JPH10156349A - Method for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying air and water and device therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively extirpate bacteria, etc., suspending in water by forming an air passage with a composition contg. the mixture of tourmaline powder and the oxide powder of an N-type semiconductor metal, passing air through the passage and irradiating the composition with a UV of specified wavelength. SOLUTION: The air introduced into a housing 12 is allowed to flow meanderingly in the vertical direction, irradiated with a UV of 180-200nm wavelength in a first chamber 122 and partially ozonized. Further, since the tourmaline powder applied on the inner wall of the housing 12 and the coating layer 14 are also irradiated with the UV, the polarization of the tourmaline powder is enhanced, and the emission of electron is promoted. The electron is retained by the oxygen in air to form active oxygen ion, and hydroxyl radical exhibiting a powerful sterilizing action is formed. The air is irradiated with the UVs of 200-300nm and 300-420nm wavelength also in the second chamber 124 and third chamber 125, and the bacteria and microorganism in the air are completely extirpated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying air and water for environmental protection.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, methods for sterilizing and purifying air include a method in which ozone is blown and its oxidizing power is used, and an irradiation method using an ultraviolet lamp. On the other hand, water sterilization methods include a method of introducing ozone into water and a water-passing ultraviolet sterilization method of irradiating ultraviolet light to water, and recently, a method using these ozone and ultraviolet light in combination is also known. (See, for example, JP-A-7-204670 and JP-A-7-313130).

[0003]

Ozone decomposes at room temperature and exhibits oxidizing bactericidal activity. However, if ozone is not sufficiently decomposed in the ozone sterilization of indoor air and a human enters a room indoors, it is harmful to the human body. Yes, especially in the case of high concentration ozone, it cannot be avoided that it is released into the atmosphere as residual ozone,
There is also a problem in that handling is difficult. When disinfecting air using an ultraviolet lamp, a lamp that emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 254 nm (strictly, 253.7 nm) is mainly used, but ultraviolet light has almost no penetrability to a substance, and therefore does not hit directly. The shaded area cannot be sterilized by ultraviolet rays, and must rely on ozone generated simultaneously by irradiation of ultraviolet rays. Is harmful to the human body as described above.

On the other hand, when ozone is used for sterilizing water,
In water, the decomposition rate of ozone is relatively low, and therefore, there is a possibility that ozone may remain in the water. If this ozone-containing water is used for drinking or the like, it may adversely affect humans and organisms. It should be noted that the water-passing type UV sterilization method is intended to kill bacteria floating in the water by irradiating ultraviolet light having the same wavelength as above to the flowing water, but the permeability in the water is too small. Since it is not high, there is a problem in processing capacity.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems The present inventors have paid attention to the physical properties of tourmaline and an oxide of an N-type semiconductor metal. In other words, tourmaline (tourmarine) is processed as a gem in the form of a transparent gem, and is considered to be the birthstone of October alongside opal, but opaque shawl tourmaline (Schorl tourma
rine), Lithia tourmarine and Dravite tourmarine have no jewelry value, and tourmaline is called piezo (piezoelectric) and pyro (Pyroelectric) It is used for industrial purposes because it shows characteristics.However, tourmaline is a polar crystal, regardless of whether it is a gemstone or not, it always polarizes and emits electrons, generating a weak current of about 0.06 mA. The static voltage generated is higher for the crystalline powder, the smaller it is, the higher it is, and it is inversely proportional to the square of the length of the crystal according to the calculation of the static voltage of solid physics. Is expected to reach 1,000,000 volts, whereas oxides of N-type semiconducting metals, such as titanium oxide, show a photocatalytic effect when irradiated with ultraviolet light, and excite to emit electrons. This is because it has the property of The inventor of the present invention has found that the irradiation of tourmaline with ultraviolet light enhances the polarization action and promotes the emission of electrons.On the other hand, oxygen in the air and water is an electron acceptor, so it accepts electrons from tourmaline and activates oxygen ions (anions). And the electrons emitted when titanium oxide is irradiated with ultraviolet rays also generate active oxygen ions, which react with water or moisture in the air to generate hydroxy radicals. Hydroxyl radicals have a strong bactericidal action on air and water, that is, they enhance the polarization action of tourmaline by irradiation of ultraviolet light and photo-excit titanium oxide, so that both exert a synergistic effect to sterilize air and water. The intense study was conducted assuming that the purification action would be significantly improved. As a result, it was confirmed that these were true, and it was found that the above-mentioned problems were solved, and that at this time, deodorization of air and water was brought about, and thus the present invention was completed.

[0006] Therefore, the sterilization, deodorization,
The purification method comprises forming a flow path of air with a composition containing a mixture of tourmaline powder and an oxide powder of an N-type semiconductor metal, and passing the air through the flow path to give a wavelength to the composition.
It is characterized by irradiating ultraviolet rays of 180-420nm.

An air sterilizing / deodorizing / purifying apparatus according to the present invention comprises a duct-shaped casing and a composition formed on the inner wall of the casing and containing a mixture of tourmaline powder and N-type semiconductor metal oxide powder. The formed coating layer or the composition is molded, and then the ceramic body is formed into a cylindrical body.
It is characterized by comprising an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays of 180-420 nm, and a fan arranged at an air inlet or outlet of the casing.

On the other hand, in the method for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying water according to the present invention, a mixture of tourmaline powder and N-type semiconductor metal oxide powder is contained on the inner wall of a housing having an inlet and an outlet for water. The method is characterized in that a coating layer is formed or the mixture is formed, and then the mixture is ceramicized and supported, and water is passed through the inside of the housing and irradiated with ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 180 to 420 nm.

An apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying water according to the present invention has a housing having an inlet and an outlet for water, and is carried on the inner wall of the housing.
A coating layer formed of a composition containing a mixture with a mold semiconductor metal oxide powder or the above-described composition is molded, and then a cylindrical body formed by ceramicization is disposed inside the housing. And an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 to 420 nm.

[0010] In the case of sterilization, deodorization and purification of water, it is advantageous to blow oxygen or air as fine bubbles into the inside from the bottom of the housing. Because oxygen and oxygen in the air react with electrons emitted by the polarization action of tourmaline and the photoexcitation action of titanium oxide to become active oxygen ions, which react with water to form strong oxidative hydroxyl radicals. Because. The irradiation of the ultraviolet rays promotes the polarization action of tourmaline, and as a result, electrolysis of water occurs slightly as described below, which is presumed to contribute to the additional generation of hydroxy radicals. ^{_{H 2 O → H + + OH}} -

In the present invention, the oxide of the N-type semiconductor metal can be titanium oxide as described above. As the titanium oxide, either an anatase type or a rutile type can be used, but ultraviolet rays used for irradiation have an energy higher than the band gap of the titanium oxide (anatase type: 3.2 eV, rutile type: 3.0 eV). The wavelength is 387 nm or less for the anatase type and 413 nm or less for the rutile type. In the present invention, the wavelength of the ultraviolet light is defined as 180-420 nm because the ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 180-200 nm has an action of ozonizing oxygen and air, and the ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 200-300 nm converts ozone into active oxygen atoms. (Ion) and active oxygen molecules, and has the action of forming superoxide from the formed active oxygen atoms. Ultraviolet rays of 300-420 nm convert the active oxygen molecules and superoxide to the ground state, that is, the normal state. This is because they change into oxygen molecules and release strong transition energy at that time, and this energy shows high bactericidal action. Therefore, it is preferable to use an ultraviolet lamp which generates ultraviolet rays of different wavelengths in combination, especially in sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying air.

[0012]

Next, the apparatus according to the present invention will be described in more detail and concretely with reference to the drawings, and the effects of the method of the present invention will be described using test examples. Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 shows an example of an apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying air according to the present invention. This device 10 has an air inlet 121
And a duct-like casing 12 having an outlet 123. A coating layer 14 made of a mixture of tourmaline powder and titanium oxide powder and an adhesive is formed on the inner wall of the casing 12. An air supply fan 16 is arranged on the air inlet side of the casing 12, and a plurality of partition walls 125 are formed inside the casing in order to lengthen the air flow path in the casing having a limited longitudinal length. The interior space is divided into a first room 122, a second room 124, and a third room 126, and the same coating layer is formed on the surface of these partition walls.
Ultraviolet lamps 18, 20 in 2, 124 and 126 respectively
And 22 are arranged, of which the ultraviolet lamp 18 emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 180-200 nm, and the ultraviolet lamp 20
UV light of 200-300nm, UV lamp 22 has wavelength
It is designed to irradiate ultraviolet rays of 300-420 nm.
It should be noted that an intake fan (not shown) can be used instead of the air supply fan 16, and in this case, the fan is disposed on the air outlet side. Same as when used.

Accordingly, the air flowing into the housing 12 meanders in the vertical direction as shown by the arrows, flows in each room, and is guided to the outlet 123. In this process, the air is processed as follows. . That is, Room 1 122
The air that has flowed into the interior is irradiated with ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 180-200 nm, and a part of the air is ozonized, and the ozone kills microorganisms that may be suspended in the air. Of the tourmaline particles forming the coating layer 14, the electron emission is promoted, and the titanium oxide is photo-excited to emit electrons, and these electrons are emitted. The electrons are trapped by oxygen in the air to be treated to form active oxygen ions, which react with water or moisture in the air to form hydroxyl radicals having a strong bactericidal action. On the other hand, the ultraviolet lamp 20 installed in the second chamber 124 irradiates the ozone-containing air from the first chamber 122 with ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 200 to 300 nm to convert ozone into active oxygen atoms.
(Ions) and active oxygen molecules, and active oxygen atoms to superoxide, and the irradiated ultraviolet light is applied to the coating layer 14 applied to the inner wall of the housing 12 as in the first chamber 122. Irradiated to exert the same function as above. Further, the ultraviolet lamp 22 installed in the third room 126 emits ultraviolet light having a wavelength of 300 to 420 nm in the second room 126.
By irradiating the air from 124 with the active oxygen molecules and superoxide contained in the air into ground state oxygen molecules, a strong transition energy is generated, and this transition energy is The germicidal and illuminated UV light, as in the first chamber 122,
Irradiation is applied to the coating layer 14 provided on the inner wall of the housing 12 so as to exhibit the same function as described above.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of an apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying water according to the present invention. This device 30 has a housing having an inlet 321 and an outlet 323 for the water to be treated.
A cylindrical body 34 disposed in contact with the inner wall of the housing 32 and having corresponding water inlets 341 and outlets 343; and an ultraviolet lamp 36 arranged to be immersed in water. And The cylindrical body 34 is formed by using tourmaline powder, titanium oxide powder, and glaze, and then molding and firing at about 850 ° C., while the ultraviolet lamp 36 has a wavelength of 300-420.
It has the ability to irradiate ultraviolet light of nm. In the case of performing water treatment using this device 30, first, the ultraviolet lamp 36 is turned on, and then the water to be treated is guided to the inside of the cylinder 34 via the inlets 321 and 341. The water to be treated gradually rises in the cylindrical body 34 as shown by the arrow, and is guided to the outside through the upper outlets 343 and 323. In this process, the purification treatment is performed. That is, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp 36 is applied to the inner wall of the cylindrical body 34 and acts on the tourmaline particles constituting the cylindrical body to enhance the polarization action to promote the emission of electrons and to photo-excit titanium oxide to generate electrons. These electrons are trapped by dissolved oxygen in the water to be treated to form active oxygen ions, and the active oxygen ions react with the water to be treated to form hydroxy radicals. Water sterilization, deodorization and purification are provided. It is presumed that the polarization action of tourmaline is strengthened by the irradiation of ultraviolet rays, and water electrolysis occurs, which also causes additional formation of hydroxyl radicals.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying water according to the present invention. This device 40 is a cylinder
The structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 2 except that a plurality of semi-circular bulkheads 445 are provided in Fig. 44. As shown, the flow is meandering from below to above and thus the flow path is longer, so that the function is almost the same except that it is more uniformly processed.

Embodiment 4 FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying water according to the present invention. In this device 50, a microbubble generating member 58 is disposed at the bottom of a housing 52. The microbubble generating member 58 is disposed outside the housing 50 and connects an air pump 60 and a pipe 62 driven by a motor 601. And thus the cylinder 54
The structure is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2, except that fine bubbles are introduced into the water to be treated.
The oxygen contained in the air in the microbubbles, together with the dissolved oxygen in the water to be treated, captures the electrons emitted from the cylinder 52 by the irradiation of the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet lamp 56 and changes into active oxygen ions. Reactive oxygen ions react with water to form hydroxy radicals having a strong bactericidal action, which contributes to the improvement of germicidal, deodorizing, and purification efficiency.

Test Example 1 (Sterilization Treatment of Air) A sterilization treatment test of bacteria was carried out using an apparatus as shown in FIG. Specification of apparatus used are as follows, as the bacteria Staphylococcus aureus (Staphy a food poisoning bacterium
lococcus aureus ), about 10 ⁵ cells / ml were introduced into the apparatus by a sprayer from the air inlet side, and captured by a sampler at the air outlet side, and the number of bacteria was examined. Coating layer on inner wall of casing: An adhesive is added to an equal mixture of tourmaline powder (325 mesh) and anatase-type titanium oxide powder, kneaded, applied to the inner wall of the casing, and dried (thickness: about 0.3 mm), air supply fan: capacity: about 1000 l / min, air flow rate through the device: 17 l / sec, ultraviolet lamp: 30 W / 100 V (wavelength 184 nm) x 1, 80 W / 100 V
(Wavelength 254nm) x 1 and 80W / 100V (wavelength 375nm) x 1. The results of repeating the above test three times are as shown in Table 1 below, and the average removal rate of bacteria has reached 99.95% .According to this device, bacteria in the air can be killed almost instantly.
(Decomposition) was revealed.

[0018]

[Table 1]

Test Example 2 (Deodorization treatment of air) The apparatus used in Test example 1 was placed in a room under the following conditions, and cut and cut fish ara and onion were put into a bucket, and the bucket was sealed. An original odor (bad odor containing mercaptan as a main component) was created by leaving it in the above room for 3 days, and this original odor was collected in a sampling bag and subjected to a sensory test (paneler: 7 persons). .
After that, while the above-mentioned apparatus was operated, indoor air was sampled with time, and a sensory test was similarly performed. Room volume: 7 x 5 x 2.5m = 87.5m 3, room temperature: room temperature (22 ° C.), humidity: 65%. The results are as shown in Table 2 below, and the original odor concentrated on odor intensity 3 (strong odor),
After 6 hours, almost all panelists stated that they had a slight smell.

[0020]

[Table 2]

Test Example 2 (Sterilization and Deodorization Treatment of Water) A sterilization and deodorization test of water was carried out using an apparatus as shown in FIG. The specifications of this device are as follows.Sensory test for odor of raw water and treated water was conducted using river water collected from Sumida River (in Sumida-ku, Tokyo) as treated water (raw water) (paneler: 7 Name),
The numbers of common bacteria and Escherichia coli in these test waters were also examined. Tube placed in the housing: tourmaline powder (325
(Mesh) 35 parts by volume and anatase type titanium oxide powder 3
5 parts by volume and 30 parts by volume of glaze are mixed, kneaded by adding water, formed into a cylindrical body, dried, and fired at a temperature of 850 ° C. (thickness: 5 mm, inner diameter; 40mm, length; 3
50mm), treated water volume: 3 liters / min, UV lamp: 15W / 100V (wavelength 375nm) x 1. The results are as shown in Tables 3 and 4 below,
Raw water is an obvious odor with an odor intensity of 2
Almost all of the panelists stated that they had a `` smell odor '', but the answers on treated water were concentrated on `` odorless '', while general bacteria and Escherichia coli were present in raw water, but from treated water, Neither was detected, thus demonstrating that the apparatus is extremely effective in deodorizing and sterilizing contaminated water.

[0022]

[Table 3]

[0023]

[Table 4]

[0024]

According to the present invention, tourmaline and titanium oxide are used to sterilize, deodorize, and purify air or water by utilizing the synergistic effect of the action exhibited when irradiated with ultraviolet light. It can be processed in a large amount and instantaneously.
It is expected that sterilization and deodorization of transportation and living spaces can be achieved, and furthermore, it can be expected to be effective as an air supply device for food processing, kitchens, and medical facilities where sterile space is required. In the sterilization treatment of water, the reaction between active oxygen ions and water promotes the generation of hydroxyl radicals, so that sterilization, deodorization, and purification are effectively performed, and pathogenic Escherichia coli (O- 157) etc.Specifically, sterilization of well water, rainwater drinking water, drinking water of rivers and lakes in case of disaster, sterilization of fishery processing water, sterilization of food processing water, It can be expected to save water resources and protect the environment, such as purification of aquariums for cultured fish and shellfish, sterilization and purification of water for swimming pools, and sterilization and purification of circulating water for hydroponics.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows an apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying air according to the present invention.
It is a longitudinal section showing an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a first view of a water sterilizing / deodorizing / purifying apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a longitudinal section showing an embodiment.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the water sterilization / deodorization / purification apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a longitudinal section showing an embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the water sterilization / deodorization / purification apparatus according to the present invention.
It is a longitudinal section showing an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10: Air sterilization / deodorization / purification device 12: Casing 14: Coating layer 16: Air supply fan 18, 20, 22: UV lamp 30, 40, 50: Water sterilization / deodorization / purification device 32, 52: Housing 34 , 44, 54: Cylindrical body 36, 56: Ultraviolet lamp 58: Fine bubble generating member 60: Air pump

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI C02F 1/50 510 C02F 1/50 510A 520 520A 531 531C 540 540C 550 550B 560 560C 560F

Claims (7)

[Claims] An air flow path is formed from a composition containing a mixture of tourmaline powder and an N-type semiconductor metal oxide powder, and a wavelength of 180 nm is applied to the composition while flowing air through the flow path. -A method of sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying air characterized by irradiating 420 nm ultraviolet rays. 2. The method for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying air according to claim 1, wherein the oxide of the N-type semiconductor metal is titanium oxide. 3. A coating layer formed from a duct-shaped casing and a composition formed on an inner wall of the casing and containing a mixture of tourmaline powder and an oxide powder of an N-type semiconductor metal, or the composition is formed. Then, a cylindrical body formed by ceramicization, an ultraviolet lamp arranged in the casing and irradiating ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 to 420 nm, and a fan arranged in an air inlet or outlet of the casing. An air sterilization / deodorization / purification device comprising: 4. A coating layer formed from a composition containing a mixture of tourmaline powder and an oxide powder of an N-type semiconductor metal on the inner wall of a housing having an inlet and an outlet for water, or a coating layer formed from the composition. A method of sterilizing, deodorizing, and purifying water, wherein a cylindrical body formed by molding and then ceramicizing is carried, water is passed through the inside of the housing, and ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 to 420 nm are irradiated. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the oxide of the N-type semiconductor metal is titanium oxide.
Deodorization and purification method. 6. A housing having an inlet and an outlet for water, and a composition supported on the inner wall of the housing and containing a mixture of tourmaline powder and N-type semiconductor metal oxide powder. And a cylindrical body formed from the above composition and then ceramicized, and a wavelength 1
An apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying water, comprising an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays of 80-420 nm. 7. A housing having an inlet and an outlet for water and a composition supported on the inner wall of the housing and containing a mixture of tourmaline powder and oxide powder of an N-type semiconductor metal. A cylindrical body formed by forming a coating layer or the above composition, and then being ceramicized, and disposed inside the housing and having a wavelength
An apparatus for sterilizing, deodorizing and purifying water, comprising: an ultraviolet lamp for irradiating ultraviolet rays of 180 to 420 nm; and a member for generating fine bubbles of oxygen or air disposed at the bottom of the housing.