HK1204317A1 - Sterilizing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide, concerning a sterilizer possessing liquid inflow and outflow ports, a sterilizer improved so as to prevent the formation of swirly flows as a result of the mingling of a liquid and air, to prevent damages, by the liquid, of tank walls of the sterilizer and of appliances within a sterilizing tank, and to improve the sterilizing efficiency of an ultraviolet lamp(s).SOLUTION: The provided sterilizer is an apparatus comprising: a sterilizing tank possessing liquid inflow and outflow ports; and a plurality of ultraviolet lamps so as to stream a liquid flowing, via the inflow port, into the sterilizing tank through the gap(s) between the ultraviolet lamps and to supply the liquid via the outflow port in such a way that microorganisms perish upon the irradiation thereof with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamps on an occasion where the liquid passes through the gap(s) between the lamps wherein the inflow and outflow ports each possess tubular sections, wherein edge portions of the respective tubular sections on the sterilizing tank interior side are plugged, and wherein a plurality of holes are formed on profile planes of the respective tubular sections.

Description

Sterilization device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a sterilizer for water or hot water, and more particularly to a sterilizer used in a circulation type bathroom or the like.

Background

The present inventors have developed a method and an apparatus for producing drinking water or high-purity medical water from contaminated water or contaminated water in a poor water quality area such as in the case of washing or sterilization disasters, and filed an application as patent application 2002-. The purpose of this is to remove chemicals and the like in addition to sandy soil substances by using various filters to detoxify the water, and to irradiate the water with ultraviolet rays to sterilize or detoxify microorganisms containing bacterial substances that cannot be removed by these filters, thereby obtaining high-purity water that can be used in drinking water, medical facilities, and the like.

Both tap water supplied through a large-scale purification apparatus and water stored in a tank provided on the roof of a high-rise building or an apartment house generate bacteria such as escherichia coli, and in some cases, the water is not suitable for use as drinking water. In this case, by using the ultraviolet ray device, complete drinking water can be provided.

The present invention relates to a sterilizer for purifying and sterilizing hot water in a bathroom in a hot spring place, a health place, or the like, a swimming pool for swimming competition or a swimming pool in a leisure place, which is used by many children, a pond or a lake, or the like, in which blue-green algae frequently occurs, and also for sterilizing contaminated water to prepare drinking water. In particular, even when sterilization is performed using a large amount of chlorine, adverse effects on the human body or the skin are reported, and sterilization using ultraviolet rays which are completely harmless is an efficient technique.

In the apparatus of the present invention, transparency of hot water or the like in a healthy place or a hot spring to be treated is relatively low, and particularly, transmittance of ultraviolet rays is low due to scattering of mixed foreign particles or the like. Therefore, it is difficult to sterilize bacteria mixed in a liquid by irradiating the liquid such as hot water with ultraviolet rays only by disposing an ultraviolet lamp, and it is difficult to sterilize the liquid.

In hot water in bathrooms, especially in hot springs, the purification by means of filters is less important than in drinking water, since it is not for drinking purposes. In addition, hot spring water is a substance of various components, and a large amount of substances and components beneficial to the body are mixed, so that transparency is low. Therefore, by arranging various filters used in the above-described purification and sterilization apparatuses for drinking water in combination, it is possible to remove these substances, components, contaminants, and the like, and it is easy to improve the transparency of the liquid. However, this method is not preferable because the active substances and components in hot springs and the like are also removed.

The present inventors have developed a sterilization apparatus for killing or detoxifying microorganisms and bacteria in water without removing various substances and components in hot spring water and the like, and have filed an application as patent application No. 2003-.

In this apparatus, a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are arranged in a flow path relatively close to a flow path through which a liquid such as hot water to be sterilized flows. Then, sterilization was performed as follows: the liquid is introduced through the inflow side and is irradiated with ultraviolet rays while passing between the ultraviolet lamps, thereby killing or detoxifying harmful microorganisms, particularly legionella, cryptosporidium, and the like, which have recently become problematic. In fact, in a sterilization tank having an inlet and an outlet provided in a flow path or the like, since a plurality of ultraviolet lamps are arranged in a row in a direction perpendicular to a liquid flow of a liquid flowing from the inlet to the outlet, the liquid is irradiated with ultraviolet rays when passing between the ultraviolet lamps. Further, the interval between the ultraviolet rays is set at a distance that allows sufficient ultraviolet rays to pass even when the liquid is opaque, and at an interval that can be put into practical use even when the supply amount and circulation amount of the liquid are taken into consideration, thereby sufficiently sterilizing or detoxifying the liquid.

In addition, in this sterilization apparatus, a side wall of the sterilization tank is formed with a slope gradually protruding inward in the direction of liquid flow, that is, a slope protruding from the inlet port side toward the outlet port side toward the inside of the tank, and a bottom of the sterilization tank is provided with a slope gradually rising in the direction of liquid flow, that is, a slope rising from the inlet port side toward the outlet port side. Thus, the liquid flowing along the side wall or the bottom is changed in the direction of the central portion of the groove, and the liquid flow is disturbed, thereby increasing the sterilization effect by the ultraviolet rays. In order to further enhance the sterilization effect near the bottom, a small hole may be provided in a slope provided in the bottom (see japanese patent application laid-open No. 2009-279510).

[ Prior art documents ]

[ patent document ]

[ patent document 1] Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2003-24579

[ patent document 2] Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2004-267401

[ patent document 3] Japanese patent application laid-open No. 2009-279510

Disclosure of Invention

[ problems to be solved by the invention ]

In the sterilizer having such a configuration, when a liquid such as water or hot water to be sterilized flows in from the inlet port and when a sterilized liquid flows out from the outlet port, air enters from the bottom surface of the tubular portion of the inlet port or the outlet port and is mixed with the liquid in the inlet port or the outlet port, thereby forming a spiral liquid flow inside the tubular portion. Also, there is a possibility that the liquid flowing down from the tubular portion of the inflow port damages the bottom of the tank.

The invention provides a sterilization device, which is provided with an inflow port and an outflow port of liquid, and the sterilization device is improved as follows: the liquid and the air can be prevented from being mixed to form a spiral liquid flow, and damage to the tank wall of the sterilization apparatus and the equipment in the sterilization tank due to the liquid can be prevented.

The present invention also provides a sterilizer having an ultraviolet lamp, which is improved in terms of improvement of sterilization efficiency by the ultraviolet lamp.

In addition, the invention provides an ultraviolet lamp holding structure for preventing the ultraviolet lamp used in the sterilization device from being damaged.

[ means for solving problems ]

The sterilization apparatus of the present invention is a sterilization apparatus provided with: a sterilization tank having an inlet and an outlet for the liquid, and at least one row of a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arranged at a desired interval in the sterilization tank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the liquid, wherein the liquid flowing into the sterilization tank through the inlet flows out through the outlet through a gap between the ultraviolet lamps, and turbulence occurs during the passage, and when the liquid passes between the ultraviolet lamps, the liquid is irradiated with ultraviolet rays passing through the ultraviolet lamps, thereby killing microorganisms; the sterilization apparatus is characterized in that the inlet port and the outlet port each have a tubular portion, the tubular portion is closed at an end portion inside the sterilization tank so that air does not enter, and a plurality of holes are formed in a side surface portion of the tubular portion.

In the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of holes formed in the side surface portion of the tubular portion have a large size.

In the sterilizer according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of holes formed in the side surface portion of the tubular portion are not provided in a portion facing the ultraviolet lamp.

In the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the sterilization tank has inclined surfaces on both sides thereof, the inclined surfaces gradually protruding into the tank along a direction in which the liquid flows, and the protruding inclined surfaces are provided at positions where the ultraviolet lamps are provided in the direction in which the liquid flows.

In the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the plurality of ultraviolet lamps arranged in a row at a desired interval in a direction substantially perpendicular to the liquid flow direction be arranged so as to face a side surface along the liquid flow direction of the sterilization tank.

In the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, it is preferable that the sterilization tank is provided with a plurality of inlet ports and outlet ports.

In the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention, it is preferable that the inlet and the outlet have a plurality of branched tubular portions.

[ Effect of the invention ]

According to the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, since the plurality of holes are formed in the side surface portion of the tubular portion at the end portion of the tubular portion inside the sterilization tank that closes the inflow port and the outflow port, it is possible to prevent a spiral liquid flow caused by the air entering the inflow port or the outflow port. Further, the liquid flowing down from the inlet pipe section can be prevented from damaging the tank wall of the sterilization apparatus and the equipment inside the sterilization apparatus.

In addition, according to the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, since the inclined surface protruding toward the inside of the tank is provided on the side surface of the sterilization tank in accordance with the installation position of the ultraviolet lamp, the flow of the liquid near the side surface is changed toward the ultraviolet lamp, so that the liquid in the tank is irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp with a higher probability. Therefore, the sterilization efficiency through the ultraviolet lamp is improved.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the above embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a part of an inlet port and an ultraviolet lamp of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, wherein (a) is a view showing a positional relationship between the inlet port and the ultraviolet lamp, (B) is a view showing a relationship between a hole provided in the inlet port and a pipe end portion, and (C) is a view showing another embodiment of the inlet port according to the present invention.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a slope used in the present invention and a view showing a flow of liquid.

FIG. 6 is a view showing the flow of liquid near the inclined surface in the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a view of the inclined surface as viewed from the inside and a view showing the flow of the liquid.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a stopper for a quartz protective tube according to the present invention, in which a quartz protective tube for an ultraviolet lamp is surrounded in a non-contact state and fixed to a ceiling plate of a sterilizer together with the quartz protective tube, wherein (A) is a side sectional view, (B) is a plan view, (C) is a plan view showing a state where the stopper for a quartz protective tube is removed, and (D) is a view showing a U-shape of the ultraviolet lamp in a direction of an arrow.

FIG. 9 is a top view of other embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of other embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a top view of other embodiments of the present invention.

[ description of symbols ]

100 sterilizing tank

101 inflow port

101a inlet part

101b tubular part

101c bottom surface

101d inlet part

102 hole

104 outflow opening

104a outlet part

104b tubular part

104c bottom surface

105 inclined plane

105A hole

105B middle part

106 bottom part

107 interface

108. 109 side wall

108A, 109A bevels

110 stream of liquid

111. 112, 113, 114, 115, 116 ultraviolet lamp

120 flow of liquid

121. 122, 123, 124, 125, 126 ultraviolet lamp

131. 132, 133, 134, 135, 136, 137, 138, 139 ultraviolet lamp

101 ', 101 ' ' inlet

104 ', 104 ' ' outflow opening

141. 142, 143, 144, 145, 146, 147, 148, 149, 150, 151, 152 ultraviolet lamps

160 baffle

200 ultraviolet lamp

Metal fixing piece for 210 quartz protective tube

220 sterilizing device top plate

230 quartz protective tube

Rubber fixing piece for 240 quartz protective tube

250 baffle

260 ultraviolet lamp mounting part

A direction of liquid flow

I region

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention will be described based on examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1, 2, and 3 show an embodiment of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, which shows the inside of the sterilization apparatus, fig. 1 is a front view, fig. 2 is a side view, and fig. 3 is a plan view. Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a part of the inlet port and the ultraviolet lamp of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, (a) is a view showing a positional relationship between the inlet port and the ultraviolet lamp, and (B) is a view showing a relationship between the hole provided in the inlet port and the pipe end portion.

In these figures, 101 denotes an inlet port of the sterilization tank 100 of the sterilization apparatus (an inlet port for allowing a liquid such as water or hot water to be sterilized to flow into the sterilization tank), 104 denotes an outlet port, and 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 denote ultraviolet lamps. The liquid flows into the sterilization tank 100 through the inlet port 101, is sterilized by irradiation with the ultraviolet lamps 111 to 116, and flows out through the outlet port 104 provided at a position nearly diagonally opposite to the inlet port 101 in the sterilization tank 100.

In this embodiment, 3 ultraviolet lamps 111, 112, 113 are arranged in a row at regular intervals, and the other 3 ultraviolet lamps 114, 115, 116 are arranged in a row at regular intervals, so that a total of 2 rows of 6 ultraviolet lamps are arranged. The ultraviolet lamp is U-shaped, and is provided in a U shape facing a side surface along a liquid flow direction (a direction of an arrow a in fig. 3) of the sterilizer.

On the side wall 109 of the sterilization tank 100, an inclined surface 109A that gradually protrudes toward the inside of the sterilization tank along the direction of liquid flow is provided so as to coincide with the position where the ultraviolet lamp is provided in the direction of liquid flow (see fig. 3). In addition, a bottom 106 of the sterilization tank 100 is provided with a slope 105 that faces upward along the direction of liquid flow, and a plurality of holes 105A are formed in a boundary 107 between the slope 105 and the bottom 106 (see fig. 5).

Next, referring to fig. 4, the structure of the inlet 101 of the sterilization apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

The inlet 101 is formed in an L-shaped curved shape and includes an inlet 101a connected to an external water source and a tubular portion 101b extending toward a lower portion of the sterilizing layer 100. The bottom surface 101c of the tubular portion 101b is closed so that liquid cannot pass through. Further, a plurality of circular holes 102 having a diameter r are provided on the side surface of the tubular portion 101 b. I of fig. 4(a) shows that the region facing the nearest uv lamp 114 is not provided with an aperture 102. The diameter R of the hole 102 is smaller than the diameter R of the tubular portion 101b, and the sum of the opening areas thereof is set to be 2 times or more the cross-sectional area of the tubular portion 101 b. In the present embodiment, the diameter R of the tubular portion is set to 100mm and the diameter R of the hole 102 is set to 20mm, but the diameter R of the hole 102 is preferably 15mm to 20 mm.

In the inlet 101 having such a configuration, the bottom surface 101c of the tubular portion 101b is closed, so that the formation of a turbulent flow of a spiral liquid caused by air mixing and the damage of the bottom of the sterilization tank or the internal equipment caused by the liquid flowing down can be prevented.

In the sterilization apparatus of the present embodiment, a liquid to be sterilized is caused to flow in through the inlet 101, and the liquid is sent into the sterilization tank 100 through the plurality of holes 102 formed in the tubular portion 101b of the inlet 101. Here, the liquid fed into the sterilization tank 100 through the inlet 101 is introduced into the sterilization tank in a rush state in which the liquid is dispersed from the plurality of holes 102. Further, since the bottom surface 101c of the tubular portion 101b is closed and no hole 102 is provided in the region I facing the nearest ultraviolet lamp 114, there is no direct and violent water flow impact on the bottom of the sterilization tank 100 or the ultraviolet lamps 114. Thus, there is no fear of damaging the base or the ultraviolet lamp 114.

The liquid flowing into the tank is irradiated with ultraviolet rays emitted from ultraviolet lamps 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116 disposed in the tank, thereby killing bacteria in the liquid. Then, the flow passes through the outlet portion 104a through a hole provided in a side surface of the tubular portion 104b of the outflow port 104 facing in the up-down direction. The bottom surface 104c of the outlet 104 is also closed similarly to the inlet 101 in order to prevent air from being mixed. The hole provided in the tubular portion 104b of the outlet 104 has the same structure as the inlet 101.

Here, the liquid flowing through the sterilization tank 100 is sterilized by irradiation with the ultraviolet lamp, and the present invention is improved to improve the sterilization efficiency. First, in consideration of the irradiation efficiency of the uv lamp, the present invention employs a U-shaped tube type uv lamp, and the U-shaped tube is disposed so as to face the side surface along the liquid flow direction a of the sterilization tank 100. With this arrangement, the frequency of ultraviolet irradiation to the liquid flowing through the sterilization tank 100 is increased, and the sterilization efficiency can be improved.

Further, the liquid flow along the side walls 108 and 109 or the liquid flow along the bottom 106 of the sterilization tank 100 is difficult to be irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp, and therefore, bacteria in the liquid may not be sterilized. However, according to the present invention, the side walls 108 and 109 are provided with the inclined surfaces 108A and 109A protruding into the sterilization tank 100 at the positions where the ultraviolet lamps are installed, and the bottom 106 is provided with the inclined surface 105 facing upward in the direction of liquid flow. Thus, the liquid flow in the portion which is difficult to be irradiated by the ultraviolet lamp is directed toward the ultraviolet lamp, and the sterilization can be surely performed. The slopes 108A, 109A, and 105 are explained in detail below. Since the inclined surface 108A and the inclined surface 109A have the same structure, only the inclined surface 109A provided on the side wall 109 will be described below.

If the angle α formed by the side surface 109 of the inclined surface 109A provided on the side wall 109 is too large, the change in the liquid flow direction becomes small, so that the turbulent flow is difficult to be formed, and the effect of directing the liquid toward the ultraviolet lamp becomes small. Further, if too small, the direction of the flow of liquid striking the ramp becomes the return direction. Therefore, the angle α of the inclined surface 109A is 105 to 110 degrees, and is configured in such a manner that the center of the ultraviolet lamp is on the extension line of the inclined surface (refer to fig. 4 (a)). Accordingly, the liquid flow redirected by the slope 109A flows toward the ultraviolet lamp, and thus the ultraviolet lamp can be used to sterilize the liquid reliably.

As shown in fig. 1, the inclined surface 105 provided on the bottom 106 is provided at an intermediate position in the flow direction of each of the ultraviolet lamps 111 and 112, 112 and 113, 114 and 115, 115 and 116 arranged in the flow direction, respectively, facing upward along the flow direction. Similarly, the inlet 101 and the uv lamps 111 and 114 are also provided with slopes at intermediate positions in the flow direction. Accordingly, the liquid flowing along the bottom 106 of the sterilization tank 100, which is changed in direction by the slope 105, passively rises and flows toward the ultraviolet lamp, and thus the sterilization by the ultraviolet lamp can be reliably performed.

Further, on the inclined surface 105 of this embodiment, as shown in fig. 5, a plurality of holes 105A are formed. Therefore, a part of the liquid flowing along the bottom passes through the slope 105 through the hole, and the liquid is prevented from being retained near the boundary 107 between the bottom 106 and the slope 105 to cause the bacterial concentration in the liquid near the boundary 107 to become high. The liquid passing through the hole is sterilized by means of the ascending air flow formed by the inclined surface 105, finally by irradiation of the ultraviolet lamp. The configuration of the ramp 105 and the plurality of apertures 105A and the flow of liquid therethrough are described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 5(B), the hole 105A has a vertically long semi-elliptical shape or a shape close to a semi-elliptical shape, and has a small transverse length. Thus, the liquid flow through the orifice 105A is in various directions along the edge of the orifice as shown in FIG. 6. Further, the relatively large amount of liquid flow 110 flowing along the bottom 106 increases the pressure in the vicinity of the inclined surface 105, and the liquid rising obliquely along the inclined surface 105 rises at a relatively slow speed. On the other hand, most of the liquid flowing through the bottom of the liquid flow 120 passing through the orifice 105A is blocked by the slope 105, and the pressure on the opposite side becomes relatively small. Therefore, due to the abrupt change to the low pressure (compared to the high pressure portion), the velocity of the liquid is abruptly increased due to the pressure difference thereof. In this case, the entire liquid flow 120 shown in FIG. 6 passes through the holes and then is directed obliquely upward. When the liquid flow is shown passing through the hole 105A, the liquid flow is dispersed obliquely upward as shown in FIG. 7, and almost all of the liquid flow is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp. The liquid flow 120 passing through the holes is dispersed in various directions at a high speed as shown in fig. 7, for example, rises in a dispersed state, merges with the entire liquid flow, passes through the vicinity of the ultraviolet lamp, and is irradiated with ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp, thereby receiving a sufficient bactericidal action and completely killing contained bacterial substances.

Thus, in the apparatus of example 1, the liquid stream 110 flowing along the bottom 106 rises obliquely upward due to the inclined surface 105 and flows through the vicinity of the ultraviolet lamp. On the other hand, the liquid stream 120 nearest to the bottom 106 passes through the holes 105A formed in the inclined surface, and forms a dispersed high-speed liquid stream as described above, and flows to the vicinity of the ultraviolet lamp to be irradiated with ultraviolet rays. In addition, water flowing through the portion 105B between the respective holes 105A of the inclined surface 105 is introduced through the holes 105A at a high speed, and does not stagnate at the boundary portion and also passes through the holes 105A.

Therefore, while the water flowing along the bottom 106 rises along the slope, the water nearest to the bottom 106 flows through the water passage holes 105A on the bottom 106 and is dispersed, and all the water passes through the vicinity of the ultraviolet lamp, and there is no water that is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays at all or is hardly irradiated with ultraviolet rays, and it is possible to substantially completely kill the detoxified bacterial species.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the slope 105 provided with the hole 105A is formed across the side wall surface 108 on one side and the side wall surface 109 on the other side, almost all of the liquid flowing along the bottom 106 rises along the slope 105, or a high-speed liquid flow dispersed through the hole 105A is formed. Thus, the liquid rising due to the inclined surface 105 provided between the inlet port 101 and the ultraviolet lamps 111 and 114 and the liquid dispersed through the hole 105A pass through the vicinity of the ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamps 111 and 114, and are reliably irradiated with the ultraviolet rays. Similarly, the liquid ascending due to the inclined surface between the ultraviolet lamps 111 (114) and 112 (115) is irradiated between the two ultraviolet lamps 111 (114) and 112 (115) toward the ultraviolet irradiation position of the two lamps, and thus is irradiated by the ultraviolet rays passing through the two ultraviolet lamps 111 (114), 112 (115). Further, the water passing through the holes 105A is also irradiated with ultraviolet rays by these ultraviolet lamps. Further, the liquid also ascends due to the slope provided between the ultraviolet lamps 112 (115) and 113 (116). Or dispersed through the holes, and irradiated with ultraviolet rays by ultraviolet lamps 112 (115), 113 (116), etc., to kill bacteria in the liquid.

In the present embodiment, both ends of the inclined surface are joined to each other so as to be closely adhered to the side wall surfaces 108 and 109, and the liquid passing between the inclined surface 105 and the side wall surfaces 108 and 109 is not present, and all the liquid is provided so as to pass through the vicinity of any one of the ultraviolet lamps 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, and 116, and thus sterilization is reliably performed.

In the present embodiment, as described above, since the outlet 104 is provided at a position almost diagonally opposite to the inlet 101, the liquid flow in the tank flows without being deposited, and the sterilization efficiency by the ultraviolet lamp is improved.

Fig. 4(C) is a diagram showing other embodiments of the inflow port 101 according to the present invention. In the present embodiment, the inlet 101d of the external water source connected to the inflow port 101 is formed in a tapered shape expanding toward the tubular portion 101 b. By forming such a structure, the pipe diameter of the tubular portion 101b can be enlarged while maintaining the pipe diameter of the portion of the external water supply connected to the inlet portion 101 d.

In the embodiment of the present invention shown in fig. 1 to 3, the ultraviolet lamps are arranged along 3 rows of the liquid flow in the direction 2 perpendicular to the liquid flow direction, and the sterilization structure is formed by a total of 6 ultraviolet lamps, but when the water quality is poor or a large amount of water must be treated in a short time, the sterilization efficiency must be further improved, the ultraviolet lamps are arranged along 3 rows of the liquid flow in the direction 3 perpendicular to the liquid flow direction, and the sterilization is formed by a total of 9 ultraviolet lamps. In this case, the distance between the inlet port 101 and the ultraviolet lamp is reduced, and a relatively large amount of liquid is fed into the sterilization tank, so that the speed of the liquid discharged from the holes 102 provided in the tubular portion 101b of the inlet port 101 is increased. Therefore, even if no hole is provided in the region facing the ultraviolet lamp, there is a fear that the ultraviolet lamp is damaged by the high-speed liquid flow.

In this case, if the tube diameter of the tubular portion 101b can be increased as in the present embodiment, a larger amount of liquid can be supplied, and therefore, a large amount of liquid can be handled in a short time. Further, since the diameter of the hole 102 provided in the tubular portion 101b can be increased, the flow velocity of the liquid discharged from the hole 102 can be reduced. Thus, there is no fear of damaging the ultraviolet lamp by the liquid ejected from the hole 102.

In addition, in the case where the outer shape of the apparatus must be reduced due to the installation space, even if the number of the ultraviolet lamps is 6 as in the above-described embodiment, the distance between the inlet port and the ultraviolet lamps is small, which increases the risk of damage to the ultraviolet lamps due to the high-speed liquid flow. In this case as well, if the inlet port is an inlet port having the inlet portion 101d of a tapered shape according to the present invention, since the formation of the hole 102 having a large diameter can reduce the flow rate of the ejected liquid, the above-described danger can be eliminated.

Fig. 9 is a view showing an example in which ultraviolet lamps of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention are densely arranged. Although the sterilization apparatus of the present invention has high sterilization efficiency, when a better sterilization efficiency is required in a narrow installation space, as shown in fig. 9, in addition to the 6 ultraviolet lamps 111 to 116 shown in fig. 3, ultraviolet lamps 121 to 126 are installed so as to be spaced apart from the ultraviolet lamps 111 to 116 substantially equally. In this case, in consideration of the sterilization efficiency of the lamps, additional U-shaped uv lamps 121 to 126 are provided so as to be orthogonal to the U-shaped uv lamps 111 to 116. When the ultraviolet lamps are disposed at a high density, microorganisms having high oxygen resistance can be killed. In addition, the ultraviolet lamps are arranged at a high density, so that the sterilizing capability per unit time can be improved, and the sterilizing apparatus can process a larger flow of fluid.

Fig. 10 is a view showing another example of changing the configuration of the ultraviolet lamp of the sterilization apparatus according to the present invention. In this example, the ultraviolet lamps are 3 ultraviolet lamps 131, 132, 133 arranged in a row at a constant interval, 3 ultraviolet lamps 134, 135, 136 arranged in a row at a constant interval, and 3 ultraviolet lamps 137, 138, 139 arranged in a row at a constant interval, and a total of 3 rows and 9 ultraviolet lamps are arranged. In the case of increasing the number of rows, it is preferable to provide the inlet port 101 and the outlet port at a position substantially midway in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction, rather than arranging the inlet port 101 and the outlet port 104 on a diagonal line, because a sufficient liquid flow can be supplied to the uv lamps 131, 137, 133, and 139 provided at both ends.

Fig. 11 is a view showing another example of changing the configuration of the ultraviolet lamp of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention. In this example, the ultraviolet lamps are 3 ultraviolet lamps 141, 142, 143 arranged in a row at a constant interval, 3 ultraviolet lamps 144, 145, 146 arranged in a row at a constant interval, 3 ultraviolet lamps 147, 148, 149 arranged in a row at a constant interval, and 3 ultraviolet lamps 150, 151, 152 arranged in a row at a constant interval, and 4 rows of 12 ultraviolet lamps are arranged in total. In the case of such further increased rows, the inflow and outflow ports are formed in a branched tubular structure as shown in the drawing, and constitute the 1 st inflow port 101 'and the 2 nd inflow port 101 ″, and the 1 st outflow port 104' and the 2 nd outflow port 104 ″. By such a structure, it is possible to supply a sufficient flow of liquid also for the ultraviolet lamps 141, 150 and 143, 152 provided at both ends.

Fig. 12 is a view showing a sterilizer having a structure in which 2 sterilizer having 4 rows of 12 uv lamps and a branched inlet/outlet structure shown in fig. 11 are connected. The sterilization device of this embodiment is effective in the case where a very large flow rate of liquid must be handled. In this apparatus, the baffle 160 that generates turbulence in the connecting portion is formed in a corrugated plate shape, so that turbulence of the liquid can be generated also in this portion.

In the sterilization apparatus of fig. 10, 11, and 12, an additional ultraviolet lamp can be provided between the ultraviolet lamps, as in fig. 9. When the ultraviolet lamps are arranged at a high density in this manner, the sterilizing capability per unit time can be improved, and the sterilizing apparatus can handle a larger flow rate of fluid, as in fig. 9.

The ultraviolet lamp used in the sterilization apparatus of the present invention is protected by a protective tube because it is expensive and has poor impact resistance, but is configured to be protected by a quartz protective tube made of transparent quartz glass so as not to lower the irradiation effect of the ultraviolet lamp. The structure in which the ultraviolet lamp is held/fixed in the sterilizing apparatus together with the quartz protective tube is shown in fig. 8.

Fig. 8 is a view showing a state in which the ultraviolet lamp 200 is surrounded by the quartz protection tube 230 in a non-contact state and fixed to the ceiling plate 220 of the sterilization apparatus together with the quartz protection tube 230, wherein (a) is a side sectional view, (B) is a plan view, (C) is a plan view showing a state in which the stopper 250 for the quartz protection tube according to the present invention is removed, and (D) is a view showing a part of the ultraviolet lamp 200 in a U-shape, which is viewed in an arrow direction from an arrow D in fig. 8 (a).

The quartz protection tube 230 is held by the metal holder 210 for the quartz protection tube via the rubber holder 240 for the quartz protection tube, but air is generally introduced into a space between the quartz protection tube 230 and the ultraviolet lamp 200, and if liquid such as water or hot water is introduced into the sterilization tank, the quartz tube 230 rises due to buoyancy and collides with the ultraviolet lamp mounting part 260. Due to the collision, an accident in which the quartz protective tube 230 is damaged may occur. In addition, the temperature of the liquid to be treated by the sterilizer may be as high as that of hot spring water, or as low as that of drinking water in cold regions. Further, since the stainless steel (SUS 304) generally used in the metal fixture 210 for the quartz protective tube has a different expansion coefficient from the quartz glass constituting the quartz protective tube 230, if the buoyancy direction (longitudinal direction) is completely fixed, an accident that the quartz protective tube is damaged due to expansion and contraction of the quartz glass may occur.

In order to prevent such damage of the quartz protection tube 230, a stopper 250 for the quartz protection tube is provided to prevent the quartz protection tube 230 from moving in the direction in which the buoyancy of the uv lamp mounting part 260 acts. The stopper 250 is attached to the metal fixture 210 for a quartz protection tube so as to be movable in the buoyancy acting direction, and forms a narrow gap with the upper end portion of the quartz protection tube 230. Specifically, the attachment hole provided at the attachment position of the stopper 250 to the metal fixture 210 for a quartz protective tube is a vertically long hole in fig. 8 (a), and is loosely fixed to the metal fixture 210 for a quartz protective tube. Therefore, when a force to move the quartz protection tube 230 upward due to buoyancy, expansive force, or the like is applied in the vertical direction of fig. 8 (a), the quartz protection tube 230 contacts the stopper 250, and rises together with the stopper 250 against the loose fixing force of the stopper 250. During the rise, the force to the upper side of the quartz protective tube 230 is weakened by the stopper 250, the impact due to the rise is buffered, and the damage due to the collision can be prevented.

According to the sterilization apparatus of the present invention, since the sterilization treatment of microorganisms is physically performed by the ultraviolet lamp, it is harmless to the human body. In addition, the ultraviolet lamp can kill microorganisms and decompose organic substances, so that blue-green algae and algae in lakes or seawater can be killed. In addition, the bath water can be cleaned by decomposing dirt, contaminants, and the like, which are contaminants of the bath water in the circulating public bathing place.

In the embodiment, although the U-shaped ultraviolet lamp is described, the ultraviolet lamp is not limited to the U-shaped tubular lamp.

Claims (8)

1. A sterilization device is provided with the following components: a sterilization tank having an inlet and an outlet for the liquid, and at least one row of a plurality of ultraviolet lamps arranged at a desired interval in the sterilization tank in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of the flow of the liquid, wherein the liquid flowing into the sterilization tank through the inlet flows out through the outlet through a gap between the ultraviolet lamps, and turbulence occurs during the passage, and when the liquid passes between the ultraviolet lamps, the liquid is irradiated with ultraviolet rays passing through the ultraviolet lamps, thereby killing microorganisms; the sterilization apparatus is characterized in that the inlet port and the outlet port each have a tubular portion, the tubular portion is closed at an end portion inside the sterilization tank so that air does not enter, and a plurality of holes are formed in a side surface portion of the tubular portion.

2. The sterilizer according to claim 1, wherein the total area of the plurality of holes formed in the side surface portion of the tubular portion is 2 times or more the cross-sectional area of the tubular portion.

3. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of holes formed in the side surface portion of the tubular portion are not provided in a portion facing the ultraviolet lamp.

4. The sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein inclined surfaces are provided on both side surfaces of the sterilizer tank, the inclined surfaces gradually protruding into the tank along a direction in which the liquid flows, and the protruding inclined surfaces are provided at positions where the ultraviolet lamps are provided in the direction in which the liquid flows.

5. The sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of ultraviolet lamps are disposed so as to face a side surface in a liquid flow direction along the sterilizer tank.

6. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of the inflow ports and outflow ports are provided in the sterilization tank.

7. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said inlet port and said outlet port have a plurality of branched tubular portions.

8. The sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of rows of the ultraviolet lamps are arranged, and the ultraviolet lamps in the adjacent rows in the flow direction are arranged at positions shifted from each other in the direction perpendicular to the flow direction.