JPH1110157A - Sterilizer and hot water circulation bath system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To surely kill 100% of cells by passing through a sterilization tank once without causing an unpleasant odor and without adversely affecting other devices or bathers. SOLUTION: A DC voltage supplied from a DC power supply 24 is applied between an anode 22 and a cathode 23 in the sterilization tank 1,
The hot water 100 flowing from the inlet 211 is electrolyzed.
As a result, active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals are generated in the warm water near the anode 22, and the bacteria in the warm water are oxidized and sterilized by the active oxygen and the hydroxyl radicals. This sterilization is extremely powerful, and even strong bacteria such as Legionella germs can be killed 100% by passing warm water through the sterilization tank 1 only once. When the active oxygen and the hydroxyl radicals described above reach the vicinity of the cathode 23, they react with hydrogen formed near the cathode 23, and finally become water, are rendered harmless and generate no off-flavors from the outlet 212. Released outside. For this reason, the above-mentioned bactericidal action does not adversely affect other devices or bathers.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sterilizing apparatus for sterilizing bacteria and microorganisms which grow and live in hot water in a bath in which hot water is circulated, and a hot water circulating bath system using the sterilizing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for sterilizing circulating hot water in a bath or the like for 24 hours, there is, for example, a method disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 4-1000 "Microorganism treatment apparatus for waste water". FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional bath system in which hot water is circulated. The hot water 100 in the bathtub 1 is drained 11
After being pumped out by the circulating pump 2, dust and the like are filtered by the filter 3, they are treated by bacteria in the organic matter decomposing tank 4, and organic matter in the hot water is decomposed. The hot water 100 that has exited the organic matter decomposition tank 4 enters the hot water sterilizer 5, and Escherichia coli and the like in the hot water 100 are sterilized by the ultraviolet light of the ultraviolet discharge lamp 7. The sterilized hot water 100 is heated by the heating tank 6 and then returns from the water supply port 12 into the bathtub 1.

However, it has recently been pointed out that Legionella bacteria resident in the soil are highly prone to proliferate in the hot water 100 of the bathtub 1 and become a source of infection such as pneumonia, and countermeasures are required. The amount of ultraviolet light required to sterilize 100% of this Legionella bacterium is 35.2 mW / cm ² or more, which is about six times that of Escherichia coli. For this reason, when using the above-mentioned hot water sterilizer of the amount of ultraviolet light that sterilizes about Escherichia coli,
It was found that Legionella bacteria could not be sterilized by an irradiation amount such that the hot water 100 passed through the sterilizing device 5 once.
The irradiation amount is reached only after the hot water 100 is circulated.

[0004] However, bacteria have a phenomenon of light recovery,
Even if it is irradiated with ultraviolet rays for sterilization, the obstacle is recovered when it is exposed to visible light, and there is a problem that the light is multiplied again in the bathtub 1 while bathing. In addition, there are many cases where a bath agent is added to the bath water to create a hot spring atmosphere, but this bath agent lowers the transmittance of the sterilization line, and the sterilization line does not substantially contribute to sterilization. There is also.

[0005] In the organic matter decomposition tank 4 by bacteria that decompose organic matter in the bath water, amoeba also proliferates, Legionella bacteria proliferate in the body of the amoeba, and when the amoeba body cells are broken, a large amount of legionella bacteria is produced. Is also released. Therefore, there is a demand for the development of a sterilization method that kills bacteria by passing through the hot water sterilizer 5 only once.

As this method, there is also a sterilization method by introducing a chemical, for example, chlorine. However, in this method, bacteria in the organic matter decomposition tank 4 are killed, and the organic matter in the hot water 100 is not decomposed.
There were problems such as the hot water 100 becoming cloudy. Alternatively, there is also a method of generating ozone, dissolving ozone in warm water, and sterilizing with this sterilizing power.
There were inconveniences such as escape from the water to the air inside and smell of ozone.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. Hei 6-339675 and Hei 7
-18555, JP-A-7-185556, using a carbon filter as an electrode to generate active oxygen in warm water,
A method has been proposed to kill bacteria by oxidizing bacteria with this active oxygen.However, the conventional technology is not enough to quickly kill a carbon filter or to kill strong bacteria such as Legionella bacteria. There is. With this, the anxiety factor that Legionella bacteria may enter and grow in the bathtub 1 could not be wiped out.

In order to avoid the above-mentioned problems, there has been proposed an apparatus using a sterilizer equipped with a large-output ultraviolet irradiation lamp having a large ultraviolet irradiation amount. However, this method consumes a large amount of power in the sterilizer. And the temperature of hot water becomes too high due to the heat of the ultraviolet irradiation lamp. In addition, when a bath agent or the like is added to the bath water as described above, there is also a problem that the transmittance of the sterilizing line is reduced and does not substantially contribute to sterilization.

[0009]

As described above, in the hot water sterilizing apparatus 5 of the ultraviolet irradiation type used in the conventional hot water circulating bath system, the hot water 100 must be circulated through the hot water sterilizing apparatus 5 several times. However, 100% of these strong bacteria such as Legionella bacteria cannot be sterilized. Therefore, there is a possibility that Legionella bacteria may enter the hot water 100 in the bathtub 1 and proliferate, and may become a source of infection such as pneumonia. Was pointed out.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has a sterilizing tank which is free from unpleasant odors and has no adverse effect on other devices or bathers.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water disinfection device that can surely kill 100% of the cells simply by passing the same, and a clean hot water circulation type bath system using the hot water disinfection device.

[0011]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilization tank into which hot water flows in and out; a pair of electrodes disposed in the sterilization tank at a predetermined distance from each other; The apparatus includes a DC power supply for applying a DC voltage, and a photocatalytic semiconductor attached to at least a part of the inner wall of the sterilizing tank or at least a part of the electrode.

With such a configuration, when a DC voltage is applied from the DC power supply to a pair of electrodes in the sterilizer, hot water flowing into the sterilizer is electrolyzed, and active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals are generated near the anode. It occurs in warm water and kills bacteria in the warm water. Reactive oxygen and hydroxyl radicals kill strong bacteria, such as Legionella, 100% in a single pass of hot water through this sterilizer. On the other hand, at the cathode,
Hydrogen and a hydroxyl group are generated, and the active oxygen and the hydroxyl radical are converted into water by this hydrogen and made harmless.
In addition, the surface of the photocatalytic semiconductor is separately irradiated with light to generate active electrons, active oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, etc., which also sterilize hot water.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a structure comprising an ultraviolet discharge lamp installed in the sterilizing apparatus, and a power supply for supplying power for lighting the ultraviolet discharge lamp.

With this configuration, when a high-frequency current is supplied from the power supply device to the ultraviolet discharge lamp, the ultraviolet light is irradiated from the ultraviolet discharge lamp onto the warm water in the sterilizing device, and bacteria in the warm water are sterilized. At the same time, the bacteria in the warm water are sterilized by the electrolysis described above.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pair of electrodes are disposed so as to be substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the hot water flows, and are formed so as to have a structure in which the hot water flows through a part of the electrodes. Have.

[0016] With such a configuration, the anode is disposed upstream of the hot water flow path in the sterilizer so as to close the flow path, and the cathode is disposed downstream of the hot water flow path so as to close the flow path. Otherwise, hot water flows through these electrodes. At this time, the active oxygen and the hydroxyl radical generated at the anode have a high concentration between the anode and the cathode, during which the bacteria in the warm water are killed. Active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals return to water near the cathode and are rendered harmless.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sterilizing apparatus through which hot water flows in and out, a pair of electrodes which are disposed in the sterilizing apparatus at a predetermined distance from each other, and a direct current (DC) for applying a DC voltage to the pair of electrodes. A power supply, an ion exchange membrane disposed between the two electrodes so as to form separate flow paths on an electrode side to which a positive voltage is applied by a DC power supply and an electrode side to which a negative voltage is applied, and a sterilizer. And a photocatalyst semiconductor applied to at least a part of the inner wall or at least a part of the electrode.

With such a configuration, the pair of electrodes are arranged to face each other along the inner wall of the sterilizer. An ion exchange membrane is placed between these electrodes so that the surface is parallel to the electrode surface. As a result, the hot water flow path in the sterilizer is partitioned by the ion exchange membrane, and two hot water flow paths including one and the other of the pair of electrodes are formed.
When a DC voltage is applied from a DC power source to a pair of electrodes in the sterilizer, hot water flowing through both flow paths through the ion exchange membrane is electrolyzed, and active oxygen and hydroxy radicals are separated from the hot water in the flow path on the anode side. Occurs and kills bacteria in warm water. Reactive oxygen and hydroxyl radicals kill strong bacteria, such as Legionella, 100% in a single pass of hot water through this sterilizer. On the other hand, in the flow path on the cathode side, hydrogen and a hydroxyl group are generated, and the active oxygen and the hydroxyl radical are generated by the hydrogen in the downstream where the two flow paths are combined.
It becomes water and is rendered harmless. In addition, the surface of the photocatalytic semiconductor is separately irradiated with light to generate active electrons, active oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, etc., which also sterilize hot water.

The invention according to claim 5 is provided with a configuration using an unglazed porcelain plate instead of the ion exchange membrane.

With such a configuration, the pair of electrodes are arranged to face each other along the inner wall of the sterilizer. An unglazed porcelain plate is placed between these electrodes so that the surface is parallel to the electrode surface. Thus, the hot water flow path in the sterilizer is partitioned by the unglazed porcelain plate, and two hot water flow paths including one and the other of the pair of electrodes are formed.
When a DC voltage is applied from a DC power source to a pair of electrodes in the sterilizer, hot water flowing through both channels through the unglazed porcelain plate is electrolyzed, and active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals are separated from the hot water in the anode-side channel. Occurs and kills bacteria in warm water. Reactive oxygen and hydroxyl radicals kill strong bacteria, such as Legionella, 100% in a single pass of hot water through this sterilizer. On the other hand, in the flow path on the cathode side, hydrogen and a hydroxyl group are generated, and the active oxygen and the hydroxyl radical are generated by the hydrogen in the downstream where the two flow paths are combined.
It becomes water and is rendered harmless. In addition, the surface of the photocatalytic semiconductor is separately irradiated with light to generate active electrons, active oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, etc., which also sterilize hot water.

The invention according to claim 6 is provided with a structure provided with an adding device for adding sodium chloride to hot water in the sterilizing device.

With such a configuration, when a DC voltage is applied from the DC power supply to a pair of electrodes in the sterilizer, the hot water flowing into the sterilizer is electrolyzed, and chlorine is generated in the hot water near the anode. To kill bacteria in the warm water. Chlorine kills 100% of strong bacteria, such as Legionella, with a single pass of hot water through this sterilizer. On the other hand, at the cathode, sodium hydroxide is generated, and the chlorine is converted into a salt by the sodium hydroxide and made harmless. Or
When a DC voltage is applied from a DC power supply to a pair of electrodes in the sterilizer, hot water flowing through both flow paths through the ion exchange membrane is electrolyzed, and chlorine is generated in the hot water in the flow path on the anode side. Sterilizes bacteria in warm water. Chlorine kills 100% of strong bacteria, such as Legionella, with a single pass of hot water through this sterilizer. On the other hand, in the flow path on the cathode side,
Sodium hydroxide is generated, and chlorine is detoxified by the sodium hydroxide into sodium chloride downstream of the two channels. In addition, the surface of the photocatalytic semiconductor is separately irradiated with light to generate active electrons, active oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, etc., which also sterilize hot water.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bathtub for storing hot water,
An organic matter decomposing tank for decomposing organic substances in the hot water, a sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1 or 4, which sterilizes bacteria in the hot water, a heating apparatus for heating the hot water to an appropriate temperature, and pumping out the hot water in the bathtub, A pump is provided for sequentially distributing water to the organic matter decomposition tank, the sterilizing device, and the heating device, and finally returning the water to the bathtub.

[0024] With this configuration, the hot water in the bathtub is pumped out by the pump and enters the organic matter decomposition tank.
Organic matter such as dirt in the warm water is decomposed and enters the sterilizer. In the sterilizer, 100% of bacteria such as Legionella bacteria in the hot water are sterilized, and the sterilized hot water is heated to an appropriate temperature by the heating device and returned to the bathtub. Since all bacteria in the warm water returning to the bathtub have been killed, bacteria such as Legionella bacteria do not propagate in the bathtub.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an external view showing a first embodiment of a sterilization apparatus of the present invention. 21 is an inlet 211 into which the hot water 100 flows, and an outlet 2 from which the hot water 100 flows out
A sterilizing tank 12 has a metal mesh anode 22 disposed in a sterilizing tank 21; a metal mesh cathode 23 disposed in a sterilizing tank 21; DC power supply 25, a photocatalyst semiconductor such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide applied to the inner wall of sterilization tank 21, 221 a terminal for introducing a DC voltage to anode 22,
Reference numeral 22 denotes a terminal for introducing a DC voltage to the cathode 23.

The DC voltage applied to the anode 22 and the cathode 23 is, for example, several volts to several tens of volts, the distance between the anode 22 and the cathode 23 is several centimeters,
Is 3 l / min.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. A metal mesh anode (ten poles) 22 is attached to the upstream part in the sterilization tank 21, and a metal mesh cathode (one pole) 23 is attached to the downstream part. These electrodes 22, 23
Are electrically connected to terminals 221 and 222 which are watertightly attached to the wall of the sterilization tank 21 so as not to leak water. A DC voltage of several tens of volts output from the DC power supply 24 is applied to these terminals 221 and 222 via a fuse and a current limiter (not shown).

In this state, the hot water 100 is supplied to the inlet 2
11 flows into the sterilizing tank 21, flows through the sterilizing tank 21 through the metal mesh anode 22 and the cathode 23, and further flows out from the outlet 23. At this time, a portion of the water molecules are dissociated into hydroxyl and hydrogen ^{_{ions, H 2 O → ← H +}} +
OH ^- it has become.

When the electron is represented by e, near the anode 22, 2
H ₂ O →→ O ₂ + 4H ++ 4e

2OH--2e →→ 2OH ^* (OH ^* : hydroxy radical)

An electrochemical (electrolytic) reaction of 2OH * →→ O * + H ₂ O (O ^* : active oxygen) occurs.

On the other hand, near the cathode 23, 2H ₂ O + 2e
→→ H ₂ + 2OH ⁻ electrochemical (electrolysis) reaction occurs.

Since such an electrochemical (electrolytic) reaction occurs, very active hydroxyl radicals or active oxygen are formed near the anode 22. When these substances encounter bacteria and microorganisms, they immediately oxidize their cell membranes, killing the bacteria, and Legionella bacteria are no exception. In addition, when it encounters an organic substance, it also has an action of decomposing the organic substance to form water and carbon dioxide. For this reason, sterilization tank 21
The hot water 100 that has flowed through the mesh-shaped anode 22 passes through the mesh-shaped anode 22 and is sterilized by the above-described hydroxy radicals or active oxygen until it approaches the mesh-shaped cathode 23, thereby eliminating bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Legionella bacteria. % Kill.

Next, when the hot water 100 approaches the vicinity of the cathode 23, the above-described electrochemical reaction of 2H ₂ O + 2e →→ H ₂ + 2OH ⁻ occurs, and active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals generated near the anode 22 are converted to hydrogen ions. Combined with
Finally, return to water and detoxify. Further, the right side of the above chemical formula finally becomes hydrogen and water and is rendered harmless. Further, since the amount of generated hydrogen is very small, there is no problem even if it is released into the air.

Here, the anode 22 and the cathode 23 are in a mesh shape, and it is the most desirable form that the hot water 100 is electrolyzed while passing therethrough. However, it is needless to say that a plate-like electrode may be used. It is not desirable that the electrode be ionized and eluted by electrolysis or the like. Thus, the electrodes are made of Ti, Zr, Hf of Group 4 of the periodic table, V, Nb, Ta of Group 5, Cr, Mo, W of Group 6 and C of Group 8A.
Metals or oxides such as o, Ni, Pt, and 1B group Ag and Au, which exhibit semiconductor characteristics, are suitable. Especially,
By forming an electrode by plating or attaching gold Au, platinum Pt, molybdenum Mo, or the like to the surface of another metal, the amount of expensive metal used can be reduced.

Further, by attaching a lamp for irradiating the sterilizing tank 21 with visible light or ultraviolet light, or by attaching a window for taking in external light, and irradiating the photocatalyst semiconductor 25 with light, the semiconductor surface of the photocatalyst semiconductor 25 is activated. Electrons, hydroxyl radicals, active oxygen, and the like are generated, and are applied to the above-described sterilization of the hot water 100, thereby further improving the sterilizing effect of the hot water 100.

According to the present embodiment, a DC voltage is applied between the electrodes 22 and 23 installed in the
Is electrolyzed to generate hydroxyl radicals and active oxygen, and the hydroxyl radicals and active oxygen oxidize and sterilize the bacteria in the hot water 100. Therefore, strong bacteria such as Legionella bacteria are also passed through the sterilization tank 21 once. Just passing through can kill 100%.

FIG. 2 is a view showing one embodiment of the electrodes used for the anode 22 and the cathode 23 described above. A photocatalytic semiconductor 25 such as titanium oxide or zinc oxide is applied around the conductive wires arranged in a lattice. Thereby, while fulfilling the function of an electrode, active electrons by the photocatalytic semiconductor 25,
It also has an action of generating hydroxyl radicals and active oxygen, so that there is no need to separately apply the photocatalyst semiconductor 25 to the inner wall surface of the sterilization tank, and the assemblability of the device can be improved.
The electrodes of this embodiment may be used for the anode 22 and the cathode 23 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external view showing a second embodiment of the sterilizing apparatus according to the present invention. The configuration of this example is almost the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1, except that a sodium chloride adder 28 for adding sodium chloride into the hot water 100 is provided near the inlet 211. different.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this example, a small amount of sodium chloride is added to the hot water 100 by the sodium chloride adder 28 before the hot water 100 enters the sterilizing tank 21. This NaCl is ion dissociated in the hot water 100.

Thus, in the vicinity of the anode 22,

2Cl− →→ Cl ₂ + 2e

Cl ₂ + H ₂ O →→ HOCl + HCl

In the vicinity of the cathode 23

Na ++ OH- →→ NaOH

The following electrochemical reaction occurs. As described above, although the amount of chlorine generated near the anode 22 is very small, the chlorine has a strong sterilizing power against the warm water in the sterilizing tank 21. For this reason, while the hot water 100 passes between the anode 22 and the cathode 23, Escherichia coli and Legionella bacteria in the hot water 100 are sterilized by chlorine, and the sterilized hot water 100 passes through the cathode 23 and flows out of the outlet 212. It is discharged outside. However, this chlorine encounters NaOH formed near the cathode 23 and becomes NaCl. For this reason, there is no adverse effect on bacteria in a bathtub, which is an area where a person takes a bath, or in an organic substance decomposition tank that decomposes organic substances. That is, unlike the method of disinfecting the entire circulatory system by adding a chlorine disinfectant, it has a bactericidal effect only in a small part of the hot water circulatory system, and in other areas it is completely detoxified, which is problematic. Absent.

According to the present embodiment, hot water 100 to which a trace amount of sodium chloride has been added is
A trace amount of chlorine is generated in the hot water 100
By sterilizing the bacteria inside, even strong bacteria such as Legionella can pass 100% by passing through sterilization tank 21 only once.
Can be killed.

FIG. 4 is an external view showing a third embodiment of the sterilizing apparatus of the present invention. Reference numeral 21 denotes a sterilization tank having an inlet 211 into which the hot water 100 flows and an outlet 212 from which the hot water 100 flows out; 24, a DC power supply that rectifies a commercial power supply to generate a DC voltage; anode,
Reference numeral 32 denotes a cathode installed in the sterilization tank 21 so as to oppose the anode 31. Reference numeral 33 denotes an ion exchange membrane that separates ions in the hot water 100 and divides a flow path of the hot water 100 into the anode 31 side and the cathode 32 side. It is.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. An anode 31 and a cathode 32 are formed along the inner wall of the sterilization tank 21.
Are installed facing each other at a predetermined distance. These electrodes 3
DC voltages of several tens of volts output from the DC power supply 24 are applied to the power supply 1 and 32 through a fuse and a current limiter (not shown).

In this state, the hot water 100 is supplied to the inlet 2
11 flows into the sterilization tank 21 and the anode 31 side and the cathode 3
It flows through the sterilization tank 21 through the two flow paths on the two sides, and further flows out from the outlet 23 to the outside. At this time, a portion of the water molecules are dissociated into hydroxyl and hydrogen ^{_{ions, H 2 O → ← H +}} +
OH ^- it has become.

When the electron is represented by e, 2 near the anode 31.
H ₂ O →→ O ₂ + 4H ++ 4e

2OH--2e →→ 2OH ^* (OH ^* : hydroxy radical)

An electrochemical (electrolytic) reaction of 2OH * →→ O * + H ₂ O (O ^* : active oxygen) occurs.

On the other hand, near the cathode 32, 2H ₂ O + 2e
→→ H ₂ + 2OH ⁻ electrochemical (electrolysis) reaction occurs.

By the above-described electrolysis, the anode 31,
Various ions generated near the cathode 32 are supplied to the ion exchange membrane 33.
On the anode 31 side, active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals are dissolved in the warm water 100, and on the cathode 32 side, hydrogen and hydroxyl groups are dissolved and flow in the warm water 100. Therefore, the hot water 100 is sterilized by active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals during the period between the anode 31 and the cathode 32,
In the vicinity of the outlet 212, the ions generated by the anode 31 and the cathode 32 are mixed, become almost water, are rendered harmless, and are discharged to the outside from the outlet 212.

Also in this example, a lamp for irradiating the sterilizing tank 21 with visible light or ultraviolet light is attached, or a window for taking in external light is provided, and light is applied to the photocatalytic semiconductor applied to the inner wall of the sterilizing tank 21. To generate active electrons, active oxygen, and hydroxyl radicals, which are also subjected to the sterilization of the above-described warm water 100, whereby the above-described warm water 1
00 has a bactericidal effect.

This embodiment also has the same effect as the first embodiment, and oxidizes and sterilizes bacteria in the hot water 100 by the hydroxyl radicals and active oxygen generated in the hot water 100. Even a strong bacterium such as a bacterium can be 100% killed by passing through the sterilization tank 21 only once. The same effect can be obtained by using an unglazed porcelain plate instead of the ion exchange membrane 33.

FIG. 5 is an external view showing a fourth embodiment of the sterilizing apparatus of the present invention. The configuration of the present example is almost the same as that of the third embodiment shown in FIG. 4, except that a sodium chloride adder 28 for adding sodium chloride into hot water 100 is provided near the inlet 211. Are different.

Therefore, before the hot water 100 enters the sterilizing tank 21, the hot water 100 is
A trace amount of sodium chloride is added. For this reason, similarly to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 3, chlorine is generated in the hot water 100 near the anode 31, and Escherichia coli and Legionella in the hot water 100 are sterilized by the strong sterilizing power of this chlorine. And
The sterilized hot water 100 is discharged from the outlet 212 to the outside, and has the same effect as in the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a table listing the sterilizing effects of the above-described sterilizing method of the present invention and various conventional sterilizing methods and the states associated therewith. As shown in the table, the sterilization method of the present invention can sterilize 100% of Legionella bacteria in the hot water by passing hot water through the sterilization tank only once, and does not give any abnormality to the hot water. .

FIG. 7 is an external view showing a fifth embodiment of the sterilizing apparatus of the present invention. In this example, the hot water 1 shown in FIG.
It has a configuration in which conventional ultraviolet sterilization is performed in addition to the sterilization by electrolysis of 00. For this purpose, an ultraviolet discharge lamp 27 is inserted into the center of the anode 22 and the cathode 23, and a high-frequency power supply 26 for turning on the ultraviolet discharge lamp 27 is provided. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment shown in FIG.

According to the present embodiment, bacteria in hot water 100 are sterilized by active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals generated by electrolysis of hot water 100 by a DC voltage applied to anode 22 and cathode 23, and ultraviolet discharge is performed. Bacteria in the hot water 100 can be sterilized by ultraviolet rays emitted from the lamp 27, and even strong bacteria such as Legionella can be killed 100% in one pass of the hot water.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the hot water circulation type bath system of the present invention. 51 is hot water 1
A bath for storing 00, a pump for circulating hot water 100 in the bath 51, a filter 53 for filtering dust and the like in the hot water 100, an organic matter decomposing tank for decomposing organic substances such as dirt in the hot water 100 by bacteria, 55 is hot water 10
1, 3, 4, 5 for disinfecting the bacteria in the sterilizing apparatus 0, a DC power supply 56 for supplying a DC voltage to the sterilizing apparatus 55, and 57 a A heating tank 58 for heating the hot water 100 to an appropriate temperature, and a pipe 58 for distributing the hot water 100 to the bathtub 51. In addition, the bathtub 51 has a water supply port 512 through which the treated clean hot water 100 flows into the bathtub 51 and a discharge port 51 through which the hot water 100 in the bathtub 51 is discharged.
1 is provided.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The hot water 100 in the bathtub 51 is pumped out by the pump 52 and flows into the organic matter decomposition tank 54 from the outlet 511 through the filter 53. In the organic matter decomposition tank 54, organic matter such as dirt in the warm water 100 is decomposed by bacteria,
The hot water 100 in which the organic matter has been decomposed flows into the sterilizer 55. A DC power supply 56 is connected to an electrode (not shown) of the sterilizer 55.
, The hot water 100 flowing through the sterilizer 55 is electrolyzed and sterilized by active oxygen, hydroxyl radicals, chlorine, or the like generated by the electrolysis. This sterilizing power is strong, and once the hot water 100 passes through the sterilizing device 55, strong bacteria such as Legionella bacteria in the hot water 100 are also killed by 100% and flow into the heating tank 57. In the heating tank 57, the inflowed hot water 100 is superheated to an appropriate temperature, and the adjusted hot water 100 returns to the bathtub 51 from the water supply port 512 through the pipe 58.

According to the present embodiment, the sterilizing device 55 sterilizes the bacteria in the hot water 100 by electrolyzing the hot water 100.
A single pass makes it possible to kill 100% of strong bacteria such as Legionella bacteria in the hot water 100. For this reason, the warm water 10 returning from the water supply port 512 into the bathtub 51.
Numeral 0 indicates a substantially aseptic state, which can completely eliminate the possibility of Legionella bacteria proliferating in the bathtub 51, and provide extremely clean bath water. In addition, sterilizer 55
Is strong, but various ions and substances contributing to the sterilization are detoxified when they exit the sterilizer 55, so that the warm water 100 in the bathtub 51 becomes cloudy or has an unpleasant odor. Can completely eliminate adverse effects such as roughening of the skin of a person taking a bath. In addition, bathtub 51
Even when the bathing agent is added to the warm water 100 therein, the bathing agent does not lower the sterilizing power of the sterilizer 55, so that the bathing agent can be used with confidence. Furthermore, since the sterilization device 55 sterilizes with electric power of several watts, extremely economical and efficient sterilization can be performed.

In addition, even when the sterilizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 is used, a small amount of sodium chloride dissolves in the warm water 100 flowing into the sterilizer 55 due to sodium chloride emitted from the bather. In some cases, the hot water 100 is sterilized by chlorine in such cases. When the amount of sodium chloride is extremely small, sterilization is also performed by active oxygen or hydroxy radicals in the sterilizer shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, and the same effect is obtained in any case.

[0067]

As described above, according to the first, fourth and fifth aspects of the present invention, the hot water 100 is electrolyzed to generate active oxygen and hydroxyl radicals, so that there is no unpleasant smell and other devices and bathing. By passing warm water through the sterilizer only once without any adverse effect by the person, 100% of the cells can be reliably killed.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the sterilization of the hot water is performed by both the electrolysis of the hot water and the irradiation of the ultraviolet rays, the hot water is passed through the sterilizer only once to achieve 100%
Can be surely killed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since a pair of electrodes are arranged so as to block all the flow paths of the sterilizing tank, it is possible to efficiently sterilize hot water between the two electrodes.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, since the hot water is electrolyzed to generate chlorine, the hot water can be sterilized once without any unpleasant odor or the like and without adverse effects by other devices or bathers. Just passing through can surely kill 100% of the cells.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, since a sterilizing apparatus capable of surely killing 100% of the cells by passing the hot water only once is provided, Legionella bacteria enter the bathtub. It does not reproduce and can provide clean bath water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view showing a first embodiment of a sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing one embodiment of electrodes used for the anode and the cathode shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an outline view showing a second embodiment of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an outline view showing a third embodiment of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an outline view showing a fourth embodiment of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a table listing sterilization effects of the sterilization method of the present invention and conventional various sterilization methods and states associated therewith.

FIG. 7 is an outline view showing a fifth embodiment of the sterilization apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a hot water circulation type bath system of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional bath system in which hot water is circulated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 21 Disinfection tank 22, 31 Anode 23, 32 Cathode 24, 56 DC power supply 25 Photocatalytic semiconductor 26 High frequency power supply 28 Sodium chloride additive 33 Ion exchange membrane 51 Bathtub 52 Pump 53 Filter 54 Organic decomposition tank 55 Sterilizer 57 Heating tank 58 Pipe 100 Hot water 211 Inflow 212 Outflow 221, 222 Terminal 511 Outlet 512 Water supply

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI C02F 1/50 520 C02F 1/50 520L 531 531M 540 540B 550 550D 560 560A 560C 560G 1/72 101 1/72 101 1/76 1 / 76 A F24H 9/00 F24H 9/00 W

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A sterilization tank into which hot water flows in and out; and a pair of electrodes opposed to each other at predetermined intervals in the sterilization tank;
A sterilization apparatus comprising: a DC power supply for applying a DC voltage to a pair of electrodes; and a photocatalytic semiconductor attached to at least a part of an inner wall of a sterilization tank or at least a part of the electrodes. 2. The sterilization apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an ultraviolet discharge lamp installed in the sterilization tank; and a power supply for supplying power for lighting the ultraviolet discharge lamp. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein each of the pair of electrodes is disposed substantially at right angles to a direction in which the hot water flows, and has a structure in which the hot water flows through a part of the electrodes. The sterilizer according to claim 1 or 2. 4. A sterilization tank into which hot water flows and flows out; a pair of electrodes which are opposed to each other at a predetermined interval in the sterilization tank;
A DC power supply for applying a DC voltage to a pair of electrodes; and a DC power supply for applying a positive voltage by the DC power supply and an electrode side to which a negative voltage is applied so as to form another hot water flow path between the two electrodes. And a photocatalyst semiconductor applied to at least a part of the inner wall of the sterilization tank or at least a part of the electrode. 5. The sterilizer according to claim 4, wherein an unglazed porcelain plate is used instead of the ion exchange membrane. 6. The sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an adding device for adding sodium chloride to hot water in the sterilizing tank. 7. A bath for storing hot water; an organic matter decomposing tank for decomposing organic substances in the hot water; a sterilizing apparatus according to claim 1 or 4 for sterilizing bacteria in the hot water; and a heating apparatus for heating the hot water to an appropriate temperature. A hot water circulation type bath system, comprising: a pump for drawing out hot water in the bathtub, sequentially distributing water to the organic matter decomposition tank, the sterilizing device, and the heating device, and finally returning the water to the bathtub. .