JPH031024A - Fungistatic method for interior of air conditioning system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase ozone concentration in a device and to maintain a state, in which ozone concentration is increased, for a given time by a method wherein low concentration ozone gas is fed to the lower inner part of an air conditioner as air in the air conditioner is taken out from the upper inner part of the air conditioner, and ozone having specific gravity higher than that of air is remained in the air conditioner. CONSTITUTION:Low concentration ozone gas fed in a feed passage 9a flows through a flexible pipe 15 to the interior of the wrap pipe of a feed port 11a and is horizontally discharged to the inner bottom of an air conditioner 1. Meanwhile, after air at an upper layer part in the air conditioner is sucked in suction port 14a, it flows through a return passage 15a to an ozone gas generating device 8 to produce low concentration ozone gas in an ozone gas generating device 8a, which is circulated in the air conditioner again. At the same time when low concentration ozone gas is gradually fed to the inner bottom part of the air conditioner 1, operation to gradually take out air in the air conditioner from the upper inner part of the air conditioner is continued. In this case, since ozone gas has specific gravity higher than air, even when ozone gas is low concentration ozone gas, air in the air conditioner is replaced with ozone gas, and environment in the air conditioner having ozone gas concentration high enough to allow production of a fungistatic effect on microorganisms is created.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a sterilization method for preventing the proliferation of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and yeasts in an air conditioning system.

(Prior art) Reducing microorganisms in the air is important not only in medicine but also in various industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, biotechnology, and electronics. Conventional systems for preventing the proliferation of microorganisms in air conditioning systems are The most common bacterial method is HEP
A method of collecting microorganisms using a filter was used. However, if the microorganism particles are small, they cannot be collected by the HEPA filter, and the microorganisms collected by the HEPA filter propagate there and scatter again. Another method was to install an ultraviolet light lamp in the air conditioning system and use ultraviolet irradiation to control microorganisms, but this method had the disadvantage that it was impossible to control bacteria in areas that were in the shadow of ultraviolet light. .

Therefore, recently, a method has been proposed in which ozone gas is supplied into an air conditioning system to sterilize microorganisms.

This ozone gas is produced by the action of active oxygen on oxygen molecules, and it has a strong sterilizing power against microorganisms because it has the property of penetrating into the cell membranes of living things and destroying DNA proteins, as well as damaging the cell membranes themselves. be.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

By the way, in the conventional sterilization method using ozone gas, the aim is to completely sterilize microorganisms.

Highly concentrated ozone gas was often used.

However, ozone gas has a strong sterilizing power against microorganisms, and at the same time is highly toxic to the human body and has a strong odor.

In human living spaces, it must be used at a low concentration of 0.01~o, o2 pp- or less, and the conventional method using high-concentration ozone gas has a negative effect on the human body. Ta. on the other hand.

There was also an antibacterial method using low-concentration ozone gas.

When low-concentration ozone gas is used, a high bactericidal effect cannot be achieved unless sufficient contact time between the ozone gas and microorganisms is ensured, and therefore conventional bactericidal methods are unable to interact with microorganisms. The disadvantage was that the contact time was short and sufficient antibacterial (sterilizing) effects could not be achieved.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and its objectives are as follows.

To provide a sterilization method in an air conditioning system that can suppress and prevent microorganisms in the air conditioning system from breeding by putting microorganisms in the air conditioning system in suspended animation using low-concentration ozone gas that does not have any adverse effects on the human body. It is in.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the method for controlling (sterilizing) air conditioning systems according to the present invention uses low-concentration ozone air (low-concentration ozone gas) in which the ozone concentration in the air is 5 ppm or less. An ozone gas generator is prepared that continuously produces ozone gas, and the low-concentration ozone gas produced by this ozone gas generator is supplied into the chamber of an air conditioner whose air supply is stopped. The low-concentration ozone gas is supplied to the lower part of the chamber while being taken out from the upper part of the chamber, causing ozone with a higher specific gravity than air to remain in the chamber, increasing the ozone concentration inside the chamber, and maintaining this high ozone concentration for a predetermined period of time. It is also characterized in that this operation is used in combination with the operation of supplying the low concentration ozone gas into the water held in the humidifier installed in the air conditioner.

Furthermore, the sterilization operation inside the vessel and the low concentration ozone gas produced by the ozone gas generator are introduced into the duct from the upstream side of the duct so that it flows in contact with the inner surface of the duct, thereby controlling (killing) the duct. It is characterized by the combined use of bacterial manipulation.

[Effect]

According to the method of the present invention, low-concentration ozone gas produced by an ozone gas generator is circulated and supplied to the lower part of the air conditioner while taking out the air from the upper part of the equipment.
Utilizing the fact that ozone is heavier than air, the ozone concentration inside the vessel is increased, and by maintaining a state in which ozone gas at a predetermined concentration is substituted for a predetermined period of time, the ozone inside the vessel, especially the filter and heat exchanger.

It is possible to put microorganisms existing on the surface of eliminators etc. into suspended animation, and even when using low concentration ozone gas, high control (
(bactericidal) effect.

In particular, even when using low-concentration ozone gas such as a maximum of 5 ppm, by repeating the circulation (usually about 3 times), the concentration can be brought to about 15 p-p- in the chamber, and even if the exposure time is about 30 minutes, it is sufficient. A differential tooth effect can be obtained.

In addition, taking advantage of the fact that ozone gas has higher antibacterial power in liquid form than in gaseous form, we supply low-concentration ozone gas produced by an ozone gas generator to the water in the humidifier installed in the air conditioner. Therefore, the proliferation of microorganisms in the water stored in the humidifier can be effectively prevented.

Furthermore, low-concentration ozone gas produced by the ozone gas generator is introduced into the duct of the air conditioning system from the upstream side of the duct along the inner surface of the duct, and is conveyed along the inner surface of the duct to the downstream side of the duct by the air flow inside the duct. By this,
Low-concentration ozone gas is guided by the airflow and spreads to the end of the duct, so it can sterilize bacteria that settle on the inner surface of the duct and begin to reproduce.

Since this type of sterilization operation uses a low-concentration ozone gas generator, the ozone concentration required for sterilization is maintained only in the small-volume air conditioner for a predetermined period of time, and this is sent into the container. Because Qi can be diffused into extremely low 4 degree ozone by initiation.

The effect of ozone on the human body can be negligible, and this is further aided by running exhaust fans inside the building.

〔Example〕

Two embodiments of the present invention will be explained below based on illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an air conditioning system to which the antibacterial method according to the present invention is applied. ■ is an air conditioner, and this air conditioner 1 has a filter 2. Heat exchange coil 3. Eliminator 4. Fan 5. It has a built-in humidifier 6. The air taken into the air conditioner by the operation of the fan 5 has impurities such as dust removed by the filter 2, and then heat exchanged by the heat exchange coil 3. Furthermore, when the humidifier 6 is operated, the air is passed through the eliminator 4. After the water droplets are removed, the air supply duct 7
Air is sent to. Therefore, the inside of the air conditioner 1 has conditions in terms of temperature and humidity that make it easy for microorganisms to grow, and in particular, the heat exchange coil 3, where water from can A is present on the surface. Eliminator to remove water droplets 4. The warm blood of the casing of the fan 5 and the humidifier 6 provides very suitable conditions for the growth of microorganisms.

Reference numeral 8 denotes an ozone gas supply device, and the ozone gas supply device 8 is equipped inside thereof with a low concentration ozone gas generator 8a and a blower fan 8b, each having a high temperature i of 5 ppm.

The low concentration ozone gas generated by the low concentration ozone gas generator 8a is supplied to the bottom of the air conditioner 1 through the supply path 9a through the air supply port 11 provided on the bottom plate 10 of the air conditioner 1 by the blower fan 8b. be done. Low concentration ozone gas is also stored in the water 6a inside the humidifier 6 using a small compressor 12.
(for example, an air supply pump that does not require viewing).

On the other hand, an air intake port 14 is provided on the top plate 13 of the air conditioner 1, and the air existing above the air conditioner is sent from this air intake port 14 through a return path 15a to the ozone gas supply device, and the air is sent to the ozone gas generator. At step 8a, the ozone gas is converted into low concentration ozone gas and circulated into the vessel again. As a result, low-concentration ozone gas is continuously produced and circulated into the vessel.

FIG. 2 shows an example of an ozone gas supply port 11 provided on the bottom plate 10 of an air conditioner 1, in which an air supply port 11a made of a flared trumpet tube is connected to the tip of a flexible pipe 16. , the air supply port 1 made of this trumpet tube
1a is placed close to the bottom plate 10 facing downward from the inside of the container. As a result, the low concentration ozone gas supplied from the flexible vibe 16 into the trumpet tube once collides with the bottom plate 10, and then is blown out horizontally to the bottom of the vessel from the gap between the edge of the trumpet tube and the bottom plate 10.

Moreover, FIG. 3 shows an example of the air intake port 14 for internal air provided on the top plate 13 of the air conditioner 1, and the structure of the air supply port 11 described above is reversed. .

That is, an inlet 14a made of a flared trumpet tube is connected to the tip of the flexible vibe 16°, and the inlet 14a made of the trumpet tube is placed close to the top plate 13 with the inlet 14a facing upward from the inside of the container. It is. As a result, the air present in the upper part of the container is sucked into the air inlet 14a.
While moving horizontally in the direction shown in FIG.

In this way, by gradually introducing low-concentration ozone gas into the bottom of the air conditioner 1 and at the same time continuing to gradually remove the air from the top of the device, ozone gas has a higher specific gravity than air. Therefore, even if the ozone gas is at a low concentration, the air inside the chamber will eventually reach a sufficient concentration of ozone gas (e.g., 15pp) (after three cycles of circulation, for example).
The ozone gas is replaced with ozone gas in an amount of about 100 m, and sterilization is carried out by maintaining this concentration for a predetermined period of time, for example, about 30 minutes. One feature of the present invention is that by utilizing this specific gravity difference, an internal environment sufficient to sterilize microorganisms can be temporarily created in a narrow space even when using low-concentration ozone gas.

Further, the low concentration ozone gas generated in the low concentration ozone gas generation bag W8a is also supplied to the inside of the air supply duct 7 through the supply path 9b by the blowing fan 8b.

FIG. 4 shows how low concentration ozone gas is supplied to the air supply duct. ), an ozone gas supply chamber 17 is formed on the peripheral surface of the connection part of the air supply duct 7, and this supply chamber 1
A connection port 19 to the low concentration ozone gas supply path 9b is provided at an appropriate location in the circumferential direction of 7. As a result, the low concentration ozone gas is supplied from the connection port 19 through the supply path 9b.

From the slit gap 20 of the chamber 17 to the air supply duct 7
It flows along the inner wall of the interior.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1, the connecting duct 18 also has a return route 15.
b is connected, air is sucked from inside the connecting duct 18 and sent to the ozone gas supply device 8 via the return path 15b, and is made into low concentration ozone gas by the ozone gas generator 8a. In addition, a low concentration ozone gas supply path 9a,
9b is a motor-type damper 21 that opens and closes the flow path.
a, 21b are provided, and a return route 15a.

15b also has a motor-type damper 22 that opens and closes the flow path.
a and 22b are provided.

The air supply duct 7 leads to each air conditioning zone in the building, and the air supplied to the air conditioning zones.

As shown in FIG.
By driving the exhaust fan 25, a part of the air is discharged outside the building as exhaust gas.

An example of the procedure of the method for controlling microorganisms in this embodiment configured as described above will be explained based on the explanatory diagram shown in FIG. First, stop the operation of the air supply fan 5 and the exhaust fan 25 to stop the air supply (procedure ■). Next, the air conditioner 1
Damper 21 of supply path 9a and return path 15a connected to
a, open 22a, and on the other hand.

Dampers 21b and 22b of the supply path 9b connected to the supply air duct 7 and the return path 15b connected to the connection duct 18
is closed (procedure ■), and the blower fan 8b of the ozone gas supply device 8 is activated (procedure ■), and the low concentration ozone gas generator 18a is also activated (procedure ■), and low concentration ozone gas is sent into the supply path 9a. At this time, the damper 20 of the supply path 9b connected to the air supply duct 7
Since b is closed, low concentration ozone gas does not flow into the supply path 9b.

The low concentration ozone gas sent into the supply path 9a.

The air flows through the flexible pipe 15, is supplied into the wrapper tube of the air supply port 11a, and is blown out horizontally to the bottom of the air conditioner 1. On the other hand, the air in the upper part of the chamber is inlet 1
4a, it is sent to the ozone gas generator 8 via the return path 15a, where it is converted into low concentration ozone gas, and then circulated into the vessel again. Therefore, if the operation of gradually supplying low-concentration ozone gas to the bottom of the air conditioner 1 and at the same time gradually removing air from the top of the device is continued, since ozone gas has a higher specific gravity than air.

Even if the ozone gas is at a low concentration, the air inside the vessel will eventually be replaced with ozone gas, creating an environment within the vessel with a sufficient concentration of ozone gas to inhibit microorganisms.

In addition, in order to effectively replace the internal air and ozone gas, it is desirable to operate the above-mentioned circulation mechanism at a low speed.Once the internal air and ozone gas have been replaced, the low-concentration ozone gas generator 8a is stopped. (Procedure ■) At that time, an ozone gas concentration sensor is installed in the air conditioner l so that the low concentration ozone gas generator 8a will automatically stop when the ozone gas in the air conditioner reaches a certain concentration.
Alternatively, a timer may be installed to automatically stop the low concentration ozone gas generator 8a after a predetermined time period has elapsed for completing the replacement of the air in the chamber with ozone gas. After that.

Maintain the state in which the air in the chamber is exchanged with ozone gas for a specified period of time to ensure a sterilization time that can bring the microorganisms into a state of suspended animation (Procedure ■). It varies depending on the type of microorganism to be bacterium1.For example, in the case of yeast, it is 1.0 to 5.01)I)11
A bacteriostatic time of 35 to 300 minutes is required at a concentration of 0.5 to 1.5 ppm for filamentous fungi.
A bacteriostatic time of 5 to 300 minutes is required, but in the present invention, the effect can be achieved by combining the high concentration due to the difference in specific gravity and the exposure time, and by attacking the vegetative cells of bacteria, which are much weaker than the spores. It performs effective sterilization. In addition, ozone has 5 to 10 times more antibacterial power in liquid form than in gaseous form.
Therefore, if the bacteriostatic method of the present invention is performed directly after the conditioned air is sent, there will be water attached to the surfaces of the heat exchange coil 3 and eliminator 40, and the supplied ozone gas will dissolve in this water. It penetrates into liquid form and has a high antibacterial effect.

In addition, the low concentration ozone gas sent into the supply path 9a is
It is also supplied to the water 6a held in the humidifier 6 installed in the air conditioner 1 via the compressor 12, and sterilizes the water 6a held in the humidifier where microorganisms are likely to grow. As mentioned above, since ozone has 5 to 10 times more antibacterial power in liquid form than in gaseous form, ozone gas is directly supplied into the water 6a held in the humidifier to turn the ozone gas into liquid form. The antibacterial method of this example can achieve high antibacterial effects.

In addition, if the air supply fan 5 and exhaust fan 25 are activated to start supplying air after maintaining the state in which the air in the container is replaced with ozone gas for a predetermined period of time, the ozone that existed in the small space of the container will be replaced by a large amount of air. The ozone concentration becomes extremely low, and the ozone is quickly exhausted outside the kitchen 24, so there is no risk of adverse effects on the human bodies of the people in the i-room 24 (step ①).

Once the bacteria inside the air conditioner has been sterilized using the above method,
Next, the process moves to bacteriostatic control inside the air supply duct 7. That is, dampers 21b and 22 of the supply path 9b connected to the supply air duct 7 and the return path 15b connected to the connection duct 18.
b is opened, and on the other hand, the supply path 9 connected to the air conditioner 1
a and the damper 21a of the return path 15a.

22a (procedure ■), and activates the low concentration ozone gas generator ff18a of the ozone gas supply device 8 (procedure ■) to supply low concentration ozone gas to the supply path 9b.
The air supply fan 5, which had stopped, was
Then, the exhaust fan 25 is activated to start air supply (procedure @), and the low concentration ozone gas sent into the supply path 9b flows through the supply path 9b to the upstream side of the air supply duct 7. The air is supplied into the supply duct 7 through the provided connection port 19.
The air flows into the air supply duct 7 from the slit gap 20 along the inner wall of the duct. The low-concentration ozone gas that has flowed in is conveyed to the downstream side of the air supply duct 7 by the air flow flowing through the air supply duct 7, and spreads to every corner of the air supply duct 7, thereby performing germ control on the inner surface of the duct. A part of the ozone gas supplied into the air supply duct 7 flows into the kitchen 24, but this ozone gas has a low concentration and the exhaust fan 25
Since the gas is activated, the gas is quickly exhausted outside the kitchen 24, so there is no risk of adverse effects on the human bodies of people inside the kitchen 24.

After completing the germ control in the air conditioner l and the air supply duct 7 by the above procedure, the low concentration ozone gas generator 8a and the ventilation fan 8b of the ozone gas supply device 8 are stopped (procedure ■), and then the air conditioner is maintained for a certain period of time. By continuing to exhaust the air, ozone gas remaining in the air conditioning system is completely removed from the kitchen 24 (Procedure @).

Thereafter, by returning to Step 1, the antibacterial method of this example is repeated again. By periodically carrying out the antibacterial method of the second embodiment to bring the microorganisms into a state of suspended animation, the growth and reproduction of the microorganisms can be suppressed.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figures 1 to 5 show one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an air conditioning system according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is an illustration of the flow of ozone gas into the air conditioner. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of the main parts showing an example of a supply mechanism. Figure 3 is an enlarged view of main parts showing an example of the air suction mechanism from inside the air conditioner. Figure 4 is an example of the ozone gas supply mechanism to the air supply duct. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the procedure of the antibacterial method according to the present invention. Explanation of symbols ■ 6 ・ 8 ・ 25 ・ ・Air conditioner. ·humidifier.・Ozone gas supply device.・Exhaust fan. 5...Air supply fan 7...Air supply duct 12...Compressor

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) When performing antibacterial or sterilization within the air conditioning system,
An ozone gas generator that continuously produces low-concentration ozone gas with an ozone (O_3) concentration of 5 ppm or less in the air is prepared, and the low-concentration ozone gas produced by this ozone gas generator is supplied to an air conditioner that is not supplying air. At that time, the low concentration ozone gas is supplied to the lower part of the container while the air inside the container is taken out from the upper part of the container, and ozone with a higher specific gravity than air remains in the container, thereby increasing the ozone concentration in the container. ,
A method for controlling (sterilizing) bacteria in an air conditioning system, which is characterized by maintaining this state of high ozone concentration for a predetermined period of time. (2) When performing antibacterial or sterilization within the air conditioning system,
An ozone gas generator that continuously produces low-concentration ozone gas with an ozone (O_3) concentration of 5 ppm or less in the air is prepared, and the low-concentration ozone gas produced by this ozone gas generator is supplied to the air conditioner when air supply is stopped. At that time, the low concentration ozone gas is supplied to the lower part of the container while the air inside the container is taken out from the upper part of the container, and ozone with a higher specific gravity than air remains in the container, thereby increasing the ozone concentration in the container. ,
A control system in an air conditioning system characterized by maintaining this high ozone concentration state for a predetermined period of time, and supplying the low concentration ozone gas into water held in a humidifier installed in the air conditioner. (sterilization) method. (3) The method for controlling (sterilizing) bacteria in an air conditioning system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air taken out from above inside the container is guided to the ozone gas generator, and the circulation is repeated at least three times. (4) After maintaining the state in which the inside of the container is replaced with ozone gas for a predetermined period of time, air supply to the air conditioning system is started while driving the exhaust system of the building, and the ozone gas is entrained in the exhaust gas according to claim 1 or 2. A method for controlling (sterilizing) bacteria in an air conditioning system. (5) When performing germ control or sterilization in the air conditioning system,
An ozone gas generator that continuously produces low-concentration ozone gas with an ozone (O_3) concentration of 5 ppm or less in the air is prepared, and the low-concentration ozone gas produced by this ozone gas generator is supplied to the air conditioner when air supply is stopped. At that time, the low concentration ozone gas is supplied to the lower part of the container while the air inside the container is taken out from the upper part of the container, and ozone with a higher specific gravity than air remains in the container, thereby increasing the ozone concentration in the container. ,
Sterilization operation of the air conditioner to maintain this high ozone concentration state for a predetermined period of time: Low concentration ozone gas produced by the ozone gas generator described above is introduced into the duct of the air conditioning system from the upstream side of the duct. A method for controlling (sterilizing) bacteria in an air conditioning system, which comprises: introducing the air along the inner surface of the duct and transporting the air to the downstream side of the duct by the airflow within the duct. (6) The method for controlling (sterilizing) bacteria in an air conditioning system according to claim 5, wherein during the sterilizing operation of the duct, air is supplied into the duct while driving the exhaust system of the building.