KR20110111570A - Method and apparatus for antimicrobial air filtering using nano-electrospray technique based on aerosol process - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention generates nano-sized antimicrobial particles using nano electrospray technology, and by uniformly attaching the generated antimicrobial particles to the media using an electric field to improve microbial filtration characteristics and to prevent the growth of microorganisms on the media. The present invention relates to an antimicrobial filter manufacturing apparatus and method using nano electrostatic spraying technology. The antimicrobial filter manufacturing apparatus using the nanoelectrostatic spraying technology according to the present invention comprises a first chamber and a second chamber that are spatially connected to each other via an orifice. And an electrostatic spray nozzle for converting the antimicrobial solution into charged antimicrobial nanoparticles with a specific polarity and spraying the inner space of the second chamber, and an antimicrobial solution supply unit for supplying the antimicrobial solution into the electrostatic spray nozzle and the electrostatic spray nozzle. The first classic to induce the generation of antimicrobial nanoparticles from the antimicrobial solution by applying a high voltage Characterized in that it comprises a pressure generator.

Description

Method and apparatus for antimicrobial air filtering using nano-electrospray technique based on aerosol process

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for manufacturing antibacterial filter using nano electrostatic spraying technology, by generating nano-sized antimicrobial particles using nano electrostatic spraying technology, and uniformly attaching the generated antimicrobial particles to the media using an electric field. The present invention relates to an antimicrobial filter manufacturing apparatus and method using nano electrostatic spraying technology that can improve microbial filtration properties and prevent microorganisms from growing on the media.

Various airborne microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses are suspended in indoor air, and these suspended microorganisms cause air infections and environmental diseases, which adversely affects health. Such indoor suspended microorganisms may be filtered by a filter that removes dust primarily, but there is a problem that the microorganisms proliferate on the surface of the media and flow back into the room due to the bioactivity of the microorganisms.

In order to cope with these problems, recently, inorganic antimicrobial agents such as silver (Ag), copper (Cu), gold (Au), TiO ₂ or organic systems such as cadkin, chitosan, phytoncide, ginkgo biloba extract, herbal extract, pine needle extract and maple leaf extract A technique for preventing the growth of microorganisms by applying an antimicrobial agent to the surface of the filter medium has been proposed.

However, most of these techniques require the application of inorganic or organic antimicrobial agents in the liquid phase to the surface of the filter media, which requires a large amount of antimicrobial agents, and the problem that the antimicrobial substances adhere unevenly to the filter media surface and dry. The process has the disadvantage of requiring additionally.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, by producing nano-sized antimicrobial particles by using the electrostatic spraying technology, by applying the generated antimicrobial particles uniformly to the filter medium using an electric field to improve the microbial filtration characteristics The purpose of the present invention is to provide an antimicrobial media manufacturing apparatus and method using nano electrostatic spraying technology which can prevent microbial growth on media along with the improvement.

Antimicrobial filter manufacturing apparatus using the nanoelectrostatic spraying technology according to the present invention for achieving the above object is the first chamber and the second chamber and the antimicrobial nanoparticles charged with a specific polarity of the first chamber and the second chamber spatially connected to each other via an orifice A high voltage is applied to the electrostatic spray nozzle, which is converted into particles and sprayed into the inner space of the second chamber, the antimicrobial solution supply unit supplying the antimicrobial solution into the electrostatic spray nozzle, and the electrostatic spray nozzle, thereby preventing the antimicrobial nanoparticles from the antimicrobial solution. And a first high voltage generator for inducing generation.

A mediator is provided in the second chamber, and a mediator support for supporting the mediator is provided below the mediator, and a second high voltage generator for applying a high voltage to the mediator support may be further provided. At this time, the electrical polarity applied to the media support is opposite to the polarity of the antimicrobial nanoparticles.

A ground plate may be further provided at one side of the orifice, and the ground plate may maintain a ground state when a high voltage is applied to the electrostatic spray nozzle by the first high voltage generator. In addition, the carrier gas supply means is further provided on one side of the first chamber, the carrier gas supply means may supply a carrier gas for moving the antimicrobial nanoparticles in the first chamber.

A media is provided in the second chamber, and a media support for supporting the media is provided below the media, and a media transport means for transporting the media in one direction from one end of the second chamber may be further provided.

The antimicrobial solution is a solution in which a solid antimicrobial substance is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent, and the solid antimicrobial substance may be an organic antibacterial substance of silver, copper, TiO ₂ inorganic antibacterial substance or chitosan, phytoncide, and maple leaf extract.

Antimicrobial filter manufacturing method using a nano electrostatic spraying technology according to the present invention in the antimicrobial filter manufacturing method using a device having a first chamber and a second chamber spatially connected to each other via an orifice, one end of the first chamber By supplying an antimicrobial solution to the electrostatic spray nozzle provided in the inner space and applying a voltage to the electrostatic spray nozzle, the solvent of the antimicrobial solution is evaporated and the solute of the antimicrobial solution is converted into antimicrobial nanoparticles charged with a first polarity. Spraying the inside of the first chamber, the antimicrobial nanoparticles charged with the first polarity in the first chamber are moved through the orifice to the second chamber, and the media support provided in the second chamber to support the media. By applying a voltage, the media support is charged to the second polarity so that the antimicrobial nanoparticles of the first polarity adhere to the media surface. It characterized in that it comprises a step of preparing an antibacterial filter.

Apparatus and method for producing an antimicrobial medium using nanoelectrostatic spraying technology according to the present invention have the following effects.

By preparing the antimicrobial nanoparticles through aerosol process-based nanoelectrospray technology and attaching and bonding the antimicrobial nanoparticles to the surface of the media, the antimicrobial nanoparticles on the media surface can be uniformly distributed. Minimize the amount of

Since the antimicrobial nanoparticles generated by using the electrostatic spraying technique are unipolar, the generated antimicrobial nanoparticles have a very uniform size of monodispersion distribution and can easily control the behavior of the antimicrobial nanoparticles by controlling the surrounding electric field. It can be made easier to combine with the media.

In addition, as the preparation of the antimicrobial nanoparticles is carried out in a gaseous phase rather than a liquid phase, the process is simple and continuous process can be performed. In addition, it is possible to solve the problem of increasing the pressure loss of the media by not reducing the porosity of the media by using a small amount of antimicrobial nanoparticles.

1 is a block diagram of an antimicrobial media manufacturing apparatus using a nano electrostatic spraying technique according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a block diagram of an antimicrobial filter manufacturing apparatus using a nano electrostatic spraying technique according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flow chart for explaining the antimicrobial filter manufacturing method using a nano electrostatic spraying technique according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a graph showing the size distribution of the maple leaf extract natural antibacterial nanoparticles prepared by the antimicrobial filter production apparatus using a nano electrostatic spraying technique according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is an electron micrograph showing the surface of the antimicrobial filter media produced by the antimicrobial media manufacturing apparatus using a nano electrostatic spraying technique according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention is characterized in that by using aerosol-based nano-electrostatic spraying technology to generate the antimicrobial nanoparticles of the charged state and to attach the generated antimicrobial nanoparticles uniformly on the filter medium through an electric field, two Examples are presented below.

Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings will be described in detail the antimicrobial filter manufacturing apparatus using a nano electrostatic spraying technology according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 and 2 is a block diagram of the antimicrobial filter production apparatus using the nanoelectrostatic spraying technology according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus for manufacturing antimicrobial media using nanoelectrostatic spraying technology according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first chamber 110 and a second chamber 120. The first chamber 110 provides a space in which the antimicrobial nanoparticles in a charged state are generated, and the second chamber 120 provides a space in which the generated antimicrobial nanoparticles are uniformly attached on the surface of the filter medium 121. to provide. At this time, the first chamber 110 and the second chamber 120 are maintained in an isolated state from the external environment, respectively. In addition, the first chamber 110 and the second chamber 120 are spatially connected to each other through an orifice 130, the antimicrobial nanoparticles of the charged state in the first chamber 110 is the orifice 130 It is moved to the second chamber 120 through.

The configuration for implementing <generating antibacterial particles> and the configuration for implementing <uniform attachment of antibacterial particles onto the media> are as follows.

As described above, the configuration for implementing the antimicrobial particles includes a first chamber 110 that provides a space in which the antimicrobial nanoparticles are generated, together with the antimicrobial solution supply 111 and the electrostatic spray nozzle ( 112, a first high voltage generator 113.

The antibacterial solution supply unit 111 serves to supply the antibacterial solution to the electrostatic spray nozzle 112. The antimicrobial solution is a solution in which a solid antimicrobial substance is dissolved or dispersed in a solvent such as water and ethanol. The antimicrobial solid substance is inorganic antimicrobial substance such as silver, copper, TiO ₂ or chitosan, phytoncide, and maple leaf extract. Organic-based antibacterial substances such as these may be used. In addition, the antimicrobial solution supply unit 111 is composed of a flow controller, a syringe pump, etc. can quantify the supply of the antimicrobial solution.

The electrostatic spray nozzle 112 serves to convert the antimicrobial solution into antimicrobial nanoparticles in a charged state. Specifically, one end of the electrostatic spray nozzle 112 is provided in a state connected to the internal space of the first chamber 110, one side is electrically connected to the first high voltage generator 113. In FIG. 1, one electrostatic spray nozzle 112 is provided, but a plurality of electrospray nozzles 112 may be provided. In this state, when the antibacterial solution is supplied from the antimicrobial solution supply unit 111 to the electrostatic spray nozzle 112 and a high voltage of 4 to 6 kV is applied from the first high voltage generator, the electrospray principle is applied. The antibacterial solution in the electrostatic spray nozzle 112 is converted into antimicrobial nanoparticles and sprayed into the interior space of the first chamber 110. At this time, the solvent component of the antimicrobial solution is evaporated by applying a high voltage, and the antimicrobial nanoparticles are charged to a single electrode of (+) or (-). In addition, one side of the orifice 130 is provided with a ground plate 140, when the high voltage is applied by the first high voltage generator 113, the ground plate 140 of the orifice 130 is grounded (ground) Keep).

Meanwhile, as described above, the antimicrobial nanoparticles in the charged state in the first chamber 110 are moved to the second chamber 120 through the orifice 130, and the antimicrobial nanoparticles are moved to the second chamber 120. Is made possible by the carrier gas. To this end, a carrier gas supply means 114 is further provided at one side of the first chamber 110, and the carrier gas supply means 114 is an inert gas such as nitrogen, argon, or the like in the first chamber 110. Supply carrier gas such as air.

The configuration for implementing <uniform adhesion of antibacterial particles onto the media> is as follows. First, the second chamber 120 is provided, and the filter medium 121 and the filter support 122 are provided in the second chamber 120. In addition, a second high voltage generator 123 electrically connected to the filter support 122 and applying a high voltage is provided.

The filter medium 121 is composed of a fabric or the like and basically serves to filter out microorganisms, and together, provides a space to which the antimicrobial nanoparticles are attached. The media supporter 122 is provided under the media 121 to support the media 121, and when the high voltage is applied by the second high voltage generator 123, the media support 120 maintains a charged state so that the second chamber 120 is provided. The antimicrobial nanoparticles in the charged state suspended in the inside serves to attract the electrically attached to the surface (121). The second high voltage generator 123 is electrically connected to the filter support 122 and serves to apply a high voltage. When a high voltage is applied to the media support 122 by the second high voltage generator 123, the electrical polarity of the media support 122 should be opposite to the polarity of the antimicrobial nanoparticles, thereby increasing the electrical attraction. The antimicrobial nanoparticles in a charged state may be moved toward the media support 122. That is, if the antimicrobial nanoparticles have a negative polarity, the media supporter 122 has a positive polarity. On the other hand, when a high voltage is applied to the media support 122, the ground plate 140 of the orifice 130 maintains the ground state.

Looking at the operation of the antimicrobial filter production apparatus using the nano-electrostatic spraying technology according to the first embodiment of the present invention having the above configuration as follows.

First, an antibacterial solution is prepared as shown in FIG. 3, and is supplied into the electrostatic spray nozzle 112 through the antibacterial solution supply 111 (S301). At this time, the antimicrobial solution is a solution in which an inorganic or organic antimicrobial substance is dispersed or dissolved in a solvent.

When an antibacterial solution is supplied into the electrostatic spray nozzle 112 and a high voltage is applied to the electrostatic spray nozzle 112 by the first high voltage generator 113, the solvent component of the antimicrobial solution according to the electrospray principle. Is evaporated and the antimicrobial material of the antimicrobial solution is converted into antimicrobial nanoparticles (S302). In addition, the generated antimicrobial nanoparticles are sprayed into the inner space of the first chamber 110 through one end of the electrostatic spray nozzle 112. At this time, the antimicrobial nanoparticles generated in the electrostatic spray nozzle 112 is charged to the (+) or (-) state. That is, the antimicrobial nanoparticles are sprayed into the first chamber 110 in a state of being charged with a specific polarity.

The charged antimicrobial nanoparticles sprayed in the first chamber 110 are carried in the carrier gas and moved to the lower part of the first chamber 110, and ultimately, between the first chamber 110 and the second chamber 120. It moves to the second chamber 120 through the orifice 130 (S303).

In the state in which the antimicrobial nanoparticles in the charged state are carried in the carrier gas and moved to the second chamber 120, the media supporter 122 forms a charged state by applying a high voltage by the second high voltage generator 123. . At this time, the electrical polarity of the filter medium support 122 is opposite to the polarity of the antimicrobial nanoparticles, so that the antimicrobial nanoparticles of opposite polarity are moved toward the filter medium support 122 by attraction and finally the filter medium 121 Attached on the surface of the antimicrobial filter is produced (S304) (S305).

Next, an antimicrobial filter manufacturing apparatus using nano electrostatic spraying technology according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In the second embodiment of the present invention, the configuration for implementing <generating antibacterial particles> is the same as that of the first embodiment described above, and the configuration for implementing <even adhesion of antibacterial particles onto the media> There is a difference. Therefore, a description of the configuration for implementing <generation of antimicrobial particles> of the second embodiment of the present invention will be omitted.

Looking at the configuration for implementing the <even adhesion of antimicrobial particles onto the media> of the second embodiment of the present invention, first having a second chamber 120, the media 121 in the second chamber 120 And the media support (122) is provided. In addition, both ends of the filter medium 121 is provided with a filter medium conveying means 124, the second high voltage generator 123 is electrically provided with the filter medium support 122 is further provided.

The filter medium 121 is provided on the filter support 122, and when the high voltage is applied to the filter support 122 by the second high voltage generator 123, the filter support 122 is applied to the polarity of the antimicrobial nanoparticles. It is charged with the opposite polarity. On the other hand, the filter medium conveying means 124 is provided at both ends of the filter medium 121 serves to transfer the filter medium 121 from one end of the second chamber 120 to the other end. Accordingly, the antimicrobial nanoparticles are attached to the surface of the filter medium 121 and the filter medium 121 is transferred by the filter medium transporting means 124, whereby the antimicrobial nanoparticles are attached to the filter medium 121 having a large area. You will be able to continue the process.

Meanwhile, in the first and second embodiments, a carrier gas is discharged through the lower portion of the second chamber 120, and a filter 150 may be further provided to filter foreign substances contained in the carrier gas. Can be.

The antimicrobial media manufacturing apparatus using the nanoelectrostatic spraying technology according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention has been described above. Hereinafter, looking at the characteristics of the antimicrobial nanoparticles and antimicrobial media produced according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a graph showing the size distribution of the antimicrobial nanoparticles produced by the antimicrobial filter production apparatus using a nanoelectrostatic spraying technology according to an embodiment of the present invention, that is, the maple leaf extract natural antimicrobial nanoparticles, Figure 5 of the present invention Electron micrographs showing the surface of the antimicrobial filter media produced by the antimicrobial filter manufacturing apparatus using a nanoelectrostatic spraying technique according to an embodiment.

First, FIG. 4 shows antimicrobial nanoparticles generated by electrostatic spraying in a state in which the applied voltage between the electrostatic spray nozzle and the orifice ground plate is set at 3.6 kV and the feed rate of the antimicrobial solution by the antimicrobial solution supply unit is 50 μL / h. The size distribution of the particles is shown. In FIG. 4, the X axis represents the diameter of the generated antimicrobial nanoparticles, and the Y axis represents the concentration according to the size of the antimicrobial nanoparticles. As shown in Figure 4, the diameter of the antimicrobial nanoparticles having the maximum concentration has a peak diameter of 34, 155, 224 nm and can be seen to occur with a wide size distribution.

On the other hand, Figure 5 shows that the antimicrobial nanoparticles of Figure 4 attached to the surface, it can be seen that the antimicrobial nanoparticles are uniformly distributed on the surface of the media as shown in FIG.

110: first chamber 111: antibacterial solution supply
112: electrostatic spray nozzle 113: first high voltage generator
114: carrier gas supply means 120: second chamber
121: media support 122: media support
123: second high voltage generator 130: orifice
140: ground plate 150: filter

Claims (11)

A first chamber and a second chamber spatially connected to each other via an orifice;
An electrostatic spray nozzle which converts the antimicrobial solution into the antimicrobial nanoparticles charged with a specific polarity and sprays the internal space of the second chamber;
Antibacterial solution supply unit for supplying an antibacterial solution in the electrostatic spray nozzle; And
Apparatus for producing an antimicrobial filter material using a nano electrostatic spraying technology comprising a first high voltage generator for applying a high voltage to the electrostatic spray nozzles to induce the generation of antimicrobial nanoparticles from the antimicrobial solution.
The method of claim 1, wherein a media is provided in the second chamber, the lower portion of the media is provided with a media support for supporting the media,
Antimicrobial filter production apparatus using a nano-electrostatic spraying technology, characterized in that the second high voltage generator is further provided for applying a high voltage to the filter support.
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the electrical polarity applied to the filter support is opposite to the polarity of the antimicrobial nanoparticles.
The nanoelectrostatic spraying of claim 1, further comprising a ground plate on one side of the orifice, wherein the ground plate maintains a ground state when a high voltage is applied to the electrostatic spray nozzle by the first high voltage generator. Antibacterial filter manufacturing device using technology.
The nanoelectrostatic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a carrier gas supply means at one side of the first chamber, wherein the carrier gas supply means supplies a carrier gas for moving the antimicrobial nanoparticles into the first chamber. Antibacterial filter manufacturing device using the spray technology.
The method of claim 1, wherein a media is provided in the second chamber, the lower portion of the media is provided with a media support for supporting the media,
Antimicrobial filter production apparatus using a nano-electrostatic spraying technology, characterized in that the filter medium is further provided for transferring the filter medium in one direction from one end of the second chamber.
According to claim 1, wherein the antimicrobial solution is an antibacterial filter manufacturing apparatus using a nano-electrostatic spraying technology, characterized in that the solid solution of the antimicrobial material dissolved or dispersed in a solvent.
The method of claim 7, wherein the solid phase antimicrobial material is silver, copper, TiO ₂ inorganic antimicrobial material or chitosan, phytoncide, maple leaf extract organic antibacterial material using nano electrostatic spraying technology, characterized in that the device.
In the antimicrobial filter manufacturing method using a device having a first chamber and a second chamber spatially connected to each other via an orifice,
One end is supplied with an antimicrobial solution to the electrostatic spray nozzle provided in the interior space of the first chamber, and a voltage is applied to the electrostatic spray nozzle, the solvent of the antimicrobial solution is evaporated and the solute of the antimicrobial solution is antimicrobial charged with the first polarity. Converting to nanoparticles and spraying inside the first chamber;
Moving the antimicrobial nanoparticles charged with the first polarity in the first chamber through the orifice to the second chamber; And
Applying a voltage to the media support provided in the second chamber to support the media, charging the media support to the second polarity to make the antimicrobial nanoparticles of the first polarity on the media surface to produce an antimicrobial media Antimicrobial media manufacturing method using a nano electrostatic spraying technology, characterized in that it comprises a step.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first polarity and the second polarity are opposite polarities.
The method of claim 9, wherein the antimicrobial nanoparticles charged with the first polarity in the first chamber are moved through the orifice to the second chamber,
The antimicrobial nanoparticles manufacturing method using a nano electrostatic spraying technology, characterized in that the movement by the carrier gas.

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