form of the air humidifier of the present invention.

In the air humidification method of the present invention, a plurality of corrugated sheets having a corrugated shape propagating in one direction are laminated to form a honeycomb shape, and the ridge directions of the ridges of adjacent corrugated sheets are obliquely intersected, and The corrugated sheets are laminated so that the ridge line directions of the crests of the corrugated sheets are substantially the same in every other sheet, and the skewed honeycomb having openings of ventilation cavities on four surfaces of the front surface, the rear surface, the upper surface, and the lower surface Humidified water is supplied from above into the skewed honeycomb, and the humidified water is discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb, and humidified air is fed into the skewed honeycomb from the front of the skewed honeycomb. The humidifying step of humidifying the humidified air by bringing the humidified air into contact with the humidified water in the skewed honeycomb by discharging humidified air from the rear surface of the skewed honeycomb;
During the humidification step, humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is supplied as the humidified water into the skewed honeycomb so that the humidified air is humidified, and the sterilization of the skewed honeycomb is performed. Performing the humidifying and sterilizing step intermittently and repeatedly,
An air humidification method characterized by the above.

The air humidifier of the present invention is an air humidifier used for carrying out the air humidification method of the present invention, and a plurality of corrugated sheets having a corrugated shape propagating in one direction are laminated to form a honeycomb shape. Present, the corrugated sheets are laminated so that the ridge directions of the ridges of the adjacent corrugated sheets are diagonally intersected, and the ridge lines of the ridges of the corrugated sheets are in the same direction every other sheet, A skewed honeycomb having openings of ventilation cavities on four surfaces of a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface and a lower surface;
Humidified water supply means for supplying humidified water into the skewed honeycomb from above the skewed honeycomb;
A humidified water tank for storing the humidified water;
A humidifying water supply pipe for supplying makeup water to the humidifying water tank;
A humidified water discharge pipe for discharging a part of the humidified water;
A hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe for supplying a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution;
It is an air humidifier characterized by having.

  The air humidification method of the present invention is performed using a skewed honeycomb. The structure of the skew honeycomb used in the air humidification method of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a skewed honeycomb according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view when the corrugated sheet constituting the skewed honeycomb according to the present invention is cut along a plane perpendicular to the formation direction of the ventilation cavities. In FIG. 1, the skewed honeycomb 2 is formed by laminating corrugated sheets 3 processed into a corrugated shape in the direction A in FIG. 1, and has four surfaces, that is, surfaces to which humidified air is supplied. A certain front surface 4 (right surface in FIG. 1), rear surface 5 (left surface in FIG. 1) from which humidified air is discharged, upper surface 6 and lower surface 7 have ventilation cavity openings 8. The direction in which the corrugated sheets 3 are laminated (A direction), the direction in which the humidified water 10 is supplied to the skewed honeycomb 2 (B direction), and the direction in which the humidified air 9 is supplied (C direction) are respectively Orthogonal.

  FIG. 2 shows a corrugated sheet 3q used for producing the skewed honeycomb 2. The corrugated sheet 3q is processed into a corrugated shape that propagates in one direction, and the crest 11 of the corrugated sheet 3q is continuous by being sandwiched between the other corrugated sheets 3p and 3r in the skewed honeycomb 2. A substantially semicircular vent cavity 12 extending in the direction is formed. In the following description, an extension line (ridge portion) of the apex portion of the mountain portion 11 is referred to as a ridge line 13 of the mountain portion. The ventilation cavity 12 is formed in parallel with the ridgeline 13 of the mountain portion. In FIG. 2, the corrugated sheets 3p and 3r sandwiching the corrugated sheet 3q are not described, but the ridge line of the peak portion of the corrugated sheet 3p is located on the line connecting the peak portions 11a and 11c. The portion surrounded by the line connecting the corrugated sheet 3q and the peaks 11a and 11c is the ventilation cavity 12a. Similarly, since the ridge line of the peak portion of the corrugated sheet 3r is located on the line connecting the peak portions 11b and 11d, the portion surrounded by the line connecting the corrugated sheet 3q and the peak portions 11b and 11d is the ventilation cavity 12b. It is.

  In the skewed honeycomb according to the present invention, when the corrugated sheets are viewed from the stacking direction (direction A in FIG. 1), the ridge line direction of the peak portion of the corrugated sheets is (i) the corrugated sheets on both sides sandwiched The direction of the ridge line of the mountain part is different from the direction of the ridge line of the mountain part, that is, the direction of the ridge line of the mountain part intersects with the corrugated sheets on both sides sandwiched, and (ii) the ridge line of the mountain part every other sheet The layers are stacked so that the directions are the same. As a specific example, (i) the waveform is such that the direction of the ridge line of the peak portion of the corrugated sheet 3p is different from the direction of the ridge line of the peak portion of the corrugated sheet 3q, that is, when viewed from the A direction. (Ii) the direction of the ridgeline of the peak portion of the corrugated sheet 3p and the direction of the ridgeline of the peak portion of the corrugated sheet 3r are such that the ridgeline of the peak portion of the sheet 3p intersects the ridgeline of the peak portion of the corrugated sheet 3q. The ridge lines of the crests of the corrugated sheet 3p and the ridge lines of the crests of the corrugated sheet 3r are stacked so as to be in the same direction, that is, when viewed in the A direction.

  Usually, the slanted honeycomb 2 is formed by laminating a laminate in which the ridge lines of the mountain portions alternately and obliquely intersect with each other and the ridge lines of the mountain portions are substantially in the same direction, the front surface 4, the rear surface 5, and the upper surface. 6 and the lower surface 7 are cut and manufactured so that the openings 8 of the ventilation cavities are formed. The cross section is a front surface 4, a rear surface 5, an upper surface 6 and a lower surface 7.

The formation direction of the ventilation cavity 12 will be described in more detail. The corrugated sheet 3a is the outermost corrugated sheet of the skewed honeycomb 2, and the corrugated sheet 3b is the second corrugated sheet from the outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the relationship between the C direction and the formation direction of the ventilation cavity 12, that is, the angle X ₁ of the ridge line of the peak portion of the corrugated sheet 3 a with respect to the C direction is usually 15 to 45 degrees, preferably 25 to 35 degrees. , and the angle _{X 2} of mountain ridges of the corrugated support sheet 3b is for the C direction, usually 15 to 45 degrees, preferably 25 to 35 degrees. Moreover, the intersection angle Y of the ridgeline of the peak part of the corrugated sheet 3a and the ridgeline of the peak part of the corrugated sheet 3b is usually 30 to 90 degrees, preferably 50 to 70 degrees.

  The peak height of the corrugated sheet 3 (indicated by h in FIG. 2) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2.0 to 8.0 mm, and particularly preferably 3.0 to 5.0 mm. Further, the pitch of the corrugated sheet 3 (in FIG. 2, symbol p) is not particularly limited, but is preferably 2.5 to 12.0 mm, particularly preferably 5.0 to 10.0 mm.

  That is, the skewed honeycomb according to the present invention has a honeycomb shape in which a plurality of corrugated sheets having a corrugated shape propagating in one direction is formed, and the ridge line directions of the peak portions of adjacent corrugated sheets are obliquely intersected, In addition, the corrugated sheets are laminated so that the ridge line directions of the crests of the corrugated sheets are almost the same in every other sheet, and there are openings of ventilation cavities on the four surfaces of the front surface, rear surface, upper surface, and lower surface.

  The corrugated sheet constituting the skewed honeycomb according to the present invention is obtained by processing a base sheet into a corrugated sheet. It is preferable that such a substrate sheet has irregularities on the surface and is porous inside because the surface area of the element can be increased and the contact area between water and air that permeates and flows down the element increases. Examples of such a base sheet include those having a three-dimensional network structure and a predetermined inter-fiber porosity, and specifically, selected from the group consisting of alumina, silica and titania. Or the inorganic fiber base sheet which contains two or more fillers or binders and consists of inorganic fiber is mentioned. Among these, a mixture containing titania is preferable because the removal efficiency of acidic gaseous chemical pollutants is improved. The inorganic fiber base sheet usually contains 60 to 93% by weight of filler or binder and 7 to 40% by weight of fiber, preferably 70 to 88% by weight of filler or binder and 12 of fiber. Contains -30% by weight. It is preferable that the blending ratio of the inorganic fiber base sheet is within the range because the water permeability and strength of the inorganic fiber base sheet are high. The inorganic fiber base sheet containing the filler and the binder is produced by a known method. For example, the inorganic fiber base sheet made of glass fiber, ceramic fiber or alumina fiber is used as a binder such as alumina sol. After being immersed in a slurry in which a filler such as alumina hydrate is mixed, it is dried, corrugated, and then dried and heat treated to remove moisture and organic components. When the inorganic fiber base sheet contains silica or titania in addition to alumina, for example, the amount of silica and titania is usually 5 to 40 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of alumina.

  Moreover, the inter-fiber porosity of the inorganic fiber base sheet containing the binder or filler is usually 65 to 85%, preferably 75 to 82%. By setting the inter-fiber porosity of the inorganic fiber base sheet within the above range, moderate permeability can be realized, and the contact efficiency between air and water can be increased. Moreover, the thickness of the inorganic fiber base sheet containing the binder or filler, that is, the wall thickness is usually 200 to 1000 μm, preferably 300 to 800 μm. When the inorganic fiber base sheet containing the binder or filler has the porosity and the thickness, the liquid gas ratio and the water penetration rate are in an appropriate range, and the contact efficiency between water and air is increased. It will be sufficient in strength.

  As a method for forming the inorganic fiber base sheet into a corrugated corrugated sheet, a known corrugator is used in which a flat sheet is passed between a plurality of gears having corrugated irregularities that oscillate in the radial direction. A method is mentioned. As a method for forming the above skew honeycomb from the obtained corrugated sheet, for example, first, the wave propagation direction of the corrugated sheet with respect to a rectangular cutting die having a length of about 100 mm (thickness dimension after forming) × width of about 3000 mm. The rectangular corrugated sheet is produced by arranging and cutting so that the angle is 15 to 45 degrees with respect to one side of the rectangular shape, and then the wave propagation direction of every other rectangular corrugated sheet is oblique. The method of arrange | positioning so that it may cross | intersect, and laminating | stacking these without adhere | attaching them is mentioned. When manufactured in this way, the vertical length of the cutting die is the depth of the skewed honeycomb (the length in the C direction of the skewed honeycomb 2 in FIG. 1).

  The average fiber diameter of the fibers constituting the inorganic fiber base sheet is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 20 μm, particularly preferably 3 to 10 μm. When the average fiber diameter is within the range, the mechanical strength of the skewed honeycomb is increased.

  The depth of the skewed honeycomb (the length in the C direction of the skewed honeycomb 2 in FIG. 1) is preferably 100 to 1000 mm, particularly preferably 200 to 800 mm.

  The air humidifier of the present invention has a skewed honeycomb and is an air humidifier used for carrying out the air humidification method of the present invention. The air humidifier of this invention is demonstrated with reference to FIG.3 and FIG.4. 3 and 4 are schematic end views of an embodiment of the air humidifier of the present invention, and are end views when cut along a plane perpendicular to the corrugated sheet stacking direction. And FIG. 3 is a figure which shows a mode that the humidification process is performed, and FIG. 4 is a figure which shows a mode that the humidification and sterilization process is performed. Therefore, the vertical direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the humidifying water supply direction, and the horizontal direction in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the humidified air supply direction.

  In FIG. 3, the air humidifier 20 a includes a skewed honeycomb 2, a humidified water tank 18 for storing the humidified water 25, a sprinkler 12 for sprinkling the humidified water 25 from the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb 2, A water supply pipe 13 connecting the section 12 and the humidified water tank 18, a first liquid feed pump 14 for feeding the humidified water 25 from the humidifying tank 18 to the sprinkling section 12, and makeup water 22 to the humidified water tank 18. A replenishment water replenishment pipe 19 for replenishment, a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21 for supplying a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 to the humidification water tank 18, and a part for discharging a part of the humidification water 25 to the outside. A humidified water discharge pipe 16a. In order to adjust the ratio between the supply amount of the humidifying water 25 to the skewed honeycomb 2 and the discharge amount of the humidifying water 25 discharged from the humidifying water discharge pipe 16a, the first valve 15 is provided in the water supply pipe 13 with the humidifying water. A second valve 17a is attached to each discharge pipe 16a. The humidifying water supply pipe 19 is provided with a third valve 33 for adjusting the supply amount of the makeup water 22. A fourth valve 34 is attached to the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21 in order to adjust the supply amount of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23.

  The humidified water 25 supplied from the sprinkler 12 flows downward in the skewed honeycomb 2 to humidify the humidified air, and the portion not used for humidifying the humidified air is the skewed honeycomb. 2 is discharged from the lower surface 7 and returned to the humidified water tank 18.

  In addition, in the air humidifier 20a, the water sprinkling part 12, the water supply pipe 13, and the 1st liquid feed pump 14 correspond to the humidification water supply means which concerns on the air humidifier of this invention.

  A method of continuously humidifying humidified air using the air humidifier 20a will be described. First, before starting humidification of humidified air, the first valve 15 is opened and the second valve 17a is closed so that the corrugated sheet constituting the skewed honeycomb 2 is sufficiently moistened with the humidified water 25. As described above, preparation for operation for supplying the humidified water 25 in the humidified water tank 18 to the skewed honeycomb 2 using the first liquid feeding pump 14 is performed.

  Next, when the corrugated sheet constituting the skewed honeycomb 2 is sufficiently moistened with the humidifying water 25, the skewed honeycomb 2 is introduced from the upper surface 8 of the skewed honeycomb 2 using the first liquid feeding pump 14. The humidified water 25 in the humidified water tank 18 is supplied to the inside, and the humidified water 26 that has not been used for humidifying the humidified air is discharged from the lower surface 7 of the skewed honeycomb 2. Thus, humidified air is supplied into the skewed honeycomb 2, and the humidified air is discharged from the rear surface 5 of the skewed honeycomb 2. Since the humidified air and the humidified water 25 are in contact with each other in the skewed honeycomb 2, the humidified air is humidified by the humidified water 25. Then, the humidified intake air is continuously humidified by continuously supplying the humidified air and the humidified water 25 to the skewed honeycomb 2.

  In this way, the humidified water 25 is supplied from the upper part of the skewed honeycomb 2 into the skewed honeycomb 2, the humidified water is discharged from the lower surface 7 of the skewed honeycomb 2, and from the front surface 4 of the skewed honeycomb 2. By supplying humidified air into the skewed honeycomb 2 and exhausting the humidified air from the rear surface 5 of the skewed honeycomb 2, the humidified air and the humidified water 25 are brought into contact with each other in the skewed honeycomb 2 to be humidified. The humidification process which humidifies air can be performed.

  During the humidification process, the opening amounts of the first valve 15 and the second valve 17a are adjusted to supply the humidified water 25 to the skewed honeycomb 2 and the humidified water 25 from the humidified water discharge pipe 16a. By adjusting the discharge amount, a part of the humidified water 25 may be discharged from the humidified water discharge pipe 16a to the outside while supplying the humidified water 25 to the skewed honeycomb 2, or the second It is not necessary to close the valve 17a and discharge the humidified water 25 from the humidified water discharge pipe 16a.

  In the humidification step, the amount used for humidification of the humidified air (when the humidified water 25 is discharged from the humidified water discharge pipe 16a, in addition to the amount used for humidification of the humidified air, the humidified water discharge pipe 16a Since the amount of the humidified water 25 in the humidified water tank 18 decreases, the third valve 33 is opened, and the amount of makeup water 22 corresponding to the decreased amount is supplied to the humidified water tank 18. To replenish. During the humidification process, the fourth valve 34 is closed.

  If the humidification process is continued, the microorganisms floating in the humidified air adhere to and propagate on the skewed honeycomb 2, so that the amount of bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb 2 increases with the passage of time. .

  Then, when the amount of bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb 2 is excessive or excessive, the third valve 33 is closed and the fourth valve 34 is opened as shown in FIG. By supplying the chloric acid aqueous solution 23, the humidified water in the humidified water tank 18 is changed to the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid, and the humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is supplied to the skewed honeycomb 2. . It should be noted that humidified air is supplied to the skewed honeycomb 2 while the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid is being supplied to the skewed honeycomb 2.

  In this way, the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid is supplied into the skewed honeycomb 2 from the upper part of the skewed honeycomb 2, and the humidified water 31 containing hypochlorous acid is supplied from the lower surface 7 of the skewed honeycomb 2. The humidified air is supplied from the front surface 4 of the skewed honeycomb 2 into the skewed honeycomb 2 and the humidified air is discharged from the rear surface 5 of the skewed honeycomb 2, so that the inside of the skewed honeycomb 2 is discharged. While humidifying the humidified air, a humidification and sterilization step for sterilizing the skewed honeycomb 2 is performed.

  When the air humidifier 20a is used, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidified water tank 18 is very low immediately after the supply of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 is started. Therefore, in order to increase the concentration increase rate of the hypochlorous acid in the humidified water 30 in the humidified water tank 18, that is, the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid, the opening degree of the first valve 15 and the second valve 17a. While the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid is supplied to the skewed honeycomb 2 by adjusting the amount of water, a part of the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid is discharged from the humidified water discharge pipe 17a to the outside of the apparatus. It is preferable to do.

  Hypochlorous acid has a function of sterilizing bacteria existing in the skewed honeycomb 2, and therefore, supplying the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid into the skewed honeycomb 2 allows the skewed honeycomb 2. Can be sterilized. At this time, since the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid that also acts as humidified water is supplied to the skewed honeycomb 2, the skewed honeycomb 2 is sterilized. The humidified air can be humidified while the air remains. Therefore, before performing the humidification and sterilization process, while the humidification and sterilization process is being performed, the humidified air is being humidified, so during humidification of the humidified air, that is, During the humidification step, the skewed honeycomb 2 is sterilized.

  The supply of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 to the humidified water tank 18, that is, the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid to the skewed honeycomb 2, until the bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb 2 disappear. Supply.

  Next, when the bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb 2 are sufficiently sterilized, the supply of the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 to the humidified water tank 18 is stopped, and the makeup water 22 is replenished instead. Continue to humidify the humidified air. That is, sterilization is stopped and a humidification process is performed. Then, again, when the amount of bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb 2 becomes too large, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 is supplied to the humidified water tank 18, that is, hypochlorous acid to the skewed honeycomb 2. The humidified water 30 containing is supplied, and the humidified air is humidified while sterilizing the skewed honeycomb 2. Thereafter, such an operation is repeated.

  In this way, the humidification / sterilization step is intermittently repeated during the humidification step.

  3 and 4 show that the water sprinkling part 12 is installed above the upper surface 6 of the skewed honeycomb 2, the installation position of the water sprinkling part 12 may be within a range where the humidification effect does not become too low. For example, the upper side in the skew honeycomb 2 may be used.

  3 and 4 show that the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21 is connected to the humidified water tank 18, but in the air humidifier of the present invention, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21 is It may be connected somewhere in the humidification water supply means such as the water supply pipe 13 or may be connected to the makeup water supply pipe 22.

  In the air humidifier of the present invention, in the embodiment in which the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21 is connected to the humidified water supply means, the concentration of hypochlorous acid is high in the humidification and sterilization step. Since the aqueous chlorous acid solution 23 is supplied to the skewed honeycomb 2 before being diluted with the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid in the humidified water tank 18, the sterilization efficiency is increased.

  In the air humidifier of the present invention, in the embodiment in which the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21 is connected to the make-up water supply pipe 22, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 is used during the humidification and sterilization step. Is supplied from the hypochlorous acid supply pipe 21 via the makeup water supply pipe 19. At this time, in order to adjust the hypochlorous acid concentration in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23, the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 can be supplied, and at the same time, the makeup water 22 can be supplied.

  Further, the air humidifier of the present invention, like the air humidifier 20b shown in FIG. 5, is further humidified water discharged from the skewed honeycomb 2 (humidified water 26 and humidified water 31 containing hypochlorous acid). The humidifying water receiver 32 is provided with a return pipe 27 for returning the humidified water discharged from the skewed honeycomb 2 to the humidifying water tank 18. The humidified water discharge pipe 16b may be attached to the return pipe 27. In the air humidifier 20b, the return pipe 27 is provided with a second pump 28 for feeding the humidified water discharged from the skewed honeycomb 2 to the humidified water tank 18. Further, in order to adjust the ratio of the return amount of the humidified water to the humidified water tank 18 and the discharge amount of the humidified water from the humidified water discharge pipe 16b, a fifth valve 35 is provided in the return pipe 27 and the humidified water discharge pipe 16b is provided. Each has a second valve 17b. In the air humidifier 20b, the humidified water discharge pipe 16b may be directly connected to the humidified water receiver 32.

  During the humidification and sterilization step, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water 31 discharged from the skewed honeycomb 2 is lower than the humidified water 30 in the humidified water tank 18. And in the air humidifier 20b, since the humidified water which should be discharged | emitted out of the apparatus from the humidified water 31 with low hypochlorous acid density | concentration is extracted, the quantity of the humidified water 31 returned to the humidified water 30 in the humidified water tank 18 Therefore, the hypochlorous acid concentration of the humidified water 30 in the humidified water tank 18 can be reduced. In other words, since the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water drawn out of the apparatus is low, the utilization efficiency of hypochlorous acid is increased.

  The air humidifier of the present invention is an embodiment having a second water sprinkling part 36 that branches from the water supply pipe 13 and is installed in the middle of the skewed honeycomb 2 as in the air humidifier 20c shown in FIG. There may be. In the meantime, the middle in the skewed honeycomb means the middle in the vertical direction, in other words, the middle of the flow path of the humidified water.

  Hypochlorous acid in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution has a property of being easily decomposed as the concentration becomes lower. And the hypochlorous acid density | concentration in humidified water becomes low, so that it goes under the skewed honeycomb 2. Therefore, according to the air humidifier 20c, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water in which the hypochlorous acid concentration has decreased can be increased by flowing down in the oblique honeycomb 2, so that hypochlorous acid Degradation can be reduced.

  The temperature of the humidified air obtained by the air humidification method of the present invention is usually substantially the same as or slightly lower than the temperature of the humidified air. In the air humidification method of the present invention, the humidity of the humidified air obtained varies depending on the amount of humidified water, the material of the skewed honeycomb, the design conditions, and the like, but the relative humidity is generally a value close to 100%. The humidity and temperature of the humidified air are the humidity and temperature of the humidified air, the supply air volume of the humidified air, the supply amount and temperature of the humidified water, the size of the skewed honeycomb, and the corrugated sheet material constituting the skewed honeycomb. It varies slightly depending on the shape, how the corrugated sheets are laminated, and the like. Therefore, in the air humidification method of the present invention, according to the humidity and temperature required in the space to which the humidified air is supplied, the humidity and temperature of the humidified air and the humidified humidity are set so that the required humidity and temperature are obtained. It is preferable to appropriately select the air supply air volume, the supply amount and temperature of the humidified water, the size of the skewed honeycomb, the material and shape of the corrugated sheets constituting the skewed honeycomb, the manner of stacking the corrugated sheets, and the like. In addition, in order to adjust the temperature of humidified air, a cooler or a heater can be installed in the front | former stage of an air humidifier, or a heater can be installed in the back | latter stage of an air humidifier.

  In the humidification step and the humidification / sterilization step, the humidified air is outdoor air or indoor air, and the temperature of the humidified air is usually 0 to 50 ° C.

The amount of humidified air supplied to the skewed honeycomb in the humidifying step and the humidifying / sterilizing step is 5 m ³ / second / unit time per unit area of the front surface of the skewed honeycomb (surface to which the humidified air is supplied). m ² (front surface of the skewed honeycomb) or less, preferably 0.5 to 3.5 m ³ / second / m ² (front surface of the skewed honeycomb).

  The humidifying water supplied to the oblique honeycomb in the humidifying step is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include tap water, industrial water, well water, and ground water. In addition, the water in which the hypochlorous acid containing humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is dissolved is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include tap water, industrial water, well water, and groundwater.

The amount of humidified water supplied into the skewed honeycomb in the humidification step is ^{2 to} 100 L / min / m ² per unit area per unit area of the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb (surface to which the humidified water is supplied) (skewed honeycomb) , Preferably 5 to 80 L / min / m ² (upper surface of the skewed honeycomb), particularly preferably 10 to 60 L / min / m ² (upper surface of the skewed honeycomb). Further, the amount of humidified water containing hypochlorous acid into the skewed honeycomb in the humidifying and sterilizing step is the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb (upper surface to which humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is supplied). Per unit time per unit area, ^{2 to} 100 L / min / m ² (upper surface of the skewed honeycomb), preferably 5 to 80 L / min / m ² (upper surface of the skewed honeycomb), particularly preferably 10 to 60 L / min / m ² (upper surface of the skewed honeycomb).

  In the humidification step, the temperature of the humidified water is higher than 0 ° C and not higher than 45 ° C, preferably 5 to 40 ° C. In the humidification and sterilization step, the temperature of the humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is 5 to 45 ° C, preferably 10 to 40 ° C.

  In the humidifying step and the humidifying / sterilizing step, humidified water or humidified water containing hypochlorous acid may be supplied from above the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb, or the humidifying effect may not be too low. For example, it may be supplied from within the skewed honeycomb. That is, in the humidification step and the humidification / sterilization step, humidified water or humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is supplied from the upper part of the skewed honeycomb.

  In the humidification step, the replenishment water supply amount is the amount of humidification water used to humidify the humidified air (if part of the humidification water is discharged, the amount of humidification water used to humidify the humidified air and Set the replenishment water replenishment amount so that it is the same as the total amount of humidified water discharge. In addition, in the humidification and sterilization process, the amount of hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supplied is the amount of humidified water containing hypochlorous acid used for humidifying humidified air (humidified water containing hypochlorous acid). When a part of the water is discharged, the total amount of humidified water containing hypochlorous acid and humidified water containing hypochlorous acid used to humidify the humidified air is the same as The amount of hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supplied is set.

  In the humidification and sterilization step, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is appropriately selected within a range in which the bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb can be sterilized. For example, when performing the air humidification method of the present invention using the air humidifier of the present invention, the humidification containing hypochlorous acid is appropriately selected by appropriately selecting the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution. Adjust hypochlorous acid concentration in water.

  In the humidification and sterilization step, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water that enables sterilization of the bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb is 0.4 mg / L or more, preferably 1 to 80 mg / L, particularly preferably. Is 2-30 mg / L.

  Immediately after the start of the humidification and sterilization step, hypochlorous acid in the humidified water is consumed for sterilization, so the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidified water discharged from the skewed honeycomb is very low. Then, if the humidification and sterilization process is continued, sterilization in the skewed honeycomb proceeds, and when sterilization in the skewed honeycomb is almost finished, hypochlorous acid in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb The concentration is 0.4 mg / L or more, preferably 1 to 80 mg / L, particularly preferably 2 to 30 mg / L. Therefore, in the humidification and sterilization step, at least the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water discharged from the skewed honeycomb is 0.4 mg / L or more, preferably 1 to 80 mg / L, particularly preferably 2 to 30 mg / L. Until it becomes L, humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is supplied to the skewed honeycomb. Humidification and sterilization until the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb becomes 0.4 mg / L or more, preferably 1 to 80 mg / L, particularly preferably 2 to 30 mg / L. By performing the process, the entire oblique honeycomb can be sterilized. In order to ensure the sterilization of the entire skewed honeycomb, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water discharged from the skewed honeycomb is 0.4 mg / L or more, preferably 1 to 80 mg / L, particularly preferably. May be supplied with humidified water containing hypochlorous acid to the skewed honeycomb for a certain period of time after reaching 2 to 30 mg / L.

In addition, in the humidification and sterilization process, hypochlorous acid in humidified water containing hypochlorous acid disappears by sterilizing the bacteria, and even if there are no bacteria, the humidified air is slanted under ventilation. Hypochlorous acid disappears from the humidified water simply by flowing the humidified water through the honeycomb. That is, even in a state where bacteria are not present in the skewed honeycomb (hereinafter also referred to as a sterile state), the humidified water containing hypochlorous acid flows down the skewed honeycomb, so that hypochlorous acid is removed. Hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water is reduced. In the present invention, the aseptic condition refers to a condition where the amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb is less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ² . Further, in the present invention, sterilization is performed by continuously supplying humidified water containing hypochlorous acid to the skewed honeycomb, and the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb is at least 0. The state of the skewed honeycomb when it becomes 4 mg / L or more is aseptic.

Therefore, in the humidification and sterilization step, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water supplied to the skewed honeycomb is at least a hypochlorite that disappears from the humidified water only by flowing down in the skewed honeycomb under ventilation. The acid concentration must be reduced by adding 0.4 mg / L or more, preferably 1 to 80 mg / L, particularly preferably 2 to 30 mg / L. For example, when supplying humidified water containing hypochlorous acid while supplying humidified air at a rate of 5 m ³ / sec / m ² to a sterile skewed honeycomb, Assuming that the reduction amount of chlorous acid concentration is 0.5 mg / L, when the supply condition of humidified air is 5 m ³ / sec / m ² , the concentration of the humidified water supplied to the skewed honeycomb is “ 0.5 mg / L + 0.4 mg / L = 0.9 mg / L or more ”, preferably“ 0.5 mg / L + 1-80 mg / L = 1.5-80.5 mg / L ”, particularly preferably“ 0.5 mg / L L + 2-30 mg / L = 2.5-30.5 mg / L ”is necessary.

  The amount of hypochlorous acid concentration when flowing down in the skewed honeycomb mainly depends on the shape of the skewed honeycomb such as the height, width and depth of the skewed honeycomb, the supply air volume of humidified air, and the humidified water. It depends on the operating conditions such as the amount of supply. For this reason, as a method for grasping the amount of reduction in hypochlorous acid concentration when flowing down in the skewed honeycomb, for example, first, humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is supplied to the skewed honeycomb to remove it in advance. Bacteria are sterilized to make the skewed honeycomb aseptic. Next, under the operating conditions of the air humidifier, humidified air is supplied and humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is supplied, and the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb is measured. The value obtained by subtracting the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb from the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water supplied to the skewed honeycomb flows down in the skewed honeycomb. This is a reduction in hypochlorous acid concentration.

  First, the shape of the skewed honeycomb and the operating condition of the air humidifier are determined, and then the amount of hypochlorous acid reduced (A (mg / L) when flowing through the skewed honeycomb under the operating condition ), And then the hypochlorous acid concentration (B (mg / L)) in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb is determined, and the next in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb A value (A + B) obtained by adding the amount of reduction of hypochlorous acid concentration when flowing down in the skewed honeycomb to the value of chlorous acid concentration is the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water supplied to the skewed honeycomb. . In this way, operating conditions are designed.

  The concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidified water supplied to the skewed honeycomb is appropriately selected depending on the shape of the skewed honeycomb, the operating conditions of the air humidifier, etc., but is generally about 0.4 mg / L or more, preferably 1 to 80 mg. / L, particularly preferably 2 to 30 mg / L.

  In addition, when performing the air humidification method of the present invention using the air humidifier of the present invention, a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution is supplied to the humidified water tank and a part of the humidified water is discharged from the humidified water discharge pipe. By discharging, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidified water in the humidified water tank gradually increases and balances at a specific concentration. Therefore, considering the amount of reduction in hypochlorous acid concentration when flowing down in the skewed honeycomb, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidified water containing hypochlorous acid supplied to the skewed honeycomb at the time of balance is The concentration of hypochlorous acid in the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution is appropriately selected so that the concentration becomes such that the entire skewed honeycomb can be sterilized.

  In the humidification and sterilization step, the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb is returned to the humidified water tank and used again as the humidified water containing hypochlorous acid supplied to the skewed honeycomb. Alternatively, the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb may be discharged out of the apparatus without returning to the humidified water tank (non-circulating flushing type).

  In the air humidification method of the present invention, during the humidification process, the humidification and sterilization process is repeated intermittently, for example, every 100 hours, the humidification and sterilization process is performed for one hour. . That is, in this embodiment, the slanted honeycomb is supplied with the humidified water 25 for 99 hours → supplied with the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid for 1 hour → supplied with the humidified water 25 for 99 hours → contains hypochlorous acid. The humidifying water 30 to be supplied is supplied for 1 hour, and then the air humidifying method is performed. The term “intermittently” means that a certain time is taken. In addition, the time and timing for performing the humidification and sterilization step are appropriately selected depending on the increase in the number of bacteria present in the skewed honeycomb.

  According to the air humidification method of the present invention and the air humidification apparatus of the present invention, the humidified air can be humidified while the skewed honeycomb is being sterilized. Furthermore, it is not necessary to stop humidification of the humidified air. Moreover, according to the air humidification method of the present invention and the air humidification apparatus of the present invention, since the skewed honeycomb can be sterilized without drying the skewed honeycomb, the problem of odor does not occur.

  EXAMPLES Next, although an Example is given and this invention is demonstrated more concretely, this is only an illustration and does not restrict | limit this invention.

<Air humidifier>
In the configuration shown in FIG. 3, an air humidifier A (width 500 mm × height 250 mm × depth 200 mm of the skewed honeycomb installed portion) in which two skewed honeycombs A described below are installed in the depth direction as the skewed honeycomb, An air humidifier B in which three skew honeycombs B were installed in the height direction (width of the skew honeycomb installation portion 500 mm × height 1500 mm × depth 100 mm) was produced.

<Slanted honeycomb A>
Inorganic fiber base sheet: made of glass fiber, using alumina sol as a binder and alumina hydrate as a filler, porosity 75%, thickness 0.5 mm
・ Cell pitch 10mm, cell peak height 5mm
・ Ridge angle X ₁ : 30 degrees, Ridge angle X ₂ : 30 degrees, Intersection angle Y of ridge line: 60 degrees ・ Width of skewed honeycomb: 500 mm, height of skewed honeycomb: 250 mm, depth of skewed honeycomb: 100 mm

<Slanted honeycomb B>
Inorganic fiber base sheet: made of glass fiber, using alumina sol as a binder and alumina hydrate as a filler, porosity 75%, thickness 0.5 mm
・ Cell pitch 10mm, cell peak height 5mm
Edge line angle X ₁ : 30 degrees, Edge line angle X ₂ : 30 degrees, Intersection angle Y of edge line: 60 degrees ・ Width of skew honeycomb: 500 mm, height of skew honeycomb: 500 mm, depth of skew honeycomb: 100 mm

<Measurement of amount of bacteria attached to skew honeycomb>
Adherent bacteria having a ventilation surface of 100 cm ^{2 on} the slanted honeycomb were collected by a wiping inspection method using a sterile cotton swab, diluted with physiological saline, and subjected to a quantitative test. Bacteria were cultured on a standard agar medium at 30 ° C. for 1 week, and fungi were cultured on a potato dextrose agar medium at 25 ° C. for 1 week. In the measurement of the amount of adherent bacteria on the skewed honeycomb, the adherent bacteria on the front side of the skewed honeycomb (surface on the inlet side of the humidified air) were collected. Further, the sampling position in the vertical direction of the bacteria is in a range of 100 mm from the position 20 mm from the lower side of the skewed honeycomb to the position 120 mm from the lower side of the skewed honeycomb. Before performing the sterilization process, the range of 100 mm from the center in the left-right direction to the position of 100 mm to the right, and after performing the humidification and sterilization process, in the range of 100 mm from the center of the left-right direction to the position of 100 mm to the left. Yes (length 100mm x width 100mm).
<Measurement of hypochlorous acid concentration in humidified water>
It measured using DPD (diethyl-p-phenylene-diamine) method which is an absorptiometric method.

Example 1
Humidification operation was performed in advance with the air humidifier A, and bacteria were attached to the skewed honeycomb. At this time, the amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb was 14000 CFU / 100 cm ² for bacteria and 3400 CFU / 100 cm ² for fungi.

<Humidification and sterilization process>
Using the air humidifier A in which the amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb is the above amount, humidified air at 12.6 ° C. was applied to the skewed honeycomb at 2.5 m ³ / sec / m ² (on the front surface of the skewed honeycomb). Humidified water (10.3 ° C.) containing hypochlorous acid having a concentration of hypochlorous acid of 6.4 mg / L per unit area, 60 L / min / m ² (unit area on the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb) And fed for 1 hour. At this time, all of the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb was discharged outside the apparatus without returning to the humidified water tank (non-circulating flushing type). 1 hour deposition amount of bacteria of the oblique honeycomb after the bacteria is less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, less than ² fungi 50 CFU / 100 cm, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidifying water discharged from the lower surface of the oblique honeycomb is 5.3mg / L.

(Example 2)
Humidification operation was performed in advance with the air humidifier A, and bacteria were attached to the skewed honeycomb. At this time, the amount of bacteria adhered to the skewed honeycomb was 32000 CFU / 100 cm ² for bacteria and 3100 CFU / 100 cm ² for fungi.
<Humidification and sterilization process>
Using the air humidifier A in which the amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb is the above amount, humidified air at 13.7 ° C. is applied to the skewed honeycomb at 2.5 m ³ / sec / m ² (on the front surface of the skewed honeycomb). Humidified water (10.8 ° C.) containing hypochlorous acid having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 0.94 mg / L per unit area, 60 L / min / m ² (unit area on the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb) And fed for 1 hour. At this time, all of the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb was discharged outside the apparatus without returning to the humidified water tank (non-circulating flushing type). 1 hour deposition amount of bacteria of the oblique honeycomb after the bacteria is less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, less than ² fungi 50 CFU / 100 cm, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidifying water discharged from the lower surface of the oblique honeycomb is 0.63mg / L.

(Example 3)
In advance, a humidification operation was performed with the air humidifier B to attach bacteria to the skewed honeycomb. At this time, the amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb was 76000 CFU / 100 cm ² for bacteria and 400 CFU / 100 cm ² for fungi.

<Humidification and sterilization process>
Using the air humidifier B in which the amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb is the above amount, humid air at 30.2 ° C. was applied to the skewed honeycomb at 0.7 m ³ / sec / m ² (on the front surface of the skewed honeycomb). Per unit area) humidified water (25.2 ° C.) containing hypochlorous acid having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 4.23 mg / L was added at 60 L / min / m ² (unit area on the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb). And fed for 20 minutes. At this time, all of the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb was discharged outside the apparatus without returning to the humidified water tank (non-circulating flushing type). Adhering bacteria of the oblique honeycomb after 20 minutes, the bacteria is less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, less than ² fungi 50 CFU / 100 cm, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidifying water discharged from the lower surface of the oblique honeycomb is 2.49mg / L.

Example 4
In advance, a humidification operation was performed with the air humidifier B to attach bacteria to the skewed honeycomb. The amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb at this time was 3700 CFU / 100 cm ² for bacteria and 250 CFU / 100 cm ² for fungi.

<Humidification and sterilization process>
Using the air humidifier B in which the amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb is the above amount, humidified air at 22.7 ° C. was applied to the skewed honeycomb at 2.5 m ³ / sec / m ² (on the front surface of the skewed honeycomb). 12.6 ° C. of humidified water containing hypochlorous acid with a concentration of 3.93 mg / L of hypochlorous acid, 60 L / min / m ² (per unit area of the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb) And supplied for 1 hour. At this time, all of the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb was discharged outside the apparatus without returning to the humidified water tank (non-circulating flushing type). 1 hour deposition amount of bacteria of the oblique honeycomb after the bacteria is less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, less than ² fungi 50 CFU / 100 cm, the concentration of hypochlorous acid in the humidifying water discharged from the lower surface of the oblique honeycomb is 1.05mg / L.

(Example 5)
<Humidification>
Using the air humidifier A, humidified air at 13.8 ° C. was humidified at 8.0 ° C. at 2.5 m ³ / sec / m ² (per unit area of the front surface of the slanted honeycomb). Water was supplied at a rate of 60 L / min / m ² (per unit area of the upper surface of the skewed honeycomb) for a predetermined time (288 hours for the first time, 168 hours for the second time, and 336 hours for the third time). At this time, the ratio of the weight ratio (L / G) of the humidified water 25 from the humidified water discharge pipe 16a to the humidified water discharge pipe 16a is 0.007 so that the amount of humidified water in the humidified water tank is 30L. And supplementary water 22 (hypochlorous acid concentration of less than 0.56 mg / L, tap water) was supplied.

<Humidification and sterilization process>
Next, the humidified air at 13.6 ° C. is supplied to the skewed honeycomb of the air humidifier A after the above humidification at 2.5 m ³ / sec / m ² (per unit area of the front surface of the skewed honeycomb). While continuing the supply, the humidified water 30 containing hypochlorous acid is removed from the humidified water discharge pipe 16a so that the amount of humidified water in the humidified water tank becomes 30 L. L / G) was discharged at a rate of 0.007, and the supply of makeup water 22 was stopped. Instead, a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 was supplied from a hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21 for 1 hour. At this time, the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb was returned to the humidified water tank for circulation (circulation type).

Then, humidification (first time) for 288 hours and humidification and sterilization step for 1 hour (hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 13.6 mg / L was supplied from the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21. ) Once, then 168 hours of humidification (second time) and 1 hour of humidification and sterilization step (hypochlorous acid aqueous solution 23 having a hypochlorous acid concentration of 10.7 mg / L from the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21) 1), then 336 hours of humidification (third time) and 1 hour of humidification and sterilization process (hypochlorous acid concentration of 9.6 mg / L from the hypochlorous acid aqueous solution supply pipe 21) Chloric acid aqueous solution 23 was supplied.) Was performed once.
As a result, the amount of adherent bacteria on the skewed honeycomb after the first humidification (after operation for 288 hours) was 850000 CFU / 100 cm ² for bacteria and 860000 CFU / 100 cm ² for fungi. Further, adhesion bacteria of the oblique honeycomb after first humidification and sterilization process (after 1 hour operation), the bacteria is less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, fungi than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, the oblique honeycomb The hypochlorous acid concentration in the supplied humidified water was 1.62 mg / L, and the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb was 0.43 mg / L.
The amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb after the second humidification (after operating for 168 hours) was 450 CFU / 100 cm ² for bacteria and less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^{2 for} fungi. Further, adhesion bacteria of the oblique honeycomb after the second humidification and sterilization process (after 1 hour operation), the bacteria is less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, fungi than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, the oblique honeycomb The hypochlorous acid concentration in the supplied humidified water was 1.49 mg / L, and the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb was 1.36 mg / L.
The amount of bacteria attached to the skewed honeycomb after the third humidification (after operation for 336 hours) was 420,000 CFU / 100 cm ² for bacteria and 290000 CFU / 100 cm ² for fungi. Further, adhesion bacteria of oblique honeycomb after the third humidifying and sterilization process (after 1 hour operation), the bacteria is less than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, fungi than 50 CFU / 100 cm ^2, the oblique honeycomb The hypochlorous acid concentration in the supplied humidified water was 0.76 mg / L, and the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb was 0.55 mg / L.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the air humidifier which can supply humidified air continuously also to a facility where a person exists in a facility for 24 hours can be provided.

Claims (1)

A plurality of corrugated sheets having a corrugated shape propagating in one direction are laminated to form a honeycomb shape, and the ridge line directions of the ridge portions of adjacent corrugated sheets intersect diagonally, and the ridge portions of the corrugated sheets are alternated. The corrugated sheets are laminated so that the ridge line directions of the two are substantially the same direction, and the inside of the skewed honeycomb from the upper part of the skewed honeycomb having openings of ventilation cavities on the four surfaces of the front surface, the rear surface, the upper surface, and the lower surface. Supplying humidified water, exhausting the humidified water from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb, and supplying humidified air into the skewed honeycomb from the front surface of the skewed honeycomb, from the rear surface of the skewed honeycomb Exhausting the humidified air to bring the humidified air into contact with the humidified water in the skewed honeycomb to perform a humidification step of humidifying the humidified air;
During the humidification step, the hypochlorous acid concentration in the humidified water discharged from the lower surface of the skewed honeycomb is 0.4 mg / L or higher when humidified water containing hypochlorous acid is used as the humidified water. Until the humidification and sterilization step of sterilizing the skewed honeycomb is performed intermittently while humidifying the humidified air by supplying it into the skewed honeycomb,
An air humidification method characterized by.