WO2003033037A1

WO2003033037A1 - Deodorizing device

Info

Publication number: WO2003033037A1
Application number: PCT/JP2002/010271
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hideyuki Suzuki
Original assignee: Nichimen Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2001-10-16
Filing date: 2002-10-02
Publication date: 2003-04-24

Abstract

A deodorizing device capable of removing odor components and eliminating maintenance by solving such problems that a conventional air cleaner using photocatalyst cannot remove odor components except when activated charcoal is used in which maintenance cannot be eliminated, wherein photocatalyst (10) mainly formed of pulverized tourmaline is fixed onto the surface of an air flow passage at a specified portion, for example, onto an air filter (6), photocatalyst exciting light sources (7, 11) are installed opposite to the photocatalyst (10) fixed portion, a dehumidifying means (12) is installed on the upstream side of the photocatalyst (10) fixed portion, and light emitting diodes should desirably be used for the photocatalyst exciting light sources (7, 11).

Description

Specification

Deodorizing equipment Technical field

The present invention relates to an improvement in an apparatus for removing odor in air. Background art

Some conventional air purifiers use both a dust-collecting filter and a photocatalyst. The non-woven cloth made of nylon, rayon, cotton, etc. is used for the dust collection filter, and pollutants, dust and other suspended matters in the air are removed by this. Titanium oxide is used for the photocatalyst, which is excited by irradiating ultraviolet rays to decompose and remove harmful substances such as NOx and CO.

However, the conventional air purifier has little effect of removing odor. Furthermore, since an ultraviolet lamp is used as a light source for irradiating the ultraviolet light, there is a drawback that the power consumption is large and the device becomes large.

Therefore, it is conceivable to remove odors by using activated carbon in combination, but even activated carbon has a limited ability to deodorize amides such as trimethylamine, which is a putrefactive odor of meat and fish. The residual concentration of trimethylamine can only be reduced to about 1Z4.

In addition, activated carbon has a limited processing capacity, and it is necessary to replace it with new one after a certain period of use, so it is not maintenance-free.

The present invention is to provide a maintenance-free deodorizing apparatus which can eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, can remove various odors, and is maintenance-free. Furthermore, the purpose is to incorporate this into devices that require deodorization, such as air conditioners. Disclosure of the invention In order to achieve the above object, the present inventors have conducted intensive studies and found that the use of crushed tourmaline or granular tourmaline as a photocatalyst enables removal of odor components, and irradiation of tourmaline. Although the light to be emitted is preferably ultraviolet light, blue light having a wavelength of about 470 nm may be used, and a currently known blue light emitting diode can be used. The inventors have found that the garbage odor can be removed when the concentration is reduced, and the present invention has been accomplished. That is, the invention of claim 1 comprises fixing a photocatalyst containing at least pulverized tourmaline on a surface of a predetermined location in an air flow path, and providing a photocatalyst excitation light source opposed to the location where the photocatalyst is fixed. Become.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect, a dehumidifying unit is further provided upstream of a location in the air flow path where the photocatalyst is fixed.

The invention according to claim 3 is to provide a photocatalyst excitation light source at a predetermined position in the air flow path, and to provide a heating unit facing the photocatalyst excitation light source,

A photocatalyst containing at least pulverized tourmaline is deposited on the surface of the heating means.

The invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the photocatalyst exciting light source according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is a light emitting diode that emits light having a wavelength of about 60 nm to 470 nm. .

The invention of claim 5 is a photocatalyst according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one of titanium oxide, phthalocyanine, and a compound of phthalocyanine is added to the crushed tourmaline and mixed. It is characterized by the following.

In the invention according to claim 6, an ultraviolet light emitter is arranged at the center of the ventilation tube, and a gap between the ultraviolet light emitter and the ventilation tube is filled with granular tourmaline.

According to the invention of claim 7, the dehumidifying means is provided upstream of the ventilation pipe of claim 6. And features. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Fig. 1 is a schematic sectional view of the main part of the deodorizing device. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of the deodorizing apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a deodorizing device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a deodorizing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a main part of a deodorizing apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. Figure 6 is a front view of the ventilation tube. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a deodorizing device provided with a dehumidifying means on the upstream side of the ventilation pipe. FIG. 8 is a chart comparing the odor component removal ability of the photocatalyst according to the present invention with titanium oxide and activated carbon. Fig. 9 is a chart comparing the odor component removal abilities when irradiating tourmaline with light and when not irradiating it. FIG. 10 is a chart comparing the odor component removal abilities of the case where phthalocyanine is irradiated with light and the case where light is not irradiated. Figure 1.1 is a plan view of the test equipment. FIG. 12 is a side view of the test apparatus. Figure 13 is a chart comparing the odor component removal ability of food waste odor when dehumidified and when it is not dehumidified. Fig. 14 is a chart comparing the odor component removal ability by changing the diameter of the ventilation pipe and the number of sterilization pipes. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

• Figure 1 is a schematic sectional view of the main part of the deodorizer.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a case of a deodorizer, which has an air inlet 2 on the left side and an air outlet 3 on the upper surface. Reference numeral 4 denotes a fan mounted at a position facing the air suction port 2 in the case 1, and a dust collection filter 5 is mounted between the fan 4 and the air suction port 2.

This dust filter 5 is the same as the dust filter of conventional air purifiers such as nonwoven fabric. It is the same as that used.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a honeycomb-shaped air filter provided in front of the air outlet 3, which has a surface coated with a photocatalyst and fixed. The main component of the photocatalyst is a mixture of tourmaline (tolumarin) ground to a particle size of about 5 to 30 μm, and titanium oxide particles and phthalocyanine (phthalocyanine compounds such as metal phthalocyanine derivatives). The particles are mixed together.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a light source for photocatalyst excitation provided opposite to the air filter 6, which uses a light emitting diode (blue light emitting diode) that emits blue light with a wavelength of about 470 nm, an ultraviolet lamp, and a light emitting diode that emits ultraviolet light. I do.

A plurality of the photocatalyst excitation light sources 7 are provided so that the light shines on the air filter 6, and a reflector 8 is mounted close to the photocatalyst excitation light source 7.

In the deodorizing device configured as described above, when the fan 4 is rotated, air is taken into the device from the air suction port 2, and dust is removed when passing through the dust collecting filter 5.

Next, the air in contact with the air filter 6 is decomposed into formalin, acetate aldehyde, and other odor components, and is discharged from the air outlet 3.

In the above embodiment, tourmaline is a main component as a photocatalyst, and titanium oxide, a phthalocyanine compound, or a phthalocyanine compound are added to the photocatalyst. However, these may not be added. However, when titanium oxide or phthalocyanine is added, the effect of removing toxic components such as NO x and CO is dramatically improved.

In the above embodiment, the dust collection filter 5 is attached, but this need not be attached. However, if the dust collection filter 5 is installed on the upstream side of the air filter 6, the air after dust removal will be deodorized, and the dust will not adhere to the surface of the air filter 6 and the deodorization efficiency will be good for a long time. Retention it can.

Further, in the present invention, the force air filter for fixing the photocatalyst to the honeycomb-shaped air filter 6 may be any shape as long as air can pass through the surface thereof, and may have any shape.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of a main part of the deodorizing device.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a case of a deodorizing device, which is provided with an air inlet 2 on the upper left side and an air outlet 3 on the upper right side. Reference numeral 4 denotes a fan mounted below the air inlet 2, which forms an air flow from the air inlet 2 to the air outlet 3. The same photocatalyst 10 as that used in the above embodiment is fixed on the inner surface of the case 9 which comes into contact with this air flow. Then, a photocatalyst excitation light source 11 is attached to face the photocatalyst 10.

The above-mentioned deodorizing device is not limited to the above embodiment, and may be incorporated in a device such as an air-con which sends air whose temperature and humidity are adjusted. When incorporated in an air conditioner or the like, the deodorizing apparatus of the present invention may be provided in the middle of the air flow path, and may be provided, for example, near the air outlet.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a deodorizing apparatus particularly suitable for a garbage disposer.

The difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that a dehumidifying unit 12 is provided on the upstream side of the position where the photocatalyst 10 is fixed.

The garbage odor contains moisture, and the main component is crushed tourmaline (tormaline) having a particle size of about 5 to 30 m after dehumidification, with titanium oxide particles and phthalocyanine (metallic lid). (It may be a phthalocyanine compound such as a mouth cyanine derivative.) It was found that contacting with a mixed photocatalyst with a mixed photocatalyst was extremely effective against garbage odor, and this configuration was adopted. It is.

The dehumidifying means 12 is provided with an intake port 14, an exhaust port 15, and a steam discharge port 16 in an airtight container 13, and furthermore, an electric heater 17 is provided in the container 13 for dehumidification. Things.

Note that the dehumidifying means 12 is not limited to the above-described configuration, and may be, for example, a means that allows the moisture to pass through a desiccant. However, the configuration using the electric heater 17 has an advantage that the dehumidifying portion is also maintenance-free.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a main part of the deodorizing device.

The difference from the above embodiment is that a dehumidifying unit is not separately provided, a heating unit 18 such as a panel-shaped heater is provided in opposition to the photocatalyst excitation light source 7, and the photocatalyst 10 is fixed on the surface of the heating unit 18. That is.

The photocatalyst 10 utilizes the fact that there is no significant change in the deodorizing effect even when heated, and has the advantage that the size of the device can be reduced as compared with the case where the dehumidifying means is separately provided.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a main part of a deodorizing device particularly suitable for rotten odor of meat and fish.

The difference from the above embodiments is that the ultraviolet light emitters 20 are arranged in the center of the ventilation pipe 19 and the gap between the ventilation pipe 19 and the ultraviolet light emitter 20 is filled with granular electromagnet 21. Then, air containing odor is passed through the ventilation pipe 19.

That is, 9 is the case of the deodorizing device, which is provided with the air inlet 2 on the upper left side and the air outlet 3 on the upper right side.

Connect the fan 4 to one end of the ventilation pipe 19 and An ultraviolet light emitter 20 is arranged at the core. Further, the gap between the ultraviolet light emitter 20 and the ventilation pipe 19 is filled with granular tourmaline 21.

Further, as shown in FIG. 7, a dehumidifying means 12 may be provided upstream of the ventilation pipe 4.

The dehumidifying means 12 is provided with an intake port 14, an exhaust port 15, and a steam exhaust port 16 in an airtight container 13, and an electric heater 17 is provided in the container 13 for dehumidification. Is what you do.

By providing the dehumidifying means 12 in this way, when the odorous air contains moisture, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the deodorizing ability due to the condensation of the surface of the granular tourmaline 21 or the like.

Further, the passage of the warmed air warms and activates the granular tourmaline 21 and improves the deodorizing ability.

Although the photocatalyst excitation light sources 7, 11 and 20 used in the above embodiments are not limited, a diode that emits blue light, a sterilizing tube or an LED (light emitting diode) that emits ultraviolet light, a black light, etc. Use Use of a light emitting diode significantly reduces power consumption and prolongs its life.

Further, the photocatalyst of the present invention has a feature not found in conventional photocatalysts that not only a diode emitting ultraviolet light but also a diode emitting blue light can be used.

(Example)

Fig. 8 shows the odor components in the case where titanium oxide is used as the main component in the air filter 6, the case where activated carbon is used, and the case where the photocatalyst (main component tourmaline) of the present invention is used. 4 is a chart comparing the removal abilities of the test (the lemon odor was used in the test).

The photocatalyst (main component tourmaline) according to the present invention is superior in the ability to remove odor components as compared with the photocatalyst using titanium oxide. Also, the odor component Although its removal capacity is slightly lower than that of activated carbon, it has the advantage that it does not need to be replaced because it decomposes and removes odors instead of adsorbing and removing them.

In addition, as shown in Fig. 9, tourmaline has the ability to remove odor components such as acetate and formaldehyde without irradiating light. improves.

In addition, phthalocyanine or its compound has the ability to remove odor components such as acetate and formaldehyde without irradiating light, but by irradiating with light, as shown in FIG. Its ability is improved.

In the tests shown in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10, the odor of lemon was used as the odor component, but it seems that the same applies to other odor components.

The tests shown in Figs. 8 to 10 were performed using the devices shown in Figs.

That is, 22 is a sealing case, which is provided in the intake port 23 and the exhaust port 24. Then, a concentration measuring device (product name: XP-32 9 made by New Cosmos Electric) 27 is connected to the intake port 23 and the exhaust port 24 via pipes 25 and 26.

Reference numeral 28 denotes an air circulation fan (trade name: MM F-08 C 1 2 DL or MM F—1 2 B 1 2 DL manufactured by Melco Techno Lex Co., Ltd.) provided in the sealing case 22. As a result, the air in the sealing case 22 is circulated as indicated by the arrow.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a plastic plate placed on the floor in the sealing case 22. A test substance 30 was uniformly spread on the plate 29.

Reference numeral 31 denotes a plurality of light sources (a blue light emitting diode manufactured by Nichia Corporation, with a peak wavelength of 470 nm, a maximum rated forward current of 30 mA, and a forward voltage of 5 V) arranged opposite to the plate 19. It is the one arranged.

The tourmaline used as a test substance was ground to a particle size of about 5 to 30 m. Titanium oxide has a particle size of about 3 μπι, and activated carbon has a particle size of about Ιμπι. One used. For phthalocyanine, Kanto Chemical Co., Ltd. CATN No. 48093 3-60 “Zinc phthalocyanine” was used.

Furthermore, in addition to the above test, when the odor removing ability of the air containing moisture and the air after the dehumidification were tested, the odor component which was 140 ppm before passing through the deodorizer (the odor component which was experimentally generated). -Ammonia) after passing through the deodorizer can reach 80 ppm in the presence of humidity (about 80% humidity) and 15 ppm in the absence of moisture (humidity 40 to 50%). I understand (Fig. 13).

Fig. 4 shows the case where nothing is put into the 75 mm diameter ventilation tube (blank), and one sterilization tube is inserted into the center of the 75 mm diameter ventilation tube, and the gap is filled with granular tourmaline ( NO. 1), When two sterilization tubes are inserted into the center of a 75 mm diameter ventilation tube and the gap is filled with granular tourmaline (N O. 2), 50 mm diameter ventilation tube center Odor components when two germicidal tubes are inserted into the gap and the gap is filled with tourmaline (NO 3) (In the test, air with a trimethylamine concentration of 70 ppm was artificially produced. 5 is a chart comparing the removal capacities of the two types.

Trimethylamine concentration was measured every 5 minutes.

Since the results of NO.3 were good, the test was continued for another month, but the outlet concentration of trimethylamine was still 0.

It is considered that the increase in the concentration of trimethylamine in NO.l and NO.2 is caused by insufficient ultraviolet rays reaching tourmaline (photocatalyst) far from the sterilizing tube.

In addition, a test was conducted by filling a 50 mm diameter vent pipe with activated carbon, and the outlet concentration of trimethylamine was reduced only to 20 ppm and never reached zero.

In the above test, the sterilization tube was manufactured by Philips (trade name: TU). V 1 ow, a trade name of Dräger Multiburn II manufactured by Dräger Japan was used as a concentration measuring instrument. Industrial applicability

In short, in the invention according to claim 1, a photocatalyst including at least pulverized tourmaline is fixed on the surface of a predetermined location in the air flow path, and the photocatalyst is opposed to the location where the photocatalyst is fixed. By providing an excitation light source, the excitation of this photocatalyst made it possible to remove odor components that could not be removed by conventional photocatalysts. Further, activated carbon having an odor component removing effect needs to be replaced when the odor component is removed in excess of a predetermined amount, but the present invention can be used for a long time without replacement.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the dehumidifying means is provided on the upstream side of the location where the photocatalyst is further fixed in the first aspect of the present invention. effective.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a photocatalyst excitation light source is provided at a predetermined position in the air flow path, and a heating means is provided to face the photocatalyst excitation light source, and at least a pulverized electric stone is provided on the surface of the heating means. Since the photocatalyst containing is fixed, the size can be reduced as compared with the case where a dehumidifying means is separately provided.

In the invention of claim 4, since a light emitting diode that emits light having a wavelength of about 60 nm to 470 nm is used as the light source for exciting the photocatalyst, the power consumption is significantly lower than that of the ultraviolet lamp. The service life is also prolonged.

According to the invention of claim 5, the photocatalyst is obtained by adding at least one of titanium oxide, phthalocyanine and a phthalocyanine compound to the crushed tourmaline, and mixing only the tourmaline. The effect of removing harmful components such as N〇X and CO is improved compared to the case of.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the ultraviolet light emitter is arranged at the center of the ventilation tube. Furthermore, since the gap between the ultraviolet light emitter and the ventilation pipe is filled with granular tourmaline, it is particularly suitable for deodorizing putrefaction odor of meat and fish. Further, when a dehumidifying means is provided on the upstream side of the ventilation pipe according to the invention of claim 6, it is possible to prevent the deodorizing ability from being lowered due to the dew condensation on the surface of the tourmaline. '

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A deodorizing device in which a photocatalyst containing at least pulverized tourmaline is fixed on the surface of a predetermined location in the air flow path, and a photocatalyst excitation light source is provided opposite the location where the photocatalyst is fixed.

2. The deodorizing device according to claim 1, further comprising a dehumidifying unit provided upstream of a location where the photocatalyst is fixed in the air flow path.

3. A photocatalyst excitation light source is provided at a predetermined position in the air flow path, and a heating means is provided to face the photocatalyst excitation light source.

A deodorizing device, comprising: attaching a photocatalyst containing at least pulverized tourmaline to a surface of the heating means.

4. The deodorizer according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the photocatalytic excitation light source is a light emitting diode that emits light having a wavelength of about 60 nm to 470 nm.

5. The photocatalyst is obtained by adding at least one of titanium oxide, phthalocyanine and a compound of phthalocyanine to a crushed tourmaline and mixing it. The deodorizing device according to the item.

6. Deodorization characterized by placing an ultraviolet light emitter at the center of the ventilation tube and filling the gap between the ultraviolet light emitter and the ventilation tube with granular tourmaline.

7. The deodorizing device according to claim 6, wherein a dehumidifying means is provided upstream of the ventilation pipe.