JP2021107039A - Ultrasonic atomization separation device and humidity conditioner - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic atomization separation device which can obtain a predetermined degree of separation.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic atomization separation device includes: an atomization tank for storing treatment liquid, and generating a liquid column by ultrasonic waves on a liquid surface of the treatment liquid, and generating misty droplets of the treatment liquid; an ultrasonic generation part for generating ultrasonic waves; and an air bubble generation part for making air bubbles contained in the treatment liquid. The air bubble generation part makes air bubbles having diameters that are larger than diameters of cavity air bubbles generated by resonance at a frequency of the ultrasonic generation part and one atm and are smaller than a thickness of the liquid column contained in the treatment liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an ultrasonic atomization separation device and a humidity control device.

For example, ultrasonic atomizers have been conventionally used in technical fields such as humidifiers and separators. In an ultrasonic atomizer, a large number of atomized droplets are generated from a liquid by irradiating the liquid with ultrasonic waves.

For example, in Patent Document 1 below, an ultrasonic wave including a container for storing a liquid, an ultrasonic vibrator installed in the container so as to come into contact with the liquid, and an air supply mechanism for supplying air into the liquid. Atomizers are disclosed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-185506

When an ultrasonic atomizer is used as a separation device, for example, it is required that two components existing in a liquid are separated from each other with a desired degree of separation. Therefore, the ultrasonic atomizer needs to have a high atomizing ability.

Patent Document 1 states, "In the present invention, by applying ultrasonic vibration to a liquid in which air is dissolved, a large amount of bubbles can be generated in the liquid column, the bubbles can be burst, and droplets can be scattered. The amount of atomization can be increased. " However, when bubbles are generated in a liquid, the bubbles hinder the propagation of ultrasonic waves in the liquid depending on the size and amount of the bubbles. As a result, the amount of atomization may be rather reduced as compared with the case where no bubbles are generated.

Further, in Patent Document 1, since it is not assumed that the ultrasonic atomizer is used as the separation device, no consideration is given to the size of bubbles suitable for increasing the degree of separation.

One aspect of the present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic atomization separation device capable of obtaining a desired degree of separation. Another object of the present invention is to provide a humidity control device provided with the above-mentioned ultrasonic atomization separation device and capable of efficiently regenerating a liquid hygroscopic material.

In order to achieve the above object, the ultrasonic atomization separation device of one aspect of the present invention stores the treatment liquid and generates a liquid column by ultrasonic waves on the liquid surface of the treatment liquid to generate the treatment liquid. The atomizing tank for generating atomized droplets, the ultrasonic wave generating section for generating the ultrasonic waves, and the bubble generating section for containing bubbles in the treatment liquid are provided, and the bubble generating section is the said. The treatment liquid contains the bubbles having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cavitation bubbles generated by resonance at 1 atm and the frequency of the ultrasonic wave generating portion and smaller than the thickness of the liquid column.

In the ultrasonic atomization separation device of one aspect of the present invention, the atomized droplets include film droplets and jet droplets, and the bubble generating portion has the probability of generating the film droplets. The bubble having a size higher than the generation probability of the jet droplet may be generated.

The humidity control device according to one aspect of the present invention includes a moisture absorbing tank that brings air into contact with a liquid moisture absorbing material containing a hygroscopic substance, and absorbs at least a part of the moisture contained in the air into the liquid moisture absorbing material. A part and an atomization regeneration part for regenerating the liquid moisture absorbing material by atomizing and removing at least a part of the water contained in the liquid moisture absorbing material supplied from the moisture absorbing part. The unit is composed of an ultrasonic atomization separation device according to one aspect of the present invention, and the liquid hygroscopic material in which at least a part of the water is absorbed is used as the treatment liquid.

The humidity control device of one aspect of the present invention may further include a humidity lowering portion that lowers the humidity inside the bubbles.

In the humidity control device of one aspect of the present invention, the humidity lowering portion may be composed of the bubble generating portion arranged inside the moisture absorbing tank.

In the humidity control device of one aspect of the present invention, the moisture absorbing tank includes a gas-liquid contact portion including a structure that increases the contact area between the liquid moisture absorbing material and the air, and the bubble generating portion is a gas-liquid contact portion. It may be provided on the upstream side of the gas-liquid contact portion in the flow direction of the liquid hygroscopic material.

In the humidity control device of one aspect of the present invention, the humidity lowering portion is composed of the bubble generating portion provided in the atomizing tank, and the gas supplied to the bubble generating portion is the atomizing tank. It may be a carrier gas introduced inside.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic atomization separation device capable of obtaining a desired degree of separation. Moreover, one aspect of the present invention can provide a humidity control device capable of efficiently regenerating a liquid hygroscopic material.

It is a schematic block diagram of the ultrasonic atomization separation apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a photograph which observed the state of the liquid column of water using a high-speed camera. It is a photograph which observed the state of the liquid column of the glycerin aqueous solution using a high speed camera. It is a photograph which observed the state of the liquid column of the ethylene glycol aqueous solution using a high speed camera. It is a figure which shows the generative model of the sea salt particle. It is a graph which shows the relationship between the diameter of a bubble in seawater and the amount of droplets generated. It is a schematic diagram which shows the liquid column in the ultrasonic atomization separation apparatus of the comparative example. It is a schematic diagram which shows the liquid column in the ultrasonic atomization separation apparatus of this embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the humidity control apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the humidity control apparatus of 2nd Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the humidity control apparatus of 3rd Embodiment.

[First Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of the ultrasonic atomization separation device of the first embodiment.
In each of the following drawings, in order to make each component easy to see, the scale of dimensions may be different depending on the component.

As shown in FIG. 1, the ultrasonic atomization separation device 10 includes an atomization tank 11, an ultrasonic generation unit 12, a bubble generation unit 13, a first air supply pipe 14, an exhaust pipe 15, and a liquid supply pipe. It is provided with 16, a drainage pipe 17, and blowers 18 and 19.

The atomization tank 11 has an internal space 11a for storing the treatment liquid S, an air supply port 11b, an exhaust port 11c, a liquid supply port 11d, and a liquid discharge port 11e. The atomization tank 11 is a container made of a material such as metal or resin, and the constituent material is not particularly limited. The atomization tank 11 stores the treatment liquid S in the internal space 11a, and generates a liquid column C by ultrasonic waves on the liquid surface of the treatment liquid S to generate droplets D of the treatment liquid S.

The ultrasonic atomization separation device 10 of the present embodiment assumes that a liquid having a viscosity higher than that of water is used as the treatment liquid S. Examples of the treatment liquid S include an aqueous solution of glycerin, an aqueous solution of ethylene glycol, an aqueous solution of sodium polyacrylate, an aqueous solution of polyethylene glycol, an aqueous solution of triethylene glycol, an aqueous solution of calcium chloride, an aqueous solution of lithium chloride, or a mixed solution thereof.

The above liquid has the property of absorbing moisture in the air. In the present embodiment, as an example, a case where an aqueous solution of glycerin in a state of absorbing water is used as a treatment liquid S and water and glycerin are separated from the treatment liquid S will be described.
Hereinafter, in the present specification, a liquid having a viscosity higher than that of water is referred to as a high-viscosity liquid.

The ultrasonic wave generation unit 12 is provided in the atomization tank 11, and the treatment liquid S is irradiated with ultrasonic waves to generate droplets D from the treatment liquid S. In the present embodiment, the ultrasonic wave generating unit 12 includes an ultrasonic vibrator 21 provided on the bottom plate of the atomization tank 11. The number and arrangement of the ultrasonic vibrators 21 are not particularly limited. When irradiating the treatment liquid S with ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transducer 21, the ultrasonic waves are concentrated on a specific part of the liquid surface of the treatment liquid S by adjusting the conditions for generating the ultrasonic waves, so that the treatment liquid S can be treated with ultrasonic waves. The liquid column C can be generated. The droplet D is generated from an arbitrary position on the liquid surface, but is particularly abundantly generated from the vicinity of the liquid column C and the liquid column C.

The ultrasonic vibrator 21 is installed so that the vibration generating surface is inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the atomization tank 11. As a result, the liquid column C is formed so as to be inclined with respect to the direction (vertical direction) perpendicular to the liquid surface of the treatment liquid S. If the liquid column C is formed along the direction perpendicular to the liquid surface of the treatment liquid S, the treatment liquid S once raised falls inside the liquid column C, so that the liquid column C is not stably formed. There is. Further, if the ultrasonic vibrator 21 is not installed at an angle with respect to the liquid surface, the ultrasonic waves reflected by the liquid surface return directly to the ultrasonic vibrator 21, so that the ultrasonic vibrator 21 may be damaged. be. By forming the liquid column C at an angle with respect to the direction perpendicular to the liquid surface of the treatment liquid S, the above-mentioned problems can be improved.

The bubble generation unit 13 is provided in the atomization tank 11 and generates a large number of bubbles K in the treatment liquid S. In the present embodiment, the bubble generator 13 includes a bubble generator 23 provided at the bottom of the internal space 11a of the atomization tank 11, a second air supply pipe 24 connected to the bubble generator 23, and a second air supply pipe. It is provided with a blower 25 provided on the 24th. Air is supplied to the bubble generator 23 through the second air supply pipe 24. The specific form, number, and the like of the bubble generator 23 are not particularly limited, but for example, a submillimeter bubble generator using bubbling or the like can be used.

The first air supply pipe 14 is connected to the air supply port 11b of the atomization tank 11. A blower 18 is provided in the middle of the first air supply pipe 14. By supplying air to the atomization tank 11 through the first air supply pipe 14, an air flow from the air supply port 11b to the exhaust port 11c is formed in the internal space 11a.

The exhaust pipe 15 is connected to the exhaust port 11c of the atomization tank 11. A blower 19 is provided in the middle of the exhaust pipe 15. The air containing the droplet D is discharged from the internal space 11a through the exhaust pipe 15. In the present embodiment, since the first air supply pipe 14 is provided, it is preferable that an air flow from the air supply port 11b of the atomization tank 11 to the exhaust port 11c is easily formed, but the first air supply pipe 14 is not necessarily provided. It does not have to be.

The liquid supply pipe 16 is connected to the liquid supply port 11d of the atomization tank 11. The treatment liquid S is supplied to the internal space 11a through the liquid supply pipe 16. The drainage pipe 17 is connected to the drainage port 11e of the atomization tank 11. The treatment liquid S is discharged from the internal space 11a through the drainage pipe 17. As described above, the ultrasonic atomization separation device 10 of the present embodiment includes the liquid supply pipe 16 and the drainage pipe 17, and has a configuration in which the treatment liquid S is continuously treated. The ultrasonic atomization separation device of the above does not necessarily have a liquid supply pipe and a drainage pipe, and may have a configuration in which the treatment liquid is batch-processed.

The droplet D generated from the treatment liquid S contains, for example, droplet D having various particle sizes from the nano-order to the micron-order. The particle size of the droplet D can be determined by a measurement by a light scattering method, a measurement using an electrostatic particle size measuring device (EAA: Electrical Aerosol Analyzer), or the like.

The particle size of the droplet D generated from the treatment liquid S depends on the type of the treatment liquid S, but is affected by the frequency of ultrasonic waves, the power input to the ultrasonic vibrator 21, and the like. Further, the intermolecular force between the water molecule and the molecule of a hygroscopic substance such as glycerin is weaker than the intermolecular force between the water molecules. Therefore, it is considered that the droplet D having a relatively small particle size is unlikely to contain a hygroscopic substance. On the other hand, it is considered that the droplet D having a relatively large particle size tends to contain a hygroscopic substance. That is, if the particle size of the droplet D is different, the content ratio of water and the hygroscopic substance of one droplet D is also different.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to separate the water from the treatment liquid S (the glycerin aqueous solution that has absorbed the water), it is necessary to form the droplet D having a small particle size.

Therefore, in order to confirm how the droplets are actually formed, the present inventors irradiate various liquids with ultrasonic waves to generate a liquid column, and use a high-speed camera to observe the state of the liquid column and its vicinity. Observed.

The liquids used were three types: water, 80 wt% glycerin aqueous solution, and 80 wt% ethylene glycol aqueous solution. In a liquid hygroscopic material, if the concentration of a hygroscopic substance such as glycerin or ethylene glycol exceeds 80 wt%, the atomization efficiency is low, and if the concentration is 60 wt% or less, the degree of separation between water and the hygroscopic substance decreases. .. Based on this finding, the concentration of the hygroscopic substance was set to 80 wt%. The atomization efficiency is a value defined by the ratio of the amount of atomization to the power supplied to the ultrasonic transducer.

FIG. 2 is a photograph of observing the state of the liquid column of water. FIG. 3 is a photograph of observing the state of the liquid column of the glycerin aqueous solution. FIG. 4 is a photograph of observing the state of the liquid column of the ethylene glycol aqueous solution.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the case of water, a fine scale-like pattern that seems to be caused by capillary waves is generated on the surface of the liquid column. In addition, a large amount of mist-like droplets having a small particle size are generated from the surface of the liquid column. In the photograph, the part that looks black like a haze near the surface of the liquid column is a mist-like droplet. The particle size of one droplet is, for example, on the order of submicron.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, in the case of the glycerin aqueous solution, the fine pattern as in the case of water does not occur on the surface of the liquid column. In addition, droplets having a relatively large particle size are generated in places so that the liquid on the surface of the liquid column is torn off. The particle size of one droplet is, for example, on the order of 100 microns.

As shown in FIG. 4, in the case of the ethylene glycol aqueous solution as well, droplets having a relatively large particle size are generated in some places as in the glycerin aqueous solution. In addition, the frequency of occurrence of droplets having a relatively large particle size is higher than that of an aqueous glycerin solution.

From the above observation results, the present inventors have confirmed that the glycerin aqueous solution and the ethylene glycol aqueous solution are less likely to generate droplets having a smaller particle size than water. It is presumed that this is due to the fact that the glycerin aqueous solution and the ethylene glycol aqueous solution have a higher viscosity than water.

Here, the present inventors have focused on a model in which sea salt particles are generated in order to search for a means for generating droplets having a small particle size from a high-viscosity liquid such as an aqueous glycerin solution. Sea salt particles are particles in which minute droplets released from the sea surface into the atmosphere remain in the state of droplets or are suspended in the atmosphere as dry solid particles.

According to the sea salt particle generation model, there are droplets generated by three models, and one of them, the droplet generated from the droplets torn from the sea surface, has a large particle size. Since it immediately falls to the surface of the sea, it does not serve as a reference for the present invention.
Therefore, the other two models will be described below.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a generative model of sea salt particles.
Normally, air is taken into the seawater by waves or the like and exists as bubbles.
As shown in FIG. 5, the bubbles K1 existing in the seawater G rise to the sea surface Ga, and then the seawater film G1 on the upper surface of the bubbles K1 becomes thin and bursts. At this time, when the sea surface Ga is viewed from above, several hundreds of fine droplets Df blown up in an annular shape around the bubble K1 are generated. The particle size of the droplet Df is, for example, about 0.06 μm to 0.15 μm. Hereinafter, the droplet generated by bursting the liquid film when the bubble rises to the liquid surface in this way is referred to as a film droplet Df.

Next, when a dent K2 is formed on the sea surface Ga, the seawater on the side surface flows toward the bottom of the dent K2, and the seawater G that has flowed in rises at the center of the dent K2. After that, the tip of the raised seawater G is torn off, and several droplets Dj having a particle size larger than that of the film droplet Df are generated one after another. The particle size of the droplet Dj is, for example, about 70 μm to 100 μm (1/15 to 1/10 of a bubble having a diameter of 1 mm). Hereinafter, the droplet generated from the swelling of the liquid surface after the bubble bursts in this way is referred to as a jet droplet Dj.

Further, the amount of each of the film droplet Df and the jet droplet Dj generated is affected by the diameter of the bubble K1.
FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the diameter of bubbles contained in seawater and the amount of droplets generated. The horizontal axis of the graph is the particle size of the bubbles, and the vertical axis is the amount of droplets generated, both of which are relative values. The solid line graph indicated by reference numeral F indicates the film droplet Df, and the one-point chain line graph indicated by reference numeral J indicates the jet droplet Dj.

As shown in FIG. 6, when the diameter of the bubbles contained in the seawater changes, the amount of film droplet Df generated and the amount of jet droplet Dj generated also change. Specifically, with respect to the film droplet Df, the amount of film droplet Df generated increases as the diameter of the bubbles increases. On the other hand, with respect to the jet droplet Dj, contrary to the film droplet Df, the amount of the jet droplet Dj generated decreases as the diameter of the bubble increases. Therefore, it is presumed that the probability of each of the film droplet Df and the jet droplet Dj can be controlled by the diameter of the bubble.

Since the order of the particle size of the droplets in the sea salt particle generation model is close to the order of the particle size of the droplets observed by the high-speed camera described above, the present inventors have an appropriate diameter in the treatment liquid S. By introducing the bubbles K and positively generating the film droplets Df, it was conceived that even a high-viscosity liquid can generate droplets having a small particle size.

That is, the present inventors considered the action that occurs when the sea salt particle generative model is applied to the ultrasonic atomization separation device of the present invention as follows.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the liquid column C2 in the ultrasonic atomization separation device of the comparative example. FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing a liquid column C in the ultrasonic atomization separation device 10 of the present embodiment. A comparative example is an ultrasonic atomization separation device that does not have a bubble generating portion. Both treatment liquids are assumed to be high-viscosity liquids.

Although the ultrasonic atomization separation device of the comparative example does not have a bubble generating portion, the treatment liquid contains minute bubbles due to cavitation or the like. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, film droplets Df and jet droplets Dj are generated by the fine bubbles existing inside the liquid column C2. However, the frequency of occurrence is not so high.

On the other hand, since the ultrasonic atomization separation device 10 of the present embodiment includes the bubble generation unit 13, the bubble K can be contained in the treatment liquid S. As a result, as shown in FIG. 8, many bubbles K are also present inside the liquid column C. When these bubbles K burst on the surface of the liquid column C, many film droplets Df are generated, and jet droplets Dj are also generated along with the generation of the film droplets Df.

In this case, the diameter of the bubbles K contained in the processing liquid S is larger than the diameter of the cavitation bubbles generated by the resonance at the frequency of the ultrasonic wave generating unit 12 and 1 atm, and smaller than the thickness of the liquid column C. That is, even if the ultrasonic atomization separation device 10 does not have the bubble generating section 13, cavitation bubbles are generated by resonance at the frequency and 1 atm of the ultrasonic generating section 12 when the processing liquid S is irradiated with ultrasonic waves. Occurs. It has been confirmed by the previous observation with a high-speed camera that a large amount of film droplets Df and jet droplets Dj cannot be generated in this cavitation bubble.

Therefore, the bubble generation unit 13 needs to generate bubbles K that are larger than the diameter of the cavitation bubbles generated by resonance at the frequency of the ultrasonic wave generation unit 12 and 1 atm and smaller than the thickness of the liquid column C. Further, it is preferable that the bubble generation unit 13 generates bubbles K having a size in which the generation probability of the film droplet Df is higher than the generation probability of the jet droplet Dj.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic atomization separation device 10 of the present embodiment, the droplet D having a small particle size can be generated by preferentially generating the film droplet Df, so that the water is absorbed. Moisture can be separated from the treatment liquid S such as an aqueous glycerin solution with a high degree of separation.

[Second Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the present embodiment, the humidity control device including the ultrasonic atomization separation device of the present invention will be described.
FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of the humidity control device of the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, the humidity control device 40 of the present embodiment includes a moisture absorbing unit 41, an atomization regeneration unit 42, a first liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 43, a second liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 44, and a second. It includes one air supply pipe 45, a first air discharge pipe 46, a second air supply pipe 47, and a second air discharge pipe 48. The humidity control device 40 is installed indoors, and an example in which the humidity control device 40 is used to reduce the humidity in the room will be described below.

The atomization regeneration unit 42 is composed of the ultrasonic atomization separation device of the present invention. The atomization regeneration unit 42 separates the moisture from the liquid hygroscopic material S1 (treatment liquid) such as a glycol aqueous solution that has absorbed the moisture in the air in the moisture absorption unit 41 to desorb the moisture from the liquid hygroscopic material S1 and liquid. The hygroscopic material S1 is regenerated.

The moisture absorbing portion 41 includes a moisture absorbing tank 50, a nozzle 51, and a gas-liquid contact portion 52. The hygroscopic unit 41 causes the liquid hygroscopic material S1 to absorb at least a part of the moisture contained in the air by bringing the liquid hygroscopic material S1 containing the hygroscopic substance into contact with the indoor air. It is desirable that the moisture absorbing portion 41 absorbs as much moisture as possible in the liquid moisture absorbing material S1, but at least a part of the moisture contained in the air may be absorbed in the liquid moisture absorbing material S1. The liquid hygroscopic material S1 is stored inside the moisture absorbing tank 50. The liquid moisture absorbing material S1 will be described later.

The first air supply pipe 45, the first air discharge pipe 46, the first liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 43, and the second liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 44 are connected to the moisture absorbing tank 50. The indoor air is supplied to the internal space of the moisture absorbing tank 50 by the blower 54 via the first air supply pipe 45.

The nozzle 51 is arranged in the upper part of the internal space of the moisture absorbing tank 50. After being regenerated by the atomization regeneration unit 42, which will be described later, the liquid moisture absorbing material S1 returned to the moisture absorbing unit 41 via the second liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 44 flows down from the nozzle 51 to the gas-liquid contact portion 52, and is air. It comes into contact with air while flowing down the liquid contact portion 52. This type of contact between the liquid hygroscopic material S1 and air is generally referred to as a "flow-down method". The contact form between the liquid moisture absorbing material S1 and the air is not limited to the flow-down method, and other methods such as the bubbling method may be used.

The gas-liquid contact portion 52 includes a structure 55 that increases the contact area between the liquid hygroscopic material S1 and air, as compared with a configuration in which the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is simply flowed down into the space. As the structure 55, for example, a structure having a honeycomb structure or the like is used. In addition, a large number of fins or a structure having an uneven shape may be used. When the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is allowed to flow down from the upper part of this type of structure 55, the liquid hygroscopic material S1 flows down along the honeycomb structure, for example, so that the amount of water absorbed by the liquid hygroscopic material S1 can be increased.

The air in the moisture absorbing tank 50 forms an air flow from the first air supply pipe 45 to the first air discharge pipe 46, and comes into contact with the liquid moisture absorbing material S1 flowing down from the nozzle 51 at the gas-liquid contact portion 52. At this time, at least a part of the moisture contained in the air is removed by being absorbed by the liquid hygroscopic material S1. Since the moisture absorbing portion 41 obtains air from which moisture has been removed from the indoor air, this air is in a drier state than the indoor air. In this way, the dry air is discharged into the room through the first air discharge pipe 46. The first air discharge pipe 46 is provided with a blower 56 for discharging air.

The liquid hygroscopic material S1 is a liquid that exhibits a property of absorbing moisture (hygroscopicity), and for example, a liquid that exhibits hygroscopicity under conditions of a temperature of 25 ° C., a relative humidity of 50%, and atmospheric pressure is preferable. The liquid hygroscopic material S1 contains a hygroscopic substance described later. Further, the liquid hygroscopic material S1 may contain a hygroscopic substance and a solvent. Examples of this type of solvent include solvents that dissolve or mix with hygroscopic substances, such as water. The hygroscopic substance may be an organic material or an inorganic material.

Examples of the organic material used as a hygroscopic substance include alcohols having a divalent value or higher, ketones, organic solvents having an amide group, sugars, known materials used as raw materials for moisturizing cosmetics, and the like. Among them, as organic materials preferably used as hygroscopic substances because of their high hydrophilicity, known materials used as raw materials for alcohols having a divalent value or higher, organic solvents having an amide group, sugars, moisturizing cosmetics and the like. Can be mentioned.

Examples of the dihydric or higher alcohol include glycerin, propanediol, butanediol, pentanediol, trimethylolpropane, butanetriol, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol.

Examples of the organic solvent having an amide group include formamide and acetamide.

Examples of saccharides include sucrose, pullulan, glucose, xylene, fructose, mannitol, sorbitol and the like.

Known materials used as raw materials for moisturizing cosmetics include, for example, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC), betaine, hyaluronic acid, collagen and the like.

Examples of inorganic materials used as hygroscopic substances include calcium chloride, lithium chloride, magnesium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium chloride, zinc chloride, aluminum chloride, lithium bromide, calcium bromide, potassium bromide, sodium hydroxide, and pyrrolidone. Examples thereof include sodium carboxylate.

When the hygroscopic substance has high hydrophilicity, for example, when the material of the hygroscopic substance and water are mixed, the proportion of water molecules in the vicinity of the surface (liquid surface) of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 increases. The atomization regeneration unit 42 generates droplets D from the vicinity of the surface of the liquid moisture absorbing material S1 to separate water from the liquid moisture absorbing material S1. Therefore, it is preferable that the proportion of water molecules in the vicinity of the surface of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is large in that water can be efficiently separated. Further, since the proportion of the hygroscopic substance in the vicinity of the surface of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is relatively small, it is preferable in that the loss of the hygroscopic substance in the atomization regeneration unit 42 can be suppressed.

Of the liquid hygroscopic material S1, the concentration of the hygroscopic substance contained in the liquid hygroscopic material S1 used for the treatment in the moisture absorbing portion 41 is not particularly limited, but is preferably 40% by mass or more. When the concentration of the hygroscopic substance is 40% by mass or more, the liquid hygroscopic material S1 can efficiently absorb water.

The viscosity of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is preferably 25 mPa · s or less. As a result, in the atomization regeneration unit 42 described later, the liquid column C of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is likely to be generated on the liquid surface of the liquid hygroscopic material S1. Therefore, moisture can be efficiently separated from the liquid moisture absorbing material S1. However, in the present embodiment, since the atomizing regeneration unit 42 is provided with the atomizing device of the present invention that can obtain a high degree of separation regardless of the viscosity of the liquid to be atomized, even if the viscosity of the liquid moisture absorbing material S1 is high. Even if it is expensive, water can be separated more efficiently than in the past.

As described above, the atomization regeneration unit 42 is composed of the ultrasonic atomization separation device of the present invention. In the ultrasonic atomization separation device 10 of the first embodiment, the bubble generating section 13 is provided inside the atomizing tank 11, whereas in the present embodiment, the bubble generating section 13 is inside the moisture absorbing tank 50. It is provided in. Therefore, the bubble K is contained in the liquid hygroscopic material S1 stored in the lower part of the moisture absorbing tank 50.

As will be described later, the bubble generating section 13 of the present embodiment also functions as a humidity lowering section 58 that lowers the humidity inside the bubble K (air in the bubble K). In other words, the humidity control device 40 of the present embodiment further includes a humidity lowering portion 58 that lowers the humidity inside the bubbles K, and the humidity lowering portion 58 is a bubble generating portion 13 arranged inside the moisture absorbing tank 50. It is configured.

In the case of the present embodiment, the second air supply pipe 24 branched from the first air supply pipe 45 is connected to the bubble generator 23. In this configuration, the indoor air that is the target of humidity adjustment is also supplied to the bubble generator 23, and becomes bubbles in the liquid moisture absorbing material S1. Further, according to this configuration, gas-liquid contact occurs by bubbling even inside the stored liquid moisture absorbing material S1, and the moisture in the bubbles supplied from the bubble generator 23 is absorbed by the liquid moisture absorbing material S1. As a result, the humidity inside the bubble K decreases.

The moisture absorbing portion 41 and the atomizing regeneration portion 42 are connected by a first liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 43 and a second liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 44 forming a circulation flow path of the liquid moisture absorbing material S1. A pump 60 for circulating the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is provided in the middle of the second liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 44.

The first liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 43 transports the liquid hygroscopic material S1 in which at least a part of water has been absorbed from the moisture absorbing unit 41 to the atomization regeneration unit 42. At this time, the liquid moisture absorbing material S1 to be transported already contains air bubbles. One end of the first liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 43 is connected to the lower part of the hygroscopic tank 50. The connection point of the first liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 43 in the hygroscopic tank 50 is located below the liquid level of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 in the hygroscopic tank 50. On the other hand, the other end of the first liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 43 is connected to the lower part of the atomizing tank 11. The connection point of the first liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 43 in the atomization tank 11 is located below the liquid level of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 in the atomization tank 11.

The second liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 44 transports the liquid hygroscopic material S1 regenerated after removing water from the atomization regeneration unit 42 to the moisture absorption unit 41. One end of the second liquid moisture absorbing material transport pipe 44 is connected to the lower part of the atomizing tank 11. The connection point of the second liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 44 in the atomization tank 11 is located below the liquid level of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 in the atomization tank 11. On the other hand, the other end of the second liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 44 is connected to the upper part of the hygroscopic tank 50. The connection point of the second liquid hygroscopic material transport pipe 44 in the hygroscopic tank 50 is located above the liquid level of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 in the hygroscopic tank 50 and is connected to the nozzle 51 described above.

According to the humidity control device 40 of the present embodiment, since the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is regenerated in the atomization regeneration unit 42, the moisture absorption performance of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 can be improved and the moisture separation in the atomization regeneration unit 42 is possible. Since the degree is high, the atomization regeneration performance can be improved. As a result, it is possible to save energy and improve the processing speed of the humidity control device 40.

In particular, in the case of the present embodiment, when the bubble generating portion 13 is installed inside the moisture absorbing tank 50 and the liquid moisture absorbing material S1 is stored inside the moisture absorbing tank 50, the bubbles K are already contained in the liquid moisture absorbing material S1. Is contained. However, since the liquid hygroscopic material S1 has a high viscosity, the water vapor in the bubbles K is absorbed while the liquid hygroscopic material S1 is transported to the atomization tank 11, and the humidity inside the bubbles K decreases. Therefore, by introducing the bubbles K having a reduced humidity, the atomization efficiency can be improved without lowering the atomization regeneration efficiency.

[Third Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic configuration of the humidity control device of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the configuration of the bubble generating portion is different from that of the second embodiment.
FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram of the humidity control device of the third embodiment.
In FIG. 10, the same components as those in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 10, in the humidity control device 70 of the present embodiment, the bubble generating portion 13 is provided in the liquid collecting portion 50a provided in the upper part of the moisture absorbing tank 50 of the moisture absorbing portion 71. In other words, the bubble generating portion 13 is provided on the upstream side of the gas-liquid contact portion 52 in the flow direction of the liquid moisture absorbing material S1.

The nozzle 51 is provided below the liquid pool portion 50a. Therefore, in the case of the present embodiment, the liquid hygroscopic material S1 containing the bubbles K flows down from the nozzle 51 toward the gas-liquid contact portion 52. The bubble generating portion 13 and the nozzle 51 may be integrated.
Other configurations of the humidity control device 70 are the same as those of the second embodiment.

In the humidity control device 70 of the present embodiment as well, the moisture absorption performance of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 can be enhanced and the atomization regeneration performance can be improved as in the second embodiment. This makes it possible to save energy and improve the processing speed of the humidity control device 70.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, the liquid moisture absorbing material S1 containing the bubbles K adheres to the surface of the structure 55 constituting the gas-liquid contact portion 52, so that the gas-liquid contact portion 52 has a gas-liquid contact portion 52 as compared with the second embodiment. The apparent gas-liquid contact area increases. Thereby, the hygroscopic performance can be improved.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The basic configuration of the humidity control device of this embodiment is the same as that of the second embodiment, and the configuration of the bubble generating portion is different from that of the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a schematic configuration diagram of the humidity control device of the fourth embodiment.
In FIG. 11, the same components as those in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, in the humidity control device 80 of the present embodiment, the bubble generation unit 13 is provided in the lower part of the atomization tank 11 of the atomization regeneration unit 82. As will be described later, the bubble generating section 13 of the present embodiment functions as a humidity lowering section 58 that lowers the humidity inside the bubble K (air in the bubble K). In other words, the humidity control device 80 of the present embodiment further includes a humidity lowering portion 58 that lowers the humidity inside the bubbles K, and the humidity lowering portion 58 is a bubble generator 23 arranged inside the atomization tank 11. It is composed of a bubble generation unit 13 including. The moisture absorbing portion 81 has a configuration including a normal moisture absorbing tank 50.

In the case of the present embodiment, the second air supply pipe 24 branched from the second air supply pipe 47 that supplies air to the atomization tank 11 is connected to the bubble generator 23. In this configuration, air as a carrier gas for transporting the droplet D inside the atomization tank 11 is also supplied to the bubble generator 23, and becomes bubbles K inside the liquid hygroscopic material S1.
Other configurations of the humidity control device 80 are the same as those of the second embodiment.

In the humidity control device 80 of the present embodiment as well, the moisture absorption performance of the liquid hygroscopic material S1 can be enhanced and the atomization regeneration performance can be improved as in the second embodiment. This makes it possible to save energy and improve the processing speed of the humidity control device 80.

Further, in the case of the present embodiment, if the air supplied to the bubble generator 23 is heated, the bubbles K having a high temperature and a low relative humidity can be introduced into the liquid moisture absorbing material S1. At this time, the condition is that the equilibrium vapor pressure inside the bubbles K, which has reached the equilibrium temperature due to heat exchange between the liquid hygroscopic material S1 and the air bubbles K in the atomization tank 11, is lower than the equilibrium vapor pressure of the regenerated liquid hygroscopic material S1. Meet. Thereby, the atomization efficiency can be improved without lowering the atomization regeneration efficiency.

The technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.
For example, in the above embodiment, a submillimeter bubble generator using bubbling is used as the bubble generating part, but in addition, a low-frequency ultrasonic generator using cavitation and a stirring device using air entrainment during stirring are used. Etc. can be used.

In addition, the number, shape, arrangement, materials, etc. of each component constituting the ultrasonic atomization separation device and the humidity control device can be changed as appropriate.
Further, the humidity control device of the present invention may have not only a humidity control function but also a temperature control function.

The present invention can be applied to an ultrasonic atomization separation device and a humidity control device.

10 ... Ultrasonic atomization separator, 11 ... Atomization tank, 12 ... Ultrasonic generator, 13 ... Bubble generator, 40, 70, 80 ... Humidity control device, 41, 71, 81 ... Moisture absorption unit, 42, 82 ... Atomization regeneration section, 50 ... Moisture absorption tank, 52 ... Gas-liquid contact section, 55 ... Structure, 58 ... Humidity drop section, C, C2 ... Liquid column, Df ... Film droplet, Dj ... Jet droplet, K, K1 ... Bubbles, S ... Treatment liquid, S1 ... Liquid hygroscopic material.

Claims (7)

An atomization tank that stores the treatment liquid and generates a liquid column by ultrasonic waves on the liquid surface of the treatment liquid to generate atomized droplets of the treatment liquid.
The ultrasonic wave generating part that generates the ultrasonic wave and
A bubble generating part containing bubbles in the treatment liquid and
With
The bubble generating portion incorporates the bubbles having a diameter larger than the diameter of the cavitation bubbles generated by resonance at 1 atm and the frequency of the ultrasonic generating portion and smaller than the thickness of the liquid column into the processing liquid. Ultrasonic atomization separation device to be included. The mist-like droplets include film droplets and jet droplets.
The ultrasonic atomization separation device according to claim 1, wherein the bubble generating portion generates the bubbles having a size in which the generation probability of the film droplets is higher than the generation probability of the jet droplets. A hygroscopic unit provided with a hygroscopic tank for contacting air with a liquid hygroscopic material containing a hygroscopic substance, and a hygroscopic portion for allowing the liquid hygroscopic material to absorb at least a part of the moisture contained in the air.
The liquid moisture absorbing material is provided with an atomizing regeneration unit that regenerates the liquid moisture absorbing material by atomizing and removing at least a part of the water contained in the liquid moisture absorbing material supplied from the moisture absorbing unit.
The atomization regeneration unit is composed of the ultrasonic atomization separation device according to claim 1.
A humidity control device in which the liquid hygroscopic material in which at least a part of the water is absorbed is used as the treatment liquid. The humidity control device according to claim 3, further comprising a humidity lowering portion for lowering the humidity inside the bubbles. The humidity control device according to claim 4, wherein the humidity lowering portion is composed of the bubble generating portion arranged inside the moisture absorbing tank. The hygroscopic tank comprises a gas-liquid contact portion including a structure that increases the contact area between the liquid hygroscopic material and the air.
The humidity control device according to claim 5, wherein the bubble generating portion is provided on the upstream side of the gas-liquid contact portion in the flow direction of the liquid moisture absorbing material. The humidity lowering portion is composed of the bubble generating portion provided in the atomizing tank.
The humidity control device according to claim 4, wherein the gas supplied to the bubble generating portion is a carrier gas introduced into the atomization tank.

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