Hydrogen mixed gas supply device

Abstract

To provide a hydrogen mixed gas feed device not generating an explosive gas or, even if it is generated, instantaneously not making a hydrogen concentration to an explosion limit or less and also capable of safely feeding a hydrogen mixed gas maintaining an oxygen concentration not made into a suffocative gas.SOLUTION: A hydrogen mixed gas feed device 1 feeding a hydrogen mixed gas for inhalation comprises: a gas flow passage L1 in which one end is connected to a hydrogen gas feed source 2 and the other end is made into a gas discharge port; an inert gas feed passage L2 connected to an inert gas feed source 3 and feeding an inert gas to the gas flow passage L1; a gas mixer 4 provided at a downstream side in a gas flowing direction than a confluent part with the inert gas feed passage of the gas flow passage L1; an oxygen gas feed passage L3 connected to an oxygen gas feed source 5 and feeding an oxygen gas to the gas mixer 4; and a first check valve 6 provided at the oxygen gas feed passage L3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a hydrogen mixed gas supply device for supplying a hydrogen mixed gas for inhalation. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in addition to drinking hydrogen-containing water, a medical technology that allows hydrogen-mixed gas to be inhaled into the body through a nasal cannula or the like for the purpose of maintaining health and treating illnesses has been attracting attention, and hydrogen gas supply devices that can be used in medical settings and at home are known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-5881 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the case of hydrogen mixed gas for inhalation, since it is inhaled by humans, it is necessary to ensure that it does not become a so-called suffocating gas with an oxygen concentration of less than 18 vol %, which would cause an oxygen deficiency state.

[0005] Furthermore, because hydrogen gas supply devices use a mixture of hydrogen gas and air (oxygen), it is necessary to ensure that the hydrogen concentration does not exceed the lower explosion limit of 4 vol%. In hydrogen gas supply devices that generate hydrogen gas by electrolysis of water, it is also necessary to devise a method to ensure that the lower explosion limit is not exceeded on the cathode surface where hydrogen gas is generated or on the cathode water surface.

[0006] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a hydrogen mixed gas supply device that does not generate explosive gas, or, if explosive gas is generated, instantaneously reduces the hydrogen concentration to below the lower explosive limit, and can safely supply hydrogen mixed gas that maintains an oxygen concentration that does not become an asphyxiating gas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the hydrogen mixed gas supplying device of the present invention is a hydrogen mixed gas supplying device that supplies hydrogen mixed gas for inhalation, and is characterized by comprising a gas flow path having one end connected to a hydrogen gas supply source and the other end serving as a gas outlet, an inert gas supply path connected to an inert gas supply source and supplying inert gas to the gas flow path, a gas mixer provided downstream in the gas flow direction from a junction of the gas flow path with the inert gas supply path, an oxygen gas supply path connected to an oxygen gas supply source and supplying oxygen gas to the gas mixer, and a first check valve provided in the oxygen gas supply path.

[0008] The hydrogen mixed gas supply device of the present invention is characterized in that an oxygen concentration meter is provided between the gas mixer and the gas outlet in the gas flow path, and is controlled to start supplying hydrogen gas when the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter falls below a predetermined value.Furthermore, the gas outlet is branched into a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet, and is controlled to release the hydrogen mixed gas from the first gas outlet when the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter is lower than a predetermined oxygen concentration, and to release the hydrogen mixed gas from the second gas outlet when the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter is equal to or higher than the predetermined oxygen concentration.

[0009] The hydrogen mixed gas supply device of the present invention is characterized in that a first oxygen concentration meter is provided between the gas mixer and the gas outlet in the gas flow path, a second check valve and a second oxygen concentration meter are provided between the gas mixer and the junction of the gas flow path with the inert gas supply path, and the device is controlled to start supplying hydrogen gas when the oxygen concentration detected by the second oxygen concentration meter falls below a predetermined value.Furthermore, the device is characterized in that the device is controlled to stop supplying hydrogen gas and the inert gas when the oxygen concentration detected by the first oxygen concentration meter is lower than a predetermined oxygen concentration.

[0010] In the hydrogen mixed gas supply device of the present invention, the hydrogen gas supply source is preferably provided by electrolysis of water. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the hydrogen mixed gas supply device of the present invention, the gas mixer is provided so that the hydrogen-containing gas and the oxygen gas are mixed evenly and instantly, and explosive gas with a high hydrogen concentration is not generated. Also, the first check valve is provided so that the hydrogen-containing gas can be reliably prevented from flowing into the oxygen gas supply source and generating explosive gas.

[0012] Furthermore, by providing an oxygen concentration meter (second oxygen concentration meter), the flow path can be reliably substituted with an inert gas before hydrogen gas is supplied, and then hydrogen gas can be supplied, so that explosive gas is not generated.

[0013] Furthermore, by providing an oxygen concentration meter (first oxygen concentration meter), the gas supplied to the patient or the like has an oxygen concentration equal to or higher than a certain level, so that it is possible to reliably prevent the supply of asphyxiating gas. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a first embodiment of a hydrogen mixed gas supply device according to the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment of the hydrogen mixed gas supply device of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] As shown in FIG. 1, a hydrogen mixed gas supply device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention is roughly composed of a gas flow path L1 having one end connected to a hydrogen gas supply source 2 and the other end serving as a gas outlet, an inert gas supply path L2 connected to an inert gas supply source 3 and supplying inert gas to the gas flow path L1, a gas mixer 4 provided downstream in the gas flow direction from the junction of the gas flow path L1 with the inert gas supply path L2, and an oxygen gas supply path L3 connected to an oxygen gas supply source 5 and supplying oxygen gas to the gas mixer 4.

[0016] A first check valve 6 for preventing backflow from the gas mixer 4 to the oxygen gas supply source 5 is provided in the oxygen gas supply path L3.

[0017] Further, an oxygen concentration meter 7 and a hydrogen concentration meter 8 are provided between the gas mixer 4 and the gas outlet of the gas flow passage L1.

[0018] The gas flow passage L1 has a gas outlet at the end thereof, which is branched via a switching valve 9 into a first gas outlet and a second gas outlet.

[0019] The hydrogen gas supply source 2 and the oxygen gas supply source 5 utilize the electrolysis of water. That is, the water W to be electrolyzed is stored in an electrolytic cell 11, and by applying a DC voltage from a DC power source, the water W to be electrolyzed is electrolyzed to generate hydrogen gas at the cathode and oxygen gas at the anode, which serve as the supply sources. The electrolytic cell 11 is divided from the top to below the surface of the water W to be electrolyzed into a cathode chamber 12 and an anode chamber 13 by a partition plate 11a that is impermeable to liquids and gases. The electrode plate 12a inside the cathode chamber 12 is the cathode, and the electrode plate 13a inside the anode chamber 13 is the anode.

[0020] Hydrogen gas generated at the cathode by electrolysis moves upward in the water W to be electrolyzed in the cathode chamber 12 and migrates to a head space portion (the space above the water surface) inside the cathode chamber. This generation of hydrogen gas is referred to as a hydrogen gas supply source 2. The upper side of the head space portion is a substantial part of the gas flow path L1, and is connected to an inert gas supply path L2.

[0021] In addition, oxygen gas generated at the anode by electrolysis moves upward in the electrolyzed water W in the anode chamber 13 and migrates to the head space inside the anode chamber. This oxygen gas generation is used as an oxygen gas supply source 5. An oxygen gas supply line L3 that supplies oxygen gas to the gas mixer 4 is connected to the head space. In addition, by connecting a high-pressure gas container 14 containing oxygen gas to the head space via an adjustment valve 15, it is possible to supply oxygen gas even when electrolysis is not being performed or when the oxygen component is insufficient.

[0022] In this embodiment, the inert gas used is nitrogen gas stored in a high-pressure gas container.

[0023] The supply of hydrogen mixed gas by the hydrogen mixed gas supply device 1 will be specifically described.

[0024] First, an inert gas is supplied from the inert gas supply source 3 to replace the gas in the gas flow passage L1 (including the head space of the cathode chamber 12) with the inert gas. When the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter 7 falls below a predetermined value, for example, below 5 vol%, electrolysis is controlled so that the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply source 2 is started.

[0025] In this way, by substituting the inert gas in advance at the location where hydrogen gas is first supplied, it is possible to prevent the generation of explosive gas immediately after the supply of hydrogen gas. In addition, the supply of hydrogen gas is started only after the gas flow path L1 is reliably substituted with the inert gas by the oxygen concentration meter 7, so that control can be made so that only hydrogen gas and inert gas are mixed.

[0026] Next, the mixed gas of hydrogen gas and inert gas is mixed with oxygen gas from oxygen gas supply source 5 in gas mixer 4. By mixing in gas mixer 4, it is possible to mix evenly and instantaneously reduce the hydrogen concentration to less than 4 vol%, and explosive gas is not generated. Furthermore, by providing first check valve 6, it is possible to reliably prevent the mixed gas containing a high concentration of hydrogen from flowing into the oxygen gas supply source 5 side and generating explosive gas.

[0027] The supply of oxygen gas is started, and the oxygen concentration in the hydrogen mixed gas increases. When the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter 7 is lower than a predetermined oxygen concentration, for example, an oxygen concentration of 18 vol%, which is the border between an oxygen deficiency state and an oxygen deficiency state, the switching valve 9 is controlled to continue discharging the hydrogen mixed gas from the first gas outlet, and when the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter 7 becomes 18 vol% or higher, the switching valve 9 is controlled to supply the hydrogen mixed gas from the second gas outlet.

[0028] By connecting a nasal cannula or the like to the second gas outlet, the hydrogen mixed gas can be inhaled safely.

[0029] Furthermore, when the hydrogen concentration detected by the hydrogen concentration meter 8 reaches 4 vol% or more, the application of DC voltage to the electrolytic cell 11 is stopped, and the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply source 2 is stopped. This makes it possible to maintain the supplied hydrogen mixed gas at a non-explosive concentration.

[0030] 2 shows a second embodiment of the hydrogen mixed gas supply device of the present invention. In the following description, the same components as those in the device shown in the above embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0031] The hydrogen mixed gas supply device 1a of the second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in that a first oxygen concentration meter 7a is provided between the gas mixer 4 and the gas outlet of the gas flow path L1, and a second check valve 16 and a second oxygen concentration meter 7b are provided between the junction of the gas flow path L1 with the inert gas supply path and the gas mixer 4. The second check valve 16 and the second oxygen concentration meter 7b are provided in this order from the upstream side in the gas flow direction. Meanwhile, the gas outlet is not branched as in the first embodiment, but is a single gas outlet.

[0032] The supply of hydrogen mixed gas by the hydrogen mixed gas supply device 1a in this embodiment will be specifically described.

[0033] First, oxygen gas is started to be supplied from the oxygen gas supply source 5 to the gas mixer 4. Next, inert gas is supplied from the inert gas supply source 3, and the gas flow path L1 (including the head space portion of the cathode chamber 12) up to the gas mixer 4 is replaced with the inert gas.

[0034] Since the second check valve 16 is provided, oxygen gas does not flow into this location. When the oxygen concentration detected by the second oxygen concentration meter 7b falls below a predetermined value, for example, 5 vol%, the supply of hydrogen gas from the hydrogen gas supply source 2 begins.

[0035] In this manner, by previously substituting an inert gas for the portion to which hydrogen gas is supplied, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent explosive gas from being generated immediately after the supply of hydrogen gas.

[0036] Furthermore, when the oxygen concentration detected by the first oxygen concentration meter 7a falls below 18 vol%, the supply of hydrogen gas and inert gas is controlled to be stopped, so that the oxygen concentration will not become an asphyxiating gas.

[0037] In this way, by supplying oxygen gas, inert gas, and hydrogen gas in that order, the oxygen concentration decreases from 100%, so it is possible to supply hydrogen mixed gas with an oxygen concentration of 18 vol% or more at all times. Therefore, unlike the first embodiment, even if a nasal cannula or the like is connected to one gas outlet, the hydrogen mixed gas can be safely inhaled.

[0038] In both the first and second embodiments, the hydrogen gas supply source and the oxygen gas supply source are configured by electrolysis of water, but a high-pressure gas container or a PSA containing each gas may be used. In addition, the hydrogen gas supply source may be a hydrogen storage alloy, and the oxygen gas supply source may be an outlet of the hospital piping. The inert gas supply source may be not only a high-pressure gas container but also a PSA. In both the first and second embodiments, the hydrogen gas supply source, the oxygen gas supply source, and the inert gas supply source are configured externally to the hydrogen mixed gas supply device, but all or a part of these supply sources may be configured integrally with the hydrogen mixed gas supply device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0039] Reference Signs List 1, 1a...hydrogen mixed gas supply device, 2...hydrogen gas supply source, 3...inert gas supply source, 4...gas mixer, 5...oxygen gas supply source, 6...first check valve, 7...oxygen concentration meter, 7a...first oxygen concentration meter, 7b...second oxygen concentration meter, 8...hydrogen concentration meter, 9...switching valve, 11...electrolytic cell, 12...anode chamber, 13...cathode chamber, 12a, 13a...electrode plate, 14...high-pressure gas container, 15...regulating valve, 16...second check valve, L1...gas flow path, L2...inert gas supply path, L3...oxygen gas supply path, W...water to be electrolyzed

Claims

1. A hydrogen mixed gas supply device for supplying hydrogen mixed gas for inhalation, comprising: a gas flow path having one end connected to a hydrogen gas supply source and the other end serving as a gas outlet; an inert gas supply passage connected to an inert gas supply source and supplying an inert gas to the gas flow passage; a gas mixer provided downstream in a gas flow direction of a junction of the gas flow passage with an inert gas supply passage; an oxygen gas supply line connected to an oxygen gas supply source and supplying oxygen gas to the gas mixer; a first check valve provided in the oxygen gas supply path; A hydrogen mixed gas supply device comprising:

2. an oxygen concentration meter is provided in the gas flow path between the gas mixer and the gas outlet; 2. The hydrogen mixed gas supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter falls below a predetermined value, the supply of hydrogen gas is controlled to be started.

3. The gas discharge port is branched into a first gas discharge port and a second gas discharge port, When the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter is lower than a predetermined oxygen concentration, the hydrogen mixed gas is discharged from the first gas discharge port; 3. The hydrogen mixed gas supply device according to claim 2, characterized in that when the oxygen concentration detected by the oxygen concentration meter is equal to or higher than a predetermined oxygen concentration, the hydrogen mixed gas is switched and controlled to be released from the second gas release port.

4. a first oxygen concentration meter is provided in the gas flow path between the gas mixer and the gas outlet; a second check valve and a second oxygen concentration meter are provided between the gas mixer and a junction of the gas flow path with an inert gas supply path; 2. The hydrogen mixed gas supply device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the oxygen concentration detected by the second oxygen concentration meter falls below a predetermined value, the supply of hydrogen gas is controlled to be started.

5. 5. The hydrogen mixed gas supply device according to claim 4, characterized in that when the oxygen concentration detected by the first oxygen concentration meter is lower than a predetermined oxygen concentration, the supply of hydrogen gas and the inert gas is stopped.

6. 6. The hydrogen mixed gas supply device according to claim 1, wherein the hydrogen gas supply source is a source of electrolysis of water.

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