JPH01262953A - Sterilization and removal of microbe in air and its apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To achieve effective sterilization of microbes in air, by a method wherein ultraviolet is radiated to generate ozone and sterilize microbe and at the same time sterilized microbe-contg. fine particles are treated to carry electric charge, and then the electrically charged particles and remaining ozone as well are removed simultaneously. CONSTITUTION:An ultraviolet radiating part, a sterilizing part, an electric field, a photoelectron emitting part, a remaining ozone removing part, and an electrically charged particle collecting part are composed of mainly an electrode 20, a metal surface 21 from which photoelectrons are emitted, an ultraviolet lump 22, a remaining ozone removal filter 23, and an electrically charged particle collecting filter 24. By using the apparatus, ozone is generated by ultraviolet radiation and microbes are sterilized. At the same time, sterilized microbe- contg. fine particles are treated to carry electric charge and then the electrically charged fine particles are remaining ozone as well are removed. As a result, microbes in air are sterilized and removed efficiently.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Technical Field of Leo Business] The present invention is applicable to biological clean rooms, clean booths,
A method and device for the sterilization and removal of microorganisms in clean tunnels, clean benches, safety cabinets, m-free rooms, sterile air curtains, sterile boxes, etc., as well as household,
Item 8f9r, Method for sterilizing and removing microorganisms in sterile air or sterile air supply systems in hospitals, etc., and Item 7.

Regarding equipment.

[Conventional technology and its problems]

As a conventional and unique technology, we would like to congratulate you on the use of a biological clean room.

Since microorganisms are generally attached to dust (fine particles) floating in the air, mechanical filtration method (1
For example, sterile air is obtained by collecting and removing air from the air using a HEPA filter.

This method has the following drawbacks.

In other words, in the mechanical filtration method, it is necessary to use a fine-mesh filter for K in order to improve the dust collection performance, but in this case, the pressure drop is low and the dust is too small! Not only does the pressure drop increase significantly due to air leakage, the filter life is shortened, and maintenance, management, and replacement of the filter is troublesome,
When replacing the filter, it is necessary to stop the cropping in the meantime, and it takes a long time to return the filter, which has the disadvantage of poor production efficiency.

Also, there is a pinhole in the filter.
The problem of leakage of some microbial gold-containing dust has been frequent.

Another method is to combine the above method with a cable killing lamp.

This method has the following drawbacks in addition to the drawbacks of the filters mentioned above. In other words, microorganisms? Type 1 sterilization is caused by the sterilizing part of an ultraviolet germicidal lamp.

In this case, the V sterilizing effect differs depending on the field, so the sterilizing effect may be insufficient.

Another method is to use ozone or ozonated water. In this case, the ozone generator needs to be coated separately, but the cost of the ozone generator is high, so there is a problem with economic efficiency.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention applies ultraviolet rays in the vacuum ultraviolet region and deep ultraviolet region. Is it possible to kill microorganisms by irradiating the air containing microorganisms to generate ozone and decompose the ozone? At the same time, the photoelectrons generated by irradiating the photoelectron-emitting material with ultraviolet light are
Dead microorganisms? Loading the fine particles contained in the air is carried out, and the fine particles that have been charged by the irradiation are removed from the air.
A specialized sterilization and removal method for microorganisms in the air that involves removing 1c of existing ozone using nitrogen gas! It is in A position.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a biological clean room with a clean pente system, that is, a system in which sterile air is used in only a part of the food storage area to provide high cleanliness.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an ultraviolet irradiation section, a sterilization section, an electric field, a photoelectron emission section, and a particulate collection station.

Inside the clean room 1, particles from the outside air are introduced from the pipe 2? After being filtered through the pre-filter 6, the air in the clean room 1 is discharged from the air outlet 4 and passed through the fan 5 along with 7'C air to the air conditioner 6. After adjusting the humidity, the air is filtered through the HEPA filter. Air from which particulates including microorganisms have been removed to a large extent is circulated and supplied by 7)
The cleanliness level (class) is maintained at approximately 10,000.

On the other hand, a fan and voltage supply section 8 in the clean room 1,
A workbench 13 in a clean bench 11 provided with an ultraviolet irradiation unit 9 and a filter 10 is maintained in a sterile atmosphere with high cleanliness (class 10).

In other words, in the clean pente 11, the air in the clean room 1 with a temperature of about 111 F# degree (class) 10,000 is sucked by the fan and the fan of the voltage supply part 8, and is irradiated with ultraviolet rays in the ultraviolet irradiation part 9. jD ozone is generated, and microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, yeast, and molds in the air are sterilized by high chemical substances (enemy accumulation 1! 11. 鴇), and fine particles containing dead microorganisms are A charged filter 10 is used to remove charged particles and residual ozone, and the workbench 13 is maintained at a high level of cleanliness with sterile air.

Here, sterilization of microorganisms by ultraviolet irradiation is carried out by irradiating the air containing microorganisms with ultraviolet rays with wavelengths in the vacuum ultraviolet region (100 to 200 nm) and deep ultraviolet regions (200 to 500 nm). In other words, the production of ozone occurs in ultraviolet breath with wavelengths in the vacuum ultraviolet region, while ozone is decomposed into nine particles emitted from ultraviolet rays in the deep ultraviolet region and from photoelectron emitting materials. ,
The ozone generator 9 also generates active oxygen atoms and excited oxygen molecules (activated oxygen), thereby effectively sterilizing microorganisms.

The schematic diagram of the ultraviolet irradiation section, sterilization section, electric field, 9' electron emission section, residual ozone removal section, and bulk particle extraction section is shown in the second diagram.
As shown in the figure, the main components are an electrode 20, a metal layer 21 for photoelectron emission material, an ultraviolet lamp 22, a residual ozone removal filter 23, and a charged fine particle thinning filter 24L.
Then, a voltage is applied from the fan and the voltage supply section 8 to the field between the ia electrode 20 and the metal side 21, and the ultraviolet pulse lamp 22 is irradiated with =9 ultraviolet edge toward the metal side 21. Practice 2
By passing the air 50 containing microorganisms between the air 50 and the metal head 21, as mentioned above, the microorganisms *a are sterilized and the fine particles containing dead microorganisms in the air 50 are efficiently charged. The distance between the 0-relaxation pole 20 and the metal direction 21 depends on the shape of the device, but is generally 2 to 20c! I can buy it.

The function of the ultraviolet lamp 22 is first to generate ozone in the air through its irradiation and to decompose the generated ozone. That is, the ultraviolet lamp 22 operates in the vacuum ultraviolet region (100 to 200 nm) for ozone generation, and in the far ultraviolet region (200 to 500 nm) for the decomposition of generated ozone.
It is preferable to use a lamp that emits ultraviolet rays with wavelengths in the wavelength range 100 m), and it is preferable that the same lamp can generate ultraviolet rays with wavelengths in both of these ranges. The ultraviolet lamp may be installed separately for ozone generation and ozone decomposition phases.

The ozone concentration produced by ultraviolet irradiation is 3 to 200 pp.
The amount may be normally about 10 to 30 ppm, and can be adjusted as appropriate depending on the field of application, scale, structure, type of lamp, effect, positive polarity, etc. of the device. Also, ultraviolet lamp 22
The second function is to effectively emit photoelectrons from the photoelectron emitting material used to irradiate the single electron emitting material.

For the reasons mentioned above, ultraviolet rung 22 als are commonly used as pg.
Low-pressure mercury lamps and medium to high-pressure mercury lamps can be used suitably, and the general field of the device, the structure, the hammer part of the electron-emitting material, the degree of ozone produced, the effects, and the construction of neighboring companies, etc. It can be sanctioned as appropriate.

For example, as the ultraviolet lamp 22, a low pressure mercury lamp is used.
It is recommended to use strong wavelengths of 85 nm and 254 nm.

The material and structure of the electrode 20 are those used in ordinary charging devices, and in the illustrated example, tungsten is used.

Next, the gold M4 surface 21 may be any material as long as it emits photoelectrons when irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and the smaller the photoelectric work function, the more preferable it is. From the box next to the effect and gender, Ba, Sr.
, Ca, Y, Gd, La, Ce, Nd.

Th, Pr, Be, Zr, Fe, Ni, Z
n, Cu, Ag, Pt, Ca.

Pb, At, C, Mg, Au, In, Bi,
Nb, Si, Ti, Ta.

Sn, P, a compound thereof, or a base metal is preferable, and these may be used singly or in combination of two or more wires. Physical composite materials such as amalgam can also be used as bales.

The moth compounds include oxides, ferrides, carbides, dBad, SrO, Cab, Y, O.
,.

Gd403. Nd2O3, Th02. 'ZrO2,F
e2O2, ZnO, cuo, Ag2O.

PtO, PbO, At203. Mho, In2O3
, Bib, NbO, BeO, etc. are 6C1 and boride f'l YB6. GdBg, LaB6゜CeB
6. PrB6. There are carbides such as ZrC, TaC, TiC, and NbC.

Also, as alloys, brass, bronze, and phosphorus 1 are copper.

Alloys of Ag and Mg (2 to 20 wt% Mg), alloys of Cu and Be (1 to 10 wt% Be, and Ba and A
Kumquat can be alloyed with Ag and Mg above.
Alloy with %Cu11! : Alloy with Bθ and Ba and At
An alloy with is preferred. Oxides can also be obtained by heating only the metal surface in air or by oxidizing it with chemicals.

Another method for awns is to heat them before use to form an oxidized layer on the surface to obtain stable oxidation/v over a long period of time. For this moth, it is possible to form a European thin film on the surface of an alloy of Mg and Ag in water vapor at a concentration of 500 to 400 tl, and this numerically thin film is stable over a long period of time. .

These materials may be used in a plate-like, pleated-like, or net-like shape, but it is preferable to use a shape with a large irradiation radius and a large contact area with air. A net-like one is preferable.

The voltage to be applied is α1 to 10 kV, preferably α1 to 5.
kV, preferably α1 to 1 kV, but the voltage varies depending on the shape of the device, the material of the electrode or metal used, the structure, efficiency, etc.

In the above-mentioned ordinary outer edge irradiation area, the low concentration of JAAt zone that remains without being decomposed, for example (L 2 ppm ozone, is so low that it can be ignored by the residual ozone removal filter 26, which is the focus of attention). For example, less than 5 ppm of αO is removed by the casing.

Methods for removing residual ozone include the activated carbon method, filter method, etc., as long as the ozone can be removed to a very low concentration and does not generate dust itself. The catalyst system can be selected through π and C can be used.

The residual ozone removal method μ is a method already proposed by the present inventor as a waste ozone treatment method (Japanese Patent Application No. 192134/1986).
．． Patent application No. 61-237099, Patent application No. 62-17324
) can also be applied as appropriate.

Serious removal of residual ozone uses an ion exchange filter. Charged particles containing dead microorganisms are collected by an electrostatic filter 10.24. Any collector for charged particles will work. One type of dust particles (fruit electrode) and electrostatic filter in ordinary cargo equipment is common, but it is also effective to have a structure in which the collection part itself constitutes an electrode, such as a steel wool electrode. be. Also, the one-type ion exchange filter proposed by the present inventor is also effective. Ion exchange filters are preferable because they have the functions of both collecting and removing fine particles (% Junsho 61-221
792, e#161-198083).

The filter is easy to handle and effective in terms of performance and economy. When these Qs are used for a period of time, they become clogged, so a cartridge structure is used as needed, and L9 is replaced to detect pressure loss, thereby allowing stable operation over a long period of time.

Instruments, products, etc. can be taken in and out of the workbench 13 in the clean pliers 11 using a movable shutter 12 provided in the clean pliers 11.

As a method for removing residual ozone, this example shows a case in which a residual ozone removal filter 23 is installed individually.
When residual ozone can be removed when collecting charged particles at the rear, it is preferable because removal of residual ozone and collection of charged particles can be performed at the same time (in this case, a separate residual ozone removal section is not required).

In general, it is preferable to pack all ARL fine particles using a single filter because residual ozone can be removed depending on the collection conditions.

As a method of charging fine particles in the air, we have explained a method in which ultraviolet rays are irradiated onto the metal photoelectron emitting material to cause it to emit photoelectrons in an electric field with a relatively still applied bottom pressure.
By irradiating the photoelectron emitting material with ultraviolet rays without forming a full electric field, it is possible to make the fine particles of the nitrogen shell ('1!J11L). In this case, the configuration for forming an electric field can be omitted.

In addition, the fan, ultraviolet lamp, electric field, ff in the present invention
:, The positional relationship of the electron-emitting materials depends on the type and scale of this method,
The airflow method is different, so there are no limitations.

Reference numeral 25 in FIG. 2 is a coarse filter.

〔Effect of the invention〕

1. By irradiating ultraviolet rays in the vacuum ultraviolet region and far ultraviolet region, ■ Ozone is generated by ultraviolet rays in the vacuum ultraviolet region, and the ozone produced by ultraviolet rays in the far ultraviolet region and photoelectrons from the photoelectron emitting material is Active penetrating atoms and excited oxygen molecules are generated locally, and microorganisms are annihilated in a dynamic manner.

■ Are the microorganisms killed by the photoelectrons generated by ultraviolet mt irradiation of the 9' electron-emitting material? It is possible to effectively collect the tentative particles.

■ Killed microorganisms 3A? By collecting the particles at the rear, sterilized and highly clean air can be obtained.

(2) The produced ozone is efficiently separated into layers by the above-mentioned ultraviolet rays and photoelectrons, so the emitted ozone is of low level.

At λ'as, ultraviolet irradiation at 19°■ becomes more effective in charging fine particles containing dead microorganisms, resulting in ultra-high Tft and clean air. It will be done.

By making ultraviolet rays wait for the generation of ozone and the shunt action of ozone, (i) Sterilization and lean air can be easily served.

(It is more effective than the conventional method using a germicidal lamp.) ■ The presence of microorganisms affects the powder as in the biotechnology field41! - It is particularly effective in areas where it is unreachable.

■ In the field of biotechnology, oil dyeing of cargo particles does not have to be rigorous, and a small leak can be treated as a
Therefore, a low-cost device can be created.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 are schematic diagrams for explaining the method and apparatus of the present invention. 1...Clean room, 3...)" refilter,
7...HEPA filter, 8...Fan and voltage supply-I@Miyako, 9...Extraordinary radiation irradiation city, 10...Filter, 11...Clean bench, 13...Workbench,
20...Denzan, 21...Gen'resonant emitting material, 22...
・Ultraviolet lamp, 26... Residual ozone removal filter, 24... Charged particle capture filter Figure 1

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for sterilizing and removing microorganisms contained in the air, in which ozone is generated by irradiating ultraviolet rays to kill microorganisms, and at the same time, fine particles containing the killed microorganisms are charged. A method for sterilizing and removing microorganisms in the air, which comprises removing the charged fine particles and also removing residual ozone. 2. A method for sterilizing and removing microorganisms in the air according to claim 1, which comprises irradiating ultraviolet rays with wavelengths in the vacuum ultraviolet region and deep ultraviolet region. 3. A method for sterilizing and removing microorganisms in the air according to claim 1 or 2, in which the fine particles are charged by photoelectrons generated by irradiating the photoelectron emitting material with ultraviolet rays. 4. A method for sterilizing and removing microorganisms in the air according to claim 3, wherein the fine particles are charged by photoelectrons generated by irradiating a photoelectron emitting material with ultraviolet rays in an electric field. 5. A method for sterilizing and removing microorganisms in the air according to claim 3 or 4, using a net-like material as the photoelectron emitting material. 6. Electric field voltage is 0.1 to 10 kV, preferably 0.1 to 10 kV
The method for sterilizing and removing microorganisms in the air according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the voltage is 5 kV, more preferably 0.1 to 1 kV. 7. Sterilization and removal of microorganisms in the air as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which charged particles including dead microorganisms are removed using a filter method or a dust collection plate method. how to. 8. Sterilization and removal of microorganisms in the air as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which residual ozone is removed from the air using an activated carbon method, a filter method, and/or a catalyst method. how to. 9. In order to sterilize and remove microorganisms in the air, an ultraviolet irradiation unit, a sterilization unit, a photoelectron emission unit, a residual ozone removal unit, and a charged particle collection unit are provided on the air flow path from the air intake port to the air outlet. equipment. 10. An apparatus for sterilizing and removing microorganisms in the air as set forth in claim 9, which is configured to apply an electric field to the photoelectron emission section.