Patent Application
20180002203
This application is a Continuation of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/058610 filed on Mar. 17, 2016, which is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-058495 filed on Mar. 20, 2015, the contents all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a water treatment device, a water treatment method, a sterile water production device, and a sterile water production method.
Description of the Related Art
As conventional water treatment devices, the devices described, for example, in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-128909, Japanese Patent No. 5204061, and Japanese Patent No. 5464692 are known.
In the water treatment device described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-128909, a plurality of openings are provided in a plasma introduction unit for introducing a plasma into water. By controlling pressure and flow rate of gas introduced into the water, uniform bubbles are supplied to the plurality of openings. A Voltage is applied to a bubble generating unit and into the water, an electric discharge is caused in the bubbles that are generated in the water, and a plasma is generated in the bubbles.
In the water treatment device described in exemplary embodiments 3 and 5 disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5204061, a voltage is applied to a bubble generating unit and into water, an electric discharge is caused in the bubbles that are generated in the water, and a plasma is generated in the bubbles.
In the water treatment device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5464692, a plasma is generated during cavitation generated by way of a boiling phenomenon in water to be treated that is introduced into an orifice.
However, with the water treatment devices disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-128909, Japanese Patent No. 5204061, and Japanese Patent No. 5464692, in order to cause a discharge to occur within air bubbles in water, a dielectric constant of water is added to a discharge gap, and a large electric power is required. This leads to a decrease in energy efficiency.
Further, by causing an electric discharge in the air bubbles in water, the shapes of the bubbles are not stable, and the efficiency at which the active species generated by the plasma dissolves in the water worsens, and along therewith, the sterilization efficiency and the processing efficiency also deteriorate.
The present invention has been devised taking into consideration the aforementioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a water treatment device and a water treatment method, which are capable of improving the energy efficiency of plasma generation, as well as improving the efficiency with which an active species generated by plasma is dissolved in water.
Further, another object of the present invention is to provide a sterile water production device and a sterile water production method, which are capable of improving the energy efficiency of plasma generation, enhancing the efficiency with which an active species generated by the plasma is dissolved in water, and producing a large amount of active species with a bactericidal effect in water.
The active species is a substance having a bactericidal effect, which is produced at the site of plasma generation, and as examples thereof, there may be cited chemical substances such as hydrogen peroxide water and ozone, as well as ions and radicals.
[1] A water treatment device according to a first aspect of the present invention is characterized by including a first electrode and a second electrode, and a ceramic structural body into which a gas is introduced, and which is configured to introduce into water an active species produced by a plasma which is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the ceramic structural body and at least one electrode from among the first electrode and the second electrode are formed together in an integrated manner.
[2] In the first aspect of the present invention, the one electrode may be formed integrally with the ceramic structural body, the one electrode may have a lattice shape, the ceramic structural body may have a plate shape including one principal surface that is disposed in the water, and another principal surface arranged oppositely to the one principal surface, and further, the ceramic structural body may have a through hole formed therein at a location corresponding to at least a lattice square of the one electrode. In addition, the other electrode from among the first electrode and the second electrode may have a needle shape, and a distal end thereof may be arranged to face toward the through hole of the ceramic structural body, and the gas may be supplied in a direction from the other principal surface toward the one principal surface of the ceramic structural body.
[3] In this case, the one electrode may be disposed in an interior or on a surface of the ceramic structural body.
[4] In the first aspect of the present invention, the ceramic structural body may have a columnar shape including one principal surface that is disposed in the water, another principal surface arranged oppositely to the one principal surface, and a side surface. The first electrode and the second electrode may be disposed in facing relation to each other on the side surface of the ceramic structural body, and may be formed in an integrated manner with the ceramic structural body, and the gas may be supplied in a direction from the other principal surface toward the one principal surface of the ceramic structural body.
[5] In this case, the first electrode and the second electrode may be disposed in an interior or on a surface of the ceramic structural body, and may be formed in an integrated manner with the ceramic structural body.
[6] In the first aspect of the present invention, the ceramic structural body may have a columnar shape, and further, may include one principal surface to which the gas is supplied, another principal surface arranged oppositely to the one principal surface and to which the gas is supplied, and a side surface disposed in the water. The one electrode may have a columnar shape, and may be arranged along an axial direction of the ceramic structural body, and the other electrode from among the first electrode and the second electrode may have a lattice shape, and may be disposed on the ceramic structural body in surrounding relation to the one electrode.
[7] In this case, the one electrode may be disposed in the interior of the ceramic structural body, the other electrode may be disposed in the interior or on a surface of the ceramic structural body, and the one electrode and the other electrode may be formed in an integrated manner with the ceramic structural body.
[8] In the first aspect of the present invention, the ceramic structural body may have a columnar shape, and further, may include one principal surface to which the gas is supplied, another principal surface arranged oppositely to the one principal surface and which is disposed in the water, and a side surface with a portion thereof being disposed in the water. A plurality of holes may be formed in the ceramic structural body from the one principal surface and extending toward the other principal surface, and the one electrode may include rod shapes and which are arranged inside the holes. Further, the other electrode from among the first electrode and the second electrode may be arranged within the ceramic structural body between bottom parts of the holes and the other principal surface.
[9] In the first aspect of the present invention, the first electrode and the second electrode may be formed integrally with the ceramic structural body, and the first electrode and the second electrode may each have rod shapes extending in one direction, and may be arranged alternately in a direction orthogonal to the one direction. The ceramic structural body may have a plate shape including one principal surface that is disposed in the water, and another principal surface arranged oppositely to the one principal surface, the ceramic structural body also having a plurality of through holes formed therein between the first electrode and the second electrode. Further, the gas may be supplied in a direction from the other principal surface toward the one principal surface of the ceramic structural body.
[10] In this case, the first electrode and the second electrode may be disposed in an interior or on a surface of the ceramic structural body, and may be formed in an integrated manner with the ceramic structural body.
[11] In the first aspect of the present invention, the ceramic structural body may have a columnar shape including one principal surface that is disposed in the water, another principal surface arranged oppositely to the one principal surface, and a side surface, and further, may include a plurality of through holes that penetrate from the other principal surface to the one principal surface. The first electrode and the second electrode may be disposed in facing relation to each other on the side surface of the ceramic structural body, and may be formed in an integrated manner with the ceramic structural body. Further, the gas may be supplied in a direction from the other principal surface toward the one principal surface of the ceramic structural body.
[12] In this case, the first electrode and the second electrode may be disposed inside or on a surface of the ceramic structural body, and may be formed in an integrated manner with the ceramic structural body.
[13] A water treatment method according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized by performing a water treatment using the aforementioned water treatment device according to the first aspect of the present invention.
[14] A sterile water production device according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized by including a first electrode and a second electrode, and a ceramic structural body into which a gas is introduced, and which is configured to produce an active species in water, by introducing into the water the active species produced by a plasma which is generated between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the ceramic structural body and at least one electrode from among the first electrode and the second electrode are formed together in an integrated manner.
[15] A sterile water production method according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized by producing sterile water using the sterile water production device according to the aforementioned third aspect of the present invention.
In accordance with the water treatment device and the water treatment method of the present invention, it is possible for the location of plasma generation, and the location where the generated plasma is introduced into water to be integrated. As a result, generation of the plasma is capable of being carried out in a gas, a large amount of electric power, as was required conventionally, is rendered unnecessary, and energy efficiency can be improved. Further, since generation of the plasma and dissolving of the active species generated by the plasma in water can be carried out instantaneously, the active species which is produced by the generated plasma can be dissolved in the water without becoming deactivated, and it is possible to enhance the efficiency at which the active species is dissolved.
In accordance with the sterile water production device and the sterile water production method according to the present invention, by utilizing as the gas an oxygen-containing gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, a mixed gas made up of oxygen and nitrogen, atmospheric air, or the like, an active species having a high bactericidal effect is produced by a plasma. As a result, it is possible for an active species having a bactericidal effect to be spread over a wide range in water in a short period of time, and to increase the concentration of the active species in water. In addition, the water, for example, can be made into sterile water having a high bactericidal effect.
Exemplary embodiments of a water treatment device, a water treatment method, a sterile water production device, and a sterile water production method according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to
Initially, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The second electrode 12B is needle-shaped, with distal ends 22 thereof being disposed in facing relation to the through holes 20 of the ceramic structural body 18.
The gas 14 is supplied in a direction (z-direction) from the other principal surface 18b toward the one principal surface 18a of the ceramic structural body 18.
The diameter of the through holes 20 formed in the ceramic structural body 18 preferably is 10 to 1000 μm, and the shortest distance from the first electrode 12A to the distal ends 22 of the second electrode 12B preferably is less than or equal to 10 mm. Further, the diameter of the first electrode 12A preferably is 10 to 1000 μm.
As the material component of the ceramic structural body 18, alumina, silica, titania, zirconia, or the like can be used. Further, as the material component of the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B, copper, iron, tungsten, stainless steel, platinum, or the like can be used.
Operations of the first water treatment device 10A will now be described. Initially, the gas 14 is supplied in a direction from the other principal surface 18b toward the one principal surface 18a of the ceramic structural body 18, whereby each of the through holes 20 functions as a nozzle for injecting the gas 14 into the water 16. In such a condition, for example, by grounding the first electrode 12A and applying a pulsed voltage (hereinafter referred to as a “pulsed voltage Pv”) to the second electrode 12B, the plasma 26 is generated in spaces between the first electrode 12A and (the distal ends 22 of) the second electrode 12B. In other words, the spaces serve as plasma generating sites 24. The generated plasma 26 instantaneously passes through the through holes 20 and enters into the water 16 along the flow of the gas 14, and air bubbles 28 containing an active species produced by the plasma 26 are generated in the water 16. More specifically, the active species produced by the plasma 26 becomes dissolved in the water 16.
In the conventional method, because a discharge is made to occur in the air bubbles 28 inside the water 16, the energy efficiency and the efficiency with which the active species produced by the plasma 26 is dissolved in the water 16 are adversely affected. However, in the first water treatment device 10A, generation of the plasma 26 takes place in a gas, and therefore, a large electric power as was required in the conventional technique is rendered unnecessary, and thus energy efficiency can be improved. Further, since generation of the plasma 26 and dissolving of the active species produced by the plasma 26 into the water 16 can be carried out instantaneously, the active species produced by the generated plasma 26 can be dissolved in the water 16 without becoming deactivated, and the efficiency with which the active species is dissolved can be enhanced.
Next, a water treatment device (hereinafter referred to as a second water treatment device 10B) according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to
Basically, the second water treatment device 10B has substantially the same configuration as the first water treatment device 10A described above, but differs therefrom in the following points.
More specifically, as shown in
The gas 14 is supplied in a direction (z-direction) from the other principal surface 18b toward the one principal surface 18a of the ceramic structural body 18.
The first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B are arranged in facing relation to each other on the side surface 18c of the ceramic structural body 18, and are formed in an integrated manner with the ceramic structural body 18.
Operations of the second water treatment device 10B will now be described. Initially, the gas 14 is supplied in a direction from the other principal surface 18b toward the one principal surface 18a of the ceramic structural body 18, whereby the gas 14 passes through the large number of open pores formed inside the ceramic structural body 18, and flows into the water 16. More specifically, the large number of open pores function as nozzles for injecting the by applying the pulsed voltage Pv between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B, the plasma 26 is generated within the ceramic structural body 18 in the space (plasma generating site 24) between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B. The generated plasma 26 instantaneously enters into the water 16 through the open pores along the flow of the gas 14, and air bubbles 28 containing an active species produced by the plasma 26 are generated in the water 16. More specifically, the active species becomes dissolved in the water 16.
In this case, since generation of the plasma 26 takes place in the open pores of the ceramic structural body 18 through which the gas 14 flows, a large electric power as was required in the conventional technique is rendered unnecessary, and thus energy efficiency can be improved. Further, since generation of the plasma 26 and dissolving of the active species produced by the plasma 26 into the water 16 can be carried out instantaneously, the active species produced by the plasma 26 can be dissolved in the water 16 without becoming deactivated, and the efficiency with which the active species is dissolved can be enhanced.
Next, a water treatment device (hereinafter referred to as a third water treatment device 100) according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to
Basically, the third water treatment device 100 has substantially the same configuration as the first water treatment device 10A described above, but differs therefrom in the following points.
More specifically, as shown in
The first electrode 12A has a columnar shape and is arranged inside the ceramic structural body 18 along the axial direction (z-direction) of the ceramic structural body 18. In the example of
The second electrode 12B has a lattice shape, and is arranged on the ceramic structural body 18 in surrounding relation to the first electrode 12A. In this case, the second electrode 12B may be disposed inside the ceramic structural body 18, or may be disposed on a surface (side surface) of the ceramic structural body 18. In the case of being embedded, the second electrode 12B may be partially exposed.
Operations of the third water treatment device 10C will now be described. Initially, the gas 14 is supplied in a direction from the one principal surface 18a toward the other principal surface 18b, as well as in a direction from the other principal surface 18b toward the one principal surface 18a of the ceramic structural body 18, whereby the gas 14 passes through the large number of open pores formed inside the ceramic structural body 18, and flows into the water 16 from the side surface 18c of the ceramic structural body 18. More specifically, the large number of open pores function as nozzles for injecting the gas 14 into the water 16. Because the second electrode 12B has a lattice shape, there is hardly any obstruction caused by the second electrode 12B to ejection of the gas 14.
In such a condition, for example, by grounding the second electrode 12B, and applying the pulsed voltage Pv to the first electrode 12A, the plasma 26 is generated within the ceramic structural body 18 in the space (plasma generating site 24) between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B. The plasma 26 instantaneously enters into the water 16 through the large number of open pores along the flow of the gas 14, and air bubbles 28 containing an active species produced by the plasma 26 are generated in the water 16. More specifically, the active species becomes dissolved in the water 16. Moreover, the pulsed voltage Pv may also be applied between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B.
In this case as well, since generation of the plasma 26 takes place in the open pores of the ceramic structural body 18 through which the gas 14 flows, a large electric power as was required in the conventional technique is rendered unnecessary, and thus energy efficiency can be improved. Further, since generation of the plasma 26 and dissolving of the active species produced by the plasma 26 into the water 16 can be carried out instantaneously, the active species produced by the plasma 26 can be dissolved in the water 16 without becoming deactivated, and the efficiency with which the active species is dissolved can be enhanced.
Next, a water treatment device (hereinafter referred to as a fourth water treatment device 10D) according to a fourth embodiment will be described with reference to
Basically, the fourth water treatment device 10D has substantially the same configuration as the first water treatment device 10A described above, but differs therefrom in the following points.
More specifically, as shown in
A plurality of first electrodes 12A have rod shapes, and are disposed respectively in the holes 30. The shape of each of the first electrodes 12A may be a cylindrical shape, and may also be a rectangular columnar shape or a polygonal columnar shape. A second electrode 12B is disposed within the ceramic structural body 18 between the bottom of the holes 30 and the other principal surface 18b.
The second electrode 12B may be formed, for example, in a rectangular film shape, or in a lattice shape.
Operations of the fourth water treatment device 10D will now be described. Initially, the gas 14 is supplied in a direction from the one principal surface 18a toward the other principal surface 18b of the ceramic structural body 18, whereby the gas 14 passes through the plurality of holes 30 formed inside the ceramic structural body 18, and flows into the water 16 from the side surface 18c of the ceramic structural body 18. In this case as well, the large number of open pores of the ceramic structural body 18 function as nozzles for injecting the gas 14 into the water 16. In such a condition, by applying the pulsed voltage Pv between the first electrodes 12A and the second electrode 12B, the plasma 26 is generated within the ceramic structural body 18 between the first electrodes 12A and the second electrode 12B, and in particular, in the spaces (plasma generating sites 24) between the distal ends 32 of the first electrodes 12A and the bottom of the holes 30. The plasma 26 instantaneously enters into the water 16 through the large number of open pores along the flow of the gas 14, and air bubbles 28 containing an active species produced by the plasma 26 are generated in the water 16. More specifically, the active species becomes dissolved in the water 16.
In this case as well, since generation of the plasma 26 takes place in the open pores of the ceramic structural body 18 through which the gas 14 flows, a large electric power as was required in the conventional technique is rendered unnecessary, and thus energy efficiency can be improved. Further, since generation of the plasma 26 and dissolving of the active species produced by the plasma 26 into the water 16 can be carried out instantaneously, the active species produced by the plasma 26 can be dissolved in the water 16 without becoming deactivated, and the efficiency with which the active species is dissolved can be enhanced.
Further, in the case that the second electrode 12B has a film shape, the generated plasma 26 enters into the water 16 from the side surface 18c of the ceramic structural body 18. At this time, because the distance from first electrodes 12A in the central portion and in the vicinity of the central portion to the side surface 18c of the ceramic structural body 18 is long, the active species that is produced by the plasma 26 from the plasma generating sites 24 in the central portion and in the vicinity thereof, may not reach into the interior of the water 16, depending on the size of the ceramic structural body 18. Thus, for example as shown in
Further, by forming the second electrode 12B not in a film shape, but rather in a lattice shape as shown in
Next, a water treatment device (hereinafter referred to as a fifth water treatment device 10E) according to a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to
Basically, the fifth water treatment device 10E has substantially the same configuration as the first water treatment device 10A described above, but differs therefrom in the following points.
More specifically, as shown in
As shown in
Furthermore, a plurality of through holes 20 are provided between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B. The ceramic that makes up the ceramic structural body 18 may be composed of a ceramic having a large number of open pores formed therein, or may be composed of a dense ceramic.
The first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B may be disposed inside the ceramic structural body 18, or may be disposed on a surface or surfaces of the ceramic structural body 18. In the case of being disposed inside, the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B may be partially exposed.
Operations of the fifth water treatment device 10E will now be described. Initially, the gas 14 is supplied in a direction from the other principal surface 18b toward the one principal surface 18a of the ceramic structural body 18, whereby the through holes 20 function as nozzles for injecting the gas 14 into the water 16. In such a condition, for example, by applying the pulsed voltage Pv between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B, the plasma 26 is generated in spaces (through holes 20: plasma generating sites 24) between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B. The plasma 26 instantaneously passes through the through holes 20 and enters into the water 16 along the flow of the gas 14, and air bubbles 28 containing an active species produced by the plasma 26 are generated in the water 16. More specifically, the active species becomes dissolved in the water 16.
In this case as well, since generation of the plasma 26 takes place in a gas in the through holes 20 of the ceramic structural body 18 through which the gas 14 flows, a large electric power as was required in the conventional technique is rendered unnecessary, and thus energy efficiency can be improved. Further, since generation of the plasma 26 and dissolving of the active species produced by the plasma 26 into the water 16 can be carried out instantaneously, the active species produced by the plasma 26 can be dissolved in the water 16 without becoming deactivated, and the efficiency with which the active species is dissolved can be enhanced.
Since the structure of the fifth water treatment device 10E can be simplified in comparison with that of the first water treatment device 10A or the like, advantages can be achieved in terms of making the device smaller in scale and reducing costs.
Next, a water treatment device (hereinafter referred to as a sixth water treatment device 10F) according to a sixth embodiment will be described with reference to
Basically, the sixth water treatment device 10F has substantially the same configuration as the second water treatment device 10B described above, but differs therefrom in the following points.
More specifically, as shown in
Operations of the sixth water treatment device 10F will now be described. Initially, the gas 14 is supplied in a direction from the other principal surface 18b toward the one principal surface 18a of the ceramic structural body 18, whereby the gas 14 passes through the plurality of through holes 36 formed inside the ceramic structural body 18, and flows into the water 16. More specifically, the plurality of through holes 36 function as nozzles for injecting the gas 14 into the water 16. In such a condition, for example, by applying the pulsed voltage Pv between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B, the plasma 26 is generated within the ceramic structural body 18 in the respective through holes 36 (plasma generating sites 24) between the first electrode 12A and the second electrode 12B. The plasma 26 instantaneously passes through the plurality of through holes 36 and enters into the water 16 along the flow of the gas 14, and air bubbles 28 containing an active species produced by the plasma 26 are generated in the water 16. More specifically, the active species becomes dissolved in the water 16.
In this case, since generation of the plasma 26 takes place inside the through holes 36 of the ceramic structural body 18 through which the gas 14 flows, a large electric power as was required in the conventional technique is rendered unnecessary, and thus energy efficiency can be improved. Further, since generation of the plasma 26 and dissolving of the active species produced by the plasma 26 into the water 16 can be carried out instantaneously, the active species produced by the plasma 26 can be dissolved in the water 16 without becoming deactivated, and the efficiency with which the active species is dissolved can be enhanced.
In the above-described first water treatment device 10A through the sixth water treatment device 10F, by utilizing as the gas 14 an oxygen-containing gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, a mixed gas made up of oxygen and nitrogen, atmospheric air, or the like, an active species having a high bactericidal effect is produced by the plasma 26. As a result, it is possible for an active species having a bactericidal effect to be spread over a wide range in the water 16 in a short period of time, and to increase the concentration of the active species in the water 16. In addition, the water 16, for example, can be made into sterile water having a high bactericidal effect. Stated otherwise, the first water treatment device 10A through the sixth water treatment device 10F may be configured as a first sterile water production device 50A through a sixth sterile water production device 50F, which enable sterile water having a high bactericidal effect to be produced.
The water treatment device, the water treatment method, the sterile water production device, and the sterile water production method according to the present invention are not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various configurations could be adopted therein without departing from the essence and gist of the present invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015-058495 | Mar 2015 | JP | national |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | PCT/JP2016/058610 | Mar 2016 | US |
| Child | 15707024 | US |
