JP5617484B2 - Water-soluble component removal device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a water-soluble component removing apparatus that continuously removes water-soluble components in air such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, ammonia, and alcohol.

  The indoor air contains cooking odors such as acetaldehyde generated during cooking, aromatic odors such as ethanol and acetic acid generated from vegetables and fermented foods, and chemical substances such as formaldehyde and acetone generated from building materials and furniture. . These components are uncomfortable for humans and may cause problems such as headaches when inhaled for a long period of time, and it is desired to remove them from room air. The component has a property of dissolving in water and can be removed by bringing indoor air into contact with water.

  Conventionally, as this type of gas treatment method, part or all of the cleaning liquid in which the exhaust gas containing formaldehyde is absorbed by the cleaning tower is removed by oxidative decomposition by ozone oxidation, and the liquid is sent back to the cleaning tower for circulation. Things were known. That is, since formaldehyde dissolves well in water, the water sprayed from the liquid pipe installed in the upper part of the washing tower and the exhaust gas come into gas-liquid contact, so that the formaldehyde contained in the exhaust gas is absorbed and removed by the water. . Subsequently, the water which absorbed formaldehyde was sent to an ozone oxidation tank by a pump and removed by contact reaction with ozone (for example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  Conventionally, a method of decomposing formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, and ketones contained in humidified water by electrolysis has been known as a humidifier that performs humidification using dew condensation water generated from combustion exhaust gas. As shown in FIG. 3, the oil warm air machine 101 burns kerosene sent from the oil tank 102 in the burner 103, exhausts it outdoors via a heat exchanger 104 and a heat exchange pipe 105, and a fan. The air is sent to the outer surfaces of the heat exchanger 104 and the heat exchange pipe 105 by 106 to perform heating by hot air. The condensed water collected in the tank 107 is sent to the humidifying dish 109 via the humidifying pipe 108, where it is evaporated and steam is sent from the humidifying port 110 to the room to be humidified. Here, the condensed water that has condensed the combustion gas contains a small amount of formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, ketones, etc., and if these components diffuse into the room together with water vapor, it may be unpleasant or irritating to the user due to an unpleasant odor. Although there was a problem of giving an unpleasant feeling, the tank 107 was provided with an electrolysis device composed of an anode and a cathode, and the odor was decomposed and removed (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 53-15260 Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-38097

  However, in the conventional gas treatment method, the absorption efficiency of formaldehyde due to the gas-liquid contact between the water sprayed from the liquid pipe and the exhaust gas is not sufficient, and a more efficient formaldehyde removal method has been demanded. Further, there has been a demand for a formaldehyde removal method that is easy to generate noise when water is sprayed or when a pump is pumped, and has a quieter operation sound. In addition, in the oxidation reaction with ozone, ozone that could not be reacted is released into the air, and there is a problem that corrosion of pipes and discomfort due to ozone odor are likely to occur.

  In addition, the conventional humidifier is intended to electrolyze aldehydes contained in the humidified water that has condensed the combustion gas of the oil hot air machine, and actively removes water-soluble components such as aldehyde in the air. Even if diverted to the purpose, a sufficient effect was not obtained.

  Therefore, the present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water-soluble component removing apparatus that can efficiently remove water-soluble components such as aldehydes in the air.

In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a water-soluble component in the air sucked from the suction port into a main body having an air suction port and a blower outlet, and an air passage communicating the suction port and the blower outlet. A wet filter for dissolving the water, a tray for disposing the wet filter and storing water, a water supply means for supplying water to the wet filter, a blower means for sending air to the wet filter, and A water-soluble component removing device comprising a tray and an electrode for electrolyzing a gas component in which a water-soluble component dissolved in the wet filter is dissolved, wherein the wet filter is rotatable, and at least the wet filter part of which is immersed in the water of the tray, the side where the wet filter by the rotation of the wet filter is raised to the side where submerged is formed in said tray in said tray, said wet off Comprising a partition wall below the filter, the movement of the side of the water rising to the side where submerged the wet filter that the partition wall limits, together to generate a density difference in the water-soluble components contained in the water of the tray, the water concentration of the water-soluble component was higher due so, is obtained by comprising the above electrode. As a result, the intended purpose can be achieved.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the water-soluble component removal apparatus which can remove efficiently water-soluble components, such as aldehydes in air, can be provided.

Schematic sectional view showing the water-soluble component removing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Schematic sectional view showing a water-soluble component removing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Schematic sectional view showing an example of a conventional humidifier

The water-soluble component removing device of the present invention dissolves water-soluble components in the air sucked from the suction port into a main body having an air suction port and a blow-off port, and an air passage communicating the suction port and the blow-out port. A wet filter, a tray for arranging the wet filter and storing water, a water supply means for supplying water to the wet filter, a blower means for sending air to the wet filter, and the tray An apparatus for electrolyzing a gas component in which a water-soluble component dissolved in the wet filter is dissolved, wherein the wet filter is rotatable, and at least a part of the wet filter There are immersed in water of the tray, the side where the wet filter by the rotation of the wet filter is raised to the side where submerged is formed in said tray in said tray, said wet filter Comprising a septum downwardly moving side of the water rising to the side where submerged the wet filter that the partition wall limits, together to generate a density difference in the water-soluble components contained in the water of the tray, water-soluble the water concentration of the components was higher due so, is obtained by comprising the above electrode.

  For example, by changing the net-like filter to a urethane foam having fine openings, the surface area can be increased and the gas-liquid contact area can be improved. Moreover, since water can be stably held on the filter, the gas-liquid contact time can be extended. On the other hand, in the method of spraying water, since the size of the water droplet is about several millimeters and the surface area is small, the contact efficiency with the gas is poor. By crushing water with a high-pressure nozzle, the size can be reduced to about 0.05 to 0.1 mm. However, in this case, there is a problem that noise is generated by crushing water. Also, in the method of spraying water, the sprayed water falls in a short time due to the action of gravity, so in order to adjust the gas-liquid contact time, it is necessary to enlarge the device and lengthen the fall time, It was difficult to obtain a small water-soluble component removing device.

  Therefore, the method of allowing air containing water-soluble components to pass through a wet filter improves the contact efficiency with water-soluble components such as formaldehyde compared to the conventional gas-liquid contact method in which water is sprayed, making water more efficient. The effect that the sex component can be removed can be obtained. Water-soluble components collected in the water on the wet filter are transferred to the tray water as soon as the wet filter is immersed in the water in the tray, and the wet filter is newly replenished with water containing almost no water-soluble components. Thus, water-soluble components can be continuously collected. The water-soluble component transferred to the water in the tray is electrolyzed by the electrode. Since the electrode is disposed in the water area where the concentration of the water-soluble component is high, an effect of good electrolysis efficiency can be obtained. In addition, since air is passed through the wet filter, there is no need to spray water or feed liquid with a pump, and an effect that the operation sound is quiet can be obtained. In addition, since no odorous oxidant such as ozone is used, it is possible to obtain the effect that the pipes are not corroded or uncomfortable due to the ozone odor.

In particular , a partition is provided below the wet filter, and the partition generates a concentration difference in water-soluble components contained in water. The movement of the water in the tray can be restricted by the partition wall, and a concentration difference can be generated in the water-soluble component contained in the water.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the water-soluble component removing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention has a main body 3 having an air inlet 1 and an air outlet 2, and an air passage communicating the air inlet 1 and the air outlet 2. Inside, a wet filter 4 for dissolving a water-soluble component, a tray 5 for storing the wet filter 4 and storing water, and a water tank as water supply means for supplying water to the wet filter 4 6, a water-soluble component removing apparatus including a fan 7 as a blowing means for sending air to the wet filter 4 and an electrode 8 for electrolyzing a gas component dissolved in water. The wet filter 4 is rotatable, and at least a part of the wet filter 4 is immersed in the water of the tray 5, causing a concentration difference in the water-soluble component contained in the water of the tray 5, and the water-soluble component. The electrode 8 is provided in a water area having a high concentration of. Further, a partition wall 9 is provided below the wet filter 4, and the free movement of the tray water is restricted by the partition wall 9.

  By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to improve the contact efficiency with a water-soluble component such as formaldehyde as compared with a gas-liquid contact method in which water is sprayed, and to obtain an effect that the water-soluble component can be removed more efficiently. it can.

  For example, in the method of spraying water, since the size of the water droplet is about several millimeters and the surface area is small, the contact efficiency with the gas is poor. By crushing water with a high-pressure nozzle, the size can be reduced to about 0.05 to 0.1 mm. However, in this case, there is a problem that noise is generated by crushing water. Also, in the method of spraying water, the sprayed water falls in a short time due to the action of gravity, so in order to adjust the gas-liquid contact time, it is necessary to enlarge the device and lengthen the fall time, It was difficult to obtain a small water-soluble component removing device.

  In the method of passing air containing a water-soluble component through a wet filter according to the present embodiment, for example, by changing the net-like filter to a urethane foam having fine openings, the surface area is increased and the gas-liquid is increased. The contact area can be improved. Moreover, since water can be stably held on the filter, the gas-liquid contact time can be extended. In addition, since it is not necessary to spray water or feed with a pump, there is no crushing sound of water or a collision sound with the apparatus wall surface, and the apparatus can be made quiet. Further, by changing the wet filter into a shape having a large surface area or increasing the thickness, it is possible to obtain an effect of improving the gas-liquid contact area and improving the water-soluble component removal efficiency.

  The wet filter 4 is rotatable, and the rotation direction of the wet filter 4 is such that it rises from the downstream side with respect to the intake air and is submerged on the upstream side. By making such a rotation direction, the air containing the water-soluble component sucked from the suction port 1 passes through the portion of the wet filter 4a in which the water-soluble component is slightly dissolved (the left side of the dashed line in FIG. 1). After that, since it passes through the portion of the wet filter 4b that contains almost no water-soluble component (the right side of the dashed line in FIG. 1), the water-soluble component is less likely to re-volatilize from water and the collection efficiency is good. The effect that can be obtained.

For example, as a water-soluble component, formaldehyde is known to dissolve very well in water, and its solubility in water is 55%. Further, the Henry's constant is as small as 0.0341 Pa · m ³ / mol (25 ° C.), and once dissolved, formaldehyde is hardly evaporated from water to the atmosphere. Slightly volatile formaldehyde is collected by passing through the portion of the wet filter 4b that contains almost no water-soluble components (the right side of the dashed line in FIG. 1), and clean air is released from the outlet of the apparatus. . Assuming that the wet filter can hold the same amount of water as its own weight, a filter having a radius of 5 cm, a width of 10 cm and a thickness of 1 cm can hold about 304 ml of water and can absorb 167 ml of formaldehyde.

  The water-soluble component collected in the water in the wet filter 4a portion is transferred to the water in the tray at the moment when the wet filter 4 is immersed in the water in the tray, and the water region 10 having a high concentration of the water-soluble component is generated. When the wet filter 4 is further rotated, it passes through the water region 11 where the concentration of the water-soluble component is low, so that water containing almost no water-soluble component is replenished, and the water-soluble component can be continuously collected. Here, since the water in the tray cannot be freely moved by the partition wall 9, the concentration difference gradually increases as the wetting filter continues to rotate.

  The water-soluble component transferred to the water in the tray is electrolyzed by the electrode 8. Here, since the electrode 8 is disposed in the water region 10 where the concentration of the water-soluble component is high, it is possible to obtain an effect that electrolysis efficiency is good. In addition, since no odorous oxidant such as ozone is used, it is possible to obtain the effect that the pipes are not corroded or uncomfortable due to the ozone odor. In addition, it is conceivable that air containing a water-soluble component directly contacts the water surface before it hits the wet filter or a route that directly contacts the water region where the concentration of the water-soluble component is high. The effect that efficiency improves can be acquired and the water which contains a water-soluble component in high concentration can be electrolyzed.

  As the wet filter, a general filter substrate can be used, and examples thereof include metals, plastics, synthetic resin fibers, natural fibers, wood, paper, glass, ceramics, etc., preferably synthetic resin fibers, natural resin fibers, ceramics and papers. It is.

  The shape of the wet filter is not particularly limited as long as it has an opening through which air can pass, and a plate shape, a net shape, a honeycomb shape, a fiber shape, a bead shape, a slit shape, a foam shape, and the like can be used. A plate-like wet filter is preferably provided with an opening such as a punching shape in which holes are formed in a plate, a knitted shape in which fibers are knitted, and a nonwoven fabric shape in which fibers are bonded. If it is plate-shaped, pressure loss may be reduced by expanding the surface area of the filter by folding the plate into a pleat shape. As a three-dimensional knitted shape, a double raschel knitted fabric composed of an outer fabric and a lining fabric, and a connecting thread that connects the outer fabric and the lining fabric may be used. Sexual component removal performance can be obtained.

  As the blowing means, a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, a propeller fan, a cross flow fan, a pump, or the like can be used. By using a fan, an air volume, a wind speed, etc. can be set easily. Furthermore, a louver that changes the direction of the wind may be used.

  You may provide the dust collection filter which collects dust in the main body which has the suction inlet and the blower outlet. There are no particular problems with the dust collection filter as long as dust, fungi, mold, etc. in the air can be collected, and general filter materials such as nets, knitted fabrics / woven fabrics, nonwoven fabrics, and glass fibers can be used. it can.

  The electrode 8 is a pair of two electrodes, a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and is disposed in contact with the water in the tray 5. The two electrodes are connected to a power source, and a water-soluble component can be electrolyzed by applying a voltage of about 5 to 20V. As the power source used here, a known power source capable of generating a direct current or an alternating voltage can be used. The power source and the electrode are detachably connected by a contact (not shown), and when the tray 5 is removed from the main body 3 and cleaning is performed, no current flows through the electrode. The electrode 8 may be a known electrode such as platinum-plated titanium, palladium-plated titanium, or a ferrite sintered body, and the shape and material are not particularly limited.

  When a voltage is applied to the electrode 8, the following reaction occurs due to electrolysis of water.

(Anode) 2H ₂ O → O ₂ ↑ + 4H ⁺ + 4e ⁻
4OH ⁻ → O ₂ ↑ + 2H ₂ + 4e ⁻
(Cathode) 2H + + 2e ⁻ → H ₂ ↑
2H ₂ O + 2e ⁻ → H ₂ ↑ + 2OH ⁻
Here, as a water-soluble component dissolved in water, for example, in the case of an aqueous formaldehyde solution, the following reaction occurs at the anode.

HCHO + H ₂ O → HCOOH + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻
HCHO + 2OH ⁻ → HCOOH + H ₂ O + 2e ⁻
HCOOH → CO ₂ ↑ + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻
HCOOH + 2OH ⁻ → CO ₂ + 2H ₂ O + 2e ⁻
At the same time, the following reaction occurs at the cathode.

HCHO + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ → CH ₃ OH
HCHO + 2H ₂ O + 2e ⁻ → CH ₃ OH + 2OH ⁻
CH ₃ OH + 2H ⁺ + 2e ⁻ → CH ₄ ↑ + H ₂ O
In the same reaction route, in addition to formaldehyde, aldehydes such as acetaldehyde, alcohols such as methanol and ethanol, carboxylic acids such as formic acid and acetic acid are decomposed, and water-soluble components are reduced.

  The water area 11 where the concentration of the water-soluble component contained in the water is low may be provided with a water tank 6 as water supply means. Water that does not contain a water-soluble component from the water tank 6 can be replenished to the water region 11 where the concentration of the water-soluble component is low, and can be diluted to further reduce the water-soluble component concentration of water. By supplying water in the water region 11 having a low concentration of water-soluble components to the wet filter 4, more water-soluble components such as formaldehyde in the air can be removed.

  According to Henry's law, water-soluble components in the gas phase dissolve in water due to the correlation with the concentration dissolved in water. If there is a sufficiently dilute aqueous solution, it is considered that the water-soluble component in the gas phase is efficiently dissolved in water and removed from the gas phase. Therefore, it is preferable to operate the apparatus so that the wet filter is not dried. In order to keep the filter always wet with water, the rotation speed of the fan 7 as the air blowing means is controlled to vary the amount of wind passing through the wet filter 4 to reduce the amount of water lost by vaporization. It may be less than the amount of water to be replenished. Moreover, you may change the rotation speed at the time of the wet filter 4 rotating.

  Further, if air passes through the wet filter a plurality of times, it is considered that the removal amount of the water-soluble component increases, and it is preferable that the air pass through the wet filter at least twice. As a result, it is possible to obtain an effect that uncollected water-soluble components hardly flow out to the downstream side.

  The wet filter may be cylindrical. By rotating the wet filter as a cylinder, water-soluble components can be continuously collected with a simple structure. Further, since the structure is symmetrical with respect to the rotation axis, a uniform load is applied to the entire wet filter, and the effect that the wet filter is not easily deformed can be obtained. Moreover, compared with the case where a wet filter is plate shape, the one where it was cylindrical can make the wet filter surface wind speed small when the same air flow is allowed to pass through. As a result, an effect of improving the contact efficiency between the water supplied from the water supply means to the wet filter and the water-soluble component in the air can be obtained.

  Antibacterial agents and fungicides may be added to the wet filter. As a result, the effect of sterilization and mold prevention can be imparted to the wet filter, so that the wet filter will not be contaminated by the generation of fungus or mold even when used for a long time, and the wet filter can be kept clean. . The antibacterial agent is not particularly limited as long as it can be dispersed on the surface of the wet filter and can obtain an antibacterial effect, and a known antibacterial agent may be added. As such antibacterial agents, organic antibacterial agents such as wasabi and inorganic antibacterial agents such as silver, zinc and copper can be used.

  The electrode 8 may be provided with a protective cover 12. Dust is sucked into the inside of the apparatus together with water-soluble components by a fan 7 as a blowing means for sending air to the wet filter 4. Here, by providing the protective cover 12 around the electrode 8, an effect that dust does not adhere to the electrode 8 can be obtained, and failure of the electrode 8 due to dust can be prevented. Further, it is possible to obtain an effect that there is no fear that the user accidentally touches the electrode 8 and breaks it. As the protective cover, a general cover having at least an opening large enough to allow water and air to pass through can be used, and a resin or metal mesh is preferable.

(Embodiment 2)
In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the water-soluble component removing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention has a main body 3 having an air inlet 1 and an air outlet 2, and an air passage communicating the air inlet 1 and the air outlet 2. Inside, a wet filter 4 for dissolving a water-soluble component, a tray 5 for storing the wet filter 4 and storing water, and a water tank as water supply means for supplying water to the wet filter 4 6, a water-soluble component removing apparatus including a fan 7 as a blowing means for sending air to the wet filter 4, a thin film electrode 13 for electrolyzing a gas component dissolved in water, and a heater 14 as a heating means. is there. The tray 5 is provided with steps and slopes so that the water depth of the tray 5 in the water area 10 where the concentration of the water-soluble component contained in the water is high is shallower than the water depth of the water area 11 where the concentration of the water-soluble component is low. Yes.

  A thin film electrode 13 and a heater 14 are provided on the bottom surface of the tray 5 so as to be integrated with the tray 5. The thin film electrode 13 is a pair of two electrodes, a positive electrode and a negative electrode, and is disposed so as to be in contact with water in the tray 5. The two electrodes are connected to a power source, and a water-soluble component can be electrolyzed by applying a voltage of about 5 to 20V.

  The heater 14 is also connected to a power source, and can warm the thin film electrode 13 and the water around the thin film electrode 13. The power source and the electrode are detachably connected by a contact (not shown), and when the tray 5 is removed from the main body 3 and cleaning is performed, no current flows through the electrode.

  Since the water-soluble component collected in the water of the wet filter 4 moves to the water of the tray at the moment when the wet filter 4 is immersed in the water of the tray, the amount of the water-soluble component dissolved increases toward the water surface. Is born. The water-soluble component can be removed more efficiently by reducing the water depth of the portion where the water-soluble component is dissolved in a relatively shallow depth and providing an electrode for electrolyzing the water-soluble component.

  Further, since the amount of water in the water region 10 in which the concentration of the water-soluble component contained in the water is high is smaller than the amount of water in the water region 11 in which the concentration of the water-soluble component in contact with the partition wall 9 is low, the electrode of the thin film electrode 13 Even if the area is reduced, the effect that the water-soluble component can be efficiently electrolyzed can be obtained.

  In addition, formaldehyde is polymerized in an aqueous solution to form paraformaldehyde, and this form of paraformaldehyde has the property of returning to formaldehyde alone when heated. For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2008-264717 describes that the decomposition rate of formaldehyde by electrolysis is higher when the temperature is higher. By heating the water in which formaldehyde is dissolved by the heating means, the degree of polymerization of formaldehyde can be reduced, and the electrolysis reaction occurring around the thin film electrode 13 can be accelerated.

  The heater as the heating means is only required to be able to heat water, and a general one such as a sheathed heater, a ceramic heater, or a rubber heater can be used. As the thin film electrode, a known electrode such as platinum-plated titanium, palladium-plated titanium, or a sintered body of ferrite can be used. The heater does not necessarily need to be in contact with the thin film electrode, and may be configured so that heated water is electrolyzed by the thin film electrode. When the electrode and the heating means are integrated, it is preferable to laminate the sheet electrode and the heater, print the thin film electrode on the heater surface, or bond the heater and the metal foil electrode.

  The water-soluble component removing device according to the present invention is a device that continuously removes water-soluble components in the air such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, ammonia, alcohol, etc., and is an air purifier, deodorizer, formaldehyde removing device, humidifier, Useful for humidified air purifiers.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Inlet 2 Outlet 3 Main body 4, 4a, 4b Wet filter 5 Tray 6 Water tank 7 Fan 8 Electrode 9 Partition 10 Water area with high concentration of water-soluble component 11 Water area with low concentration of water-soluble component 12 Protective cover 13 Thin film electrode DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 Heater 101 Oil hot air heater 102 Oil tank 103 Burner 104 Heat exchanger 105 Heat exchange pipe 106 Fan 107 Tank 108 Humidification pipe 109 Humidification dish 110 Humidification opening

Claims (1)

A main body having an air inlet and an air outlet, a wet filter for dissolving water-soluble components in the air sucked from the air inlet into an air passage communicating the air inlet and the air outlet, and the wet filter A tray for storing water, water supply means for supplying water to the wet filter, air blowing means for sending air to the wet filter, and a water-soluble component dissolved in the wet filter in the tray A water-soluble component removing device comprising an electrode for electrolyzing the dissolved gas component, wherein the wet filter is rotatable, and at least a part of the wet filter is immersed in water in a tray, and the wet A side on which the wet filter is submerged and a side on which the wet filter is raised by rotation of the filter are formed in the tray, and a partition is provided below the wet filter in the tray. The movement of the side of the water rising submerged sides of filter that the partition wall limits, together with generating a density difference in the water-soluble components contained in the water of the tray, the concentration of water-soluble components are higher due so An apparatus for removing a water-soluble component, comprising the electrode in a water area.

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