WO2004071964A1

WO2004071964A1 - Purification device and refrigerator using the same

Info

Publication number: WO2004071964A1
Application number: PCT/JP2003/012452
Authority: WO
Inventors: Takumi Oikawa; Takao Hattori; Daishin Okada; Noboru Segawa; Naohiko Shimura
Original assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
Priority date: 2003-02-12
Filing date: 2003-09-29
Publication date: 2004-08-26
Also published as: KR20050093762A

Abstract

There is provided a purification device capable of purifying material to be decomposed contained in a vapor-liquid mixture or liquid. A power source device (142) applies a full-wave waveform voltage between two electrodes (145, 146) to generate discharge light, thereby decomposing the material to be decomposed contained in the vapor-liquid mixture. An optical catalyst module (143) has a cylindrical shape. At its axis, a discharge electrode (145) is arranged and around its external circumference, an arc-shaped opposing electrode (146) is formed via an insulator (144).

Description

Clarification Purifier and refrigerator using it

【Technical field】

The present invention relates to a purification device for purifying water and a refrigerator using the same.

[Background Art]

Water is supplied to the ice tray from the water supply tank that stores the ice-making water, and the refrigerator that has the function of making ice by freezing in the ice tray suppresses the growth of organic substances and various bacteria in the stored ice-making water. In addition, it is common to equip a purification device for descaling. Usually, activated carbon is used in such a purification device.

The first conventional apparatus for purifying an ice making device will be described with reference to FIG. 21 (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-54634).

As shown in Fig. 21, a soaking structure is used in which activated carbon 3 is submerged in water 2 for ice making in water supply tank 1.

In this structure, the user is required to take out the activated carbon 3 at regular intervals during the cleaning of the water supply tank 1, clean the inside of the water supply tank, and then return the activated carbon to the water supply tank again. There is a problem that the loading and unloading work is troublesome.

The second conventional example of a purification device for an ice making device will be described with reference to FIG. 22 (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-54635).

As shown in Fig. 22, a support 5 is provided on the lid 4 of the water supply tank 1 to reach near the bottom of the tank, and activated carbon 3 is attached to the support 5 so that the lid 4 can be cleaned when the water supply tank 1 is washed. There is also a type in which activated carbon 3 can be removed from tank 1 by removing it, and the inside of water supply tank 1 can be easily cleaned.

In the case of this structure, the cleaning of the water supply tank 1 is easy, but the structure of the lid is complicated, and there is a problem that the lid is difficult to clean. In addition, in any of the above-mentioned conventional purifiers, activated carbon has a service life because it is a method of removing and removing calcium and harmful substances from activated carbon. Will be needed. However, it is difficult for users to judge that activated carbon has reached the end of its useful life and that its ability to remove harmful substances has been reduced or eliminated, and that ice made ice is often put into juice or whiskey. It is hard to notice contamination by impurities. For this reason, the replacement time may have passed, and the activated carbon may continue to be used without its adsorptive and removing effect on the lime and harmful substances.On the other hand, bacteria that adhere to the activated carbon may proliferate and contaminate the ice making water. There are also problems that can occur. Further, as a purifying apparatus for activating a photocatalyst by discharge light from a discharge electrode to remove a substance to be decomposed in a gas to clean or deodorize the gas, see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-140600. A purifying device as shown below has been proposed.

The structure of this purification device 1 is made of ceramics as shown in Fig. 23, and a three-dimensional mesh-shaped photocatalyst carrier 2 carrying a photocatalyst on its surface is sandwiched between two metal electrode plates 3,3. Configuration. A power source 4 is provided between the pair of metal electrodes 33 via a power line 5, and a voltage is applied.

When a required voltage is applied between the pair of metal electrodes 3 _s 3, discharge light is generated, the photocatalyst carried by the photocatalyst carrier 2 is activated, and the gas passing through the photocatalyst carrier 2 becomes The required substances contained are decomposed by a photocatalytic reaction acted on by the discharge light.

However, since the purification device 1 having the above configuration is configured using a gas such as air as a medium of a substance to be decomposed, it cannot be completely purified when purifying a gas-liquid mixture or a liquid. There is a problem.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the technical problems of the conventional refrigerator as described above, and an object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator that can easily clean a water supply tank for ice making water. In addition, the replacement life of the water purification device for ice making is semi-permanent and maintenance is required. Provide a refrigerator that is free and can always make pure ice.

Further, the present invention provides a purifying apparatus capable of purifying a gas-liquid mixture or a liquid and decomposing substances contained therein.

[Means for Solving the Problems]

The invention according to claim 1 includes a photocatalyst module in which a photocatalyst is supported on a ceramic base, a pair of positive and negative electrodes, and a power supply unit, and a voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes by the power supply unit. The photocatalyst module is irradiated with the generated discharge light to activate the photocatalyst module, and a substance to be decomposed such as a liquid, a gas, or a gas-liquid mixture inside or near the photocatalyst module is activated by the activated photocatalyst. In a purifying apparatus comprising a discharge-type photocatalyst filter for decomposing a substance to be decomposed contained in a medium, the photocatalyst module is formed in a columnar shape, and a rod-shaped electrode, which is one electrode, is disposed on a shaft portion of the photocatalyst module. Further, there is provided a purification device, wherein an arc-shaped electrode, which is the other electrode, is arranged on an outer peripheral portion of the photocatalyst module via an insulator.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the insulator is formed of a tubular reaction vessel, the photocatalyst module is housed in the insulator, and the other electrode is arranged on the outer periphery of the reaction vessel. The purifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein

The invention according to claim 3 is the purification device according to claim 2, wherein the other electrode is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the reaction container by printing, plating, or vapor deposition using a conductive ink.

The invention according to claim 4 is the purification device according to claim 1, wherein an axial dimension of the cylindrical photocatalyst module is larger than a diameter dimension thereof. The invention according to claim 5 is the purification device according to claim 1, wherein the catalyst loading rate of the photocatalyst module is 5% or more.

The invention according to claim 6 is the purification device according to claim 1, wherein a voltage waveform applied to the pair of electrodes by the power supply means is a waveform swinging to both positive and negative sides.

The invention according to claim 7 is the purification device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a plurality of the purification devices are bundled to form a purification device assembly. The invention according to claim 8 includes a photocatalyst module having a photocatalyst supported on a ceramic substrate, a pair of positive and negative electrodes, and a power supply unit, wherein the power supply unit generates a voltage by applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes. The activated discharge light is applied to the photocatalyst module to activate the photocatalyst module. By the action of the activated photocatalyst, the photocatalyst module is used to decompose the liquid medium, gas, gas-liquid mixture or other substance to be decomposed inside or near the photocatalyst module. In the purifying apparatus for decomposing the contained decomposition target substance, the photocatalyst module is formed in a columnar shape, and a rod-shaped discharge electrode, which is one electrode, is arranged on a shaft portion of the photocatalyst module. An arc-shaped counter electrode, which is the other electrode, is provided via an insulator, and a protective layer made of an insulating material is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the discharge electrode. It is an apparatus.

The invention according to claim 9 is that the insulator is formed of a cylindrical insulator container, the photocatalyst module is housed inside the insulator, and the counter electrode is arranged on an outer peripheral portion of the insulator container. A purifying apparatus according to claim 8, characterized in that:

The invention according to claim 10, wherein the coefficient of expansion in the length direction of the protective layer is in a range of about 90% to about 110% of a linear expansion coefficient of the metal material used for the discharge electrode. The purification device according to claim 8, wherein

The invention according to claim 11 is the purification device according to claim 8, wherein the thickness of the protective layer is about 1 mm or less.

The invention according to claim 12 is the purification device according to claim 8, wherein the insulating material of the protective layer is an elastic body capable of elastic deformation of about 1%.

The invention according to claim 13 is the purification device according to claim 8, wherein the insulating material of the protective layer is stainless steel, glass, or silicon rubber. The invention according to claim 14 is a refrigerator having a water making device for making ice by supplying ice making water from a water supply tank to an ice making tray, wherein the purifying device according to at least one of claims 1 to 13 is provided. A refrigerator for purifying ice making water flowing from the water supply tank to the ice tray.

The invention according to claim 15 is a refrigerator having an ice making function of supplying water to an ice tray from a water supply tank storing ice making water, wherein the water supply tank is provided with a purifying device for purifying water supplied to the ice tray. A refrigerator provided outside of the refrigerator. The invention according to claim 16 is the refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein the purifying device is installed in a place where a user cannot touch the refrigerator during normal use of the refrigerator.

The invention according to claim 17 is the refrigerator according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the purifying device is a discharge-type photocatalytic filter.

The invention according to claim 18 is the refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein the photocatalyst module of the discharge-type photocatalyst filter is made of porous ceramics. The invention according to claim 19 is the refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the purification device supplies the ice making water to the photocatalyst module as a gas-liquid mixture.

The invention according to claim 20 is the refrigerator according to claim 19, wherein the gas of the gas-liquid mixture is a gas containing oxygen.

The invention according to claim 21 is the refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the ice making water is dropped on the photocatalyst module as water droplets.

The invention according to claim 22 is the refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the water for ice making is introduced into the photocatalyst module in a spiral water flow.

The invention according to claim 23 is the refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the photocatalyst module or the reaction vessel thereof is provided with spiral irregularities for creating a spiral water flow. .

【The invention's effect】

According to the purification device of the invention according to claim 1, in the photocatalyst module, in the photocatalyst module, the rod-shaped electrode is disposed at the center of the arc-shaped electrode on the outer peripheral portion, and the distance between the rod-shaped electrode and the arc-shaped electrode is always constant. Therefore, uniform discharge can be performed, and the entire surface of the photocatalyst module can be purified. In this case, ultraviolet rays can be generated because an insulator is interposed between the pair of electrodes to generate electric discharge, and purification can be performed by ozone from the ultraviolet rays. In addition, by forming the photocatalyst module into a cylindrical shape, the dimensions between the arc-shaped electrode and the rod-shaped electrode can be accurately maintained. can do.

According to the purifying apparatus of the invention according to claim 2, the structure is such that the cylindrical photocatalyst module is housed inside the cylindrical insulator container, so that the manufacturing is easy, and the rod-shaped electrode and the arc-shaped electrode are used. Dimensional accuracy can be maintained accurately.

According to the purification device of the third aspect of the present invention, an electrode is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the insulating container by printing, plating, or vapor deposition using a conductive ink to form an arc-shaped electrode that is the other electrode. And a gap is not formed between the insulator container and the arc-shaped electrode. Therefore, a discharge occurs reliably.

According to the purifying device of the invention according to claim 4, the distance between the rod-shaped electrode and the arc-shaped electrode is increased by making the axial length of the cylindrical photocatalyst module larger than its diameter. And the opposing dimension of the rod-shaped electrode and the arc-shaped electrode becomes longer, so that discharge light can be generated efficiently.

In the purifying device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, a purifying effect can be obtained if the loading rate is at least 5% or more.

According to the purifying apparatus of the invention of claim 6, the voltage applied between the pair of electrodes has a waveform swinging to both the positive and negative sides, so that the discharge can be performed efficiently. According to the purification device of the invention of claim 7, even if a large amount of the decomposition target substance medium flows in, it is possible to deteriorate.

In the purifying apparatus according to claim 8, a protective layer made of an insulating material is provided on the discharge electrode. Therefore, when the gas-liquid mixture continuously enters into or near the photocatalyst module, the liquid portion does not have the same potential as the discharge electrode, and no electric shock is caused even if a human touches the liquid.

Further, when a required voltage is applied between the discharge electrode and the counter electrode to generate discharge light and activate the photocatalyst, the decomposition target substance in the gas-liquid mixture can be decomposed. In the purifying apparatus according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the photocatalyst module is housed in the insulator container, the discharge electrode provided with the protective layer and the photocatalyst module are not exposed, and human hands are not exposed. It is hard to touch.

In the purifying apparatus according to the tenth aspect, the coefficient of expansion in the length direction of the protective layer is in a range of about 90% to about 110% of a linear expansion coefficient of the metal material used for the discharge electrode. Therefore, the protective layer also expands in accordance with the linear expansion of the discharge electrode, and the protective layer does not peel off or crack from the discharge electrode.

In the purifying apparatus according to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the thickness of the protective layer is set to about 1 mm or less, purification can be performed at a low voltage without applying a large voltage.o

In the purifying apparatus of the invention according to claim 12, since the insulating material of the protective layer is an elastic body capable of elastic deformation of about 1%, the elastic material responds to expansion of the discharge electrode due to heat generation of the discharge electrode. Since the protective layer is deformed, it is possible to prevent the protective layer from peeling or cracking.

According to the refrigerator of the invention according to claim 14, the ice making water flowing to the ice tray can be reliably purified.

According to the refrigerator of the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the water tank, including the lid, can be easily cleaned, and the cleanliness of the water tank can be maintained.

The storage of the invention according to claim 16 will be described. With the conventional method of removing water after washing, the water purifier must be manually placed somewhere when cleaning the water supply tank. May adhere to the In addition, other than bacteria, there is a possibility that oil may adhere to the surface depending on the place where the oil adheres. If oil adheres to the surface, the part becomes ineffective and the life may be extremely shortened. Therefore, in the refrigerator of the present invention according to claim 16, the purifying device is installed in a place where the user does not touch the purifying device, so that the purifying device is not touched by a human hand when the water supply tank is washed. There is no need to remove it from the water tank and place it somewhere, and there is no possibility of adhesion of various bacteria and oil.

According to the refrigerator of the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the discharge type photocatalyst filter activates the photocatalyst module using ultraviolet light generated by the discharge of the discharge device. This discharge-type photocatalyst filter has an advantage of a longer life than a method in which the photocatalyst is activated by activated carbon or a lamp. In addition, the photocatalyst module has a strong oxidizing effect and can decompose harmful substances such as trihalomethane. Therefore, in the refrigerator according to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the discharge type photocatalytic filter is used in a purification device. As a result, a long service life can be achieved, and harmful substances such as trihalomethane can be decomposed and purified from ice-making water.

According to the refrigerator of the eighteenth aspect of the invention, when the photocatalyst module is a porous ceramic, the water permeating the photocatalyst module can be expected to be effectively purified since the contact time with the photocatalyst becomes long. Therefore, in the refrigerator according to the eighteenth aspect of the present invention, by using such a porous ceramic for the photocatalyst module of the discharge type photocatalyst filter, the water for ice making can be effectively purified.

According to the refrigerator of the invention according to claim 19, the discharge starting voltage between the electrodes of the discharge device can be reduced by making the ice-making water into a gas-liquid mixture. The reliability can be increased and the service life can be extended. In addition, since the gas and the liquid simultaneously flow in the photocatalyst module, the flow of the liquid is disturbed, so that an agitation effect is generated and the water can be purified in a shorter time.

According to the refrigerator of the present invention, ozone is generated from oxygen by the discharge action by including oxygen in the gas of the gas-liquid mixture flowing in the photocatalyst module, and the oxidizing power of the ozone also purifies water. And a stronger water purification effect can be obtained.

According to the refrigerator of claim 21, since the discharge space is at a high voltage, a high voltage is also applied to the water flowing through the discharge space. High voltage can occur, and if high-voltage water comes into contact with surrounding conductors in the way the water flows, that conductor can also reach high voltage. Therefore, in the refrigerator of the invention according to claim 21, the water for ice making is charged to a high voltage when passing through the discharge space by dropping water for ice making into water droplets onto the photocatalyst module of the discharge type photocatalyst filter. Even so, the entire ice making water is prevented from becoming a high voltage, and the adverse effects due to it are prevented.

According to the refrigerator of the invention of claim 22, when water for ice making is allowed to flow through the photocatalytic module of the discharge type photocatalytic filter, it is most simply desirable to have a structure in which water falls naturally. However, since the contact time with the photocatalyst module is short in natural fall, it is preferable to make the contact time longer for more effective discharge purification. Therefore, in the refrigerator according to the present invention, the ice making water is introduced into the photocatalyst module of the discharge type photocatalyst filter so as to form a helical water flow, so that it can be brought into contact with the photocatalyst module. The discharge interval is made longer to make the discharge purifying action more effective.

According to the refrigerator of the invention according to claim 23, when flowing water for ice making to the photocatalyst module of the discharge type photocatalyst filter, the water is spirally flown in the photocatalyst module by the unevenness for creating the spiral water flow. By extending the contact time with the photocatalyst module, the discharge purifying action is performed more effectively.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a purification device in a refrigerator according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the measured purifying performance of the purifying apparatus in the refrigerator according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view and a vertical sectional view of a purification device in a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the measurement of the purification performance of the purification device in the refrigerator according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a purification device in a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the measurement of the purification performance of the gasifier in the refrigerator according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a structure of an ice making device according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of the purification device.

FIG. 11 is a table showing the experimental results of the free chlorine removal rate when the diameter and the axial length of the photocatalyst module were changed.

FIG. 12 is a graph showing the experimental results of the free chlorine removal rate and the catalyst loading rate. FIG. 13 is a graph of a full-wave waveform applied by the power supply device.

Fig. 14 is a graph of the half-wave waveform.

FIGS. 15A and 15B are explanatory diagrams of the optical module according to the sixth embodiment. FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view, and FIG. 15B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view.

FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view of the purification device of the seventh embodiment. FIG. 17 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the structure of a purification device according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a graph of a full-wave waveform applied by the power supply.

FIG. 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the protective layer and the discharge voltage.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a purification device assembly according to the tenth embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram of a purification device in a first conventional refrigerator.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a purification device in a refrigerator of the second conventional example.

FIG. 23 is an explanatory view of a conventional purification device.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First Embodiment)

FIG. 1 shows a configuration of an ice making device in a refrigerator 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the water producing apparatus, a water supply pipe 11 is provided in a water supply tank 11. The ice making water 13 in the water supply evening tank 11 is drawn out of the tank from the water supply pipe 12 and passed through the purification device 14 installed outside the evening water tank, and then the ice making tray in the ice making chamber 15 Water is supplied to 16.

The water receiver 21 is a part for temporarily storing water for pumping water 13 drawn from a water supply tank 11 through a water supply pipe 12 by a pump (not shown). Supply ice making water 13 at an appropriate flow rate to 14 and ice making room 15 with advection tube 17.

There is no particular limitation on the location of a suction pump for advancing water from the water supply tank 11 to the ice making chamber 15. For example, a pump is provided in the water receiver 21, the end of the water supply pipe 12 outside the tank is connected to its suction port, and the water receiver 21 is connected to its outlet, so that the inside of the water tank 11 is The ice making water 13 can be sucked out, passed through the purification device 14, and supplied to the ice making tray 16 in the ice making room 15. Alternatively, a pump is provided at the lower end of the water supply pipe 12 inside the tank, and a rotating magnetic field generator that applies a rotating magnetic field is installed outside the water supply tank 11 near the pump. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which rotation is induced by rotation.

In the refrigerator 100 of the first embodiment, the type and structure of the purifying device 14 are special. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any type may be used as long as it has a function of purifying the ice making water 13 flowing therethrough. For example, an activated carbon filter, a water purification filter, a photocatalyst filter, and the like.

According to the refrigerator 100 of the first embodiment, the purifying device 14 needs to be capable of purifying the ice making water 13 while passing through the inside thereof. Since it can be installed outside the water tank 11, it is acceptable even if it occupies a relatively large volume, so that it can be used with a higher purification capacity and a longer life can be achieved.

In the configuration of the present embodiment, a water supply pipe 12 and an advection pipe 17 are provided between the water supply tank 11 and the external purification device 14 for pumping and supplying ice making water 13 from the tank. Therefore, if the purifying device 14 is configured to be separated from the user's hand in a normal use condition by a partition wall 22 in the middle of the water supply pipe 12 or the advection pipe 17, It is possible to avoid the occurrence of the germ breeding due to the user's hand touching 14 and maintenance free.

(Second embodiment)

Next, a refrigerator 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The second embodiment is characterized in that a discharge type photocatalyst filter is used for a purification device 14 installed outside a water supply nozzle 11. Note that the piping for supplying the ice making water 13 in the water supply tank 11 to the purification device 14 and purifying the water after the purification is the same as in the first embodiment. However, the advection pipe 17 from the water receiver 21 to the purifier 14 is an orifice, which reduces the flow rate and raises the discharge pressure. 3 is supplied.

As shown in FIG. 3, the discharge type photocatalyst filter which is the purifying device 14 includes a photocatalyst module 141 and a high-voltage power source 142. The photocatalyst module 14 1 reacts with a photocatalyst such as titanium oxide coated on a cylindrical three-dimensional porous ceramic carrier 144 with a central hole for electrode insertion at the center axis. It is housed in a vessel 144, and has a structure in which electrodes 144 and 146 are arranged on the outer periphery of the reaction vessel 144 and in the center hole. The electrodes 1 4 5, 1 4 6 A high voltage is applied in between. The reaction vessel 144 of the photocatalyst module 144 is made of a dielectric material such as glass or resin, and the outer electrode 146 is provided in close contact with the reaction vessel 144.

In the discharge type photocatalytic filter purifying device 14 having the above configuration, a high voltage is applied to the photocatalyst module 14 1 by the high voltage power supply 14 2 to cause a discharge phenomenon between the electrodes 1 4 5 and 1 4 6. Ultraviolet rays are generated in the space where the photocatalyst is installed. The irradiation of the generated ultraviolet rays excites the photocatalyst, and can decompose the organic substance in the water flowing through the ceramic carrier 144.

The discharge type photocatalyst filter constituting the purifying device 14 has a long service life and has a feature that a high purifying performance can be obtained. In addition, if the photocatalyst module 141 is discharged with water completely filled, a high voltage of 1 OkV or more must be applied between the electrodes 145 and 146. By flowing water at a flow rate where gas and water are mixed together, the discharge starting voltage can be reduced, and a water purification effect can be obtained with a voltage of 4 kV or more. In addition, at this time, if a gas containing oxygen is used as the gas of the gas-liquid mixture, ozone is generated together with the ultraviolet rays in the discharge space, and the water purification effect is further improved by the oxidizing and sterilizing action of the ozone. Although ozone is a harmful substance to the human body, its lifetime in water is said to be several seconds to several ten seconds, and since it immediately returns to oxygen, it has no effect on the human body.

Figure 4 shows the difference in the free chlorine removal rate between underwater discharge and discharge in a gas-liquid mixture of water and air. Free chlorine has the effect of killing microorganisms and various bacteria in water, but it is also a source of odor. Therefore, it is important when storing water, but if it is contained, it causes unpleasant taste when drinking. Therefore, if the gas-liquid mixture is supplied to the purification device 14 of the discharge-type photocatalyst filter 14 and supplied with ice-making water 13 to purify it, free chlorine can be removed and the smell of lime can be effectively removed. In addition, since the chalky remains in the ice making water 13 in the water supply tank 11, there is also an advantage that the generation of various bacteria can be suppressed even during long-term storage.

Since the advection pipe 17 connecting the water receiver 21 and the purification device 14 is an orifice, the flow rate can be adjusted with the orifice. Therefore, the flow rate of the ice making water 13 from the water receiver 21 to the purification device 14 is reduced, and the water 14 can be supplied. If the water droplets are supplied to the purifying device 14 in this manner, a high voltage is applied to the water droplets for discharging, and even if the water droplets are charged to a high voltage, the entire ice making water 13 is charged to a high voltage. Therefore, the conductor that comes into contact with the ice-making water 13 is not charged with high voltage, and even if the user may come into contact with the conductor, there is a risk of electric shock. Absent.

(Third embodiment)

Next, a refrigerator according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 5 shows a purifying device 14 employed in the refrigerator of the third embodiment. The purifier 14 used in the present embodiment is characterized in that the flow of the ice making water 13 introduced into the purifier 14 from the advection pipe 17 is a cyclone (vortex flow). That is, the water introduction port 147 is provided in the upper part of the reaction vessel 144 in a horizontal tangential direction, and the ice making water 14 flowing into the purification device 14 from the advection pipe 17 becomes a rotating vortex as shown by the arrow A, and the ceramic is formed. A spiral water stream flows into the carrier 144. The other configuration is the same as the configuration of the refrigerator according to the second embodiment shown in FIGS. Further, a configuration is also possible in which the ice making water 13 is supplied to the purification device 14 as a gas-liquid mixture.

Thereby, in the refrigerator of the third embodiment, the ice making water 13 flowing into the purification device 14 is in contact with the photocatalyst coated on the ceramic carrier 144 for a longer time, and the water purification effect can be enhanced. it can. FIG. 6 shows the results of measuring the free chlorine removal rate when the ice making water 13 is dropped on the ceramic carrier 144 from the information and when the ice making water 13 is supplied by the cyclone method as in the present embodiment. Even at the same flow rate, in the present embodiment, it can be seen that the free fiber chlorine removal rate is improved by more than 10 points compared to the case of dripping from the top.

(Fourth embodiment)

Next, a refrigerator according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The feature of this embodiment is that a spiral projection 148 is provided in the reaction vessel 144 of the purification device 14. In addition, also in the refrigerator of the present embodiment, Is the same as the configuration of the refrigerator of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the ice making water 13 is supplied to the purification device 14 as a gas-liquid mixture o

As a result, in the refrigerator of the present embodiment, the ice making water 13 led out of the water supply tank 11 to the advection pipe 17 and introduced from the advection pipe 17 to the upper part of the purification device 14 is formed by a spiral projection. Guided by 148, it flows down in the ceramic carrier 144 in a spiral rotating flow. Thus, as in the third embodiment, the contact time between the ice making water 13 and the photocatalyst while the ice making water 13 is passing through the purification device 14 is increased, and the water purification effect is enhanced. Figure 8 compares the water purification effect with a purification device equipped with a reaction vessel without spiral projections 148. As in the present embodiment, when spiral projections 1448 are provided on the inner wall of the reaction vessel 144, and the ice making water 13 is caused to flow down in a rotating vortex, there is no such projection, and the ice making water 13 is linear. It can be seen that the free chlorine removal rate has been improved by around 20 points compared to the case where the water flows downward.

(Fifth embodiment)

A purification device 14 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The purifying device 14 of the present embodiment is provided in the ice making device 10 of the refrigerator 100. That is, in this embodiment, the ice making water produced by the ice making device 10 is purified by the purification device 14.

(1) Structure of refrigerator 100

As shown in FIG. 9, the refrigerator 100 of the present embodiment is provided with a refrigerator room 102, a vegetable room 104, an ice making room 106, and a freezer room 108 from the top. , Doors 1 1 0, 1 1 2, 1 1 4, 1 1 6 are provided.

A machine room 1 18 on which a compressor 1 17 is mounted is arranged behind the freezer room 108, and a control unit 120 of a refrigerator 100 composed of a microcomputer is provided behind the refrigerator room 102. O

Further, on the front surface of the refrigerator compartment door 110, an operation unit 126 having an operation switch and a display unit of the refrigerator 100 is provided.

(2) Structure of ice making device 10

The structure of the ice making device 10 will be described with reference to FIG. A water supply tank 11 storing ice-making water 13 is disposed below the refrigerator compartment 102, and a water supply pipe 12 projects rearward. The ice making water 13 in the water supply tank 11 is led out of the water supply pipe 12 to the water receiver 21 outside the water supply tank 11 and passes through the purification device 14 located behind the vegetable compartment 104. After that, water is supplied to the ice tray 16 in the ice chamber 106. The ice tray 16 supplied with water is twisted and rotated by the ice making mode 15 after a predetermined time, and the ice frozen by cold air is dropped into the storage case 107. The ice detection hopper 109 detects whether or not there is ice in the storage case 107.

The water receiver 21 is a part for temporarily storing the ice making water 13 sucked by the pump 23 from the water supply tank 11 through the water supply pipe 12 and is advected from the water receiver 21 to the purification device 14. The pipe 17 is an orifice. The flow rate is reduced to increase the discharge pressure, and the purification device 14 is supplied with ice making water 13 as a gas-liquid mixture.

The location of the suction pump 23 for advancing the water from the water supply tank 11 to the ice making chamber 106 is located near the suction port of the water supply pipe 12, but is not limited to this location. For example, a water supply tank 1 is provided by providing a pump 23 in the water receiver 21, connecting the end of the water supply pipe 12 outside the tank to its inlet, and connecting the water receiver 21 to its outlet. The ice making water 13 in 1 can be sucked out, passed through the purification device 14, and supplied to the ice tray 16 in the water making chamber 106. Alternatively, a pump 23 is provided at the lower end inside the tank of the water supply pipe 12, and a rotating magnetic field generator that applies a rotating magnetic field near the pump outside the water supply tank 11 is installed. Alternatively, a configuration may be adopted in which rotation is induced by rotation.

The purifier 14 uses a photocatalyst module 14 1 and will be described in detail later.

9 ru ο

Between the water supply tank 11 and the external purification device 14, there are a water supply pipe 12 and an advection pipe 17 for pumping and supplying ice making water 13 from the tank. As shown in Fig. 9, since the water supply pipe 12 is located behind the refrigerator compartment and the advection pipe 17 is located behind the vegetable compartment, the partition 22 allows the user's hand to touch in normal use. It is a structure that divides the purification device 14 so that it does not occur. The partition wall 22 prevents the user from touching the purification device 14 to cause germs to multiply, and prevents the device from being exposed to high pressure for generating electric discharge, thereby further achieving maintenance-free operation. (3) Structure of purification device 14

Next, the structure of the purification device 14 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 10, the discharge-type photocatalytic filter as the purifying device 14 includes a photocatalyst module 144 and a power supply device 142.

The photocatalyst module 144 is obtained by applying a photocatalyst (for example, titanium oxide) to a cylindrical three-dimensional porous ceramic substrate 144 having a central shaft portion provided with a shaft hole for electrode insertion. The cylindrical photocatalyst module 144 is accommodated in a cylindrical insulator container 144. The cylindrical insulator container 144 is made of a dielectric material such as insulating glass or resin.

The rod-shaped electrode discharge electrode 145 is inserted into the shaft hole of the photocatalyst module 014 ο

On the outer peripheral surface of the insulator container 144, a counter electrode 144β, which is an arc-shaped electrode, is formed by printing, printing, or vaporizing with conductive ink.

A power supply device 142 for applying a very high voltage to the pair of discharge electrodes 144 and the counter electrode 144 is connected. A power supply device 142 to which power is supplied from the control unit 120 is disposed near the insulator container 144, and both are incorporated as an integrated unit.

Regarding the shape of the cylindrical photocatalyst module 141, the axial length of the photocatalyst module 141 is formed larger than its diameter. For example, the axial length is 20 mm and the diameter is 10 mm.

The loading ratio of the photocatalyst supported on the ceramic substrate 144 in the photocatalyst module 141 is 5% or more.

The high voltage applied from the power supply device 142 to the pair of electrodes 144 and 146 has a full-wave sinusoidal waveform as shown in FIG.

As described above, in the purification device of the present embodiment, the photocatalyst module 141 has a columnar shape, the discharge electrode 144 is provided at the center thereof, and the counter electrode 144 is disposed at the outer peripheral portion. In addition, the distance between the discharge electrode 144 and the counter electrode 144 can be easily made constant, and the discharge can be made uniform over the entire circumference.

Since the rod-shaped discharge electrode 1 4 5 is the part that comes into direct contact with water, this discharge electrode 1 4 5 By increasing the thickness of 5, it is possible to prevent electrode corrosion and wear.

(4) First reason that the purifier 14 has the above configuration

The reason why the photocatalyst module 14 1 is housed in the insulator container 144 will be described.

If there is no insulator between the discharge electrode 144 and the counter electrode 144, when water enters the photocatalyst module 144, the water causes the water to flow between the discharge electrode 144 and the counter electrode 144. This is because conduction occurs between the electrodes and no discharge occurs. In addition, since it is a cylindrical insulator container 144, an insulating effect can always be obtained for the counter electrode 146.

(5) Second reason that the purifier 14 has the above configuration

The reason why the counter electrode 144 is formed on the surface of the insulator container 144 by printing, plating, or vapor deposition using a conductive ink will be described.

Since the counter electrode 1 4 6 is formed on the surface of the insulating container 1 4 4 by printing, plating, or vapor deposition using a conductive ink, the space between the counter electrode 1 4 6 and the green body 1 4 4 No gaps can be created. If a gap is formed, a potential is generated during the gap, and a discharge occurs between the counter electrode 144 and the insulator container 144, and this discharge becomes a very high energy discharge, so the counter electrode 144β And the life of the insulating container 144 is significantly reduced. However, by forming the counter electrode 144 directly on the surface of the insulator container 144 and not providing a gap, such unnecessary discharge is eliminated, and the counter electrode 144 and the insulator container 1 4 The life of 4 can be improved.

(6) Third reason that the purifier 14 has the above configuration

The reason why the axial length of the photocatalyst module 14.1 is longer than the radial length will be described.

When the photocatalyst module 14 1 has such a shape, the distance between the discharge electrode 14 5 and the counter electrode 14 6 can be shortened, and the distance between the discharge electrode 14 5 and the counter electrode 14 6 can be reduced. Since it is possible to lengthen the distance, the ultraviolet light can be generated efficiently. In particular, the substance to be decomposed in water can be decomposed efficiently. In addition, since the length of the discharge electrode 145 is directly related to the contact time between water and the photocatalyst, a sufficient effect cannot be obtained if the dimension in the axial direction is short. By purifying it, sufficient purification can be performed. FIG. 11 shows the results of experiments on the performance of the removal rate of free chlorine, which is a substance causing the odor of lime in water, when the diameter and the axial length of the photocatalyst module 141 were changed.

As shown in Fig. 11, the input power is always 10W and the condition is constant. In this state, the removal ratio of free chlorine is 9% when the length / diameter ratio in the axial direction is 1/2, and 35% when the ratio is 1/1. On the other hand, if it is 2/1, it will increase to 67%. Therefore, the free chlorine removal rate can be significantly improved by making the length in the axial direction larger than the length in the diameter.

In addition, since the free chlorine removal rate in the ice making water of the refrigerator is preferably 50% or more, the ratio of the axial length / diameter is preferably 1.5 / 1 or more.

(7) Fourth reason that the purifier 14 has the above configuration

The loading ratio of the photocatalyst carried on the ceramic substrate 143 is 5% or more. The reason for this will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 12 is a graph in which the free chlorine removal rate is plotted on the vertical axis and the catalyst loading rate is plotted on the horizontal axis, and is an experimental result in which the state of the free chlorine removal rate was measured by changing the catalyst loading rate. As shown in Fig. 12, when the catalyst loading rate is 5% or less, the free chlorine removal rate becomes 10% or less, the ratio of the axial length to the diameter length is changed, and the voltage waveform state described later is used. However, the required free chlorine removal rate cannot be obtained even if the temperature is changed. Therefore, a loading rate of 5% or more is required.

(8) Fifth reason that the purifier 14 has the above configuration

The reason why a full-wave sine wave is applied to the pair of electrodes 145 _s 146 by the power supply device 142 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the full-wave waveform is applied to the pair of electrodes 145 ₃ 146 as described above, and FIG. 14 shows a waveform in which the half-wave waveform is applied to the pair of electrodes 145, 146. The free chlorine removal rate in the full-wave waveform is 85%, while that in the half-wave waveform is 11%.

The reason is that in a full-wave waveform, the discharge is a Palia discharge through the insulator, and the electrons charged on the insulator surface only when a high voltage is applied flows as a current when the potential reverses. by. On the other hand, the half-wave waveform This is because current does not flow due to the difficulty of flowing and the amount of ultraviolet rays decreases, and the free chlorine removal rate decreases.

(9) Effects of the embodiment

The discharge-type photocatalytic filter that constitutes the purifying device 14 has a long service life and is characterized by high purifying performance. If the photocatalyst module 141 is discharged with water completely filled, a high voltage of 10 kV or more must be applied between the electrodes 144 and 146. By flowing water at a flow rate where gas and water are mixed together, the discharge starting voltage can be reduced, and a water purification effect can be obtained with a voltage of 4 kV or more. In addition, at this time, if a gas containing oxygen is used as the gas of the gas-liquid mixture, ozone is generated together with the ultraviolet rays in the discharge space, and the water purification effect is further improved by the oxidizing and sterilizing action of the ozone. Although ozone is a harmful substance to the human body, its lifetime in water is said to be several seconds to several ten seconds, and since it immediately returns to oxygen, it has no effect on the human body.

(1 0) Change example

Since the advection tube 17 connecting the water receiver 21 and the purification device 14 is an orifice, the flow rate can be adjusted with this orifice.

Therefore, the flow rate of the ice making water 13 from the water receiver 21 to the purification device 14 can be reduced, and the flow can be supplied to the purification device 14 as water droplets. If the water droplets are supplied to the purifying equipment 14 as described above, a high voltage is applied to the water droplets for discharging, and even if the water droplets are charged to a high voltage, the entire ice making water 13 is charged to a high voltage. Therefore, the conductor that comes into contact with the ice-making water 13 is not charged with a high voltage, and even if one of the users touches the conductor, there is no risk of electric shock. There is no fear of doing it.

(Sixth embodiment)

A purification device 14 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 15 shows a purification device 14 of the sixth embodiment.

The purifying device 14 of the present embodiment is characterized in that the flow of the ice making water 13 introduced from the advection pipe 17 into the purifying device 14 is a cyclone (vortex flow). In other words, the water introduction port 147 is installed in the upper part of the insulator container 144 in a horizontal tangential direction, and the ice making water 13 flowing into the purification device 14 from the advection pipe 17 becomes a rotating vortex as shown by the arrow A. Thus, a spiral water stream flows into the ceramic carrier 144.

The other configuration is the same as that of the fifth embodiment shown in FIG.

Further, a configuration may be adopted in which the ice making water 13 is supplied to the purification device 14 as a gas-liquid mixture.

As a result, the time for the ice making water 13 flowing into the purification device 14 to come into contact with the photocatalyst applied to the ceramic carrier 144 is lengthened, and the water purification effect can be enhanced.

(Seventh embodiment)

A purifying apparatus 14 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The feature of this embodiment is that a spiral projection 148 is provided in the insulator container 144 of the purification device 14.

Note that, in this embodiment as well, the same features as in the fifth embodiment can be applied except for the features described above.

As a result, the ice making water 13 led from the water supply nozzle 11 to the advection pipe 17 and introduced from the advection pipe 17 "to the upper part of the purification device 14 is guided to the spiral projections 14 8 As a result, a spiral rotating flow flows down the ceramic carrier 144. Therefore, similarly to the sixth embodiment, the ice making water 13 passes through the purification device 14 while being mixed with the photocatalyst. The contact time is longer and the water purification effect is higher.

(Eighth embodiment)

A purification device 14 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The purifying device 14 of the present embodiment is a case where it is provided in the ice making device 10 of the refrigerator 100 of the fifth embodiment.

(1) Structure of purification device 14

Next, the structure of the purification device 14 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 18, the discharge-type photocatalytic filter as the purifying device 14 includes a photocatalyst module 14 1 and a power supply device 142.

A discharge electrode 145 which is a rod-shaped electrode is inserted into a shaft hole of the photocatalyst module 141.

A protective layer 152 made of an insulating material is coated on the outer periphery of the discharge electrode 145 which is a rod-shaped electrode.

The material of the protective layer 152 is stainless steel or glass having an insulating property and has a linear expansion coefficient of about 90% to about 110% of the metal discharge electrode 144. It has an expansion coefficient. The thickness of the protective layer is 0.6 mm, and the outer surface of the insulating container 144 is printed on the outer surface of the insulating container 144 by printing, plating, or vapor deposition. 6 are formed.

A power supply device 142 for applying a high voltage is connected to the pair of discharge electrodes 144 and the counter electrode 144β. A power supply device 142 to which power is supplied from the control unit 120 is disposed near the insulator container 144, and both are incorporated as an integrated unit.

The loading rate of the photocatalyst carried on the ceramic substrate 144 in the photocatalyst module 141 is 5% or more.

Thus, in the purification device 14 of the present embodiment, the photocatalyst module 14 1 Discharge electrode 1 4 5 is located at the center of the column, and the counter electrode 1 4 6 is located at the outer peripheral part. Therefore, the distance between the discharge electrode 1 4 5 and the counter electrode 1 4 6 can be easily set. The distance can be constant, and the discharge can be made uniform over the entire circumference.

(2) Effects of the embodiment

In the case of the purification device 14, a uniform discharge can be obtained by installing a rod-shaped discharge electrode 144 at the center of the arc-shaped counter electrode 146, and the entire surface of the photocatalyst module can be used for decomposition. It becomes possible to purify the substance. In addition, discharge-type photocatalyst filters have a long life and provide high purification performance.

Further, since the protective layer 15 2 is provided on the discharge electrode 1 45, water as a gas-liquid mixture flows continuously from the advection pipe 17 to the photocatalyst module 14 1 of the purification device 14. If the user comes in contact with the flowing water for some reason, the protective layer 15 2 is provided on the discharge electrode 144, so that the discharge electrode 144 is discharged. You won't get an electric shock even if you touch the water.

For example, suppose that water flows as a gas-liquid mixture at a rate of 100 e c / min. This speed is the flow rate at which both air and water are present inside the photocatalyst module 14 1, and the speed at which the water flows in a sprinkled state without water droplets. There is no electric shock even if you touch. Further, a voltage as shown in FIG. 18 is applied between the counter electrode 14β and the discharge electrode 144, and the purifying effect is the same as the conventional one.

In addition, since the expansion coefficient of the protective layer 152 is within the range of about 90% to about 110% of the linear expansion coefficient of the metal material used for the discharge electrode 144, the discharge electrode 144 Even if it generates heat and expands, the protective layer 152 expands with the expansion of the discharge electrode 144, so that the protective layer 152 does not peel off or crack from the discharge electrode 144. . If the coefficient of expansion of the protective layer 152 is too large than the linear expansion coefficient of the discharge electrode 144, a phenomenon occurs in which the protective layer 152 expands or peels off from the discharge electrode 144 due to expansion. On the other hand, if the coefficient of expansion is too small, the protective layer 152 will not be able to follow the expansion of the discharge electrode 145 and cracks will run. Therefore, as described above, it is preferable to select the expansion coefficient of the protective layer 152 within the range of about 90% to about 110% of the linear expansion coefficient of the metal material.

The thickness of the protective layer 152 is 1 mm or less. The reason for this is that the thickness of the protective layer 15 2 The thickness greatly affects the discharge starting voltage and the dielectric breakdown voltage. If the protective layer 152 is thick, dielectric breakdown does not easily occur. However, since the discharge starting voltage becomes high, a higher voltage must be applied. On the other hand, when the thickness of the protective layer 152 is reduced, the dielectric breakdown voltage is reduced, but the discharge starting voltage is also low, so that purification can be performed at a low voltage. FIG. 19 is a graph showing the relationship between the thickness of the protective layer and the discharge voltage. As is clear from the graph of FIG. 19, the thickness of the protective layer 152 is preferably 1 mm or less. In the present embodiment, the coating is performed with a thickness of 0.6 mm. If the photocatalyst module 14 is discharged with water completely filled, a high voltage of 1 O kV or more must be applied between the electrodes 14 5 and 14 6. By flowing water at a flow rate where gas and water are mixed together, the discharge starting voltage can be reduced, and a water purification effect can be obtained with a voltage of 4 kV or more. Moreover, at this time, if a gas containing oxygen is used as the gas of the gas-liquid mixture, ozone is generated together with the ultraviolet rays in the discharge space, and the water purification effect is further improved by the oxidative sterilization effect of the ozone. Ozone is a harmful substance to the human body, but its lifetime in water is said to be several seconds to several ten seconds. Since it immediately returns to oxygen, it has no effect on the human body.

(Ninth embodiment)

In the eighth embodiment, the coefficient of expansion of the protective layer 152 is set to be about 90% to 110% of the linear expansion coefficient of the metal material used for the discharge electrode 144. The insulating material of the layer 152 may be made of an elastic body capable of elastic deformation of about 1% of the length of the protective layer 152.

As described above, the heat generated by the discharge electrode 145 causes the discharge electrode 145 to expand, but the insulating material forming the protective layer 152 so that deformation close to this expansion rate is possible. Is selected. If an elastic body (for example, silicon rubber) having an elastic modulus of about 1% is used as the material of the insulating material, the expansion due to the heat generation of the discharge electrode 145 can be sufficiently absorbed, and the protective layer 155 is formed. Deformation and cracking of 2 can be prevented.

(10th embodiment)

In the above embodiment, the purification device 14 in the ice making device 10 in the refrigerator is described. explained. However, such a purification device 14 can be applied to other fields. For example, the present invention can be applied to a case where wastewater in a factory or a sewage treatment plant is purified.

However, the amount of water in the case of performing such wastewater treatment is very large unlike the ice making water in the ice making device 10 as described above.

Therefore, in order to purify even such an extremely large amount, as shown in FIG. 17, a plurality of column-shaped purification devices 10 are bundled to form a large purification device assembly 150.

This makes it possible to treat even a large amount of wastewater.

[Industrial applicability]

The purification apparatus of the present invention can be applied to the purification of ice-making water in an ice-making apparatus of a refrigerator and the purification of wastewater in a factory or a sewage treatment plant.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. A photocatalyst module having a photocatalyst supported on a ceramic substrate, a pair of positive and negative electrodes, and a power supply means.

A discharge light generated by applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes by the power supply means is irradiated to the photocatalyst module to activate the photocatalyst module, and the inside of or near the photocatalyst module is activated by the action of the activated photocatalyst. In a purification device consisting of a discharge-type photocatalyst filter that decomposes substances to be decomposed contained in a medium for decomposition, such as liquids, gases, and gas-liquid mixtures,

The photocatalyst module is formed in a cylindrical shape,

A rod-shaped electrode as one electrode is disposed on a shaft portion of the photocatalyst module, and an arc-shaped electrode as the other electrode is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the photocatalyst module via an insulator.

Purification device characterized by the above-mentioned.

2. The insulator is formed in a cylindrical reaction vessel,

Storing the photocatalyst module inside the insulator;

Disposing the other electrode on the outer periphery of the reaction vessel

The purification device according to claim 1, wherein

3. The other electrode is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the reaction vessel by printing, plating, or vapor deposition using a conductive ink.

3. The purification device according to claim 2, wherein:

4. Make the axial dimension of the cylindrical photocatalyst module larger than its diameter

The purification device according to claim 1, wherein

5. The catalyst loading rate of the photocatalyst module is 5% or more. The purification device according to claim 1, wherein

6. The voltage waveform applied to the pair of electrodes by the power supply means is a waveform that swings to both positive and negative sides.

The purification device according to claim 1, wherein

7. Bundling a plurality of purification devices to form a purification device assembly

The purification device according to at least one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that:

8. A photocatalyst module having a photocatalyst supported on a ceramic substrate, a pair of positive and negative electrodes, and power supply means.

A discharge light generated by applying a voltage between the pair of electrodes by the power supply means is irradiated to the photocatalyst module to activate the photocatalyst module, and the inside of or near the photocatalyst module is activated by the action of the activated photocatalyst. A purifying apparatus for decomposing a decomposition target substance contained in a decomposition target substance medium such as a liquid, a gas, and a gas-liquid mixture, wherein the photocatalyst module is formed in a cylindrical shape;

A rod-shaped discharge electrode, which is one electrode, is disposed on a shaft portion of the photocatalyst module, and an arc-shaped counter electrode, which is the other electrode, is disposed on an outer peripheral portion of the photocatalyst module via an insulator.

A protective layer made of an insulating material is provided on an outer peripheral portion of the discharge electrode.

Purification device characterized by the following.

9. The insulator is formed of a cylindrical insulator container,

Storing the photocatalyst module inside the insulator;

Disposing the counter electrode on the outer periphery of the insulator container

9. The purification device according to claim 8, wherein:

10. The expansion coefficient in the length direction of the protective layer is in the range of about 90% to about 110% of the linear expansion coefficient of the metal material used for the discharge electrode. 9. The purification device according to claim 8, wherein:

1 1. The thickness of the protective layer should be about lmm or less

9. The purification device according to claim 8, wherein:

12. The purification device according to claim 8, wherein the insulating material of the protective layer is an elastic body capable of elastic deformation of about 1%.

1 3. The insulating material of the protective layer is stainless steel, glass, or silicon rubber

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9. The purification device according to claim 8, wherein:

1 4. In a refrigerator having an ice making device for making ice by supplying ice making water from a water supply tank to an ice making tray,

Using the purifying device according to at least one of claims 1 to 13, purifying water for making water flowing from the water supply tank to the ice tray.

A refrigerator characterized by that:

15 5. In a refrigerator having an ice making function of supplying water to a water tray from a water supply tank storing ice making water,

A refrigerator, wherein a purifier for purifying water supplied to the ice tray is provided outside the water supply tank.

16. The purifier was installed in a place where the refrigerator would not be touched by the user during normal use.

16. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein:

17. The purifier is a discharge-type photocatalyst filter

The refrigerator according to claim 15 or 16, wherein:

18. The photocatalytic module of the discharge type photocatalytic filter is made of porous ceramics.

The refrigerator according to claim 17, wherein:

1 9. The purification device is

The ice making water is supplied to the photocatalyst module as a gas-liquid mixture.

The refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein:

20. The gas of the gas-liquid mixture is a gas containing oxygen

10. The refrigerator according to claim 19, wherein:

2 1. Drop the water for water production onto the photocatalyst module as water droplets

The refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein:

2 2. Introduce the ice making water into the photocatalyst module in a spiral water flow

The refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein:

23. The photocatalyst module or its reaction vessel was provided with spiral irregularities to create a spiral water flow.

The refrigerator according to claim 17 or 18, wherein: