JP3771289B2 - Filter device for compressed air - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
【Technical field】
The present invention relates to a compressed air filter device, and more particularly to a compressed air filter device in which microorganisms can be effectively sterilized and compressed air allowed to pass through such a filter can be advantageously deodorized.
[0002]
[Background]
Conventionally, on pneumatic pipes for supplying compressed air to various pneumatic devices used in various factories, medical fields, nuclear power plants, etc., these pneumatic devices are usually protected or work by these pneumatic devices. In order to improve this, a filter device for compressed air is provided, and the filter device removes moisture, oil, and the like contained in the compressed air.
[0003]
And as one kind of such a filter device for compressed air, in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-110118, the first filter means having the first filling in the cylinder and the second having the second filling in the cylinder. The filter means is communicated with and disposed in a capture chamber of a predetermined volume, and further has a cylindrical ventilation wall portion of a porous structure having a predetermined thickness on the rear side of the flow path of the second filter means. A filter device for compressed air having a structure provided with a mist filter has been proposed.
[0004]
That is, in such a filter device, the compressed air is introduced from the introduction pipe line into the trapping chamber through the first filter means, thereby condensing or coalescing the vapor or liquid fine particles present in the compressed air. By separating the vapor or the liquid fine particles separated from the compressed air from the trapping chamber through the second filter means to the compressed air delivery line. Further, the liquid particles remaining in the compressed air can be captured by the second filter means, so that the vapor or liquid fine particles in the compressed air can be effectively reduced. By passing the compressed air passed through the second filter means and then the mist filter, the liquid fine particles still remaining And oil mist is than adapted to be substantially completely removed.
[0005]
By the way, in general, in the fields of medical care, pharmaceutical manufacturing, food manufacturing or semiconductor manufacturing, that is, in the field where the presence of microorganisms is very inconvenient from the viewpoint of hygiene or quality, the compressed air filter device Is used, it is required not only to separate and remove moisture and oil as described above, but also to have a microorganism removing action in addition to the above. In the filter apparatus for use, by adopting a fine filter for the mist filter, most of the microorganisms can be captured (removed).
[0006]
However, the microorganisms trapped by the filter action of the compressed air filter device are not easily killed because the filter device itself has essentially no antibacterial action. The microorganisms in such a living state will proliferate in the filter device when the conditions such as temperature, humidity, and nutrition are suitable for the microorganisms to grow. When the filter means in the apparatus is clogged, pressure loss occurs, the mist filter is damaged, a large amount of microorganisms grown in the filter apparatus flow out, or when each filter means of the filter apparatus is replaced. In addition, the microorganisms that have grown in the working environment are scattered and the safety is impaired.
[0007]
Furthermore, in the conventional filter device, mold odor is generated due to the growth of mold, and odor is generated by oil mist captured by the mist filter, but there is no means for capturing the odor. The problem was that the compressed air that passed through the filter device had an odor.
[0008]
[Solution]
Here, the present invention has been made in the background of such circumstances, and the problem to be solved is not only to capture microorganisms in compressed air, but also to effectively kill the captured microorganisms. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a compressed air filter device that can advantageously eliminate various problems caused by the growth of microorganisms, and to remove the odor generated from oil mist and the like. There is also to provide.
[0009]
[Solution]
And in order to solve said subject, in this invention, the 1st filter means which has the 1st filling in a cylinder, and the 2nd filter means which has the 2nd filling in a cylinder, Vapor or liquid particulates present in the compressed air by being communicated with and disposed in a predetermined volume of the capture chamber and guiding the compressed air through the first filter means through the first filter means into the capture chamber. By condensing or coalescing them and separating them from the compressed air, while the compressed air separated from the vapor or liquid particulates is guided from the trapping chamber to the second filter means. Liquid particles remaining in the air are captured by the second filter means, and further, a cylindrical ventilation wall having a porous structure having a predetermined thickness is formed on the flow path of the compressed air delivered from the second filter means. Part A filter for compressed air, in which vapor or liquid fine particles still remaining in the compressed air are separated by allowing compressed air to pass from one side of the vent wall to the other side. In the apparatus, a compressed air filter device characterized in that the ventilation wall portion of the mist filter includes at least a filter fiber layer containing or carrying an antibacterial agent and an activated carbon fiber layer. The gist.
[0010]
In the present invention, the filter fiber layer preferably includes a synthetic fiber cloth and a glass fiber layer each containing or carrying an antibacterial agent, and passes through the filter fiber layer. The compressed compressed air is further configured to pass through the activated carbon fiber layer.
[0011]
【Example】
Hereinafter, in order to clarify the present invention more specifically, one specific example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0012]
First, FIG. 1 shows a specific example of a compressed air filter device having a structure according to the present invention. That is, the filter device includes a lower housing 8 in which the first filter 2, the second filter 4 and the drain device 6 are accommodated, an upper housing 14 in which the mist filter 10 and the cylinder 12 are accommodated, and these A partition member 20 having a compressed air introduction passage 16 and a delivery passage 18 disposed so as to be positioned between the lower housing 8 and the upper housing 14 is configured.
[0013]
More specifically, the partition member 20 has a substantially thick disk shape, and communicates with a lower opening 22 opened at the center of the bottom surface of the partition member 20 that opens at positions symmetrical to each other on the outer surface thereof. The compressed air introduction passage 16 and the compressed air delivery passage 18 that communicates with the upper opening 24 that opens at the center of the upper surface of the partition member 20 are provided, respectively, and further in the thickness direction thereof. A plurality of intermediate passages 26 penetrating in the vertical direction are provided to serve as compressed air communication passages from the lower housing 8 side to the upper housing 14 side as will be described later.
[0014]
Further, on the upper surface side of the partition member 20, a drain receiving portion 28 having an upper opening portion 24 communicating with the delivery passage 18 and a drain flow path 30 opening in a tapered bottom surface thereof are provided at the center portion of the partition member 20. On the outer peripheral surface, it is provided so as to open at a position shifted by a predetermined angle with respect to the openings of the compressed air introduction passage 16 and the delivery passage 18.
[0015]
A bottomed cylindrical lower housing 8 is arranged at the lower part of the partition member 20 having such a configuration with the O-ring 32 in contact with the opening, and the lower end of the partition member 20 is arranged. When the locking nut 34 is screwed onto the outer peripheral surface, the partition member 20 and the lower housing are engaged by the engagement between the locking nut 34 and the flange portion 36 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the opening of the lower housing 8. 8 is integrally and airtightly assembled. As a result, a sealed space in which the compressed air is guided through the compressed air introduction passage 16 of the partition member 20 is formed in the lower housing 8 below the partition member 20.
[0016]
Further, in the sealed space in the lower housing 8, the cylindrical first filter 2 is located outside the first filter 2 at the center of the upper portion, and has a predetermined dimension from its outer diameter. Cylindrical second filters 4 having a large inner diameter are respectively arranged substantially concentrically.
[0017]
That is, the first filter 2 is screwed to the end of the lower opening 22 of the partition member 20 via a circular holding plate 38 having a plurality of through holes, and the second filter 4 is connected to the first filter 2. The lower stepped portion 42 of the intermediate passage 26, which is located inward in the thickness direction of the partition member 20 with respect to the threaded end portion of the first filter 2, through an annular holding plate 40 having a hole. By being arranged so as to be in contact with each other, the first filter 2 is arranged in a state of protruding downward at a predetermined length from the second filter 4. Furthermore, the lower ends of the first and second filters 2 and 4 are provided with a plurality of through holes corresponding to the lower openings of the first and second filters 2 and 4, respectively. A support plate 46 in which a portion corresponding to the filter 2 is formed as a concave portion 44 is screwed to an end portion of the first filter 2 at a screw portion provided in the concave portion 44, thereby The first and second filters 2 and 4 are fixed to the partition member 20.
[0018]
In the first filter 2, a mesh-shaped wound body made of metal fibers such as stainless steel fibers is filled as a first filling 48 inside the cylindrical tube body 47, and the filling 48 is contained inside the first filter 2. A holding plate 38 is fitted to the upper end in the axial direction of the cylindrical body 47 accommodated in the first filter 2, while the second filter 4 is formed from the outer diameter of the cylindrical body 47 of the first filter 2. Also, an inner cylinder 50 having an inner diameter larger than a predetermined dimension and an outer cylinder 52 having a larger diameter and substantially the same length as the inner cylinder 50 are concentrically arranged. In the gap between the two, a net-like wound product made of cotton fibers is filled as a second filling 54, and a presser plate 40 is disposed at the upper end thereof.
[0019]
Further, between the first and second filter devices 2, 4 and the lower housing 8, a capture chamber 56 is formed as a space for storing separated moisture and oil, and the capture chamber 56 is formed. The first filter 2 and the second filter 4 are in communication with each other. A drain device 6 is accommodated in the lower portion of the trapping chamber 56, whereby liquid substances such as liquid fine particles separated from the compressed air are accommodated in the internal space of the lower housing 8, A capture chamber 56 is constructed which is discharged into the chamber. As the drain device 6, a drain device having a structure as disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-45371 is preferably employed. However, the drain device 6 is not limited to this, and other known various drain devices. Any of these can be employed.
[0020]
On the other hand, on the upper side of the partition member 20, a bottomed cylindrical upper housing 14 is hermetically sealed with respect to the partition member 20 by having its opening engaged (screwed) through an O-ring or the like. The sealed space is formed in the interior, and the sealed space is communicated with the sealed space of the lower housing 8 by the intermediate passage 26 of the partition member 20.
[0021]
Further, in the sealed space in the upper housing 14, a mist comprising a cylindrical ventilation wall portion having a predetermined thickness and a support plate 58 fitted to the upper end portion and supported and fixed to the upper housing 14. An O-ring with respect to the outer portion of the drain receiving portion 28 provided at the center of the upper surface of the partition member 20 so that the filter 10 is positioned substantially concentrically with the first and second filters 2 and 4. It is mounted in a liquid-tight manner through 60 and the like, and is further erected with its lower end surface supported by a support plate 62. As a result, the sealed space in the upper housing 14 is partitioned into the outside and the inside of the mist filter 10, and the outer space 64 of the mist filter 10 passes through the intermediate passage 26 of the partition member 20 to the lower part of the partition member 20. It is made to communicate with the sealed space in the lower housing 8 provided.
[0022]
Here, in detail, the cylindrical ventilation wall portion of the mist filter 10 has a porous liner material 66a made of stainless steel, a filter fiber layer 68, stainless steel in order from the outside, as shown in FIG. A mesh-like liner material 66b made of carbon, an activated carbon fiber layer 70, and a mesh-like liner material 66c made of stainless steel are overlaid. Further, the filter fiber layer 68 has a glass fiber layer 72 made of a polyester-based synthetic material. It is configured to be sandwiched between polyester fiber layers 74 and 74 made of fibers. Moreover, the glass fiber layer 72, the polyester fiber layers 74 and 74, and the activated carbon fiber layer 70 constituting the filter fiber layer 68 contain or retain an antibacterial agent. As a result, the mist filter 10 has an antibacterial property. Sex is imparted.
[0023]
Specifically, a predetermined antibacterial agent is fixed to each of the fiber layers by a known method, for example, chemical treatment, is incorporated into the fiber by kneading, or is impregnated with a chemical solution. It is given by this. The antibacterial agent here means various known compounds having antibacterial properties against microorganisms such as fungi and bacteria, and such antibacterial agents include silver zeolite. Inorganic antibacterial agents such as metal zeolites, various antibiotics, other compounds known as chemotherapeutic agents, etc., will be used as appropriate, alone or in combination with one another if necessary .
[0024]
In the inner space 76 of the mist filter 10, a thin cylindrical cylindrical collecting cylinder 12 having a predetermined length is provided at the center of the drain receiving portion 28 of the partition member 20 so as to be positioned at a substantially central portion thereof. The upper opening 24 is fixed and erected in a liquid-tight manner. The length of the collecting cylinder 12 is preferably provided at such a height that liquid substances such as liquid fine particles do not enter with the compressed air passing from the outside to the inside through the mist filter 10. The diameter of the mist filter 10 is preferably selected as appropriate so long as a sufficient space can be formed between the inner peripheral surface of the mist filter 10 and the liquid material separated by the mist filter 10.
[0025]
Therefore, in the filter device having such a structure, first, the compressed air supplied from the compressed air introduction passage 16 of the partition member 20 is guided into the first filter 2 having a large flow cross-sectional area. However, when it is allowed to pass through the first filter 2, it is circulated by the adiabatic expansion action and in the presence of the first filling 48, so that the water and oil contained in the compressed air can be reduced. The vapor or liquid fine particles are condensed or coalesced and trapped in the droplets, and the condensed or coalesced or trapped droplets (liquid) are transferred to the lower housing by the flowing compressed air. 8 is carried into a capture chamber 56 in the interior.
[0026]
And in this accommodation space 56, the condensation of the vapor | steam in compressed air advances further by the adiabatic expansion action from the place where the distribution cross-sectional area (volume with respect to an air flow) is still larger than the 1st filter 2. In addition to the coalescence, the flow rate of the compressed air that flows in is reduced. As a result, the liquid droplets placed on the compressed air flow are effectively separated, dropped by gravity, and discharged to the outside through the drain device 6.
[0027]
Next, the compressed air from which the vapor or liquid fine particles have been removed by condensation or coalescence is introduced into the second filter 4 having a small passage cross-sectional area, so that the remaining moisture and oil are removed from the second filter 4. The filter 4 is adsorbed and removed when passing through the second filling 54 of the filter 4. Part of the fine particles is also captured here. Further, the compressed air passed through the second filling 54 is guided into the upper housing 14 through the intermediate passage 26 of the partition member 20, and passes through the ventilation wall portion of the mist filter 10 from the outside toward the inside. As a result, liquid particles and microparticles such as microorganisms remaining in the air are captured by the mist filter 10, and the dried compressed air is collected in the inner space 76 of the mist filter 10 so as to open upward. The cylinder 12 is guided to the delivery pipe through the inner hole of the cylinder 12, the upper opening 24 of the partition member 20, and the delivery passage 18.
[0028]
The liquid fine particles captured by the mist filter 10 in this way gradually fall inside the mist filter 10 and stay in the lower part, and are further pushed out to the inside of the mist filter 10 to be the upper surface of the partition member 20. If it stays in the drain receiving part 28 provided in this, it will be suitably discharged | emitted outside through the drain flow path 30 opened to the bottom part of this drain receiving part 28. FIG.
[0029]
On the other hand, a part of the microorganisms contained in the compressed air is captured by the second filter 4 as well as the fine particles, but the microorganisms not captured here or after being captured by the second filter 4 The re-scattered microorganism is finally transported to the mist filter 10. When compressed air containing such microorganisms is allowed to pass through the mist filter 10, almost all microorganisms are captured in the mist filter 10 in the same manner as the remaining liquid fine particles. The microorganisms captured by the mist filter 10 are sterilized by the action of the antibacterial agent applied to the filter fiber layer 68 and the activated carbon fiber layer 70 constituting the mist filter 10. . Therefore, in the mist filter 10, microorganisms do not grow, and thus the growth of microorganisms that cause problems such as clogging and mold odor, which has been a problem in conventional filter devices for compressed air, is advantageously suppressed. It can be harassed.
[0030]
Further, when the compressed air is allowed to pass through the activated carbon fiber layer 70 constituting the mist filter 10, it is effectively deodorized by the deodorizing action of the activated carbon fiber layer 70, Since the activated carbon fiber layer 70 is provided on the downstream side of the filter fiber layer 68 constituting the first filter 2, the second filter 4 and the mist filter 10, it can deodorize more effectively. It becomes possible.
[0031]
As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was described in detail, it cannot be overemphasized that this invention does not receive any restrictions by description of such an Example. In addition to the above-described embodiments, the present invention can be subjected to various changes, modifications, improvements and the like based on the knowledge of those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Should be understood.
[0032]
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the glass fiber layer 72 is used as the filter fiber layer 68. However, the glass fiber layer 72 is not limited to this, and can achieve the object of the present invention, that is, a microorganism or the like. In addition to this, it is possible to use soft or hard urethane foam, sintered resin, or the like as long as the fine particles can be captured. Further, since the polyester fiber layer 74 is provided to sandwich the glass fiber layer 72 and prevent the glass fibers from scattering, the polyester fiber layer 74 is not limited to the polyester-based synthetic fibers exemplified here, but Anything can be employed as long as it can achieve the desired purpose. Of course, when the filter fiber layer 68 is made of a material other than glass fiber, a structure in which the polyester fiber layer 74 is eliminated may be employed depending on the material. Furthermore, in the said Example, although the antimicrobial agent was provided to both the filter fiber layer 68 and the activated carbon fiber layer 70, all microorganisms are capture | acquired in the filter fiber layer 68, and the activated carbon fiber layer 70 is shown. If the microorganism does not reach the activated carbon fiber layer 70, the activated carbon fiber layer 70 may not be provided with an antibacterial agent.
[0033]
Moreover, in the said Example, although the antibacterial effect is provided only to the mist filter 10, you may make it give an antibacterial effect also to the 1st filter 2 and the 2nd filter 4 as needed. Well, the microorganisms contained in the compressed air are still captured by the first filter 2 and the second filter 4, and the microorganisms grow on the first and second filters (2, 4). This can be effectively suppressed, so that the object of the present invention can be achieved more advantageously.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
As is clear from the above description, in the compressed air filter device having the structure according to the present invention, the filter fiber layer and the activated carbon fiber layer in which the mist filter contains or carries at least an antibacterial agent. Therefore, microorganisms in the compressed air allowed to pass through the filter device can be effectively captured and sterilized at the same time. In addition, when it is allowed to pass through, the odor of the compressed air is adsorbed by the activated carbon fiber layer, so that the deodorization of the compressed air can be advantageously performed.
[0035]
That is, the proportion of microorganisms captured by the first filter means and the second filter means is low, and in addition, the microorganisms captured by these filter means are caused by the flow of compressed air that is continuously passed through. In the present invention, an antibacterial agent is added to the mist filter in which the microorganisms are finally almost completely trapped so that the antibacterial action can be effectively exhibited. -ing
[0036]
Moreover, since the mist filter is not only provided with antibacterial properties, the compressed air allowed to pass through the filter device can be effectively deodorized because the activated carbon fiber layer is provided. is there. The activated carbon fiber layer is provided on the rear side of the compressed air flow path rather than each filter means, so that the deodorizing action can be advantageously exerted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a specific example of a filter device for compressed air having a structure according to the present invention.
2 is a cutaway explanatory view showing a mist filter used in the filter device shown in FIG. 1. FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
2 First filter 4 Second filter 6 Drain device 8 Lower housing 10 Mist filter 12 Cylinder 14 Upper housing 16 Compressed air introduction passage 18 Compressed air delivery passage 20 Partition member 22 Lower opening portion 24 Upper opening portion 26 Intermediate passage 56 Capture chamber 64 Outer space 66a, 66b, 66c Liner material 68 Filter fiber layer 70 Activated carbon fiber layer 76 Inner space

Claims (1)

A first filter means having a first filling in the cylinder and a second filter means having a second filling in the cylinder communicate with each other in a predetermined volume of the capture chamber and are provided with compressed air. Is introduced into the trapping chamber through the first filter means from the introduction pipe line to condense or coalesce the vapor or liquid fine particles present in the compressed air and separate them from the compressed air. The compressed air from which vapor or liquid fine particles are separated is guided from the trapping chamber to the second filter means, so that the liquid particles remaining in the compressed air can be removed by the second filter means. Further, a finely sized filter capable of trapping microorganisms in the compressed air having a cylindrical ventilation wall portion having a porous structure with a predetermined thickness on the flow path of the compressed air sent from the second filter means. By providing a filter and allowing compressed air to pass from one side to the other side of the vent wall, microorganisms are separated and trapped together with vapor or liquid fine particles still remaining in the compressed air. In the compressed air filter device,
A partition member, and an upper housing and a lower housing respectively disposed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the partition member, wherein the first and second filter means are arranged around the first filter means in the lower housing. The mist filter is disposed in the upper housing so that the sealed space in the upper housing is divided into an outside and an inside of the mist filter. The compressed air sent out from the second filter means passes through the partition member and passes through the partition member. The mist filter is led to an external space partitioned by the mist filter, and passes through the ventilation wall portion of the mist filter from the radially outer side to the inner side. Has a structure that is a so that, and the ventilation wall of the mist filter, superimposed in the radial direction, at least, a filter fiber layer was allowed carrying containing or the antimicrobial agent and the active carbon fiber layer The filter fiber layer is composed of a synthetic fiber layer and a glass fiber layer each containing or carrying an antibacterial agent, and is delivered from the second filter means. A compressed air filter device, wherein the compressed air passes through the filter fiber layer and further passes through the activated carbon fiber layer.

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