JPH047263B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Object of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an atomizer. Specifically, the present invention relates to an atomizer using a porous material having homogeneous and fine continuous pores in the atomizing section. [Prior Art] A humidifier is one of the devices to which liquid or solution atomization technology is applied. Currently, this humidifier uses a system that vaporizes or atomizes water, such as a heating type or an ultrasonic type, and diffuses it into the surrounding atmosphere to humidify it, or a system that moistens a porous material and passes dry air through it. 2. Description of the Related Art Evaporative humidification systems are known that humidify air by using a water vapor partial pressure difference between passing air and water. Among these, ultrasonic humidifiers that disperse water in extremely fine particles are widely used because they are effective and have low running costs. [Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, this ultrasonic humidifier has a problem in that water containing Ca ions and the like scatters and stains furniture fittings and the like. In addition, since the ultrasonic oscillator part is immersed in water and constantly vibrates, there is a problem that it is easily corroded. The present inventors have developed a humidifier that is structurally simpler and cheaper than existing humidifiers using the above method, has at least the same humidifying ability as existing humidifiers, and eliminates impurities mixed in water. For example, we attempted to improve atomization technology in order to obtain a humidifier that can prevent the scattering of calcium ions and iron colloids. Therefore, when the present invention is applied to a humidifier, it is structurally simpler and cheaper than existing humidifiers, has at least the same humidifying ability as existing humidifiers, and has a method that eliminates impurities mixed in water. The purpose of the present invention is to provide atomization technology and an atomizer that can realize a humidifier that can prevent the scattering of such substances.

[Detailed description of the invention]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] In order to achieve the above object, the atomizer of the present invention includes an atomizing section made of a porous body having homogeneous and fine continuous pores, and a low pressure applied to the atomizing section. an air supply unit that supplies a gas, a liquid supply mechanism that supplies liquid to the atomization unit, and a conveying air supply mechanism that diffuses atomized particles into the surrounding atmosphere, and the porous atomization unit has a capillary phenomenon. The liquid is permeated through the pores and then atomized by aeration through the pores. That is, the present invention utilizes the homogeneous and fine pores of a porous body and the capillary phenomenon. In other words, when a liquid is brought into contact with a portion of the atomization section made of a porous material by some means, the adsorbed liquid spreads throughout the atomization section due to capillary action of the porous material and is easily transported. This takes advantage of the phenomenon of extremely fine particles. When this atomizer is applied to humidification, the porous material has fine and homogeneous pores, unlike porous materials such as cotton cloth, linen cloth, and urethane foam used in vaporizing humidifiers. As a result, the adsorbed water quickly and uniformly spreads over the entire atomization area, and is present as fine and homogeneous water particles throughout the atomization area of the porous material, resulting in this state. When the atomizing section is ventilated, the water particles on the atomizing section can be scattered into the surrounding atmosphere by the wind pressure of the ventilated air. Moreover, at the same time, the ventilation air is humidified by the water vapor partial pressure difference between the water and the ventilated air. Incidentally, the liquid particles scattered in the surrounding atmosphere are sufficiently fine so that they diffuse into the surrounding atmosphere and humidify the surrounding air. [Example] Next, the present invention will be explained in more detail using an example in which the present invention is applied to a humidifier. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a humidifier according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the atomization section of FIG. 1. The atomizing section 2 is made of a porous material having homogeneous and fine continuous pores, such as porous ceramics. The porous ceramics used in the present invention are
It must be able to break up the water particles so finely that they can be dispersed into the surrounding atmosphere. The porous ceramics can be obtained, for example, by adding an inorganic binder and an organic plasticity imparting agent to fine aggregate particles whose particle size has been controlled by appropriate classification means after finely pulverizing them, and then sintering them. . Various inorganic substances can be used as the aggregate, and suitable examples include alumina, mullite, silica, and silicon carbide. Examples of inorganic binders include clay and china clay, and examples of organic plasticizers include polyvinyl alcohol and polymethyl methacrylate. The porous ceramic thus obtained has a low pressure loss with respect to the aeration gas, so it has a high humidifying ability and can produce homogeneous liquid particles. Specifically, porous ceramics that satisfy these conditions have an average pore diameter of 7 μm or less, preferably 5 μm or less, a maximum pore diameter of 14 μm or less, preferably 10 μm or less, and a ventilation flow rate per unit area
The pressure loss Y [Kgf/cm ² ] against [・cm ^-2・min ^-1 ] is expressed by the following relational expression: 0.8X ² +0.4X+0.3≧Y＞0 (0.02≦X≦1.8) Preferably 0.8X ² +0 It is desirable that it satisfies .4X+0.106≧70 (0.02≦X≦0.9). Further, since the porous ceramic is impractical if it is damaged during normal use or backwashing, it is desirable to have a hoop tension stress resistance of 2 Kg/cm ² or more, preferably 10 Kg/cm ² or more. Although a cylindrical atomizer is used in this embodiment, the atomizer may have any other shape such as a plate, a sphere, or a honeycomb. In addition to the above-mentioned ceramics, the porous body may also be a hydrophilic plastic filter or a metal filter made of stainless steel, bronze, or brass. The atomizer 2 is attached to the humidifier body 1 via an O-ring 5 of an atomizer attachment projection 4. Further, a blowing pipe 8 communicating with the blowing section 9 is installed so as to be located inside the atomizing section 2 . In order to prevent water from leaking from the gap between the main body 1 and the main body 1 and the main body 1 and the main body 1 projecting into the atomizing section 2, the blow pipe 8 is connected to the main body 1 that protrudes above the water surface 6 so that water does not leak and wet the motor compartment 19. It is surrounded by a blow pipe guide 18 and sealed with an O-ring 10 interposed therebetween. The air supply section 9 is
As mentioned above, it provides wind pressure that allows ventilation to flow through the atomization section with low ventilation resistance and scatters fine water particles into the surrounding atmosphere, and does not require high pressure. Maximum 5Kgf/cm ² Minimum 0.03Kg
A device that allows air to pass through at f/cm ² is sufficient. If a wind pressure higher than this is applied, relatively large water particles may be generated in the atomization section during scattering, which is not preferable. water tank 12
If the water surface 6 is above the notch 16,
Since the system is closed to the surrounding air and no air enters to push out the water, no more water is supplied even if the check valve 11 is open, and only when the water level 6 drops below the notch 16. Air enters and supplies water. The water surface 6 therefore remains in a substantially constant position during continuous operation. Note that the water supply mechanism to the atomizing section may be any method such as a dripping type, a scattering type, or a spraying type, in addition to the immersion type as in this example, but in the case of this example, water is always supplied to the atomizing unit. The system is designed to supply In the atomizing section 2, water spreads over the entire atomizing section 2 from a portion immersed in water due to capillary action of the ceramics. When the blowing section 9 is operated in this state, the fine water particles spread throughout the atomizing section 2 are scattered into the surrounding atmosphere by the air passing through the atomizing section 2. At this time, impurity ions, sludge, bacterial cells, etc. contained in the water component are adsorbed into the ceramics 2, or are captured, coagulated, precipitated, or filtered, and are not dispersed into the surrounding atmosphere. Further, by operating the conveying air supply mechanism fan 7 to create an upward flow around the atomizing section 2, the atomized particles are discharged from the jet port 13 into the surrounding atmosphere of a room or the like. Although it is a porous material that does not produce large water particles, if the wind pressure increases during transport, the relatively large water particles scattered from the atomization part will fall to the water surface without being carried by the upward flow. Otherwise, it will be reflected by the shielding plate 15 of the fog guide 14 and will not be scattered outside the device. Also, the upper end 3 of the atomizing section 2
The wetting speed due to capillary phenomenon is slow, and if the blower air is applied directly to this area, the pressure loss will be small, so most of the blower air will pass through this area and there is a risk that the atomization ability will decrease, so it should not be sealed tightly. It is desirable to do so. Note that liquids or solutions other than the above-mentioned water can also be used as the object to be atomized. For example, it can be used when methanol, ethanol, aqueous ammonia, liquid carbon dioxide, etc. must be supplied at high concentrations as quickly as possible. Furthermore, the liquid or solution can be supplied not only at room temperature but also in a heated state, and the low-pressure body provided to the atomization section 2 to atomize it can also be passed through with cold or hot air. There is also. Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the atomizer of the present invention includes an atomizing section made of a porous material having homogeneous and fine continuous pores, and an air supply supplying low-pressure gas to the atomizing section. , a water supply mechanism for supplying liquid to the atomization section, and a conveying air supply mechanism for diffusing atomized particles into the surrounding atmosphere, and for permeating the liquid into the atomization section made of a porous material by capillary action. Since atomization is achieved by venting through the pores, sufficiently fine atomization can be achieved while preventing impurities in the water from scattering. Therefore, when the atomizer is used as a humidifier, the atomizer is made fine enough to be dispersed into every corner of the surrounding atmosphere and can be dispersed like water mist, making it easier to use than existing humidifiers. Its humidifying ability is second to none. In addition, since the atomization is made by passing through the atomization section made of a porous material with homogeneous and fine pores, impurity ions, sludge, or bacterial cells contained in the water component can be captured in the atomization section. A clean humidifying mist can be generated. Furthermore, since the atomizing section is simply composed of a porous body having homogeneous and fine pores, it is structurally simple, has few failures, and is inexpensive. Furthermore, since the atomizing section is only partially immersed in the liquid, it is possible to replace only the atomizing section. Furthermore, since ceramics have excellent corrosion resistance, there is no problem of corrosion as with ultrasonic vibrators. Furthermore, if a porous body with sufficient strength is used, the atomizing section can be reused by cleaning. On the other hand, the blower for blowing air to the atomization section is sufficient because it blows low-pressure air, so it can be small and consume less power. Furthermore, the atomization section is made of porous ceramics, and has an average pore diameter of 7 μm or less, a maximum pore diameter of 14 μm or less, and an air flow rate per unit area of X [l cm
^-2・min ^-1 ], the pressure loss Y [Kgf/cm ² ] satisfies the following relational expression: 0.8X ² +0.4X+0.3≧Y>0 (0.02≦X≦1.80) The atomization performance and humidification performance of the atomizer are more desirable because fine particles can be generated more efficiently, and the ventilation section allows air to pass through the atomization section at a maximum of 5 kgf/ ^cm2. In this case, humidification performance can be further improved without the risk of generating giant water particles.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a humidifier which is an embodiment of the atomizer of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the atomizing part of Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a porous ceramic used in the present invention. 2 is a graph showing the optimum range of pressure loss with respect to the ventilation flow rate. 2... Atomization section, 7... Conveying air supply mechanism, 9...
...Air supply unit, 12...Water tank.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An atomization section made of a porous material having homogeneous and fine continuous pores, an air supply section that supplies low-pressure gas to the atomization section, and a supply supply that supplies liquid to the atomization section. It has a liquid mechanism and a conveying air supply mechanism that diffuses the atomized particles into the surrounding atmosphere, and atomizes the liquid by permeating the porous atomizing section by capillary action and then venting it into the pores. An atomizer characterized by: 2 The porous body is ceramic, has an average pore diameter of 7 μm or less, a maximum pore diameter of 14 μm or less, and has a pressure loss Y [Kgf/cm ² ] with respect to the ventilation flow rate per unit area X [・cm ⁻²・min ⁻¹ ]. ] satisfies the following relational expression 0.8X ² +4X+3≧Y>0 (0.02≦X≦1.8). 3. The atomizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the air supply section vents gas at a maximum of 5 Kgf/cm ² into the atomization section. 4. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the porous body is made of a plastic filter. 5. The atomizer according to claim 1, wherein the porous body is made of a metal filter.