JP2008080327A - Small solution purification device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a small solution purification device effectively demonstrating photocatalytic activity for a purifying object solution, with simple and small structure, particularly suited to sterilization of cut flower dipping liquid and decomposition of organic matter. <P>SOLUTION: Non-woven fabric carrying a photocatalyst, titanium oxide in particular, or a metallic mesh type photocatalyst carrier and an ultraviolet light emitting diode are faced to be juxtaposed, a solution passage allowing the purifying object solution to flow is formed therebetween, and these are contained in one vessel to form the small solution purification device, particularly suited to sterilization of cut flower dipping liquid. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a small purification device for purifying a solution using ultraviolet rays and a photocatalyst, and more particularly to a small solution purification device suitable for use in sterilization of cut flower immersion liquid in a relatively small capacity container.

  Conventional antibacterial agents used to suppress microbial growth in cut flower soaking solution still have problems in terms of environmental impact and cost. In addition, when a powdery photocatalyst is used, the photocatalyst itself is disposable, so there are problems of cost and wastewater treatment, troubles such as adjustment of the addition amount, and the influence of the photocatalyst powder on the plant.

Patent Document 1 discloses a vase in which a substantially transparent layer containing photocatalyst particles is provided on the inner surface of a transparent vase container in order to obtain a life extension effect such as cut flowers. Patent Document 2 discloses an antibacterial filter for raising plants at a position slightly above the bottom of the vase in order to sterilize bacteria contained in water and to obtain the effect of extending the life of cut flowers and hydroponics. A plant breeder provided is disclosed, and this antibacterial filter is configured by filling a particulate photocatalyst material into a holding body made of a mesh material.
JP-A-10-225351 JP-A-10-146509

  However, a conventional purification device using a photocatalyst against a cut flower soaking solution has a problem that the sterilizing effect of the solution and the effect of decomposing the contained organic matter are still insufficient. In addition, the structure is complicated, the adjustment of the amount of photocatalyst is difficult to adjust, and it is not configured in a small device, and it is difficult to use it for various solution purification purposes. is there.

  Accordingly, the problem of the present invention is that the photocatalytic activity can be efficiently and effectively exerted on the solution to be purified, the structure is simple and small, and it can be widely and easily applied to various uses. An object of the present invention is to provide a small-sized solution purification device suitable for sterilization of immersion liquid and decomposition of organic substances.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a small solution purification apparatus according to the present invention has a photocatalyst carrier carrying a photocatalyst and an ultraviolet light emitting diode facing each other, and a solution path through which a solution to be purified can flow is provided between the two. A compact solution purifying device is characterized in that these are formed and housed in one container. In particular, since the photocatalyst carrier and the ultraviolet light emitting diode can be compactly arranged at optimal positions in a single container, the entire product is constructed as a small device, and the purification target is distributed through the solution path between the two. It becomes possible to purify the solution efficiently and effectively.

  In this small solution purification apparatus, the photocatalyst carrier is preferably a nonwoven fabric carrying a photocatalyst. By adopting such a form, it is possible to easily store the nonwoven fabric photocatalyst carrier in a predetermined state in a container, whether it is a container having various shapes or a small container. Become.

  Alternatively, as the photocatalyst carrier, a metal mesh carrying a photocatalyst is also preferable. By adopting such a configuration, the photocatalyst is supported on a relatively thin metal mesh (for example, a metal mesh having a thickness of about 0.5 mm), so that UV light from the ultraviolet light emitting diode can be easily applied to the entire supported photocatalyst. In addition, it becomes possible to irradiate efficiently and efficiently, and the desired photocatalytic activity can be easily and effectively exhibited.

  Further, the photocatalyst carrier may be arranged on at least both sides of the ultraviolet light emitting diode. As a result, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitting diode is irradiated onto the photocatalyst support over a wide area, and the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitting diode can be used efficiently to develop the photocatalytic activity.

  Alternatively, the photocatalyst carrier is disposed only on a specific surface (for example, only on the bottom surface in the container) of the plurality of surfaces facing the ultraviolet light-emitting diode in the container, and the remaining facing surfaces are It can also be set as the form made into the surface where the said photocatalyst carrier is not arrange | positioned. In other words, the sterilization effect of only ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light emitting diodes is ensured as wide as possible, and the sterilization effect of only ultraviolet rays works efficiently over a wide range, and in addition, the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light emitting diodes are applied to a specific surface. By irradiating the arranged photocatalyst carrier, the photocatalytic activity is expressed, and the sterilization of the solution and the organic matter decomposing action by the photocatalytic activity are exhibited together. It is aimed at a synergistic effect.

  As the photocatalyst, titanium oxide can be typically used, but other photocatalysts can be used as long as they can exhibit a predetermined photocatalytic activity.

  As said container, what has the communicating path which connects the inside of a container and the exterior of a container in the lower part side (for example, bottom wall) and upper part side (for example, upper cover) is preferable. If comprised in this way, the said container as a small solution purification apparatus which concerns on this invention is only immersed in the container (container larger than the small solution purification apparatus which concerns on this invention) in which the purification object solution is accommodated. Thus, the flow path of the solution to be purified can be easily secured in the container.

  The container includes an outer container and an inner container accommodated therein, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode is disposed at least partially between the inner container and the outer container (for example, the outer container). It is preferable that the photocatalyst carrier is housed on the inner surface of the bottom wall. The inner container is preferably a substantially transparent container so that ultraviolet rays can be transmitted. If comprised in this way, while a solution path | route will be formed easily, the ultraviolet-ray from an ultraviolet light emitting diode will be efficiently applied to the photocatalyst support body located in the circumference | surroundings, and desired photocatalytic activity will be expressed. Further, the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light emitting diodes are divided into an ultraviolet ray that exhibits a bactericidal action and is emitted in a direction not irradiated on the photocatalyst carrier and an ultraviolet ray emitted in the direction irradiated on the photocatalyst carrier. It is also possible to adopt.

  Further, the solution path is preferably formed in a flow path extending in the vertical direction. Since more or less heat is generated by starting the ultraviolet light emitting diode, convection of the solution accompanying this heat generation can be expected. When convection occurs in the solution path, the purification target solution is naturally and efficiently replaced, and thus purification is promoted.

  The small solution purification apparatus according to the present invention is small and can be used for any application where sterilization of the solution or decomposition of contained organic substances is required, and is particularly suitable when the solution to be purified is composed of a cut flower soaking solution. It is.

  The small-sized solution purification apparatus according to the present invention is suitable for sterilization of solutions in small-capacity containers and decomposition of organic substances so that the photocatalyst support and the ultraviolet light-emitting diode can operate with high efficiency with an extremely simple and compact structure. Since it is incorporated, it can be configured as a small and inexpensive device that is easy to maintain and can be used repeatedly.

  As described above, the small solution purification apparatus according to the present invention has a small size, low power consumption, a small calorific value, and a simple structure, and decomposes organic matter and microorganisms in the solution in a small container. Can be suitably used. Therefore, it can be used for maintaining the quality of cut flowers in direct sales offices, homes, etc., and can also be applied to other uses that require similar actions.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings based on experiments actually performed. The following experiments verified the ability to decompose organic substances and the antibacterial function of the prototype.

I. Experiment-1
1. Experimental Method (1) Structure of Prototype Machine FIGS. 1 and 2 show a first prototype machine 1 manufactured as a small solution purification apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The prototype 1 is attached to a non-woven type titanium oxide carrier 3 as a photocatalyst carrier and a lid 4 of the outer vessel 2 in an outer vessel 2 having a hole through which a solution flows. 5 (SDL-5N3CUV-A) was enclosed in a sample bottle 6 as an inner container. The carrier 3 cut into a rectangular shape is housed in the outer container 2 so as to wrap the sample bottle 6 as a light emitting part in a U shape so that the center in the width direction is located in the irradiation direction of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 5. It was. Therefore, the nonwoven fabric type titanium oxide carrier 3 is located on both sides of the ultraviolet light emitting diode 5. A solution path through which the solution to be purified flows is formed between the light emitting part (sample bottle 6 as an inner container containing the titanium oxide carrier 3) and the carrier 3, and ultraviolet rays are efficiently irradiated to the carrier. A gap is set. This gap was held by supporting the carrier 3 from the bottom with a screw 7 installed at the center of the bottom wall of the outer container 2. The outer container 2 is provided with solution circulation holes 8 and 9 only on the upper surface side and the bottom surface side corresponding to the lid or at positions substantially corresponding thereto (that is, the upper side and the lower side of the outer container 2). The solution efficiently flows from the bottom surface side of the outer container 2 and the purified solution flows out from the upper surface side by the convection of the solution caused by a small amount of heat generated by the ultraviolet light emitting diode 5 installed in the outer container 2. The structure is as follows. On the bottom surface of the outer container 2, four screws 10 are installed as weights together with the above-described screws 7, and when the apparatus is installed at the bottom of the container containing the solution, it is installed in a correct posture and has an effect. The structure is maximized. The ultraviolet light emitting diode 5 was controlled by a three-terminal regulator and a current limiting resistor (not shown).

(2) Organic substance decomposing ability test The antibacterial (sterilizing) function of titanium oxide used as a photocatalyst is based on decomposing adjacent organic substances by the oxidative decomposing ability of titanium oxide excited by light (ultraviolet rays). Therefore, in order to confirm the ability of the prototype 1 before measuring the antibacterial function, the decomposition ability against methylene blue was measured. After adding 3 drops of methylene blue to 1000 ml of pure water and stirring, the same amount was transferred to two 500 ml beakers. As shown in FIG. 3, the prototype 1 is loaded into one beaker 11 (hereinafter referred to as test group 1), and the other beaker 12 is obtained by removing the ultraviolet light emitting diode from the prototype (hereinafter referred to as the control group). 1). As shown in FIG. 4, this was installed in a light-shielding cardboard box 13, and the ultraviolet light-emitting diodes in the test section 1 were energized. The liquid in each section was collected after stirring at regular intervals, and the absorbance at a wavelength of 665 nm was measured using UVmini-1240 manufactured by Shimadzu Corporation.

(3) Inhibition of microbial growth in the cut flower soaking solution and test of flower holding As shown in FIG. 5, the prototype 1 is put into one Erlenmeyer flask 21 out of two 500 ml Erlenmeyer flasks each containing 500 ml of pure water. (Hereinafter referred to as test group 2), the other Erlenmeyer flask 22 from which the ultraviolet light emitting diode was removed from the prototype 1 (hereinafter referred to as control group 2) was charged. In each zone, 5 sunflowers 23 (variety name: hybrid sunflower) as cut flowers were put in, and the immersion liquid was collected at regular intervals and cultured at 25 ° C for 24 hours with Petrifilm (3M, AC6400). Thereafter, the generated colonies were counted. At the same time, the state of cut flowers was also confirmed.

2. Experimental results (1) Organic matter decomposition ability test Absorbance at a wavelength of 665 nm before the start of the test was 0.202 abs. The change in absorbance after the start of the test is as shown in FIG. 6. Compared with the control group 1 (TiO ₂ (Cont.)), The ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV-LED) and the support of titanium oxide as the photocatalyst were used. The decrease in absorbance of test group 1 (ultraviolet + titanium oxide (UV + TiO ₂ )) combined was large. In the control group 1, a slight decrease in absorbance was also observed.

(2) Microbial growth inhibition and cut flower test in cut flower soaking solution The change in the number of colonies on the Petri film was as shown in FIG. One day after the start of the test, control group 2 had 56 colonies, whereas test group 2 had 3 colonies, and 2 days after the start of the test, control group 2 had 85 colonies, whereas test group 2 had 6 colonies. In Test Zone 2, it is considered that the growth of microorganisms is suppressed. The temperature difference of the immersion liquid between the test group 2 and the control group 2 was 0.2 to 0.3 ° C. higher in the test group 2 than in the control group 2. As for the longevity, the test area was slightly better, but no significant difference was observed.

3. Consideration (1) Organic matter decomposing ability test It was considered that the decrease in absorbance in test group 1 was larger than that in control group 1 because methylene blue was decomposed by the photocatalyst in test group 1 and the concentration decreased. Further, the slight decrease in absorbance was also observed in the control group 1 because of the adsorption effect of the photocatalyst carrier. Therefore, when the present support is used, it is considered that the support adsorbs methylene blue and is later decomposed.

(2) Inhibition of microbial growth in cut flower soaking solution and test of flower retention The number of colonies in test group 2 was smaller than that in control group 2 because the microorganisms were decomposed by photocatalyst in test group 2 and the bacterial density decreased. It is done. Moreover, it is considered that the temperature of the immersion liquid in the test group 2 was 0.2 to 0.3 ° C. higher than that in the control group 2 due to heat generation of the light emitting diode. The amount of heat generated by the light source, which does not adversely affect the quality of cut flowers, is considered to be an advantage when a light emitting diode is used as the ultraviolet light source. Further, it is considered that this small amount of heat generation causes convection in the immersion liquid in the container and contributes to the circulation of the immersion liquid in the apparatus.

  There was no significant difference in the longevity of flowers. The longevity of cut flowers of sunflowers was as short as about 5 days, and they were less susceptible to the effects of microorganisms in the soaking solution. It is thought that it was implemented.

  As described above, the above-described tests confirmed the excellent sterilization performance and organic matter decomposition performance of the small solution purification apparatus according to the present invention.

II. Experiment-2
(1) Structure of prototype machine FIGS. 8-10 shows the 2nd prototype 31 manufactured as a small solution purification apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. In this second prototype 31, compared to the first prototype 1, a photocatalyst carrier 32 (titanium oxide carrier, see FIG. 10) in which a photocatalyst (titanium oxide) is carried on a metal mesh having a thickness of about 0.5 mm. ) Was placed only on the inner surface of the bottom wall of the outer container 33. On the bottom wall of the outer container 33, as in the first prototype 1, screws 34 as weights for immersing the entire container in the liquid in the correct posture are arranged, and the head side is the inner surface side of the bottom wall of the outer container 33. (See FIG. 9), a photocatalyst carrier 32 is disposed on the head of the screw 34 (see FIG. 10), and the photocatalyst carrier 32 and the ultraviolet light emitting diode 38 (see FIG. 9) It is set to be an interval. A hole 35 through which the solution flows was formed in a side wall near the bottom of the outer container 33, and an upper solution circulation hole 37 was provided in the lid 36 of the outer container 33. Similar to the first prototype 1, a sample bottle 39 as an inner container in which an ultraviolet light emitting diode 38 is enclosed is attached to the lid 36 of the outer container 33, and the sample bottle 39 is assembled in the outer container 33 to form a second prototype. Machine 31 was configured. In the second prototype 31, the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitting diode 38 is applied to the solution to be purified flowing through the solution path between the sample bottle 39 as the inner container and the outer container 33, and the sterilizing effect by only the ultraviolet light. And the photocatalyst carrier 32 disposed in a part of the solution path (the inner surface of the bottom wall of the outer container 33) is irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet light emitting diode 38, and has the effect of sterilization and organic matter decomposition by the photocatalytic activity. It is expressed and a synergistic effect is obtained. In addition, SL382AAUE was used for the ultraviolet light emitting diode 38, an 82Ω current limiting resistor was inserted on the positive side of the 5V DC stabilized power supply, and the ultraviolet light emitting diode 38 was driven at about 3.2V, 16mA.

(2) Organic matter decomposition ability test In order to confirm the ability of the second prototype 31 to decompose organic matter, the ability to decompose methylene blue was measured by the same method as the first prototype 1. The test groups are the ultraviolet light emitting diode + photocatalyst carrier group (hereinafter referred to as test group 3), the photocatalyst carrier only group (hereinafter referred to as control group 3), and the ultraviolet light emitting diode only group (hereinafter referred to as control group 4). It was set as 3 wards. As shown in FIG. 11, the experiment was performed by placing the above-mentioned 3-section Erlenmeyer flask 41 under the condition that the blind was lowered on the north side window.

  As a result of the experiment, as shown in FIG. This is considered that the density | concentration fell because methylene blue was decomposed | disassembled by the photocatalyst. In the control group 3, a decrease in absorbance was observed following the test group 3. This is considered to be a result of the ultraviolet rays contained in natural light acting on the photocatalyst support.

(3) Endurance test for cut flowers The endurance test for sunflower cut flowers 42 was carried out in the same manner as in the first prototype 1 (FIGS. 13 and 14). The configuration of the apparatus and test section was the same as in the organic matter decomposition ability test. As shown in FIG. 13 at the start of the test and in FIG. 14 the results after 5 days, the goodness of the flowers is: test group 3 (TiO ₂ + UV)> control group 4 (UV)> control group 3 (TiO ₂ ). became. This is considered to be a result of the sterilization effect by ultraviolet rays, the sterilization effect by the photocatalyst and the organic matter decomposition effect synergistically in the test group 2, and only the sterilization effect by ultraviolet rays more effectively than expected in the control group 4.

  Thus, in the second prototype 31, the structure in which the photocatalyst is supported on the thin metal mesh, and the sterilization effect in which the photocatalyst support is partially disposed in the solution path and irradiated with the ultraviolet light from the ultraviolet light emitting diode. In addition, it is structured so that the organic substance decomposition effect can be obtained, and the structure in which the sterilizing effect is obtained by simply irradiating the ultraviolet ray from the ultraviolet light emitting diode to the part where the photocatalyst carrier is not arranged is effective. It was confirmed that good solution purification can be performed.

  As confirmed in the above test, the small solution purification apparatus according to the present invention is particularly effective for the purification of cut flower soaking liquid, but can be applied to various other fields that are small and require purification of the solution. is there.

It is a disassembled perspective view of the 1st prototype manufactured as a small solution purification apparatus concerning one embodiment of the present invention. It is the disassembled perspective view which looked at the prototype of FIG. 1 from another angle. It is a perspective view which shows the state which immersed the prototype of FIG. 1 in the solution in a beaker in a test. It is a perspective view which shows the state which installed the beaker which immersed the prototype of FIG. 1 in the test, and the beaker which removed the ultraviolet light emitting diode from the prototype in the cardboard box for light shielding. It is a perspective view which shows the state which injected the sunflower into the Erlenmeyer flask which supplied the prototype in the test, and the Erlenmeyer flask which introduced what removed the ultraviolet light emitting diode from the prototype. It is a characteristic view which shows the change of the light absorbency of the methylene blue in the test group 1 and the control group 1. FIG. It is a characteristic view which shows the change of the number of colonies in the test group 2 and the control group 2. FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the 2nd prototype manufactured as a small solution purification apparatus which concerns on another embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the bottom wall inner surface of the outer side container of the prototype of FIG. 8 (before photocatalyst carrier arrangement | positioning). FIG. 9 is a plan view of the inner surface of the bottom wall of the outer container of the prototype of FIG. 8 (after arrangement of the photocatalyst carrier). It is a perspective view which shows the mode of the organic matter decomposition | disassembly capability test test of a 2nd prototype. FIG. 6 is a characteristic diagram showing changes in absorbance of methylene blue in test group 3 and control groups 3 and 4; It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of the test start which put the sunflower into the conical flask in the test group 3 and the control groups 3 and 4. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state at the time of five-day progress after the test start which injected the sunflower into the conical flask in the test group 3 and the control groups 3 and 4. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 1st prototype machine produced as a small solution purification apparatus 2 Outer container 3 Nonwoven fabric type titanium oxide support body 4 as a photocatalyst support body 4 Cover body 5 Ultraviolet light emitting diode 6 Sample bottle 7, 10 Bis 8, 9 solution as an inner container Distribution holes 11 and 12 Beaker 13 Light-shielding cardboard boxes 21 and 22 Erlenmeyer flask 23 Sunflower 31 as cut flower Second prototype 32 manufactured as a small solution purification device Metal mesh titanium oxide support 33 as photocatalyst support Outside Container 34 Screws 35 and 37 Solution flow hole 36 Lid 38 UV light emitting diode 39 Sample bottle 41 as inner container Erlenmeyer flask 42 Sunflower as cut flower

Claims (10)

  The photocatalyst carrying body carrying the photocatalyst and the ultraviolet light emitting diode are arranged opposite to each other, and a solution path through which the solution to be purified can flow is formed between them, and these are housed in one container. Small solution purification device.   The small-sized solution purification apparatus of Claim 1 which consists of what the said photocatalyst support body carry | supported the photocatalyst on the nonwoven fabric.   The small-sized solution purifying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the photocatalyst carrier comprises a metal mesh carrying a photocatalyst.   The small-sized solution purification apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3 with which the said photocatalyst carrier is arrange | positioned at least on both sides of the said ultraviolet light emitting diode.   The photocatalyst carrier is disposed only on a specific surface of the plurality of surfaces facing the ultraviolet light emitting diode in the container, and the remaining facing surface is a surface on which the photocatalyst carrier is not disposed. The small solution purification apparatus in any one of Claims 1-3.   The small solution purification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the photocatalyst is made of titanium oxide.   The small solution purification apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the container includes a communication path that communicates the inside and outside of the container on a lower side and an upper side of the container.   The container comprises an outer container and an inner container accommodated therein, the ultraviolet light emitting diode in the inner container, and the photocatalyst carrier in at least a portion between the inner container and the outer container, The small solution purification apparatus in any one of Claims 1-7 arrange | positioned.   The small solution purification apparatus in any one of Claims 1-8 in which the said solution path is formed in the flow path extended in an up-down direction.   The small solution purification apparatus in any one of Claims 1-9 in which the said purification object solution consists of cut flower immersion liquid.

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