JPH1012195A - Electrodeless lamp, electrodeless lamp lighting device and ultraviolet irradiation device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electrodeless lamp, an electrodeless lamp lighting device, and an ultraviolet ray radiation device having a long life and a large ultraviolet ray radiation amount. SOLUTION: An induction coil 22 is wound on the surface at the upper end part of an electrodeless lamp 20 in which mercury radiating ultraviolet rays of around 260nm effective for sterilization and argon gas are sealed in a long tube 21, and high frequency is supplied to the induction coil 22. The radiation intensity distribution of the ultraviolet rays is strongest in the part where the induction coil 22 is wound, and becomes gradually weaker as approaching the other end of the tube 21, and high sterilizing effect is partially obtained compared with the uniform radiation by the conventional fluorescent lamp.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an electrodeless lamp, an electrodeless lamp lighting device, and an ultraviolet irradiation device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an ultraviolet irradiation apparatus such as a circulation bath for sterilizing and circulating bath water, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 99-99. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the ultraviolet irradiation device disclosed in this publication.
As shown in this figure, the ultraviolet irradiation device includes a sterilization tank 1 and
It comprises an outer tube 2 made of quartz, a fluorescent lamp 3 for sterilization, a packing 4 for waterproofing, and a lid 5. The sterilization tank 1
A water inlet 6 is formed at an upper end thereof, and a water outlet 7 is formed at a lower end thereof. An object to be sterilized such as bath water flows in from the water inlet 6 and flows out of the water outlet 7.

The outer tube 2 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a rounded end and a closed end, and the upper end thereof is attached to the center of a lid 5 mounted on the upper end of the sterilization tank 1.
The fluorescent lamp 3 emits ultraviolet light, and is formed in a long cylindrical shape. The fluorescent lamp 3 is inserted into the outer tube 2 and irradiates an object to be sterilized flowing through the sterilization tank 1 with ultraviolet rays. The waterproof packing 4 is provided between the sterilizing tank 1 and the lid 5 to prevent water leakage. In the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus having such a configuration, the object to be sterilized flowing from the water inlet 6 of the sterilization tank 1 flows around the fluorescent lamp 3 along the axis thereof, and then flows out of the water outlet 7. At this time, since the fluorescent lamp 3 has a long cylindrical shape, the ultraviolet light is irradiated substantially uniformly, and sterilization is performed.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of another conventional ultraviolet irradiation apparatus, and FIG. 11 is a side view thereof. In this conventional ultraviolet irradiation apparatus, fluorescent lamps 11 and 12 each having a long cylindrical shape for sterilization are arranged on both sides of a long cylindrical quartz tube 10, and further, as shown in FIG. Four reflectors 13 around 11 and 12
Is provided. These tubes 10, fluorescent lamps 11,
Twelve and four reflectors 13 are housed in the same case 14. An object to be sterilized, such as bath water, flows in from one end of the tube 10 and flows out from the other end. During that time, ultraviolet rays are irradiated from the two fluorescent lamps 11 and 12 to sterilize bacteria in the liquid. .

[0005]

However, the above-mentioned conventional ultraviolet irradiation apparatus has the following problems. That is, since the fluorescent lamps 3, 11, and 12 for sterilization have an electrode structure substantially similar to that of a normal fluorescent lamp or the like, the electrodes deteriorate due to repeated lighting / extinguishing. If the lamp is used for an ultraviolet irradiation device such as a circulating bath for less than 10,000 hours, for example, the lamp needs to be replaced every six months to one year, which increases running costs.

In recent years, it has been found that if the total irradiation amount of ultraviolet rays is the same, an irradiation method having a higher maximum value can obtain a higher sterilizing effect.
1 and 12, the amount of ultraviolet radiation between both ends is uniform, the outer tube 2 is interposed between the object to be sterilized and the fluorescent lamp 3, and the tube 10 is interposed between the fluorescent lamps 11 and 12, respectively. Since these attenuate ultraviolet rays, a high bactericidal effect could not be expected. For this reason, development of a fluorescent lamp that emits more ultraviolet light than current fluorescent lamps has been awaited.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electrodeless lamp, an electrodeless lamp lighting device, and an ultraviolet irradiation device, which have a long life and a large amount of ultraviolet radiation.

[0008]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrodeless lamp in which a gas which emits ultraviolet rays by discharge is sealed in a tube, and an electrodeless excitation discharge is caused by energy supplied from outside the tube. The ultraviolet output due to the excitation discharge becomes non-uniform along the tube axis direction of the lamp. According to this electrodeless lamp, ultraviolet light is emitted in addition to visible light by excitation discharge, and the ultraviolet output at that time becomes non-uniform along the tube axis direction of the lamp. For example,
When energy is supplied to one end of the tube, the UV output is large at one end and gradually decreases as the distance from the end increases.

The tube constituting the electrodeless lamp may be made of quartz, or may be made of ultraviolet transmitting ceramic such as polycrystalline or single crystal alumina. Further, the gas sealed in the tube may be composed of a rare gas and mercury, or may be composed of a rare gas and a halogen.
As a combination of a rare gas and a halogen, for example, Xe
F, XeCl, KrF, ArF and the like. Further, the tube may have a concave portion depressed inward at a part of one end. By providing this concave portion, an induction excitation coil, which will be described later, can be inserted into the concave portion, so that when the object to be sterilized is a liquid, a waterproof effect is obtained.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrodeless lamp lighting device, comprising: the electrodeless lamp according to any one of the first to sixth aspects; and an induction exciting coil wound around a surface of one end of the electrodeless lamp. And a high-frequency power supply means for supplying high-frequency power to the induction exciting coil. According to this configuration, the excitation discharge by the inductive coupling is performed,
Visible light and ultraviolet light are emitted. In this case, the radiation intensity of the ultraviolet ray has a distribution in which the intensity is highest at the portion where the induction excitation coil is provided, and gradually decreases toward the other end of the tube.

[0011] Therefore, since it has a large peak value of the ultraviolet intensity, a higher sterilizing effect can be obtained as compared with a uniform irradiation such as a conventional fluorescent lamp used for sterilization. This also means that the same sterilizing effect can be obtained with low power consumption. Also, when sterilizing liquids,
Since an outer tube for separating the fluorescent lamp from water as in the related art is not required, ultraviolet light is not attenuated by the outer tube. In addition, since the electrodeless discharge is used, the life is long, and the running cost can be reduced. The induction excitation coil may be covered with an insulating material having heat resistance and ultraviolet resistance. In this way, even when the object to be sterilized is water, it is not necessary to perform a waterproofing process on the induction excitation coil.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrodeless lamp lighting apparatus, wherein the high frequency power is supplied to the electrodeless lamp, the induction excitation coil inserted into the recess of the electrodeless lamp, and the induction excitation coil. High-frequency power supply means. According to this configuration, the induction excitation coil can be inserted into a concave portion formed at a part of one end of the electrodeless lamp. Therefore, when the object to be sterilized is water, one end of the electrodeless lamp is located above the water surface. If it arrange | positions so that it may become, it is not necessary to perform waterproofing processing with respect to an induction excitation coil.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrodeless lamp lighting device, comprising: the electrodeless lamp according to any one of the first to sixth aspects; and a pair of electrodes disposed on the surface of one end of the electrodeless lamp. And a high-frequency power supply means for supplying high-frequency power to these electrodes. According to this configuration, excitation discharge is performed by capacitive coupling, and visible light and ultraviolet light are emitted. In this case, the radiation intensity of the ultraviolet rays has a distribution in which the portion where the pair of electrodes is provided is the strongest, and gradually decreases toward the other end of the tube.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electrodeless lamp lighting apparatus according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a microwave generating means provided at one end of the electrodeless lamp, Power supply means for supplying power to the microwave generation means. According to this configuration, excitation discharge by microwave is performed, and visible light and ultraviolet light are emitted. In this case, the radiation intensity of the ultraviolet light is
The distribution where the portion where the microwave generation means is provided is the strongest, and gradually becomes weaker toward the other end of the tube. In particular, in the microwave-induced excitation discharge, a surface wave discharge in which a discharge plasma is formed on the inner surface of the tube is also performed, so that the radiation intensity of ultraviolet rays is further increased.

As the microwave generating means, a surface wave launcher is preferable. In addition, this surface wave launcher is, for example, PlasmaPhysicsVol, 24, N
o. Fig. 3 of pp 1331 to 1400 of 11 documents
(C), a structure like FIG. 3 (e) or FIG. 3 (f). These are electric field coupling types, but F
There is also a cavity resonance type such as ig3 (d).

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an ultraviolet irradiation apparatus, comprising the electrodeless lamp lighting device according to any one of claims 8 to 13 and the electrodeless lamp of the electrodeless lamp lighting device. And a container having an ultraviolet irradiation space through which an object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light flows along the tube axis direction.

According to this configuration, when the object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light flowing into the container having the ultraviolet irradiation space is an object to be sterilized, the object to be sterilized removes the portion of the electrodeless lamp having the highest ultraviolet radiation intensity. Most of the bacteria are killed when they pass, and after that, they pass through a portion where the ultraviolet radiation intensity is relatively weak, thereby completely inhibiting the revival and regeneration of the bacteria.

The electrodeless lamp may be arranged such that the side to which energy is supplied is directed toward the ultraviolet ray irradiation side of the container. In this way, when the object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light is an object to be sterilized, most of the bacteria can be killed first, and then the revival and regeneration of the bacteria can be completely prevented. The arrangement of the electrodeless lamp may be reversed. In this case, the bacterial cell membrane epidermis is first destroyed and sterilized or weakened, and then DNA is destroyed. The material to be sterilized may be either liquid or powder.

An ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention further comprises a substance having an optical semiconductor, and the substance is arranged in a range where ultraviolet rays emitted from the electrodeless lamp in the container reach. According to this configuration, dissolved oxygen is activated, and the dead body of the bacteria is decomposed into water and carbon dioxide gas, so that clean water can be obtained. As an optical semiconductor, for example, T
There is iO2 (titania).

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (I) Embodiment of sterilization system (a) Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing Embodiment 1 of an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to the present invention. The first embodiment is applied to an ultraviolet irradiation device for sterilizing a liquid such as bath water. In addition, in this figure, the electrodeless lamp 20 is shown in a front view. The first embodiment uses an electrodeless lamp 20 for sterilization. The electrodeless lamp 20 comprises a quartz tube 21 having a diameter of 15 mm and a rounded end, and having a length of 100 mm and formed in a long cylindrical shape. Noble gas / argon is sealed at 1 mmHg (about 130 Pascal).

An induction excitation coil 22 is provided above the tube 21 as discharge excitation means. The induction excitation coil 22 is formed by winding a conductive wire for four turns. Above the induction excitation coil 22, there is provided a matching section 2 for impedance matching between the induction excitation coil 22 and an external high-frequency power supply 25. The matching section 23 is connected to a high frequency power supply 25 via a coaxial cable 24. High frequency power supply 2
5 outputs a high frequency of 13.56 MHz, for example.
This high-frequency output is supplied to the induction excitation coil 2 via the matching unit 23.
2 is supplied. When the high frequency output is supplied to the induction excitation coil 22, electromagnetic energy is generated, and the electrodeless lamp 20 discharges by this electromagnetic energy.
With this discharge, ultraviolet rays of about 260 nm effective for sterilization are emitted.

The electrodeless lamp 20 is provided in the sterilization tank 26 in a vertical direction with the matching portion 23 fixed to a central portion of a lid 27 mounted on the upper end of the sterilization tank 26.
In the inside of the sterilization tank 26, a flange 29 is formed along the circumferential direction slightly above the water inlet 28.
A plastic packing 30 for blocking water is attached to the upper surface of 9. The packing 30 prevents water in the sterilizing tank 26 from splashing on the induction excitation coil 22, and has a hole for passing the electrodeless lamp 20 in the center thereof. The induction excitation coil 22, the matching unit 23, the coaxial cable 24, and the high frequency power supply 25 constitute an electrodeless lamp lighting device 100.

In the ultraviolet irradiation apparatus configured as described above, when the high frequency output from the high frequency power supply 25 is supplied to the induction excitation coil 22 via the matching section 23, electromagnetic energy is generated in the induction excitation coil 22. Discharge occurs inside the tube 21 due to the energy. As shown in FIG. 2, the emission intensity of the visible light and the ultraviolet light due to the discharge has a distribution that is maximum near the induction excitation coil 22 and decreases toward the tip of the tube 21. In this case, the induction excitation coil 22 of the tube 21 is
Block visible light and ultraviolet light, so that a pulsating distribution is obtained as shown in the figure. In addition, the induction excitation coil 22 inside the tube 21
, A donut-shaped discharge with an unclear outline occurs. FIG. 3 is a front view showing this state, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

Since a donut-shaped discharge may occur in a portion near the surface of the tube 21, the radiant intensity of visible light and ultraviolet light becomes maximum near the induction excitation coil 22, as shown in FIG. . Such a phenomenon is caused by the conventional fluorescent lamps 3, 1
This does not occur in Nos. 1 and 12, and it can be seen from this viewpoint that the electrodeless lamp 20 has a larger partial ultraviolet radiation amount.
In the conventional fluorescent lamps 3, 11, and 12, the emission intensity of visible light and ultraviolet light is

When a water stream is introduced from the water inlet 28 into the sterilization tank 26, sterilization is first performed near the induction excitation coil 22, which has the strongest ultraviolet radiation, and most of the bacteria are killed in this portion. Thereafter, the water moves toward the tip of the quartz tube 21, and the bacteria continue to be irradiated with the ultraviolet rays during the movement. During this time, the induction excitation coil 22
Although the amount is smaller than the amount of ultraviolet rays received in the vicinity of, the bacteria are constantly irradiated with ultraviolet rays while staying inside the sterilization tank 26, so that the revival and regeneration of bacteria can be completely suppressed. In addition, a water flow is introduced into the sterilization tank 26 from the water inlet 28, which is the weakest side of the amount of ultraviolet irradiation, to destroy and sterilize or weaken the bacterial cell membrane epidermis, and then to the strong ultraviolet irradiation region. You may make it also reach DNA destruction. Even in this case, the bacteria can be completely killed.

As described above, in the first embodiment, the conventional fluorescent lamps 3, 11, and 12 having a uniform ultraviolet radiation intensity are used.
Unlike that, it has a large peak value of UV intensity,
A stronger bactericidal effect is obtained. In addition, unlike the fluorescent lamps 3, 11, and 12, the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation due to the discharge becomes stronger toward the center of the tube in the radial direction of the tube. Can be radiated out of the tube 21. In addition, since it has a large peak value of the ultraviolet intensity, the same sterilization effect can be obtained with lower power consumption as compared with uniform irradiation such as the fluorescent lamps 3, 11, and 12. This, together with the long life due to the absence of electrodes, enables a reduction in running costs. Further, since the electrodeless lamp 20 is directly immersed in water, the ultraviolet light is not attenuated as compared with the case where the outer tube 3 is interposed between the fluorescent lamp 3 and water as shown in FIG. The cost can be reduced by not using it.

(B) Embodiment 2 FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The second embodiment is also applied to an ultraviolet irradiation device for sterilizing a liquid such as bath water as in the first embodiment. The electrodeless lamp lighting device according to the first embodiment described above has the induction excitation coil 22 wound around the upper part of the tube 21. As shown in FIG. 5, the induction excitation coil 3 is provided in the concave portion 36A of the electrodeless lamp 35 in which the concave portion 36A extending from the central portion of the upper end to the internal central portion is formed.
7 is inserted. The high frequency power supply 25 is connected to the inductive excitation coil 37 in the same manner as in the first embodiment.
Connected through.

As in the first embodiment, the distribution of the radiant intensity of the visible light and the ultraviolet light due to the discharge is maximum near the induction excitation coil 37 and decreases toward the tip of the tube 36. Is obtained. Although the shape of the tube 36 is complicated, since the induction excitation coil 37 can be completely waterproofed, the packing 30 as in the first embodiment is unnecessary, and a flange portion for locking the packing 30 is required. 29 does not need to be formed inside the sterilization tank 26. Also,
The same applies to the first embodiment, but in the system using the induction excitation coil 37, it is possible to operate with a high-frequency output in the range of several hundred KHz to several tens of MHz. Although not shown, except for the induction excitation coil 37, a matching part,
Coaxial cable and high frequency power supply are electrodeless lamp lighting device 1
10 is constituted.

(C) Third Embodiment FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is also applied to an ultraviolet irradiation device for sterilizing a liquid such as bath water, as in the first embodiment. In this figure, the electrodeless lamp 40 is shown in a front view.

In the electrodeless lamp lighting devices of the first and second embodiments, the inductively coupled excitation system using the inductive excitation coils 22 and 37 is employed as the means for exciting the electrodeless discharge, that is, the energy transfer means. The electrodeless lamp lighting device according to the third embodiment is configured such that the electrodeless lamp lighting device shown in FIG.
The two electrodes 42 as shown in FIG. 1 are mounted to face each other, and a high-frequency output is applied to these electrodes 42 via a matching section 43 to cause a capacitively-coupled electrodeless discharge. Also in this case, the water inside the sterilization tank 26 is
A packing 30 is provided so as not to cover the second member.
Also in the third embodiment, similar to the first embodiment,
The emission intensity of visible light and ultraviolet light due to discharge is two electrodes 4
Since the distribution has a maximum value in the vicinity of 2 and decreases toward the tip of the tube 41, the same effect can be obtained. Although not shown other than the pair of electrodes 52 and the matching portion 23,
Together with these, the coaxial cable and the high frequency power supply constitute the electrodeless lamp lighting device 120.

(D) Fourth Embodiment FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. This fourth embodiment is also applied to an ultraviolet irradiation device for sterilizing a liquid such as bath water, similarly to the first embodiment. This fourth embodiment is also applied to an ultraviolet irradiation device for sterilizing a liquid such as bath water, similarly to the first embodiment. In this figure, the electrodeless lamp 50 is shown in a front view. In the electrodeless lamp lighting device according to the fourth embodiment, a magnetron 52 is provided at an upper end portion of a tube 51, and a microwave of several GHz is generated from the magnetron 52 to cause an excitation discharge. In particular, in the microwave-induced excitation discharge, a surface wave discharge in which a discharge plasma is formed on the inner surface of the tube is also performed, so that the radiation intensity of ultraviolet rays is further increased. In addition, a surface wave launcher is suitable as a device having a built-in magnetron. The magnetron 52 and the power supply 53 constitute an electrodeless lamp lighting device 130.

(E) Fifth Embodiment FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. In the first to fourth embodiments, the sterilized bacteria remain as they are. However, it is also possible to apply an optical semiconductor such as TiO2 (titania) or to place the contained substance in a range where ultraviolet rays can reach. good. By doing so, the dissolved oxygen is activated, and the dead body of the bacteria is decomposed into water and carbon dioxide, so that clean water can be obtained. In the fifth embodiment, the sterilizing tank 26
A film (TiO2 coating substance) 60 coated with TiO2 is adhered to the inner surface of the substrate.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention. Specifically, the following may be performed. (A) In the first embodiment, for safety reasons, the induction excitation coil 22
The packing 30 is provided below the position of the induction excitation coil 22 of the sterilization tank 26 so that water is not applied to the surface. However, the surface of the conductor is covered with a heat-resistant and UV-resistant insulating material such as Teflon (registered trademark of DuPont, USA). Can be placed directly in the water. (B) In each of the first to fifth embodiments, the liquid is targeted for sterilization, but powder such as meriken powder can be sterilized.

(C) In each of the first to fifth embodiments, mercury is used as the ultraviolet radiation material, but a combination of a rare gas and halogen may be used. Examples of the combination of a rare gas and a halogen include the following. Combination wavelength XeF (xenon / fluorine) 351 nm XeCl (xenon / chlorine) 308 nm KrF (krypton / fluorine) 248 nm ArF (argon / fluorine) 193 nm (d) In each of Embodiments 1 to 5, tubes 21, 36, 41
Although quartz is used as the material of 51, ultraviolet transmitting ceramic such as polycrystalline or single crystal alumina may be used.

[0035]

According to the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the output of the ultraviolet ray emitted by the excitation discharge becomes non-uniform along the tube axis direction of the lamp, and the energy supplied side is the strongest. Since the intensity becomes weaker as the distance increases, the intensity of the ultraviolet light is partially higher than that of a conventional fluorescent lamp in which the output of the ultraviolet light is uniform along the tube axis direction. Therefore, when used for sterilization, a higher sterilization effect can be obtained as compared with a conventional fluorescent lamp. In addition, as a tube, when a recessed portion is depressed inward at a part of one end, an induction excitation coil can be inserted into the recessed portion, so that when the substance to be sterilized is a liquid, it is waterproof. The effect can be obtained, and there is no need to provide a dedicated waterproof means.

According to the invention of claim 8, claims 1 to 6 are provided.
The induction excitation coil is wound around the surface of one end of the electrodeless lamp according to any of the above items, and high-frequency power is supplied to the induction excitation coil. Since the intensity is strongest at the part where the induction excitation coil is provided, and gradually decreases toward the other end of the tube, a partially higher sterilization effect is obtained compared to uniform irradiation such as conventional fluorescent lamps. Can be In addition, as a result, the same germicidal effect can be obtained with lower power consumption than the conventional fluorescent lamp. Further, when sterilizing the liquid, an outer tube for separating the fluorescent lamp from water as in the conventional case is not required, so that there is no attenuation of ultraviolet rays by the outer tube. In addition, since the electrodeless discharge is used, the life is long, and the running cost can be reduced.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, the induction excitation coil is covered with an insulating material having heat resistance and ultraviolet resistance.
Even when the object to be sterilized is water, it is not necessary to perform the waterproofing treatment on the induction excitation coil, and the cost can be reduced accordingly. According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, since the induction excitation coil is inserted into the concave portion of the electrodeless lamp according to the seventh aspect, when the object to be sterilized is water, one end of the electrodeless lamp is higher than the water surface. By disposing it above, it is not necessary to perform a waterproofing process on the induction excitation coil, and the cost can be reduced accordingly.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, a pair of electrodes are disposed on the surface of one end of the electrodeless lamp according to any one of the first to sixth aspects so that high-frequency power is supplied to these electrodes. In this case, ultraviolet radiation can be emitted by the excitation discharge, and the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation is the strongest at the part where the induction excitation coil is provided, and becomes gradually weaker toward the other end of the tube. Partially higher sterilization effect can be obtained compared to uniform irradiation such as a lamp. In addition, as a result, the same germicidal effect can be obtained with lower power consumption than the conventional fluorescent lamp. Further, when sterilizing the liquid, an outer tube for separating the fluorescent lamp from water as in the conventional case is not required, so that there is no attenuation of ultraviolet rays by the outer tube. In addition, since the electrodeless discharge is used, the life is long, and the running cost can be reduced.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, a microwave generating means is provided at one end of the electrodeless lamp according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, and power is supplied to the microwave generating means. Therefore, ultraviolet radiation can be emitted by the excitation discharge, and the intensity of the ultraviolet radiation is the strongest at the part where the induction excitation coil is provided, and gradually becomes weaker toward the other end of the tube, and the surface wave discharge is also performed. Therefore, a very high bactericidal effect can be obtained in part as compared with uniform irradiation such as a conventional fluorescent lamp. In addition, as a result, the same sterilizing effect can be obtained with lower power consumption than the conventional fluorescent lamp. Further, when sterilizing the liquid, an outer tube for separating the fluorescent lamp from water as in the conventional case is not required, so that there is no attenuation of ultraviolet rays by the outer tube. In addition, since the electrodeless discharge is used, the life is long, and the running cost can be reduced.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the electrodeless lamp of the electrodeless lamp lighting device according to any one of the eighth to thirteenth aspects is accommodated in a container, and is arranged along the tube axis of the electrodeless lamp. Since the object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light was made to flow,
When an object to be sterilized is placed in a container, most of the object to be sterilized can be killed by the portion of the electrodeless lamp having the highest UV radiation intensity, and the bacteria can be killed by the portion having the lowest UV radiation intensity. An ultraviolet irradiation device capable of completely preventing the rejuvenation regeneration of the ultraviolet light can be obtained.

According to the seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the substance having an optical semiconductor such as TiO2 is arranged in a range where ultraviolet rays radiated from the electrodeless lamp in the container reach.
For example, when water containing a substance to be sterilized is put in a container, dissolved oxygen can be activated, and the dead body of bacteria can be decomposed into water and carbon dioxide gas, so that clean water can be obtained. An irradiation device can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ultraviolet irradiation device using an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the discharge intensity of the electrodeless lamp of the electrodeless lamp lighting device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a discharge mode of the electrodeless lamp of the electrodeless lamp lighting device of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing an ultraviolet irradiation device using an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an ultraviolet irradiation device using an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing an ultraviolet irradiation device using an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an ultraviolet irradiation device using an electrodeless lamp lighting device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a conventional ultraviolet irradiation device.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing another conventional ultraviolet irradiation apparatus.

FIG. 11 is a side view of FIG. 10;

[Explanation of symbols]

 20, 35, 40, 50 Electrodeless lamp 21, 36, 41, 51 Tube 22, 37 Induction excitation coil 25 High frequency power supply (high frequency power supply means) 26, 34 Sterilization tank (container) 28 Water inlet 30 Packing 31 Water outlet 36A Concave part 42 Electrode 52 Magnetron (microwave generating means) 53 Power supply (power supply means) 60 TiO2 coating material

Claims (18)

[Claims] A gas that emits ultraviolet light by discharge is sealed in a tube, and an electrode-less excitation discharge is caused by energy supplied from the outside of the tube, and an ultraviolet output by the excitation discharge extends along a tube axis direction of the lamp. Electrodeless lamp characterized by being non-uniform. 2. The electrodeless lamp according to claim 1, wherein the ultraviolet output is large in a portion to which energy is supplied, and gradually decreases as the distance from the portion increases. 3. The electrodeless lamp according to claim 1, wherein the tube is made of quartz. 4. The electrodeless lamp according to claim 1, wherein the tube is made of an ultraviolet transmitting ceramic such as polycrystalline or single crystal alumina. 5. The electrodeless lamp according to claim 1, wherein the gas comprises a rare gas and mercury. 6. The electrodeless lamp according to claim 1, wherein the gas comprises a rare gas and a halogen. 7. The tube according to claim 1, wherein one end of the tube has a concave portion depressed inside the tube.
The electrodeless lamp according to any one of the above. 8. An electrodeless lamp according to claim 1, an induction excitation coil wound around a surface of one end of the electrodeless lamp, and supplying high-frequency power to the induction excitation coil. And a high frequency power supply means. 9. The electrodeless lamp lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the induction excitation coil is coated with an insulating material having heat resistance and ultraviolet light resistance. 10. An electrodeless lamp according to claim 7, comprising: an induction excitation coil inserted into a recess of the electrodeless lamp; and high frequency power supply means for supplying high frequency power to the induction excitation coil. Characteristic electrodeless lamp lighting device. 11. An electrodeless lamp according to any one of claims 1 to 6, a pair of electrodes opposed to a surface of one end of the electrodeless lamp, and a high-frequency power supply for supplying high-frequency power to these electrodes. And an electric power supply means. 12. An electrodeless lamp according to claim 1, a microwave generating means provided at one end of the electrodeless lamp, and a power supply for supplying power to the microwave generating means. Means for lighting an electrodeless lamp. 13. The electrodeless lamp lighting device according to claim 12, wherein said microwave generating means is a surface wave launcher. 14. An electrodeless lamp lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the electrodeless lamp of the electrodeless lamp lighting device is housed, and ultraviolet irradiation is performed along a tube axis direction of the electrodeless lamp. A container having an ultraviolet irradiation space through which an object flows. 15. The electrodeless lamp of the electrodeless lamp lighting device according to claim 14, wherein a side to which energy is supplied is arranged toward an inflow side of the object to be irradiated with ultraviolet light of the container. UV irradiation equipment. 16. The ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the ultraviolet irradiation target is a liquid or a powder. 17. The apparatus according to claim 14, further comprising a substance having an optical semiconductor, wherein the substance is arranged in a range where ultraviolet rays emitted from the electrodeless lamp in the container reach. The ultraviolet irradiation device as described in the above. 18. An ultraviolet irradiation apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said optical semiconductor is TiO2.