JPH0857032A - Sterilizing/deodorizing/purifying method for air and device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To instantaneously sterilize, deodorize, and purify air. CONSTITUTION: Near ultraviolet rays with the wavelength of 180-360nm are radiated to an n-type semiconductor metal oxide in the ground state oxygen atmosphere, the active oxygen species is generated by the surface excitation of the n-type semiconductor metal oxide, the ground state oxygen is excited by optical pumping, the single state oxygen is generated, the visible light with the wavelength of 600-650nm and near infrared rays with the wavelength of 1200-1300nm are radiated in sequence, and air is sterilized, deodorized, and purified by the transition energy from the single state oxygen of the active oxygen species to the ground state oxygen due to the induced emission of electromagnetic waves.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to air purification and sterilization for environmental protection, or prevention of nosocomial infections in hospitals.
The present invention relates to a method for sterilizing, deodorizing, and purifying inhaled air and a device for preventing sick building syndrome and sterilizing in an air conditioner.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional method for sterilizing air,
Either the method of irradiating the ozone generated by irradiating the ultraviolet ray of 185 nm wavelength to the air or the method of irradiating the ultraviolet ray by the sterilizing lamp of the wavelength 254 nm to sterilize, or the method using both of them has been used. It was

[0003]

However, the wavelength is 185n.
In the method of generating ozone by ultraviolet rays of m, the ozone is forced to be released into the atmosphere as residual ozone before the ozone is sufficiently decomposed, which not only has a great influence on the human body but is also difficult to handle. there were.

In the case of irradiating ultraviolet rays from a germicidal lamp, ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 254 nm are mainly used, and it is not possible to expect sterilization in a place where this light is not irradiated, and there is no generation of active oxygen, so excited singlet oxygen. However, there is a problem in that it is not possible to expect the effect of sterilization being instantaneously and powerfully diffused as it is.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems in the conventional sterilization of air, and its purpose is to bring oxygen of air into contact with an N-type semiconductor metal oxide under UV irradiation, A method of sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying air that allows active oxygen species generated on the surface to transit to ground state oxygen by irradiating long-wavelength visible light and near-infrared light, and instantaneous energy sterilization, deodorization and purification with the transition energy And to provide the device.

[0006]

The air sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying method according to the present invention is intended to achieve the above-mentioned object.
The N-type semiconductor metal oxide in the ground state oxygen atmosphere is irradiated with near-ultraviolet or near-ultraviolet laser light having a wavelength of 180 to 360 nm, and active oxygen species generated by surface excitation of the N-type semiconductor metal oxide and optical pumping. The ground state oxygen is excited by to generate singlet oxygen by
A single-state oxygen is stimulated to emit a single-state oxygen by stimulated emission of electromagnetic waves to irradiate a visible light of 0 to 650 nm, a visible light laser, and a near-infrared ray of a wavelength of 1200 to 1300 nm or a near-infrared laser ray, respectively, simultaneously or sequentially, and then ground state oxygen. It is characterized by performing the sterilization, deodorization and purification using the transition energy.

Further, the air sterilization / deodorization / purification device according to the present invention applies the N-type semiconductor metal oxide to the inner surface of the duct and the casing which are in contact with the passing air flow, or the fins, and the N-type semiconductor metal oxide is applied. Near-ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 180 to 360 nm to the ground state oxygen that moves while contacting with
Alternatively, a near-ultraviolet laser beam is irradiated to provide ultraviolet irradiation means for generating singlet oxygen by active pumping and active oxygen species generated by surface excitation of the N-type semiconductor metal oxide. Visible light of wavelength 600 to 650 nm behind, wavelengths of 1200 to 13
A near-infrared ray having a wavelength of 00 nm or a laser beam is individually, simultaneously or sequentially irradiated, and a light beam irradiation means for transitioning singlet oxygen to ground oxygen by emitting an electromagnetic wave is provided.

[0008]

In the air sterilizing / deodorizing / purifying method and apparatus of the present invention, the oxygen in the passing air stream has a wavelength of 1
When it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays of 80 to 360 nm, ground state oxygen atoms are generated. O ₂ + hν (180 to 200 nm) → 2O (3p) hν: ultraviolet ray O (3p): ground state oxygen atom Then, oxygen molecules in the air react with the ground state oxygen atom to generate ozone. O (3p) + O ₂ → O ₃ O ₃ : Ozone

When this O ₃ is irradiated with ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 250 to 300 nm, O ₃ is decomposed to generate singlet oxygen atoms and singlet oxygen molecules. O ₃ + hν (250 nm to 300 nm) → ¹ D + ¹ Δg ¹ D: Singlet oxygen atom ¹ Δg: Singlet oxygen molecule

On the other hand, the N type semiconductor metal oxide has a wavelength of 180
When it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays of ˜360 nm, electrons are emitted to the metal surface, the electrons are donated to the ground state oxygen, and the oxygen is excited to transit to the active oxygen anion. hν (180 to 360 nm) + M → e ⁻ M; N-type semiconductor metal oxide e ⁻ : electron O ₂ + 2e ⁻ → O ⁻ + O ⁻ O ⁻ : active oxygen anion

The excited singlet oxygen molecule then has a wavelength of 6
When it is irradiated with visible light of 00 to 650 nm, it transits to a ground state oxygen molecule. 2 ¹ Δg + hν (600 to 650 nm) → 2 ³ Σg 2 ³ Σg: ground state oxygen molecule The singlet oxygen atom and the active oxygen anion have a wavelength of 1200.
When it is irradiated with a near infrared ray of ˜1300 nm, it transits to a ground state oxygen atom. ¹ D + hν (1200 to 1300 nm) → ³ Σg O ⁻ + hν (1200 to 1300 nm) → ³ Σg ³ Σg: Ground state oxygen atom Since singlet oxygen is in an excited state of high energy of 22.5 Kcal / mol, it has a strong bactericidal action. The sterilization, deodorization, and purification of the air flow passing through are rapidly performed.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an example of the air sterilization / deodorization / purification device of the present invention and an air sterilization / deodorization / purification method will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment of the air sterilization / deodorization / purification device, a transformer and a ballast 3 for ozone and a germicidal lamp are housed between a bottom case 1 and a bottom plate 2 mounted on the bottom case 1, An upper case 5 having a control box 4 attached to the front is fixed on the case 1.

Two axial fans 6 driven by a motor are mounted on the upper surface of the upper case 5 so as to discharge air, and a louver 7 for taking in air is provided below the control box 4 on the front side. Has been.

Between the louver 7 and the axial fan 6, a meandering duct 8 for vertically bending the airflow sucked from the louver 3 three times, and an upward direction for guiding upward from the end of the meandering duct 8. Duct 9 and the upward duct 9
A delivery duct 10 that guides the axial fan 6 from the end of is provided.

The upper surface 8 of the meandering duct 8 is curved in a mountain shape on the upper side and is a vertical wall between adjacent mountain shapes.
a, 8b, 8c and the lower side is the upper surface portions 8a, 8b, 8c
Lower surface part 8 in which the standing wall is biased upward and is biased toward the rear of the
x, 8y, and 8z. The inner surface of the meandering duct 8 and the inner surface of the upward duct 9 are coated with titanium oxide 11, which is an N-type semiconductor metal oxide.

Three ultraviolet ozone lamps 12 (UV lamps 185 nm) for irradiating ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 to 200 nm are provided on the front side of the standing wall of the lower surface 8x, and a wavelength of 250 is provided on the front side of the standing wall of the lower surface 8y. Ultraviolet germicidal lamp 13 (UV lamp 254 that irradiates ultraviolet rays of up to 300 nm)
4), and two high-pressure sodium lamps 14 for irradiating visible light having a wavelength of 600 to 650 nm are arranged side by side in the direction orthogonal to the air flow on the front side of the standing wall of the lower surface portion 8z.

On the lower side of the upward duct 9, there is one halogen lamp 15 for irradiating visible light with a wavelength of 600 to 650 nm at the center position on the left and right, and with a wavelength of 120 on the back side.
Infrared lamp 1 that emits near infrared rays of 0 to 1300 nm
Two 6 (infrared lamps 1380 nm) are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the air flow.

In the air sterilizing / deodorizing / purifying apparatus of this embodiment, when the axial fan 6 is rotated, air is sucked from the louver 7 into the meandering duct 8 and then the delivery duct 10 is passed through the upward duct 9. From, for example, air is sent toward an air supply duct arranged in a building.

The air flow sucked from the louver 7 is
First, the lower surface 8x of the meandering duct 8 is hit and guided upward, but since the inner surface of the meandering duct 8 is coated with titanium oxide 11 which is an N-type semiconductor metal oxide, the lower surface 8x of the meandering duct 8 is coated. 180 to 3 from the ultraviolet ozone lamp 12 provided on the front side of the standing wall of
When irradiated with 60 nm ultraviolet rays, electrons are emitted from the surface of titanium oxide.

Further, since the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet ozone lamp 12 also irradiate the air stream sucked from the louver 7, the oxygen in the air stream produces the ground state oxygen atoms as described above. Oxygen molecules in the air flow react with the ground state oxygen atoms to generate ozone. At the same time, the electrons emitted to the surface of the titanium oxide 11 are electron-donated to the ground state oxygen while the air flow passes through the meandering duct 8, and the oxygen is excited to transit to the active oxygen anion.

The generated ozone-containing air flow is guided upward by the upstanding wall of the lower surface portion 8x, and then the upper surface portion 8x.
It abuts against a and is folded back, and flows into the front side of the standing wall of the lower surface portion 8y. However, since the ultraviolet sterilization lamp 13 is provided on the front side of the standing wall of the lower surface portion 8y, the wavelength of 250
Ultraviolet rays of ~ 300 nm are irradiated.

Then, the ozone is decomposed to generate singlet oxygen atoms and singlet oxygen molecules, which are generated by surface excitation of titanium oxide 11 and optical pumping. Synergistically enhanced.
After that, the air flow containing the singlet oxygen atoms and the singlet oxygen molecules is guided by the standing wall of the lower surface portion 8y toward the upper side, is collided against the upper surface portion 8b, and is folded back.
It reaches the front side of the standing wall of z and is irradiated with visible light having a wavelength of 600 to 650 nm from the high-pressure sodium lamp 14.

Upon irradiation with this visible light, the singlet oxygen molecules are transformed into ground state oxygen molecules, and the air flow containing the ground state oxygen molecules, singlet oxygen atoms and active oxygen anions is directed to the standing wall of the lower surface 8z. It is guided and folded back at the upper surface portion 8c and flows into the upward duct 9.

Since the halogen lamp 15 and the infrared lamp 16 are provided in the upward duct 9, after the visible light of 600 to 650 nm is irradiated from the halogen lamp 15, the near infrared of wavelength 1200 to 1300 nm is irradiated. It 600-650n with halogen lamp 15
The same effect as irradiation of the high-pressure sodium lamp 14 is exhibited by irradiation with visible light of m.

In the near-infrared ray having a wavelength of 1200 to 1300 nm, which is subsequently irradiated by the infrared lamp 16, the singlet oxygen atom and the active oxygen anion similarly transit to the ground state oxygen atom, but the singlet oxygen is 22. 5 Kcal / m
Since it is in the excited state of high energy of ol, the transition energy to the ground state oxygen has a high transition energy for sterilizing / deodorizing / purifying quickly and strongly, so the air sterilizing / deodorizing / purifying device of this example is used. It is capable of exhibiting a strong bactericidal action on the passing air.

In order to test the air sterilization / deodorization / purification apparatus of this embodiment, a bacteria suspension station spray duct and an air floating bacteria collection duct were installed in front of the louver 7 at the outlet from the axial fan 6. Attach a duct for collecting floating bacteria, and use a sprayer from the air inflow side to test bacteria (Staphyloccus
aureus: 10 ⁶ / ml) was sprayed. Table 1 shows the results obtained by repeating this test three times (bacteria amount / 115 l air).

[0027]

[Table 1] As is clear from this table, the bactericidal effect could be increased up to the removal rate of 99.99%.

In this embodiment, an axial fan is provided to suck and deliver air, but this is not necessary if the equipment for carrying out this is provided with a blower. .

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, the air flowing into the duct or the casing is exposed to near-ultraviolet rays or near-ultraviolet rays while being in contact with the N-type semiconductor metal oxide such as titanium oxide coated on the inner surface thereof. Because it is irradiated with laser,
The active oxygen species generated by the surface excitation of the N-type semiconductor metal oxide and the ground state oxygen are excited by optical pumping, and the generation of singlet oxygen is synergistically enhanced.

Next, the singlet oxygen is irradiated with visible light or visible light laser and near-infrared or near-infrared laser to induce electromagnetic emission of singlet oxygen, and the singlet oxygen is strongly emitted upon transition to ground state oxygen. With such transition energy, sterilization, deodorization and purification are performed instantaneously, and residual ozone in the air is not released and does not affect the human body.

Therefore, it is possible to instantaneously sterilize and deodorize a large amount of air in the process of treating polluted air, and the singlet oxygen, which is an active oxygen species generated in the process of decomposing ozone, is transferred to ground state oxygen. Therefore, it is possible to purify while reviving oxygen.

Therefore, prevention of nosocomial infections (MRSA), which is currently a problem, and sterilization and deodorization of living spaces in buildings and transportation facilities are achieved, and further, food processing, kitchens, and sterile spaces in medical institutions. Is effective as an air supply device to a place where is required.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a transverse plan view of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 Axial fan 8 Serpentine duct 9 Upward duct 11 Titanium oxide 12 UV ozone lamp 13 UV germicidal lamp 14 High pressure sodium lamp 15 Halogen lamp 16 Infrared lamp

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An activity generated by irradiating an N-type semiconductor metal oxide in a ground state oxygen atmosphere with near-ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 180 to 360 nm or near-ultraviolet laser light to cause surface excitation of the N-type semiconductor metal oxide. Ground state oxygen is excited by oxygen species and optical pumping to generate singlet oxygen, and then visible light having a wavelength of 600 to 650 nm, or a visible light laser and a near infrared ray having a wavelength of 1200 to 1300 nm, or a near infrared laser line, respectively. Single, simultaneous, or sequential irradiation to transfer singlet oxygen to ground state oxygen by stimulated emission of electromagnetic waves, and sterilize, deodorize, and purify air using the transition energy, which is characterized by sterilizing and deodorizing air.・ Purification method and its equipment 2. An N-type semiconductor metal oxide is applied to an inner surface of a duct and a casing, or fins, which come into contact with an air flow passing therethrough, and a ground state oxygen which moves while being in contact with the N-type semiconductor metal oxide has a wavelength of 180 to 360 nm. Of near-ultraviolet light or near-ultraviolet laser light, and ultraviolet irradiation means for generating singlet oxygen by optical pumping and active oxygen species generated by surface excitation of the N-type semiconductor metal oxide are provided, and Behind the ultraviolet irradiation means, visible light having a wavelength of 600 to 650 nm and wavelength of 1200 to
Sterilization of air, characterized by comprising a light irradiation means for irradiating near-infrared rays of 1300 nm or laser light, respectively, simultaneously or sequentially, and for making transition of singlet oxygen to base oxygen by emission of electromagnetic waves. Deodorization / purification device